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Now and Then – March 26th thru 29th
A romantic comedic play about the desire to follow your dreams and the cost of that pursuit. What would you do if you were given the chance to go back and make a decision that would forever change your future? That's the choice Jamie and Abby must face one fateful evening. "It's now or never."

Love is in the air… and sometimes it’s a little strange!

Join us for a special Valentines edition of our Night Owl series, as we explore the wild and wonderful world of animal courtship, curious adaptations and the bizarre side of nature after dark! From fascinating, feathered romances to unexpected wildlife pairings, you’ll discover that the natural world has its own unique love stories.

Bring your valentine, your friends, or just your curiosity for an evening of learning, laughter, and nighttime adventure at the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge!


When: Friday, February 27th from 6 to 8pm

Where: The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge - 3051 Cloptons Circle

$20 for 1 | $30 for 2

Did you know that one of the rarest and most endangered whales on Earth lives right here in the Gulf — mostly just off the Florida coast? Join us for an evening exploring the incredible story of the Rice’s whale — a story of discovery, survival, and the challenges it continues to face, all unfolding in our own backyard.

Our speaker, Laura Engleby, brings decades of experience to the conversation. She recently retired from NOAA Fisheries (former Marine Mammal Branch Chief, Southeast Region) and now serves as Chair of the Rice’s Whale Collaborative Network Steering Committee. Laura has spent her career working to protect endangered marine mammals and has a unique perspective on what makes this species so important.

The Rice’s whale is a symbol of the Gulf’s changing history, having endured the BP disaster oil spill, powerful hurricanes, and centuries of environmental change. But this isn’t only a story about whales. It’s a story about the Gulf itself — a living system that supports fisheries, coastal communities, and a way of life that connects us all.

This event marks the kickoff of the 2026 Gulf Coast Whale Festival, which is Saturday March 7 from 9 am – 3 pm at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. Snacks will be served and drinks are available for purchase.

More about Laura:

Laura Engleby is the former Chief of the Marine Mammal Branch at NOAA Fisheries Southeast Region, where she led conservation and recovery efforts for endangered Rice’s whales, North Atlantic right whales, and bottlenose dolphins. With nearly 40 years in the field, she continues to advance marine mammal science through research, restoration, and mentoring. She is currently the Chair of the Rice's Whale Collaborative Network.

The Gulf Coast Whale Festival brings environmental education and fun to Pensacola Beach on Saturday March 7. Educational exhibits and activities tell the story of Gulf whales and local marine life, and a puppet parade led by Birds of a Feather showcases the ecology of the Gulf. Sweet sounds will flow from the Casino Beach Pavilion with live music by Pensacola singer-songwriters, and the performance of Ode to the Rice’s Whale, written by Pensacola performer Bob Teague.

“Yes we have whales along the Gulf coast, and we’re excited to host the Gulf Coast Whale Festival to celebrate the whales and other natural riches of the Gulf of Mexico,” said Christian Wagley, Florida/Alabama Organizer at the nonprofit Healthy Gulf.
One of the organizations leading educational activities at the Festival is the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station, where students are continuing their years of work around Gulf marine life.

“My students are really excited to share our work on marine mammals, especially Rice’s whales,” says Charlene Mauro, director of the Center. “We’ll have an inflatable whale to visit, and hands-on activities to make it fun and informative.”
The Whale Festival comes at an exciting time for whale lovers on the Gulf coast, as the Rice’s whale was identified as a new species of whale just five years ago.

A Facebook event page is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1198419475446749/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D

Space for vendors interested in sharing environmental and marine life education is available for free, but space is limited. For more information and to register for booth space, please email: gulfcoastwhale@gmail.com or register for booth space at the link here.

Questions: Contact Christian Wagley at gulfcoastwhale@gmail.com

Under the direction of Dr. Sean Kelley, the Symphonic Band will perform a variety of pieces featuring guest pianist Susan Chou. The group will perform “Festive Overture” by Dmitri Shostakovich, “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” by Sergei Rachmaninoff, featuring Susan Chou, “Circuits” by Cindy McTee and “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” by Richard Wagner.

Susan Chou was born in Taipei, Taiwan. She immigrated to the United States at age 16 and earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Northwestern University. During her studies at Northwestern, she was greatly inspired by her piano teacher, Professor Alan Chow and decided to pursue her career in piano. After graduation, she was awarded a full scholarship to study with Menahem Pressler at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where she completed her master’s and doctorate degrees.

As part of the Foo Foo Fest lineup, Jazz for Justice is a free community event presented by Legal Services of North Florida featuring the smooth sounds of New Orleans jazz! Enjoy family fun activities, food trucks, and a VIP lounge is also available for an upscale experience. Legal Services of North Florida provides no cost civil legal assistance to vulnerable individuals across Northwest FL, currently serving 16 counties.

The University of West Florida’s Office of Campus Culture and Center for Behavior Analysis invite you to ArGrow: Educate, Empower, Evolve on October 4, 2024, featuring award-winning American autistic and legally blind author and Broadway actor Mickey Rowe (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time). Join us for an evening with Mickey for his keynote from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm. Learn more and register for these free and open-to-the-public events at uwf.edu/occa under “Upcoming OCCA Events.”

This event is funded, in part, by Pace Symposiums.

Event organizers will provide a sensory/respite room for family members who would like to be in a separate supervised space during the keynote presentation. The presentation will not be broadcasted into the room, so this is a space for those who do not prefer to attend the presentation while another party member attends. This room will be supervised by a volunteer from Autism Pensacola and a UWF ABA graduate student during the keynote event.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations is requested to advise UWF by contacting Human Resources at 850.474.2694 or 850.857.6158 (TTY) at least two business days before the event. For more information or to submit a request, visit the Public Event Accommodations page or email ada@uwf.edu.

Presented by the Choral Society and Aragon Wine Market + Wine Bar, this tasting event features wines from six countries perfectly paired with a dozen choral selections. You'll sample the wines, introduced by AWM's guru de vin, Pepper Dowdy, and share a charcuterie board seated at tables of eight. As you sip and snack, you'll be serenaded by the Society’s 100-voice chorus in a program including works by such composers as Schubert, Brahms, Offenbach, Kodály, and Piazzolla, as well as arrangements of traditional songs. Artistic Director Peter Steenblik will conduct.

"Wine & Song" is for adults 21 and older. A zero proof (non-alcoholic) option will be available. Seating is limited, and ticket sales will end at 11:59 pm, Sunday, October 6. If you have concerns about accessibility or any other questions, please email support@choralsocietyofpensacola.org.

It's Military Appreciation Day at the museum! All active duty members, veterans, and their families receive free admission to the museum today with valid military ID. Simply present your military ID at check in to receive museum access for your family.
Schedule of Events
• Check out the sciPad and play interactive games on our room-sized iPad from 12-3 p.m.
• Join us for a Creature Feature at 1:30 p.m. where you can get up close with some of the center's Animal Ambassadors. Seating for the Creature Feature is available on a first come, first served basis. No reservations accepted.
• Museum indoor exhibit halls and outdoor exploration spaces are open 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
This event sponsored in part by the Air Force Research Laboratory.
It's Military Appreciation Day at the museum! All active duty members, veterans, and their families receive free admission to the museum today with valid military ID. Simply present your military ID at check in to receive museum access for your family.
Schedule of Events
• Check out the sciPad and play interactive games on our room-sized iPad from 12-3 p.m.
• Join us for a Creature Feature at 1:30 p.m. where you can get up close with some of the center's Animal Ambassadors. Seating for the Creature Feature is available on a first come, first served basis. No reservations accepted.
• Museum indoor exhibit halls and outdoor exploration spaces are open 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
This event sponsored in part by the Air Force Research Laboratory.
It's Military Appreciation Day at the museum! All active duty members, veterans, and their families receive free admission to the museum today with valid military ID. Simply present your military ID at check in to receive museum access for your family.
Schedule of Events
• Check out the sciPad and play interactive games on our room-sized iPad from 12-3 p.m.
• Join us for a Creature Feature at 1:30 p.m. where you can get up close with some of the center's Animal Ambassadors. Seating for the Creature Feature is available on a first come, first served basis. No reservations accepted.
• Museum indoor exhibit halls and outdoor exploration spaces are open 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
This event sponsored in part by the Air Force Research Laboratory.
It's Military Appreciation Day at the museum! All active duty members, veterans, and their families receive free admission to the museum today with valid military ID. Simply present your military ID at check in to receive museum access for your family.
Schedule of Events
• Check out the sciPad and play interactive games on our room-sized iPad from 12-3 p.m.
• Join us for a Creature Feature at 1:30 p.m. where you can get up close with some of the center's Animal Ambassadors. Seating for the Creature Feature is available on a first come, first served basis. No reservations accepted.
• Museum indoor exhibit halls and outdoor exploration spaces are open 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
This event sponsored in part by the Air Force Research Laboratory.
It's Military Appreciation Day at the museum! All active duty members, veterans, and their families receive free admission to the museum today with valid military ID. Simply present your military ID at check in to receive museum access for your family.
Schedule of Events
• Check out the sciPad and play interactive games on our room-sized iPad from 12-3 p.m.
• Join us for a Creature Feature at 1:30 p.m. where you can get up close with some of the center's Animal Ambassadors. Seating for the Creature Feature is available on a first come, first served basis. No reservations accepted.
• Museum indoor exhibit halls and outdoor exploration spaces are open 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
This event sponsored in part by the Air Force Research Laboratory.
It's Military Appreciation Day at the museum! All active duty members, veterans, and their families receive free admission to the museum today with valid military ID. Simply present your military ID at check in to receive museum access for your family.

Schedule of Events
• Check out the sciPad and play interactive games on our room-sized iPad from 12-3 p.m.
• Join us for a Creature Feature at 1:30 p.m. where you can get up close with some of the center's Animal Ambassadors. Seating for the Creature Feature is available on a first come, first served basis. No reservations accepted.
• Museum indoor exhibit halls and outdoor exploration spaces are open 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

This event sponsored in part by the Air Force Research Laboratory.

As one of the oldest communities in what is now the United States, Pensacola has a long history of ghost stories.

Attend in person at the Downtown Branch of the Pensacola Public Library or join us via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsfuyqrDIpHNaj_Y6n0zhXuQ8NOiSpPSI6 Questions, email info@wfgs.org