East End Market opening delayed
The much-anticipated East End Market held a fabulous grand opening in the Audubon Park Garden District in late October, but closed quickly with code problems. John Rife, developer of the culinary masterpiece, which boasts farmers, chefs and food artists, has worked out the kinks and it has reopened. The two-story building, at 3201 Corrine Drive, houses a dozen merchants, offices, retail, event space, and a restaurant. It will feature monthly events and classes, everything from wine tastings to yoga. Local businesses offer seafood, meats, breads, fresh roasted coffee, raw food specialties, soups and sauces, local produce and flowers. It’s open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. A restaurant, Txokos Basque Kitchen, will open at the end of the year.
Farm to Epcot
The Fabulous Beekman Boys, famous for their Cooking Channel reality TV show following their life on their upstate New York farm, have some Orlando ties. Several weeks ago the duo – husbands Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge – appeared on the Derek and Romaine Sirius-XM Radio Show where they announced that products from their farm would soon be sold at Epcot. The Beekman 1802 products have been spotted at American Adventure. It turns out that Romaine is a big Disney parks fan, and knows many Disney executives. Josh and Brent are frequent guests on the Derek and Romaine show, so Disney asked if Romaine would introduce them to Josh and Brent, which led to the business deal. The Beekman Boys said on the show that they will be at Epcot November 27 for the official debut of their items in the American Adventure shop.
Edgefactory awarded an Emmy
Orlando’s Edgefactory OMNIMEDIA was awarded a 2013 Emmy for writing and producing by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATA) and hosted by the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter. The company was recognized for its work for the National Blood Foundation, creating a 2012 mobile blood collection tour. Edgefactory, led by President and CEO Brian Cole, created a community affairs feature segment to raise awareness and support for blood collection. Blood centers around the country participated in a raffle with one lucky winner, in Arizona, received a bloodmobile.
Camera Ready
Orlando Salon owner Dale Dees offers cosmetic tips in a new TV spot for Black Entertainment Television (BET) and Wal-Mart. The commercial, which began airing during the show Being Mary Jane on Nov. 3, will appear on BET nationally through the holidays, according to iSpot. In the ad, Dees says he has a few tips to “glam up your look and get camera-ready” while promoting Queen Latifah’s “Queen Collection” by Covergirl. Dees opened Dale Dees Salon on Mills Avenue in March 2007. In 2008, he earned a gold medal at the Hairworld Championships in Chicago and was highlighted in the 2006 PBS documentary Hairworld: The Pursuit of Excellence.
Take your singing from the shower to the stage
Think you’ve honed a strong signing voice in the shower every morning? The Orlando Gay Chorus, with more than 150 members, is holding auditions on Jan. 4-5 for its spring concert. Whether you are gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, straight, ally, questioning, all are welcome. If you want to check out the 24-year old singing group before scheduling an appointment, the chorus will have its holiday concert Dec. 14-15 at the Plaza Theater. Spring concert dates are May 17-18. Singers do not need to prepare a song for the audition, but will work on vocalizations with Artistic Director Jim Brown. To schedule an audition, visit OrlandoGayChorus.org.
