Evenings In Olde Seville To Begin Final Season

The 25^th and final season of Evenings in Olde Seville Square will begin May 17 with a concert by the Pensacola Civic Band. The series will continue with concerts every Thursday at 7 p.m., weather permitting, until August 2.

“We are looking forward to having a great line up once again,” said Jim Green, the series coordinator. “Unfortunately, unless someone else or some other organization can step forward to assume the presentation of Evenings in Olde Seville Square, we are afraid this will be the last season.”

The Pensacola Heritage Foundation has presented the Evenings in Olde Seville Square, but has found the expense, even with sponsorships from local businesses, has grown to a point of taking funds away from the foundation’s original mission of discovering and preserving Pensacola’s unique historical heritage.
“Most of the organization for the concerts, arranging the talent, courting sponsors and dealing with the hundreds and hundreds of details that always arise, falls on the shoulders of a few people,” Green said. “We just can’t do it any longer, and the Heritage Foundation really wants to return to focusing on its primary mission of identifying and preserving historic structures.”

Just because this is the final season, doesn’t mean it will lack the entertainment value it has presented since 1987. This year’s lineup includes many of the most popular groups including Kitt Lough, the Reunion Band, Mr. Big and the Rhythm Sisters, Don Snowden’s Big Band with Holly Shelton, the Swinging Dick Tracys and Clark & Company.

Green estimated the cost of the concert at $50,000 to $60,000 annually. The foundation is willing to work with prospective concert presenters to help stage the series and lend technical support. He and members of the Pensacola Heritage Foundation hope someone will continue the tradition.

“For a lot of folks, summer in Pensacola is about the beach, getting out on the water and spending Thursday evenings socializing, seeing your friends and listening to music in Seville Square,” Green said. “Since Jim (Tanck) started this, we have seen a renaissance around Seville Square with restaurants like Dharma Blue and Hub Stacey’s. It’s a great scene and we hope someone will continue it.”

EVENINGS IN OLDE SEVILLE

WHEN:  7 p.m. Every Thursday starting May 17

WHERE: Seville Square

DETAILS: pensacolaheritage.org