Florida is beginning to acknowledge the horrific injustices of its past, but it is lagging behind as other states forge ahead. In 2019, Florida attempted to embrace a growing interest in civil rights tourism when it added five sites to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. The Trail was established the year prior as a way…
As the travel industry begins its slow recovery, the role of automation will increase, but few have embraced it in as fun a way as MSC Cruises. Joining the more than 1,700 crew members on board the cruise line’s flagship MSC Virtuosa ship will be Rob, the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea. Rob the…
Snoochie boochies, y’all. Kevin Smith, backward-capper, heart-attack recipient and the man behind the Jay and Silent Bob franchise (as well as the epic True North trilogy), will bring his fictional fast-food joint Mooby’s to life when it pops up in the tourist sector next month. So while we wait for Moose Jaws, the third and…
From soap suds to suds of a different sort: Twelve Talons Beerworks announced its move to Orlando’s Milk District, where it’ll continue to brew the unique beer flavors it’s known for in a former laundromat. The brewery has been around since March of 2019 and has collaborated with several iconic Orlando breweries throughout the years,…
A new local bill could change liquor license requirements in Orlando areas. The bill was proposed by Rep. Rene “Coach P” Plasencia, R-Orlando, on Monday to the Orange County Legislative Delegation, and passed 9-0. The bill will allow an exemption from current general law for smaller restaurants in certain areas to obtain a liquor license at a much…
NBA All-Star and former Orlando Magic player Tracy McGrady is set to open his new restaurant concept, HomeCourt by Tracy McGrady, in Lakeland later this month. The 5,000 square-foot, sports-themed restaurant will open at 3615 S. Florida Ave. on Wednesday, Feb. 24. The 130-seat restaurant features a bar topped with “reclaimed basketball court flooring,” as…
Republicans at the upcoming Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando will more than likely be giving fiery speeches about how President Joe Biden and the “Radical Left” will attempt to strip away their Second Amendment rights, but in reality it will be a hotel policy that does that very thing. Unfortunately for gun-loving CPAC attendees,…
The Disco Biscuits are coming to the big outdoor stage at the Frontyard Festival for a two-night run at the end of March. The Philly jam band are heading to the South to perform two socially distanced doubleheaders. The first will be here in Downtown Orlando and the second will be the following weekend —…
Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed Monday that Florida Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz is leaving the job after two years running point on the state’s response to hurricanes and COVID-19. Deputy Director Kevin Guthrie will replace Moskowitz, though a timeline was not given. DeSantis praised the work of the emergency management division and thanked Moskowitz, a…
The run-up to and aftermath of the Bucs’ historic, home stadium Super Bowl victory may have felt like a mini-Gasparilla, but Tampeños should probably put their pirate cosplay away now, because Tampa’s Gasparilla parade is canceled for 2021. Citing the health and safety of parade-goers, organizers for the big Gasparilla parade as well as the…
Singer Ricky Martin has been named the national spokesperson for Orlando nonprofit the OnePulse Foundation. In an announcement last week coinciding with the launch of their new OutLove Hate campaign — fundraising for the construction of a Pulse memorial and museum — OnePulse announced that Martin would be the new face of the organization on a national stage.…
If you thought the buzz surrounding Winter Park Biscuit Co. was waning since its much-ballyhooed opening in November, you thought wrong. The throwback vegan diner — and Top Table of 2020 — is as popular as ever and come Feb. 17, it’ll explode the minds (and guts) of vegans and flexitarians with the launch of…
John Young Parkway under I-4 will be closing nightly for construction starting tonight and heading through March 1. Beginning around 10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, and continuing straight through Monday, March 1, both directions of John Young under I-4 will be closing for I-4 Ultimate-related construction work. John Young will reopen in the mornings at 5…
The Amway Center’s rooftop bar has new owners and a new moniker as SkyLounge at Amway Center. The former One80 Skytop Lounge, perched atop the Downtown Orlando sports and performance venue, is now operated by the Downtown Hospitality Group, and is on track to open Friday, Feb. 19, just in time for the Magic’s home game against…
With a surge in people seeking concealed-weapons licenses, a legislative panel next week will consider approving an additional $4.34 million for processing background checks. The Legislative Budget Commission, which is made up of House and Senate members, will consider the proposal during a Feb. 18 meeting. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of…
Sunday marked the three-year anniversary of Florida’s worst school shooting, a tragic milestone for families of the 17 murder victims and countless traumatized survivors. The horrific event at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland sparked the March For Our Lives movement, a nationwide gun-control effort launched by the school’s students and joined by hundreds…
As a legislative debate builds about shielding nursing homes and other health-care providers from coronavirus-related lawsuits, new numbers show that Florida has exceeded 10,000 deaths of long-term care facility residents and staff members from COVID-19. With an additional 59 deaths reported Friday, total long-term care deaths reached 10,034 — with the vast majority involving residents of nursing…
New guidelines from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about reopening schools during the coronavirus pandemic might not change anything in Florida, as state Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran is urging districts to “stay the course.” As debate rages over how to reopen schools in various cities and states across the country, the CDC…
Zenva, an upscale kava tea lounge and fine arts gallery, opened in the heart of Winter Park last week. The new spot’s drink menu spans kava mocktails, herbal teas, and coffee roasted by Winter Park-based Coterie Coffee Co. The alcohol-free cocktails featured at Zenva incorporate kava, a root native to Pacific Western islands which has been believed…
The first Tiny Green Home has come to Central Florida in time for Orlando Science Center’s Otronicon. The 162-square-foot building is an interactive display meant to educate residents on ways they can make their own homes more sustainable. The project will be housed at Loch Haven Park next to the Orlando Science Center, and open…
Hawkers Asian Street Food is offering a takeout “Ox Box” to help customers celebrate the Lunar New Year from Feb. 12-26. Each Ox Box will include six “lucky” dishes that are traditionally eaten on the Lunar New Year. The box will include Singapore mei fun, chicken lo mein, Yi-Yi’s chicken dumplings, spring rolls, Hawkers delight…
Whether you’re looking for a romantic Valentine’s date idea or the most fun Galentines’ night out, here are a few more suggestions for V-Day happenings in the Orlando area. (Check out our Valentine’s Day slideshow for even more.) Feb. 10-14 Cupid and Cocktails Valentine’s Celebration Snuggle up and share some body heat as you enjoy…
Days after asking the Florida Bar to consider sanctioning an attorney who made national headlines by dressing as the Grim Reaper to criticize Gov. Ron DeSantis’ response to the coronavirus pandemic, an appeals court took the rare step of ordering a state prosecutor to pursue discipline against Santa Rosa Beach lawyer Daniel Uhlfelder. A three-judge…
Sea World has added Mardi Gras to its Seven Seas celebrations for the next two weekends. The Mardi Gras additions are only set to run for a limited time, from Feb. 12-16 and then again Feb. 19-21. The new, socially distanced Mardi Gras-themed experiences include a pop-up parade, live music and street parties, at select…
The Florida Theatrical Association, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and Broadway Across America announced Wednesday that Broadway season will be returning to Orlando this fall. Several shows from as early as March 2020 were rescheduled due to the coronavirus. “We’re thrilled to be bringing Broadway back to the Dr. Phillips Center this fall…
An effort to make it harder to change the Florida Constitution is back in the Legislature. Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, R-Doral, on Thursday filed a proposal (SJR 1238) that would ask voters in 2022 to require future constitutional amendments to receive support from two-thirds of voters to pass. Currently, constitutional amendments can pass with 60…
On Sunday, Feb. 14, Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts will do an online broadcast of the Maitland Symphony Orchestra’s string players performing as the Baroque Chamber Orchestra. Although they’re in the business of preserving the old Baroque style, this orchestra also do their part to keep it fresh, performing deep cuts and even works by…
One of the few things that makes Facebook “worth it” is the endlessly engaging sharing taking place in the Orlando Punk Archive Facebook group. Built on the novel idea that music is better when shared instead of hoarded, there have been some amazing demos and artifacts unearthed through postings there. Now some of the moderators…
The World of Beer Bar & Kitchen at Lake Eola is offering a free burger on Friday, Feb. 12, to those with a COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone who want to take advantage of the offer must bring proof that they have received the vaccine to a participating WOB location to redeem their free burger. The offer is…
Food network personality, restauranteur and low-key swell fellow Guy Fieri is bringing Flavortown straight to every doorstep in Orlando, with his new delivery service arriving in the City Beautiful. Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Kitchen, a collab between Fieri and Robert Earl, is a delivery-only concept that connects you and your taste buds with Fieri’s extravagant concoctions…
Otronicon, Orlando Science Center’s annual showcase of the bleeding edge of interactive technology, returns with — shades of cybernetics! — a hybrid online and in-person event combination starting Friday. Workshops, presentations and exhibitors will all be presented in that split model. so no one really loses out by staying at home if they so choose.…
A proposal that would allow parents to place up to month-old newborns in so-called “baby boxes” instead of handing them over to firefighters, paramedics and emergency personnel cleared a Senate health-care panel on Tuesday. Despite the support for the measure (SB 122), Health and Human Services Appropriations Chairman Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, said a…
FiddleRat may be young but this new Orlando group specializes in the good ol’ stuff. For the second anniversary celebration of SoDo brewery RockPit Brewing on Saturday, Feb. 13, they’ll be reviving the grand string-band tradition with bluegrass, folk and all manner of old-time sounds. There’s no cover and the event begins at 7 p.m. If you go…
World-renowned gelato purveyor Lucciano’s (“The Maestro del Gelato”) has opened its first U.S. outpost … right here in Orlando. The family-owned, Argentina-based getateria chain recently set up shop in the Florida Mall, with a deluxe interior layout that puts it several heads above, say, Baskin-Robbins. The menu is just as all-out featuring creations like peanut…
During a press conference in Venice on Wednesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tore into a reporter’s reasonable question regarding the maskless Super Bowl celebrations in Tampa, by saying well, he likes sports. Since Florida currently leads the country in cases of the new highly contagious U.K. variant, a reporter asked the governor to respond to…
Tampa is known for a lot of things. The Cuban sandwich, deviled crabs, strip clubs, and more recently, the Tampa Bay Bucs and the potential super-spreader Super Bowl celebrations. But it’s also known for Seminole Heights’ two-headed gator and a local guy — Odilon Ozare — who has official Guinness world records for the longest…
A Florida family had to wrestle a massive snake that appeared in their backyard this week. Zoflo Springs resident Aaron Brown was driving with his mom when he spotted the giant serpent on their property, according to Tampa Fox affiliate WTVT. “I drove past it and said, ‘That’s a big snake.’ I had my mother…
The rest of the world may know local artist Jessy Lynn Martens as the singing voice of Cherlene on the hilariously profane animated TV show Archer, but Orlando knows her better as a talented Americana artist and one half of JunoSmile with husband and longtime scene figure Joseph Martens. She just released her first solo…
Following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer in May and the ensuing summer of nationwide protests, the Florida Legislative Black Caucus is pushing a slew of bills for the 2021 legislative session that members say “promote fair and just” police reforms. Among the proposals are bills that would mandate body cameras…
I can show you the future of the Republican Party in two numbers, one quote, and two legislative proposals. Ready? (Hint: You won’t need shades.) Let’s start with the numbers: 199, the House Republicans who opposed stripping QAnon lady Marjorie Taylor Greene of her committee assignments on Thursday; and 61, the House Republicans who voted…
Our picks of the week for safe, socially distanced, or virtual events Thursday Feb. 11 City LightsOpera del Sol’s City Lights series features local musical talent filmed in the intimate environs of founder Nicole Dupre’s living room. The headliner this time is theme park veteran Desiree Montes with pianist Julian Bond. City Lights showcases are…
With February being Black History Month, and Presidents’ Day observed on this coming Monday, Orlando Shakes is honoring both occasions with a pair of productions inspired by two powerful Black women who used their artistic voices to help establish Washington, D.C.’s Lincoln Memorial as the symbolic center of America’s civil rights movement. First up is…
¶ Citizen Reaper Santa Rosa Beach attorney Daniel Uhlfelder has been dressing up like the Grim Reaper, in an excellent hybrid of performance art and political activism, as a critique of Florida’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now he’s launching the Remove Ron political action committee (“‘Grim Reaper’ Uhlfelder launches political committee targeting Florida Gov.…
Recent conventional wisdom — perhaps in an attempt to preach diversity — proffers that the American Dream is different for each of us, but I’m not buying it. In my mind, native-born Americans and immigrants alike still strive for the classic goals of free expression, respect, home ownership, a successful livelihood and the right to…
OPENINGS: Pizza news: Antonella’s Pizzeria will open a second location at 7591 University Blvd. on the corner of Goldenrod Road; Perla’s Pizza by Taglish’s Mike Collantes will soft-open Feb. 12-14 next to the Thirsty Topher in Ivanhoe Village at 603 Virginia Drive … Over at Pointe Orlando, the Hampton Social will open Feb. 18 in…
Papa’s got a brand-new bag
Plus more hot streaming premieres this week
Dear Dan: My 16-year-old son is stealing our sex toys. My son took my husband’s handheld toy a several months ago. I found it where it shouldn’t have been and let my husband know. He talked to our son and told him these are personal items, like a toothbrush, and that he needed to stop…
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices AUCTION Extra Space Storage – Store 8841 9847 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32825 Extra Space Storage will hold a Public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location Indicated: 9847 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32825 (407) 495-9612, February 26th, 2021 @…
If you go out, please respect everyone’s distance, for all our sakes. Keb’ Mo’: I mean, who doesn’t have the blues these days for one reason or another, right? At least modern blues legend Keb’ Mo’ can provide the proper soundtrack for it. Across a solo career that’s spanned more than 25 years, he’s taken…
