Flyer-Only Friday

I'm moving this weekend, kids, and have zero time for a blog update. I don't want to leave you high and dry, so here is a flyer only (ok, maybe some text) post. Note: I will eventually get these posts done ahead of time so you can actually plan accordingly. Until then... deal with it :)

TONIGHT

SOLD OUT - Nick Swardson at Hard Rock Live
Henry Rollins at House of Blues
Frontiers - Journey Tribute Band at The Social

Get Mental at Sky60 - Password for free admission is "WE are all MAS-DE-BATERS !!!!!!!" This is in honor of the non-debate (McCain is a pussy) not masturbating. I think.
Ian Lee, Marshall Jones and TARD at Crooked BayouDress to Get Screwed with Marcus Bacalis, Buckner, Rob Slac and Ernie Turner at The Peacock Room


SATURDAY

Central Florida Beer Festival at the Central Florida Fair Grounds

Andy Warhol Show at RV Studios

***I can't get the flyer to upload. Sorry.***

Bold Hype Grand Opening Art Show

Post Renaissance 1 Year Anniversary Party at Tatáme

Have a nice weekend kids! Wish me luck on my move. Anyone up for some heavy lifting???

Chaka $%#@& Khan!!!!!!!!!

As I type this, I have goosebumps. Overdramatic? Definitely. But it still hasn't quite registered that tonight I will be seeing the greatest, most amazing diva of all time: the legendary Chaka Khan. More goosebumps.



Chaka (Ms. Khan if you're nasty) is on the top of my "must see" list, second only to Prince but tying with Bjork and Sade. I have to give Velvet Sessions credit: usually their lineup is filled with mildly washed up music acts that only nerds (yes, me) will appreciate. Recent acts have included The Tubes, The Fixx and Bret Michaels -- not exactly a stellar roster (good thing there's an open bar). But by booking the "Queen of Funk Soul" they have upped their game, which explains why the admission price has also jumped from $25 to $40.

It's totally worth it. And if she sings "I Know You, I Live You" and/or "Through The Fire," look for the little Becky puddle that happily melted onto the floor.



If you manage to survive being Chaka-fied, get your dance on over at the monthly Pop Off party, taking place tonight at The Social. This flyer grosses me out big time but I guess guys like it so... maybe it will be a sausage party? At least the music will be good.

Avast Ye Mateys!!! National Talk Like a Pirate Day and other stuff

Ahoy, mateys (maties?). It's National Talk Like a Pirate Day and we've got plenty of happenins to shiver your timbers. Arrrrrrrgh.


First up, as usual is Get Mental at Sky60. Password for free admission is "I’m Mental, Hope You’re Mental Too."



After you check out the Global Peace Film Festival, head to Crooked Bayou for the afterparty. Special guests Chang and Mr. Marley have hitchhiked all the way from Tampa to DJ.



At The Peacock Room this evening, is a party that proves Orlando promoters have run out of ideas. What's the theme for this shindig, you ask? Wait for it... sunglasses. Yes, that’s right, cheap sunglasses. Get there early and get a free pair.



It’s finally September and that can only mean one thing: Oktoberfest. Wait, what? The Orlando Brewing Company is hosting their own version Saturday beginning at noon with authentic German food, music and (of course) beer.



And no doubt you’ve seen (or at least heard about) those giant guitars downtown by now. If not, you can see them all Saturday at the Orlando Guitar Town Kickoff, starting at 3 PM at City Hall. There will be a free concert and, of course, the unveiling of the 10-foot tall Gibson Guitars designed by local artists.



If you missed Mel’s story on the Black Kids yesterday, read it here and then check them out at The Social on Saturday night. Then teach my boyfriend how to dance with you.


Sunday brings us the final edition of the SPLASH! Pool Party at the Metropolitan at Lake Eola. Come kiss summer goodbye with the salsa sounds of the Rice and Beans Soundsystem.


And now for a horrible pirate joke to kick your weekend off!

Q. What is a pirate's favourite type of music?
A. Arrrrrrrgggghhhh and B!

Black Kids, The Blog, and Tons of Painted Monkeys.

The Black Kids' story sounds it could be the plot of high school musical 18. Almost everyone knows who they are, and even those that don’t know the words to their hit song, but no one can really figure out how they got where they are so quickly, and almost effortlessly. Its a little reminiscent of Paris Hilton.

Black Kids have climbed the ranks of music’s food chain faster than anyone could ever have imagined. Primarily made up of a few big hitters and tons and tons of little guys, blogging about music has turned into an arena of file sharing, link listing and name dropping beyond what anyone could’ve ever expected. With the words “Black Kids” on everyone’s lips, with a million remixes to boot, the question that has arisen is whether or not Black Kids deserve the hype.

The short answer is yes. When Black Kids released their EPs, the Wizard of Ahhhs, as a digital download in 2007, there was a distinct need that needed to be met in the current indie scene. As Indie music became more saturated, Black Kids arose to meet a need in the scene. Here was a band whose music was incredibly mixable, whose songs could be changed over and over and over again, a band who able to break the barriers of Indie-land and launch a surprise attack on anyone listening. Blogs pick it up and help moving it along. A name like Black Kids only helps that even more.

Recently when band’s keyboardist Dawn Watley took a minute to talk to me, she was in London having just finished the Leeds Festival-Leeds and The Last Days of Summer, mid tour. The light at the end of the tunnel being that the Jacksonville band will soon be making their return to the States, and for the first time, will get to tour their home state of Florida.

Talking to one of the Black Kids, it becomes perfectly clear that Black Kids have an advantage that had helped them get to the top of European and dance music charts. The band members’ individuality, their tenacity and their serious dedication have led to their bands success. They are serious about their work, but they still play simply for the entertainment of it.

Now much of the buzz has quieted down, but the Black Kids are still touring, still chasing their goals. Every so often, a new remix of “I’m not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance with you” pops up on the blogs. It has become clear that is very possible that the very blog hype that initially threatened to destroy them instead has helped launch them towards becoming what end up as the Beatles of a new generation. And if not, at least maybe the Monkees.

Black Kids have been writing new material while on the road. They hope to be back in the studio soon and plan to release a sophomore album in the summer of 2009. They perform in at the Social this Saturday, giving you a chance to judge for yourself.

Read the full interview up on Orlando Weekly.



Also, if youre the artsy type or just looking to feel incredibly posh, check out the Munny show at Uberbot. The last Munny Show boasted over 200 entries from amazing artists the world over, and there are sure to be lots of awesome entries this time around. For a taste of what you can expect, be sure to check out the gallery from the last show here (its at the bottom of the page).

Fuck Sarah Palin and Other Weekend Happenin's

Another weekend is upon us in our fair city and it has been well anticipated on my end. My new job as a web editor for a destination wedding magazine is amazing, although nothing painfully reminds you of your single status more than looking at photos of love all day.

Anyways, enough about me. How are you? Big plans this weekend? You should... it's jam-packed full of goodies. Let's get on with it, shall we?



As usual, kicking off the weekend is Get Mental, the insane dance party under the stars at Sky60. Your usual cast of characters, MOT and Andrew Spear, are back this week and Sarah Bitchface Palin has them pissed off, as demonstrated by this Myspace bulletin:

yup.
friday night.
SPEAR and MOT.
2gether once again.
I probably wont, but I'd like to play SPEED METAL ALL NIGHT,
ON BEHALF OF THIS FUCKING STUPID ASS COUNTRY WE LIVE IN !!!!!!!!!!!!

(dramatic pause)

.....there there, andrew.
you dont want to offend anyone.
you want to keep your political views out of your bulletins.

(longer dramatic pause)

..............@$%#&#$&*@$@$(*#*$#(*$.......FUCK IT !!!!!!!
the password for your free admission to SKY60 2NIGHT IS,
"LIPSTICK ON A PIG !!!!!!"
and if you dont recognize the reference then you should !!!!!
10pm -- downtown rooftop
word the fuck up --power to the people---Andrew

Saturday night's festivities begin with a fashion show slash art, music, craft event over at the Say It Loud building. The lovely Katie of Etoile Boutique and A Rare Bird is teaming up with Keiko from Postlapsaria.com to bring you fashions that will knock your vintage socks off. Also on hand are plenty of crafts and goodies from local designers and the major attraction: a Men's and Women's Vintage Clothing Swap. So bring the clothes you never wear anymore to exchange and some cash to support your local designers. Suggested donation is $5.



Next up on Saturday's agenda is brought to you by Hoochie Productions, who will be bringing Andy Caldwell yet again to The Social. I'm pretty sure this is the 800th time he's played in town (Kaskade being the only house DJ topping his record) but that doesn't mean people are sick of him yet. Presale tickets are $10 at the Social box office and $13 day of show.



And who doesn't love Sunday brunch (read: drinking to cure Saturday's hangover)? Instead of cramming in to the official afterparty that is Dexters of Thorton Park, why not contribute to a good cause? Crooked Bayou is holding a brunch to celebrate the birthday of recently deceased Donald Johnson, a local man who helped shape Orlando's dance music scene since the early nineties. Sue and Fluff will be concocting Cajun brunch specials and pouring mimosas and Bloody Marys for the occasion with music by Tard and Dante. Proceeds benefit the Donald R. Johnson Charitable Account.



After you get your brunch on, grab your bathing suit and head over to the Metropolitan at Lake Eola. The SPLASH! Pool Party is the infamous Sunday gathering where meatheads meet scenseters (questioned by Defame:Orlando as: "THEE weekly 'party' in which we all coexist and love one another???"). The mere $8 admission (seriously??? you have to be joking) supposedly includes free BBQ, a margarita, and a free massage. I guess that’s worth it… maybe. Music this week will be provided by Anna Dang, Cub and DJ Dirty Sneakers.



And finally, if you still have it in you, Sunday night kicks off Season 8 of Rockstar Bowling at Colonial Lanes. This ain't your parents' bowling league -- it's geared towards the folks in the service industry who are stuck serving our drunk asses every weekend. Since it's technically their "Saturday" night, things can get pretty messy (read: Drunky McDrunk Drunk). Those who can't handle Monday morning hangovers need not apply.

Good night and good luck.

DJ SPS + Isaac Hayes Tribute + Swingers

Second Place Sucks, ya'll.
Those in the mood for cuts and scratches -- no, not from a bar fight or your pissed-off girlfriend, but of the DJ variety -- should (hip) hop over to The Social where Phat-N-Jazzy's special guest will be 2008 DMC USA Supremacy Champion, DJ SPS.



Hot Buttered Soul
At The Peacock Room, DJs Nigel and Saint Christopher will be hosting a very special tribute party for Black Moses himself, Isaac Hayes. Believe it or not, his music extends far beyond anything from Shaft or Chef's Chocolate Salty Balls and these guys are ready to take you through his legacy.



Vegas, Baby. Vegas.
Also playing tonight at the Enzian Theater is Swingers, the cult classic and prequel to Made. Catch it again on the big screen and see if they say "that's money" a lot this time (hint: they will).

Get Mental + Footloose + Pulp

It seems like we may have escaped the wrath of little Miss Hanna, but now it appears that her little buddies are bubbling to life in our mighty oceanic neighbor. Hopefully, they'll stay away till Monday, at least. Alright so I'm going to do this a little differently, because to be perfectly honest, I get to be unbiased this weekend because:

1. I love Pauly, Andrew and Mot, and have too many friends moonlighting as Backbooth employees
   
2. I have surrendered my weekend plans to my friend Katie, because It's her birthday and she gets to pick where we go (except Sunday, cuz its too hot for Islands of Adventure)

So without Further Ado, Here are your Friday Options for you:


Wanna Stay Local? Here are two Options for ya.

Get Mental @ Sky 60
Always a good time to be had under the stars at Sky 60. Plus this week, you get to watch Don't Sleep's very own Miss Becky behind the turntables, and, If you're really lucky, you get to watch me harass her with pictures, and cat calls as she does it.

The password is "Rock you like a hurricane" and Andrew ensures me that he will remain sober enough to play a full set this time, and not be at the airport or somewhere else, or sweating in a cabana wearing a headdress and a goofy smile. Katie and I will be there in full celebration mode. Photos by KColl as usual.

Location:
54 North Orange Ave. Orlando, FL
The rooftop of The Social/BBQ.
GOOGLE MAP

Drink Specials:
8pm - 11pm: Half Off Cocktails
11pm - 1am: $3 Beers and $3 "Three Olive Vodka" Drinks

Details:
$5 or Free w/ Password
Doors @ 10 / 21+ ONLY

Footloose @ Backbooth
Footloose used to be on wednesdays. Then it got cancelled because backbooth was having a hard time booking actual shows and concerts since the night starts at midnight and its hard to get everyone done and out by then.

Now footloose has moved to Friday. It took me a minute, but here is the updated Flyer, at least, for the new friday night.Still the best of 80's Dance music, that drink specials include a free keg of Miller High Life, and cheap drinks.

Location:
Backbooth on
37. West Pine Street
GOOGLE MAP

Drink Specials:
See above, otherwise, your guess is as good as mine

Details:
Doors are at 10pm, 18 and up $4, 21 and up Free
There may still be a guest list involved, but I don't know where it is

Wanna Get Out of Town? Drive to Tampa for Pulp.

Pauly Crush and le Friends are once again hosting/welcoming/chaperoning Designer Drugs at Club Czar. The event is doubling as a video shoot for Yo Majesty's single Club Action. Dress the part, bring your friends, enjoy the open bar and free beer, and have a blast. Resident DJs will be performing as well.

The weekend will present more goodies I'm sure, but for now, my boss is glaring at me like i drowned his kittens for doing nothing but blog posts all morning.

Toodles.