Friday Funny: Bad Girls On Pleasure Island!

Band Nova Era plays Classical music on Pleasure Island but occasionally they perform as Nova Pop playing more contemporary songs.  In 2010 they performed the hardly family-friendly song, "Bad Girls" at West End Plaza. Doubt that got repeated!

PI Update: Visiting The Tunnels

Let's cross this bridge one more time to beautiful Pleasure Island!

Mannequins Dance Palace dominates the scene as it always does!

 

 Although I think this view from the same spot looks a lot better!!

From the Blog's exclusive SkyCam, we see the entrance to Neverland Tunnels (or whatever it's going to be named) down below the Island side of the No. 5 Bridge.  Notice the stairs down to this entrance begins at the base of the stairs that come down from STK. To the right, there is a sloping ramp down.

Circling around the construction walls and looking at it from the opposite side at ground level.

We believe the other entrance to whatever this is will be located inside The Edison.

Another view of the ramp to the left as well as how this area connects below the bridge to the auditorium section of The Edison. Construction progress appears slow but we don't know what's going on inside and with The Edison delayed until Late 2017, there wouldn't need to be any urgency here either.

This Weekend In Techno Town

FRIDAY APR 28
Is it the end of April already? Yes it is and the last Friday of the month means "Lost In Trancelation" at Bikkuri Lounge featuring resident DJ's Agni (USA/IS) and Suzy Solar (USA) opening for DJ Airwave (B).  Psytrance.

FRIDAY APRIL 28
Currently operating out of Las Vegas, Native Social Bar has a great one this Friday with DJ Chris Garcia (E) in the club as part of their "Married To The Rave" series!  House.

FRIDAY APR 28
Meanwhile Vinyl Arts Bar keeps delivering the talent too, this Friday night with DJ D-Unity (CDN).  Techno / Tech House.

SATURDAY APR 29
For something completely different, the traveling Wes Smith (USA) "Game on Tour" passes through Orlando at Peek Downtown with DJ ShOOey (USA) plus local talent such as Jefferson Funk, Lady J and Miss Bliss!  Breaks / Bass / EDM.

SATURDAY APR 29
Something for the youngsters, Herobust (USA) comes to Gilt Nightclub this Saturday night.  Trap.

SATURDAY APR 29
For the more sophisticated tastes, Vinyl Arts Bar does it again on Saturday night with DJ Charles Webster (GB) in the club. House.

SATURDAY APR 29
Lastly, MTV fans will recognize DJ Skribble (USA) who joins resident DJ Ray Love out on the patio overlooking downtown Orlando at 180 Skytop Lounge.  Open Format.

PI Update: No Wonder Edison Is Delayed

Let's cross this bridge one more time to beautiful Pleasure Island to check out progress at The Edison Orlando!

As the only large project still remaining within the Disney Springs conversion, it was supposed to open in "Spring 2017" but that's now been pushed off until "Late 2017"!

And it's really no wonder. The complex is nowhere near completed!

And this is especially notable from the rear.

The section to the left that reused much of the Adventurers Club structure seems further along and they are likely working on the interior.  But that section to the right, completely new build in the spot BET Soundstage used to stand, is much farther from completion!

That large opening on the AC side of the building remains a curiosity.

With two distinct sections, we originally were led to believe that the Adventurers Club section was going to be The Edison while the BET Soundstage side of the building was going to Walt's or Walt's Place, another restaurant. But as the Edison blueprints that we recently published portions of show, these are all part of one large complex!

The BET section is quite Art Deco.

While the AC section is anchored by this soon to be iconic smokestack from the building's previous use as an electric plant. (Note: Seems we could see real steam coming out of that tower!)

As we saw before this was closed in, it's an auditorium of sorts. Will there be Burlesque as The Edison Los Angeles offers?  Will there be dancing in club atmosphere?  Don't hold your breath for either.  Remember, this is Disney and there ain't no more dancing on Pleasure Island!

DS Update: Disney Springs Over The Years

When you look back at all that's gone on since the Pleasure Island clubs closed and Disney Springs shops opened, it's easy to think that progress was made quickly. But that would be incorrect. What he have out there now took a really long time to get here. We all know the clubs closed in September, 2008 and by then the plans to lease the existing club spaces to 3rd parties had fallen through due to the recession. Disney decided to proceed with the demolition of Motion & Rock'n'Roll Beach Club as shown above in March, 2011 because regardless of what was going to come, it would involve making a new pedestrian walkway between Portabello and Raglan Road.

 By late 2012, the Blog speculated on the placement of what was to come, based on information given to us prior to that by our Island sources.  A) That new pedestrian walkway; B) The future home of a restaurant with a lighthouse design which we now know became The Boathouse; C) An outdoor music amphitheater which we now know became the Waterview Stage.

The ill-advised plans for Hyperion Wharf as Pleasure Island's replacement came and went. In February, 2013, the website Park Rumors reported that Disney Springs would be the new name for Downtown Disney and this was officially announced one month later. By February of the next year, construction was well underway. In this 2014 photo, we see the Pleasure Island Bypass causeway operational, Comedy Warehouse, Laffers Cantina & Curl gone along with the buildings adjacent Mannequins on Hill Street.  The Boathouse is also underway. The PI parking lot is still in business.

One year later (April 2015), the first new shops opened along Hill Street and the PI parking lot is now gone to make way for Disney Springs Town Center. Pleasure Island was no longer an island with The Waterfront now drained.

And one year later again (April 2016), Disney Springs is almost ready and indeed would open one month later.  The Lime Garage also appeared during this past year!

And here we are in April 2017, with the entire Village of Disney Springs open for business. One plot of land remains (middle left edge) for Wine Bar George and then it's done. Of course there are rumors of Disney Springs expanding even further west into the current Strawberry parking lot beyond House of Blues where there would be plenty more waterfront spaces to offer. But none of this came quickly. 2008 to 2016 means it took 8 years!

Club Reports: Ember, I-Bar, Peek Downtown

Long overdue for a visit to Ember Bar and when I found out they were running a Latin night here on Saturdays, it went to the top of my list!

Outside on the Terraza, DJ Guij was playing a mix of not only Reggeaton but also EDM and Top 40!

Music under the stars!

No one dancing just yet but plenty of nice scenery!

Inside, DJ Jose Bravo was playing strictly Latin genres.

No one dancing here yet either but the bar was seeing some action.

And a line was forming outside so it was about to get crowded!

But you know by now that if it's at all possible, I'm going to spend part of my Saturday night at Independent Bar!

That mystery DJ (USA) that we're not allowed to identify yet was back in the booth again!

The music was the Saturday night I-Bar format of 80's New Wave!

The dance floor was full as you'd expect!

And if you're in Orlando for Memorial Day weekend, check-out this year's "Summer of Love" on Sunday night here, presented by AAHZ.  Advance tickets go on sale soon and it's a "DO NOT MISS event!

And now over to the event of this weekend, "Wake N Bake" at Peek Downtown!

DJ Rich D (USA) in the booth when I arrived fashionably late as I typically do!

And just moments later, DJ duo Phat Kidz (USA) taking control!

Peek was packed!

Breaks all night long!

Spotted spinning: Athena

Spotted by the booth: Amanda & Nikki

Spotted on the dance floor: Bob S, Keara, Scotty & Amanda

Spotted in VIP: Adriana & Anthony

Spotted hanging with a stripper: Manda

Spotted: DJ Divine & Bob S surrounded by more breaker chicks than at any other club in town! (L to R) Aimee, Brooke, Amanda, Athena, Jessica, Cristine & Shelly.

Going Old Skool on us, 95.3Party style!

DJ Supagroover taking over at 1:30AM!

Dance floor stayed jammed!  Peek is Orlando's home of Breaks!

A good time was had by all!