12 fun things to do in Orlando this week

Thursday, March 13
Down the Rabbit Hole: UCF MFA Thesis Exhibition

Sometimes the idea of a “student show” seems like an eye-roller – a show you only attend out of personal obligation, while attempting to formulate something that sounds like praise but is nonspecific enough not to be a lie. (“Wow, that’s really something!”) Eliminate all of that fear from your brain: This excellent and harrowing show from UCF’s Master of Fine Arts candidates is not something you want to miss, and thankfully, they’ve scheduled an opening after business hours – which is the only way those of us with a job west of Alafaya Trail will be able to see it. Shelly Bradon, Stephanie Cafcules, David Dannelly, Emilie Finney, Jay Flynn, Samuel Jimenez and Ivan Riascos – many of whom have been reviewed in these pages for other exhibits – show their final presentations at Down the Rabbit Hole, and it sounds like UCF runs a rough program: “These seven artists present the story of their journey; the chaotic descent into the psyche culminating in discovery” is how the school’s press release describes the show. See, UCF isn’t just about football. – Jessica Bryce Young

6-8 p.m. | show runs through March 21 | VAB Art Gallery, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd. | 407-823-3161 | gallery.cah.ucf.edu | free

Friday, March 14
This Is the Hive Movie Premiere?

The hive mentality means many creatures working in tandem toward a common goal. Bees do it for honey, ants do it for sugar, and the Hive Orlando does it to address global environmental challenges with locally networked solutions. Alternative energy, waste management and water sustainability are all issues that the Hive looks to target by using the power of community. This Friday-night premiere of their autobiographical movie This Is the Hive marks the one-year anniversary for the community initiative, which was the brainchild of nonprofit organization IDEAS. The screening accompanies networking opportunities (the bread and butter of the Hive mentality) with community leaders and a panel discussion for attendees to ask questions and throw in whatever ideas they wish to add to the pot. Seating is limited, so RSVP soon – a ticket gets you one free drink and assorted appetizers, and proceeds go to current Hive projects. – Fred Lambert

6-10 p.m. | Gallery at Avalon Island, 39 S. Magnolia Ave. | ideasforus.org |?$25

Friday, March 14
Gasoline Heart, Mike Dunn

Some of Orlando’s best anthems have rung out between the raw Springsteen power of Gasoline Heart and the soaring open-road rock of Mike Dunn and the Kings of New England. In and around 2006, they were two of the best, most dominant acts in the city, even powering a thriving mini-scene of roots-minded American rock & roll. In recent years, both have been largely absent, with Gasoline Heart bandleader Louis DeFabrizio relocating to New York and Dunn on creative hiatus. But both principals are feeling the itch again, shaking off the rust and summoning their bands. This special bill brings to life and reunites two of the most wide-swinging, open-hearted powerhouses of rock melody our scene has produced in modern times. Go bask in the glow. – Bao Le-Huu

with Kyle Cox Band, Words Now Heard | 7 p.m. | Backbooth, 37 W. Pine St. | 407-999-2570 | backbooth.com | $7-$10

Saturday, March 15
The Downtown Brew: Orlando’s Beer Event

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day weekend with over 40 different types of unlimited Craft Beer samples. With each ticket attendees will receive a District Card, which entitles them to discounts at participating Church Street vendors.

4-8 p.m. | Downtown Orlando, Church Street | 407- 227-5565 | $23

Saturday, March 15
O.R. They?: A Wes Anderson Costume Tribute Party

There’s a risk you’ll blend right in to the walls at Stardust, which are currently festooned with Wes Anderson-themed art. Consider that fair warning that you’ll need to work hard to stand out at O.R. They, the costume party in tribute to the creator of dozens of messed-up but impeccably garbed (and instantly recognizable) fictional characters. Here’s your costume cheat sheet: Max Fischer: navy blazer, red beret; Margot Tenenbaum: black eyeliner, fur coat, wooden finger; Eli Cash: feather headdress, bandaged nose; Dignan (from Anderson’s first film, Bottle Rocket): yellow jumpsuit, bandaged nose; Sam Shatusky: Boy Scout-ish uniform, raccoon-skin cap, black-framed glasses. Now let’s hope the Slanted and Enchanted bar is serving a sweet-lime cocktail special. – Jessica Bryce Young

7 p.m. | Stardust Video and Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Road | 407-623-3393 | stardustie.com | free

Saturday, March 15
Gram Parsons Revival

In Nashville, a group of musicians take part in an annual event to honor the late, great Gram Parsons. It’s called the Gram InterNational, and it’s a seven-day music festival in which bands that can be considered descendants of Parsons’ style of alt-country play in homage to the musician, who originally hailed from Winter Haven, Fla. The goal, they say, is to support the effort to have him inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Oddly enough, nobody in our region has replicated the event, even though he’s a Central Florida son who spent a good portion of his formative years playing youth centers all around the region, and there are lots of bands who – whether they’re conscious of it or not – have been influenced by his hauntingly beautiful legacy. So we were thrilled to see this Gram Parsons revival on the calendar at Will’s Pub. The Luxury Liners, from Nashville, play the role of the Flying Burrito Brothers, Parsons’ early country band, for the night. Jackson and Forest Rodgers (of Clermont, Fla.) and singer-songwriter Stephen Rock (from Orlando) pay homage to Parsons with a honky-tonk revival that not only represents what Parsons was, but what his musical style has helped evolve 40 years after his death. This show is a don’t-miss for anyone with even a passing interest in Parsons. – Erin Sullivan

with the Luxury Liners, Jackson and Forest Rodgers, Stephen Rock | 9 p.m. | Will’s Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave. | willspub.org | $8

Saturday, March 15
3rd Annual Florida Pole Fitness Championship

It’s an “alternative fitness and dance style show,” so leave your singles at home. There are three divisions in this year’s event – amateur, professional and men’s (reverse sexism? Yay!) – and the winner gets a coveted slot at the National Pole Championship Series Finals at the Arnold Sports Festival. If you’re thinking, “Girl, I can swing pole with the best of them. Is it too late to sign up?” Well, yes, it is. Also kick yourself in the butt if you missed the FPFC’s Instagram video contest to find four pole cleaners for their event. You can’t make this up: Hopefuls had to post a shot of their most fun and creative way to clean a pole with the hashtags #badkitty, #polefit and #fpfc to qualify. If my high-school gym teacher had told me this was a sport, I wouldn’t have spent so much time faking shin splints. Also, where are those videos?! – Brendan O’Connor

5-10 p.m. | The Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave. | 352-665-2554 | floridapolefitnesschampionship.com | $25–$50

Sunday, March 16
?Holi Festival

Douse your loved ones in colored powder, all in the name of Lord Vishnu, one of the three main gods of the Hindu faith. Amounting to more than just a pretty mess, the powder contains medicinal herbs believed to stave off the cold and flu during the winter season. So have a blast and ward off the season of the stuffy nose at this family-friendly celebration on the shore of Turkey Lake. This Holi Festival features a free concert of Bollywood music, where kids sing and dance while guests are showered in perfume, the aforementioned powder and water symbolic of the playfulness of Krishna. No alcohol is permitted, and parking is $10. – Shannon Scheidell

11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake, 3401 S. Hiawassee Road | facebook.com/IndianHorizonOfFloridaInc

Sunday, March 16
Harry P. Leu Garden’s Annual Plant Sale

Leu Gardens is one of the most gorgeous 50-acre spreads in Orlando. On any given day you’ll see it filled with gaggles of home-schoolers, young couples and bleary-eyed wandering stoners just smelling the roses, because everyone fucking loves Leu Gardens’ subtropical jungle atmosphere. One of the best times to visit is Plant Sale weekend: The camellias are blooming, the grapefruits are dropping and growing hair in weird places, and there are tons of vendors selling super-cool botanical goodness. Insider tip: Ride a bike with a trailer to carry your goodies away – the parking is redonkulous, mostly because everyone’s already there! – Brendan O'Connor

9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave. | free | 407-246-2620 | leugardens.org

St. Patrick's Day Events

It’s time to celebrate everything Irish again, including beer (either green or Guinness) and potatoes!

Tyler, The Creator

NEXT WEEK: Friday, March 21
'Tim's Vermeer'

Our reviewer says, "While few would call Jenison’s Vermeer copy art, after viewing this film, I’d say, based on the passion, curiosity and dedication Jenison displayed, he’s certainly an artist … of some kind."

Showtimes vary | Enzian, 1300 S. Orlando Ave.| (407) 629-0054| www.enzian.org