The year 2017 was a special one for us.
On June 9, we transitioned from a 16-page weekly entertainment magazine called Showcase to a 32-page weekly entertainment magazine we named DN, which stands for Day & Night. Many lists and much discussion went into choosing that new name.
In a short few months, we redesigned our magazine, doubled its content and rebranded it. The DN staff loves it, and we hear you do, too.
But, 2017 wasn’t special only because of our launch of DN. It was also special because we got to feature more local and visiting musicians, celebrate the anniversaries of events along the Emerald Coast and highlight local people and the cool things they do.
To commemorate 2017, we picked out some of our favorite content, cover designs, restaurant features and more.
On that note, get ready for 2018, because we can’t wait!
MILESTONE BIRTHDAYS
These Northwest Florida community groups and events celebrated special anniversaries in 2017.
• Stage Crafters Community Theatre — 45 years.
• Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra — 30 years.
• Emerald Coast Foundation’s Poker Run and Boat Week — 25 years.
• Mattie Kelly Arts Center — 20 years.
• Latin Salsa Festival — 10 years.
• Record Store Day — 10 years.
• Okaloosa RevFest — 5 years.
FAVORITE DN CONCERT
The DN Concert Series involves local musicians performing mini-concerts in the newsroom for Facebook Live. Watch previous concerts in the Videos section of our Facebook page @NWFDayAndNight.
• Features Editor Brenda Shoffner: My favorite DN Concert Series performance of 2017 was Kickstand Jenny on July 18. These guys from Santa Rosa Beach rocked! They played for 24 minutes that streamed live. Then they tore up a bonus song just for the newsroom. It was awesome. The CD they brought quickly joined the regular rotation in my car and on my iPod.
• Digital Content Editor Nick Tomecek: I’MAGENE, formally Continuum, satisfies my need for unique and original music produced here in Northwest Florida. Plus, I love the way a band can work in the sound of a violin.
The voice of Anthony O’Shae in the song “Faded” takes me back to the 1980s, as I hear similarities to the distinct voice of Fine Young Cannibals lead singer Roland Gift. The self-described retro electro-soul band is further complimented by Jessica Heit’s string work on the violin, Caleb Schossow’s rhythm on the drums and Robby Walton’s guitar.
I enjoy listening to them on FM 103.1 The Blaze and from our DN Concert Series. I hope their sound makes it beyond our newsroom and local radio for the rest of the world to experience.
• Features Reporter Savannah Evanoff: I’ve loved every concert in this series because it’s my dream come true to see live music from local musicians at work. I particularly loved The Moon Lagoons and The Graytones, but I have to recognize Donnie Sundal of funk band Boukou Groove. He brought a lot of soul and funky flavor to the newsroom.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT FEATURES
In each issue of DN, one of our reporters visits a local restaurant and describes his or her experience in a feature titled Eating Out.
• Features Editor Brenda Shoffner: My favorite restaurant of the year should come as no surprise considering how I raved about it in the November feature. I considered a few others — Primrose, amici 30A, Grayton Corner Cafe and Bella Luna — but I always came back to Sealand in Fort Walton Beach as the most exceptional dining experience of the year. My guest for the visits agreed and reminded me he had the best dessert at a restaurant ever there. Everything about Sealand was superb, from the food and service to the atmosphere and decor.
• Features Reporter Savannah Evanoff: I could eat at Blue Collar Café in Fort Walton Beach for breakfast and lunch everyday. This local café has tasty breakfast classics and mouth-watering sandwiches. It’s the first place I recommend in the area because I know it will be good.
• Destin.com Reporter Savannah Vasquez: My favorite restaurant feature of the year was Pazzo Italiano in Destin. Not only is this restaurant authentic in the Italian cuisine offered, but also the flavor of each dish and the care put into everything from the aesthetics to the plating of food in the restaurant make it a top notch choice for any occasion.
• Contributing Writer Sharon Dooley: Bella Sera Bistro in the HarborWalk Village rates as a favorite for me. The Destin restaurant offers a blend of fine dining with casual coastal cuisine, a relaxed atmosphere, and a great dessert selection. It’s a good date night or special occasion restaurant. I recommend that locals give it a try before Memorial Day and after Labor Day.
DAY & NIGHT PODCAST
On Jan. 19, the Northwest Florida Daily News launched its first entertainment podcast.
Regular hosts — Brenda Shoffner, Savannah Evanoff, Jennie McKeon and Sports Editor Seth Stringer — share their thoughts about a variety of topics. Guests occasionally get to chime in, too.
Two popular episodes featured the TV show "Riverdale" and Taylor Swift.
FAVORITE COVER DESIGNS
Much thought goes into the cover of each and every issue of DN. The two people in our Features Department selected their two favorite covers from 2017.
Features Editor Brenda Shoffner: The Feb. 16 cover, which predates the rebranding from Showcase to DN, shows Darth Vader looking out over the water while standing on the Emerald Coast’s snow white beach. The photo was sent to us to help promote Pensacon, and it said it all perfectly in one simple image.
The June 30 cover shows the American flag gorgeously reflected in the lagoon at the Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin. Linda Murchison took the photo, and we decided to feature it as our Fourth of July cover. It was beautiful and a refreshing change from the usual fireworks photos.
Features Reporter Savannah Evanoff: If you got it, haunt it. Our Oct. 13 cover of the Haunted Issue spooked our readers with a creepy Halloween-themed image. It was Friday the 13th, so our issue would’ve been haunted no matter what.
Our Dec. 8 cover featuring Emerald Coast Theatre Company’s promotional image for its production of “A Wrinkle in Time” was enchanting. Although it wasn’t a traditional Christmas performance, it still carried with it the magic of the holiday season.
ON TV
Check out these local people who were featured on TV in 2017.
• Aidan Berry, a Shalimar boy, won the competition in Food Network’s TV show “Kids Baking Championship.” The first episode of the season aired in January of 2017, and Berry was announced the winner in the finale in March.
• Sherri Williams, a Crestview resident, competed in Food Network’s TV show “Guy’s Big Project,” which first aired in November of 2017.
• Destin’s brother and sister magician duo Kadan and Brooklyn Rockett appeared on Harry Connick Jr.’s talk show “Harry” in July of 2017. They have been featured on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The Today Show” and as competitors on “America’s Got Talent.”