Figurehead at The History Center

Figurehead: Music & Mayhem in Orlando’s Underground opened last night at the Orange County Regional History Center (65 East Central Boulevard, Orlando, Orange, Florida). Between 1985 and 2001, the Orlando concert promoter Figurehead invigorated the musical landscape in Central Florida. This special exhibition, Figurehead: Music & Mayhem in Orlando’s Underground, tells the story of how the company helped grow the local scene with a focus on underground rock music and the club circuit. Utilizing the extensive Figurehead archive, now part of the Orange County Regional History Center’s permanent collection, the exhibition showcases an impressive display of eye-catching and jaw-dropping concert posters that capture the energy and drive of this era. Musical acts featured include Black Flag, Jonathan Richman, and Drivin N Cryin, hometown favorites Seven Mary Three and Rob Thomas, and many more. Figurehead: Music & Mayhem in Orlando’s Underground provides a glimpse into what made this time in the Orlando area so memorable – the bands and the clubs, the community and the chaos.

I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of poster styles created right here in Central Florida for very big name bands and local legends. Besides the opening night bask, there is a whole series of discussions about the Central Florida music scene. One of these is bound to wet your appetite. This was Jeremy Hileman‘s curatorial debut and he hit the ball out of the park.

Lunch & Learn – I’m With Her: Women in the Central Florida Club Scene
Friday, September 2, noon – 1 p.m.

The Story of Figurehead: A Panel Discussion
Saturday, September 10, 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Coffee & Conversation: The Hip Hop Scene in Central Florida
Sunday, September 18, 2 – 3 p.m.

Sensory Sunday: The Musical Museum
Sunday, October 16, noon – 4 p.m.

Totally Eighties Pop Culture Trivia Happy Hour
Thursday, October 20, 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Lunch & Learn – It’s Gonna Be Central Florida: The Boy Band Craze
Friday, November 4, noon – 1 p.m.

Art of the Underground: A Figurehead Panel Discussion
Saturday, November 5, 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Lunch & Learn – Figurehead: Deep Cuts & B-Sides
Friday, December 2, noon – 1 p.m.

Musical Mayhem Family Day
Saturday, December 3, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Totally Nineties Pop Culture Trivia Happy Hour
Thursday, December 15, 5:30 – 8 p.m.