We would prefer to stay home on Saturdays watching Lifetime Movie Network, but someone has to be out covering these events so that you can stay home and watch LMN. We began our day at Mullets Sports Bar in downtown Clermont where “Rave The Day” was happening.The venue is kind of set back from all the other storefronts along Montrose Street. There’s lots of free city parking throughout the downtown.Inside we found this huge bar and sports being played on the televisions.The music happens outside though on this lawn area. It was a stunning February afternoon with temps in the mid-80’s.The stage has a DJ booth on one end and an area where a live band could play at the other end.We arrived around 3:30PM to find MC B-Rad (USA) running the opening DJ set.The music was all EDM. “Rave The Day” will be happening monthly on the 2nd Saturday of each month, running from 3PM until around 10PM. Spotted in VIP: Angela with friend plus MC B-Rad.Spotted on the lawn: DJ Flash (USA) with his son.DJ Jorok (USA) up next. His set mixed EDM with a bunch of 70’s Disco. Good stuff.EDM in Clermont! Who knew?We saw pics posted taken last night here and it did get crowded. Next visit we’ll come out at night to check it out. But during our short visit, a good time was had by all. Wish we could have stayed longer but we needed to head over to beautiful downtown Winter Garden.Anchored by this Art Deco gem of a City Hall.And the historic Garden Theater.And the West Orange Trail runs through the middle of it. It’s crowded here every weekend but it was packed yesterday for the annual Winter Garden Music Festival which kicked-off at 11AM.When we perused this year’s band lineup taking place on 7 music stages scattered along downtown’s Plant Street, the two we wished to see were coincidentally happening at the exact same time! On the Main Street Stage, first time seeing live band O-town Motown (USA). Singing classic hits such as “Rock With You”, “Get Ready”, “My Girl” and “You Can’t Hurry Love”.A lot of The Supremes (USA) songs.The dance floor area did get utilized.While a lot of people were standing or sitting.Winter Garden is my city so this is my crowd! There were lots of food and drink stations open and of course, all the downtown bars and restaurants were open too. One owner told us that WGMF is their busiest day of the year.Considering this is home, Christy and her daughter were the only people we recognized! Where were all our peeps?Because both bands we wanted to see were happening at the same time, we couldn’t stay longer at the Main Street Stage and headed down the road to the Lakeview Stage.For the ultimate nerd band, The Spazmatics (USA).They sang and performed songs such as “Video Killed The Radio Star”, “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)”, “Jump Around” and “Sunglasses At Night”.Always so fun to watch.First time seeing Spazmatics since this set in 2023 at Ringside Cafe in downtown St. Petersburg.At the Winter Garden Music Festival, a good time was had by all.Alfie’s HiFi opened early last year and has been one of the hottest clubs in Orlando ever since. It was our next stop.We usually arrive around 10PM and find a long line outside in this area. Arriving last night around 9PM, no queue. Much better!This color-changing light fixture dominates Alfie’s front room and is located directly above the bar.The booth is located in the club’s middle room and it was here we found DJ Frankmatik (USA).At Alfie’s, all the music is played off vinyl only.This guy is everywhere! In addition to regular shifts at Alfie’s, you’ll find Frankmatik all over town delivering the vibe at places like Great Southern Box food hall, Altire Pool @ The Marriott Collection Bohemian Hotel downtown and just last night, at Grape & The Grain also here in the Mills/50 District.Even before there was a line outside, it was already crowded on the dance floor. The predominately younger crowd heard classic songs such as “Lookout Weekend”, “Like The Deserts Miss The Rain” and “Enjoy The Silence”.Frankmatik brought the music, old school style, in crates!The nerve! WHO does that gin & tonic belong to?At 10PM, shift change: DJ Brian Burnside (USA) took over next.OMG, his first few songs off 45’s! The young crowd was already confused about how one can get music out of those large black discs…..and now 45’s! He continued the vibe with music from all the decades.Dance floor stayed jammed.That look you get from great music.Alfie’s is closed on Monday’s & Tuesdays but otherwise you can always find at least two DJ’s playing here on all other nights.A good time was had by all.We headed next to DTO and beautiful Luna Bar. Heretofore, it’s been a mostly Hip Hop and Reggaeton club so we’ve only visited once previously when they first opened in September, 2024.On the ground floor, this long bar occupies much of the room with the DJ booth all the way aft.And in that booth, DJ Vint Soul (USA).The night dominated by Disco, Nudisco and House music.This stunning staircase leads, unsurprisingly, upstairs.Where another bar is located and stayed jammed all night.Make the turn off the stairs and you find this large room. Typically the music from the DJ downstairs is piped upstairs too but last night this was a second room of music.In the booth at the rear, we found DJ Eccentra (USA) spinning House. We had just seen her and Frankmatik on Friday night blow up a different dance floor.DJ Mighty Shari (USA) getting ready to take over the controls.The two would take turns during their shared set.Dance floor went from this…..…..to this during our visit.If Luna wants to be considered legit, they’re going to have to install the shiny disco ball over the dance floor, not on the sofa.We ran into lots of peeps we know from the music scene. Some were new but most we knew.Both DJ’s were SO animated.Mighty Shari showing off her…..decks. PioneerDJ, of course.Checking back downstairs, DJ Johnnie Sebastian (USA) on the other decks.More Disco sounds down here.Dancing towards the rear.Dancing towards the front.Upstairs, DJ Hulian (USA) had taken over.Dropping an incredible set that included Disco classic “Funky Town”.Dance floor went crazy for Donna Summer (USA) classic Disco hit “I Feel Love“, a groundbreaking song many consider a precursor to Techno and House music a decade or more later. Click the link, close your eyes and listen to it again, especially around the 3:00 mark. Amazing for 1977.We hear there may be more House events coming to Luna Bar, especially if they can deliver crowds like this.So much fun and a good time was had by all.Time for one more stop at Broken Strings Brewery where so many great dance events have been happening lately. It’s located west of downtown on Church Street a couple blocks east of OBT.Nearly 1AM and we walked into this!DJ Losman (USA) in the booth when we first arrived.A mix of classic Breaks with some newer Breaks.Fun set and always a crowd in the club when Losman is playing.And when Dorsey is in that crowd, you know you’re in the right place!Next Saturday night, February 28th, the NLP group including DJ Matrix (USA) will be playing here for a free event. And the following Saturday, March 7th, it’s the annual “Road To Miami” which show will begin in the daylight hours and then head into the night. That one is a ticketed event. Why pay more, advance tickets HERE.We ran into lots of peeps we know from the music scene. DJ Recipe (USA) had played earlier.Coming on late, DJ J-ROK (USA).Playing a lot of older songs remixed to Breaks.He always delivers a great set.Everywhere we went yesterday and last night, a good time was had by all.
You must be logged in to post a comment.