Future who has one of the hottest yet controversial song in the streets “Karate Chop”, featuring Lil Wayne, has not let the negativity get to him as he focuses in on completing his second studio album, Future Hendrix, set to release sometime this year.

Out Da Gate Entertainment looked to spice up Mother’s Day adding the Freeband Gang leader to their weekly “Super Smash Sundays” at Firestone Live.

While I love my life and would not trade it for anything I’m sure it would be pretty cool to switch with Future for one night as he gets paid to drink expensive champagne and look cool while his DJ plays his music in the background (which I will explain later).  I don’t know about you but add that to getting to sleep next to R&B singer Ciara, the hottie who brought us hit singles “Ride” and “1, 2 Step” every night and waking up in a new Bugatti every morning sounds pretty sweet to me.

“At My Baby’s Show. Being Goofy BackStage:) The Girlz are Screaming LOUD!:) Show Is #CertifiedTrill” tweeted Ciara late Sunday night as she supported her boyfriend Future rock the stage from behind the DJ booth.

Before the rapper came out to perform his security took to the stage to clear everyone who was not apart of his crew no matter what ties they had to the promoters or venue.  The artist stormed the stage right from his tour bus and headed right back concluding his set.

I am a huge fan of Future “the rapper” however Future “the performer” I’m not too sold on.  I believe if people pay to see you rap then you should actually rap and not just adlib the prerecorded vocals your dj is spinning the entire night while dancing around the stage.  However what do I know I’m just an avid music fan.

While Future set was semi short and a little unimpressive a jam packed crowd appeared to be pretty “turnt up” in the club like atmosphere as he managed to fit in both new and old songs that he either provided a hooks or verse to rangin from songs like; “Tony Montana”, “Racks”, “Buggatti”, and “Love Me” during his set which was under a hour long.

I have not lost all faith in Future who has brought me some of my favorite summer jams so I will brush this underneath the rug and forget it ever happened.  He is a smart guy who has seemed to know what it takes to shine on on the big stage so if he wants to continue his growth an improvement in live rapping is a must.

In what has become an annual event, players from City SC joined a group of screaming Lioness fans for the “2nd Annual Soccer and the City” last Tuesday at Blue Martini Lounge.

“I don’t have final numbers yet but yes, there were more people and I know we also exceeded the amount we raised last year as we had more sponsorships, more attendance, and more auction prizes,” stated Kay Rawlins, Orlando City Foundation (OCF) board chairman.  ”Our focus was to help raise funds for a freezer in a store in Parramore (SunLife Grocery) so that the residents have access to more produce.”

OCF is a non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling the charitable objectives of City SC through outreach programs, services and initiatives for individuals and organizations in need.

Rawlins pointed out that part of the foundation mission statement revolves around exercise and healthy eating which explains the group working with Hebni, a program whose goal is to raise nutrition awareness throughout the minority community, on this project.

Dennis Chin, Orlando City SC forward, co-hosted the night alongside Rawlins in what was a ladies night like no other.  City SC players catered to the attendees by helping serve them food as well as explaining the different aspects to the game of Futbol through videos and live presentations.

Defender Eric Upstruck was clearly the player of the night netting his first donation from MetroPCS valued at $750 for his program ROCK (Reduce Obesity in Central Florida Kids).  At the end of the night a lucky fan had the opportunity to purchase Upstruck shirt right off his back for more than $400.

“We use our players in schools and youth groups to help spread the word, kids will listen to a pro athlete,” explained Rawlins.

OCF is no stranger to the Parramore area  having done multiple projects in the past including free soccer clinics for youth, providing a Little Free Library as well as partnering New Image Youth Center.

The foundation next event will take place in August concluding the teams season as they will be hosting their Awards Night gala.

For more information on the Foundation and how your time and monetary donations can help please visit http://www.orlandocitysoccer.com/community/orlando_city_foundation/.

“We have lost a lot of close games,” said UCF head coach Terry Rooney. “We’ve been on the wrong end to our fault and we played terrible on Friday and Saturday we didn’t play well and Tallahassee we played great, but we were short.”

The Knights got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning, when Austin Johnston hit a sac fly to right field, which led to James Vasquez tagging from third to score and give UCF an early 1-0 lead over Tulane.

UCF increased their lead in the bottom of the third, when Chris Taladay singled with the bases loaded to drive in JoMarcos Woods and Breen to make the score 3-0 UCF and advance Hempe to third on the hit.

Tulane cut the 3-0 deficit in the top of the fourth, when Sean Potkay hit a two-run homer to left field, which scored Andrew Garner to make the score 3-2 UCF.

UCF added to their advantage in the bottom of the fifth, when Erik Hempe homered to left field to make the score 4-2 UCF.

Tulane cut into the lead in the top of the sixth, when Tucker Oakley doubled to left center field and drove in Bowen Woodson to make the score 4-3 UCF.

Brian Adkins said, “ My game plan was that I saw they were crushing fastballs outside, so I pitched more inside and low to not give them any pitches.”UCF in the bottom of the sixth inning increased its margin over Tulane, when Chris Taladay doubled to right center with the bases loaded, which made Woods advanced to third and score Breen and Jeramy Matos to make it 6-3 Knights over the Green Wave.

 The Knights increased their advantage over the Green Wave in the bottom of the seventh, when Johnston singled through the right side and drove in James Vasquez to make UCF’s lead 7-3 and give the Knights some breathing room.

UCF’s bullpen compared to the other two games versus Tulane, performed up to their talent as Zac Favre and Spencer Davis pitched scoreless innings to give UCF the 7-3 victory and Brian Adkins the win after Adkins pitched six innings, eight hits, three runs, three earned runs and five strikeouts.

With the win the Knights record improves to 28-24 for the season as UCF now travels to Boca Raton, FL to play one game against FAU before traveling to North Carolina to finish the season with a three-game series against ECU.

“We call it no rebounds that is a term we use a lot meaning when we score a couple you got to put up a zero and we certainly didn’t do that,” said UCF head coach Terry Rooney. “We battled back and hung in there and then we didn’t put up a zero and I told the pitchers listen we gave up 15 runs, again if we take away two or three pitches we could of have the tying run at the plate and if we didn’t up those four runs in the ninth would should could, but could have the tying or winning run at the plate.”

Tulane scored early in the first, when Sean Potkay singled to right which drove in Richard Carthon to make the score 1-0 Tulane.

The Green Wave then added to their lead when Boudreaux reached on a fielder’s choice, which drove in the runner Nick DiMaggio to increase the lead to 2-0 Tulane after the top of the first.

UCF answered Tulane’s runs with two of their own to tie the game. Bret Gordon was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Erik Hempe scored to cut Tulane’s lead to 2-1. UCF tied the game when James Vasquez was walked with bases loaded to advance Chris Taladay home to score another run.

The Knights in the bottom of the second took a 4-2 lead off a home run to straightaway center field by Erik Hempe and a triple by JoMarcos Woods, who later advanced home on a passed ball to make the score 4-2 and gave UCF it’s first lead of the game.

The Green Wave retook the lead in the top of the fourth with a big three run inning to take a 5-4 lead in the game because of Garrett Cannizaro’s sac fly and Garner drove in the other two runs with a double in the inning.

UCF tied the game on Chris Taladay’s single, which drove in Spencer Haynes to make the game 5-5 and Taladay then advanced to second. After that this was the closest the Knights were as Tulane’s offensive exploded for some more runs and UCF couldn’t keep up.

Tulane scored two more runs in the top of the fifth, when Burns doubled down the left field line which drove in Boudreaux and Bowen Woodson.

The Green Wave also scored two runs in the top of both the sixth and seventh inning. The runs in the sixth were scored by Boudreaux and Woodson each driving in a run and in the seventh Garner drove both runs in by hitting a triple to center field to make the score 11-5 Tulane.

UCF scored a run in the bottom of the eighth, when JoMarcos Woods singled to right field to drive in Ryan Breen to make the score 11-6 in the bottom of the eighth.

Tulane add to their lead by scoring four runs in the top of the ninth inning to open up a gap on UCF. The Green Wave scored those runs by a three run homer by Garner and a sac fly by Tucker Oakley.

The Knights battled back, but it wasn’t enough as they scored three runs in the ninth to make it 15-9.

UCF will play their last home game of the season when they finish up the series against Tulane on Sunday, May 12 at Jay Bergman Field. The series finale will also be Senior Day for the Knights, where they plan on honoring the 10 seniors from this years team. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

The big question going into the soundtrack of Luhrmann’s newest film “The Great Gatsby,” in stores now, is how would the songs display the themes of; partying, hopeless love, and murder as well as reflect the main characters of F. Scott Fitzgerald original tale.

Background:

Much like the story women run the show on this musical joy ride we experience during the album 14 songs. The soundtrack blends Fitzgerald’s “Jazz Age” with modern day pop, hip-hop, dance, and alternative rock elements ensemble together exquisitely creating a Bollywood feel that either leaves you hating or loving Luhrmann’s creative style.

Each song is set to fit a particular scene in the movie featuring new music from; the soundtrack executive producer Jay-Z, Florence + the Machine, will.i.am, The xx, and Lana Del Ray. Jack White does one of many covers as he provides a rendition of U2’s “Love is Blindness.”

We get the grace to hear artist Beyoncè Knowles twice throughout the album as she provides vocals alongside superb lyricist Andrè 3000 paying tribute to the late Amy Whinehouse in “Back to Black”. Also Scottish recording artist Emeli Sandè collaborates with The Bryan Ferry Orchestra to cover “Crazy in Love.”

“Jay Gatsby, I park things/ Yellow cars, yellow gold like Slick Rick,” raps Jay-Z on “$100 Bills,” (the albums only formal rap song).  This track is by far the most parallel comparison to an individual character as Jay-Z compares his personal life to the movie protagonist Jay Gatsby, (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) an archetype of the self-made man who drives a yellow Rolls-Royce which plays a major factor in the plot of the story.

Spotlight:

1. “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey: This ballad leaves me wondering how could you take a situation that is so ugly, Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan’s complicated relationship, and make it so beautiful.  Del Rey doesn’t disappoint being that black rose we know her to be providing life where there is death.

2. “Over the Love” by Florence + Machine:  ”Cause you’re a hard soul to save with an ocean in the way, but I’ll get around it,” sings lead singer Florence Welch.  Welch does what she does best with her soulful voice captivating distance love through profound lyrics pointing out key parts in the movie such as Buchannan’s yellow dress and the green light outside of her house separating her from Gatsby.

3. “Where the Winds Blows” by Coco O. of QuaDron:  I literally had to stop what I was doing and figure out who this artist was that I had been missing out on for so long.  The simple 1929 piano melody playing in the background alongside a drum and bass instrumental is a timeless song someone of any age could enjoy. “I just want to have a good time/ Can’t I have fun for the rest of my life/ Just go where the wind blows,” sings free spirited Coco.

Leave in the corner:

1. “Bang Bang” by will.i.am:  What is the most obvious blend of 20′s jazz and futuristic elements, the Black Eyed Peas star had a great concept however I feel it was delivered improperly.  Kudos to will.i.am for his Louis Armstrong tribute but the only time I see myself listening to this song again is when it’s played during the movie.

2. “Back to Black” by Beyoncè and Andrè 3000: With the two artist on this track one would assume it is a instant hit instead its nothing more than an tiresome R&B song.  The duet would be perfect if their were two less people singing on it.  While the beat is nice the rendition of Winehouse song sounds like a mash-up between the movies “Idlewild” and “Glitter.”

Notable Mentions:

1. “Together” by The xx

2. “Kill and Run” by Sia

Conclusion:

If the trailers have not convinced you to go see the movie this soundtrack definitely will.  English professors are in for a treat as the album is full of symbolism allowing them to add another form of art to their lesson plan.  I can’t wait till May 10th to see if the songs appear in the movie where I expect them to.  I will definitely be adding this to my collection.  How about you?

“To be honest with you I’m a little bit disappointed,” said Orlando City manager Adrian Heath after the game. “I know that sounds crazy but I thought our second half performance at times was very sloppy.

Orlando City scored early and often in the first half with Dwyer scoring the team’s first goal on a header off a Jamie Watson cross in the opening minute of the game

Anthony Pulis later extended City’s lead to 2-0 in the fourth minute of play when Dennis Chin set him up for his first goal of the season with a nice pass in front of the Antigua goal. Chin then added a goal of his own to extend Orlando City’s lead to 3-0 in the 12th minute after Watson fed him a perfectly placed through ball in the box, followed by another goal from Dwyer in the 16th minute.

“Obviously Dom’s got a history of scoring goals,” said Heath about his leading goal scorer. “He looks as though he’s going to score every time he plays.

Dwyer gave Orlando City a 5-0 lead when he finished off his hat-trick by scoring his league leading eighth goal of the season on a header off a corner kick in the 39th minute. This marked Dwyers first professional hat-trick since getting drafted #16 overall in 2012 by Sporting Kansas City out of USF.

“To get a hat-trick is always a good thing,” said Dwyer about his three goal performance. “But it was a good team performance.

After the first 45 minutes Orlando City went into the locker room with a 5-0 halftime lead while outshooting Antigua 13-2.

“It was a good first half, very sloppy second half,” said Dwyer after the game. “I was a bit disappointed, should have had probably 6 really if I’m being honest.”

Orlando goalkeeper Sean Kelley didn’t make his first save of the game until the 34th minute, when Antigua’s Eugine Kirwan took the teams first shot on goal.

Barracuda FC didn’t help themselves in the second half, scoring an own goal in the 49th minute to give Orlando City a 6-0 lead. Rob Valentino then scored his first goal of the season five minutes later to extend Orlando’s lead to 7-0.

“Some of our passing in the first 25 minutes was excellent,” said Heath. “I keep saying to you about trying to get 90 minutes together and today we’ve probably played 60.”

Hazeley Pyle put Antigua on the board in the 77th minute with his first goal of the season, cutting City’s lead to 7-1.

Antigua then cut their deficit to 7-2 in the 89th minute, thanks to an own goal by Orlando City. Orlando finished the game outshooting Barracuda FC 26-6 for the game.

With the 7-2 win Orlando City’s record improves to 5-1-1 and keeps the team in first place in the USL Pro with 16 points.

City’s next game will be on the road against the Seattle Sounders reserves on Sunday, May 12.

There has been no date announced yet for when the game against VSI Tampa Bay will be rescheduled. Fans who had tickets for the April 30th game will be allowed entry to the rescheduled match with proof of their ticket stub.

The match against VSI Tampa Bay was going to be Orlando City’s first match against their new rivals from across the state.

The Flames were coming into the game with a 3-3-0, losing 1-0 to the Dayton Dutch Lions on Friday, April 26 at Plant City Stadium.

Meanwhile the Lions were going into the game with a 4-1-1 record, riding a 21-game unbeaten streak at home after defeating Dayton 4-0 this past Saturday at home in front of a regular season record crowd of 9,589.

This was the first cancelled game in the franchise’s history.

Orlando City’s next game is at home against the Antigua Barracudas. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Citrus Bowl.

“I feel confident here,” said Dwyer after the game. “I enjoy it and I feel like my teammates believe in me and the coach believes in me. If someone believes in you it gives you confidence as a player.”

City scored early and often, starting with Dennis Chin who scored his first goal of the season in the 28th minute after Jamie Watson slid him a pass behind the defense and he put the ball passed Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams.

“It’s been difficult for him,” said Orlando City manager Adrian Heath about Chin. “He’s gone from being top scorer last year to not playing as much football as he would like.”

“Today he’s put himself back in the pecking order,” added Heath.

Dwyer scored his first goal of the match in the 34th minute, giving Orlando City a 2-0 lead. Dwyer later drew a penalty kick after he was taken down in the box by a Dayton defender. Watson took the penalty and put it past a diving Williams to give City a 3-0 lead in the 39th minute.

“I love it,” said Dwyer about going after crosses in the box from fellow teammates. “That’s what I want to go in for. I’m not scared to go in a 50-50 and get hit and get hurt, I’ll dive on the end of the ball to score a goal. I want to fight for this team and I want to win.”

Orlando City went into the locker room at halftime leading Dayton 3-0, while outshooting the Dutch Lions 7-2 during the first half. Dayton would fail to get a shot on goal in the second half.

Dwyer scored his second goal of the game in the 73nd minute when he blasted a shot into the top right corner passed the Dayton goalkeeper, giving him a USL Pro leading five goals for the season.

“I knew that when we were talking to Sporting about bringing three or four players in,” said Heath of his fellow Englishman. “Dom was one of the first that spoke to mind because I was really confident that he would score a lot of goals at this level.”

The 4-0 win gave Orlando City goalkeeper Sean Kelley his first clean sheet of the 2013 season. City finished the game outshooting the Dutch Lions 19-2.

With the win Orlando City improves their record to 4-1-1 and now sit in first place in the USL Pro standings with 13 points.

“It’s been a good performance tonight,” said Heath after the game. “They had a decent team, they had a good start but I think that’s the best performance we’ve had this season probably.”

City’s next match is on Monday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. against in-state opponent VSI Tampa Bay FC at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Citrus Bowl.

“Well as you know the president [Valencia College president Dr. Sanford Shugart] and I had difference of opinion a few weeks ago,” said Morris. “Because of that reason somebody, I don’t know yet who, from this college maybe him, lobbied Senator Andy Gardiner to pull my name out of contingency.”

There were published accounts of public disagreements between Morris and Shugart over the direction of the college’s financial path in recent weeks and tension was starting to become noticeable between the two. Morris insists that she will not contest the decision leading her to departure from the board of trustees and she intends to still work on the issues that she considers important by lobbying against them.

This decision from state lawmakers came the day before this meeting on Tuesday, April 16 and was addressed by Morris at the start of the regularly scheduled board meeting. She raised up in her right hand a copy of the Orlando Sentinel with the article published about her, but made clear that she wanted to focus on the business issues of the college and not on the controversy.

The meeting then went straight into the issues at hand with the first major topic being the ongoing marketing campaign to Hispanic students.

“Last year Valencia invented 1.7 percent of its total broadcast TV budget on Spanish language television, 14 percent of its radio budget on Spanish language radio,” said Ulysses Arrigoitia, a senior vice president of integrated marketing solutions at Univision, Unimas, and Salsa 98.1 FM. “According to Kantar Media Valencia spent $278,000 on TV ads in 2012 and only $5,000 was invented on broadcast Spanish language television.

With the rise in the Hispanic population in the Central Florida over recent years there was much discussion on increasing the marketing to Spanish language broadcasts.
Shugart replied to Arrigoitia’s statement with “It’s an interesting time of transition in the media and at the college as well, so thank you for your comments we will take them seriously.”

Before a final decision is made on the advertising budget another board member, Lewis Oliver, requested further details about the effectiveness of this outreach to Spanish broadcasts because of the inherent lack of exposure to non-Spanish speaking students.

Other topics discussed at this board meeting included the changes in the budget for the college with a notable $9 million drop in construction cost from last year to this year due to the finished expansion of Osceola’s Building 4, West’s Building 10, and the new Lake Nona Campus. Despite the expansion and new campus, the cost of electrical expense has stayed nearly the same due to energy efficient materials and other power saving measures.

Several times throughout this board meeting Valencia administrators made a point to thank Chairwoman Morris for her service to the college. This was met by gratitude from the recently ousted board member who replied with a simple “thank you.”