Nov. 26–Dec. 2, 2025
In this issue: FusionFest, Orlando House Party, Mazala Pijja, IAAPA and lots of things to do this week.
Cover Story
Orlando’s FusionFest celebrates culture, community and the power of showing up
FusionFest succeeds because it imparts a sense of belonging to all present. Beyond borders and nations, at its best FusionFest demonstrates that all cultures have a place in Orlando’s ever-growing community through direct connection. Eight years since it debuted downtown, FusionFest returns to the Dr. Phillips Center’s Seneff Arts Plaza with its mission unchanged: Celebrate…
Walter’s Tavern is open in the Packing District; Dapper Duck Bar has closed downtown
Walter’s Tavern has opened inside the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall in the Packing District. The 3,800-square-foot bar offers craft cocktails, live entertainment and an “elevated sports-viewing experience” with 15 TVs as well as access to GSBC’s food vendors
Pledge for a Prosperous Palestine benefit concert happens at Will’s Pub this weekend
Will’s Pub is hosting a Pledge For a Prosperous Palestine benefit concert over this holiday weekend, with a legion of local acts uniting to raise funds for aid organizations. The lineup pulls from Orlando’s indie, punk and alternative scenes with sets from Fatties, Future Bartenderz, TV Dinner, Caustic Bats, Platonic Valentine and Jordan Schneider
Actress and singer Alicia Witt brings Christmas show to Judson’s Live
Alicia Witt brings holiday spirit to the stage with a festive evening of Christmas music, featuring songs from her 2024 Christmas album I Think I’m Spending Christmas With You.
Cowgirl Clue ‘trailblazes’ into Conduit
Enigmatic singer and producer Cowgirl Clue is a one-off in an ever more homogeneous pop-industrial complex: a hyper-pop maestro who suffuses her sound and imagery with country music tropes. And it works!
Elena Rose comes to Orlando as part of first headlining U.S. tour
Formerly a songwriter to the stars, Elena Rose penned hits for the likes of Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro and Karol G before stepping out on her own with debut album En Las Nubes — Con Mis Pana in 2024.
Arina Krondeva and Propah Ganda capture the sound of Orlando and gives it a beat
Arina Krondeva and Propah Ganda have merged forces to release the joint 407 F.R. EP, and it’s the most deeply local work of music seen in ages. The four-song collection is a new Orlando touchstone whose conceptual motif comes from field recordings made on a walk through the city, specifically downtown and the Milk District.…
Orlando bands rage to benefit Punk Rock Saves Lives this weekend
In the true spirit of giving thanks, a cavalcade of Florida bands including M.A.C.E., Hollow Leg, Gnarcoossee, Days Spent, High Pressure, Curb Cut and Fechoria’s Bastards are converging to get loud and benefit the Central Florida chapter of Punk Rock Saves Lives, the activist nonprofit that works for wellness and equality.
Wheeler Newman plays Orlando comeback show at last this week
As forecast in my September coverage of his hiatus-breaking first new release in eight years, esteemed Orlando musician Wheeler Newman is officially back on the scene.
OCAS adoptable dog Nite Train is waiting to meet you
Most people walk right past Nite Train (A582844). All they see is a scarred, quiet, scary-looking dog. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sure, Nite Train is big, strong, 3 years old and 70 pounds of muscle, but he is shy, sweet, playful with other dogs, and genuinely wants a connection with people.
Mazala Pijja fires Indian-style pizzas, pastas and sports-bar classics on South OBT
Sunny Corda’s not afraid to take a chance, and I sense he was doing just that in opening Mazala Pijja, a restaurant specializing in Indian-style pizza in the former Gully/Daana Pani/Bombay Cafe space on South OBT. Desi pies have gained traction in large cities across North America, and with Orlando’s sizable population, I’m sure Corda…
OHP’s Suga Live! features a whole world of R&B on Thanksgiving eve
What better way to jumpstart the holiday season than with a backyard-style R&B party in the heart of Mills 50? Or at least, so says Dennis Mero, local DJ and founder of the Orlando House Party collective, who will be celebrating Thanksgiving eve with Suga Live!, a night of live performance, tropical beats and good…
New on Netflix: ‘Stranger Things 5, Volume 1’ arrives just in time for the Hellfire Club to receive their AARP cards
Stranger Things 5, Volume 1 — Arriving just in time for the Hellfire Club to receive their AARP cards, the show’s eagerly awaited conclusion finds our heroes determined to eliminate Vecna once and for all. Supposedly, we’ll also discover the true nature of the Upside Down. You mean we aren’t living in it? (Netflix)
Orlando’s DJ All-Stars throw a Thanksgiving eve dance party at the Beacham
It’s been a longstanding local tradition that, the night before you suffer through a meal with actual family, you kick up your heels with chosen family at the Beacham — soundtracked by legends of Orlando dance music courtesy AAHZ.
Hear an older and wiser Earl Sweatshirt at the Plaza Live this week
Sweatshirt leans into more recent work to fill out the setlists on this current tour, but since he goes for the full Springsteen of 20-plus numbers a night, you’re bound to hear some of the early hits.
Lindsey Stirling snow waltzes into Orlando as part of holiday tour this week
She’s currently on her eighth holiday tour, Snow Waltz, and returning to Orlando for some caroling. Setlists combine her holiday songs with her more familiar classical violin-meets-EDM work.
