Top 10 things to do this week in Orlando: Nov. 27-Dec. 3

Prypyat

Wednesday, Nov. 27

9 p.m.

Lil Indies, 1036 N. Mills Ave.

willspub.org

free

The unconventional music venue of Lil Indies this week becomes an inviting setting for unconventional pop from North Carolina. You might recognize Leah Gibson from Anti Records band Lost in the Trees; the fusion of her cello, an instrument on which she’s trained classically, with Duncan Webster’s indie pop melodies has the odd ability to be at once dark and light, like a mirror catching the sunlight in a room where the curtains are mostly drawn. On “The Orbiter,” there’s this sensational sonic equivalent of crystals shattering that embodies the paranormal enchantment these artists achieve as a duo. Plus it’s a free show, so the only gamble is whether or not you show up early enough to snag a cozy booth. – Ashley Belanger

The Business

Wednesday, Nov. 27

with the Rawtones, Caffiends, the Tuff Looks

8 p.m.

Will's Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave.

willspub.org

$10-$12

Even more than its fashion, punk has always had to bear the weight of its own politics. Although that edge has resulted in some popular revolution, both enlightened and abominable, sorting through it all can be a real buzzkill. But apart from taking a stance early on against the far-right racist stench that wrongly subsumed the general perception of skinhead culture (one that persists in America), the only politics that London pub-punk band the Business are known for revolve around working-class values, hooliganism and hard drinking. Specializing in what are essentially folk anthems for the rude and crude since 1979, these original Oi! boys do sturdy punk rock that’s more about downing pints than screeching, grandstanding or stupid hair. So lace ’em up and gather the gang. It’s Guinness time, boys. – Bao Le-Huu

Vegan/Non-Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner for Everyone!

Thursday, Nov. 28

1-3 p.m., 4-6 p.m., 7-9 p.m.

Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar, 444 N. Bumby Ave.

407-893-4994

$24.99

Ah, Thanksgiving. It’s the one big holiday without a religious underpinning (although in that respect, this year is different than all other years; see page 23), meaning it’s pretty much all about getting together for a meal, meaning it’s Food Issues Ground Zero. Whether you choose to plant your flag and make a stand on the hill of carb-avoidance, gluten intolerance, paleo or nothing-with-a-face, the Thanksgiving table shouldn’t be a war zone. “Vegetarian” is a word that strikes fear and confusion into the hearts of grandparents every year – “vegan,” even more so – but Drunken Monkey takes the onus off home cooks and gets it right with respect for all sides: turkey for the carnivores, Tofurky for the vegans and vegetarians, gingered carrots for all. (Find the full menu on our Salivation Army blog at blogs.orlandoweekly.com.) There are three seatings – this event gets more popular every year – but still, reserve early and pre-pay to guarantee your spot at the table. – Jessica Bryce Young

Old Spice Classic

Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 28-Dec. 1

various times through Dec. 1

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista

407-939-4263

espnevents.com/old-spide-classic

$20-$100

Some people might not immediately associate basketball with Thanksgiving – more likely lounging on the couch after a turkey dinner while watching NFL football. But for college basketball fans, this Thanksgiving weekend in Orlando is a pre-March Madness warm-up of sorts, as the annual Old Spice Classic brings a lineup of eight teams to Disney. The tournament sets up bracket-style matchups over a span of four days, pitting teams like Oklahoma State (currently ranked No. 7 in the AP poll) against teams that are newer to the Classic, such as Siena. No doubt you’ll see others – LSU, Purdue, Butler, Washington State, Saint Joseph’s and Memphis (ranked No. 11) – throughout the weekend, and fans can even make their own picks by filling out and printing brackets on espnevents.com. See, it really is just like March Madness, except with a bit more holiday flair. Just don’t be a turkey and forget to purchase tickets – a $100 six-session pack grants access to all 12 games, or single-session tickets ($20 each) get you into two games. – Aimee Vitek

2nd Annual Black Friday Blowout

Friday, Nov. 29

with Alligator Indian, Fortune Howl, Michael Parallax, Moon Jelly

8 p.m.

Stardust Video and Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Road

free

Before you start throwing ’bows, a disclaimer: This event isn’t about discounted big-screens or tablets or whatever trendy gadgetry. Instead, it’s an opportunity for folks to gather after the Thanksgiving holiday, listen to some free good music and wind down among friends. And, we dunno, maybe digest. This year’s musical talent includes local favorites like the avant-garde pop of Moon Jelly, the experimental ambient sounds of Fortune Howl and the insane party-starting presence of Michael Parallax, who if you’ve still never seen him, is the live music experience equivalent of ingesting a thousand Red Bulls. Adding even more energy is Alligator Indian, a former Orlando band who relocated to Asheville, N.C. It’s always a treat when they come home for the holidays, though, and we’re guessing this post-turkey day date will be no exception. – Ashley Belanger

UCF Knights vs. USF Bulls

Friday, Nov. 29

8 p.m.

Bright House Networks Stadium, University of Central Florida

407-823-1000

ucfathletics.com

$30-$75

These cross-state rivals take to the field in an NCAA college football game.

Festivals of Speed

Friday-Sunday, Nov. 29-Dec. 1

various times through Dec. 1

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, 4012 Central Florida Parkway

festivalsofspeed.com/orlando

$10-$350

Do you prefer the growl of an exotic 12-cylinder internal combustion behemoth or the soft, smooth sounds of a soprano saxophone? This weekend it won’t matter, because the eighth annual Festivals of Speed returns with enough power for everyone. Billed as a weekend retreat at the Ritz to “experience luxury products on a more intimate level,” this expo of extravagance features everything from a luxury lifestyle jetport reception Friday night to a wine connoisseurs’ dinner Saturday – all leading up to the Motorsports Collection & Luxury Lifestyles display on Sunday. The Motorsports Collection features custom motorcycles, race boats and a whole host of brand-name super cars including such auspicious names as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Bugatti. In addition to the high-priced horsepower, there will be fine dining options, wine tastings, fashion shows and other such glimpses into the glitzy and glamorous luxe life. – James Austin

Angel Olsen

Saturday, Nov. 30

with Matthew Fowler

9 p.m.

Will's Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave.

willspub.org

$10

Angel Olsen is not a perfect sing- er. Sometimes, she misses notes entirely. Take “Can’t Wait Until Tomorrow” from 2012’s Half Way Home, her second full-length. Like almost every other song on the album, “Can’t Wait” is a raw, minimal number powered entirely by Olsen’s vocal cords and plaintive, careful strikes on acoustic guitar strings. “I hope I can be somebody who shows you your heart/ The way that it weighs upon my own/ If only we could understand each other, I’d happily die/ Oh, I don’t care if I spend my whole life away,” she sings. On that “Oh,” her voice cracks, quivering as if she’s suddenly begun to weep and is a hair away from wailing. – Reyan Ali

Chanukah on the Park

Saturday, Nov. 30

7 p.m.

Central Park, Winter Park

407-644-2500

cityofwinterpark.org

free

For the first time in nearly 100 years, the first full day of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is American Thanksgiving day (Nov. 28). So, while some might be stuffing their face with latkes, they’ll also light the second candle of the menorah after a kosher turkey dinner. This convergence won’t happen again in our lifetime, so there’s reason enough to blow out the holiday a few days later at the Chabad of Greater Orlando’s annual Chanukah on the Park event. Landing smack dab in the middle of the eight-day Festival of Lights (Nov. 27-Dec. 5), the outdoor evening comes complete with all the typical holiday splendor: singing performances by the Jewish Community Center choir, live Jewish rock bands, Hasidic dancing and plenty of fried foods. You’ll even have the chance to win $1,000 worth of raffle drawings, which should cover the tab for eight days’ worth of Hanukkah presents. – Aimee Vitek

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Saturday, Nov. 30

3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Amway Center, 400 W. Church St.

407-440-7000

trans-siberian.com

$43.70-$83.50

Back in your past life of slaving away in holiday retail, you may have become jarringly aware of Trans-Siberian Orchestra by way of the sonic chainsaw set to repeat that continuously and mercilessly scratched through the space between your ears. Sure, some people immediately professed their outsiders’ admiration of the Christmas-songs-as-cornball-heavy-metal treatment – “Mannheim Steamroller is for pussies,” and all that – but then your dad went back into his man cave and welded a muffler or something. Stripped of the hyperactive pyrotechnics and hair-stuck-to-your-guitar-face-while-a-girl-in-leather-writhes-for-Jesus atrocities, Tran-Siberian Orchestra is basically just a makeup gig for “progressive” metal also-rans Savatage. But you don’t need to know that. Nor should you likely know that the Orchestra can operate in two places at one time, thus doubling its profitability (we’re guessing there are two touring groups, because Las Vegas and Orlando aren’t exactly splitting the band on a Saturday). Nope, you should just see this novelty for what it is, and, if you are so inclined, take your dad out of the house. He misses you. – Billy Manes