For the last 30 years, the Orlando Fringe Festival has provided a platform for independent artists to find an audience for their work, however unconventional it may be. This year’s event will take place in person May 17 – 30 and online as DigiFringe June 3 – 17. A sort of convention for the unconventional, the festival has upheld […]
Top News


Ambassador Hotel may become affordable housing
One Stop Housing has submitted plans to the City of Orlando to convert the Ambassador Hotel at 929 W. Colonial Drive into 150 affordable housing units. Public hearings on the project will be held in May, and a tentative hearing date has been set for late June. If approved, this will be the organization’s third project in the Central Florida […]


‘Wonder on Wheels’ and Orlando’s roller-skating renaissance
Conjuring imagery of Americana through the decades, from carhops to disco balls, roller-skating has been a pastime adopted and adapted by generation after generation since its invention in the 18th century. Naturally, when the start of the pandemic forced us to reconsider how we socialize, there was a noticeable spike in interest surrounding outdoor hobbies and activities — particularly those […]


Decision looms for 2026 World Cup host cities; local leaders hopeful Orlando is selected
The push by Central Florida leaders to host World Cup games in Orlando has been a nearly five-year effort, and now there’s an end in sight. The decision of which U.S. cities will host FIFA World Cup games in 2026 is expected to be announced by the end of June. The field of potential U.S. host cities has been pared […]


Laughing toward a cure: SAK Comedy Lab hosts fundraiser for cancer research
They say laughter is the best form of medicine, and on April 14 at SAK Comedy Lab, laughter was used to raise funds for cancer research. Vince Loran of Oviedo organized the event. Loran is raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, participating in the LLS “Man & Woman of the Year” competition where philanthropists compete to raise the […]


First facility dog at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital
Parks, a 2-year-old Labrador retriever, is the newest staff member at the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. According to a March press release, the highly trained dog was provided by Canine Companions, an organization that has trained and provided over 7,000 facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings since 1975. After two years […]


Operator chosen for Packing District Food Hall
Construction hasn’t started yet on the Great Southern Box building, but details are emerging about the 17,300 sq. ft. food hall that will be opening in the Packing District. Dr. Phillips Charities announced that Hospitality HQ will be the operator of the facility, located near the corner of Orange Blossom Trail and Princeton Street. Celebrity chef Akhtar Nawab is cofounder […]


Colonial Lanes to be reborn this summer as Primrose Lanes Restaurant and Bowling Club
The Colonial Lanes bowling alley, originally opened in 1959, will reopen this summer as the Primrose Lanes Restaurant and Bowling Club. After a couple of changes in ownership following the closing of the lanes, Team Market Group — the team behind The Robinson Cafe & Cocktail Lounge, Mathers Social Gathering, The Wellborn and more — purchased the facility at 400 […]


As Parramore District launches, director pinpoints first area of focus
Main Street organizations typically have a literal “main” street. In the Mills 50 District, it’s Mills Avenue. For the College Park Main Street District, it’s Edgewater Drive. And now, with the Parramore District officially approved as Orlando’s 12th Main Street District, executive director Natasha Gaye has identified what she considers the Parramore District’s “main street drag,” and it’s not Church Street. […]