USPS Publication Number 16300
T h is C om mu n i t y N ewsp a p er is a pu bl ica t ion of E sca m bia / S a n ta Rosa B a r Assoc ia t ion
Se r v i ng t he Fi r st Jud icial Ci rcu it
Section A, Page 1
Vol. 18, No. 10
Visit The Summation Weekly Online: www.summationweekly.com
March 7, 2018
1 Section, 8 Pages
The city of light comes to pensacola
by Tanner Yea • Photos by Ash Simmons
Paris 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 back-tobasic 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. 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. “We are going to have Moulin Rouge represented with the drag performers and burlesque dancers. We’ll have a Paris streetscape with street performers, an art deco room with champagne and crepes – we want to carry the Parisian theme throughout,” said Simmons. PLT will also be hanging a massive French flag from the side of the building a week before the event to drive the theme home. Inside there will be an open bar, a dance floor with music DJ’d by Powell Entertainment, performances by the Improv-
“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” able Cause improv group, snippets from Pensacola Ballet’s An American in Paris, food catered by David Penniman and even a few surprises. Parts 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. “People will be wearing more gowns and suits rather than jeans or cocktail dresses.” Cabaret’s presenting sponsor this year is Pure Pilates and owner Susan Clark is a board member on the Cabaret committee. Simmons said that Clark is making a big difference this year by providing her own funds to help hold the event, as well as offering suggestions on keeping the Parisian theme cohesive. Cabaret at its core is a fundraising event for PLT, and in addition to the funds raised by
ticket sales, Cabaret will also have a variety of auctions. Simmons said that 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 WilliamsHeath. “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.