First Watch to open new location Winter Park in 2021 with revamped design and craft cocktail menu
Florida-based restaurant chain First Watch may have closed its Maitland location, but plans are in the works to open a new Winter Park destination that will set the tone for First Watch locations in Central Florida going forward. And there are some new additions that might surprise you. Taking over the old Cinco space on…
New Orlando venue Vanguard to debut on Halloween weekend with 2-night outdoor show
It looks as though the long-dormant club space that now goes by the moniker Vanguard – once upon a time known as Firestone – is returning to life like a party Frankenstein on Halloween. But can event organizers pull off a large-scale dance event safely this weekend? They do seem to be trying. The two-night, open-air affair dubbed Boo! Orlando…
Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani goes full Jedi with Star Wars’ Mark Hamill in Thursday phone-banking event
Go wild with your own “fighting against the Dark Side of the Force” metaphors, because state Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, announced today that she will take part in a virtual phone-banking event on Thursday with no less than Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill. It sure seems more than a little symbolic that the iconic Star…
Florida one of 11 states filing anti-trust lawsuit against malevolent overlords Google
Florida was one of 11 states that joined the U.S. Department of Justice in filing a major antitrust lawsuit Tuesday against internet search giant Google. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges that Google has engaged in anticompetitive practices. “Absent a court order, Google will continue executing its anticompetitive…
‘Voices and Conversations’ exhibition at Orlando Museum of Art is a must-see gathering of contemporary artists
Currently on display at the Orlando Museum of Art, the group exhibition Voices & Conversations of contemporary American artists involves some heavy (and familiar, to OMA-goers) names with a focus on issues of identity, inclusion, activism and engagement. Artists represented in Voices include Nick Cave – you’ll get another chance to scope out his Soundsuit…
Orlando soul stars the Sh-Booms announce live return with a run of gigs at Sanford’s West End Trading Co.
Central Floridian soul-punk armada the Sh-Booms on Wednesday announced their return to the stage in Central Florida for the first time in months, with a November weekend residency planned at Sanford club West End Trading Co. The Sh-Booms will take the stage four times over the course of two days of gigs at West End.…
Rare twin-headed racer snake found in Palm Harbor, Florida
Two-headed serpents may be common in ancient mythology, but not so much in real life. However, a Palm Harbor family recently discovered a rare two-headed Southern black racer snake. The snake has a condition called bicephaly, which happens when two monozygotic twins fail to separate during embryo development, leaving both heads on a single body,…
Orlando singer Chloé Hogan secures a Team Gwen spot on NBC’s ‘The Voice’
Much like life, reality television will, uh, find a way. And so the 19th season of NBC’s singing competition The Voice is off and running, even in the middle of a pandemic. And before you start eyerolling about reality TV, you should know that an Orlandoan made a big impact on the show last night.…
The 1619 Project will be adapted into exhibits and live events by Lionsgate with Oprah Winfrey
During this summer’s historic protests for racial equality, film studio Lionsgate announced a groundbreaking partnership with the New York Times, Nikole Hannah-Jones and Oprah Winfrey to adapt the award-winning 1619 Project into an expansive portfolio of new media content. At the time, Lionsgate confirmed that “feature films, television series and other content for a global audience”…
WUCF-produced travel show ‘Central Florida Roadtrip’ scores regional Emmy nomination
An episode of the PBS television series Central Florida Roadtrip, produced right here in Orlando, has been nominated for a regional Emmy. Central Florida Roadrip, an in-house production of Orlando’s PBS affiliate WUCF TV, gives the skinny on overlooked local destinations, and the Season 5 episode “Parks of the Past” just got a nod for…
Legal Public Notices 10/21 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices AUCTION Extra Space Storage – Store 8841 9847 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32825 Extra Space Storage will hold a Public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location Indicated: 9847 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32825 (407) 495-9612, November 10, 2020 @…
Orlando’s final Record Store Day drop of 2020 is Saturday
After the original April date was pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic, Record Store Day – the annual celebration and spendfest for all things vinyl – was broken up into a series of drop dates from August through October. Oct. 24 will be the final “drop” for 2020. (Although … see below.) Local record…
Orlando area restaurants unveil Thanksgiving offerings for dine-in and takeout
Though we personally have trouble seeing past October as a concrete reality, local restaurants are beginning to announce delicious Thanksgiving offerings that can be enjoyed by you and close family/friends (or solo, no judgment) this year. (We’ll add to this post as we hear more – feel free to chime in at dining@orlandoweekly.com.) Disney Springs…
Universal Orlando cast from ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure’ host virtual reunion to benefit laid-off comrades
Unlike the many COVID-related casualties now dotting our entertainment landscape, the Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure show at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights had the honor of being retired voluntarily three years ago. Over the preceding quarter-century, the show had garnered a devoted following for its fast-paced and outrageous offering of sketch comedy, stunts,…
Sour Patch Kids try to save Halloween with ‘Reverse Trick-or-Treat’ candy contest in Orlando
Like it or not, trick-or-treating is all but over for this Halloween. But candy brand Sour Patch Kids is coming to Orlando on the big night as part of a “Reverse Trick or Treat” contest, where they’ll bring the candy to the doorsteps of lucky winners. Orlando is one of just 12 cities – Miami, Los Angeles,…
Orlando manufacturing company warns employees of layoffs if Trump isn’t re-elected
“You’re (possibly) fired” if Trump loses, claimed the Apprentice-y letter that employees at Orlando company Daniels Manufacturing Corp. received as an extra in their pay envelopes recently. Penned by DMC president George Daniels, the letter strongly suggested that if Donald Trump falters in his re-election bid, heads will roll at the local business. DMC is a…
Downtown Orlando Dr. Phillips Center reveals plans for outdoors Front Yard Festival, starting this December
Dr. Phillips Center of the Performing Arts on Tuesday announced plans for an outdoors, socially distanced festival that will take place on the lawn areas in front of the Dr. Phil. And this fest won’t just happen over a long weekend, but stretch out over the course of six months. The Front Yard Festival is…
Dear Millennials and Gen Z: If Trump wins, it’s your fault
Please know this headline isn’t meant to incite. It’s merely a statement of statistical fact. By age grouping, Millennials and Gen Z now compose the largest voting bloc in America. The country is yours for the taking. I understand your reluctance. It’s a bit like inheriting a crack house. We, the Gen Xers, have left you…
COVID deaths in Florida pass 16,000
With dozens of additional deaths reported each day, more than 16,000 Florida residents have died of COVID-19, according to numbers released Monday by the state Department of Health. Florida reported 54 resident deaths Monday, bringing the total to 16,021. The state also reported 1,707 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 756,727. The largest numbers…
Seven takeaways from the latest Florida voter registration numbers
Florida elections officials last week released voter-registration numbers for the Nov. 3 general election. Here are seven takeaways as Florida is again a key state in the battle for the White House: — THE BIG PICTURE: Democrats have traditionally led in voter registration in Florida, but Republicans are inching closer — while many voters don’t…
Wolfgang Puck Express is closed at Disney Springs, and the company is cagy on when and whether it will reopen
The Wolfgang Puck Express found within the Marketplace section of Disney Springs is reported to have permanently closed, though representatives of the restaurant say it’s temporary. According to reports on social media, Marketplace guests have been told the closure is permanent. Signage on the building has been removed, and dark drapes now cover all windows…
Florida suspects arrested in million-dollar flying squirrel trafficking ring
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced charges on Monday morning for seven individuals it says were involved in an international wildlife trafficking operation involving thousands of native flying squirrels getting illegally shipped overseas. The seven suspects are facing multiple charges including racketeering, money laundering, and scheming to defraud, according to the FWC. The…
Legoland Florida reveals big 10th anniversary celebration plans for 2021
Florida’s tourism industry may still be a long way from recovering from this year’s downturn, but that hasn’t stopped Legoland Florida from announcing an awesome 10th anniversary celebration coming up in 2021. Merlin, Legoland’s parent company, has found success with its parks via a constant stream of updates and revamping, adding new attractions and refreshing…
Disney World announces special Florida license plate to celebrate 50th anniversary
Disney may have canceled many of the big plans it had lined up for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, but that hasn’t stopped the resort – Florida’s largest single-site employer – from moving forward with many of its smaller plans for the golden anniversary. The biggest news so far for collectors and devotees of all…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Monday, Oct. 19, 2020
Every morning on Magic 107.7 FM, Leslye Gale discusses the most interesting Orlando Weekly stories of the day on “Chad & Leslye.” Check out Leslye’s picks today. You Can Rent an Entire Movie Theater for Under 100 Bucks! We love this idea so much and it won’t last forever. AMC is offering up some of…
Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris to visit Orlando and Jacksonville on Monday
Senator and Democratic vice presidential hopeful Kamala Harris is resuming campaign travel this week. And the first stops on her itinerary? Orlando and Jacksonville on Monday. Sen. Harris paused her in-person campaign activities from last Thursday-Sunday when two campaign staffers tested positive for COVID-19. Sen Harris tested negative subsequently. Harris’ revamped itinerary brings her to…
Local restaurants get the haunted spotlight during Monster Mash dining fundraiser
The Restaurant & Allied Partnership of Central Florida (RAPCF) is putting on an all-star fundraiser for local restaurants with a Halloween twist dubbed the Monster Mash, a “Mask-For-Aid Ball.” This Mask-For-Aid Ball will be held (mostly) outdoors at the Dr. Phillips House, featuring 25 special dishes and drinks from local restaurants, along with music and…
AMC will now allow you to rent your own private theater to catch a film
AMC may have partially reopened their theaters back in mid-August, but that alone hasn’t been enough to get the cinema chain back to financial status quo. Over the weekend, though, the company announced a new option for you, the hesitant moviegoer, to rent your own private screen for as low as $99. At a base rate…
Florida’s coronavirus numbers on Sunday – and the human toll behind these numbers we are all getting too used to seeing
Today, News Service of Florida staff, as they do every day (sometimes twice or three times) put together Sunday’s numbers regarding the effects of the coronavirus in Florida. They sourced their report from the Florida Department of Health and Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. And those numbers are below, if you want to just…
Florida voting officials emphasize it could take days to get a final tally in the battle between Trump and Biden
With an unprecedented number of voters opting to cast ballots by mail in Florida and throughout the nation, elections officials are urging patience in what some experts say should be viewed as “election season” rather than Election Day. “Our focus is on getting this right, not getting it done as fast as possible to satisfy…
At Florida rally, Trump makes vaccine promises that are unlikely to actually happen
Campaigning Friday in Fort Myers, President Donald Trump pledged to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine to many senior citizens free of charge through a partnership with two major pharmacy chains. The Trump administration announced it had signed an agreement with CVS and Walgreens that will require the pharmacies to provide COVID-19 vaccinations, when available, to residents…
Florida Democrats have a 400,000-ballot lead right now, but 2020 is ‘uncharted territory’
With more than 2 million votes already cast in the Nov. 3 elections, word is going around not to pop the champagne or start assigning fault because Democrats have a sizable lead in vote-by-mail ballots. The current pace of voting — Democrats led Republicans by more than 400,000 vote-by-mail ballots as of Thursday morning —…
DeSantis tells Florida elections officials ballot drop boxes must be guarded, in ‘pathetic’ last-minute attempt to slow early votes
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is telling county elections supervisors that ballot collection boxes outside early voting sites have to be staffed, but the local officials’ attorney said Florida law doesn’t include any such requirement. Department of State General Counsel Brad McVay sent an email to supervisors on Wednesday — just days before the vast majority…
Felons with outstanding court debts are to be removed from voting rolls, state elections officials announced Friday
Florida elections officials this week told local supervisors of elections that convicted felons with outstanding court-ordered debts will be included in lists of flagged voters who should potentially be removed from the rolls. The move came more than a year after the passage of a controversial state law requiring felons to pay “legal financial obligations”…
Florida’s medical board affirms law requiring written consent for pelvic exams (good), but they say it only applies to women (huh?)
A new state law aimed at protecting patients from unwanted pelvic exams does not apply to people who are “biologically male,” according to a state medical board. The Florida Board of Medicine, which regulates physicians, issued an eight-page order designed to clarify the law, which prohibits health-care practitioners and medical students from performing pelvic examinations…
A note about Orlando Weekly’s Oct. 14 cover
The lovely and generous artist-activist Lena Wolff has been working hard this year, even more than usual, on get-out-the-vote efforts. The full series of “Your Vote” postcards and posters that she designed with Lexi Visco is free to download at YourVoteCampaign.com, and we encourage you to make use of it – the designs are spot-on…
Local hip-hop collective Grand Collab announce virtual birthday show for EyeQ, release new music
The musicians behind Orlando hip-hop collective Grand Collab/Beermoney Unltd. are keeping so creatively busy during the pandemic that it can be hard to keep up with their happening. The last few weeks alone have seen new music released by DJ Stranger and the announcement of a Twitch birthday show for local MC EyeQ later this month.…
‘Spooky Poochie’ pet costume contest happening on Halloween weekend in Colonialtown
Look, we’re going to revel in whatever meager scraps of Halloween we can get this year, and the prospect of a socially distanced pet costume contest sounds purrrrfectly terrifying (it’s going to be all dogs probably, ignore that purr). The Spooky Poochie Pet Costume Contest is happening on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at…
At the end of Florida’s voter registration period, Republicans narrowed the gap to almost equal registered Democrats
Republicans have narrowed the Democratic advantage in registered voters in Florida, as more than 14.4 million residents are eligible to cast ballots in the Nov. 3 elections, according to numbers posted Thursday by state elections officials. In all, 14,441,869 Floridians were registered before a “book closing” deadline last week for the general election, including 5,303,254…
Orlando dive bar institution Wally’s Mill’s Avenue Liquors to reopen this weekend
Like a Mills 50 bat-signal, the familiar neon of beloved Orlando dive bar Wally’s will light up the sky again. Wally’s Mill’s Avenue Liquors opens its doors this weekend after a lengthy pandemic hibernation with a new team behind the bar and at the wheel (metaphorically on that last part). Dormant since late March when…
Baby Trump can’t get enough of Tampa: The return of Don Jr.
Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch thinks Trump is in for a landslide loss, and that’s probably sent 45’s re-election campaign scrambling. It’s also probably why Don. Jr. — who was just in town a week ago when Proud Boys showed up at a rally in Tampa — is already coming back to Tampa Bay. The president’s…
Florida men prove that indoor sports and other ‘intense physical activity’ can be superspreader events
A recreational hockey game this summer in the Tampa Bay region resulted in 15 cases of COVID-19 in men between the ages of 19 and 53, and provided scientists with evidence that the virus can spread at indoor sporting activities. Fourteen of the 22 men on two hockey teams became ill within five days of…
CFCArts announces return to live performance with three holiday shows
Central Florida Community Arts has announced a return to live and in-person performances with three seasonal events closing out a challenging year for the arts in general. CFCArts will be throwing a couple of big outdoor shows to mark both Halloween and the Christmas season in festive style. On (the big day) Saturday, Oct. 31,…
Hunger Street Tacos will open a second location inside the Plant Street Market in Winter Garden
It’s been a long time coming, but Hunger Street Tacos, the popular Winter Park taqueria run by brothers Joe and David Creech, will open a second location inside the Plant Street Market in Winter Garden this coming spring. During the downturn, the Creeches took the opportunity to amp up their offerings, first by making nixtamalized…
Orlando Forum of Fear offers a ‘haunted dinner experience’ before its Tunnel of the Damned Halloween maze
We’ve already told you about Tunnel of the Damned, the haunt designed by theme park vets Patrick Braillard and Kim Gromoll that’s turning the Orlando Forum into the Forum of Fear all month. But there’s more, for those who like to approach scares with a full stomach … The Dark Séance, an intense “haunted dinner experience,”…
Critics of Florida toll roads projected to run through wild areas say the planning process is not transparent
Critics of three controversial toll-road projects planned to run through rural areas of Florida contend transportation officials aren’t providing a full picture of the opposition. But as members of task forces working on the projects are set to hold final meetings next week, the state Department of Transportation maintains the process remains transparent. With reports…
‘Tales From Titanic’ explores the haunted side of the famous doomed ship this Halloween
Blockbuster film and Celine Dion hit aside, the story of the Titanic has more than a little haunted creepiness to it, and we expect the Halloween-weekend event “Tales From Titanic” to play it up to the fullest. International Drive attraction Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is really leaning in to Halloween this year with its “Tales From…
Tampa trio La Lucha to play the Timcucua Arts Foundation house this weekend
Live music returns to the Timucua Arts Foundation house in more ways than one this weekend! Eclectic young Tampa jazz trio La Lucha are headed to the Timucua house this Sunday to play a livestream show. Expect a heady sonic brew as they showcase material from their new album, Everybody Wants to Rule the World.…
Mennello Museum hosts women’s suffrage exhibit ‘Votes for Women’ through Election Day
Just in time for the 2020 election, the Mennello Museum of American Art is hosting the Smithsonian’s traveling and virtual exhibition Votes for Women: A Portrait Of Persistence. Starting on Wednesday, Oct. 14, and running through Election Day on Nov. 3, this poster exhibition will be open for free viewing on the Mennello’s front porch…
Orange County Health Services is giving free flu shots at Barnett Park on Colonial this week
The Orange County Heath Services Department is offering free drive-thru flu shots at Barnett Park on Colonial from Wednesday through Friday this week. The shots will be available for Orange County residents on Oct. 14-16 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Barnett Park (4801 W. Colonial Drive) each day. No proof of insurance is required to…
Orlando Krispy Kremes offer ‘Sweet or Treat’ discount on scary donuts through Halloween
Donut chain Krispy Kreme is holding a frighteningly delicious promotion all month in October where you can score some terrifyingly discounted Halloween-themed donuts. During ‘Sweet or Treat Saturdays,’ if you buy a dozen donuts at any Krispy Kreme location, you can get another dozen ‘Sweet or Treat’ donuts – 11 glazed and one jack o’ lantern donut – for just…
Orlando’s most haunt-tastic dance/theater troupe, Phantasmagoria, returns just in time for Halloween
Orlando’s most haunt-tastic dance/theater troupe, Phantasmagoria, returns just in time for Halloween with a streaming “multi-city tour” for their new and very timely plague-themed production Thursday, Oct. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 18. Phantasmagoria XI: Plague Tales is a seasonal undertaking telling five new “tales of terror” by means of spoken word, dance, aerial arts and puppetry, fire…
In Trump’s speech to Florida economic clubs, he says ‘the American dream will be gone’ if Biden wins
As he barnstorms Florida this week, President Donald Trump on Wednesday delivered a tamped-down stump speech to economic clubs in Florida and five other states to boast about his administration’s record on jobs, growth and lower taxes and to warn that an election victory by his Democratic opponent would mean economic doom for the nation.…
Florida cat utterly unimpressed by alligator knocking on the door
A cat peering out of its Sarasota home was unimpressed with the alligator it saw on the other side. A post on Facebook on Oct. 3 from Sarasota resident Ed Wardell showed a massive alligator unsuccessfully attempting to climb the home’s front door, with its underbelly pressed against the glass. The resident’s cat stood on…
Last weekend Orlando lost Sam Singhaus and Miss Sammy: two shining stars who just happened to share the same body
As if darkening our venues and derailing our careers with COVID wasn’t enough, 2020 has also stolen from Orlando’s performing arts community a heartbreaking number of beloved members, decimating a generation of local theatrical talents. The latest shock came over an emotionally draining holiday weekend, as Central Florida lost not one but two shining stars,…
Orlando’s Violectric to perform outdoors holiday show at Lake Eola Park in December
Orlando classical-pop crossover artists Violectric will present their 8th annual holiday concert outdoors at Lake Eola Park in December. The show will mark the first time Violectric has played together on a stage since early in 2020, and you can expect their usual melange of classic rock and pop hits, along with a selection of…
With nearly 2 million ballots already cast, Democrats have a big lead in early voting totals thus far
For the first time at this point in an election cycle, Florida Democrats are now outvoting Republicans, and by a huge margin. With Election Day still almost three weeks away, Florida has already logged 1,916,920 ballots, according to the state Division of Elections Wednesday morning report. Of those, Democrats make up 967,036 ballots, with Republicans…
Dorothy is friendly with people and other dogs, and she’s ready to adopt right now
Meet Dorothy! Dorothy (A456211) is 12 years old, weighs approximately 55 pounds and was found as a stray. She knows there’s no place like home, so she’s looking for a home of her own! She has been friendly with people during her stay here and has also shared her kennel with another dog without issue.…
Those sexts your husband sent to strangers helped him stay faithful to you
My husband recently passed away. He was a wonderful person and we had 12 great years together. He was also very, very organized. His death was an accident but everything was in order. He even left a note in a sealed envelope for his lawyer to present to me. It was one last love letter,…
FK Your Diet, Moge Tee, Coterie Coffee and more new restaurants in Orlando
Our weekly food news roundup
Spike Lee directs a live concert movie of David Byrne’s joy-inducing Broadway show, ‘American Utopia’
Plus more streaming premieres this week
Andrea Knight’s ‘Cloud 9’ photo zine captures two lost nights in Orlando music
Take a picture, it’ll last longer
‘Bright Young Things’ is a dark, topical, electrifying evening of live entertainment
Luckily, the run was just extended
The Republican Party has been taken over by ‘an apocalyptic cult’ of far-right insurgents
Tyranny of the minority
Florida’s landmark voting rights amendment was gutted by the Legislature
Only a small percentage of returning felons will be able to vote, and some may face prosecution if they do
