PI Update: Island By Night

Palms sweat a little bit; pulse quickens. That's what happens when you cross this nostalgic bridge to beautiful Pleasure Island!  It's been while since we visited the Island after dark so let's go check it out!  First the shops.

Erwin Pearl Jewelry, located at the historic Hub, wasn't exactly bustling.

While Apex by Sunglass Hut was.

Sound Lion had a few.

While Sanuk had a big crowd looking for flip flops.

As did Havianas. Flip flops for the win!

The crowds at Art of Shaving were razor thin.

Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC had a handful looking for gluten-free treats.

No doubt the biggest retail hit on the Island is Chapel Hats!  Everybody wants a hat!

For musical entertainment, the Waterview Stage is where it's at.  Wednesday night we saw the Even Jones Trio performing.

Decent crowd on hand to watch.

The Trio was tag-teaming with Nicholas Marks and his gypsy guitar.

Nicholas Marks is one of the original entertainers to perform on Pleasure Island when they first began their "ultralounge" concept at West End Plaza post-Celebrate Tonight. His unique sound always draws passersby.

Over at the Lilypad we found Porch Dogs!

Who says there's no dancing anymore on Pleasure Island?

DTD Update: East Garage Progress

Upward progress continues on Downtown Disney's new East Garage as seen earlier this Wednesday evening in Lake Buena Vista. Tomorrow morning on the Blog we look at what the night is like on beautiful Pleasure Island. Tune in.

This Weekend In Techno Town

THURSDAY AUG 6
DJ duo Zeds Dead (CDN) returns to Orlando tomorrow night at Venue 578.  Dubstep.

But if you prefer House music, you'll want to be at The Attic for DJ duo Chocolate Puma (NL). Carlos Mendoza (USA) opens.

FRIDAY AUG 7
The Dutch weekend continues with first visit from DJ Bakermat (NL) at Venue 578.  House.

And yet another Nederlander over at Club 23 for some fast and furious D&B from DJ Lenzman (NL).

SATURDAY AUG 8
Downtown favorite Vanity Nightclub becomes Eve Nightclub this Saturday with a grand opening party featuring DJ Freefall (USA). Get on the guestlist by noon Friday for free admission! Dance.

A mix of Progressive and Breaks from DJ Burufunk (USA) along with the DJ crew from NLP this Saturday night at Native!

Orlando Weekly Best Of 2015

Orlando Weekly has published their Best of 2015 article covering dozens of categories including many related to the local entertainment scene.  We will share some of the winners with you as selected by OW readers.

BEST DANCE CLUBS:
1.  Independent Bar (pictured above)
2.  Southern Nights
3.  Vanity Nightclub (New name Eve beginning this Friday)

BEST CLUB DJ:
1.  The Angel of Boom
2.  DJ BMF (pictured above)
3.  Jimmy Joslin (pictured below)

BEST CLUB NIGHT:
1.  Backbooth
2.  Dancers Royale
3.  Pulse Orlando

For the entire article, click on this link here.

ADH Update: Revisiting Pleasure Island

I'm sure you'll recall our previous report where supposedly it had been confirmed that on Thursday nights Atlantic Dance Hall was switching to a Pleasure Island cast member-style night. From what we were told, the DJ's would play 1 hour blocks of music themed to former PI dance clubs Rock'n'Roll Beach Club, 8TRAX, Motion and Mannequins.  So what ever became of this?

We're told that this plan is still green-lighted and that it's going to begin the first Thursday in January.  No reason was given for the delay.  I pointed out that New Years Eve is also on a Thursday night this year and asked whether they go with the Pleasure Island format on that night for their annual NYE party.  Our source did not know.  So the Blog will continue to monitor this story to see what develops. Stay tuned!  Atlantic Dance Hall is located at Disney's Boardwalk Resort.

Concert Report: DJ Kid Digital (Native)

Sorry for the delay in today's post. Internet was down today at Save Pleasure Island Blog world headquarters.  Last night did see me out at Native Social Bar downtown.

DJ Henry D was in the booth when I arrived delivering Breaks.

DJ posing with the the Mazor's, the undisputed First Family of Breaks!

Spotted in the Native front courtyard: DJ Kid Digital (RUS)

And he took over at 12:30AM and quickly took things up several notches!

High speed Breakbeats!

Dance floor unfortunately stayed rather spartan.

The bar area was more populated though.

Spotted: More DJ's than you can shake a stick at!

Spotted in VIP: DJ MX, DJ Matrix & MC Marybeth

What the dance floor lacked in quantity was more than made up in quality!

This was a first appearance ever in Florida for DJ Kid Digital!

And at least in the VIP area, a good time was had by all!

Concert Report: Gabriel & Dresden (Opera Atlanta)

Opera Nightclub in Atlanta is the Friday night home to big name DJ concerts!

Flew up to check out DJ duo Gabriel & Dresden (USA)!

Last saw them in 2011 at Electric Daisy Carnival - Orlando during a thunderstorm-shortened set.

Opera was packed!

But plenty of room to dance in this spacious venue!

I had arrived around 11:30PM not realizing there was no opening act.

And Gabriel & Dresden were already playing!

Their set ran from 10PM to 2:30AM nonstop!

Music was mostly Vocal Trance!

Most of their set was their own music!  They've got the years to be able to do that!

Crowd getting in to 2006 #1 hit "Tracking Treasure Down".

Club packed to the rafters!

Spotted on the dance floor: Kelly & Caleb from Louisville

Spotted offstage: Cute as a button (guy version)

Spotted onstage: Cute as a button (gal version)

Gabriel & Dresden got back together again in 2011 after a number of years performing separately.

Both DJ's were quite animated all night and you could tell they were really getting into their show!

Close to the end of the night, absolutely blowing-out the club with the long version of their hit "As The Rush Comes" which they put out in 2003 under the name "Motorcycle"!

Amazing night in Atlanta!

A good time was had by all!