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!

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!

Guru + Obamarama + Disco Express 666 + other weekend shiznet

Unlike a lot of people I know, I can admit when I’m wrong. And this Saturday, Orlando will prove me wrong. There is absolutely nothing going on. Okay, that’s not entirely true but it’s pretty fucking close. Yes, the almighty Dew Tour is happening and, yes, there’s an official afterparty at Firestone with Hawthorne Heights and These Green Eyes. Not my scene. Other people are probably excited about Dolly Parton at the UCF Arena. No one I know, of course, but I’m sure there has to be somebody who can’t wait to fork over $95 to see her boobs in person. Maybe the Dublife party at Crooked Bayou will be awesome, but with LTJ Bukem earlier this week, I’ve already had my fill. Here’s the flyer regardless:



Tonight, on the other hand, is completely going off. It sill fascinates me that these events can’t be spread around a bit more. We’ve got GURU at Firestone (!!!!!!!!!!!!):



Get Mental at Sky60 (Password: Dew Something):



A party promising disco at Peacock Room (I’ll believe it when I hear it):



An Obamarama Concert for Change at the The Plaza Theatre:



And finally, Taste’s 5th Year Anniversary Party (No flyer or additional info).

If you can’t find anything Saturday, just rest up for Blow Sundays at Tanquerays:

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???

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!

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.

The King's Bday + Organic Oil Wrestling + Pumpkin Beer + Designer Drugs

Today is a very important day in the world of pop culture because the king himself has turned 50. Although I prefer to remember him in his pre-surgery heyday of late 20's to early 30's, the day should still be given its due credit. In celebration of his birthday, and another regular club patron (also conveniently named Mike), the password for Get Mental this evening is Hey, Mikey! He Likes It. I'm hoping last week's effects of Fay haven't turned Sky60 into a swimming pool but I guess we’ll have to see.

Michael Jackson - Rock With You (Daft Punk White Label Mix).mp3



Saturday night is the best hybrid of sexual exploitation and the ever-popular "going green" trend I have ever witnessed: hot chicks wrestling in organic oil. Ummm... yeah. At least it's for a good cause. The event starts at 9PM at the Orlando Brewing Company and is hosted by the ladies of The Girls Gone Green Radio Show. Guys, there's a price to pay for hot chick organic oil wrestling, of course: you'll have to fork over $10 in advance or $15 day of. Ladies wanting to support Mother Earth can also register to wrestle by emailing your info and photo (duh, no fatties!) to info@thegirlsgonegreen.com.



On Sunday, kiss the summer goodbye and say hello to autumn with your first taste of Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale. Although the weather will still be a million degrees and the leaves won't change, Crooked Bayou is hosting a Pumpkinhead Release Party at 9PM. Local bands Bughead, Mumpsy and
The Little Debbies will be on hand, along with DJ Tard, and every Pumpkinhead you buy will enter you for prize giveaways. The five bucks you pay at the door will also get you one free beer -- pretty much an even trade, if you ask me. $3 drafts and PumpkinBomb specials all night. Mmmmmmmmmm.... PumpkinBombs.... mmmmmmm.....



Finish up your weekend proper by getting wasted Monday night at Crush, where special guests will be the heavily-hyped electro outfit, Designer Drugs. Sign up early for the guestlist because I wouldn't doubt they'll be hitting capacity. Shit will be especially bananas, Labor Day-style, so you'll probably want to blow off work on Tuesday.

Flou - Les Gens Pour Ce Qu'ils Sont (Designer Drugs Remix).mp3



Have an awesome day of Labor!!!

Busiest.Weekend.Ever.

Busy, busy, busy. I'm busy -- you're busy -- we're busy -- this weekend is super busy. You'll probably have to clone yourself at some point to keep up. Due to all this busy-ness, I don't have much time to add a heavy dose of my usual witty commentary. I'll do my best, though.

First up, tonight. Don't go see Jeff Foxworthy or you're an idiot. If you're going to do something semi-embarrassing, go see Extreme at the House of Blues. Admit it -- you loved "More Than Words" and "Hole Hearted" back in the day. Dear Nuno Bettencourt, I would have 10,000 of your babies. <3 Becky.



Playing at The Social is Japanese cover band for The Beatles, The Silver Beats. Here's their awesomely Engrish description: "Of note here is Eric, who is a dead ringer of John Lennon, not only for his appearance, but for his movements and voice. One feels the ghost of John on stage when Eric sings. As an anecdote, Tadaaki sang "Yesterday" for more times than Sir Paul!?"



Over at Crooked Bayou, they'll be welcoming Mala all the way from the UK. More info on the flyer.



Hoochie Productions is hosting a party tonight at The Peacock Room with Jevne. Also more info on the flyer.



Get Mental is in full effect at Sky60 with Spear and MOT. Password tonight is Blah, blah, blah, mental.



On to Saturday. The newly coined Milk District is hosting a super-dope BBQ in the parking lot for Covert, Beta and Etoile Boutique. The best DJs in town -- Kittybat, Diddles, MOT, Spear -- will be on hand for your listening pleasure and mad sales will be going on at all three stores.



Taste is having a fundraiser for local animal rescues in the form of a Zombie Trailer Park Car Wash. Say what??? There will be bands also - check the flyer.



Tomorrow night at the City Arts Factory is Spoiler Alert, an art show featuring Bask, Tes One, Parskid and Steakmtn. Awesome DJs too! More info on the flyer.



Phew. Plenty going on in our sleepy li'l town, eh? Hope to see you out, kids!