Club Reports: Rok Room, Independent Bar

Back downtown on a Friday night, invited by club promoter Artem to visit his Russian Standard dance party which takes place weekly at Rok Room.

Had not run into DJ X-Andy since I saw him playing at the so-called Techno Night at The Groove in CityWalk a couple Labor Day weekends ago.

Rok Room is themed with an old Rock'n'Roll vibe, but the music is thankfully anything but that!

The place was beginning to fill up around 11pm.

The music was great.....all House/Dance!

With official photographer Kristen taking shots!

DJ Freefall (Vintage Lounge, Dragon Room) getting ready to come on at 1am.

The event is the #1 Russian party in Orlando but you don't have to be Russian to attend!

Moving over to Independent Bar to check out their Friday night.

Thursday night resident DJ Smilin' Dan was in the booth playing the expected Indie format.....and a whole lot of EDM too!

And the dance floor was completely jammed!

And the crowd 100% different from the peeps here on Saturday nights.

Well, 95% different.  Spotted: Sonia & Jenny (Venue 13, I-Bar).

Spotted: Jason & Katie (The Groove)

And a good time was had by all!

Friday Funny

Yeah, this is like so 3-months ago but couldn't pass it up!

PI Update: First Staging Area Arrives

Beautiful Pleasure Island on a Wednesday night, jammed with summer crowds!

The so-called "Seed & Mulch" area where Rock'n'Roll Beach Club and Motion used to stand is now the first construction staging area!  Difficult to see in this photo, dozens of pallets of materials have been dropped here.  A second staging area, where demolition / construction vehicles are to park, is being created in Parking Lot E adjacent Pleasure Island.  Island sources say that along with the demolition of Comedy Warehouse and Laffers Cantina, one of the earliest phases of work will be the construction of the first of two parking garages.

PI Live Bar has closed.

A cart serving shaved ice has been added and is located on the No. 1 Bridge from Downtown Disney Marketplace.

Mannequins looking spiffy!  But for how much longer?

Over on the Waterside Stage, the "Kids Dance Party" aka "Waterside Dance Party".

 Former "Kids Dance Party" DJ's are now handling the EDM-based Monsters University Homecoming parties over at Disney Hollywood Studios!  For June and July, DJ Elliot is over there on Sunday/Monday/Wednesday, DJ Lon is Tuesday/Thursday and DJ Tony Messina on Friday/Saturday.

DJ Steve was leading the action last night!

I've never sat through an entire 3-hour party so I'm not sure if each DJ does their own show or if they all follow the same music script.

The peeps want DJ's!  And with stadium seating full and people even dancing off in the side areas, a good time was had by all!

This Weekend In Techno Town

THURSDAY JUN 20
It's the third Thursday of the month and that means The Fifth downtown is having their "Throwback Lunch" beginning at 11:30am.  Come have lunch, dance to one full song while you're there and your bill including drinks is reduced by 50%!  This month is 80's.
(FREE)

Dubstup, Firestone Live, Zomboy (GB). ($15)

He's not smiling in this picture but come out to Independent Bar on Thursdays for Indie & free beer and DJ Smilin' Dan will be smiling! Double-click to see the poster he's pointing at.
(FREE until 12, then $3)

FRIDAY JUN 21
Another new home for Venue 13 who is hosting a Lyrica Reunion at Bombshell's Tavern on Edgewater Drive, a half-mile north of Lee Road.  
($5)

Los Angeles-based DJ Borgeeous (USA) is back at Vain Nightclub this Friday night!
($0 - $10)

SATURDAY JUN 22
Best known for his collaborations and touring with John Digweed, DJ/Producer Sasha (GB) returns to Orlando for the first time in many years and will be performing House & Progressive on the mainstage at Firestone Live!
($20)

Earthdance 2013

Tickets are now on sale for Earthdance 2013, the outdoor music festival taking place at the Maddox Ranch outside Lakeland.  The synchronized dance event takes place in more than 500 locations in 80 countries with the 4-day Florida event beginning on September 19th and running through September 22nd.  Spotted:  Ran into Earthdance organizer Lady V downtown this past weekend. Full event details here.

Breaking News: Latin Quarter Closing!

Two separate sources have informed Save Pleasure Island Blog that the Latin Quarter restaurant and night club at Universal CityWalk will be closing this coming August.  The closing will include a complete rehab of the building and thus the relatively new Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse which was located upstairs will be closing too.  Blog sources are reporting that LQ will be replaced with a Mexican-themed restaurant to be called Don Quixote's. Apparently there has been no decision as to whether DQ's will include a nightclub aspect to it.  We hope so otherwise CityWalk Party Passes will have one less venue that they are valid at.

Interestingly, while the music and food in Latin Quarter were always oriented towards the Spanish Caribbean (i.e. Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Venezuela, Columbia), the decor in the place was always more Mexican/Central American. The file photo above shows part of one of the pillars featuring Mayan God like figures, something a part of Mexican history but not the Spanish Caribbean. We'll keep you updated!

PI Update: Lots of Cross-Promotion

"Car Masters Weekend" on beautiful Pleasure Island and throughout Downtown Disney with 150 exotic, muscle and classic cars on display!

Just outside BET Soundstage, the trio Nova Era was playing Classical music to passersby.

After closing last night they were supposed to begin constructing a staging area for heavy equipment in the E-Parking Lot across from PI.  Once that is done the demolitions can begin!

Curl by Sammy Duval is moving off the Island next weekend to their new spot on the West Side.

Live human statues drawing crowds over in Keith's Park near T-Rex Cafe.

Downtown Disney has always been and continues to be about cross-promotion.  This mural beside Planet Hollywood touts the new Disney film "The Lone Ranger".

On the PH catwalk, lifesized wax figures of the Lone Ranger and Tonto.

OMG, that Tonto guy is creepy!

Cross-promoting Cars near the AMC Theater parking lot entrance.

More cars "sleeping" on the Bongo's lawn.

And cross-promoting Monsters University outside AMC Pleasure Island  24 Theaters  AMC Downtown Disney 24 Theaters, AMC 24 Theaters.

Speaking of Monsters University, spotted DJ Tony Messina (Celebrate Tonight) on the Waterfront Stage doing the "Kids Dance Party".  He's one of the 3 DJ's selected to perform the new Monsters University Homecoming EDM dance party at Disney Hollywood Studios!  It kicked off this past weekend to rave reviews, comparing favorably to the hugely popular Mad-T Party at Disney California Adventure!  Gotta check that out!

Waterfront Stage was jammed for "Kids Dance Party".

The music was all EDM including Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow" during this segment!

And Avicii's "Levels" after the dance contest!  BTW, notice the recently completed volcano across Village Lake at Rainforest Cafe beginning to build steam for an explosion!

At the Lily Pad, Dominic Gavdious was surrounded by a crowd.

Here performing his version of Gangnam Style.  Who says there's no dancing anymore on Pleasure Island?

And a good time was had by all!