Orlando’s Opera del Sol presents a City Lights ‘living room’ performance in February from Desiree Montes
Opera del Sol debuted a new virtual “house show” concept in January under the name City Lights, and it’s returning for an encore outing this month. City Lights features local musical talent filmed in the intimate environs of Creative Director and Opera del Sol founder Nicole Dupre’s living room. Watching the livestream video, not only…
Orlando punks the Fatties have a new record on the way and a ‘pen pal’ free mailing list — both are great
Orlando punk trio the Fatties somehow managed to write and record a handful of new songs during the waning days of 2020, and they’re asking for your help to get these songs pressed to a limited-edition vinyl single. Oh, and they’ve got a monthly, free Pen Pal mailing list that is amazing. The 7-inch single,…
The Villas at Grand Cypress, adjacent to Walt Disney World, will be transformed into ‘Evermore’ with a $1.5 billion investment
The current tourism downturn has many in Central Florida pulling back on major expenses, but as the virus comes under control, the outlook seems to be improving. With it, more investments are beginning to emerge across the region, including what is likely the largest investment announcement since the pandemic hit early last year, a $1.5…
Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani fights to repeal mandatory minimum drug sentences
State Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, D-Orlando, has filed a bill to remove mandatory minimum sentence for non-violent drug offenders (HB 6029) in the Florida House. Eskamani aims for the bill to be a step toward deterring drug-related crimes with rehabilitation programs and drug courts instead of draconian sentencing. This is Eskamani’s second attempt to pass these…
Resorts and airports are adding COVID-19 testing amenities, but is it enough to protect Florida travelers?
While progress is finally being made in the fight against the deadly pandemic that has shut down most of the world, the fact remains it will be years before we will be truly beyond the threat COVID-19 poses. Even as vaccines begin to roll out, many nations remain hesitant to reopen their borders, especially to…
Orlando’s Timucua Arts Foundation announces venue upgrades, new slate of limited capacity shows and livestreams
There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes at the Timucua Arts Foundation to make for even better live music experiences … just in time for a handful of reduced capacity shows set for the coming months. Using CARES Act money, the Timucua house now has Reme Halo-LED air purifiers which, according to…
Seminole County Democratic Party votes in new leadership, including Lynn Moira Dictor as Chair
The Seminole County Democratic Party has new leadership, and the new Chair is a very familiar voice here in Orlando. A vote was held last week to select new leadership for the Seminole County Dem chapter, after party leaders announced in December that they would step aside to allow for new blood. Lynn Moira Dictor was…
Legal Public Notices 1/20 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 5603 Metrowest Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32811, 407.516.7751 on 01.29.2021 @ 11:00 am. Natasha Donaldson bed, couch, dinning table, dresser, boxes; Hublal Ramotar furniture; David Rivera seats from the…
Polk County Sheriff’s deputy facing charges for threats related to Capitol insurrection
A deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office now faces charges related to the deadly insurrection at the U.S Capitol. According to a statement from Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, the charges involve “written threats the deputy made related to the violence at the Capitol in Washington D.C.” Peter Heneen, 29, a six-year deputy on…
No, Sen. Josh Hawley can’t host a ‘fun-filled’ fundraiser on Universal Orlando property
A February Republican fundraiser in Orlando featuring Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley was canceled by event host Loews Hotel over the weekend. The Republican senator — fresh off taking a lead role in objecting to certifying the 2020 presidential election results on the same day that Trump supporters attempted an insurrection in D.C. — not to…
Marsha Zazula, metal ‘matriarch’ and Central Florida resident, dies at 68
Marsha Zazula, a legendary metal maven, Megaforce Records co-founder, and Clermont resident, passed away due to complications from cancer at 68 last week. If you, like us, spent any portion of your long-gone youth scouring liner notes on thrash metal cassettes, the names Megaforce Records and Marsha Zazula are no doubt familiar to you. Independent…
Planning a Disney vacation may soon get easier, and for that you can thank the pandemic and the influencers — really
In July, when Walt Disney World reopened, annual passholders could renew their passes, though new passes haven’t been sold since then. But in California, where the healthcare system has been overwhelmed by the pandemic, theme parks have essentially been shut down since March. With the death rate in the region doubling and officials having to…
KrungThep Tea Time to open vegan kitchen in downtown Orlando for takeout and delivery
Attention, herbivorous foodies. Winter Park’s KrungThep Tea Time will be spinning off a new vegan kitchen “sister restaurant” with a projected opening date of the end of January. The unveiling of Plant Based Krungthep Tea Time came last week on KrungThep’s social media channels. The dishes will come out of a downtown Orlando cloud kitchen, and they’ll…
South Orange Provisions food hall to open in downtown Orlando this year
There’s a new food hall coming to downtown Orlando this year. South Orange Provisions will soon(ish) be occupying the ground floor atrium of the old SunTrust building downtown at 200 S. Orange Ave. The upscale 10,000-square-foot food hall will host a planned nine food stalls and feature a shaded park with outdoor seating — and the latter…
Florida Rep. Sabatini, who says masks don’t work, quarantined after a brush with COVID-19
The price of freedom? State Rep. Anthony Sabatini, a Howey-in-the-Hills Republican who has served as an attorney in attempts to overturn local mask mandates, is the latest lawmaker to be sidelined by COVID-19. “I came in contact with a person who tested positive for COVID in the last 24hrs so I will not be attending…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021
Every morning on Magic 107.7 FM, Leslye Gale discusses the most interesting Orlando Weekly stories of the day on “Chad & Leslye.” Check out Leslye’s picks today. Central Florida strikes again,. attracting Shake Shack’s first-ever drive-through! Here are the deets! – LINK The food news keeps getting better! Check out the local plans for Portillo’s,…
The Plaza Live’s Front Porch Series continues its weekly pulse with the Big Ron Betts Trio on Thursday
Last week, the Plaza Live’s Front Porch Series launched its latest string of outdoor concerts, a strong weekly stand filled with accomplished local talent that will run through the end of March. The next edition on Thursday, Jan. 21, will feature the Big Ron Betts Trio. Accompanying the veteran local bluesman will be former funkUs bandmate…
COVID data whistleblower Rebekah Jones turns herself in after Florida law enforcement issues warrant
Former state COVID-19 data scientist Rebekah Jones turned herself in to the Leon County Jail after law enforcement officials issued a warrant for her arrest on allegations that she illegally accessed a Florida Department of Health computer system. Court records show that Jones, who was fired by the Department of Health last year, was released…
As coronavirus deaths climb, critics blast DeSantis for using Floridians as test subjects in a ‘herd immunity strategy’
With a surge of 1,200 reported COVID-19 deaths during the past week, Florida on Saturday exceeded 24,000 resident deaths since the pandemic started last year. The reported number of resident deaths stood at 24,004 on Saturday, up from 22,804 a week earlier, according to state Department of Health numbers. The total included 205 newly reported…
Hot dog! Chicago’s Portillo’s to open first Orlando location in March
Hot dog! Chicago wiener chain Portillo’s will be opening an Orlando location in March. Joining Central Florida outposts in Tampa and Brandon, the Chicago-based hot dog purveyor will be opening the doors to this new Orlando location at the Village at O-Town West in the Lake Buena Vista area on Tuesday, March 2, at 10:30…
The Publix stores allotted COVID vaccines by the state are located in 12 ‘safely Republican’ Florida counties
A common trait of the counties that are part of Florida’s growing COVID-19 vaccination partnership with the Publix supermarket chain is that they are all safely Republican. As of last Thursday morning, 105 Publix stores were offering limited numbers of shots to people 65 and older in Bay, Citrus, Collier, Escambia, Flagler, Hernando, Marion, Okaloosa,…
Universal Studios Orlando expects spring break to span ‘multiple weeks’ in 2021
Last week Universal Studios Orlando announced to its team members that they expect a longer spring break season this year. Universal employees were told in an announcement on the team member website that their complimentary pass tickets will be blocked out from Saturday, March 13, through Saturday, April 10, to reflect the expected increase in attendance. Universal…
Gideon’s Bakehouse celebrates its grand opening at Disney Springs
Gideon’s Bakehouse celebrated the grand opening of its Disney Springs location Saturday, Jan. 16, with a line of eager customers, many of whom traveled hours to get their hands on one of the bakery’s massive chip-studded cookies. According to Gideon’s Instagram, just 30 minutes after opening, there was a nine-hour virtual queue. The bakery was in soft opening…
DeSantis mobilizes Florida National Guard to protect Capitol in Tallahassee
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday evening activated the Florida National Guard to assist state and local law enforcement agencies, following FBI warnings of potentially violent protests in state capitals this weekend in advance of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. The governor’s executive order mobilizing the guard was issued “in response to reports of potential civil unrest,”…
Shake Shack’s first-ever drive-thru is coming to a West Orlando shopping center
The first ever Shake Shack drive-through will open at Vineland Pointe later this year, announced the shopping center Friday. The shopping plaza is located just west of SeaWorld on I-4, and is in phase three of its opening plans. The plaza has already opened several retail stores like Burlington, Marshall’s and Target, with more to come. A…
Orlando indie-pop hero Marc With a C releases new album today ahead of Saturday’s virtual release performance
2020 marked the 20th anniversary of Orlando indie-pop hero Marc With a C and he spent it releasing stuff — a box set, a film and a book — like a machine, pandemic be damned. And all that sweat equity will culminate in today’s release of his first full-length album of new material in nearly three years. Titled low…
The Gnarly Barley celebrates nine years of beer in South Orlando
The Gnarly Barley is celebrating its ninth anniversary on Saturday with a pig roast, music and, of course, beer. The roadhouse bar announced the celebration on its Facebook page. It said in the event description that will do it the same way they opened — “with a pig roast and plenty of brew!” Located in…
Central Florida Film Festival returns to Mount Dora after 16-month absence
From new management to a new venue, from date changes to a hurricane and a pandemic, the Central Florida Film Festival has seen it all over the last three years. Now, after a nearly 16-month absence, CenFlo is finally back at Epic Theatres in Mount Dora, January 22-24. The changes began in 2017 when festival…
Dinosaurs stalk Orlando again in a new exhibit at Leu Gardens
Leu Gardens will once again host a Dinosaur Invasion Jan. 18 through April 18. Visitors can expect to see more than 20 dinosaurs ranging in size from 14 inches to 33 feet tall, sprawled across the 50-acre garden. Each dinosaur is designed by Guy Darrough, a self-taught fossil collector and illustrator who has dedicated over…
Florida Man Dave Bautista offers $20,000 reward for ‘MAGATs’ who defaced Homosassa manatee
Dave Bautista, a former WWE wrestler and Guardians of the Galaxy cast member, has offered a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of whoever wrote “TRUMP” on the back of a Florida manatee. The Tampa resident took to Twitter this week to declare the reward, and he promised bonuses for helping catch…
Eskamani and Powell file legislation to overhaul Florida’s broken unemployment system
State Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, D-Orlando, and State Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach, filed legislation this week that would give a much-needed overhaul to Florida’s broken unemployment system. While their Republican counterparts tilt at windmills with meaningless anti-protest legislation, the two bills (HB207 and SB592) introduced by Eskamani and Powell would make for substantive change to…
Pasco County’s gigantic mystery hole is making a comeback in 2021, because of course it is
Once again, Pasco County’s insatiable giant hole has returned. Pasco County Emergency Management says a menacing sinkhole near Spring Haven Boulevard in New Port Richey has reopened, and it’s grown about another four feet. The hole, which is now 50 feet wide and 130 feet deep, was previously labeled as a “depression” (ha) when it…
Dim Mak artists ARMNHMR to headline Downtown Orlando’s Vanguard on Saturday
The Vanguard — the latest iteration of the Club at Firestone building — continues to build on the venue’s dance-music history and blaze a new EDM path by featuring Dim Mak artists ARMNHMR, the credentialed L.A. duo that specializes in soaring pop melodies and huge electronic sweeps. Supporting them will be local dance-trapsters GVME BOYS and South Florida acts…
Black community leaders in Florida working to make sure their constituents aren’t left behind in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout
A coalition of Black community leaders said Wednesday they will work to ensure that upward of 70 percent of the state’s minority population gets vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19. “My friends, this is a sense of urgency. We feel that these vaccines are a gift of life. We know unfortunately, and sadly, that…
Frontyard Festival announces new shows from the Wailers, Jamey Johnson + Randy Houser and even the musical ‘Hairspray’
The organizers of the outdoors Frontyard Festival music and arts series announced three new and very big-time concerts this week. And let’s just say the sounds of reggae, country and Broadway will soon be ringing through Downtown Orlando. On Friday, Feb. 19, reggae royalty the Wailers featuring Julian Marley will be taking center stage with…
Classic Albums Live conjures Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Greatest Hits’ at Hard Rock Live on Saturday
The famed Classic Albums Live productions are impressive, exacting feats that bring classic rock’s most beloved masterpieces to vivid life in concert. Besides conjuring one of the greatest bands in the rock canon, Saturday’s Fleetwood Mac edition at Hard Rock Live has the added crowd-pleasing benefit of spotlighting a greatest hits album. Expect a platinum…
Frustrated Florida senators rip into DeSantis administration for vaccine rollout with ‘no rhyme or reason’
A leading Senate Republican on Wednesday chided Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees about the state’s COVID-19 vaccine-distribution efforts, saying Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration hasn’t been forthcoming with the public. Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, said during a meeting of the Senate Health Policy Committee that there is statewide frustration over the vaccine rollout and that…
Walt Disney Co. stops political donations to members of Congress who objected to presidential election results
The Walt Disney Co. announced on Tuesday that it will shut off the money faucet of political contributions this year to Republican members of Congress who objected to certification of Electoral College votes, thus attempting to overturn the Presidential election.. Disney released a statement to Politico explaining the rationale behind this action. It read: “The insurrection…
Orlando Land Trust wants your help raising the last funds needed to expand public green space in Lake Eola Park
The Orlando Land Trust is reaching out to Orlando residents to raise the last funds it needs to expand public green space in Lake Eola Park. The Trust is in the final weeks of fundraising, and needs donations to the tune of $85,000 in the next 60 days. That money will be put toward purchasing…
Jurassic Quest Drive Thru promises ‘realistic’ scenes of dinosaur mayhem at the Orange County Convention Center
Head back to the good old days — the really good old days — at the Orange County Convention Center when the Jurassic Quest Drive Thru hits town later this month. The “world’s largest” touring dinosaur exhibition will rampage through the sprawling outdoor parking areas of the Convention Center for just over a week, with more than 70 realistic, animatronic…
Universal Orlando announces new ‘International Flavors’-themed Mardi Gras celebration
Mardi Gras in New Orleans may be canceled this year, but Universal Orlando is going ahead with a heavily modified version of their own annual Mardi Gras celebrations. Pivoting away from the usual live music events to a more foodie-friendly affair, Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval will be an “eclectic global food fest…
The Dr. Phillips Center ushers in Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a full weekend of celebrations
Since we’re basically living through our own version of the 1960s, Martin Luther King Jr. Day comes with extraordinary relevance and imperative this momentous year. To celebrate, the Dr. Phillips Center will host a weekend full of honorary events ahead of the federal holiday. On Friday evening, Jan. 15, the Let Freedom Ring concert will channel the…
At Thai Halal Grill, Supaluk and Jimmy Khan cook up rustic Isaan dishes inside an Indian supermarket
When I got word of a Thai joint setting up shop inside an Indian grocery store in Longwood, I wrongly assumed that their Siamese dishes would be inflected with the same sort of Desi-friendly spicing you see in Hakka, or Indo-Chinese, cuisine. But Thai Halal Grill inside Apna Bazaar is straight-up Thai, and proudly so,…
Things to do in Orlando Jan. 13-19
A selection of safe, socially distanced, and virtual events around Orlando. Wednesday, Jan. 13Art Sandwiched In: Artist Books from the OMA Collection with David Matteson Virtual lecture delving into artist books from OMA’s collection, including works by Kara Walker and Ed Ruscha. Noon, free. Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave., omart.org Thursday, Jan.…
Continuing to cater to the MAGA crowd will send the Republican party into a radicalization death spiral
21 Questions for 2021, Part 2
Streaming on Shudder, ‘Hunted’ modernizes the Little Red Riding Hood myth into a take on misogyny
This week’s streaming premieres Premieres Wednesday: Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer – Relive the 1985 murder spree that kept Los Angeles in a state of panic in a four-part mini-series that crawls inside the twisted mind of the notorious Richard Ramirez. And which I can only assume is incredibly clever cross-promotion with…
DeSantis warns he will ‘act very quickly’ if violence erupts at Florida Capitol building
Gov. Ron DeSantis warned Tuesday that law enforcement “reinforcements” will be on hand if anyone plans to participate in armed protests at the state Capitol. “If anything is disorderly, we’re going to act very quickly. Don’t worry about that,” DeSantis said during an appearance Tuesday in the Villages about COVID-19 vaccinations. DeSantis’ comments were in…
2021 holds potential for a big rebound and these eagerly awaited attractions may lead Central Florida’s recovery
On Wednesday, Jan. 6, at the exact moment when insurrectionists were invading our nation’s Capitol, I was standing in the middle of the Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square amid a much different mob: mask-wearing, diverse and waiting peacefully outside a patriotic performance without resorting to treason or violence. Recent events in Washington, D.C., make writing about…
Trump tweeted “Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!” and thousands of insurrectionists heeded the call
The invasion of the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday was stoked in plain sight. For weeks, the far-right supporters of President Donald Trump railed on social media that the election had been stolen. They openly discussed the idea of violent protest on the day Congress met to certify the result. “We came up with the idea…
Fan-favorite Filipino fast-food joint Jollibee will open in Orlando near UCF, Santiago’s may open a ramen-ya and more
OPENINGS: Lu Garden, from the owners behind Chuan Lu Garden on East Colonial Drive, has opened in the old Magic Wok space at 6700 Conroy-Windermere Road. In related news, look for Jollibee, the popular Filipino fast-food joint, to move into Chuan Lu Garden’s UCF-area space at 11891 E. Colonial Drive. Chickenjoy! Orlando Meats has opened…
