It was just Thomas Dolby, his keyboard and a synthesizer, at the House of Blues Thursday night, and that’s all the crowd needed.
Kicking things off with a cover of “Blue Monday,” Dolby’s performance delivered an experience combining audio and visuals. An engaging storyteller, Dolby peppered in more covers throughout the show, including “My Brain Is Like a Sieve” from Aliens Ate My Buick and David Bowie’s “Heroes,” calling back his Live Aid experience. Songs like “Hyperactive” and “She Blinded Me With Science” had the crowd up on their feet, dancing and singing along. Here’s all the action we caught.
Somewhere between Rock, Gospel, and Country lies a genre that we collectively call “Americana.” That moniker can mean a host of things, depending on with whom you’re talking. Artists like Taj Mahal, Bobby McFerrin, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and Keb’ Mo’ fall into the category, combining Delta Blues, Country, Gospel, and good old-fashioned Rock. Add in a bit of harmonica, Steel-Drum and slide guitar and you get a mashup that both defines genre as well as defies the conventions of any one of those single categories. And that’s not a dig at the roots of this branding; the music is uplifting and fulfilling in a way that much music today simply isn’t. Irony, double-entendre, or cynicism won’t be found in any of these tunes.
Last night’s show at the Mimi Ohio Theater drew a diverse crowd of attendees, old and young, black and white, to hear Keb’ Mo’s ninety-minute drive down an old country road, with the top down, breeze in your hair, and the smell of magnolia sweetly wafting on the breeze. That’s the evocation that his tunes have: it’s, for lack of a better term, happy music.
There’s no mention of politics, other than the repartee between a man and a woman vying for the upper hand in a relationship (“Old Me Better”), or a man defining his place in the world.
He took the stage at 8:45 and played until about 10:15, going through many of his most-well-known songs from an illustrious fifty-year career. On tour in support of his newest album, Good To Be, the 74-year-old Los Angeles native stopped at Playhouse Square on a twenty-plus set of solo stops into late this month.
Opening was Anthony D’Amato, a young singer-songwriter who played a thirty minute set of originals. Here’s all the action we caught.
It was a send-off that was equal parts bittersweet when Murder by Death played the Social in the waning days of what they say is their final tour before calling it a day. Both Murder by Death and opener BJ Barham (American Aquarium) gave their hearts and souls, musical and otherwise, to a sold-out crowd at this downtown venue.
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Downtown Arts District, the nonprofit that oversees downtown arts and culture hub CityArts, is finally reopening the café that’s been idle for many years, frustrating arts lovers with a java jones.
CityArts Café opens this week, with a grand opening kickoff at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12. There will be free coffee tastings, art activations and live music, culminating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m.
The café reopening is part of the Downtown Arts District’s mission to cultivate the arts in Orlando by creating a new space to highlight local artistry.
Art from Downtown Arts District’s 3rd Thursday monthly rotating exhibition will be on display, and a portion of the cafe’s proceeds will go toward supporting local artists and arts programming, the nonprofit says.
The café will offer guests a menu inspired by the building’s European heritage, such as Lavazza espresso-roast coffee, a variety of tea and tisanes, and soft drinks. Food options include classic French pasties and British tearoom favorites from local purveyor Olde Hearth Bread Co.
The 530-square-foot café is located inside the historic Rogers Kiene Building, home to CityArts Orlando, at 37 S. Magnolia Ave.
“CityArts Café is reopening as an extension of the Downtown Arts District, supporting our mission to cultivate a vibrant creative community in the heart of Orlando,” Downtown Arts District board chairman Daniel Betancourt said in a release.
Credit: Downtown Arts DistrictCredit: Downtown Arts DistrictCredit: Downtown Arts DistrictCredit: Downtown Arts DistrictCredit: Downtown Arts DistrictCredit: Downtown Arts DistrictCredit: Downtown Arts DistrictCredit: Downtown Arts DistrictCredit: Downtown Arts DistrictCredit: Downtown Arts District
Thanksgiving movies don’t get the credit they deserve. We get a ton of Christmas, Halloween, and other holiday movies canonized as classics and added to the yearly viewing rotation, but Thanksgiving has always remained the day when people slowly food-coma themselves into oblivion in front of football or parades.
Still, I think it’s time to spotlight a few pretty great Thanksgiving movies for those of us who prefer cinema to sports and celebrate the genius it takes to build a movie around a problematic holiday where the most excitement involved is usually how many deviled eggs one can eat before things go south.
Steve Martin and John Candy in Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Credit: Paramount
This is the obvious one for people of a certain generation, but I’ll always bring this 1987 film up when younger folks are around to keep the appreciation of John Candy alive for a thousand years to come. This classic follows an uptight ad exec (the wonderful Steve Martin) and a talkative but affable salesman (Candy) as they go on a very circuitous journey from New York to Chicago (by way of Kansas and a few other states) to try to make it home for Thanksgiving. It remains endlessly quotable (“Our speedometer has melted, and as a result, it’s very hard to see with any degree of accuracy exactly how fast we were going.”), genuinely heartwarming, and a good reminder that the holiday isn’t about pilgrims as much as a celebration of the people we love and choose to share our lives with.
The cast of Knives Out. Credit: Claire Folger/Lionsgate
While the film isn’t specifically set on Thanksgiving, Knives Out is still the perfect viewing antidote for those of us who have complicated relationships with our family. From writer-director Rian Johnson, Knives Out is a classic cinematic throwback to detectives like Marple, Poirot, and Holmes, but all centered around a profoundly dysfunctional family played by a murderers’ row of great actors including Michael Shannon, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, Christopher Plummer, and Toni Collette. Watching these characters sit around a table and squabble over petty insecurities reminds me of too many Thanksgivings to count and, for good or ill, feels pretty nostalgic.
A scene from Fantastic Mr. Fox. Credit: 20th Century Fox
This also isn’t set on Thanksgiving necessarily, but with the autumn leaves filling almost every frame and the focus on community, food and families both fond and otherwise, it’s not only the perfect film for kids to watch on the holiday, but grown-ups will find their eyes getting awfully moist as well. What on the surface seems like a simple story about securing food for the winter plays quite differently at a time when food security is in question. Big-hearted, warmly optimistic and filled to the brim with calls for goodness and charity, Fantastic Mr. Fox should be canonized as the Thanksgiving movie closest to the spirit of the holiday.
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail. Credit: Warner Bros.
While only briefly touching on Thanksgiving, You’ve Got Mail is still a perfect romance to watch with your person after dinner. With a chemistry that I’m not sure any actors have achieved since, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are so effortlessly charming and dreamy that it’s hard not to fall in love with them, too. Even if some of the story points feel a little sexist now, the film is still the equivalent of a rich dessert shared with a special someone.
The cast of Big Night. Credit: Allstar
Not connected to Thanksgiving in any way other than in how it celebrates family and food, Big Night should still be played as an appetizer to the Thanksgiving meal since I’m not sure food has ever looked more delicious onscreen before or since. Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub, Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, and Isabella Rossellini cook up something truly delicious here that makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
The Fellowship of the Rings. Credit: New Line Cinema
There are so many other solid Thanksgiving canon choices. For the horror movie fanatic in your life, you could show Eli Roth’s turkey slasher Thanksgiving. For the Boomer in your life. There’s The Big Chill. The little ones will always appreciate A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. If you’re after a heartwarming dramedy, don’t forget about the Jodie Foster-directed Home for the Holidays. Or if you want to focus on the historical perspective, Terence Malick’s The New World is an underseen classic. Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It has one of the tensest Thanksgiving dinners committed to film. And Pieces of April reminds us to forgive and find gratitude in the small things.
Me? My go-to movie for Thanksgiving is Fellowship of the Ring. Why, you may ask? Two reasons: 1) It’s the coziest movie ever made. The shire is all vibes and I want them religiously. 2) Hearing Sam Gamgee exclaim, “Po-ta-toes! Boil ’em, mash ’em, stick ’em in a stew” makes me hungry, happy, and full of thanks.
Renaissance to Runway: The Enduring Italian Houses examines the art historical inspirations that fuel recent creative Italian lexicon, expanding fantasies of the Renaissance, Mannerist, and early Baroque periods. The exhibition opens on November 9 and runs through February 1, 2026.
Austin’s Coffee open mics over the years have not only given stars of the Orlando comedy scene their first experiences onstage, but it was also a formative space for nationally known comedians like Kam Patterson of SNL and Preacher Lawson. With Lawson now involved in the new Austin’s location opening at 2240 W. Fairbanks Ave., we expect this rich legacy to continue. In the meantime, here is a visual walk through the history of open-mic comedy at Austin’s.
“Austin’s was one of the first places I went and felt comfortable,” says comedian Joe Censabella. As for the new location, “Hope it’s as cool as the old spot and we can make it popular for comedy.” Credit: Sarah KinbarErik Myers, a core figure in Central Florida’s comedy scene, died in 2021. But his impact was profound. “On stage, he was fast paced, high energy, relentless and left audiences exhausted from laughing so hard,” says Craig Norberg, founder of Austin’s comedy open mic. “Even though he would tour the country and won Florida’s Funniest Comedian, he would still come to Austin’s to support the venue.” Credit: Craig NorbergLike others on the Orlando scene, comedian Genesis never gave up on open mics, even though he toured the U.S. doing shows. Genesis revered Erik Myers. “He was hilarious. He was the one comedian from Orlando that I was scared to follow. He made it so difficult because he was so precise and concise,” Genesis said in 2021. Genesis passed away in 2023. Credit: Erick FeilingComedian Craig Norberg, founder of the Sunday open mic comedy night at Austin’s Coffee, gathered together the newbies and the old guard on Oct. 19 for one last hurrah at the 929 W. Fairbanks Ave. location. Credit: Craig NorbergThe politics of the list are a topic at every mic. “People hated that they would wait and then get bumped. But you might not realize that’s common. People come here to laugh. And if someone’s here who can make everybody laugh and wake up the crowd, the host is gonna take advantage of that,” says comedian Edwin Pagan. Credit: Sarah KinbarComedian Preacher Lawson has fond memories of Austin’s. “It’s been an important place in my life for a lot of reasons. It was the first place I performed after my breakup. It was the first place I went after being on TV. The first time I felt like I really killed on stage was there. I went up to do three minutes and ended up doing 10,” he says. Credit: Courtesy Preacher LawsonJake Ricca’s first comedy set was performed at Austin’s in 2017. “I thought you weren’t supposed to do the same set twice. That’s the opposite of how you get better. My first set felt great. People said ‘good set’ after. The second time went fine with new material. The third time I bombed hard and wondered if I should quit,” he says.“I didn’t understand you have to keep working bits until they click. The material evolves because you’re building it in front of people. You learn what an audience really is only by doing it again and again.” Credit: Sarah KinbarComedian Christophe Jean has since moved to Austin, Texas, along with a cluster of Orlando comedians looking for a bigger stage. But for years he was a regular at Austin’s, testing new material. Credit: Sarah KinbarComedian Robin Love has been a regular at Austin’s “We all keep coming back for something and at the end of the day, that’s what makes it beautiful,” she says. Credit: Courtesy Robin LoveComedian Ash Cash has ascended as a significant force in Orlando comedy, and like many of her contemporaries, has put in significant time at Austin’s. Credit: Sarah KinbarComedian Kam Patterson, now a Saturday Night Live cast member, devoted many hours to the mic at Austin’s. He joined the Sunday crowd at Austin’s and frequented Copper Rocket, Harry Buffalo’s and other hot spots on other evenings, rarely missing a night to work on his craft. Credit: Sarah KinbarShown here in 2010, Erik Myers as Princess Leia, Tony Recktenwald as Jek Tono Porkins, Craig Norberg as Darth Vader and Mark “Jiggy” Jigarjian as Jabba the Hutt filmed a Star Wars parody song at Austin’s. Credit: Craig NorbergComedian Ryan Holmes is now on Central Florida’s popular, long-running radio show Monsters in the Morning, but he hasn’t forgotten his roots. “I think myself and a lot of people wouldn’t be where we are without the mic at Austin’s. If you could do well there at midnight after 30 comics, you knew you could do well anywhere,” he says. “Plus it was a top tier hang outside, from riffing bits to talking shit to watching a random slap fight. I’m going to miss the old building but Austin’s is in good hands.” Credit: Craig NorbergComedian Kam Patterson with Erick Feiling; Feiling was one of Austin’s guest hosts, and while he enjoyed his time on stage, the late night socializing was equally important. “One of my best memories is hanging out with other comics along the side of the building. Over the years, the moments kind of blur together, but I’ve always enjoyed talking with the comics as much as going on stage,” he says. Credit: Courtesy Erick Feiling
If you spend any time around cannabis enthusiasts in Michigan, you’ve probably heard of 710 Labs.
The Colorado-born company has built a cult following for its terp-heavy live rosin, a solventless concentrate known for its flavor, potency, and purity.
But its flower, which is grown to the same obsessive standards, is often overlooked. The company says it only uses top colas — the biggest, most resin-coated buds on each plant — and hand trims the cured flower.
710 Labs isn’t modest about its flower, calling it “the most opulent, flavor-dense nugs in the world.”
Founded by Brad Melshenker in Boulder, Col., in 2009, 710 Labs got its name from concentrate culture: Flip “710” upside down and it spells “OIL.” The brand later relocated to Los Angeles and now operates in California, Colorado, Michigan, Florida, and New Jersey.
In late 2022, 710 Labs launched in Michigan and quickly grew a strong following, especially for its large library of unique, flavorful strains. It also caught criticism for its high prices, which makes it out of reach for many consumers.
I wanted to find out if the flower lived up to the brand’s hype. Over the past year, I embarked on a mission to try as many 710 Labs flower strains as I could. What I found was a mix of unique, pungent weed and also some duds that I could find at half the price.
At $45 to $60 an eighth, this wasn’t a cheap experiment. I bought 22 jars of 710 Labs flower and more than a handful of one-gram prerolls — the company calls them “doinks” — which run about $15 to $18 apiece, roughly double the price of most high-quality prerolls. If you really want to go all in, 710 also sells two-gram doinks made with 1.5 grams of flower and a half-gram of live rosin for around $50. It’s a splurge, but a good choice for special occasions. On my birthday last month, I enjoyed an infused doink with Cherry Zest #4 flower and Strawberry Guava #9 rosin, and it burned for more than an hour.
710 Labs makes rosin-infused prerolls called “Doinks,” and they are expensive but worth it if you have the money. Credit: Steve Neavling
What’s fun about the doinks is the tip. Instead of a cardboard filter, it’s a gluten-free rotini noodle, which 710 says helps with airflow and keeps the joint cooler while smoking.
I usually buy 710 Labs at Nature’s Remedy in Ferndale, which consistently has metro Detroit’s largest selection. My curiosity was partly piqued by the company’s polarizing reputation. People either swear by it or think it’s overpriced and inconsistent.
My first impression: The buds were generally large, frosty with trichomes, and flavorful. They were dense but fluffy, well-cured, and almost always smooth. Because 710 focuses more on terpenes than THC, the highs tend to be more nuanced and dialed in. Most flower tests between 16% and 22% THC.
With that said, quality varied widely from strain to strain. The best ones were some of the finest I’ve smoked this year. Others were average — not bad, but not worth top-shelf prices. Out of 22 eighths, eight fell into that middle range. Still, the gems made the adventure worth it, at least for me.
Would I recommend 710 Labs flower? Yes, but only if you have the money to spend. Do your homework on each strain before buying. Reddit is a good place to start.
If you’re watching your budget but still want premium quality, look for brands like The Hive, Hytek, Growing Pains, Exotic Matter, Premier Cannabis Farms, Favrd, Freshy Fine, Fractal, Tip Top Crop, Information Entropy, Mi Loud, and Michigrown. Their best flower is just as good as many of 710 Labs’s premium buds, and it’s often more potent.
710 Labs strains worth buying again:
C. Chrome #27 – A cross of Runtz and The Menthol, this one smells like sweet candy and fresh mint. The flavor is clean, cooling, and easy on the throat. The effects are balanced and functional, making it a reliable strain for any time. Credit: Steve NeavlingCherry Zest #4 – A cross of Z and Animal West, this one hooked me from the first jar. It’s a refreshing mix of fresh cherries and ginger ale, with a sweetness that lingers in the air after the exhale. The high is calm and body-heavy, making it perfect for listening to music or winding down at the end of the night. It’s easily one of the most flavorful strains I’ve tried. Credit: Steve NeavlingCake Crasher – Wedding Cake × Wedding Crasher produces some of the stickiest, frostiest buds I’ve ever seen. The aroma is creamy dough and berries, and the taste follows suit with a smooth, rich finish. It’s a mood-boosting strain that sharpens focus and eases tension without knocking you out. Credit: Steve NeavlingDate Night #6 – Peanut Butter Breath × Shallot Sashimi produces big, sticky buds with a funky, earthy aroma. The flavor is savory and gassy, with a nutty undertone that clings to the tongue. The effects are gentle and body-heavy. Despite its name, this strain is not the best for a first date, but it’s perfect for a quiet one. Credit: Steve NeavlingDonnie Burger – A cross of GMO and Hans Solo Burger, this is one of the loudest jars I’ve opened all year. The smell hits like garlic and onions sautéing in butter. It’s funky, savory, and potent, delivering a heavy, relaxing buzz. A solid nighttime strain for people who love diesel funk. Credit: By Steve NeavlingEgo Death #12 – A cross of Z Gelato 41 and Gassy Taffy that lives up to its name. The nose is diesel and ammonia with a sweet citrus finish. It’s sticky, loud, and potent, producing a euphoric, spacey high that leaves me pleasantly scatter-brained and smiling. Credit: Steve NeavlingGarlic Cocktail #7 – Another funky gem, this GMO × Zimosa cross is best saved for nighttime. It smells like fresh garlic and rank fuel. The high is sedating, euphoric, and deeply relaxing. It’s the perfect strain to top off a night. Credit: Steve NeavlingJokerz #17 – Gummiez × Grape Gas yields plump, trichome-coated buds that smell like grape candy and sour gummies. The flavor translates perfectly to smoke. The high is mellow, happy, and mildly euphoric. It’s a relaxing ride without the crash. Credit: Steve NeavlingMachiavelli Kush – Formerly known as Tu Pac Pure Kush, this cross of Topanga Pure Kush and Rick Jamez #28 delivers an old-school OG punch. The nose is sweet, creamy, and gassy with a hint of spice. It hits hard and fast, settling into a long-lasting euphoria. Credit: By Steve NeavlingMoonbow #112 – A rare hybrid that’s as smooth as it is flavorful. It hits the palate with berries and lemon, then fades into soft floral notes. The high is euphoric and surprisingly motivating, making chores or creative projects feel fun. It’s less sedating than most 710 strains and is a clear standout. Credit: Steve NeavlingSB36 #1 – A pungent cross of Starburst OG and 97 KC36, this strain offers a sharp citrus funk that is unlike any strain I’ve tried. The flavor is candy-sweet with a zesty bite, and the high leans balanced but upbeat. I found it more energizing than most 710 flower — a daytime option with excellent taste. Credit: Steve NeavlingSherb × Fumez #14 – A cross of Sherbanger 22 and Candy Fumez, this strain smells like creamy sherbet sprinkled with spice. The flavor is dessert-sweet on the inhale and slightly earthy on the exhale. The high is creative, clear, and calming. It’s an ideal hybrid for afternoons when you want to unwind without zoning out. Credit: Steve NeavlingSour Taffy #34 – A combination of Sour Sam and Gassy Taffy, this one lives up to its name with a sweet salt-water-taffy flavor and whiffs of citrus, blueberry, and sour diesel. The smoke is silky smooth and produces a calm high with heightened senses, making it an ideal choice for relaxation without total sedation. Credit: Steve NeavlingZ – The classic candy strain that tastes like candy. 710’s take on Z is bursting with tropical fruit, lemon zest, and the taste and aroma of sweet Skittles. The flavor translates well into the smoke, and the effects are balanced, making it mellow but cheerful. Credit: Steve Neavling
These are 710 Labs strains I wouldn’t buy again:
Super Freak (mild aroma and high) White Tahoe Cookies (muted taste and effects) Sweeties #7 (not much flavor, weak effects) Rainbow Belts (small buds, average effects) Zkyskraperz #2 (nothing stands out) RYLU (average for a Z-forward strain) Zimosa #2 (nice flavor but weak effects) Britney’s Frozen Lemons #5 (mild high)
The bottom line is, when 710 Labs hit, it really hits. The flavor, aroma, and craftsmanship are hard to beat. But inconsistency and price make it a luxury brand, not an everyday one. If you value terps over THC and don’t mind paying for the experience, 710 Labs flower deserves a spot in your rotation.
Spooky season had one final and belated hurrah on Conduit’s stage this week. The full moon brought out fans of heavy music to experience the headlining all-female melodic thrash band,Dogma. The band were supported by Frayle, a doom band hailing from Cleveland.
Both bands tore the house down, and while they share a dark and theatrical aesthetic, they proffer two distinctly different musical styles that paired well together. Starting with Frayle’sslow and vibey doom rock riffs and ethereal vocals, some of their best live moments were “Boo,”“Darker Than Black”andtheir cover of Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness.”
Dogma then commanded the stage with blasphemous backdrops, dressed in nuns’ habits, and performed with carnal soulfulness. They blessed the crowd with thrashy and symphonic songs like “Forbidden Zone,” “Pleasure From Pain” and “Made Her Mine.” Blessed be. — Ricardo Martinez
Emerging onto the foggy stage around 9 p.m., Blue October got right into it with “This Is What I Live For,” followed by “Coal Makes Diamonds.” Bouncing around eras with tracks from nine of the band’s 13 studio albums dating back to 1998, the band treated the nearly 1,000 fans in attendance at the House of Blues to a career-spanning show. Here’s all the action we caught.
Select events happening in the Detroit area. Be sure to check venue websites before all events for the latest information. See our online calendar for more ideas for things to do, or add your event: metrotimes.com/AddEvent.
Detroit artist and musician Stacey MacLeod is known for fronting the local band Dear Darkness, whose posters feature her black-and-white visual art style. Her artwork will be on display in VANTA, a one-night-only exhibition of new ink drawings as part of Motor City Brew’s long-running Wednesday Night Art Series. The show takes its name from Vantablack, a coating known as “the blackest black,” and the artwork reflects MacLeod’s fascination with the intensity and balance of light and dark. “My high-contrast drawings explore black as a kind of darkness and a representation of gothic sophistication,” MacLeod says in a statement. “The markings are strange shadows, crooked lines, and forms that melt and merge. I want witnesses of my art to celebrate the power of a composition that is strangely distorted, and yet, somehow, impossibly balanced — such as is the night with the day, matter with void, life with death — black and white.”
From 7-10 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5; Motor City Brewing Works, 470 W. Canfield, Detroit; motorcitybeer.com. No cover.
Led by the former frontman and songwriter of cult favorite rock ’n’ roll outfit Outrageous Cherry — also known for his work with Volebeats, Nathaniel Mayer, Andre Williams, Rodriguez, and more — the Matthew Smith Group continues his long-running journey through psychedelia, folk rock, and art pop that has earned fans in Detroit and beyond. The group’s new self-titled album on the Tall Texan label will be available to purchase on vinyl at this show. John Krautner (The Go, Conspiracy of Owls) is set to open the show by performing tracks from his latest album Cinnamon Lake.
Starts at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6; 1464 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; trinosophes.com. Tickets are $10.
The Collective, a hub for small businesses and entrepreneurs on Detroit’s west side, is launching a new jazz series featuring singer Sky Covington and November Fourth. “The Collective has been doing great things for the city,” Covington said in a statement. “Now we’re adding to that energy — bringing the sound of jazz to one of Detroit’s most historic corners, where something special is emerging.” The series kicks off with a three-night residency, including a VIP Sneak Peek Soirée on Thursday, Nov. 6.
From 7:30-10 p.m. from Thursday, Nov. 6-Saturday, Nov. 8; The Collective, 15400 Grand River Ave., Detroit (2nd floor); eventbrite.com. Tickets are two for $30.
This November marks the 50th anniversary of the infamous shipwreck of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank in Lake Superior during a wind storm, killing its entire crew of 29 men. In his recently published book, Wrecked: The Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy (Michigan University Press), author Thomas Nelson argues the tragedy wasn’t only the result of a natural disaster but is inextricably linked to the decline of industrial manufacturing in the Midwest, exploring the effects on the families of the survivors to this day.
Starts at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 7; Dossin Great Lakes Museum, 100 Strand Dr., Detroit (Belle Isle); detroithistorical.org. Admission is $5.
Founded by Baltimore’s Milly Vanderwood, the Mini Hip-Hop Museum offers visitors a lesson in hip-hop history through interactive exhibits, art installations, and music. The “In My Lifetime” pop-up will bring three days of activities to the Detroit area, including games, “puff and paint” sessions, and plenty of old-school magazines, CDs, and posters on display.
Starts at noon daily on Friday, Nov. 7; Saturday, Nov. 8; and Sunday, Nov. 9; Spaces At Stix, 19646 W. Nine Mile Rd., Southfield; eventbrite.com. Tickets start at $12.62.
It’s been 20 years of Detroit Roller Derby. For its season opener, D Funk will face off against the Grand Prix Madonnas in an epic match of athleticism… on roller skates!
Doors open at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8; Masonic Temple, 500 Temple St., Detroit; eventbrite.com. Tickets are $11.59-$22.19.
Somehow, we’re nearing the end of 2025 but the year is definitely not over yet. There’s plenty to do and plenty to look forward to before we even think about ringing in a new year, and that includes new eats and drinks all around town.
New restaurants and bars heading to Orlando before we cap out 2025 include elevated Italian-American endeavors, quick omakase-style spots, pickleball-inspired eateries and celebrity culinary concepts.
Osteria Ester 629 E. Central Blvd., Orlando Osteria Ester, an Italian-American concept from Good Salt Restaurant Group founders (and 2025 James Beard Award finalists for Outstanding Restaurateur) Jason and Sue Chin, is heading to Thornton Park. It will be a true neighborhood gathering place taking on a casual and communal feel when it opens mid-November. Michael Cooper, executive chef-partner of The Osprey (another Good Salt operation) will oversee kitchen operations at this restaurant named after his grandmother, and he has a very specific vision in mind. Credit: Google MapsNeko San 8546 Palm Parkway, Orlando Before the year is done, chef Lewis Lin will open the doors to Neko San, a quick-style omakase concept and sake bar next door to Susuru in Lake Buena Vista. “Neko” is the Japanese word for “cat,” a name he chose in memory of the felines that once patrolled the area behind the restaurant, and who held a special place in the hearts of Susuru’s workers. It’ll offer budget-friendly omakases and more. Credit: Make Design StudiosWalter’s Tavern 2105 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando Pine Street Hospitality, the group that brought Orlando Bullitt Bar, McQueen’s, Sessions, The Basement, The Attic and Papi Smash’d Burger, will bring Walter’s Tavern, a 3,800-square-foot bar, to the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall in the Packing District. The bar is named after Walter Phillips, son of Dr. Phillips, and will offer craft cocktails, live entertainment and an “elevated sports-viewing experience.” Credit: Walter’s Tavern/FacebookHamlin House 231 W Grant St., Orlando Orlando is getting a boujee new pickleball and social club concept in SoDo. Hamlin House, owned by the DeVos family, will be a 28,000-square-foot facility with three indoor courts and four outdoor courts (two covered and two not), in addition to a family room, full-service restaurant, café and outdoor patio. Chef John Fraser and his team curated the menu for the restaurant, which will be open for lunch and dinner. The café will serve all-day bites, smoothies and coffee. Credit: Hamlin HouseCowboy Curry 1110 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando After a series of pop-ups and trial runs inside Mills Market, Cowboy Curry, the Japanese beef curry house by Sorekara chef William Shen, is now open. The spot will specialize in scratch-made Japanese curry. Credit: via Mills MarketStill Lounge by Dre and Snoop 9101 International Drive #2210, Orlando Still Lounge by Dre and Snoop will blend “West Coast swagger with Southern Soul” when it opens Oct. 16 at Live! at the Pointe Orlando. The club follows in the footsteps of The Spot by Dre and Snoop, a similar concept that opened in Nashville earlier this year. The latest collaboration between the hip-hop icons will showcase bespoke cocktails fashioned from their new spirit offering — Still G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop — and other top-shelf spirits for folks to get their drink on. Credit: Still LoungeJohnny’s Diner 3335 Curry Ford Road, Orlando Paulie Krasniqi, son of the original Johnny’s Diner owner, Johnny Krasniqi, will open Johnny’s Diner in the former home of Daybreak Diner this October. Daybreak Diner abruptly closed last month after 27 years in business. Credit: Johnny’s Diner/FacebookKappo Tsan 11815 Glass House Lane, Orlando For nearly three years, David Tsan has been cutting fine figures at Norigami, his eight-seat sushi counter inside Winter Garden’s Plant Street Market. Now the 36-year-old Taiwan-born chef is partnering with James Beard Award-nominated restaurateurs Johnny and Jimmy Tung to open a full-fledged restaurant specializing in kappo-style dining later this year. It will present sushi and cooked dishes in both multicourse and à la carte formats. Its style will fall somewhere between the formal artistry of kaiseki and the casual spirit of an izakaya, allowing Tsan to showcase his culinary journey to guests. Credit: via Chef David TsanSelva Rosa Cocina & Bar 901 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park Selva Rosa Cocina & Bar will be an “elevated-casual space where people can hang out, enjoy good drinks and have fun,” says Heidy Cuevas, a spokesperson for the restaurant. Selva Rosa will feature three distinct areas: the main dining room, a sushi bar and “El Patio Rosa.” The menu, Cuevas says, will blend Mexican, Latin American and Asian flavors to create a unique Credit: photo by Faiyaz KaraHarlow Grove 186 S. Main St., Winter Garden Look for Harlow Grove, a two-story restaurant space billed as Winter Garden’s “premier full-service restaurant and lounge,” to open this fall in the Smith & Main complex. The restaurant will comprise a “dynamic” first-floor lounge, an upstairs dining room and a veranda terrace under the shade of a century-old oak tree. Credit: via Smith & Main/Google MapsBabbi Babbi Korean Kitchen 10799 Moss Park Road, Lake Nona Babbi Babbi Korean Kitchen will open its third area location later this year, this one in Lake Nona. It offers a comfortable dining environment and plenty of traditionally inspired Korean eats. Credit: BaBbi BaBbi Korean Kitchen/FacebookVicky Bakery 334 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando Look for Miami-based Vicky Bakery to open its second Orlando location, this one at 334 N. Alafaya Trail in the old Smashburger space across from Waterford Town Center. Everything from Cuban pastelitos and croquetas to medianoches and café con leche will be served. Vicky Bakery also has a location at 4556 S. Semoran Blvd. near Pershing Avenue. Credit: Vicky Bakery/Google MapsKelly’s Homemade Ice Cream 3801 W. Lake Mary Blvd., Lake Mary Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream will open its seventh freestanding parlor (and 50th operation, when you include the ones inside Foxtail Coffee) at 3801 W. Lake Mary Blvd. before the end of the year. Credit: Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream/FacebookBuffalo Boss 333 N. Orange Ave., Orlando Jay-Z’s cousin Jamar White has opened Buffalo Boss, a late-night wing joint with a hip-hop vibe downtown at 333 N. Orange Ave. next to Tacos El Rancho. The only other Buffalo Boss is located in the Barclays Center in, of course, Brooklyn. Credit: Google MapsTamara Lake Mary 1541 International Parkway, Orlando Tamara Lake Mary, a sister operation to Tamara Modern Indian Cuisine in the Cambria Hotel near Universal, has opened at 1541 International Parkway in the space that housed The Nine Heathrow Thai Grill & Kitchen. The menu features Indian, Thai and Chinese dishes. Credit: Google MapsPeruvian Chicken 5420 Deep Lake Road, Oviedo The simply named Peruvian Chicken, offering pollo a la brasa as well as a host of other Peruvian delights, has opened at 5420 Deep Lake Road in Oviedo. Credit: Google MapsMamazzita Gastrobar 1949 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando Mamazzita Gastrobar, a Peruvian/Latin restaurant that transforms into a nightclub with bottle service at night, has opened near the Florida Mall at 1949 W. Sand Lake Rd. in the same plaza as Viet Thai Cafe. Credit: Mamazzita Gastrobar/FacebookTaffer’s Tavern 9101 International Drive #1204, Orlando affer’s Tavern, a full-service restaurant and bar concept by Bar Rescue host Jon Taffer, is newly opened on Orlando’s International Drive. The new outpost, which is the chain’s very first Florida location, offers signature drinks, comfort food and tavern classics, and an “inviting and warm ambience.” Credit: Taffer’s Tavern/FacebookPho 813 4724 Millenia Plaza Way, Orlando Pho 813 has reopened at a new location under new ownership, serving much of the Vietnamese flavor its dished out in the past. Credit: Google MapsEl Cilantrillo 431 S. Chickasaw Trail, Orlando Local Puerto Rican chain El Cilantrillo will open a location this fall in the Rio Pinar Plaza. The 4,470-square-foot space will feature a tropical bar and live music nights. The restaurant is from the same owners as Turull’s Kitchen & Bar. Credit: El Cilantrillo/FacebookJam Hot Chicken 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden Another Jam Hot Chicken outpost is set to open in the former Hunger Street Tacos stall inside Plant Street Market in Winter Garden. Credit: Jam Hot Chicken/Facebook
The University of Houston men’s basketball team played the first game of the season on Monday night at the Fertitta Center. The Coogs cruised to a win over Lehigh University, beating the Mountain Hawks by a score of 75-57. The victory marks the 800th win of head coach Kelvin Sampson’s career.
Jackson is a freelance photographer and writer covering a variety of music and sporting events in the Houston area. He has contributed to the Houston Press since 2013.
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It’s been a long time coming, but Jack’s Mannequin finally made it to Orlando on their reunion tour — and the city showed up. The show sold out the day tickets went on sale, and from the moment Andrew McMahon sat at the piano and hit the first notes of “Holiday From Real,” the night became one big rush of nostalgia.
McMahon and the band tore through all three albums, blending favorites like “Bruised,” “The Mixed Tape,” “Dark Blue” and “The Resolution,” along with deeper cuts like “Cellphone” and “Amelia Jean.” It felt less like a concert and more like a shared memory, 20 songs of collective emotion, dancing and impassioned sing-alongs.
Opener Hellogoodbye set the tone for the night and even surprised fans by announcing their return to Orlando next year for the Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! 20th anniversary tour.
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Horror lovers and sexy-garment wearers flocked to Orlando’s Spooky Empire this weekend for a three-day convention featuring celebrities, vendors, panels and cosplay. So much cosplay.
We grabbed photos and talked to cosplayers about the careful artistry behind their looks.
For married couple Daniela Caceres and Zachary Sotomayer, @dizzyddaniaha on Tiktok, their cosplays didn’t have to be from the same story, but they were crafted in their shared art room.
For this year’s Spooky Empire, Caceres knew she wanted to be a zombie but with more of a story behind it.
“Unfortunately this hiker ran into some trouble,” she said. “I was enjoying the scenery and someone behind me took a big bite, and along the way nature took its course on me and yeah I’m never coming back home.”
Sotomayer dressed as the water cube trap from the fifth Saw movie, a look that took about two weeks to make.
“The helmet was the main production, it took the most time,” Sotomayer said. “It took like four to five days to get the mechanics to work and glue everything together so I could paint it, then I just thrifted the rest of the outfit and bloodied it all up.”
Cosplaying, for this couple, is a lifestyle. Caceres said that her mom would force her to dress up for Halloween every year as a child. That’s where her love for dressing up started.
Jefferey Loichle, dressed as Chop Top and Nubbins from Texas Chainsaw Massacre said he usually cosplays something with armor, but wanted to step out of his comfort zone to try something new.
Loichle said that he usually specializes in Star Wars characters like Boba Fett and Stormtroopers but found that while crafting this cosplay it was far different than his usual armor-making.
“I do a lot of foam-making, like with my Mandalorian, but this is the first time I’ve ever done any facial special effects,” Loichle said.
Longtime cosplayer Kyle Morey, dressed as Hiro Hamada from Big Hero 6, makes his outfits months ahead in the summer so they’re ready for the fall.
“My microbots are made using a transparent fabric from easter baskets for kids, I put metal inside of it so they look like tentacles,” Morey said.
Morey has quite the track record of making his own cosplays, including his latest made earlier this year: Roger Rabbit, oversized mallet included. He praised Hobby Lobby and thrift shops for all his crafting needs.
“These thrift shops I go to, I always find what I’m looking for, by fate.”
Casey Schmehl, dressed as a moth, has been costume designing since middle school, when she fell in love with wigs and all things cute.
Schmehl used a combination of store-bought items like punch lights for her eyes and black clothing like a turtle neck, tights and shorts.
“The wings itself are the bellydancer wings that they use, and I use two ostrich feathers.” Schmehl said. “I think the lunar moth is my favorite, they’re just so beautiful.”
Dimitri Riabovich and friend Daniel Daugherty, both in fur-suit heads and eclectic outfits, use their looks — or, their fursonae — to escape something.
“My name is Lufer Golone, the angel in disguise and I live to serve,” Riabovich said. “I sat down one day and said, ‘Lets do it.’ And by the end of the night this thing existed.”
A fursona is an original anthropomorphic character used by those a part of the furry fandom.
Using his artistic skills and a friend’s craftsmanship, Riabovich created the mask using a drawing and a little creative liberty.
Daugherty’s fursona, Chaos the Werewolf, was born from a place of pain and as a way to escape, he said.
“I created Chaos as a kid and it helped distract me from life at home,” Daugherty said.
Daugherty made his own mask and said he often alters the appearance to his liking as he grows up with the mask.
The two said their love for dressing up however and whenever they want shouldn’t be as taboo as it is.
“It’s all for fun,” Riabovich said. “I thought to myself, ‘Man, what doesn’t have to have eyes and blink, because that’s too much maintenance.’”
Produced and hosted by Miss V. Haven, Burnout Houston settled in nicely at its new home, The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. The Best Little Car Show in Texas packed the parking lots with pre ’72 classic cars, hot rods, street trucks, motorcycles, and all sort of customs. The main stage boasted performances by Mexican Blackbird, Saint Judas & The Black Hymns, Ralphie & The RCs, and Dale Watson. Attendees enjoyed all of this plus local vendors and flavors from around the city. (Photos by Doogie Roux)
Houston Press contributor Doogie Roux is a proud Cajun-Texan and a fan of anything on wheels or with a motor. He’s a big part of the Houston cycling family, as well as a connoisseur of fine food joints…
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