On Saturday 2/9, Universal Orlando kicked off their annual Mardi Gras celebration with an inaugural parade and concert by the rock group Lifehouse. Media were invited to check out the parade floats backstage with show director Lora Wallace, who showed of the 4 brand new floats (including my new favorite, a fire-belching Day of...
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This year on Jan. 21, the country will acknowledge King’s legacy in an extraordinary way, as we watch the second-term inauguration of President Barack Obama.
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The Orlando Citrus Parade, that annual tradition we’ve all come to know and love, is happening this weekend, and we couldn’t be more thrilled if we were manning one of those damn floats ourselves: fruit, football and food vendors – what’s not to love?
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We're less than a week into December, but Christmas is already in full effect at our area theme parks. I had a chance last week to check out this year's seasonal offerings at Universal Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa. Universal's mainstay Macy's Holiday Parade has returned to the Studios for a 12th annual outing,...
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It’s the neighborhood’s annual event that brings street vendors, musicians and food trucks to the portion of North Orange Avenue sometimes called Antiques Row.
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On the evening of May 8th, invited press and VIP guests braved stormy weather to walk the red carpet down Universal Studios Florida’s Hollywood Boulevard to witness the official premiere of the park’s newest entertainment offerings. As I shared in a recent edition of Live Active Cultures, Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular has been in previews...
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The 17th annual Mardi Gras celebration kicks off this weekend at Universal Studios Florida with a Saturday night concert from the B-52s. The event continues on Saturdays and select weekend nights through April 15th. This morning the media was invited to inspect the parade’s 4 brand-new floats with Universal SVP Jim Timon, and sample...
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This morning, Universal Orlando held a webcast for selected media, setting the fanboy twitterverse on fire with discussion of the resort’s plans for 2012, dubbed their “Year To Be Here.” While none of the upcoming additions announced today by Universal’s Senior V.P. Jim Timon and Universal Creative President Mark Woodbury will come as a...
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Let January 9th, 2012, forever be known in the annals of Orlando history as “The Day of the Passing Pachyderms.” (Or not.) Our story starts at Walt Disney World, where what was arguably the most iconic original attraction at the Magic Kingdom has closed forever in its current form. On Sunday night, Fantasyland’s Dumbo...
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Saturday, Dec. 31 – Fresh From Florida Parade Though not quite as aesthetically manipulative as the fragrant bouquets of the Tournament of Roses Parade, the hot-glued oranges crammed together for Orlando’s also-ran college football championship celebrations, the Champs Sports Bowl and the Capital One Bowl, can, with some effort, be eaten. So we win,...
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Lizz Winstead bites back Arts & Culture: The political pundit and creator of The Daily Show discusses the feminist elite, slut-shaming, and the difference between essay and memoir By Billy Manes 5/8/2013
Orlando City Soccer's goal rush News: The Brit, the Brazilian and their (not so?) crazy scheme to make Orlando soccer capital of the Southeast By Jeffrey Billman 5/8/2013
Food & Drink - Reader' Picks BOO 2012: Best Caribbean 1st Bahama Breeze, multiple locations, bahamabreeze.com 2nd Mama Millie's, 12273 University Blvd., 407-382-3570, mamamillies.com 7/18/2012
Fringe Fest 2013 shows Arts & Culture: Some choices for geeks, gamers, those who prefer to fly solo, kids, oldsters and more By Seth Kubersky 5/15/2013
Attorney John Morgan backs marijuana legalization News: Local celeb-attorney is new chair of statewide marijuana advocacy organization United for Care By Billy Manes 4/24/2013
Not to be upstaged Arts & Culture: The Free Outdoor Stage on the lawn at Fringe is not what you might expect By Ashley Belanger 5/15/2013