PSC International Festival

(upbeat music) (exciting music) - Hello everyone, I'm Ramika Vincent Leary, and welcome to this edition of "Connecting the Community".

You may notice that I have a special guest with me, a familiar face to many of us here at WSRE TV, none other than Jeff Weeks, the host of two shows, "Conversations" and "In Studio".

But Jeff, you and I worked together as co-emcees recently for the inaugural Pensacola State College International Festival.

Didn't we have a lot of fun?

- We had a wonderful time.

First of all, thanks for having me on your program.

- You're welcome.

- It's a delight to be here and, of course, we did have a blast- - We did.

- At the international festival that took place recently and I was pretty amazed at all the people that came together.

And you know what else was exciting?

And it was also great to see so much of the great talent that we have right here in Northwest Florida.

And so many of the established performers who have been- - Exactly.

- Around for a while but also young kids that came out to perform.

- I know, we saw the crowds pouring in, didn't we?

We were smelling the great food but we had something happening indoors.

Why don't you tell us about that?

- Well we did.

I mean, it was a little bit of something for everyone and it wasn't just the outdoor fun and festivities, but also in the Gene and Paul Amos Performance Studio.

What was going on?

Well, it was the Spanish Film Festival, and they had quite an array of films throughout the day.

It went on and, of course, probably the one that I think about- - Your favorite.

- Yeah, my favorite, kind of the highlight perhaps of it was "The Queen of Spain" starring none other than Penelope Cruz.

- Where's my crown?

- Where's my crown?

(both laughing) And it was fun because you saw so many people that were coming, they were having food, they were watching the outdoor entertainment and then able to go over to the Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio and watch these films.

It was a great opportunity for people just to kind of expand their horizons on a given Saturday, you know?

- What a great cultural and educational experience.

There are many people out there who have never seen a foreign film.

- Yeah, you'd be surprised.

But it seemed to me from the feedback that we were getting as people were coming over that they were really enjoying it and taking advantage of the opportunity.

So I think it was a win-win across the board.

No question about that.

So with all that being said- - Yes.

- Why don't we send it right on over to the Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio and take a look at the Spanish Film Festival?

(enthusiastic music) - Hey Jeff, that was amazing and all right, all right, all right as Matthew McConaughey would say it's time to take you outdoors.

Sights and sounds of what happened outside during this inaugural International festival.

And I must say, we would be remiss if we didn't mention the Parade of Flags.

All the nations represented, right?

- Yeah, it was really cool.

What I really liked about it was all the young people who were involved.

So you had a lot of students, you had a handful of student athletes.

- We sure did- - From Pensacola State College who were involved.

And I was talking to some of the folks who were helping kind of set that up and they just talked about as people found out about that was going to be going on there's more and more volunteers started coming forward and wanted to be involved and engaged and it was really cool.

And as people will be able to see there was an awful lot of engagement and an awful lot of people who were proud of their heritage.

- Funny thing about that, they were so excited they rushed on this stage, but realizing, hey, it's not time for us to be on the stage yet.

We need to head on over to the food court and line up.

But they played a song by an artist named Pitbull called "We Are One" the official 2014 FIFA World Cup song.

Lot of energy in that song, remember that?

- I certainly do.

And there was a lot of energy by and large just kind of across the board as the festival kicked off.

And, of course, all the young people, I keep driving that point home- - Right, so many.

- But I like to see that I like to see the energy and I like to see people who are, you know, open to learning about other cultures and just embracing one another.

- But we have to also talk about what happened on the performance stage- - Yeah.

- Our first act, right?

- Absolutely, I mean, got a real kick out of this.

And I need to mention to the fact that Fred Asper who is an employee here at Pensacola State College I believe he works in eLearning.

- Right, right, he's helped me out a couple of times.

(both laughing) - So not only is he doing his day job here at Pensacola State College, but on the side he's got this little gig going with this band called Mixtape Band.

And they play a mix of of rock and roll songs that you would recognize- - Yeah, everywhere.

- As well as some native Filipino songs and an awful lot of great energy on the stage and it was just a fun mix to see them in action.

- Yeah.

I will say DJ Corey the people's DJ was out there- - Yeah.

- Rolling some tunes and he's a big Blues Brother fan, was afraid of flags.

He was playing "Everybody Needs Somebody" by the Blues Brother.

But, Jeff, we don't wanna give it all away.

So we're going to have you take a look from what we saw there outdoors.

(jubilant music) ♪ I'm gonna let it shine ♪ ♪ Let it shine ♪ ♪ Let it shine ♪ ♪ Let it shine ♪ - Come on!

I've got a light inside of me.

♪ I've got a light inside of me ♪ ♪ I'm gonna let it shine ♪ ♪ I shouldn't have let you go ♪ ♪ Now I must confess ♪ ♪ My loneliness ♪ ♪ Is killing me now ♪ ♪ Don't you know I still believe ♪ ♪ You will be here ♪ ♪ Just give me a sign ♪ ♪ Hit me baby one more time ♪ ♪ My loneliness is killing me ♪ ♪ And I ♪ ♪ I must confess I still believe ♪ ♪ Still believe ♪ ♪ When you're not with me I lose my mind ♪ ♪ Give me a sign ♪ ♪ Hit me baby one more time ♪ - Are y'all ready to do this out there?

(audience cheering) (audience clapping) All right, we gonna start off with a little song by brother by the name of Bob Marley.

So we about to get into the island flavor right now.

Here we go.

(upbeat reggae music) Here we go.

We are ♪ We are the children ♪ ♪ Children of light ♪ ♪ The children of light ♪ ♪ Singing our light ♪ ♪ Singing our light ♪ ♪ Light to the world ♪ ♪ Light to the world ♪ ♪ So oh oh powerful ♪ ♪ So oh oh powerful ♪ ♪ Is the light of unity ♪ ♪ Of unity ♪ ♪ It can ♪ ♪ It can illuminate ♪ - Come on.

♪ Come on ♪ ♪ Everybody sing one love ♪ ♪ One love ♪ ♪ From one heart ♪ ♪ One heart ♪ ♪ Let's get together ♪ ♪ Let's get together ♪ ♪ And feel all right ♪ ♪ Sing it again one love ♪ ♪ One ♪ - One.

(bouncy bagpipe and drum music) ("Scotland the Brave") (bouncy bagpipe and drum music) - Hey Jeff, we have a lot of people to thank because it's not easy to put on an international festival, right?

- That's exactly right and had a lot of great community support.

- So why don't you take a look?

We'll be back right after this.

(perky music) (merry music) (exciting music) - Oh my goodness, Jeff.

We're having so much fun watching the sights and sounds from our inaugural Pensacola State College International Festival.

I have to give special homage to Phil Hall, PA.

There was a photographer out there who chronicled all of the day's events- - Yeah.

- From start to finish, pictures of everyone and we were so thrilled to see that during our first break, but also we had so many great performers chronologically throughout the day.

- Yep.

- Tell us about the Emerald Coast Okinawa drummers.

- Well, you know, they were a fascinating group and they did so much, I mean, you're talking about mixing in drumming and dancing and just karate.

(laughing) - I know, a little karate.

- I don't, I just gotta.

- Let me go to the dojo.

- Yeah, kinda almost a little hard to explain everything they did but we were talking about off camera, about just, all the energy and all, and it takes a lot to do what they were doing.

And you're talking about really putting on a variety of a performance in the way that they did it.

And so I think they were probably a crowd favorite for sure.

- I will say this.

They had such colorful costumes and I saw the drummers and they were raising their hands.

I said, doing that for 15, 20 minutes must be painstaking.

- Yeah, (laughing).

- It's a lot of exercise, I would imagine.

- Yeah, I would think so.

They take some endurance for sure.

- It certainly does.

- That's for sure.

- But we also had a group called Soulful Movement and I remember that they actually performed at a Juneteenth presentation at Pensacola State College previously.

Now, these performers had beautiful costumes.

They were waving flags.

They were also on the ground in front of the stage- - Yeah.

- As well as on the stage.

And just the syncing, right?

- Right.

- Just everyone being uniformly represented.

- That takes a lot of practice.

- Yeah, it certainly does.

A lot of practice, a lot of coordination, and a lot of dedication.

And you know, the thing about it we talked about is a lot of our performers, certainly we had the musical acts, but we had the performers who were doing the dances and the various movement type performances.

And it does take a lot of dance and it takes a lot of discipline to get that down.

That's what I'm always- - A hundred percent.

- Impressed with is, and a lot of these young people, I mean, you see a lot of these youngsters that were involved in the festival and you can only imagine the amount of discipline and time that they put in to bring the performance up to par.

And then for a lot of 'em- - For a lot.

- To perform in front of an audience like they did on top of it.

- But here's the thing also.

So just browsing through the grounds of the festival we had the Polimbatree drummers, we also had a children's area.

- Yep.

- Featuring all sorts of wildlife as well.

And then the food truck vendors I saw some beignets out there, (Jeff laughing) didn't have a chance to run off stage and get any maybe they were sold out before I had an opportunity, right?

- That's right.

And don't forget about the belly dancers too.

I mean, we had belly dancers, we had (chuckling) great group of ladies, the Emerald Coast Belly Dance performance and representing Egypt.

And they put on quite a show, I'll tell you.

- Colorful.

- Very colorful.

And it was, to give you an idea of the scope of it, we actually had to clear the stage.

- We certainly did.

- I mean, you think of belly, you thought it would be able to like in a small area and they're like, hey, we're gonna need a whole lot more room.

So we had to get rid of some monitors and move some stuff around.

But they had a very well choreographed show.

And, again, I think that was probably another fan favorite.

- You know, I tell you, another fan favorite if you like a step show Omega Psi Phi- - Yeah.

- (chuckling) Right?

- Yeah.

- We had some steppers out there, now, some were on the stage, they were in front of the stage wearing their purple and black.

Just having fun.

A lot of precision in that as well, right Jeff?

- Yeah, and again, it was local young men, K through 12 and again, coming together, working together learning about teamwork, learning about performance.

- [Ramika] Teamwork makes the dream work.

- Absolutely.

- So we've chatted them up but we want you to actually take a look right now ♪ Ladies and gents, this is the moment you've waited for ♪ (cheerful music) ♪ You've been searching in the dark ♪ ♪ Your sweat soaking through the floor ♪ ♪ And buried in your bones ♪ ♪ There's an ache that you can't ignore ♪ ♪ Taking your breath, stealing your mind ♪ ♪ And all that was real is left behind ♪ ♪ Don't fight it, it's coming for you, running at ya ♪ ♪ It's only this moment, don't care what comes after ♪ ♪ Your fever dream, can't you see it getting closer ♪ ♪ Just surrender 'cause you feel the feeling taking over ♪ ♪ It's fire, it's freedom, it's flooding open ♪ ♪ It's the preacher in the pulpit and you'll find devotion ♪ ♪ There's something breaking ♪ ♪ At the brick of every wall it's holding ♪ ♪ I'll let you now ♪ ♪ So tell me do you wanna go ♪ ♪ Where it's covered in all the colored lights ♪ ♪ Where the runaways are running the night ♪ ♪ Impossible comes true, it's taking over you ♪ ♪ Oh, this is the greatest show ♪ (blissful music) (drums thumping) (drums thumping) (drums thumping) (drums thumping) (drums thumping) (singing in foreign language) (drums thumping) (drums thumping) (feet thudding) (drums thumping) (drums thumping) (elated music) - Hey.

(energetic music) (soaring music) (feverish music) (audience cheering) (audience applauding) (calm music) (jubilant music) - [Speaker] Hey.

(determined music) - Hey.

- [Speaker] Hey.

- Hey.

- All right, everybody.

(fun music) ♪ You can't do without it ♪ ♪ It's electric boogie woogie, woogie ♪ - [DJ] All right, he need some help, help him out.

(singer vocalizing) ♪ Ooga ♪ ♪ You don't wanna lose it ♪ ♪ It's electric ♪ - Keep it up, though.

♪ But you can use it ♪ ♪ It's electric boogie woogie, woogie ♪ ♪ But you know it's there ♪ ♪ Here, there and everywhere ♪ - [DJ] Hey, y'all, watch it.

There are some deep holes right in the front, so y'all watch them.

Y'all watch them dips right there, okay?

Right there behind you, mama, stand back, that's it.

♪ I love to boo ♪ (lighthearted music) - Things just keep getting better and better as we highlight various sight and sounds from the inaugural Pensacola State College International Festival.

We have some other great things to show you.

We'll be back right after this.

(exciting music) (happy music) (audience cheering) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (audience clapping) (audience clapping) (audience cheering) - Hey!

(audience cheering) - Hey!

(audience cheering) (emcee speaking in foreign language) (audience clapping) (speaking in foreign language) (audience clapping) (happy music) - Ah, it's the first time we've been here and lots of different events on the main stage.

And that was really fun to see all the different acts or performances and lots of good food.

(gleeful Hawaiian music) ♪ Oh we're going to the hukilau ♪ ♪ A huki huki huki huki hukilau ♪ ♪ Everybody loves the hukilau ♪ ♪ Where the laulau is the kaukau at the big luau ♪ ♪ Oh we all throw our nets out into the sea ♪ ♪ And all the amaama come swimming to me ♪ ♪ Oh, we're going to the hukilau ♪ ♪ Huki huki huki huki hukilau ♪ ♪ Oh we're going to a hukilau ♪ ♪ Huki huki huki huki huki hukilau ♪ ♪ Everybody ♪ ♪ And all the amaama come swimming to me ♪ ♪ Oh we're going to the hukilau ♪ ♪ Huki huki huki huki hukilau ♪ - I think it's wonderful, just given the opportunity just to be a part of this festival.

I think it's solely amazing because I have not really done anything lately, but this is like the kind of the beginning for what's to come for me this year.

And I'm really looking forward to it.

And I'm so excited to be here.

I think it's great because it gives, like you said, all nationalities, it's a diverse community, so therefore it gives every nationality, every culture a chance to really come together, see how we operate, see the different arts the different foods, the different things.

It's like a melting pot of gumbo (laughing) but it allows each of us to see what others are doing, you know, culturally.

I'm gonna tell you, for this to be a first international festival I think it's amazing.

If you look around at the children and the different foods and the different artists this is an amazing opportunity for all artists.

I would say I would invite more artists to attend.

Just looking at the participation and the amount of people coming out as a community to support the arts, wouldn't change anything.

- Well, it's a lot of food out here.

I can't believe how many food vendors and a lot of different exhibitors and vendors.

So we're definitely excited to be participating in supporting activity.

(exciting music) - Welcome back to "Connecting the Community".

We greatly appreciate you spending some time with us.

We are going over what had just really turned out to be a wonderful event recently at Pensacola State College.

The 2023 International Festival that took place.

It was something brand new- - Right.

- For the school, but wow.

I think it turned out to be a success.

And Ramika, you were certainly one of the leads on putting it together.

Talk a little bit about what the goal was for the International Festival.

What did the college want to accomplish?

- Well, Jeff, really, we want to raise scholarship funds for our deserving students.

So the proceeds from the vendors, the registration fees went toward that.

And also to support our student activities groups.

We had co-chair Kathy Van Dyck and then co-chair Juanita Scott, and then the brainchild behind the entire event, Dr. Marjan Mazza, who's done so much for Pensacola State College and the community as a whole.

But all these forces coming together.

Dr. Ed Meadows, president of Pensacola State College, really thinks highly of our students and we're always trying to come up with ways that we can help actually generate more funds for scholarships.

We have over 300 right now at PSC and one blanket form and lemme just throw this in here.

- Yeah.

- To apply for a scholarship, pensacolastate.edu.

That one form could actually qualify you for numerous scholarship opportunities.

- You know what I was impressed with?

Had the opportunity during the program to speak with a lot of folks who were involved with Pensacola State.

And I thought I was fairly well rounded on what the college has to offer.

But the more I spoke with people, the more I learned.

It was like just continuing to dig in the various programs that are available that can help the people in our community.

And I think we talked about this on one of your previous programs, is the fact that you have folks in this community who maybe they're coming outta high school- - Right.

- But moreover, they might be coming out of a situation where a job change or it might be something in their life that has changed.

And there's just all kinds of opportunities and degree programs that are available to help transform a person's life as they move forward.

- Right, and you joined me on a taping of "Pensacola State Today", and we had a few guests that were on that show as well.

We had a man named Bill Davis- - Yep.

- Who was a graduate of our culinary program, Texan B's Barbecue, and I sure did smell that barbecue out there at the festival, Jeff.

- And apparently he made an A in the class.

- I think he did, Jeff.

I think he did.

(both laughing) - 'Cause it was pretty good.

He actually brought some food on the program that day.

- I know.

- And so we were able to sample some of his coursework, so to speak.

- Absolutely, Jeff.

Great times, great times.

Well, what about some of the performers?

I know Italian, if you like Italian, I know, I do.

- Yeah, I love Italian.

And again, you know, we've been talking about throughout the program of all the talent that showed up for the International Festival and one group, the Italian Tarantella Folk Dance group, and they were certainly an exciting group.

We also had hula dancing going on.

- Aloha.

- Yes, indeed.

- Who was dressed like a Hawaiian that day?

- Well.

- I think I was.

- And, get this, Pensacola State College Dental Hygiene students.

- I know it.

- The Dental Hygiene program doing the hula dancing.

- That's right.

- So had that going on.

Of course we mentioned earlier that we had a great DJ with our friend Cory the People's DJ keeping things moving along throughout the day.

But the headliner Larry Watson and- - Oh my goodness, what can I say?

(chuckling) - Yeah, Larry just, he's one of those guys clearly who has an awful lot of charisma when he goes on stage.

But tell us a little bit more about him and what someone would expect when they go to one of his performances - Well I'll just say this.

One of the nicest, humblest men that you would ever meet.

Hands down.

Interesting thing about Larry Watson, he is multi-talented.

He's also the pastor of Englewood Missionary Baptist Church in the Pensacola area.

But when I actually approached Larry Watson concerning this (snaps fingers) he didn't hesitate one bit.

And soul vibes, right?

R&B, kicking it old school.

That's Larry Watson right there.

And I will say he has some serious chops.

He comes from a lineage of that.

His dad is a pastor, his brother Aaron Watson with The Watson Firm, PLLC.

Just running through the veins of all the family members but he sure did put on a great show, didn't he Jeff?

- He certainly did.

He's a very talented singer.

Very talented musician.

And I, I believe he's got some stuff that is some new stuff that he's working on.

- I know and I know.

- So, I'm sure people can search on the internet and find that.

But, we're obviously gonna be seeing some of his performance.

But yeah, what a great guy.

And I agree with you 'cause I had an opportunity to spend a little bit of time with him.

And he is just a down to earth, genuine- - He is.

- Person.

- And he had a lot of family support out there.

He had friends, family, church members and he was encouraging people to dance.

And, on that note, enough about us, right Jeff?

- Yeah.

(laughing) - Let's get to the performance stage.

We have several acts to highlight.

Take a look.

- Yeah, there's a lot of stuff that tries to pull us apart (calm music) but I'm committed to staying together.

Al Green had a song that said "Let's Stay Together".

Why don't you look at the person next to you, say "Let's stay together", "Let's stay together", "Let's stay together", "Let's stay together".

(jovial music) ♪ I'm ♪ ♪ So in love with you ♪ ♪ Whatever you want to do ♪ ♪ Is alright with me ♪ ♪ You make me feel ♪ ♪ So brand new ♪ ♪ And I ♪ ♪ Want to spend my life with you ♪ ♪ Let ♪ I bet y'all won't dance out here today.

♪ Since we've been together ♪ Yeah, a little two-step.

♪ Loving you forever, yeah ♪ ♪ Is all I need ♪ ♪ You ♪ ♪ Make me feel so brand new ♪ ♪ I'll give you girl this ♪ ♪ All I wanna do ♪ ♪ Here we go, here we go, oh baby ♪ ♪ Yes ♪ ♪ Let's stay together ♪ ♪ Together ♪ ♪ Lovin' you whether ♪ ♪ Whether ♪ ♪ Times are good or bad, happy or sad ♪ ♪ Don't you cry ♪ ♪ Why do people break up ♪ ♪ Turn around and make up ♪ ♪ I just can't see ♪ ♪ You'd ♪ ♪ Never do that thing to me ♪ ♪ Lovin' you girl ♪ ♪ Is all I see ♪ ♪ Baby, baby, let's ♪ ♪ Let's stay together ♪ ♪ Together ♪ ♪ Loving you whether ♪ ♪ Whether ♪ ♪ Times are good or bad, happy or sad ♪ ♪ Baby let's ♪ ♪ Let's stay together ♪ ♪ Together ♪ ♪ Loving you whether ♪ ♪ Whether ♪ ♪ Times are good or bad, happy or sad ♪ ♪ Oh baby ♪ ♪ Let's ♪ ♪ Let's stay together ♪ ♪ Together ♪ ♪ Loving you whether ♪ ♪ Whether ♪ ♪ Times are good or bad, happy or sad ♪ ♪ Whether times are good or bad, happy or sad ♪ ♪ Whether times are good or bad, happy or sad ♪ ♪ Whether times are good or bad, happy or sad ♪ ♪ Let's stay together ♪ Come on, y'all give it up.

Let's stay together, yeah.

This one is called "Let's have a good time".

Let's do it y'all.

(slow R&B music) ♪ Let's have a good time for a long time ♪ ♪ You and me ♪ Hey y'all, stand y'all, y'all can y'all stand and gimme a little room?

♪ Let's have a good time ♪ If you're here with somebody that you love why don't you hold onto 'em?

♪ For a long time, you and me.

♪ ♪ Oh girl ♪ ♪ It doesn't matter what we do ♪ ♪ As long as I'm spending time with you ♪ ♪ Let's have a good time ♪ ♪ For a long time ♪ ♪ Just you and me ♪ ♪ We have a good thing ♪ ♪ We both agree ♪ ♪ We can't deny ♪ ♪ This chemistry ♪ ♪ I won't let nothing ♪ ♪ Tear us apart ♪ ♪ 'Cause you will always ♪ ♪ Have my heart ♪ ♪ Good time for a long time ♪ ♪ Just you and me ♪ Yeah.

♪ Oh girl ♪ ♪ Let's have a good time for a long time ♪ ♪ Just you and me ♪ ♪ Oh girl ♪ ♪ Doesn't matter what we do ♪ ♪ As long as I'm spending time with you ♪ ♪ Let's just have a good time for a long time ♪ ♪ Just you and me ♪ Take it to the verse.

♪ Let's make memories we won't forget ♪ ♪ Let's give out our dreams ♪ ♪ With no regrets ♪ ♪ All of the things, yeah ♪ ♪ We should have done ♪ ♪ Let's have a good time ♪ ♪ Have some fun ♪ ♪ Love was given from heaven above ♪ ♪ Only God can show me such a love ♪ ♪ Love is special, this love is true ♪ ♪ I wanna spend ♪ ♪ My life with you ♪ ♪ You ♪ ♪ I wanna have, have a good time ♪ ♪ Should we have ♪ ♪ Have a good time ♪ ♪ And we hold hands ♪ ♪ Have a good time ♪ ♪ Walk through the park, ooh ♪ ♪ Have a good time ♪ ♪ For a candlelight dinner ♪ ♪ Have a good time ♪ ♪ I'm gonna preach out the dark ♪ ♪ Have a good time ♪ ♪ We can take trips ♪ ♪ Have a good time ♪ ♪ All around the world ♪ ♪ Whoo ♪ ♪ Have a good time ♪ ♪ Anything that you want, girl ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Have a good time ♪ ♪ 'Cause you're my girl, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ I wanna have ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Let me have a good time, yeah ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Yeah, baby ♪ ♪ I wanna dance, yeah ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Listen to this song, girl, girl ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Sweet, sweet melody ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ And you'll be here all night long, yeah ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Should we have a good time ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Then we have a good time, yeah ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Everything that we have together ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Let's have a good time ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ I wanna have, yeah ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Let me have a good time, yeah, yeah, girl ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ I just wanna hold your hand ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Look you in the eyes, girl ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ You're the number one lady ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Number one in my world ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ I wanna have ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ 'Cause we have a good time, girl ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ - On the Rocks, On the Rocks, take it from here, go.

(energetic R&B music) ♪ Yeah, 'cause I wanna have ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Do you wanna have a good time ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ I ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ I wanna have a good time, yeah ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ We can do this forever, girl ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ I wanna try ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ I wanna have ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Can we have a good time ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ I wanna have ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ Let's do it for a long time, baby ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ And we have ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ And we have, yeah ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ I never want it to be ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ You and me, yeah ♪ ♪ Can't it just be ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ You and me ♪ ♪ Have a good time ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ ♪ Ooh, have a good time ♪ Yeah.

(DJ Cory murmuring) Frankie Beverly did a song called "Before I Let Go" And then Beyonce came back and did a remix.

- Yeah.

(slow R&B music) - So some of y'all can do the electric slide.

I think the rain is gonna hold up.

But y'all wanna come out in front of the stage in this break out and do.

(lighthearted R&B music) Y'all more than welcome.

The dance floor is open.

(energetic R&B music) Don't be shy, y'all, don't be shy.

♪ You make me happy ♪ ♪ This you can tell ♪ ♪ Stood right beside me ♪ ♪ I won't forget ♪ ♪ I really love you ♪ ♪ You should know ♪ ♪ I wanna make sure I'm right girl, oh ♪ ♪ Before I let go ♪ ♪ Now we had a good time ♪ ♪ Which you could tell ♪ ♪ But loving each other, oh ♪ ♪ I won't forget ♪ ♪ I won't be foolish ♪ ♪ I wanna know ♪ ♪ I wanna make sure I'm right girl, oh ♪ ♪ Before I let go ♪ ♪ You know, I thank God ♪ ♪ Sun rises ♪ ♪ and shines on you ♪ ♪ You know there's nothing, nothin' ♪ ♪ I would not do ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Before I let go ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ I never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never ♪ ♪ Let you go, babe ♪ ♪ Before I let go ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ Put your hands together.

♪ You make me happy ♪ ♪ This you could tell ♪ ♪ Stood right beside me ♪ ♪ I won't forget ♪ ♪ I really love you ♪ ♪ You should know ♪ ♪ I wanna make sure I'm right, girl, girl ♪ ♪ Before I let go ♪ ♪ You know I think I've gone ♪ ♪ And dumped this ♪ ♪ On you ♪ ♪ You know there's nothing, nothing ♪ ♪ I would not do ♪ ♪ Ohhh ♪ ♪ Before I let go ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ Clap your hands together, yeah, yeah, yeah.

(singer vocalizing) (singer vocalizing) - Let me hear y'all feel like dancin'.

We gonna open up the floor yeah, here we go.

Come and get it, y'all.

Come on Danci.

Danci, go on and show 'em how to do it, man, yeah, yeah.

Come on.

(singer vocalizing) (singer vocalizing) - Yeah.

Listen.

♪ To peel up to Coachella ♪ - Yeah, yeah.

♪ In boots with goose feathers ♪ ♪ See, I got the squad with me ♪ ♪ Black on black bandanas, I ♪ ♪ Dusse and Champagne ♪ ♪ See we do our own thing ♪ ♪ See Dirty Diana ♪ ♪ She's singin' and dancin' all in the rain ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ See I just wanna have a good time ♪ - Hey.

♪ Just turn around, kick, then slide ♪ - Hey.

♪ Just duck to the, ♪ ♪ Duck to the right now ♪ - Hey.

♪ Ooh, drop it down, drop it down low ♪ ♪ Low, low, low to the floor ♪ - Yeah.

♪ So bring it up, clap, then roll ♪ ♪ Step on 'em, step on 'em, step on 'em, step ♪ ♪ Step on 'em, kick on 'em, stomp, then you step ♪ ♪ Swag the right, surf the left ♪ ♪ Work the middle 'til it hurt a little, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Before I let go, yeah ♪ ♪ Can I do it one more time, listen ♪ ♪ You pull up to Coachella ♪ - Hey.

♪ In boots with goose feathers ♪ ♪ See I brought the squad with me ♪ ♪ Black on black bandanas, I ♪ ♪ Dusse and Champagne ♪ ♪ ' Cause we do our own thing, yeah ♪ - Yeah.

♪ Dirty Diana ♪ ♪ Singin' and dancin' in the rain, ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ See, I just wanna have a good time ♪ ♪ So turn around, kick, then slide ♪ ♪ So turn yourself to the right now, ooh ♪ ♪ So bunny hop, bunny hop, drop, pop ♪ ♪ Cross your legs, turn around and clap ♪ ♪ Shuffle to the left, let's glide now ♪ ♪ Ooh, drop it down, drop it down low, low ♪ ♪ Low, low, low to the floor ♪ ♪ Bring it up, clap, then roll, roll ♪ ♪ Step on 'em, step on 'em, step on 'em, step ♪ ♪ Step on 'em, kick on 'em, stomp, then you step ♪ ♪ Swag to right, surf to left ♪ ♪ Work the middle 'til it hurt a little, oh ♪ ♪ Said before I let go ♪ - C'mon y'all, put your hands together.

Here we go, here we go.

♪ Said I never wanna let you go ♪ ♪ Never, ever wanna let you go ♪ ♪ You say ♪ ♪ Said I never wanna let you go ♪ ♪ Never, ever wanna let you go ♪ Come on, come on.

♪ Never, ever wanna let you go ♪ ♪ Never, ever wanna let you go ♪ Come on.

♪ Never, ever wanna let you go ♪ ♪ Never, ever wanna let you go ♪ Come on, come on.

♪ Never, ever wanna let you go ♪ ♪ Never, ever wanna let you go ♪ Come on, come on.

♪ Said I never wanna let you go ♪ ♪ Never, ever wanna let you go ♪ One more time.

♪ Never, ever wanna let you go ♪ ♪ Never, ever wanna let you go ♪ Come on.

♪ Never, ever wanna let you go ♪ ♪ Never, ever wanna let you go ♪ (energetic R&B with electric guitar solo) - [Speaker] Whoo!

- Hey!

All right.

We wanna first thank you Pensacola State Dr. Ramika, all of the staff for letting us come out and jam with y'all today.

Can we give Pensacola State a hand?

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Great, can y'all help me thank my background singers today?

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Can y'all give them a hand.

Didn't they do an amazing job?

What about the band?

Can we give the band a hand?

(audience applauding) Again, my name is Larry Watson.

I would love for you to support me with my music.

- Hey folks, our hearts are full right now.

Jeff and I had such an awesome time taking you through the day.

Our inaugural Pensacola State College International Festival.

One takeaway from me, from a cultural perspective, we had so many people come together, showing love, great food, folks, and fun.

Jeff, can you think of a significant takeaway from the day?

- I think community.

I think it really exhibited what a great community we have here and I think it also exhibited just how important Pensacola State College is to our community and has been.

This college has a legacy in this community and I think that was just extended with the International Festival.

And I think we had an opportunity to see a lot of talent.

I think we had an opportunity to meet a lot of nice people- - Sure did.

- But at the same time, going back to we originally also to help students and aspiring students- - Scholarships.

- In our community.

- Jeff, it's been such a pleasure having you join me.

Let me pinch myself.

Is this real?

(Jeff laughing) I know that it is.

(laughing) All right, folks, I'm Ramika Vincent Leary.

Thank you so much for joining us and remember to keep it locked in right here on WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast.

(exciting music)