Seven days out is your guide to entertainment events, concerts, festivals and activities in Escambia and Santa Rosa County.
MONDAY
Jazz Gumbo: Women in Jazz
5:30 p.m., doors; 6:30 p.m., program; May 16. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. The evening features Mary Chavez, keys and vocals, Rebecca Barry, saxophone and vocals, Holly Phillips, bass, Leah Yelverton, drums, and a special guest. $10 each for Jazz Pensacola members and guests, $12 for non-members, free for students with ID and military in uniform. Also, join Jazz Pensacola at this event, and admission is free. Admission includes a cup of seafood gumbo. More info: 850-433-8382 or jazzpensacola.com.
Monday Night Blues
7 p.m. May 16. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Seville Quarter and the Blues Society of Northwest Florida are bringing the “blues” back to the Seville Quarter Entertainment District. The event features live blues music and “BBQ and Bud” food and drink specials. More info: 850-434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
TUESDAY
Breaking Benjamin
6:30 p.m. May 17. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Breaking Benjamin, a rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, formed in 1999 by lead singer and guitarist Benjamin Burnley and drummer Jeremy Hummel, will perform live in concert. The band has sold more than 7 million units and yielded three RIAA-certified platinum records, two gold records and several certified singles, including two multi-platinum, two platinum and five gold. Seether, Starset and Lacey Strum will open the show. Tickets start at $41. More info: 850-432-0800.
Bands on the Beach
7 to 9 p.m. May 17. Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach, Pensacola Beach. Pensacola Beach’s popular outdoor summer concert series with performers for every musical taste. Featuring a lineup of regional artists, Bands on the Beach delivers an eclectic musical experience throughout the entire summer. This week features Cristi Dee’s Bad Juju. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free. More info: 850-932-2257 or visitpensacolabeach.com.
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Tuesday Night Jazz
7:30 p.m. May 17. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Enjoy jazz with Melodious Allen and The Funk Heads in Lili Marlene’s. More info: 850-434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
THURSDAY
Christopher’s Concerts
6 p.m. May 19. St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 3200 N. 12th Ave. Christopher’s Concerts free live music showcases featuring some of the best local bands in the area. Attendees are welcome to bring their own beverages and food. This week features Cross Town. Free. More info: 850-433-0074.
FRIDAY
Gallery Night
5 p.m. May 20. Downtown Pensacola. Gallery Night Pensacola is a nonprofit organization with a dedicated goal of inspiring culture, engagement, and the practice of arts of all types in an entertaining event for all ages and walks of life. These monthly events focus on specific themes, highlight featured artists, and recruit the best creators the area has to offer. This month’s theme is Dancing in the Streets. More info: gallerynightpensacola.org.
Bands on the Blackwater
7 p.m. May 20. Jernigan’s Landing on Blackwater River, downtown Milton. Bands on the Blackwater is a free outdoor concert series held Friday nights. The series offers a variety of music from local favorites to national touring bands. Bluegrass, country, blues and rock ‘n’ roll will be performed. This week features Kacy Moon. More info: 850-564-1647 or facebook.com/BandsOnTheBlackwater.
Drivin N Cryin
7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; May 20. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Thirty-five years after playing their first show at Atlanta’s famed 688 Club — and after releasing four full length albums on Island Records and one on Geffen Records — Drivin N Cryin founding members Kevn Kinney and Tim Nielsen find themselves enjoying a milestone anniversary for the band, having survived the pressures of fame, a shifting musical landscape, multiple lineup changes, and miles of back roads and highways to arrive here. Heavy Kid and Big Jim Brown & the Speedkings will open the show. $15. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
SATURDAY
Gulf Coast Culture Fest
8 a.m. May 21. Seville Square. Gulf Coast Culture Fest will be a day where the entire community can come together and be empowered and enriched with many different cultures through a celebration of the arts. It will also allow artists from all across the Gulf Coast and surrounding areas to showcase their talents in the visual, cultural and performance arts, while uplifting and unifying the community. Free. More info: gulfcoastculturefest.com.
Ninth annual Fitness Festival
9 a.m. May 21. University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway. The Fitness Festival takes workouts to the heart of Pensacola. Enjoy multiple fitness classes, a live DJ and amazing health and wellness vendors. Hosted by @ReginaPerezFitness. Enjoy belly dancing, Zumba, Soca and TwerkFit. Classes are about 20 minutes each with a 10-minute break in between. A portion of funds go to helping children with Tetralogy of Fallot. More info: facebook.com/queenvictoriamillerfoundation.
The Star-Spangled Salute Military Appreciation Festival
4:30 p.m. May 21. Bayou Grande Marina, onboard NAS Pensacola. The Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce along with the office of Morale, Welfare and Recreation of NAS Pensacola and the Perdido Key community of organizations, businesses, and volunteers are working together to provide military families this free event. The day of luau-themed family fun will include games, crafts, water activities, live music, door prizes, free food, and costume contests. The event will end with a performance by a professional Hawaiian dance troupe. More info: 850-492-4660 or info@perdidochamber.com.
Hands Across the Sand
5 p.m. May 21. Gulfside Pavilion, 20 Casino Beach Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach. Join hands with fellow residents, business owners, and tourists as they take their annual stand against oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and a transition to clean energy. Hands Across the Sand takes place on beaches around the world, as communities come together to send a powerful message of protecting the beaches and coastal areas. More info: 850-687-9968 or christian@healthygulf.org.
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Ukraine Relief Performance
6:30 p.m., refreshments; 7 p.m., performance; May 21. Temple Beth El, 800 N. Palafox St. The Pensacola Jewish Federation and Temple Beth El are hosting a free performance for the whole family by Dr. Leonid Yanovskiy, Dr. Victoria Adamenko and their students in a show of unity and support to help the children of Ukraine. Donations will be accepted. More info: pensacolajewishfederation.dudaone.com.
The New Southern Momma Comedy Tour
8 p.m. May 21. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Bang Productions presents the New Southern Momma Comedy Tour featuring Darren Knight, comedians Red Squirrel and Gary Cargal, and special guest performer Alabama Big Earl. Knight, aka Southern Momma from Munford, Alabama, has been selling out theatres and casinos his whole career. His character “Southern Momma” is a household name in the South. Red Squirrel has been entertaining audiences nationally with her country twang, and out-of-control animated stage presence. Tickets start at $28. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
SUNDAY
Blues on the Bay
6 p.m. May 22. Community Maritime Park Hunter Amphitheater, 301 W. Main St. This free concert series is one of the most popular events for locals and visitors to spend the final hours of their weekend enjoying great music with family and friends in a great atmosphere. Concert spectators are invited to bring coolers and lawn chairs. Guests of all ages are encouraged to enjoy the cool breeze of the bay while listening and dancing to some of the region’s best musical talent. This week features Nobius. More info: 850-436-5670.
Crown the Empire: Road To Hell Tour
6:30 p.m., doors; 7:30 p.m., show; May 22. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Metalcore band Crown the Empire winged it at their first gig, writing a handful of songs shortly before they went onstage to open for Memphis May Fire. In 2012, their debut single, “Makeshift Chemistry,” earned more than seven million views and introduced their signature sound, a melodic take on metalcore that features soaring choruses. The Word Alive and Afterlife will open the show. $22. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Escambia, Santa Rosa things to do: Culture Fest, Fitness Fest, and more
Seven days: Culture Fest, Fitness Fest and Military Appreciation Fest top festive week
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