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Interviews

Orlando Weekly •

Comedian and 'Eric Andre Show' star Hannibal Buress headlines last-minute show at Orlando's Abbey

This March, Buress’ reimagined vision of the iconic space opened as Isola Brooklyn — his very own comedy and music club. The former co-host of The Eric Andre Show and Broad City star has a lot of history there. He performed at the opening of Knitting Factory’s Brooklyn outpost, hosted a permanent stand-up series there and closed out the venue’s final show. Buress says the full-circle experience of owning the space has been “real trippy.” “I’ll have these moments where it’s just me in there like...
Orlando Weekly •

Evgenii Konovalov brings a lifetime of acrobatics experience to his work in Disney Springs' Cirque du Soleil

“It’s very dangerous,” says Konovalov, who has worked in the circus art and acrobatics industry for 23 years. “It’s the most dangerous genre in the circus.” Konovalov knows this from firsthand experience — the former flyer injured his leg in 2010 while working for the Russian State Circus Company in Orenburg. Following his six-month recovery, Konovalov continued as a “catcher” and “pusher” with the Circus’ swing act. Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Konovalov grew up doing gymnastics and playing sports...

Briefs

Orlando Weekly •

H Mart’s upcoming Orlando location gears up to open ‘soon’

The 100,074-square-foot market and food hall, whose opening we first reported in 2021, will take over the old Super Target space at 7501 W. Colonial Drive. As the first Florida outpost, it’s set to offer specialty groceries, ready-to-cook items, housewares and a slate of authentic Asian (and Asian-fusion) vendors dishing out dine-in meals. Orlando’s H Mart will house options including Korean-style Chinese cuisine from Paik’s Noodle, authentic Korean cold noodles and tofu soups from U Chun, Korea...
Orlando Weekly •

À La Cart chosen to run downtown Orlando’s new park

The Orlando City Council approved the pick Monday for the new park, set to be located at the corner of Orange Avenue and Robinson Street. The outdoor venue, funded by the City of Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency and in line with the DTO Action Plan to be “An Awesome Outdoor City,” will be an “innovative public space designed to inspire connection and community,” according to a release. Art2 will feature food vendors, a craft beverage station, modular seating and programming designed to h...
Orlando Weekly •

Camping World Stadium planned upgrades revealed, as City of Orlando shops around naming rights

Features of the planned upgrades, based on renderings from architects DLR Group Inc., include hurricane bracing added to the exterior of the stadium that looks like something off an Esquivel album cover (this may or may not be a bad thing, depending on your tastes), a retractable stage pocket to accommodate the scale of larger touring bands, revamped upper bowls, a new upper bowl on the north side, new premium suites and expanded seating capacity to 65,000 — really only an upgrade of a few thou...
Orlando Weekly •

Filipino tasting concept Asin now open inside Ivanhoe Village's Arden

The newest concept from chef DJ Tangalin is located inside aperitif and wine bar Arden, situated just across from the recently opened City Food Hall. The opening comes on the heels of Tangalin’s collab with chef Mike Collantes (Soseki) in the food hall: Filipino-American spot Taglish. It also follows the closure of the pair’s Chez Les Copains, a French brasserie that closed last week after just about two months of service inside City Food Hall. Currently open with a small bites menu and a full m...
Orlando Weekly •

Enzian Theater names Wade Neal as new executive director

Enzian’s former executive director, David Schillhammer, resigned in December 2018. The only full-time independent cinema in Central Florida and home of the annual Florida Film Festival, Enzian has been dividing leadership responsibilities among officials of the theater’s governing board ever since. The theater’s Search Committee began looking for new leadership last fall as part of a two-year strategic plan led by the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management, according to a release from...
Orlando Weekly •

Halloween Horror Nights announces final original house for 2025 at Universal Orlando

The haunted house is the seventh announced so far and the final original house of 2025’s event. A total of 10 houses are anticipated this year. “In a remote northern village, a wicked being rises from the dead, bringing a horde of monsters and demons from the fjords to wreak havoc on the townspeople,” Halloween Horror Nights said on social media. “You’ll face icy, horned, winged and wolfish fiends that gradually merge into one giant horror. Then you’ll try to escape the belly of the beast.” Oth...
Orlando Weekly •

College Park Diner, ‘Orlando’s oldest diner,’ closes permanently

The diner was ordered to close temporarily due to health code violations, according to state inspection records, and ultimately decided to close permanently, as reported by Bungalower. Bungalower also reported that the owners offered an explanation through a comment via College Park Diner’s Facebook account, which has since been deactivated: “We conducted a full wall flush treatment through our pest control provider as part of a proactive pest control plan we implemented due to a recent isolated...
Orlando Weekly •

Halloween Horror Nights announces two new original houses for 2025

The official Halloween Horror Nights account has announced two original concepts, “El Artista: A Spanish Haunting” and “Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters.” “El Artista: A Spanish Haunting” is set in 19th-century Spain and follows “a tortured artist [who] moves into an isolated country manor for inspiration, but the art comes alive and possesses him,” according to a post on X from the official Halloween Horror Nights account. The second original concept, “Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty H...
Orlando Weekly •

Guy Fieri’s Chicken Guy! officially closes its doors in Winter Park

The chain closed its door to “focus on regional growth and national expansion through new franchises,” according to a statement from the chain, as reported by Orlando Business Journal. Last year, the franchise faced eviction over unpaid rent of more than $38,000. A three-day notice was issued twice before the eviction notice was filed in Orange County court in March. The 818 S. Orlando Ave. location first opened in 2021, following the chain’s first Central Florida location opening at Walt Disney...
Orlando Weekly •

Orlando Museum of Art’s next free admission day celebrates Juneteenth

On June 19, the museum — in collaboration with the Art Bridges Foundation — will host its next Access for All event, which offers free admission from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event will celebrate both Juneteenth and “Low Vision Day,” a collaboration with eSight, who offer a wearable assistive device for the visually impaired that helps museum-goers see art. The eSight partnership was inspired by artist Kelly Joy Ladd, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2020, disrupting the connection between...
Orlando Weekly •

Epcot’s new adults-only lounge Geo-82 has officially launched

The 21-and-up, reservation-required lounge Geo-82 is located inside Epcot’s iconic geodesic sphere that houses Spaceship Earth. Its name is a nod to the ride’s opening in 1982. The lounge, decorated with intricate designs inspired by Spaceship Earth, will offer scenic views of the park, as well as globally inspired cocktails and small plates. The drinks menu includes a classic beer selection, curated wines and featured cocktails — such the Brown Butter Old-Fashioned, Caramelized Leek Martini or...
Orlando Weekly •

Fake QR code scam found on downtown parking meters, OPD says

The counterfeit codes direct users to a fraudulent site and ask for their financial information, instead of directing them to the legitimate parking site parkmobile.io. “These fraudulent codes direct a user’s device to a website where their personal information can be stolen,” OPD Financial Crimes Sergeant Michael Fiorentino-Tyburski said in a video within the release. The real QR code is printed directly onto the sticker with a green background while the fraudulent sticker has a white backgroun...
Orlando Weekly •

Universal Orlando's Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will close later this summer

The park announced on its website that the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster will permanently close Aug. 18 to make room for a new unnamed attraction. The coaster with a musical twist, featuring a 90-degree climb and speeds that reach up to 65 mph, first opened to the public in August 2009. “Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will permanently close on August 18, 2025 to make way for a new experience,” Universal said in a recent update to their website. “More details will be available at a later d...
Orlando Weekly •

Penguins are coming to the rooftops of downtown Orlando

Giant penguins are making their way to Orlando’s aquatic park — and also to its downtown rooftops. To mark the addition of (real) Emperor Penguins to SeaWorld Orlando, the park is teaming up with Creative City Project to bring massive inflatable penguins to various rooftops in downtown. It’s the latest installment of the arts organization’s “Big City Birds,” which brought giant pigeons to town last year. Now through June 19, three Emperor Penguins — two 14-foot-tall adults and one 10-foot-tall b...
Orlando Weekly •

New Eurocentric wine bar Sparrow now in soft-opening mode in Orlando

The spot comes from James Beard Award finalists Jason and Sue Chin of Good Salt Restaurant Group and Chef Wendy Lopez of Reyes Mezcaleria, and it’s located just 100 feet away from Reyes Mezcaleria at 807 N. Orlando Ave. Sparrow launched into soft-opening mode Tuesday ahead of its grand opening, which is set for June 9. Sparrow’s wine and tapas menu will tie in Lopez’s Spanish heritage and culinary experience with French, Italian and Portuguese flavors and techniques. The intimate 1,978-square-fo...

Selections

Orlando Weekly •

Quirky arts tradition Cup-A-Thon returns to Crealdé for two nights

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Since 1990, Orlando Weekly has served as the free, independent voice of Orlando, and we want to keep it that way.

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Orlando Weekly •

Erykah Badu and the Alchemist want to play you some new, unheard music at House of Blues this week

Iconoclast Badu redefined R&B in her own image with flourishes of jazz, soul and hip-hop from the jump with her 1997 debut, Baduizm — later certified triple-platinum. Meanwhile, The Alchemist — born Alan Daniel Maman — is renowned for his gritty beats and collaborations with the likes of Mobb Deep, Nas, Eminem, Freddie Gibbs and Earl Sweatshirt. Following the release of their joint single “Next to You” in June, Abi & Alan will be the 54-year-old Badu’s first album release in over 15 years. The...
Orlando Weekly •

Snap up unique Orlando-made art on a portable scale at McRae Art Studios’ annual ‘8x10 Sale’

Central Florida’s oldest and largest artist collective will sell unframed paintings, prints, drawings and photographs measuring 8 by 10 inches, along with sculptures and ceramics up to 10 inches tall.

All items start at $100 and can be bid on in increments of $25 to a maximum of $200 — or you can pay $200 upfront. On-site framing from Flamingo Frames will be available, as well as refreshments.

6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, McRae Art Studios, free.
Orlando Weekly •

Meghan Markham brings her show 'Witch With Her Skirt on Fire' to the Center for a fundraiser

At this spring’s Fringe, the UCF graduate and Washington state resident’s magical solo show felt “fresh yet somehow familiar” and felt “both authentically ancient and utterly contemporary,” according to our own Seth Kubersky; Witch duly enjoyed a sold-out run in May. On a more earthly note, half the proceeds from ticket sales go to The Center. 3 & 8 p.m. Saturday, July 26, The Center, 942 N. Mills Ave., thecenterorlando.org, $18. [location-1] Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters. Follow us...
Orlando Weekly •

Partners in life and laughs Natalie Cuomo and Dan LaMorte co-headline the Abbey

Best known for her comedy album Shut Up You Loved It, which debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes comedy charts, and recognition as a finalist for “New York’s Funniest” in the New York Comedy Festival in 2024, Cuomo’s comedic style is bold and honest. Her numerous tattoos have a comedic presence in themselves — making their way into her stand-up and landing her appearances on Ink Master: No More Ink! and Inked Magazine. LaMorte, a former college baseball player who was forced into early retirement due...
Orlando Weekly •

Ben Schwartz and Friends plan to make it up as they go at the Dr. Phillips Center

Best known for his roles in Parks and Recreation and voicing Sonic in the Sonic the Hedgehog films (but let us not forget his star turn in Space Force), comedian and actor Ben Schwartz is bringing an entirely improvised show to the Walt Disney Theater, performing alongside friends and fellow comedians Drew Tarver, Colton Dunn and Jess McKenna.
With a background in long-form improv as part of the influential Upright Citizens Brigade, Schwartz has honed his improv chops well — evidenced in his imp...
Orlando Weekly •

The Pro Wakeboard Tour splashes in to Groveland's Lake Davis Park this weekend

The daytime event features top wakeboarders and surfers from Europe, Australia, Canada and the U.S. — including Nic Rapa, Maxime Roux, Guenther Oka and Cory Teunissen. Attendees will also witness a freestyle jet-ski exhibition and showcases of the newest Supra Boat models from Southtown Watersports. Bonus action on Friday includes Pro Wakeboard qualifiers, while Saturday sees the Junior Pro Wakeboard, Junior Wakesurf and Pro Wakeboard finals. Wear all the sunscreen. 9 a.m. Saturday, July 12, Lak...
Orlando Weekly •

Prometheus Esoterica hosts a massive Oddities and Curiosities Market in Kissimmee this weekend

The event will also include live performances from Dead City Circus Sideshow and The Lizard Man Erik Spraug, as well as workshops on rabbit taxidermy and insect pinning. Not spooky but a highlight: It’s all indoors and air-conditioned. (The heat is terrifying in its own right this summer.) Tickets are still available online; parking is $10. 11 a.m. Saturday, June 28, Osceola Heritage Park, $12. Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | Or sig...
Orlando Weekly •

OutCon brings LGBTQ+-friendly vendors, performers and artists to the Fairgrounds this weekend

The convention spotlights more than 60 local LGBTQ+ and allied vendors, peddling comics, artwork, clothing, memorabilia and artisanal goods and food. Panels topics on the day will cover it all: comics, movies, TV shows, gaming, up to and including a discussion on virtual safe spaces for the furry community. Orlando-based funk band Raspberry Pie, drag performances and a “Sissy That Cosplay” parade round out the live entertainment for the day. 10 a.m. Saturday, June 28, Central Florida Fairgrounds...
Orlando Weekly •

Nomadic musician Dean Batten says farewell to Orlando at Will’s Pub this week

Since 1990, Orlando Weekly has served as the free, independent voice of Orlando, and we want to keep it that way.


Becoming an Orlando Weekly Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.


Join today because you love us, too.

Since 1990, Orlando Weekly has served as the free, independent voice of Orlando, and we want to keep it that way.

Becoming an Orlando Weekly Sup...
Orlando Weekly •

Osceola Arts hosts a Juneteenth Fashion Show this week

The runway performance will feature the work of talented designers, including Jacksonville-based Custom Paper Dollz, Sorelle Vita Couture of Kissimmee, Lives Over Money, Orlando’s The House of Postiche and Inon Designs, Desante and Men’s Wearhouse. The show also includes live entertainment and VIP access with premium seating, complimentary drinks and “swag bags.” Proceeds from the fashion show are donated to WeddingWish.org, a Central Florida nonprofit that grants weddings and mental health serv...
Orlando Weekly •

Orlando Museum of Art’s next free admission day celebrates Juneteenth

On June 19, the museum — in collaboration with the Art Bridges Foundation — will host its next Access for All event, which offers free admission from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event will celebrate both Juneteenth and “Low Vision Day,” a collaboration with eSight, who offer a wearable assistive device for the visually impaired that helps museum-goers see art. The eSight partnership was inspired by artist Kelly Joy Ladd, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2020, disrupting the connection between...
Orlando Weekly •

Comedian Leanne Morgan headlines Addition Financial Arena in Orlando this week

The Knoxville native is best known for her Netflix special I’m Every Woman and starring alongside Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell in the recent film You’re Cordially Invited. Morgan’s personal comedic style — sharing stories of everyday life, womanhood and post-motherhood freedom — partnered with her folksy accent, make for a charming and relatable performance that resonates with her audience. Joking about her thyroid, comparing perimenopause to a ghost in the night, and looking into the crow...
Orlando Weekly •

Comedian Nikki Glaser comes to Orlando's Hard Rock Live this week

Glaser, born in Cincinnati and raised in the suburbs of St. Louis, began doing stand-up when she was 18, taking initial inspiration from Sarah Silverman. Over two decades later, the Grammy-nominated comic is best known for her 2016 Comedy Central series Not Safe With Nikki Glaser and her appearances on the Comedy Central Roast series, as well as her Netflix and HBO comedy specials. In January, Glaser was the first woman to host the Golden Globes solo, dubbing actor Glen Powell the man in her hea...