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21 Orlando tacos you must try
Until you’ve eaten every one of these, you can’t consider yourself a true taconaut
Tonight’s your chance to yell “Free Bird” at Enzian’s Lynyrd Skynyrd screening
Remembered best for hit singles like “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Free Bird” and “Don’t Ask Me No Questions,” Jacksonville, Florida’s favorite sons – sit down, Tim Tebow – Lynyrd Skynyrd get the in-depth rock doc treatment in the new movie If I Leave Here Tomorrow. The film takes viewers behind the music with rare interviews and…
Downtown Pour brings booze and live entertainment to Thornton Park
The previously annual Downtown Pour – normally taking place on Church Street – now has a sister event over in Thornton Park. Expect the usual array of pop-up tents dishing out samples of beer, wine and cocktails with helpful reps giving you all the information about what you’re drinking. You can also enjoy live music…
Parliament House celebrates its 43rd Anniversary this Saturday
At 43, you’d expect a midlife crisis of sorts from Parliament House, but that’s definitely not the case. The gay nightclub and resort has entertained people for four decades with dazzling drag queens, musicals, pageants and theme nights, and there’s no sign of that getting old. “P-House,” as it’s affectionately known, has become a must-spot…
This weekend’s Tom & Dan Ninth Anniversary ’90s Party will be anything but mediocre
When they joined the podcast game nine years ago, Central Florida’s favorite podcasters may not have anticipated the incredible size of their legion of loyal listeners, or as they describe them, “scumbags.” But one thing is for sure: They sure do love treating their fans to freebies. That’s why Tom Vann and Daniel Dennis are…
Silvestre Dangond brings his Colombian flair to Orlando
After becoming a huge success in Colombia, singer Silvestre Dangond broke into the American market with his hit collaborative album Ponte a la Moda with fellow Colombian artist De la Espriella in 2005. Now, with newly released single,“Esto es Vida” and a collection of Spanish hits in his arsenal, Dangond will be spicing things up downtown…
The Great Orlando Americana Fest brings twang and soul to the City Beautiful
A collaboration between Southern Fried Sunday’s Jessica Pawli and singer-songwriter Luke Wagner’s Rush Puppy Promotions, the Great Orlando Americana Fest takes over both Will’s Pub and Lil Indies for an afternoon and evening of twang and soul. Headlined by Kaleigh Baker’s new Someday Honey project – a moodier, jazzier project than her usual Enablers backing…
Crazy ’80s Pub Crawl returns to Orlando this weekend for its 13th year in a row
This is the 13th year in a row that the annual Crazy ’80s Pub Crawl has taken over the bars of downtown Orlando. That’s so long ago that the first people to attend probably actually remembered the ’80s. Dress up as your favorite pop culture touchstone from the decade and travel to 11 different downtown…
No One Knows I’m Disco is staying alive at Stonewall this Friday
Even though downtown club Blackstar has closed its doors after an unfortunately short time in business, local old-school DJ and party planner Tommy Mot (ex-Spacebar) is keeping the dream alive. He announced plans to keep both No One Knows I’m Disco and Panic! nights going at Stonewall, the gay bar in Parramore that’s been racking…
Roque Pub hosts a day of chocolate and beer for Belgian Independence Day
Thanks to their third place finish in the World Cup last week, Belgium can finally be known for something more than chocolate and beer. But you can try both this weekend when Roque Pub taps some of the rarest Belgian beers in the United States and pairs them with Belgian chocolate samples. Don’t fret, England:…
Disney Springs has tons of new stuff, but some of the biggest additions are yet to open
Disney Springs has seen dozens of new shops and restaurants open as part of the massive update to the former Downtown Disney complex. The crowds have discovered all the new offerings ranging from new retail shops, to new themed dining experiences, to a complete overhaul to the World of Disney store, but some of the…
There’s one big question left regarding ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ at Epcot, and it’s tearing apart the fan community
When it was announced, everyone knew that Guardians of the Galaxy would be a major addition to Epcot, but what we didn’t realize at the time was how massive the new Guardians ride building itself would be. Nearly 1,000 concrete trucks were needed to pour the massive foundation of the 12-story show building that will…
A new shark species was discovered with the help of Florida researchers
With Shark Week conveniently around the corner, a new shark species was recently discovered in the Gulf of Mexico. Squalus clarkae, or “genie’s dogfish,” was identified by four researchers, including Florida Institute of Technology shark biologist Toby Daly-Engel, marine scientist Mariah Pfleger and Florida State University’s Dean Grubbs and Chip Cotton, according to Florida Institute…
Pokéworks is set to open in Oviedo at the end of September
Pokéworks, one of the fastest growing poke chains in the country, announced it will open its first Orlando-area location at the end of September. The Hawaiian-style poke restaurant will be located at 25 W. Mitchell Hammock Road in the new Stonehill Plaza in Oviedo. Pokéworks co-founder Peter Yang was recently named as one of Forbes’…
Rick Scott fights lawsuit demanding he disclose financial assets
A lawyer for Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday asked a state appellate court to block a lawsuit seeking to force the governor to disclose more of his financial assets. A Leon County circuit judge in February rejected Scott’s request to dismiss the case, which was filed by a Tallahassee attorney seeking to require Scott to…
Drake Bell to play onePULSE Foundation Fundraiser this summer
Television star and musician Drake Bell has been confirmed as the headliner for next month’s onePULSE benefit at the Abbey, doing a rare acoustic set. Bell, who rose to fame in Nickelodeon’s Drake and Josh series, has been honing his musical craft for years now, touring and releasing several full-length albums. Bell just released two…
A Florida judge just appointed a high-powered attorney to represent Markeith Loyd
On Tuesday, Judge Frederick Lauten granted a request by accused double murderer Markeith Loyd for a new attorney. In a June hearing, the judge granted Loyd’s request to have lead counsel Roger Weeden removed due to his inexperience in trying a first-degree murder case. Now the judge has agreed to Miami attorney Terry Lenamon representing Loyd. Loyd’s first request in…
Original King of Comedy D.L. Hughley comes to Orlando Improv for a two night run
D.L. Hughley’s comedy and acting pedigree is reason enough to take note when he comes to town. He – along with Bernie Mac, Cedric the Entertainer and Steve Harvey – starred in The Original Kings of Comedy, the Spike Lee-directed comedy concert film that became a cultural touchstone of the early 2000s. But some of…
Lingua Ignota pushes the noise subgenre forward this week at Will’s Pub
Now, noise-filth duo the Body are amazing, don’t get us wrong. In fact, our mind races back to seeing them years ago in a warehouse in Jacksonville, bolstered by the divine Assembly of Light Choir, and we nearly wept. But the opener they’ve chosen for this tour has us utterly agog: Lingua Ignota, the solo…
Worldwide punk showcase Foreign Dissent to celebrate fifth anniversary this October
If you can’t make it to Gainesville’s annual Fest this year – or even if you can, honestly – there’s a worthy sister event with international flair going on right in our own backyard. Now in its fifth (!) year, the Foreign Dissent showcase, organized by local Craig Mazer, shines the spotlight on international bands traveling to…
Seaweed is taking over Florida beaches and it’s likely to get worse
If the growth of seaweed this year gets as bad as expected, it could possibly be the worst in Florida’s history. According to the Treasure Coast Palm, the recent growth of sargassum seaweed in June was three times larger than the biggest bloom ever recorded for that month, which was in 2015. However, that June’s…
Filmapalooza 2019 is coming to Orlando
Filmapalooza, the international competition for the 48 Hour Film Project, will be held in Orlando for the first time, creator and executive producer Mark Ruppert announced today. The 2019 event is scheduled for March 6-9, with downtown’s Cobb Plaza Cinema Café 12 the likely location for most of the screenings. The 48 Hour Film Project…
Pulse foundation wants ideas from public on design of permanent memorial and museum
The onePULSE Foundation wants the public’s ideas on the design of a permanent memorial and museum at the gay nightclub where 49 people were killed in a mass shooting two years ago. The organization announced Tuesday the launch of its “Ideas Generator,” a place on its site where people can submit concepts related to the…
Florida transportation officials halt payments to contractor amid SunPass problems
Florida is halting payments to a company upgrading the SunPass toll-collection system until all the changes in the $287 million project are deemed “fully operational.” The Florida Department of Transportation announced Monday it is withholding payments to Maryland-based Conduent State & Local Solutions as work continues on the SunPass Centralized Customer Service System, which was…
Mike Pence will visit Cape Canaveral next month for a big space update
Vice President Mike Pence will visit NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral next month to announce the first astronaut crews under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, according to sources familiar with the matter. Pence, who chairs the National Space Council, will confirm a new launch date for the first private crew missions and announce which…
Full Sail’s CEO just donated $50K to ‘NRA sellout’ Adam Putnam
Bill Heavener, a co-chairman and CEO of local for-profit school Full Sail University recently donated over $50,000 to Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate and self-described “proud NRA sellout” Adam Putnam. According to public records, on June 30 Heavener donated $52,500 to Putnam’s political action committee, Florida Grown, in two separate donations listing his Winter Park Full Sail…
A massive arcade, bowling alley and restaurant concept is coming to the Oviedo Mall this summer
The Oviedo Mall is about to get a huge shot in the entertainment arm. Announced today, the mall will be getting a 26,000-square-foot District Eat and Play, a restaurant and bar hybrid featuring 1o boutique bowling lanes, over 50 arcade games, live entertainment and four escape rooms. The restaurant features a full bar and an…
Florida election officials wrong to ban early voting on college campuses, advocates argue
Florida elections officials were wrong to block on-campus early voting sites in Gainesville and Tallahassee, lawyers for the League of Women Voters of Florida told a federal judge Monday. But attorneys representing the state argued there was no indication that college students —- or anyone else —- would have voting rights abridged due to an…
Two Winter Park teens behind Roger Trindade’s death were sentenced today
On Monday, two Winter Park teens convicted of manslaughter in the death of 15-year-old Roger Trindade were sentenced to serve about a year in a high-risk juvenile program, WESH reports. Judge Jennifer Harris ruled that the two teens will be sentenced under juvenile sanctions, meaning both will avoid prison time, the report continues. The average…
Lawsuit claims ex-supervisor in Putnam’s office was told she ‘worked for the NRA’
A 2013 lawsuit from a former supervisor in Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam’s department alleged her bosses told her she “worked for the NRA” and pointed to “gross misconduct” regarding concealed weapons permits, according to a report from the Tampa Bay Times. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services settled the whistleblower lawsuit filed by Xenia Bailey…
Trump was more pissed over video showing Russian missile strike on Florida than election meddling
Despite the indictments of 12 Russians for their effort to hack Democrats’ computers last week, President Donald Trump apparently threw a bigger hissy fit in March, when Russian President Vladimir Putin showed off a video depicting a missile strike on Florida, Axios reports. A bit of a lovers’ quarrel? Trump didn’t attempt to display his discontent…
Video shows Florida cops struggling to explain Rick Scott’s incredibly vague public beach law
Last week, Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order telling authorities not to enforce his own dumb law limiting public beach access, and now, a video shows just how confusing this whole thing really is. In the video, recently uploaded by Daniel Uhlfelder of Santa Rosa Beach, beachgoers can be seen arguing with deputies with…
Viet-Nomz’s second location in east Orlando will open very soon
Viet-Nomz is getting ready to finally open its doors at their new location, which is great news for anyone looking for Vietnamese-style pan-Asian deliciousness. The new spot is located at 11798 E. Colonial Drive, replacing the former Pita Pit in the plaza at the Alafaya Trail intersection. The restaurant posted on social media that a grand…
Orlando resident starts petition to waive SunPass fees
As millions of SunPass transactions are beginning to post to customer accounts, Mike Dimauro, a concerned Orlando resident, has started a petition to convince SunPass to waive all tolls imposed during the system’s recent outage. The petition is addressed to Gov. Rick Scott, the Florida Legislature, the Florida Department and the contractor Conduent. “We use these toll roads for…
Marilyn Manson will perform in Orlando on Halloween
Halloween just got a little spookier with today’s announcement that Marilyn Manson is coming to Hard Rock Live Orlando. The doors will open at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets range from around $50 for general admission to $100 for balcony tables, and will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday,…
Universal Orlando figured out a way to turn bumper cars into the ultimate game of Pac-Man
With the upcoming Super Nintendo World rumored to be shifting from Universal Studios Florida to the new yet-to-be-announced but highly hinted-at theme park slated for Universal’s Lockheed property, there’s plenty of room for more than just two major rides. The most recent rumors point to two E-ticket level attractions themed to Donkey Kong and Mario…
With Star Wars and Toy Story Land wrapping up, the focus at Disney is now fully on Marvel
It’s been clear for some time that Disney is going all in with Marvel in the theme parks. At this point, every single Disney Parks resort in the world has some type of Marvel presence either already open or under construction. But the one that we still know the least about is Anaheim, where Disney…
Orlando is getting a Chronic Tacos
Popular Mexican chain Chronic Tacos will open its first Orlando location. Chronic Tacos will join the Restaurant Row lineup in the plaza at 7541 Sand Lake Road. As of now, there is no set date for the Orlando opening. This Mexican chain has already opened locations in Fort Myers and Tampa, and has another taco spot planned…
Congrats to these five Republicans for somehow being dumber than Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz
Sacha Baron Cohen’s new show Who Is America? debuted on Showtime last night, and arguably the most insane segment involved five Republicans advocating for the fictional “Kinder-Guardians” program, which proposes giving firearms to toddlers. The gang of five Republican who stared directly at the camera and supported giving semi-automatics and even mortars to 4- to…
Florida issues another medical marijuana license, with four more to follow
Florida Department of Health officials took two major actions in the medical marijuana sphere Friday, issuing a highly sought-after license to a Miami nursery that successfully challenged the state and laying out the process for four more licenses as the cannabis industry continues to blossom. In a blistering opinion last month, Administrative Law Judge John…
Band of the Week: Saeros
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 Saeros. Saeros are playing July 21 at Will’s Pub with Strawberry Girls, Night Verses, Andres and A Place Beyond Giants. Just the facts: When did the band form?Saeros started as…
Florida gun lobbyist Marion Hammer is suing people because she feels unsafe
Marion Hammer, one of the nation’s most renowned gun lobbyists and former president of the National Rifle Association, has a name that’s almost synonymous with the debate around gun reform. For decades, Hammer has helped lead the charge for various efforts to remove existing gun laws, using Florida as a sort of legislative incubator. And now,…
Orlando Magic suspend partnership with Papa John’s
The Orlando Magic have officially suspended their partnership with Papa John’s after news broke earlier this week that former chairman John Schnatter said the N-word during a media training exercise back in May. The basketball organization made the announcement on Twitter Friday evening, officially halting their relationship with the pizza-like franchise. Orlando Magic statement on…
The country’s first underwater museum is now open off the coast of Florida, and it’s free
Right off the coast of Florida, the nation’s first underwater museum has made its debut in the Gulf of Mexico. Found off Grayton Beach State Park in South Walton, the Underwater Museum of Art covers one acre of the Gulf’s ocean floor and reaches depths from 50 to 60 feet below. The grand opening of the…
Rick Scott tells Florida officials not to enforce his own dumb beach law
Seems like Florida Gov. Rick Scott is having some serious buyer’s remorse. The governor issued an executive order Thursday blocking state agencies from taking action to limit public beach access, contradicting a law Scott signed back in March that made it easier for property owners to kick people off their private beachfronts. “Unfortunately, the legislation…
Orlando punks Teenagers release new album this weekend
Orlando punk survivors Teen Agers today unveiled their new album When We Were on their own Bandcamp page, coinciding with a physical release on colored vinyl through Smartpunk Records, also home to Gaslight Anthem and the Used. And what better way to celebrate their first album in five years than to throw a party at…
Florida lawmakers are pressing FDOT for answers about I-4 being $100 million over budget
After a recent report found that work being done on I-4 is hundreds of days behind schedule and millions of dollars over budget, three Central Florida representatives are looking for answers. Moody’s Investment Service report found that the “I-4 Ultimate” project is 245 days behind schedule and $100 million dollars over budget, and revised the…
Sam Smith stopped by the Pulse memorial after his Orlando concert
Sam Smith, the singer behind “Stay With Me” and other massive pop hits, paid tribute to Pulse victims and their families this week after his show in Orlando. Smith performed at the Amway Center Wednesday evening, and apparently made the most of his time in Orlando. The Grammy award-winning singer took to Instagram to post about his…
Family Reunions Aren’t for Everyone
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UCF has a penis problem
In less than one week, there have been three separate incidents involving assault and indecent exposure at UCF’s main campus, two involving women being followed or flashed. As of today, the UCF Police Department said they don’t have reason to believe the incidents involve the same suspect(s). On Twitter, UCFPD shared details about a Thursday…
Here’s an incredibly dumb attack ad targeting Anna Eskamani
A new attack ad targeting Anna Eskamani, a Democrat running for Central Florida’s House District 47, argues that the candidate has done some “extreme” and scary things like marching for women’s equality and speaking out against transphobia. The ad, titled “Extreme Anna Eskamani,” hilariously starts out with a “vulgar language” warning, as if anyone who’s…
Trump endorses Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, his favorite attack dog
As if no one saw this coming, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz nabbed an endorsement from President Donald Trump this morning via – you guessed it – Twitter. Although the libertarian-ish conservative is heavily favored to win, Gaetz faces an Aug. 28 primary election with two Republican challengers, John Mills and Marine Corps veteran Cris Dosev.…
Florida asks businesses about impacts of toxic algae bloom outbreaks
Florida will survey businesses to determine the economic impact of the algae blooms spreading in the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries. Gov. Rick Scott on Monday issued an emergency order Monday for Glades, Hendry, Lee, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties over the reemergence of toxic algae outbreaks on both coasts. On Thursday,…
Florida citrus farmers end season on gloomy note
While federal relief for Florida growers impacted by Hurricane Irma may be getting closer to reality, citrus farmers found no surprises as a historically devastating growing season formally came to a close Thursday. The U.S. Department of Agriculture closed out its monthly forecast report for the current growing season without veering from its June projection,…
Synthwavers Dance With the Dead to return to Orlando in October
Synthwave stars Dance With the Dead have announced the dates for their 2018 “Loved to Death” North American tour and the only city in Florida they’ll be hitting is Orlando. Dance With the Dead, the duo of Californians Justin Pointer and Tony Kim, played Orlando last year in the company of the shadowy Gost, and are…
Vault 5421 celebrates a year in business with a post-apocalyptic party this weekend
Gods & Monsters’ post-apocalyptic themed back bar celebrates a year in the biz with – what else? – a post-apocalyptic themed party. Enjoy cage dancers, fire breathers and a blackjack table along with drink specials. VIP tickets get you in two hours early with a couple of free drinks, further discounts on drinks and a…
Audubon Park’s annual Bastille Day is a celebration of everything Francais
There’s an extra frisson of excitement around this 10th iteration of the beloved Audubon Park Garden District event this year, thanks to the political climate in which we find ourselves – frankly, we wonder every morning if this is the day when America is going to storm the barricades. But even if we set aside…
Uncomfortable Brunch screens all five and a half hours of Lars Von Trier’s ‘Nymphomaniac’
For what is surely the longest Uncomfortable Brunch ever, this special screening features both director’s cut versions of Lars von Trier’s two-part sex epic, Nymphomaniac. That’s five and a half hours of witnessing Charlotte Gainsbourg’s character, Joe, recount her complicated and promiscuous sexual history to Stellan Skarsgard. Though it features plenty of unsimulated sex scenes…
Anime Fun Shop hosts Montreal loop artist Kee Avil
Montreal’s Vicky Mettier, better known as Kee Avil, deals in loop-based guitar and vocal music that displays a much wider, and more visceral, palette of emotions and textures than many in-vogue types do with that exact tool set. Songs may start like a gentle homage to Helium but then quickly become an angular, disorienting collage…
Donald Trump Jr. is coming to Orlando next week to support Ron DeSantis
Donald Trump Jr. will be in Orlando next week to support U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis in his bid for Florida governor. Trump Jr., who is probably pretty thankful for all the work DeSantis has done on Fox News to undermine Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian collusion during the 2016 election, will be making a…
Video shows Orlando City players taking on Green Army Men from Disney’s Toy Story Land
In a match-up of massive cross-promotional proportions, Orlando City players and the Green Army Men from Disney’s latest Toy Story Land attraction recently faced off on the pitch. In the short clip, players Jonathan Spector, Joe Bendik, Uri Rosell and Sacha Kljestan do their best footwork against the Army Men with a massive inflatable Pixar…
Central Florida Republican wants to make undocumented immigrants pay for Trump’s border wall
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to better reflect the source of Mike Miller’s comments. Central Florida Republican and congressional candidate Scott Sturgill says he wants to make undocumented immigrants pay for President Donald Trump’s border wall and “double” Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency also known as ICE. Sturgill, a Sanford businessman, is…
Orlando City SC is getting their own hot sauce and they want you to name it
Tijuana Flats and Orlando City SC are teaming up to produce a promotional brand of hot sauce – and, yes, they’re letting you help name it, as well as choose the packaging. As of this post’s publication, you have less than 24 hours to decide. So vote. In a tweet from Orlando City (below), the…
Lawsuit challenges education amendment for Florida charter schools
A constitutional amendment that could create more charter schools should be removed from the November ballot because it is misleading, the League of Women Voters of Florida alleged in a lawsuit filed Thursday. “The ballot title and summary for (Amendment) 8 do not, in clear and unambiguous language, fairly inform the voters of a chief…
Parents of Parkland shooting victim will create a mural in downtown Orlando today
Manuel and Patricia Oliver – parents of Joaquin Oliver, a victim of last February’s Parkland high school shooting – will be in downtown Orlando tomorrow to create a new mural. This moving installation will be hosted by the Olivers’ nonprofit Change the Ref, and will be start at 6 p.m. at the Walt Disney Amphitheater…
Visit Orlando reveals new Magical Dining Month menus
Visit Orlando’s annual Magical Dining Month is around the corner and the menus have officially been released. Over 100 local restaurants will be participating in the annual event produced by the tourism bureau, offering guests three-course prix-fixe meals for just $35. The month-long meal deal with run from Aug. 24 to Sept. 30. For every…
Central Florida’s own Pastor Paula White: Jesus wouldn’t break immigration law
Paula White, an Apopka televangelist who last year said defying President Donald Trump was “fighting against the hand of God,” has once again opened her mouth and shoved her entire stiletto-heeled boot on in there. This time around she’s praising baby jails to the high heavens, and opining that Jesus wasn’t an illegal. (Actually, our favorite…
A new Topgolf location is coming to Lake Mary
Topgolf is looking to open a second Orlando-area location in Lake Mary. The popular golfing range-restaurant hybrid plans to take over 19 acres near Lake Emma Road and Greenwood Boulevard, according to public records obtained by the Orlando Business Journal. No exact opening date has been announced. The 65,000-square-foot I-Drive location at 9295 Universal Blvd.…
Sprouts Farmers Market will open its Winter Park location in October
Niche grocery chain Sprouts Farmers Market has finally announced an official opening date for their new Winter Park location. The company says the new Sprouts will open its doors on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 1999 Aloma Ave., in the former Whole Foods location. The 30,000-square-foot store will be looking to hire 140 employees seeking both full- and…
Marjory Stoneman Douglas public safety panel grills officials over 911 calls
Problems with the communications system exposed by the response to a mass shooting at a Parkland high school aren’t isolated to Broward County, according to testimony at a meeting held by a commission tasked with preventing future catastrophes. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission on Wednesday grilled officials from Broward County, Coral Springs and…
West Colonial Drive near I-4 will close this weekend for pedestrian bridge installation
West Colonial Drive near Interstate 4 will close this weekend so that workers can install a steel truss that’s part of the new pedestrian overpass bridge. The area between Orange Avenue and Garland Avenue on West Colonial Drive will be closed to traffic from 10 p.m. Saturday, July 14, through 6 a.m. Sunday, July 15. Message boards…
The Pauses play Park Ave CDs with Jawbox’s J. Robbins in honor of their new album
Scheduling a show on Friday the 13th could maybe be seen as inviting some form of minor misfortune, but Pauses frontperson Tierney Tough can be forgiven for not being able to predict Blackstar’s implosion and the subsequent scramble to find a new venue. All’s well that ends well, because the local indie all-stars will be…
Orlando Science Center’s Science After Sundown series brings Robby to Robot back to ‘Forbidden Planet’
The Orlando Science Center is known for its frequent after-hours events, but this summer they’re staying open late every Friday and Saturday through Aug. 11. That means you can go through their latest exhibit, Hall of Heroes – an exploration of the history of superheroes with lots of hands-on activities – without having to elbow…
Parkland and Pulse survivors to speak at Road to Change Block Party at Lake Eola’s amphitheater
In an effort to register voters, survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting are going on tour, hitting Orlando as their first stop. The evening will be spent listening to live music, enjoying food from local vendors, and listening to speakers from Parkland and Pulse tell their stories and advocate for change. The…
White House backs Florida’s effort for Everglades reservoir
The White House on Tuesday backed Florida’s effort to secure federal funding for a reservoir intended to move water away from Lake Okeechobee and reduce discharges that residents blame for repeated toxic algae outbreaks spreading on both coasts. The request by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to include funding for the roughly $1.6 billion…
Downtown Orlando is getting an express Jimmy Hula’s inside the Basement bar
The Basement in downtown Orlando will soon share its with space a new Jimmy Hula’s location. The popular Central Florida taco and beer joint is debuting an “Urban Express” eatery that will share the location inside the bar at 68 E. Pine St. “We’re really excited about this location because it’ll have all the classic…
Protesters gather in downtown Orlando demanding Rick Scott take action on medical marijuana
Local organizations and community members rallied today at Lake Eola, urging Rick Scott to stop using his executive order to restrict cannabis use for medical marijuana patients. “Rick Scott is pretty personally standing in the way of the will of the people,” said rally organizer Brett Pufferbarger, the PR director for Buds for Vets, a…
Twenty One Pilots announce Central Florida show in November
Twenty One Pilots today announced their Bandito tour, a worldwide affair starting this October, which will see the duo of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun playing out songs from upcoming new album Trench, and there is a date set for Central Florida. The band also released two new singles today – “Jumpsuit” and “Nico and the Niners” –…
Embrace the future at Never Log Off in Bikkuri Sushi’s sci-fi lounge
Dance party series Never Log Off comes to the futuristic lounge in the back of Bikkuri Sushi this month. Focused on local underground dance music of the LGBTQA+ and Soundcloud scenes, Never Log Off features artists like Elevation, Gojii, Water Spirit and more you’ve probably never heard of, but should. 10 p.m. Friday; Bikkuri Sushi,…
Study says Florida’s policies are the biggest obstacle in increasing voter turnout
A new report from the left-leaning Center for American Progress details how Florida could boost its election season voter turnout in coming years. The study, titled “Increasing Voter Participation in America: Policies to Drive Participation and Make Voting More Convenient,” points to policies such as automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration, pre-registration, online registration, at-home…
All-vegan eatery Leguminati will open in Hourglass District Aug. 4
You don’t need meat to have a good time in the Hourglass District. The popular all-vegan spot Leguminati announced back in January that their first brick and mortar location was coming to the Hourglass District, and now an official date for the grand opening has been set. The meatless joint will open Aug. 4 alongside…
Bring your favorite records to the Nook tonight for Wax Nostalgic
Bring Your Own Vinyl comes back to the Milk District with a new venue and host. Brandon “BrandNu” Christopher hosts at the Nook on Robinson. Bring your favorite records to play on the house turntables while enjoying craft beer and coffee from the bar. All genres and skill levels welcome. 8 p.m. Wednesday; The Nook…
City of Orlando will launch new social media campaign and ambassador program to address panhandling
As complaints of aggressive panhandling are on the rise, the City of Orlando is now seeking out alternative solutions to dealing with the homeless. One solution in the works is a new social media campaign designed to educate tourists, locals and downtown businesses about how they can help the homeless by donating to charity organizations…
Progressive Puerto Rican group launches ad attacking Rick Scott over climate change
A Puerto Rican progressive group is launching attack ads against Gov. Rick Scott for contributing to the hardships faced on the island after Hurricane María by denying climate change. Alianza for Progress says it is buying television and online ads to call out Scott for “pandering to Puerto Ricans displaced by Hurricane María, a storm exacerbated…
Federal judge issues permanent injunction against Florida’s disputed abortion law
In a case that focused heavily on First Amendment rights, a federal judge has issued a permanent injunction against a 2016 abortion law approved by Florida lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, who granted a preliminary injunction against the law in September, issued the permanent injunction last week and ordered the…
Legal Public Notices 7/11 Issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices AUCTION EXTRASPACE STORAGE – STORE 1335 1101 MARSHALL FARMS RD, OCOEE FL 34761 Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1101 Marshall Farms Rd, Ocoee FL 34761, 07/20/2018 @ 12:30 pm: JOAN FULLER FLOWERS,…
The best concerts coming to Orlando this week
Rod Hamdallah Atlanta garage rock malcontent (and Legendary Shack Shakers guitarist) Hamdallah rampages through the City Beautiful for the second time this year. 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, at Will’s Pub, $10-$12 The 502s Local indie-Americana rabble-rousers celebrate the release of their new album. 7 p.m. Thursday, July 12, at Soundbar, $10-$12 Ray Brazen and Bobby Clock…
Dueling debuts at Disney and Universal demonstrate that when it comes to buildup, bigger isn’t always better
Did you ever plead for a certain present, only for anticipation to sour mere moments after its unwrapping? Did another unheralded gift unexpectedly enthrall instead of the one you’d hyped up in your head? Recent dueling debuts at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando demonstrate that when it comes to buildup, bigger isn’t always better.…
Orlando Shakes goes official with its new name, plus more in performing arts news
After years of patrons informally calling it “Orlando Shakes,” the Orlando Shakespeare Theater has adopted the abbreviation as their official name. The organization’s rebranding – which required two national consultants and a year of focus group research – also includes a new logo that incorporates Helvetica, handwriting and a quill pen. Two of Orlando’s biggest…
Opening in Orlando: Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, Skyscraper and more
THIS WEEK: Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation In the kid-flick pantheon, vacation stories are usually a sign of flagging inspiration. Not that Hotel Transylvania was a particularly novel franchise to begin with, coming out of the gate like Mad Monster Party with Adam Sandler in the place of Boris Karloff. (I know: that’s a trade…
Savage Love: ‘Lopsiders’
Longtime Savage Love fanboy with a bit of a conundrum – and it’s your fault! I’m a bi man in my 30s. To use Charles M. Blow’s word, my bisexuality is “lopsided.” This means that I fall in love with women exclusively, but I love to have sex with men occasionally. My current girlfriend not…
Gimme Shelter: Meet Muffin!
Are you looking for a new four-legged friend? Meet Muffin! Muffin (A407851) is a 9-year-old female who was surrendered because her owner could no longer care for her. Muffin is a ready-to-go-home dog who is a whole 10 pounds of sweetness! She is relaxed and very calm. Come see this cutie today! Something everyone can…
Anthony Kennedy is retiring. How fucked are we?
Man in black
ICYMI: Disney gets a refund after winning tax dispute, Anna Eskamani sues her Democratic opponent and more
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort wants to hire 61 foreign workers for the upcoming tourist season: According to data from the Labor Department, Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club requested to employ 21 workers from overseas to serve as cooks at the Palm Beach resort from October 2018 to May 2019, and 40 more waiters and waitresses for the same…
Who’s up, who’s down this week in Florida politics
Welcome to Orlando Weekly’s latest semi-regular column, a scatter graph where we rank Sunshine State pols’ behavior each week. Candidate making crowd-savvy moves? Elected official got a case of foot-in-mouth disease? Read about it here.
A secret speakeasy-style coffee shop opens in Orlando this week, Tactical Brewing is in soft opening, plus more in local foodie news
OPENINGS: Frenchpressery will open its membership-only speakeasy coffee shop July 13, 18, 20, 24, 26 and 30 at a secret location. Visit frenchpressery.com for more … La Kuma, specializing in Japanese-style coffee and tea, has opened in Longwood … A new week, a new opening date set by Baldwin Park’s Meza Mediterranean Grill. This time…
Follow Drab Majesty from here to eternity
Knocking on Heaven’s Gate
