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A new group called Dixieland Revolution is getting businesses together to make their neighborhood a destination through events like Dixieland Alley Nights the last Friday of each month. Read on to see what’s going on this Friday:
This Friday’s events, including a grand opening and live music, are concentrated in a four-block area between Belmar and Highlands Streets. While most participating businesses connect with the alley that runs west of Florida Avenue, one is on the east side of the street and another is a few blocks away on Frank Lloyd Wright Way.
In some ways, the renewed last-Friday events are a continuation of an effort that was tried a few years ago and kept alive mostly by the monthly flea markets at Dixieland Relics, according to The Lakelander magazine Publisher Curt Patterson, who is helping organize Dixieland Revolution along with Brian Waller of the Waller Center.
Most of the events take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Starting from the south, they include:
5th and Hall, a boutique at 1117 S. Florida Ave., holds its grand opening. Owners Abdiel Gonzalez and Kristy Scott describe their merchandise as “street fashion and classic tailored pieces … inspired by the classic 1960s Ivy League menswear & current street trends.”
Kanga Marketing Lab, next door to 5th and Hall, is offering a sneak peak of its soon-to-open studio.
Dixieland Alley Nights, which bills itself as the “unofficial after party,” takes place in the alley behind Kanga and 5th and Hall. It’s sponsored by those two businesses and Gregory Fancelli’s Prestige World Group and features a DJ.
The Waller Center, 1065 S. Florida Ave., is hosting its own event and a The Lakelander magazine release party (more on that next). The Waller event includes the Planet Grilled Cheese food truck, Nook Bakery, a Beer Revolution beer tasting, live music by George Waller and Jared Youngblood, clothing and jewelry popup shops and an exhibit by artist Richard Bond.
The Lakelander magazine releases its first wedding issue with a 6-7:30 reception at The Waller Center. People featured in the issue, including wedding dress designer Olivia Gray, will attend, Patterson said.
Platform Art presents Optymystic Birthday Bash in its outdoor forum area at the rear of Dixieland Village, 1035 S. Florida Ave. The music and comedy is free, but donations will be taken for families of Orlando Pulse victims. Krazy Kombucha will be serving beverages. (Dixieland Village merchants have decided to participate in Dixieland Alley Nights in lieu of their previous last-Saturday-of-the-month events beginning next month, a spokeswoman said.)
1026 SoFlo Gallery & Marketplace, 1026 S. Florida Ave., hosts a reception for Joe Campbell, who describes himself as an industrial assemblage mixed-media artist, and will also have merchandise from a new member, Giggles and Kids, owner Christine Boring said.
Pink Piano, 1015 S. Florida Ave,, plans happy hour specials from 5 to 7:30 and a flamenco guitarist and dancer starting at 7:30 as part of a Noche de San Juan celebration.
Dixieland Relics, 949 S. Florida Ave., has several things going: monthly flea market, A Cow Named Moo gourmet ice cream sandwiches, a walking taco stand, The Grub Box (meatloaf burgers, pulled pork, etc.) and music by Tony and Asha
Django & Friends Dixieland Emporium, 205 Frank Lloyd Wright Way, plans an indoor estate sale and will serve snacks.
In addition, servers from Nineteen 61 restaurant will walk hors d’oeuvres to events around Dixieland — “like a cocktail party with cocktail severs,” owner Marcos Fernandez said.
If I missed any Dixieland Alley Nights events scheduled for this week, please contact me and I’ll get them added.