Confused by the ‘Blackfish’ backlash? Do your own research
Today MiceChat, one of our favorite theme park blogs, posted its second of two interviews with SeaWorld trainers who say they originally cooperated with the makers of the controversial documentary Blackfish but now regret their decision to do so. In the first, former SeaWorld trainer Bridgette Pirtle says she was displeased that the movie ended…
An online date with the Girls
They’re back! It’s been a long 10 months without my bosom friends Hannah, Marnie, Shoshanna and Jessa. I kind of feel like I was sent away on an exchange trip to Quebec and forbidden to use my social medias. Total withdrawal. I have no idea what’s happened since. The last I heard Shoshanna left her…
Giant ducky has a bad day
Photo from www.florentignhofman.nl I’m a city planner by trade but I’m not going to wax-urbanic on this project and spout off a bunch of jargon about “Sense of Play” in urban centers, or the role of public art in our civic spaces… I’m just going to tell you, I am obsessed with this ducking duck.…
One dead, one injured over texting at the movies
via A Pasco County man and woman were shot this afternoon while awaiting a showing of “Lone Survivor. ” Before the movie began, one member of the couple was texting, which started an altercation with the suspected gunman, which ended in gunfire. The husband and wife were both taken to a Tampa area hospital…
Check out Norse Korea’s lineup for their 3-year anniversary shows
This year is looking kinda top-heavy so far in terms of local music festivals, including Ralphfest, Total Fuck Off Weekend, the Anonymous Music-Art-Film Festival (which all happen between now and March), but don’t sleep on this massive upcoming weekend offering to celebrate three years of great shows put on by Norse Korea. Between Friday, Jan.…
Being delicious at Winter Park’s new B Cupcakes
B Cupcakes opened its Winter Park location in December 2013. I’ve been a fan of B Cupcakes since their Apopka days, but it’s such a trek! Needless to say, when I heard they were opening a new location in Winter Park, I couldn’t get there fast enough. According to Google maps, B Cupcakes is about…
YOUR DAILY WEEKLY READER: Rick Scott-and-weave; Christie heads south; momentary legislative sanity; fetal drain; intentional poverty
via history.com YOU MAY NOT HAVE NOTICED, BUT GOV. RICK SCOTT DOESN’T MUCH LIKE ANSWERING QUESTIONS. WHAT COLOR IS THE SKY? JOBS!: “In Orlando, Scott recently sidestepped questions about why it’s taking so long to fix a new state website that handles unemployment claims. ‘For the fourth time, he did not answer our questions,’ WFTV’s…
THE GIST: Links we love, Jan. 12
Culture links we love this week: Meryl Streep has things to say about Walt Disney. Our film reviewer has things to say about Walt Disney. Our resident theme park-and-theater columnist consults Disney historian Jim Korkis, who has things to say about Walt Disney. Many people have things to say about what other people said about…
Pick me a winner: Golden Globes edition
In the end, 2013 was not a strong year for film, nor was is a weak one. It turned out thoroughly mediocre. There were exceptional films, a lot of which are nominated here, and there were exceptionally bad films, which will fight it out for Razzie awards next month. It’s never been the quality of…
Someone call the Lorax
As seen below, another giant oak has been removed from Orlando’s shrinking tree canopy. One of the results of Hurricane Charlie and Friends (great band name) was that a lot of the area’s mature trees were sent into a botanical PTSD as they were literally rocked down to their foundations. Coupled with changes in weather…
Our intern fought in Fallujah: one Marine’s story
Editor’s note: As always at the beginning of a college semester, we have a new crop of interns, and this year it seems like we got pretty lucky. (Hey Shannon! Hey Fred!) Today, Fred came in and mentioned that he had some feelings about the fact that Fallujah was just retaken by al-Qaida because, well,…
Giddiness overload: Live Tweeting the Golden Globes
via The Golden Globes are on Sunday (8 p.m., NBC), and since I’ve been a certified awards show addict since the age of 12 when I saw my then-idol, Jessica Tandy, take home an Oscar for Driving Miss Daisy, I am stupid amounts of giddy for the show and plan to share a heaping mess…
The Most Underrated Movies of 2013 IV: The Stragglers
Good Ol’ Freda – Ryan White (Available on Netflix) The world is running out of original Beatles stories; in fact, this may be the last one, as the Beatles and their contemporaries enter their 70s and, as Freda Kelly notes at one point, many of them are already gone. The story is one of a…
Video: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Legends opens at Amway
The circus came back to town last night, as Feld Entertainment's Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presented Legends at Orlando's Amway Center. Ringling Bros.'s Legends, their latest annual circus spectacular, is loosely inspired by mythical creatures like the unicorn, and features the expected lineup of international acts and performing animals. Here's a video of…
Vegan Hot Dog Cart considers adding daytime hours — but they need your help
The Vegan Hot Dog Cart is a downtown institution, long beloved and appreciated by post-binge Orlando bar-hoppers (whether vegan or not). You can usually find them posted up right across from the Social (official address: 59 N. Orange Ave.), but they are considering adding daytime hours and they’d like your thoughts. Below is a message they…
Fire hungry douche-canoes play with matches
In the wee morning hours of January 6th someone(s) set fire to the schoolhouse on Wekiva Island. This is the second time in three months that the popular island retreat has experienced a fire after the previous one, a result of faulty electrics, severely damaged the Tooting Otter bar. Pictured below. The owners are faced…
Five for Friday: Nature is scary as hell
It’s Friday, you’re ready to get the hell out of work, and looking to kill time til happy hour. Here’s some help: via 1. ChoiceMap, a new app that helps you make decisions, was released, making the tiny screen generation even more wishy washy. via 2. Does anyone really like tea that much? The scariest…
YOUR DAILY WEEKLY READER: Christie’s burning bridge; Rubio’s poverty lies; petition fouls; Re-stand your ground. JEOPARDY!
via freedomoutpost.com SOMETIMES RACHEL MADDOW BLOWS OUR MIND, AND LIKELY BLOWS CHRIS CHRISTIE’S COVER. MACRO-CONSPIRACY!: “The working assumption has been that the administration sought to punish Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, a Democrat who didn’t endorse Christie’s re-election. But the governor’s incredulity over this explanation is not without merit – it’s unclear if the local…
Former Orlando Predators head coach Jay Gruden hired by the Washington Redskins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PloLf_3ofZc The Washington Redskins announced on Thursday that they have hired Jay Gruden to a five year deal as head coach. Gruden, the former head coach of the Orlando Predators, will try to turn the Redskins’ fortunes around after a disappointing run under Mike Shanahan, whose offensive schemes did not mesh with phenom quarterback Robert Griffin III.…
Antojitos preview at Universal CityWalk
2014 has just begun, but Universal Orlando is already well underway in their ambitious agenda to make over their CityWalk dining venue before Harry Potter's Diagon Alley expansion opens this June. The new Red Oven Pizza Bakery was the first of 8 new restaurants to open, and is recieving respectable reviews. The next to debut…
PBS films a segment of ‘Tout Your Town’ at Wally’s on Mills
Forgive me, friends, if I go on a little in this post. You see, I’ve been at Wally’s this evening already, which is nothing, really, considering it’s 7 p.m., and some folks have been there since this morning. (Wally’s happy hour goes from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., so top that.) Anyway, the purpose…
UPDATED: Petition protests Radio Disney partnership with Oil Industry event
If your online social media circles intersect with the worlds of Disney entertainment, progressive causes, and/or tween pop, you may have seen this petition making the rounds, requesting that Radio Disney sever its partnership with the Ohio Gas and Oil Association in presenting the “Rocking In Ohio” road show. It seems the youth-oriented music machine…
13 weird stories that DIDN’T happen in Florida in 2014
According to the Internet, Florida is the only state where weird shit happens. I beg to differ. I present to you exhibits A-M: via Exhibit A: An Oklahoma man gave his step-father an atomic wedgie … and killed him! via Exhibit B: An Oregon couple leaves an unusual tip for their waitress … meth! via…
Maximum underdrive: Chris Christie enters the Dead Zone
Sixteen months ago on this blog, I wrote about the phenomenon of the Greg Stillson Moment – that moment in a politician’s career when, like Greg Stillson at the climax of Stephen King’s The Dead Zone, he reveals his awful self to the public so blatantly that it’s all over for him. Chris Christie has…
Public service, not lip service. Val Demings lays down the law at drizzly afternoon campaign announcement!
Hey, we just got back from Lake Eola where former Orlando Police Chief and congressional hopeful Val Demings brought out the RED-DRESS-AND-PEARLS to officially announce her candidacy for Orange County Mayor! Though the turnout may have rivaled even that of tanning machine Charlie Crist for governor back in November, the speech itself was pretty down-the-middle…
The reality of Will’s Pub minus the smoking
Will’s Pub wasn’t just known for being one of the few remaining smoker-friendly venues in town – it was practically legendary for it. Until the bar went non-smoking on Jan. 1, you would walk into that place, and the smoke was practically the sexy hostess, rushing to greet you, clinging to your clothes and whispering…
Former SeaWorld trainer who worked on ‘Blackfish’ says she feels deceived
Photo via Brigette Pirtle’s Facebook page The MiceChat blog has a pretty fascinating interview today with Bridgette Pirtle, a former SeaWorld trainer who says she cooperated with the makers of the documentary Blackfish, but now feels like the filmmakers misrepresented their intentions. Pirtle tells MiceChat that, while she agrees that SeaWorld should phase out its…
DAILY WEEKLY READER: Charlie Crist writes a book, professional wrestling dinner theater is a real thing in Orlando, SeaWorld disses Universal & more
via stpetersblog.com Charlie Crist is writing a book “Some moments are glossed over quickly, such as the criminal conviction of former Republican Party of Florida chairman Jim Greer. Greer had been hand-picked by Crist to run the party.” Well, that’s not shocking at all but what is shocking is Jim Greer’s deposition, in which he…
Hulu’s new dramedy series ‘Hotwives of Orlando’ has fake boobies and jokes at our expense
As an I’m-happy-to-tell-you-I’m-gay man I am genetically predisposed to love things that are fabulous, self-deprecating, and pinktastic (check out that photo!), but there’s something about the freshly announced new Hulu Original series, Hotwives of Orlando that gives me a fever that a cowbell can’t cure. Following in the bedazzled footy-prints of all the other ‘INSERT…
Blackfish could blackball Seaworld’s Southwest Air partnership
Animal activists delivered a petition with more than 27,000 signatures to Southwest Airlines headquarters today, asking them to dissolve their 25+ year partnership with Sea World, as a result of increasing Blackfish related criticism. On Southwest Air’s blog, Marilee McInnis, Southwest Air’s senior manager of culture & communications, responded to the delivery of the petition:…
Jolly Ninjas marathon coming to Ivanhoe Village on Saturday
Seems like there’s a 5k, half marathon or race for everything these days. Now there’s a race coming to town that’s hoping to attack one Orlando neighborhood with kindness, and it’s called the Jolly Ninjas marathon. Here’s the takeaway: We all know exercise is a drag, despite the benefits. So let’s make it a little…
Google wants YOU! In their ads.
via Starting today, you could be a shill for Google ads. A month after changing their terms of services, Google rolled out a new program which uses your name and profile photo in advertisements. Basically, if you’ve ever reviewed or +1-ed anything using your Google login, that information is fodder for Google to use in…
This Little Underground: No Qualms’ swan song
The Falcon Soundraiser, Gross, Jackson Rodgers, Jim Seem
Fact-checking Saving Mr. Banks with Disney historian Jim Korkis
Saving Mr. Banks, the Disney-produced docudrama about the making of Mary Poppins, hasn’t exactly burned up the box office (earning $50 million domestically in its first three weekends), but it has ignited critical controversy. Some (including Orlando Weekly film reviewer Cameron Meier) have praised the picture’s performances and apparent authenticity, while others – notably LA…
How to eat clean without wanting to die
Detox your body but keep your sanity in 2014
Get involved in Orlando theater in 2014: January is audition time
Culture 2 Go, our monthly performing arts news roundup
Loving ‘Llewyn Davis’
Coen Bros. concoct mesmerizing mix of music, comedy and pathos
Solillaquists of Sound’s saga comes to its natural conclusion
‘The 4th Wall’ completes the group’s epic listener’s trilogy
Opening in Orlando: ‘Her’ and ‘The Legend of Hercules’
Movies opening in Orlando theaters this week
Cro-Mags revisit a brilliant past, wallow in same old shit
Catch influential hardcore band Cro-Mags at Backbooth
‘August: Osage County’ is a juicy generational drama
Accomplished cast shines in film adaptation of Tracy Letts’ play
Savage Love
Is there a term that is preferred to “transgendered”? I recently wrote an article that described a MTF person I know as transgendered. The article was positive about transgendered persons I have known (she is one of many). Upon seeing a draft prior to publication, this person flipped out so hard that I felt compelled…
Pam Bondi’s political time-capsule raid
Attorney General seeks to immortalize Obamacare challenge in otherwise innocuous ceremony
New law to help Florida foster kids aging out of the system has funding problems
Some say law there’s not enough money to support law that went into effect Jan. 1
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19) You can blame it on the coming full moon. You can blame it on the gorgeous storm or the epic dream or the haunting song or the suffering you’re struggling to vanquish. All I ask is that you don’t blame it on the alcohol. OK? If you’re going to do wild…
Locals lead an excursion through the work of William S. Burroughs
‘Midnight Exterminations’ celebrates the centenary of Burroughs’ birth with readings, original music
Drinking, Nightlife and Parties
Where to drink and party in Orlando this week
Rick Scott’s poverty problem
Recent issues with unemployment website and urine testing draw an insensitive picture
With vodka instead of water, Master Cleanse lemonade is pretty tasty
Remix: a fresh take on a classic drink
Sheepish in wolf’s clothing
Letters to the editor, web comments and feedback
New freakin’ tall Falcon’s Fury construction photos from Busch Gardens Tampa
Lately SeaWorld has been getting all the publicity, but sister park Busch Gardens Tampa is making a little noise for itself today with some fresh Falcon’s Fury construction photos. Photo credit: Aerial Innovations The massive 335-foot drop-tower will be the tallest such ride in North America when complete. Even in its current condition at “only”…
City of Orlando constructing new dog park closer to downtown
Here’s a city improvement for you, dog lovers: The City of Orlando will start whipping up a new dog park come February, as part of a wider renovation to Park of the Americas near(ish) Lake Underhill on the east side of town. The renovation will include a fenced off-leash dog park, as well as a…
Seven boozy hot chocolates to keep you warm tonight
Hey guess what, guys, it’s RUULLLL cold out there. So you know what? Put that silly New Year’s diet aside for just a few hours and make yourself some spiked cocoa because um well, just because. Let’s start with a spicy Mexican hot chocolate with Kahlúa, from Kara Newman via Imbibe magazine: Photo by Antonis…
Will Valve’s Steam Machines usher in a gaming renaissance?
Steam-clean I spent a lot of time over the past few months trying to figure out what the phrase “next-gen” means in regards to the gaming world. The phrase is thrown around regularly in just about every game-journalism medium, but it’s never clearly defined. It’s a concept, a semantic. I mean, it couldn’t be about…
‘Her’ proves falling in love with a computer can be surprisingly romantic
Spike Jonze’s latest ” … for the vast majority of American families, what seems to be the real point of life, what you rush home to get to, is to watch an electronic reproduction of life. You can’t touch it and it doesn’t smell and it has no taste. … It turns out to be…
Unconquered! Florida State Seminoles nab third BCS National Championship
Garnet and gold! Lucky Noles fan Aimee Vitek got to go to the Pasadena Rose Bowl to witness the BCS game of a lifetime College football’s Bowl Championship Series saw its final play this week, as the Florida State Seminoles and the Auburn University Tigers took the field at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.,…
Gorelando Film Review: ‘Open Grave’
Buried alive Open Grave is a flat, tedious horror-mystery effort the ultimately disappoints ?? (out of 5 stars) Alright, I’ll admit it: I have a weird man crush on Sharlto Copley. The man’s got talent for days, and I just about worshipped his work in District 9, Elysium and The Europa Report. So you could imagine…
VAL DEMINGS TO CONFUSE TERESA JACOBS BY CHALLENGING HER FOR ORANGE COUNTY MAYOR
photo via Orlando Magazine OH HEY YOU GUYS, two days before she was to make a public/official announcement, former police chief and congressional candidate Val Demings leaked the exclusive to the Sentinel that she will indeed be running against Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs in this year’s August stakes. HOORAY! Here’s the gist from the…
Today’s Google doodle honors Zora Neale Hurston
Today’s Google doodle honors Zora Neale Hurston, who was born Jan. 7, 1891 in Notasulga, Ala., though she moved to Eatonville when she was 3 years old. She would have been 123 years old today.
YOUR DAILY WEEKLY READER: Cars and guns; zero divided by zero; FSU takes sportsball; divorcing gay Catholics; falling through the vortex. COLD!
image via mashable WOULDN’T WANT TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF CARS ON CAMPUSES OR ANYTHING BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT GUNS ARE IMPORTANT FOR PARKING CONCERNS. THE GUN LOBBY WINS AGAIN: “USF’s original policy prohibited weapons ‘located anywhere on a USF System campus or facility or at a USF System event, including on one’s person,…
