Cover Story
Once a decade, hundreds of riders come together to keep the traditions of Cracker culture alive
Till the cows come home
Local baker Jillycakes strikes deal with Wahlburgers
This isn’t the first time this week a big-time chef has announced a partnership with a local Orlando maker — Jillycakes owner/head baker Jillian Kopke unveiled her sweet partnership with newly opened Wahlburgers at the VIP party last Thursday. Owner-operator Mike Buell (of Davgar Holdings, LLC, who is developing the Wahlburgers brand in Florida)…
Morimoto Asia teams with Crooked Can Brewery for pairing dinner Thursday, March 3
Never thought you’d hear of a small-town local brewery teaming up with a nationally recognized Iron Chef to bring a five-course tasting dinner to a tourist mecca like Disney Springs, did you? Surprise! Crooked Can Brewing Company, based in Winter Garden, is rounding out a pairing dinner at Morimoto Asia created by newly minted executive…
Bill that would pre-empt regulation of fracking moving forward in Senate
This week, the Senate has moved ahead with a controversial bill that would prevent municipalities in Florida from banning fracking. Called SB 318 Regulation of Oil and Gas Resources, the bill is scheduled for a hearing at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25 before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Should it pass, not only will counties…
Customize your own 2016 calendar at Flying Horse’s Leap Day Letterpress Happy Hour
Meet the press! Our local fine-art print studio, Flying Horse Editions, is always humming with under-the-radar coolness – visiting artists from all over the world come to Orlando to create limited editions and one-of-a- kind works – but outside the art scene, a lot of Orlandoans don’t realize Flying Horse exists in their backyard. These…
MasterChef will hold an open casting call here in Orlando this April
MasterChef, a reality show where food-loving contestants willingly sign up to be berated by Gordon Ramsey, will be hosting an open casting call for Season 8 in Orlando this April. According to their site, interested contestants must bring a prepared dish to the auditions, where they will have just three minutes to plate a dish.…
Solar-powered hidden Mickey takes shape at Walt Disney World
Last year, Duke Energy and Disney formed a partnership to build a 5-megawatt solar farm near Epcot. Now, the panels have formed a very familiar shape. According to Blog Mickey, the solar panels now form a giant hidden Mickey totaling nearly 11.5 acres, the largest Mickey on Disney property. The solar farm is located off…
Steve Miller Band and Daughtry added to SeaWorld’s Bands, Brew & BBQ lineup
Steve Miller Band will be bringing the jungle love to Orlando next month at SeaWorld’s Bands, Brew and BBQ Festival. American Idol finalist Daughtry has also been added. Both bands are set to join the festival’s lineup in March. Fly like an eagle to the park on Saturday, March 6 to see Steve Miller Band perform…
In advance of Oscars night, we ask 10 talented chefs about their favorite food-on-film moments
When I think of memorable food scenes in cinemadom, two stick out: James Cagney shoving a grapefruit into Mae Clarke’s face in The Public Enemy, and Charlie Chaplin boiling and eating his shoe in the film The Gold Rush. Both left a sour taste in my mouth. Why those two unsavory scenes are firmly entrenched…
![Leaplings! Here are two places [UPDATE: Three!] you can eat free on your Leap Day birthday this year](https://i0.wp.com/www.orlandoweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/screen_shot_2016-02-22_at_12.51.30_pm-e1755418165313.png?resize=580%2C384&ssl=1)
Leaplings! Here are two places [UPDATE: Three!] you can eat free on your Leap Day birthday this year
We can’t decide whether being born on Feb. 29 is kick-ass or the absolute worst. Does it mean you only have a birthday every four years? Do you age more slowly than other people? WHAT ABOUT PRESENTS AND CAKE? So many questions. This year a few restaurants want to take special care of America’s 200,000…
Florida Hospital donates $1.5 million to UCF downtown campus
The money is slowly trickling in for the University of Central Florida’s downtown campus, with Florida Hospital being the latest donor. The health care organization pledged $1.5 million to UCF’s plans on Monday, says UCF spokesperson Christine Dellert in a press release. “UCF’s downtown campus will give future health care professionals a running start in…
Orlando filmmakers head to Atlanta for Filmapalooza
Orlando will be one of 128 cities from around the world represented at Filmapalooza in Atlanta on March 2-5. The event will screen the best films from the 48 Hour Film Project, the world’s largest timed filmmaking competition. The “48,” as filmmakers call it, requires participants to write, shoot and edit a short film (4-7…
Watch this Florida manbun use a shark as a selfie prop
In what appears to be a quest for Instagram likes, a recent video shows a Florida manbun pulling a struggling shark from the ocean and using it as a selfie prop. The video was posted to Facebook on February 20 by Ashleigh Walters, a TV anchor from WPTV. The one-and-a-half minute clip shows an…
Celebrated author Bill Bryson stops at Rollins College’s Warden Arena Monday evening
Weren’t we just talking about Brits impersonating Americans eerily well? Well, he’d never be accused of pretending to be an Englishman, but American-born writer Bill Bryson has served as chancellor of England’s third oldest university; board member of English Heritage, the British government body responsible for England’s historic environment; and president of the Campaign to…
Jeb Bush calls it quits after disappointing South Carolina primary
Oh, Jeb! After being defeated soundly in the Republican primaries of Iowa and New Hampshire, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush finally dropped out of the presidential race after coming in at a distant fourth in the South Carolina primary. “The people of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina have spoken and I really respect their…
Orlando’s newest campaign to prevent sexual violence is in nightclubs’ restrooms
After pushing a successful campaign last August to teach bar employees how to watch for signs of sexual abuse, Orlando Police and Victim Service of Central Florida are taking the message to the masses via nightclub bathrooms. OPD Officer Roland Clee says the partners joined up to create a poster that will be distributed to…
With a new tour at Kennedy Space Center, Disney is one step to closer to admitting there’s more to Florida than the Mouse
Adventures by Disney, Disney’s in-house tour company, is known for the impressive exclusive offerings that come with most tours. The tour company has become an industry leader in providing unique tours that allow guests to skip the lines, dine in amazing locations and create vacations that no travel agent could ever offer. The new 2016…
Epcot is not immune to Disney’s recent cost-cutting initiatives
Despite record quarterly earnings, Disney is in the midst of cost-cutting initiatives throughout their U.S. theme parks, including those here at Walt Disney World. At Epcot, the cuts include a number of popular meet-and-greets. Winnie the Pooh and Tigger are no longer meeting guests in the U.K. Pavilion. Aurora has been kicked out of Epcot’s…
David and Valerie Mayfield revive traditional roots with familial charm (Will’s Pub)
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND There will always be plenty of opportunities to experience the children of famous musical parents. But there are fewer instances of the converse. Ohio’s David Lee and Valerie Mayfield (Feb. 18, Will’s Pub) are the parents of Jessica Lea Mayfield (noted solo artist and collaborator to Seth Avett and Dan Auerbach) and…
Orange County gets its first case of Zika virus
Florida has 26 new cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, and to our misfortune, Orange County has one reported infection, according to the Florida Department of Health. All 26 cases in Florida are travel-related, which means people acquired the virus outside the state. None of the cases involve pregnant women, a daily update from the…
Photography buffs: Kiwi Camera is holding a swap meet on Sunday, Feb. 21
If you’re a local photographer – professional, amateur, hobbyist, whatever – and you’re looking to score some new stuff (or get rid of stuff you never use), you’ll want to check out this event. Kiwi Camera Service is holding its semi-annual swap meet this weekend, at which vendors set up tables full of digital and…
Hell’s Kitchen food fight at Funky Monkey Bistro and Bar this Sunday, Feb. 21
After you catch Hell’s Kitchen tonight at 9 p.m. on Fox, your appetite might just be whetted to try some some of the contestants’ cooking firsthand. Luckily, you’ll have the opportunity to do just that on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 6:30 p.m. Funky Monkey Bistro & Bar at Pointe Orlando is hosting a wine dinner…
Eat this now: Chocolate-chipotle flan at Black Rooster Taqueria
OK, so it’s not the most photogenic of desserts, but good Lord, it is delicious. After a long and torturous wait for the place to finally open its doors, Black Rooster Taqueria is now open in Mills 50, conveniently next to the Guesthouse bar and across the street from Pig Floyds – could it be…
New Club Villain dinner show proves popular, so naturally Disney raises price by $30
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been attempting to pull off a successful villains event for years now. After failings so severe that Disney offered refunds to guests earlier this year, the (barely) half-day park finally was able to succeed in hosting a hard ticket villains event that people left satisfied with. Using the recently opened Sunset…
Florida Legislature moves bill forward allowing state parks to be repurposed for hunting, grazing
A bill that would give the Florida Department of Environmental Protection the ability to allow hunting, cattle grazing, timber farming and RV camping in Florida’s parks and preserves was advanced by a Florida House committee, the Tampa Bay Times reports. HB 1075 passed its final hurdle, the House State Affairs Committee, on Thursday. Proposed by…
Charles Bradley continues to make dreams come true at the Social Sunday night
Soul music mixes agony and ecstasy better than any other American art form. And very few musicians have walked that line like Gainesville native Charles Bradley: homeless at age 14. Scraping together a meager living as an itinerant cook. Nearly dying from a misdiagnosed penicillin allergy. Seeing his brother murdered in a random robbery. Caring…
The James Hunter Six bring English blues to the Plaza Live Sunday
It’s sometimes eerie how British artists manage to take American art forms and make them their own – whether it’s Led Zeppelin’s straight-up thieving of various African-American bluesmen (Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, etc.) or new Daptone artist James Hunter’s sublime channeling of Sam Cooke. The Essex native launched his London career as leader of Howlin’…
Get in touch with nature at the Orlando Wetlands Festival
If you’ve been itching to answer that call of the wild, now’s your chance with the 16th annual Orlando Wetlands Festival. Basically the Comic-Con of eco-enthusiasts, the festival offers nature lovers the chance to take a guided photo or plant identification hike, go on birdwatching excursions, take a bus tour of the wetlands, receive a…
Fundraiser for Junior Bruce guitarist Bryan Raymond gets the heavy treatment at Will’s Pub
The Orlando music community lifts its own in times of need. Unfortunately, it’s too often for the benefit of the family left behind in a tragedy. At least local musician Bryan Raymond survived his misfortune of a terrible October motorcycle accident, but barely. From an injury list that’s seriously deep and awful, the Junior Bruce…
Alison Wonderland brings an eclectic mix of styles to Venue 578 Saturday
One valid criticism of the dance music scene is the lack of women in roles other than dancers, models and eye candy. While Australian native Alison Wonderland might not be the only and definitely not the first female DJ, she’s been making the biggest waves recently. After selling out warehouses across Australia and making her…
Local brushes with relative greatness: Carly Rae Jepsen and Waka Flocka Flame Edition
Social media has alerted us to two recent incidents that are either *very important* or totally meaningless for Orlando. Here’s two cool stories: Episode 1: Local man gets piggyback selfie with Carly Rae Jepsen After Jepsen’s recent show at the Plaza, Instagram user @josherickson somehow pulls off the shot every boy (and many girls) wish…
Police in Tampa and Miami may boycott upcoming Beyoncé concert
A large handful of police officers have been in an uproar since Beyoncé’s controversial Super Bowl performance and the release of her new song Formation, which many claim are anti-cop. The offended officers have taken to law enforcement blogs to voice their displeasure, but some are taking more drastic measures by boycotting Bey’s concerts altogether, and…
Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen at CityArts Factory closing Feb. 26
Say it ain’t so, joe! By which we mean: Where we gonna get a decent cup of joe now? Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen, which opened in the CityArts Factory in fall of 2013, is shutting its doors at the end of the month. Barnie’s management and employees are staying mum for now on the whys and wherefores, but…
Expert advice for wine n00bs on National Drink Wine Day
Here’s a day most of us will be happy to take part in: National Drink Wine Day, which is today, Feb. 18. For those of you who have oenophilic dreams of expertly navigating that 100-page wine list someday, here’s your starting point. Yusuf Yildiz, general manager and wine director at Norman’s at the Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lakes,…
President Obama will make historic trip to Cuba next month
President Obama plans to visit Cuba next month, making him the first sitting president to visit the island nation since Calvin Coolidge did in 1928, according to ABC News. Next month, I'll travel to Cuba to advance our progress and efforts that can improve the lives of the Cuban people. — President Obama (@POTUS) February…
This Florida home has had two different cars crash into it over the last two months
By today’s count, an extremely unfortunate townhouse in Suntree, Florida, has now had two cars, by two different drivers, smash through its front window in the last two months. Last December, a 2015 Honda Civic decided to park in the living room of this poorly placed townhouse, located on the 7000 Block of Candlewick Drive,…
Katt Williams’ comedic swagger strolls into CFE Arena Friday night
Fabulously luxurious isn’t a phrase that typically gets thrown a comedian’s way, but with his silky green suits and barbershop-fresh cuts, there’s no other way to describe Katt Williams. This Friday, the modern-day King of Comedy brings some much needed pimpin’ to the streets of Orlando at the CFE Arena. Williams skyrocketed to comedy fame…
Watch this Florida driver complain about traffic while unknowingly driving into a tornado
Nothing is worse than having to yell at a bunch of slow drivers while you unknowingly drive into a tornado. Florida traffic, am I right? This is exactly what happened to Anthony Ciarrocchi last Tuesday, February 16 in Pompano Beach, Florida. In the video below you can hear Ciarrocchi rage at other drivers with little to…
Emotions Dance speaks from the heart in ‘Untold Stories’ this weekend at Orlando Shakes
A significant portion of the art world is defined by its doom-and-gloom nature, but most of the time it’s done without the desire to spark discussion. While it’s OK to delve into such works, every once in a while, one needs to witness a form of expression that demands change. Untold Stories, as put together…
Gov. Scott, the Groveland Four are still waiting
The city of Groveland reckoned with the 67-year-old skeleton in its closet Tuesday evening, in what could be interpreted as a small gesture, but is in fact, pretty monumental. Groveland Mayor Tim Loucks read a proclamation apologizing and encouraging Gov. Rick Scott and his Cabinet to exonerate the Groveland Four, four African American men accused…
Florida’s proposed open-carry bill is now officially dead
If you long for the day when you can clip your gun to the outside of your Wranglers, keep dreamin’. On Tuesday, February 16, Miami Republican Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla announced that the proposed bills to allow open-carry in Florida, and another bill that would allow guns in airports, are now officially dead. …
Third Orlando Speaks workshop is business as usual, despite criticism
Orlando Speaks, an interactive dialogue between city residents and police officers about police practices, held its third workshop at Howard Middle School on Tuesday, February 16. Protests and criticism blemished the first workshop held last September. Orlando Speaks’ effectiveness has been called into question by the National Action Network Central Florida Chapter, Racial and Social…
Legends: A Haunting at Old Town has closed its doors
We just saw this post on Behind the Thrills that says that Legends: A Haunting at Old Town, which opened in Kissimmee in 2013, has closed its doors. We visited the haunted attraction’s website to read its statement about the closure: Coinciding with the end of our lease, Legends Dark Amusements has closed operation of…
Watch local band Beemo’s video entry for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series contest
Local band Beemo has entered NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series contest, with this video for “Take Me Home,” which was filmed in the UCF art gallery. The winner of the contest will get to do a Tiny Desk Concert recorded at NPR in Washington, D.C. that’ll be broadcast on NPR stations around the country. They’ll also appear…
Laura Anderson Barbata and the Brooklyn Jumbies bring their unique performance art to CFAM
Chances are the last time you saw stilt-walkers was at a Mardi Gras celebration, but there’s a lot more to the tall dancers than just entertainment. Laura Anderson Barbata has for years worked with stilt-walker communities from across the globe in the moko jumbie stilt-walking tradition, exploring the ways it’s used to effect social change…
2016 James Beard Award semifinalists announced – three local restaurants make the cut
The list of semifinalists for 2016’s James Beard Awards has been announced, and four local chefs from three restaurants made the cut for the “Best Chef: South” nod. Congratulations to Kathleen Blake of the Rusty Spoon, Scott Hunnel of Victoria & Albert’s, and James and Julie Petrakis of the Ravenous Pig, who are among the…
AMFMS, Timothy Eerie and Taryn Roberts trip out Will’s Pub
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND AMFMS is a band based in Maryland but with Florida ties strong enough to warrant a record release here (Feb. 15, Will’s Pub). That’s probably because they’re fronted by Tampa son Shawn Kyle, a musician with a pretty well-established track record, from solid work like the beachy indie rock of Florida Kilos…
West Palm Beach teen arrested after allegedly pretending to be a doctor
A year after Malachi Love-Robinson was caught pretending to be a doctor at a West Palm Beach medical center, Palm Beach County authorities say the 18-year-old has struck again, arresting him Tuesday for allegedly founding and operating a holistic medical clinic. Just because you saw a season of Grey's Anatomy doesn't mean you could practice medicine. https://t.co/tw8QUXjtsj…
James Leg cranks the ivories at Will’s Pub Wednesday night
Coming from the swamp-boogie branch of the blues family tree, Nashville’s James Leg pounds out raw, growling odes to drinking, fighting and fornicating on up to two electric keyboards at a time, accompanied by a live drummer. But even though there are only two people in his act, the show is anything but minimal. As…
Downtown’s Golden Knife closes, PR’s Taco Palace to open in College Park, plus more in our local food news roundup
Chef-entrepreneur Trina Gregory-Propst of Se7en Bites Bake Shop is the featured guest at ORL Food Lab’s Feb. 22 event at 1300 Brookhaven Drive. The event is free and open to the public. We first told you about the Beard in Baldwin event a month ago, and now we can report more about the April 9 food-and-wine walkaround. Chefs from…
Moonshine and free wings are just a couple of reasons to love Casey’s on Central
Casey’s on Central 50 E. Central Blvd., 407-648-4218; caseysoncentral.com After work or after hours? Both Beer/wine or liquor too? Both Check all that apply: ☐ fancy cocktails ☒ make ’em strong and keep ’em coming ☐ wine list (5 choices or more) ☒ craft beer ☒ beer: the usual suspects ☒ wide selection of bottles/cans…
In her new book, Stephanie Lister revisits her time living in Mickey’s backyard
Floating in the Florida soup
Picks This Week: Matt Woods, Patti LaBelle, Waka Flocka Flame and more
Waka Flocka Flame We all know Waka likes herb, but did you know he recently described himself as “the first hood vegan rapper” to Fader? Hint, hint, Vegan Hot Dog Cart. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Social, $20-$25 Vinyl Theatre This Fueled by Ramen-signed band combines hooky synths with earnest indie songwriting to…
Catching up with Lanie Hoxie, now dancing at David Siegel’s Westgate casino
Last week I took my annual research trip for The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas, and the highlight of my visit was reuniting with Elaine “Lanie” Hoxie, whom longtime Orlando dance fans will remember from VarieTease and DRIP. I caught up with her at David Siegel’s Westgate casino before seeing Sexxy, the topless revue she’s…
The Witch is a Puritan nightmare come to life
While the 17th-century Age of Enlightenment brought about a wave of reason in European politics and religion, the Puritan riffraff over in New England still saw the Devil around every corner. Got a toothache? You’re not praying hard enough, pal. Did you dream about your neighbor? Then she’s most certainly a witch. A hailstorm isn’t…
Opening in Orlando: Race, Risen, Son of Saul and The Witch
Race The promos for this Jesse Owens biopic want us to know that there’s no such thing as black and white, only fast and slow. Sounds pretty dodgy to me: I’d suggest a few other categories are pertinent, like “chokehold” and “rough ride.” Anyway, modern-day audiences will thrill to the only slightly tweaked story of…
This Little Underground: Third Man Records tour rides underground lightning
Despite rising to become a certified A-lister, Jack White has kept it pretty real. At this point, a guy of his profile doesn’t have to do shit. He’s already one of the few who’ve accomplished the rare miracle of breaking big. The guy could go on autopilot, or into a coma even, and his legacy…
Free Will Astrology (2/17/16)
ARIES (March 21-April 19) “Old paint on a canvas, as it ages, sometimes becomes transparent,” said playwright Lillian Hellman. “When that happens, it is possible to see the original lines: a tree will show through a woman’s dress, a child makes way for a dog, a large boat is no longer on an open sea.”…
Gimme Shelter (2/17/16)
Ginger Rogers, the pup who starred in a viral video that showed her dancing in her kennel at Orange County Animal Services, has found a new home. Now other shelter pets are trying to follow in her footsteps in the hope that you’ll consider adopting them. Yogi (Animal ID A341421) is an 8-year-old dog who…
Savage Love (2/17/16)
My new girlfriend blurted out that she had a cuckolding past with her ex-husband. She says her ex badgered her into arranging “dates” with strangers and that he picked the guys. Her ex would then watch her having sex with a guy in a hotel room. The ex only watched and didn’t take part. I…
This Modern World (2/17/16)
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Selections: Our picks of the week’s best events, Feb. 17-23
Wednesday, 17 James Leg Coming from the swamp-boogie branch of the blues family tree, Nashville’s James Leg pounds out raw, growling odes to drinking, fighting and fornicating on up to two electric keyboards at a time, accompanied by a live drummer. But even though there are only two people in his act, the show is…
