Friday Funny

PI Update: New Mannequins Music Discovered & Posted

WOW! Never previously released mixtapes from Mannequins have been posted on MixCloud of DJ sets from DJ Dave Cannalte (USA) and DJ Peapod, circa 1998. As is typical of that era, much of the music is Breakbeats. Check it out: LINK

This Weekend In Techno Town

 

Well, we have this article in today's Atlanta Journal & Constitution indicating that Georgia is going to keep bars, nightclubs and live performances closed at least through the end of May. We bring this up because Florida is several weeks behind Georgia in reopening things. Not that this is bad; Georgia opened way too early in our opinion. But it shows that Florida is not likely to even considering reopening nightlife until at least the end of June. 

AJC article here.

So nothing in Orlando this weekend.

PI Update: Crossing The Island Ten Years Ago

Let's cross this bridge one more time to beautiful Pleasure Island.....in May, 2010!

More than 1.5 years after closing, Mannequins still looking damn good!

Turning right at the Hub, a snippet of Rock'n'Roll Beach Club and club Motion.

I spent all my time in Mannequins and 8TRAX.

I would drop by Motion at midnight for the "Cupid Shuffle" and "Cha Cha Slide"! But then back to Mannequins!

Looking up Hill Street.

A little construction action at Mannequins back door.

The 8TRAX front door.

Pleasure Island's Lombard Promenade was similar to Lombard Street in San Francisco. It led down to The Waterfront.

The 8TRAX alternate entrance was located down here as well. This would often be used as the main entrance to the club.

On crowded nights, the line for 8TRAX would extend to the very top of Lombard Promenade which is also where Adventurers Club was located along Hill Street.

Up here at West End Plaza, BET Soundstage was here along with.....

Comedy Warehouse. When you were at Pleasure Island, a good time was had by all.

MegaCon Postponement Cancelled

The 2020 edition of MegaCon was originally scheduled for April 16-19 and the virus situation forced a postponement to June 5-7.  Along with MegaCon itself, the MegaCon Afterparty was postponed from April 18th to June 6th. We now learn that MegaCon is completely cancelling it's 2020 convention and hopes to be back in 2021. We should be getting a cancellation notice for the Afterparty shortly. Cancellation requires a complete refund.

Masks In The Clubs

Was looking back through some of my Electric Daisy Carnival pics from last year and was amazed how many people were already wearing masks. Four months before wearing them became almost mandatory, masks were all over the place. Here was the mysterious DJ 13 (USA).

Of course there were some silly masks.

Which likely would not help stop transmission of any virus.

But some of the masks we spotted likely could help.

Focus on the mask being worn by the girl on the right.

At the barrier, similar to masks I've seen worn by some customers in Publix.

All I know is that these people were onto something 4 months before everyone else. And if nightclubs ever open again, they were on the forefront of a whole new fashion trend!

Friday Funny

When you're getting older.....   (not me, of course.)

DS Update: Reopening Imminent!

Is Disney Springs about to reopen? The website "Inside The Magic" is reporting increased activity in the castmember garage along with an increasing amount of delivery trucks. It would make sense for them to reopen Disney Springs restaurants and shops now that the Governor has begun his phased reopening process in Florida.  Blog reader Steve P. also pointed out that Disney reopened Disney Town in Shanghai first shortly before announcing the reopening of the Shanghai Disneyland Resort itself.  If Disney Springs restaurants are being stocked with fresh food, we could see a reopening very, very soon! Thanks to Steve P. for the information!
UPDATE:

A phased reopening of Disney Springs will begin on May 20. Following the guidance of government and health officials, a limited number of shopping and dining experiences that are owned by third-party operating participants will begin to open during this initial phase. The rest of Walt Disney World® Resort will remain closed, including theme parks and resort hotels.

As we continue to monitor conditions, and with the health of Guests and Disney Cast Members at the forefront of our planning, we are making several operational changes. Disney Springs will begin to reopen in a way that incorporates enhanced safety measures, including increased cleaning procedures, the use of appropriate face coverings by both Cast Members and Guests, limited-contact Guest services and additional safety training for Cast Members.

We will apply learnings and ideas from leaders in the health and travel industries, and we’re also talking to our unions as we prepare for some Cast Members to return to work.

During the initial opening phase, Disney Springs will have limitations on capacity, parking and operating hours. Given this unprecedented situation, we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we navigate through this process as responsibly as we can. Additional protocols and procedures may be announced closer to the opening date. Please check DisneySprings.com as we get closer to May 20 for the most current information on operating hours, locations and safety procedures. Thanks to Blog reader Patrick L. for this update!
UPDATE:
Disney owned and operated shops and restaurants to reopen on May 27th if not sooner. 

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

WDW Update: Shanghai To Reopen

Well this is a good sign.

Downtown Update: While We've Been Away

Over at Wall Street Plaza, the time-out from clubbing is being put to good use. The sidewalk (but not the brick street itself) has been pulled up and is being replaced with new large pavers.

The Blog has dropped-in on The Other Bar numerous times over the years but this past March, right before everything was shut down, the middle section of the venue became Kevin O'Ryans The Other Irish Bar. We'll check it out once it reopens. I think that makes 4 Irish bars downtown now.

Over on Pine Street, we've previously reported on the upscale bar called The Robinson which is located up on the second floor. To the left of the stairway that leads up to it, The Robinson Coffee Room has opened in the space previously occupied by Red Mug Diner.

It will apparently wrap around and behind the staircase that goes up to The Robinson and have another room for seating with this entrance to the right of the stairs.

Club Reports: Independent Bar

You know by now if it's at all possible on a Saturday night, I'm going to try to drop by I-Bar.

Nope.....it was closed too!

Club Reports: Treehouse, Attic Nightclub, Monkey Bar, Aero Bar, Elixir Bar, Celine

Friday night in the city, looking for some House music. The only House at Treehouse is in its name but it's fun place for having a drink or shot while sitting on their grass floor so why not stop by? Door locked! No problem, going around to the front of the building.

Damn, no one here either!

Monkey Bar is a great place to hear real House music from DJ Dity or one of his colleagues. WTF, the hidden elevator is shuttered! Won't be going up there.

Aero Bar should be open since it's outdoors, right? Nope, locked tight! No DJ Cliff T or Robin or Kevin Kon tonight. I was getting concerned.

Things were not promising as I walked up to Elixir Bar because it looked kind of dark inside.

No House music either on their famous outdoor patio; the only sound was crickets.

Celine Nightclub has gone Hip Hop on Saturday nights but they're still House on Friday nights. What I found though was the ATM was working, but sadly the club wasn't. As you can see, Friday night was a bust. A good time was had by..... no one.

Friday Funny

PI Update: Not Even A Second Glance

How many times did you walk right past this club sign marquee and ignore it, knowing that your clubs were there yesterday, they were there then and they'd be there tomorrow?

This Weekend In Techno Town

"How dry I am!"

DS Update: Saudi Arabia Aquires Interest In HOB

With the entertainment industry hit hard by coronavirus closures, many stocks are near all-time lows. Yesterday we learned that the Saudi Arabia's investment arm has bought a 5.7% interest in Live Nation, a deal worth approximately $500B.  
Live Nation owns a number of businesses including TicketMaster, Front Line Management and House of Blues.
More details here from CNBC.

PI Update: Million Dollar View

Now THAT's a view I'd pay a lot of money to see again!

Firestone Update: Reopening Soon?

 "We will celebrate again together soon!" reads the marquee sign outside Firestone, The Club at Firestone, Firestone Live, Venue 578, The Vanguard Theater.

 Yes, notwithstanding the coronavirus situation, we could see The Vanguard opening within months. The Blog last visited 6 months ago and we posted exterior and interior construction photos here.

The exterior appears to be largely finished. These black plywood sheets block the main entrance along Orange Avenue.

Opposite the main entrance, The Patio, where many a great DJ has played, has been enhanced with seating plus stairs to the second level.

Rounding the corner of the patio and looking west, it continues further. More black panels block what I assume will be glass windows and doors.

Walking down the Concord Street side and then looking back east, one can see not only that patio on the lower level but also a balcony level above it.

The entire back of the building where the parking lots are. Their website refers to a Spring, 2020 opening which of course is now through mid-June. We'll just have to see how things play out but it's good to know....it's coming back!