CW Update: RCC Status

A snapshot of Red Coconut Club in November, 2009. RCC became CityWalk's main dance club when The Groove did not reopen post-pandemic. At this time RCC is closed until Friday, November 20th as it is remade into the Christmas-themed Green & Red Coconut Club. 

 

PI Update: Remembering HOB Thursday Nights

Shortly after PI closed, House of Blues did a trial run of electric dance music nights on Thursday nights featuring Mannequins Thursday night DJ Dave Cannalte. It should have caught on because where did the huge crowds at Mannequins on Thursdays disappear to? Sadly, it did not work. Here's a copy/paste of the article we wrote about it in November, 2008:

Friday, November 14, 2008

HOB Thursday Nights

Made my first Hospitality Industry Night visit to House of Blues yesterday evening to check out Dave Cannalte. Nothing of course can compare to Mannequins itself however this night is a good substitute if you like Dance music.

Advertised as a 10:30pm start, Dave did not get spinning until 11pm because of delays caused by a prior concert running late. And then, despite it being a beautiful warm Orlando evening, I estimate the number of patrons at only about 100. I've heard that prior Thursdays have had 150-200 patrons. So where the heck are all the CM's who used to go to Mannequins on Thursday evenings now going if they're not going to HOB?

But the music was great and the dance floor stayed pretty full from about 11:30pm to 1am. It didn't spin and there was at least 5-6 times when I expected the CO2 was going to spray down and that didn't happen either. But the music was Mannequins-style so it gets a big thumbs up since we're not seeing that anywhere else in Oralndo.

My understanding is that Dave Cannalte at HOB is a 2-month trial run. We need more guests out there if this is going to continue. I don't know how many HOB needs to make it profitable to stay open versus staying dark; presumably they've got nothing going on anyways. But I don't think 100 patrons is enough.

BTW, HOB is still running their Service Industry Night on Sundays at 10:30pm and I understand the place is packed wall-to-wall with DJ Sandy spinning the Dance music. So I'm going to put this back on the options list here on the blog!
Update 11/27/08: Hospitality Industry Night on Thursdays with Dave Cannalte has come to a conclusion and is no longer being offered.

 

Club Reports: Daylite Party @ SOBOX, John Lennon Room @ HRL, CityWalk Promenade, Dead Coconut Club

The stunning DJ Lex (USA) was playing weekly family dance parties last year at Disney Springs West Side and we found her last night on the Hard Rock Live rooftop. Our Saturday began with a daytime House music party at SOBOX and ended at Universal CityWalk. You can find all the pics on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

Club Reports: Crooked Can Brewery, Pilars Loft, The Whole Enchalada, Harlow Grove (Winter Garden)

Last night we visited the Friday night music scene in downtown Winter Garden. While downtown Winter Park seems to roll-up their sidewalks after 10PM, downtown Winter Garden is just cranking things up. At one stop we met DJ Marc Thyssen (AUS/USA). We've got photos on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Friday Funny

 

Club Report: Suite B Lounge/Peek Downtown

Halloween memories at Suite B Lounge downtown.

 

Halloween Weekend In Techno Town

Not only is it Halloween weekend, but at 2AM Sunday morning it becomes 1AM.

FRI     30OCT     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Julian Fijma (NL)

FRI     30OCT     WALL STREET PLAZA     DJ Gordo (USA)

FRI     30OCT     TACO KAT     DJ Rich Medina (USA) 

FRI     30OCT     CELINE     DJ Linska (GB/USA) 

SAT    31OCT     SOBOX FOOD HALL  Daytime House Party  10a-6p

SAT    31OCT     IRON COW     DJ Cataclisma (USA) 

SAT    31OCT     BROKEN STRINGS     DJ Paul Moss (USA) 

 

 

PI Update: Tis' The Season

View from October, 2010.

 

Trip Report: Brightline Status

There is some confusion in the marketplace about the recent bankruptcy filing by Brightline's holding company. Rest assured that their train operations company is operating normally between Orlando International Airport Station at Terminal C and MiamiCentral Station in downtown Miami.

We had the opportunity recently to ride them again northbound from Miami to Orlando. All trains stop at Aventura, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach and then nonstop to Orlando. Some trains also stop at Boca Raton.

 

Brightline trains are operated with Siemens Charger locomotives with one at each end of the consist. 

There are two classes of service. Smart fares are the equivalent of Economy class on an airplane except there is far more legroom. Seating is 2/2 on each side of the center aisle. Snacks are available for purchase in the station and onboard. Premium class is the equivalent of Business class on an airplane and has 1/2 seating on each side of the center aisle. Premium comes with three extras: Even more legroom, access to the in-station Premium lounge in your station before boarding with free food and drinks there plus free food and drinks on the train. 

Brightline is a wonderful experience, especially after partying in Miami or Orlando and heading home. It can be nappy-nappy time on the train versus fighting with the traffic on Florida's Turnpike. Outside south Florida, speeds often exceed 100mph. There is a $39 sale currently in progress on certain dates so check it out HERE. 

Concert Report: Thrill The World (Genesis Health Club)

DJ Dave Cannalte (USA) of Mannequins Dance Palace fame was a celebrity ghoul at yesterday afternoon's massive "Thriller" dance and Orlando Entertainment News was there for full coverage. You can find the pictures HERE.

 

Club Reports: Good Times, Mulligans, The Robinson

Friday night included an 80's Night at Good Times Bar & Grill, a 90's/00's Old School Hip Hop hits night at Mulligans and finally some current House music at The Robinson. You can find all the photos posted on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Friday Funny

Promises made, promises kept!

 

PI Update: The Great Sign

The Great Sign

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

This Weekend In Techno Town is a weekly feature here on SPI Blog:

FRI     23OCT     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Kander (GB)

FRI     23OCT     PALM TREE CLUB     DJ Loofy (USA/GB)

FRI     23OCT     GOOD TIMES     80's Night with live band Switch (USA)

FRI     23OCT     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Sean Samaroo (USA) 

SAT    24OCT     JOHN LENNON ROOM     DJ Nautikat (USA)

SAT    24OCT     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Antdot (BR)

SAT    24OCT     VANGUARD     DJ duo Gorgon City (GB)

SAT    24OCT     IRON COW     DJ Tony Touch (USA) 

SAT    24OCT     PALM TREE CLUB     DJ duo Cat Dealers (BR)

SUN   25OCT     MANATEE ISLAND     Ghoulapalooza Festival

SUN   25OCT     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Brian Burnside (USA) 

SUN   25OCT     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Dean Turnley (AUS) 

 

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.