Got an update on what's happening with Natura folks, it's running in my column on Friday but since you are all valuable readers of this here blog, thought I would reward you with a sneak peek:

"...the Say Anything Slam is looking for a new home since Natura Café at DMAC shut its doors last weekend.

If you're worried about the Natura Café down by UCF, it's still running strong. According to Brandon Haydon, manager of the downtown location, the owner of the historic Rogers Building that housed DMAC and the cafe closed their shop because of renovations he's doing on the building. The café will be moving to its new location in the downtown Expo Center on Livingston Street - an interesting choice - sometime next week, although he's not sure if the hookahs still will be allowed.

As far as the Say Anything Slam, if you have any ideas on where it can move, let me know and I'll definitely send them along to slam mistress Dani O."

So the downtown location did find a new home, however, not quite sure how that will work and what kind of crowd it will attract. More business- and convention- types I'm sure, I guess that remains to be seen.

Looks like the demise of DMAC didn't help the downtown location of Natura and they closed their doors yesterday. I was really rooting for that place, which is very popular at its UCF location, but didn't quite pick up that momentum downtown. It will be missed and sadder yet, the closing will be displacing another open mike night around town. Dani O, hostess of the Say Anything Slam, that moved not too long ago from Austin's in Winter Park because of closing rumors, is looking for a new home... AGAIN... Any good words for Miss O. on where she should go, just let me know.

That rhyme was cheesy and totally done on purpose, a slam poet I am not. But now that I have you guys all down in the dumps, here's some good news. Mark on your calendars this Thursday as the date you need to be on Church Street in downtown Orlando for Martinifest 2006. Normally a part of the Wall Street landscape, I guess a rumfest and a martinifest in one week might be a bit too much. This is one of, if not, the best sampling festivals this town has to offer, plenty to choose from and the lines aren't as bad as most liquorfests. Tickets to Martinifest 2006 are $25 prior to the event and $30 at the door and will take place from 6 - 9 p.m.