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features
Orlando, hail your new Christmas music overlords: ’90s rock supergroup Ezra Ray Hart
The likes of Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé have been defrosted for their seasonal reign over radio stations. Yes, it must be the Yuletide season, but now some new players are ready to bring 1990s-style Christmas cheer. Kevin Griffin, Better Than Ezra’s lead vocalist and one-third of festive supergroup Ezra Ray Hart, reveals his recipe for the perfectly baked Christmas hit to Orlando Weekly.
Orlando drag royalty feature in new ghost-hunting show 'SHOOK! Queens of the Dead'
A new queer, locally grown television project is crossing drop-dead gorgeous drag performers with, well … the dead. SHOOK! Queens of the Dead plunges six Orlando and Central Florida drag queens wig-first into haunted locations around the world. SHOOK! co-creator Brian Reddy, an Orlando native now based in Atlanta, tells Orlando Weekly that the show initially started out as a joke. “A friend of mine, Tobi, also known as Sue Cyde in Orlando, came up and was just visiting me for a weeke...
Orlando visual artist Gisela Romero showcases community faces in new exhibition
In the five years since immigrating to the United States from Venezuela with her husband, Orlando-based visual artist Gisela Romero’s works have centered around her newfound community.
Her latest exhibition, WE, will be featured at the Orange County Administration Center as part of the Art in the Chambers exhibition program. The opening reception happens Monday night, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m.; the work is on display from Friday, Sept. 25, through Jan. 27, 2026. The Terrace Gallery is open Monday-...
Her latest exhibition, WE, will be featured at the Orange County Administration Center as part of the Art in the Chambers exhibition program. The opening reception happens Monday night, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m.; the work is on display from Friday, Sept. 25, through Jan. 27, 2026. The Terrace Gallery is open Monday-...
Alice in Chains guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell is coming to Orlando and he wants blood
Jerry Cantrell is a creature of the night. "My fucking brain is a pain sometimes to shut off. I'm kind of a vampire by nature; I normally exist pretty late. I don't really go to sleep until about 4 or 5 in the morning. I've been living road hours my whole life, so I wake up about the crack of noon. I've always felt like those are some of my more creative hours because the brain is still turning at those late hours and if your head is keeping you up at night, maybe it's a good idea to ex...
Hundreds of postal workers rally against privatization outside Orlando City Hall
A couple hundred postal workers and allies rallied outside of Orlando City Hall Monday to protest ongoing concerns about the privatization of the U.S. Postal Service under the corporate-friendly Trump administration. One of four USPS unions, the National Rural Letter Carriers Association, is hosting its annual convention in Orlando this week, and organized the rally. Union members wore red shirts emblazoned “Protect Our Letter Carriers” and held signs that read “Enough Is Enough” and “Stop Priva...
Little Radical Theatrics stages ‘Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy’ in Orlando
Holy smokes, these nuns have moves.
The feel-good musical Sister Act, based on the 1992 film of the same name, hits the stage at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts this weekend featuring the talents of local theater company Little Radicals Theatrics.
Sister Act tells the story of disco diva Deloris Van Cartier, who is placed in protective custody in a convent after witnessing a murder on Christmas Eve. This production of the hit musical features original music by Oscar- and Tony...
The feel-good musical Sister Act, based on the 1992 film of the same name, hits the stage at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts this weekend featuring the talents of local theater company Little Radicals Theatrics.
Sister Act tells the story of disco diva Deloris Van Cartier, who is placed in protective custody in a convent after witnessing a murder on Christmas Eve. This production of the hit musical features original music by Oscar- and Tony...
‘Friday the 13th’ actor and rocker Ari Lehman — aka First Jason — talks new music, genre fluidity and water safety
It's been 45 years since the world met "the boy in the lake," when the 1980 horror classic Friday the 13th released in theaters. But Jason Voorhees is now all grown up and touring with his metal band, First Jason.
The band's frontman and leading man is Ari Lehman, the songwriter, keytarist and actor best known for playing the first Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th. Think of a heavy metal version of Weird Al Yankovic and you've got Lehman.
Lehman — "pronounced like demon," he...
The band's frontman and leading man is Ari Lehman, the songwriter, keytarist and actor best known for playing the first Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th. Think of a heavy metal version of Weird Al Yankovic and you've got Lehman.
Lehman — "pronounced like demon," he...
Your 2025 guide to the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival
Summer for arts lovers in the City Beautiful commences in earnest with the return of the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival to Loch Haven Park this week. The Fringe Festival is an Orlando-favorite annual performing-arts fest, with 34 years of presenting unapologetic arts and performances under its metaphorical belt. This year’s festival is all about embracing the arts and their ability to challenge and inspire, evidenced in its 2025 theme: “Let Your Fringe Flag Fly!”
The Florida premiere of Scott Joplin’s 'Treemonisha' tells an uplifting story of community
Legendary American jazz and ragtime composer Scott Joplin’s lost opera Treemonisha is premiering in Florida at the Dr. Phillips Center on Friday, May 16, presented by Opera Orlando.
Treemonisha tells the tale of the adopted daughter of former slaves Monisha (NaGuanda Nobles) and Ned (Lloyd Reshard, Jr.). The baby, found by the two under a tree, was named Treemonisha.
Treemonisha tells the tale of the adopted daughter of former slaves Monisha (NaGuanda Nobles) and Ned (Lloyd Reshard, Jr.). The baby, found by the two under a tree, was named Treemonisha.
Florida band Flipturn play a two-night stand at the House of Blues this week and they've got new songs to share
Hailing from Fernandina Beach, a small island up the coast north of Jacksonville, Flipturn have grown out of playing local shows and are currently venturing out on a lengthy tour across North America and Europe. See, this “indie sweat rock” band is no longer Florida’s little secret. Flipturn have made waves nationally, the former high-school garage band now playing for large crowds at music festivals all over. And now Flipturn comes to Orlando to play two nights at the House of Blues on Friday a...
Orlando rockers Magnolia Park play a vampy homecoming show at the Beacham
Rise, Orlando vampires, and enter Nocturne Nexus, a shadowed realm where an ancient darkness stirs.
This fictional urban cityscape sets the scene for Magnolia Park's new album, VAMP.
Orlando-native punk band Magnolia Park play a homecoming show at the Beacham Friday, with support from Hot Milk, South Arcade and Savage Hands. They're out on tour commemorating the album's release.
VAMP is an adventurous new chapter in Magnolia Park's discography, showing off bold songw...
This fictional urban cityscape sets the scene for Magnolia Park's new album, VAMP.
Orlando-native punk band Magnolia Park play a homecoming show at the Beacham Friday, with support from Hot Milk, South Arcade and Savage Hands. They're out on tour commemorating the album's release.
VAMP is an adventurous new chapter in Magnolia Park's discography, showing off bold songw...
Hundreds rally in Orlando for 'Hands Off' protest against the Trump administration
Hundreds of people, both young and old, rallied in front of Orlando City Hall on Saturday afternoon in protest of the Trump administration and actions undertaken by President Donald Trump’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency. The administration, still in its infancy, has faced public outcry over its purported mission to downsize the federal government and eliminate “wasteful spending,” culminating in mass layoffs of federal employees and efforts to significantly downsize or otherwise...
Senses' first headline tour brings them to Orlando
“Emo-friendly and punk-curious” — their words — rock band Senses are currently on the road in their first headline tour, dubbed “I’m Still Breathing,” and it’s bringing them to Orlando’s Conduit this
week.
With support from MVSSIE and Negative 25, Senses take over Conduit Sunday. The tour commemorates the release of the band’s eponymous second EP, which dropped last month.
The Los Angeles-based band initially formed in 2019 when lead singer and guitarist Madison Taylor posted an ad on...
week.
With support from MVSSIE and Negative 25, Senses take over Conduit Sunday. The tour commemorates the release of the band’s eponymous second EP, which dropped last month.
The Los Angeles-based band initially formed in 2019 when lead singer and guitarist Madison Taylor posted an ad on...
Local pageant queen Olivia Lauren speaks on ways to support the trans community
Monday, March 31, is International Transgender Day of Visibility, an annual observance that uplifts transgender individuals and raises awareness that, despite political noise, these folks are our friends, neighbors, family and loved ones.
As Floridians grapple with legislation impacting LGBTQ+ rights, Trans Day of Visibility is an essential opportunity to spotlight transgender voices and show up and support Orlando's trans community. Recent executive orders targeting transgender and LGBTQ+...
As Floridians grapple with legislation impacting LGBTQ+ rights, Trans Day of Visibility is an essential opportunity to spotlight transgender voices and show up and support Orlando's trans community. Recent executive orders targeting transgender and LGBTQ+...
Local vocalists Helena Collective revive ‘6/VIII,’ their tale of Henry Tudor's ill-fated wives
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.
The women of the Helena Collective, an all-female vocal ensemble, are reviving their award-winning production of 6/VIII: The Six Wives of Henry VIII to tell the ghostly tales of these ill-fated queens of England.
Helena Collective is composed of area vocalists from various opera and theater backgrounds. Members include Sarah Purser, Lizzy Ariza, Anna Eschbach, Samantha Barnes Daniel, Lynn Peghiny and Katie Pinder Brown....
The women of the Helena Collective, an all-female vocal ensemble, are reviving their award-winning production of 6/VIII: The Six Wives of Henry VIII to tell the ghostly tales of these ill-fated queens of England.
Helena Collective is composed of area vocalists from various opera and theater backgrounds. Members include Sarah Purser, Lizzy Ariza, Anna Eschbach, Samantha Barnes Daniel, Lynn Peghiny and Katie Pinder Brown....
Eclectic Milk District bar The Nook on Robinson toasts to seven years this weekend
Co-owned by local creatives Mary McGinn and Matt Duke, the Nook is a neighborhood bar that specializes in Florida local beverages with a focus on craft beer. Commemorating the birthday celebration, the Nook will be releasing new merchandise, including tote bags, pins and stickers designed by Duke. “We just have fun with it. We have done different designs for the past few years that I think represent the Nook and the community and we just kind of do some goofy stuff,” says Duke. “The theme for th...
Immerse brings everything from the Blue Man Group to the Merita Bread sign back to downtown Orlando
This weekend sees the long-awaited return of a three-day arts takeover of downtown Orlando — Creative City Project's signature Immerse performing arts festival. Following a three-year hiatus, Immerse is celebrating a 10th iteration as hundreds of performers and art installations turn 10 blocks of downtown Orlando into live stages and canvases.
Heading up this year's installment of Immerse are some very big names in the form of Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soleil and Broadway star and Orlando native Michael James Scott.
Leading Creative City Project's artistic direction, the organization's founder Cole NeSmith holds deep connections with Orlando-based creatives and a long history of giving those performers stages, both ad hoc and formal.
Heading up this year's installment of Immerse are some very big names in the form of Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soleil and Broadway star and Orlando native Michael James Scott.
Leading Creative City Project's artistic direction, the organization's founder Cole NeSmith holds deep connections with Orlando-based creatives and a long history of giving those performers stages, both ad hoc and formal.
Ulysses Owens Jr. is back in Orlando with the 904 Jazz Organ Trio
Feted jazz drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. is returning to Orlando this week as a featured performer in Timucua Amplifies Black Voices programming. It's the Timucua Arts Foundation's performance series celebrating innovative regional Black artists.
For this return engagement at the Timucua house venue, Owens is joined by jazz guitar legend Barry Greene and award-winning Hammond B3 organist Pat Bianchi to play as the 904 Jazz Organ Trio.
For this return engagement at the Timucua house venue, Owens is joined by jazz guitar legend Barry Greene and award-winning Hammond B3 organist Pat Bianchi to play as the 904 Jazz Organ Trio.