The Demise Of Music Video Channels

We Americans like to reminisce about the old days when MTV actually played music videos. Well apparently the situation is similar in Canada. If you had cable TV up there in the great white north where MTV was not an option, there was a Canadian music video channel called MuchMusic. It was owned by the same group that owns popular Toronto radio station CHUM.

I rarely turn on the hotel television when I'm visiting Canada so I missed the rebranding of MuchMusic to just Much. Now owned by Bell Media, the channel has rid itself of most music video programming as it goes after the teen and young adult market with lifestyle shows and teen dramas. Like most Canadian radio and television channels, they're required to have a certain percentage of Canadian-made content.

Sadly, Germany's music video channel VIVA closed at the end of 2018.

MTV Europe still operates in several European countries but sadly too, music videos are scarce.

Concert Report: DJ Paul Oakenfold (Ace Cafe)

The legendary DJ Paul Oakenfold (GB) headlined last night's outdoor concert on the lawn at Ace Cafe. You can find all the pics on our sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

Concert Report: Sandi Drops An F-Bomb (Ace Cafe)

DJ Davie-D (USA) was one of seven DJ's playing at last night's birthday party concert at Ace Cafe and our sister website Orlando Entertainment News was there to get the pictures! Article here.

 

Friday Funny

 

DS Update: M&M Store Delayed To 2021

FILE PHOTO - NOT A CURRENT PHOTO

The M&M website reports that the opening of their new store in Disney Springs West Side will be delayed until 2021 as reported by the BlogMickey (LINK) website. This is not a surprise as we reported in September that we didn't think there was any way they could finish in time for the upcoming holiday season. Big thanks to Blog reader DJ Mad Man Ray for this information!

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

THURSDAY NOV 12

DJ 420 (USA)     Embassy Irish Bar     Breaks

FRIDAY NOV 13

DJ Sandy (USA)     Ace Cafe Outdoors     Breaks / Bass

FRIDAY NOV 13

DJ i_o (USA)     Celine Orlando     House / Heavy Bass

SATURDAY NOV 14

DJ Paul Oakenfold (GB)     Ace Cafe Outdoors     Trance / Techno

SATURDAY NOV 14

DJ Claude VonStroke (USA)     Gilt Concert Venue     Dirtybird House / EDM

 

SATURDAY NOV 14

DJ Greco (USA)     Elixir Bar     House

EDC Orlando Update: Hoping For 2021

As you know, the 10th anniversary edition of Electric Daisy Carnival - Orlando was supposed to take place this coming weekend. Like last year's amazing show, it was to take place across 3 days and nights, Friday through Sunday, with 7 (possibly 8) stages of music. Covid19 shut the event down like it has so many other events this year. Florida and in particular Orlando has had numerous other DJ concerts lately but nothing the magnitude of EDC. It was a wise move to postpone it until next year. Ticketholders will be able to use their passes next year which although not announced, will likely take place in November again. While some may question whether EDC is actually planning to return again, please note the banner above which was posted in multiple places on the grounds of Insomniac's recent Boo! Orlando mini-festival. See you there!

PI Update: What We Saw Is Not What We Got

When Disney published this concept art in 2013 about what Disney Springs was going to look like, little did we know that the Pleasure Island portion that we got was nothing like the Pleasure Island they published. Looking across The Waterfront to the Island and starting from left to right, we can see the No. 5 Bridge in the upper left corner and the balloon ride landing pad sticking out into Village Lake. Upon crossing the bridge to the Island, the building on the left (in a tan color) in the art looks nothing like the Maria & Enzo's / The Edison building we got. Also, the building on the right upon entering the Island looks to be made primarily of glass including a large glass atrium structure which is nothing like the STK restaurant that was actually constructed.  The Mannequins & 8TRAX buildings are clearly seen and to this day, their outsides do remain rather distinctive and the same as they once were. But in 2013 they likely did not know Morimoto Asia would be the new tenant and thus did not know what renovations would take place. For instance, the Morimoto kitchen extends into the 8TRAX space with windows not shown while the Mannequins building has a balcony that is actually used for seating. The awning-covered stairs leading up the side of Mannequins were removed long ago.  Looking out into Village Lake, curious submarine-looking boats are seen floating around but the closest we got were cars that move about like boats from The Boathouse. That restaurant, in the upper right corner, ended-up being far larger than the concept art projected. Finally, back along the Waterfront, the large and small structures shown nestled-up against the water were nothing like the Art Smith's Homecoming restaurant eventually constructed there. Just goes to show you that concept art is often significantly different than ends up being built. 

 

 

Club Reports: Independent Bar, Elixir Bar, Treehouse, Attic Nightclub, The Patio, Aero Bar

Las Vegas-based DJ Jeff Retro (USA) was at one of our Saturday night stops last night and you can see all the pictures on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

Club Reports: Ann Teague's, Eden Lounge, Monkey Bar, Wall St Cantina, Aero Bar

We checked out a couple brand new venues last night before finishing up with DJ Cliff T (USA) at Aero Bar. Check out all the pictures on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

Friday Funny

 

Downtown Update: Unusual Club Names

One of the most unusual venue names downtown is Hanson's Shoe Repair. It's named for an actual shoe repair shop that occupied this address back in the early part of the 20th century. It's also a hidden speakeasy meaning you have to know where it is to find it and you have to call the afternoon of the evening you want to attend to obtain that night's password. It's one of the few speakeasys in this town that has remained successful. Sorry we can't tell you where it is!

Herman's Loan Office was another hidden gem but unlike Hanson's it did have a sign. It too was named for the actual business that existed in the front section of this building early last century. The clubs Backroom and Sound Bar were located in here but then completely gutted to become Herman's. Sadly, it didn't last long. However, an Alice In Wonderland-themed club is coming here soon!

Ann Teague's Lamp Supply is located in the spot where Suite B Lounge and Peek Downtown were located for years and the Celine Sports Bar lasted about a year. The beautiful bar you remember from Peek is still there and the place is crammed with antique lamps that are supposedly for sale. Interesting!

This Weekend In Techno Town

FRIDAY NOV 6

DJ Jamie Jones (USA)     Celine Orlando     House

SATURDAY NOV 7

                               DJ Jeff Retro (USA)     The Attic     House / EDM

SATURDAY NOV 7

                                            DJ 4B (USA)     Gilt Concert Venue     House

SATURDAY NOV 7

                    DJ Robotic (USA)     Oasis On The River (Sanford)     Breaks / Bass

 

Election Day 2020!

It has finally arrived! ELECTION DAY 2020. We're hoping for a Blue Wave to finally bring an end to the worst President this country has ever had. Below you will find 20 of our favorite memes from this past year. Enjoy!

Downtown Update: Parliament House Moving To Ferg's Depot Building

Ferg's Depot was a short-lived venue along Church Street immediately adjacent the SunRail tracks and the commuter line's Church Street Station (SunRail).

Built in an actual 1889 railroad depot for the South Florida Railroad and later Atlantic Coast Line, the redone interior hosted beautiful bars and lots of televisions for sports. But it never caught on and there were many a weekend evening when the place was closed.

Confidential sources tell Save Pleasure Island Blog that Parliament House, which closed last night after a 45+ year run on Orange Blossom Trail, will allegedly be relocating here. Ironically it will be directly across the tracks from another prominent LGBT venue, Hamburger Mary's. We'll keep you updated!

Club Reports: Ace Cafe, Boo! Orlando (Day 2), Orange Avenue, Independent Bar, Elixir Bar, The Patio, Aero Bar

Plenty of social distancing last night as we visited 7 venues on Halloween night. See all the pictures here on sister website Orlando Entertainment News. Link.