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Orlando Weekly

Latin pop duo Jesse and Joy headline Orlando’s House of Blues Wednesday

Orlando? The dynamic Mexican-American singer-songwriter duo Jesse & Joy are bringing their summer tour to town Wednesday.Known for chart-toppers like “Dueles” and “¡Corre!,” Joy’s unique voice combined with Jesse’s formidable musical chops promises an unforgettable experience for ballad-loving souls. Their latest album,, showcases the duo’s ability to craft beautiful and relatable stories through heartfelt melodies.With only 13 shows lined up, this is a can’t-miss proposition for fans in the Cit

Disney's World Princess Week to bring treats and a royal ball this year

• Little Mermaid Waffle Sundae: vanilla soft-serve in a bubble waffle with rock candy, green apple sauce, pineapple wedges and a chocolate decor Swirls on the Water
• Rapunzel Cone: Dole Whip lemon and Dole Whip raspberry swirled in a lavender cone with sugar flowers
• Rapunzel Sundae: shortcake with wild berry soft-serve and Dole Whip lemon, topped with berry compote and sugar flowers
• Aurora Cone: Dole Whip strawberry and blue soft-serve topped with white chocolate crisp pearls in a sugar co

Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka performs a two-night stand at the Orlando Improv

Acclaimed Asian American stand-up comedian, actress and writer Atsuko Okatsuka brings her whimsical style to the Orlando Improv this week. Okatsuka is embarking on a nationwide tour comprising 45 shows across 20 cities, kicking off Aug. 2 in Miami, followed by a two-night stand here in the City Beautiful. A trailblazer in the industry, she co-founded Dis/orient/ed Comedy in 2012, the first-ever Asian American, mostly-women stand-up tour in the U.S. You may remember Okatsuka for going viral while pe

Halloween Horror Nights complete haunted house lineup revealed for 2023 event

Universal Orlando has unveiled the full lineup for its 32nd annual Halloween Horror Nights, with new and returning themes sure to thrill. This year, Halloween Horror Nights promises to immerse guests in the terrifying worlds of Hollywood's biggest horror films and original shows, complete with 10 haunted houses and five scare zones. New featured haunted houses include The Exorcist: Believer, Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count and Universal Monsters: Unmasked. New houses themed afterand the newest season

Orlando City Hall celebrates UCF Knights' inaugural Big 12 football season

Orlando City Hall will celebrate the city's hometown team all season long, ahead of the University of Central Florida Knights' inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference.City and UCF officials – Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, UCF football coach Gus Malzahn and UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir, as well as the UCF cheer team and Knightro – joined at City Hall Thursday to mark the occasion and raise a Knights flag ahead of the season."The City of Orlando is proud and thrilled that UCF will serve as th

Sam Smith brings latest tour to Orlando's Amway Center this week

Grammy-winning British singer-songwriter Sam Smith, renowned for their powerful and soulful voice, is currently in the midst of a third world tour — GLORIA, the Tour. Armed with hits such as “Latch,” “Stay With Me,” “Lay Me Down” and Smith’s recent chart-topper with Kim Petras, “Unholy,” Smith starts the GLORIA jaunt with a North American leg taking in 27 cities.



The tour kicks off Tuesday in Miami, and makes its way to Orlando Wednesday (bragging rights!).



Fans can anticipate a setl

Universal Orlando set to debut new Dreamworks Land in 2024

Universal Orlando is set to unveil a brand-new world of wonders in 2024, with a DreamWorks Animation-themed land.The immersive and interactive area will feature beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation films. To make way for this magical addition, the park’s KidZone attractions, like Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, Curious George Goes to Town, and Shrek and Donkey's Meet & Greet, will be replaced. Located near the E.T. Adventure ride, which has been under construction for seve

The Orlando International Film Festival takes over UCF Downtown

The Orlando International Film Festival takes over the UCF Downtown Campus this week, attracting film enthusiasts, industry professionals and talented filmmakers from around the world.

This year's lineup features award-winning films like Hello World, My Father Muhammed Ali, Miranda's Victim and Ballin Abroad. OIFF even offers free admission for students who claim their tickets on Eventbrite. Attendees can take advantage of engaging panels on topics like legal issues and rights, and many filmmak

The Falcon Bar and Brozanski for Cats brew up an afternoon of feline fun

The purr-fect event — in partnership with Brozanski for Cats, a small but mighty organization of cat-vocates — sees the Falcon Bar brewing up an evening of cold craft beer, kitten playtime and a splash of creativity with paint.

The kitten cuddles (or contempt, we need to be honest with ourselves here) are on the house, but a donation to Brozanski for Cats will help brighten the lives of our furry friends, no matter their disposition.

Whether you're into decorative hangings, card-making or scra

Orlando is getting a pickleball concept backed by NFL stars like Rob Gronkowski

A new pickleball and entertainment concept is headed to Orlando, thanks to support from NFL stars like Rob Gronkowski,reports. The South Carolina-based chain Crush Yard Pickleball Club & Restaurant calls itself an “elevated pub,” revolving around all things pickleball, food and entertainment. The chain’s first locations are set to open right here in Orlando, as well as in Jacksonville and Charleston, South Carolina. The Orlando location is planned for 7840 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kiss

Fast-casual 1990s fave Fazoli's sets late summer goal for return to Orlando

Nostalgic 1990s-famous chain gem Fazoli's is making a comeback to Orlando after a lengthy 15-year hiatus — and now there's a timeline for reopening.Fazoli’s chain owner Fat Brands — also owner of Johnny Rockets, Twin Peaks and more — decided to bring the chain back to Orlando, as we reported in May . This week, spotted by Click Orlando , the chain sent out a news release projecting a late August or early September opening target.The new location will be at 4201 E. Colonial Drive , a spot previou

The Daily Show’s Roy Wood Jr. comes to Orlando this weekend for stand-up performances

Roy Wood Jr., the Emmy-nominated comedian known for his sharp wit and insightful commentary on Comedy Central’s, is coming to Orlando for some stand-up dates. With his impeccable comedic timing, thousand-yard stares and ability to tackle pressing social issues, Wood has earned his place in the spotlight and has been a refreshing voice in the oft-tired world of late-night comedy television. After years spent as a correspondent on Wood is now a top contender for the coveted host spot on the show. Woo

Game of Thrones-themed convention cancels Orlando event amid DeSantis’ ‘anti-humanitarian legislation’

A highly anticipated Game of Thrones-themed convention to be held in Orlando has been canceled due to the DeSantis’ administration’s anti-LGBTQ+ efforts. Con of Thrones announced the 2023 event would not go on “due to the increasingly anti-humanitarian legislation and atmosphere in Florida,” according to a statement the event was slated to take place Aug. 25-27, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. Convention organizer Mischief Management expressed displeasure at having to cancel.“Based on additional fee

Gatorland welcomes new baby crocodiles, descendants of famous 1950s croc Bonecrusher

Gatorland is buzzing with excitement as it welcomes the newest members of its reptilian family.More than 36 eggs at the park showed signs of life, and to the delight of spectators watching on Gatorland's live social media video , several baby crocs emerged from their shells Wednesday morning.The hatchlings hold a special place in the park's history as they are the direct descendants of Gatorland's iconic 1950s attraction, an American Crocodile known as Bonecrusher.Known as the world's largest cr

Orlando man finds invasive tegu lizard in his backyard

In a twist on backyard wildlife encounters, an Orlando man stumbled upon an unexpected guest last week. Orlando resident Gary Nunn wasted no time in identifying the creature as an Argentine black and white tegu lizard, a nonnative and invasive species to Florida. "I went, 'Oh my God.' I knew what it was," when he spotted the lizard, Nunn told WESH 2 News Nunn captured the reptile using a cage and a can of cat food as bait. "I don't want them running around terrorizing my cats," Nunn said. Ron Magill,

Brightline celebrates finish of high-speed train route connecting Orlando to South Florida

Brightline's Orlando station celebrated a significant achievement Wednesday with the completion of its new higher-speed train line, connecting central and south Florida. The construction, which involved approximately 10,000 employees, spanned four years and resulted in a 170-mile track into central Florida. A few final touches still need to be addressed in terms of testing, according to Fox 35 News , but tickets are now available for the railway's extended line from Orlando to Miami. Service is ex

Downtown Orlando's Neon Beach set to be replaced with new German scratch kitchen

After less than three years of service, popular downtown Orlando bar/restaurant Neon Beach served its last meal, paving the way for a new eatery. Neon Beach's former location at 131 N Orange Ave. will be filled by a new tenant: German restaurant Schmankerl Stub'n.Created by the team behind Dan's Bavarian Takeout, Schmankerl Stub'n is a German scratch kitchen where guests can expect " German classics and modern dishes," according to a Facebook post. While there aren't many details yet, the news was

Orange County expands its free ESOL pilot program for I-Drive employees

The Orange County Government has expanded its ESOL for Working Adults pilot program, offering language courses to even more employees.The English Program for Workers in the I-Drive Corridor (EPIC) program now provides onsite educational instruction at IMA Medical Group and Paramount Hospitality Management.The expanded program, which launched June 12, will provide instruction in ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) over the next eight weeks. IMA Medical Group and Paramount Hospitality Ma

Orange County reality personality’s $300K Bentley was reportedly stolen from Icon Park valet

A local reality show personality reportedly had her car stolen after she left it with Icon Park’s valet service.Cora Johnson’s 2022 Bentley Bentayga (valued at about $300,000), was taken on May 17, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.Johnson, a real estate broker, owner of Wynnmore Realty and a featured personality on the upcoming series, said she left the car with the valet to grab dinner on I-Drive, deputies said.However, just two hours later when she returned to the valet, the car

Orlando welcomes the arrival of our fierce drag overlords with RuPaul's Drag Race 'Werq the World' Tour

Get ready to werq, Orlando. The queens ofare sashaying their way to the City Beautiful for the 2023 Werq the World Tour.Taking over the Walt Disney Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Saturday, June 24, it'll be one of the ultimate drag events of the year.Werq the World is back and bigger than ever, bringing shows to more than 100 cities across the globe. The tour is spreading drag love to fans everywhere, at a time when anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-drag laws are permeating not on

Breakdancers from all over the region square off at the Red Bull BC One Cypher Southeast this weekend

This Saturday, Red Bull BC One brings their regional Cypher to Full Sail Live. Breakers from all over the Southeast region will gather to showcase their skills in hopes of securing a coveted spot at the National Final in Philadelphia in August. The 1v1 competition is emceed by Orlando’s very own Myverse, a talented poet and battle rapper. Keeping the beats alive throughout the event will be DJ Felix, and there’s also a freestyle showcase on deck from local B-boy and rapper Madd Illz and his crew. T

Orlando is one of the only cities to get Taco Bell's new vegan Crunchwrap

The day all plant-based foodies have been waiting for is here. Brace yourselves for the newest addition to Taco Bell's menu: the long-awaited fully vegan Crunchwrap Supreme.



Announced Wednesday afternoon, this creation features a blend of vegan nacho sauce, vegan blanco sauce and boldly seasoned plant-based "beef" plus the classic toppings.


Only three cities will be offering this bombshell item, and what do you know? Orlando has been selected as a testing location.

. It'll be on the m

Viral TikTok comedian Matt Rife heads to Orlando on first-ever world tour

Viral TikTok comedian Matt Rife is making waves in the comedy world, and he's heading to Orlando with his biggest tour yet.



The Matt Rife: ProbleMATTic World Tour kicks off July 20 with more than 100 shows. The act comes to Orlando Oct. 4 at Dr. Phillips Center.

Rife, known for posting the best moments of his stand-up shows on TikTok, has gained an impressive following of more than 14 million fans and more than 2 billion views globally.General ticket sales start Friday, June 9, at 10 a.m.

Art scavenger hunt 'Game of Shrooms' spreads to Audubon Park in Orlando this weekend

Calling all art enthusiasts, mushroom hunters and adventure seekers! Get ready to dive into a whimsical world of fungi-adjacent creativity at this weekend’s annual Game of Shrooms and watch as the world becomes an interactive art show.Richmond-based artist and creator of Game of Shrooms Daniel “Attaboy” Seifert presents an enchanting event for all that merges creativity, nature and a dash of mystery.Game of Shrooms offers the perfect opportunity to step away from screens and embrace the beauty o
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