Dear recent Orlando transplant:

Ok, so you just moved to Orlando from New York / Philly / Chicago / San Francisco / et al. You feel lost, uprooted, misplaced -- you're starting to think Orlando might suck. Eager to find some nightlife in this town, you go to Lattitudes on Church Street, Slingapour's on Wall Street and that mega-club on Orange Avenue owned by one of those Backstreet Boys (Orlando's finest celebrities). Maybe you even think International Drive, Citywalk or Downtown Disney is where everyone hangs out in this town. Now you really think Orlando sucks.

Well, you're wrong. There is more to this city than theme park "nightlife" and crappy clubs with guys wearing shiny shirts, but you have to know where to look. Instead of complaining about how lame Orlando is compared to your city of origin, why not get out there and support your new scene -- it's a lot better than you think! After all, you moved here for a reason, right? (I'm guessing to escape the cold weather.) So you can do one of two things: either 1) move back to the city you think is sooooo much more awesome or 2) quit bitchin', check the events below and DON'T SLEEP on the shit that is happening!

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Pauly Crush VS. Firestone

It appears that the folks at Firestone got into a little tiff with Pauly Crush this past week and things don't look promising for Saturday Thursday. In addition to PC, everyone who used to be on the roster has officially severed ties with the night -- Miss Fit, Justin Scott, Kittybat, Diddles, and Y-Not -- all gone. Taking their place are a bunch of kids I have never heard of -- DJ Marcos, South Rakkas Crew***, DJ Deville and DJ Elementz -- and Firestone seems desperate to keep the crowd coming by lifting the cover and offering free drinks until 1 AM. It's rumored that Pauly will be starting a new night at a different venue to compete with ST but I guess we will have to wait and see. His crew is definitely loyal to him and there's no doubt that he helped make the night what it is (was) today. It will be interesting to see what happens with ST going forward, but there's a good chance it will fizzle out before too long.



***EDIT: Ummm... the South Rakkas Crew??? Ummmm.... they're like, freaking everywhere now... Urb Next 100??? They are all up in the scene, way more than li'l ol' me. So, I was super mega wrong on that one -- I can admit it. Still haven't heard of the other guys, though. Hopefully I won't have to follow up with another edit, eh??? :)

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Condo Art + Krames Say Relax

Orlando is the land of oversaturated, unnecessary, overpriced condo developments. The newest installment in this trend, Mills Park, on the corner of Mills and Virginia, is hosting its very first art show this evening. Bay Two is being curated by Lot1433 and features over 25 local artists. Supposedly the warehouse space is dope and, if all goes well tonight, could make for an awesome new art venue in town. The show starts at 7:00 PM, and the $7 cover includes an OPEN BAR. Yeah!

Artists include:
Christian Guevarra, Charles Marklin, Frank Gady, Johannah O'Donnell, Robert Beck, Robin Pedrero, Vadim Malkin, Ryan Burkhart, Anna McCambridge, Doug Rhodehamel, Adriaan Mol, Elizabeth Shupe, Jessica Peguero, Brigan Gresh, Dana Hargrove, Andrew Spear, Dina Mack, Mark Hofreiter, Andrew White, Elizabeth Nelson, Parker Sketch, Paul Sanders, William Volker, Ryan Kittleson, Rachel Simmons, and more!


So support your local artists, get a nice buzz and then head over to Suite B with all the cool kids for Carnival. Tonight's special guest DJ is Krames of Cobra Kai (the promoters, not the Karate Kid dojo). His Myspace page and Missingtoof both have a bazillion mixes and tracks you can download if you want a sneak preview of what's to come.

***Warning: Staring at this photo too long may induce seizures***

My personal favorite track that he did is called 'Relax in the City', and is a mashup of Glenn Frey and Frankie Goes To Hollywood. It's a bit slow to be played out at a club but it's still completely awesome anyway.
Krames - Relax In The City.mp3

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Feliz CumpleaƱos, Swamburger


Tonight, the Solillaquists of Sound will be hosting Phat 'N Jazzy to celebrate frontman slash artist Swamburger's birthday bash, and apparently try to get him elected as a public official. Kind of like the time Billy Manes tried to run for mayor. Or not. Either way, Swam and co. will be joining the absolute hands-down best DJ in Orlando (and nicest man on the planet) Mr. BMF for a night celebrating music and art, P-N-J style.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Wet BBQ + Art Opening + Lismore again

The BBQ at Etoile yesterday was amazing! The tarps shielded us from the pouring rain (sort of) and it was one of the most fun dance parties ever, thanks to Kittybat, Diddles and MOT. I love when DJs go all over the board and these guys tore it apart -- hip hop, disco, funk, soul, 80's, 90's, indie, mashups... unreal. Huge thanks to Katie Reynolds for throwing such a great customer appreciation party. We <3 Etoile!


And now on to tonight's festivities. The Peacock Room is hosting the artists' reception for the group show Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World from 8 - 11 PM. The show features works from Terribly Odd, Horsebites, Cathey Miller, Adriaan Mol, Mania, Robt, and Moore. Music will be provided by DJs Nigel and Cub.


After getting your drink on at Peacock, head over to Crush at BackBooth to get your second fix of Lismore. See them for free by getting on the Crush guest list. Mondays are usually insanely packed at BB, so get there early. Or, if you get there late, you can always chuckle at the paradox of the hipster entrance line at BackBooth vs. the homey entrance line waiting to get into the club next door.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Rain, rain, go away...


Well, today is the One Year Anniversary Party and Dirty Dub BBQ for Etoile Boutique and God has opened the sky to pour his wrath upon their shindig. But, the show must go on and Katie and MOT have scrambled to build tents for the occasion. So come out, dance in the rain with two of the best DJs in Orlando, Kittybat and Diddles, drink free PBR and support locally owned independent clothing stores like Etoille, Covert and BETA.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Tonight: Lismore, Purple Haze, Robitussin


Oh, Miami, why do you always leave me in such bad shape? I was fine for a few days... then this monster cold gripped onto my chest and won't let go. Unfortunately (for me), tonight I will be downing bottles of Robitussin (not in the good way) while Lismore performs live at The Peacock Room alongside Orlando's own Q-Burns Abstract Message.

If I am lucky, this villainous cough will take a friggin hike ALREADY and I can catch them this Monday at Crush. Le sigh.


Also happening this evening at ex-Blue Room turned Voyage is Purple Haze, a mysterious event claiming "YOU are the star." As instructed, I checked the Myspace page for more info (there wasn't any). What I do know about the event is that Miss Fit, one of Orlando dopest girl DJs, will be playing and that's reason enough to go. She's also behind an awesome blog, Glitter and Gold, which was kind enough to drop the new Mstrkrft track a few days ago. Muchas gracias!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Bienvenidos a Miami

Time to head out for the weekend. If you're taking the road trip down, here are some awesome parties to check out:





Since there's waaaaaaayyyyy too many to post, check out the full WMC list.

Tonight - Kissy Sell Out in Orlando

I am super, duper, ultra, mega, hardcore bummed that I am going to miss Kissy Sell Out tonight. But while he's rocking Firestone, I'll be watching Boys Noize on the beach. I guess that's an even trade :)



For more KSO mixes, check out his official podcast.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

F-I-R-E-I-N-O-R-L-A-N-D-O

As our mini-conference week continues, I'm trudging through the 9 - 5 job while daydreaming of mojitos on the beach. Luckily I head to Miami and the WMC tomorrow, and Digitalism is throwin' it down at Firestone tonight. Joining their tour is Guns'N'Bombs, who completely killed the club last summer. Not bad for a Wednesday (and no work on Thursday = WOO!).



If you haven't downloaded these already, get on it!

Digitalism Essential Mix (via newmixes.com)

Digitalism and Cajuan Guest Mix (via Kidz By Colette)

Guns'N'Bombs Mixtape #2 (Via Shot Callin')

Guns'N'Bombs Mixtape #3 (via MissingToof)

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Pase Rock + Strippers = <3


Leave it to Pase Rock, the mastermind behind the song about Lindsay Lohan's coochie, to DJ at a strip club. I'm pretty sure tonight will be a first in Orlando's history -- I just hope Dancers Royale is ready!