Cover Story
Enzian’s summer KidFest screens Buster Keaton’s ‘Steamboat Bill, Jr.’
Let’s be real: No modern kid is going to be excited about the chance to go see a black-and-white silent film made in 1928. So rest easy if you’re worried about being surrounded by kids at the Enzian’s screenings of Buster Keaton’s Steamboat Bill, Jr. this week. The plot, about feuding riverboat captains whose kids…
Some of the best drumlines in the country march into Camping World Stadium with Drum Corps International
Considered the “Marching Music’s Major League,” Drum Corps International is bringing the most elite and exclusive marching ensembles in the world to Orlando. This nonprofit organization was founded nearly a half-century ago and strives to bring people together through the art of marching. Listen to student musicians and performers from Florida and other parts of…
Repticon visits Kissimmee this weekend for all your herpetological needs
Have you ever thought about wearing a sprawling, massive yellow snake over your shoulders, Britney Spears-style? Or do you have herpetophobia on the brain? It’s a common fear, so perhaps exposure in a fun and safe environment will ease your mind. The Repticon series is bringing reptiles and other exotic animals to Kissimmee for a…
Indie-rock contender Petal to play Orlando this month
Scranton indie-rocker Petal is on the road on a co-headlining tour with buzzy Australians Camp Cope, and the sole Florida date for this heavy bill – later this month – is in Orlando. Petal, née Kiley Lotz, has just released her newest album, Magic Gone, to rave reviews from the likes of Rolling Stone. Petal headlines…
Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra pays tribute to classic RPG ‘Chrono Trigger’ in Sanford
Originally released for the Super Nintendo in 1995, Chrono Trigger is almost universally considered to be one of the greatest video games of all time, and a defining example of the Japanese Role Playing Game genre. The score – composed primarily by first-time composer Yasunori Mitsuda and veteran Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu – was…
Fringe favorite ‘Fuckboys: The Musical’ gets one-night encore at Sanford wine bar Luisa’s Cellar
File this one under “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Between the vulgar title and an unintelligible teaser performance, I wasn’t exactly eager to see Fuckboys: The Musical in its Fringe run earlier this summer. But writer/co-director Savannah Pedersen’s show turned out to be a surprisingly tender and tuneful tribute to female friendship –…
Two Winter Park ways to celebrate a fancy 4th of July deliciously
Sorry, we know it’s last-minute, but we just got the info ourselves. Two of Winter Park’s most popular, undeniably somewhat fancy, restaurants are celebrating Independence Day with tasty specials. First up, the Glass Knife: They’ll celebrate the holiday Wednesday, July 4, with a special edition red, white and blue doughnut. Your 4th of July party just…
Chill out this week with free ice cream from 7-Eleven, courtesy of Postmates
To help hot Americans celebrate the independence of their country, this week Postmates will deliver free ice cream pints from 7-Eleven to their members who use the promo code 7HEAVEN. Ice cream brands vary by store, but generally include 7 Select, Ben & Jerry’s and Haagen-Dazs. In fact, they’re waiving delivery fees from 7-Eleven altogether,…
Orlando man who believes Trump was elected by God is getting his own movie
The story of an Orlando man who believes God told him Trump would become president is coming to movie theaters this fall. The Trump Prophecy is set to hit nationwide on Oct. 2 and 4. It was created as part of a spring semester project for students at Liberty University in Virginia, one of the…
Adam Putnam’s office also approved 99 concealed carry permits without background checks in 2012
According to a report from the Associated Press, a 2012 internal investigation found that 48 Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services employees committed errors while issuing concealed weapon permits and armed security guard or similar licenses. Per the report, one employee resigned during the investigation, another was fired and several more received suspensions or…
Adam Putnam is now bragging about how many times he says ‘Florida’
Adam Putnam, a self-described “proud NRA sellout” running for governor of Florida and monogamous lover of only one special word, is now bragging about how many times he said “Florida” in last week’s debate with Congressman Ron DeSantis. In arguably the dumbest infographic ever created, the current Agriculture Commissioner and man who oopsied 291 gun…
Pitch Perfected is the capstone on the Barbershop Harmony Society’s annual international convention
Hello my baby, hello my darling. The capstone of the annual Barbershop Harmony Society’s international convention – yes, that is a thing – is the Pitch Perfected show. Watch some of the best barbershop quartets in the world as the 1993 Quartet Champion group, Gas House Gang, and 2017 champions, Main Street, take over the…
Pearl and the Oysters bring summery vibes to Downtown Arts Collective
You may have thought the Solstice was on June 21, but this Ugly Orange-curated show is the true herald of the season with summery vibes aplenty. Elestial Sound artists Pearl & the Oysters have played the City Beautiful a time or two now, but are never less than welcome, especially with the weather now matching…
Despite our state housing a child immigrant jail, key Florida Democrats still won’t support abolishing ICE
As of now, two key Florida Democrats would prefer to cater to the Ken Bones of the country rather than inspire the millions of constituents who don’t vote because they feel disenfranchised by the current state of politics. Asked whether they would support the “Abolish ICE,” movement, which has gained tremendous steam among progressive Democratic…
Orlando astrologer RJ Speiser invites you to take a dip in the cooling waters of Cancer season
If you spend time with me, I will most likely mention astrology at some point in our conversation. This is because there is an astrologer who has claimed full-time residence in my head. Nowadays, when I talk with friends, an omnipresent mystic shares karmic information about their dilemmas. I can no longer control this reflex.…
Watch the first trailer for Jay-Z’s documentary series on Trayvon Martin
More than six years ago, unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was gunned down by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in a gated Sanford complex. The murder set off protests across the country about the treatment of black people by those in power, especially law enforcement, which eventually became the Black Lives Matter movement. Zimmerman, who claimed self-defense,…
Families of Parkland shooting casualties will each receive $400K from a $10.5 million fund
The Associated Press reports that the families of the 17 victims murdered in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland will each receive $400,000 from a $10.5 million fund. Eighteen of the injured survivors will receive $1.63 million. Students who were inside the building where the Feb. 14 shooting occurred will…
Florida fisherman catches marijuana brick, calls it an ‘early birthday gift from Pablo Escobar’
Florida fisherman Jorge Bustamante reached the high point of his fishing career Monday morning, when he reeled in a marijuana brick off the coast of Pompano Beach. Although he intended to spend the afternoon fishing for mahi mahi and kingfish, his day took an unexpected twist when he caught a rare block of marijuana too. He…
Baldwin Park’s Tactical Brewing Co. will host a sneak-peek open house today
Tactical Brewing Company will host a sneak-peek event at the Baldwin Independence Bash block party today at 6 p.m. After a year of unexpected delays, the brewery is nearing their opening date but for now, a soft opening will have to do. Guests will be able to taste four brews selected for the event and see…
A new Oprah Winfrey drama series will be filmed in Orlando
The Orlando Economic Partnership recently announced that Orlando will be home to a new drama series produced by the Oprah Winfrey Network, set to air in 2019. David Makes Man will follow David, played by Akili McDowell, a teenage prodigy struggling with the loss of his best friend while depending on his mom to keep them…
Southern Craft hosts exhibit of photography by Black Haüs star Victoria Black
Victoria Elizabeth Black is a true treasure – a darkly glittering gem – of the City Beautiful. Along with her Black Haüs family of “horror” drag queens – including Ophelia Black, Dollya Black and Waka Shame – she’s pushing drag forward into new realms in their weekly (free) Creature Feature events at Stonewall. The outfits…
22 free concerts happening in Orlando this week
Tuesday, July 3 Jazz in the Courtyard with the DaVinci Jazz Experiment 7 pm at Cafe DaVinci, 112 W. Georgia Ave., DeLand. Singer-Songwriter Open Mic 7:30 pm at Austin’s Coffee, 929 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park. The Groove Orient 10:30 pm at Tanqueray’s, 100 S. Orange Ave. Open Mic Night: Joel Tyler 8 pm at…
Democratic governor candidate Jeff Greene says he’s worth $3.3 billion
Since the onset of his campaign early last month, Palm Beach real estate investor Jeff Greene has been clear that he’s willing to spend “whatever it takes” to be the next tenant of the Florida governor’s mansion. It’s not an impossible feat on Greene’s part, either, seeing as how he’s currently worth $3.3 billion, according…
The disappearance and fallout of downtown Orlando’s Blackstar venue
The rumors on the street are true. As we reported on June 28, the promising nightlife juggernaut that Blackstar set out to be is dead. That includes sister venue Odd Jobs. Of all the music scene news in this historically busy year, the splashiest and most seismic by far was the transformation and rise of the…
Federal judge orders FEMA to extend housing aid for Puerto Rican evacuees to July 23
A federal judge in Massachusetts has ordered FEMA to extend housing aid for Puerto Rican families displaced by Hurricane María until at least July 23. U.S. District Judge Timothy Hillman ruled Tuesday that an earlier temporary restraining order granted by Judge Leo T. Sorokin should continue for at least 30 days. The initial order was in…
Upcoming auction will offer extremely rare Disney artifacts for the first time ever
Disney memorabilia are a frequent addition to many high-profile auctions, but one next month includes an incredible list of unique Disney items, many of which have never been available for public purchase before. The Sherman Oaks-based Van Eaton Galleries will host an auction on July 7 that includes over 100 Disney-related lots. Titled “A Brief…
George Clooney and Kirsten Dunst to produce a new show about the dark side of 1990’s Orlando water parks
On the heels of The Florida Project comes another Hollywood-backed project focused on hard times in Central Florida. YouTube Premium, formerly YouTube Red, has picked up a new dark comedy series called On Becoming a God in Central Florida, which is focused on a minimum-wage water park employee, Krystal Gill, who goes after a pyramid scheme…
Rubio, Nelson urge Florida election officials to seek help against ‘hostile foreign governments’
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson on Monday encouraged Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner and county elections supervisors to use federal Department of Homeland Security resources to protect equipment from “hostile foreign government” interference. In a joint letter to officials across Florida, Rubio and Nelson said “county election boards should not…
Florida’s citrus ‘preference’ law spurs medical marijuana license dispute
An orchid grower and investors spent nearly $800,000 to purchase property in Pinellas County they believed would give them a leg up in obtaining a highly sought-after medical marijuana license. But one of the owners told a state judge Monday he now believes the business would have been better off keeping the cash, due to…
Former White House liar Sean Spicer is bringing his book tour to Florida
Former White House Press Secretary and common liar Sean Spicer is swinging through Florida next month to tour his new book, The Briefing: Politics, the Press, and the President. The memoir debuts July 24. On Aug. 9, Spicer will hold a book signing at the Barnes & Nobles in Lake Sumter Market Square in The Villages. The…
Florida teachers union sues state over ‘union busting’ education law
Florida teachers and unions filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the constitutionality of a new law that requires local unions to represent 50 percent or more of instructional personnel. The law, which passed during this year’s legislative session and took effect Sunday, enacted a series of major changes in the public-school system. Known as House Bill…
Puerto Rican evacuees face uncertainty as FEMA extends housing aid bit by bit
Sometimes, Erie Salgado would like to cry for days out of sheer frustration. Almost a year ago, his family lost their home and all their possessions in Puerto Rico to floods caused by Hurricane María. Like tens of thousands of other Puerto Ricans, Salgado, his wife Bethzaida Crespo, and their two children fled the island…
Reggaeton star Ozuna to play Orlando in September
Puerto Rican reggaeton sensation Ozuna has announced the dates of his next big U.S. tour – dubbed “Aura 2018” – and Orlando has been confirmed as one of only two Florida dates. The young musician, one of a new vanguard of performers creating a potent and chart-topping hybrid of reggaeton and trap music, was recently named…
Agave Azul finally opened their Winter Park location
Originally slated to open on June 18, Mexican taqueria Agave Azul kicked off in soft opening mode at their Winter Park location on Thursday, June 28. Located at 900 S. Orlando Ave. at the Minnesota Avenue intersection, Agave Azul Cocina Mexicana is conveniently located for lovers of a mixture of traditional and modern Mexican fare…
Florida is one of the best states to start a business, but one of the worst for getting a loan, says study
Location is everything, especially when it comes to starting a business, and it turns out Florida is a pretty desirable location. Florida recently ranked sixth on WalletHub’s list of the best states to start a business, trailing No. 1 champion Texas and followers Utah, Georgia, Montana and Oklahoma. For reference, Florida’s “total score” was 58.09…
Florida’s Puerto Ricans are falling for Rick Scott over Bill Nelson in Senate race, poll says
Puerto Rican voters are becoming increasingly smitten with Gov. Rick Scott over U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in the leadup to the November midterms, according to a poll commissioned by Florida International University. The poll found that about 75 percent of Puerto Ricans maintain a positive view of Scott, while 18 percent remain unmoved in their…
Florida deputy shoots and kills gator with an AR-15 after it trapped a girl in a tree
A relaxing day on the water quickly turned into a nightmare for a Florida teenager last weekend. Last Friday, 15-year-old Jordan Broderick found herself trapped in a tree near Alexandria Springs park in Altoona for nearly an hour after fleeing from a 10-foot-long gator that was hissing at her from below. After receiving a frantic call…
Toy Story Land is just the beginning of a multi-year redo at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
This past weekend saw the opening of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The new kid-focused land is the largest addition to Hollywood Studios in more than two decades. With two new rides, a new longer queue for Toy Story Mania, and a new counter-service dining option, Toy Story Land adds some much-needed novelty…
Seminole State College is giving away free tuition to anyone willing to write an essay about soccer
If you’re a huge Orlando City fan, you could potentially score free tuition for a year at Seminole State College. For the third year in a row, the Orlando City Scholarship will be awarded to one applicant who meets the required criteria: a degree-seeking student with a minimum GPA of 2.5, a resident of Seminole, Orange, Osceola,…
The Bahamas just got a whole lot more expensive thanks to dramatic increases in taxes and fees
In 2015, when the Bahamas switched from a sales tax to a Value Added Tax, it was celebrated as a win for tourists, who saw a 2.5 percent decrease in taxes. The former 10 percent Hotel Tax was lowered to the nationwide 7.5 percent VAT, but now, amid increased borrowing, the Caribbean nation has increased…
Family separation case splits Florida attorney general candidates
Florida would join a coalition of states suing the Trump administration over the separation of undocumented immigrant families if two Democrats running for attorney general had their way. However, the two Republicans and lone independent seeking to replace term-limited Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has not joined the lawsuit, would stay out of the…
$265 million in state performance funds ready to flow to 11 Florida universities
The Florida Board of Governors on Thursday approved the distribution of $560 million in annual performance funding for 11 state universities, and, as usual, there were winners and losers. Meeting at the University of Central Florida, the university-system board approved $265 million in state performance funds for eight schools, with three schools at the bottom…
Lucky Lure’s fifth anniversary kicks off the mid-week Fourth of July holiday
Ivanhoe Village’s beachiest bar celebrates five years in the biz this week. Stop by for the celebration and enjoy free food and giveaways for drinks and swag. It’s as good a time as any to kick off your Fourth of July mid-week celebration. 3 p.m. Tuesday; The Lucky Lure, 1427 N. Orange Ave.; free; facebook.com/theluckylureorlando…
Redlight Redlight and P Is for Pie team up for a Pie Eating Jamfest
For the second year in a row, P Is for Pie is collaborating with Redlight Redlight for a special Independence Day celebration so you can shove delicious pastries down your gullet without being judged. You can’t say you weren’t warned: Start training your jaw to devour pies as fast as humanly possible. If your digestive…
Boy George and Culture Club return to House of Blues with a Thompson Twin in tow
Has there ever been a karma chameleon like Boy George? From his early days in the 1980s channeling punk-influenced androgyny, sweet revolutionary musings and experimental styles into soulful and immediate pop music, Boy George is and has been a star unafraid to cut deep with melodic profundity, torchy longing and a sexual fluidity that feels…
Federal judge temporarily bars FEMA from ending shelter aid for Puerto Rican evacuees
This story has been updated with FEMA’s latest statement. A federal judge in Massachusetts temporarily barred FEMA from ending a sheltering assistance program that is providing hotel vouchers for hundreds of Puerto Rican families displaced by Hurricane María. The temporary restraining order granted by U.S. District Judge Leo T. Sorokin late Saturday night came as many…
Jesse Hughes of Eagles of Death Metal to be at Standard Motorcycle’s secret show tonight
Tonight Standard Motorcycle Co. – with Shows I Go To and Montgomery Drive – is throwing their second secret show, with a national headliner promised for fans of “psychedelic rock, heavy stoner pop, doom, and dirty rock n’ roll!” And though they’re remaining tight-lipped about the headliner, some details have emerged about the lineup. Loud locals…
UCF professor accused of stalking student with 800 texts a day
A University of Central Florida professor was arrested Thursday after police say he stalked a student for months by following her around campus and sending her 800 messages a day. Ali Borji, 39, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of stalking. Borji, who was an assistant professor at UCF’s Department of Computer Science, was arrested in…
Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s net worth soars to $232 million
Gov. Rick Scott’s net worth soared to nearly $232.6 million as of the end of 2017, up more than $83 million from a year earlier, according to a financial-disclosure report filed Friday with the state Commission on Ethics. Scott, who made a fortune in the health-care industry and other businesses before entering politics, has put…
Former Lion will become Orlando City Soccer Club’s new head coach
After parting ways with Jason Kreis two weeks ago, Orlando City Soccer Club has a new head coach lined up, to whom they’re saying “welcome home.” James O’Connor, head coach at Louisville City FC and former Lion, has filled Orlando City’s vacant coaching position, according to a statement from the club. In a statement, the…
Florida Department of Transportation tells contractor to fix SunPass issues in 10 days
We might finally see the end of this SunPass fiasco. The Florida Department of Transportation told the contractor behind the SunPass mess to get its act together within 10 days on Thursday. The Tampa Bay Times reports that Conduent, the contractor running the SunPass tolling system and responsible for processing transactions, was put on notice…
Two Cow Garage’s Micah Schnabel paints the real America with fiery Midwestern storytelling
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Micah Schnabel, Dial Drive, Houston and the Dirty Rats and Sticky Steve and Uncomfortable Dave, Will’s Pub, Jan. 27 Like Jon Snodgrass individually and Drag the River collectively, both Micah Schnabel and his Ohio band Two Cow Garage are national acts that have shown Orlando lots of love with a long history…
New signs of life on and around Universal Orlando’s expansion property
Universal Orlando’s vast expansion property is showing new signs of life, with new roads appearing in the last couple weeks of June. One significant new road intersects with Destination Parkway near the new Courtney at Universal Boulevard apartments, just up the road from UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality. The unnamed road heads north into Universal’s…
Girls Rock Camp Orlando to host sock-hop fundraiser at Lil Indies
Orlando’s Girls Rock Camp is gearing up for a return at the end of July, and the all-volunteer operation is throwing a sock hop and dance party on the first weekend of July to raise funds for this year’s camp. Camp volunteers will be tabling and selling backed goods and other wares, and local luminary…
Putnam, DeSantis clash over support for Trump in Florida governor’s debate
In an exchange focused more on national topics than challenges facing the next Florida governor, the two top Republican candidates to replace Gov. Rick Scott clashed in a televised debate Thursday over their support for President Donald Trump and immigration issues. Early in the hour-long debate, which was broadcast to a national audience by Fox…
Florida’s Confederate general statue is headed to a Lake County museum
After spending nearly a century in the nation’s capital, Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith is moving to Tavares. A bronze statue of the Confederate general will be relocated from the National Statuary Hall in Washington to a museum housed in the same building as the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, a five-member state panel decided Thursday. The…
Bollywood superstar Shreya Ghoshal gives a rare local performance at CFE Arena this week
As a Bollywood playback singer, Shreya Ghoshal doesn’t spend a lot of time onscreen – actresses lip-sync along to her voice during musical numbers. But that makes her success even more impressive. Since rising to fame by winning a singing competition show in 2000, Ghoshal has become one of the most lauded playback singers in…
Garden Theatre hosts a singalong screening of ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’
Believe it or not, nerds used to be known for their sense of humor. Nowadays, fandoms have turned into toxic identity cesspools where the loudest voices are the ones decrying minority characters being used in their favorite franchises, or man-babies blaming so-called “SJWs” – Social Justice Warriors – for “ruining their childhoods.” But back before…
Disney’s Toy Story Land will open this Saturday
After months of anticipation, guests will finally be able to enjoy a “toys-eye-view” at the new Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios this Saturday. With 11 acres set to look like Andy’s backyard, patrons can weave through building-sized toys and the movie’s beloved characters, like Woody, Jessie and Buzz, and be able to enjoy…
Goodbye 407? Central Florida could get another area code
State regulators next month could approve moving forward with a new area code – 689 – in parts of Central Florida. The state Public Service Commission is scheduled to take up the issue July 10 because of a projection that the region will run out of available numbers in the 407 area code, which serves…
New ‘Cali Mex’ concept moving into the former Carmel space in Winter Park
A new “Cali Mex” concept will move into the former Carmel Kitchen space at 140 N. Orange Ave. in Winter Park. Cinco Tacos + Tequila is set to open in July, and will serve dishes like “Tableside Guacamole, Adobo Fried Chicken, Pizza Stand Nachos, Fajita Chimichanga Samosas, made-to-order desserts and an impressive assortment of street tacos.”…
Give high school a re-do at Parliament House’s Big Gay Prom
Parliament House gives you the chance to rewrite your personal history by giving your high school prom a do-over this weekend. Dress in your best formal wear for the prom photos and enjoy high school-themed hot spots, the crowning of a Prom King and Queen, and entertainment from Addison Taylor and Savannah Westbrooke. Rent a…
Brass Tap kicks off summer with a yard games tournament this weekend
The Brass Tap at Mills Park makes the most of its outdoor space this weekend with a games tournament. Sign up with three other friends and compete in casual favorites like giant beer pong, ladder golf and a water balloon toss. Best enjoyed with lots of cold beer, conveniently provided at Brass Tap. Noon Saturday;…
Downtown Orlando finally gets the lobster rolls it deserves
Because we’ve arguably reached peak taco, downtown Orlando finally has another worthy meat and bread option. Red Claw, which specializes in lobster rolls and pizza pies, is now open in the Orange County Brewers space at 131 N. Orange Ave. Owner Pete Downing (of Da Kine Poke and Market on Magnolia) partnered with Vinnie and…
Gnarly Barley downtown satellite closed; will be replaced with a noodle bar
When one brisket-taco-scented door closes, another one opens — and this one smells like tasteful noodz. Yes, sadly, the Gnarly Barley stall at Market on Magnolia has closed. But Pete Downing of Market on Magnolia (as well as Da Kine Poke truck and the new Red Claw, just down the street) tells us the space will…
Nifty’s, a Korean-sandwich-all day breakfast joint, replaces Mochi in Chase Plaza
Today we noticed that the Mochi space, tucked under the stairs in downtown’s Chase Plaza building, is now occupied by a restaurant named Nifty’s Subs & Smoothies. Menu options are idiosyncratic – hot dogs, egg platters, Italian beef sandwiches and bibimbap – but extremely practical for a place sited in a large office building. They’re…
Chris Cortez’s Tuesday Night Sessions are the quintessence of the Blue Bamboo vibe
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Tuesday Night Sessions with Chris Cortez, Blue Bamboo, June 26 I haven’t done the best job in checking back in on the great independent jazz (and more) venue Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts since its opening in the summer of 2016. Mea culpa. Although I have been keeping tabs on its…
Foxtail Coffee plans to open a new UCF location
Foxtail Coffee Co. is planning yet another Orlando area location, but this time it’s in the heart of University of Central Florida. The new location will be in the UCF bookstore and replace the current Barnes & Noble Cafe. “We look forward to becoming engrained in the UCF community, serving students and faculty as they…
Muslim civil rights groups and advocates rally against Trump’s travel ban in downtown Orlando
Speaking out against President Trump’s recently approved travel ban involving predominantly Muslim countries, protesters gathered in downtown Orlando Thursday afternoon in front of Sen. Marco Rubio’s office. The “The NoMuslimBanEver” rally was hosted by the Florida Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Florida), alongside several other groups affected by the ban. At the very beginning…
Soto joins Democrats to demand housing assistance for displaced Puerto Rican families
U.S. Rep. Darren Soto joined Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and several other Democrats to demand housing assistance for displaced Puerto Rican families who could be evicted from their temporary homes this Saturday. The Orlando Democrat joined 14 House and Senate members in a letter to FEMA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development…
Lin-Manuel Miranda wants you to call Florida Gov. Rick Scott on behalf of Puerto Rican evacuees
In response to the thousands of Puerto Rican evacuees around the country who are about to lose their housing this weekend, including in Kissimmee, Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda is putting Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s phone number on blast. “This Saturday, 2600 Puerto Rican families will be kicked out of FEMA funded temporary housing on Sat, many…
Bye bye Blackstar: Downtown Orlando club abruptly closes its doors
It appears that Blackstar – the club known for breathing some fresh life into the downtown dance scene – has closed. In a post on Facebook, indie folk band the 502s – whose album release show was scheduled at the venue for tonight – claim that the venue has been sold to new owners and…
Universal announces ‘Chucky’ and ‘Killer Klowns From Outer Space’ for Halloween Horror Nights scare zones
Universal Orlando announced Revenge of Chucky and Killer Klowns from Outer Space as the newest scare zones of Halloween Horror Nights 2018. The 1980s classic icons will be the final scare zones for this year’s horror event. The other zones will include Vamp 85: New Year’s Eve, Twisted Tradition and The Harvest. At the Revenge of…
Adam Putnam says firm hired by state officials caused wildfire in Northwest Florida
A firm hired by a state agency to conduct a prescribed burn sparked a weekend wildfire that burned 820 acres and 36 homes in Northwest Florida, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which hired the firm, announced it had suspended its prescribed-burn program statewide as it investigates…
Puerto Rican evacuees set up ‘tent city’ to demand Rick Scott’s help with housing
Displaced Puerto Rican families who could be evicted from Central Florida hotels this week set up a “tent city” protest outside the Gaylord Palms resort to demand Gov. Rick Scott’s help with housing. After Hurricane María caused catastrophic damage to Puerto Rico in September, thousands of people evacuated to the mainland for shelter under FEMA’s…
Creative City Project throws a special pop-up event showcasing projection artists
Light up your night and experience sound and color in a whole new way by stepping directly into art installations designed by six local artists. With projection mapping that will fool the eye and all kinds of interactive visual and performance art from the likes of Nathan Selikoff, Synthestruct, Matthew Mosher and Leo Aether, the…
Orlando Vintage Clothing & Costume celebrates a year in business with a ‘Grey Gardens’-themed party
Whether you’re a Big Edie (glasses, white bob, quavering soprano) or a Little Edie (fur coats over bathing suits over tights and high heels; hair never exposed), all staunch women should make a beeline to Orlando Vintage Friday evening, when owner Lisa Smith throws a Grey Gardens-themed party celebrating one year occupying the historic building…
Disney wins approval to buy most of 21st Century Fox for $71 billion
The Walt Disney Company won U.S. antitrust approval to purchase most of 21st Century Fox’s assets for $71 billion. The New York Times reports the Justice Department reached a settlement with Disney on their bid for Fox’s assets on the condition that Disney sell Fox’s 22 regional sports networks, which includes the Yankees’ YES network. Disney’s…
Florida beaches now feature sea lice
Apparently, people can get lice from swimming in the ocean now. And that’s exactly what has been happening at some Northwest Florida beaches. Lifeguards at Pensacola Beach raised purple flags on Tuesday, warning beachgoers that there was dangerous marine life in the water – tiny jellyfish larvae known as sea lice. These little pests can…
26 free concerts happening in Orlando this week
Wednesday, June 27 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. DNA (David Schweizer and Anthony Cole) 8 pm at The Imperial at Washburn Imports, 1800 N. Orange Ave. Thursday, June 28 Leisure Chief 10:30 pm…
Orlando Housing Authority will hold public meeting tomorrow on Griffin Park demolition
The Orlando Housing Authority will hold a hearing Thursday on a plan to demolish Griffin Park, a public housing complex in Parramore where about 300 residents live. The hearing will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 28, at 325 N. Hillside Ave., near the housing authority’s headquarters at 390 N. Bumby Ave. People who are driving to…
A porn addict and two sexual harassers kept their jobs at Adam Putnam’s office after admitting guilt
Three employees at Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam’s office admitted to sexual harassment charges and watching porn at work. According to state investigation documents obtained by Politico, the three separate incidents occurred within a span of a year, beginning in March of 2015. Two of the incidents involved grocery store inspectors sexually harassing female employees;…
Florida Supreme Court will take up ‘stand your ground’ split
With lower courts split on the issue, the Florida Supreme Court said Tuesday it will take up a question about whether a 2017 change to the state’s “stand your ground” self-defense law should apply to older cases. The controversial 2017 change shifted a key burden of proof in “stand your ground” cases —- a shift…
Florida wins round in ‘water war’ against Georgia in Supreme Court
In a victory for Florida, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the nation’s third-largest state should be given another chance to prove its case that overconsumption of water in Georgia is damaging the Apalachicola River system. The 5-4 decision, written by Justice Stephen Breyer, overturned a 2017 recommendation by a court-appointed special master that…
Orlando Pride will host a vegan night this Saturday
Orlando City Stadium’s first-ever vegan night will go down this weekend. Orlando Vegans, a meet-up group and food blog, is teaming up with Orlando Pride to bring Orlando Vegans Night to Orlando City Stadium on Saturday. The fun will kick off at 12:30 p.m. and will run through the Pride game against the North Carolina Courage, which…
Bernie Sanders urges Disney to stop paying workers ‘starvation wages’
After hearing stories of employees going hungry because of low pay from Disney, Bernie Sanders and 22 of his colleagues wrote a letter to Disney CEO, Bob Iger, urging him to fix it. The letter, which was sent yesterday, asks the CEO to agree to a contract that allows employees to earn a livable wage,…
Craft & Common soft opened downtown, lobster rolls move into Orange County Brewers, and more in local foodie news
OPENINGS: Coffee bar-cum-home decor shop Craft & Common is in soft opening phase on East Robinson Street downtown, with a grand opening slated for July 8 … Orlando Pizza & Wing Co. is out and Red Claw, specializing in lobster rolls and pizza pies, has moved in to the Orange County Brewers space on North…
Feeling hopeless about the Trump administration’s immigration policies? Here’s how to help
Eli García traveled down to Homestead last weekend to turn fear into power. As one of hundreds of thousands of youth using the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), García innately understands the terror of being undocumented. That feeling was heightened these past weeks, as more details were uncovered about a new policy enforced…
Savage Love: ‘Both & Baggage’
When I started dating my husband, he told me he had a low libido. I said I could deal with that. We waited several months before having sex, and then after we started, it was infrequent and impersonal. There was some slow improvement over the three years we dated. Then we got married, and suddenly…
Gimme Shelter: Meet Wal-ley!
Are you looking for a new four-legged friend? Meet Wal-ley! Wal-ley (A406967) is a sweet 2-year-old boy who was surrendered by his owners because they could no longer care for him. Wal-ley is a calm and relaxed dog who enjoys going on long runs, afternoon cuddles, and a treat or two to munch on. Wal-ley…
Here’s how Florida politicians are responding to Trump’s policy of separating migrant children from their parents
Separating migrant children from their undocumented parents was a tipping point. EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated with a correction. Correction appended below. As the federal government dealt with the blowback of having separated more than 2,300 children from their parents, Florida’s elected leaders knew they had a crisis on their hands. Official statements…
ICYMI: Pam Bondi gets heckled hard, Brightline gets the go-ahead to lay tracks through wetlands and more
Hecklers yell at Attorney General Pam Bondi at the movies: Pam Bondi was heckled Friday night after a screening of the new Mr. Rogers film. Protesters confronted her about her recently announced plan to end health care protections for people with pre-existing conditions, as well as her stance on immigration. A video of the incident…
Orlando Public Library’s Potterversary was the best-produced Potter-themed event not at Universal
People born on the day the first Harry Potter novel was published are now officially old enough to drink alcohol. If that temporal tidbit doesn’t send a Dementor-style shiver of mortality up your spine, you might be one of those millions of Muggle millennials who grew up with J.K. Rowling’s magical fantasy and are now…
Legal Public Notices 6/27 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices CASOS LEGALES EN PUERTO RICO. Si te fuiste de la isla y tienes casos pendientes en PR te podemos ayudar. Caídas, Malpractice, Accidentes, Discriminen, Casos Laborales, Despidos, Daños y Perjuicios, Casos Federales. Lcdo. Juan R. Davila-Diaz. T. 787-525-7417. email: davilajuanr@yahoo.com Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal…
Cutting-edge sound poet Tracie Morris comes to the Atlantic Center
Beats, rhymes and life
Opening in Orlando: Sicario: Day of the Soldado, Uncle Drew and more
THIS WEEK: Sicario: Day of the Soldado Here’s one that could look on the surface like a case of extremely unfortunate timing, or even of pandering to the worse angels of our nature. Is this really the week for a crime drama that depicts terrorists pouring over our Southern border at the behest of Mexican…
Maitland commission recommends approval of Enzian expansion
Enzian Theater’s expansion plan cleared its biggest hurdle on June 21 when the Maitland Planning and Zoning Commission recommended, in a 3-1 vote, that the City Council approve the project. The theater’s expansion has been rumored for more than a decade, but the effort officially began in November 2012 when the cinema filed a preliminary…
In ‘Gidion’s Knot,’ teacher and parent spar over treatment of a student with tangled results
Suspension and disbelief
The best concerts coming to Orlando this week
Micah Schnabel Raucous Two Cow Garage frontman returns to the Will’s Compound for a night of unhinged evisceration of roots music genres. 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, at Will’s Pub, $6-$8 Shiba San Veteran Parisian producer crafts intricate house masterpieces that have earned him spots on big-time festivals like Coachella, EDC and Movement. 10 p.m. Thursday, June…
Legal Public Notices 6/20 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices CASOS LEGALES EN PUERTO RICO. Si te fuiste de la isla y tienes casos pendientes en PR te podemos ayudar. Caídas, Malpractice, Accidentes, Discriminen, Casos Laborales, Despidos, Daños y Perjuicios, Casos Federales. Lcdo. Juan R. Davila-Diaz. T. 787-525-7417. email: davilajuanr@yahoo.com In order to satisfy a contractual landlord’s lien, under the…
Legal Public Notices 6/13 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices AUCTION EXTRA SPACE STORAGE – STORE 8813 7500 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, Fl 32818 Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 7500 W Colonial Dr, Orlando FL 32818, 06/22/2018 @ 11:30 AM Alexandra…
Legal Public Notices 6/6 Issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices AUCTION EXTRA SPACE STORAGE – STORE 8813 7500 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, Fl 32818 Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 7500 W Colonial Dr, Orlando FL 32818, 06/22/2018 @ 11:30 AM Alexandra…
Legal Public Notices 5/30 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices CASOS LEGALES EN PUERTO RICO. Si te fuiste de la isla y tienes casos pendientes en PR te podemos ayudar. Caídas, Malpractice, Accidentes, Discriminen, Casos Laborales, Despidos, Daños y Perjuicios, Casos Federales. Lcdo. Juan R. Davila-Diaz. T. 787-525-7417. email: davilajuanr@yahoo.com Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal…
Legal Public Notices 5/23
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices In order to satisfy a contractual landlord’s lien, under the provisions of the Florida SelfService Storage Space Act, public notice is hereby given that the following described property will be sold at public sale to the highest bidder for cash only. The sale will be held at the times and…
