Things to do in Pensacola: Blues on the Bay; Food Truck and Cosplay Fest; Cinco de Mayo
Seven days out is your guide to entertainment events, concerts, festivals and activities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
MONDAY
Monday Night Blues
7 p.m. Monday, April 29. 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
Bands on the Beach
7 p.m. Tuesday, April 30. Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach, Pensacola Beach. Bands on the Beach is Pensacola Beach's popular outdoor summer concert series with performers for every musical taste. Featuring a lineup of regional artists, the series delivers an eclectic musical experience throughout the entire summer. This week features True Blue Band. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free. More info: 850-932-2257 or visitpensacolabeach.com.
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Mutilatred
7 p.m. Tuesday, April 30. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Mutilatred will perform live in concert with Sentenced 2 Die, Worthy Of The Crown, and Infernem. $15 in advance; $18 at the door. More info: thehandlebar850.com.
WEDNESDAY
Andy Frasco & The U.N.
7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Wednesday, May 1. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Andy Frasco & The U.N. have long been the high-flying DIY renegades of the touring scene known and loved for their kaleidoscopic musical fusion and one-of-a-kind onstage audacity. Now celebrating their longevity, the band is shaking things up with L’Optimist. A testament to Frasco’s wide-ranging influences and boundless energy, his band’s sixth released studio album sees the magnetic frontman continuing to chart his path of self-exploration and personal discovery through increasingly introspective lyricism and musical adventure. The show features special guests Dogs in a Pile. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
Levitation Room
7 p.m. Wednesday, May 1. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Levitation Room will perform live in concert. $15 in advance; $18 at the door. More info: thehandlebar850.com.
THURSDAY
Lost Key Lighted Night Market
5 p.m. Thursday, May 2. Villagio, 13700 Perdido Key Drive. Locals, snowbirds and spring breakers can take an evening stroll through Villagio and a Lighted Night Market where each vendor has decorated their tent with unique lights and will have opportunities for attendees to purchase arts and crafts, artisan goods, handmade jewelry, sample local flavors and maybe even catch a performance from a local entertainer or sharing in an experience that only Perdido Key can offer. Scott Koehn, Atlanta native and part of the Frank Brown Songwriters Festival, will perform at the event. Free. More info: visitperdido.com/perdido-key-chamber.
St. Christopher's Concerts
6 p.m. Thursday, May 2. 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. Food will be available for purchase on site. This week features Mirage. Free. More info: scpen.org/christophers-concerts.html.
FRIDAY
Are We There Yet
7 p.m., doors; 7:30 p.m., show; Friday, May 3. First Baptist Church Gulf Breeze, 555 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze. The Gulf Coast Chorale’s presentation of Are We There Yet will take attendees on a trip to beautiful and amazing destinations all over the world. It will be filled with songs we all love and love to sing. It’s all about location, location, location. In its ongoing commitment to promote local artists and choral programs, the chorale will welcome Impromptune, a local acapella quartet, as their featured guest artists. Tickets: $12 for adults; $5 for children 12 and younger purchased in advance. There is a special group pricing of 10 tickets for $100. More info: gulfcoastchorale.org.
The Sleeping Beauty
7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1:30 pm. Sunday, May 3 through 5. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. At birth, it was known that Aurora would be the most beautiful and enchanting of princesses; however, an evil curse condemned Aurora to a 100-year slumber by age 16. The royal family did their best to protect Princess Aurora but Aurora soon discovers that you can't avoid an evil curse in this magical kingdom. Will Prince Désiré be able to wake Aurora from her 100-year slumber with true loves kiss? Or will she be doomed to never wake up? Tickets start at $44. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
Thunderstruck - America's AC/DC Tirbute
7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Friday, May 3. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Thunderstruck gives fans so much more than the sound of AC/DC, they truly capture the high voltage energy and experience. For fans, it's about a sense of familiarity, and it's about a feeling that snatches up listeners and takes over. It's about a contagious kind of power and electricity that few AC/DC tribute bands can provide. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
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SATURDAY
Rosamond Johnson Beach Day
10 a.m. Saturday, May 4. Johnson Beach. After enlisting in the US Army at 15, Rosamond Johnson died in combat two years later on the Korean Peninsula. While engaged with the enemy, on July 26, 1950, Private Johnson carried two wounded soldiers to safety. He was fatally wounded while attempting to save a third wounded man. For the past decade, the Perdido Key Area Chamber Foundation has invited the Johnson Family, local and national dignitaries, and the public to the beach to honor the memory of this local hero. Capt. Pat Everly, USN (Ret.), executive director of the National Flight Academy, will be the keynote speaker at the ceremony this year. More info: PerdidoChamber.com.
May the Fourth: Food Truck and Cosplay Fest
11 a.m. Saturday, May 4. Pensacola Harley Davidson, 6385 Pensacola Blvd. Come dressed as you are or who you dream to be during the Food Truck and Cosplay Fest. Some of the area's favorite local food trucks are teaming up with Pensacola Harley-Davidson and Pensacola Habitat for Humanity to raise funds for future builds and overall awareness of a great cause. Feast on some themed creations as well as tried and true classics. This event will cover a wide variety of cuisines and local vendors and wares. More info: pensacolaharley.com.
Brunch-Ella Festival
3 p.m. Saturday, May 4. 20 Casino Beach Blvd, Pensacola Beach. Brunch-Ella will be equipped to fulfill any entertainment or social interaction you may have been craving. Organizers will offer bottomless Margaritas with multiple ticket options, keepsake souvenir cups, a full bar, food trucks and restaurant vendors, beach/lawn games, music, raffles, and a few special guests and surprises. More info: Info@brunchella.com.
Movies in the Park
6 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to spread out on the lawn to watch a family-friendly movie under the stars. Concessions from local food truck vendors will be available for purchase, and outside food is also welcome. Pets and glass bottles are prohibited at the event. This week’s movie is The Little Mermaid. Free. More info: playpensacola.com.
The Wilder Blue
7 p.m. Saturday, May 4. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. The Wilder Blue will perform live in concert with The New Cahoots and Snake And The Rabbit. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. More info: thehandlebar850.com.
SUNDAY
Cinco de Mayo Party
4 p.m. Saturday, May 5. Coastal County Brewing, 3041 E. Olive Road. Shake those maracas on over to Coastal County and prepare to Fiesta like there's no mañana. Organizers are taking favorite Mexican party staples and giving them a Coastal County makeover. Experience Margarita-inspired brews, ciders, sours, and seltzers in addition to the fan-favorite Mexican Chocolate Cake Imperial Stout and brand new ‘Pickle-ada’ Bloody Mary Sour. More info: coastalcountybrewing.com.
Blues on the Bay
6 p.m. Sunday, May 5. 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 Still Standing. More info: 850-436-5670.
Spanish Love Songs
6 p.m. Sunday, May 5. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Spanish Love Songs will perform live in concert with OSO OSO, Sydney Sprague, and Worry Club. $20 in advance; $25 at the door. More info: thehandlebar850.com.
Tribal Seeds
7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Sunday, May 5. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tribal Seeds has toured the world over, seeking the spiritual aromatics of earth smoke and forming bonds with fans and musicians. In their 15 years as a reggae rock band, originally from San Diego, they have released four full length albums and two EPs. It's helped them amass over 224 million song streams and 250,000 followers on Spotify. The group's ascension among the elite in the roots and reggae rock genres came within its first three years as their self-titled 2008 album debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Reggae charts. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Things to do in Pensacola: Blues on the Bay; Food Truck & Cosplay Fest
