Kissimmee nonprofit Give Kids the World to be on ‘Good Morning America’ this Friday
Give Kids the World, a nonprofit that gives kids with serious illnesses free vacations at its 70-acre whimsical resort in Kissimmee, is getting an extreme makeover. Nearly 100 of its vacation units, which were perfectly nice if a little bit dated and unexciting, have been undergoing complete overhauls, Extreme Home Makeover style. Windham Vacation Ownership…
A SXSW Primer + Any Orlando bands headed to SXSW?
I’m excited to announce that Orlando Weekly will be going to South By Southwest this year to see what bands there are to be discovered, and equally as cool, to see how Orlando bands make their mark with official or unofficial showcases. SXSW takes place March 7-16, 2014, and I’ve already noted that Orlando Street Smart…
The Caboose doubles in size, erects a stage
I ended up at the Caboose on Sunday, and it had been a while since I’d last visited the Ivanhoe dive, so it came as a complete surprise when I walked in and found it twice as big as I’d left it. It seems the Caboose expanded recently into the space next door, which meant…
The cultural significance of Against Me!’s ‘Transgender Dysphoria Blues’
I’ll be honest with you. I’m not that familiar with Against Me!’s back catalog. However, I do know a thing or two about being transgender. Transgender Dysphoria Blues (stream now) is the sixth album from the Florida-based punk band Against Me!. It’s also their first LP since their lead singer, Laura Jane Grace, transitioned from…
Looks like Florida may be next to announce court challenge to gay marriage ban! Maybe? (Update! Yes!)
via NBC Miami We may be going out a limb here, but given the recent pro-gay-marriage legal decisions handed out in Oklahoma and Utah – and with other states like Pennsylvania threatening to tip the scales to the point that a MAJORITY of the U.S. population will live in states where equal marriage is legal…
YOUR DAILY WEEKLY READER: Fear, loathing, American Psychos and accidental emergencies
via Ars Technica INTERESTING TIMES THINKPIECE ON INSTITUTIONALIZED FEARMONGERING. THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO FEAR IS FEAR ITSELF, ETC.: “Whatever their motivation, by using fear to induce the rollback of individual rights, politicians, judges and lawmakers are working against the hard-won democratic principles and ideals that we and other democracies have defended for almost…
Token ’bout a revolution: SNL practices affirmative inaction
Last night, a major milestone of diversity was reached: a black woman got to do next to nothing on Saturday Night Live. This was the first week for performer Sasheer Zamata, who had been hired recently in response to a chorus of complaints over the persistent absence of African-American females from the show’s cast. In…
THE GIST: Links we love, Jan. 19
Things we read and loved this week. Driver, roll up the partition please: Erstwhile Orlando performance artist Brian Feldman is back, and has announced a 10th-anniversary performance of The Feldman Dynamic, his signature piece. We wrote an article in 2011 comparing Feldman to Marina Abramovic. Here is a video of Abramovic explaining how to drink…
“Scandal Plagued”: DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz greets Chris Christie’s country club visit with Gov. Rick Scott (Video)
HAPPY CRAZY POLITICAL BULLSEYE MORNING, ORLANDO! As you’re probably aware, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie rode the jet stream down to Florida for the weekend in order to pretend everything is just fine, so please give blood money to the Republican Governors Association, OK? The absurdity of this particular political charade has been lost on…
First look at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley without scaffolding
Universal Studios Florida has unveiled Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley without scaffolding. Barely two years ago, Universal Studios Florida shuttered their beloved Jaws ride, and today fans got their first unobstructed view of the mega-attraction that replaces Amity village. Overnight, Universal Orlando unveiled the London Waterfront, giving us a good look at the facade that conceals…
Chef Tony Adams returns to Orlando: last-ever Big Wheel truck dinner Sunday?
Chef Tony Adams loves (to eat) animals. (Photo by Brian Carlson) Big Wheel keep on turnin’: As we mentioned this week in Tip Jar, chef Tony Adams (of Big Wheel Provisions and the Big Wheel Mobile food truck) is back in Orlando, though, alas, it’s only for a month or so, and then he heads back out into the…
Local actress makes a dress out of Orlando Weekly issues
Photo: Adam Arnali, for Zero Dark Cinema. Local actress Lindsi Jeter had an idea – she wanted to do an “anything but clothing” photoshoot, in which she would wear something gritty, grungy and inexpensive to make. She says she wanted to use something that anyone could find around the house. So she used old issues…
Five for Friday: Your cat is judging you
Looking for something to kill time until the the clock hits 5 p.m.? Here’s a collection of links that should help: via 1. For the first time since 1998, there is a new game for the SNES. Yes, you read that correctly, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. via 2. A creepy slideshow of 8 abandoned amusement parks.…
Set your DVRs: Local band Roadkill Ghost Choir plays Letterman Jan. 17
Hm, that headline sort of says it all, dudn’t it? So do it. This immensely talented indie folk-rock band from little DeLand is on its way up in a big, big way. And – in the probably several hundred times I whistled, stomped, and pointed their way since being first music journalist I know of to document them…
YOUR DAILY WEEKLY READER: Snaking! Shifting! Speeding! More!
via ammoland.com IF IT LOOKS LIKE A SNAKE, HISSES LIKE A SNAKE AND SLITHERS LIKE A SNAKE, IT’S PROBABLY A REPUBLICAN-DRAWN DISTRICT: “William Everett Warinner and James C. Miller, Sr., both registered voters in Brown’s district, claim that the ‘serpentine route’ of the meandering district violates their constitutional rights to equal protection because it packs…
18-year-old who passed the bar in England is from Windermere
Photo via Daily Mail Gabrielle Turnquest, an 18-year-old whose hometown is Windermere, became the youngest barrister in England and Wales last month when she passed the Bar Professional Training Course. According to the Daily Mail, she’s now the youngest person to become a barrister in more than 600 years. What’s she going to do with…
We need to talk about robots: Spielberg’s “A.I.” screening with UCF’s Dr. Kenneth Stanley @ Enzian
As part of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and The Coolidge Corner Theatre’s Science on Screen series, Enzian will be showing Steven Spielberg’s 2001 A.I., which will be presented by Dr. Kenneth Stanley of the University of Central Florida. The movie will be preceded by a presentation by Dr. Kenneth Stanley of the University of…
Oblivion Taproom: Revenge of the burgers
A badass tap room with equally badass food. Tonight, Oblivion Taproom reveals what all its hungry (and thirsty) fans have been eagerly awaiting: their new menu. They’ve already teased us about what’s to come with a picture on Facebook of their house-smoked bacon. My mouth is already watering. I’ve been an Oblivion fan since before…
Orlando to hold a party to celebrate Florida Citrus Bowl demolition … and you’re invited!
Farewell, Citrus Bowl. We’d say we hardly knew ye, but that would be a lie. At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, the city of Orlando is holding a party, of sorts, to celebrate the pending demolition of the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Technically, though, it’s not really a demolition – there won’t even be…
I ate cactus and I liked it
The Organic Growers held their monthly meetup last night at Leu Gardens and the topic was about “Eating Cactus”. Led by the adorable and super talented Kattya Graham and Katya Galbis (they have the same initials, are both from Mexico, and both named their daughters Isabella… #starcrossedfriendship), the room full of eager plant enthusiasts was…
Coming soon, 2014 movies we can’t wait to see — part II
The first part of this post was relatively easy. They are all films that will with 100 percent certainty be released at some point this year. Now comes the tricky and fun part: foreign films, films that may not make it past limited release or out of the festival circuit, or may not be ready…
‘White: The Melody of the Curse’ makes Korean pop (more) terrifying
The great K-pop massacre “You know what I’m sure we all can’t get enough of? The South Korean pop scene” … said the creepy, hairy man in the back of his van while he juggled organizing his candy collection and reading bad anime fan-fiction. Wait, there’s good anime fan-fiction? I digress. I’ve been wanting to…
YOUR DAILY WEEKLY READER: on race, rape and beer.
via national geographic LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS DECIDES IT’S BASICALLY FRUITLESS TO MEET WITH GOV. RICK SCOTT, ESPECIALLY AROUND MLK DAY. LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS IS CORRECT: “‘We believe you can and should do more (to) reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of Florida,” the caucus chairman, Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, said in a letter hand-delivered to…
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission using dogs to sniff out Burmese pythons
Law enforcement agencies use dogs to sniff out bombs, drugs, missing people … but only in Florida would a law-enforcement agency have to train a dog to sniff out illegal reptiles. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has trained a K-9 officer, a black Labrador retriever named Mag, to alert when she detects Burmese…
Theatre Review: Norbert Leo Butz Memory & Mayhem: Unplugged at The Abbey
“I like to talk, sorry. We're going to be here all night,” laughed Broadway star Norbert Leo Butz during another riotously rambling between-song story. Juduging by the approving laughter from The Abbey's audience at Wednesday's Orlando debut of Memory & Mayhem: Unplugged, that would have been just fine with them. As it was, Butz delivered…
Universal Orlando 2014 Mardi Gras concert lineup released
The Wanted is the final announced act in the Universal Orlando 2014 Mardi Gras concert lineup. While certain Orlando theme parks keep losing musical acts, earlier today Universal Orlando released an unusually strong list of artists for their 2014 Mardi Gras concert lineup. This year’s event opens on February 8 with a performance by Daughtry,…
10 things I learned from running the Walt Disney World Marathon
This past weekend, I participated in the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. I completed the full marathon, achieving all three goals I set for myself: 1) Finish the race; 2) Don’t die; and 3) Don’t get injured. Bonus: I also finished 7,551st out of 9,697 women, which means I wasn’t last. What can I say?…
Get torqued … on caffeine, that is … with ‘Workaholics’ K-cups
Are you a member of K-Cup nation? Some take issue with the amount of waste the single-serve coffee pods leave behind, or their general lack of coffee quality, but there’s no arguing they’re damn convenient — especially in an office setting where no one wants to clean out the damn pot. Still, considering Blake, Ders and Adam’s commitment…
Win An Orlando Magic VIP Package!
Indochino, the leader in custom online menswear, is coming to Florida for the first time and partnering with the Orlando Magic in creating this season’s premier fashion event, the Indochino Traveling Tailor. The Traveling Tailor will be in Orlando for one week to provide men a VIP experience while suiting up with custom menswear from January…
Win An Orlando Magic VIP Package!
Indochino, the leader in custom online menswear, is coming to Florida for the first time and partnering with the Orlando Magic in creating this season’s premier fashion event, the Indochino Traveling Tailor. The Traveling Tailor will be in Orlando for one week to provide men a VIP experience while suiting up with custom menswear from January…
Smoke signals: Newly proposed bill will make smoking even more expensive, save the children
via thefrisky.com Here in Bloggytown, we have a curious history with ignited inhalations of the sweet tobacc-y nicotine stench. There was that time when we were 8 and we think we got addicted after stealing packs from our mom’s boyfriend (along with his Playboys!); there was that one boyfriend who would tell us in our…
Coming soon, 2014 movies we can’t wait to see
The Grand Budapest Hotel – Wes Anderson (March 7) Though Anderson’s 8th feature looks to be a bit more frivolous and candy coated than he’s ever been before, the trailer is hilarious and wondrous and filled with basically everyone who has ever been in a Wes Anderson film previously. Nymphomaniac – Lars von Trier (Part…
Buttercup Snickersbar. Boobytrap Crumplehorn. ‘Sherlock’ returns Sunday Jan. 19
Anglerfish Creamsicle has remarkable powers of deduction. Because of course you totally haven’t already been blasted with that information from literally every media source on the planet. Also, your law-abiding friends totally haven’t been pirating Sherlock since New Year’s Day. Go here for the WGBH pity visit: Sherlock Season 3 Premieres Jan. 19, 2014 But go here, to…
YOUR DAILY WEEKLY READER: the art of avoidance and the business of making things up. GOVERNMENT CHEESE!
via Jewish Journal INAPPROPRIATE APPROPRIATIONS, OR HOW CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS HOLD PHANTOM GRUDGES: “The massive new appropriations bill unveiled Monday night includes four provisions that block funding to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, an anti-poverty activist group better known as ACORN. The bicameral, bipartisan appropriations bill is the product of last year’s budget…
Sea Wolf songwriter gets back to basics on solo tour
His Kickstarter-funded album inspired still-unnamed new material
Val Demings mildly announces mayoral campaign
Former police chief avoids the red meat in favor of highlighting her record
Rick Scott’s confusing jobs message
Governor’s ‘cringe’ at minimum-wage increase doesn’t match the $100 million he hopes to throw at creating more low-wage jobs
Laura van den Berg’s stories are narrated by bad-ass women
Orlando writer’s new short-story collection, Isle of Youth, is the best book of 2013
First Words: Readers weigh in on our intern’s blog about fighting in Fallujah and Gov. Rick Scott’s poverty problem
Sad sacks I’m just one of those 230,000 sad sacks about whom Scott cares very little, if any (“Rick Scott’s poverty problem,” Jan. 8). I haven’t received a payment in over two months, and it’s nearly impossible to reach anyone at any of the numbers available. Even when I have gotten in touch with someone,…
Wekiva Island set on fire again
Owners of popular riverside hangout say they suspect arson
Savage Love
My friend is in her late 20s and married, and she has two little kids. Her husband had a rough childhood and has some issues. Since their most recent child was conceived, they have not had sex. He says he believes there is a difference between a lover and a mother, and he refuses to…
Vegan hot dog cart considering daytime hours
Proprietors seeking feedback on Facebook
This Little Underground: The Solillaquists of Sound’s legacy
Jessy Lynn Martens on ‘Archer,’ the Falcon Soundraiser, Audiotourism
Cheap Time ignores trends, charts their way by heart
Jeffrey Novak on his single-minded songwriting direction
Orlando’s nightlife scene levels up with Player 1 Video Game Bar
An interview with the bar’s owner
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19) Whose enemy are you? Are you anyone’s adversary or obstructionist or least favorite person? Answer honestly, please. Don’t be in denial. Next question: Do you derive anything useful from playing this oppositional role? If your answer is yes, that’s fine. I won’t try to talk you out of it. Continue to…
‘Lone Survivor’ focuses too much on action, not enough on character
Americans love their heroes, and this movie about the mission of Operation Red Wings is no exception
Capen House update: saved, just barely
But will rehab fever ever spread in Orlando?
Opening in Orlando: ‘Devil’s Due,’ ‘Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,’ ‘the Nut Job’ and ‘Ride Along’
Movies opening in theaters this week
Drinking, Nightlife and Parties
Where to drink and party in Orlando this week
Eddie V’s throwback vibe attracts the Dr. Phillips crowd
New Darden chain offering serves up pricey fish and ‘soulful jazz’
‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ and ‘Sweeney Todd’
Live Active Cultures: Short reviews of Cornerstone’s and Clandestine’s latest productions
The return of Tony Adams, a fancy farm dinner, and a slew of openings
Tip Jar: local food news
How St. Dorothy’s lost its chapel and found a home in a bar
Independent Catholic church community now calls St. Matthews Tavern on Mills Avenue home
Miss Orlando 2014 pageant takes place on Jan. 18. You know you wanna go.
Remember these lovely ladies? In 2013, they (from left, Victoria Williams, Kristina Janolo and Chloe Lupo) graced the pages of our 2013 Best of Orlando issue, and they were damn good sports, mugging for the camera and gamely agreeing to allow us to ruin their makeup and muss up their hair for our cover concept…
Food Network show ‘Eat St.’ filming at Orlando Weekly!
Local food blog Eat More of It caught this picture of me being filmed by Eat St. in 2011. Visit their blog to learn even more about this year’s Eat St. filming in Orlando! (photo by Josh Murdock) Eat St., the Cooking Channel/Food Network show all about food trucks, is back in Orlando. They’ve been…
Universal Orlando survey suggests Halloween Horror Nights ticket price changes in 2014
New Universal Orlando survey says: Halloween Horror Nights ticket prices will change. Like all the major theme parks, Universal Orlando frequently uses guest surveys to gage potential consumer reactions to proposed changes in their parks. Today, I participated in an online survey that strongly suggests Universal is considering changes to their Halloween Horror Nights ticket…
CHEERLEADING SQUAD: Gov. Rick Scott appoints Carlos Lopez-Cantera to Lt. Governor position, wagons circle
So, if you’re the type of wonk who keeps your ear to the Tallahassee news wire even while sleeping, by now you’re aware that yesterday Gov. Rick Scott appointed eight-year House veteran and current Miami-Dade property appraiser Carlos Lopez-Cantera to the hallowed (read: meaningless) position of Lt. Governor. This comes after the post has been…
YOUR DAILY WEEKLY READER: Gay rights, county fights, private prison bites and more! HOT PANTS!
via flickr FREE TO BE YOU AND ME, AND OTHER SCRAPS OF APPARENT (THOUGH STILL SOMEHOW UNLIKELY) VICTORY FOR EQUALITY AND SANITY: “Equality Florida on Monday announced the launch of Florida Business Coalition for a Competitive Workforce, a group of top employers including Walt Disney World Resort, Wells Fargo and Darden Restaurants committed to…
