Cover Story
Every 2018 St. Patrick’s Day party happening in Orlando that we know of so far
Since St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, here’s every Orlando spot where it’s easy to be green. We’ll update this list as we get closer to the date. Did we miss one? Let us know at listings@orlandoweekly.com. Wednesday, March 14 Orlando Housewives Girls Night Out St. Patrick’s Day Party Shopping, mingling, and meeting…
Orlando pair launches new Inquisitor wine label
Last year, chef Jamie McFadden of Cuisiners Catering unveiled his Snowbirds Vintners label with a trio of wines in its portfolio including a 2013 Merlot (Monterey County), a 2015 Gruner Veltliner (Lake Chelan, Washington) and a 2016 Rose (Columbia Valley, Washington). Now two Orlandoans – Christie McLeod and Laura Fletcher – have parlayed their love of…
Parkland: We don’t have to let these 17 deaths be in vain
In the days following the horrific murders of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, America fell into a familiar – seemingly inevitable – pattern: Politicians tweeted their thoughts and prayers. Gun reformers demanded change. Liberals were resignedly despondent: If America had done nothing after Sandy Hook, after Pulse, after Las Vegas, why even…
Florida House lawmakers reject assault weapons ban again
Florida House lawmakers again rejected a measure to ban the sale and possession of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines almost two weeks after a gunman killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The vote in the House Appropriations Committee was mostly along party lines, with only Republican state Rep. Bill Hager joining Democrats to…
Disney pledges $1 million to STEM programs from ‘Black Panther’ profits
With the immense success of Disney’s new blockbuster Black Panther, the company has pledged to donate $1 million of the proceeds to help develop STEM programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America, including one in Orlando. The movie’s imaginary technology is said to have captivated younger audiences and inspired pursuits in the STEM fields. The…
Orlando chef Pom Moongauklang to appear on Guy Fieri’s game show
Did you know Guy Fieri has a game show on Food Network? No one in our office did, but we’re paying attention now, because we just learned our very own Pom Moongauklang is competing on Guy’s Grocery Games. Pom, mistress of the much-beloved Pom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria, has serious kitchen chops, having grown up…
Lake County employees are now allowed to carry firearms at work, and knives and scissors
Another domino just fell in terms of small-town Florida’s quest to put guns in pretty much every daily situation. For those employed by Lake County, that means at work. Earlier today, Lake County Commissioner Josh Blake succeeded in his push to allow county employees to carry firearms while on the clock. “I personally believe the…
Raging bill of Big Business and Buildings is latest crank in volume at downtown venue the Abbey
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Big Business, Buildings and Junior Bruce, The Abbey, Feb. 25 Among ongoing news of the major tide of new music venues opening this year, one recent development that’s worth mentioning and watching is downtown venue the Abbey. It’s not a new event hall at all but its variety programming (which ranges from…
Florida educators urge removal of firearms stock from teacher pension plans
While teachers and students in Florida debate the state government on gun control, it seems educators may be more involved with the manufacturing of the weapons than many expect. As in many pension funds, Florida teachers are passive investors in gun manufacturing – which means they don’t choose the holdings through the Florida Retirement System.…
Huey Lewis cancels Saturday’s SeaWorld Orlando show, Alabama jumps in
Alas, there will be no brand new kicks on offer this weekend at SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival. The Saturday headliner Huey Lewis & the News have been forced to cancel their show due to illness. On the Huey Lewis & the News’ Facebook page, the bad news about Lewis’ illness was broken: To our…
4 Rivers Smokehouse will hold a fundraiser Sunday for those affected by Parkland shooting
4 Rivers Smokehouse will host a fundraiser Sunday, March 4, for those affected by Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre. 4 Rivers has a chain-wide policy of being closed on Sundays, but will be open from noon to 4 p.m. and will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to the victims. The fundraiser will be…
Orlando Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith is pissed about gun violence on ‘The Opposition’
A royally pissed-off Orlando Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith appeared on The Opposition with Jordan Klepper Monday night to talk about the fight for gun reform legislation in Tallahassee after the Parkland high school shooting. “I’m fucking pissed off,” Smith told Laura Grey in a segment that was bleeped. The Democratic state representative was angry about his…
‘Texting while driving’ bill gets brake-checked in Florida Legislature
As time ticks away on this year’s state Legislature session, a “texting while driving” bill remains stuck in traffic. Head of the Senate Appropriations Committee Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, is to blame after he has reportedly allowed the bill to stall in his committee for more than a month now. But Bradley’s concerns don’t…
Orlando IHOPs are giving away free pancakes today for National Pancake Day
Since we in America seem to feel the need to celebrate a holiday almost every day of the year, today’s random holiday is National Pancake Day. While it might not be as cool as National Margarita Day, IHOP is using the holiday for a good cause. The pancake supplier is offering guests a free short…
After just three years, SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby is stepping down
After leading SeaWorld for three years, SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby will step down, effective immediately. The decision came after fourth-quarter results showed a declining attendance – a 2.7 percent loss from the same time last year, to be exact, with 4.26 million attending the various SeaWorld parks. It also showed a decline of 5.5 percent in…
Florida House to subpoena information in Parkland high school shooting
The state House is preparing subpoenas demanding information from five South Florida government agencies about the confessed killer of 17 people at a Parkland high school in an investigation that will run separate from a review ordered by Gov. Rick Scott. The House investigation comes amid continued calls by Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes,…
Streamsong Resort’s five restaurants have elevated their offerings
If you’ve been to Streamsong, the resort facility about an hour and a half from Orlando, then a) you’re probably a golfer and b) you very likely uttered the words “This doesn’t look anything like Florida” during your stay. (Disclosure: Streamsong really wanted me to come out to experience this progressive dinner, so they provided food…
Florida lawmakers push bill to limit children tried in adult court
State representatives in the Florida House are pushing for House Bill 509, a law to prevent juveniles from being tried as adults. The bill would revise the factors that a court must consider before deciding whether a child will be sent to adult court, while also limiting the list of crimes that would send a…
‘Florida Project’ child star receives scholarship to Rollins College
It was not too long ago that Christopher Rivera was one of thousands of kids who live in the cheap, pastel-colored motels along Kissimmee’s crumbling tourist strip Highway 192. Under the long shadow cast by Disney World, the 10-year-old and his family made their home at the Paradise Inn – where by chance, filmmakers were…
Florida senators reject assault weapons ban, approve proposal to arm teachers
The emotionally raw conversation about guns escalated Monday in the Capitol, as a group of gun-control advocates flailed a key Senate panel considering legislation that students, parents and educators angrily argued would do little to make Florida’s schools safer because it does not include a ban on assault-style weapons. The intense debate came during a…
Everything we know about Disney World’s heavily rumored Indiana Jones land
For decades, rumors of an Indiana Jones ride coming to Walt Disney World have been a persistent murmur, but recently those murmurs got a lot louder. Back when details on what the massive redo of Hollywood Studios would entail started trickling out, we began hearing about a possible new land based on Indiana Jones. Those…
Disneyland’s Star Wars land might charge an initial extra admission fee, and charge for FastPasses
As Disney prepares for next year’s opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Anaheim and Orlando we’re starting to get some of the first indications of how the company plans to deal with the massive crowds expected for the long-awaited Star Wars lands. The Hollywood Studios version of the land will open a few months…
The politics of dickpunching: Bloodsport and more in Trump’s movie syllabus
Democracy in Crisis
NRA-backed Florida Sen. Greg Steube is running for Congress
Florida Sen. Greg Steube, who’s made a career out of filing NRA-backed proposals no matter how asinine they might be, announced Monday he’s running for Congress. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports Steube, R-Sarasota, will file to run for U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney’s seat in District 17. Rooney, also a Republican, announced earlier this month that he…
Seminole County is considering a ban on retail dog stores
Seminole County may put an end to designer puppy stores, which are often criticized for getting their dogs from from inhumane “puppy mills.” A public hearing will be held at the Seminole County Services Building at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, on an ordinance that would essentially restrict the retail sales of dogs and cats. The…
David Blaine is coming to Orlando this summer
David Blaine, an illusionist and endurance artist who loves to be suspended from a crane, will bring his new North American tour to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts this summer. The “David Blaine Live” tour will be in Orlando on June 11. If you miss him at the Dr. Phillips Center, Blaine…
Jay-Z’s documentary series on Trayvon Martin’s death will premiere in July
Announced today by the Paramount Network, Rest in Power: The Travyon Martin Story will debut in July as a six-part documentary series. The announcement comes on the sixth anniversary of Martin’s death. Based on Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin, the book by Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, the program…
Trump actually thinks he would have run into the Parkland high school shooting unarmed
President Donald Trump, a person who has avoided military service due to crippling bone spurs, says he would have run unarmed into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the shooting. “I really believe I’d run in there, even if I didn’t have a weapon, and I think most of the people in this room would…
Group runs full page ad in Florida paper going after legislators with high NRA ratings
More than two dozen Florida legislators, all rated A or A-plus by the NRA, are running unopposed for re-election, but a national, progressive-friendly group has a message for them: It won’t come easy this time. Run for Something, a group that bills itself as dedicated to supporting progressive candidates for state and local office, took…
Rascal Flatts to play Central Florida this summer
Country superstars Rascal Flatts have announced the dates and venues for their summer “Back To US” arena tour and there is a Central Florida show in the mix. The band has confirmed a show in Tampa – along with Jacksonville and West Palm – as part of their North American jaunt with touring openers Dan…
Florida Attorney General says she would’ve entered the Parkland school shooting– even without a gun
In an interview on Fox & Friends this morning, Attorney General Pam Bondi said she would have entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the Feb. 14 shooting – gun in hand, or not. The incident, in which 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz stormed into his former high school with a semiautomatic rifle in hand and opened…
UCF has no comment on whether anti-gun protests will affect applicants’ chances (updated)
After the Parkland shootings and the remarkable rise of organized protest among Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students, other students across the country announced walkouts and protests in support. Some high school administrations responded by playing the heavy, like this Texas school that threatened to suspend students who protested. As Reuters, the Chronicle of Higher…
Parkland survivor urges students to avoid spending spring break in Florida if gun reform isn’t passed
David Hogg, a survivor of last week’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., is asking students to avoid spending any time or money in Florida for spring break unless gun reform legislation is passed. “Let’s make a deal, said Hogg on Twitter last Saturday, “DO NOT come to Florida for spring break…
After watching Disney for nearly two decades, SeaWorld Orlando decides to finally get in on the pin trading craze
After nearly two decades of pin trading at Disney World, SeaWorld has decided to get in on the act. Pin trading is rolling out at SeaWorld Orlando this month. The brand-new pin trading program will begin at five retail stores in the park and the SeaWorld store at the Orlando International Airport. Select park employees,…
Disney goes all out for social media influencers, who don’t seem to have any idea what’s actually happening at Disney
The Disney Social Media Moms Celebration is an annual gathering of the social media influencers that Disney has selected to help spread the word on the latest happenings at the company. The family-focused, invite-only conference is a who’s who of the latest hot names in family social media influencers, and all of them have a…
Winter Park restaurant TR Fire Grill is now closed
TR Fire Grill in Winter Park closed its doors today. The concept restaurant by Romacorp., the Orlando-based owner of the Tony Roma’s rib chain, was open for two years in the Ravaudage complex at the corner of 17-92 and Lee Road, but never quite found widespread popularity. Our 2016 review praised the restaurant’s “inspiring decor…
Rick Scott orders investigation into Parkland high school shooting response
Gov. Rick Scott on Sunday directed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to “immediately” investigate the response of law-enforcement authorities to the mass shooting this month that killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. The directive came as House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, sent a letter requesting that Scott…
Domu ramen empire extends east to Waterford Lakes
Domu, the uber-popular ramen joint based at East End Market, announced today they will open a quick-serve concept called Domu Chibi Ramen in the Waterford Lakes Town Center. “Chibi” means “little,” and while the menu will not be as large as the flagship Domu, they promise Chibi “will still offer a variety of ramen options…
Florida lawmakers could allow armed teachers in schools
Hurriedly crafted state legislation to address last week’s mass shooting at a Parkland high school will include a controversial element that would allow teachers who’ve undergone special training to bring guns to schools, a concept that has divided Republican politicians and faces opposition from Democrats and educators. Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President…
New barbecue joint This Little Piggy opens in Plant Street Market
This Little Piggy went to market, indeed. A new barbecue spot, This Little Piggy, opened recently in the Plant Street Market in historic downtown Winter Garden. The restaurant held a grand opening event on Feb. 10, where chef-owner Matthew Sheeter debuted his made-from-scratch fare. With a passion for Southern cuisine and barbecue, this Ohio native had…
Florida House Speaker calls for probe into Parkland high school shooting
House Speaker Richard Corcoran said Thursday he wants the state to appoint a special counsel and create a commission to look into what he called the “abject failure” of multiple agencies that led last week to one of the nation’s worst mass shootings in Broward County. Nineteen-year-old Nikolas Cruz shot dead 14 students and three…
Pulse survivors form unbreakable bond with Parkland students fighting for gun reform
When Brandon Wolf saw the news about a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, he wanted to turn off the TV and lie in the quiet for a while. The pain was all too familiar for Wolf. More than 20 months ago, he had survived a massacre at the gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando.…
This Parkland shooting survivor makes a solid point about Marco Rubio
We should change the names of AR-15s to “Marco Rubio” because they are so easy to buy. — Sarah Chadwick// #NEVERAGAIN (@sarahchad_) February 23, 2018 A survivor of last week’s school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School has an interesting idea regarding Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Junior Sarah Chadwick took to Twitter Friday morning,…
Alt-pop princess Lights is taking 2018 by storm
Canadian alt-pop superstar Lights is currently on tour supporting Skin&Earth, her fourth album, paired with a comic book of the same name, all written and illustrated by the performer. The prolific artist has even found the time to release a steady stream of new videos sure to please her rabid fanbase. First off, Lights released…
It’s harder to get a marriage license in Florida than to buy an AR-15
Thanks to lobbying efforts from the NRA and the constant loosening of restrictions from Republicans, purchasing a gun in Florida is incredibly easy, which is wild because it’s actually harder to tie the knot than to buy a weapon of war. Last week, a 19-year-old used a legally purchased AR-15 assault rifle to murder 17…
Southern Culture on the Skids cancel show at Will’s Pub tonight
Legendary North Carolinian rockabilly/garage band Southern Culture on the Skids have been forced to cancel the reminder of their Florida tour dates – including a show set for tonight at Will’s Pub – due to a death in the family. The band posted the sad news on their Facebook page: Hi folks, we’re very sorry…
Rick Scott’s solution to school shootings doesn’t include arming teachers or banning assault weapons
Earlier today, Gov. Rick Scott revealed his action plan in response to the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Comments by Scott on his plan are below. The plan includes: — $450 million to put a law enforcement officer in every public school, and one officer for every 1,000…
The Florida Legislature wants to share your voter information
Soon enough, Gov. Rick Scott will be able to sign a bill that would allow Florida to start sharing voter information to make sure people aren’t registered in other states. On Wednesday, the Florida Senate sweepingly approved the bill. Sponsored by state Rep. Ross Spano, a Republican – yes, the same Spano who filed a…
Downtown Food & Wine Fest brings some of the area’s best restaurants to Lake Eola Park
For those who have an extensive wish list of Orlando restaurants they’ve been meaning to try, Downtown Food & Wine Fest might be the best way to check some of them out. Hell, it must be good since it’s their 10th year doing it. Entry will get you access to bites from more than 30…
‘Sugar Man’ Sixto Rodriguez visits the Plaza Live this weekend
If you’ve seen Searching for Sugar Man, the excellent documentary on Detroit musical enigma Rodriguez, you know the broad and cryptic strokes of the mysterious singer-songwriter’s life. If not, give it a quick watch, and then come back to this article. It’s fine, we’ll be here trying on sunglasses and top hats. Caught up? Excellent.…
Dragon Parade returns to the streets of Mills 50 for Lunar New Year
If New Year’s meant resolutions that you made and gave up on halfway through January, don’t fret. The Lunar New Year celebration gives you a perfect excuse to make more promises to yourself that you may or may not stick to. The most celebrated holiday in East Asia meets Central Florida when the Lunar New…
David Dondero and Organize Florida team up for a night of music and civic engagement at Lil Indies
The country may be in a sorry state right now, but getting off the couch to get involved can often seem to be a joyless chore. So Lil Indies is teaming up with local progressive activist group Organize Florida (fka Organize Now) for a night of political activism that doesn’t make you change your normal…
A Taco Bell Cantina, which serves booze, is finally coming to Orlando
Central Florida’s first beer-serving Taco Bell is coming to the UCF area. The new Taco Bell Cantina will move into a 2,864-square-foot spot on the corner of Alafaya and University in a plaza across from UCF’s main entrance, reports the Orlando Sentinel. The Plaza on University also features a Bar Louie and the build-your-own pasta…
Harry Potter-themed Expecto Bar Crawl casts a spell on Wall St. Plaza this week
None of that weak-ass Butterbeer shit here: Expect to get magically wasted at the Harry Potter-themed Expecto Bar Crawl with drinks strong enough to knock out 10 hippogriffs. Wall Street Cantina, Hooch, Sideshow, the Monkey Bar, Shine, the Hen House and WaiTiki join to bring you all the pints of gigglewater and shots of firewhisky…
JPEGMAFIA erupts and Mag.Lo emerges strong at Will’s Pub
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Milo, JPEGMAFIA, Elucid and Mag.Lo, Will’s Pub, Feb. 20 This kaleidoscopic alternative-rap bill was the latest case of the new horizons of Orlando’s Endoxa Booking, and it was a tour finale that landed like an exclamation point. Topping the marquee was the progressive hip-hop mind of Milo. With a cerebral frequency that’s…
British singer Dua Lipa to play Orlando in June
British singer Dua Lipa has announced the dates for her summer “Self-Titled” tour, complete with two Florida shows – and one of them will be in Orlando! The young London-based singer has parlayed her U.K. success stateside, recently playing both Saturday Night Live and the Ellen DeGeneres Show, and she has a song featured on…
The Nook on Robinson to open March 3 in the Milk District
The Nook on Robinson, a “neighborhood bar and eatery,” will soft open inside the Sandwich Bar space in the Milk District March 3. Mary McGinn, who will serve as the Nook’s tap manager, says the Nook intends to be a hub for all things local, and will serve beer, wine, cider, kombucha, coffee, juice and pastries…
The world’s largest bounce house is coming to Orlando
The self-proclaimed “largest inflatable bounce house in the world” is coming to Orlando, and it’s not just for kids. The 20,000 square-foot “Big Bounce” will be at Bill Frederick Park March 30 through April 2, and will feature age-appropriate time blocks for everyone, from a toddlers session all the way to an adults-only session. The…
Construction on temporary Pulse memorial starts next week
Construction on an interim memorial at the gay nightclub Pulse will start next week as plans for a permanent tribute are finalized. The onePULSE Foundation announced it would begin construction on Monday, Feb. 26, at the site of the massacre where 49 people were shot and killed in 2016. There will be several changes to the…
Disney’s new ‘Up!’ attraction will open this April
Disney has announced the opening date of their new attraction, “Up! A Great Bird Adventure,” at Animal Kingdom. The show, which debuts April 22, 2018, is based on the Disney-Pixar movie Up and will feature the characters Russell and Dug introducing birds from around the world up-close for guests. The show will replace Flights of Wonder, which…
Orlando airport won’t replace TSA screeners with private firm – for now
On Wednesday, Orlando’s airport authority voted to tell the Transportation Security Administration that if the agency doesn’t start impressing local airport officials, the airport plans to privatize the screening process. It’s an exasperated decision on the part of Orlando International Airport’s leaders, in that they’re tired of the lack of communication, cooperation and accountability by…
Disney introduces new burly boy hippo
Disney just announced the name and gender of their new baby hippo at Animal Kingdom, and it’s a burly boy named Augustus. When you think of the name Augustus, you may think of a pudgy kid from Willy Wonka fell into the chocolate river. However, in terms of the new addition to Animal Kingdom, it’s…
Rick Scott says he’ll approve replacing Florida’s Confederate statue with Mary McLeod Bethune
Gov. Rick Scott plans to sign a bill that would lead to a statue of civil-rights leader and educator Mary McLeod Bethune replacing the likeness of a Confederate general as a representative of Florida in the U.S. Capitol. The Florida House voted 111-1 on Tuesday to support placing the statue of Bethune in the National…
Florida House passes measure to post ‘In God We Trust’ in all public schools
With the Florida House having approved a bill that would require all public schools to post the state motto, “In God We Trust,” in a “conspicuous place” on Wednesday, we can now stop worrying about pressing issues – like gun control. Rep. Kim Daniels, D-Jacksonville – the bill’s sponsor, who runs her own ministry –…
Disney releases new renderings of upcoming Star Wars hotel
Disney just released a few new renderings of what their Star Wars-inspired hotel and resort will look like. The new images don’t show us much that we don’t already know, other than a look at some interesting bunkbeds and some extremely uncomfortable-looking “space” pillows. It would also appear we get a slight glance at what the…
Blackstar brings in Pete Rock to celebrate three years of Uncle Tony’s Donut Shoppe
Uncle Tony’s Donut Shoppe, the best place to find rare hip-hop, soul, funk and world records, celebrates its third anniversary this week with a blowout at Blackstar. Pete Rock, the DJ and producer behind hits by Public Enemy, Nas and Ghostface Killah, headlines a night of hip-hop turntablism that also includes Uncle Tony’s own Dusty…
The Swirlery celebrates the second anniversary of its DJ night, Move
The Swirlery presents the second anniversary of their weekly wine & beer tasting/DJ night hybrid, Move, this weekend. Enjoy specials on wine and craft beer while dancing to sounds provided by Synchronaria, Professor Goat, Steff Funkbaby and others. 10 p.m. Friday; The Swirlery, 1508 E. Michigan St.; free; swirlery.com The Swirlery 1508 E. Michigan St.,…
Florida Senate tables gun bills amid outcry after Parkland high school shooting
Two gun-related measures backed by Second Amendment advocates were put on hold Wednesday as students from Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and other schools pressured lawmakers for gun-control legislation. The Senate postponed a vote on a bill (SB 1048) that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns at churches and other religious…
Parkland shooting survivor confronts Donald Trump on gun violence in schools
"I lost a best friend. … I don't understand why I can can still go in a store and buy a weapon of war" Sam Zeif was on the second floor of the Parkland, Florida, school where 17 people died after a mass shooting. https://t.co/3j4r9cQ3Ko https://t.co/uTvMrOqvYC — CNN (@CNN) February 21, 2018 A week after…
Marco Rubio finally went to a town hall meeting, which is his job, and was aptly roasted
Sen. Marco Rubio deserved every jeer, lecture and boo he received at last night’s CNN school shooting town hall in Sunrise, Florida. After a year of not facing his constituents at a single town hall meeting over fears of a “hostile atmosphere,” the Florida senator finally did his job and listened to someone other than…
Roque Pub celebrates its fifth anniversary with a selection of rare beer this weekend
Since long before anyone referred to it as the Hourglass District, Roque Pub has been slinging craft beer to the denizens of Curry Ford Road. This Saturday, they celebrate their fifth anniversary with a day dedicated to tapping rare kegs, complete with games, food and giveaways. 5-11 p.m. Saturday; Roque Pub, 3076 Curry Ford Road;…
Imagine Dragons will bring their ‘Evolve’ tour to Central Florida in August
Grammy Award-winning band Imagine Dragons is launching their “Evolve” Northern American tour this summer, and they’re making a few stops in Florida. The guys are hitting Tampa on Aug. 10 at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, and also added West Palm Beach with a performance at Coral Sky Amphitheater on Aug. 9. Sorry, Orlando. Presale tickets…
Disney’s Be Our Guest Restaurant offers new prix fixe dinner menu
A new French-inspired prix fixe dinner menu is coming to the Be Our Guest Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Park this summer. As at the rest of Disney, the theme remains consistent throughout this dining experience. The idea behind it? Make the guest feel like royalty with a three-course dinner that is unique to them (and…
33 free concerts happening in Orlando this week
Wednesday, Feb. 21 Eugene Snowden’s Ten Pints of Truth 10 pm at Lil Indies, 1036 N. Mills Ave. Beth McKee, Grant Peyton 8 pm at The Imperial at Washburn Imports, 1800 N. Orange Ave. The Daniel Heitz Band 10:30 pm at Tanqueray’s, 100 S. Orange Ave. Old Country Irish Session 7:30 pm at The Harp…
New Florida bill would help employees collect worker’s comp regardless of immigration status
A Senate committee Tuesday narrowly approved a bill that would eliminate part of Florida law that allows employers to deny benefits to injured workers who use other people’s Social Security numbers or identification to obtain jobs. Approved in a 6-4 vote by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, the bill (SB 1568) would eliminate a…
Orlando is the worst city in the country for pollen levels right now
Orlando is basically a hellmouth for pollen, and although spring is still a month away, Satan’s nature dust is already wreaking havoc on Central Florida. Right now, Orlando is the worst location in the country for pollen levels, according to Pollen.com, a website that provides allergy information and up-to-the-minute forecasts on pollen in your area.…
Following Florida school shooting, Adam Putnam scrubs his ‘Proud NRA sellout’ claim from his ads and website
Just days after a teenager shot and killed 17 of his former classmates and teachers in Parkland, Florida, agriculture commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam seems to have removed all references of his favorite line referring to himself as a “proud NRA sellout.” Putnam, whose entire campaign is centered on Second Amendment rights, literally closed…
Black Bean Deli will open a new location in Winter Park
Black Bean Deli will soon bring their Cuban sandwiches to a new corner of Winter Park. The Cuban deli announced yesterday on their Instagram page that they’ll be opening a second location in Winter Park. The new restaurant will open in the former home of Winnie’s Oriental Garden at 1346 N. Orange Ave. The…
The eight Orlando area lawmakers who voted down this week’s assault weapon ban
Just days after a teenager used an AR-15 to murder 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Republicans in the Florida House stood in front of survivors from the shooting and turned down a motion to even debate whether or not the state should regulate the sale and possession of semi-automatic rifles and extended…
Recycle your old electronics for free this Saturday at Festival Park
♻️ Bring your unwanted electronic items and clothing to Festival Park this Saturday. Our free electronic waste & textile recycling event is from 9 am – 1 pm. pic.twitter.com/S2TBc9F4lO — City of Orlando (@citybeautiful) February 19, 2018 Got dead tech? The city of Orlando is ready to help you out. Anyone with a conscience knows you…
Thornton Park’s Veranda kicks off free concert series Veranda Live this week
Modern Music Movement and Thornton Park’s event venue the Veranda have started teaming up to present a series of live concerts in a venue normally reserved for benefit galas and weddings. This week, the Veranda Live presents their grand opening after a series of test shows with Dave Schweizer’s band Life on Mars. Plus, you…
Philly’s Guests go full Cold War at Stardust Video & Coffee
In the finest crossover of communism and underground music since the New York Dolls donned red leather and played behind a lurid hammer-and-sickle (in the South no less), Philadelphia synth-pop apparatchiks the Guests are ready to provide the soundtrack for you to dance on the shallow grave of capitalism. And what a soundtrack, comrades! Guests…
Local theater powerhouses join forces for ‘Ghost’ and ‘Funeral Party’
Audiences may remember Ashleigh Ann Gardner from Space, a 2016 fan favorite at the Orlando Fringe. Now the Orlando-based actor and playwright is back with Funeral Party and Ghost, two one-act plays she wrote that local theater impresario Jeremy “White Rabbit” Seghers is producing as a double bill. Gardner also directs Ghost, in which a…
Florida dominates TripAdvisor’s 2018 ‘best beaches’ in the country awards
Clearwater Beach was just named the best patch of sand in the country by TripAdvisor. The beach took the top spot in the annual TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award. In 2017 that spot was owned by Siesta Beach, and Pinellas County in 2016. Overall, Florida dominates the list with six of the top 10, and eight…
Opening this week: Annihilation, Every Day and more
THIS WEEK: Annihilation If you want to know the truth, I’ve never been a particularly big fan of Natalie Portman. She’s the sort of Hollywood-intellectual pedant who goes to college and then treats the rest of the world as if they never made it out of the third grade. A self-righteous scold whose idea of…
The New York-based leads in Orlando Shakes’ ‘Shakespeare in Love’ say word is getting around that Orlando is the place to be
The tradition of journeyman performers honing their craft in the provinces while awaiting stardom in the big city is even more ancient than the Elizabethan stage, and Broadway-bound actors have long looked to regional theaters in California or Colorado to burnish their Playbill bios. But increasingly, word is getting around that Orlando is the place…
Big Business stay true to their hard-hitting yet undefinable roots
Sludge by any other name
The best concerts coming to Orlando this week
Lights Canadian pop music wunderkind presents a larger-than-life persona both through her music and the four-color world of comics. Prepare for a capital-S show. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the Beacham, $21 Shellshag Show up early to the AJJ (Andrew Jackson Jihad) show at the Abbey to catch this venerable New York freak-punk duo…
Savage Love: ‘Bi & Biphobia’
I’m an 18-year-old woman. I’m cisgender and bisexual. I’ve been in a monogamous relationship with my cisgender bisexual boyfriend for about a year. I’m currently struggling with a lot of internalized biphobia and other hang-ups about my boyfriend’s sexuality. I don’t know if I’m projecting my own issues onto him or if I’m just being…
Gimme Shelter: Meet Jeyse!
Looking for a furry friend? Meet Jeyse! Jeyse (A171859) is Orange County Animal Services’ longest resident and a favorite of the staff trainer. This sweet 8-year-old boy is housebroken and leash-trained. Jeyse is recommended in a home with older children and would make a great helper dog. He knows several tricks. And since he’s older…
This Modern World (2/21/18)
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ICYMI: Orlando Police Chief John Mina enters sheriff’s race, Florida civil rights groups issue travel warning for immigrants, and more
But first, some news you probably didn’t miss: On Feb. 14, 17 students and teachers were killed after a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County. Follow our coverage on orlandoweekly.com, and turn the page for our columnist Jeffrey C. Billman’s take on politicizing the tragedy. Orlando Police Chief John…
‘Annihilation’ challenges our ideas of identity and perception
To the lighthouse
Tutto Caffe has finally opened in Baldwin Park, Stir to open in the old Nova spot, plus more in Orlando foodie news
OPENINGS: Blended Cafe Bar, from the owners of House of Pho, will bring banh mi sandwiches and bubble tea to the old Juliana’s Fine Tuscan Cuisine space in College Park. Caliente Spicy Cuban Fusion was to have opened in the space, but owners Jim and Silvia Lakey opted to lease it out … Tutto Caffe…
Local artists’ work to be exhibited at International Modern Quilt Show
Piecing it all together
Are cinema’s taboos about teenage girls’ sexuality finally disintegrating?
‘Lady Bird’ on top
