Gallery Night Pensacola

Last Friday night I had the opportunity to go downtown for Gallery Night. I love this friggin’ event. Every other month, Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola close from 5 until midnight. There is live music everywhere and people are walking around with drinks. They cruise the crowd, listening to music, drinking, and looking at art and each other. Really, I hate crowds of people, but a couple of Xanax (I have a prescription, don’t worry) and some good beer help me tell anxiety to piss off.

A little back story – last summer my family went to Disney World. I did so before I got a prescription for the aforementioned medication. There are people everywhere at Disney World, and sometimes the lines cross back on themselves there’s nothing to be seen but people. Standing in line for my son to meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse felt like the entire room was closing in on me. About halfway through the line, I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to leave Beth, my son, and the rest of our group inside. Everyone in there was breathing and I was certain there wasn’t enough air for them and me. Did I mention I hate crowds?

I’ve been having headaches. They linger in the top of my head for days. Sometimes dull, sometimes sharp, but always present. I mentioned in my last post that I’ve had a lot of stuff on my mind lately, so Beth and I thought maybe the headaches are because of stress and/or tension. She suggested, and I agreed, going out for Gallery Night might do me well. After a long bit of texting with friends and trying to find someone to hang out with while stumbling the streets, I ended up alone. “Fuck it. I’m doing this.” I said to myself.

I got downtown, went to my office to get our growler, and headed to Hopjacks to get it filled with a really good craft beer. Then I remembered I was doing this on a tight, tight budget and opted for Pabst Blue Ribbon. Growler filled, I set out to hear what I could see. There was good music everywhere, but it was kind of overwhelming. It wasn’t long before I was in my office, warming my hands and contemplating going home. It was just past 10:00. I put the rest of the growler in the fridge and went downstairs to cash out my tab.

James Adkins

When I got downstairs I heard James Adkins playing. That dude’s got a lot of heart, soul, and energy. Just him, a guitar, and a broad repertoire of music…I decided to stay a little longer. I ordered a Pensacola Bay Brewery Sawgrass and made my way through the crowd to the other end of the restaurant near the stage.

While standing there, listening to James play, a man came up to me and said “You’re out late.” I told him I’d gotten the go-ahead to hang out. He smiled and offered to buy my next beer. A few songs later, it was time for that beer. When he came back, he handed it to me and toasted “It’s good to see you after dark.” There was something special in his smile and words. I felt connected and appreciated. I felt good. Relaxed. I stood and chatted with him and his girlfriend for an hour or more.  We talked about music, people, advertising, and moonshine.

Eventually, the couple disappeared. I stayed until the end of James’ set. How did 1:30 am find me? I didn’t care. I’d been having great conversation, listening to good music, and drinking good beer. It was late. The time had come to head home. Though I’d considered leaving early, it had turned out to be a great and relaxing evening. The only way it could have been any better would be if my best friend, Beth, had been with me. Maybe next time.

(I only had 4 beers over several hours, I wasn’t drunk. Don’t drink and drive, kids.)