Cabaret
Pensacola Little Theatre’s Annual Fundraising Event
Paris
Midnight in
Free
DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | MARCH 2018
Downtown Crowd | March 2018
Editor’s Letter 10
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7
contents 7 Ciclovia Returns
8 Impossibly Good Burger 10 Cabaret: The City of Light Comes to Pensacola 13 Pensacon 2018 15 St. Patrick’s Day Guide 17 Man of La Mancha 18 Album and Trailer Reviews 20 Dateline Downtown
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take the ferries at least once. You gain a better appreciation for the area and its different parts when you see them from the water. You can understand why early explorers praised Pensacola for its sheltered bay.
Soon enough I’ll be back in the water with my net, hunting for shells by day and blue crab by night. I recently mentioned to my colleagues my theory that one can’t fully appreciate Pensacola until you get out on, and in, the water.
What’s more, people who get out and enjoy nature are more likely to care about it and want to see it protected. Perhaps this is overly optimistic, but I would love to see a groundswell of support grow for the restoration of the bay. That’s not to say support doesn’t exist– project GreenShores was completed more than a decade ago, after all–but local officials don’t talk about the return of the bay scallop in any way close to the way they do about economic development.
While that can get pricey for large groups, I think motoring across the bay from downtown to Fort Pickens and back will be an experience well worth $20. I particularly hope that anyone who has never been on a boat in Pensacola Bay makes a point to
Executive Editor Kelly Oden Editor Will Isern Art Director Guy Stevens
Editorial Assistant Tanner Yea
t long last, beach weather. Surely this is the best time of year in Pensacola. The tourism season is still a few weeks off; the weather is warm but not yet blistering, gardens are in bloom. It just feels good to be outside.
Not having a boat, nor any friends with one, I’m excited for the start of the ferry service between downtown, Fort Pickens and Pensacola Beach, now just two months away. It was recently announced that ticket prices will be no more than $20 for adults for a full day of hopon, hop-off trips.
Owners Malcolm & Glenys Ballinger
Graphic Design Carly Stone & Bara’ah Jaraiseh
WILL ISERN editor
A
Publisher Malcolm Ballinger
Many folks don’t know that it is actually illegal to harvest scallops west of the Gulf County/Bay County line due to their scarcity. Some day, I’d like to be able to take my net down into the bay and return home with a bucket full of crab and scallop, ready for the boiling pot. I’m hopeful that the ferries are a step in that direction.
Contributing Writer Haley Weaver Bara’ah Jaraiseh Advertising Account Executives Paula Rode paula@ballingerpublishing.com Geneva Strange geneva@ballingerpublishing.com Boyce White boyce@ballingerpublishing.com Deadline for space and information is the 15th of the month prior to publication. For advertising rates or news tips contact Phone: 433-1166 · Fax: 435-9174 DOWNTOWN CROWD is published by Ballinger Publishing. Offices located at 314 N Spring St., Ste. A, Pensacola Florida 32501 Published by Ballinger Publishing
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 by Ballinger Publishing. © 2018
Cover design and photography by Bara’ah Jaraiseh
Depose and Dispose (of): Bull, color reduction woodcut, 2017
DEPOSE AND DISPOSE (OF) 407 S. Jefferson St. Pensacola, FL 32502 850.432.6247 pensacolamuseum.org Museum Winter Hours: Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun. 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mon. Closed
An exhibition of work by Katrina Andry.
Jan. 12 – March 18, 2018 Lewis Bear Family and Greenhut galleries
Sponsored by
A word from Curt Morse, Executive Director of the Downtown Improvement Board As the Downtown Improvement Board, our job is to continuously improve the experience of residents and visitors to the downtown core. That’s why we’re excited to announce system-wide improvement to our parking program.
believe this new system will be easier, faster and more convenient for anyone parking downtown.
You can download the Premium Parking App wherever you get your apps. We encourage you to check it out and plan We know you come downtown to enjoy a visit to downtown Pensacola today. As the world-class restaurants and enter- always, we would love to hear your feedtainment that the district has to offer. We back as we move forward. want to remove the headache of searchAdditionally, we would like to congratuing and paying for parking. late Pensacon on another successTo do that, we’ve partnered with Premi- ful year. Pensacon is a unique event in um Parking out of New Orleans to mod- Northwest Florida and we’re proud that ernize and upgrade the way we manage it’s hosted in downtown Pensacola. It parking. The old system of displaying a was exciting to see Pensacon attendees meter receipt in your windshield is gone. engage with downtown throughout the Under the new system, it is now possible weekend. We wish Pensacon continued to see a map of parking facilities and success and look forward to seeing its pay for parking all within our new smart- return in the years to come. phone app. Finally, we’d like to acknowledge and You can reserve a space via the app be- mourn the passing of Maurice Sorrell. fore coming downtown to have guaran- Maurice was a fixture at the corner of teed parking waiting for you when you ar- Romana and Palafox streets where he rive. You can receive notifications when could always be found with his guitar your parking is about to expire and pay slung over his shoulder and a smile on his face. Many people will remember for more time via the app or by text. his great singing voice and message of No more driving around in circles search- love. It was with much sadness that we ing for parking. No more counting the learned of Maurice’s passing in early Febminutes until your time expires or run- ruary. He was a truly talented individual and a great part of downtown. He has ning back to your car to feed the meter. left a lasting impression on us and will be The new system went live on March greatly missed. 1st. In the coming months, we’ll be upgrading all of our parking machines —Curt Morse throughout the downtown core. We
Spring is always an exciting time in Pensacola: after months of long jackets and cold beaches, we can once again live that Florida lifestyle that others are so jealous of. And what better way to open up the season than to take to the streets to stretch your legs and feel the warm air?
That’s why on March 24, Ciclovia – Pensacola Open Streets returns to downtown Pensacola for its second year. This event rides off of last year’s breakout success, when over 10,000 people participated in the event.
and they had a blast,” said Rand Hicks, Ciclovia’s chairman. “We hope to do even better this year.”
From 9 am to 2 pm, a large portion of downtown will be closed to motor vehicle traffic, allowing for pedestrian and self-powered Ciclovia originally started in Bogota, Colom- vehicles to take over the streets. Closures bia in 1974 as a weekly event where people include Palafox Place from Romana Street walked, biked, skateboarded or roller-skat- to Plaza DeLuna, and Main Street from the ed through the streets – without the inter- Community Maritime Park to Bartram Park. ference of motor vehicles. Forty-four years later, the event has spread across 400 cit- In addition to the opportunity to visit downies around the world, including places like town like never before, music, vendors and Guadalajara, Mexico and Capetown, South other events will be staged all throughout Africa. Pensacola has now emerged as yet the area – including a Kids Area at Plaza DeLuna, health screenings and other acanother success story of the event. tivities. All of the activities will be free of “Last year we drew thousands of visitors to charge. downtown, many for the first time in years,
By Tanner Yea Ciclovia has also drawn a large amount of economic influx to the community. According to survey data from the University of West Florida and Visit Florida, increased spending during the event put over $597,000 into the economy, with people spending an average of $46 at the event. Over 42 percent of those surveyed also said they discovered a new business during the event they wouldn’t have normally been to in their spare time. “Over the last decade Pensacola has really reinvented itself as an urban center,” said Hicks. “The return of restaurants, retail and professionals has followed public and private investment in places like the Community Maritime Park and Plaza de Luna, the renovation of many historic buildings, as well as good sidewalks and pedestrianfriendly traffic rules. This all set the stage for what is happening now: people returning to live downtown.” One of the main reasons for holding Ciclovia is to better public health. According to the 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment facilitated by the Florida Departments of Health in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, around 60% of Escambia County is overweight – around the state average. This health issue has resulted in further high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. “The obesity epidemic has underscored the value of exercise,” Hicks said. “That’s
a plus for downtown, because urban centers are great for people looking for sidewalks and safe places to connect. We think that once people see how easy it is to get around downtown without cars, they won’t be thinking about exercising, they will just be enjoying themselves.” Hicks said that the event will also help reduce pollution as well as show-off that downtown Pensacola is a people-friendly space that can serve as a model of using alternate forms of transport. He also stressed that it is a community-focused event, intended as a way for residents to meet people and represent themselves to organizations and businesses that make an impact in the community. Ciclovia does not seem to have an end in the near future, as the success of last year has only ramped up advertising and the overall scale of the event. Hicks hopes that Ciclovia will continue to be an annual tradition, and perhaps be held more frequently further on down the line. Ciclovia – Pensacola Open Streets will be held on Saturday, March 24 from 9 am to 2 pm on Palafox Place and Main Street. The event is free and open to the public for all ages. For more information on Ciclovia 2018 or to learn more about Pensacola Open Streets, visit PensacolaOpenStreets. com or contact Rand Hicks at PensacolaOpenStreets@gmail.com. DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 7
Impossibly Good
Burger
By Will Isern / Photos by Guy Stevens
A few weeks ago, I got an email about a burger that wasn’t a burger. That is, it was a burger made from plants, rather than beef. I was told that not only did this plant burger exist, but that it was being offered at Skopelos, which piqued my interest. Surely if the chefs at Skopelos saw fit to put this thing on their menu it had to be good, right? 8 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM
Well, I wanted to find out so I responded to the email and arranged a time to try the socalled Impossible Burger. Now I wouldn’t qualify myself as a burger aficionado, but I’ve at least had every good burger in Pensacola several times over. Could this plant burger match the meaty satisfaction of a Tops or a Blue Dot? The Impossible Burger is the creation of a Silicon Valley startup called Impossible Foods, whose stated mission is to “transform the global food system by inventing better ways to make the foods we love, without compromise.” The company generated national press last year when it got financial backing from none other than Bill Gates. The Wahlburgers chain of restaurants added the burger to their menus in January. Impossible Foods got its start in 2011 and spent five years of research and development to produce the nearest possible analogue to beef. That result is a product that looks, cooks smells and yes, tastes, very, very close to beef. The burger’s main ingredients are water, textured wheat protein, coconut oil and potato protein. The burger derives its meaty flavor from something called “heme,” an iron-containing molecule found in the hemoglobin that turns our blood red, but also found in plants.
“I was skeptical from the standpoint of the look,” he said. “Because, you know, it has all the qualities of beef, except it’s not beef. That’s really what surprised me, in that you cook it just like you would beef. From rare to well done it looks just like beef. When it’s rare, medium-rare it looks like it’s bloody. So I was quite shocked by that, as well as the flavor. Over the years I’ve had the vegan side of burgers, the black bean and all the other ones that ¬– they’re vegan but they’re not satisfying the meat side of flavor and that’s what I think this does.”
“It was super exciting to me because it was like, OK somebody else out there is thinking along the same lines that I am,” she said. “So we need to give people the option and give people the opportunity to support these great causes without having to make as much of a sacrifice as going completely vegan. It’s hard to ask that of people.”
Wanting to see if the Impossible Meat could match beef visually, I ordered my burger medium-rare. The burgers came plated beautifully with sides of fries, chips and the airiest, golden onion rings I’ve ever seen. After a brief Chef Silivos invited us back into the kitchen where he photo shoot, we dug in. brought out three pink and plump patties that, to my eye, were indistinguishable from beef. With a drizzle of oil, Sil- As for taste, my companions and I agreed that had we ivos slid the patties on the griddle where they sizzled and not known what we were eating, we would not have steamed as promised. After a few minutes, he flipped guessed that the burgers were anything other than beef. the patties to reveal the appealing brown crust that had The taste was rich and, well, meaty. A flavorful layer of fat formed. lingered after each bite, just like the real thing. The only noticeable difference was the texture, which we found While the burgers cooked, I talked to Chef de Cuisine to be lighter than beef, which some diners may prefer. If Takara Smith, who pushed Silivos to get the Impossible you are a meat eater, the Impossible Burger will not be Burger on the menu. Smith eats meat when she’s work- the best burger you have ever had, but it’s damn good. ing (she has to tastes the dishes, after all) but is a vegan in her personal life. She first heard about the Impossible The Impossible Burger at Skopelos starts at $15 and comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, vegan thousand isBurger while living in California. land dressing on a Kaiser roll and your choice of side. Executive Chef Gus Silivos, Skopelos Smith said she was first attracted to the idea of the Im- Additional add-ons are $1 each, and with cheese (vegan possible Burger because of the diminished impact its or dairy), sautéed mushrooms and “eggplant bacon” (deThree of us arrived at Skopelos around lunchtime to try production has on the environment when compared to licious) our burgers probably came in around $18 or $19. the burger. Before we ate, Chef Gus Silivos talked to us beef. Producing an Impossible Burger requires just a (Full disclosure, Skopelos was generous enough to feed about his first time trying the burger and the decision to fraction of the water and land required to produce beef, us for free. We had already decided to do this story beput a meat substitute on the menu. He admitted to hav- and generates nearly 90 percent less greenhouse gas, fore they made the offer.) according to Impossible Foods. ing his doubts, at first. Silivos said offering the burger is about providing an option for every diner that isn’t a compromise. Like beef, the Impossible Foods meat is applicable for other dishes. Silivos said they’ve already used it in a Sheppard’s pie and have plans to use it in tacos in the future. “As a vegan, you usually have to cherry-pick from the menu to come up with a dish that you can eat, so this gives people the option and they’re not going to be miserable,” he said. “If you have somebody who’s vegan and somebody who’s not, they have that option and can go either way.” Silivos said the burger is already becoming popular by word of mouth, and that Skopelos serves about 10 each weekday. Analysts at Allied Market Research estimate that the meat substitute market could generate $5.2 billion in sales by 2020 as health-conscious consumers seek out more healthy alternatives to meat. It’s hard to imagine Americans trading in their juicy beef patties for meat substitutes en masse, but you don’t have justify ordering the Impossible Burger because it’s healthier or better for the environment. You order it because it’s good.
DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 9
The City of Light
Comes to Pensacola
Cabaret By Tanner Yea
P
aris is known as the City of Light, both for its role as a center of culture and the beautiful lights that give the city a soothing glow at night. On March 24, the Pensacola Little Theatre will bring the elegance of Paris to Pensacola as they hold Cabaret: Midnight in Paris. Cabaret has long been Pensacola Little Theatre’s largest fundraising event, and was billed as Pensacola’s biggest party. However, since Executive Director Sid Williams-Heath took the reins, he has gone to a backto-basic style for the event. This is his first time running Cabaret, but he observed and studied last year’s event to figure out how to improve it. “We took Cabaret very literally; breaking it down and building it back up. We are basing this year’s event on the first true Cabaret - which was La Chat Noir in Paris in the 1800s. We wanted to bring Paris to Pensacola and provide a complete Parisian experience,” said Williams-Heath. 10 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM
While previous Cabarets have divided the Pensacola Little Theatre and the adjoining Pensacola Cultural Center into distinct themed areas, PLT’s marketing specialist Ashley Simmons said Midnight in Paris would offer a more cohesive experience.
of Zaragoza Street will also be blocked off to make way for outdoor entertainment, including a live performance by the Black Jacket Symphony.
“Cabaret will still be a great party, but the appeal this year is more of a gala atmosphere,” said Simmons. “We are going to have Moulin Rouge represented with “People will be wearing more gowns and suits rather the drag performers and burlesque dancers. We’ll have than jeans or cocktail dresses.” a Paris streetscape with street performers, an art deco room with champagne and crepes – we want to carry Cabaret’s presenting sponsor this year is Pure Pilates the Parisian theme throughout,” said Simmons. PLT will and owner Susan Clark is a board member on the Cabalso be hanging a massive French flag from the side of aret committee. Simmons said that Clark is making a the building a week before the event to drive the theme big difference this year by providing her own funds to help hold the event, as well as offering suggestions on home. keeping the Parisian theme cohesive. Inside there will be an open bar, a dance floor with music DJ’d by Powell Entertainment, performances Cabaret at its core is a fundraising event for PLT, and by the Improvable Cause improv group, snippets from in addition to the funds raised by ticket sales, Cabaret Pensacola Ballet’s An American in Paris, food catered will also have a variety of auctions. Simmons said that by David Penniman and even a few surprises. Parts the silent auction would offer more ‘experiences’ rather
than single items – lots like date nights for a month or theatre tickets. There will also be a Chinese-style raffle auction for more traditional auction items like paintings and gift certificates. Williams-Heath said that fundraising for Pensacola Little Theatre is so important because of how expensive it is to maintain an old building like the Pensacola Cultural Center. “A problem with a leaky roof now might cost a few hundred dollars, but if you have to wait a little for it to be repaired, it can get worse and cost a few thousand dollars,” said Williams-Heath. “PLT and the Cultural Center are a beautiful staple of downtown, and we want to maintain it and grow as a good example of things you can see and experience in Pensacola.” Williams-Heath and Simmons hopes that Cabaret will not only provide a great party and memorable experiences, it will serve as a catalyst to get both young people and those unaware of the Cultural Center and PLT aware of what they have to offer. “In order for us to sell the building, people have to see the building. Some people don’t realize that we are a performing arts center, and they come for Cabaret and see all that we do – from improv to ballet to performances to our classes,” said Williams-Heath. “The outreach we get from Cabaret is just incredible.” Cabaret: Midnight in Paris will be held on March 24 at 7 pm. You must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets are on sale for $100. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com. DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 11
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DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 13
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Last year’s farm-to-table event sold out within the first 24 hours. Call 850.434.5371 to purchase tickets. First 20 Tickets: $100 | Regular Pricing: $125
St. Patrick’s Day Guide Pensacola 2018 Saturday, March 17
Do you want to get drunk?
YES!
No.
Do you like exercise?
Uhh, no.
Food!
Shopping or food?
YES!
Beach Pub Crawl
Smokin’ in the Square
Shopping!
LEGEND McGuire’s 5K
McGuire s‘ 5K: McGuire ‘s Irish Pub, 9 a.m., $30
Palafox Market
Beach Pub Crawl: Starts at Crabs, 10 a.m. Smokin’ in the Square: Maritime Park, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Palafox Market: MLK Jr. Plaza, 9 a.m.
DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 15
Man of La Mancha By Tanner Yea
In the troubling times of the Spanish Inquisition, author and raconteur Miguel de Cervantes has found himself imprisoned and charged with treason. In order to prove his innocence to his fellow inmates, de Cervantes takes on the guise of legendary Knight-Errant Don Quixote. This story may not be entirely true, but it is the basis for Man of La Mancha, the legendary play that will be performed by Pensacola Opera on March 16 and 18.
Members of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra will perform the score of the show. Performing alongside the main trio will be Eric Dean Wassenaar (Padre), Evelyn Saavedra (Antonia), Ryan Hill in his debut (Innkeeper/Governor) Brent Hetherington (Dr. Carrasco) and Camille Sherman in her debut (The Housekeeper.) Students of the Pensacola State College Theatre Department will also be debuting in roles as the various choruses of the play.
Man of La Mancha was originally performed at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut in 1965. Since then, it has been on Broadway multiple times, adapted to a 1972 film staring Peter O’Toole and Sophia Loren and translated to nearly 20 different languages. The principal song of the play, The Impossible Dream, has become a standard among the musical and operatic worlds.
“I only graduated from school with my Master’s Degree in 2015, so I am far from an established opera performer in my own right. Working with these singers will simply be working with my peers,” said Orin Strunk. “We all have the same dream of singing opera for a living, and are all in the same place, united by the same goal of putting together a fantastic show.“
“Though it was conceived and premiered as a Stage director Dean Anthony said that he has a ‘Broadway’ musical, Man of La Mancha is a story of long history with Man of La Mancha, directing it true operatic proportions,” said Jerome Shannon, several times and also performing as Sancho. He the executive director, music director and principal said, “I think the beauty of this show with opera
“It is a story worth telling and very well told.” conductor of the Pensacola Opera. “A trio of principal singers are joined by a sextet of supporting players, all singing music which benefits from the interpretation of and performance by professionally trained voices.” Those three principal singers are Corey McKern (Don Quixote), Karin Mushegain (Aldonza) and Orin Strunk (Sancho). Mushegain has been performing since 2005 and has performed around the world, including the New York City Opera and the Manila Symphony Orchestra in the Philippines. “The most important thing as a performer, to me, is to tell the story clearly and honestly. If you’re doing that, then the rest falls into place seamlessly,” she said. “If you don’t worry about whether the scene is supposed to be comedic or serious, but just play it true to the moment, it’ll be much more successful than if you try to play funny or play serious.”
singers is that we can mix the balance of the opera voice in a more musical theater construction. The warmth and color truly digs into the truth of the characters.” “The play within a play aspect is dramatic genius. Allowing the actors to play multiple roles creates a canvas on which multiple images and colors can be presented,” said executive director Shannon. “The music is incredible well crafted and so amazingly evocative of this time and place. It is a story worth telling and very well told.” Man of La Mancha will be held at the Saenger Theatre on March 16 and 18 with tickets starting at $25. There are also events available that offer the opportunity to meet the artists and the director. For more information and to purchase tickets to any of these events, visit pensacolaopera.com.
DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 17
Albums: What we’re listening to this month Khruangbin King Gizzard Con Todo El & the Lizard Mundo Wizard NIGHT TIME STORIES Murder of the LTD. / DEAD OCEANS Universe Flightless HQ
by TANNER YEA – King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard had a productive year last year, which is an understatement. While most artists would be satisfied with releasing one album a year, King Gizzard managed to release five; one of which is Murder of the Universe, which I just got on vinyl. Murder of the Universe was the band’s second album last year, and it’s a concept album in three parts, featuring three different stories that are connected by the theme of alteration and transformation. The subject matter ranges from a man who fuses himself with a mythical human-beast hybrid to a cyborg whose only desire is to vomit and die – yes, you read that right. The instrumentation skirts between psychedelic acid rock to something akin to prog metal, either backed by Stu Mackenzie’s patented syncopated vocals or spoken word tracks by Leah Senior. One of King Gizzard’s strengths and weaknesses is their ability
to write themes – lyrically and musically across an entire album. The issue is that sometimes that causes many songs to bleed together into a massive undertaking, which makes it hard to pick out favorites or notables. This album is fun and interesting, but hard to just listen to portions of it when it is so dependent on its own context.
STANDOUT TRACKS: The Lord of Lightning Vomit Coffin Altered Beast I-IV
by Carly Stone – You know that feeling when you’ve been introduced to something brilliant and you want to share it with the world? Well, here it is! Thanks to our always knowledgeable Art Director, I was introduced to Khruangbin (pronounced “Kroongbin”) recently and I can’t stop listening. Influenced by Thai Funk music, the band debuted their spacey sounds in 2015 with The Universe Smiles Upon You, another amazing album that could easily serve as the soundtrack to your favorite arthouse film. While The Universe is clearly submerged in Thai Funk (I admittedly had never heard of this particular music genre until researching this album), Con Todo El Mundo seems to also be heavily influenced by Caribbean and Middle Eastern music as well. Band members Laura Lee, Mark Speer and Donald “DJ” Johnson use each of their own musical influences in a way that makes the entire album hum with sounds that are intimate and compelling. The opening track “Como Me Quieres” sets the tone with copious amounts
of funk that is slow moving, but still keeps your foot tapping and your head nodding. Another favorite, “Friday Morning”, is delicate, carefree and described by the band as being a song about falling in love. Falling in love has been the theme throughout the album for this listener as I am definitely smitten with Khruangbin and can’t wait to hear what they do next. Don’t wait, listen to it now and thank me later.
STANDOUT TRACKS: CÓmo Me Quieres Friday Morning Lady and Man
Movie reviews (based solely on the trailer) BY TANNER YEA
PACIFIC rIM UPRISING
TOMB RAIDER
The first Pacific Rim was a bit of a sleeper hit – a big dumb action movie headed by science fantasy master Guillermo Del Toro about giant robots fighting giant Godzilla-esque monsters from another dimension. Well they made a sequel about giant robots fighting both Godzilla monsters and other giant robots, so I’m going to eat it up. Despite starring John Boyega, Charlie Day, Cailee Spaeny and a host of other up-and-comers, I know this movie is designed for consuming copious amount of popcorn in front of. It will most likely have little substance like the last film, but this series is all about style, big robots, and interdimensional fish-lizards. And that’s really all I want it to be about.
A reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise, this film moves away from the over-sexualized version of Lara Croft in the Angelina Jolie versions, and instead emulates the more gritty and athletic Lara of the 2013 and on video games. Alicia Vikander plays Lara Croft, and she has a great mix of ferocity, determination and attitude to fit Lara’s character. I’ve never been the biggest fan of the Tomb Raider movies or video games, but I always love an explosive pulp-y film, and the trailer seems to imply grand adventure and grander fireballs. I already have higher hopes for it than most video game movies, as Tomb Raider’s ideas adapt well to film – at the worst, it’ll be average.
MARCH 23
18 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM
MARCH 16
WILD CHILD EXPECTATIONS
LORDE MeLODRAMA
BY HALEY WEAVER – Wild Child is an indie pop band from Austin, Texas and you can tell. Half of their fourth album Expectations had been released as singles prior to the album dropping, much like physical 45’s but for a streaming age. The band is made up of a strings section and a horns section, as well as the usual percussion section; they are a small orchestra. There’s a slight fetish on this record for changing tempo mid-song: “Goodbye Goodnight” shifts from the slow, fuzzy waltz akin to Mazzy Star to something more frantic, while the soft horns in “Follow Me” pep up an otherwise airy vocal. Both “Eggshells” and “Sinking Ship” showcase a beautiful usage of strings while lyrically lamenting the ache of a failing relationship, but vary in tone; “Eggshells” is much more upbeat with its chorus violin than the haunting cello of “Sinking Ship.” They’ve perfected the sound of indie vocals over blues/ funk baselines: “Think It Over” sounds the most diverse from the rest of the album, applying the disco percussion and funk guitar of any given Sly & the Family Stone song, while the title track features a bluesy bassline, resonating Alabama
by BARA’AH JaRAISEH – Ella O’Connor, known as “Lorde”, broke into the music scene with her most well known hit “Royals,” on her first album Pure Heroine, that was released in the Fall of 2013. She will still be touring all over the U.S this spring for her second and most recent album, Melodrama, which was released last summer. The word “melodrama” is a perfect name for this album. Lorde writes her own lyrics from her life experiences. With a few years in between her two albums, and the singer turning twenty-one the same year as her second album’s release, I feel as if I’m listening to a personal memoir of the past few years of her life. Melodrama truly captures the ups and downs of being an eighteen to twenty-something old. One of the better-known songs of this album, “Green Light,” is about heartbreak and break-up but is very upbeat and sets the mood for the songs to follow. As if it’s a timeline plucked from the artist’s life, the album then leads to songs about partying and having fun, late nights with friends. Moving on to the middle of the album with track five, “Liability,” the music and lyrics start to take
DUALTONE RECORDS
Republic records
Shakes vibes with a smoother, lighter vocal. I actually had to look up “My Town” to see if I’d previously heard it on a television show; I hadn’t, but it’s theatrical enough that it was practically made to soundtrack a slowly burning building. Wild Child’s arrangements are gorgeous and meticulous, making Expectations a true treat.
STANDOUT TRACKS: Goodbye Goodnight Eggshells My Town
BY HALEY WEAVER
a turn to a darker, deeper place dealing with different emotions that rise with being alone and accepting it. The mood is then lifted for the final few songs of the album completing the whirlwind of emotions and fun in this album. Overall Melodrama is a perfect soundtrack for many different moods you might find yourself in, whether you’re staying in for the night or ready to hit the town with friends. I’ve definitely had Melodrama on repeat for the first couple months since it came out.
STANDOUT TRACKS: Liability Writer In the Dark Perfect Places
Midnight Sun
Flower
A teenage girl with a complicated disease that imprisons her in her home finds love with a boy who helps her overcome her illness. Based off the novel of the same name by Nicola Yoon – oh wait, sorry I was thinking of the version of this story that came out a few months ago called Everything Everything. This movie stars Bella Thorne (the Lindsey Lohan of children born after 2000), Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son Patrick, and Rob Riggle (the bit guy in every white male comedy you were embarrassed to laugh during). Watching the trailer made me uncomfortable. Rent Everything Everything, instead.
Zoey Deutch and Adam Scott star in this dark comedy about a teen girl who sets out on a mission to avenge her new step-brother’s claim that he was molested by a teacher. It doesn’t sound funny at all with that description, but Deutch’s precocious wit and odd charm put it on the level of humor found in Juno rather than Three Billboards. Even so, there have been mixed reviews since its festival release last year about the film’s ability to balance quirky humor and dark subject matter. Plus who wants to sit through a movie where Adam Scott (Parks & Recreation’s Ben) is a possible child molester? Jury is out on whether or not I’ll see this one.
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Date line D ow n t own Vinyl Music Hall
Vinyl Music Hall hosts a variety of events, and March features original artists, events and once-in-a-lifetime entertainment. For more information and to purchase tickets for any of these events, visit vinylmusichall.com. March 1: The Soul Rebels March 2: KICK- The INXS Experience March 4: Edwin McCain March 8: Devin The Dude March 9: Shoot To Thrill- All Female AC/DC Tribute March 10: Perpetual Groove March 11: Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones, The High Divers March 13: The Wind + The Wave March 15: Nahko- My Name Is Bear Tour March 16: The Expanders March 17: Blink 182 TributeDude Ranch And The Girl At The Rock Show March 18: J BOOG March 22: Muscadine Bloodline March 25: Yacht Rock Revue March 26: Fortunate Youth March 27: Badfish- A Tribute to Sublime March 30: Eric Lindell March 31: Grayson Capps- Album Release Show
the best in music, plays, opera and more. For more information and to purchase tickets for any of these events, visit pensacolasaenger.com. March 3: Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Presents Papa Haydn March 10: Tao Drum Heart March 16 & 18: Pensacola Opera Presents: Man of La Mancha March 26: Jersey Boys March 31: Disney Jr. Dance Party
30th Annual Lumberjack Festival
March 3 Whether it be chopping wood, throwing axes or rolling logs, the annual Lumberjack Festival returns for its 30th year at the Pensacola State College/UF Milton Campus. Whether you want to compete or watch the spectacle, or simply learn about the art and science of being a lumberjack, make sure to attend this thrilling event. For more information and an event list, visit pensacolastate.edu/lumberjack.
Bayou Hills Run 10K/5K/1 Mile Kids Run Pensacola Ice Flyers March 3 Throughout March Come and cheer for our local team as the Pensacola Ice Flyers finish out their 2017-2018 season. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit pensacolaiceflyers.com. March 2 & 3: vs. Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs March 16 & 17: vs. Peoria Rivermen March 30 & 31: vs. Birmingham Bulls
Pensacola Saenger Theatre
Pensacola’s famous Saenger Theatre continues 2018 with 20 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM
The Bayou Hills Run, a 10k, 5k and Kids Fun Run being held on March 3, 2018 at 7:30 am. The race features two challenging courses that start and end at Bayview Park and winds through Pensacola’s beautiful East Hill neighborhood. Race information, registration, and sponsorship opportunities available at www.bayouhillsrun.org.
Trinity Presbyterian Church Rummage Sale
March 2-3 Come check out Trinity’s Annual Rummage Sale on Friday, March
Catch Eric Lindell at Vinyl Music Hall on March 30th 2, 2018 from 5:00pm-8pm and then on Saturday March 3, 2018 from 8:00am-2:00pm. There will be a 50% early bird markup on Friday, March 2, 2018. Come join the fun and find the bargains! For more information, visit trinitypcola.org/events.
The Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire and Pirate Festival
March 3 Come out for two days of medieval fun at the Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds! Eat, drink and be merry as you are entertained by jousting knights, magical wizards, the jester troupe, jugglers, fire breathers, sword swallowers, gypsy dancers, pirates, blacksmiths, falconry, sword fighters, musical minstrels, puppetry, renaissance theater, a petting zoo, food and drink games of skills, merchants with wares and much more! Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children aged 5-12. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit gcrf.us.
Celebration of Light
March 7-19 Quayside Art Gallery is presenting original works by nationally recognized artists and emerging new talent in a special group exhibition, Celebration of Light. The show will run from March 7th – March 19th with a public reception including a meet and greet with the artists Friday, March 9th from 7– 9 pm. This group of artists shares a unique quality of common ties. Sharing a similar point of view, yet taking quite different paths from that point, the show will consist of works that capture the beauty of light and its effects on color and form. For more information, visit quaysidegallery.com.
Spring Under the Oaks
March 16 The Second Annual Spring Under the Oaks event in the Courtyard of The Point restaurant, underneath the Live Oak trees is a rain or shine event. Gulf Coast favorite, Grayson Capps will be
performing again, just in time for the launch of his 6th album, ‘Scarlett Roses’. Tickets are $15 in advanced and $20 at the door, and the show starts at 7 pm. For more information, email thesummerchaser@hotmail.com.
9th Annual Smokin’ in the Square
March 16-17 Come down to Seville Square Park for some great food and great entertainment this St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The BBQ cookoff includes approximately 50 professional teams and 25 backyarder teams, all smoking delicious ribs, brisket, sausages and more. There will also be live music acts, games, crafts and entertainment. Admission is free for all. For more information, visit smokininthesquare.com.
Music Under The Stars
March 17 We are ‘lucky’ to present, for the first time in our garden, the
Please join us for a family friendly event! 50 Yard Dash for Kids, Black Jack Eatery Food Truck 10% off for Military, Active & Retired
Awards
First Place Male/Female in Each Division–HOMEMADE CAKE!
March 31, 2018 www.getmeregistered.com/jellybeanrun Presented by Trinity Presbyterian Church 3400 Bayou Blvd Pensacola, FL 32503
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Date line D ow n t own Marlow Boys! What better way to spend your St. Patty’s day evening than jamming out to this four-piece roots rock band? Joe and Karl Lagley, cousins and life long music partners, jump started their music careers back home around Marlow, Alabama. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the From the Ground Up Community Garden. The show starts at 7 pm at the “From The Ground Up” Community Garden. To purchase tickets, visit marlowbows/eventbrite.com.
O’Riley’s Downtown St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
AM on Saturday March 17th to get the party started bright and early. Breakfast will be served Saturday morning. Green Bud Light, Guinness, Grog Punch, Tully Car Bombs, Pickers Vodka and Tullamore Dew specials all day. The kitchen will be serving some of the best food on Palafox all day! Enjoy live music at your favorite Irish Pub. Gallery Night is Friday, so come pre-party if you think you can handle two days celebrating St. Patrick!
23, 2018. This event is free and open to the public. Gibson will be performing at 6 p.m. Student academic and creative presentations will take place from 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Gibson will also be hosting a Gender Theory workshop on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at 10 a.m. (bldg. 54/ room 164). This workshop is also free and open to the public. For more information and to register, uwfwomenstudiesconference.wordpress.com.
Andrea Gibson at UWF’s Women’s Studies Conference
Center Stage: Featuring Byron Stripling
March 23-24 World-renown author and spoMarch 17 O’Riley’s Irish Pub Downtown is ken word poet Andrea Gibson hosting the official Downtown will be performing at UWF’s Pensacola St. Patrick’s Day cel- 17th annual Women’s Studies ebration. We will be opening at 9 Conference on Friday, March
March 23 Pensacola Symphony presents Center Stage: A Benefit Concert. This new event will take place at Vinyl Music Hall and feature cabaret-style entertainment
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by the talented Byron Stripling and Bobby Floyd. All of the funds raised at Center Stage will support PSO’s Beyond the Stage program for community engagement and education. The music start at 6 pm, and tickets start at $150. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit pensacolasymphony.com.
Gumbo Cook-Off Hosted by Gulf Breeze Rotary
March 24 Come to Shoreline Park, Gulf Breeze, next to the Recreation Center on March 24th, 11am to 2pm, to sample Gumbo from 20+ cooking teams. Enjoy live music, check out our silent auction and purchase a ticket for a drawing on a Big Green
Egg and Gumbo pot. Beer, wine, soda, hamburgers and hot dogs are also available. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the event. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit gulfbreezerotary.com.
Trinity Presbyterian Church Presents 2018 Jellybean 5K
March 31 This is a family-friendly event to kick off your Easter weekend celebrations. Awards for first place male and female in each division will receive homemade cakes! You don’t want to miss this inaugural race through Cordova Park. For more information about the race and to get registered, visit getmeregistered.com.jellybeanrun.
Spring Sweet Spring Time to
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March 24, 2018
9 AM to 2 PM Downtown Pensacola Experience streets closed to motor traffic and open for biking, walking, dancing, or whatever moves you. Brought to you by:
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