PI Update: Another Saturday Night

Another Saturday night at Mannequins, this one in 2007.

My bartender was Bobby C. Who did you use?

Pure bliss on the revolving dance floor! There wasn't, and still isn't, anything like it.

CW Update: Oh Yes It's 80's Night!

In October, 2010, every Thursday night at The Groove became 80's Night. Most weeks there was DJ music but occasionally they would have live 80's bands playing the songs. The first show featured live band Switch (USA). Sadly, most of the 80's music that would get played at their 80's Night was mostly "hair bands" (rock bands) rather than the 80's New Wave we prefer. But some of that did get played too.

 

Trip Report: Great Stirrup Cay VS Little Stirrup Cay

Nowadays each major cruise line leases and operates a "private island" in the Bahamas. They are pretty widely scattered apart except for these two side-by-side islands located within the Berry Island chain. Both islands are visible from the other. Pictured is Great Stirrup Cay operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines with cruise ship Norwegian Luna at their new dock. The dock just opened a month ago and it was a necessity to eliminate the need for tender boats to bring guests to the island.

There's a large welcome pavilion a few minutes walk from the ship and this is home to bathrooms, selfie spots and tram rides to more distant ports. 

 

Great Stirrup Cay, as the name would indicate, is the larger of the two islands we're comparing today.

There are beaches.

There are pools with DJ's.

Also new to GSC, there is a water park (extra charge).

Visible from GSC is Royal Caribbean's private island, Little Stirrup Cay. In this photo taken yesterday, cruise ships Jewel of the Seas (forward) and Wonder of the Seas (rear) were visible.

But you'll never hear it referred to as Little Stirrup Cay because Royal Caribbean markets it as either Coco Cay or Perfect Day at Coco Cay.

Much smaller than Great Stirrup Cay, Royal Caribbean uses a larger percentage of the island.

There are beaches.

There are pools with DJ's.

There is a large water park (extra charge). We can't really say one island is superior to the other. Both water parks are expensive compared to going to a water park in Orlando but if you're from up north and have a limited amount of vacation, it may still be a bargain. Both offer cabanas and bungalows for rent too. Both offer zip lines (extra) and Coco Cay also has a tethered balloon ride (extra). Both are worthwhile days depending on which cruise line you're sailing on. Bon voyage!

Club Reports: Sail-Away Party, Revolution: A Celebration Of Prince, Glow Party (Norwegian Aqua)

One of the highlights of this weekend's cruise on Norwegian Aqua was an entire show dedicated to the Artist Formerly Known as Prince (USA). Pics have been posted to sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

Friday Funny

Hmmm.

 

PI Update: The Final Halloween At Mannequins

Since Pleasure Island closed in September, 2008, the final Halloween on the Island was actually in 2007.

And because October 31st that year was on a Wednesday, the final big weekend party was likely on Saturday, October 27th. And the revolving dance floor was rocking!

Some of the costumes that night.

 

From what we recall of that night, a good time was had by all.

This Weekend In Techno Town

It's a Party Weekend!

FRI     16OCT     CELINE     DJ VNSSA (USA)

FRI     16OCT     BROKEN STRINGS     DJ Burufunk & DJ Keri (USA)

FRI     16OCT     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Juan Sanchez (USA) 

SAT    17OCT     TREASURE ROOM @ CELINE     DJ Silkia (USA)

SAT    17OCT     PALM TREE CLUB     DJ Sickick (CDN)

SAT    17OCT     AXE TRAP     Memento Mori: DJ Lavidicus (USA) 

SAT    17OCT     BROKEN STRINGS     DJ duo G$ Montoya & Nuroziz (USA)

SAT    17OCT     KNIGHT LIBRARY     DJ duo Loud Luxury (CDN) 

SAT    17OCT     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Big Eff (USA) 

SAT    17OCT     QREATE COFFEE     House & Coffee w/ DJ Chino 9am-2pm 

 

PI Update: Island Disbelief

 Eighteen years ago this month (October, 2008), people would congregate at the Pleasure Island sign outside Mannequins and stare in disbelief that all the clubs were closed.

Trip Report: Brands Spotted In Mexico

When the U.S. chain RadioShack filed for bankruptcy in 2015, Mexican company Grupo Gigante purchased the Mexican rights to the name including all stores, warehouses and other trademarks. They operate more than 200 RadioShack stores across Mexico.

There were zero Bershka stores in the United States until last month when they opened their first store at Aventura Mall in Aventura. And we're happy to report that a second U.S. store is coming and will be here in Orlando at Florida Mall early next year. They operate stores throughout Mexico.

Although once related to the American SEARS brand, the Mexican version is no longer related and is completely independent. They thrive in the Mexican marketplace and operate 93 stores across Mexico and are considered upscale. They're a far cry from the few remaining American stores.

 

Club Reports: Sapphire Lounge, OHM Nightclub, Taco Kat, Lost In Trancelation @ Iron Cow

It was "Lost In Trancelation" Night in Orlando last night featuring guest DJ Sean Tyas (USA/CH) and resident DJ Suzy Solar (USA). Saturday night pics are posted to sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Club Reports: Alfie’s HiFi, Will’s Pub, Grumpys Underground, Grape & The Grain

Just when we think we’ve met every DJ in Orlando, we meet a new one: DJ Silkia (USA). Friday night photos from 4 clubs in the Mills/50 District are posted to sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

Friday Funny

OMF Delayed?

Last March we enjoyed Okeechobee Music Festival down near Okeechobee, Florida. The festival took place following Insomniac selling it to a new owner with no festivals taking place in 2024 or 2025. Well, new ownership just sent out the flyer below indicating they hope to hold another OMF but they don't yet know when. Thus, the economics of holding large music festivals. 

 

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

Welcome to October! Just not much going on:

THU   08OCT     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Frankmatik (USA) 

FRI     09OCT     GRUMPYS     Bass Badies: DJ Freeda Sol (USA)

FRI     09OCT     SIGNAL     DJ Magic Mike (USA)

FRI     09OCT    VANGUARD     DJ duo Gorgon City (GB) 

FRI     09OCT     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ duo Latenight Society (USA) 

SAT    10OCT     IRON COW     Lost In Trancelation: DJ Sean Tyas (USA/CH)

SAT    10OCT     ELIXIR BAR     DJ 19:26 (I)

SAT    10OCT     SAPPHIRE LOUNGE     DJ Nina S (USA) & DJ Mr. Nukem (UAE) 

SUN   11OCT     ELIXIR BAR     DJ L.P. Rhythm (GB) 

 

 

 

DS Update: Ghirardelli Booming

Fans of Ghirardelli have not had any problems locating their new temporary location beside the No. 2 Bridge to Pleasure Island in Disney Springs Town Center. It's been crowded during recent visits. This is in the former Sprinkles spot. No ice cream ATM though. Their permanent location in Disney Springs Marketplace is under heavy renovation until sometime early next year.

 

DS Update: Wolfgang Puck Has Closed

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill in Disney Springs West Side has closed. This apparently occurred in mid-September. A replacement restaurant has not yet been announced. It was kind of in a poor location, positioned between the Exchange building and the massive Coca-Cola store. 

You may recall they used to have this large building along the main pathway on the West Side between Bongo's Cuban Cafe and House of Blues. It was mostly demolished and replaced by Spanish-restaurant Jaleo. 

 

Club Reports: Good Times, Morse Code, Barbarella @ The Axe Trap

We've returned back to Orlando after that quick trip to Cancun and began our club rounds. At our second stop, we found DJ Vint Soul (USA), DJ Mighty Shari (USA), DJ Scot Marc (USA) and DJ Johnnie Sebastian (USA) playing, having played or will play at Morse Code in downtown Winter Park. All the Saturday night pics are posted to sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Club Reports: Señor Frog’s, La Vaquita, Congo Bar, Mandala Nightclub (Cancun)

We did this thing called a bar/club crawl in Cancun and at our first stop, Real DJ Pepe Cancun (MEX) was playing a lot of EDM. We did not expect that in Cancun. Pics from the crawl are now posted to sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Friday Funny

 

Club Report: RIU White Party (Cancun)

DJ Oscar Hernandez (MEX) led last night's White Party at the RIU Caribe Resort in Cancun. We've got the photos on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.