Orlando’s Swamp Sistas band is undergoing a bit of a transformation (and name change), and will debut the new Swamp Xista line-up on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Stardust Video & Coffee in Winter Park.
Aiming to fight hunger for a third year, Beth McKee and the Swamp Sistas Songwriter Circle will launch the La La Summer Hope Virtual Food Drive at Casselberry’s Earth Fest in Lake Concord Park on Saturday, April 28.
Admission to the Earth Fest and the Swamp Sistas Songwriter Circle is free.
The campaign will run from April 28 until the end of the La La May 19 at Orlando Fringe, where cash and check donations will also be accepted.
One of my favorite Central Florida musicians is Emily Kopp and if you haven’t heard her music yet, here is a chance to pick up her new single, for a donation to charity.
Her single, “Chasing Streetlights,” is available vis Cadence & Cause for a donation. A small 50 cent donation will provide a child with medication for treatment and protection against the seven most common neglected tropical diseases for a year.
Orlando’s Emily Kopp is one of my favorite hometown musicians, and her new video is a perfect example why.
She covers the Smokey Robinon classic, “Cruisin,” and really puts her own spin on the song, while retaining the heart and soul of the original.
Orlando’s own Emily Kopp returns to Orlando on her current tour of the Southeast U.S. with a show at BackBooth on March 6.
Kopp is an engaging singer-songwriter whose sound marries bluesy soulful vocals with indie-pop melodies. She moved to Orlando to study at UCF, and also worked for a local music venue where she learned about the business side of the music. She honed her own sound in the meantime and soon was sharing the stage with artists like Marc Cohn, Brandi Carlisle, and Michelle Branch.
Orlando’s Alyssa Harrison will hold the release party for her new EP “It’s Only Natural,” on Friday, January 30, at Orlando Brewing.
Harrison will be performing songs off the EP during the free show, and says about the songs, “My music is in no way conventional pop, the way you might think of Katy Perry or Taylor Swift. I write about very personal, intimate problems people often face within themselves.”
Opening for her will be Orlando ska band, The Luna Bellum. There will also be food trucks and drink specials throughout the night. Copies of the EP will be available for purchase.
Orlando Brewing is located at 1301 Atlantic Ave. For more information on Alyssa Harrison, visit facebook.com/AlyssaHarrisonMusic.
Orlando musician Emily Kopp has just released a new video where she covers Sara Bareilles’ hit single, “Brave.” It’s beautiful and well done, so I thought I’d share it with you readers.
If you like what you see/hear, Kopp and her band will be headlining a show at The Social on August 1, with Built to be Broken. Tickets are $10.
Here’s the video:
httpv://youtu.be/iNaHCyJFuOA
I was sad when Urban Think! in Thornton Park closed. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the store and attending the events it hosted.
Well, Urban ReThink has emerged in its place.
Billed as a “hub for creativity, collaboration and transformation,” the space has been recreated to allow for meeting rooms and event space for creative ventures.
It also houses an outlet of the Virgin Olive Market restaurant.
On February 16, Urban ReThink will host a Burrow Press book release party for Fragmentation + Other Stories. Local authors, photographers and musicians will be on hand to promote this collaborative project. The event runs from 6pm to 8pm.
Urban ReThink is located at 625 E. Central Blvd.