Cover Story
Remembering circa-’90s TV horror host the GraveMaster, briefly Orlando’s answer to Elvira
“And now my children, it’s time for Horrorscopes. Periscope down.” The hooded creature perched on a gargoyle-festooned throne, looking like a B-movie hybrid of the Cryptkeeper and Dr. Doom, theatrically pulls down a periscope from out of nowhere — with attendant submarine sounds. As dry ice billows through the TV studio set, he pulls out…
Maker Faire returns to Central Florida Fairgrounds next weekend
Maker Faire Orlando returns to action later this month, with a full spectrum of Orlando-area creativity and ingenuity taking over the Central Florida Fairgrounds. Dubbed the “greatest show (& tell) on Earth,” this year’s Faire brings together more than 200 “exhibits, competitions, workshops” — including Circuit Church-affiliated synth wonks Void Modular — and the obligatory much more. This…
Joss Stone and Corinne Bailey-Rae co-headline Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center in January
Soulful Brit singer-songwriters Joss Stone and Corinne Bailey-Rae are heading across the pond for a North American headlining tour in January, and they’ve got their sights set on Orlando. First up for the duo is an appearance on the Capital Jazz SuperCruise — imagine a jazz festival at sea — and then they return to the mainland for a…
SeaWorld Orlando unveils ‘Christmas Celebration’ and holiday events to close out the year
Not to be outdone by Universal Orlando, SeaWorld this week released their own list of holiday events for their ongoing “Christmas Celebration” slated to kick off on Nov. 12. SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration runs from Nov. 12-Jan. 2, 2022, and this year the Central Florida theme park is pulling out all the stops, with Rudolph the…
Mexican restaurant Cantina Catrina to open Orlando outpost at the Florida Mall
Mexican scratch-kitchen Cantina Catrina will be opening a second location, and it’s right here in Orlando. The Dia de Los Muertos-themed restaurant will be setting up shop in the Florida Mall starting “winter 2021” (date TBA) with service for “lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and late-night dining.” Miami is the current home to the only Cantina…
Baseball-themed Innings Festival to bring Green Day, Incubus and more to Central Florida
A baseball-themed music festival is coming to Tampa this spring, and the lineup has a few grand slams. The inaugural Innings Festival will take place at Raymond James Stadium Grounds on March 19-20, during the Grapefruit League’s spring training. The two-day event will feature 15 musical artists across three stages. As of now, headliners include…
Legal Public Notices 11/3 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: November 19, 2021, at the times and locations listed below. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 12:00PM Extra Space Storage 11920 W Colonial Dr Ste…
It seems likely that Orlando Fringe will take over the downtown space currently occupied by Mad Cow Theatre
Mad Cow Theatre faces yet another challenge in what’s been a challenging few years of scrutiny: the possible loss of their Church Street space after a decade of residency. The Orlando Sentinel’s Matt Palm broke the news yesterday that Mad Cow management had received a notice of default on their lease from assistant city attorney…
Orlando Ballet and Orlando Phil announce performance in Steinmetz Hall in February 2022
After years of anticipation, the moment has almost arrived. The Steinmetz Hall will host its first performance early next year, and it will be Orlando Ballet’s Giselle. Touted as “one of the world’s most acoustically perfect spaces,” the Steinmetz was envisioned as a place to witness and hear ballet, orchestra and opera performances in Orlando in…
Universal Orlando reveals more holiday happenings for this year, including Mannheim Steamroller
Employees at Universal Orlando had barely finished sweeping up the cobwebs and mopping up all the fake blood from Halloween Horror Nights when the theme park giant unveiled plans for that other holiday, starting in less than two weeks. Running from Nov. 13-Jan. 2, 2022, Universal’s holiday programming promises the return of the “Holiday Tour,”…
A wild offshore amusement park planned in Saudi Arabia could help Florida ease off its oil dependency
As Joe Biden tries to reassure the world that America is ready to take climate change seriously, back at home, it’s clear that no matter who will control the White House come 2024, America and much of the world is finally moving away from oil. After becoming one of the wealthiest nations on earth thanks…
Kraftwerk concert in Orlando is back on for 2022
You can’t keep a good robot down. The on-again, off-again U.S. tour by electronic music innovators Kraftwerk will happen in 2022, according to a suitably understated post on the band’s Facebook account on Monday. And what’s more the Orlando show — the sole Florida incursion — is back on. The Kraftwerk 3-D tour of North America was derailed in…
Shock-rock godfather Alice Cooper set to play Orlando in 2022
Shock-rock godfather Alice Cooper is going to usher in 2022 with a short U.S. tour, and Orlando is one of eight cities where he’ll be holding court. The evergreen metal icon did a fair amount of touring in 2021 (and took up tap-dancing while off the road during the pandemic), and the guillotine is well-oiled…
University of Florida faces scrutiny after barring profs from testifying against state in voting rights case
The academic accrediting organization for the University of Florida has taken preliminary steps that could lead to a probe into whether the university faces “non-compliance issues” over its decision to block three professors from serving as expert witnesses in a high-profile voting rights lawsuit. With an investigation looming, the university clarified that the political science…
FusionFest returns to downtown Orlando on Thanksgiving weekend
FusionFest — the annual showcase for the many cultures that make Central Florida so vibrant — will be back in downtown Orlando for a fourth year on Thanksgiving weekend. This year’s event promises a myriad of music, film, dance, food, art, fashion, spoken word and interactive activities from all around the world, with 1,000 artists taking over…
Michelin stars are finally coming to Orlando-area restaurants
The world’s oldest and best-known restaurant rating system is finally coming to Florida. Visit Florida, the state’s public-private tourism agency, announced today that it has reached an agreement to bring Michelin Guide to Florida. The first Michelin guide for Florida will debut in spring of 2022, and will only include the Tampa, Orlando and Miami…
Kissimmee’s Hope Partnership to host a ‘Hope Holiday Village’ charity event in December
Mariah Carey declared late Sunday night that the holiday season was officially here as she smashed a hapless jack o’ lantern to bits. Now, we don’t know about all that — but we do know that Kissimmee’s Hope Partnership also announced their “Hope Holiday Village” is set for December, and it benefits Central Floridians in need.…
DeSantis casts himself as the resistance as Florida sues the Biden White House
Halloween has come and gone, but Gov. Ron DeSantis is still sporting his superhero costume, casting himself as a powerful line of defense against the White House. DeSantis last week issued an ominous warning when he and Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a lawsuit challenging moves by the Biden administration to require employees of federal…
Local op-ed: ‘Don’t give up the fight for immigration reform’
By supporting our immigrant communities nationwide, we are in turn doing what is best for every one of us. An immigrant herself, Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy knows firsthand the importance of immigrants here in Florida. After fleeing Vietnam, the congresswoman and her family worked hard and built a better life for themselves and their children. Similarly,…
After a long hiatus to grapple with animal rights controversy, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus plans a comeback
After a 146-year run, the world-famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus closed for good in 2017. The emotional retirement of the beloved circus came after years of trying to distance itself from a problematic history, most notably the care of the animals featured in the circus show. A Blackfish-style campaign against the arena show was…
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis calls special legislative session in brawl over Biden’s vax mandate
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday directed lawmakers to return to Tallahassee on Nov. 15 for a special session to push back against White House attempts to require workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The mid-November session, which will overlap with a week of previously scheduled legislative committee meetings, will focus on efforts to prevent schools,…
David Dondero returns to Orlando for intimate show at Stardust Thursday, Nov. 4
Even though folk is in the name, the line between folk-punk and regular folk music has proven pretty rigid. It’s rare that the crusties of Gainesville go on to play singer-songwriter music and unlikely that coffeeshop strummers play basement shows. David Dondero is the incredibly talented exception to the rule. The former member of This…
Tony-winning musical ‘Tootsie’ comes to Dr. Phillips Center this week
The musical version of Tootsie is the rare musical leap that maintains the spirit of the original film. That’s almost definitely helped along by the campy, over-the-top nature of the Dustin Hoffman source material, something that has no trouble translating to a Broadway stage. What we’re saying is, you should go see Tootsie when it comes…
Shake off your mosh-pit rustiness when Denzel Curry plays UCF’s Homecoming concert on Thursday
I once saw a crowd at an outdoor Denzel Curry show mosh while Curry rapped a cappella. His DJ’s equipment had cut out, but the energy of Curry’s music was barely diminished. Young kids threw themselves into each other in the heat, ratcheting up to the point that people were flinging themselves off upper tree…
Florida lawmakers promise cash relief to prisons and nursing homes racked by the pandemic
Amid fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and worker shortages, Florida lawmakers next week will consider proposals to inject nearly $100 million into nursing homes and boost pay of state correctional officers. The Joint Legislative Budget Commission, a panel of House and Senate members that can make mid-year budget decisions, is slated to take up the…
Visage nightclub reunion will happen in downtown Orlando in December
Since we will never tire of sharing WFTV’s hard-hitting report on iconic Orlando alternative nightclub Visage, we were happy to see that this year’s annual Visage reunion is happening in December. (So check out the video before you read any further.) Original DJ Paul Vaine will “crawl out of the crypt” and step behind the…
Busch Gardens ‘Christmas Town’ starts on November 12
Busch Gardens favorite Christmas Town starts early this year with extended hours beginning Friday, Nov. 12. (if you really want to get going on the festivities, previews start Nov. 6-7.) In addition to the millions of lights filling the theme park, events like “Story Time with Mrs. Claus” and “Santa’s North Pole Experience” are firsts…
Statue of beloved PBS television host Mr. Rogers unveiled on Rollins College campus in Winter Park
A statue of beloved children’s television host Mr. Rogers was unveiled this week at Fred Rogers’ original “neighborhood”: Rollins College in Winter Park. The statue, dubbed “A Beautiful Day for a Neighbor,” will now reside in the Chapel Garden courtyard near the Annie Russell Theatre. The 360-degree, 7-foot-tall sculpture sees Rogers, beatific smile in place, surrounded by…
Orlando mom Victoria Triece barred from volunteering at Orange County schools after district discovered her OnlyFans account
An Orange County mom has been barred from volunteering at her children’s elementary school after officials were made aware of her job as an adult entertainer. Victoria Triece said she had been volunteering with the Orange County school district for nearly five years when she received word from the district that she could no longer…
Orange County schools allow mask mandate to expire
Students at Orange County Public Schools will be able to opt out of wearing a mask on campus with a note from their parents, starting on Monday. The change in policy comes as OCPS Superintendent Barbara Jenkins announced that she would not extend the district’s controversial mask mandate in light of lowered rates of COVID-19…
U.S. Department of Education moves to block Florida’s mask mandate penalties against school districts
The U.S. Department of Education on Thursday filed a complaint requesting that an administrative law judge order Florida to stop withholding funds from school districts that received federal money to cover school board members’ salaries. The cease-and-desist complaint was filed in the department’s Office of Administrative Law Judges. Eight school boards face state financial penalties…
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warns companies against being too ‘woke’ at Orlando conference
Appearing before a group of business leaders Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis warned about following a “woke” ideology, which he called “very dangerous” for the country. “The minute you go into becoming more of a political actor than just simply a business actor, you know, guys like me got to treat you that way,” DeSantis said…
Unitarian group will teach Florida students about ‘Forbidden Critical Race Theory’ for free next month
In a TikTok video published yesterday, a local lawyer invited students to a free webinar where they can learn about Critical Race Theory” (CRT), which has sparked controversy across the U.S., striking fear into the hearts of white suburbanites. The video begins with white parents condemning critical race theory, out of fear of students learning…
Historic downtown Orlando property — home to Tanqueray’s bar — sold to New England realty group
Perennial downtown dive bar Tanqueray’s — recently immortalized in ‘The Sims’ — weathered the pandemic, but the Central Florida real-estate sales boom might soon shift the bar’s fortunes. The Orlando Business Journal on Thursday reported that the Historic Metcalf Building — home to basement tenant Tanqueray’s and sundry attorneys and architects — sold for nearly $10 million to a New…
Gov. Ron DeSantis sues Joe Biden in attempt to halt federal vaccine mandate
Florida filed a federal lawsuit Thursday that challenges moves by the Biden administration to require employees of federal contractors to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccinations by Dec. 8. Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. district court in Tampa against several defendants, including President Joe Biden,…
Wall Street Plaza’s Plazaween party back on for first time since pandemic began
Wall Street Plaza hasn’t been itself since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic (for obvious reasons). However, the downtown hotspot is all set to return this weekend, hosting its first outdoor event since the coronavirus upended everyone’s lives. Wall Street Plaza will host its typically annual Plazaween event on Saturday and Sunday, with DJs turning…
Seminole County school bus drivers plan sick-out protest over wages
Some Seminole County school bus drivers are planning to protest low wages and long hours with a sick-out on Friday, calling in to work to flex their importance to the district. According to a report from WESH, the protest is not union-backed. The local school bus drivers association is aware of the planned action, but…
Freakshow Horror Film Festival highlights local horror on Halloween weekend
Is it just us or have the big names in streaming really wimped out with their horror offerings this year? Few classics to be found and what is available is frequently buried under their own original programming. Where’s the fright for those of us who haven’t the cash to add niche streamers to our monthly…
DeSantis, state look to block subpoenas in voter suppression law suit
The state is asking a federal judge to block subpoenas that would require seven Republican legislators and a representative of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office to testify about a controversial new elections law. Attorneys for the lawmakers and DeSantis’ office filed motions last week to quash the subpoenas, which were issued by groups that have filed…
Parts of Central Florida under tornado watch as severe weather passes through area
Much of Central Florida is under a tornado watch today as storms move across the state. Flagler, Lake, Sumter, Marion and Volusia Counties are all under a tornado watch until 5 p.m. Metro Orlando is not currently under watch, though that could change as weather develops throughout the day. Severe weather is possible throughout Central…
Florida appeals court appears to side with state in school mask case
An appeals court Wednesday said a group of parents likely do not have legal standing to challenge an executive order by Gov. Ron DeSantis about school mask mandates and indicated it disagrees with a circuit judge who backed the parents in the case. The 1st District Court of Appeal issued a five-page document that explained…
Florida faces class-action lawsuit over keeping minors in solitary confinement
A federal judge has cleared the way for a class-action lawsuit against the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice about the use of solitary confinement for minors, including children with disabilities. The lawsuit was filed in 2019 on behalf of individual juveniles, but U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle last week approved a request to certify it…
Rollins College’s Fox Fest concert in November will features Orlando’s seeyousoon as headliners
After a two-year hiatus, Rollins College’s live-music blowout Fox Fest is back, with a very in-demand headliner in the form of Orlando hip-hop collective seeyousoon. Joining seeyousoon — set to head out to the West Coast for a tour with 99 Neighbors a mere 10 days later — on the bill are the Outer Wave, Admk and Jad Saad.…
Florida reps. Matt Gaetz and Anthony Sabatini holding rally at JB Boondocks Bar & Grill this weekend
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: an alleged sex trafficker and an ass-kisser walk into a bar… The punchline is anyone who wastes one of their precious Saturdays on this Earth going to see Reps. Matt Gaetz and Anthony Sabatini at JB Boondocks Bar & Grill. The legally troubled congressman from the Panhandle…
Will’s Pub offers a taste of The Fest tonight
If you can make it to Gainesville for the first iteration of The Fest since 2019, you probably should. But for those of us who can’t leave town for the sprawling Halloween weekend punk festival, the Will’s Pub complex is throwing a warm-up show tonight featuring scores of acts who will be on hand for…
Orlando Film Festival returns in downtown Orlando this week with a feast of film
The Orlando Film Festival returns with in-person programming on Thursday, showing a packed roster of independent feature films, documentaries and shorts at a new location. This year’s OFF is going down at the CMX Plaza Cinema Café in downtown Orlando, at 155 S. Orange Ave., from Oct. 28–Nov. 4. During that span of a week, OFF…
Orange County Public Schools to reach mask mandate decision by Thursday
Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Jenkins says she plans to give word on whether the district’s masking mandate will be extended by the end of the day on Thursday. The district’s current mask mandate is set to expire on Saturday, Oct. 30, and the school board left the decision on whether or not to…
Florida’s surgeon general says he can’t communicate clearly while wearing a mask
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Tuesday defended his decision not to wear a mask when attempting to meet with a state senator who told him she had a serious medical condition, saying he cannot communicate clearly “when half of my face is covered.” Ladapo, an appointee of Gov. Ron DeSantis, has come under fire…
Push to ban smoking on Florida beaches intensifies
The Florida League of Cities is trying to build support as a Senate committee next week is slated to take up a bill that would allow local governments to restrict smoking on beaches and in public parks. The league sent an email Tuesday asking supporters to contact members of the Senate Community Affairs Committee, which…
New local releases: sparkling indie-pop from Florida Slang, intense inward gaze from Bryan Raymond
Few in the Orlando music scene can claim the creative restlessness or stamina of Jeff Ilgenfritz. Since the mid-2000s, his irrepressible spirit has blazed a trail of noteworthy Orlando names impressive in both chronological and stylistic span, a career that’s included bands like Mumpsy, the Heathens, Moonmen From Mars and Luscious Lisa, among many others.…
Non-Halloween things to do in Orlando, Oct. 27-Nov. 2: Madison Beer, ‘La Traviata,’ Taste of Orlando, Psychedelic Furs
Our selections of the best stuff to do this week. Also check our list of Halloween events around Orlando. Wednesday, Oct. 27Pre-Pre-FESTExperience Gainesville’s premier punk reunion in miniature with this waystation-as-concert featuring scores of FEST-bound bands taking over Uncle Lou’s Will’s and Dirty Laundry. 6 p.m., Will’s Pub and Uncle Lou’s, Mills Avenue, willspub.org, $10-$15.…
Orlando readers speak out on voting rights, abolishing the filibuster
¶ ‘We can’t out-organize voter suppression’ In November 2020, millions of voters like me went to the polls and cast a ballot for Joe Biden. Now, with a relentless GOP attack on our voting rights underway, I’m asking President Biden to deliver on his promises. It’s time for Biden to go further than talking about…
Itsa Chicken now open in the Milk District, Lombardi’s Seafood closed its café, and more Orlando food news
(RE)OPENINGS + CLOSINGS: Bread & Co. closed both locations at Fairbanks and Lotte Market on Oct. 22 and will reopen on Friday, Oct. 29, as part of the Tous Les Jours bakery franchise … Itsa Chicken! soft-opened on Tuesday outside Whiskey Lou’s Lounge across from Sideward Brewing in the Milk District. Chef Trent Robinson, formerly…
Savage Love: Cuck angst is real, so please don’t rush into your first cuckquean experience
Dear Dan: I’m a 33-year-old straight woman, been with my husband for 10 years, married for six. When we first started dating, I was an extremely jealous person. Fortunately, I got it under control with lots of therapy. But once I did, I started having fantasies about him hooking up with other people. We incorporated…
Adults seeking an escape from Orlando’s pixie-dust attractions may enjoy a cruise on the MSC Divina
COVID-19 precautions seemed equal or superior to their competitors
Ava DuVernay teams with Colin Kaepernick for ‘Colin in Black and White,’ dropping Friday on Netflix
Wednesday, Oct. 27: Behind the Monsters — Interviews with the creative principals behind some of the most iconic horror films form the backbone of a docu-series that profiles Freddy Krueger, Chucky and the rest of their psychotic ilk. Meanwhile, Ellen Pompeo wants to know why no one’s asking her about Denzel Washington. (Shudder) Hypnotic —…
Orlando concert picks, Oct. 28-30: Palomino Blond, Antagonizers ATL, Six Monstrous Sounds
Mask up, folks. Palomino Blond, The Casket Lottery, Glazed: Solid emo lineup though this is, the rising star to look out for is the non-emo one. Young, Iggy Pop-endorsed Miami band Palomino Blond have been heating up the radar for a while now with their thick and melodic guitar rock. But they’re coming to town…
