New local cassette label Circuit Church throws showcase at Park Ave CDs this week
It’s all analog all the time for new local label Circuit Church. The young cassette imprint is dedicated to showcasing the best in local retro-electronics from local musicians and sound boffins. Circuit Church recently issued their first release, a full-length by local Modal Plane. To mark the occasion, they’ll be hosting a listening party at…
SeaWorld appears to move focus from captive-animal shows to coasters and thrill rides
SeaWorld saw new criticism last weekend as a map went viral contrasting the size of the parking lot, the central lake, and the orca habitat at SeaWorld Orlando. This comes as new concerns for animal well-being at the parks moves beyond the orcas and with more than a dozen travel groups now refusing to sell…
Local metallers Meka Nism to play free show at House of Blues on Sept. 20
Local metal marauders Meka Nism are going from strength to strength, following up a sold-out recording session and performance at the Orlando Public Library’s cutting-edge Melrose Center with a spot on upcoming Orlando Rocks showcase at the House of Blues with a number of other local powerhouses. 2019 is a big year for Meka Nism…
Melrose in the Mix goes big with Seattle alt-rap luminary Onry Ozzborn
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUNDOnry Ozzborn, Melrose in the Mix, Aug. 10 A momentous thing just happened at the public Melrose in the Mix live recording series. No, not the fact that a band named Demonfuck just played there as a featured act at the public library. Well, yes – hell yeah – that too. But what…
14 free shows happening in Orlando this week
Wednesday, Aug. 14: Eugene Snowden’s Ten Pints of Truth 10 p.m. at Lil Indies, 1036 N. Mills Ave. Thursday, Aug. 15: Kaleigh Baker 10 p.m. at Lil Indies, 1036 N. Mills Ave. The Living Room: DJ Stranger, DJ Cub, WordChemist, Marz Mello 9 pm at The Nook on Robinson, 2432 E. Robinson St. Friday, Aug.…
Legoland Windsor used a drone to deliver ice cream and we need this in Florida
In what might be the ‘coolest’ use of a drone yet, Legoland Windsor recently tested ice cream delivery via drones. A small basket that holds the packaged ice cream snacks hangs below the Ice Cream Cone Drone with a camera on the bottom of the drone overlooking the basket. Guests order their ice cream via…
Oprah’s Orlando-filmed show, ‘David Makes Man,’ premieres tonight
Last year, Hollywood came to Dr. Phillips High School, of all places. A collection of bright pink, but mostly hollow, buildings on the grounds of the Orlando school grew into a film set for the new Oprah Winfrey show David Makes Man. Now it’s a year later, and the show premieres tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 14.…
Legal Public Notices 8/14 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices In order to satisfy a contractual landlord’s lien, under the provisions of the Florida Self-Service Storage Space Act, public notice is hereby given that the following described property will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder for cash only at WWW.STORAGEAUCTIONS.COM on August 29th 2019. The property stored at…
Orlando Hooters to host all-you-can-eat event with champion wing eater
Roll out to International Drive if you’d like to celebrate two American pastimes: overeating for absolutely no reason and kicking back at classy establishments like Hooters. There’s an all-you-can-eat deal at participating Hooters across the country until Sept. 9 for $15.99 per person. To celebrate here in Orlando, “Major League Eating Champion” Joey Chestnut will be doing…
House Democrat files proposal to condemn white nationalism and white supremacy
Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, filed the proposed resolution (HR 51) for consideration during the 2020 legislative session, which starts in January. The proposal points to a nationwide increase in hate crimes in recent years and cites incidents such as the shooting this month at an El Paso, Texas, shopping center that killed 22 people. “Our…
Florida will receive millions in federal dollars to combat feral hogs
Are you a Florida property owner dealing with, say “30 to 50 feral hogs” that just so happen to run into your yard while your small kids are playing for 3 to 5 minutes? Well, the federal government has a pilot program that you may be interested in. Legit question for rural Americans – How…
Orlando attorney John Morgan spent $1 million in July on Florida’s fight for minimum wage
An im-por-dant announcement. Orlando attorney and self-proclaimed “Pot Daddy” John Morgan continues to put his money behind a proposed constitutional amendment that would gradually raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. The Morgan Firm P.A. contributed nearly $1.075 million last month to the political committee Florida For A Fair Wage, which is trying to…
Local Americana royalty Terri Binion unveils new music video
Orlando’s folk-music stalwart Terri Binion has just unveiled a new music video for her track “Tiny Little Landmines”, a track from 2016’s The Day After the Night Before. The clip was cooked up with the equally formidable musician/photographer Mike Dunn and filmed in Apopka, with 10-year old Maddie Rentz making a star turn. Watch the video…
The rise of alt-country contenders Sarah Shook & the Disarmers is going directly through Orlando
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, Matt Woods and Terri Binion, Will’s Pub, Aug. 9 Without condition or argument, North Carolina’s Sarah Shook is one of the best, most compelling forces rising in American roots music today. And this latest performance reaffirmed the spark I saw in her band’s 2017 Orlando debut. She…
Former worker at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon accused of returning to employee locker room to steal credit cards
A former employee at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon was accused of going back to the water park and stealing workers’ credit cards. Shariel Agosto, 28, was charged with petit theft, credit card theft and fraudulent use of a credit card, according to an affidavit from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Agosto, a Windemere woman, admitted to…
Here is every theme park rumor that Disney might announce at next week’s D23 Expo
It’s nearly a sure bet that Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration will be discussed at the D23 Expo next weekend, but Disney is expected to share the details of dozens of other projects as well. The next five years will be one of the most significant investment periods in Disney parks and resorts in decades. Confirmed…
Major housing and retail development in the works around Kissimmee’s SunRail station
Hundreds of new homes are expected to pop up around a SunRail station in Kissimmee soon. Developers announced Monday a “transit-oriented” development is in the works for the land adjacent to the Tupperware SunRail Station at 3205 Orange Ave. O’Connor Capital Partners and Tupperware Brands Corporation are teaming up to construct 1,700 housing units in…
Orlando gets $400,000 for art projects to beautify I-4
Remember when Interstate 4 was named the deadliest highway in the nation in 2017, even before the treacherous, Mad Max-style “I-4 Ultimate” construction began? Now Orlando is receiving $400,000 to create art installations along I-4. It’s part of a beautification project to help drivers forget about the “old I-4” once construction (eventually) ends. The money…
Next week’s D23 Expo will reveal big plans for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary
One of the most anticipated announcements at next week’s D23 Expo will be the upcoming 50th Anniversary celebration for Walt Disney World. The yet-to-be-announced, resort-wide event is expected to be one of the biggest events in the history of Walt Disney World. Industry insider Jim Hill says the company expects to sell out every hotel…
Chicago DJ duo Louis the Child to kick off their tour in Orlando this November
Superstar Chicago producers Louis the Child have announced the dates for their “Here For Now” fall tour, and it kicks off in the City Beautiful in November! The DJ duo packed the house during well-received sets at Lollapalooza and Ultra this year, so you’d be advised to grab tickets sooner than later. Louis the Child headlines…
Here’s all the Zombie-themed madness at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights
The living dead will feature heavily at Universal’s upcoming Halloween Horror Nights. Yes, visitors should expect five “scare zones” dedicated to all things zombie-related, the park announced Monday. The areas will draw inspiration from the 2009 cult hit Zombieland (along with its sequel) and from the music of rocker, film director and horror enthusiast Rob Zombie.…
War on Women’s Shawna Potter crusades for safe spaces at Park Ave CDs
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Shawna Potter, Park Ave CDs, Aug. 9 This wasn’t a concert, and this isn’t a concert review. But it had everything to do with the experience and politics of going to concerts and just being in a social scene in general. It was a featured in-store appearance by Shawna Potter. Yes, she’s…
Proposed law would cut funding to private Florida voucher schools that discriminate against students
An Orlando lawmaker aims to stop private voucher schools from discriminating against students across the state. The new bill filed Friday by Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, would make private voucher schools comply with discrimination practices, ensuring they “may not deny enrollment to a student based on the student’s race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, religion,…
State of Florida to continue investigating law enforcement’s treatment of Jeffrey Epstein
Sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s jailhouse death won’t alter Florida’s investigation into how the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and others handled his sentencing and incarceration more than a decade ago. “Our case is active. Nothing changes for us,” Florida Department of Law Enforcement spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger said in an email Sunday. Epstein was found dead…
These Florida counties have spilled nearly 400,000 gallons of poop so far this year
With five months to go in 2019, Florida is looking to set a disgusting new record. We’re spilling more sewage, and it’s even worse than it sounds. Tampa Bay alone has already dumped 6.5 times more sewage in 2019 than in all of 2018, almost 400,000 gallons of poop so far. That is particularly concerning, since…
Video shows Florida gentleman driving golf cart into same Walmart evacuated on Sunday
This Gibsonton Walmart can’t catch a break. Last week the store was evacuated due to a threat made a day after the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, and yesterday a guy smashed a golf cart through the front door. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, at around 12:30 p.m. 56-year-old Michael Dale Hudson…
Florida healthcare executive funding campaign to open primary elections to all voters
Two legal entities linked to prominent South Florida health-care executive Mike Fernandez contributed $704,000 in late July to the committee All Voters Vote, according to a newly-filed finance report. All Voters Vote is campaigning to revamp the state’s primary-election system. The two entities are MBF Family Investments Ltd. and the Miguel B. Fernandez Revocable Trust. Fernandez has been…
Florida lawmaker tries again to allow concealed weapons on college campuses
A long-debated proposal that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry handguns on Florida college and university campuses was filed Thursday for consideration during the 2020 legislative session. Rep. Anthony Sabatini, R-Howey-in-the-Hills, filed the “campus carry” proposal (HB 6001) after years of unsuccessful attempts by gun-rights supporters to pass such a measure. The proposals…
Our picks for the best comic shops and conventions in Orlando
SHOPPING A Comic Shop This Winter Park comics haven has been pushing the notion of what a comic book store can be for years now, with a wide selection of indie titles, interesting events and even their Geek Easy bar and venue (which spun off onto its own recently). Acme Superstore A hidden gem of Orlando fandom,…
A guide to the best of Orlando’s theater scene
There’s something for everyone in Orlando’s theaters – Clarissa Moon breaks it down Orlando attracts talent from around the nation to perform at its theme parks, and these performers use local theaters as an artistic outlet, making Central Florida a lucky hub of high-caliber performance. Orlando’s theater offerings include national tours, blockbuster musicals, classic Shakespeare,…
Orlando obsessions: About the Newcomers Guide cover
Lake Eola Park If Orlando were a wheel, Lake Eola Park would be the hub. It also wouldn’t be a very good wheel, because it would be bumpy as hell, but we don’t have to think that hard about the metaphor. The downtown park, centered on the iconic fountain in the lake, hosts dozens of…
Be the change you wish to see: pointers for a better civic life in Orlando
Welcome to Orlando, the center of the political universe. Narrowly won and lost statewide elections are decided right here in the City Beautiful, our surrounding suburban enclaves, and our massive colleges and universities. Beautiful as our town may be, Orlando sits at the juncture of countless struggles. We run on a low-wage economy, we lack…
The best of Orlando’s world-famous parks and attractions
We’ve all heard the conventional wisdom about our city’s world-famous theme parks: nobody goes there because it’s too crowded. Certainly, there are longtime Orlando residents who only venture into the parks in search of a paycheck, or when family visits from out of state. But ignoring them would be as senseless as a New Yorker…
A mostly accurate map of Orlando’s neighborhoods and districts
–This story is from the Aug. 8, 2019, print issue of Orlando Weekly’s Newcomers Guide 2019. Stay on top of Central Florida news and views with our weekly Headlines newsletter.
The best places in Orlando to enjoy the outdoors
We have sunshine all year round here, and Jenna Lyons lists seven outdoor places every Orlando newcomer should check out. Lake Eola Park 512 E. Washington St. It always tops the list. C’mon, the lake’s fountain is on Orlando’s city flag. There’s always something going on there, from activist demonstrations to concerts to a farmers market…
Sheer art attack: Orlando’s can’t-miss gallery spaces
Orlando is not rich in famed art pieces like New York City, Chicago or Washington, D.C. – though a Kara Walker lives in the permanent collection of the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. And while the Orlando Museum of Art may hold the attention of most Orlandoans as perhaps the most important museum space we have…
Welcome to Orlando!
Our annual look at Orlando from the viewpoint of a Central Florida neophyte
Other Orlando Weekly Special Issues
Read Orlando Weekly to stay informed on news, opinion and happenings around the city.
Fantastic Orlando events that happen every year
There are fun events happening in the Orlando area year round. To help you find your faves, we’ve put together a quick guide to some of the ones that happen around the same time every year. Note that this guide gets published at the end of July 2019, so the dates you’ll see from January…
Old favorites and new classics in the Orlando-area neighborhoods
Bored? Wanna explore a new neighborhood? Doing move-in research? Dating someone in a different part of town? Here’s our speed-round version of Orlando’s main neighborhoods, a one-two punch of old and new that will show you the true nature of every nabe. DOWNTOWN Culture, “culture” and cocktails. Lots of cocktails. For all its foibles –…
My day in coffee, a caffeinated confession
Confession time: I drink a lot of caffeinated beverages – I always have, since my freshman year of college – and I don’t apologize for it. (There are worse extreme behaviors out there, y’know?) Whatever that liver enzyme is that metabolizes coffee, I must have double. It’s probably genetic, because my mom drinks even more…
Art-opening dates are a much better hang than Netflix
ART DATE! Whether it’s a friend date or a romantic one, art openings are a much better hang than Netflix. Keep an eye on Orlando Weekly’s calendar (both in print and online) for openings, especially the big Orlando Museum of Art exhibitions (always very swanky) and Snap (always full of interesting people). If you’ve got…
Let’s get a drink! A quick primer on some of Orlando’s best purveyors of potent potables
From dive bars to speakeasies, craft cocktails to microbrews, Orlando loves its drinks. Don’t call it a drinking problem; we’re just enthusiasts. But with our level of sprawl (that’s the real problem), you might be wondering where to even start to get a feel for Orlando’s nightlife – and, let’s be honest, daylife – culture,…
12 Orlando vegan restaurants where you can nosh without eating animals
You don’t need to eat animals (meat) or even animal products (cheese, eggs, etc.) to have a good meal. Orlando is filled with tons of vegan-friendly restaurants, whether they’re completely vegan or a little more flexitarian. From bowls and wraps to classic American comfort food, pizza, burgers, Asian food, smoothies and baked goods, these restaurants…
Five can’t-miss Orlando date spots to light your fire
Sorry, these aren’t tips on how to meet someone. If they were, I wouldn’t be a perpetually single millennial refusing to use dating apps. These are, however, suggestions on where to go for a nice date. Get a drink at Mathers Social Gathering. It’s a 1920s-themed bar so if you are both history nerds fascinated…
Slow fashion: The best vintage clothing shops in Orlando
The vintage clothing market grows as each day passes. More and more people are beginning to open their eyes to the environmental benefits of slow fashion, the pleasure of having a truly unique piece and the superior construction of the garments. It’s worth mentioning that these items have all stood the test of time. How…
Dank days in Orlando: a weedy journey through the City Beautiful
If you partake, our anonymous stoner friend has some suggestions on how to make the most of it in the City Beautiful. Editor’s note: Medical marijuana is legal in the state of Florida, but recreational marijuana is not. The city of Orlando passed an ordinance in 2016 effectively decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana – police…
The Orlando dish on the best brunches in town
If there’s something we millennials love more than ruining already defunct industries and drowning in student loan debt, it’s treating ourselves to a nice brunch to forget we probably won’t have Social Security when we’re older. The Stubborn Mule Brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. serving the perfect mix of…
Good rooms: the essential venues every Orlando newcomer should check out
Though maybe hard at first to navigate for the newcomer, the live music scene in Orlando offers a crazy array of unique experiences, especially once you dig a little deeper than the arenas and bigger halls. Now, larger venues may have actual tolerable sound and serve my touring band needs, but my favorite venues generally…
Where to find lots of food choices all under one roof in Orlando
Orlando doesn’t have giant food halls on the lines of L.A.’s Grand Central Market or the James Beard Public Market in Portland, but we do have a few places that offer plenty of choices under one roof. Plans are brewing for at least five more that we know of – check back next year and…
All the best spots for Orlando bookworms to flip pages
Dedicated bookworm Annabelle Sikes reveals all the secret spots best for turning pages – and some of the local writers whose work you should be enjoying As Plato said, “Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” Whether it’s cozying up with a book…
Raising houseplants in Orlando isn’t always easy, but our little green friends are worth it
Hi, I’m Jenny, and I kill houseplants. Ferns, ficus, succulents and cacti have all sacrificed themselves and gone to their deaths to avoid my plant-motherhood. I actually gave up on an orchid one time and flung it into someone’s side yard, only to see it over there gorgeous and blooming just a few months later.…
Litlando: 10 Orlando authors you should know
Orlando is home to some amazing authors, in genres like true-crime, historical fiction, young adult and many more. Some even set their stories around Central Florida. Here are ten favorites to check out. Kristen Arnett perfectly captures the heart-wrenching feelings of loss and love in her novel Mostly Dead Things. The book focuses on a…
Six unbelievably luxurious hotel pools you should definitely not sneak into
Orlando is the top vacation spot for visitors from out of state and overseas, but a lot of those visitors flowing in become permanent residents. So sure, the hotels and theme parks have stepped up their game by creating incredible pool areas with cabanas, lazy rivers, swim-up bars and more to attract the tourist dollar…
Maisie Haney shares ten favorite Orlando bands to catch live
Keep your ears open to these crucial local groups: Spoon Dogs Seemingly out of nowhere, this young group of garage rock freaks have elbowed their way to the front of the local pack. Their recent tour kick-off show at Will’s was pure hysteria from start to finish. The Nightmare The Nightmare serve as a sort…
