What support local music means, for real
Today, an event promoter who seems kind of cool surprised me by posting about his intolerance of the mantra “Support local music.” And while I understood his argument – that bands hide behind this altruistic slogan to guilt people into paying to attend their shows – it felt tremendously off the mark to me, especially…
Disney princesses get a dose of harsh reality courtesy of photographer Dina Goldstein
It’s not the “happily ever after” you’d expect of a picture-perfect Disney princess. In Dina Goldstein’s “Fallen Princesses” series, the photographer captures a modern-day take on the struggles these ladies might encounter in real life. Snow White doesn’t have the dwarfs to help keep up the house and to watch the kids. Meanwhile, her prince…
For Reels Sunday Roundup — November 10th, 2013
Well, Steve already beat me to talking about Blockbuster Video going out of business, but I have feelings on the subject. Blockbuster was my first post-high school what-the-hell-do-I-do-now job. I was there for a little over two years, which is maybe a little too long, but I had worked my way up to assistant manager…
You rent what you sow: Blockbuster goes belly up
So long, sport. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but time is running out to illegally dub that copy of Universal Soldier you’ve been hanging onto. Yes, Blockbuster Video is finally going out of business at the turn of the year. And the mainstream media are all treating it as a bittersweet rite of passage –…
In Your Queue: Why must I be a teenager in loo-ooove?
We’ve been skewing to mostly newer films available on VOD and other streaming sites lately, but we’re feeling a bit nostalgic and full of feelings this week. Say Anything… – Cameron Crowe If there is a more iconic image of the lovesick young man than Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) and his boombox in Cameron Crowe’s…
Schmooze with Orlando City Soccer players over a free Italio meal
If your ideal Saturday afternoon involves spaghetti, meatballs and a couple of Orlando City Soccer players, then you should head over to the Winter Park location of restaurant Italio. On Saturday, Nov. 9 (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), the fast-casual Italian chain will host fan meet-and-greets with Orlando City players Jamie Watson and Dennis Chin. Plus, any…
Sneak Peek: Walt Disney World’s Jingle Cruise
Disney announced at the end of October that for the 2013 holiday season, the Jungle Cruise attraction at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World would be transformed into the Jingle Cruise. The storyline, according to the Disney Parks blog, is that the Jungle Cruise skippers are homesick for the holidays, so they wrote home to…
GAMELANDO: Review: ‘Batman: Arkham Origins’
Batting Average Warning: This review may contain spoilers (and potty-mouthed word-language). When the team at Rocksteady released the first two games in the Batman Arkham series, it made the industry do a serious double-take. Not only had we received two superior games back-to-back from a licensed franchise, it was also a superhero game — which…
Orlando becomes home to the first monument to honor WWII Red Tail pilots on Veterans Day
Last year, you might’ve caught the movie Red Tails in theaters, starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Terence Howard (and let’s not forget Ne-Yo), a fictionalized portrayal of the then-marginalized but now-distinguished Tuskegee Airmen, an elite group of black fighter pilots who suffered racial discrimination in WWII times but fought bravely in spite of it. Now…
Downtown Sanford takes couch surfing to a whole new level with Sofa & Suds event
No, we aren’t talking about the trend of snuggling up on a complete stranger’s couch for the night because you’re straddled for cash. This Sunday, Nov. 10, downtown Sanford watering hole the West End Trading Company hosts a craft beer fest, complete with a side of couch-racing, titled Sofas & Suds. And with a paid…
Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley scheduled to open in summer 2014
Park expansion to include Gringott’s Bank ride as well as Leaky Cauldron restaurant Universal Orlando has a post up on its travel-agents page indicating that Diagon Alley at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be open by summer 2014. At the end of October, Themeparkinsider.com reported that NBC Universal CEO Steve Burke said in…
VIDEO: Relive the Orlando Zombie Ball
Thanks to everyone who had the braaaaaaains to dress up and party at our first-ever Orlando Zombie Ball. We’re still haunted by how awesome it was. Check out this video to see the Zombie Ball come back to life before your eyes. And in case you missed it, we’ve got tons of photos! Check out…
Blackfish tales: Stories of orcas in captivity
Recently, CNN aired the controversial movie Blackfish, a documentary that takes aim at SeaWorld and other marine parks that choose to keep orcas in captivity. The film contends that there is no humane way to keep these massive marine mammals in tanks for public amusement and observation, and it suggests that the incidences of some…
Free shows this week!!! Nov. 6-12
Start stretching now, cuz there’s a ton of good reasons to break out your dancing shoes this week, including a Park Ave. instore with Hellogoodbye, a Neil Young birthday tribute show and a rad night presented by Accidental Music Festival. 11/6 Hellogoodbye @ Park Ave. CDs, 7-8:30 p.m. (emo/indie pop – get there early or…
Mormons by the book
What does ‘Book of Mormon’ get right, and what does it get wrong?
How to take a decent photo using your iPhone
The How-To Issue
How to make a paper-bag mushroom
The How-To Issue
How to estate plan yourself into relative safety, even if you’re gay
The How-To Issue
Universal’s new interactive game, Legendary Truth, shows us a brave new world of theme park experiences
It’s All Souls Sunday as I write this, nursing my post-Halloween hangover after having survived nearly two dozen different haunted houses during 2013’s extended spooky season. But the Halloween attraction that absorbed more of my time than any other received almost zero mainstream attention. While Disney has famously spent years and over a billion dollars…
How to donate to a cause without getting a ton of junk mail
The How-To Issue
How to eat a top-heavy cupcake
The How-To Issue
How to kill a hangover
The How-To Issue
Drinking, Nightlife and Parties
Where to drink and party in Orlando this week
East End Market opens, then closes, then opens again
After brief closure due to fire inspection issues, Audubon Park business is back on track
Ghosts of Orlando past
First Words: Your letters and comments
How to write a love poem when you’re drunk
The How-To Issue
Our music columnist discusses the 13 closing, Blowfly and Sleazy McQueen, War on Women, J. Robbins and Kurt Vile
The 13 has shut down due to – wait for it – cop problems. So a DIY punk-and-metal venue located in the gauntlet run of patrol-nuts in Edgewood didn’t last. I’ll take that blank, silent look on your face to mean that you’re as unsurprised as I am. Still, it’s a serious bummer for a…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19) Fear gets far more attention than it deserves. The media and entertainment industries practically worship it, and many of us allow ourselves to be riddled with toxic amounts of the stuff. Having said that, I do want to put in a good word for fear. Now and then, it keeps us…
How to pretend to be good at poker
The How-To Issue
Yamantaka // Sonic Titan deliver us into a knife-sharp sonic world on their sophomore album
Album review: Yamantaka // Sonic Titan’s ‘UZU’
Savage Love
I am a kinky, youthful 72-year-old guy. I grew up in the Pleistocene era, when there was virtually no way to meet a kinky woman. I’ve had two vanilla marriages, and three months ago I ended a four-year vanilla relationship with the best woman I’ve ever met. I just couldn’t take not being a BDSM…
How to catch a loose dog
The How-To Issue
Feeling zen about Sore Eros and Kurt Vile’s collaborative EP
Album review: Sore Eros and Kurt Vile’s ‘Jamaica Plain’ EP
Bach Festival Society presents Sir Michael Tippett’s ‘A Child of Our Time’
Modern classical choral work composed as a response to Nazi atrocities is performed on 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht
‘The Book of Mormon’ preaches to the choir
Any fan will tell you: Do whatever you have to do to see it before it leaves town
Hangar Bar & Grille does not give you wings
The room looks great, but the food just doesn’t fly
How to build mini siege weapons
The How-To Issue
How to alienate your mother on Facebook
The How-To Issue
Our version of the Boulevardier is a spicy kick in the head
Remix: a fresh take on a classic American cocktail
Los Campesinos! get a little mushy on ‘No Blues’
Album review: Los Campesinos’ ‘No Blues’
John Vanderslice connects with his Florida roots and waxes sentimental about David Berman
The Gainesville songwriter isn’t afraid of challenging material
How to travel if you’re in a wheelchair
The How-To Issue
Orlando City Council finalizes deal with SED Development, approves conference-center funding
Both projects will help city establish its new sports-and-entertainment district
Opening in Orlando: ‘Thor: The Dark World’
Now playing in Orlando theaters
Bike sharing has benefits
Studies show that bike sharing can have economic impact on cities
Hundred Waters grows up
Maturity strikes, even though the Gainesville electro savants are barely two years old
How to run for city commission
The How-To Issue
How to be a goth in the sunshine state
The How-To Issue
‘All Is Lost’ is simple but moving
Robert Redford charts a true course in a film about a man stranded at sea
Florida Republicans mad about reefer
Attorney General Pam Bondi, House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz raise red flags about medical marijuana
‘All Is Lost’ is simple but moving
Robert Redford charts a true course in a film about a man stranded at sea
How to set a table
The How-To Issue
Florida refuses to issue ID cards to same-sex spouses of National Guard members
Equality Florida says refusal to comply with Pentagon’s policies devalues gay soldiers
‘Kristallnacht,’ the painting Rick Jones created just for us
‘Kristallnacht,’ painting by Rick Jones (2013) As we were planning our coverage of the Bach Festival Society’s upcoming performance of “A Child of Our Time,” a secular oratorio composed by Sir Michael Tippett in response to Kristallnacht, we remembered that local painter Rick Jones is also a fan of modern classical music. (For those…
‘Doddi the Dodo Goes to Orlando’ Happy Meal book will make you feel better about feeding your kids junk food
McDonald’s to give away books instead of toys with Happy Meals in honor of National Family Literacy Day From Nov. 1-14, you can feel a little bit better about stopping by McDonald’s for a Happy Meal with your kids because, even if you aren’t really nourishing their bodies with healthy food, you can at least…
On sale this week: Arctic Monkeys at Hard Rock Live!
photo by Zackery Michael On sale: Friday, Nov. 8 Arctic Monkeys 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 Hard Rock Live 6050 Universal Blvd. 407-351-5483 hardrock.com $26-$35 Down the road: Quintron and Miss Pussycat, Nov. 13 at Will’s Pub Dessa, Nov. 14 at Backbooth The Chariot, Nov. 14 at The Social Shannon and the Clams,…
Ender’s Aftermath: Ender’s Game comes out to little fanfare
So the Ender’s Game opening weekend came and went with little fanfare or trouble from the Orson Scott Card boycott. It also came and went with little money for the prospective franchise opener, bringing in less than $30m in North America. The boycott had been proposed on social media earlier this summer as fans became…
