Community Calendar

James Baldwin vs. William F. Buckley: Reimagining the Historic 1965 Cambridge Union Debate

Experience a theatrical reenactment of one of the most memorable public debates of the twentieth century. American Vicarious brings the historic 1965 Cambridge Union debate between writer and civil rights icon James Baldwin and conservative author and commentator William F. Buckley Jr. back to the stage.

The debate centers on the provocative resolution:

“The American Dream is at the expense of the American Negro.”

Through this dramatic reenactment, audiences will encounter the competing visions of America articulated by Baldwin and Buckley at a defining moment in the nation’s history and consider enduring questions about race, equality, citizenship, and the American promise.

The Pensacola Museum of Art Guild invites you to an inspiring morning with acclaimed portrait artist, Jeff Bass, as he shares the stories behind his remarkable paintings. Enjoy lunch while helping support the Pensacola Museum of Art. Proceeds from this event support the Youth Art Focus and the scholarship fund for the children's art programs, providing many children with their first exposure to a museum and to the visual arts.

Jeff has painted such dignitaries as George H.W. Bush, Governor Jeb Bush, former Secretary of State George Shultz, to name a few. His work's are represented in the US House of Representatives, the Smithsonian, the CIA and our own National Aviation Museum, to name a few.

Join the University of West Florida and Reubin O’D. Askew Department of Government on Thursday, September 17, to commemorate Constitution Day with a series of lectures and public forums.

The noon lecture features Paul R. DeHart, professor of political science at Texas State University. DeHart will present Is There No Virtue Among Us?: Interest, Ambition, and the Common Good in the Framers’ Constitutional Design, exploring the motivations that shaped the creation of the Constitution in the University Commons Conference Ballroom.

Guests are invited to continue the conversation at 3 p.m. when DeHart joins James Hankins (University of Florida) for Federalists or Anti-Federalists: The Verdict After 250 Years, a public forum in the University Commons Conference Ballroom.

At 6:30 p.m., join UWF again for The Constitution and the Western Republican Tradition, a lecture by Hankins at Voices of Pensacola.

The Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup Day is September 19th and we are celebrating by holding another multi-beach cleanup on the same day from 8:00 – 10:00am with fun games, prizes, free t-shirts and free breakfast at participating restaurants/locations! We will be holding beach cleanups at the following locations:

The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island (1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL) -Breakfast will be served
The Crab Trap/James Lee Park (3500 Scenic HWY 98, Destin, FL) – Breakfast will be served
The Surf Hut (551 Scenic Gulf Drive, Miramar Beach, FL) – Breakfast will be served
Norriego Point Beach (Gulf Shore Drive, Destin, FL - Entrance by East Pass Towers) – Breakfast options will be available on site
Henderson Beach State Park (17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL)

Bring your own bucket, mesh bag, gloves, and trash grabbers, and Don't forget your water bottle and sun protection!

Join us on Saturday, September 19th, beginning at 10:30 am at the Downtown Spring Library, Meeting Room A, as we welcome Guest Speakers Dr. Calvin Avant, Unity in the Family Ministry, Inc. Cheryl Howard, J.D., Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Museum of Culture and Heritage, and Cheri-Hofmann-Muir, part-time Research Assistant Southeast ADA Center, part-time as the Assistive Technology Program Coordinator, for the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) for the Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida, Inc. (CILNWf) for the Gulf Coast region for a panel discussion on how the removal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has impacted the work of local community-based organizations.

"This event is not sponsored or endorsed by the West Florida Public Libraries or Escambia County.

People's Law School returns for its second free educational session on Monday, September 21, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Held on Monday nights in September following Labor Day, this long-running community program hosted by Levin Papantonio helps make the law easier to understand through practical, real-world information presented by experienced attorneys. Learn about legal topics that may affect your everyday life in a welcoming environment. Everyone is welcome, no legal experience is required, and attendance is free.

The Women in Science Conference is a celebration of women in all STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) professions. Hosted by the Emerald Coast Science Center and Modern Technology Solutions, Inc., the evening will consist of inspirational presentations from professional women in STEM careers followed by a panel discussion where the audience can engage with speakers and ask questions.

All ages are welcome, especially middle school and high school students looking to discover careers in STEM. Guests will have a chance to mingle with the speakers and other guest professionals. This is an excellent event for all those looking to explore STEM opportunities right here in Okaloosa. Light refreshments provided.

Hear from accomplished women in STEM as they share the experiences, challenges, lessons, and breakthroughs that shaped their careers, and discover how you can create your own path in science, technology, engineering, and math. All speakers will be a part of a panel discussion toward the end of the event to take questions from the audience. This is an excellent event for students of all ages and genders to receive firsthand advice and information from local STEM professionals.

EVENT LOCATION:
Beachside Church
200 Racetrack Rd NW
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547

Curious about becoming one of our Women in Science sponsors or speakers? Email kate@ecscience.org

Gary's Brewery & Biergarten is teaming up with PPBEP and OysterCorps to help Pensacola Bay oysters! Join us for a laid-back evening of building vertical oyster gardens (VOGs). All materials will be provided, no experience necessary!

Volunteer with us to help construct vertical oyster gardens (VOGs) out of oyster shell recycled from Pensacola Beach restaurants! VOGs are suspended structures built out of recycled oyster shell that can hang from docks to provide a surface for oysters to grow on. Once oysters start growing on a VOG, they can enhance water filtration, create habitat for other marine life, and reproduce to support our oyster populations across the bay!

All ages are welcome to participate but a guardian must be present for youth.

Event is free, but registration is required as supplied are limited.

The University of West Florida College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities and UWF Archaeology Institute will launch the 2026-27 Gulf Coast Culture Series with "The Gulf at War: History and Archaeology of Revolutionary West Florida" at Voices of Pensacola in downtown Pensacola. The program will explore the often-overlooked role of the northern Gulf Coast during the American Revolution, when Spanish and British forces competed for control of West Florida. Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Dr. Jack E. Davis will provide the keynote and moderate a panel of regional experts in archaeology, history and historic preservation. Together, the speakers will examine the people, places and conflicts that shaped Revolutionary-era West Florida and discuss how archaeological discoveries – both on land and underwater – continue to provide new insights into the region’s history. The evening also includes a public reception, educational displays from regional archaeology and heritage organizations, a book signing with Davis, and an after-hours opportunity to visit the Pensacola Museum of History’s "Road to Revolution" exhibit. A reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the event at 6 p.m.

Join PPBEP and our partners, FL Sea Grant, Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, Escambia County, and the Florida Public Archaeology Network, for a series of local wildlife-related talks while enjoying lunch!

This event is free, open to the public, and lunch will be provided. The content will be geared towards adults, but all ages are welcome. Registration is required as space is limited, please click the button below to secure your free spot.