Satanic Temple says it’s going to distribute literature in Orange County schools
via the Satanictemple.com Remember early last year when a group of Satan worshippers who said they were part of an organization called the Satanic Temple, announced their support for Gov. Rick Scott because he supported a bill that would have made prayer legal at school assemblies? They even showed up in Tallahassee for a rally…
Shaq’s next career: Florida police officer
Photo by Tracy Bennett During his 42 years, Shaquille O’Neal has dabbled in (and dominated) many different careers: acting, rapping, starring in video games, dunking, among other endeavors. Hell, he was even a genie once. Now, Shaq has once again set his sights on a more noble path: Florida law enforcement. Last week, the Miami Herald reported that the…
Unhappily Ever After: Jeff Hong’s bummer take on Disney characters IRL
Turns out “Beauty” is in the eye of the bescalpeled. (Jeff Hong) Lilo and her mom huddled on the street next to a shopping cart full of recyclables a meth-faced Alice scoring some “Drink Me” in an alley Mulan struggling to breathe in China’s murky, polluted air. These are just a few of the bummer scenarios…
Backbooth’s 10-year anniversary features Legendary JC’s, Precious and the Ludes
Ralphfest 3: Photos from day two, featuring Sebadoh, Legendary JC’s, Precious and more Backbooth is celebrating 10 years with a weekend of shows on Friday, Oct. 10 (10/10!) and Saturday, Oct. 11, that features stellar Orlando bands the Legendary JC’s (RSVP), Precious and the Ludes (RSVP). The party starts with the JC’s featuring a nine-piece…
Memory lane: One-night-only local screening of the new Nas documentary
via Wikipedia May 2014 be known as the year of the 1994 revival, as reissues, reunion tours and documentaries continue to honor this landmark year in music, which of course was also the year that rap legend Nas released his classic debut album, Illmatic. Attendees at Tribeca Film Festival already saw the Nas documentary, Nas:…
Watch The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 trailer now
Image via Lionsgate It seems like nowadays sometimes the trailers for movies are just as anticipated as the films themselves. Well, fans of Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games series, must be bouncing around in their seats to find out that the trailer for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 was released today. Here are a few things to keep an…
MmmBop: Hanson, Boyz II Men and more join Epcot’s Eat to the Beat concert series
Epcot seemed especially barren this weekend, likely because Disney-goers are saving their theme-park appetites for the upcoming Food & Wine Festival, which begins this weekend, Friday, Sept. 19, and runs through Monday, Nov. 10. In addition to delicious dishes you can now access at discount late-night Epcot entry prices, each year, Epcot draws in a…
Pollo Tropical issues a challenge (and offers you free food)
Epcot seemed especially barren this weekend, likely because Disney-goers are saving their theme-park appetites for the upcoming Food & Wine Festival, which begins this weekend, Friday, Sept. 19, and runs through Monday, Nov. 10. In addition to delicious dishes you can now access at discount late-night Epcot entry prices, each year, Epcot draws in a…
Concert giveaways, bar tabs and more: Benefit raffle seeks to help Etoile Boutique recover
via Etoile on Facebook At the end of last month, Etoile Boutique was robbed, and now the much-loved vintage and locally-sourced shop is looking to move past the violation with the help of some of Orlando’s best businesses. Here’s how it works: Visit Etoile Boutique before Wednesday, Oct. 1, to purchase raffle tickets ($5 for…
This Little Underground: Super Freestyle Explosion at Amway Center
This Little Underground is Orlando Weekly’s music column providing perspective, live reviews and news on the city’s music scene. Read the latest column here. Trinere at Amway Center (photo by Will Ogburn/You’re Whatz Happening) Earlier this summer, I waxed fond and nostalgic about Latin freestyle music and its chapter in Florida’s music history because of…
This Little Underground: Whirr, Omri Loved Celadon, Gloomwolf @ BB
This Little Underground is Orlando Weekly’s music column providing perspective, live reviews and news on the city’s music scene. Read the latest column here. Formulas and Frequencies: Photos from Whirr at Backbooth Living up to their growing reputation as one of the truest, most traditional shoegaze bands alive, Whirr (Sept. 9, Backbooth) came to town…
It’s official: A Frozen ride will replace Maelstrom at Disney’s Epcot
Image via Disney Previously, we reported on the rumors of a Frozen-themed ride coming to Disney. Today, Disney confirmed those rumors. The proposed ride will replace the fan-favorite log flume/troll encounter, Maelstrom, at Epcot’s Norway Pavilion. Maelstrom has somewhat of a cult following among Disney-goers, so we hope they’ll be able to “Let it Go” rather than staging a…
Orlando Vice: OPD to hold public forum tomorrow to ease your concerns about cops
Here in the contentious wake of the police-state-brought-to-life nightmare of Ferguson, Missouri, it can be hard to know whether you should trust the fuzz or be afraid of them. Even without the tanks and the gas and the heavy artillery – which, guess what, we’re about to get some of – police brutality has hit…
This Little Underground: Stitches at Backbooth, sort of…
This Little Underground is Orlando Weekly’s music column providing perspective, live reviews and news on the city’s music scene. Read the latest column here. Stitches The Stitches show (Sept. 10, Backbooth) – or, more precisely, the show that Stitches was supposed to play – has been lighting up the local news and social media feeds.…
Not a shocker: Florida has the highest risk of property damage and loss from natural hazards
100 years of destruction: 43 devastating images of hurricane damage in Florida File this fun fact under “O” for obvious: According to CoreLogic, a data and analytics company, Florida is at the highest risk in America for property damage and loss due to natural hazards. To determine this ranking, the company used their newly developed…
Florida buys more of this item on eBay than any other state
Image via Phones Review A new map created by eBay reveals the items each state purchases the most when using the online bidding service. And guess which item on eBay Florida buys more than any other state: It seems the sunshine state just can’t get enough of those good deals on smartphones and tablets. Which is…
Thank you, Internet: Duck Tales and Star Wars spoilers?
Friday is upon us, but the official start of the weekend is just a little out of our reach. Here are some links that should help you bridge the gap until you have have your first happy hour drink: 1. Seriously, the Duck Tales theme song is one of the best in history. Yeah, yeah, it…
Do Me, Orlando: Sunny-side up at Playalinda Beach
Image by Brendan O’Connor Describe in one word: Nekkid The best part: Miles of beach without any cars, buildings or motorbikes Info/cost: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.; Canaveral National Seashore, Titusville; 321-267-1110; nps.gov/cana; $5 per car, $1 per bike/pedestrian It lasted: All day So this whole little pocket of natural blisstasticness was created as a buffer for the NASA launch…
Republicans try to use John Morgan video against Crist
By BRANDON LARRABEE AND JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Almost anyone close to a candidate can cause problems for the campaign with an unguarded comment – staffers, family members, friends. Even a boss. So when John Morgan, Orlando lawyer, backer of a constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana and staunch supporter of Democratic…
Tom Dyer, publisher of ‘Watermark,’ steps down
Tom Dyer, publisher of Watermark, the Orlando/Tampa area’s longtime LGBT publication, announced today that he’s stepping down from his position at the paper. In farewell column posted online today, Dyer says that after 20 years at the helm of the paper he founded, he’s passing the baton to chief financial officer Rick Claggett. Related…
VIDEO: Professor Soap’s Music Machine is coming to Artlando
Image via Professor Soap Look, it’s no secret that we’re super-excited about Artlando at the end of the month. But seriously, the lineup just keeps improving. We recently announced the addition of some Artlando After Dark shows, with performances by Skill Focus Burlesque, Phantasmagoria, Ibex Puppetry, The Orlando Ballet, Voci Dance and, presented by the Orlando…
Milk Bar’s new stage hosts Leisure Chief playing J Dilla
via Leisure Chief on Facebook We’re used to seeing Leisure Chief (formerly Buster Keaton) dependably funking around at Tanqueray’s on Thursdays, but a new event featuring the band that cropped up on our calendar has uncommon written all over it. First, location. It’s a free show at Milk Bar at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12,…
VIDEO: 1960s promo film calls Orlando the “action center” of Florida
Check out this 1960s promotional video about Orlando, the “Action Center, USA.” Dig the line about the Orlando Public Library being “more than just an architectural conversation piece” and the shot of Orlando Events Live’s jai alai court. “Like ancient Rome, all roads, at least in the state of Florida, lead to Orlando!” Related Stories
Trailer for Walt Before Mickey released, featuring a familiar Orlando face
Orlando’s own Timothy Williams as Fred HarmanImage via Walt Before Mickey Last year, fans of Walt Disney got to see the animation king in all his 1960s glory in the film Saving Mr. Banks, starring Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks. Earlier this week, the trailer for Walt Before Mickey was released, showing a pre-success Walt Disney during the ’20s,…
Wet Nurse and the Pauses featured on BrooklynVegan’s Fest list
We’re guessing he sees Fest AIDs in your future. via thefestfl.com Fest is a special time to be in Florida. Always occurring Halloween weekend in Gainesville when the massive rivalry between University of Florida and University of Georgia deports the jock crowd from the college town to Jacksonville for the weekend, the festival imports passionate…
Florida’s Legislative Budget Commission approves $25 million for springs projects
Wekiwa Springs photo via wikipedia By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Money is now flowing toward 27 projects intended to improve some of the state’s most endangered natural springs. The Joint Legislative Budget Commission, made up of House and Senate members, agreed Wednesday to use $25 million for a list of springs projects…
Speaking of militarized police forces … did you know that University of Central Florida owns 23 M-16s and 1 grenade launcher?
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Maxwell fires an M-16 using a three-round burst at the Joe Foss range during a weapons training in Taqaddum, Iraq, July 27, 2008. The Seabees, assigned to a mobile construction battalion, are on a six-month deployment to Iraq to provide general engineering support to coalition forces. U.S. Navy…
Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa officially opens today
Pork belly tacos and a side of grilled corn on the cob with chili & limeImage via Droolius Attention barbecue lovers: Today at 4 p.m., Orlando’s newest smoky spot opens up on Mills Avenue. We’ve been anticipating the opening of Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa since it was announced in November. With offerings like a barbakoa banh…
Orlando International Airport refuses PETA’s anti-SeaWorld ad
Earlier this year, animal-rights organization PETA got involved in a legal battle with the San Diego International Airport over advertising – the group wanted to take out an ad featuring Kathy Najimy, urging visitors to San Diego to “please avoid SeaWorld.” The airport tried to turn the ads down, but PETA and the ACLU sued,…
8 free things to do in the Orlando area this weekend (9/12-14)
25 fun things to do in Orlando this week (9/10-16)Sunday, Sept. 14Hateful Things: DiscussionTraveling exhibition from the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia representing almost 150 years of racist material. Can’t wait to get out of the house this weekend but want to leave your Benjamins at home? Well, let the bank babysit your bank…
Watch Napoleon Dynamite for free, courtesy of the Enzian
Image via Fox Searchlight Napoleon Dynamite is filled with all the requirements for a good cult classic: huge DVD-(or streaming, in today’s world, we guess)-life after theater release, passionate fan base, an ease of costume-ability and a seemingly-endless number of quotes that slip into every day life. Seriously, we can’t even look at tater tots without…
Shareholders file class action suit against SeaWorld
Last month, a New York City law firm announced that it was exploring the possibility of a class-action lawsuit against SeaWorld. The Rosen Firm, which specializes in securities litigation, announced recently that it has officially filed suit against the marine park for failing to disclose to investors that park earnings were declining due to negative…
Olde 64 opens downtown Sept. 11
We were downtown last night checking out Whirr at Backbooth and couldn’t help but notice a new banner hanging on the covered doors of the space formerly known as Bar-BQ-Bar. The new bar is called Olde 64, and we weren’t sure until now exactly when we could expect it to be open, but apparently it’s…
Marriage equality confusion strikes Florida
Attorney General Pam Bondi tries – and possibly fails – to appeal on every possible level
Savage Love
I am a man who tends to ejaculate prematurely. Not all the time – but at least 50 percent of the time, I’m good for two to three minutes and then I REALLY have to be careful. I’ve learned to manage it and work around it (like, stop if I’m too close and eat her out…
Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors: strongest drinks, longest hours
Bar Exam: the what, where and why of Orlando drinking
This Little Underground: Will’s Pub reunion honors local history
Plus, a glowing live review of Terry Bozzio
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19) In the 2000 film Cast Away, Tom Hanks plays an American FedEx executive who is stranded alone on a remote Pacific island after he survives a plane crash. A few items from the plane wash up on shore, including a volleyball. He draws a face on it and names it “Wilson,”…
Instinct and blind intuition drive electro-pop outfit Washed Out forward
Talking darker material, rock band evolutions and not fitting in with Washed Out frontman Ernest Greene
Bistro CloClo serves classic French bistro fare – sort of
Great service and some really good dishes, but it’s just not French
Why do fast-food workers deserve $15 an hour?
Letters to the editor
‘Calvary’
A raven-black sense of humor drives the pace in what’s surely one of 2014’s masterpieces
Maker Faire Orlando outgrows its mini stage to great results
Creative minds convene at third and biggest iteration of the fest
Opening in Orlando: ‘Dolphin Tale 2,’ ‘The Drop’ and ‘No Good Deed’
Movies playing in theaters this week
Drinking, Nightlife and Parties
Where to drink and party in Orlando this week
‘The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story’ vomits nostalgia all over
Forbidden romances, substance abuse and melodramatic friendships revealed in Lifetime docudrama
Culture 2 Go: Orlando Shakes opens ‘Les Misérables’ Sept. 10
Plus Fringe Year Round presents Drama Winners Weekend, and more local theater news
Fast-food workers protest on I-Drive for a living wage
Organizers and strikers call for $15 an hour, nearly double the current minimum
How U.S. guest-worker program helps keep human trafficking alive
How one Florida man found himself at the mercy of the unscrupulous company that hired him
‘Disney on Ice Presents Frozen’ and a visit to Give Kids the World Village
Two kid-centric events that melt even our cold grown-up hearts
Picks this week: Islands, Body//Talk: Harvest, Will’s Anniversary, more
Great live music rattles every night in Orlando
The Powers that Be
Why are electric companies so heavily invested in Rick Scott?
Orlando City Council: approves of property tax hikes and armored vehicles for police
The City Council yesterday gave the preliminary OK yesterday to increasing your property taxes by 17 percent, because revenues aren’t keeping up with City Hall’s spendy ways. The city has a lifestyle to which it has grown accustomed, of course, so we need to make more money. The council managed to cut its annual budget…
Soundgardeners and Portisheads: The Pauses release 4 live videos from the 1994 cover show
Cut. It. Out.: 50 photos from the 1994 cover show at Will’s Pub If you slept through the 1994 cover show at Will’s Pub (and probably all through the year 1994, too, ya slacker) or if you’re experiencing a nostalgia Inception and just wanna revisit 1994 in 2014 again, the Pauses have you covered (ha). Thanks…
Shin Jung celebrates 20 years by offering YOU a free bento box
18 mouth-watering spots to eat Barbecue in the Orlando area Shin Jung has been a no-frills Mills 50 staple for 20 years, offering Korean dishes that vary from exotic (un-marinated sliced beef tongue) to standard (beef short rib). To celebrate their 20 tasty years, Shin Jung will be offering a free bento box to every one…
Orlando-born Vanessa Hayden-Johnson to compete on The Biggest Loser
Image via NBC Orlando-born Vanessa Hayden-Johnson is competing in the latest season of NBC’s The Biggest Loser, which premieres 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11. Hayden will be joining 19 other former athletes on a special season of the weight-loss show called The Biggest Loser: Glory Days. Retired from the WNBA in 2010, Johnson is currently employed as a Child Welfare…
Jana Banana has left the Philips Phile
Image via Jana Banana Real Radio 104.1 just became a little less sunny. At the top of Tuesday’s episode of The Philips Phile, Jana Banana announced that, after 11 years on the air, she would be leaving the show. Almost immediately, social media began lighting up with messages despairing the loss of one of Real…
The Enzian is bringing 13 Halloween classics to the big screen
Image via JoBlo Every time you shower, every time you turn off the lights and lay in bed – they’re there. The chill inducing fears brought to us by horror movies new and old are about to settle in for what could prove to be the most fearful month of the year. Gather your favorite…
New Caribbean-inspired hotel coming to Universal Orlando Resort
Image via Universal Orlando Words: ORLANDO, Fla. (September 9, 2014) – When it opens in the summer of 2016, guests visiting the new Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando will walk into a colorful Caribbean hideaway built around a lush, tropical lagoon and towering waterfall. The new hotel, announced today by Universal Orlando Resort…
Crist campaign goes after Gov. Scott’s “EXTREME” anti-women agenda (VIDEO)
via flaglerlive.com Today at noon, the Charlie Crist campaign attempted to show exactly what kind of business it meant when it chose (or HE chose) Annette Taddeo as his running mate. Taddeo, joined by Planned Parenthood PAC treasurer Barbara Zdravecky (Planned Parenthood’s political arm has endorsed Crist), hosted a press call to highlight and answer…
Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 24 Media Preview
Sneak a peak at the terrors inside HHN 24 with Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights media preview (photos by Seth Kubersky). We’re already a week into September, so it must be time for Halloween, right? Universal Orlando jump-started the jump-scare season last night (9/8/2014) by holding their first Halloween Horror Nights 24 media preview. Continue…
Free music law lesson arms musicians at Will’s Pub
Image via eil.com The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame named Sonny Curtis’ massive hit “I Fought the Law” among 500 “Songs That Shaped Rock,” but it’s a little pessimistic for the discussion they’ll be having at Will’s Pub on how to make the law fight for you as a musician. Entertainment and property law…
