Cover Stories
Central Florida beaches, parks and waterfronts off the beaten path
Summer Guide 2022
Can’t-miss festivals and concerts coming through Orlando this summer
Summer Guide 2022
Legal Public Notices 5/25/2022
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below at the property indicated: June 10, 2022 at the times and location listed below. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 12:00 PM Extra Space Storage 1101 Marshall Farms Rd, Ocoee 34761 (407) 516-7221 Jerome Burgess- Household Goods, Leonard…
COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise in Florida
The number of Florida hospital inpatients with COVID-19 increased nearly 17 percent during the past week. The U.S. Department of Health and Human released data Tuesday that showed 2,157 Florida inpatients had COVID-19, up from 1,846 a week earlier. The data also showed 178 COVID-19 patients were in intensive-care units, up from 166 a week…
Mediterranean Blue closes up shop on Friday
Beloved Greek restaurant Mediterranean Blue will close its doors on Friday. The SoDo staple and regular contender for best Greek food in Orlando will close at 4 p.m. at the end of this workweek, ending 12 years in the space. “It has been a pleasure to share my spin on our mother’s recipes, along with…
Epcot visitor claims $40,000 in fraudulent charges after losing her Apple Watch on ‘The Seas with Nemo & Friends’
A woman reported $40,000 in fraudulent credit card charges after losing her Apple Watch at Epcot. According to a report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred on April 14 at the park. The unnamed woman, who asked that her name be protected under laws protecting the identity of victims, said the watch…
Florida alligator with chunk of jaw missing is ‘doing alright’
An alligator resembling Lockjaw Jones from Spongebob Squarepants was recently spotted in Florida, and it’s apparently “doing alright.” A May 21 Facebook post from Stacey Lynette, of West Palm Beach, shows an estimated 9-foot gator with what appears to be a very pronounced underbite because of a missing piece of its upper jaw. “I saw this gator far…
Florida’s bonefish have a drug problem
An alarming number of South Florida’s bonefish population have pharmaceutical drugs pulsing through their veins, according to a recent study. The three-year study, commissioned by the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and Florida International University, analyzed 93 diverse bonefish throughout Biscayne Bay to west of Key West. All 93 fish had traces of drugs in their…
Brew Theory plans food hall in Apopka
The team behind Orlando’s Brew Theory are expanding in more ways than one. They announced plans to get in on the rapidly growing food hall game with their own marketplace in Apopka. The aptly named Brew Theory Marketplace will combine aspects of their successful brewery with retail stores and small outposts of Orlando-area restaurants. “Brew…
Bodycam footage shows moment Osceola County Sheriff’s Office deputy set dirtbiker, himself on fire during attempted arrest
The deputy is facing charges of culpable negligence
Orlando’s Immersion collabs with 2-Michelin star D.C. restaurant Jont on a budget-busting, 15-course sustainability dinner
The night before the Michelin Guide shoots its stars onto the Florida restaurants it deems worthy, Michelin star hopeful Immersion at London House will stage a collaborative dinner with two Michelin-starred Washington, D.C., restaurant Jônt on June 8. Immersion executive chef Rikku Ó’Donnchü and Jônt chef-owner Ryan Ratino will present an experiential, experimental, 15-course dinner…
Peacock Room reunion set for Will’s Pub over Memorial Day weekend
Beloved artsy Orlando watering hole the Peacock Room has been closed for nearly eight years — it’s now the site of the Guesthouse — but it still holds pride of place in enough Orlandoans’ memories that there will be a reunion to celebrate it over Memorial Day Weekend. On Monday, May 30, WIll’s Pub will be the…
Florida Underground Festival returns to Orlando live and loud in August
This summer the Florida Underground Fest returns, bringing together bands from throughout Central Florida and the entire state for a two-day musical blowout. Running from Aug. 6-7, the fest will take over Will’s Pub, Will’s Dirty Laundry, Grumpy’s Underground Lounge and Uncle Lou’s so nearly 60 bands can perform throughout that weekend. The lineup includes:…
Florida law banning deplatforming on Facebook, Twitter ruled unconstitutional
Dealing a major setback to Gov. Ron DeSantis, a three-judge appellate panel on Monday ruled that a 2021 Florida law targeting social-media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter unconstitutionally restricts the companies’ First Amendment rights. Monday’s decision by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld most of a preliminary injunction imposed in June by…
Florida voting rights groups appeal redistricting map fight to state Supreme Court
Voting-rights groups went to the state Supreme Court on Monday as they try to keep alive the possibility of blocking a congressional redistricting plan that would make it harder to elect a Black U.S. House member this year in North Florida. The filing by attorneys for the groups and other plaintiffs was the latest twist…
Gov. Ron DeSantis expresses approval for $100 million program to help teachers, police officers buy homes
As he prepares to act on a proposed state budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday backed a new $100 million program to help people such as teachers, health-care workers and police officers buy homes. Amid soaring housing costs in many parts of Florida, DeSantis said during a news conference at the Cape Coral Police Department…
![[VIDEO] Florida panther kitten reunited with its mother in video after traveling thousands of miles](https://i0.wp.com/www.orlandoweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/screen_shot_2022-05-23_at_11.52.37_am.png?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
[VIDEO] Florida panther kitten reunited with its mother in video after traveling thousands of miles
The folks who work for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are no strangers to long hours and grueling drives through Florida’s most remote places. But even knowing that, the quest they took to reunite a Florida panther kitten with its mother is an odyssey. The 4-month old kitten was found by a concerned…
Chicken Guy! now serving breakfast at Winter Park location
You can’t really call yourself a flavortown if you don’t have plenty of options for breakfast. Rather than being stuck as a flavor hamlet, the Winter Park location of Guy Fieri’s Chicken Guy! has launched a breakfast menu for early morning donkey sauce fiends. The Winter Park location is the trial balloon for Chicken Guy!’s…
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘A Different Kind of MaryJayne’
If a local theme park produced a pandemic-skewering streetmosphere act, it might look like this.
Florida reports 60,000 new COVID-19 cases in last week
Florida saw a jump in COVID-19 cases last week, while reported deaths of Florida residents during the pandemic climbed to more than 74,300. A report issued Friday by the state Department of Health said the state had a reported 60,204 new COVID-19 cases during the week of May 13 to Thursday. That was up from…
More Floridians are expected to use hurricane shelters this season
An increased demand for shelter space is expected if hurricanes threaten Florida’s coastline in the upcoming storm season. With COVID-19 protocols lifted, and people pinching pennies as inflation has hit a four-decade high, emergency-management officials anticipate people will opt for public shelters rather than drive to hotels hundreds of miles away when storms approach. “I…
Florida disputes claim that sanctuary cities ban had ‘racist motivations’
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office this week asked a federal appeals court to overturn a ruling that blocked key parts of a 2019 law that banned so-called sanctuary cities in Florida. A 61-page brief filed at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals disputed conclusions last year by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom that Republican…
The Country Thunder music festival returns to Central Florida this fall
The Country Thunder festival is returning to Central Florida this autumn, with three days’ worth of big-name country headliners set to hold court in Osceola County. Taking place at Osceola Heritage Park from Oct. 21-23, the lineup so fare features: Tracy Lawrence, Chase Rice, Morgan Wallen, Lindsay Ell, James Barker Band, Nolan Sotillo, Maggie Rose,…
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘Star Shanties: Songs From a Galaxy Far, Far Away’
At the risk of sounding cliched: The Force is strong with this one.
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘The Witches’
It’s a treat having a bittersweet taste of Halloween in the middle of May.
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘Ajax’
An intrepid troupe of up-and-coming thespians stages the great Greek epic al fresco.
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘Coconuts, Coral, and Cowsh*t’
Kunz keeps the audience off-kilter with her taboo-shattering quips.
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘I Lost on Jeopardy!’
Buri has the courage to embrace his biggest failure; may we all learn to be so brave
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘5-Step Guide to Being German’
Stand-up comic Paco Erhard gives a crash course in his fatherland’s political and cultural history.
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘Father, Daughter and Holy Toast’
Brady’s low-key, humanely humorous show provides a preview of something most of us will eventually have to face.
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘My Dad’s Deaths’
As side-splittingly outrageous as his material may be, his love for his dad is genuinely touching.
UCF professor fired following controversial tweets about ‘Black privilege’ has job reinstated
An arbitrator ruled that UCF did not provide ‘just cause’ in firing Negy
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk accused of sexual harassment by flight attendant
Musk claims the news is a ‘politically motivated hit piece’
Owner of iconic Orlando ice cream stand claims the business is being targeted after morning fire
‘Goff’s isn’t going anywhere without a fight’
Osceola County Sheriff’s Office announces charges for deputy who lit suspect, himself on fire during Wawa arrest
Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez announced charges against a deputy who lit himself and a suspect on fire while trying to apprehend the suspect at a Wawa gas station in February. During a press conference on Thursday, Lopez shared footage of 26-year-old Jean Barreto riding his dirtbike on roads in Osceola and Orange County. He…
There are even more people in Florida than we thought
Florida was one of six states where population was undercounted during the 2020 census, according to a report released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau. Florida had an estimated 3.48 percent undercount, the fourth-highest rate in the country behind Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi. Other states with undercounts were Illinois and Texas. States with population overcounts…
NRA challenges Florida’s under-21 rifle ban following ruling in California
Pointing to a ruling in a California case, lawyers for the National Rifle Association this week urged a federal appellate court to strike down a Florida law prohibiting sales of rifles and other long guns to adults under age 21. A three-judge panel of the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in March heard…
Gov. Ron DeSantis criticizes Biden admin for softening stance on Cuba
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday criticized the Biden administration for reversing some restrictions on Cuba, saying the move hinders efforts by Cubans struggling for freedom. During an appearance at the University of Miami Health System’s Don Soffer Clinical Research Center, DeSantis said the changes will “increase the amount of money that’s going to the dictatorship.”…
These 15 Florida Republicans voted against an emergency bill to ease the baby formula shortage
On Wednesday, 192 House Republicans voted against a $28 million emergency funding bill to address the nation’s baby formula shortage, and 15 of them represent Florida. The Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act, which passed 231-192 (mostly on party lines), would provide bare minimum funding to help increase inspectors at the Food and Drug Administration, and would…
Orlando Fringe 2022 Review: ‘The Gay ’90s Musical’
Of all the gay-themed variety shows at this Fringe, this is certainly one of them.
Orlando Fringe 2022 Review: ‘The Princess Strikes Back’
The Force is strong with this fresh, funny celebration of fangirldom.
Orlando Fringe 2022 Review: ‘Everything I Wannabe!’
All rise for Orlando theater’s real queen, artist and educator Sarah-lee Dobbs.
Mayhem on Mills returns with live wrestling action in Orlando next month
Orlando punk’n’wrestling fed Mayhem on Mills is marking their fourth anniversary next month with a big return to live in-ring action dubbed ‘Mayhem Turns 4.’ Headlining the card is a ‘Wasteland Survival Match’ betwixt Leon the Terrible and the Handsome Man of Science. From there, you’ll see action from the likes of Snoop Strikes, Kilynn…
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘Stag Night’
‘The Bachelor’ meets ‘Squid Game’ in this outré original satire.
Orlando Fringe 2022 Review: ‘I Favor My Daddy: A Tale of Two Sissies’
A gay man strives to build a relationship with his father, a closeted conservative.
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘The Walk in the Snow: The True Story of Lise Meitner’
Jem Rolls has done exhaustive research in this admirable effort to bring Meitner to life.
Orlando Fringe 2022 Review: ‘The Mockingbird News’
Native mythology holds that the mockingbird, nature’s news-delivering mimic, taught people how to talk. If that’s so, Sarah Lockard has learned its lessons well, as she embodies a vast range of voices in playwright Joseph Reed Hayes’ delightfully ADD tone poem about the power of human language. Across five tenuously connected acts, Lockard leaps fluidly…
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘Spill the Tea with Jaimz and Johnnie’
High school debate club meets improv comedy as the duo argue for or against audience-lobbed topics.
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘Generic Male: Just What We Need, Another Show About Men’
Like Cirque du Soleil meets Samuel Beckett with a dash of Monty Python
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘A Solo From the Pit’
A one-man masterclass in acoustical manipulation from a musical magician.
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘The Medium’
A well-sung slice of serious art from a new local not-for-profit opera company.
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘Be a Pirate!’
Kids will enjoy the poop deck jokes; parents will appreciate the references that sail over their children’s heads.
Orlando Fringe 2022 review: ‘Magic in Real Life’
It’s rare to find a magician who can tie his entire act together the way Price does.
Orlando Fringe will take over former home of Mad Cow Theatre
The City of Orlando approved a long-rumored deal to allow Orlando Fringe to operate in the soon-to-be former home of Mad Cow Theatre. After years of issues with the theater company and ongoing complaints of mismanagement, the company was served a notice of eviction in November. Mad Cow managed to secure a settlement that allows…
OnePulse Foundation announces Pulse Memorial Week events in Orlando
Orlando’s OnePulse Foundation has announced a slate of Memorial Week remembrance events ahead of the city marking six years since the Pulse nightclub massacre on June 12, 2016. The events range from panel discussions to celebrations of life to quiet reflection, and will happen from June 4 through June 12. Activities confirmed so far include:…
Former Seminole County tax collector, Matt Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg has sentencing delayed yet again
Former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg had his sentencing delayed yet again. The convicted fraudster and former associate of Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz is believed to be cooperating in an ongoing investigation of Gaetz. The investigation has roped in a large cast of characters, including Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend and a former radio shock jock. Greenberg’s…
Orlando Magic will pick first in 2022 NBA Draft
The Orlando Magic will pick first in the NBA draft for the first time since 2004. The draw was held under the NBA’s lottery system and Orlando’s number was called in the coveted first spot. In spite of a seemingly endless stream of mediocre to downright bad years, it’s been quite a while since Orlando…
Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill will head to court in February
A federal judge has scheduled a February trial in a legal battle over a new state law that restricts teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida schools. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor issued an order Friday that would lead to the trial being held during a two-week period that begins Feb. 13. Before…
Selections of the Week: MegaCon, Monster Jam, Ryan Hamilton, Aly + AJ and more
Our picks of the best things to do and see this week. Wednesday, May 18: Aly & AJ Multi-platinum indie pop siblings Aly & AJ have come a long way creatively from their Disney-adjacent early years. And the proof is in the pudding of the newly released “deluxe” version of their first album in over…
Grilled Cheezus brings the ooey-gooey goods to Mills 50
Pulling strings
Tori Tori’s Edoboy opens next month, JapAnatolia opens with Turkish-Japanese fusion fare, Taipei 101 closes
Plus lots more Orlando food news
Extremist incitement is now just business as usual for the GOP
The 18-year-old white supremacist who drove 200 miles to shoot 13 people — 10 fatally, 11 Black — in Buffalo, New York, with an AR-15 on Saturday serves as yet another reminder of how thoroughly the corrupt sociopaths at the NRA have warped this country’s discourse about guns. That we’ve skipped the usual performative calls…
David Letterman hosts Will Smith, Billie Eilish and more on ‘My Next Guest Needs No Introduction’
Plus: The return of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’
