The street party and concerts will be held Saturdays and on select nights starting February 11 and running through April 14, 2012.

The first concert, at 8:30 p.m. on February 11, will feature the B-52′s. The classic band is known for its hit single “Love Shack” from its 1989 release, Cosmic Thing, which launched the band into “superstardom,” according to Universal Orlando.

American Idol’s Kelly Clarkson will perform at Universal’s Mardi Gras event next, on Feb. 18. She won the first season of American Idol in 2002, and has been a hit ever since. Then, on Sunday, Feb. 19, legendary R&B group Boyz II Men will take the Universal stage.

Kelly Clarkson

Diana Ross headlines the Feb. 25 Mardi Gras show. Known for hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Love Hangover,” Ross is sure to be a big hit at Universal Orlando.

In March, the concerts continue, with the Goo Goo Dolls kicking things off on March 3, 2012 at 8:30 p.m. Big Time Rush will follow on March 10 and then Universal Orlando will welcome J Cole to its Mardi Gras stage on March 16.

Then, Sugar Ray makes its Universal appearance on March 17, 2012. Hot Chelle Rae follows on Friday, March 23, 2012 and then Mardi Gras will bring B.o.B. on Saturday, March 24.

The popular group Plain White T’s will come on Friday March 30, and help round out that month of Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando with Prince Royce on March 31.

April will bring more big names, including Cyndi Lauper and KC & The Sunshine Band. Get more information on those exact dates and times, read more about the artists, and find out about all the Universal Orlando Mardi Gras ticket packages by clicking on the banner below:

TIER offers guests an upscale South Florida feel and state of the art lighting while focusing on premium bottle service with multiple VIP lounges. Located at 20 E. Central Blvd., the former building of club Icon, TIER blends in amongst the downtown community. The modest exterior disguises what hides behind its doors.

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The contemporary two level club features an open dance floor that can be viewed from second floor balconies, premium sound equipment and five bars with competitive upscale prices. TIER has named DJ Nova the resident DJ along with hosting several big performances in the upcoming weeks. Talib Kweli will perform for the soft opening this Thursday and DJ Ross One will take the stage the following night.

The Mawardi brothers, along with four other invested UCF alumni, are hoping to change the culture of Orlando by providing guests an exclusive experience like no other. Matthew Roulan, TIER’s marketing director, is hoping TIER will offer regular clientele a familiarity that’s lacking in Orlando.

“We want people to be comfortable and feel at home. We want our doorman to know the regulars’ names and we don’t want them to wait at the door.”

The nightclub will be open each week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the venue will be available to host private events during the week. TIER will enforce a strict dress code and have a selective door.

Check out a few inside looks at the new club!

By: Sophie Grace

SEE PICTURES FROM INSIDE ON THE NEXT PAGE

First things first, decide on a budget. Figure out how much you intend to spend
and stick to it. We would all love to splurge and buy our valentine a pricey gift but bear
in mind, a gift is rarely valued as much as an experience.

Everyone loves to be ‘wined and dined’ especially on a day dedicated to love.
Instead of spending a fortune at a restaurant, cook a memorable dinner. Buy gourmet
ingredients you wouldn’t normally cook with. Every restaurant on Valentines Day
is packed, loud and the service is usually awful. Skip it and treat your valentine to a
romantic night in. If a certain restaurant has special meaning or significance see if they
have a carry out menu so you can still enjoy the night away from the madness.

If you ‘forgot’ how to cook, don’t worry. Check out the prepared foods section at
Publix near the meat department. Here you can find steak pinwheels with fresh spinach
and mozzarella, bacon wrapped chicken cordon bleu, marinated steak kabobs and so
much more. All of the Publix pre-made items come with instructions so if you burn it
make sure you have Papa Johns on speed dial and order a heart shaped pizza.

Ignore the typical box of chocolates calling your name. In an article titled “From
fancy salt to gourmet trucks, an appetizing look at 2012,” USA Today named artisan
chocolate one of the top food trends for 2012. Look for smaller bars that feature unique
flavors and have a higher percentage of cocoa. One bar may cost the same as a common
supersized bag, but your valentine will not complain about its size when he or she tries it.

Sweet! By Good Golly Miss Holly, a bakery with specialty cupcakes located
in Waterford Lakes Town Center, is offering a special Valentines Day collection
of cupcakes. Each cupcake is embellished with a handmade custom chocolate to
compliment each flavor of the collection. The Valentines Day collection is offered at $18
for one dozen mini cupcakes.

Try and explore other areas around Orlando. Harry P. Leu Gardens will be
hosting a Valentine’s Movie Night featuring “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” Admission is only $5
per person and you can bring your own picnic basket and blankets. The Garden will open
at 6 p.m. and the movie will start at 7:30 p.m. During the day admission is $7 and you
can explore 50-acre oasis in the middle of Orlando. Go to www.leugardens.org for more
information.

Park Avenue in Winter Park features one of the most enjoyable walks in Orlando.
Stroll the brick, tree-lined street surrounded by shops and restaurants. Most of the
restaurants will be at capacity but there’s always Starbucks and a vintage candy store.

Make sure to check out the rose garden next to the six-acre park, a frequent wedding
ceremony location due to its charm.

If you’re too busy applauding the fact that you don’t have to worry about anything
above, you should plan a night out. Regardless of relationship status, it’s still a holiday.
You can sit around, watch Christian Slater movies, play video games and pretend you
don’t know what day it is or you can enjoy yourself. Get a group together, split a cab, and
go downtown where you’ll find other people doing the exact same thing.

Remember to buy a card, or make one yourself. Flowers die, chocolate will
mysteriously disappear but a card will always be there to remind your valentine how
much you care. Don’t let you friends feel forgotten, there’s nothing wrong with buying
juvenile valentines for your friends. If all else fails think thoughtfully, speak kindly and
enjoy the people around you.

By: Sophie Grace

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 3rd at 10:00am!

Mac Miller, with special guests The Cool Kids and The Come Up, will perform at the UCF Arena as part of the Campus Consciousness Tour. The show starts at 7:00pm and doors will open at 6:00pm.

Be sure to get your tickets early as this will likely be a SOLD-OUT event!

Check out a few Mac Miller hits:

Roxy is advertising the night will have sounds by Crespo & Kid Judah, a DJ who became popular at UCF area bars, on 4 turntables.

Once again, Roxy is sending party buses to UCF to drive students to the event. If ordered in advance, $10 will cover the bus ride and cover your entrance into Roxy.

You can text “YOLO BUS” to 754-581-4497 to order tickets. The price increases to $12 for walkups. Cash and credit cards are accepted, according to promoters.

Buses will pick people up from:

- Nike 106 on campus at 10:00 p.m.
- The UCF Arena at 10:15 p.m.
- The Plaza, across from UCF, at 10:30 p.m.

The Grand Opening of YOLO Saturday Nights is on January 14. And according to the Ted Pizio, the owner of Roxy, the “goal for YOLO is to make it so you never see the same thing twice. You only live once, so why not go all out?”

Every Saturday different big acts and DJs will be taking the stage, with the first night kicking off with Brass Knuckles. The opening set will be performed by Hysteria & MC Eric James for the Grand Opening. Mike Grinberg of EDU After Dark says “it’s something we have never done before, and something only Roxy can bring to life.”

UCF students can bring their UCF ID’s to get open bar till 1 a.m. Everyone else gets open bar till midnight. Roxy also provides buses from UCF. Buses depart from Nike at 10 p.m., from the UCF Arena at 10:30 p.m. and the Plaza at 10:45 p.m. Just text “YOLO” to (754) 581-4497 for tickets. Or for more info check out: YOLO’s Facebook Page.

The bar, which will be open every night aside from Tuesday and Sunday is opening in the Plaza, taking the place of where Deko Lounge was located.

Featuring multiple flat screen TV’s in a sports-bar-meets-club atmosphere, the bar is now big enough to have nine bartenders serving at one time. According to Scoop General Manager Mike Perez, the bar will play mainly Top 40 hits, steering away from Deko’s electronic and house music.

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General Manager Jason Blank is anticipating the opening with much optimism.

“I expect the entire semester to be crazy. We are bringing back all the good things about Scoop that the people love.” said Blank, “I expect it to be a good college type of environment.”

The infamous Wheel is also making a return, with crowd favorites of a 50 dollar bar tab, free shots, and a 3-way kiss all as options.

As for tonight, the bar will open its doors at 8:30PM for the NCAA Football Championship game between Alabama and LSU. The bar is giving out free drinks all night with dollar Bud Light bottles and Coors Light Drafts. Both General Managers expect Scoop to reach full capacity quickly, so if you go out make sure to get there early.

DJ Lineup:

Monday- Si Money

Wednesday- Kid Judah

Thursday- Johnny Quest

Friday- Kid Judah

Saturday- Jay Lew

Link to Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/events/316922905006992/ 

Thankfully, KnightNews.com researched drink specials and events going on for New Year’s in the greater Orlando area. This guide will give you everything you need to ring in 2012 right.

UCF AREA

If you are looking to stay in the UCF area, FUBAR is having an 80′s themed New Year’s Bash, offering two packages of free wells and drafts all night for $20, and free top shelf all night and champagne for $40. Link to the Facebook event is posted below:

https://www.facebook.com/events/335666029793083/

Also, Knight Library is having a New Year’s Eve Party with $15 cover, offering free drinks until Midnight, $30 bottles of champagne and $100 bottles of Three Olives all night.

O-Ride is doing a bus downtown for UCF students, a wristband will get you discount covers to venues such as Roc Room and Dragon Room. The bus will leave UCF at 10pm and leave downtown at 2am. Call or text 407 758 6326 to reserve your spot(s).

Finally, World of Beer is offering a special of all drafts half off from 7 p.m. until midnight.

Downtown Orlando

If you are looking to head downtown to ring in the New Year, you will not be disappointed. With the culmination of the Capital One Bowl just a day away, thousands of partiers crowding Wall Street and Church Street, a good time is guaranteed.

Wall Street is having a New Year’s Eve extravaganza, with 9 venues, 2 city streets, DJ’s, and surprises throughout the night. The event costs $25 at the door, or you can pre-order online by clicking the link below.

http://www.wallstplaza.net/new-years-eve-2012/details/962-new-years-eve-2012

Church Street is once again doing their annual street party offering packages of $39, $59, $79 & $99 dollars. Note that the Church Street party is strictly 21 and up. The link to the event is posted below.

http://www.churchstreetbars.com/

Roxy Orlando is also getting in on the New Year’s Eve fun. The nightclub just east of downtown Orlando is having a balloon drop. Get details on the packages ranging from $20-$50 here: http://tickets.roxyorlando.com/events/view/87

IMPORTANT: NYE “Tipsy Tow” offered by AAA: You don’t have to be a AAA member, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on New Year’s Eve/Day they will take your drunk self and your car home for FREE, nationwide. Save this number: 1-800-222-4357.

Stay safe and have a prosperous New Year’s, from everyone at KnightNews.com!

Doors open at 10pm. Come dressed to boogy-woogy–things are going to get wild. See ya there!

HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS
An Orlando favorite, Halloween Horror Nights 21 at Universal Studios Orlando will have its last night tonight. According to Universal, you’ll be able to “take your fate into your hands as you venture into a nightmarish maze of 8 all-new haunted houses, 6 bloodcurdling scare zones, and thrilling live shows.”

KNIGHT LIBRARY
The Knight Library bar, located across from UCF in “The Plaza” with McDonald’s out front, is hosting a Halloween costume party tonight. They’re advertising free drinks until midnight and a costume contest. Prizes will go to the person with the hottest/sexiest costume, as well as best overall costume. There’s over $300 in cash prizes. The exact cover price wasn’t advertised, but bring cash to make sure you get in!

DEKO ORLANDO
Also in “The Plaza” across from UCF is DEKO Orlando, which is throwing its own Halloween event called the Haunted “House” Party. The Deko Lounge will have free drinks and shots until Midnight, along with a costume contest. DEKO is giving away a $100 bar tab for best costume, and a $100 tab for sexiest costume. DEKO will be decorated as a haunted house to get you in the Halloween spirit, and DJ Jonny Quest will be performing.

If you know of any other Halloween events that we missed, email us at news@knightnews.com with the details, or just post them in the comments section below!

Happy Halloween, from all of us at KnightNews.com!