The 10 Best Films of 2021 and Where to Stream Them

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January 29, 2022

Dr. David Simmons, Professor of Film Studies and Humanities, NWFSC

1. West Side Story (Steven Spielberg, ****)
What happens when arguably the best filmmaker of all time (Steven Spielberg) joins with one of the great playwrights of our day (Tony Kushner [Angels in America; Caroline, or Change]), to reimagine a musical by some of the greatest musical theater lyricists and composers (Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein), based on a play by one of the greatest writers of all time (Shakespeare)? You get this sizzling but savy West Side Story, the best film of the year.

It pays tribute to its predecessor, but fixes several of its problems (such as white actors in brown makeup; here all the Sharks are Latinx performers who speak Spanish), and then flies much higher. This film looks like it was made in 1957, but is really about us today.
Spielberg’s eye, synergized with Janusz Kaminski’s striking cinematography, from the demolished-lower-class opening crane shots, to the sweeping cameras of the dance, to the dramatic chiaroscuro lighting of Tony/Maria’s first meeting, to the expressionistic god’s-eye-view shots of the rumble, to the startling closing shot, make this film an instant masterpiece.

My vote for Best Picture, Best Actress (Rachel Zegler), and Best Supporting Actress (Ariana DeBose). In theaters.

2. Dune (Denis Villenueve, ****)
The most gorgeous cinematography of the year. Is it sometimes emotionally cold and bizarre? Yes. But it is also adept at world building and transforming Frank Herbert’s interiorized novel into visual splendor. Paul Atreides (Timothy Chalamet) travels from his home, moisture-filled planet of Caladan to the barren desert planet of Arakkis with his father, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), and his mother, Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson). Little do they know that the planet’s former capitalist exploiters of the spice mélange, led by Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard), have set a trap for them.

My vote for Best Cinematography, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Production Design, and Best Visual Effects. Rent on Amazon/Apple/YouTube; for free on HBO Max in 2022.

3. The Power of the Dog (Jane Campion, ****)
An exploration of how toxic masculinity intersects with sexuality, harming not only others, but the ones who legitimize it. Benedict Cumberbatch is Phil Burbank, a 1920’s Montana rancher who constantly puts down his brother, George (Jesse Plemons), George’s new wife, Rose (Kirsten Dunst), and especially Rose’s son, Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee), whom he deems too effeminate. The Power of the Dog shows us that even in wide-open spaces, unjust societal codes can shut down individuals, families, and communities.

My vote for Best Director (Jane Campion), Best Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch), and Best Supporting Actor (Kodi Smit-McPhee). On Netflix.

4. In the Heights (Jon M. Chu, ****)
Finally, a musical-film adaptation that trusts the casting of Broadway performers over big-name Hollywood actors who can fake it. (I’m looking at you, The Prom, Les Miserables, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, Chicago, and the supporting cast of Dear Evan Hansen). A rare film adaptation that is actually better than the original Broadway show, Director Jon M. Chu’s visual instincts sizzle with creativity. In the Heights shows us the power of diverse groups who come together as a marginalized community.

My vote for Best Editing. Stream for free on HBO Max or rent on Amazon/Apple/YouTube.

5. Belfast (Kenneth Branagh, ****)
One of the best examples of moving camera suture occurs near the beginning of Belfast, as 9-year-old Buddy (the astounding Jude Hill) walks down his street on Aug. 15, 1969, just as a violent outbreak of the Troubles nearly engulfs him. Belfast comes to us from the perspective of Buddy (Branagh’s own historical avatar), as he struggles to understand how parental conflicts are deepened by societal ones. Caitriona Balfe is dynamic as Ma, who struggles against Pa’s (Jamie Dornan) suggestion that they move the family to safer neighborhoods in another part of the Commonwealth. But the real delight is in watching Pop (Ciaran Hinds) and Granny (Judi Dench) impart both earthy wisdom and nostalgia to young Buddy.

My vote for Best Supporting Actor (Ciaran Hinds). On Amazon/Apple/YouTube.

6. Mass (Fran Kranz, ****)
The best film I saw at last January’s Sundance Film Festival. Make sure you breathe before you see it, because you won’t take a breath during the tense 110 minutes of its runtime. Gail (Martha Plimpton) and Jay (Jason Isaacs) meet in a room in a church basement with Linda (Ann Dowd) and Richard (Reed Birney) to wrestle with or emotionally hide from a tragedy that upended all of their lives. It’s a masterclass in acting. Mass shows that sometimes the most holy rituals may be rooted in our ability to show forgiveness to those who share our common humanity.

My vote for Best Original Screenplay (Fran Kranz). Stream on Amazon/Apple/Vudu.

7. Nightmare Alley (Guillermo del Toro, ****)
Writer/director Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water) knows monsters—and the monsters are us. He continues this auteur thematic unity with Nightmare Alley, a dark, creepy examination of Stanton Carlyle (a shiny-eyed Bradley Cooper), a young man with tortured dreams who joins a carnival and learns how to con. The astounding cast looks like an Oscar after-party: Willem Dafoe, Toni Collette, Rooney Mara, David Strathairn, Mary Steenburgen, Richard Jenkins, but most especially Cate Blanchett, who burns up the screen as Dr. Lilith Ritter. Nightmare Alley is based on William Lindsay Graham’s 1946 novel, which was previous made into a 1947 film noir of the same name. In theaters.

8. Tick, Tick…Boom! (Lin-Manuel Miranda, ****)
A musical theater lover’s dream: a musical by Jonathan Larson (composer of Rent), rewritten to tell a specific piece of Larson’s life, as he’s trying to get his first musical mounted on Broadway. There’s a huge ensemble of important Broadway performers, writers, and producers who show up in cameos. But most of all, there’s the love (and the hardship) of creating art. On Netflix.

9. The Green Knight (David Lowery, ****)
Based on the 14th-Century poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, David Lowery (A Ghost Story) has constructed a brilliant modern-day fable about karma. On Christmas morning, the Green Knight challenges any in Arthur’s court to a duel, saying that any knight who can deliver a blow to him will receive the same blow in return next Christmas at the Green Chapel. Sir Gawain (Dev Patel) takes Excalibur and decapitates him, but then must go on an epic journey next year. He is given a green sash by his mother, which he will told will protect him as long as he wears it. But there are many trials that await him on this mythic journey to death. Stream on Amazon/Apple/YouTube.

10. CODA (Sian Heder, ***)
A breakout hit at Sundance, this film had audiences both laughing out loud and weeping uncontrollably. Ruby (Emilia Jones), a “Child of Deaf Adults” (Marlee Matlin/Troy Kotsur), helps with her family’s fishing business in Gloucester, Mass., but joins her high school choir to be closer to a boy she likes named Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, the lead in Sing Street.) There are powerful moments where we are placed in the subjective space of the deaf characters and feel a little about what it would be like to be cut off from the social and communal cues of their small town. Yet, it’s also a film filled with joy, love, music, and humanity—just what we need right now. (Purchased at Sundance for a record-breaking $25 million by Apple TV+). On Apple TV+.

To find David’s full lineup of the Top 60 films of 2021 with additional commentary, visit drdavidsimmons.medium.com.

J.Leon Gallery Rings in New Year with New Artists

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Bay Life

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January 29, 2022

(Artists from left to right) Roy Calvin Eure, Estelle Grengs, Kim Eifrid, Wed Hind, Jason Lindblad, Andi Scurto, Melanie Moore, Betsy Latham, Mindy McClendon, Gayle Campbell, Kathy Schumacher, Maxine Orange

New year, new art! On Friday, January 7, 2022, J.Leon Gallery + Studio, the area’s newest fine art gallery, hosted its monthly Sip N’ Stroll event, where four new artists debuted in the gallery’s Spring show from January 1, 2022, until April 26, 2022. The gallery welcomed artists, Mindy McClendon, Andi Scurto, Wes Hinds and MJ Montgomery to the talented lineup of featured artists.

“It is with great excitement that we introduce our January to April show of artists,” said Jason Lindblad, Owner & Artist, J.Leon Gallery + Studio. “We greatly appreciate all of the talent and creativity of each of our artists and know that people who visit the gallery will enjoy the variety of styles that they bring to the table. Guests will find inspiration around graffiti, thoughts, illustrated and whimsical books, and new ceramic pieces as part of this show. We invite everyone to stop by the gallery to check out the wonderful works these creatives have to offer!”

During the Sip N’ Stroll event guests received a first look at the gallery’s fresh Spring art installations featuring twenty talented local and national artists. Visitors took a tour of the gallery while enjoying wine, champagne, and light eats.

What Ever Happened to Hope?

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Bay Life

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January 29, 2022

By Myrna Conrad

The start of a new year brings different thoughts and feelings for different people. Some are thankful that the past year is over, especially given the uncertainties of the last few years. There are those who are fearful of what the New Year might bring, given consequences of the actions we see playing out in our country. There will be celebrations, there will be regrets, there will be uncertainties, but each year brings an element of hope for what might be. That’s why so many people make their resolutions and set their goals at the beginning of each year. A new year can feel like a new beginning.

It seems as if, over the last few years, hope has taken a backseat to fear. Yet hope is what helps us overcome fear. Hope is so important. Hope reduces feelings of helplessness, reduces stress and improves quality of life. Without it, faith is replaced by fear, peace is replaced by anxiety, confidence is replaced by insecurity, and dreams for the future are replaced by despair. The loss of hope leads to a lack of motivation and depression. But the presence of hope can be a source of emotional strength. According to Psychology Today, hope can make present difficulties much easier to bear. Dr. Judith Rich writes, “Hope is a match in a dark tunnel, a moment of light, just enough to reveal the path ahead and ultimately the way out.”

Hope is the motivator that gives us the resilience to keep going when things seem overwhelming. Some great examples are: the Apostle Paul, who was thrown into prison, yet kept teaching about the love of Christ; Ludwig van Beethoven, who was deaf, but wrote amazing music; Abraham Lincoln, who was raised in poverty, but became our 16th President; Albert Einstein, who was labeled a slow learner, but became one of the greatest physicists of all times.

Hope can have several meanings. It can be used when talking about something we would like to happen or wish would happen, (i.e. “I hope I get the job I just interviewed for.”). It can be used to explain where we place our hope (i.e. “My hope is in the promises of God in His Word”). The use of hope in the Bible is distinctive in that it speaks of a certainty instead of a desire, as evidenced in these passages.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)

Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. (Proverbs 23:18 ESV)

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. (Psalm 75:1 ESV)

My hope isn’t wishful thinking and it is not fleeting, because I trust that God is in charge and is working in my life at all times. I experience His work daily in my life and see it, as well, in others. This kind of hope leads to joy, boldness, peace, faith and love. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
There are so many things in this world that can be taken from you: your loved ones, friends, your time, your health, your wealth, your energy, your freedom. Regardless of what happens, don’t let anything or anyone take your hope. Start the New Year by…

Being Aware:
Think about what brings you hope in your life.
Be aware of how the things going on around you affect your hope for the future.
Realize the importance of where you place your hope.
Understand that no one can take away your hope, which will affect your attitude.

Being Intentional:
Start this year with a list of your hopes and dreams for the year.
When you find yourself experiencing fear or worry, make a list of things that you can do to make a difference in your home, your school or work place, and your community.
Model hope for those around you.
Explore the Bible and see how many promises are given by God which, by faith, will infuse hope and peace into your life.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)

Holt-Phillips Deals With People, Not Customers

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Bay Life

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January 29, 2022

By Kenneth Books

Mike Phillips may have been born to work in HVAC. From high school electronics classes to study of AC, DC and transistors, he has always been technologically curious. And it led him to ownership of Holt-Phillips Services, purveyors of Trane environmental products.

“My dad talked to me about this field,” Mike said. “He said ‘you maybe want to go into air conditioning… because you’re an outdoor person.’”

His father, who served as an internal and external branch electrician, was right. “He had a good point about getting stuck inside four walls,” Mike said.

After studying at Northwest Florida State College, Mike took a job with another HVAC company. “I’d travel from house to house,” he said in his Bluewater Bay office. “It all sounded better the three to four years I worked for another company until I realized was not treated right.”

Then, in 1990, Holt-Phillips emerged as Mike and Keith Holt went into business for themselves. Mike bought out Holt about three years ago.

Mike, who runs the business with Jan, his wife of 11 years, is all about quality.
“I feel like I have some of the best technicians and people working for us,” he said. “They’re taught to treat the customers as people, not numbers, to develop rapport with them. We’re not the cheapest; we’re probably not the most expensive, either.”
Holt-Phillips sells and services Trane products exclusively. Mike said that company’s products are the best in the business. But, of course, there’s no substitute for customer service.

“We don’t let people down,” he said. “We stand behind our work. It’s just common sense.
“And I try to bestow the idea with our people to be the best, to give a good day’s work for an honest day’s pay.”

And Holt-Phillips technicians don’t approach their work exclusively as salesmen.

“We don’t sell,” Mike said. “We educate the customer. I’m a Trane dealer because I think Trane is the best product out there.”

The success of Holt-Phillips is an indication that that philosophy has found solid ground with its eight employees.

“It’s a hard field – hot and sweaty,” Mike said. “But the good Lord has blessed me and for that I thank Him.”

Holt-Phillips isn’t the only game in town, of course. Mike said he is in competition with about 124 air conditioning dealers in Okaloosa County. The key for him, though, is going the extra mile for the customer. It comes naturally to him.

“The Twin Cities are my town,” he said.

Local Dining, Drinks and Coffee

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Bay Life

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January 29, 2022

Brothers Kitchen
Brothers Kitchen is a casual, Southern-style restaurant, a place where you can get all your comfort food favorites. Blue Plate Specials are featured each day—meaning you choose one meat and two of many vegetable options from the daily list. And there’s so many homestyle choices such as Country Fried Steak, Pork Bar-B-Que or Smoked Chicken Breast. Or pair super fresh salads, turnip greens, fried okra, potato wedges or mac ‘n cheese with the famous Boss Burger. Nightly specials vary each evening, but can include grilled or fried fish, shrimp & grits, pasta dishes or steak specials including Brothers Top Sirloin, Delmonico, Ribeye and Queen’s Filet Mignon. Come on by and “taste” for yourself ! Or checkout the Brothers Kitchen Facebook page for the daily specials and call, stop in or order ahead. Pre-order for the weekend 24 hours in advance: Smoked whole pork butt, full or half racks, barbecue smoked meatloaf, smoked wings all slow-smoked on the Big Green Egg. And don’t forget the sides! Brothers Kitchen offers options for Pre-Order Pickup.
Call 850-842-2687 to place your order! All the time: dine in, curbside, pickup, delivery, outside dining.
Open Monday – Saturday,
11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Closed Sunday.
(850) 842-2687
4538 E. Hwy. 20, Niceville
Facebook @LoveBrothersKitchen

JoJo’s Coffee and Goodness
Owner and operator Angela “JoJo” Stevenson invites you to enter a cafe and relaxed coffee shop atmosphere for a daily dose of “goodness.” Her dream team bakes fresh breakfast and lunch daily—Tuesday-Saturday. Feel free to work on site (free WiFi) or meet up with friends or family. Stop in for Cinnamon Rolls; Scones: Cranberry Orange, Chocolate Caramel and Cheddar Thyme; Strawberry Coffee Cake; Cranberry Orange Muffins; Red Velvet Cookies; Brownies with Espresso Ganache or Caramelitas! Try a Breakfast Special with a piece of Quiche or Kolache-Hashbrown Casserole. Breakfast Burritos are rolled and ready daily! Choose from Andouille, Bacon, Chorizo or Veggie. Or tantalize your taste buds with a made-to-order Breakfast Sandwich on Croissants or Bagel with two eggs and cheese and then choose if you want to add Jojo’s homemade smoked jalapeño beef bologna, bacon, house smoked barbecue or ham! Cinnamon Rolls and Kaloches still hold the top spot for SELL OUTS! Stop in for featured Muffins, Coffee Cake or Pound Cake which go great with Maple Cinnamon Latte or Caramel Macchiato!

Every day is a day for freshly Roasted Coffee and GREAT DOSES OF GOODNESS! Order ahead and pick up some for the office, a gathering or your next meeting! Book online at bigorangehousedesigns.com.
Hours 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday.
(850) 737-6194
4652 Hwy. 20 East, Niceville
bigorangehousedesigns.com

LJ Schooners Dockside Restaurant
Welcome to LJ Schooners Dockside Restaurant located at the spectacular Bluewater Bay Marina Complex. The restaurant is named after “LJ Schooner” (the LJ is for Lazy Jack) who was a cherished four-legged icon on Bluewater Bay Marina docks. The open air Oyster Bar and restaurant is open to serve you! Almost all seats offer a magnificent view of the water, marina and unparalleled sunset with, of course, oysters and a delicious varied menu with dinner specials such as Blackened Mahi and grilled shrimp with hollandaise, served over cheese grits! Join L.J. Schooners for Sunday Brunch, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and drink your bottomless Mimosas for $10! Adults $13.95; Children 7-12 $4.50; Children under age 6 free.

Don’t miss out on the January 29th Gumbo Tasting from 4-6 p.m. and live Music with David Gautreau. The choc-full month of February brings Open Mic/Karaoke (3, 10, 17, 24), Get Hook’d Academy (6, 13, 20, 27), Prime Rib Night, February 9, – 5-9 p.m. and Wine Tasting 5-7 p.m., a Silent Auction/Live Auction benefiting EOD Warrior Foundations February 11, Special Hours and Menu on Valentine’s Day Feb. 14, Traveling Painter February 16 from 5-7 p.m. and Live Music with Catalyst at the Mardi Gras Party on February 26!
Call to order take-out and pick-up in the L.J. Schooners Oyster Bar or call when you arrive for curbside pick-up.
Dine-in, pick-up, to-go. Open Wed.–Sun., 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
(850) 897-6400
290 Yacht Club Dr., Unit 200, Niceville
bluewaterbaymarina.com/schooners

NWFSC Hosts National Tournament

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Bay Life

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February 7, 2022

By Doug Stauffer, Sports Desk

Northwest Florida State College sponsored another premiere event Christmas week (December 20-21), hosting the country’s #1 and #2 ranked NCAA wrestling teams. In fact, the competition included seven of the top 11 dual meet teams. The Journeymen Collegiate Wrestling Duals consisted of two pools at the Raider Arena with the following schools competing: #1 Iowa, #2 Penn State, #5 North Carolina State, #6 Arizona State, #9 Virginia Tech, #10 Missouri, #11 Cornell, and Lehigh, UNI, Hofstra, Central Michigan and Binghamton. Imagine the most competitive collegiate wrestling tournament in the nation in Niceville! Yes, that is what fans witnessed as they traveled in from states across the nation.
The red pool final match included Iowa squeaking out the win over North Carolina State (19-15), while Penn State dominated Arizona State (29-10) to win the blue pool. Penn State won seven of their ten bouts in their final match, pictured with the championship trophy. Both Iowa and Penn State left the Emerald Coast with three wins each to add to their undefeated seasons.

It is important to note that NWFSC also hosted the premier wrestling coach in the nation. Cael Sanderson—the coach from Penn State, an Olympic gold medalist. He is indisputably considered the all time greatest NCAA wrestler as he went undefeated in his four years of college wrestling. He is the only wrestler in history with more than 100 wins to go undefeated in official NCAA Division I matches. Sports Illustrated named his college career as the second most impressive college sports feat among all sports, only topped by the feat of Jesse Owens’ four-world-record day in the span of 45 minutes.

As a former wrestler, I must affirm that the contests were competitive, thrilling and contentious, all in a spectacular environment. The Iowa Hawkeye’s four-point win over the Wolfpack was their narrowest victory of the year. The Penn State Nittany Lions looked impressive in their championship bout by dominating another top-tier opponent.
An added treat for the fans was the sponsorship by our own 1st Special Operations Group SPECOPS from Hurlburt Field. Some of the 1st SOW Airmen were onsite conducting competitions and allowing participants to wear their gear, including me. Now, that’s a sight to see!

The wing’s core missions include close air support, precision aerospace firepower, specialized aerospace mobility, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations and agile combat support. These brave soldiers displayed just such an aura as they interacted with young and old. The Emerald Coast has so much to offer. So, be sure to support these events as they come our way. You will only be disappointed if you miss out.

Happenings Around the Bay February 2022

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Bay Life

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February 1, 2022

Spring Break in Paradise!

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Bay Life

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February 1, 2022

Paradise Promotions of the Emerald Coast presents a Spectacular SPRING BREAK In Paradise Music Festival – March 11, 2022, at the Destin-FWB Convention Center (1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach). An all-day music event, it will feature three great bands performing five hours of Live Music on the Big Stage. Doors open at 3 p.m. for visitors to browse the food vendors and entertainment sections before Ted Corcoran, the Master of Ceremonies (President/CEO of the FWB Chamber Of Commerce), introduces the show’s opener with Paradise Bayou Band at 4:30 p.m. with Classic Rock, Country and Motown tunes. Cadillac Willy Band members perform their DEADSPREAD show with a tribute to WIDESPREAD PANIC and the GRATEFUL DEAD at 6:30 p.m. And at 8:30 p.m., Ron Adams (the shadow of the king) and the Memphis Echoes close the event with one the best Elvis Shows in the land. Don’t be surprised if Elvis dons his Johnny Cash hat for a song or two.

Vendors will be selling T-shirts, hats, hand-made and fine jewelry, cookware and more. The entertainment section will be manned by volunteers from United For A Good Cause, Inc. raising money for the Hope Squad peer-to-peer suicide prevention program in our schools. It will feature cornhole games, darts, murbles, face painting, stick on tats and other games – as well as over $5000 in Door Prizes and raffles.

Tickets are ON SALE NOW by going to the website at www.ParadisePromotionsFL.com (Paradise Music Festival). Reserved Table Seats are $30-$75. General Admission is $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Get your tickets soon because this event will be a sell out.

Gifted Musicians Greatly Impact Our Community’s Children, Seniors and Disabled

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Bay Life

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February 7, 2022

By Deborah Carlson

“Music provides a very natural and universal means of building bridges between people” mused Alon Goldstein, an Israeli born classical pianist who performs all over the world. Alon’s passion to “bring Carnegie Hall free of charge” to those who may not have access to such inspired him to form Emerald Coast Music Alliance, a not-for-profit organization that hosts week-long music festivals each January, bringing in world renowned musicians from all over the country to perform in Northwest Florida schools, senior centers, organizations for the developmentally or intellectually disabled, churches and more.

Emerald Coast Music Alliance (ECMA) held its sixth Music Festival recently, scheduling 50 live performances on January 6-14, with a total of six musicians and two dancers. Joining Alon were pianists: Regina Tanujaya, Crystal Jiang, Valerie Wellington and Junyi Nie. Boyan Bonev on cello returned for his second appearance as a guest musician, and the ECMA welcomed Jonathan Holden on clarinet. New to this year is the element of dance, featuring dancers Taylor Harrison and Kaitlyn Christiansen Sacco, who performed with the musicians.
A FREE concert open to the general public is held each year. This year, the concert was live on January 15 at Tyler Recital Hall, Northwest Florida State College, featuring the dancers and all musicians.

Alon calls these festivals a “win on all levels,” because of the incredible impact it makes on both the audience and the performers. Guest musicians sense a “greater purpose as a musician” as they witness the power of music in how children, seniors and persons with disabilities respond to the beauty of classical music. Some of the unforgettable moments are moving and inspirational:

A woman in a senior center who had not spoken for six months began to speak to her husband after hearing a live piano performance. Another woman declared aloud that “she felt alive again.”

Apprehensive residents of a developmentally disabled facility began to slowly filter into the room where a trio of cellists played – from a beginning audience of 5 to 120 residents who had been hiding, but listening – within 15 minutes. The director of the facility said that never before had this many residents sat in one room together.

Children in a Santa Rosa Elementary school got up and spontaneously began to sway their arms and interpret the music in movement.

High school students began opening up after a performance, asking questions to the musicians specifically about their instruments and how they developed their career in music.

Crystal Jiang, in her second year as one of our guest pianists, began to sing a Chinese folk song in her native language during her performance that enraptured her young audience. She asked them to visualize as she played; think of a story the music is telling, to dance or to sing. Crystal says she learns, too, from their comments and the description of emotions they feel as she plays. She invited them to sit on her lap to touch the piano keys, the personal contact that she says gives them a sense of collaboration; of performing with her. One child who was unruly became quiet and one of the most quizzically interactive after listening to a 300-year-old Bach piece. Crystal seeks to learn from her audience’s responses which help her to discern if their reactions and emotions are those she is trying to convey through her music. One child told her she would be famous and asked for her autograph on his shoe in Chinese. Soon, all the children wanted her autograph!

Alon has a vision for the future of Emerald Coast Music Alliance; to expand its current role to include teaching seminars that connect young musicians in our schools with our gifted guest musicians and inspire them to pursue music.

The ECMA operates in cooperation with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and relies solely on donations to fund its festival expenses. Tax deductible donations are welcome. To learn more, visit us online at http://emeraldcoastmusic.org.

The Food Hall Phenomenon Brings Its Flavor to Town

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Bay Life

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February 8, 2022

By Lori Leath Smith

A foodie’s paradise, the food hall phenomenon is a trend no longer—it’s a staple in larger cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Atlanta and Miami. Appreciating them for their variety of affordable options, developers have come to know food halls as their anchor—an attractive option offering a sense of place and sustainability, not only because of the food component, but also because of the beverages, entertainment, special events, corporate or group events and the experience. When you add in Top Golf, football, hockey and a variety of other simulated sports, along with spacious seating areas and a venue area for events, you’re likely to have the patrons eating out of your hands!

Now, our own little paradise will be joining the fun! Destin Commons will be launching Destin’s first food hall soon—City Food Hall. It will offer a culinary and entertainment gathering place for locals and visitors, as well as a unique opportunity for our area’s up-and-coming and veteran chefs.

I caught up with City Food Hall founders Peter Rounce and Kenzie Motai to help shed some light on what we’re in store for and what drew them to Destin!

Kenzie says he initially didn’t understand how beautiful and how popular our lucky little fishing village is, but when they visited, they fell in love with the area. “We did a lot of market research and that’s one of the reasons why we’re happy to be in Destin; it’s probably the #1 family destination and we’re a one-stop shop for each family member’s palette. And Destin Commons provides an ideal environment for us to capture both visitor and local traffic. We are proud to be part of such a quality destination.”

So, this spring you might find yourself surrounded by more than 10 specialty restaurant concepts, (no dining options repeat) offering food and drinks from around the globe, an expansive indoor/outdoor bar, and two state-of-the-art Top Golf full swing simulators with a variety of multi-sport games, several HDTVs and comfortable lounge seating.

“City Food Hall will be Destin’s newest go-to gathering place,” says Kenzie. “After the challenges of 2020 and 2021, we wanted to create a community destination where friends and family can spend time together sharing great food and drinks with a side of entertainment. Our plan is to have entertainment every single night, with live music every weekend,” he says.

But Kenzie and Peter feel the real draw will be the connections people make. “This food hall concept in and of itself is a great family night, but also a great date place,” says Peter. “The food hall environment is for everyone passionate about food and connecting. Further, people are drawn to the brand Top Golf. “Though it’s a really fun activity, the food and drinks at that venue are also very good, thereby drawing folks in and allowing them to connect,” says Kenzie.

“It will be possible to rent out the entire food hall space, which can become very interactive with a food passport, for example. We can get very creative with those types of events.”
Kenzie says the food hall concept enables his team to “bring new culinary talent to the Destin table,” and they have begun discussions with area chefs specializing in Mexican, Japanese, Mediterranean and other cuisines. Peter explains how the vendors will be chosen.
“We always try to stay as local as possible. The popular ones are doing something that speaks to the local community. Then once we bring in that type of cuisine, we won’t duplicate it.” For some vendors, it might be their first concept and they’re able to initiate it in a non-threatening environment, they explain. “The menus presented will always be specific to them and in no conflict with any other restaurant or eatery,” says Peter.

“There’s definitely some regular, normal food items we always seek out for the food hall, but we also seek out the area’s specific tastes and desires for the people in the area,” Kenzie says. “What are people doing in the area? We explore those possibilities. Culture fit? Good food? Do they work well with everyone else?”

City Food Hall at Destin Commons will be located in a 14,000 square-foot space next to Foot Locker. The food hall itself is a turnkey space and 4800 sq. ft. of cooking space within. Vendors will be assigned their own prep area, somewhat like a commissary kitchen. “It’s a shared environment with 10 food stalls. Half are hot stalls (hooded) and half are cold stalls (not hooded) with point of sale units there for each,” says Peter. “All they need is their own staff and their own food. We have the permits.”

Peter says technology is one of the new things. “You can order from different vendors, even order directly from your table, but only have to pay with one check or credit card; it will all be centralized. You’ll also be able to order from your phone via the City Food Hall website and execute all transactions digitally.”

“We take pride in the vendors and caliber of chefs we’re pulling in,” says Peter. “The vendors can perfect their business concept and it’s touching for us, because we are able to play a part in it and it’s a sense of pride,” says Peter. “We’ll have a really wonderful bar program there, too. We want to showcase the food on a beautiful plate in an upscale, casual setting. Your experience can be long or short time-wise.”

City Food Hall is planning to hire roughly 30-40 employees and vendors will hire their own.
For more information or employment opportunities, visit cityfoodhall.com or email info@cityfoodhall.com.

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