THINGS TO DO
Naval Aviation Museum Foundation's Annual Symposium lands next week

Astronauts, POWs and military officers are all part of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation's 22nd Annual Symposium May 7- 9 at the National Naval Aviation Museum aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station. Beginning in 1987, the Symposium series aims to preserve the rich history and proud heritage of Naval Aviation by highlighting historical events in which U.S. Naval Aviation has played a major role.

Each May, the symposium averages nearly 3,000 guests, ranging from active and retired flag officers to aerospace industry executives. Young Naval officers, sailors and Marines undergoing training in Pensacola are also invited, along with the Museum Foundation's numerous members and guests and the general public.

This year's Annual Symposiums features three panel discussions:

Session I - "Space Shuttle: Naval Aviation Leadership." Featuring former and current Shuttle astronauts who flew into space in the early years to the present day.

Session II - "Naval Aviator POWs: Return with Honor." Heroic tales from five flyers who were shot down over North Vietnam and spent many long months in the POW camps.

Session III - "Naval Aviation: Issues & Answers." Active Navy & Marine Corps flag and general officers discussing the state of Naval Aviation. Issues covered include combat experience, personnel, training, deployment schedules and more.

All panels conclude with a question & answer session.

Previous symposia subjects have included: the Battles of Midway and of Coral Sea; American Aces; Medal of Honor recipients; the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle programs; Flying Tigers and Black Sheep Squadrons; the Korean and Vietnam Wars; Operation Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom; and Blue Angels.

The Foundation's distinguished guest speakers have included former President Bush, Governor Jeb Bush, Senators John Warner, Jake Garn, Connie Mack and John McCain, Secretaries of the Navy Lehman, Webb, Garrett, Danzig and Winter, Under Secretaries of the Navy Hultin and Pirie, Chiefs of Naval Operations Boorda and Johnson, the Vice Chiefs of Naval Operations, Admirals Fallon and Mullen, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Jones and the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Nyland.

The Symposium's agenda also includes additional events with various admission fees; a golf tournament at A.C. Read on Wednesday, May 7; a Navy Band concert, luncheon and opening reception on Thursday, May 8; and a Navy band concert, reception and banquet including a performance by the Pensacola Children's Chorus on Friday, May 9.

The Symposium sessions are free and open to active duty and retired military as well as the general public. For more information or to reserve your seat, call the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation at 800-327-5002 or 850-453-2389, or go online to download a registration form at NavalAviationMuseum.org.

Bands on the Beach is back

The 2008 Bands on the Beach summer concert series opens in a big way from 7- 9 p.m., Tuesday, May 6 at the Pensacola Beach Gulfside Pavilion with the lively sounds of the United States Navy Band New Orleans. The 16-member ensemble will light up the night with big band, jazz and patriotic music.

The evening begins with the unveiling of the Coast Guard Pelican.

"The Coast Guard considers this community to be a maritime community, and we look forward to adding our unique pelican to this environment," said Captain Jeffrey Pettitt. "We hope everyone can help us celebrate with a festive kick-off for Military Appreciation Month."

The United States Navy Band, out of New Orleans, is one of 13 official Navy Bands located in the continental United States, Europe and Asia. Since its establishment in January 1971, the band performs annually for over 26 million people in support of the Navy. The band's operating core is made up of dedicated and highly trained musicians. All members are designated Navy musicians and graduates of the Navy School of Music in Norfolk, Va.

Bring your lawn chair and join the celebration of our servicemen and women with a night of spicy song straight from the Big Easy!

The free concert is the first in the twenty-two week concert series, featuring artists performing a wide variety of musical styles. All concerts are provided and organized by the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA). No pets are allowed and glass is prohibited.

For more information, call the SRIA at 850-932-2257 or go online to www.visitpensacolabeach. com.

'Looking for Normal' at PLT

The Pensacola Little Theatre (PLT) presents Jane Anderson's "Looking for Normal," a play that explores the complexities of marriage, family and deconstructs the very notion of love.

Roy and Irma have been married for twenty-five years. They have two children. They live in the heartland. They're respected members of their church and their community. When Roy and Irma go to their pastor for marriage counseling, Roy confesses that he's a woman trapped in a man's body and would like to have a sex change. But their bond as a couple is stronger than either of them imagined, and eventually Irma finds a way to make peace with this unfathomable situation and accept her transformed husband as her lifelong mate.

They not only have to wrestle with the meaning of their marriage, they must deal with the delicate dynamics of their family as well. explores the complexities of marriage, family and deconstructs the very notion of love.

The show will run May 2, 3 and 4. The Friday and Saturday shows will start at 8 p.m. and the Sunday show will begin at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are now available at the PLT Box Office for prices ranging from $8-$12.

For ticket information call 850-432-2042 or visit /www.pensacolalittletheatre.com.

24th annual Pensacola Crawfish Creole Fiesta

The 24th Annual Pensacola Crawfish Festival will be held in Bartram Park, located on beautiful Pensacola Bay in downtown Pensacola on May 2, 3, and 4. The event is one of the largest crawfish boils in the state.

Festival hours are:

Friday, May 2 from 5 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Daily admission to the festival is $5 for adults, with free admission to children under 12. A weekend pass is available for $10. Tickets are available at BB&T Bank and the Fiesta of Five Flags office, which is located at 2121 West Intendencia Street, Pensacola.