Cover Story
Reggaeton superstar Nicky Jam announces Orlando show for May
Reggaeton and Latin Trap powerhouse Nicky Jam has announced an Orlando date – one of just two Florida shows – as part of his “Intimo” North American tour. The Latin Grammy winner is crossing over into popular consciousness a big way both musically and with the surprising announcement that he will be playing a role…
30 free shows happening in Orlando this week
Wednesday, Jan. 30 Eugene Snowden’s Ten Pints of Truth 10 pm at Lil Indies, 1036 N. Mills Ave. The Daniel Heitz Band 10:30 pm at Tanqueray’s, 100 S. Orange Ave. Giddy Up Go 9 pm at Whiskey Lou’s Lounge, 121 N. Bumby Ave. Thursday, Jan. 31 Leisure Chief 10:30 pm at Tanqueray’s, 100 S. Orange…
Florida man sentenced to jail and moral therapy for attacking a Minion
A Florida man was sentenced to 10 days in jail and “moral recognition therapy” on Monday as punishment for attacking a worker dressed a “Minion” character in Daytona Beach. The “self-proclaimed social media star” Ryan C. Nihart, 26, of Citrus County, was found guilty on charges of misdemeanor battery and criminal mischief, according to the State…
Ron DeSantis announces plans to allocate $50 million to restore springs in Central Florida
During stops in Naples and Everglades National Park earlier today, Gov. Ron DeSantis outlined his administration’s $625 million plan to fund Everglades restoration, as well as other water quality projects. The administration’s latest announcement comes after DeSantis signed an executive order late last week allocating $1 billion in additional funding to protect some of the…
Orlando theaters will once again screen ‘Black Panther,’ but this time it’s free
You will soon be able to watch the Academy Award-nominated film Black Panther for free. It’s screening from Feb. 1-7 in select AMC theaters as part of Disney’s promotion to celebrate Black History Month. Theaters in the Orlando area that are taking part are the AMC Altamonte Mall 18, AMC Disney Springs 24 and AMC…
Avey Tare of Animal Collective announces Orlando solo show for April
Local indie promoters Ugly Orange have just scored a major coup and snagged Animal Collective member Avey Tare in Orlando for one of just three Florida shows on his solo tour later this year. Avey Tare is set to release a new album in March. Consider it a belated makeup for the sadly cancelled Animal Collective…
Florida congressman files bill to make animal cruelty a federal crime
U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch, D-Broward, and Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota are among the main sponsors of a new bill that would make animal cruelty a federal crime. The proposal was revealed last week. If passed, the bill, called the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, would make a person who engages in animal crushing, burning, drowning,…
Florida puts Airbnb on ‘scrutinized companies’ list over West Bank policy
Florida took a step Tuesday in imposing economic sanctions on the popular home-sharing platform Airbnb because of a company decision against listing properties in the West Bank, an area that is a major flashpoint in Israeli-Palestinian relations. Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, acting as the State Board…
‘Back to the Future’ cast will reunite at this year’s MegaCon Orlando
Great Scott! The iconic cast of Back to the Future will reunite at MegaCon Orlando, from May 16-19 at the Orange County Convention Center. Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, James Tolkan and Tom Wilson will be featured in events that include special presentations, autograph signings and a professional photo op with the entire cast throughout…
Stonewall dips its toe into the comedy showcase scene this week
The spirit of the now-defunct Spacebar comedy nights lives on at Stonewall. This week, host Heather Shaw introduces six other comics at Stonewall’s first comedy showcase. Seeing as how Spacebar’s comedy nights turned into a catalyst for the entire local comedy scene, we expect the same potential to pop up at Stonewall, assuming they can…
Downtown Orlando is officially getting a Taco Bell Cantina, which serves booze
A booze-serving Taco Bell is officially coming to downtown Orlando. According to JLL Brokers, a Taco Bell Cantina has officially signed a deal for a new 2,475-square-foot location in the One South Orange development (1 S. Orange Ave.) in downtown Orlando. The new Yum Brands-owned Cantina will be moving into the entire bottom floor of the…
Florida lawmakers begin moving forward with ban on indoor workplace vaping
A Senate committee next week will consider a bill that would carry out a voter-approved constitutional amendment that bans vaping in indoor workplaces. The Senate Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee is slated to consider the bill (SPB 7012) on Feb. 5. That comes almost exactly three months after voters approved the constitutional amendment in the…
You can now apply to be Florida’s next ‘Director of Cannabis,’ which pays up to $120K a year
Are you a weed wonk? You’re in luck if you answered yes: The state of Florida is on the hunt for its first “director of cannabis,” who will focus on furthering the state’s hemp industry and implementing rules on edibles for medical marijuana patients. Even luckier: Drug tests aren’t required. Not a terrible job, especially…
Following last week’s blackface incident, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints new secretary of state
Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Laurel M. Lee was named Monday by Gov. Ron DeSantis as Florida secretary of state, replacing Mike Ertel, who abruptly resigned last week after the release of photos showing him wearing blackface more than a decade ago. Lee, whose duties will include serving as the state’s chief elections officer, has worked…
Disney confirms a new Zootopia land, so what does that mean for Animal Kingdom?
Nearly two years ago, multiple news sites began sharing details on a rumored new Zootopia land heading to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Now, a nearly identical land was just confirmed for Shanghai Disneyland. In the announcement for the new land, Disney confirmed that it will feature a state-of-the-art major new attraction featuring the film’s main characters,…
The Disney Cruise Line terminal at Port Canaveral is getting a $40 million upgrade
With three new ships on the way, Disney Cruise Line will nearly double the size of its fleet within the next five years. Disney has been expanding their cruise itineraries in recent years, but Port Canaveral is still the bread and butter for the cruise line. Three Disney ships, including one of the slightly larger…
Here are the 5 women killed by a gunman at a Sebring bank in Florida’s latest mass shooting
The five women killed by a gunman at a Sebring bank last week in Florida’s latest mass shooting have been identified. The victims who were employees at the SunTrust Bank at 1901 U.S. Highway 27 include Marisol López, 55; Ana Piñon-Williams, 38; Jessica Montague, 31; and Debra Cook, 54. The fifth victim, Cynthia Watson, 65, was a customer. Sebring…
Universal files patent to put guests on a virtual reality leash
Virtual reality has taken the location-based gaming industry by storm in recent years, with stand-alone VR attractions popping up all over Orlando. But one fundamental problem has kept the technology out of the big theme parks, or at least restricted it to roller coasters: How do you keep large numbers of helmet-wearing guests from bumping…
Alan Jackson announces an Orlando show set for this September
Country music star – and inductee to both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame – Alan Jackson will be returning to Orlando for the first time in nearly 20 years this September for one of just two Florida shows. And Jackson promises a greatest hits set that will pull…
It really looks like Warner Bros. wants a fight with Universal over their new theme park name
Not long ago, leaked internal documents showed that Universal Orlando’s still unannounced, but certainly happening, third theme park was to be called “Fantastic Worlds.” Trademarks for that name were filed last June, but now it looks like Warner Brothers might object to the new name. Warner Bros. has filed two extensions on the “Time to…
Carnival’s newest cruise ship will feature two Guy Fieri restaurants, a roller coaster and more
Last month Carnival unveiled the name of their massive 5,200-passenger (with a possible full passenger count of up to 6,600) cruise ship currently under construction. Named after the cruise line’s first ship, the new Carnival Mardi Gras will be the largest cruise ship ever for the company, and one of the largest cruise ships in…
Orange County gets $10 million federal grant to enhance HIV/AIDS care
Orange County is getting a $10 million federal grant to enhance HIV/AIDS medical care and critical support services for local residents. The award was announced last week by Central Florida Democratic U.S. Reps. Val Demings, Stephanie Murphy and Darren Soto. The grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ emergency relief program provides…
Midici Neapolitan Pizza now open in Maitland City Centre
Midici, which focuses on original Italian Neapolitan pizza, is now open and serving pies in Maitland. Midici opened its doors last Saturday, Jan. 26, at 171 S. Orlando Ave. This is the seventh location in Florida; other locations can be found in Fort Lauderdale and Daytona Beach. Midici offers personal-sized pizzas with selections like classic pepperoni,…
Florida senator files bill that would outlaw abortions 20 weeks into pregnancy
On Monday, in an attempted rebuff of the New York legislation allowing abortions beyond 24 weeks if a mother’s health is at risk, state Sen. Joe Gruters filed a bill that would ban the procedure after 20 weeks in Florida. The bill – the “Florida Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” – would scale back current…
Trump reportedly wanted his Disney robot to say that America ‘invented skyscrapers’
To say there’s been controversy surrounding the Donald Trump robot at Disney’s Hall of Presidents attraction is an understatement. Aside from the one that says Disney actually made a Hillary robot and just threw a different wig on it after Trump won, there’ve been plenty of rumors surrounding this odd-looking sack of bolts. After Trump…
Sabrina Carpenter, Bazzi added to Universal Orlando’s 2019 Mardi Gras line-up
Two new acts will headline the Mardi Gras event at Universal Orlando coming next month. Universal announced this morning that Disney Channel star Sabrina Carpenter and “Mine” singer Bazzi will headline performances in March. Carpenter is scheduled to perform on March 2 and Bazzi on March 30, according to a press release. These are just…
Florida lawmaker takes aim at plastic straws, bags
Amid a broader national debate about the issue, a Senate Democrat on Thursday filed a bill that would prevent grocery stores, restaurants and other businesses that sell food from using plastic carryout bags and providing single-use plastic straws. Sen. Kevin Rader, D-Delray Beach, filed the proposal (SB 502) for consideration during the legislative session that…
Florida officials eye BP oil spill money to help with Hurricane Michael recovery
Calls are growing to use BP oil spill money to bolster Hurricane Michael recovery efforts, potentially reducing the financial burden on local and state budgets. Senate Appropriations Chairman Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, last week indicated he could support the idea of pumping settlement money from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster into building and replacing infrastructure…
SeaWorld Orlando orca Kayla is dead
Kayla, a 30-year-old female orca at SeaWorld Orlando, has died, the company announced early Monday morning. Though the cause of death was not announced, SeaWorld says the orca’s health deteriorated over the weekend. After she began showing signs of discomfort Saturday afternoon, officials with SeaWorld began treatment but her condition only worsened Sunday. “Her veterinarians…
Band of the Week: Jim Ivy’s Tangled Bell Ensemble
Welcome to Orlando Weekly’s “Band of the Week.” Every week, we highlight one of our favorite local bands. This week, we’re pleased to bring you Jim Ivy’s Tangled Bell Ensemble. Jim Ivy’s Tangled Bell Ensemble is playing Feb. 3 at Timucua Arts House. Just the facts: When did the band form?I formed the Tangled Bell…
A new study suggests Amazon’s Rekognition software sucks at detecting dark-skinned women
Amazon’s facial Rekognition software, a brand which is being tested in Orlando as a surveillance system, misidentifies darker-skinned women as men roughly a third of the time, according to a new study. In tests led by MIT Media Lab researcher Joy Buolamwini and University of Toronto researcher Deborah Raji, the study published Thursday looked at…
Breakout country star Kane Brown to play Orlando this weekend
Young country star Kane Brown is selling out arenas on his recently kicked-off “Live Forever Tour” and he’ll be pulling into Orlando this weekend. The RCA Records records artist just last week pulled off the television trifecta, appearing on Good Morning America, GMA Day and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert to promote the tour and…
Everything will be awesome when Legoland’s new Lego Movie World opens this March
Uberfans of Master Builder Emmet and his yellow plastic pals who are already about to implode with anticipation for The Lego Movie 2’s debut on Feb. 2 might have a Unikitty-style meltdown when they learn that Legoland Florida has just announced a March 27 opening date for The Lego Movie World. The Lego Movie World…
Don Price will screen a long-lost Orlando documentary he found in a dumpster
Leave it to a guy like Don Price to find a priceless piece of Orlando history, like a long-lost documentary film chronicling life in old time Parramore. Price, who recently retired from a 31-year stint as Greenwood Cemetery sexton, says years ago he discovered a 16mm documentary film – titled “Orlando, The City Beautiful” and…
Disney decides to bring back dragon float that set itself on fire
Today, Disney announced that Magic Kingdom’s Festival of Fantasy parade will once again feature the Maleficent dragon, which famously set itself on fire last spring with thousands of guests watching. Eight months after it caught fire, Disney now says the fire-breathing dragon has “had some work done,” which doesn’t say much but we hope it means…
Florida Commission on Ethics finds probable cause that Andrew Gillum violated ethics laws
On Friday, the Florida Commission on Ethics announced it had found probable cause that former Tallahassee mayor and 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum violated state ethics laws. The allegations stem from trips Gillum took with lobbyists and vendors to Costa Rica and New York in 2016 while he was still mayor of Tallahassee, where…
Proper & Wild, a new vegan concept from Sanctum owners, will open in Winter Park next week
Proper & Wild, a new upscale vegan restaurant from Chelsie & Jamie Savage of Sanctum, will debut to the public next week. The new concept, which is located at 155 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, will soft open on Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 5-11 p.m. Along the same lines as Sanctum, Proper & Wild will be…
Ugly Orange brings Camp Howard’s local debut and where have Orlando shoegazers Sad Halen been all my life?
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Camp Howard, Sad Halen and Dearest, Will’s Pub, Jan. 23 Ugly Orange’s latest showcase featured the Orlando debut of Virginia’s Camp Howard, an indie-rock band that bounces with an odd, intriguing groove. Generally, their vibe coasts like a breeze. Underneath it, however, the nimble music is in a constant state of dynamism…
Feds boost money for Hurricane Michael debris removal in Florida’s Panhandle
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday the White House is extending the number of days debris cleanup from Hurricane Michael will be fully reimbursed by the federal government. The move is expected to save Panhandle communities and the state “hundreds of millions of dollars,” according to Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz. “This is…
Both sides request delay in legal challenge to Florida ban on smoking medical marijuana
Both sides in a lawsuit challenging Florida’s prohibition on smoking medical marijuana have asked an appeals court for a second time to delay the case. The 1st District Court of Appeal last week refused to put the case on hold indefinitely but allowed the parties to seek a stay specifying the amount of time needed…
It was only a matter of time before Roger Stone was arrested
Following an indictment by special counsel Robert Mueller, FBI agents raided the Florida home of Roger Stone early Friday morning and arrested the former Trump aide and adviser on seven counts, including allegations he lied to and obstructed the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Wild footage from CNN shows…
History Center celebrates the renaming of Mosquito County with a day of free activities
Back in the frontier days when Florida was a wild, poisonous hellscape that only the brave and/or stupid bothered to settle, someone with a penchant for accuracy decided to call this area Mosquito County. But on Jan. 27, 1845, just a few months before Florida was admitted to the union, the area got renamed to…
Lucinda Williams and Drive-By Truckers team up for a songwriting tour de force at the Plaza Live
Two giants of the Americana scene join forces at the Plaza this week: Lucinda Williams and Drive-By Truckers. Williams, one of the most respected living songwriters, has proven her mettle at writing in a variety of genres, including last year’s collaboration with jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd, Vanished Gardens. Georgia’s Drive-By Truckers, known for infusing Southern…
Parramore Farmers Market returns to full operations in a new venue
The Parramore Farmers Market is making its long-awaited return this weekend at a whole new location. The market has moved from outside the Orlando City Stadium to a friendlier parking lot with a lot more shade owned by the Florida Department of Health on Central Boulevard. Now a year-round venture, the Parramore Farmers Market will…
Death Stair and Material Body bring New Orleans darkness to Stonewall
It’s a night of new dark body music from the swamps of the Big Easy as solo projects Death Stair and Material Body descend on Stonewall’s Panic! for a one-off date. Aaron Bell’s Death Stair is already garnering healthy buzz for such a young project, and it’s no mystery why. Death Stair’s sound is lean…
Sunday’s traffic in downtown Orlando will be a perfect ‘traffuck’
On Jan. 27, you might want to avoid downtown Orlando, because there will likely be a major “traffuck” going down. The city of Orlando issued a traffic advisory for this Sunday, because seven big events will happen within a few hours of each other in downtown Orlando – a total mishmash of performing arts, sports…
In Florida, facial recognition is advancing faster than lawmakers can regulate it
During a presentation about electronic privacy rights on Wednesday in Tallahassee, Florida House members received their first formal lesson on facial recognition surveillance – an increasingly popular machine-learning policing tool developing faster than lawmakers can understand it. The briefing to the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee was led by four law enforcement officials, including Pinellas County Sheriff…
Florida Secretary of State Michael Ertel resigns after photos surface showing him in blackface
The Tallahassee Democrat reports Florida Secretary of State Michael Ertel has resigned after photos surfaced of him dressed up as a Hurricane Katrina victim in blackface. Ertel, who had been the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections since 2005, was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the cabinet position in December. The Democrat reports the photos were…
Bolay will open new location in Winter Park this February
Fast-casual and 100 percent gluten-free restaurant, Bolay, is about to open a new location in Winter Park. Located in the Sprouts plaza at 1971 Aloma Ave., the grand opening will be held Feb. 15 and will be full of activities and giveaways, such as a free catering party for the first 25 customers, a pineapple…
Once again, Orlando ranks as the country’s deadliest city for pedestrians
Orlando is a car city. We have no reliable and affordable mode of mass public transportation, and our streets were never designed for anything other than traveling at ludicrous speeds in a steel cage, surrounded by airbags and restraints. We’ve known for sometime that it’s incredibly unsafe to use our legs in this tremendously unwalkable…
Puerto Rico received less hurricane aid than Florida and Texas after major storms
Puerto Rico received less aid from the federal government after Hurricane María than Florida and Texas did after Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, according to a new study published this week. The disparities in treatment toward Puerto Rico were obvious in the days after María slammed into the island on Sept. 20, 2017. While the U.S. territory…
Florida Secretary of State says no hacks took place during 2018 midterm elections
During a hearing Thursday morning, Michael Ertel, the state’s new elections chief, told a House subcommittee there was no evidence that Florida’s voting systems were tampered with during the November 2018 midterms. “In Florida we spend millions of dollars on cybersecurity and ensuring that our system was not penetrated by any external forces. And to…
SeaWorld announces Coolio, Sugar Ray, Bret Michaels and more for 2019 Seven Seas festival
If Coolio raps the words, “As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I take a look at my life, I’m at a SeaWorld food fest,” it’ll definitely be worth it. This morning, SeaWorld Orlando announced the first wave of artists set to perform at the 2019 Seven Seas Food Festival. Notable…
Orlando wants to host WorldPride in 2026
Come Out With Pride organizers in Orlando say they want the City Beautiful to host the international LGBTQ celebration WorldPride in 2026. WorldPride was first held in Rome in 2000 and has since been hosted by cities including Tel Aviv, London, Toronto and Madrid. The 2019 WorldPride is scheduled in New York City this year to commemorate the…
Lawmakers debate how to fix Florida’s dental care shortage
There is a void of dentists in Florida. A coalition calling itself Floridians for Dental Access has a plan to fill the cavity: dental therapists. The group is asking lawmakers to sign off on a new health care license for what are known as dental therapists, who could perform a bevy of activities such as…
Florida will once again try to get rid of red-light cameras
A seemingly annual effort to turn off red-light traffic cameras is again on the move in the Florida House. The House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee voted 12-1 on Wednesday to support a measure (HB 6003) that calls for a repeal of the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Program law, effective July 1, 2022. The Mark Wandall…
Wekiva Island promises plenty of craft beer for Otter Fest; not as confident about otters
Wekiva Island – already a popular weekend drinking spot – turns up the fun this weekend with Otter Fest, a craft beer celebration. Attendees get to sample beer and wine from 13 different craft breweries while enjoying the lazy riverside view. VIPs get to enter an hour early and the chance to win some prizes.…
Speakeasy Sirens bring Overwatch-themed burlesque to the Geek Easy
Blizzard Software’s arena shooter Overwatch is one of the most popular online games of the decade, only (debatably) overshadowed by the ubiquitous Fortnite. One advantage Overwatch has over the battle royale shooter is the vast selection of playable characters. And this weekend, you can see some of those characters get as nekkid as legally possible…
Orlando Museum of Art and the Mennello team up for a double art opening this week
Pearls were clutched and lattes spit-taked last week when word leaked that Orlando Museum of Art was considering moving to Lake Nona. Without claiming any inside knowledge of the situation, we have to say this seems … unlikely. (It’s a move straight out of the junior-high queen bee playbook: not feeling appreciated? Threaten to leave…
Wrestling returns to the Will’s Pub parking lot at Mayhem on Mills III
Does another numbingly bad three-hour episode of WWE Raw have you, the discerning wrestling fan, glumly pouting, “That’s it! I can’t take any more!”? Well, take heart because the regional indie wrestling scene is popping off, what with True Vision Dojo, Atomic Pro, USA Pro, IWA and even the heavily hyped All Elite. But maybe…
Friday’s TLC show in Orlando has been postponed until June
Sad news for fans of R&B duo TLC; they’ve postponed Friday’s show at the Hard Rock Live due to T-Boz coming down with the flu. But fear not, the show has already been rescheduled. TLC will have a re-do at the Hard Rock Live on Friday, June 28. Tickets for Friday’s show will be honored for…
Chris Stapleton will bring his ‘All-American Road Show’ tour to Central Florida in October
Country superstar Chris Stapleton announced a slew of new dates for his 2019 “All-American Road Show” tour, and there’s a few Florida stops on the agenda. Though Orlando was left off this trip, Stapelton will bring the tour to the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa, on October 11. He’ll also be in Jacksonville October 10,…
Everyone needs to watch Comedy Central’s new ‘Drunk History’ episode about the Florida Everglades
Last night, Comedy Central’s Drunk History dedicated an excellent segment to Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas and how she was instrumental in saving the Everglades. Played by Jayma Mays, the namesake of the Parkland high school can be seen fending off former President Richard Nixon from paving over the now protected wetlands to build his airport,…
At least 5 people dead in mass shooting at Florida bank
A gunman killed at least five people in a mass shooting at a Sebring bank Wednesday afternoon. Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund says 21-year-old Zephen Xaver, of Sebring, is accused of opening fire at the SunTrust Bank at 1901 U.S. Highway 27. The victims have not been identified. “It’s been a tragic day in our…
Florida lawmakers try again with bills to ban assault weapons
Florida lawmakers are trying again with bills to ban assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines in the state. For the third consecutive year since the mass shooting at the gay nightclub Pulse, state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, has filed a measure (HB 455) in the Florida House to prohibit possession and sale of military-style assault weapons…
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will open its first Florida location in Orlando
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, a Texas-based chain of popular dine-in theaters, announced plans to open their first Florida location in Orlando. The new Enzian-like theater will be located at the Vineland Pointe shopping center, at the intersection of I-4 and Daryl Carter Parkway. No exact date has been announced, but the company says the 10-screen theater expects…
Roland Loud rolls into the Nook with free dinner this weekend
The lo-fi beats-obsessed crew at Roland Loud take their show to the Milk District for a spot at the Nook this week. Members like Gwadcip$, Wush and Sam Ramesses play with slowed-down samples and beats while John Alamo provides visual accompaniment. And if you get there early enough, there’ll be some free rice and beans…
At least the NFL Pro Bowl is both closer and cheaper than the Super Bowl
For professional football fans, the mention of certain players’ names gets the blood flowing. Names like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley – they’ll all be in Orlando this week for the 2019 NFC-AFC Pro Bowl. Some folks might even call this…
Florida has a serious problem with right-wing extremists
Over the last two years, incidents involving extremists groups have dramatically increased across the country, but this issue is particularly evident in Florida. According to a study released today by the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism, from 2017 to 2018, extremist groups in Florida have accounted for 197 incidents, including five murders/mass shootings, five terror…
Popular food truck Pepe will open permanent location in Disney Springs
A D.C.-based food truck will find a forever home in Disney Springs this winter. Announced this morning, Pepe, a Spanish food truck based in Washington, D.C., from acclaimed chef José Andrés, will transition to a permanent brick and mortar location in Disney Springs. While no exact opening date was announced, Pepe hopes to debut in the next couple months…
Florida Gulf Coast University hopes to receive roughly $9 million for red tide, toxic algae research
Florida Gulf Coast University is requesting more than $9 million in state funding to launch a multidisciplinary research initiative on red tide and blue-green algae’s tolls on the state’s waterways. Though the bloom cycle is a seasonal occurrence, last year’s red tide was the state’s worst since 2006. Not only did it leave a dent…
Psych-folk hero Amen Dunes finally comes to Orlando and shines his curious diamond
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Amen Dunes and Arthur, The Social, Jan. 21 Amen Dunes finally came to Orlando. In its ongoing mutation, the eminent project of Damon McMahon has in recent years been racking up serious indie cred with a string of critically acclaimed albums on Sacred Bones and a history of smart, purposeful and high-profile…
Florida lawmakers grapple with questions on amendment restoring voting rights for former felons
A key Senate panel on Tuesday began grappling with how to carry out a constitutional amendment that “automatically” restores the right to vote to felons who’ve completed their sentences. At the outset of the meeting, Senate Criminal Justice Chairman Keith Perry vowed not to have “any kind of hindrance or roadblocks” in implementing Amendment 4,…
Florida’s smokable medical marijuana case remains up in the air
An appeals court has refused to indefinitely put on hold a challenge to the state’s prohibition on smoking medical marijuana. The case is centered on whether a 2017 law that banned patients from smoking medical marijuana ran afoul of a constitutional amendment that broadly legalized the cannabis treatment for Floridians with debilitating medical conditions. After…
The best concerts coming to Orlando this week
Pete Yorn Get VERY up close and personal – acoustic style – with the famed singer-songwriter who released a collab EP with Scarlett Johansson late last year. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, at the Social, $35-$285 El Ten Eleven Much-loved post-rock duo touches down in the City Beautiful in the heavy company of Joan of Arc.…
Legal Public Notices 12/26 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices American Towers LLC is proposing to increase the height for an existing monopole telecommunications tower from 133 ft to 150 ft at 17074 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orlando, Orange County, FL. American Towers LLC seeks comments from all interested persons on any potential significant impact the proposed action could have…
Hopdoddy, Chronic Tacos and Tre Bambine are all on the verge of opening, plus more in Orlando foodie news
OPENINGS: Jamal Wilson, owner of Tampa-based food hall The Hall on Franklin, is looking to open a food hall at the still-under-construction Yard at Ivanhoe. It likely wouldn’t open until next year … Look for a Metro Diner to open on State Road 436 in Casselberry in mid-February … Also opening mid-February (finally) is Chronic…
The shadowy world of Orlando’s theme park urban explorers: Are they legends or are they idiots?
Late last year, the internet lit up with claims that Buzzy, the audio-animatronic star of Epcot’s long-closed Cranium Command show, had been stolen from the decommissioned theater where he’d been gathering dust for a decade. When police reports revealed that Patrick Allen Spikes, who posted backstage photos on Twitter as @BackDoorDisney, was questioned in connection…
Opening in Orlando: Serenity, Cold War and more
Opening this week: Cold War Director Pawel Pawlikowski won the Best Director award at Cannes for this black-and-white portrait of the love affair between a vocalist (Joanna Kulig) and a composer (Tomasz Kot) that begins in Poland in the 1940s and ends up spanning two decades. Pawlikowski says he based the couple in part on…
I’ve seen that look before
Fundamentalism teaches kids that they’re better than marginalized communities, because God has blessed them
Legal Public Notices 1/23 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: 540 Cypress Parkway, Kissimmee Florida 34759, 863-240-0879 on 2/12/19 @ 12:30PM. Carlos Juan Melendez Rodriguez-household items, Carmen Ayala -Household Goods, Iris Aquino -household item, Denise Parodi- household good,…
ICYMI: MCO sponsors donation drive for furloughed government workers, Mills 50 lift station spills another 1,000 gallons of poopwater and more
DeSantis says Florida should allow patients to smoke medical marijuana: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants the state Legislature to change the current law banning smokable medical marijuana. “I want people to have their suffering relieved,” said DeSantis, speaking in front of reporters in Winter Park. DeSantis said if the Legislature fails to change the law,…
Savage Love: ‘Furry Road’
I’m an early-30s hetero woman in a monogamous relationship with my mid-30s hetero guy. We’ve been together 10 years, married seven, no kids. We have a lot of fun – traveling, shared hobbies, mutual friends, etc. We have sex fairly regularly, and it’s not bad. However, his primary sexual fetish and main turn-on is furry…
‘Stan & Ollie’ pays heartfelt homage to comedy legends
Touching tribute
Emo stalwarts Joyce Manor are growing up alongside their fans
Still crazy after all these years
Legal Public Notices 1/16 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROBATE DIVISION. IN RE: ESTATE OF: DEBRA J YODER VAUGHN Deceased. File No. PMH-2018 03356. NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The administration of the estate of DEBRA J YODER VAUGHN, deceased, whose date of death was February 5th, 2017; is pending in the Circuit…
Legal Public Notices
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF: PAULINE H. HURD, Deceased. CASE NO.: 2018 CP 003681-O. NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS – The administration of the Testate Estate of PAULINE H. HURD, deceased, Case Number…
Legal Public Notices 12/19 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices AUCTION EXTRA SPACE STORAGE – STORE 1631 5753 Hoffner Ave, Orlando, FL 32822 Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the locations and times indicated: On January 15, 2019 11:30 AM location: 5753 Hoffner Ave. Orlando FL…
Legal Public Notices 12/12 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices AUCTION EXTRA SPACE STORAGE – STORE 1631 5753 Hoffner Ave, Orlando, FL 32822 Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the locations and times indicated: On December 26, 2018 11:30 AM location: 5753 Hoffner Ave. Orlando FL…
