Cover Story
Jump into summer with our 2016 Summer Guide
Make your June, July and August better with our Summer Guide suggestions. Below you’ll find our 2016 summer concert picks, seven local ice-cold treats, three months’ worth of summer blockbuster movies, 11 beaches worth putting miles on your car, a how-to guide to your first OCSC match, things to do on the inevitable rainy days,…
Freedy Johnston to kick off the Living Room series at Hard Rock Cafe
Freedy Johnston will be the first artist featured in the Hard Rock Cafe’s “Living Room Series” next Thursday, June 9. The series of shows aims for a more intimate atmosphere than is generally the case at Hard Rock’s events, stripping away most of the trappings of a rock show, and putting the artist front and center.…
Colorado’s Drag the River celebrate 20 years as a band at Will’s Pub
A devoted local fan base of hard-drinking diehards keeps the stream of national touring alt-country and country-rock acts through Orlando pretty steady (Chuck Ragan was just here last month, Cory Branan will be here June 17 and Austin Lucas and Matt Woods will both be here July 8). But because their near-perfect balance of gruff…
11 photos from Seito Sushi Baldwin Park’s stellar new omakase chef’s table
With their omakase chef’s table at Seito Sushi in Baldwin Park, chef Austin Boyd and restaurateur Jason Chin have created one of the more superlative dining experiences in the city, and for $85 for a six-course meal – add $30 for wine/sake pairing – it’s well worth it. Boyd showcased his prowess with a stellar…
I attended a wedding at MegaCon and it was as awesome as you’d think
It’s not often you have a wedding that marries two members of the X-Men with the help of a super-villain officiator and a marching squadron of Stormtroopers. But that’s exactly what happened Saturday, May 28, inside the Orange County Convention Center during MegaCon 2016. Florida residents Brandon & Mandy decided to have their wedding at one of the largest multimedia conventions…
Winter Park Village Publix is expanding to include cooking school
We’ve made no bones about how much we love the newly expanded Winter Park Village Publix. It has everything, really: a gelato counter, coffee bar, giant cheese section, bakery/pastry counter and so many prepared foods we’ll never have to plan dinner again. It’s been so successful that tomorrow, June 1, the next phase of construction…
Zika has already caused a noticeable impact on tourism
As mosquitos carrying the deadly Zika virus continue their slow march throughout Central and South America, we’re seeing some of the first major economic impacts from the virus. In the Caribbean, where the virus has been extremely widespread, the hotel industry is reporting a 3 percent drop in occupancy in the first four months of…
Old Town and Fun Spot announce partnership, details on $10 million upgrades
Old Town, the retail and entertainment complex in Kissimmee famous for its car shows, revealed more details on the $10 million upgrades that were first announced last year. After filing for bankruptcy in 2013, the attraction on 192 was bought by the international tour company the Travel Corporation. While not typical of the higher-end, tour-based…
Ken Stringfellow of the Posies to play intimate Orlando show
Ken Stringfellow of the Posies has just announced a rare Orlando appearance slated for this July. The show will be at Lil’ Indies on Thursday, July 21, at 7:30 p.m., with support from local Tierney Tough. Tickets for the show are $15, with a potluck (?!) scheduled to kick off the whole affair. Stringfellow gained…
Timucua White House back in business with avant-garde pianist Myra Melford
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Beautiful news to report: Despite the city permitting red-tape scare in April that threatened to put the kibosh on its operation, the one-of-a-kind cultural jewel that is the Timucua White House is back in the business of doing what it does like literally no other: giving Orlando artistic terroir. I could think…
Universal Orlando raises ticket prices at gate
Universal Orlando is increasing the price of one-day tickets sold at the gate during the park’s “most popular times.” The seasonal pricing strategy started Friday and increases the price of one-day tickets sold at the gate by $14 dollars. A one-day, park-to-park ticket at the gate will be $169 for an adult and $164 for…
Florida wildlife staff prepare for possible bear hunt
Wildlife officials will use input from an ongoing series of webinars to help make their case about how a black-bear hunt could be held later this year, even as many of the questions posed come from critics. No hunt has been approved, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission won’t receive a staff recommendation…
Alan Grayson marries Dena Minning, who’s running to replace him in Congress
Dena Minning, a relatively obscure Democratic candidate for Florida’s 9th Congressional District, became Dena Grayson this weekend after marrying U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, the incumbent currently in the seat she’s seeking to hold. There’s nothing a little name recognition can’t do for a candidate, and reporters were tipped off to the wedding after she changed her…
Txokos Basque Kitchen closes abruptly
Sad news on the restaurant front: Txokos Basque Kitchen, which opened to great acclaim in 2014, has closed. The only full-service restaurant at East End Market, Txokos was the creation of Henry and Michele Salgado, owners of the ballyhooed Spanish River Grill in New Smyrna Beach. After a year of handling both, the Salgados decided…
Chinese government issues theme park etiquette guide after Shanghai Disneyland is trashed
After an incredibly rough opening that included children defecating in the bushes and people carving graffiti on lampposts, the Chinese government has now issued an etiquette guide for visitors of Shanghai Disneyland. The new guide is a joint publication from Shanghai’s civilization office and tourism bureau. Because of the crazy mess left behind by the opening…
35 Years Later: ‘Night Flight’ debuts
Cable television in the early 1980s was terrible. Sure, it’s easy to say the same thing about cable television now, but 35 years ago, cable TV was just making its way into the mainstream. In the early ’80s, if you didn’t have cable, you had your choice of three broadcast networks and PBS; if you…
Who remembers Hurricane Wilma? No? Read this
As the six-month Atlantic hurricane season begins Wednesday, weather forecasters say Florida is long overdue to get hit by a storm. And a growing concern is that Floridians aren’t preparing —- buying supplies and making plans for evacuation or hunkering down —- like they should. A big reason is that the last time the state…
A monster gator strolled through a Florida golf course last weekend
When you see a 16 ft alligator on the golf course let it play through. Last weekend, Charles Helms posted a video to his Facebook of this enormous gator roaming Buffalo Creek Golf Club in Palmetto, Florida. In the video, bystanders can be heard saying things like, “the biggest freaking alligator I’ve seen in my…
Libertarian Party chair candidate strips on stage at national convention
The Libertarian National Convention in Orlando has been a weekend filled with strange outfits and sometimes even stranger positions (see Gary Johnson’s drivers license debacle), but the final straw came Sunday, when a candidate for the party’s chair stripped down to his underwear and danced on stage in front of delegates. The bearded man began…
Gary Johnson wins Libertarian nomination for president
Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson secured enough delegates to win the Libertarian Party’s nomination for president Sunday in Orlando. After failing to get the majority of the vote on the first ballot, Johnson received 55.8 percent of the vote on the second ballot, beating out top contenders Austin Petersen and John McAfee. “I will…
Libertarian frontrunner Gary Johnson gets boos from crowd at presidential debate
Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson represents the Libertarian Party’s best hope for a viable candidate to the U.S. presidency. Though many Americans don’t know his name, Johnson has polled at 10 percent in two national polls against Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. But on Saturday’s night five-way presidential debate at the Liberty National Convention…
Libertarians see party’s ‘shining moment’ in presidential race as convention gathers in Orlando
The Libertarian Party descended into Orlando’s tourism district Friday with a pretty optimistic tune as delegates set out to pick a presidential candidate to run against the Democratic and Republican nominees in November. What’s the joy in running a third-party candidate in a two-party system? Well, there’s not much, but the mud-slinging and downright nastiness…
One of you decided to run errands in a full Orlando Magic uniform today
Dude got the full #Orlanda Magic Fit on in the bank 😑😂 pic.twitter.com/S3R4q7RRDN — Highlyfavored_ant (@ANT_NYC1) May 27, 2016 There’s not much more to report here, other than it’s nice to see people “Shaqtin a fool” on a Friday. Seriously, if anyone knows what’s up with this guy, please let us know. H/T to…
Updated: Ravenous Pig owners plan big announcement next week
Earlier we reported that the Ravenous Pig, one of the most highly lauded restaurants in Central Florida, if not the entire state, was set to move into the Cask & Larder space on Fairbanks Avenue. We said the move/merge was precipitated by an expiring lease on the Ravenous Pig’s current location at 1234 N. Orange Ave.…
Three Florida beaches named ‘Best in America’ by Dr. Beach
Three Florida beaches made the “2016 Top 10 Beaches” list by coastal science professor Stephen Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach. Siesta Beach in Sarasota was named America’s second best beach, with Caladesi Island State Park, near Clearwater, coming in at nine. And, Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach coming in at six. The Florida…
!!! dazzles as both themselves and a Stereolab tribute band (The Social)
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND When it comes to cover bands, there are bad ones – oh so many bad ones – and there are good ones. But great? The derivative nature of the very idea all but precludes such a laurel. Stereolad (May 26, The Social), however, may be the coolest cover-band concept there’s ever been. Stereolad…
Someone tried to blow up Gilt Nightclub last night
Last night was indeed “lit” at Gilt Nightclub, but not in the good way. According to Fox35, the nightclub on Colonial Drive and Bennet Rd. was the target of an arson attempt. Firefighters responded to what was originally thought to be a routine fire alarm at Gilt (which was closed for the night) around 2:30…
Watch these Special Operations troops stage a massive rescue operation in downtown Tampa
On Wednesday afternoon, Special Operations from all the world participated in a massive and rare show of force in downtown Tampa. As you probably gathered from the video above, the casualty-free exercise involved rescuing Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn from a hostage situation on a yacht floating near the city’s convention center. While bystanders gawked from patios,…
Marco Rubio just wants to go home
After losing every Florida county except Miami-Dade in the Republican presidential primary, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has said time and time again he just wants to go home. “I’ll be a private citizen in January,” Florida’s senator told reporters in March. But his party and obvious GOP nominee Donald Trump, who Rubio once called a…
Country 500 brings country legends like Willie Nelson to Daytona
Even though a certain other famous rock music festival held at a racetrack didn’t end all that well (Google “Altamont Festival” for some light reading), that’s no reason to shy away from this country juggernaut. Over Memorial Day weekend, you can hang out at the storied Daytona International Speedway and let your lil’ ears run…
Konbini BBQ pop-up this Sunday in the East End Market courtyard
Konbini, the Japanese-style convenience store run by the Kappo chef-owners in their old East End Market space, is throwing a holiday barbecue this weekend. Join them Sunday, May 29, from noon to 4 p.m. as they take over the East End Market courtyard to grill up and serve BBQ on a stick, rice, Japanese beers…
Kentucky country rockers State Champion bring deeply weird Americana to Uncle Lou’s
Louisville’s State Champion take that disgraced subgenre, country rock, and restore it to its rightfully fucked-up, hazy, ramshackle roots. This is not careerist crossover; this is boozy and deeply weird Americana (we probably shouldn’t even use that word anymore, but oh well). Raleigh’s Naked Naps should be a don’t-miss act for those who attended the…
Unique shopping, food and music can be found at the Milk District Market
“Another market? Whatever,” you might be thinking. After all, how many unique, beautiful, locally handmade and vintage items can a person buy in one lifetime? The thing about this market, though, is that it’s in the Milk District. So that means it’s almost guaranteed to be a fun day out, whether you indulge in retail…
Mysterious guitar prodigy Buckethead shows off his chops at the Plaza Live
Outsider guitarist Buckethead occupies such a strange place in the rock music landscape that we feel almost duty-bound to make this a show selection for the week. A virtuoso guitarist with undeniable classical chops, Buckethead is never seen without a white Michael Myers-esque mask and a bucket of some sort (often of the KFC chicken…
Animal advocates target Rick Scott, bear hunt with new attack ad
An ad urging viewers to call Gov. Rick Scott and tell him to “stop killing our bears” is making its way around the web hours before wildlife officials are set to hear the public’s opinion on another black bear hunt. Lee Day says his group, “It’s Rick Scott’s Hunt,” is made up of environmental and…
This baby from Winter Haven is probably the world’s youngest water skier
At just six months and 27 days old, Zyla St. Onge is already a water skiing star. Zyla’s professional water skiing parents, Keith and Lauren St. Onge, captured the baby soaring across a lake in Winter Haven for 686 feet, turning her into a water skiing sensation and a possible record-holder for the “world’s youngest…
Loudon Wainwright premieres new single imagining a Donald Trump presidency
Today acerbic singer/songwriter Loudon Wainwright III premiered his new single, a bleak (as fuck) and funny look ahead to a Trump presidency. Titled simply, “I Had a Dream,” and premiered on Salon and the Story/Sound Records’ soundcloud, it’s packed full of black humor poetics like: “It wasn’t even close, It was a landslide / And…
All the Memorial Day grilling deals at 3 grocery chains this week
To complete our three-fer meat-and-grilling theme for the week (it is Memorial Day weekend, after all, and you should all go right now and check the propane level on your gas grills), here is a listing of all the grill-appropriate deals at major grocery chains around the city. Plan accordingly (specifically, fire up those grills, or…
Rick Scott wants Florida’s college students to graduate in four years
Gov. Rick Scott encouraged Florida’s universities and colleges to convince their students to stop taking their time and graduate in four years at his “Degrees to Jobs Summit” in Orlando. “Finish in four, save more,” Scott told education leaders on Wednesday. “You could save $100,000 by getting out in four years rather than six years.”…
More details revealed on Lake Ivanhoe Mexican restaurant Mesa21
When Mexican eatery Mesa21 opens in the old Gargi’s space on the shores of Lake Ivanhoe this October, patrons can expect “the most authentic Mexican food in America.” Tommy Rios, one of the partners in the venture, says the impetus for the full-service restaurant was the lack of “real authentic Mexican cuisine on American soil.”…
Have some pros do your Memorial Day grilling for you at Central Florida’s BBQ Blowout
The Oviedo Mall isn’t good for much anymore (least of all, shopping), but it does have ample event space and huge parking lots for partying with some of the best smoked meats in town. Maybe instead of doing your own grilling and chilling this Memorial Day weekend, head to the Central Florida BBQ Blowout at…
Lucy Bleuz kicks off its Foodie Fridays with a tropical pig roast
This may be a terrible week to be a pig (see our Selection on Central Florida’s BBQ Blowout), but it’s a great week to be a pork enthusiast. Lucy Bleuz kicks off a series of Foodie Fridays – showcasing culinary creations from associated catering company Incredibly Edible Catering – with a tropical pig roast to…
Anonymous says they’re now targeting Rick Scott in new video
The hacktivist group “Anonymous” has declared war on Florida Gov. Rick Scott via a video message accusing Scott of, among other things, destroying ocean wildlife by “allowing the polluted waters from Lake Okeechobee to be directly passed into the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean.” The video, posted on Facebook this past weekend, says Scott…
All Florida Whole Foods will start carrying invasive lionfish today
After biting at the idea of catching and selling lionfish, Whole Foods Market announced they are really going to do it. All Florida Whole Food Markets will start selling the colorful, destructive fish today. The nonnative fish are a threat to marine life and coral reef ecosystems because they have few predators and a growing population.…
The Super Bowl is coming to Miami in 2020
The NFL announced that Super Bowl 54 (LIV) in 2020 will be hosted in none other than the New Miami Stadium in South Florida. ESPN reports the championship game will be returning to Florida for the first time since 2010. What’s more is the 2020 game will be taking place during the NFL’s 100-year anniversary.…
Another slam season kicks off at the Milk Bar at Destroy! All! Poets!
Has your $10-an-hour job at Disney given you enough material for three sonnets on ridiculous tourist requests? You can debut all your poems on work angst on Thursday in the “Destroy! All! Poets!” poetry slam battle at the Milk Bar. This is the first battle of the 2016-2017 season, and categories tonight include elegies, nature…
MegaCon returns with a four-day lineup of celebs, panels, parties and more
Over the past 23 years, MegaCon has grown into one of Florida’s premier pop culture events, mirroring the explosion in popularity of so-called “geek” culture. It got so successful, in fact, that it was sold last year to Informa Canada, the company that produces the popular FanExpo group of conventions across the U.S. and Canada.…
22 free concerts in Orlando this week (5/25-5/31)
Wednesday May 25Eugene Snowden’s Ten Pints Of Truth 10 pm at Lil Indies, 1036 N. Mills Ave. Oriented Music Group Open Jam 10:45 pm at St. Matthew’s Tavern, 1300 N. Mills Ave. Reggae Night with Hor!zen and DJ Red I 10 pm at the Caboose, 1827 N. Orange Ave. Underhill, Oklahoma Stackhouse 10:30 pm at…
These terrifyingly huge snapping turtles exist, and the FWC doesn’t want you to mess with them
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission charged a man with illegal animal possession after attempting to smuggle a huge alligator snapping turtle out of the Escambia river. While on patrol, Officer Jason Hutchinson came across two “nervous-looking” men boating with fishing equipment. Upon inspection of the boat, Officer Hutchinson found an alligator snapper hidden inside a…
Henrietta validates the hype, Period Bomb shocks the system, Empire Cinema energizes post-punk
This week’s column is packed full of fresh Florida finds. Of course, that probably means it’ll be one of the less-read ones, which is some sad commentary. But these are the kinds of columns most valuable to those of us keeping up and are often the ones I like writing most. So tough titty. THE…
11 beaches worth the drive from Orlando
Treat yourself to a change from the ordinary
These are a few of our favorite springs
The best way to deal with Central Florida’s steamy, sultry days? Get yourself underwater – preferably crystal-clear water surrounded by gorgeous greenery. Whether you prefer to kayak, canoe, paddleboard, tube or just wallow in the water like a sexy manatee, these springs have you covered. Devil’s Den 5390 NE 180th Ave., Williston You can’t exactly…
Selections: Our picks of the week’s best events, March 25-31
Thursday-Sunday, 26-29 MegaCon EVENTS Over the past 23 years, MegaCon has grown into one of Florida’s premier pop culture events, mirroring the explosion in popularity of so-called “geek” culture. It got so successful, in fact, that it was sold last year to Informa Canada, the company that produces the popular FanExpo group of conventions across…
Getting hot in here: 8 Orlando summer concerts you shouldn’t miss
Here are our eight most anticipated concerts of the summer, spanning a range from pop to hip-hop to noise to R&B. If nothing here rings your bell, peruse our Calendar music listings for so many more options. The Claypool Lennon Delirium Caught with a rare mutual moment of free time between their myriad projects, bassist…
15 things in Orlando to do on a rainy day
How to make the best of a soggy situation
Picks This Week: Orezi, Abbey Death, Stereolad and more
Magic Man Magic Man are a hyper-catchy young electro-rock band that are either gonna cause you to dance energetically the second the song hits or batter you to death with sugary hooks. The choice is(n’t) yours. 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, at the Social, $15-$17 Stereolad When electro-punkers !!! (Chk Chk Chk) headline the Social…
Daya’s approach to dining is rooted in compassion
Firmly planted
Every party happening this summer at Gay Days/One Magical Weekend
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 Gay Days Wednesday Daytime Main Pool Party The only Wednesday pool parties. Noon-5 pm; DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, 10100 International Drive; $10-$20; 407-896-8431; gaydays.com. Gay Days Wednesday Night Main Pool Party With DJs Nancy Starr and Chris Adams. 5 pm-3 am; DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, 10100 International Drive;…
Willie’s Pinchos opens on Goldenrod, Italio and the Egg & I close, plus more in local foodie news
Le Dîner en Blanc, the chichi all-white (dress, that is), invite-only outdoor dinner party, comes to Orlando this fall for the very first time. The date is TBD and the venue won’t be announced until hours before the event. Register at orlando.dinerenblanc.info, though that won’t necessarily guarantee you entry. The trick? Get to know the…
A how-to guide for attending your first Orlando City Soccer Club match
What is OCSC? Have you been living under a rock? The Orlando City Soccer Club (nicknamed the Lions) is the City Beautiful’s Major League Soccer franchise. The Orlando Pride is their female counterpart, added to the family just this year. OK, should I know any of the players? Kaká – he’s kind of a big…
12 ways to celebrate ‘Merica this 4th of the July in Orlando
SUNDAY, JULY 3 Freedom on the Waterfront Live music and a spectacular fireworks show at sundown. 5 pm; Elizabeth Evans Park, 510 N Baker St., Mt. Dora; free; 352-735-7183; ci.mount-dora.fl.us. Red, Hot & Boom Live music and one of the largest fireworks shows in the area. 4-11 pm; Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd.,…
10 summer blockbusters that’ll be worth spending an afternoon inside
Before there was Netflix and chill, there was “spill and fill” – the movie industry’s term for packing a theater with bodies, then moving them on out a few hours later to cram in as many plays per day as possible. And no matter how much lip service binge-streaming may get, the multiplex experience is…
5 free events to look forward to this summer in Orlando
Summers can be oppressive – scratch that: are oppressive – in Central Florida. Between the 100-degree blanket of suck outdoors and the sporadic end-times thunderstorms, most Orlandoans devolve into swamp-crotched complaint beasts who would rather stay at home with a good A/C unit than venture into the perpetually moist miasma of summer. Here are a…
Opening in Orlando: X-Men: Apocalypse, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Love and Friendship and Manhattan Night
Opening this week Alice Through the Looking Glass The main cast is back for this sequel to 2010’s Alice in Wonderland, but director Tim Burton isn’t. As producer Suzanne Todd told Collider, “He’s never really done a sequel to his other movies.” Hmmm, sounds like her next project is Batman Returns Down the Memory Hole.…
Savage Love (5/25/16)
I am a 40-year-old woman; I came out when I was 16. When I was 17, I met M and we dated for eight years. M was a horrible human being – emotionally and occasionally physically abusive. M still sends me the occasional (creepy) email. A few years back, I got an email saying that…
Free Will Astrology (5/25/16)
ARIES (March 21-April 19) To convey the best strategy for you to employ in the coming weeks, I have drawn inspiration from a set of instructions composed by aphorist Alex Stein: Scribble, scribble, erase. Scribble, erase, scribble. Scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble. Erase, erase, erase. Scribble, erase. Keep what’s left. In other words, you have a…
Gimme Shelter (5/25/16)
Are you looking for a new furry friend? Croissant (A348206) will be a treat to add to your family! Croissant is a 5-year-old dog who is looking for a forever home. She is playful and energetic, but once she tires herself out she is a mellow dog. She enjoys being petted and she also likes…
Lulu Eightball (5/25/16)
Related Stories
The coolest things we’ve seen so far at MegaCon 2016
Related Stories
