Downtown Crowd, November 2023

Downtown Crowd P E N S A C O L A’ S

FREE 5 Qs with Creatives Kellie Hastings, Worried Bones Studio

N O V 2023

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A Merry-Achi Christmas World-Renowned Mariachi Ensemble Brings Holiday Cheer

Phantasma!

New Oddities Shop Opens in Pensacola

Hearty Chili for a Heart-Warming Cause Epilepsy Alliance of Florida’s Annual Chili Cook-Off

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DOWNTOWN CROWD | NOVEMBER 2023

CONTENTS

Cheers!

Assistant Editor Nicole Willis

Advertising Account Executives Paula Rhode paula@ballingerpublishing.com Geneva Strange geneva@ballingerpublishing.com For advertising rates or news tips contact Phone: 433.1166 • Fax: 435.9174

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DOWNTOWN CROWD is published by Ballinger Publishing.

Offices located at 21 E. Garden St., Ste. 205 Pensacola, FL 32502

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November marks the return of the Epilepsy Alliance of Florida’s Chili Cook-off at The Handlebar in downtown Pensacola. This annual event has become a local favorite, drawing in chili connoisseurs and some of the best chili cooks in the city. Be sure to check out page 18 for details on this year’s event.

Until next time,

Editor Morgan Cole

Editorial Intern Madeleine Davis

Speaking of Foo Foo Fest, we’ve brought you all of the details on some of our favorite new and returning Foo Foo events taking over the downtown streets from November 2 through 13.

As always, we hope you enjoy this month’s issue. Embrace the autumn vibes and have a wonderful and turkey-filled Thanksgiving holiday.

Executive Editor Kelly Oden

Graphic Designer Alana Cox

Morgan Cole, Editor

This month, we’ve also brought you the scoop on Pensacola’s newest one-stop-shop for everything odd and alternative, Phantasma.

Opened by Pensacon CEO Mike Ensley and his wife, Heather, this new shop features a plethora of unique oddities, music merchandise, vintage and new goth-style clothing and more. We had the chance to catch up with the couple to learn more about their latest business venture. Be sure to check out the story on page 10 to learn more about what all this quirky new shop has to offer.

Owner Malcolm Ballinger

Art Director Ian Lett

Editor’s Letter The holiday season is just around the corner, and there’s really no better time to enjoy all that our wonderful city has to offer. When it comes to fall events, Pensacola goes big! Fall not only brings us cooler temperatures, it also serves as the official kick-off to festival season here in Pensacola. From the beloved 12-day arts and culture celebration we call Foo Foo Fest to the beginning of the holiday season, there’s no shortage of creative cultural happenings and events happening in downtown Pensacola this fall.

Publisher Malcolm Ballinger

5 Questions with Creatives Kellie Hastings, Worried Bones Studio

10 Phantasma!

New Oddities Shop Opens in Pensacola

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12 Ten Years of Foo Foo Pensacola’s Foo Foo Festival Returns for 12 Days of Arts and Culture 16 Have a Merry-Achi Christmas World-Renowned Mariachi Ensemble Brings Holiday Cheer to Pensacola 18 Hearty Chili for a HeartWarming Cause Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s Annual Chili Cook-off Returns to The Handlebar 21 Community Calendar 22 Military Matters

Downtown Crowd is locally owned and operated. It is published monthly for distribution in Pensacola, Florida. All Right Reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents herein is prohibited without written permission from the publisher.

Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/or the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those of the publisher. This magazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in this magazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services

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5 Questions with Creatives Kellie Hastings, Worried Bones Studio by Nicole Willis Kellie Hastings is a local glass and ceramic artist and the owner of Worried Bones Studio. With many of her creations inspired by the fall season and Halloween, Hastings has put her own cute twist on what some might consider to be spooky or scary. Her decorative and functional designs include an array of ceramic mugs, blown glass pumpkins and more.

Hastings sells her pieces online through her Etsy shop that can be found at etsy.com/ shop/worriedbones. She also sells her pieces in person during Gallery Night in downtown Pensacola and at other local arts markets throughout the year. Hastings announces the events she will attend via her Instagram, @Worried.Bones.

Let’s start with you telling me a little bit about yourself and your professional background.

I grew up here on the Gulf Coast in Fairhope, AL. I started studying at the University of South Alabama originally as a painting major, planning to transfer to a school with an animation focus after knocking out some credits. I ended up taking an Introduction to Glassblowing course my second semester, and it did not take long for me to become enthralled with the medium. I ended up graduating with a BFA with a concentration in glass from South Alabama, and then went on to earn an MFA in glass from Kent State University in Ohio.

I went into college not knowing anything about glassblowing, much less that you could get a degree in it. Curiosity led me to take that first class, and I haven’t stopped working with the material since. While at South Alabama, I also had the opportunity to try other mediums, including ceramics, which gave me a foundation of knowledge about ceramics.

Tell me about the inspiration or influence behind your work and designs.

Oddly enough, I kind of stumbled into the aesthetic of Worried Bones. That is not to say that I am not very proud or excited by the work, because I really am, but more so that it kind of happened organically. I began making the first ceramic skulls in the fall of 2021 and they have remained a year-round favorite. I kept on making them just because they brought me a lot of joy.

I have always held a fond place in my heart for things that are cute, yet melancholy. I try to find the overlap between the two and make work from there much of the time. I make a few intentionally seasonal fall items, but I really try to create well-designed work that can live in the right home year-round.

They definitely aren’t everyone’s aesthetic, but I’ve been fortunate to find fellow humans who appreciate the unique overlap in my work and have given my pieces good homes.

Tell me a little bit about the different types of pieces you create.

I work in a lot of different processes, and they have some overlap while also being a good bit different from each other. All of the glasswork is handblown and created using molten glass gathered on the end of a hollow steel pipe. It’s gathered from a furnace that keeps the glass above 2000 degrees and at about the consistency of honey. It is then shaped, tooled and reheated over and over until it is at its final shape. Glass has to be worked from start to finish—all in one go. To decorate my pieces, I use concentrated color in various forms.

Often for cups or bowls this is in the form of frit, which looks and acts a bit like colored glass sprinkles, adding pops of color onto the surface of the glass. For larger and more decorative forms I use color bar, which allows for a solid and more uniform application of color.

Clay is a lot slower of a process in comparison, as it requires being left alone

at many stages. It’s a bit less mentally and physically demanding, but requires careful supervision to work the material in the correct state for different parts of the process, usually over the course of a few days. I use a few different kinds of ceramic processes. I throw many of my mugs and bowls on a pottery wheel and decorate their surfaces with colored slip, a specialty ceramic pencil and/or glaze.

Can you take me through your creative process and describe what all goes into creating one of your pieces?

My creative process is twofold and could be divided between “making” and “thinking.”

I jump back-and-forth between these two quite often. “Making,” whether it’s making with glass or clay, is more of an automatic process for me. Both of these mediums lend themselves to a sort of physical rhythm.

While I’m making, my thoughts tend to be more focused on my movements and the material in front of me. Much of my “thinking” happens separate from the making, but is still deeply informed by the process of making. I sketch a lot to get ideas out of my head and somewhere physical. I tend to get shapes and colors stuck in my head. I try to transfer this onto paper and then transfer the ideas on paper into glass and clay.

In all honesty, a good chunk of my creative process begins with a stream of consciousness given to Siri to translate into a note on my phone when I’m not in a position to actually draw or type out an idea that has come to me. I then decipher the

gibberish later on. Makes for a fun game of, “What Was I Trying to Tell My Future Self?”

What are some of your most popular items, and is there currently a specific piece or design that you are receiving a lot of requests for?

The porcelain skulls I make, or skullies as I often refer to them, remain my most popular item year round; so much so that I’ve had to adjust my entire workflow in order to make them more efficiently and to keep them at a price point that I think is fair and approachable. The joy of watching people see and process a table full of adorable skullies never gets old. It makes my day everytime. I really wanted them to be different from just any other skull, and I think I’ve struck a cuteness that you don’t often find in most skull-themed decor. The most popular of all of them is my skull with a black bird. It’s one of my personal favorites. I think it hits the overlap of playful and stylized, while also feeling slightly melancholic. @Worried.Bones .

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Phantasma!

New Oddities Shop Opens in Pensacola

by Nicole Willis

oddities and music merchandise, Phantasma also offers a variety of horror merchandise, vintage and new gothic-style clothing, jewelry, accessories and a unique selection of books.

The shop is divided into four main sections, with the first section housing a large selection of music memorabilia from various rock and metal bands. The section is packed with unique music merchandise, including collectable pins, t-shirts, patches, stickers and more.

The next section of the shop is the oddities room, which features some of the shop’s most coveted and obscure items. Lemmie Crews, who is a longtime friend of the Ensleys, has been tasked with the unique job of sourcing each of the weird and wacky items sold in the shop.

Featuring goth and punk fashion, music and horror merchandise and plenty of oddities, Phantasma is Pensacola’s newest one-stop-shop for everything odd and alternative.

Nestled in a small shopping center at the corner of 9th Avenue and Creighton Road, this quirky new shop is Pensacon CEO Mike Ensley and his wife, Heather’s, latest venture. The couple held the grand opening of Phantasma on October 1 after noticing a lack of oddities and alternative stores in the Pensacola area.

“My family and I travel a lot and we always try to check out those kinds of stores wherever we go because we haven’t had anything like that in Pensacola since the 90s. There used to be a shop called Impulses that was first on the beach and then in University Mall, which is now defunct. They used to have a lot of rock t-shirts, stickers, patches and all that kind of stuff from different music and bands. We’ve combined that kind of stuff with oddities,” Mike explained. “There’s nothing like this between Atlanta or New Orleans, and we’re kind of at that midway point, so we figured what the heck, let’s just try it.”

The Ensleys sought out to fill this retail gap and bring a unique oddities shop back to the Pensacola community. In addition to a plethora of

“Lemmie has many different strange things from Odd Fellows, and he’s got a taxidermy king cobra in there [the oddities room] right now. There’s all kinds of crazy stuff in there—old medical bottles, funerary items—just odd antiques,” Mike said.

In addition to searching for rare oddities to carry in the shop, Crews is also open to purchasing unique finds or oddities that people bring into the shop. If you have something that you think may be of interest to Crews or the Phantasma team, individuals are invited to send a message to @phantasmapensacola on Facebook.

The back of the shop houses gothic-style clothing and accessories, both vintage and new.

From flowy gothic dresses to stunning vintage rosaries, each of the gothic pieces in the shop’s collection were hand-selected by Heather Ensley herself. Even if gothic fashion isn’t your everyday go-to, Phantasma offers a great selection of

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pieces to help you put together an amazing cosplay costume.

The final room in the shop is what Mike describes as the Edgar Allen Poe-themed “library area.” The library area features a lot of esoteric books that wouldn’t be found at a typical bookstore, such as underground comics, musician biographies and even zines.

The shop’s name is just as spooky as some of the items inside. The name, “Phantasma,” stems from the Latin word “phantasm,” meaning a ghost or apparition.

Mike explained that the name for the shop came to the team after a brainstorming session. “We were trying to find something that seemed a

little spooky, and wasn’t too run of the mill and Phantasma just kind of appealed to us. It’s about ghosts, and we have a little bit of strange stuff in here, so we figured it tied in,” he explained.

Whether you’re into creepy relics and oddities, or simply want to pick up a funky new piece for your wardrobe, Phantasma has something fun and quirky that’s sure to be right up your alley.

Phantasma is located at 2633 Creighton Rd., Suite B, just across from the Walmart shopping center and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm.

To stay updated on Phantasma and what new and interesting things come through the door, follow @phantasmapensacola on Facebook or Instagram.

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Ten Years of Foo Foo Pensacola’s Foo Foo Festival Returns for 12 Days of Arts and Culture

by Morgan Cole

Foo Foo

Festival, Pensacola’s two-week arts and culture extravaganza, is back for its tenth year, and this year’s anniversary event promises to deliver an experience like never before.

Kicking off November 2 and running through November 13, Foo Foo Fest is an annual event spearheaded and coordinated by local nonprofit organization Arts, Culture and Entertainment, Inc. (more widely known as ACE). The event serves as an umbrella for many of the city’s existing annual cultural events and performances held each fall.

In addition to including the city’s signature fall events, the festival also highlights new events put on by other nonprofits and organizations throughout the community, providing them the opportunity to help contribute to the cultural landscape of Pensacola.

Foo Foo Festival Curator, Nicole Stacey, is thrilled about the quality and number of events being presented as part of this year’s event. “2023 is shaping up to be a momentous year for the 10-year anniversary of the Pensacola Foo Foo Festival,” Stacey said. “What started as an opportunity to highlight our destination’s artful offerings more than 10 years ago has grown into a decade of unforgettable showcases, events, performances and more for our community and visitors each fall.”

For 2023, the Foo Foo Festival Committee awarded more than $500,000 in grant funding to 16 local arts and culture organizations, whose events and performances will serve as part of the official Foo Foo Fest lineup. In addition to the featured events, the Foo Foo Fest committee invites other local nonprofit and for-profit entities to take part in the event as a ”Friend of Foo Foo.” Other local businesses and organizations such as hoteliers, restaurants and bars interested in participating, and whose events meet the cultural mission of Foo Foo Fest, are invited to apply for the designation, providing them inclusion on the event website as well as on advertising and promotional materials for the festival.

“We are proud to offer funding that will help to place a spotlight on these 16 deserving arts & culture organizations, and we can’t wait to share in the experiences they have in store for our community and visitors to Pensacola,” Chair of Pensacola Foo Foo Festival and Vice President of ACE Pensacola Therese Felth McKenzi said.

Our DTC staff and editors have brought you details on some of our favorite new and returning events to help you plan your 12 days of Foo Foo fun.

Check out the complete lineup of scheduled events at foofoofest. com and be sure to follow @FooFooFest on Facebook and Instagram for special announcements and updates on newly added events.

Magic Carpet

Presented by Friends of Downtown Pensacola Dates: November 2-13 Location: UWF Museum Plaza, 300 S. Tarragona St. Tickets: Free Admission, No Tickets Required

This 10,000-square-foot “living” mosaic will take flight over Museum Plaza in the heart of historic Downtown Pensacola from Friends of Downtown Pensacola, created by internationally renowned ImpactPlan Art Productions. Featuring 48,000 translucent rectangles of vivid color painstakingly stitched together with wire filament, Magic Carpet gives visitors the opportunity to experience Pensacola’s vibrant culture and art scene—to enjoy live music, theatrical performances, art shows, fitness events, celebrations, cultural gatherings, outdoor dining and more, all under a skyborne Magic Carpet inspired by traditional mosaic art.

Poseidon’s Garden

Presented by First City Art Center Dates: November 2-13 Location: Community Maritime Park, 300 W. Main St. Tickets: Free Admission, No Tickets Required

“Poseidon’s Garden” presents an opportunity to bring focus to the beauty and the abundance that we enjoy. Located in the protected area of the tidal basin at Maritime Park, the installation will include varioussized glass-blown orbs and spikes rising from the water as an offering from Poseidon to recognize our area’s stewardship of our beautiful surroundings. The glass installations will be dispersed throughout the basin. More than 300 mouth-blown objects will be combined to create a spectacular visual presence. The art featured in the installation was created by local glassblowers, using state-of-the-art equipment at First City Art Center. The exhibit will open November 2, kicking off with an onsite glass blowing demonstration using First City Art Center’s mobile glass blowing studio: Little Dragon.

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Night Moves Music Fest

Presented by Night Moves, Inc. Dates: November 3 & 4 Location: Multiple Locations, Downtown Pensacola Tickets: Ticketed Event

The “Night Moves” philosophy is all about support and encouragement among members of the local the music scene without the confines of a set venue.

All ages are invited to attend Night Moves Fest, the all-day music festival on November 4 from noon to 11 pm at the Maritime Park. Attendees will also have a chance to enjoy performances by 10 to 12 national and regional alternative/ indie acts. Food trucks, local vendors and brand sponsorship booths will be on the festival grounds next door to Maritime Park. The main event will be held on November 4, with an aftershow to follow at The Handlebar. The VIP preshow will be held November 3 at The Handlebar from 8 to 11 pm. In addition to an already jam-packed weekend of music, The Handlebar will host a special live concert on Sunday. Early bird tickets, advance general admission, day of general admission and VIP tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at nightmovesfest.com.

Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow

Date: November 3 & 4 (Show begins at 9:30 am) Location: Multiple Locations, NAS Pensacola Tickets: Free Admission, No Tickets Required

NAS Pensacola is pleased to announce the NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show on November 3 through November 4, with the theme of “Celebrating Women In Aviation.”

This event provides the opportunity for NAS Pensacola to showcase what they work with daily on the installation and to enjoy a world-class air show, all while visiting the “Cradle of Naval Aviation” and the home of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

The NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is one of Pensacola’s largest events, attracting between 150,000 to 180,000 spectators during this two-day event. There is an incredible lineup of aerobatic performers, along with our very own Blue Angels. This event is free and open to the public.

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Pensacola Mural Fest

Date: November 3 & 4 (Show begins at 9:30 am) Location: Multiple Locations, along Barrancas Street Tickets: Free Admission, No Tickets Required Pensacola Mural Fest will be celebrating the addition of five large-scale murals that have been painted in various locations along the Barrancas Corridor. The Fest will feature muralists who have painted murals in cities across the country.

The event will also feature a number of local food trucks, a vintage fair, live music, entertainment and more. Attendees can watch the artists busy at work beginning October 29, and they are invited to learn more about the artists’ work at the Mural Fest November 3 through 4 from 10 am to 5 pm. The Pensacola Mural Fest will take place across multiple locations, with murals painted on five different buildings along Barrancas Avenue, between Garden and Main Streets. This event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

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IMPROVable Cause Improv Troupe

Date: November 4 Location: Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets: Ticketed Event

IMPROVable Cause is Pensacola’s best and only professional improv troupe. This entertaining event will feature members of Improvable Cause performing short-form improv comedy live on stage at the Pensacola Little Theatre. The comedic troupe is made up of local professionals and members of the arts community. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online, at the Pensacola LIttle Theatre Box Office or at the door starting at 10 pm. There are no age restrictions for the performance, but content is recommended for individuals ages 16 and older.

MONDE Fashion Event Presented by Scout Boutique Date: November 9 Location: Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets: Ticketed Event

Scout Boutique proudly presents the MONDE Fashion Event at Vinyl Music Hall in support of Andrews Research & Education Foundation (AREF). Scout Boutique Creative Director, Julia Ussery, will transform Vinyl Music Hall into an exhilarating spectacle celebrating the world of fashion. All proceeds will benefit AREF. Sponsorship packages are available, along with general admission tickets. Sponsorship packages will offer exclusive benefits, including VIP seating, an open bar, a pre-show party, print and digital recognition on social media, an event t-shirt and tickets to the exclusive sponsor party on November 2. For tickets and information, visit vinylmusichall.com.

Songs Down South

Presented by Pensacola Opera Date: November 9 Location: WSRE Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, 1000 College Blvd.

Tickets: Ticketed Event From Opera to Opry, Songs Down South will celebrate two well-loved southern traditions: food and music! Enjoy a variety of southern-crafted cocktails, wine and beer curated by Birmingham’s Scott Jones, former Food and Wine Editor for Southern Living and now the owner of a regional wine-tasting company. Fill your glass, and then indulge in some of the finest Southern food in the region prepared by William “Bill E Stitt” from Bill E’s restaurant in Fairhope, Ala. Heading inside the Jean & Paul Amos Studio, the diverse musical lineup will include favorite selections from musical theatre, opera, country, bluegrass, gospel, spirituals and blues by headlining artists such as the Opera Cowgirls, opera stars Michael Mayes and Megan Marino, genre-bending artist Janinah Burnett and our very own Jan Miller Studio Artists. Emceeing the evening, and providing her own comedy and musical performances, will be Loosey LaDuca — a nationally recognized drag artist appearing as none other than the queen of country herself, Dolly Parton. For tickets and information, visit pensacolaopera.com.

Mahabhuta Yoga VegFest 2023 Date: November 9-12 Location: Sanders Beach Resource Center, 913 S. I St. Tickets: Ticketed Event

This beloved annual event is a celebration of yoga, music, art, slackline, aerial,, Galactic Child Yoga and vegan cuisine. The event features a fun-filled weekend of yoga demonstrations, delicious plant-based cuisines and more.

This year’s Yoga VegFest event will be held at the Sanders Beach-Corinne Resource Center in Pensacola and will kick off on November 9 with an opening ceremony and concert featuring Rahasya. Festival goers will have a chance to explore various yoga styles, attend enlightening workshops and enjoy a variety of tasty plant-based dishes. A variety of vendors and other like-minded community partners will also be onsite at the event. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just starting your yoga journey, the Mahabhuta Yoga VegFest 2023 offers something for everyone. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased online at bit.ly/VegFest2023.

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Homecoming: A Musical Celebration of History & Tradition

Night on The Tracks Block Party Presented by 309 Punk Project Date: November 11 Location: Old East Hill (Multiple Locations) Tickets: Free & Ticketed Events

309 Punk Project is throwing a Night on the Tracks Block Party in Old East Hill.

The event will kick off with a participatory DIY street parade featuring a drum line, puppet troupe and YOU. Following the parade, the Night on the Tracks Block Party will ensue with local food trucks, an artisan market and interactive science and math games presented by Pensacola MESS Hall. The Block Party will feature a streetside art exhibition by Panhandle Slim presented by the 309 Punk Project, an outdoor live music and video performance with songwriter rounds at From the Ground Up Community Garden, an open-air film event hosted by Calliope Films at The Rails on Wright Street event space and to close out the night, a live concert at The Handlebar featuring Rymondee, Austin Lucas and Dave Dondero. For complete event details and tickets for scheduled events, visit 309punkproject.org. To purchase tickets for The Handlebar show, visit thehandlebar850.com.

Presented by Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Date: November 11 Location: NAS Pensacola, 1750 Radford Blvd.

Tickets: Free Admission, No Tickets Required Join the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola for a free Veterans Day concert celebrating the men and women of our Armed Services.

Featuring an ensemble of 12 brass and percussion musicians, the performance will include patriotic favorites from John Philip Sousa along with jazz and big band music by American composers, Eric Whitacre and David Marlatt.

No tickets are necessary for this FREE and family-friendly event. The concert is a general admission event and will take place in the Blue Angels Atrium of the National Naval Aviation Museum located at 1750 Radford Blvd.

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Have a Merry-Achi Christmas

World-Renowned Mariachi Ensemble Brings Holiday Cheer to Pensacola

by Madeleine Davis

L

G rammy nominees M aestro J osé H ernández and his world - renowned Mariachi Sol de México, Embajadores del Mariachi, are bringing a spectacular holiday performance to downtown Pensacola. atin

On November 18, the ensemble will bring their brilliance and aptitude to the Saenger Theater stage, performing a mix of mariachi classics and beloved Christmas songs such as Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, performed mariachi-style by one of the most critically acclaimed mariachis.

Hernández is a Grammy Award-winning, ninetime Latin Grammy nominee and world-renowned musician, composer and music educator. He founded the world-famous Mariachi Sol de México and America’s first all-female professional mariachi ensemble, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles.

Under the leadership of Hernàndez, Mariachi Sol de Mexico is the only mariachi group in the world that performs in the classical music circuit. The ensemble received their most recent Latin Grammy nomination in 2022 for their latest album 40 Aniversario Embajadores del Mariachi, a collection of classic rancheras from the ensemble’s 40-year career. Now, they are spreading Christmas cheer on tour with their holiday album, A Merry-Achi Christmas.

Hernández’s family resided in the town of Miraflores, Jalisco and immigrated to the United States when he was four years old. As a seventh-generation mariachi, he has continued the centuries-old family tradition of maintaining the longest surviving mariachi family.

Hernández’s daughter is also following the family tradition, joining the Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles ensemble.

Mariachi Sol de México have played sold out concerts all over the world—from Madison Square Garden to Beijing. The ensemble has also been invited to play for several U.S. Presidents, including Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama.

One of Hernández’s proudest achievements is establishing the symphony orchestra and bringing his spirited sound to mariachi lovers around the world.

Now with his ensemble, the city of Pensacola has

the opportunity to listen to some of the most vivacious mariachi music to date.

Although Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández has received many Latin and American Grammy nominations, it is the passion and love of the mariachi tradition that Mariachi Sol de Mexico are concerned with sharing. When they are not performing for international audiences, they are providing education for the younger generation of musicians through the Mariachi Heritage Society.

After releasing their Christmas album in 2018, Mariachi Sol de México still tours five years later to spread holiday joy and Christmas cheer for all to hear. The ensemble is set to play Latin favorites and popular Christmas carols such as Jingle Bells, Santa Claus Llego a La Ciudidad, Joy to the World and more.

“We are delighted to continue our holiday tradition bringing the most beloved Christmas and Latino music to our fans in Pensacola.”

“We are delighted to continue our holiday tradition bringing the most beloved Christmas and Latino music to our fans in Pensacola,” Maestro Hernández said. “For over 20 years, we continue bringing a fun, joyful show for families both young and old.”

The performance will be held on November 18 at 7:30 pm at the Saenger Theatre located at 118 S. Palafox Pl. in downtown Pensacola. Tickets start at $32 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or in person at the Saenger Theatre Box Office. For more details on A Merry-Achi Christmas, visit pensacolasaengar.com.

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Hearty Chili for a Heart-Warming Cause Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s Annual Chili Cook-off Returns to The Handlebar

by Nicole Willis

As the Florida sunshine begins to give way to blustery and chilly days, there’s something warm and comforting about a hearty, piping hot bowl of chili.

Thankfully for us chili lovers, we can now spread warmth not only through the mouthwatering chili we make, but also through the community. Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s (EAF) annual Chili Cookoff event brings out some of the best chili in Pensacola and supports EAF’s mission of advocating and supporting individuals impacted by epilepsy.

On November 19, Epilepsy Alliance Florida (EAF) will host its annual Chili Cook-off at The Handlebar in downtown Pensacola. This fan-favorite event features some of the city’s best chili, tasty brews and exceptional entertainment—all in the name of raising awareness for epilepsy.

“EAF, established in 1971 as a notfor-profit 501(c)(3), is dedicated to supporting those impacted by epilepsy by confronting the spectrum of challenges created by seizures,” Youth and Family Engagement Specialist for EAF Cecily Dupree said. “It is a founding member of the Epilepsy Alliance America.

Epilepsy Alliance

“November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, so events such as the Chili Cook-off raise awareness and help us continue our services throughout the Panhandle.”

Florida provides numerous services to individuals and families, including advocacy and counseling, education and prevention, direct medical and neuropsychological services, as well as other programs regardless of financial situation or socioeconomic status.”

EAF’s annual Chili Cook-off has a history of helping the organization succeed in its mission of supporting individuals impacted by epilepsy. Dupree explained that the proceeds from this year’s event will help EAF continue its programs and services for people impacted by epilepsy across the state.

“Epilepsy affects 426,000 people in Florida, mostly children and the elderly.

We provide them with a myriad of programs such as support groups, case management, medical services, prevention and education, Camp Boggy Creek and much more,” she said.

Apart from this annual event supporting a wonderful cause, the Chili Cook-off also features tasty foods, beverages and live entertainment. This year’s event will include live music performed by The East Hillbillies, a raffle with prizes and, of course, plenty of different chilis to try. Whether you like a meat-heavy chili, or prefer it loaded up with beans and veggies, the EAF’s Chili Cook-off is sure to have something to tempt your tastebuds.

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Both chefs and chili fans alike are invited to participate in the event. If you are a chili-lover looking to indulge, you’ll need to register for a Tasting Pass, which allows you to taste each of the different chilis at the event. Tasting Passes are $20 each and include a free cold beer, live entertainment and access to multiple tasting stations.

Chili enthusiasts who are interested in dishing up their finest recipe are invited to compete for the title of “Best Chili in Pensacola.” Those interested in entering their best chili must register for a contestant ticket prior to the event. Both contestants and tasters can register online at epilepsyalliancefl.org/events/chili-cook-off-2023/.

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“November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, so events such as the Chili Cook-off raise awareness and help us continue our services throughout the Panhandle,” Dupree explained.

EAF’s annual Chili Cook-off will be held on November 19 from 4 pm to 7 pm at The Handlebar located at 319 N. Tarragona St. in downtown Pensacola.

To register or learn more about EAF’s annual Chili Cook-off, visit epilepsyalliancefl.org or the EAF Facebook page at @EpilepsyAFLA.

Whether you participate in the event by preparing and serving up chili, or by tasting and enjoying yourself, your participation alone will make a big difference in the lives of Floridians affected by epilepsy, as event proceeds will support EAF and its services.

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NOVEMBER

COMMUNITY EVENTS Pensacola Ice Flyers Schedule and Theme Nights November Home Games and Theme Nights at the Pensacola Bay Center. For tickets and more information, visit iceflyers.com.

November 10 at 7:05 pm - Knoxville Ice Bears vs Ice Flyers; Adult Jersey Giveaway November 11 at 7:05 pm - Knoxville Ice Bears vs Ice Flyers; Veterans Appreciation Night November 18 at 7:05 pm - Macon Mayhem vs Ice Flyers; Star Wars Night November 22 at 7:05 pm - Birmingham Bulls vs Ice Flyers; Thanksgiving Eve

Seville Quarter Haunted Ghost Tour . . . . . . . . . . Now through January 31 Come dine with the spirits of Seville on a Seville Quarter’s Haunted Ghost Tour! Take part in a paranormal investigation and then enjoy a meal at one of Pensacola’s oldest and most haunted restaurants. Psychic medium, Ericka Boussarhane, and members of her team will guide guests through the halls of Seville Quarter, telling tales of ghosts, murder, mayhem and more of downtown Historic Pensacola’s paranormal happenings. Tickets include the guided tour and a $12 meal voucher. Seville Quarter is located at 130 E Government St. in downtown Pensacola. Reservations are required. Tour dates and times vary. For reservation information and more details, visit pensacolaghostevents.com.

Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show

63rd Annual Pensacola Greek Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 3 to 5 The 63rd Annual Pensacola Greek Festival is back and better than ever before. The Pensacola Greek Festival is a celebration of Greek heritage focusing on food, music, dancing and family-friendly fun!

Experience the wonderful aroma of freshly grilled meats, the sound of traditional Greek music and the sight of colorful decorations. Indulge in gyros, spanakopita, baklava, kourabiedes and other authentic Greek dishes. Don’t miss out on this once-a-year opportunity to taste and experience the best of Greek culture. The 63rd Annual Pensacola Greek Festival is hosted at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church located at 1720 W Garden St. For more information, visit facebook.com/PensacolaGreekFestival.

Katt Williams: The Dark Matter Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 4 Comedy legend and Emmy® Award-winning actor, Katt Williams, is bringing The Dark Matter Tour to Pensacola. Produced by North American Entertainment Group, this highly anticipated tour will be hitting Pensacola Bay Center, promising a night of unparalleled comedy that breaks through boundaries and challenges the status quo. The show begins at 8 pm and doors open at 7 pm. The Pensacola Bay Center is located at 201 E Gregory St. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

PSO’s Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 4 Under the baton of Guest Conductor Brett Mitchell, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s towering Fourth Symphony. From its opening horn calls signaling inescapable fate to its rambunctious conclusion featuring a flurry of cymbal crashes and orchestral fireworks, it serves as a “faithful echo” of an intensely emotional journey. The program also features Mason Bates’ Garages of the Valley about the Silicon Valley spaces that housed the visionaries behind Apple, Hewlett Packard, Intel and Google, and Camille Saint-Saëns’ First Cello Concerto with Principal Cellist of The Cleveland Orchestra Mark Kosower as soloist. The performance will take place at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre, located at 118 S. Palafox Pl. The show starts at 7:30 pm and doors open at 6:30 pm. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasymphony.com.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 3 and 4 The Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is one of the most attended events in Pensacola, attracting 150,000 to 180,000 spectators every year. This two-day event features a world class show with aerobatics performed by Pensacola’s own Blue Angels. This year’s show theme is “Celebrating Women In Aviation,” to honor historical women in aviation as well as NAS’s Lt. Amanda Lee. This event is free and open to the public. Guests are invited to bring their own seating, but paid seating will also be available. The Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is hosted at Naval Air Station Pensacola at 150 Hase Rd. Gates Perfect Plain’s 6th open at 8 am and the show begins at 9:30 Anniversary Fall Festival am. For tickets and more information, visit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 4 and 5 naspensacolaairshow.com.

Join Perfect Plain Brewing Co. November 4-5 for a weekend full of fall festival activities

for the brewery’s 6th anniversary party! The weekend-long celebration will include vendors, a fall market, live music, karaoke and more. To add to the celebration, Perfect Plain will be offering beer specials and specialty can releases throughout the weekend. The celebration will take place at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., located at 50 E. Garden St. in downtown Pensacola. For more information, visit perfectplain.com.

Pensacola Fall Food Truck Fest

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 18 Tempt your taste buds and come hungry to Pensacola Fall Food Truck Fest. This familyfriendly event features a wide variety of food trucks and vendors, as well as live entertainment, bounce houses for the kids and a heated culinary competition. The Pensacola Fall Food Truck Fest is hosted at Community Maritime Park at 301 West Main St. Tickets start at $5 and kids 12 and East Hill Makers Market under are free. For tickets and more information, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 7 visit apexshowsandevents.com.

Enjoy an afternoon of shopping, food trucks and kids activities the East Hill Makers Market. Hosted Wolfgang’s 2nd Annual Pupsgiving at Cordova Square by the East Hill Neighborhood Association, the market will feature over 30 craft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 18 and food vendors. Come shop, meet and mingle Join Wolfgang for a tail-wagging celebration at the with your neighbors from 2 pm to 5 pm. This event 2nd Annual Pupsgiving. Hosted from 11 am to 1 pm is free and open to the public. Cordova Square is at Garden & Grain, Pupsgiving gives humans and located at 1101 N. 12th Ave. For more information, pups the chance to decorate and enjoy fall-themed the East Hill Makers Market event page on treats crafted by Diamond’s Tasty Treasures. Dogfriendly icing and supplies will be available. Tickets Facebook. also include some perks like BOGO champagne and 15% off from Garden & Grain, as well as $2 off 2023 Pensacola Beach all drafts at Perfect Plain. It wouldn’t be Pupsgiving Art & Wine Festival without the opportunity to give. Participants who . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 12 bring a donation of treats, a fleece blanket and a toy Sip, stroll and shop your way around the for the animals at the Escambia County Department Pensacola Beach Boardwalk when it turns into of Animal Welfare will receive a complimentary 12oz an art and wine lover’s paradise at the Pensacola Perfect Plain beer. Tickets are on sale now for $25 Beach Art & Wine Festival. The Pensacola and are limited. For tickets and more information, Beach Chamber of Commerce invites the public visit wolfgangparkandbrews.com. to spend an afternoon sampling wines and perusing the works of some of the Gulf Coast’s St. Paul Catholic Church most talented artists. Starting at 11 am and lasting Christmas Market until 4 pm, the festival brings together about 20 local artists and more than 30 wine selections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 18 and 19 The festival is free to the public, however, to Start your Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping participate in the wine tastings festival-goers early at St. Paul Catholic Church’s Christmas must purchase a ticket and receive a wristband. Market. On November 18 and 19 from 9 am to 3 The Pensacola Beach Boardwalk is located at 400 pm, stop by the church to shop from a variety of Quietwater Beach Rd. For more information, visit local vendors. There will be plenty of excellent gift pensacolabeachchamber.com/art-wine-festival. and holiday treats for sale including homemade baked goods and gift baskets. St. Paul Catholic Church is located at 3131 Hyde Park Rd. If you Jim Breuer: Survival With Laughter are interested in being a vendor at the market or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 16 want more information, contact Judy Galbavy at One of Comedy Central’s “100 Greatest (850) 380-1160 or Nanci Pruter at (850) 490-0009.

Standups of All Time,” SNL alum Jim Breuer is stopping by the Pensacola Saenger Theatre this Pensacola Turkey Trot month. Hotter than ever, his Comedy Central specials such as “Hardcore” and “Let’s Clear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 23 The Air,” are some of the highest-rated in the Kick off the Thanksgiving Day festivities early at network’s history his “And Laughter For All” on the Pensacola Turkey Trot! This 5k race’s course EPIX was the highest-rated original comedy runs through the heart of downtown Pensacola, special on EPIX to date, earning its spot as with the race beginning and ending in front of a family favorite for its relatable and multi- Seville Square (399 S. Alcaniz St.). Attendees and generational humor. The Pensacola Saenger runners alike are invited to get in the spirit by Theatre is located at 118 South Palafox Pl. The dressing up in their most fitting turkey-themed show starts at 7:30 pm and doors open at 6:30 apparel. The race begins at 8 am on Thanksgiving pm. For tickets and more information, visit Day. A post race party and awards ceremony will be held at Seville Square. For more information, pensacolasaenger.com. visit runpensacola.com.

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| downtowncrowd.com

MILITARYMATTERS AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

NAS PENSACOLA RECOGNIZES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

N

STORY BY ENS. ANGELIQUE THERRIEN, NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA PUBLIC AFFAIRS

PHOTO BY BRUCE CUMMINS, NAS PENSACOLA

aval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Terry ‘Village’ Shashaty joined members of the installation’s Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) and the commanding officers of tenant commands to sign a proclamation October 3 denoting a continued and unified recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, themed this year as ‘United Against Domestic Abuse.’

Shashaty further added that more than 10 million Americans are victims of physical violence each year, about 20 individuals every minute, and stressed that awareness of domestic violence reporting procedures is a key element of both an organizational and individual response to domestic violence scenarios, and ensuring all NAS Pensacola service members and civilian employees are aware of how a potential incident is handled is a shared responsibility.

Although a national initiative observed annually in October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, designed to raise awareness on domestic violence and inform about domestic violence prevention efforts and reporting options for victims, is a mainstay at NAS Pensacola, something Shashaty said is a critical function of ensuring mission capability.

According to Celeste Reeves, the installation Family Advocacy Program (FAP) Representative, there are different types of reporting for incidents of domestic abuse: restricted (sometimes referred to as private or confidential reporting) which can preserve the privacy of victims and limit who is involved; and unrestricted reporting, where victims can enlist law enforcement to investigate the incident, which includes contacting the alleged abuser. Additionally, the Navy’s Family Advocacy Program (FAP) provides clinical assessment, treatment and services for service members and their families involved in incidents of domestic violence/abuse and child abuse/neglect.

“We respect, support and defend victims of domestic abuse,” Shashaty said.

“We want to ensure that all military members, civilian employees and families know that we are here to support them. Our Navy has a strong community network of services available them that includes options they have to report any incidents.”

Domestic abuse, as defined by the Department of Defense (DoD), is violence or a pattern of behavior resulting in emotional or psychological abuse, economic control and/or interference with personal liberty directed toward a person who is a current or former intimate partner or involved in a social intimate relationship.

“Domestic abuse is not just about physical violence and it’s not just between husbands and wives. When anyone is verbally debased, socially or financially controlled or emotionally traumatized by their intimate partner, domestic abuse has occurred,” Sam said. “It’s critical that everyone knows how domestic violence can erode mission confidence and the steps they can take individually to ensure that they – or someone with whom they work – know of programs which can provide assistance.”

NAS Pensacola FFSC FAP employees can connect interested personnel to emergency services, counseling and emotional support, housing and shelter, and financial and legal services. Additionally, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (www.thehotline.org/) at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NAS Pensacola, referred to as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation,” is designed to support operational and training missions of tenant commands, including the Naval Aviation Technical Training Center (NATTC), Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC), the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT), Marine Aviation Training Support Groups (MATSG) 21 and 23 and is the headquarters for Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).

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