Seems like there has been a lot of talk about karaoke lately, with the opening of Rising Star at Universal CityWalk. That said, it's a shame I heard about the passing of Paddy McGee's in Winter Park last weekend.

Karaoke at this place was a blast. We had a going-away party for my friend there last summer, that coupled with Guitar Hero we rawked the face off of Paddy (and probably scared away most of the folks sitting around the bar). I've called a couple of times and left an email to find out the fate of the building and whether or not we shall see Paddy again around town. I'll post what I hear.

Work those drinking muscles at Wall St. Plaza tonight with the superstars of the WWE. Wrestling isn't really my scene but I think seeing a bunch of those WWE cats with a buzz would be a riot. The Wrestlemania 24 Block Party starts up at 7 p.m., there is a $5 cover.

Also, make sure to head out to Independent Bar on Sunday night for the last night of Sunday Night Vinyl to Go. This night, a continuation of the show on 104.1, has been going on for over 10 years now. Originally, it started at the old Cairo Nightclub in downtown Orlando and moved to I-Bar about six years ago. Supposedly, numbers have been waning so they night was axed. It will surely be missed.

Well, finally Universal has officially announced the closing of CityJazz and the opening of Rising Star. Here's the press release that was just sent out:

So when that "safest/dangerous cities" report came out earlier this year and named Orlando as number 11 on the "most dangerous" list I turned to Casey, the fiance, and said "Compton is safer than Orlando? (Compton came in at number 14) It's not like there are drive-bys happening down Orange Avenue"

Well, next time I'll keep my mouth shut because late last night we got ourselves a drive-by, outside Club Firestone no less and right across the street from the building I'm sitting in right now writing this. The Sentinel has the story and video here.

Basically around 1:18 a.m. a gold sedan traveling on Concord pulled up next to a white Mercury Grand Marquis and fired shots into the car. The four men were on their way to Club Firestone and have not been identified, shards of glass injured one person but luckily the shots didn't get anyone. Supposedly the victims don't know who attacked them.

And now on to happier topics, Caitlin Van Voorhis, the former mistress of ceremonies at Wall St. Plaza, has left that gig but didn't travel far to her next venture. Van Voorhis has officially become owner of the spot formerly known as Room3Nine at 39 N. Orange Ave. in downtown Orlando. A renovation is taking place in the space which will be known as Finnhenry's when it reopens. Although the name sounds like it would be attached to an Irish pub, Van Voorhis is adament there is no niche she's trying to model the bar after, other than a cool, laid back place where folks can enjoy a beer and hang with friends. Sounds good to me! I'll let you know when you should expect seeing the doors open closer to the date.

Even though Universal CityWalk stonewalled me a couple of weeks back when I asked for confirmation on CityJazz closing, I still got my answer. A source who's close to moi that works inside gave me the 411 on what's happening to CityJazz and I'm happy to share.

March 15 expect the club to close and reopen shortly after as Rising Star, a karoake bar that instead of having an audio track as a backdrop, has a live band backing the singer on stage. They're installing muy video monitors and cameras everywhere according to my source.

Plus, there will be hosts, no Ryan Seacrest-types, thankfully, but if you were a fan of the Rocky Horror Picture Show production Universal did over Halloween you will recognize the faces.