Saturday, December 31, 2011

PI Update: The Year In Review

As 2011 comes to a close, the Save Pleasure Island Blog thanks you for tuning in for the latest news and rumors  We also thank those insiders who have provided secret information. There is no advertising on the Blog;  this is all done for the love of the Island. And you read it because of that same love. Let's hope we finally see some action during 2012! We have so many newer readers so here's a look back at some of this year's top Island stories as covered by the Blog:

JANUARY - MOTION DEMOLISHED The demolition began the prior month but finished-out in January. See the debris!
FEBRUARY - ROCK'N'ROLL BEACH CLUB DEMOLISHED The demolition crew then moved over to next-door RRBC and took it down too!
MARCH - SAVE PI SKYCAM WAS INTRODUCED The Blog went into the sky to give you unprecedented views down onto beautiful Pleasure Island!
MARCH - WHAT'S COMING TO PLEASURE ISLAND (Part 1) The Blog discovered the actual plans filed with the Water Management District showing which clubs were coming down and what was planned at least initally for the Island!
MARCH - WHAT'S COMING TO PLEASURE ISLAND (Part 2) Continued coverage. These two articles set new records for viewers to the Blog!
APRIL - IHOP TO REPLACE MANNEQUINS Our annual April Fools article!
APRIL - HYPERION WHARF POSTPONED OR CANCELED! The Blog is the first to report that plans for Hyperion Wharf are being rethought and further demolitions were not going to occur!
MAY - COLONEL PUT UP FOR SALE AT PROPERTY CONTROL The Colonel from Adventurers Club was put for sale at Disney Property Control! And then removed before being sold!
MAY - PI RUMOR UPDATE The latest update on Club rumors!
JULY - ORLANDO SENTINEL INTERVIEWS BLOG Jason Garcia from the Orlando Sentinel interviewed KingBob for an article about Pleasure Island!
AUGUST - NEW PI CONSTRUCTION PERMITS FILED Permits filed for all the clubs. Little did we know that the construction entailed only removing existing club name signs!
AUGUST - MANNEQUINS SIGN REMOVED Coverage of the Mannequins sign removal.
SEPTEMBER - ALL REMAINING CLUB SIGNS REMOVED Coverage of all the other signs.
SEPTEMBER - CLOSING ANNIVERSARY - 3 YRS OF NOTHING An article commerating the 3-year anniversary of the closing of Pleasure Island!

Friday, December 30, 2011

Club Report: Blue Martini

First visit to Blue Martini in many years and definitely the first visit since PI closed. Located beside Macy's at The Mall at Millenia, the club is as upscale as the mall.
Out on the front patio as you come in, DJ Jr. was putting out Top 40, Dance and Reggaeton!

Blue Martini competes directly with Latin Quarter on Thursday nights but there are at least three times as many patrons in here compared to LQ. But no free drinks here for the Ladies.
A large crowd was dancing in the outdoor but covered area.
And there was no shortage of nice scenery.
But it was pure mayhem as you went inside!
A band was playing Latin hits from behind the bar until 11pm after which a different DJ took over.
Thursday night is Latin Night at BM and it was packed to the rafters! It was next to impossible to move through the place and people were not only dancing on the actual dance floor to the side of the stage but pretty much anywhere.....including pathways, doorways, entrances, bathrooms....

Blue Martini employs its own fleet of go-go girls who dance up on raised platforms!

By midnight the line stretched well-down into the parking lot, all eager to pay their $10 cover charge to get in. Blue Martini rakes it in on Thursday nights!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

PI Update: Comedy Warehouse Shows Drawing Capacity Crowds!

Original Comedy Warehouse cast members Lisa, Mark, Mary & John were photographed together by the Blog during a PI Reunion gathering on the Island in September, 2009 on the one-year anniversary of the closing. Original CW CM's are together once again this week only at Disney Hollywood Studios and we're told every show so far has been standing-room only! A video has finally been posted:

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

PI Update: More Memories (1995)

A YouTube video we've not posted before shows Pleasure Island during the mid-90's. The place was pretty amazing during its peak!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Spotted: Duck Sauce & Red Hot Chili Peppers


Lots of celebrities apparently in town for the holidays. Spotted Duck Sauce and Red Hot Chili Peppers at Publix tonight! Also spotted Black Eyed Peas down another aisle but did not get a picture.

Monday, December 26, 2011

New Years Eve Options

Here are just some of the dozens of NYE options out there for this Saturday night. Click on flyers to enlarge but visit club websites for full details.

DOWNTOWN






VINTAGE & VIXEN: Vixen is free all night but $10 admission at Vintage will get you illDJ Chris B, Justin Faze & Adam Flurk.
WALL STREET PLAZA: It's the annual block party where $25 gets you 9 venues including Slingapours Dance Club, One Eyed Jack's & Waitiki while an outdoor stage features resident DJ Digital.
BLISS ULTRA LOUNGE: Click on flyer for progressive pricing options. DJ Jay Mac from XL106.7 will be playing Top 40/Dance.
CHURCH STREET ENTERTAINMENT: Click on flyer for progressive pricing options at CSE clubs Antigua, Lattitudes, Chillers & Big Belly Brewery. Home of the Orange Drop at midnight, DJ Jimmy Joslin will be spinning from the rooftop!
INDEPENDENT BAR: It's prom night at I-Bar with $10 admission. But dress in your prom outfit and get in for half price. 80's New Wave from DJ Indie John or Dem Rok!
BACKBOOTH: It's the Doomsday End of the World Party; Free before 11pm then $5.
SKYSIXTY: Another rooftop party will be at Skysixty on Orange Avenue with $15 admission getting you DJ's Chad Andrew, Leo Montoya and others. Celebration at midnight.
BIKKURI LOUNGE: Finish your year in a Trance as Orlando's "Lost In Trancelation" holds a special NYE finale. Upstairs inside Bikkuri Sushi on Colonial Drive. Free.

AROUND TOWN





ENZIAN THEATER: The Enzian in Maitland is hosting a James Bond party with a showing of Dr. No at 7pm followed by a live DJ at 10pm. Come dressed to kill. $25 at door, $20 advance.
WHY NOT LOUNGE: The Why Not in Altamonte Springs is packaging drinks, dancing, food and hotel rooms with music from DJ Chino. Now when someone tells you to "get a room", you easily can!
ROXY NIGHT CLUB: Click on flyer for progressive pricing options. Packages include a balloon drop at midnight, party favors and a free etched champagne flute to take home with you.
PARLIAMENT HOUSE: The draw at P-House is a live performance by the always hip 80's singer Tiffany who still looks pretty damn hot.
ICE BAR: Limited to just 250 guests, Ice Bar on I-Drive charges $59.95 for admission to Fire Lounge, drinks, midnight dessert buffet and entry to the famous Ice Bar including coats and gloves! Book online before it sells out as VIP is already gone.
CUBA LIBRE: This venue in Pointe Orlando charges $20 for DJ Jordan Acosta in the main room playing Tropical Latin, Latin House and Top 40. Live band too.
RETRO ROOM: Pretty much a regular Saturday night at RR with a DJ spinning 70's Disco & 80's Classics and no cover charge on NYE! There will be a champagne toast at midnight and some snacks. On US 192 west of Kissimmee, just east of US 27.
WORLD OF BEER/DR PHILLIPS: Live music by Bryan Malpass & Dr. List; champagne toast at midnight; 25% off Drafts for Loyalty members and 50% off for SIN members. Thanks Nicole!
UNIVERSAL CITYWALK: Special ticket required for this fenced-in NYE festival that otherwise blocks access to most of the clubs. The price is $139.95 + tax for a gourmet food buffet including filet mignon and jumbo shrimp, midnight champagne, club access plus live concert artists Smash Mouth and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The clubs will feature resident bands and DJ's.

DISNEY WORLD


WATERSIDE STAGE: For a family-oriented good time come out to the Marketplace for DJ Lon spinning Top 40 and Classics for everyone to dance to. Free.
ATLANTIC DANCE HALL: After seeing price increases each year for the past few years, Disney drops it back to $35 including tax this year for Top 40, Dance, Hip Hop and Classics being spun by DJ Tony Z. Party 8pm-2am. This is as crowded as you'll ever see ADH and for most guests on-property looking for a party, this will be it!  PREPAID RESERVATIONS NOW ON SALE AT DISNEY DINING, (407) 939-3463.
PLEASURE ISLAND: PI dance clubs will be dark this year for NYE but you can catch various musical groups performing at the Lily Pad and in the West End Plaza. Otherwise, move along please as nothing is happening here. No fireworks.
EPCOT CENTER: If you're into dance music this is the place to be on NYE as a number of DJ's will be pumping out the hits from 7:15am until 1am, interrupted only by Illuminations and the NYE countdown. Normal entry prices apply.
FOUNTAIN STAGE: DJ Scooter - Top 40, Hip Hop & Classics
CHINA PATIO: DJ Dominick Morrison - Top 40 Dance
ITALY PATIO: DJ Mark Sanchez - House & Techno
USA AMERICA GARDENS: DJ Indio Davila/Other - Latin & Top 40

TAMPA

AMPHITHEATRE: This venue gets a NYE mention because Orlando's DJ Baby Anne will be spinning there plus they have that revolving dance floor that reminds me of someplace else! With DJ Trashy. Just $15 for men, free for women.

ADDITIONAL CLUB OPTIONS WILL ADDED ABOVE AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. ACCURACY IS NOT GUARANTEED SO PLEASE CHECK CLUB WEBSITES FOR THE MOST ACCURATE INFORMATION AVAILABLE INCLUDING TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

DJ Icey Coming To Orlando

Well he lives here actually, so the title may be a bit misleading.  What I meant to say is that he'll be performing here!  The date is Friday, January 13th, at downtown club Vain. Ticket info pending.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Gifts


Blog reader Ian shares this video he took in 2007 of the reading of "Twas The Night Before Christmas" as can only be done by the crew from the Adventurers Club.  Thanks, Ian!  AC always offered up special Christmas shows.


Blog reader DJ Madmanray shares this video of a house in Idaho where the lights flash in unison to Skrillex!  Thanks, Ray!


Finally, Blog reader Kristin shares this video of the Very Merry Christmas Party fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. Thanks, Kristin!
Hope everyone is having a nice holiday. Tune in tomorrow for our annual listing of options for New Year's Eve!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone has a nice holiday. Thanks for tuning-in to the Save Pleasure Island Blog.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Club Report: The Beacham (Houp-la!)

Take over 20 local DJ's and give them just 15-minutes each to wow an audience and you have the makeup of last night's Houp-la at The Beacham. I didn't get there until about 10:30pm so I missed some of the early action. (CLICK ON ANY ONE PHOTO TO ENLARGE ALL)

But even when I got there the crowd was pretty spartan for DJ Nick Fury (EDC-Orlando, Party95.com) who was playing a lot of Dubstep.


First time seeing DJ Habbit perform and apparently he has quite a following as the dance floor got about half-full. His fans were quite vocal and animated for more Dubstep!


This DJ whose name I missed was also into Dubstep as the crowd continued to slowly build. A lot of the early DJ's all seemed to be trying to out Dubstep each other; that was my impression.


The floor was pretty full for DJ Big Makk playing a more progressive music mix.


This DJ goes by the name of "B" but nothing else please, not even "DJ B". But that's fine because his set of more popular House songs really got the room moving!


Fun on stage with Kaylee from DatAzzGear.com performing with a lighted hula hoop, quite perfectly I might add! And DJ Davie Z incognito!


And Davie Z without mask. Around 1am the crowd in the room began to wane and I thought that was about it for the night. But not so.


Spotted: Lighting Tech Alisa. (Mannequins, Atlantic Dance Hall, Disney Quest NYE 2011, EPCOT China NYE 2010)
Spotted: DJ team Paradox Brothers (The Social, Bikkuri Lounge)




With me having to be at work at 7am this morning, I finally had to call it quits before the bigger local names took their turns. But close to 1:30am you can see that the late night crowd had moved in and it was more crowded than ever. Fun time and hope to see them do this again in the future as it was a great sampling of a lot of DJ styles, all compressed into short segments. Big thanks to JeffHTG for photo courtesies!