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Welcome to Orlando Weekly’s Summer Guide 2018
The only way to deal with summer here in the almost-tropics is to just melllllttt into it. Let yourself move more slowly, drink more deeply, stay up through the starry nights and sleep through the too-bright mornings. Water your plants. Eat ice cream. Sit right in front of the fan. As we do every year,…
Every 4th of July event happening in Orlando
If you’re looking for fireworks, both literally and figuratively, Orlando has plenty of options. Here’s every local event centered around combustibles we know of so far. TUESDAY, JULY 3 The 3rd Celebrate America in the wine garden with food trucks and DJs. 7 pm; Grape & the Grain, 1110 Virginia Drive; free; 407-484-2638; grapeandthegrain.com. Baldwin…
Orlando’s Coffins Print Shop will host its last shows next week
SODO’s Coffins Print Shop has for two years been a hub of underground/DIY shows in the city, and June will see that defiant tradition come to a close. However, they’re going out with a bang, with a last blast of concerts throughout this month featuring the likes of Sacred Owls, Bubble Boys, Grave Return, Will…
More than 4,600 people died in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, new study estimates
An estimated 4,645 people died in Puerto Rico in the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Maria, according to a new study from Harvard University. That’s a far greater number than the Puerto Rican government’s official death toll, which still stands at 64 fatalities. The Harvard study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests the number…
Voice winner Chris Blue announces Orlando show for September
The Voice Season 12 winner Chris Blue, a native of nearby Polk County, is on a roll right now. Following his victory last year on the reality show/talent contest, Blue signed to major label Republic Records – also home to Black Sabbath and the Weeknd – and released debut single “Blue Blood Blues,” while working toward completing…
The long-awaited Starflyer will finally open this Friday
The Orlando Starflyer will officially take flight this Friday, June 1. At 425 feet tall, the Starflyer is one of the tallest structures in Florida and the tallest Starflyer in the world, standing 25 feet higher than the ICON Orlando Eye on International Drive. Last month, the swing ride was set to open on May…
John Morgan: Gov. Rick Scott is playing with ‘political wildfire’ by not allowing smokeable medical cannabis
Orlando attorney and medical cannabis advocate John Morgan thinks Gov. Rick Scott is making a political miscalculation by not giving the go-ahead for smokeable medical cannabis in Florida. In a press conference on Tuesday, Morgan called on Scott to drop the state’s decision to appeal a ruling issued last week that said the ban on…
Florida cop faces discipline for offensive Facebook post targeting Publix protesters
Coconut Creek police officer Brian Valenti is experiencing backlash and potential dismissal after sharing a comment on a Facebook post about the “die-in” protests at Publix locations last week. According to the Sun Sentinel, the 45-year-old cop posted “hope some old lady looses control in that lot,” under a photo of David Hogg in a parking lot…
Disney’s new Star Wars land village will be called Black Spire Outpost
Walt Disney World announced the new name of the village within Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge that will be opening next year –it’s Black Spire Outpost. This update comes one week after Walt Disney Co. announced that the projected opening of the park in Hollywood Studios is set for fall of 2019. The attraction is expected…
Gaylord Palms is about to get a whole lot bigger thanks to new $150 million expansion
Gaylord Palms, already one of the largest resorts in Central Florida, just announced a massive $150 million expansion that will impact nearly every aspect of the resort. A new wing of the hotel will add 303 guest rooms to the resort’s current 1,416 rooms. Renderings released with the press releases show a multi-story addition to…
Universal Orlando may have to choose between Jason Bourne or James Bond
When Terminator 2: 3-D closed last year, Universal mentioned that the attraction replacing it would be “an all-new live action experience based on a high-energy Universal franchise.” Rumors have ranged from Sing! to Star Trek to Wicked to Pitch Perfect to Jason Bourne. The Star Trek rumor, first reported by industry insider Jim Hill, still…
Critics Choice awards announced for 27th Orlando Fringe Festival
Last night, the 27th annual Orlando Fringe Festival came to a close, and despite dire weather forecasts this year’s event broke records for the number of sold-out performances. During the Fringe’s closing ceremony on Memorial Day, festival producer Michael Marinaccio presented the Critics Choice awards, which are decided by myself and the Orlando Sentinel’s Matt…
Everything we know about Universal Orlando’s heavily rumored Star Trek area
After a five-year run, one of the first attractions to close at Universal Studios Florida, just six years after the park opened, was a Star Trek-themed video production attraction. More of an elaborate scheme to sell guests on $30 VHS recordings of themselves than an actual attraction, the Star Trek Adventure left a lasting impression…
Daytona Lagoon adds two new water slides as the park continues to recover from Hurricane Irma
With less than a week until Hurricane Season kicks off and with our first storm of the season already come and gone it’s easy to forget that many are still recovering from last year’s storms. Locally, Hurricane Irma caused some of its most extreme damage in Volusia County. At Daytona Lagoon, a small water park…
Army veteran who died during Pulse shooting honored on Memorial Day
An Army veteran who was killed during the mass shooting at the gay nightclub Pulse was honored Monday with a Memorial Day tribute. State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith recorded retired U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Pixomatis standing at attention and placing a placard at the site for Army Reserve Capt. Antonio Davon Brown. Powerful + emotional Memorial Day…
Florida court orders new hearing in Alan Grayson property dispute with ex-wife
An appeals court Friday ordered a new hearing in a property dispute between former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., and his ex-wife. A panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal sided with Lolita Carson-Grayson, who argued that her due-process rights had been violated. The issue stemmed from a decision by an Orange County circuit…
Band of the Week: Vivacity
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 Vivacity. Vivacity is playing their CD release party at Timucua Arts White House on May 31. Just the facts: When did the band form?Vivacity was formed in 2007 as a…
Gov. Rick Scott declares state of emergency across Florida over fears of subtropical storm Alberto
With authorities warning of possible storm surge and torrential rains from subtropical storm Alberto, Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency across all 67 counties in Florida Saturday morning. “As we continue to monitor Subtropical Storm Alberto’s northward path toward Florida, it is critically important that all Florida counties have every available resource to…
You can now legally smoke medical marijuana in Florida
It’s official — a Tallahassee judge has ruled that medical marijuana in Florida can be smoked. The lawsuit against the state was brought last July by Orlando attorney John Morgan, who essentially floated the bill in the successful campaign to make medical access to cannabis a constitutional right. “The defendants’ toxicology expert’s opinion about whether…
New report says Trump administration’s offshore drilling expansion threatens 11 Florida parks
A new report highlights the countrywide threat of the Trump administration’s expansion of offshore drilling, and Florida is predicted to take an especially hard hit economically. According to the study by the National Parks Conservation Association and the National Resources Defense Council, of the 68 parks located on the coastline across the nation, 11 are located…
Following pressure from Parkland shooting survivors, Publix suspends all political contributions
Following a week of online outrage, Publix announced this afternoon that they will suspend all political donations after a Tampa Bay Times report revealed the company gave an unprecedented $670,000 to self-described “proud NRA sellout” Adam Putnam. “We would never knowingly disappoint our customers or the communities we serve,” said company spokesman Dwaine Stevens in…
This Florida road sign eats ass
An actual road sign in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was recently hacked to read “Hell yeah brother I eat ass.” Indeed. Shout it from the mountaintop, you noble diner. Stay on top of Orlando news and views. Sign up for our weekly Headlines newsletter. This is a real sign on the busiest road in Fort Lauderdale, Florida pic.twitter.com/FZZk7qIiuJ…
Orlando police chief says Amazon’s facial recognition program is also being tested downtown, contradicting earlier statement
On Wednesday, Orlando police Chief John Mina said Amazon’s facial-recognition software is only being tested at OPD headquarters. But that wasn’t the whole truth, as confirmed yesterday when Mina said there are currently three surveillance cameras in downtown Orlando that are equipped with the software. At a news conference, Mina said that five cameras with…
Orlando Sentinel columnist David Whitley doesn’t know how a protest works
Today, Parkland shooting survivor and harsh NRA critic David Hogg will encourage people to protest Publix grocery stores by lying down in the aisles for 12 minutes, beginning at 4 p.m. This show of solidarity is in response to a Tampa Bay Times report that showed that the grocery store chain gave an unprecedented $670,000 to…
David Hogg calls on Publix to donate $1 million to the Stoneman Douglas Victims Fund
Following a report from the Tampa Bay Times report that Publix has supported and continues to support self-described “proud NRA sellout” Adam Putnam to the tune of $670,000, school shooting survivor David Hogg is now calling on the grocer to also support the victims of last February’s massacre in Parkland, Florida. “I call on Publix…
Royaltea will introduce cheese tea to Orlando
When Royaltea, a Chinese-based bubble tea chain, opens next to King Bao this summer, they’ll introduce one of the trendiest beverages around to Orlando. Cheese tea. What the H is cheese tea? you’re wondering. If you’re thinking a pungent wedge of limburger atop a brew of floral Darjeeling, you’d be a smidge off. No, it’s really…
Here’s Alberto, the first storm of the 2018 hurricane season
Arriving a week before the official start of 2018 hurricane season, subtropical storm Alberto is here, says the National Hurricane Center. The first named storm of the season, which is currently creeping northeast at 6 mph just south of Cozumel, Mexico, won’t impact Florida directly, but it’ll pretty much guarantee a wet and sloppy Memorial…
Torque brings drum and bass legend LTJ Bukem to Vintage Lounge
Native may have closed down, but Torque, the long-running drum & bass night, has found fertile ground around the corner at Vintage Lounge. This Monday, they bring d&b legend LTJ Bukem across the pond for what is likely to be a packed show. Known for his pioneering work fusing jazz and ambient sounds into drum…
Retro Summer Camp at Will’s Pub reunites Sunday Night Vinyl DJs Erik Dennison and Smilin’ Dan
DJs Erik Dennison and Smilin’ Dan – the progenitors of the beloved (and long-gone) Sunday Night Vinyl club night and radio show – team up once again for this Memorial Day Weekend dance party at Will’s Pub. Expect classic alternative-before-it-was-called-alternative cuts from the likes of Depeche Mode, New Order and the Cure mixed with plenty…
Southern Fried Sunday takes over the Fringe lawn in the last weekend of the festival
The last Sunday of Fringe always finds festivalgoers reeling from nearly two weeks of running around Loch Haven Park seeing plays, eating cheese curds and drinking a little too much. But the now-traditional Southern Fried Sunday evening of roots and country acts is a much-needed rejuvenator. Kick back on the lawn with food, friends and…
Oasis After Dark at Rosen Plaza is MegaCon’s biggest and wildest afterparty
After spending all Saturday at MegaCon, head over to 3Nine at the Rosen Plaza Hotel across the street for one of the biggest afterparties. Moshi Moshi Productions pull out all the stops at their annual events, and this Ready Player One-themed event is no exception. Expect VR gaming stations, body painting, go-go dancers, live stage…
Open the MegaCon doors, Hal
MegaCon Orlando got underway yesterday at the Orange County Convention Center’s West Concourse and continues through Sunday. Though the four-day extravaganza is filled with enough celebrity signings, discussion panels, merchandise booths and cosplay events to satisfy almost every pop-culture taste, it was the 50th birthday of arguably the greatest film ever made that attracted a…
Florida braces for heavy storm this week as hurricane season returns
As Florida braces for heavy rains and potential flooding from a system churning Thursday over the southeastern Yucatan Peninsula, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said a slightly above-average hurricane season is on the horizon. Gov. Rick Scott issued an advisory Thursday that said it’s “absolutely critical that every Florida family is fully prepared for…
Proposed medical marijuana rule could lead to more challenges, delays in Florida
Businesses seeking to enter Florida’s pot industry warned state health officials Thursday of numerous flaws in a proposed rule that would expand the number of medical marijuana operators but could lead to further delays in a process that’s already months overdue. A hearing about the proposed rule came more than seven months after a legislatively…
Australian indie rock duo An Horse make a comeback at Will’s Pub this weekend
By the beginning of this decade, it looked like Australian indie rock duo An Horse were on the cusp of a real breakout. They were rising on a pair of critically acclaimed albums on esteemed NYC indie label Mom + Pop, a big endorsement from Tegan and Sara and even an appearance on Letterman. And…
Orlando Carnival Downtown is a daylong celebration of reggae, soca and Caribbean culture
The Orlando Carnival Downtown festival has been infusing the joys of Caribbean culture and music into Orlando for more than three decades, and this weekend will be no exception. The 31st annual festival brings pageantry, parties, art vendors and foods from Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados and other Caribbean nations. Dancehall reggae artists Tony…
Oviedo’s Central Florida BBQ Blowout is one of the biggest barbecue events of the summer
Kicking off the summer by sampling dozens of professional and amateur takes on barbecue sounds great. But that’s only half the draw of Oviedo’s sixth annual Central Florida’s BBQ Blowout. Now located at Center Lake Park instead of the Oviedo Mall, the event offers a full day of live music, the Kid-Que kids barbecue competition…
Netflix is officially worth more than Disney
Netflix has taken the iron throne from Disney, as its shares went up and the broader market fell down. As of Thursday morning, Netflix has retained a new market value worth $151.6 billion with Disney falling to $151 billion. Over the last couple years, Netflix has cemented a name for itself in the entertainment industry with its…
Donald Trump Jr. will campaign with Florida Reps. Gaetz and DeSantis
Donald Trump Jr. – yep, that asshole – is set to campaign in August for Reps. Matt Gaetz and Ron DeSantis, both of whom are golden boys in the eyes of President Donald Trump. On (possibly) June 27, Trump Jr. will rally for DeSantis, who’s running for the GOP nomination in the Florida governor’s race,…
Fringe 2018 review: ‘All Pucked Up’ lends visibility to the Filipino experience
“I don’t have white privilege, I have white voice privilege,” quips former NPR host Emil Guillermo. Guillermo (pronounced Gil-yer-mo, despite what some NPR anchors may say) has scoured the libraries of Harvard to connect his personal heritage to history. His story shines light on the oft-ignored story of Filipino people in the United States. Guillermo…
Amazon Prime now offering Orlando area two-hour beer and wine delivery
Amazon just made kicking back with a cold one in Orlando that much easier by offering one- to two-hour Prime Now delivery. So far, the only two Florida cities that are included in this speed-driven deal are Orlando and Miami. Prime members are given 160 beer options through the deal, which started yesterday, including classics…
Local turd is broke as hell
A Seminole County judge is allowing George Zimmerman to use a public defender in his latest legal skirmish. According to court documents, Zimmerman – who’s facing a misdemeanor stalking charge that was filed by the Seminole County State Attorney’s Office earlier this month – told the judge that he’s unemployed, $2.5 million in debt and…
Prepare for the interstellar overdrive of Miami Psych Fest next month
The second Miami Psych Fest – once again appropriately dubbed the Perfect Trip – is set for late June, and the lineup is eclectic and jaw-dropping. Curated and organized by Adam Arritola and his Miami-based Eclectic Overdrive, the lineup boasts names familiar to adventurous and grizzled Orlando concertgoers like Tatsuya Nakatani, Ava Mendoza, Donzii and Profligate.…
SeaWorld Orlando announces free admission for U.S. veterans and families
U.S. veterans and family members can now visit SeaWorld for free this summer, announced the company. In partnership with Waves of Honor, veterans and up to three family members will be able to enjoy SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, as well as other SeaWorld parks across the states, from now till Wednesday, July…
‘NRA sellout’ Adam Putnam cancels Orlando fundraiser, which was hosted by a guy who shot two dogs
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with comments from Leland McKee. Florida gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam has canceled an Orlando fundraiser planned for Thursday night hosted by a number of controversial local figures – including a man accused of extortion and a donor who was caught on video shooting two pet dogs. The fundraising…
Today is your last chance to bowl at Colonial Lanes
Orlando’s Milk District will lose a longtime landmark tonight. After 60 years of knocking down pins and pouring stiff Jack and Cokes, the Colonial Lanes you’ve come to know will officially cease to exist. The closure comes after the bowling alley announced last week that they would officially shut down on Thursday, May 24, after being…
Split court rulings continue on Florida’s ‘stand your ground’ change
Amid requests for the Florida Supreme Court to wade into the issue, a South Florida appeals court Wednesday ruled against a defendant in one in a series of cases about how to carry out a controversial 2017 change to the state’s “stand your ground” self-defense law. The ruling by a panel of the 3rd District…
Fort Lauderdale airport gunman pleads guilty to killing 5 people in mass shooting
An Alaska man pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges in a mass shooting last year at a Broward County airport that left five people dead and others injured, prosecutors said. Esteban Santiago-Ruiz, 28, pleaded guilty to five counts of committing acts of violence at an international airport causing death and six counts of committing acts…
Get Out Your Chapstick, Football
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Fringe 2018 review: ‘For Love, Sir’ reminds us of our service members overseas
Using actual letters from the 1940s through the 1990s, playwright Mikaela A. Duffy tells the story of three service members and family in For Love, Sir: Letters of Life, Love and Sacrifice. There’s a deployed mother missing her daughter, a nervous new recruit and his proud-but-worried mother, and a couple facing the struggles of separation.…
Texan hardcore band Criaturas headline a packed bill at Uncle Lou’s
This absolutely packed – and Latinx-heavy – hardcore bill on the Sabbath this week is helmed by Austin, Texas’ furiously kinetic Criaturas. And they’re more than reason enough to make it a late night. The group – boasting members from Vaaska, Impalers and Kurrakä – is just so vibrantly in-the-moment with their music and message:…
Fringe 2018 review: ‘S#!t I’m in Love With You Again’ cheerily recalls love’s less glamorous aspects
Canadian cabaret star Rachelle Elie hits some high notes in this breezy musical romp through her love life. Many stories end once the leads find love, but Rachelle takes us all the way – from losing her virginity to dating and first love, through the joys of marriage and kids to the challenges they bring.…
Fringe 2018 review: ‘Beneath the Bikini’ is a quirky, heartfelt cabaret
Body-painted advert and beloved Orlando Fringe mascot Katie Thayer is ready to take you Beneath the Bikini in her first ever show. If you’ve spotted “Bikini Katie” at festivals past and wondered about the woman with the weird job, Thayer’s quirky, heartfelt cabaret will draw you in. With moxie, presence and an clearly evident background in…
Orlando bar Sportstown apologizes for transphobic Instagram post
Milk District bar and pool hall Sportstown issued a lengthy apology Tuesday after online backlash regarding a transphobic post on their Instagram account. The post, which has since been deleted, featured an image of sign showing a boy and a girl peeping into their underwear with the words “There IS a difference.” The post also…
Fringe 2018 review: Talk show ‘Lauren and Amanda Do It’ is good, giving and game
When it comes to creating a sex-positive space, Lauren and Amanda do it right. This bright millennial take on birds, bees and everything in between from Ottawa’s Toasted Theatre Company feels inclusive and right on time. The late-night talk-show format includes a spinning wheel of topics, games, questions from the audience and rotating guests from around…
Fringe 2018 review: Sci-fi satire ‘Meet the Replacements’ asks pertinent questions about the nature of family
Writer-director Michael Thibodeau, co-author of last year’s Fringe hit Vincent, is back with Meet the Replacements, an original sci-fi satire that combines classic elements of Westworld, The Stepford Wives and The Twilight Zone in a polished, professional production. Stephen Pugh chews his fingernails and the electrified scenery as Dr. Hank Owens, an AI-obsessed scientist in the…
Students sue Florida officials over early voting ban on college campuses
Florida election officials are creating an “unjustifiable burden” on young people by banning early voting at public buildings on state university campuses, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday. Students at the University of Florida and Florida State University are joining with the League of Women Voters of Florida to sue Gov. Rick Scott’s administration and strike…
Suwannee Hulaween reveals this year’s lineup including Jamiroquai and Janelle Monáe
The popular Suwannee Hulaween music festival has announced the full lineup for this year’s event and it’s a doozie. The festival, now in its sixth year, casts an impressively wide musical net this year. The acts announced for this year’s roster include: Odesza, Janelle Monáe, Jamiroquai, String Cheese Incident, The Revivalists, Vulfpeck, STS9, Gramatik, Lettuce,…
New First Watch location near UCF will serve booze
What’s brunch without booze? First Watch’s new Orlando location, conveniently located near UCF at 1448 N. Alafaya Trail, will serve cocktails, beer and wine. The location is set to open on Memorial Day. This will be the first of the chain’s restaurants in the Orlando area to serve alcohol. Vodka-kale tonics, bloody marys, mimosas, and kombucha cocktails…
MegaCon returns to the Orange County Convention Center with four days of celebs, comics and pop culture
For the loyal geeks of Central Florida, Memorial Day weekend is MegaCon weekend. It has pretty much everything you could possibly want in a convention: A ton of celebrities show up to talk about their work. Comic book writers and artists sign pretty much anything you hand them. Creative cosplayers show off amazing get-ups and…
Today is World Turtle Day, please don’t celebrate by tossing a tortoise into a pond
Since today is World Turtle Day, an annual event sponsored by the American Tortoise Rescue organization, there’s no better time to remind you that tortoises can’t swim. We only bringing this up because not long ago a Florida woman posted a SnapChat of herself saying, “Saving turtles is a hobby,” before tossing a helpless gopher…
Florida lawmakers divided over bonds for Brightline expansion to Orlando
Members of Florida’s congressional delegation are split over bonds for the controversial Brightline passenger train service that expanded south to Miami last week. In separate letters, delegation members urged U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to support or suspend $1.15 billion in federally-authorized tax-exempt bonds that Brightline’s parent company, All Aboard Florida, intends to use to…
Wildlife officials remove more than 15,000 lionfish from Florida waters
More than 15,000 lionfish were recently removed from Florida waters as the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has started a more than three-month effort to remove the invasive species from state waters. Nearly 14,000 lionfish were harvested in waters off Pensacola at the Lionfish World Championship and a pre-event. The Lion Tamer Tournament in…
You can bet your ass traffic in Orlando will absolutely suck this Memorial Day weekend
Prepare to spend a lot of your weekend shouting obscenities at clueless tourists on Interstate 4. More than 36.6 million Americans will hit the road this Memorial Day weekend, a nearly 5 percent jump from last year, according to a forecast from auto club AAA. Travel delays on major roads could be up to three…
Orlando Rep. Val Demings is leading bipartisan bill to combat Russian election meddling
U.S. Rep. Val Demings is leading a bipartisan push to harden the nation’s defense against Russian interference in the upcoming November midterms. Demings, an Orlando Democrat, is joined by U.S. Reps. Ted Lieu, a California Democrat, and Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican, in co-sponsoring the bill, dubbed the Defend Against Russian Disinformation Act. The…
CFAM serves up four exhibits encompassing an array of art for the summer
This summer’s shows at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum are a bit of a mixed bag – but we mean that in the Brach’s Pick-a-Mix way (all your favorites!), not the store-brand assorted nuts way (one macadamia, three cashews and a bunch of stale pecans). The four exhibitions opening Thursday are Margaret Bourke-White’s Different World,…
Here’s an incredibly depressing tweet from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office
Sad sign of the times we live in. Received a news media inquiry this morning that asked: "What's going on at Pierson Elementary? I see four patrol vehicles and students lined up outside." We were helping kids cross the street for a field trip. — Volusia Co. Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) May 23, 2018 The official Twitter…
This Memorial Day weekend in Orlando will likely be terrible
Besides predictions of record traffic, Memorial Day weekend in Orlando will also likely be disgustingly wet. Gov. Rick Scott issued a warning yesterday regarding a potential tropical storm system forming in the Caribbean and heading for the Gulf Coast of Florida. If the system does develop into a tropical storm, it will be named Alberto…
Disney says Star Wars land will open in Orlando in fall 2019
Disney has narrowed in their timeline for the highly-anticipated Star Wars land coming to both Orlando and Anaheim. While we’ve known the target year for some time, a statement released Tuesday from the company gives us a much better idea of when to expect the massive 14-acre expansion that puts guests on the Planet Batuu.…
Orlando tech-punks Backstabber dazzle with flashy punk-metal hybrid
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Backstabber, O’rchard and Nuclear Pistachio, Will’s Pub, May 21 In a laudable and important attempt to turn up the local soil for new discoveries, Norsekorea Presents recently put on a showcase of relatively unfamiliar area bands. Easily, the revelation of the night was Orlando shred punks Backstabber. They’re a tech-punk band, which…
‘Publix is a NRA sellout’: Parkland school shooting survivors call for Publix protest this Friday
In the wake of a Tampa Bay Times report showing that Publix has given an unprecedented amount of support to GOP candidate for governor and self-described “Proud NRA Sellout” Adam Putnam, survivors of the school shooting in Parkland that left 17 dead are calling for a protest of the Lakeland-based grocer. David Hogg, an outspoken NRA…
Gimme Shelter: Meet Dinero!
Are you looking for a new furry pal? Meet Dinero! Dinero (A402693) is a handsome 2-year-old boy who is sweet, cuddly and loving. Dinero loves to play with his toys outside, cuddle with you wherever you are, and show you his neat tricks for a treat. He is ready to go home immediately after adoption.…
5 cool things to do indoors in Orlando when it gets infernal AF
Summers in Florida are made for surprise beach trips, lazy river tubing and every once in a while, yelling “Fuck, it’s hot!” at your windshield on your way to work. The screaming becomes more pronounced as we inch closer to the scorching, barren hell called “July” in the Sunshine State – the extra soul-crushing humidity,…
Here’s how to make the most of Gay Days weekend in Orlando
May 30-June 3 GayDays Daytime Pool Parties Daytime pool parties in both the main pool and Bear Bayou feature a variety of themes and live DJs. DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, 10100 International Drive; $15-$35; gaydays.com. GayDays Evening Pool Parties The evening pool parties in both pools go all night with a variety of…
Who’s Up, Who’s Down in Florida politics this week
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.
Beefy King celebrates 50 years, Deeply Coffee comes to downtown, plus more in local foodie news
OPENINGS: Another day, another beanery opens. Look for Deeply Coffee to open downtown at 111 E. Washington St. this summer … Manny’s Original Chophouse has opened in the old Lago space in Baldwin Park … Just up the road, Meza – the Baldwin Park Mediterranean restaurant by former Cafe Annie owner Nazih Sebaali – will…
Three cocktails begging to be mixed this summer
Stay thirsty
The best things to do in Orlando this summer
Thursday-Sunday, May 24-27 MegaCon Pop culture convention with vendors, cosplayers, celebrity guests, photo ops, panels and more. Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive; $20-$640; 407-685-9800; megaconorlando.com. Thursday, May 24 Swamburger Day Celebration of the Swamburger sandwich returning to the menu, with a listening party for some of Swam’s upcoming solo records. 7 pm Drunken…
The best concerts coming to Orlando this week
Carbon Leaf Come celebrate 25 years worth of the Richmond indie-folk all-stars’ music as part of a greatest-hits tour. 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, at the Social, $20-$25 Cultura Profetica Puerto Rican reggae legends are more than 20 years strong and really stretch it out live, infusing their reggae hits with hints of jazz and salsa.…
Opening in Orlando: Solo: A Star Wars Story, Beast and more
THIS WEEK: Beast As Bart Simpson once told us, every woman has a soft spot for a good-lookin’ rebel who plays by his own rules. But what if the outlaw paramour you’ve landed yourself might also be the serial killer who’s terrorizing your quiet English community? Hey, sacrifices are what make a relationship work, right?…
Savage Love: ‘Pissy’
I like watersports, and I heard about a guy in a rural area who holds piss parties in his backyard. I found a mailing list for those interested in piss play, and it wasn’t long before he posted about one of these parties. People on the list talk a big game, but no one else…
Best of the Fest: Four of our favorite Fringe shows so far
By the time you read this, this year’s Orlando Fringe will be rounding the final turn, heading into its final weekend and award-oriented wrap-up. If you’re still going strong and need a bit of ticket-buying inspiration, check out four of our critics’ favorite shows of the year below. Space prevented us from running all of…
The best concerts coming to Orlando this summer
Summer concert season is here with a vengeance
The Orlando area has some of the best beaches, springs and water parks to help cool you off
Summertime Florida is steamy most days, and downright miserable on others. But with great weather comes great responsibility to cool off in all the natural watering holes the Sunshine State has to offer. Springs There’s something forgiving about basking in Florida’s cool springs, whether we’re talking about just bobbing around, floating atop or paddling across…
ICYMI: State Attorney Aramis Ayala pushes bail reform, Publix thinks Adam Putnam is worth about 75,000 chicken tender subs and more
Ayala says Orange-Osceola office won’t seek bail for minor crimes: Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala says prosecutors under her administration will no longer ask judges to set bail for people charged with minor crimes. The office will recommend non-monetary release for people who don’t present a threat of violence or flight risk starting June 1.…
