The aptly named “Out of Nowhere” tour finds celebrated comedian Tig Notaro doing a long weekend of Florida dates, including one here at the Plaza Live.
The Renaissance woman — comic, writer, director, actor and (inevitably) podcast host — has carved out one of the most eclectic careers in modern showbiz, careening from Star Trek spin-off Starfleet Academy to the achingly confessional stand-up album Live on through to producer credits on evocative new doc Come See Me in the Good Light about poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley’s cancer journey.
Make attending this one a late New Year’s resolution.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave., plazaliveorlando.org, $66-$203.
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Internet personality, one half of the “Las Culturistas” podcast and the prince of pop culture himself Matt Rogers heads to the City Beautiful to deliver a heaping helping of holiday laughs.
In what Rogers called the “dumbest, gayest Christmas spectacle you can imagine,” his annual holiday tour Christmas in December blends comedic sketches, satire and plenty of campy live music.
We’ll likely hear tunes from his own 2022 musical special, Have You Heard of Christmas?, get first listens of new songs and witness some Mariah Carey high-note levels of Christmas cheer.
The project started in 2017, Rogers told Billboard, in a 70-seat cabaret theater in New York City. It’s since grown to fill several thousand-capped rooms of fans, including its very last stop right here in Orlando. Get ready to ho ho ho.
6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave., plazaliveorlando.org, $63-$86.
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Cosplay, anime panels, voice actor meet-and-greets, vendors, gaming and themed dances
Stand-up comedian and The Daily Show writer-performer Josh Johnson brings his sharp humor to the Plaza Live for two sold-out performances.
Armed with relatable storytelling, keen topical humor and progressive sensibilities, Johnson turns the bleak everyday into disarming laughs. The Louisiana native got his start performing at open mics in Chicago before landing writing roles on The Tonight Show and TDS, where he now also appears as a correspondent.
Named one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch,” Johnson continues to earn acclaim for his specials # (Hashtag) and Up Here Killing Myself, praised for biting humor with empathetic heart.
4 p.m. & 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, The Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave., plazaliveorlando.org, SOLD OUT.
This will be the second week of the V Bar —the vampiric drag event usually paired with Nosferatu and staged at the Renaissance Theatre — residency at the Plaza Live, cheekily dubbed Condamned.
The name comes from city officials shutting down and effectively condemning the Ivanhoe Village venue for construction issues and code violations. This couldn’t come at a worse time for the Ren: The immersive and spooky extravaganza that is Nosferatu is both the theater’s most ambitious undertaking and biggest moneymaker of the year.
As the time of writing, there are no developments in the Ren’s talks with the city to resolve the issue. But while Nosferatu is just too involved to be staged anywhere else, V Bar has hopped over to the Plaza Live.
And it’s worth your time to darken the doors of this Milk District venue to see local drag luminaries like Coco Cavalli, Myki Meeks, Orusha San Miguel, Beatrixxx Oddity, Black Magix Royal, Angelica Sanchez and Allegra D all putting on their undead best. Expect some of the Nosferatu players to be lurking and causing mischief as well, we’d wager.
Fangs crossed they can go back to the Ren soon.
9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, The Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave., rentheatre.org, $44-$108.
Rock hogs the spotlight when it comes to guitar heroes, for obvious reasons. But Americana has its greats, too. And without question, Molly Tuttle is a young god with dazzling bluegrass virtuosity that could, yes, hang with even the best tech-death and neoclassical metal axmen out there.
Unlike those wankers, however, her music is much more than technical self-indulgence. She’s been knocking everyone out in recent years with an award-winning blend of modern folk, indie taste and pop flair.
What’s more, Tuttle will be showing off her new all-female, post-Golden Highway band. Oh, that sound? It’s the glass ceiling cracking. Opening will be talented and true Dallas artist Joshua Ray Walker, whose music is pure country gold.
7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, Plaza Live, $44.69-$73.98.
G Flip plays Orlando this weekend Credit: Nazrin Massaro
Like a late-night drive, Australian musician G Flip’s latest chapter is a dazzling collision of 1980s-inspired beats and star-powered ambition. The acclaimed singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist is revving the engine on their new musical Dream Ride era.
G Flip describes the new project as an “Bruce Springsteen fantasy,” with shimmering synths and irresistible hooks.
“I just think I’ve matured as an artist over the years — from my songwriting to my producing skills,” G Flip tells Orlando Weekly. “Songwriting for me is like an open diary. You know, just sharing your feelings and making melodies and production, making it definitely a cathartic experience.”
G Flip got their musical start as a drummer, and this percussive background shapes the way they craft melodies today. Before stepping out as a solo artist, G Flip spent years playing in bands, watching singers command the stage from behind the kit.
“I’d sit back there and study how different singers interacted with the crowd. I’d take notes on what I’d do differently, or what I’d keep the same,” G Flip says.
Now, with guitar solos, piano breaks and relentless energy, G Flip delivers a multi-instrumental live show that mirrors their fearless versatility.
“Younger me would be stoked,” G Flip says. “I always wanted to see someone like myself playing drums and singing. I’ve always wanted to be the person I wished existed when I was a kid.”
G Flip’s music isn’t just personal, it’s communal. Openly queer and non-binary, they’ve built a dedicated fanbase that finds strength and safety in their songs.
“I don’t know how to not be authentically myself,” G Flip says. “That naturally comes through in my songwriting, and it’s attracted a fanbase that’s very queer, very trans. I love that community, and I’m passionate about making our shows a safe space. It’s beautiful seeing that connection.”
That connection runs deep, with fans lining up hours before shows, singing every word in unison and, in some cases, even etching the music permanently into their skin.
“I’ve seen people get my lyrics tattooed, even my handwriting on their face,” G Flip laughs. “It’s wild, but I’m always so appreciative of that kind of dedication.”
When asked what they hope listeners decades from now will glean from their music, G Flip doesn’t hesitate: “I hope they take away the fun energy. I’m playing every instrument live on the record, and at the shows, I’m switching instruments constantly. It’s high energy, very ’80s, and I just want to make music that makes people sing or move.”
That sense of possibility underpins everything they do. “I want people to realize they have the power to do anything in life,” G Flip says. “Nothing is unachievable. I really want to instill that belief in people and inspire people to go after their dreams.”
But when the lights go down and the first beat kicks in, fans can expect more than just a concert. They’ll experience the culmination of a journey, from a kid obsessed with drums to an artist shaping the sound and spirit of a generation.
“It’s a really fun live show, very musical, with some of the best musicians alongside me,” G Flip says. “And it’s a safe space for our LGBTQ+ community.”
And that safe space just happens to be Orlando’s Plaza Live this Saturday, Sept. 20, at 8 p.m. Tickets are still available.
Orlando, we did Bang Yongguk dirty. How was this show (Friday, April 12, Plaza Live) not a packed-to-the-rafters sellout?
That being said, I can’t complain when I remember those familiar butterflies that came back like I was 14 again, ready to see my bias (note: That’s K-pop slang to signify your absolute favorite) in my city after all this time.
For you see, Bang Yongguk, from 2012 to 2016, was the leader of South Korean K-pop maestros BAP (as in, they are “Best Absolute Perfect”). BAP were well-known for having sensitive tough-guy concepts: choreography often including punching the air and doing push-ups, members were clad in spiky leather jackets and Misfits T-shirts, all of it was belied by heart-wrenching vocal solos. Punk attitude with dramatic execution.
Yongguk appeared ascetic and quiet during these years.
Seeing Yongguk on stage in 2024, I felt proud to be a longtime fan; his stoicism never went away, but his shoulders seemed more relaxed, and he smiled between each song to remind us he was happy to be there. (Is this his David Sylvian post-Japan era?)
“This is my first time in Orlando, and I love you guys,” he said.
Everything he uttered was met with uproarious barks from the crowd, woofs abounded — meant likely to remind Yongguk that the fans would uplift him no matter what.
He is one of those stars with an intriguingly wholesome connection with his fans, saying he wants to do everything he can to encourage them to follow their dreams.
He performed songs from all three of his solo albums released after BAP’s breakup. (Though he has assured fans BAP will be together forever and always.)
He even worked in a deep-cut song from 2011 he recorded with fellow idol Yang Yoseob from the band B2ST: a power ballad with emotive rapping called “I Remember.”
The acclaimed cult track had the crowd beyond hyped, and the somewhat less-than-full hall was redeemed as a spacious dance floor we had to jam and break.
The stars of ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ come to Orlando next week
Indie cult-classic Napoleon Dynamite is celebrating 20 years of unforgettable dialogue and coming-of-age cringe this year, and Orlando’s getting a front-row seat next week.
To mark the milestone, some of the film’s original cast members are hosting “Napoleon Dynamite Live” events at venues around the country, including Orlando’s Plaza Live.
The event includes a screening of the film followed by a conversation with fan favorites Jon Heder (Napoleon), Jon Gries (Uncle Rico) and Efren Ramirez (Pedro) — who will all be in the house.
Fit for all ages, the show will be a mix of Q&A, improv comedy, game show-style activities and party vibes with lots of audience participation. (Lucky you!)
The live event happens at the Plaza Live on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $35.
