Lazy Afternoon discusses the details of Questlove’s residency
When a genius comes to town, you don’t tell him what to talk about, you just pull up a chair and learn from the master. So when local DJ promotion company Lazy Afternoon noticed the Roots were booked for Universal’s Mardi Gras in May, they jumped to deliver a Questlove DJ night to remember. They…
Governor Rick Scott signs Charlotte’s Web marijuana bill into law
via Today, Rick Scott signed the Charlotte’s Web bill into law, legalizing a strain of extremely low-THC cannabis for medicinal use. The specific ailments included in the bill are Parkinson’s disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, pediatric epilepsy and “other physical medical conditions that chronically produce symptoms of seizures or severe and persistent muscle spasms.” Containing only .05…
Florida legislators sound off against school-voucher expansion
image via Tampa Bay Times Just as the winds were whooping up and the skies were closing in this afternoon, State Reps. Joe Saunders, D-Orlando, and Karen Castor Dentel, D-Maitland, held blustery court outside of Howard Middle School in an attempt to sway public opinion – if not Gov. Rick Scott’s opinion – on the…
Universal Orlando’s Diagon Alley preview week webcast schedule
via Today marks the beginning of Universal Orlando’s Diagon Alley media preview week, where the media will finally get to experience Harry Potter’s London (or at least Universal’s Florida version), including all the new shops at Diagon Alley, the Hogwarts Express and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. If you weren’t lucky enough to get…
Pie inside cake: a real thing
It’s the turducken of desserts! Thanks, Hallmark Channel PR, for taking the time to let me know that pie inside cake is a thing that has happened. Salivation Army readers, I give you: PIE IN CAKE. Here’s how, if you’re just not feeling fat or diabetic enough on your current diet:
A look at Artegon: Festival Bay’s extreme makeover
An aerial view of the Festival Bay Mall makeover.via Last year, we brought you news of an extreme makeover for the Festival Bay Mall on International Drive. The mall currently features anchor stores Ron Jon’s Surf Shop, Bass Pro Shops, Shepler’s Western Wear and Cinemark Theaters. The overhaul will add Toby Keith’s: I Love this Bar…
DeLand woman puts $84 worth of lobster in pants to fund Chinese food, narcotics
Reed, the lobster tail bandit. Photo via Volusia Co. Sheriff’s Office. Call it the great lobster tail swindle: last Wednesday 30 year-old Nichole Reed was caught on camera stuffing seven frozen lobster tails (retail price: $83.99) down the front of her pants at the South Woodland Boulevard Publix in DeLand before hastily exiting the store.…
YOUR DAILY WEEKLY READER: unsweetened sugar, anti-vax racism, the curse of survival
HAHAHAHA, FLORIDA LEGISLATORS HAVE A SWEET TOOTH FOR CAMPAIGN DONATIONS, APPARENTLY (PART 3,489): “Florida taxpayers have been left shouldering most of the $2 billion Everglades water pollution cleanup cost, despite a constitutional amendment passed by nearly 70 percent of voters that calls for the sugar industry to pick up its share of the tab. While…
Beertastic! Bring two cans of food, get a free beer
via So, you wanna help out the kids and score some free beer in the process? On Sunday, June 22 at the Lake Eola Farmer’s Market, if you bring two cans of food, Earth’s Best Beverages will give you one Orlando Brewing Company beer. And they’ll be giving you the good stuff, too: one of…
Mickey goes to Brazil, catches World Cup fever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwY2OqEvhS8 The latest nouveau Mickey short sees Mick taking in a soccer match in Rio, but getting a good view in the stadium is easier said than done. Match commentary by The Three Caballeros’ José Carioca. It’s a little bit of a novelty in that the short is in Portugese instead of English, but it…
Thank you, Internet: Oreo pancakes and ‘Star Wars’ Land at Disney
There’s some shit going on this Friday: It’s a full-mooned Friday the 13 while Mercury is in retrograde. If you wanna escape all that nonsense or, if you just wanna escape the last few hours at work, here are some links we love to get you started: via 1. Oreos have almost a cult-like following.…
Vintage 1962 Winter Park video released from the vault
via The city of Winter Park has released a video featuring 50-year-old footage of the favored town. The video, which gives off Betty Draper vibes with cheerful background music and a chipper narrator, advertises Winter Park as a town with a “Southern climate but a Northern atmosphere.” The advertisement also mentions long-vanished local haunts such…
Location Matters: Gill-man’s favorite haunts in ‘Creature From the Black Lagoon’
Eat your heart out, Michael Phelps: the Creature zooms through his Black Lagoon in search of babes. Location Matters is a series that reflects upon pieces of Central Florida immortalized in popular film/television. There has long been debate concerning where the Creature from the Black Lagoon, a.k.a. Gill-man, falls amongst the lineup of classic Universal…
Marvel rebooting Captain Citrus as totally macho dude orange
“I think we need to do anything we can to reach a new consumer,” says Florida Citrus Commissioner Ned Hancock regarding the negotiations his organization is finalizing with Marvel Worldwide Inc. to reboot orange juice awareness character Captain Citrus into a character teens and pre-teens can get excited about (and who they can also support…
Florida Supreme Court to Orlando: Pre-2010 red light cameras were illegal
via Today, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that Orlando’s pre-2010 red light camera system was illegal. Between 2008 and 2010, Orlando operated red light cameras without authorization from the state, violating a state law regarding uniform traffic enforcement. In 2010, the state of Florida enacted a law allowing red light cameras, thereby legalizing Orlando’s existing…
Equality Florida PAC endorses not-gay Charlie Crist for governor (UPDATE: so does HRC)
via salon.com A mere two days after the release of former Republican Party of Florida figurehead/prisoner Jim Greer’s steamy tell-all IN WHICH HE CONJURES SKANKY MAN-ON-MAN LOVE AFFAIRS BETWEEN CRIST AND MEN, Equality Florida’s political action committee came out this afternoon with an endorsement for the former-Republican-former-governor-sometimes-sunscreened minx. It’s kind of big deal, and we…
Hey, Jimmy Fallon! Visit these places when you’re in Orlando
Without a doubt, Jimmy Fallon should visit his portrait on Paint the Trail. Jimmy Fallon’s bringing his hugely successful Tonight Show to Orlando next week (June 16-19). We know he’ll be spending plenty of time checking out the Diagon Alley addition to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (hey, Jimmy, don’t eat the chocolate frogs, OK?), but if…
OVERTURE! CURTAIN LIGHTS! Inside the first look at the Dr. Phillips Center’s first season of programming!
It rained trebles and basses, SunRail cars drove by and drowned out polite anticipation, people scrambled and were bopped on the head by looming television cameras, the mayor’s spokeswoman Heather Fagan laughed off a TV MEDIA question about red light cameras and class-action suits and this guy – THIS GUY – made an appearance for…
Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s chocolate frogs linked to modern-slavery practices
It doesn’t take long after stepping foot in Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter to realize that children are absolutely enthralled by everything Harry Potter. From the Hogwarts castle replica to the butterbeer cart, the place keeps kids in a constant state of bright-eyed wonder. However, it’s this innocence and awe that makes the truth…
World Cup 2014, Brazil: Who to watch for
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJty7rg3eds It’s down to a few hours until kick off between Brazil and Croatia to start the 2014 World Cup now. It’s sort of on this side of the world this year, so there will be no 5am kick offs to worry about. It’s been a controversial few weeks for FIFA, the world governing body.…
Gamelando: Our best (and worst) of E3 2014
The Electronic Entertainment Expo was quite a feast for the senses this year. The impact of this new generation of gaming consoles allowed for developers to really spread their wings and unveil a few secret weapons. Here’s our breakdown of our favorite moments this year. The Good Stuff: Sony’s “We’re the best” approach After a…
YOUR DAILY WEEKLY READER: the weed gamble, FSU follies, homosexuals anonymous
via calvinayre.com PIOUS REPUBLICANS HATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ALMOST AS MUCH AS THEY ABHOR GAMBLING. WAIT, WHAT? “The stakes are getting higher – politically and financially – in Florida’s heated campaign over a November referendum to allow doctors to prescribe marijuana. The latest financial reports by the two main groups fighting the legalization of medical marijuana…
Unofficial Hidden Cash has arrived in Orlando
via Last month, Jason Buzi started the Twitter account HiddenCash in the Bay Area as a “fun way to bring people together and give back, and put smiles on people’s faces.” It doesn’t hurt that there’s free money involved, either. His charitable treasure hunt hides small amounts of cash around San Francisco, leaving hints on Twitter as…
Retired dean appointed as Rollins acting president
via In light of Lewis Duncan’s resignation from Rollins last month, the Board of Trustees has appointed Craig McAllaster as acting college president on June 9. Monday’s announcement from Board chairman, David Lord, expressed plans to select a permanent president by summer 2015. McAllaster is returning from retirement as the former Dean of the Roy…
10 free things to do in the Orlando area this weekend (June 13–15)
27 fun things to do in Orlando this week Are you looking for places to blow off your summer energy but not blow all your cash? Leave your wallet at home and kick back at these 10 free events happening in Orlando this weekend: Chris Robb: Abstractions Attend a debut exhibition by abstract artist and…
19 questions with an Orlando resident: Steven Shea
Welcome to 19 Questions, a feature where we ask longtime Orlando residents 19 questions that are mostly related to living in the City Beautiful. Filmmaker/photographer Steven Shea was born in Louisiana, raised in the Florida Keys and has spent the past 15 years living in Jamlando. The Valencia grad owns Abyssmal Entertainment, a local multimedia…
YOUR DAILY WEEKLY READER: Cantor can’t, cognitive dissonance, bang and blame
via Washington Post WAIT, DOES THIS MEAN WE SHOULD BE MORE FRIGHTENED OF THE RIGHT-WING FRINGES, OR MORE EXCITED ABOUT THE FRINGING OF THE RIGHT-WING FRINGES IN A PRIMARY? AH, WHO CARES! YAY!: “Eric Cantor, the House majority leader, lost his primary on Tuesday night in one of the most stunning electoral upsets in recent…
Plot tweaks can’t dull the luminosity of ‘The Fault in Our Stars’
The movie amounts to a memorable cry, thanks to a superb cast
Teresa Jacobs’ State of the County speech falls flat
“Year of Transformation” was actually a year of obfuscation and litigation
MxPx bucks punk love stereotypes in song lyrics
An exploration of female stereotypes depicted in popular songs
Blues music in Sanford; cheers and jeers for Happytown
Letters to the editor and reader comments
Fresh-casual: Italio Modern Italian Kitchen and Olea Mezze Grill
Pickings are anything but slim at these eateries that allow for almost infinite customization
Meet the world’s tallest roller coaster, Skyscraper
570-foot-tall ‘Polercoaster’ anchors new attractions complex Skyplex, to open in 2016
Frank & Steins comes to Winter Park; Funky Buddha comes to Central Florida
More good news: Scratch Tapas now serving lunch and a second Yellow Dog Eats coming soon
Drinking, Nightlife and Parties
Where to drink and party in Orlando this week
John Green sets scenes all over Orlando in ‘Paper Towns’
Now a famous YA author, Green grew up in Orlando – and it shows
Honoring Florida’s global-warming heroes
Give Me Your Money
John Green’s ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ is better by the book
The Orlando native and champion Nerdfighter’s greatest cause remains combating teen stereotypes
Iconic Flat Duo Jets guitarist wouldn’t choose to play in duos
His influential underground band was bred by scarcity of resources
Mayhem’s concept album grays out former eternal blackness
Album review: Mayhem’s ‘Esoteric Warfare’
New faces at Mad Cow Theatre, Orlando Ballet and Orlando Shakes
Culture 2 Go: local arts news
Savage Love
I am a senior in high school, but come Saturday, I will be a high-school grad! (Fuck yeah!) The only thing I’m worried about besides my hopes and dreams, and making it in the real world? My sex life. I’m a virgin. When I go online, I see all my friends and peers having these…
John Morgan slams national party chair over medical marijuana stance
Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s public dismissal of Amendment 2 stirs pot, controversy
Body Count’s rap-rock is full of hilarious quotables
Album review: Body Count’s ‘Manslaughter’
This Little Underground: The mighty return of Floor
Live reviews of Drive-By Truckers, Water Liars, Stagnant Pools
Proposed school closures prompt discussion about segregation
Orange County School District’s proposal for two new K-8 schools in Baldwin Park and Parramore, to replace smaller elementary schools, inspires acrimony
Bar Exam: The Lucky Lure
It’s like a quick trip to the beach without leaving town
Opening in Orlando: ‘22 Jump Street,’ ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’
Movies playing in Orlando theaters this week
Jack White’s ‘Lazaretto’ is missing true backwoods moonshine
Album review: Jack White’s ‘Lazaretto’
Gia Coppola talks about ‘Palo Alto’
Coppola talks about adapting James Franco’s short stories to film and not letting her family’s legacy overshadow her career
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19) In its quest for nectar, a hummingbird sips from a thousand flowers every day. As it flaps its wings 70 times a second, zipping from meal to meal, it can fly sideways, backward or forward. If it so desires, it can also hover or glide upside-down. It remembers every flower it…
American Lung Association gives Orange County a D in annual ‘State of the Air’ study
The American Lung Association recently released its 2014 findings for their annual nationwide county-by-county “State of the Air” study, and when it comes to Orlando, there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is Orange County received a D for its ozone on the Air Quality Index, or a color rating of “orange” meaning “unhealthy…
Renderings for the Orlando City soccer stadium released
via Orlando City Soccer Orlando City Soccer released the renderings for its Major League Soccer stadium today. The design, which appears sleek (and a little bit underwhelming), will cost about $115 million to build. The stadium’s scheduled completion is sometime in 2016 before the MLS season, and will feature 19,500 seats, roof coverage to protect fans…
I-4 street racing caught on video
via Sunday, June 1, David Payette was caught on dashcam while street racing down I-4. Despite flashing their lights and blaring their siren, Florida Highway Patrol was unable to capture Payette during the pursuit. Luckily, the trooper noted Payette’s license plate and got a good look at his face before the driver sped off at about…
Florida is the most stressed state in the country
via Feeling a little stressed today, Florida? Well, according to real estate site Movoto, you’ve reason to be, since they ranked Florida no. 1 on their list of the most stressed states in the contiguous United States. When determining these stress rankings, Movoto considered the following: Percentage of population with a long commute (over 20…
Whiteface supremacy: Jerad Miller and the Joker
You ever have one of those mornings? You wake up in a good mood. You go for a walk with your pretty wife and adorable dog. You think about taking a quick dip in the pool before work. And then you turn on the TV and see that somebody has found footage of yet another…
8 unconventional things to do with Dad this Father’s Day weekend
via If you and your Dad are sick of the typical crusty wings at sports bars and unsuccessful fishing excursions, try out these more unusual outings for a change of pace. Orlando Toy and Comic Con If your dad’s the type to collect comics obsessively, he’ll be pleased to hear you’re taking him out to…
This Little Underground: Swearin’, Potty Mouth, Jr. Meowzer @ Will’s Pub
This Little Underground is Orlando Weekly’s music column providing perspective, live reviews and news on the city’s music scene. Read the latest column here. Swearin’ (photo by Jesse Riggins) If ever you needed proof that the ’90s indie revival was in full bloom, the latest Norsekorea bill was as good a case as it…
YOUR DAILY WEEKLY READER: brown makes black, Orlando makes red, Scott’s very quiet switch
BROWN IS THE NEW BLACK: “What sort of criminal is the target of most federal prosecutions? Mobsters? Bank robbers? No: illegal immigrants. And where do they go? To private prisons, for whom America’s immigration system is a giant profit center. A new report from the ACLU takes a deep look at Criminal Alien Requirement [CAR]…
