Club Reports: Morse Code, Lil Indies, Palm Tree Club

It was like a crazy night at 8TRAX last night at Lil Indies as DJ BMF (USA) delivered a Michael Jackson (USA) versus Janet Jackson (USA) set. See all our pics on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Friday Funny

 

CW Update: Dead Coconut Club Opening

Opening tomorrow night in conjunction with Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios, Dead Coconut Club Harvest Edition begins its run at Red Coconut Club in CityWalk. 

They will be open on 35 different nights during this year's HHN run. Admission to the club is free; admission to HHN is not and there is a parking charge in the Universal garages.

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

And just like that, eight months down, four months to go! 

THU   27AUG     VANGUARD     DJ Avello (USA) 

FRI     28AUG     FAIRGROUNDS     Metamorphosis Music Festival - Day 1

FRI     28AUG     PALM TREE CLUB     DJ Mark Knight (GB)

FRI     28AUG     LIL' INDIES     Michael vs Janet Jackson w/ DJ BMF (USA) 

FRI     28AUG     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Sean Samaroo (USA) 

FRI     28AUG     ELIXIR BAR     New Free Ladies Night 

FRI     28AUG     BULLITT BAR     DJ RZRKT (USA) 

FRI     28AUG     KALI ULTRALOUNGE     DJ Ferra Black (USA) 

SAT    29AUG     FAIRGROUNDS     Metamorphosis Music Festival - Day 2

SAT    29AUG     BIKKURI LOUNGE     DJ M.I.K.E. Push (B) 

SAT    29AUG     MCQUEENS     DJ BUKU (USA) 

SAT    29AUG     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Dave Allison (CDN) 

SUN   30AUG     HARD ROCK LIVE    Electronic Band DEVO (USA)

 

 

Trip Report: Birkenstocks On Board

Does anyone else remember back in the 80's & 90's when Birkenstock shoes first became popular in the American market that they were nicknamed "German Birth Control"?

 

Trip Report: Florida State Road Grids

No news from Pleasure Island today so we're posting this explanation of the state road system in Florida instead. This explains why most state roads in the Orlando area begin with the number 4 when they're north of State Road 50 (Colonial Drive) or the number 5 south of Sate Road 50. There are plenty of exceptions within the grid but most fall within this alignment.

Concert Report: DJ Sasha (The Vanguard)

The legendary DJ Sasha (GB) was playing last night at The Vanguard and sister website Orlando Entertainment News was there. The pics are posted HERE.

 

Club Reports: John Lennon Room @ HRL, The Green Room, Taco Kat, The Corner, Aero Bar, Alfie’s HiFi

Alfie's HiFi has become the darling of Orlando nightlife and it was our final stop last night where we found guest DJ Darren Simonson (USA) and resident DJ Frankmatik (USA). All the pics can be found on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Friday Funny

 

PI Update: Pleasure Island Forever!

You know where. Pleasure Island.

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

It's great to be back in Orlando and checking out some of these events:

FRI     21AUG     CELINE     DJ Will Clarke (GB)

FRI     21AUG     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Frankmatik (USA) 

SAT    22AUG     PERLA'S PIZZA     Pizza & House w/ DJ Chino (USA) 11am-5pm

SAT    22AUG     VANGUARD     DJ Sasha (GB)

SAT    22AUG     BROKEN STRINGS     DJ duo Flintstonerz (USA)

SAT    22AUG     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Andruss (MEX)

 

 

 

DS Update: Ghiradelli Renovations

A couple weeks ago we published a photo of the Ghiradelli temporary location in Disney Springs Town Center. It's located in the former Sprinkles building adjacent the No. 2 Bridge to Pleasure Island. This is their permanent location in Disney Springs Marketplace where their building is under heavy renovations. And that is why they are operating from the temporary spot. We don't think they will be back here until sometime in 2027.

 

Club Report: Glow Party @ Mardi Gras Nightclub (Pride Of America)

Time for one more party on Pride of America, led by DJ Tidal Wave (USA). The pics are on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Trip Report: The Na Pali Coast

We're sailing on NCL ship Pride of America. The sailing was supposed to end today in Honolulu but the port is closed due to Hurricane Lala's approach. Instead, the ship is spending the day at sea north of the Hawaiian islands. Before heading out to sea, we passed the north coast of Kaua'i, home to these amazing cliffs. 

 

This is known as the Na Pali Coast, home to the world's tallest sea cliffs.

Some cliffs extend 4000' above sea level. We had sun, drizzle, fog during the pass-by.

Aloha! A good time was had by all.

Friday Funny

 

Trip Report: A Tale Of 4 Volcanos

Departing from the cruise ship from sea level on the island of Maui, we traveled to our first volcano of the trip via Hawaii State Road 37. That's Haleaukala straight ahead but you can't see it here because of the cloud cover.

Switching to State Road 378, just 22 more miles to go up a steep, winding road climbing ultimately up to over 14,000 ft elevation. Reservations are required between 3AM and 7AM because of the popularity of being at that elevation to watch sunrise. 

 

No need to worry about those clouds because eventually the road takes us above them!

There's a Haleakala National Park visitor center near the entry toll booth and another up there near the peak where there are numerous weather stations and astronomical observatories.

 Take care of the Nene, the state bird which is a protected species. Because it is generally fearless, it does not know to run away from approaching cars.

The trade winds bring in moisture and clouds mostly from the northeast side of each Hawaiian island. The famous "Road to Hana" down below can be a rainy drive because it traverses the northeast side of Maui.

 

 Climb, Climb! For the most part, we've left vegetation behind in favor of volcanic rocks and cinder cones.

The rare Silversword (Ahinahina) only grows on the slopes of Haleakala. A related plant only grows on the slopes of Mauna Kea on Hawaii, the big island.

The caldera of Haleakala. While not currently active, the volcano is considered to be Hazard Category 3 and thus very much alive. They believe it last erupted around 400 years ago.

Those clouds kept creeping closer.

Signs remind you to take it easy at this elevation! The air is thin here and you don't want to experience altitude sickness which can impact people above 8,000 ft.

A small observation building at the peak. Definitely worth the drive.

While we went to Haleakala National Park via a rental car from Maui Airport, our journey from Hilo to Hawaii Volcanos National Park on the island of Hawaii was via a ship's excursion. (Rental cars are much-cheaper.)

The route to this National Park is via Hawaii State Road 11. And from the moment you depart Hilo, the road is a mostly straight climb slowly uphill with no curves or switchbacks like the previous national park. You're going from sea level to only about 4,000 ft. to this park.

From a distance, you can see this volcano is much lower.

But the caldera is far more interesting. This is the Kilauea Volcano that was erupting just a few years ago, spewing lava upwards and down towards the ocean and destroying entire neighborhoods of homes such as the Leilani Estates. You may have seen it on the news.

Cinder cones scattered everywhere. This is a Hazard Zone 1 volcano and she's active! UPDATE: The day after our visit there was an eruption here with a lava plume shooting up around 50' into the air.

That's steam coming out of the ground. Sadly, no sulphur smell. 

This is called Hawaii Volcanos National Park (plural) because there's a second volcano too. That's Mauna Loa over there which is 13,679 ft. tall. There's no road to the top but there is a hiking trail. It too is a Hazard Zone 1 volcano. Active.

Further off in the distance is Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano at 13,803 ft. and not part of the national park. There is a road to drive up there as there and it's a great place to view stars at night. Both Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea had 10" of snow on them this past January. It doesn't typically snow here at Kilauea. Both national parks are excellent and a good time was had by all.

This Weekend In Techno Town

We're in Hawaii but you don't have to miss these events:

FRI     14AUG     CELINE     DJ Wax Motif (AUS)

FRI     14AUG     BROKEN STRINGS     DJ Sandy (USA)

FRI     14AUG     IRON COW     DJ Quivver (GB)

FRI     14AUG     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Just Jason (USA)

SAT    15AUG     ABBEY     Gimme Gimme Disco Night

SAT    15AUG     ALTIRA POOL     DJ Frankmatik (USA)  2:30p - 8:30p

SAT    15AUG     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Byrd (USA)

SAT    15AUG     TACO KAT     DJ Oscar P (USA)

 

Club Reports: Ocean Drive Bar, Pink’s Champagne Bar, Mardi Gras Nightclub (MS Pride Of America)

It was 70's night last night on cruise ship Pride of America and sister website Orlando Entertainment News was there. The ship's band "The Wave" opened the night before the DJ took over later. We're doing 7-nights around Hawaii. You can find ship pics on OEN here. 

 

CW Update: Remembering The Groove

Ten years ago this month we reviewed the resident DJ's that played each week at The Groove in Universal CityWalk. The Groove closed during the pandemic and never reopened, the space being repurposed as an escape room. Wednesday nights: DJ Rincon (USA)

Thursday nights: DJ Poproxxx (USA)

Friday nights: DJ Chino (USA)

Saturday nights: DJ M-Squared (USA)

DS Update: Shore Out, Vuori In

During our most recent visit to Disney Springs we saw that Vuori is coming to this retail spot in the Town Center section. We had no clue what Vuori is and we wondered, what was in that spot? Something was missing. So we had to check our older Disney Springs Guidemap to learn that Sarasota-based Shore was previously in that spot! We recall how excited they were back in 2015 when they prematurely announced this new location. Sorry to see they didn't make it. We still don't know what Vuori is though.