Blog Archives: April 2, 2011

Going back into the Blog archives to Saturday, April 2, 2011 or about 15 years ago. We were at Firestone Live to see an event headlined by DJ Baby Anne (USA).

The club was absolutely packed!

And a good time was had by all.

Club Reports: Remembering Matrix & Metropolis

As we were leaving Live! At The Pointe at Pointe Orlando this past Friday night, we encountered this familiar view as we headed towards the garage. On the left, that vacant spot says the Museum of Ice Cream is coming and on the right, the Funny Bone comedy club operates in there. 

The view was familiar because during the early 2000's, nightclubs Metropolis and Matrix operated in those two spots. 

Metropolis on the left was the larger venue with plush decor set in red velvet. There was a dance floor to one side with a DJ booth behind glass overlooking it. There was a 13ft video wall at one end of the dance floor. The music was mostly Hip Hop during a period when Hip Hop was soaring and House/Dance were fading. Pool tables were available too in what may have been Orlando's first "ultra lounge". 

Matrix was directly opposite and paid admission to one club typically got you into the other club and you could go back and forth. Matrix was the high-tech, high-energy electronic club with sophisticated light and sound systems. An oddly shaped dance floor, poorly located pillars and a DJ booth that was behind glass and removed from patrons limited its popularity as did the fading music genre. To me they played great Dance music like you'd hear on radio station 95.3Party. Disney couple Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake were known to socialize here. 

Both clubs were shuttered by 2005. 

Club Reports: House & Coffee @ Qreate, The Other Bar, The Vanguard

Legendary DJ's such as DJ Superfly Jeff (USA), DJ X (USA) and DJ Jimmy Joslin (USA) were just three of the DJ's we saw playing yesterday. You can see the entire photo article on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Club Reports: PBR Cowboy Bar, Shark Bar, Still Lounge, Taverna Opa, Sports & Social, Palm Tree Club

A great mostly Tech House set last night from DJ J.Worra (USA) last night was the highlight of our visit to Live! At The Pointe. Check out all the clubs located there over on our sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

Friday Funny

 

DS Update: Move That Monstrosity Already!

The interactive competition facility Level99 construction continues in Disney Springs West Side with no opening date yet announced. But what occurred to us when we were out there last week is that piece of "High Line" trestle needs to go. It completely blocks view of the facility from passersby. We predict the place is going to struggle to be successful as it is but to have that monstrosity out front blocking the entrance is going to make matters worse. No one knows or cares about the Disney Springs backstory as it's just another shopping mall. So remove the high line already and give Level99 a chance.  

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

Busy weekend ahead!

THU   09APR     OLIV BAR     DJ Braindusted (USA) 

FRI     10APR     VANGUARD     DJ Noizu (USA)

FRI     10APR     PALM TREE CLUB     DJ J. Worra (USA)

FRI     10APR     BROKEN STRINGS     DJ Kraftykuts (GB)

FRI     10APR     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Brian Burnside (USA) 

FRI     10APR     CELINE     DJ Super Future (USA) 

SAT    11APR     QREATE COFFEE     House & Coffee     8am-2pm

SAT    11APR     VANGUARD     DJ duo Galantis (S)

SAT    11APR     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Romano Arcaini (D/USA) 

SAT    11APR     BROKEN STRINGS     DJ SneakyPete (USA)

SAT    11APR     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Oscar G (USA)

SAT    11APR     THE OTHER BAR     DJ Jimmy Joslin (USA)

SUN   12APR     IRON COW     Tun Tun: DJ Antonia Rivano (RC/USA) 3pm-8pm

SUN   12APR     ELIXIR BAR     DJ duo LF System (GB)     

 

PI Update: Six Ravens Coming Along

The faux bushes that surrounded the front doors of Six Ravens are no longer there as work progresses towards their opening along Hill Street. We originally speculated that this would be a second location for Gideon's Bakehouse since their queue continues to stretch back to Mannequins and having a second spot could help alleviate that. But apparently no, Six Ravens will offer a different assortment of baked goods at this new location where Art of Shaving once operated.

 

The awning overhangs have had some black trim added to them since our visit last month to give the place more of a gothic look.

DS Update: Crazyshake Is Open

As we previously reported, Sprinkles went out of business but now there is a replacement open for business in its former home.

It's called Crazyshake and as the name would indicate, they sell some crazy looking shakes.

 

This menu board attracts passersby.

Perhaps their signage is just temporary until a permanent one can be constructed and installed but the signs up now scream that this is a temporary or "pop up" store. 

Club Reports: Elixir Bar, Monkey Bar, Barbarella

If you're having a techno emergency, dial DJ 9juanjuan (USA). That's what we did last night in downtown Orlando. Saturday night pics are posted on our sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Club Reports: Grape & The Grain, Oliv Bar, Broken Strings Brewery, The Robinson

After two weekends away, it was great to be back in Orlando where we heard great music at 4 different clubs including from DJ Freeda Sol (USA). Friday night pics are now posted on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Friday Funny

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

With Miami Music Week now in the rearview mirror, we do have some events this weekend!

THU   02APR     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Frankmatik (USA) 

FRI     03APR     GOOD TIMES     Abyss: DJ Lavidicus (USA)

FRI     03APR     OLIV BAR     DJ Freeda Sol (USA) 

FRI     03APR     BROKEN STRINGS     DJ Rob Cokeless (USA)

SAT    04APR     VANGUARD     DJ Omnom (USA)

SAT    04APR     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Cocodrills (USA)

SAT    04APR     MONKEY BAR     DJ Dity (USA) 

SUN   05APR     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Romano Arcaini (D/USA)

 

     

 

BREAKING NEWS: Mannequins To Reopen!

Acknowledging a difficult business climate right now with lots of tourists visiting Disney Springs but no one buying anything except Legos and poutine, Disney announced in a Tuesday night press release that Mannequins Dance Palace will reopen prior to Labor Day weekend. According to Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World Resort, "we've been ordered by California to get the club show-ready." "People just aren't buying much overpriced Chinese food these days", he stated, in reference to the building's current use as an Asian restaurant. The reopened dance club will be very similar to the original club including the famous revolving dance floor. "It's been down there beneath the faux floor the whole time." They plan to get as many of the previous cast members back on duty as possible depending on whether they're still alive or not and of course their availability. Some went to new jobs when the original club closed in 2008 but many have remained waiting for the place to reopen.
More details as they become available!

 

PI Update: The Great Sign

We sure do miss the Pleasure Island so called "Great Sign".

 

Trip Report: Going To Miami

About ten years ago we had two very near misses on Florida's Turnpike when Going to Miami. That and bumper-to-bumper traffic during Miami Music Week determined that we would no long drive there but instead take other available options. This year we flew there and back, using our American Airlines AAdvantage miles at a good price when booking way ahead. Flying time of about 45 minutes wheels-up to touch-down makes this extremely convenient. The Metrorail fare from MIA to downtown or the Metrobus fare from the airport to South Beach is only another $2.

Another option we've used numerous times is the Brightline train which departs from Orlando International Airport directly to MiamiCentral in downtown Miami. This can typically be much cheaper than flying and the travel time is under 4 hours. So relaxing! It does save to book ahead.

The third non-driving option is AMTRAK. They have 2 daily trains to Miami but please note one of them is via Tampa first while the other is direct. Travel time is 5-8 hours so it's not fast but it can be pretty cheap, even last-minute. Departures are from Orlando but also from Deland, Winter Park and Kissimmee. So if you want to avoid the road to Miami, you've got options!

MMW Day 3: Project Mahem’s Industry Social @ La Diosa

Miami Music Week 2026 came to an end last night with a Miami Bass set from the legendary DJ Magic Mike (USA). We've posted Saturday night pics over on our sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

MMW Day 2: Geishaz @ Liquor Lounge, DJMag Party @ Sagamore, The Get Down @ Kemistry

Always an Orlando favorite, DJ Icey (USA) was seen last night during our MMW Day 2 club tour. Photos are posted on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

MMW Day 1: Winter Music Conference Pool Party @ Kimpton, Casa Electro Party @ Sirius/XM, DJMag Party @ Sagamore

We made three Miami Music Weeks party stops last night including getting to see DJ Layton Giordani (USA) at Sirius/XM Studios in South Beach. All our Thursday night pics are posted on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Miami Music Week Has Arrived!

Orlando Entertainment News will have event coverage this weekend from Miami.