St. Matthew’s Cinematheque presents a Woodruff Laputka showcase
Globetrotter and sometimes local filmmaker Woodruff Laputka is kind of like that Sean Penn character in that movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, just with cooler hair. He specializes in documentaries and “commercial storytelling” and has worked all over the world. The pop-up film series St. Matthew’s Cinematheque, which showcases works by local filmmakers,…
Beats, Rhymes and Bottomlines: The Seduction of Black Girls Who Twerk on YouTube
Dr. Kyra Gaunt has a beautiful mind, and we don’t mean that in the insane-Russell-Crowe way. An associate professor of music and anthropology at Baruch College-CUNY, Gaunt sees her mission as “voicing black girlhood”: “I teach emerging adults to own their own greatness,” she says. Her tools in that mission are ethnomusicology, digital anthropology and…
New app created to enhance your See Art Orlando experience
Top 30 Moments From See Art Orlando Kick-Off Celebration Last November See Art Orlando made history by introducing eight brand new sculptures, all made by different artists, in the downtown area making it the largest permanent outdoor sculpture collection constructed at one time. Now, See Art Orlando is really breakinging the mold with a fantastic…
Thank you, Internet: Postcards for ants and Girl Scout Cookie Nesquik
We know, we know … you’re itching to don your pirate garb, get downtown and drink some rum. First, though, you have to get through the rest of the work day. These links should help a bit: Image via Thrillist 1. Girl Scout Cookies are a little bit like crack. You wait and wait for your…
VIDEO: Artlando: a celebration of Orlando’s arts and culture
Our very first Artlando takes place next Saturday, Sept. 27 at Loch Haven Park. This one-day celebration of everything art in Orlando features amazing local performers, artists, food trucks and more. And the best part? It’s a FREE event. Another bonus? Artlando is pet friendly. Check out this promotional video, created by our Artlando media…
Enzian screens ‘Stop Making Sense’ to celebrate 30th anniversary
Image via alexwhines.tumblr.com Image via alexwhines.tumblr.com I almost don’t want to share this information, because I don’t want all you slippery people stealing all the good seats at the Enzian when they screen a new digital print of Talking Heads’ amazing concert film Stop Making Sense. It’s set to hit the screen for one showtime…
VIDEO: Denzel Curry and Deniro Farrar make Backbooth bow down
I had no idea what cult rap was – the foreshadowing of inevitable aging – which is why I adamantly follow Dope Entertainment. Dope Entertainment has brought notable acts like Yung Lean and the Underachievers to intimate venues throughout Orlando, Tampa and Miami, delivering the underground to a cult following of youth that adds a…
POLICE BEAT: Don’t forget to check the wheel well
Extra! Extra! For a hot minute there, we thought that Police Beat might be lost in a wheel well of some forgotten contextual airplane, as we were informed that, in no uncertain terms, it was too much work for the public information office at the Orlando Police Department to continue to provide us (or…
Classic rides at Kissimmee’s Old Town removed as part of renovations
Image via State Archives of Florida, Florida MemoryPhotographer Robert M. Overton Old Town USA is kind of like the carnival that time forgot. The rides are creaky, the paint is peeling and everything looks like it came from another time … which is the idea, really. The Kissimmee attraction is intended to give off the…
Avast! Here are seven places to talk like a pirate in Orlando this weekend
Avast! 12 slang words you need to know on International Talk Like a Pirate Day Avast ye, talk like a pirate day is Friday, Sept.19. Westward ho, here’s a list of some places to go: Pirate Week Grab the lads and lassies for family fun at the Orlando Science Center. When: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sept.…
This Little Underground: DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist play Afrika Bambaataa (House of Blues)
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. Afrika Bambaataa I once wrote a college paper that used Afrika Bambaataa to illustrate my thesis. His classic hit “Planet Rock,” besides being one of the freshest tracks to ever be…
Tax holiday on energy-saving appliances happening this weekend
Image via Lowes By JIM TURNER AND TOM URBAN THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA State officials are promoting the potential for long-term savings on utility bills as they tout sales-tax breaks this weekend for shoppers who buy energy-saving and water-conserving appliances. The discount period, which begins Friday, is the third sales-tax “holiday” offered by Florida…
Gimme Shelter: Meet Boo, our Orange County Animal Services adoptable of the week
Surely you’ve noticed that we’re animal lovers here at the Weekly. We post galleries of adoptable dogs from Orange County Animal Services twice a week, which we hope inspires some of our readers to visit the shelter and consider adopting a pet. The shelter gets thousands of dogs and cats in each year – seriously,…
Do me, Orlando: A more magical nighttime spectacular
Image by Brendan O’Connor Describe in one word: Mmmagic The best part: Watching Disney fireworks in a hammock with a booze-drink Info/cost: 10 p.m.; Magic Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista; 407-939-5277; $15-20 parking at Transportation and Ticket Center, free at Polynesian Resort; disneyworld.disney.go.com It lasted: 12 minutes Everyone loves fireworks, but most schlubs have to wait until big events like…
10 free things to do in Orlando this weekend (Sept. 19-21)
28 fun things to do in Orlando this week (9/17-23) Tired of being nickeled and dimed? Well, here are some free ways to spend your free time this weekend: Talk like a Pirate Day* Stop by your local Krispy Kreme, give ’em your best “Arrrr!” and walk away with a free donut. You’ll get a…
Krispy Kreme offering Ghostbusters donuts to celebrate the film’s 30-year anniversary
Image via Krispy Kreme Yes, we said Ghostbusters donuts. Beginning Monday, Sept. 29, you can buy one of these super-cute (if villains can be cute) donuts at Krispy Kreme in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Ivan Reitman-helmed blockbuster. Both donuts are something Dr. Peter Venkman would be proud of, filled with marshmallow Kreme (perhaps leftovers from the great…
‘Destiny’ is one hot epic post-apocalyptic space-mess
Image via Destiny Space is a tricky thing. It’s seemingly infinite and when challenged with the task of designing a game within it, you have to find a way to create that seemingly infinite experience without over-encumbering the player. When developer Bungie began the Halo series, they decided to keep with a linear story and an engaging…
VIDEO: American Party Machine Vs Taliban Party Machine
The patriotic party farce of American Party Machine knows no bounds, as proven by this video from their recent show at Backbooth (Sept. 11), which they celebrated in their typically irreverent style by creating a fictitious enemy, Taliban Party Machine, and battling it out onstage with their instruments. Our photographer, Christopher Garcia, ever fearless in…
Gods & Monsters, a massive comic shop coming to Artegon
Image via Gods & Monsters Artegon is adding geek heaven to its store roster: Gods & Monsters. The new comic shop recently signed a lease on space in the former Festival Bay Mall, promising more than 18,000 square feet of comics, gaming and collectibles. This massive space, the owners claim, makes it the second-largest store of its kind in the…
VIDEO: Islands perform “Wave Forms” at the Social
Last week, we were stoked on Islands playing the Social, and chose them as one of our Picks This Week, a new feature of the music section where we highlight awesome concerts happening every night of the week. (Check out our picks for this week!) We sent our photographer, Christopher Garcia, downtown, and he came…
In Tusk Kevin Smith relies too heavily on his one-trick sight-gag
Image via Toronto International Film Festival Leave it up to Kevin Smith to make the tale of a man forcibly transformed into a walrus into a monstrously boring film. The premise of Tusk is the punch line, so once that’s laid out, there’s nothing left but Smith’s lengthy bits of dialogue that simultaneously combine gutter…
Falcon’s Fury on-ride video and interview with BGT’s Mark Rose
In this week’s issue of Orlando Weekly, you’ll find my latest Live Action Cultures column detailing my first ride on Falcon’s Fury, the ginormous new drop tower at Busch Gardens Tampa. Since words alone can’t adequately emphasize what an intimidating experience this attraction is, here is an exclusive video (courtesy of Busch Garden’s media team) documenting…
Court blocks Maitland from seizing drug house
Know-It-All
Couchsurfing: ‘The League’
Another season, another race for the Shiva
This Little Underground: Exploding fiasco cancels the Stitches show
Plus live reviews of Whirr, Omri Loved Celadon, Super Freestyle Explosion
Drinking, Nightlife and Parties
Where to drink and party in Orlando this week
Police Beat
A selection of crime reports from the Orlando Police Department
Falcon’s Fury at Busch Gardens Tampa is this year’s biggest new thrill
Orlando adrenaline junkies should set their sights to the southwest
Medical marijuana proponents bite back after a week of public criticism
John Morgan’s drunken video leak leads to personal attacks on Drug Free Florida
Setting the record straight on human trafficking
Letters to the editor
The Republican war on women explodes in Florida
Charlie Crist’s gubernatorial campaign hightlights Gov. Scott’s failures on women’s issues
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19) These horoscopes I write for you aren’t primarily meant to predict the future. They are more about uncovering hidden potentials and desirable possibilities that are stirring below the surface right now. When I’m doing my job well, I help you identify those seeds so you can cultivate them proactively. Bearing that…
Three new books take a fresh look at making things
‘Strange Material,’ ‘Craftivism’ and ‘Make It Mighty Ugly’ explore the intersection of fine art, handcraft and activism
Ron Raike leaves Cask & Larder; eat with your hands at East End Market
Plus: Dine Out for No Kid Hungry in September
2014 Global Peace Film Festival
The 21st annual festival brings movies that want to change the world to Orlando
Savage Love
I’m the bisexual everyone loves to hate because I want to be in a poly relationship with both a man and a woman. I am a woman who is into commitment, loyalty, love, trust and honesty. I am not looking to cheat on anyone. But I discovered after one failed marriage to a man and…
The Afghan Whigs reunite for Do to the Beast and reissue Gentlemen
Whigs frontman Greg Dulli discusses his influences on the band’s classic break-up record
Find quintessential comfort food at cozy La Fiesta Mexican Grill
Fresh, but not always lightning-fast – home cooking takes time
Picks this week: High On Fire, Morgan Page and more
Great live music rattles every night in Orlando
Banks’ ambitious debut shows she’s best serving as her own muse
Catch her on ‘The Goddess Tour’ at the Beacham
‘The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby’ examines tragic marital malaise
Unfortunate editing makes for a great-but-squandered premise
Opening in Orlando: ‘The Maze Runner’ and ‘This Is Where I Leave You’
Movies playing on screens in town this week
The Sideshow is in town, and we’re the freaks
Bar Exam: The what, where and why of Orlando drinking
‘The Drop’ is solid enough to warrant consideration
As a crime thriller, meh. As a showcase for James Gandolfini and Tom Hardy’s talents, bravo
Watch Super Mario Bros. for FREE at the Enzian
Image via Mario Wiki What do you get when you cast Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo as heroes against Dennis Hopper’s villain in a movie based on an iconic video game? A film that’s rated an impressive(ly bad) 16 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. A film that was widely recognized as a critical and financial failure. And even…
Meet the new Captain Citrus
By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Florida’s homegrown superhero, Captain Citrus, has undergone a $1 million head-to-toe makeover with the help of comic-book giant Marvel Entertainment. The muscled-up Captain Citrus, powered by the sun and intended to help boost Florida citrus sales while fighting evil, was unveiled Tuesday by the Department of Citrus at a…
Competitive eating contests CAN be cute: tiny hamster vs. Kobayashi
There’s really not much to say about this – aside from OMFG SO CUTE BLARGH I AM DED NOW: a tiny hamster (cute) takes on Kobayashi (possibly even cuter?), somehow making the sport of competitive hot-dog eating (not at all cute) ADORABLE. Enjoy! Related Stories
VIDEO: 9-year-old Orlando boy who survived a gator attack tells his story to Steve Harvey
Image via Steve Harvey On Steve Harvey this morning, 9-year-old James from Orlando recounted the tale of the day he was just swimming in a lake with his friends and found himself face to face with a 400 pound, nine-foot alligator. Amazingly, James survived the attack, suffering three bites, 30 puncture wounds, leaving him with scars…
We give WUCF Artisodes two thumbs up
Have you seen the new WUCF online shorts about the arts scene in Orlando? It’s OK, we know you haven’t, because from what we can see, the view counts are fairly dismal. The most views they’ve gotten: 301 for a video on porcelain art. Oh, Orlando. Artisodes is a collaborative effort between PBS and WUCF to preach the…
Insane Clown Posse coming to Firestone Live
Image via Vanyaland Florida juggalos probably don’t need the memo that ShockFest is bringing legendary ‘los Insane Clown Posse to Firestone Live on Oct. 7. Doors open at 7 p.m., inviting a whole Psychopathic Records-endorsed crew including Mushroomhead, Da Mafia 6ix, Madchild and Jellyroll. The Posse released the latest installment of their Forgotten Freshness rarities…
