Foo foo festival cover

Foo Foo Festival— A twelve-day celebration dedicated to existing and new cultural events and creative happenings throughout the city.

As if we needed one more reason to love fall in Pensacola‌

November 6, 2014

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The 15 area arts and cultural organizations that received ACE grant money: • Artel Gallery • Ballet Pensacola • First City Arts Alliance • Frank Brown Songwriter’s Festival

by Jessica Forbes

Bear explained that the majority of the money ACE receives and disperses in grants to local arts nonprofits comes from the county’s tourist development tax. Looking for a way to draw cultural tourists to the area in a time period that is traditionally a lull in the local tourism market, the idea for an overarching festival slowly took root.

“We’ve have this beautiful community and great arts and cultural organizations and the community now knows about and enjoys them, but we wanted to let the secret out,” Bear said.

ACE lobbied the county for additional funds in order to develop a festival and market the event to draw cultural tourists to the area.

“We were able to get a significant enough amount of money to be able to do it,” Bear said. “We got just shy of $575,000 from the county and about $242,000 went toward grants. Less than $12,000 is going to the Birdwell Agency to help us administrate the festival, and the remainder is going toward advertising and promotion of the event to attract tourists to the market.”

The festival committee utilized information from Visit Pensacola regarding common “feeder markets,” or those with direct flights or within driving distance to pinpoint their marketing efforts. The non-profit then sent out a call to find organizations interested in applying for grants and participating in the event.

“We’ve have this beautiful community and great arts and cultural organizations and the community now knows about and enjoys them, but we wanted to let the secret out.” David Bear

ACE members with their partner groups and the organizations that received funding / photo by Tim Ludvigsen It’s probably the most obvious question when it comes to Foo Foo Festival—what does “Foo Foo” even mean?

“It has arts and cultural significance, maritime significance, historical significance,” said David Bear, President of Art, Culture and Entertainment, Inc. (ACE).

The term “Foo Foo,” the name of impromptu musical performances on 19th century shipping vessels, was new to him, too, when he and the seven member festival committee met with the Birdwell Agency regarding names for the event.

“As we were going through the names, we all kept going back to Foo Foo,” Bear said. After

Make it Pop

by Jennifer Leigh

Art by Patrick Giles. One of the "Ghostbuster" themed pieces on display at Mainline Art House 010 1

a day to consider, the vote for Foo Foo Festival as a name was unanimous, and what ACE hopes will be a new signature event was born.

The festival is a hallmark event of sorts for ACE’s regular work with the local arts community. ACE replaced the Arts Council of Northwest Florida and now serves as the local arts agency for Escambia County.

“We lobby the county and city for funding to support the programming of arts and cultural organizations,” Bear said.

“We’ve committed not to create any program that would require any resources of our own,” he said. “All we’ve done historically, for five years, is get this money and give it away.”

If you can’t wait until the next Pensacon, get ready for the Pensacola Pop Expo.

The expo will be a “mini” Pensacon, set up as an outdoor festival put on by the same organizers.

“This is an excellent introduction to Pensacon for anyone who is new to the convention scene or interested in learning more about the culture,” said Manda Manning, director of marketing and communications for Pensacon. “It will be very similar to Pensacon, but on a much smaller scale.”

Ernie Hudson of “Ghostbusters,” World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Famer The Honky Tonk Man and comic book artist John Dell are among some of the featured guests who will be available for autographs and photos. Kids can get in on the fun too. Steven Butler of “Archie Comics” will be drawing with kids at Blue Morning Gallery.

The common thread among the day’s events is the 30th anniversary of “Ghost-

• Japanese American Society • Jazz Society of Pensacola • Pensacola Civic Band • Pensacon

• Pensacola Children’s Chorus • Pensacola Opera • Pensacola Little Theatre • Pensacola

Museum of Art • Pensacola Sports Association • Truth for Youth • University of West Florida Historic Trust

To be eligible for grant, an arts organization had to be a tax-exempt not-for-profi t and had to fi t into one of the event categories (Military, Arts, Sci-Fi, Sports, Theatre, Music, Culinary and/or History). After the proposal process, 15 organizations received grants to either develop new events or enhance existing events of their own.

“As an example, the museum has an exhibit that would be leaving in the middle of that week, so they applied for a grant from us to extend that exhibition, to ensure it stays through the entire fest,” Bear said.

Other calendar events started catching the committee’s eye, though many of the happenings were being produced by forprofi t entities and were therefore ineligible for a grant. ACE began reaching out to see what types of co-marketing efforts they could establish.

“We started talking to the different groups. For example, Cher is one of the events that’s on our calendar, but we didn’t bring Cher—we called the Bay Center when we heard that she’d booked a date during our festival and asked them if we could market her as part of our event. They called her promoter, and the promoter said yes,” Bear said.

Other events, like Chain Reaction’s Egg Fest and the Blue Angels Homecoming show, were natural fi ts, too, and all agreed to jump in as part of Foo Foo Fest.

“We want to have enough things to drive the tourism,” Bear said of the wide range of events. Indeed, the fest is bringing multiple segments of the community— from UWF to NAS and many places in between—together.

busters.” Not only can you meet one of the stars of the film, you can sit back for an outdoor movie screening and check out a “Ghostbusters” themed costume contest. You can also WHEN: Noon—10 p.m. Saturday, find themed art at Mainline Art Nov. 15 House. Admission to all events is WHERE: Seville Quarter (130 E. Government St.) and Mainline Art House a non-perishable food donation (422 St. Palafox St.) to Manna Food Pantries.

COST: Free, non-perishable food From artists, to performers, donation to Manna Food Pantry to cosplayers who design and build encouraged their own elaborate costumes, the DETAILS: pensacon.

Pensacola Pop Expo highlights the crecom ative talents that stem from pop culture.

“From our inception, Pensacon has WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday, championed bringing arts, culture and Nov. 15 entertainment to the community,” Manning WHERE: Blue Morning Gallery, 21 said. “The Pop Expo will bring a fresh, new S. Palafox COST: $10, open to kids ages perspective on popular culture as art, expos6 and up ing attendees to different forms of media DETAILS: pensacon. from drawing and painting to graphic novels com and movies.”

Pensacola Pop Expo

Drawing With Kids

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by Sarah McCartan

It’s no secret the Historic Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood is deeply rooted in culture and arts.

Now, there’s a present-day block party to show for it. As part of Foo Foo Festival, the inaugural Back on the Blocks Festival is set to take place Nov. 11–15 on Belmont and DeVilliers streets.

“Back on the Blocks Festival is a celebration of art, film, dance and music that infuses history and education into the hearts and minds of local, regional and national visitors during a fi ve-day festival,” Robin Reshard said.

This event, presented by the BelmontDeVilliers Neighborhood Association and Truth for Youth, honors the soul of the neighborhood’s parties past, while showcasing the spirit of the present.

The Belmont-DeVilliers district was originally founded as the African-American business, entertainment and cultural hub

in Pensacola. Today, it remains in the midst of a resurgence, both artistically and economically.

“The Belmont-DeVilliers Neighborhood Association wanted to recapture that fun sense of community for the Blocks and invite others to celebrate the richness of the neighborhood,” Reshard said.

According to Reshard, the idea for the Back on the Blocks Festival dates back to block parties that were thrown by WBOP radio station in the late 1960s.

“The station and local businesses would partner to provide entertainment to local residents, family and community members who had moved away from the area, and tourists,” she said. “They would put up a stage in the streets and play favorite and popular music. A parade with the ‘kings’ and ‘queens’ of the social clubs and night clubs would lead the parade to the block party.”

Although there will not be kings and queens this time, there will be a wide range of events for all ages, culminating with a block party.

Whether you have your own roots in the neighborhood or it remains a local territory you’ve yet to discover, Back on the Blocks invites all to experience the historical Belmont-DeVilliers.

“The Belmont DeVilliers Neighborhood Association wanted to recapture that fun sense of community for the Blocks and invite others to celebrate the richness of the neighborhood.”

Robin Reshard

November 6, 2014

Back on the Blocks

WHERE: Belmont and Devilliers Streets DETAILS: backontheblocks.com

Following is a brief overview of the festival’s six signature events: Soulful Shorts Film Fest 6 p.m. Nov. 11–12. Independent and student filmmakers share their short films in DeVilliers Square throughout this two-day film festival. $10 one day pass; $15 two day pass.

Art Blocks Nov. 11–14. This public art show includes artists-in-residence talks and a children’s educational and interactive art performance area that visually and vocally tells the story of the local and national African-American culture, experience and history. Artists will paint murals on at the Belmont Cultural Center (the old Smith Bakery) and the DeVilliers Heritage Museum (the old Bunny Club).

The murals will be visual representations of the entertainment and business history of the neighborhood painted by local artists over four days.

Beats on the Blocks Nov. 11–14. Reflective of weekends in French Quarter, musicians and artists fill the sidewalks with their sounds and colors. One of the highlights is that Clarence Bell, a pianist who played with Stevie Wonder, who will be playing on Nov. 12. Meanwhile, Tom Joyner, the nationally syndicated disc jockey, will be at Five Sisters Blues Café.

On Friday night at 6 p.m., a jam and open mic session begins.

Roots, Rhythm and Movement 7 p.m. Nov. 13. Dancers and percussionists share a historic and unique studio performance in the DeVilliers Heritage Museum. This two-hour performing arts event tells the story of African-American culture through dance, music, prose and art as a studio performance and audience interactive piece, and culminates into another evening of celebrating the historical ballroom dance parties honoring the 506 Club and Savoy Ballroom.

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Author Talk Nov.14–15. Authors and civil rights attorneys, Hank and Rose Sanders, will discuss their respective books, “Death of a Fat Man” and “Couples of the Struggle.”

Block Party Nov. 15. A celebration of music and dance happen right in the streets with food, arts and crafts. The block party will feature a Motown review of R&B and blues, coupled with bands performing jazz, rock, pop and classical.

For a full schedule of events, visit backontheblocks.com.

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Hometown Marathon

by Jessica Forbes

by Sarah McCartan

the largest crowd would be a Five Flags theme, presenting the history of Pensacola,” Robbert said of initial planning for the production.

“We also wanted to keep the edge, as well,” Robbert said of Artel Gallery’s mission. “So yes, there’s history, but there’s also a little bit of kitsch, too.”

The show went through several drafts, back and forth with Bergeron, each one becoming more elaborate and detailed, Robbert recalled, with Bergeron devising a way to interact with the projection during the show.

“The fish are going to be swimming out of the windows and over the audience.

The hurricane is going to going to blow the limestone off the building, and there is going to be a surprise ending that is going to wow the audience,” Robbert said.

“We also wanted to keep the edge, as well. So yes, there’s history, but there’s also a little bit of kitsch, too.”

Suzanne Robbert

Of all the events occurring as part of Foo Foo Festival, the 3D projection mapping promised at Artel Gallery may have some folks scratching their heads, wondering what exactly the event title means—and that’s no surprise.

“It is not a well-known art form,” said president of Artel Gallery Suzanne Robbert, of the 3D light show that uses entire buildings as its backdrop.

“There are a lot of companies overseas that specialize in this type of projection, but they are hard to find in the U.S.,” Robbert said. “In fact, PaintScaping was the closest we could find.”

PaintScaping, based in Los Angeles, has produced performances in Quebec City, Cancun, Hawaii and Las Vegas, and multiple locations in between. Now, thanks to Foo Foo Festival, the company will transform the façade of the old Escambia Courthouse building into a canvas for its 3D projection mapping production, developed specifically for Pensacola.

“When we first moved into the courthouse five years ago, I received an email from the former Artel president, Eloise de Varona, 212 1

with a video of something similar that was done in Berlin,” Robbert said.

“Ever since, it’s been in the back of my mind.”

Artel, in partnership with The Art Gallery (TAG) at UWF, received a grant through ACE as part of Foo Foo Fest to make the plan a reality. TAG’s Nick Croghan was at the initial meetings ACE held regarding Foo Foo Fest and Robbert said, “We looked at each other and said, ‘Hey, want to work together?’

“Now we are able to do something we’ve wanted to do for five years because of ACE.” she said.

After searching for companies and identifying PaintScaping as a potential partner, Croghan contacted Philippe Bergeron, the owner and creator of the company. The local partners then connected with a photographer and took over 100 photographs of the façade of the former courthouse building to allow Bergeron to work his magic.

“Nick and I thought for the initial jump off that what would bring Artel Gallery

Artel Gallery’s 3-D Mapping Projection

WHEN: Every 30 minutes between 7-9:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6-Sunday, Nov. 9 WHERE: Artel Gallery/The Old Escambia County Courthouse, 223 S. Palafox COST: Free DETAILS: artelgallery.org

Just as the sun is rising on Sunday, Nov. 9, runners will be taking to the streets to participate in the 10th annual Pensacola Marathon. Not only is this race an eagerly awaited event for local runners, it’s become a destination race, drawing in runners located across the Southeast U.S. and beyond.

If you’re a runner who has yet to sign up for the full marathon, chances are this isn’t quite enough notice for you to run 26.2 miles come Sunday. However, there is definitely still time to sign up for the half marathon if you’ve been debating it and feel up for 13.1 miles of Sunday fun.

Even if you don’t plan on getting your Sunday moving with a long run, you can still get an early start on your day, grab some coffee, stretch your legs and head downtown to do some cheering. Every runner knows, a little cheer and some witty signs go a long way in keeping you motivated during a race. If you’re interested in seeing what all this running hype is about, this is the perfect opportunity to experience the excitement from the sidelines before signing up for your first event. If you do plan on doing some street-side cheering, this previous participant recommends standing along Palafox. The race begins and ends at Veteran’s Memorial Park. A full map is available at marathonpensacola.com.

Pensacola Marathon and Half Marathon

WHEN: 6:30 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 9 WHERE: Start/Finish at Veteran’s Memorial Park COST: Full Marathon $90; Half Marathon $80 DETAILS: marathonpensacola.com

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November 6, 2014

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20 x 20

by Hana Frenette

PechaKucha is self-described as the art of concise presentations. Originally created in Tokyo in 2003, PechaKucha Night now happens in over 700 cities around the world.

“This architect decided to create a form of presenting that involved 20 images and 20 seconds of discussion for each image,” Kalyn Wolfe, an organizer of Pensacola’s first PechaKucha Night, said.

The event was created to allow artists and designers to get together, show their work, network and discuss ideas in a very fast paced environment. Kind of like speed dating, but for artwork or Snapchat for graphic design.

“PechaKucha is a Japanese word that means ‘the sound of conversation,’ and that's exactly what people will get a sense of when they attend and experience the event,” Wolfe said. “They will hear the speaker explain the images as they present, and in turn, will inspire thinking and ideas being shared.”

People attending the event will see quick 20 X 20 presentations with lots of discussions in between—with beverage and conversation timeouts as well, so that people can continue to network and discuss, but not while the artists are giving are quick rundown of their work.

“Guests can expect to have a night of thinking and drinking,” Wolfe said. “Each PechaKucha Night inspires new ideas—with a beer break in between.”

Topics and themes of PechaKucha are unlimited. Some of the most recent presentations uploaded on their site for their worldwide viewers are 20 X 20’s about community minded projects, Tokyo Designer Week and how reading might make you a better person.

PechaKucha also features a spotlight on a different city each week on their website. Foo Foo Fest will be the first time Pensacola has participated in PechaKucha and will now be added to the long list of cities that have welcomed the Japanese art form into their town.

The event will take place at 8:20 p.m., to symbolize 20 images X 20 seconds.

“We will have four events a year, and we thought it'd be the perfect time to introduce it during Foo Foo Fest,” Wolfe said. “We will have our next one in January.”

PechaKucha Night Pensacola

WHEN: 8:20 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 WHERE: First City Arts Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. COST: PechaKucha Night Pensacola is part of Foo Foo On Fire which has an entrance fee of $20 DETAILS: pechakucha.org/cities/ pensacola or firstcityart.org

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by Jennifer Leigh

Yixin Lin with her artwork The Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival (GGAF) brings artists from all over the country to Pensacola, but when it comes to furthest distance, Yixin Lin takes the cake.

Lin, a graduate from Camberwell College of Arts in London, is this year’s invited international artist. A native of China, who is inspired by Japanese aesthetics and studied in England — Lin is about as international as one can get.

The arts festival will be Lin’s first time in the United States. During her stay, she said she’s looking forward to visiting the museums and art galleries. Excited for her first international exhibit, Yin’s family has even planned to take the trip with her. They’ll have plenty to take in during Foo Foo Festival.

“It feels awesome to show my work internationally,” Yin said in an email interview. “Of course, I’m a bit nervous, but I am sure this will be a fantastic and memorable experience.”

Yin’s interest in art started when she was in high school, exploring sketching and water color. In college, she discovered contemporary art, which brought her creative views to another level, she said.

“I was initially inspired

by Japanese aesthetics,” Yin said. “I love the concept of observing nature—to see the overlooked details that surround us and to appreciate the beauty of imperfection.”

Contemporary art is still in an early stage in China, Yin said. The art world is competitive in particular mediums, such as oil painting and Chinese painting. For ceramics, however, the traditional style is still preferred by many, which is why Yin is looking forward to showing her art to a new audience.

While studying in the United Kingdom, Yin started to use balloon material in her ceramic pieces, which she continues today.

“I was fascinated by how the organic

“I was initially inspired

by Japanese aesthetics. I love the concept of observing nature—to see the overlooked details that surround us and to appreciate the beauty of imperfection.”

Yixin Lin

shapes and details could be formed with the nature’s force,” she said.

Two years ago, Lin settled in to Jingdezhen, which is also known as “Porcelain Capital.”

While Yin enjoys the city’s history, she is not so much inspired by ancient techniques.

“I think the direct influence is [that] I adapt some traditional techniques in my work, such as the most famous glaze celadon,” she said.

“Also, I use some traditional way of carving when making pots. Even though it’s really convenient to have everything made by craftsmen here, I finish almost everything independently. My work is too personal.

It’s totally involved with emotion and process.”

Yin’s pieces are more sculptural than functional, although she does enjoy making bowls and cups.

“I love the feeling of the clay between my palms when I’m throwing,” she said.

“It’s like meditation.”

While art buyers at GGAF could find a use for her pieces — “the owner could put jewelry or a candle inside” — Yin aims for her ceramic work to have a contemplative effect on others.

“I hope it reminds others about nature,” she said. “I hope people observe it and slow down.”

Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival

WHEN: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 and Saturday, Nov. 8; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 WHERE: Seville Square, downtown Pensacola COST: Free DETAILS: ggaf.org

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From Bagpipes to Ballet

GGAF isn’t just about celebrating talented visual artists like Yixin Lin. They also have three stages that feature a spectrum of performing arts throughout the weekend.

Sun. Nov. 9 11:30 a.m. Ballet Pensacola 11:45 a.m. SWERVE/dance Company 12 a.m. The PACE Studio 12:15 p.m. Dance Academy of Santa Rosa 12:30 p.m. Five Flags Dance Academy 12:45 p.m. Victory Performing Arts Academy 1 p.m. LaBelle Performing Arts/Pensacola 1:15 p.m. Pittman Magic 1:30 p.m. Southeastern Teen Shakespeare Co. 1:45 p.m. The Dancing Grannies 2 p.m. Polynesian Dancers 2:15 p.m. Pensacola Dance Factory 2:30 p.m. SARAAB 2:45 p.m. Dorothy's Dance Plus

Children’s Art Festival Stage

Fri. Nov. 7 9 a.m. Avalon Middle School - Singing Fri. Nov. 7 Knights of Avalon 10 a.m. Delta Reign 10 a.m. Ransom Middle School - En1 p.m. Sarah Mac Band core Chorus Sat. Nov. 8 10:45 a.m. Bailey Middle 10 a.m. Continuum School Jazz Band 11 a.m. Lisa Zanghi Sat. Nov. 8 12:30 p.m. chatzi + The 10 a.m. Time To Dance String Boffin 10:30 a.m. Gull Point Per2 p.m. Kitt Lough forming Dancers 3:30 p.m. Corey Ledet & 10:45 a.m. Katharine's Studio his Zydeco Band One Sun. Nov. 9 11 a.m. The PACE Studio Continuum / photo by 11:15 a.m. Emerald Coast Honor 12 p.m. Grace Pettis Alley Kat Photography 1:30 p.m. The Pensacola Orchestra Symphony Orchestra 11:45 a.m. Bernice's Starrstep 3 p.m. Fat Man Squeeze Dance 12 p.m. An Broc Irish Dancers 12:15 p.m. Victory Performing Arts AcadSat. Nov. 8 emy 10:15 a.m. McGuire's Pipe Band 12:45 p.m. Labelle Performing Arts 10:30 a.m. A Time to Dance 1:15 p.m. Escambia High School Jazz 1 10:45 a.m. Senior Strutters 1:45 p.m. Escambia High School Jazz 2 11 a.m. An Broc Irish Dancers 2:15 p.m. Children's Art Show Awards 11:15 a.m. Time to Shine Performing Arts 2:25 p.m. Time To Shine 11:30 a.m. Victory Performing Arts Acad3 p.m. Southeastern Teen Shakespeare emy Company 11:45 a.m. Gull Point Performing Dancers 3:15 p.m. Five Flags Dance Academy 12 p.m. Heather Leonard Danceworks/ Sun. Nov. 9 Northview High School Dance Team 11 a.m. Labelle Performing Arts 12:15 p.m. UWF Dance Team 11:30 a.m. Victory Performing Arts 12:30 p.m. Southeastern Teen 12 p.m. Pittman Magic Shakespeare Co. 12:30 p.m. Michaela Schiebe 12:45 p.m. Dee Dee's Tap Dancers 12:45 p.m. Edge Allstar Dance Team 1 p.m. SWERVE/dance Company 1 p.m. Pensacola State College Gymnastics 1:15 p.m. Bernice's Starrstep Dance 1:30 p.m. Polynesian Dancers 1:30 p.m. Five Flags Dance Academy 1:45 p.m. Southeastern Teen Shakespeare 1:45 p.m. The PACE Studio Company 2 p.m. LaBelle Performing Arts/Pensacola 2 p.m. Ron Kaye's Music School Band Youth Ballet 2:15 p.m. Katherine's Studio One *Schedule is subject to change without notice.

2:30 p.m. NW Florida State College Dance Make sure you visit ggaf.org or find the festiDept. val on Facebook for up to date information.

Main Stage

Parrish Performing Arts Stage

November 6, 2014

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Schedule of Events Thursday Nov. 6

Blue Angels

An Adventure in the Arts: Traveling Exhibit (Pensacola Museum of Art, runs through Nov. 15) *Against The Odds: The Art of the Highwaymen (Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Resource Center, runs through Nov. 15) *Budweiser Clydes-

dales (Palafox Street procession; plus public viewing following procession at Blue Wahoos Stadium) Pensacola MESS Hall Goes “Gourmet” powered by Gulf Power (Pensacola MESS Hall) Atlas Beverage Class (A.B.C.) (Fish House Deck Bar) *Ballet Pensacola’s Divas” Director's Circle Talk (3rd floor of Pensacola Cultural Center, must RSVP) Remembering Songwriter Larry Butler (Pensacola Little Theatre) Frank Brown Int'l Songwriter's Festival

(Multiple locations, runs through Nov. 16) *3D Video-Mapping Projection (Artel Gallery, runs through Nov. 9)

Friday Nov. 7

*The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival (Seville Square, runs through Nov. 9) *Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show (Naval Air Station Pensacola, runs through Nov. 9) *Budweiser Clydesdales at the Blue Angels Air Show (Naval Air Station Pensacola, runs through Nov. 8)

by Jennifer Leigh

photo by Meg Baisden Photography As Ballet Pensacola is wont to do, their latest production mixes two art mediums — music and dance.

“It’s a celebration of different types of music from a number of different eras,” said Christine Duhon, the company’s ballet mistress. “‘Divas’ itself is a mixture of dance styles and music, including Beyonce, Madonna and Billie Holiday. It doesn’t get more eclectic than that.”

Whether you’re a music buff or your knowledge of divas is limited to the VH1 televised concerts, you’ll be moved by the songs and the ballet’s visual interpretation of them.

616 1

“People will find themselves remembering when they first heard these songs, or they might even be introduced to artists who they normally might not listen to,” Duhon said. “This performance is our own twist on the stories these singers are telling through their music.”

As part of Foo Foo Festival, Ballet Pensacola is offering a behind the curtains peek into the company, inviting festival goers to their open rehearsals, Nov. 11-13.

The rehearsals, Duhon said, are where “it all begins.”

“Attending a rehearsal provides the opportunity to see the art form at its purest,” she added. “Costumes, lighting and sets are an integral part of our performances, but all of that is created to support the choreography and dance.”

While the Ballet Pensacola company is home to dancers from around the world, it is also a breeding ground for local talent.

The open rehearsals are a great opportunity for young dancers to get a look into a professional company.

“I always say that practice doesn’t make perfect,” Duhon said. “Perfect practice makes perfect. By joining us, you will be provided with a rare glimpse into the creative process.”

The company will also host the Director’s Circle event, which is free and open to the public. Apart from the events, you can also keep up with Ballet Pensacola in their web series, “Life in the Mirror,” which can be found on their website.

“Interactive events like the director’s roundtable and open rehearsals are for everyone, from ballet novices to the most seasoned balletomane,” Duhon said. “These events give you a chance to learn more about the creative process and how an idea is developed into a full production. It is a

“‘Divas’ itself is a mixture of dance styles and music, including Beyonce, Madonna and Billie Holiday.

It doesn’t get more eclectic than that.”

Christine Duhon

wonderful opportunity to ask the questions you have always had.”

The timing is perfect for Ballet Pensacola to have a performance lined up among so many cultural events that make up Foo Foo Festival.

“Foo Foo Fest is all about celebrating the wealth and diversity of arts and cultural events in Pensacola,” Duhon said. “It provides the perfect excuse to try something new or something that you have been meaning to do for years and ‘Divas’ is a lighthearted and approachable performance that is perfect for any newcomer or ballet lover.”

Divas

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 and Sunday, Nov. 9; 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 COST: $19-31

Director’s Circle

WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 COST: Free, but must RSVP by calling 432-9546

Open Rehearsals

WHEN: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 11-13 COST: Free WHERE: All events will take place at Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. (Divas and rehearsals on the Main Stage; Directors Circle on the Third Floor) DETAILS: balletpensacola.com

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Saturday Nov. 8

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra’s “Clarinet Bel Canto,” feat. Anthony McGill (Pensacola Saenger Theatre) Foo Foo on Fire (First City Art Center)

Sunday Nov. 9

Pensacola Marathon Presented by Publix (Begins at Admiral Mason Park) *Symphony in the Square (Seville Square)

Monday Nov. 10

*Rewind: A PLT Musical Review (Pensacola Little Theatre, runs through Nov. 12)

Tuesday Nov. 11 (Veteran’s Day)

Anthony McGill Cowboy Mouth (Vinyl Music Hall) “How I Learned To Drive” (Pensacola Little Theatre, runs through Nov. 9 and Nov. 13-15) Ballet Pensacola’s “Divas” (Pensacola Cultural Center, runs through Nov. 9) Pensacola Opera’s “The Medium” (The Pensacola Opera Center, runs Nov. 9, 11, 13 and 15)

*Open rehearsals with Ballet Pensacola (Pensacola Cultural Center, runs through Nov. 13) *An American Tribute Honoring Great Americans (Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola) “Back on the Blocks” Festival (Belmont DeVilliers Neighborhood, runs through Nov. 15)

Wednesday Nov. 12

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas (Pensacola Saenger Theatre)

Thursday Nov. 13

*The Art of the Con (Mainline Art House) Compass Box Whisky Dinner (Jackson's Steakhouse) Matisyahu (Vinyl Music Hall)

Friday Nov. 14

Japanese Film Festival (Multiple locations, runs through Nov. 16) Jerry Seinfeld (Pensacola Saenger Theatre) Psycho Beach Party (UWF Pensacola Campus-Center for Fine and Performing Arts, runs through Nov. 23)

Saturday Nov. 15

Pensacola Eggfest (Blue Wahoo Stadium) *Pensacon’s Pensacola Pop Expo (Seville Quarter & Mainline Art House) 3rd Annual Pensacola Craft Beer Festival (Maritime Park) Allen Vizzutti: Around the World in 80 Minutes (Pensacola Saenger Theatre)

Monday Nov. 17

The Janet Knowles Memorial Jazz Gumbo-An Evening with “The Dukes of

Dixieland” (Seville Quarter) Cher D2K Tour 2014 (Pensacola Bay Center)

*Denote free events Schedule provided courtesy of Foo Foo Festival and is subject to change. For up to date information and full details (including links and how to purchase tickets for "ticketed" events) go to foofoofest.com.

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November 6, 2014

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