Florida's Film, Television and the Arts Magazine
THE PENSACOLA CONNECTION For July 2026
This month: Updates, run-downs, a run-through, and a flashback? What is this: a boot camp obstacle course? “MOVE IT, SOLDIER! HUP-HUP-HUP!” Sir-yes-Sir-I’m moving, I’m moving…
FIRST: An update on Pensa-Con 2027. The guest list for the big cosplay fan event next February 20th – 22nd at the downtown Bay Civic Center on the corner of Gregory & Alcaniz Streets, includes guest stars like: John Ratzenberger (Cheers, Superman, Toy Story) Paul McGann (Doctor Who 1996) Anson Mount & Doug Jones (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Discovery) Joey Lawrence (Blossom) James Marshall, Sherilyn Fenn & Sheryl Lee (Twin Peaks) and several more. The list is expected to grow, as the event date draws nearer. For further updates, visit: www.pensacon.com.
NEXT: Lots of history past, present and future, happening this season…
First, over at the Pensacola Naval Air Station’s Flight Museum, “YOU are Blue Angel #4: Fly with the Blues” a new US Navy Blue Angels jet aerobatics team’s supervised CG solo flight simulator, opened just late last season on Friday, May 29th, as part of the base’s Summer Flight Camp. (See: www.navalaviationmuseum.org, under “News & Events,”)
Then, on Monday, June 8th, I participated as an extra for a Calliope Studios film shoot @ Ashbrie Ridge Cinemas in Pea Ridge, for an upcoming on-screen advertisement for the theater. (Think Nicole Kidman’s “AMC. We Make Movies Better.” to which I keep whispering: “Now make better movies…”) The shoot lasted from 3pm to 10pm, with catering for cast & crew. They wanted to keep shooting in the parking lot ‘til midnight, but my diabetic feet were killing me. At least I got a free 1-year pass. Calliope is owned & operated by Pensacola filmmaker Chris Jadallah. He and his brother Jeremy Jadallah got their first jobs at the Ashbrie Ridge Cinemas, in the early 2000’s. (For further studio updates and scheduled in-house events, see: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Calliope%20Films.)
Also, the Pensacola Saenger Theater at South Palafox Place, on Independence Day Eve, Friday, July 3rd, will host a screening of “10 Good Men” a 90-minute road-touring documentary film, about the last living veterans to fly a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber plane in World War 2 combat.
And looking ahead: local “American Idol” 3rd Place Winner Keyla Richardson is having her big solo concert at the Saenger on Saturday, July 25th. (For info on both events, plus many more for the remaining 2026 show season, see: https://www.pensacolasaenger.com/events. )
UP NEXT: Of all the famous guest entertainers Pensacola has had over the years, would you believe one of them was Las Vegas classical piano legend Liberace? And that after a concert performance at the Bayfront Municipal Auditorium at South Palafox Pier, on January 16th, 1960, he paid a special late-night visit, with a full police escort, to several downtown antique stores, including Bercaw’s on East Gregory Street, for a spending spree (he was an avid collector) with checks signed with a candelabra anagram, and shipping instructions to his estate in Nevada, and some even went on display at the Liberace Museum in Vegas. (I wonder if he wished his brother George could’ve been there? [*Ahem*] But seriously, for further details on this story, see: https://www.facebook.com/pensacolahistory/photos/liberace-in-pensacola-in-1960/1421203456691992/. )
AND FINALLY: Looking again to the not-too-distant future: looks like filmmaker Elrico Moty Tunstall’s Manager Of the Year Studios, is about to start casting & shooting again for their next big project: this time a police action thriller/drama set in Atlanta, Georgia, with Pensacola lead actor and rap musician Jeff Sapp in the lead role. Whether or not this crime-busting feature will be an Atlanta/Pensacola hybrid or not, remains to be seen. BUT already, there are 2 alternative titles with lobby poster designs: “Protect and Switch,” OR… “P’cola Vice.” I’m pulling for the latter myself, but the final choice is Elrico’s call to make. Further details on this developing story and project are still pending. Will keep watch for further updates. (Meanwhile, see: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Elrico%20Moty. )
Strange but true happenings in Pensacola film, TV, music & recording history: past, present, and future.
Okay, that’s all the fireworks for July! (>Cough< Let the smoke clear…)
Until Aloha season in August… Later, Gators!
_______________________________
Sincerely yours, KENNETH L. MANNING
Your Pensacola Connection
49 Murphy Lane, Pensacola, FL 32505
Phone: 1-850-287-2581
Email: [email protected]
