Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!
Woo-wee! We widely launched the Orlando Signal Dinner Club earlier this week to great fanfare, and tons of you have booked seats already! 😘 I’m so excited to get readers together on the 29th. Enjoy today’s issue!
- Crazy Little Thing Called Horror
- Songwriters in the Road
- Mid-Autumn Moon Night Market
- + lots of weekend recs
Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Subscribe here.
Let’s roll!
- Philip
P.S. Want some hawt community sourced foodie recommendations? Check out the Orlando Signal Restaurant Guide, right here.
⚡ Grab a Seat at the Orlando Signal Dinner Club
Adult friendships shouldn't be this hard for Orlando newbies OR Oldbies.
- New to Orlando? Fast-track to your people.
- Been here forever? Break the routine and rediscover what meeting new people feels like.
Take our quiz, and tell us about your preferences, budget, etc. Then, get paired with five fellow OS readers, and show up.
When: Wednesday, October 29th at 6:30 p.m.
Where: We'll reveal your exact restaurant in the Milk District that morning and handle all the details.
👉 Want to bring a significant other or good friend? Easily add their email after the quiz and we’ll send them a link to join your table if they book their seat within 12 hours.
🥂 After dinner, all groups are invited to a casual after-meetup to keep the conversation going.
16 bucks reserves your seat (supports OS), and you cover your meal at the restaurant. We orchestrate all matching, reservations, and reminders for a fun evening.
Get more info, and start the quiz. 👇
🫵 See Details & Grab Your Seat →
3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Breakthrough Theatre Embraces the Season with Spine-Tingling Fun
Good news for scaredy-cats: Breakthrough Theatre Company's "Crazy Little Thing Called Horror," opening tomorrow (Friday) promises no flowing blood, slashing knives, or severed heads.
These eight short plays lean delightfully humorous, though expect a few unsettling moments.
The latest in Breakthrough's "Crazy Little" series celebrating fresh works, this horror-themed production drew a staggering 300-plus submissions. After five years exploring love and two seasons investigating murder, audiences were clearly ready for frights.
Each 10-to-15-minute play delivers satisfying twists, with all sets visible simultaneously onstage to build delicious anticipation. Picture Freddy Krueger in therapy or final girls plotting revenge.
Think spooky, not scary, and prepare for wickedly good fun.
(Learn lots more about Breakthrough Theatre Company's play series with Matthew J. Palm, right here)
Orange County Schools Get Real About Social Media, and Parents Are Here for It
Orange County school officials threw open the doors Tuesday morning for parents curious about Florida's fresh take on digital survival skills. The Local School Wellness Workshop at the OCPS district office gave families a sneak peek at curriculum covering everything from spotting fake news to shutting down cyberbullies and online creeps.
Parents are loving the all-hands-on-deck approach, with kids getting the digital safety talk from multiple trusted voices. Some are already calling for this initiative to go national.
The Florida Department of Education has the goods posted online for full transparency. School leaders are prepping bonus sessions based on demand as Florida leads the charge in teaching students to navigate their screens smarter.
(Learn more about this OCPS school wellness workshop with Angie Quezada, right here)
A Lifeline Extended: Orlando Shelter Creates Permanent Bridge for Domestic Violence Survivors
Harbor House of Central Florida is transforming survivor care with "Our Grove," a transitional housing community offering families breathing room to rebuild over 12 to 24 months. The innovative approach aims to break cycles through extended support and comprehensive services.
The $4.5 million first phase brings two eight-unit buildings, an ADA-accessible cottage, and welcoming recreational spaces for nine adults and 24 children. Orlando stepped up with $4 million through HOME-ARP grants, while Harbor House rallied an additional $500,000 privately.
Last year's numbers, 787 survivors including 380 children, underscore the need. Survivor Robert Brewer, who credits the organization with turning his life around, is thrilled about this game-changing expansion.
(Learn lots more about Harbor House's transitional housing with Emma Delamo, right here)
WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Fall Fest Fiesta at Baldwin Park Community Market
Source: First Fridays & More
📍Baldwin Park. 4982 New Broad St, Orlando, FL 32814. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, October 18th, 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Get ready this Saturday when Baldwin Park Community Market transforms into a fall wonderland with free admission.
Picture pumpkin carving, live DJ beats, local vendors, delicious food, and games for all ages under the autumn sky. Break out your flannels and cozy sweaters for an unforgettable evening of community connection.
Whether bringing family or friends, this is your invitation to celebrate the season, Baldwin Park style.
👉 Check It Out
TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Songwriters in the Road w/ the Mudita Orchestra
Source: Mudita & Song Stringer
📍Timucua Arts Foundation. 2000 S Summerlin Ave, Orlando, FL 32806. Map to this location.
🕐 Friday, October 17th, 7:30 p.m.
This fall, Mudita America and Song Stringer present the fourth installment of Songwriters in the Round with the Mudita Orchestra.
Central Florida favorites Patrick Hagerman, Hannah Harper Wynn, and Hannah Stokes will share original songs in the classic round format, but with a stunning twist.
For the first time, the Mudita Collective Orchestra accompanies them with chamber arrangements by Resident Composers. Interwoven with timeless orchestral classics, this collaboration explores the universal threads connecting all music.
👉 Get more info, right here
International Vegan Food Festival - Halloween Bash
Source: Orlando Bearded Vegan
📍Wall St. Plaza. 25 Wall St, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, October 18th, 2 p.m. - 8 a.m.
The International Vegan Food Festival returns with an extraordinary fusion of global flavors, live music, and creative energy.
Dive into mouthwatering dishes from talented chefs and local vendors, burgers, sushi, sweets, and more that'll surprise your taste buds.
Enjoy electrifying DJ sets, inspiring speakers, and local artists throughout the day. Don't miss the costume contest with real cash prizes for adults, kids, and groups!
Whether you're vegan, veg-curious, or just food-obsessed, come hungry, leave inspired.
👉 Get the full details
Mid-Autumn Moon Night Market
Source: Mills MArket
📍Mills Market. 1110 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, October 17th. 6 p.m.
Mills Night Market returns for its third edition, celebrating the Mid Autumn Moon Festival with an unforgettable evening.
Mills Market transforms into a vibrant indoor street food paradise inspired by Asia's bustling night markets.
Your ticket unlocks unlimited Asian street food and drinks, live DJ entertainment, guest vendors, surprise pop-ups, plus exclusive merch and prizes.
It's an all-access pass to experience authentic Asian night market culture right here in Orlando, one night of flavors, music, and memories.
👉 Check it out, right here
MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁
Multi-Day
Hand-Drawn Jazz 2 | Fri, Sat, Sun | Downtown | More
Friday - 17th
Rexx Life Raj – The Hella Slept On Tour | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
The Art of Canada Opening Night | 6 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
UCF Knights Volleyball vs. University of Arizona Wildcats Women's Volleyball | 6 p.m. | UCF | More
Opening Reception: Pangarap: Espero Reimagined | 6:30 p.m. | Maitland | More
Orlando Solar Bears vs Florida Everblades: Opening Night | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More
Girls Night Out: Hocus Pocus Movie & Costume Party | 7 p.m. | Lake Nona | More
The Official Come Out With Pride Kickoff Party | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More
MasCUREade Ball | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More
Dane Cook | 8 p.m. | I-Drive | More
Saturday - 18th
Halloween at Avalon Park | 11 a.m. | Avalon Park | More
Pumpkin Patch Dash 5K | 6:30 p.m. | Winter Garden | More
Harry Potter Night Market | 6:30 p.m | Downtown | More
Longwood Haunted History Tour | 9 p.m. | Longwood | More
Midnight Movies: Def By Temptation | 12 a.m. | Maitland | More
2025 Come Out With Pride | 12 p.m. | Downtown | More
Bands of America Orlando Regional: Preliminary Round | 9:15 a.m. | Downtown | More
Backyard Biodiversity Day | 9 a.m. | Winter Park | More
Touch-a-Truck | 10 a.m. | Kissimmee | More
Feria Telemundo | 11 a.m. | Kissimmee | More
Book to Big Screen: Ringu | 11 a.m. | Maitland | More
Sunday - 19th
Fall Festival in Barber Park at the Conway Community Market | 10 a.m. | Barber Park | More
Sensory Sunday: Spooky Senses | 12 p.m. | Downtown | More
Market from the Upside Down | 12 p.m. | Kissimmee | More
Gamble Rogers' Orange Blossom Special | 2 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Daniel Adam Maltz, fortepiano with Bach Chamber Choir | 3 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Palm Beach Society Orchestra Celebrates the Music of Disney | 3 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele | 6:30 p.m. | Downtown | More
SKNN Live | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More
Lightnin' Luke in Orlando w/ Bryan Raymond | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
🎭 Have an event to share?Submit it here.
THANKS!
🧠 Interested in reaching smart readers like you? Grow with us right here.
🌟 Know a community superstar? Tell me about them, right here.
We’ll see you on Monday.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
