Cover Story
A local preservationist hopes the battle for the future of the Howey Mansion is drawing to a close
It is never clear what hurdles you’ll have to clear when you’re working as a journalist. Once, while investigating the case of an escaped peacock that met its untimely end in a Burger King parking lot on Staten Island, the restaurant’s on-duty cashier refused to speak to me until I provided credentials. Other times, interview…
Rockabilly queen Kim Lenz ignites dance party with Little Sheba & the Shamans and the Drunken Cuddle (Will’s Pub)
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Like all die-hard subcultures, the rockabilly scene still lives somewhere in the woodwork. Although not as visible or vibrant around here as it once was, all it takes to mobilize them and their wardrobe is a household name. The latest was L.A. leading lady Kim Lenz (Aug. 23, Will’s Pub), who drew…
Protest planned of city-sponsored community meeting with police chief
Tonight, as Orlando Police Chief John Mina, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Valencia College Peace and Justice Institute are inside the Citrus Bowl for an “interactive workshop” that will (and this is a mouthful) “utilize innovative communication strategies to foster ongoing citizen engagement and conversation” between city residents and police, a group of activists and…
Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar is the forerunner of a renaissance at the Marketplace at Dr. Phillips
You’d think the last thing this city needs is yet another chain restaurant, but what chain do you know of that offers a selection of hundreds of Spanish wines? That’s precisely what Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar will do. As we reported earlier this month, the highly lauded restaurant with 12 locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts,…
Court advocates protest Marco Rubio over federal judicial vacancies
While U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has been grilling pork chops and hitting small children in the face with footballs on his presidential campaign across the country, court advocates have accused him of inaction when filling federal emergency judicial vacancies in Florida. As you may remember from a distant high school class, the president nominates federal…
ClickHole releases satirical handbook for castmembers who play Aladdin at Disney World
ClickHole, The Onion’s sister site who claims to be “the latest and greatest online social experience filled with the most clickable, irresistibly shareable content anywhere on the internet,” released this fake but hilarious handbook for Disney World castmembers who play Aladdin. The handbook goes into the specific character details of Aladdin including, “Aladdin thinks slavery…
More than 1,700 people have applied for bear-hunting permits in Florida
Number of bears estimated to live in the state of Florida: 2,500-3,000 Number of people who have purchased permits to hunt those bears this fall: 1,795 and counting According to the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 600 permits to hunt bears were sold on the first day they went up for sale; permits…
Learn a little something about how the world will really end as Science on Screen examines ‘Deep Impact’ at Enzian
So you know that trope where a couple of comedians watch a movie with the audience and give a snide running commentary, pointing out the absurd plot points and making hilarious observations? Imagine what that would be like if, instead of comedians, you had scientists ripping apart a movie and telling you which parts of…
Noise rock band Whores peddle their brutal anthems onstage at Will’s Pub
Of the exciting young noise-rock bands coming up right now, Toronto’s Metz may be getting the lion’s share of notice but Atlanta’s Whores deserves equal hype. For one, their bona fides are certified with releases on notable heavy labels like Brutal Panda and Amphetamine Reptile, the undisputed gold standard in noise rock. We’ve seen them…
Swamburger launches ‘On the Come Up’ with Leisure Chief, Table for Three and more at the Social
If you’re the type of person who likes to be aware of what’s around them, you’re going to want to keep an eye on this new series launched by constant scene cheerleader Swamburger. Its goal is to assemble rising Orlando talents who are about to break and treat the shows as if they are already…
10 under $10: Where to get the best grilled cheese, tacos, roti and more cheap eats
Once again, welcome to our cheap-eats roundup. In honor of National Sandwich Month (August), this month’s edition is all sandwiches! Well, a taco is a kind of sandwich, right? And a roti … and a hot dog … OK, there are just a lot of sandwiches this month. Bon appetit, cheapo! Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa…
Recent study tells us what we already know, retirees love Orlando
If the clanking of jewelry on Park Avenue or the endless patronage at Neiman Marcus wasn’t indication enough, a recent study is telling us what we already know –Orlando is a nice place to retire. The study by WalletHub, crowned us as the 5th best retirement spot, which is a slide from 2014’s same study…
State Sen. Darren Soto and Dwight Bullard file anti-fracking bill
The battle against hydraulic fracturing in Florida’s 2016 Legislative session started early Monday, with Sen. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, and Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Cutler Bay refiling a bill to ban the practice, also known as fracking, in the state. Fracking is the “process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed…
Orlando man discovers he’s been locked inside LA Fitness, ‘documents’ experience
Orlando resident Nicholas Clayton strolled out of an LA Fitness sauna last Saturday, August 22, only to discover he was alone and locked inside. According to his Facebook page, Clayton was only in the sauna for 15 minutes. However, since he was wearing headphones, Clayton failed to hear an overhead announcement that the club would…
Kissimmee’s Victor Montalvo is Red Bull break-dancing champ, again
Kissimmee resident Victor Montalvo is now the best break dancer in the Western Hemisphere, again. Saturday night, August 22, in front of a 3,000 person crowd at the Dr. Phillip’s Center, the 2014 reigning champion out-danced 16 of the best b-boys from the US and Canada, and won the Red Bull BC One North America…
IKEA Orlando’s annual crayfish bash is Friday, Sept. 18
Think NOLA is the only spot for big end-of-summer crawfish boils? Nope. The Swedes are in on the action too, since the 1800s when the little mudbugs got so popular that the government placed restrictions on harvesting them (making August the official beginning of the harvest) and designated the “kräftskiva” — a crayfish-eating party marked…
State Attorney Jeff Ashton admits using Ashley Madison website
Jeff Ashton, state attorney for Orange-Osceola County, admitted Sunday his use of the extramarital-affairs website Ashley Madison. “These were incredibly stupid choices,” he said, according to USA TODAY. “I ask for the public’s forgiveness for my shortcomings.” After the East Orlando Post broke the news on Saturday, the Casey Anthony prosecutor said at a press…
Big changes coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
While most of the focus on Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been on Pandora – The World of Avatar and the new night time show, Rivers of Light, Disney has also confirmed another major new addition to their animal-focused theme park. A new ‘sunset’ safari will include new lighting that is currently being installed throughout the…
Epcot’s Soarin’ will soon take you out of California and around the world
Epcot’s signature ride Soarin’ will soon feature a brand new, high-res video that replaces the original California-based storyline to one that features sights from around the world, including the Great Wall of China, Monuments National Park, the African Serengeti and others. The ride itself will be the same but Disney has yet to release information…
Paper Goat Post retail shop coming to Ivanhoe Village
Paper Goat Post will soon grace the Ivanhoe Village strip on North Orange Avenue. Twin sisters Megan and Cedar Watson have taken their wealth of knowledge and experience running large-scale promotional events with Universal to their very own party planning boutique. Their passion behind launching a retail shop comes from a fierce love of celebration…
Carnival will offer Florida to Cuba ‘mission’ cruises next year
Florida-based Carnival Cruise Lines announced that its newest line, fathom, will be the first American based cruise line to sail to Cuba since the 1960 embargo. While vacationing to the communist island is still banned for U.S. citizens, fathom (which isn’t capitalized for some reason) will be uniquely situated to offer the cruises due to…
This Little Underground: The perfect storm of Nashville Pussy, Valient Thorr and American Party Machine (Will’s Pub)
Kismet, fortune, the perfect storm – whatever you wanna call it, this was it. The confluence of Nashville Pussy, Valient Thorr and American Party Machine (Aug. 19, Will’s Pub) was one of the hottest, heaviest rock orgies I’ve ever seen on a single stage. Unless something biblical happens, this triple threat will probably go down…
Gov. Rick Scott defends using $700,000 of taxpayer’s money for legal bills
$700,000. That’s how much Floridians paid last week when they footed the bill for Gov. Rick Scott to settle public records lawsuits with Tallahassee attorney Steven Andrews, who alleged the governor and his staff violated Florida’s public records law by creating private email accounts to communicate and withheld documents. Last year, Scott revealed to the…
Breaking: Legislature’s special session comes to an end with no redistricting agreement
This just in from the News Service of Florida: A special legislative session to redraw congressional districts collapsed Friday as the House and Senate could not reach agreement on a map. The Senate sought to extend the session until 6 p.m. Tuesday to negotiate, but the House declined to go along. The special session started…
Get deals at more than 75 different restaurants during Magical Dining Month
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month starts on Monday, Aug. 24, and runs through Sept. 30. During the promotion, you can try $33 prix fixe menus at more than 75 different restaurants in the area. We were invited to check out Txokos’ menu for Magical Dining Month, and we liked what we saw. At Txokos, you’ll…
Daytona Beach is actually getting a gun range that serves booze
Daytona Beach, a city where people clearly like to live dangerously, will soon be the home of a gun range connected to an “upscale bar and grille.” According to the The Daytona Beach News-Journal, city officials have approved a measure to allow business owner Ron Perkinson to transform a vacant building near I-95 into a 55,000-square…
Orlando Weekly writers give advice to their college selves
No matter how experienced, smart or wise beyond your years you may think you are, you don’t know everything when you get to college. In fact, you really know almost nothing. The years you spend here are the ones where you (hopefully) learn to be truly independent, forge meaningful adult relationships and figure out just…
Where to order food in Orlando when you’re tired of pizza
When you think about calling for a pizza delivery for the fourth night in a row, your stomach might just jump out and stop you. But after you’ve pulled an all-nighter in the library (or the bar, hey, it’s your life), the last thing you probably want to do is get your butt out of…
Secondhand gems: Essential Orlando vintage shops
In a city that’s as mixed-and-matched as a thrifter’s closet, rooting out good vintage stores can be a challenge without a little guidance. From authentic garments dating back to the ’20s to unique bright fashions from the ’80s and ’90s, Orlando’s vintage stores quite literally have your back if you’re looking to stand out in…
Party planning: Strategies for successful clubbing in downtown Orlando
Orlando may not be known as a nightlife city on par with NYC or Miami – and believe us, anyone from those cities will talk your ear off about the differences – but our downtown clubs still attract hundreds of partygoers each week. Follow some of these tips to spare some cash and headaches when…
From trivia nights to open mics, there’s something to do every night of the week in Orlando
From trivia nights to open mics to club nights, there’s something to do every night of the week in Orlando. Looking for more? Check our website at orlandoweekly.com for tons more drinking, nightlife, parties and events. MONDAY All You Can Bowl Night Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center, 10749 E. Colonial Drive, alomabowlingcenters.com For $10 per person,…
How college students are becoming more financially literate
Do you know how to balance a checkbook? How about how to determine your credit score or manage a 401(k)? If you feel like a fish out of water when trying to answer these questions, you’re not alone. A recent study by the Program for International Student Assessment via the Organization for Economic Cooperation and…
Our favorite Orlando-centric websites for college students
Orlando Weekly orlandoweekly.com facebook.com/orlandoweekly @orlandoweekly Yes, we know, it’s our publication and our site. But our weekly issue, published in print and online every Wednesday, tells you about all the good stuff happening in Orlando – think of it as your guide to the city. You can browse our website, pick it up in hard…
Eats and treats: Dorm room must-have snacks
In case you’re not a fan of dining hall food (wait, you don’t like mystery meat and sketchy vegetables?), stock up on these snacks that will get you through late-night study sessions, homesickness and, let’s be honest, hangovers. Popcorn If you have approximately three minutes and a microwave, you’re guaranteed a snack to fill your…
Eight things college kids should do when homesickness hits
We know what you’re thinking. “College is finally here. I’m so ready to start an independent life. Why would I get homesick? Who has time for that?!” OK, confident, independent new college student. Despite what you may think, homesickness is pretty normal for even the most composed college students. According to experts, most students get…
10 places in Orlando to meet new friends off campus
Nerd Nite Second Thursday of every month, various locations, orlando.nerdnite.com We’re sure you’ve heard of pechakucha, that networking trend where people get together to watch short slideshow presentations on pretty much any topic people care to discuss. Well, Nerd Nite is sort of an offshoot of that – presenters get 15 minutes to talk about…
Orlando Police arrest man after saving him from a fire
After saving Robert Merritt’s life from a fire that consumed his home earlier this morning, Orlando Police officers have now charged him with arson and attempted murder. Officers were dispatched around 5 a.m. to check the well being of a person at 2409 Betty St. When they arrived, they saw smoke coming from the house…
UCF says Sigma Nu did not violate sexual misconduct rules for chanting “rape”
A disciplinary panel found Thursday that a University of Central Florida chapter of the fraternity Sigma Nu did not violate sexual misconduct rules when one of its members was filmed saying, “Let’s rape some bitches,” and chanting “rape.” The member heard chanting in the video is also suspected of sexually assaulting a UCF student twice in…
Nationwide, Orlando is tops for food trucks
Between the Food Truck Bazaars, Tasty Tuesdays and plenty of other roving restaurant events, it’s clear Orlando has a food truck obsession. So much so, in fact, that we dedicated an entire issue’s feature to reviewing each and every one of them back in 2012. (Side note — many of these trucks from the 2012…
Plan for Dismaland, Banksy’s new theme park, revealed
We reported yesterday that rumors were flying that street artist Bansky was opening a pop-up theme park of sorts in the British town of Weston-super-Mare, and that the Guardian and others who visited the site had spied giant wire horse sculptures and a decrepit-looking castle structure on the grounds of the alleged site. Today, there’s…
Sam Rivers’ estate going up for sale this weekend; we’re holding out for a hero
We were informed this morning that the estate of local jazz legend Sam Rivers, who passed away in 2011, is going up for sale this weekend in Apopka. This is sad news for fans of the acclaimed player and composer, as many would like to see Rivers’ collection of instruments and jazz memorabilia kept together…
This Little Underground: Moon Jelly trips out the In-Between Series (Gallery at Avalon Island)
In the daring show spirit of the In-Between Series that’s sometimes even ventured beyond sound to include audiovisual performances, Orlando pop freaks Moon Jelly (Aug. 17, Gallery at Avalon Island) pushed the sensory envelope even further by creating an experience whose schema included diffraction glasses, which I half thought was a joke when I read…
Rumor has it that Banksy is opening a mock Disney park this week
The Interwebs are atwitter today with rumors that renegade artist Banksy is opening a nightmarish theme park called Dismaland in a British seaside town called Weston-super-Mare. The Guardian reports that the park, which is thought to be a pop-up exhibit that takes aim at Disney, is expected to open as early as Friday, Aug. 21. …
Florida Senate passes its own congressional map, differs from Florida House
The Florida Senate voted 28-8 Wednesday to pass their version of a congressional map for the state, a version that differs vastly from a map the Florida House approved Tuesday. The House and the Senate have until Friday, the last day of the 12-day special session, to wrangle a congressional redistricting plan they both agree…
After legal wrangling, Florida tells Planned Parenthood it can continue providing abortions after all
Less than 48 hours ago, we received the following message from the state Agency for Healthcare Administration regarding Planned Parenthood: Today, though, we learn that AHCA sent Planned Parenthood a letter yesterday stating that it was authorizing Planned Parenthood’s clinics “within the scope of their current licenses to continue providing terminations of pregnancy during the…
A massive Florida sinkhole that once swallowed a man has reopened
A 17-foot in diameter sinkhole that once swallowed and killed a man, reopened Wednesday morning in Seffner, Florida, says the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. WFLA is reporting that the sinkhole is 20-feet deep. At this point in time, there have been no reported injuries and no homes have been evacuated. According to USA Today,…
A Florida woman is demanding an apology from Taco Bell for serving her a fingernail
Kailynn Roland, a resident of Lake Wales, Florida, and a woman who likes to occasionally “Live Mas,” is demanding an apology from Taco Bell for serving her an acrylic fingernail. According to FOX 13, Roland and her boyfriend, Joseph Richardson, stopped by the Lake Wales Taco Bell location Monday evening, August 17, for some triple-layered…
Meet the authors of Burrow Press at Writer’s Block Bookstore
What if we treated authors like rock stars? Surrounded by bodyguards protecting them from shrieking fans, bundled into black Escalades with tinted windows before you even had a chance to ask for their autographs? Some novelists may have to take precautions – best-selling writers like James Patterson and Diana Gabaldon probably get mobbed in public…
Big Bang Bazaar brings 200 local artists to the Central Florida Fairgrounds for a day of bargain hunting
Since 2012, the Big Bang Bazaar is the place to find trinkets that are weirdly cute but don’t match with anything in your foyer, like a Harry Potter-themed piggy bank or a crocheted Kermit the Frog blanket. The event, which hosts over 200 local artists selling handmade arts and crafts, outgrew the Maitland Civic Center…
Nick Thune brings sharp wit, acoustic noodling to Backbooth
You’ve probably seen his face while he’s been trying to sell you a Honda on TV, but despite that, Nick Thune is actually funny. The Washington State-born comedian combines rapid-fire witticisms and absurd scenarios with melodic guitar accompaniment in his Netflix special, Folk Hero, but his brand of comedy is much closer to Mitch Hedberg’s…
Where’s the beef: Meek Mill at Gilt Nightclub
The coolest thing left to say about that Garden Café variety Meek Mill-Drake beef is that Jon Stewart adorably bumbled through a reference to it on his otherwise tearful last show ever. But if you’re legitimately digging Meek Mill’s new album, Dreams Worth More Than Money, you’re likely hoping the childish spat is retired soon…
Go see the light during Todd Rundgren’s spectacle at the Plaza Live
“I used to think the way to play guitar was to saw it with a coat hanger like a violin,” Todd Rundgren’s website (tr-i.com) says when you load it. Listening to a Todd Rundgren record is sometimes similarly as random as succumbing to a Pandora station that’s tortured by compiled likes of multiple very different…
Glimpse the country’s best breakdancers at Red Bull BC One’s packed hip-hop weekend
Just in case you hadn’t heard, the North American finals of Red Bull’s BC One worldwide breakdancing (B-Boying) competition are taking place at the Dr. Phillips Center on Saturday. Tickets for that event are already snatched up, but if you show up early, you may be able to snag a wait list spot. Even if…
Nashville Pussy, Valient Thorr and American Party Machine are a perfect trifecta of maximum show
If you’re gonna go to any concert this year, this is the one. In terms of pure rock & roll fireworks, there hasn’t been a show in years that packs as much pound-for-pound action as this gloriously unholy trinity. Individually, these bands are worth the price of admission: Raunch-rock legend Nashville Pussy has been cranking…
48 Hour Film Project screens this weekend at Valencia College
Screenings for the annual Orlando 48 Hour Film Project will be held Friday and Saturday at Valencia College East Campus’s Performing Arts Center, at 701 North Econlockhatchee Trail. Twenty-eight films will be shown over the two days, beginning at 7 p.m. each night. The event is open to the public and tickets cost $12. The…
Olde 64 revives Bar-BQ-Bar’s live tradition
I know I’m not the only one who misses all those cool free shows at the dearly departed Bar-BQ-Bar. Well, Olde 64, the current occupant of that hallowed downtown space, is looking to revive that live tradition every Monday night, beginning this week. The shows are being booked by Foundation Presents’ Marshal Rones. Besides working…
Savage Love (8/19/15)
I’m a woman in a straight relationship. I woke up this morning, and my BF wasn’t in bed with me. He felt ill in the middle of the night and went to sleep in the spare room – where he found a condom in its wrapper behind the nightstand. Now my BF thinks I’m cheating…
Free Will Astrology (8/19/15)
ARIES (March 21-April 19) You’d probably prefer to stay in the romantic, carefree state of mind. But from what I can tell, you’re ripe for a new phase of your long-term cycle. Your freestyle rambles and jaunty adventures should now make way for careful introspection and thoughtful adjustments. Instead of restless star-gazing, I suggest patient…
Gimme Shelter (8/19/15)
Forget the toys, this 4-month-old friendly kitten was born to be a lap cat. His name is Romeo (Animal ID A327387), and he’s as sweet as can be. He absolutely loves to be petted, and he’ll start purring the minute he has your attention. He’s also a talkative kitten, so there’s never a dull moment…
Lulu Eightball (8/19/15)
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Local chef Marc Kusche cooks at James Beard House, a new player in Orlando food delivery, plus more in local foodie news
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The Hideaway is a great bar to let a day in the Ivanhood slip by
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Gen Y’s production of “Heathers: The Musical” is mostly marvelous
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A burgeoning young scene proves comedy in Orlando is no joke
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Music updates around town: Rabbitfoot Records, R’ n’ R Record Shop, Smartpunk, WORJ
If you’re the type who likes to keep up with area record stores, there are two stops you might want to consider making in the near future. The first is the recently expanded Rabbitfoot Records in Sanford (307 E. Second St.), which is now located next door to bar-venue West End Trading Co., a pretty…
Orlando punks Caffiends give Mills 50 a jolt with a massive punk block party
If you aren’t familiar with Caffiends, approach their sophomore effort with caution. No Gods No Decaf bears the mark of a crucial crust-punk release and even features the deceptive skulled signature of dark-hearted Orlando artist-curator Heidi Kneisl (who’s heavily relied upon for rad fliers by area bands). But the misleading visual stinks of Caffiends’ screwball…
Opening in Orlando: American Ultra, Hitman: Agent 47, Sinister 2
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Picks This Week: Yung Simmie, Jeff Rosenstock and more
Nashville Pussy, Valient Thorr, American Party Machine If you’re gonna go to any concert this year, this is the one. In terms of pure rock & roll fireworks, there hasn’t been a show in years that packs as much pound-for-pound action as this gloriously unholy trinity. Individually, these bands are worth the price of admission:…
If Jiro leaving Netflix leaves a hole on your foodie doc plate, check out these chef shows
Jiro Dreams of Sushi, David Gelb’s 2011 documentary about sushi sensei Jiro Ono, was a surprise hit, attracting not just foodies but a fairly wide audience – certainly wider than Gelb could have expected for a subtitled 81-minute doc. But the portrait of a Japanese workaholic struck a nerve with American audiences. “Jiro” has become…
