Two Pensacola favorites join forces for a fun and fabulous community singalong
Pensacola, Fla. – September 2023 – The Pensacola Museum of History is known for its many exhibits portraying the uniqueness of the city’s past, but during Foo Foo Fest, it will transform into the setting for a spirited community singalong.
The Choral Society of Pensacola and the Pensacola Children’s Chorus teamed up for a spectacular Foo Foo event this year, Singing in the Streets, which will bring the performance off the stage and into the community. “At the Choral Society of Pensacola, our mission is to provide the community with a diverse set of singing activities,” said Peter Steenblik, its artistic director. “This event lets us come out from behind the curtain and make music in the community in a less formal environment.”
Alex Gartner, artistic and executive director of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus, echoes Steenblik’s excitement about creating an opportunity for a community-wide singalong, which will be held flash mob-style on the steps of the Pensacola Museum of History. “We really wanted singing to be the focus of our event for Foo Foo Fest, and not in a typical performance where the audience comes in and just consumes the art but rather participates in it themselves,” Gartner explained. “Singing in the Streets is a great opportunity for all of Pensacola—and those in from out of town—to perform collectively as a group and just have a good time around song.”
Singing on the Streets will include a variety of well-known songs for the crowd to perform, from Broadway hits to Disney favorites, all of which will be led by the Pensacola Children’s Chorus and Choral Society of Pensacola and the musical accompaniment of piano, guitar, and drums. “We’re trying to turn the traditional performance model on its head because we really want people to recognize that their voice is valuable and important and can be part of the music making,” Gartner added.
The singalong is free to the public and scheduled for Thursday, November 2 at 6:00 p.m. Gartner is excited about the opportunity for entire families to enjoy the lighthearted event together, which speaks—or rather sings—to the community’s appreciation of the arts. “Arts and culture are really an essential heartbeat of our community,” Gartner said. “We are so fortunate to have what we have here in Pensacola. It’s unique and special, and Foo Foo Fest does a great job of bringing everyone together for this two-week period. We’re thrilled at having the opportunity to put together a musical celebration for Foo Foo that can engage our entire community.”
And as Steenblik points out, collaborative events like this are made possible because of the grants given by Foo Foo Fest. “We love getting the chance to collaborate with other organizations, and Foo Foo Fest is what affords us that opportunity,” Steenblik said. “Foo Foo gives organizations in Pensacola the opportunity to build artistic bridges with others within our community, and we’re so thankful for it.”
About ACE
Art, Culture and Entertainment, Inc. (or ACE) is a non-profit organization that will receive Federal, State of Florida, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, corporate, foundation and personal funds to disperse through equitable granting processes to arts, culture and entertainment organizations throughout Escambia County, Florida. Our General Operating Grant Program requires eligibility for an organization to have been in existence for at least 24 months and be IRC Section 501(c)(3) organizations. Our Mini Grant Program requires eligibility for an organization to be a Florida Non-Profit with its primary location in Escambia County, FL.
About Pensacola Foo Foo
In 2014, Art, Culture, and Entertainment, Inc. (ACE) approached the Escambia, Florida County Commission with the thought of securing grant monies to be distributed among various arts/cultural organizations in the Pensacola area. Just an idea then, Foo Foo has since morphed an annual 12-day celebration that occurs during the first two weeks of November. It is generally bookended by longtime Pensacola cultural events — the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival and the Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow at NAS Pensacola.
Foo Foo highlights and invites guests and locals alike to experience and enjoy the plethora of Fall arts and cultural events that occur in Pensacola, with a mission of enhancing the overall quality of life for all of Pensacola.
About the Pensacola Children’s Chorus
The Pensacola Children’s Chorus (PCC) is a non-profit, community-based arts education program which uses music and performance to inspire and nurture a new generation of young leaders. Serving 300 young musicians from over 60 schools across Northwest Florida and Southwest Alabama, PCC uses music education to provide opportunities for personal growth, friendship, and community service. Formally established 1990 as a program of the Pensacola Symphony, the now-independent organization continues to pursue diversity of talent, repertoire, and performance to enhance and enliven the cultural fabric of our community. To fulfill its role as the preeminent regional youth music education program, PCC presents a full season of outreach, educational programs, and performances each year for thousands of children, youth, and adults.