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!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Lif + Larva

If you’re feeling political and hip-hop-y, don’t miss Def Jux's golden boy, Mr. Lif at The Social.



If you’re feeling artsy and bugged out, check out Doug Rhodehamel’s latest art installment, Larva (Get it? Bugged out? Larva? Anyways.) over at Will's Pub.



Here are the copy/paste-style details since the flyer is a tad small.

LARVA
an installation by Doug Rhodehamel

Will's Worm! Will's Worm! Party Time! Excellent!

On Tuesday May 26th I will create a giant, inflated, larva-like structure in the lovely Orlando Florida cozy spot that is Will's Pub.

This will be my first attempt at something like this. If all goes well, it should look really really cool!

Speaking of really cool, A Scissors, as well as Algarhythm will be making some music!

All for the unbelievable price of FREE!

Recap:

- Big air filled Larva.
- Music by: A Scissors.
- Free!
See? Not a single hater remark in this post! Aren't you proud of me? It doesn't matter - my opinions are what make this blog worth reading. You know you love it.

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Friday, May 22, 2009

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!
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Thursday, May 21, 2009

Charles Marklin T-Shirt Art + Pop Off Presents Yip-Yip + Twin Peaks Party

Ok, the plan was to post this waaaaay earlier in the day, but the day job has taken over (as it has a right to, of course). And since time is no longer on my side, here are tonight’s events, summarized in 20 words or less:

Can’t afford the real work from Charles Marklin’s art show? Get it on a t-shirt tonight at Mother Falcon.



The monthly installment of Pop Off features the black and white stylings of Yip-Yip tonight at The Social.



I never watched Twin Peaks but if you did, check out the themed fundraiser party at The Lodge.

Be back tomorrow with more weekend goodness.

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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

A Wet Wednesday

Oh, Orlando. It seems as if the feast or famine rule also applies to the weather. A drought for 3 months followed by torrential downpours for 3 days straight (and counting)? Why not spread these things out a bit??? It would make for happier residents.

Anyways, if the rain finally decides to stop, or if you can rock a pair of galoshes like nobody’s business, then wade your way to one of these parties tonight.

The almighty Rocksteady crew is taking on Brownsville tonight for Sound Clash Soul @ Peacock: Kittybat and Diddles vs. Nigel and ThinkDifferent. Serato will be in effect.


And it seems the monthly Good Look party has been moved from beloved Bikkuri Sushi. Why? According to a cryptic Facebook message, it seems Bikkuri has been violating city codes and has been shutdown indefinitely. So much for the secret venue with seizure-inducing disco lights (they were a cool photo backdrop, though). The new home of Good Look is The Beacon, which just doesn’t seem the same. Maybe it’s the frat boy-esque, “see and be seen” vibe that accompanies most of the restaurants in Thorton Park. Can the Good Look kids thrive in this kind of environment? We’ll find out tonight.

Happy Wednesday!

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Monday, May 18, 2009

Art Show: Charles Marklin

Tonight at the Peacock Room) don't miss the opening reception for "Girls of Color" presented by local artist Charles Marklin. There may even be free wine. :)



Not too shabby for a rainy Monday, eh?

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Orlando Music Festivals A-Go-Go

Knock, knock. Who’s there?

Banana. Banana who?

Knock, knock. Who’s there?

Banana. Banana who?

Knock, knock. Ugh, who’s there?

Orange. Orange who?

Orange You Glad (I didn’t say Banana, yuk yuk) musical festival kicks off tonight at Will's Pub and it's chock-full of local bands playing local venues for your supporting pleasure. Peep the full weekend schedule here.


And yet another music festival began last night – The Florida Music Festival. Two festivals in one weekend??? Seriously? We couldn’t have, like, spread it out between two weekends or something? It’s a good thing for Orlando but geez… what about those weekends where I don’t have a lot to write about? Anyways, enough about me. Check the FMF schedules by day:

Thursday schedule
Friday schedule
Saturday schedule

Also, don’t miss the Rock Walk, an art show in conjunction with the FMF at the City Arts Factory. I can’t find a lot of information about the show, but I do know that Andrew Spear has painted two dope murals on the wall, which are probably both worth seeing in person. This is one of them:



Finally, if music festivals aren't your thing, but overdramatic theater people are, then you won't want to miss Orlando Fringe Festival, which also kicks off tonight. This cover of Watermark pretty much sums it up:



Have a fun-filled festival weekend!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Just Another Manic Monday

Yesterday, after infiltrating the swimming pool at a Disney resort that shall remain nameless, we took a 192 road trip. Water Mania and Xanadu are closed, but Gatorland, Shell World and the gift shop with a wizard on the roof are still in full effect.

In other news, come to this tonight at Peacock to cure your case of the Mondays.



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Friday, May 8, 2009

Silver Streak + Dolla's Solo Show + Awesome Afterparty + MC Chris

My apologies to all of you faithful DSO readers (hopefully there are some of you left) for slacking on updates. Last week I was in Fiji for work (aka relaxing in a villa with a private pool on a gorgeous private island resort) so I have been especially out of the loop. Did I mention I have the best job ever? I did? Okay... so yeah, the best job ever is taking up a lot of time and energy, which doesn’t leave much for this blog.

Anyhooooo... Here are some events going on this weekend:

Tonight at Peacock, you should check out Silver Streak. No, not the Gene Wilder / Richard Pryor movie, but rather a DJ trio consisting of Nigel, spaNk and Rhett Elliot. Peep their promotional video below.

Silver Streak May Dates! from Rhett Elliot on Vimeo.



Saturday night the most awesome local art gallery ever, Bold Hype, is having their first solo show featuring Dolla. Seen those smiling Buddhas around town, the ones that say Dolla Lama? Yeah, that’s him. He also has a promotional video – check it (promotional videos are the new black).

$TILL PAYIN' DUE$ from VЯL♳ on Vimeo.




Then over at Stardust, the official afterparty begins with Andrew Spear and yours truly. It’s going to be awesome, we promise.



Finally, instead of watching 60 Minutes and dreading the coming work week, wrap up your weekend by seeing MC Chris at The Social on Sunday night.



Have a fun weekend, kids!

Oh My God, It's Becky!