Surf Expo After Party + Dirty South BBQ III

Yeah, yeah. I know.

I haven’t been here in awhile but this is an excellent weekend to return. Why? Because of these two things:

First up, you may or may not have heard the news about Covert getting robbed while MOT was out of town. Lame. So tonight, in an attempt to bring up his spirits, check out the Music Never Forgets party with Mot, Spear and Ken Sherry at Sky60 (I don’t want to cave to their new branding until I absolutely have to!). And since it’s an offical Surf Expo after party, things are gonna get nuts (read: Jager. And lots of it).


And on Sunday over at the Milk District is the 3rd annual Dirty South BBQ. Etoile, Covert and BETA bring you the dopest potluck party of the year including Dj's, live bands, lola's pizza, dunk tank, bike tune ups, crafts and vegan hotdogs! 12 pm – 8pm, rain or shine (hell yeah, we got down in the rain a few years ago). Donations welcome!


So come out and support your local kids who are doing their best to make it happen in the midst of thieving assholes and a shitty economy!!!!!

Memorial Day Weekend Events You Won’t Do Because It’s Raining

Yep – day 5+ of non-stop rain. Should make for nice soggy BBQs this weekend. (Soggy BBQ sounds like a band name, doesn’t it?) In addition to the lame “hip hop artist” with the same name as our state performing at whack attack Tabu tonight (she hit the flo’, next thing you kno’, low, low, low, barf, barf, barf), there is plenty going down in our swampy city this holiday weekend.

Music Never Forgets tonight at Sky60 (weather permitting, of course) with MOT, Spear and Huggy.



I’m guessing this one may be canceled. If so, check out Nigel and Gomez at Crooked Bayou instead.

Tomorrow during the day, there’s a special event that has somehow managed to pair beer tasting with couch racing. Not really sure what that’s all about but it sounds interesting.



If skateboards and artwork are your thing, check out Pushin’ VIII at Bold Hype tomorrow night. Over 30 local artists have decorated – you guessed it – skateboard decks for the show which will all be on display. Afterparty immediately following at Stardust with Mot and Johnny Five Mikes.



Another art party, False Alarm, will be taking place down at the warehouse space on west Central Ave featuring DJs Cub and Mo.



Haven’t really seen anything for Sunday yet except for a drunken crawfish boil which is sure to be full of drunken frat boys. I’m sure you can find a soggy BBQ here or there. Have a nice holiday!

Fucking Finally - A Weekend Post!!!

To quote the great Sir Boy George, "I know you missed me, I know you missed me, toniiiiight!*" and "Time won't give me time." After over a month in limbo, for which I have no excuse except extreme busy-ness, I'm back to give you the skinny on this MLK JR. weekend.

(*I just found out the words to this song are "I know you'll miss me, blind" so I have been singing it wrong forever. Oh well, it's already too deep-rooted in the brain to change it now).

First up tonight, bundle your happy ass up and hit Sky60 tonight for the Obey Party, presented by Covert Shop. They promise free gear and stickers, 2 for 1 drinks until midnight, and dope music from MOT, LT Smash and Johnny 5 Mikes. Password for free admission is "OBEY THIS".



If braving the cold ain't your thing (pussy!) then hit up the Bangers and Hangers On party over at Crooked Bayou.



And, finally, the main event, the highlight of the weekend - month - year - decade, etc.: The Stevie Wonder party at the Peacock Room. Yes, I may be a tad biased because myself and Andrew Spear and throwing it, but still - it's an event not to be missed!!! Rumor has it that Stevie himself will even make an appearance.



So there you have it. If I hear of anything on Sunday, I'll update this post. Enjoy your long weekend, if you have one. We finally get Obama on Tuesday, and that's reason enough to celebrate. Hope to see you out, kids!

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!

Flyer-Only Friday

My apologies for the boring-ness that is to follow. Waaaaaay too busy.

Friday Night:

Get Mental will be back next week. In its place @ Sky60:


At Peacock Room:


At Crooked Bayou:


Saturday Night:

The return of Turbo Love Machine at Peacock!!!


Roger Sanchez at Firestone:

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:

This Weekend: MOT's bday + Sparatik + Shiny Toy Guns + Yelle + Peter Baldwin

It's finally Friday, October 10th and that can only mean one thing: it's MOT's fucking birthday. So get your ass on down to Sky60 tonight and watch him get obliterated on Jagermeister (more so than usual, that is). Since he's officially over the hill, the password for free admission is 40 is the new FUCK YOU. PS... there are rumors that Fuel TV will be filming at Sky tonight as part of their coverage on the upcoming Dew Tour. So, in the words of Andrew Spear, "look nice and slutty."



They have a special guest tonight over at The Peacock Room, a dope ass girl DJ named Sparatik. She was the headliner at one of the first parties I ever threw (in 2003 at AKA Lounge) and she completely killed it. She now resides in L.A. but will visiting us tonight for a special performance.



And now the "Another Reason People Think Orlando Sucks" report: Apparently there is a new bar opening this evening on I-Drive increasing Orlando's lameness factor. Straight from their website:

ICEBAR Orlando, on International Drive just minutes away from the Orange County Convention Center, is the first and largest permanent ice bar in the country. Open year-round, the $35 cover charge includes a 45-minute expedition into the 27-degree den of solid, sparkling, floor-to-ceiling ice. Slip on a thermal cape and gloves and sip a premium vodka cocktail (or non-alcoholic drink for guests under 21) served in a glass carved from pure ice. Reserve your block now and be the first to Experience the Chill.

Where do I begin??? For a mere THIRTY FIVE bones, you too can wear an unflattering giganti-coat that covers your cute outfit, freeze your ass off, hang out with tourists and minors, and pay too much for drinks served in cups that will stick to your hand. Sounds grrrrrreeeeeaaatttttt.



Saturday night is hipster heaven with the ultimate showdown of semi-talented national acts that are too cool for school. You'll have your choice of Shiny Toy Guns performing at BackBooth or the Uffie doppelganger Yelle over at The Social. Hipsters who are feeling overzealous can even try to hit both shows, since it sounds like STG will be performing early. Older hipsters can just hit up Bar BQ Bar, as with any other Saturday night.



If you're really into Shiny Toy Guns and don't mind dealing with the lame ass crowd at Vixen (WARNING: Clicking the Vixen link will lead to REALLY LOUD house music!!!! I mean SUPER loud. Like, "I could get fired" loud. You have been warned!!!), you can catch Jeremy Dawson's DJ set at the official after party, hosted by Go Clubnights.



If the jazzy live musician thing sounds like it's more your scene, check out Peter Baldwin over at Peacock.



So what have we learned? 40 is the new fuck you, Icebar is super lame and don't click the Vixen link at work. Have a super awesome weekend!

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???