Club Reports: BB King's Blues Club, Ember, Pour House, Antigua, Tabu, Independent Bar

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Finally made it out to BB Kings Blues Club at Pointe Orlando. Like House of Blues, it's hardly a blues club. The BBKing All Star Band takes center stage playing a variety of hit music and a DJ plays between sets. The club is also a restaurant earlier in the evening with southern soul food featured. When I was there the two-level club was full of patrons and dance floor wavered between empty and full depending on what was being played. Cover ranges $5-$10 depending on the night of the week.

Ember downtown is a combination restaurant and bar with most patrons leaning towards the latter, especially later in the evening. It's a great place for happy hour or a great place to begin evening adventures. I've spotted Orlando Magic players here; Tiger Woods is known to hang here as well. Downtown Pour House is a brand new bar that just opened on Orange Avenue and was packed. This is not a dance club but just another place to hang out. No cover.

Over at Antigua DJ Nova (USA) kept things hopping as he mixed mashups. It was kind of empty early but really got crowded after 11:30pm. This is always one of the better downtown clubs. Admission is $5 at the $5 door, $10 at the $10 door....and they both appear to lead to the same place! I tried to get into Bliss tonight but radio station 102Jamz was running an event and the line was way too long.

I finally got to meet DJ Richie Rich (USA) over at Tabu this evening. He'll be spinning House music at HOB during two Sunday night Service Industry Nights during January but on his Saturday night residency at Tabu it's hip hop all the way with some Top 40 and Rap. (I caught him playing the Miley Cyrus dance tune Party In the USA too!) Tabu was crowded. Saturday night admission is typicaly free before 11pm.

Finally Independent Bar is such a cool place and it was packed too! Featuring Old Wave on Saturday nights, I spotted a couple of Mannequins people including Lawrence pictured above dancing with the übercool Sonia! This is one of my favorite downtown places! Free admission before 11pm on Saturday nights; $5 afterwards.

Club Report: Atlantic Dance Hall

DJ Doc Wells led the hit parade at Atlantic Dance last night to a relatively crowded club. I say relatively crowded because it was crowded to me based on my previous visits to ADH but I was told that some recent Friday nights were even more crowded. With PI gone, this is the only Disney run dance club on property and it's always a great feeling to be partying with the Mouse. The music is request-driven Top 40 with a little techno and hip hop thrown in. Great drinks! See the New Years Eve listing below too.

PI Update: RRBC Sign Removed

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The large Rock'n'Roll Beach Club sign was finally removed off the building last night as the building nears demolition. A witness told me that the same crew that had been working on the Hub catwalk removal also took the RRBC sign down. A source repeated that RRBC and Motion are coming down after the first of the year. I also heard again that a lighthouse restaurant/bar combo is coming to that area where RRBC and Motion come together. The only new information is that the restaurant may be a seafood restaurant. Previous rumors said fast food. A new pathway from Marketplace across PI will come through that area on its way to West Side. PI management still hasn't figured out how to deal with the two towers holding the Harley Davidson signs so they can't tear them down yet.

Mannequins was under high security this evening. I guess the revolving dance floor must be protected. An island source says that Mannequins, 8TRAX and Comedy Warehouse buildings are going to be renovated into restaurants. Apparently Adventurers Club and Soundstage are going to be demolished along with Motion and RRBC. The right photo shows no new progress on the removal of outside stairs. The source mentioned that the restaurant going into Mannequins will change the entire look of the building and that's why the stairs are coming down; it doesn't fit into the new look that's coming. That makes sense. But remember, these are just rumors!

Club Reports: The Groove & Latin Quarter

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80's & Ladies: Thursday night was 80's Night at The Groove and Ladies Night at Latin Quarter. Both clubs had moderate-sized crowds with lots of ladies at both venues. :-) 80's Night features DJ Doc Wells from 8TRAX and Ladies Night features DJ Leony of Sirius/XM BPM. The Groove usually gets crowded late on Thursday nights but this evening it was crowded early and then cleared out around 12:15am. I guess people have their holiday shopping to do. Leony returns to LQ both Friday and Saturday night; Doc will be spinning at Atlantic Dance Hall this evening (Friday night) and then he's at Red Coconut Club on Saturday night.

Breaking News: Changes at PI Won't Be Finished Until 2012

Orlando Sentinel writer Jason Garcia reports that tucked inside a Disney report to federal regulators is a mention about Pleasure Island changes not being completed until 2012! Read the article for full but all-to-brief details:

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2009/12/changes-at-pleasure-island-wont-be-finished-until-2012/

I have inputted the following response on Sentinel website and I encourage all of you to respond on their website too: When they announced that PI clubs were closing, the official announcement said changes were going to occur over 2 years. We are now well-beyond 1 year yet NO changes have taken place on Pleasure Island in any of the 7 former comedy or dance club buildings. Now they are saying changes will be completed by 2012 which means it took 4 years! But they can't tell you what even 1 change is going to be let alone 7 changes. Because quite likely, Disney doesn't even know what they're going to do with the place.

Radio Danz NYE Lineup

I simply have not found a better internet radio station for Dance & House music than RadioDanz.com. I guarantee you that just a few minutes listening will have you bouncing in your chair! You can see the DJ lineup above for New Years Eve day and evening. Included are Orlando's own DJ Mickey Bono and DJ Smooth. Best of all....it's COMPLETELY FREE! And commercial free!

Disney Inspirational Quotes at PI

A third inspirational Walt Disney quote sign has been added to the demolition walls at Pleasure Island. I've posted the other two previously but I thought I would put them all side-by-side here to inspire everyone about the great bold new vision things that are coming to PI. The only thing we've heard is the waterfront lighthouse shaped building housing a a take-out restaurant and bar, to be built kind of in the corner where RRBC and Motion currently are. But that's just a rumor.

New Years Eve

It's not too early to be at least thinking about New Years Eve plans. Here are the official details for some major venues around Orlando. I'll be adding other options throughout the month as I receive details. NYE is on a Thursday night this year.

Updated article has been moved to December 28th.

International Dance Music Awards

I received my ballot today for the 2009 International Dance Music Awards; IDMA obviously has me mistaken for someone important, lol. Anyway, anybody that's anybody will be attending Winter Music Conference March 23-27 in Miami Beach. It culminates with Ultrafest, the world's top techno music festival featuring all the world's best DJ's. That I plan to attend!

Club Report: Roxy

The first Thursday of every month is now "I Love House Music" night at Roxy featuring DJ Mickey Bono. Last night was the very first such night and from the size of the crowd, I would call it a great success. As you can see, it was packed. I don't really know whether patrons came out expecting a techno night or whether they came out because they're regular Thursday night patrons anyway. Didn't matter because what they got was Dance music and they loved it! There was a lot of Dance versions of Top 40 songs and that kept everyone hopping and happy. For instance, back-to-back early songs included Dance versions of Lady Gaga's Bad Romance, Britney's 3 and Mickey Bono's own remix of I'm In Miami Bitch. During my visit there was zero Hip Hop and because of the song selections played, it wasn't missed! Very young crowd.

Cover charge is $5. The main club opens around 11pm but come at least 15 minutes earlier if you want to use the free parking in back. Drinks are free until midnight. The next House night is January 7th. Mickey Bono spins most Saturday nights at Bliss downtown.

Paul Oakenfold Coming to Orlando

This is a DJ you don't want to miss! Paul Oakenfold (GB) returns to Orlando on Saturday, February 6th at Club Firestone. I've been fortunate to see him twice at Destiny and last year at ICON. He's gotten better each time! Advance tickets are now available for $22 at Firestone or Drop Shop; $25 at the door. Based on past experience, the club will be PACKED! Orlando getting Oakie on a Saturday night...GREAT!

PI Update: Adventurers Club

©2009 SHAWN T. (SGT623)
The black film that covered the windows of the Adventurers Club has been stripped off allowing passersby to peer inside. Save Pleasure Island reader Shawn T. sent this photo to me showing what it looks like in there 2-months post the final Congaloosh. As you can see, nearly everything has now been stripped off the walls. AC is definitely not returning....to this location. I hear the Colonel has a one-way ticket on Cathay Pacific!

Meanwhile the Congaloosh Society is planning Congaloosh 2010 during the weekend of October 8-10, 2010. Registration is supposed to begin today (December 1st). If you're an AC fan, don't miss out on this because this WILL be a sellout again. My understanding is that nearly the entire AC cast will be appearing, performing a specially made script. Obviously this event will not be taking place in our Adventurers Club itself but at a venue to be announced. Details and registration at: www.congaloosh.org

New Techno Night: First Thursday at Roxy

Except for Saturdays, House & Dance music has been very limited around O-town since Mannequins closed. Well this Thursday, December 3rd Roxy is beginning I Love House Music Night featuring DJ Mickey Bono! The event will be held only on the first Thursday night of each month. Most of you know Mickey Bono from his hour long dance music show Friday nights on Radiodanz.com or from his Saturday night sessions at Bliss Ultra Lounge. Open bar until midnight. Unknown cover charge; I'll give a report this Friday. Come on out and help support this new night and perhaps it will become a weekly event! 740 Bennett Road at E. Colonial Drive near Orlando Executive Airport.

PI Update: Demolition Continues

It was a beautiful fall afternoon in the mid-70's at Orlando today so what a better place to spend some time than Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney. Someone I know will be receiving some little mismatched socks for Christmas this year!

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Demolition continues on the island. At Mannequins the stairs to the 2nd floor have been completely removed and only the landing remains. At the former PI Live booth the exterior has also been completely removed leaving just the framework. There has been no additional demolition to the towers that hold the Harley Davidson signs. We await how that gets resolved.

Over on another internet discussion board someone asked to see the inspirational signs placed on the demolition walls. I posted one of them last week and here is the other. There is also new directional signage at the Hub.

Over on the West Side, the Princess Di exhibit thankfully and mercifully closes on schedule tomorrow, November 30th. Located in the former home of Virgin Megastore, sources say the run will not be extended through the holidays as I previously speculated that it might. Adult tickets have been reduced to $10 so don't miss out! Doing much better is the $16 tethered balloon ride. Today was a great day for it and you can see the line of people waiting their turn.

Club Report: Backstage

When you reach your 60's, this is probably where you'll be hanging out. So prepare yourself. I hadn't been to Backstage in years and certainly not since it reopened following renovations. The venue is quite contemporary if not futuristic looking but it still boils down to a band on the stage and a glass-enclosed DJ booth in the corner. Last night cover band Generation E had that stage and while the pretty 36-yr old Ensley Allan can sing a wide range of music genres, the whole vibe was just too much like a bad night at Rock'n'Roll Beach Club. Did spot an 8TRAX girl in there. Located in the Rosen Plaza Hotel, I guess the place might fill up when a convention is in town. But not last night. Ugg.

The Mouse - He's Everywhere, He's Everywhere!

On climb-out from MCO a couple weeks ago, noticed this mysterious tree formation near Winter Garden/Windermere. Talk about hidden Mickeys!!

Service Industry & Ladies Nights

The Orlando Sentinel's Kelly Fitzpatrick has a good article in today's paper about Service Industry Nights around Orlando. It mostly focuses on House of Blues which she describes as "blows most clubs out of the water." She then lists some of the better SIN's. Elsewhere is an excellent listing of Orlando-area Ladies Nights. All in Friday editions of the Sentinel.

Club Report: Tabu (Aahz Reunion)

Oh my God! I have just returned from the MOST INCREDIBLE house music concert I have ever seen. Yes, I've seen Paul Oakenfold, Tiesto, Ferry Corsten and even Sandra Collins multiple times. But this was beyond all of that. DJ's Dave Cannalte and Kimball Collins (both USA) returned to Orlando this evening to recreate their 90's "Wizards of AAHZ" routine at Tabu. Cannalte was most recently the Thursday night DJ at Mannequins.

The event officially began at 9pm yet the club was already crowded when I arrived fashionably late at 10:30pm. And it only got more crowded! Canalte's set was more subdued with easy to get along with Dance and House music. He played approximately the first 3 hours. His last song at the switch over ironically was Everybody's Free (to Feel Good). He told me he appreciated me recognizing it for what it was, the final song ever at Mannequins.

With that he turned it over to Kimball Collins. Although I must admit not recognizing 95% of what he played, it was an incredible mix of music that got the increasingly crowded dance floor into a frenzy. DJ Baby Anne (USA) came off the stage and was dancing near me. The crowd was overwhelmingly 35+, many probably original AAHZ night fans. I ran into at least a dozen Mannequins people in the crowd too including a former Mannequins manager. The night far exceeded my expectations. All I can say to those of you who missed this: WOW!

Return To Aahz Tonight!!

Former Mannequins DJ Dave Cannalte teams up with his former partner DJ Kimball Collins tonight at Tabu Night Club in downtown Orlando. If you were a fan of Mannequins, if you like techno, if you live in the Orlando area and if you don't have to work tomorrow due to the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, you should come out to support this event!! I'll give you the full report tomorrow for those unable to attend. Admission is just $12.