Bar Kada, the newest concept from Michael Collantes, has opened next door to his Michelin-starred omakase house, Soseki, at 957 W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park. Bar Kada offers a selection of ancestral-method sakes, low-touch wines curated by sommelier Benjamin Coutts, and seasonal small plates utilizing local ingredients like tilefish and chips, tuna au poivre and corn dumplings, to name a few. Also, Collantes' downtown handroll joint, Sushi Saint, has unveiled its Omakase Room, an eight-seat counter offering a 12-course tasting for $100 ..read more

In an attempt to recruit candidates to challenge Republicans in more than two dozen congressional and legislative seats across the state, the Florida Democratic Party (FDP) on Wednesday announced a billboard and digital campaign reaching out to Democrats in Polk, Madison, Miami-Dade, and Seminole Counties. “There are 27 uncontested House seats with no Democrat running and it is up to us to change that,” said FDP Chair Nikki Fried in a written statement ..read more

Flanked by veterans who served in the Bay of Pigs invasion, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed a measure that will lead to the history of communism being taught in grades as low as kindergarten. The governor, standing behind a placard that read “anti-communism education,” touted lessons that will be required under the bill ..read more

Charli XCX and Troye Sivan have announced a special co-headlining arena tour set for this autumn, and the duo will be coming to Orlando. The aptly named Sweat Tour kicks off in Detroit in mid-September, before reaching Orlando in early October near the midpoint of this trek. The only other Florida show is in Miami, also in early October. Charli XCX will undertake these dates in between her longer headlining tour behind newest album Brat, while Sivan will be showing off songs from Something to Give Each Other ..read more

Wednesday, April 17: Beach Fossils, Nation of Language 7 pm; House of Blues, Disney Springs, Lake Buena Vista; $29.50-$75; 407-934-2583 ..read more

As the campaign to get recreational cannabis legalized in Florida moves into its next phase, opponents and advocates of the proposal are operating under the same premise: The measure is likely to receive at least majority support by the voters in November. But that’s not good enough in the Sunshine State, which requires more than 60% to pass a constitutional ballot measure ..read more

The state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. added about 4,000 policies last week amid continuing efforts to trim its number of customers. Citizens had more than 1.176 million policies as of Friday, up from 1.172 million a week earlier and 1.167 million two weeks earlier, according to data posted on its website ..read more

Now in its 31st year, Earthday Birthday is a perennial fave for rockers in Florida, and it’s returning to the Fairgrounds on Saturday. The event, steered by Orlando FM rock station WJRR, features a lineup of nearly a dozen metal and hard-rock bands. A highlight of the day will be a performance by power-metal act Fozzy, fronted by wrestler Chris Jericho ..read more

Even from his first solo releases in 2021, it was clear from the start that Lake County musician C.B. Carlyle was going for something different, something bigger. His strikingly moody songs and production exuded high concept and wove a Southern gothic spell that was hauntingly cinematic. That vision has only taken on more dimension and depth since blossoming into a band project ..read more

Central Florida Earth Day returns Saturday to Lake Eola, presented by Vegetarians of Central Florida. The very worthy goals of Central Florida Earth Day are to “inspire sustainable, humane, healthy, and equitable decisions at all levels, from the individual and local levels to the corporate, governmental, and international levels.” To that end, the attractions at this daylong event include an artists corner, presentations, vendors, environmental education, animals, music and more. There will also be flow yoga and meditation classes throughout the day for those wanting to explore innerspace fo ..read more