Wednesday, 18
Negative Approach
MUSIC Every hardcore fan knows that Negative Approach is like the overlooked ugly stepsister of hardcore royalty like Black Flag, Minor Threat, 7 Seconds, and every other band that gets a little more attention than these true early '80s fire-starters. Heatseekers would be well advised to get to Will's Pub for Negative Approach's show this week, where original singer John Brannon will be shredding more than just his vocal cords with his signature intensity. Reunited in 2006, Negative Approach consists now of Brannon and early drummer Chris "Opie" Moore, but Brannon notoriously shut out other members of the classic Negative Approach lineup, preferring instead his Easy Action bandmate Harold Richardson and former Easy Action bandmate Ron Sakowski. NA's tourmate, Detroit's Child Bite, should not be overlooked as intriguing openers with shrill Dead Kennedys-esque vocals and fiercely bouncing riffs. – Ashley Belanger
with Child Bite, Dredger, Sinkholes | 8 p.m. | Will's Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave. | willspub.org | $10-$13
Friday, 20
Wild Is the Wind
ART Have you seen the History Channel series Life After People? It shows an Earth minus humankind, in which other species are left to inhabit the ruins of the world we created, and – through the magic of CGI – there are many scenes in which, say, flocks of housecats prowl city streets or herds of bison bumble through suburban housing developments. The show's juxtaposition of wildlife with domestic life elicits a thrill teetering between charming and eerie; Parisian artist Julien Nonnon's Urban Safari series – building-size projections of nattily attired lemurs, wolves and foxes, looking down upon deserted urban streets – possesses that same jolt. His work – as well as that of six other international artists working in themes of human interactions with the natural world – are on display at Snap Space through January 2016. Stop by on opening night to meet the artists, quaff craft cocktails by the Courtesy Bar and move to tunes by DJ Nigel. Keep an eye on Snap's social media in the days following the opening, as they announce locations for projections of Nonnon's Urban Safari throughout Orlando. – Jessica Bryce Young
opening 7-10 p.m. | exhibition through Jan. 30, 2016 | Snap Space, 1013 E. Colonial Drive | snaporlando.com | free; RSVP at Eventbrite
Friday-Sunday, 20-22
Free Play Florida
EVENTS Let's go on a journey back to a time when gaming was a niche activity for children and the socially disenfranchised. Back to a time when the quarter was a business' standard unit of currency, and profit was measured in continues and lives. Let's go back before the Internet made multiplayer a decidedly solitary affair; before split-screens, before LAN parties, before Xbox Live. Free Play is more than just a convention: It's a time machine for gamers. Play with the grandaddy of all modern consoles, the venerable Atari 2600; try your hand at over 100 different pinball machines; play Pac-Man the way it was meant to be played – with your elbows tucked in, your back hunched and your body surrounded by the wooden blinders of a classic arcade cabinet. Talk to Billy Mitchell, the King of (Donkey) Kong, or the minds who designed ye olde games of yore. And if that's not your bag, dip into a screening of the original Tron, or test your skill in the arcade and pinball tournaments. Just remember to leave your quarters at home. – Bernard Wilchusky
4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday | Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, 10100 International Drive | 407-352-1100 | $20-$50
Saturday, 21
Makahiki Orlando
EVENTS If you've been to Aku Aku Tiki Bar, you know this place takes its tiki seriously – the artwork on the walls is authentic, the carved tiki gods are crafted by actual tiki artists, the cocktails are crafted with house-made syrups and real fruit juices and boy, do they pack a wallop. So we're certain that this Makahiki celebration – an ancient Hawaiian New Year celebration – is going to be a truly 'oia'i'o (we think that's Hawaiian for authentic) event. Honor the god Lono with live music, hula dancers, tiki carving by Jeff Chouinard and fire dancers. And, since no true island celebration would be complete without a proper meal, there's going to be a pig roast too. We may not be in Hawaii, but if Aku Aku's throwing the party, it'll be a pa'ina like no other. – Erin Sullivan
4 p.m. | Aku Aku Tiki Bar, 431 E. Central Blvd. | 407-839-0080 | akuakutiki.com | $10-$20
Saturday, 21
Franchise
MUSIC Pedal nerds, prepare to gawk: We're feeling warm and fuzzy that local noisy mutants Franchise finally return to the stage this week. The guitar-heavy psych act is one of Orlando's most thrilling bands to catch live, and they rarely perform, but this show promises extra excitement with the intel that Franchise has new songs they'll be debuting at this engagement. It feels so stuffy to be describing the warped pop mentality of Danny Feedback (of Crack Rock Opera fame) with such reverence, but we're gonna lay off the jokes for once and tell it straight: Their freakish fingerwork paired with dazzling effects create an experience that sparkles and crushes in equal kinds to leave you cross-eyed, with one eye on the pedals and one eye on the strings. Add to this that art-rock sensation Obliterati opens (they have new songs too!), and it'll be a shock to the system all around. – Ashley Belanger
with Obliterati, Arc Pilot, the Smash | 9 p.m. | Will's Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave. | willspub.org | $5
Sunday, 22
Sofas and Suds
EVENTS On your mark. Get set. GO! Two teams rush to the finish line with reckless ambition. Beer is spilling. Crowds are cheering. Music is blaring. The thrill of the race electrifies, but only one couch can be crowned the champ. Yes, a couch. Sanford's annual Sofas and Suds race pits local businesses against each other as they put the pedal to the metal on customized rolling couches. You could say this is a way for the community to come together and bolster local businesses, but really this is just about watching people turn grandma's couch into a speeding bat out of hell. Crashing isn't just a possibility – it's a certainty. "A Mediocre Time" podcast hosts Tom and Dan will attempt to control the chaos as they provide live commentary during the races. You could even meet the human loud-horns with the purchase of a VIP ticket, which includes free drinks (as if Tom and Dan weren't enough incentive). It also comes with access to bathrooms, so when the others are peeing behind buildings, you get to sit comfortably on a mobile toilet. It's all about the bragging rights here at Sofas and Suds. – Marissa Mahoney
2 p.m. | West End Trading Co., 202 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford | 407-322-7475 | drinkatwestend.com | free-$35
Tuesday, 24
The Front Bottoms
MUSIC New Jersey pop punk band the Front Bottoms have exploded in popularity over the past few years. The underground buzz on their 2013 album, Talon of the Hawk, caused enough of an uproar to get them signed to former-indie label Fueled by Ramen. Their major label debut, this year's Back on Top, has gained praise from even the most I-liked-their-early-stuff-better of their fans, enough so that this show, originally scheduled for the smaller Social space, had to be moved to the Beacham to accommodate demand. – Thad McCollum
with the Smith Street Band, Elvis Depressedly | 7 p.m. | The Beacham, 46 N. Orange Ave. | 407-648-8363 | thebeacham.com | $17-$21
