Weekend Preview Sept 6th - 8th, 2013: Things to Do in Orlando

Get ready, Orlandoans- This weekend is going to be pretty intense!

Thursday, Sept 5

Nikki Giovanni. Certified Badass.
Photographer: Mark Seliger

Is avant-garde, mildly uncomfortable art your thing? Join Avalon Gallery in celebrating the life of the late John Cage at 'Silence 101.' Voci Dance will be dancing to one of Cage's most famous composition, 4’33”, which in case you haven't heard, is 4 minutes and 33 seconds of silence. Oh yes, it will be one of those shows! Games will be played, music will be heard (or not...) and percussionists will play houseplants as instruments. ENJOY! 4:33pm, free

Don't miss Nikki Giovanni, world-renowned poet and activist, who will kick off the 2013-14 Seminole State Speaker Series at the Seminole State College's Sanford/lake Mary Campus. This awesome event is free and runs from 7:00pm - 9:00pm.

Head over to Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) for their 1st Thursdays event: Eclectic Knights V. The show features selected works created by UCF Alumni and Faculty in a variety of media, food by Hawkers, music, caricatures, and more. $10 gets you in (or free if you attend the lecture below). 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Before the 1st Thursday event trek over to OMA as UCF Department of Anthropology's Dr. Marla Toyne presents "They Were Sacrificing Times: Ritual Violence of the Northern Coast of Peru." The lecture, about ritualistic violence in Pre-Inca Peru, is free and runs from 5:30pm - 6:30pm. Plus, the first 200 people who attend the lecture will get free admission to tonight's "1st Thursdays" event!

Get your inner zen on and celebrate the new moon with Dandelion Communitea Cafe's New Moon Circle. This family-friendly event feature drumming, dance, chanting, singing, local artists, healing, and much more. (Don't forget to bring your sitar/didgeridoo/signing bowls/gentle hippie instrument). 7:00pm - 10:00pm

The Falcon Film Society presents Jason X tonight from 7:30pm - 9:30pm. Grab some drinks and watch the ridiculousness that is Jason Vorhees in space...

Friday, Sept 6

Head over to Valencia's East Campus for Luba Lukova's Graphic Guts Opening Reception. This artist is world-renowned for taking social commentary art to the next, next level. Graphic. Simple. Striking- all hallmarks of Lukova's award-winning work. The art opening is free and runs from 6:30-8:30pm.

Privacy, a poster from Luba Lukova's Social Justice Portfolio
addressing the government surveillance programs

Smiling Bison food- Check. Gypsy jazz- Check. Delicious libations- Check. Well alright then! Check out the Cook Trio at the Smiling Bison at 9:30pm for a free show and some good eats.

Feel like cupping? Vespr Craft Coffee and Allures is holding its first Coffee Cupping Event! Attendees will have the opportunity to taste 8 specialty single-origin coffees, sourced from Ethiopia, Bolivia, Panama, etc.. While you sip, owner Edd Siu will educate and answer questions re: coffee culture and third wave coffee. Iced Bakery will be providing complimentary artisan baked goods because I must have a scone with my coffee, damnit!

Grab a seat (and a parking spot!) early for Date Night at Leu Gardens where they'll be showing To Have and Have Not. Don't forget to bring your blankets and some wine and food to dazzle your sweetheart! Gardens open at 6:00pm with the movie starting at 8:00pm (weather permitting). $5 adults, $2 for kids.

Feel like a stroll? Join Baldwin Park at their First Friday Festival & Art Stroll. Over 40 local artists of all genres will display their art while guests shop, stroll and sip through the heart of downtown Baldwin Park. The event is free, open to pets, and runs from 5:30pm- 9:30pm.

Saturday, Sept 7

THIS is going to be epic. Our kickass Orlando City (no. 2 seed) will host the 2013 USL Pro Championship against the Charlotte Eagles (the lowly no. 5 seed) at the Citrus Bowl. Kickoff is at 7:30, but we recommend you get there early to tailgate with the predicted record-breaking (*crossing fingers for 15k*) number of fans. #GoCity!! Another hint- get your tickets early because the will-call line was pretty intense at the semi-finals!

Hate to leave the kiddos at home while you day-drink? Head over to Will's Pub for Davy Rockers Barnyard Jam! A Free Afternoon event for the kids!!!. Will's is hosting a puppet show for friends and neighbor's kids. There will be free refreshments for the kids. And yes parents- the bar will be open. The Show starts at 1:00pm and will run about an hour.

Craft, art and vintage vendors will unite at Orlando's Big Bang Bazaar for a festival of note! $5 gets you in to enjoy the vendors, film festival, and food! 11:00am - 6:00pm.

Gamers-rejoice! ACME Comics is throwing a par-tayyyyy! The Games We Play art event is going down from 10:00am - 8:00 pm and features gaming tournies, contests, and classic arcade games. But after hours is the after party for 18+. $10 cover gets you free beer (21+ only), Gaming Cosplay Burlesque by Tokyo Belle & Ivy Les Vixens! Cosplay Bellydancing by Shelly Corderman! Costume Contest! GAHHHHH!!!

Let's play a game- Name that character!

And if that isn't enough for Orlando gamers- Mike's Comics is throwing a Magic the Gathering Celebration at 3:00pm with a Magic draft at 7:00pm.

Head back to Baldwin Park for Wreck it Ralph, Movies in the Park. Booths and activities all evening, but the free movie starts at ~8:15pm. Bring blankets!

Sunday, Sept 8

Join other local beer enthusiasts as you join the Beer Bomb Bus Tour, an educational tour of some of Central Florida's craft beer bars! There are four stops, and at each stop you will receive a beer and a lesson about that beer/style. The stops for the trip are as follows: BART, Hourglass Brewery, The Imperial-Sanford, and Buster's Bistro. Tickets are $25 cash, $30 credit (a bit over our usual limit, but it includes round trip transportation and your first craft beer at all 4 stops) and are on sale at BART only. Purchasing in advance is suggested. UPDATE: this event is now sold out (apparently buses have occupancy level limits or something...). Hope you got tix!

Grab your teammates and huddle up at Matildas on Park for Orlando Weekly's NFL Kick Off Party! RSVP in advance and get FREE beer & hors d'oeuvres from 4:00 - 7:00pm!

What are you doing this weekend? Leave a comment below!