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!

Tonight: Phat 'N Jazzy Presents: The Good Rub

I thought I didn't know who they were until this past Sunday when I was dining unexpectedly at hoity-toity Houston's in Winter Park. The jazz trio that was playing there consisted of a few guys I used to hang with in college: Tony and Willie from The Windham Group (on bass and drums respectively) and Harris from 11 Red Apples on piano. Turns out they are the ones who make up The Good Rub, along with another college friend Brian Mackey (aka "Slackey") on saxophone.

After this bit of information, I highly recommend seeing their new jazz collective at The Social tonight. They are all seasoned musicians who have graced the P-N-J stage in the past, improvising over BMF's DJ sets. Also playing tonight is Peter Baldwin, and resident DJs BMF and Slack.

Tonight: Liars + Windham Group + Carnival

I have to make this quick and dirty since I am drowning with all the things I have to do today. Some days I just wish I could leave the nine-to-five upon the shelf and just enjoy myself.

A few options tonight, (in addition to the weekly party, Carnival, of course):

They may have played second fiddle to Radiohead last night, but tonight at The Social, it's all about the Liars. If you've never heard them, a free four-track EP is available for download on their website.

PS... the lead singer wants to eat your soul.



Opening for them are homegrown favorites, Summerbirds in the Cellar. You may recognize them from when they were bartenders who snuffed you at Bar BQ Bar, refusing to serve you drinks because you weren't cool enough. Actually, I think it was just the lead singer who worked there and I think he may have been a barback or something, but they all look the same to me. I always went to Laura for drinks anyway.



Also playing tonight over at The Peacock Room is The Windham Group, an extremely talented live jazz trio comprised of Errol Windham on guitar, Tony Venturini on bass and Willie Rast on drums. They also host Blow Sundays, the weekly open-mic/jam session at Tanquerays. For a sneak preview before the show, you can hear their tracks on their Myspace page or download their podcast. Stereo 77 will be providing music between their sets this evening.



Happy Wednesday!