Street Players + Club Queso + Say When + Beer Bombs

If you’re a tad older and a music nerd like me, then you’ll probably be excited to see Chicago play at Hard Rock Live tonight. (Cue: Baby What a Big Surprise.) If you’re not down with the Cetera-less band, then read on for other happenings.

First Friday must mean it’s time for everyone’s favorite night of deep house and Mexican wrestling masked mayhem. Club Queso, starring Q-Burns and Atnarko, is going down tonight at the Peacock Room and they promise super villains, dancing queens and a free mix CD to the first 50 people.



Saturday night the local art scene gets a nice kick in the ass thanks to Bold Hype, the art gallery next to Stardust Video that totally knows what’s up. Their group show, Say When, opens tomorrow night and features some of the best internationally-known artists and illustrators. The flyer claims this to be the “biggest new contemporary art exhibit in Orlando. Ever.” and they’re totally right. Don’t miss out. 7 PM – 11 PM.



Once the show ends at 11, the festivities continue next door at Stardust with yours truly and Andrew Spear hosting the official Say When Afterparty. We’ll be playing all kinds of music – or maybe just disco and funk, we haven’t really decided yet. Either way, it’s better than listening to the same untz untz beats all night. Best of all, they have liquor and there’s no cover charge.



If drinking beer on a Sunday is your thing, you’re in luck! The Beer Bomb Bus Tour is scheduled for April 5th and tickets are available at Redlight Redlight for $45 per person. What does that include? You get to ride on the fully-stocked Shipyard bus for four different beer classes at four different bars in four different towns. Sounds like you’ll be four different kinds of obliterated before it’s over. The party kicks off at Redlight Redlight at 2PM and stops include The Sanford Wine Company, OM Bar in New Smyrna Beach, and then to The Abbey in Deland. Visit the Myspace page for more info and other upcoming events.



Have a nice weekend, kids! Street sounds swirling through my mi-i-i-ind.

Prohibition Is Over! Now, Let's Drink!

December 5th is a big day in the history of drinking. Remember that time, back in the 20’s, when alcohol was illegal? Me neither. But today you can thank Utah for being the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment, which canceled out that lousy 18th Amendment for those of you playing along at home. So this weekend, why not raise a glass to Utah -- something I doubt you will ever do again -- to celebrate this glorious date in history. Then get wasted in honor of it. Here are some options to help you out.

Tonight, kick off your drinking binge at Heritage Square with the Orlando Holiday Brew Fest. For the (mere) $25 admission fee, they promise food, entertainment and (obviously) lots and lots of beer.



The boys of Get Mental are back tonight at Sky60 after a month-long hiatus. Not sure if this weekly party is going to continue in the future, but they promise madness and mayhem tonight. The weather will be in the 50s, which is not cold, people. So don’t complain, throw on an extra layer and enjoy the un-humid, non-sticky evening outdoors. Password for free admission: Fuck Rent, Let’s Party.



First Friday means one thing at the Peacock Room - Mexican wrestlers. The holiday edition of Club Queso features the usual cast of characters: Q-Burns, Atnarko and Sleazy McQueen. Free CD to the first 50 people.



Also tonight, Taste will be hosting a benefit party for Syd Zed. I don’t know the guy personally, but he got injured on the job, was misdiagnosed, and is now dealing with all kinds of workers comp hell on top of his injuries. If you click the info website, you can see pretty horrific photos of his foot or just read more about how he is being fucked over by the man. Support him tonight, along with local bands Franchise, The Mondellos, Jim O'Rourke, Hot Hands, The Saved 666 and DJs Cub and Dirty Sneakers.



Or, if you just feel like catching a movie, the Enzian will be presenting Gremlins as part of Popcorn Flicks at Winter Park Central Park at 7PM.



On to Saturday! You may have heard about the party I am throwing, but just in case... join Miss Becky (that's me!), Nigel and Cub for The Non-Denominational Holiday Funfest at the Peacock Room. God, I love The Simpsons.



A little band called The Misfits are also performing at Firestone on Saturday night. I’m guessing if you want to go see them, you probably wouldn’t come to my party anyway. And, since I can never resist a Jem and the Holograms reference, “We are The Misfits. Our songs are better. We are The Misfits, The Misfits, and we’re gonna get her!”



Have a lovely weekend and don’t forget to get drunk -- after all, it’s your constitutional right as an American. Thank you, Utah!

This Weekend: Miami vs. Orlando

As you may have already read in Mel’s post earlier this week, Miami is the place to be this weekend: tonight Toxic Avenger and Franki Chan, tomorrow Crookers. But maybe you can’t just drop everything and gallivant down there. Maybe you’re super loyal to this town or just broke as a joke, like me. In any case, if you’re staying put in O-town, here are some options.

Ahhh, the old Knock Knock. Before the travesty of the worst-named club in town, Suite B, there was a dirty yet comfortable dive bar for all the outcasts and lushes to intermingle. I have very fond memories of getting kicked in the head by drunk girls on the swing -- fun times! Whether you’re old enough to remember the debauchery or young enough to wonder what the hype was about, come to Sky60 tonight to relive it all. Billy Dill, accurately described as the "ring leader of this obnoxious circus of drunkards," will be celebrating his birthday tonight and the old crew of DJs -- Ken Sherry, Gomez, Q-Burns, Spear and MOT -- will be on hand to help you remember the good ol’ days. Password for free admission is "Joyride."



If jazz sounds like it’s more up your alley, check out The Windham Group over at Peacock along with Nigel and Sef-1.



By now you probably have heard that Redlight Redlight has moved out of the fascist Winter Park regime and have opened a new location at 745 Bennett Road, on the outskirts of Baldwin Park and near the lovely club Roxy (ps... don’t ever go to Roxy). Saturday night beginning at 8 PM they will be hosting a release party for Thomas Hooker Beer from Connecticut. Included on tap will be Hooker Blonde Ale, IPA, Hooker Lager and Irish Red, so go support Redlight's new location and be the first in Florida to try awesome North-Eastern beer.



If you’re old enough to remember the former Knock Knock, then you’re probably old enough to remember a hippie electronic band called Dubtribe Sound System. The male portion of the duo, Sunshine Jones, will be performing live, along with Buckner and Atnarko.



And Sunday, Sunday, Sunday is the day! Since the weather is so friggin beautiful, there will be another Beer Bomb Bike Tour starting at 3 PM at 903 Mills Market. Unconfirmed stops (may) include Dandelion, Wills, Wallys, Big Daddys, RedlightRedlight and will wrap up at Colonial Lanes in time for Rockstar Bowling. Bikes + Booze = <3.



Finally, if you’re still standing after all the beer and bike action, head over to Tanquerays for K-G and the Band. Check the full Blow Sundays' November schedule.



Whether you're in Miami, Orlando or Timbuktu, have an awesome and safe weekend!

I Ain't Afraid of No Ghosts!

Halloween is a messy holiday. There's just something about mixing costumes with alcohol that leads to a super distorted sense of reality. And Halloween weekend in Orlando always means one thing -- a bunch of unprofessional drinkers (dressed as Pimps and Hos) descend upon downtown, drink themselves into oblivion and turn into complete and total douchebags. While you're bound to encounter a handful of these amateurs, you can steer clear of them by avoiding Church Street/Wall Street, and by attending any of the recommended events below:

If you're looking to engulf yourself in the chaotic mess of the annual downtown block party -- it's fun if you don't drive -- you're best bet (read: FREE) is to hit up the Halloween edition of Get Mental at Sky60. As homage to the upcoming election to rid the White House of Satan himself, the password for the evening is "Scarier Than Politicians." $5 without password.



In their annual Halloween tradition, Crooked Bayou will be hosting everyone's favorite Misfits cover band, Psycho 78. Jerry Baloney seems to like them, anyway. $5 cover.



The older and slightly eccentric crew will be over at the City Arts Factory for the Shine Psycho Circus Halloween Masquerade. Tons of stuff going on there -- check the over-saturated flyer (if you can read it) for details. $20 cover.



If the downtown mayhem ain't your scene, then make your way down Mills to Peacock Room for their annual Halloween party. I've seen people pull out all the stops to win the costume contest so it should be pretty interesting. $7 cover.



Ride your bike to Stardust Video and Bold Hype for their joint parking lot OMG WTF Halloween party. No cover.



More non-downtown action can be found at Taste in College Park, who is hosting A Funky Boogie-ween with the Windham Group and The Good Rub. $8 cover.



And finally, if you just want to get the fuck out of Orlando altogether, head over to party in Ybor with the Pulp kids for Lol-O-ween. Special guest (and my hero) DJ Mega. No cover with costume, $5 cover without.



Be safe, kids. If you do go out, I'll bet a million dollars you hear at least one of the following: Thriller, Ghostbusters or Highway to Hell. Bonus points if you hear all three!

Brett Johnson + Atmosphere + Legendary J.C.'s + Hoochie Productions + The Walkmen

Our first October weekend is upon us and thank god!!! I don't think I could take another day of the blistering Florida heat (although it will totally creep back in... we're not in the clear until November). Since the weather is so gorgeous, it would be a perfect night to go to Sky60 right??? Nope. Tonight they're closed for a private party, so the guys of Get Mental have the night off.



Other options? Well, First Friday equals Club Queso. This month, the crazy Mexican wrestlers are featuring Brett Johnson, the Dallas-ite who's produced tracks for OM, Classic, Brique Rouge and 20:20 Vision (to name a few). He’ll be gracing the stage at The Peacock Room tonight along with Atnarko and Sleazy McQueen. $5 cover, Free CD to the first 50 people.



Tomorrow is a very special day indeed. October 4th is our very own Melanie (Monster)'s birthday!!! I would tell you to find her downtown and buy her fine ass a shot, but she’ll be in Miami so you'll have to take a rain check.



Saturday night there is a super dope hip hop show over at Firestone. It's about time they redeemed themselves - they have been sucking so bad lately. Anyway, don't miss headliner Atmosphere on his Paint The Nation tour, along with Abstract Rude, Blueprint and DJ Rare Groove.



Also on Saturday night at BackBooth, catch the Legendary J.C.'s dropping their unique blend of funk, soul and insanity. The band has been through some musician changes recently, so it will be interesting to see if they’ve still got their umpf.



Also tomorrow, Hoochie Productions is hosting a party at Crooked Bayou. Click the flyer for more details.



On Sunday, everyone's favorite indie band, The Walkmen, return to The Social.



Happy October!

This Weekend: Mental Patients, Cheesy Wrestlers and Tennis Skirts

It's been awhile, eh? There has been some behind the scenes drama in my life that I'll condense into the Reader's Digest version. My company offered me a job in NYC and I accepted. I got really excited, told everyone I was moving and the job fell through. Luckily, I was offered the equivalent of my dream job down here, so it all worked out in the end. But I feel like I've been on a roller coaster the past few weeks, which explains the lack of posts. I even had one all ready to go last weekend, with this photo and everything:



Yep, Screech was doing stand-up comedy in town last weekend and I didn't get the chance to post about it. Shame on me!!! Anyways, I'm back with your weekend happenings and I'll do my best to keep everything updated from now on.

Get Mental is going down at Sky60 this evening, as it does every Friday. MOT and Spear have been killing it lately and are turning the crowd into crazy cabana-climbers: a nice change from the hoity toity atmosphere that sometimes accompanies the place.

Password for free admission tonight is: I hear voices in my head.



Over at The Peacock Room, the Mexican wrestlers are holding their monthly party Club Queso. Along with residents Q-Burns Abstract Message and Atnarko, the mayhem tonight will also be provided by special guest DJ, Three. The first 50 earlybirds will receive a free mix cd.



Saturday night, suit up in your best tennis outfit (sweatbands and all), grab your racquet and head to The Peacock Room. 4Play is -- you guessed it -- a tennis-themed party where tennis attire is encouraged. How many times can I write tennis in one paragraph? Tennis, tennis, tennis. Sleazy McQueen, MOT and Spear will be serving up (get it???) the music. The score is fifteen-love. I have no idea what that means. Maybe I should quit while I'm ahead. Tennis.



Finally, I would like to wish a wonderful super happy awesome birthday to my best friend Ami(Lou)!!!!!! Love you, sweetness!!!



Have an awesome weekend, kids!!!