Kickoff Summer in SOGO

Press Release: There is no denying the warm weather is here to stay. The SOGO area of downtown Pensacola wants you to kick off the sunny season with Kickoff Summer in SOGO.

In addition to the usual second Saturday SOGO Saturdays, Kickoff Summer in SOGO will be Saturday, May 23, 2015 from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

“Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to bring the family and see what downtown Pensacola has to offer,” says Nic Schuck, owner of Emerald Coast Tours, which offers Segway, bike, and walking tours of Historic Pensacola. “School is almost out for summer, so bring your family and we will get your summer started right.”

The SOGO stores will shut down a block of Palafox Street, between Main Street and Zarragosa Street, opening the area for shopping, dining, live music and entertainment, including music by DJ Ramsey, a hair show by VolumeONE Salon, Pure Pilates’ aerial demonstrations, a floral and plant show by Fiore, chalk art for kids (and kids at heart), and much more.

Jackson’s Steakhouse will also be opening for a rare Saturday lunch as part of the day’s events.

As part of a 10-day, multi-artist trunk show, Susan Campbell Jewelry will be featuring Wedding Bands for Men. Pieces from designers Rebecca Overmann and TAP by Todd Pownell will be highlighted, as well as a selection of the Susan Campbell Jewelry Private Label bands.

Mainline Art House opens an exhibit by Cody Copeland and Cody Painter entitled “Natural Attraction.” Copeland, who grew up in Northwest Florida next to his father’s hunting and fishing store, uses mixed media and reclaimed wood featuring natural forms and images such as birds, antlers, and animal skulls. Californian and world-traveler Cody Painter’s work focuses primarily on sculpture with different materials as accents to enliven his art.

Along with aerial performances, Pure Pilates will have sales on apparel and accessories. In addition to their regularly scheduled classes, there will also be a special Yoga and Essential Oils Workshop led by Megan Dill from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Just around the corner, at the Pensacola Museum of Art, visitors can enjoy “The Lure of the Ocean: Original Works by Guy Harvey. As a self-taught artist, Harvey incorporates his background as a marine biologist with his artistic gift, creating his iconic works of art that are instantly recognizable.

SOGO, SOuth of GOvernment, is downtown’s retail and cultural center. There are over 20 stores, specialty shops and restaurants in the SOGO area. For more information on Springtime in SOGO and other upcoming SOGO Saturdays, visit the SOGO District Facebook page.

Participating SOGO stores and restaurants include, Al Fresco, Between, Bodacious Brew, Bodacious Olive, Carmen’s Lunch Bar, Don Alans, Emerald Coast Tours, Fiore of Pensacola, Jackson’s Steakhouse, Mainline Art House, McAlpin Interiors, New World Inn, Nom Sushi Izakaya, O’Riley’s Irish Pub, Pure Pilates, Scout, Shux Oyster Bar, SoChopped, SoGourmet, Susan Campbell Jewelry and VolumeOne Salon.