Tuesday, Dec. 2: Things to do today/tonight
Image via Orlando Brewing MUSIC PICK OF THE DAY: Jazz Tuesdays: http://bit.ly/1uV90qX Orlando Soup: http://on.fb.me/1roFeFN Park Yoga with Ros: http://on.fb.me/1vjK0cN Aniscoria Tasting: http://on.fb.me/1xSjSqm Rollins Live Open Mic Night: http://on.fb.me/1pjuKvG For more stuff going on this week, visit our online calendar. Arts and Culture: http://bit.ly/1vqggMt Music: http://bit.ly/1yUK026 Learning and Civics: http://bit.ly/1F4C02r
The Sh-Booms throw free Back-to-the-Future-inspired holiday party
Back to the Future fans, prepare for an enchanting evening when local soul band the Sh-Booms deck Will’s Pub’s halls for their free holiday show at 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, to re-enact the iconic ’80s spirit of the film’s “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance. On the Facebook event, they say pub owner Will Walker…
Scumdogs invade Venue 578, featuring Gwar with new frontwoman Vulvatron
Thrash metal band Gwar shocks fans with fake blood and incredible costumes. That’s standard fare for the cult following the comedic rockers have amassed over the past 30 years. But all that flash couldn’t prepare fans for the stun of the band’s recent unveiling of their new frontwoman, Vulvatron, who, alongside co-vocalist Blothar, attempts to…
Quintron and Miss Pussycat bring their bizarre, inventive show to Will’s Pub
PHOTO BY TONY CAMPBELL There’s technically no better show you can catch this week than husband-and-wife duo Quintron and Miss Pussycat. Quintron’s a bizarre, inventive mind, constantly creating sensational instruments to achieve the pair’s energetic, one-of-a-kind show; they tour with the custom-made Hammond organ/Fender Rhodes combo synthesizer that he’s engineered to look like a classic…
For the first time ever, Girl Scout Cookies to be available online
Image via Girl Scouts Council of the Nation’s Capital It can be argued that, come Girl Scout cookie season, the under-18 gang clad in green, brown and blue uniforms become almost like drug pushers – but, you know, with cookies. They come knocking at your door, trying to sell you a fix. They hang out…
Lineup announced for 2015 Total Punk Total Fuck Off II
30 Instagram highlights from Total Punk Total Fuck Off Weekend Total Punk isn’t about sponsors or begging for donations; its ethos are completely as DIY as the hand-stamped labels on the punk label’s coveted, collectible vinyl releases, and when I spoke to label owner Rich Evans last year, he said he’d be willing to go…
Giving Tuesday: Where to donate locally
Image via Second Harvest Food Bank First it starts with Thanksgiving, a celebration of family and food. You know, the things that lots of us are thankful for. Then we have Black Friday, basically undoing all that thankfulness with a strong dose of consumerism. After both of those bouts of mass consumption, there’s Small Business Saturday, which encourages…
Relief in Abstract launches two-day music fest this December
via Relief in Abstract on Facebook This summer, Relief in Abstract celebrated three years as an indie label/artist collective here in Orlando, launching artists like XXYYXX and Fortune Howl to national attention, releasing chill, dance-minded new music and curating exciting shows featuring electronic artists they support. Now, they’ve announced Redpoint Music Festival (Dec. 19-20), a…
Bar-BQ Bar owners take over Peacock Room, opens in spring 2015
Ashley Dishman and Hurst Marshall will reimagine the space formerly known as the Peacock Room in 2015. Photo by Christopher Garcia Mills 50 mourned when Peacock Room came to its confusing conclusion at the end of October, but murmurings along Mills revealed that the much-loved watering hole could benefit from a fresh outpouring of creative…
This Little Underground: Laney Jones and the Lively Spirits at Milk Bar
This Little Underground is Orlando Weekly’s music column providing perspective, live reviews and news on the city’s music scene. Read the latest column here. Laney Jones Looks like a little bit has happened with Mount Dora folkie Laney Jones since I wrote about her last year. Her latest milestone was being one of only a…
Monday, Dec. 1: Things to do today/tonight
Image via Lester MUSIC PICK OF THE DAY: Singers and Songwriters Night: http://bit.ly/1uV90qX 12 Bars of Christmas: http://on.fb.me/11sTJBQ World AIDS Day: http://on.fb.me/1AOiOWP Lester: http://on.fb.me/1zV3OmK Because of Love: Alcurtis Terry Tribute Show: http://on.fb.me/1xzZWVr For more stuff going on this week, visit our online calendar. Arts and Culture: http://bit.ly/1vqggMt Music: http://bit.ly/1yUK026 Learning and Civics: http://bit.ly/1F4C02r
9 free things to do this weekend in Orlando (11/28-11/30)
28 Fun Things happening in Orlando this Week (11/26-12/2) With Black Friday on the horizon and your stress levels at an all-time high, we think it’s safe to agree we all deserve a nice relaxing weekend. So put away the coupons and stop looking for the sales; we’ve gathered a list of events that won’t…
This Little Underground: Grand Collab debuts at Will’s Pub
This Little Underground is Orlando Weekly’s music column providing perspective, live reviews and news on the city’s music scene. Read the latest column here. It’s always a good thing whenever a new showcase concept pops up. But Grand Collab is one for which I’m cheering especially hard because I believe so much in its premise.…
Construction permits posted for new Universal Orlando water park
A new Universal Orlando water park is on its way (images courtesy Parkscope.net). Theme park fan forums have been buzzing with rumors for months, but now our friends at Parkscope have found definitive proof: a brand-new Universal Orlando water park is on its way. Stormwater construction permit filings with Orange County reveal that “Project 533″…
We hope ‘Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker’ is as delicious as it sounds
At first glance, yes, this sounds like a Todrick Hall Christmas Special, but don’t worry; it isn’t yet another drop in the ocean that is the seasonal onslaught of Nutcracker performances – this one is different. It was penned as an adaptation of the classical ballet by Beverly Page, the president and CEO of Orlando…
The 25th Annual Turkey Trot gobbles up Lake Eola Park
About 6,000 runners are expected to take to the pavement in this annual 5K fundraiser for Seniors First, a nonprofit that serves the needs of Central Florida senior citizens. Runners of all ages are welcome and encouraged to join in the fun. Turkey-inspired costumes are heavily encouraged, as there will be a costume contest first…
Do me, Orlando: Sending holiday letters from Christmas, Florida
Art by Brendan O’Connor The best part: Giving your loved ones abroad something a little extra special Info/cost: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday; Christmas Post Office, 23589 E. Colonial Drive, Christmas; prices vary depending on size and weight; 407-568-2941; usps.com Yes, those musical holiday e-cards where you paste your face on dancing elves…
Get your fancy-car fix at the Central Florida International Auto Show
Photo courtesy of Central Florida Auto Show Hundreds of the newest cars, trucks and Batmobile-esque creations will be on display at the Convention Center, with oodles of pretty girls Vanna White-ing all over their freshly waxed and buffed exteriors. Attendees can check out the new models in a “non-selling” environment (no salespeople hassling you), sit…
Peek-A-Boo lets it all out for their 6-year anniversary
Photo by Brooke Jordan Stardust Lounge (the bar, not the coffee shop) opened six short years ago in 2008 and partnered with Blue Star right away to host Dirty Bingo. From that partnership arose one of the longest-running burlesque shows in town. The show runs every first and third Wednesday of the month, but the…
VIDEO: The Gerry Williams Band on Off the Avenue
Local jazz-soul-funk master Gerry Williams can be found frequently around town performing soulful originals, dutifully covering soul and jazz icons (Al Green, Stevie Wonder, James Brown), and impressively improvising as a recurring player at the Smiling Bison. In 2007, he formed the Gerry Williams Band after a chance collision of talents in the studio -…
Forget Christmas Carols and cracked nuts, we’ve got something even better: “Wanzie’s Orange Blossom Trail Living Nativity Christmas Spectacular”
NATIVITY PHOTO BY DOUGLAS WHITE Enough with the Nutcrackers and Christmas Carols, already! Yes, everybody loves the old tropes, but they get trotted out ad nauseam this time of year. What this holiday season needs is more drag shows, camp and ridiculous theatrics – Michael Wanzie to the rescue! This year at the Footlight Theatre,…
Stock up: Annual ‘C-Note: Grab and Go’ Art Sale hits the Falcon
Loads of variations on the “low dough art show” spring up everywhere during the holiday shopping season, and we couldn’t be happier to see them. Everybody wins at these shows focused on inexpensive, gift-worthy art: Local artists get some quick end-of-the-year cash, local galleries get some holiday foot traffic, and local art lovers get one-of-a-kind…
Hebni Nutrition Consultants wants to transform the way Parramore eats
Cooking classes, fresh food in convenience stores and a mobile farmers market are saving lives
Eight cookbooks inspired by your favorite shows
Appropriate eats for ‘The Walking Dead,’ ‘Hunger Games,’ ‘Portlandia’ and more
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): What exactly do you believe in, Aries? What’s your philosophy of life? Do you think that most people are basically good and that you can make a meaningful life for yourself if you just work hard and act kind? Do you believe that evil, shapeshifting, kitten-eating extraterrestrials have taken on human…
Gun tragedy strikes Florida State University
Lone gunman injures three, is killed, as new school president John Thrasher tries to pick up the pieces
Highball and Harvest in the Ritz-Carlton plays down the posh
Down-to-earth farm-to-table resto serves a symphony of Southern classics
Down the Road
The Misfits, The Attack, Dec. 3 at Venue 578 FKA Twigs, Dec. 3 at The Social SOLD OUT Black Veil Brides, Falling in Reverse, Dec. 4 at House of Blues Potluck featuring Johnny Richter, Liquid Assassin, Black P., Dec. 4 at Backbooth Enter the Haggis, Dec. 4 at The Social Blood on the Dance Floor,…
Part 1 of the ‘Hunger Games’ finale leaves the audience hungry for more
Commercially driven division of ‘Mockingjay’ into two films means they save the best for last
Drinking, Nightlife and Parties
Where to drink and party in Orlando this week
Comedy + Dance + Theater + Art + Events + Literary + Family + Sports
Arts and Culture in Orlando this week
Savage Love
I am a bi male in my early 20s who until recently was in the closet. I have been exploring my sexuality for the past year, and I didn’t want to label myself and open a Pandora’s box of oppression in the American South before I knew who I was for sure. I learned through…
Learning + Civics
Learning and Civics in Orlando this week
The 2014 IAAPA convention revealed brand-new theme-park innovations
Look for these rides, games and snacks to pop up at your favorite parks soon
‘20,000 Days on Earth’: Myth understood
Couchsurfing: What we’re streaming and watching this week
Concerts/Events + Clubs/Lounges + Opera/Classical
Where to find music in Orlando this week
Plastic people of the universe
Miami artist Katerina Friderici finds beauty in cast-off materials
‘Radhe Radhe’ intensely embodies Holi, the festival of colors
Album review: Vijay Iyer’s ‘Radhe Radhe: Rites of Holi’
Craft cocktail connoisseurs flock to the Courtesy Bar
Bar Exam: the where, what and why of Orlando drinking
Readers’ views on religion’s place in Orange County schools and the Dropbox lawsuit
Letters to the editor
Brass Tap and Ten 10 Brewing plan early-2015 openings
Plus Norman’s pays tribute to late chef Charlie Trotter and more in our weekly food roundup
Picks this week: Case Work, the Dog Apollo and more
Great live music rattles Orlando every night
Catch the Fresh Stop Bus, a farmers market on wheels
Hebni Nutrition Consultants turns a donated Lynx bus into a rolling cornucopia of produce
Movies opening in Orlando theaters this week
‘Horrible Bosses 2’ and ‘Penguins of Madagascar’
This Little Underground: Caribou legitimizes live electronic music
Plus, live reviews of Jessy Lanza, Gators in the Sawgrass, Full Body Tones
Attorney General Pam Bondi rises to the top
Despite history of pay-for-play, Bondi takes Republican leadership role, undaunted
Shows I Go To: Orlando is alive with the glory of Saves the Day and Say Anything
I love how alive this town is. Its heart beats on 2/4, 4/4, and 5/4 time every night. Sometimes, it’s slow and peaceful. Sometimes, is fast and LOUD. It’s often quite beautiful. It’s often quite ugly. If it’s blood were passion, this town would be dripping red. PIC (Need an awesome pic of the crowd…
Walmart workers and supporters to protest on Black Friday
Image via Black Friday Protest If you’re headed to Walmart on Black Friday, you can expect to be greeted by protesters at some Orlando-area stores. The protests, organized by OUR Walmart, are pushing for full-time work for Walmart employees, along with a $15 hourly pay rate. Last year, similar protests were conducted at about 1,200 stores…
Accurate charts that depict living in Florida
Publix Subs and Florida are almost synonymousImage via Buzzfeed Last week, Buzzfeed focused on Florida again, releasing a post called “13 charts that perfectly describe living in Florida.” And, as with their “Nine things only Floridians will understand,” they got most of it right on the money. Covering Florida inevitabilities like humidity’s terrible effect on our hair,…
Another crazy-tall ride coming to International Drive
Image via Orlando Business Journal Last week, Unicorp announced yet another world’s-tallest attraction springing up along International Drive. StarFlyer, a chair swing ride that stands 420 feet tall, is coming to the I-Drive 360 Complex in 2016. At just 5 feet shorter than the Orlando Eye, the attraction joins fellow future-record-breaker Skyscraper on the ever-growing I-Drive skyline.…
Mount Dora songwriter Laney Jones brings her Lively Spirits to the Milk Bar
Mount Dora songwriter Laney Jones got some much-deserved attention recently as a finalist in NPR’s Mountain Stage’s NewSong Contest. Although she didn’t win, her song “Broken Hearts” reached a national platform when she performed it in New York’s Lincoln Center a few weeks back. Now she’s returned to Central Florida, and Orlandoans have an opportunity…
CANCELED: Catch rapper French Montana at Venue 578
If you’re tapped into the hip-hop underground, it’s likely you discovered French Montana by stumbling upon his popular Cocaine City street DVDs and mixtapes. For the rest, it’s likely you only just recently started speaking his language with his 2013 Bad Boy/Interscope debut, Excuse My French, which was littered with guests like Drake, Rick Ross…
Surprise! Mingos has closed. Here’s a list of 10 other restaurants that have occupied that address
Photo by Rob Bartlett Earlier this year, our review posed the question, “Can Mingos establish itself on this hard-to-please corner?” Well, we now have an official answer: NOPE. On Friday, Nov. 21, the restaurant posted the below message on their Facebook page: “Friends, we regret to inform you that due to an inability to reach…
