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 Reunion 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!

Concert Report: EDM For Charity (Firestone)

Visiting club Firestone Live for their EDM For Charity event with door proceeds being donated to Orlando's Second Harvest Food Bank.  There were 4 rooms of music with more DJ's than you can shake a stick at......all donating their time!

On the main stage when I arrived, DJ Suzy Solar (USA) showing some love!

Nice crowd on the dance floor enjoying her mostly Trance set.

Suzy opened for the #1 DJ in the world, Armin van Buuren (NL), when he played at Amphitheatre in Tampa last month!

Lots of fun out on the patio. DJ J13 (Bikkuri Lounge, Suite B Lounge) was on the boards when I arrived out there!

It was Trance out here too!  Biggest crowd roar was when he played Gareth Emery's (GB) "Concrete Angel".

This group was getting into the festivities!

Spotted: DJ Cyberian Soundz with his lovely wife!

Spotted: DJ Robb Blak with his lovely girlfriend!  Robb opens for Ferry Corsten (NL) on the 27th at Roxy Nightclub!

Over in VIP, Robb Blak joined Suzy Solar and DJ Li'l B!

Back on the main stage, DJ Krybtonite spinning Progressive House!

With some booty-shaking taking place down on the floor!

Spotted texting in VIP, ShannonHTG (Moe's Tavern)!

Legendary DJ Carlos Mendoza playing House back at the main stage.

Dance floor was thinning out but still held a crowd of dancers.

DJ Li'l B on the boards now.  Suzy Solar showing that not only can she play the stuff, she can dance to it too!!  You can hear her 2-hour set "Solar Power" every Friday night from 10pm to midnight on Party95.com.

The post-2am crowd refusing to give it up!

And a good time was had by all!

Concert Report: DJ Heavygrinder (Syn Nightclub)

New venue Syn Nightclub on a Friday night.

DJ Smooth playing EDM when I arrived.  This is a different DJ Smooth than the one who plays at Universal CityWalk. 

Spotted in the foyer with the arriving DJ Heavygrinder (USA), Orlando's very own DJ Icey (USA)!

Taking over the controls close to 1am, Heavygrinder is the biggest name to play at Syn during the short time the club has been open!

I wouldn't call Syn "packed" but it was definitely crowded for the show!

Even a couple VIP sections upstairs were occupied with people dancing along the balcony.

LA-based Heavygrinder was bouncing all over the stage last night, obviously in a great mood during this Florida tour that has included stops in Fort Myers and Tampa.

I love her new look with the long brown hair.  When she played at Club V last year it was blonde and much shorter.  She's playing at Electric Daisy Carnival - Las Vegas next weekend!

The crowd was really enjoying the music!

Take off your shoes and stay awhile!

Heavygrinder plays in Pensacola Beach tonight.  I hope she's flying because that is one boring 7-hour drive to that section of Florida that's so far away, it's in the Central Time Zone!

Spotted: DJ Big Makk (The Beacham, Syn)

Spotted: Mannequins in the house!

And a good time was had by all!