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Project DTO takes center stage at Mayor Buddy Dyer’s State of Downtown
A look at the “vision books” that Project DTO collected to find out what people want from their city’s downtown
Tittie-Thyme wants to party with you
As last year’s ?#@*$%! the Mainstream: the Art of DIY Self Expression at UM’s Lowe Art Museum demonstrated, zines are a legit art form. Which is why we’re thrilled that Orlando’s suddenly blooming with them: Orlando Zine Fest premiered in June 2013 (we’re hoping for another one soon?), featuring local mags like Kick Bright and…
Redlight Redlight saves Christmas!
You’re making a list, checking it twice, gotta buy stuff for the naughty and nice … HA. List? Who’s gotten around to making a list yet? Christmas Eve is exactly one week away and you’ve got zero gifts bought – it’s time to go into panic mode! Or, or, you could go grab a beer…
This Little Underground: Florida-connected Greyhounds at Backbooth
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. Austin band Greyhounds isn’t terribly well-known and the attendance showed at their recent concert (Dec. 12, Backbooth), which is unfortunate because it was a pretty knockout performance. Although their name may…
A dozen Florida-centric books published in 2014, plus four to look forward to in 2015
If you’re trying to break your Amazon habit this year, most of these books can be found on shelves at local indie stores Bookmark It and Park Ave CDs, and they’ll be happy to special-order any you don’t find. Art Capsules: The Contemporary Art Scene in Central Florida and Beyond by Egberto Almenas (256 pages,…
Astronautalis comes back to his Florida roots with Backbooth performance
Though Astronautalis is famously from Jacksonville, Florida – seemingly one of the least likely places for a verbose alternative rapper to make his mark – he still has some roots in Orlando. His 2003 debut, You and Yer Good Ideas, was released by Orlando-based independent label Fighting Records. Tonight, the now- Minneapolis-based MC takes the…
The Sh-Booms host a Back to the Future-themed dance party
Hey, butthead! If you love Back to the Future, you should time it right to show up at Will’s Pub Thursday night to attend their riff on the trilogy’s Enchantment Under the Sea dance. Featuring local soul shakers the Sh-Booms and DJ Kittybat, you’re sure to hear favorites like “Earth Angel” and “Johnny B. Goode,”…
Relief in Abstract gifts Orlando with a two-day music festival
Tasteful electronic label Relief in Abstract packaged up a sweet end-of- year gift for local music fans with Redpoint Music Festival, a two-day excursion into dance-driven beats, trippy visuals and original music. Day One sees Case Work, Boxing at the Zoo, Henrietta, Bellows and Ark at the community-driven venue the Space, no doubt packing the…
PETA is a SeaWorld shareholder, and they’re suggesting that the company invest in orca sanctuaries
Our minds were blown when we learned that PETA was a shareholder in SeaWorld, but according to spokesman David Perle, PETA purchased stock in the marine-mammal parks when SeaWorld held its IPO in 2013. “PETA purchased stock in SeaWorld when it first became publicly available, in April of 2013 and PETA currently owns 159 shares,”…
Every New Year’s Eve party in Orlando we could find
We know it can be more than a little overwhelming to try to decide where to spend your New Year’s Eve-ning so we thought we’d do the work for you! You’re welcome. Here’s a fairly comprehensive round up of all the big New Year’s Eve events happening in Orlando for 2014. Sunday, 28 Last T-Dance…
Machine Gun America attraction to open in Orlando area this weekend
Machine Gun America is a real thing – it’s an attraction that features all sorts of opportunities for you to shoot big, honking machine guns for fun and pleasure – and it’s opening in Kissimmee this weekend. On Dec. 20, you can pretend to be a soldier and shoot military-grade firearms, because we guess the…
Surprise! Jeb Bush is running for President
via NBC News Because nobody suspected this was going to happen, the man who is currently making a living dismantling public education, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, is basically going to be the Republican nominee for President in 2016. (Uh, Santorum and Romney don’t seem quite as shiny now). This morning, he posted a holiday…
Cute emergency: Central Florida says bye-bye to its clouded leopard cub
Cue the teary-face emoji: Tola, the super-cute clouded leopard cub born at the Central Florida Zoo in April, has moved on to her new home, the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas. (That’s her on the left, above, hanging out with her mom, Nimbus.) Tola’s parents, Cirrus and Nimbus, came to the zoo from Thailand in…
This Little Underground: Peanut Butter Wolf at the Social
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. Peanut Butter Wolf is a man who packs heavy credentials as not just a preeminent DJ among hip-hop’s neo-classicists but as the father of the tastemaking Stones Throw Records, a label…
This Little Underground: Eugene Snowden’s Ten Pints of Truth
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. Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of truth from Eugene Snowden, widely considered to be the area’s greatest soul dealer whose wall in Orlando’s hall of fame is already guaranteed.…
SunRail to test a round-trip night train
Hey, everybody, take advantage of the fact that SunRail is going to do a test run of night service on Dec. 22. Beginning on that date, there will be evening trains running north and southbound to test how much demand there is for expanded service. Make dinner reservations in DeBary! Go bar-hopping in downtown Orlando!…
Wilco coming to Orlando in April
In the midst of incredible 2015 show announcements for folksy rock fans (Fleetwood Mac, Neutral Milk Hotel, Justin Townes Earle) comes today’s stunning development that Wilco plans to stop in Orlando at Hard Rock Live on April 28. The news is so fresh, tickets aren’t even available yet, but they go on sale on Friday,…
Equality Florida launches TransAction initiative to promote equality for state’s transgender community
Here’s something that’s been long overdue: Equality Florida today announced the launch of a new program called TransAction Florida, a program that will advocate for equality for the state’s transgender community. Recently in Miami Dade County, the county commission updated its human rights ordinance to cover transgender individuals, and state Rep. Holly Raschein introduced a…
COUNCIL WATCH!: Liveblogging city government because it’s Uber exciting
This is the end, beautiful friend, the end. Actually, it’s just the last city council meeting of the year, which will put us somewhere around nine years of staring into the beige and finding civic meaning. As most people are aware, there has been a bit of back-and-forth going around over whether Uber (or UberX,…
NASA releases another parody music video and we kind of love it
Just in case you haven’t had enough of Meghan Trainor yet (she’s coming to town for the Ho Ho Ho Holiday event at The Beacham this Friday) here’s a fun little music video that some cutie-patooties at NASA just released called “All About That Space”. Its painfully WASP-y but we’re digging the cheese. The marketing…
It’s Uber day at City Hall!
Because the city clearly hates “ride-sharing” companies like Uber (while simultaneously having a masterful grip on Mears talking points for taxi lovers), today the city – which unanimously voted in favor of a new regulatory ordinance a week ago – will likely sign said ordinance into law on second read. We’ll be liveblogging City Council…
Want to sign up for Obamacare for Jan. 1? Today is the last day!
If you are considering signing up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace, today is the last day to sign up to get coverage by Jan. 1. Do that here. If you have insurance through the Affordable Care Act, and you’re thinking of changing, today is also the deadline to make the switch. If…
Day Two of Celebrate Dogs AKC Eukanuba championship is today
Hey, dog folks, if you’re looking for something to do today, the huge annual AKC/Eukanuba celebration of dogs continues today. Called Celebrate Dogs, the event has tons of dog-related activities, presentations and events – watch agility, dock-diing and obedience competitions, check out flyable demonstrations, gawk and the fancy showdogs parade around rings, meet celebrity dogs…
‘Game of Thrones” Hodor, Kristian Nairn, brings his Rave of Thrones tour to Venue 578
For a guy with only one line, Kristian Nairn, Hodor on HBO’s hit fantasy series Game of Thrones, is anything but one-note. Though the world may now him as the gentle giant who only knows one word, his name, Nairn has been a successful house DJ for years. This Saturday, he brings both of those…
The best ugly Christmas sweaters ever
Austin, Texas tattoo artist Ezra Haidet’s Middle of Beyond online shop officially has the BEST ugly Christmas sweaters ever. Surprise your friends, impress your office mates, horrify your family member when you wear one of these beauties to your next holiday gathering! Krampus: Chthulu: Pentagram with goat head: Alien nativity: Zombie Santa: Middle of Beyond has…
Craft beer brewers wary of promises that state will end ban on growlers
An effort that would allow small craft brewers to pour beer into half-gallon containers may advance during the 2015 legislative session without becoming part of a package of other beverage issues. Proposals to end the state’s prohibition on 64-ounce containers known as “growlers” have been blocked in recent years by large beer distributors claiming a…
Tour Buddy Dyer’s new Citrus Bowl that you paid for this Sunday! Here’s how.
HRNK!!! FANCY NEW LOGO ALERT!!!! The city wants you to know that this Sunday, Dec. 14, you can exercise your taxpayer right to walk aimlessly (OK, “self guided” touring is what we’re talking about) around the souped up – to the tune of $200 million – Orlando Citrus Bowl. The mayor will even be there…
Orange County slapped with another public records defeat in court, this time over a dog
Image via taylortx.gov Via the News Service of Florida: APPEALS COURT RIPS COUNTY IN PUBLIC RECORDS CASE In a case that started with a woman seeking public records about an investigation of her dog by animal-control officials, an appeals court Friday blasted Orange County in a dispute about payment of attorneys’ fees. The 5th District…
Do, me Orlando: Swimming with manatees at Plantation on Crystal River, Florida
7:15 a.m. Daily | Plantation on Crystal River, 9301 W. Fort Island Trail, Crystal River | $129-$209 hotel rooms, $55 manatee snorkel tour | 352-795-4211 | plantationoncrystalriver.com Orlando Weekly got an email a few months ago inviting someone from our Editorial team to come spend some time out at Crystal River’s newly renovated resort, Plantation…
Uber lovers start petition to beg City Council not to kill ride-share service in Orlando
On Monday, the Orlando City Council discussed (at length) controversial ride-share service Uber. Billy Manes wrote about it in his Monday Council Watch live blog, but we’ve also excerpted his interpretation of the discussion below, too, because it’s good reading. Long story short, the city doesn’t much like Uber (remember when they had police set…
Five winter-friendly check-in deals available RIGHT THIS SECOND
The weather’s all crisp out and instead of cooking a cozy dinner at home, lots of folks are out doing holiday deeds, buying gifts and grabbing a bite whenever and wherever they can. We’ve gathered some of the best check-in deals available right now on Yelp and Foursquare to give you a little break in…
Photos and video: School for the Arts at Dr. Phillips Center class preview
Tuesday, Dec. 9, members of the media were invited to preview some classes at the new School for the Arts at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The classes will serve all ages, from 3 to senior citizen, in a variety of arts including dance, music and theater. Registration for January classes ends Monday, Dec.…
Breaking: CEO of SeaWorld resigns
In a press release today, SeaWorld announced that its CEO and President, James Atchison, will resign, effective January 15, 2015. It looks like he’ll receive almost $2.5 million in severance. The full text of the press release is below: On December 11, 2014, SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that Mr. James Atchison will resign from…
Orlando is one of the best cities in the U.S. for an active lifestyle
Guess what, Orlando? We’ve landed in the top five of yet another arbitrary list. According to Wallethub, the self-proclaimed “social network for your wallet,” Orlando is the No. 5 city in the nation for an active lifestyle. Tampa’s right behind us at No. 6, making Florida the only state with two cities in the top…
10 free things happening in the Orlando area this weekend
Trying to get out and enjoy the cool weather this weekend without feeling like there’s a hole in your pocket? Not to worry, we’ve got you and that hole in your pocket covered with these free weekend events: Casselberry Tree Lighting Ceremony Light up your weekend while you rock around the Christmas tree. When: 5…
VIDEO: Miss Alex White of White Mystery on Art Basel, playing Will’s Pub and what’s ahead in 2015
White Mystery powered through their set at Will’s Pub, rarely pausing between songs before ripping into the next one, as the duo had their way with Will’s Pub’s stage, with guitarist-vocalist Miss Alex White tumbling and somersaulting while simultaneously assaulting her guitar. One of our favorite scene documenters, Christopher Garcia, caught video from their set…
Talented local musicians pay tribute to John Lennon with Christmas party this December
Heart Strings Music wants your old iPods, and they’re invoking the name of John Lennon to collect as many digital media players as possible. From 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23, head to Cheyenne Saloon to see talented local musicians – the Gerry Williams Band, Eugene Snowden, FunkUs, the Honeyslides, Max Von…
Photo from the die-in in downtown Orlando
Here’s a photo from the die-in happening right outside the Amway Center now. Billy Manes is there, and he’ll have more detail on what happened for you later. But for now, just look at this image. Then click this link to see 50 more intense images from the event. Related Stories
Orlando Ballet to perform ‘The Nutcracker’ at Orlando International Airport
On Thursday, Dec. 11, dancers from the Orlando Ballet leap and pirouette across the arrivals and departures atrium at Orlando International Airport. The exquisitely costumed dancers will perform selections from The Nutcracker. It should be a refreshing break from all that airport traveling hustle and bustle, helping weary travelers get just a glimmer (or more!)…
2014 holiday gun-shopping season in Florida is shaping up to be a busy one
Florida gun dealers saw a sharp increase in sales as shoppers flooded stores the day after Thanksgiving. With 8,300 background checks conducted Nov. 28, the traditional start of the holiday shopping period, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement recorded the third-busiest day ever for gun sales in the state, FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey said. The…
I CAN’T BREATHE: Protesters to gather this evening for “die-in” to end police brutality against Blacks
Following last week’s successful event protesting the failures of several grand juries across the country to indict police officers for abusing their powers, especially in cases of violent actions against people of color who were, by most accounts, complying or even holding their hands up, tonight protesters will convene again with the same message. That…
Truck full of cows crashes on Florida Turnpike
This morning, all of the local news channels are reporting that a truck full of cows crashed on the Florida Turnpike in Osceola County. Cows were seen running up and down the highway, resulting in an impromptu cattle roundup in snarled traffic. This happened near a town called Yeehaw Junction. Yes, really. Related Stories
‘Olive Kitteridge’ is curtly perfect
Miniseries adaptation of Elizabeth Strout’s Pulitzer Prize-winning collection of short stories is wonderfully cast
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19) Lord Byron (1788-1824) was an English poet who loved animals. In the course of his life, he not only had dogs and cats as pets, but also monkeys, horses, peacocks, geese, a crocodile, a falcon, a crane, and a parrot. When he enrolled in Trinity College at age 17, he was…
Three homegrown shows head for the big time
Culture 2 Go: Our monthly roundup of performing arts news
Savage Love
You may not be the right person to answer this, but your commenters might be able to help. I love and support my friends who are transgender, but I don’t understand all the 18- to 21-year-olds among my friends who are declaring themselves “gender-neutral.” I am a bit older and have always been interested in…
‘Phantom of the Opera,’ ‘So You Think You Can Dance?’ and ‘Marvel Universe Live’
Orlando experiences a renaissance of touring entertainment
Venting about Vanguard School
Some say they aren’t surprised by report of alleged rape at private school
Tips to improve your concert experience at 5 Orlando indie music venues
Tips to get the most out of seeing shows at five of Orlando’s independent music venues People bitch about Orlando venues all the time. “The sound sucks.” “It’s too smoky.” (Or more likely lately: “They don’t allow smoking.”) “There’s no parking.” “It’s too crowded.” “Drinks cost too much.” If you have more complaints about Orlando…
Man Forever brings an epic wave of percussive intensity to Orlando
Few albums are as polarizing as Lou Reed’s 1975 noise opus Metal Machine Music. The vast majority of Reed’s fans dismissed it out of hand, reacting with varying degrees of confusion and disgust (some even theorized that it was a joke or a fuck-you message to his label), but a few – like music critic…
Drinking, Nightlife & Parties
Where to drink and party in Orlando
Picks this week: J-Live, D.R.I. and more
Great live music rattles Orlando every night
Mamak brings Malaysian food-stall culture to the forefront
The fact that our happy little burg is home to not one, but two (yes, two!) Malaysian restaurants must speak to our ever-burgeoning multi-culti food scene, right? I like to think so, so kudos to you, Hawkers – and kudos to you too, Mamak, for diversifying an already diversified urban core and directing our next…
Tell your mom: Wahlburgers is coming to Orlando
Plus new owners take over the Yum Yum Cupcake empire
Discover live music and great beer at the Smiling Bison
Bar Exam: the where, what and why of Orlando drinking
Federal court rules Florida law requiring drug tests for welfare applicants is unconstitutional
State has spent more than $400,000 on legal battles related to his attempt to require drug testing for welfare applicants and state employees
Orlando activists protest grand jury decisions in Ferguson and New York
Approximately 100 gather for peaceful protest to point out that racism and police brutality can happen anywhere
Comedian Brian Posehn appears at Backbooth Thursday
He’s a giant in the overlapping worlds of comedy and nerdery (also, really tall)
‘The Babadook’ brings fresh life to horror genre
Horror film opens at the Enzian this week
Movies opening in Orlando this week
‘Exodus: Gods and Kings’ and ‘Top Five’
Mamak brings Malaysian food-stall culture to the forefront
Putting pan-Asian street food in the limelight
