Feb 9-15, 2022
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Cover Story
Orlando nightclub Barbarella leaves downtown after more than 30 years
(Not) the last dance
Comedian Colin Quinn heading to the Dr. Phillips Center in March
Help us, Colin Quinn. You’re our … last best hope? The comedian, SNL alum, Remote Control co-host and television pundit has announced his “The Last Hope” stand-up tour kicking off next week and going intermittently through March. Quinn will be hitting Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando, as far as Florida goes. The tour will feature new…
Annual tech convention and expo Otronicon takes over Orlando Science Center starting Friday
Otronicon, the hands-on tech showcase that takes over Orlando Science Center yearly, returns this very weekend for four days. Going down from Friday-Tuesday, Feb. 18–21, Otronicon promises workshops, exhibits. gaming tournaments and presentations featuring local innovations in video gaming, robotics digital media and immersive simulations — STEM learning with more than a fair share of immersive fun…
Irreverent ‘Orlando Shirts’ apparel line to be resurrected by new owners
If you’ve been itching to wear your civic pride — with a side of sly sloganeering — on your torso, you’re in luck because Orlando Shirts is about to be resurrected. The popular apparel line has been purchased by ad agency Hifive, run by Chris Delahoz and Jordan Eichenblatt (also the team behind Cholo Dogs). The duo plan…
Florida lawsuit around law barring trans athletes held up by another Florida lawsuit over treating trans people poorly
The outcome of a landmark civil rights lawsuit being waged over Florida’s new law banning transgender girls from girls’ sports teams in schools may depend on the verdict in a related legal battle, a judge has ruled. In that related case, a federal appeals court is deciding whether a transgender student should have been allowed…
Legal Public Notices 2/16/22 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below at the property indicated: February 25, 2022 at the times and location listed below. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 12:00 PM Extra Space Storage 1101 Marshall Farms Rd, Ocoee 34761 (407) 516-7221 Leonard Roundtree-Household Items, Ralyn Sugar-…
Upscale sports bar Parlay Orlando to take over old Finnhenry’s space downtown
The old Finnhenry’s space in downtown Orlando, will soon be home to a new “sports club” concept: Parlay Orlando. The venerable — well, by downtown standards — watering hole Finnhenry’s closed last summer after over 12 years in its Orange Avenue locale. The spot was almost immediately snapped up by the ownership group who also runs Tier…
Genre-busting guitar virtuoso Pat Metheny brings his Side-Eye project to Orlando Feb. 17
As a teenage prodigy, Pat Metheny found himself playing with the jazz masters of his native Kansas, learning about music and life from the best musicians in town. Fifty years later, Metheny, a multiple Grammy winner, prolific recording artist and one of the world’s great guitarists, is returning that favor to a generation of younger…
The Daytona 500 is sold out
The Daytona 500’s green flag that will wave in front a sold-out crowd on Sunday. There are no longer any options for reserved front-stretch seating, UNOH fan zone admissions, RV camping or hospitality, Daytona International Speedway announced on Monday. “Our sport is as captivating as ever, and we are riding some great momentum from the…
Despite fan outrage, Disney’s Genie app has proven to be a success for shareholders
On Aug. 5, 2020, as the pandemic was still raging with tens of thousands of cast members still furloughed at Disney Parks, Bob Chapek was reporting on his first full fiscal quarter as Disney’s CEO. Even with the uncertainty of 2020 bearing down on the company, Chapek made it clear he was focused on times…
Come on, Barbie! Let’s go party at the Barbie Malibu Truck at the Florida Mall this Saturday
Orlandoans will get a chance to party with Barbie this weekend, soaking up some retro beach vibes about as far from the beach as a Floridian can get. Celebrate Malibu Barbie’s 50th anniversary at the Florida Mall for one day only. The 2022 Barbie Malibu Truck Tour is stopping next to the mall’s Crayola Experience…
Orlando’s Southern Fried Sunday Anniversary celebrates 16th anniversary in March with music
Orlando roots-music showcase Southern Fried Sunday is turning 16 this spring, and local music fans are invited to a stacked March show celebrating the event series turning the equivalent age of a surly teen. The all-day affair will sprawl over all three stages at Will’s Pub courtesy of SFS organizer Jessica Pawli, and you can…
![[VIDEO] Drunk woman riding motorized suitcase leads bike cop on chase through Orlando International Airport](https://i0.wp.com/www.orlandoweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/screenshot_2022-02-15_10.00.04_am.png?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
[VIDEO] Drunk woman riding motorized suitcase leads bike cop on chase through Orlando International Airport
Newly shared video from Orlando Police Department shows one of the strangest police chases we’ve ever seen. In the clip, an OPD officer on a bicycle can be seen chasing a drunk woman through Orlando International Airport as she attempts to ride away on a motorized suitcase. OPD Officer Andrew Mamone is seen backing up…
Orange County Sheriff John Mina throws support behind Minneapolis police chief after her force executed 22-year-old Black man Amir Locke
Orange County Sheriff John Mina pulled a bit of the mask off this week, showing that police will always move to protect their fellow police over everyday citizens. Mina sent a message of support to Minneapolis Police Chief Amelia Huffman on Twitter after a SWAT team under her jurisdiction killed 22-year-old Amir Locke during a…
Florida Republicans’ changes to mail-in-voting are ‘a recipe for disaster’
Republican legislative leaders for the second year in a row are targeting mail-in voting, this time with a proposal one supervisor of elections called “a recipe for disaster.” The House and Senate this month began moving forward with far-reaching measures that would create a statewide elections security force, require elections supervisors to scrub the voting…
Florida COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to drop
The number of Florida hospital inpatients with COVID-19 continued dropping during the past week. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services posted data Monday that showed 5,502 Florida inpatients had COVID-19, down from 7,316 a week earlier and down from 9,015 two weeks earlier. The data also showed that 882 COVID-19 patients were in…
Kevin Hart plays Amway Center on first tour in four years
Former superstar comedian and current top-billed actor Kevin Hart hasn’t been out on tour in a while. Between the pandemic and Hart’s movie career, it’s been four years since the one-time road warrior toured the big rooms that he regularly filled. That’s all set to change this summer when Hart heads out on the “Reality…
Ocala’s Erin Jackson wins Winter Olympics gold in speed skating
Ocala native Erin Jackson took home the gold in women’s 500m speed skating at the Winter Olympics in Beijing over the weekend. The win was notable for several reasons. Jackson is the first Black woman to win an Olympic speed-skating event. The win was the first speed-skating gold for either U.S. team at the Beijing…
Bob Saget’s autopsy report reveals multiple skull fractures, raises questions
Comedian and actor Bob Saget was found dead in an Orlando hotel room last month. Since then, it has been revealed that Saget’s death was caused by a head injury, with multiple statements saying Saget suffered a fall and passed in his sleep. However, the recently released autopsy report has raised questions about this story…
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis comes out against House proposal to punish school districts who violated mask mandates
Gov. Ron DeSantis indicated Friday he does not support a House proposal that would shift $200 million away from 12 school districts that required students to wear masks last year during the COVID-19 pandemic. The House included the proposal in a budget plan that it will take up during a floor session Tuesday. The proposal…
The Scottish Highland Festival returns to Mount Dora on Feb. 19
Celebrate Scottish culture or discover your own Scottish roots at The Scottish Highland Festival in Mount Dora. The festival takes place on Feb.19 and 20. From 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The fest takes part all across Mount Dora, with events happening at Donnelly…
Private rocket company’s first launch from Cape Canaveral crashes into the ocean
Remind us again why we can’t just fund NASA appropriately? A private rocket company’s first attempt to launch satellite’s into space went awry yesterday when the rocket spun out of control during its second stage and crashed into the ocean. The startup space firm Astra was attempting its first launch from Cape Canaveral for the…
Florida House takes up abortion ban proposal
The Florida House is slated Tuesday to take up a proposal that would prohibit doctors from performing abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. House members are scheduled to consider the abortion measure (HB 5) and the House’s proposed 2022-2023 budget during a floor session. The House Health & Human Services Committee on Thursday voted 14-7…
Florida Supreme Court refuses to weigh in on redistricting question from Gov. Ron DeSantis
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday denied a request by Gov. Ron DeSantis for an advisory opinion about his proposal to revamp a sprawling North Florida congressional district that has been held by a Black Democrat. The governor’s office quickly said it accepted the decision. Meanwhile, House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, said the House…
‘Like a long-lost child’: Cat who disappeared in Maine found in Longwood
It was a long way home, but a missing cat was reunited with her family after being found 1,500 miles away. Gray tabby cat Ashes was less than a year old when she went missing from Chesterville, Maine, on Aug. 14, 2015. Denise Cilley said that her kitten went missing during her daughter’s 10th birthday.…
Experience the works of horror master Thomas Ligotti brought to life at Orlando’s Abbey this spring
Orlando venue the Abbey will be ground zero for fans of adventurous literature and music in May with an evening themed around the writings of modern horror master Thomas Ligotti. Dubbed “Gas Station Carnivals,” the evening will feature readings of Ligotti’s work courtesy of New Orleans author Jon Padgett, accompanied by a live score courtesy…
Ava MediterrAegean owners already thinking about more restaurants in Orlando
The ownership group behind the just-opened Ava MediterrAegean restaurant in Winter Park are keen to expand. In an interview with Orlando Business Journal, co-owners Gregory and Marine Galy said they are in talks to open another restaurant in the area. The news comes less than a week after Ava opened in the longtime home of…
City of Orlando recommends AdventHealth’s plans for former Holy Land Experience be approved
After a few minor changes, city of Orlando staff recommended that the city’s planning board approve a site plan for a new hospital campus at the one-time site of the Holy Land Experience. The religious theme park was purchased by hospital group AdventHealth last year. Their plans call for a medical office building and emergency room…
Florida Legislature looks at ways to fill more than 4,000 statewide teacher vacancies
Florida schools have just shy of 4,500 teacher vacancies, as lawmakers look at ways to boost pay and help retain educators. The State Board of Education received an annual report Wednesday that detailed data on subject areas that have critical teacher shortages as determined by a survey of school districts. The shortage areas are calculated…
Bob Saget’s death in Orlando hotel room ruled an accident caused by ‘blunt head trauma’
The Orange County medical examiner announced today that comedian Bob Saget’s sudden death in an Orlando hotel room was the result of a fall and subsequent trauma to the head. Dr. Joshua Stephany of the District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office that covers both Orange and Osceola County said in a statement that the Full House…
Appeals court says ‘Stand Your Ground’ law doesn’t apply to former Florida cop
An appeals court Wednesday rejected arguments from a former Broward County sheriff’s deputy who argued he should be shielded from prosecution in a case in which he was seen on video hitting a juvenile’s face on the pavement during an incident outside a McDonald’s restaurant. Christopher Krickovich, who was charged with two counts of misdemeanor…
After a couple years off, Dropkick Murphys are bringing their St. Patrick’s Day tour to Orlando in March
Like clockwork, Dropkick Murphys are heading out on a St. Patrick’s Day-themed tour of the United States in March, and Orlando is one of the stops. The venerable Celt-punk band have scheduled a one-month trek that includes three Florida stops, with the first in Orlando. We hate to pop anyone’s Guinness-filled balloons, but the band…
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz speaks out against sexual predators while under investigation for sex trafficking
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz was once famous for having the biggest forehead this side of the mighty Mississippi. That changed when news of a sex trafficking probe into the congressman dropped, leading to a year of side-eyes and creepy revelations. So, it’s fair to say that his testimony in favor of a law that would…
President Joe Biden calls Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill ‘hateful,’ pledges support for LGBT community
President Joe Biden weighed in on Florida’s controversial bill barring discussions of sexual identity and gender in state primary schools. The president called the bill “hateful” and shared his support for children who might be impacted by the bill. I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted…
Sanford firefighter who took part in Jan. 6 riots sentenced to probation
UPDATE: Sanford firefighter Andrew James Williams was sentenced to probation for taking part in the Capitol riots. Williams told a judge that he was “ashamed” of his actions ahead of the sentence being handed down. “I deserve punishment. I know that I have been punished professionally and personally in a way that will not likely…
OCPS Superintendent Barbara Jenkins announces plans to retire at end of 2022
Dr. Barbara Jenkins announced her decision to retire from her position as Orange County Public Schools’ superintendent on Tuesday. Jenkins will end her tenure in December. Jenkins has served as superintendent for more than a decade and worked in the district for 30 years. While the retirement announcement might seem tied to the recent fights…
Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill moves toward full hearing in Senate
Senators on Tuesday gave initial approval to a controversial proposal that critics have dubbed the “don’t say gay” bill because it could curtail school discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity. The Republican-dominated Senate Education Committee approved the measure (SB 1834) in a 6-3 vote along party lines, despite testimony from dozens of opponents who…
Florida Surgeon General refuses to say whether he’s been vaccinated against COVID-19 during tense confirmation hearing
State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo drew more heat Tuesday from Democrats over his views on COVID-19, while landing support from Republicans as his confirmation heads to the Senate floor. After Democrats peppered him with questions for nearly two hours and said he was part of the politicization of the pandemic, the Republican-controlled Senate Ethics and…
Theatre South Playhouse lies outside the orbit of downtown Orlando’s arts scene, but it’s surviving — and thriving
“Nunsense” opens at the Theatre South Playhouse Thursday, Feb. 10, and runs through Feb. 20. Amid the endless parade of tightly scripted presentations I attended at Disney’s Destination D23 convention last November, one of the few presenters on stage who cut through the corporate double-speak and managed to sound like an actual human being was…
Shonda Rhimes’ new Netflix series, ‘Inventing Anna,’ is the true story of fake heiress
Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 9: Disenchantment — Season 4 of Matt Groening’s animated fantasy promises to take us “from the depths of Hell to the clouds of Heaven and everywhere in between.” Oh good, it sounds like that includes Buc-ee’s. I’ve always wanted to go there. (Netflix) Premieres Thursday, Feb. 10: About Last Night — It’s…
Adoptable pup Linda plays hard, and she would thrive in an active home
Meet Linda! Linda (A486326) was surrendered to us for showing aggression. Sometimes rough play can come across like aggression, and Linda does love to play. She seeks out attention, and loves to run and jump with her person. Though she looks older and was possibly overbred, Linda is only 2 years old. She still has…
Things to do in Orlando, Feb. 10-14: Dua Lipa, Alton Brown, Basquiat, Dragon Parade
Our selections of the best things to do this weekend. FEB. 11Jim Jefferies Rough-edged Aussie humor. 7 p.m. Thursday, Walt Disney Theater, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., 407-358-6603, drphillipscenter.org, $39.75–$179.75. Basquiat’s 1982 Heroes & Monsters Ball Party celebrating the opening of Heroes & Monsters: Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Venice Collection,…
Readers react: a divisive vegan return and a limp DeSantis condemnation
[image1] She is indeed back (“Former Sanctum owner Chelsie DiPaolo takes over old Winter Park home of Marlow’s Tavern,” Feb. 1). The tone-deaf placard outside the former Marlow’s Tavern in Winter Park — trumpeting “She’s back … xoxo” — signals the return of Chelsie DiPaolo to the local restaurant scene. DiPaolo ran two vegan restaurants…
V’s Diner will open brick-and-mortar vegan diner this April, Dochi will take over Olde Hearth’s old East End Market space + more Orlando food news
OPENINGS + CLOSINGS: So her “She’s back … xoxo” sign is in questionable taste but, nevertheless, she is back. Chelsie DiPaolo — aka Chelsie Savage, who, along with ex-husband Jamie Savage, ran Sanctum Cafe and Proper & Wild until they closed amid a storm of sexual harassment and hostile workplace accusations — is opening a…
Free Will Astrology: Your horoscope for the week of Feb. 9-15
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Actor Leelee Sobieski was mourning her romantic adventures — or rather the lack of romantic adventures. She said, “If only I could find a guy who wasn’t in his 70s to talk to me about white cranes, I’d be madly in love.” The good news is that Sobieski knows precisely what…
Orlando concert picks this weekend: Terri Binion, Annie Hart, Tierney Tough, Valentine’s Dance with URL and Rudo
OK, my bloody Valentines, shit’s still dicey out there so be both cool and careful with each other. Terri Binion’s ‘South, Sideways and South Again: Stories, Songs and a Sense of Place’: This Orlando Americana icon has been telling stories through song for many years. But recently, Binion’s been exploring it in a literary sense…
Dua Lipa and Caroline Polachek present a pop masterclass at Amway Center on Friday
British-Albanian singer-songwriter and pop hero Dua Lipa steers into Orlando for the second night of her much-anticipated “Future Nostalgia Tour” this week. Future Nostalgia, Dua Lipa’s 2020 sophomore album, combines her deep, soulful vocals with a contagious and vibrant production — add in her wondrously powerful pop lyrics and you’ve got yourself a perpetual dancefloor-filler.…
