Wednesday, Nov. 28 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. Thursday, Nov. 29 Leisure Chief 10:30 pm at Tanqueray’s, 100 S. Orange Ave. Thursday Jazz Jams 8 pm at Austin’s Coffee, 929 W. Fairbanks Ave.,…
The organizers of Gainesville’s new Changeville Festival have revealed the first round of headliners for their second year in 2019 and there are some heavy hitters in there. So far announced are: Japanese Breakfast, Big Freedia (Orlando fans are already directly benefitting from that booking), AJJ, Ted Leo, Laura Stevenson, Locos Por Juana, and comedian Lizz…
Animal advocates are suing the federal government over necropsy reports for three orca whales who died at SeaWorld venues, including Tilikum, the Orlando whale featured in the 2013 anti-captivity documentary Blackfish. Tilikum, who killed SeaWorld Orlando trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010, died Jan. 6, 2017 from a bacterial lung infection. That same year in July, a 3-month-old…
Jacob Engels, publisher of local far right blog the Central Florida Post and member of the extremist group the “Proud Boys,” is considering running for Chairman of the Orange County Republican Executive Committee. Engels, who’s a regular InfoWars contributor and an associate of former Trump advisor Roger Stone, made the announcement through the Central Florida Post Facebook account…
And today brings news of another second chance next year to see a show that sold out in 2018. Amigo the Devil has announced an engagement in Orlando next spring, hot on the heels of their sold-out show at Soundbar earlier this month. The dark Americana artist is currently riding high on a new album,…
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam issued a statement Tuesday giving Florida-grown greens the go-ahead. After the Centers for Disease Control issued a scary full ban on all romaine just before Thanksgiving, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requested stores and restaurants to remove all romaine lettuce from their shelves. Yesterday, the CDC said they’d narrowed the shady romaine…
Space Florida’s board of directors voted Tuesday to throw almost $20 million at new projects estimated to add over 270 high-paying space-related jobs at Cape Canaveral. The biggest project would include $52 million in new facilities for a new player in launch operations and launch vehicle (rocket) manufacturing on Florida Space Coast. Space Florida: “This…
The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is returning to Orlando this Saturday. This “café on wheels” themed around the popular Japanese character has visited over 60 U.S. cities since it was first created in 2014. It will be stopping in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Florida Mall from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The…
Disney lovers can experience one of Walt Disney World’s longest-running holiday traditions from the comfort of their own homes next week, as the Candlelight Processional will be livestreamed for the first time. The Candlelight Processional, an annual event that takes place in Epcot, is a live Christmas celebration in which a celebrity narrator tells the…
Are you still bummed that you missed Big Freedia’s sold-out show at Will’s Pub earlier this year? Not to worry, your Queen of Bounce has heard your entreaties and Big Freedia will be returning to the City Beautiful at an even bigger venue. Big Freedia holds court at the Abbey on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, at…
After all that shopping you did through the Thanksgiving break into Cyber Monday, it’s time to give a little back. The Giving Tuesday movement encourages people to help others through the gifts of “time, donations, goods or your voice.” Thousands of organizations in the state have signed up to participate, including hundreds in Orlando and the rest…
After being unable to get the House to go along during the 2018 legislative session, state Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, will try again to prevent local governments from regulating homeowners’ vegetable gardens. Bradley last week filed a bill (SB 82) that would largely bar regulations on vegetable gardens on residential property. The bill stems…
For the last quarter-century, the Themed Entertainment Association has hosted the annual TEA Thea Awards, a prestigious who’s-who in the themed attraction industry. This year’s recipients were recently announced and, like always, there are plenty of award winners this year with Orlando connections. To be honored with a TEA Thea Award, attractions creators must show credit for published work.…
A constitutional amendment that would ban semiautomatic assault weapons in Florida has been proposed for the state’s 2020 ballot. The amendment was pushed forward by Ban Assault Weapons NOW (also known as BAWN), a Miami-based political action committee that includes victims’ family members and survivors of the mass shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018…
Despite record breaking levels of heat and toxic algae, Florida saw more tourists over the last three quarters than ever before. According to a recent report from Visit Florida, the state’s pseudo private/public marketing arm, Florida welcomed 95.8 million visitors from January through September in 2018, which is the highest number of visitors in any nine…
As the second iteration of Pointe Orlando seemingly struggles to overcome many of the same issues the first version of the retail complex faced, we’re seeing the musical chairs between tenants pick up steam. The past year has seen numerous closures at Pointe Orlando, including Tommy Bahama, Funky Monkey, RA Sushi, and the Minus 5…
Florida, a state that consistently elects politicians who refuse to acknowledge the life-threatening effects of climate change, will definitely be screwed by said climate change in the near future, according to a new federal report. The Fourth National Climate Assessment report has a dire warning for all humans within its more than 1,650 pages: People need…
Today Dr. Phillips Charities announced a gift of $8.9 million for a new YMCA facility in Orlando’s Packing District, a massive mixed-use development planned near College Park. The YMCA of Central Florida will build the new two-story, 24,500-square-foot Family Center at the planned roundabout at Princeton Street and Texas Avenue. Construction for the new facility,…
After Floridians passed a constitutional amendment in the Nov. 6 election, a federal appeals court is questioning whether it needs to rule in a high-profile case about how Gov. Rick Scott and the state Cabinet have handled requests to restore felons’ voting rights. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held a hearing in July…
In a surprise announcement sure to excite true heads just as much as the recent Peter Murphy/Bauhaus anniversary tour, German darkwave and post-punk legends Pink Turns Blue have confirmed a Central Florida show set for next autumn. Formed in 1985, the band gained a fervent following with the release of If Two Worlds Kiss, which…
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Folk Yeah Electric, Will’s Pub complex, Nov. 23 Black Friday? No, thanks. I value my sanity more than a good deal. So Folk Yeah kicking off a day early was the perfect antidote to the yearly consumerist apocalypse. This year, the annual showcase of singer-songwriters by decorated Orlando musician Mike Dunn has…
The multi-year extreme makeover that Disney’s Hollywood Studios is in the midst of has included rumors of name changes for some time, but after years of speculation, Disney may have just confirmed those rumors were untrue. Last week, Disney announced a number of 2019 offerings around the resort, and it’s no surprise that DHS was…
As we gain more awareness and understanding of autism, more attractions are attempting to improve how they accommodate those with varied sensory needs. Partnering with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), Zoo Miami recently became the first zoo in the state named a Certified Autism Center by the organization. Staff at…
No doubt the James Beard Foundation’s annual Celebrity Chef Tour dinner at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando is one of the more highly anticipated events on the culinary calendar. Now in its fourth year, the 2018 rendition may not reach the rarefied heights of the inaugural event in 2015 (which put the “astronomic'” in gastronomic), but…
A proposal that would allow law-enforcement officers to pull over motorists for using cell phones while driving will be back before lawmakers in 2019. Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, has filed a measure (SB 76) called the “Florida Ban on Wireless Communications Devices While Driving Law,” which would prohibit texting, reading data or talking on wireless…
Have no doubt: new House Speaker José Oliva wants to expand access to health care by expanding the scope of practice for Florida nurses. He also wants less government regulation in Florida’s health-care delivery system and more free-market principles. Oliva, though, denies that reconfiguring the state’s health-care delivery system will be his personal priority as…
A Senate Democrat this week filed a proposal that could refuel a debate about beach access in Florida. But Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, indicated he does not want to revisit a controversial law that critics say can help private landowners prevent public access to some beach areas. Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, filed a…
Add Formica archboldi ants to the rotating cast of Florida creatures haunting your nightmares. The state’s most metal ant tricks a powerful species known as trap-jaw ants by chemically mimicking them and then spraying these enemy ants with immobilizing formic acid, according to new research by Adrian Smith, a scientist at North Carolina State University. After the gruesome…
“It’s a place where they dress in black and dance to industrial disco. A secret place!” So began a charmingly clueless WFTV 9 news report (watch the amazing video below) on the infamous Visage nightclub, then in its full bloom as a mecca for the burgeoning alternative and gothic scenes in Central Florida. The club…
The Hard Rock Hotel and 93.1 Coast Country are teaming up for a combo country concert and holiday toy drive set for the beginning of next month. The event will be headlined by up-and-coming country singers Hannah Anders and Reed Foley. The Rockin’ Country Christmas Concert goes down on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.…
After roughly a year in business, Wonton Asian Kitchen in Winter Park has officially closed its doors. The Asian fusion restaurant, which was located at the corner of Fairbanks and South Orlando Avenue, announced the closure Wednesday morning on their Facebook page, while also hinting that a new venture may be in the works. “Wonton…
Speaking of Thanksgiving traditions, the turkey isn’t the only thing that’s getting roasted this weekend. Poking the Bear podcast host and guy-who-knows-a-guy Big Tim Murphy gets a birthday drubbing at the home of his successful monthly Dot Dot Dot Comedy Showcase, Ellipsis Brewing. Come for the low-hanging fat jokes, stay for the tasty craft beer.…
When M. Night Shyamalan’s Split came out in 2016, no one knew that the thriller – starring James McAvoy as a man with severe dissociative identity disorder who kidnaps three girls – was a low-key sequel to 2000’s Unbreakable. Glass, the film that ties the trilogy together, comes out in January 2019, which means it’s…
Next year Walt Disney World will debut their new Skyliner gondola system, which allow guests to travel between select theme parks and resorts via a suspended metal box with no air conditioning. A spokesperson for the company confirmed the gondola’s lack of A/C to the Orlando Sentinel this week at the Destination D event,…
Tommy Mot’s glitzy brainchild, No One Knows I’m Disco, gets the T-dance treatment this week. Enjoy underground disco and its many subgenres (Afro-, space-, Italo-) while getting day-drunk and avoiding holiday shopping. Stonewall’s outdoor patio is the perfect spot for a day party like this, combining fresh air with plenty of shade from the heat.…
One of Orlando’s beloved holiday traditions returns this week as Bad Santa & the Angry Elves kick off their “Shout at the Kringle” tour at the Iron Cow. The band takes “Jingle Bell Rock” to a whole new level with holiday-themed parodies of metal and hard rock songs. It’s gloriously dumb and way over the…
Sometimes, our Thanksgiving weekend needs a little more partying. Celine gives you the opportunity to forget about your family or gift shopping by bringing in Dutch trance pioneer Ferry Corsten. Corsten’s won more accolades than we have space to list, but has consistently been ranked as one of the world’s top DJs for years. Celine’s…
One of the world’s best-selling music artists, Elton John – or more accurately, Sir Elton John, if you’re English – is coming to town, and he’s bringing his award-winning discography with him. Now 71 years old, he’s compiled a résumé that spans across generations, consisting of some of the world’s most popular hits, including “Candle…
Orlando International Airport is one of the busiest in the country, and in between alligators crossing the runway, ICE agents accidentally shooting themselves in the foot, and belligerent Canadians trying to hijack luggage cars, there’s a solid chance your flight could be delayed this Thanksgiving. According to a new report from travel writer Asher Fergusson, MCO…
Minnesota’s Twin Cities have a strong tradition of musical glory in the rock arena – Prince, Hüsker Dü, the Replacements – but the kings of the Minneapolis/St. Paul hip-hop scene are undoubtedly Atmosphere. MC Slug and producer Ant have been together for more than 20 years, turning out highly personal, backpacker hip-hop tracks that eschew…
Don’t let the cringe-worthy tagline of “It’s Diversitastic!” steer you away from Fusion Fest. The city’s newest two-day multicultural festival celebrates Orlando’s diverse population with a kaleidoscopic mix of music, dance, film, fashion, poetry, food and a parade – catch African drums and Scottish bagpipes at the same time as the Chinese lion dance and…
After failing to get the idea passed during the 2018 legislative session, Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, will again try to convince lawmakers to approve a sales-tax exemption for diapers and incontinence products. Book on Tuesday filed the proposal (SB 60) for consideration during the 2019 session, which will start in March. Under the proposal, diapers,…
The prodigal returns! Whereas usually the holidays bring a cavalcade of returning faces from your past that you’d really rather avoid, sometimes the universe throws you a bone. In this case, electro freak wizard Michael Parallax – currently living in Austin, but very much a local outsider legend – has announced a last-minute show this…
Last month, a female Masai giraffe calf was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and now they want you to help name it. In an effort to prevent this giraffe from ending up with a name like “Neck Anderson,” “Neck Forever After,” or Weird Looking Horse,” Disney has already narrowed down the options to just four Swahili…
DeSantis nails down win over Gillum as hand recount continues: The automatic machine recount is finally over, but the ensuing fight over the manual recount is just getting started. Democratic nominee Andrew Gillum couldn’t overcome the nearly 34,000-vote margin between himself and Republican nominee Ron DeSantis. The former Republican congressman from Ponte Vedra Beach will…
THIS WEEK: Bodied Remember when George Harrison started producing films because he had money and a great sense of humor, and he knew his buddies in Monty Python had the latter but not the former? Well, Eminem is producing pictures now, and also advancing a pet cause: defending “offensive” rap. That’s the focus of this…
I’m in a pickle. All I want is to experience touch, intimacy and sexual pleasure – but without freaking out. I grew up with a lot of negative messages from men due to developing early, as well as having some other physical/sexual trauma (no rape or abuse), but the combination has me seriously fucked up.…
Meet Sophie! Sophie (A415902) is just the sweetest girl. This beauty is around 3 years old and was surrendered by her owners back in October because they were no longer able to care for her. Sophie is so beautiful inside and out, she loves to be rubbed and will purr for everyone! Do you think…
Like San Diego’s Comic-Con is for superheroes, and Las Vegas’ CES is for electronics, Orlando’s ever-expanding IAAPA Expo – held last week at the Orange County Convention Center – is the worldwide theme park industry’s biggest annual convention. In honor of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ 100th anniversary, I walked almost half…
AAHZ 30th Anniversary It’s that time of year again, so AAHZ returns with a pre-holiday blowout reunion, headlined by Rabbit in the Moon’s David Christophere. 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, at the Beacham, $19.88-$50 Thick & Funky Thursdays We’re thankful that T&F will be soldiering on tonight, holiday or not, with the Bring Your Own…
Ralph Breaks the Internet, the sequel to 2012’s Wreck-It Ralph, arrives in theaters this Thanksgiving weekend at a time when “the internet” has become a pervasive force in modern culture while simultaneously going through something of a public backlash. In the wake of dire concerns over political manipulation, privacy breaches and its role in the…
