Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!
Whoever’s responsible for cranking up the A/C on Orlando the past several days, can you turn it down, please? I have big plans for the weekend!
In other news, today I’m leveling up my Orlando experience. Jury duty downtown. Caca!
Now, in today’s issue:
- Skip the Robots
- Festival of Trees
- Inspire Orlando
- + 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.
3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Community Choir Celebrates 15 Years, Opens Doors Wider
Central Florida Community Arts is throwing itself a 15th birthday bash with two can't-miss concerts. This Saturday & Sunday (November 14th and 15th), more than 300 Community Choir singers and over 50 Symphony Orchestra members will take the stage at Northland in Longwood for "Dreaming Together," serving up the greatest hits from a decade and a half of performances.
The party rolls into December with "Celebrate the Season," now featuring a sensory-friendly show on Wednesday, December 3rd. This specially adapted concert dials down the volume and lighting while cranking up the welcome for audience members with sensitivities, proving that inclusion isn't just for performers anymore.
Want the full spectacle? Catch the traditional holiday performances December 4th and 5th.
🎟️ Tickets for all shows start at a beyond reasonable 10 bucks, right here.
Skip the Robots, Meet Real Hiring Managers at CareerFest
If you, or someone you know is tired of their resume vanishing into the void of applicant tracking systems, then CareerFest cuts through the digital noise this coming Wednesday, November 19th, from 10 am to 2 pm at Kia Center.
Over 80 employers with roughly 3,000 open positions will be there in person, no algorithms, no auto-rejections. You'll find Marriott Vacation Club, Massey Services, Orlando International Airport, City of Orlando, Orlando Sentinel, University of Central Florida, Sheriff's offices, and Orange County government all looking to hire.
Bonus perks? Free professional headshots, resume reviews, four career sessions, and parking.
Also, at 11:30am, fellow OS reader Lisa Maile's “Power Interviewing” session reveals how to nail "tell me about yourself" and leave lasting impressions.
👉 Plan ahead and register for this event, right here, or pass it onto a friend or family member. Sharing is caring!
The Jetsons Called: Florida's Building Flying Car Routes by 2026
Florida says get ready for flying cars zooming over Interstate-4 between Orlando and Tampa by late 2026.
At the recent Florida Automated Vehicle Summit in ChampionsGate, transportation officials announced plans to become America's first state with commercial eVTOL services, that's electric vertical take-off and landing for those keeping score.
FDOT just wrapped up its first vertiport at the SunTrax campus in Auburndale (Polk County), with another breaking ground last week. Officials are eyeing between 220,000 and 1.4 million trips in year one, potentially skyrocketing to 11.2 million to 18.7 million by 2050.
The main hurdle? Massive charging infrastructure and power needs.
(Learn lots more about this aerial highway network with Natalia Jaramillo, right here)
WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
2025 Festival of Trees
Source: Council of 101
📍Orlando Museum of Art. 2416 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, November 15th through Sunday, November 23rd, various times
For nearly four decades, the Council of 101's Festival of Trees has welcomed the holiday season in Orlando. This year's 39th celebration, themed "A Season of Celebration," kicks off this Saturday, November 15th and runs through the 23rd.
Visitors will discover more than 50 designer-decorated trees, festive wreaths, gingerbread creations, and holiday displays. Shop the Holiday Boutique, enjoy daily live entertainment, dine at the Festival Café, and meet Santa on weekends.
Throughout the nine-day celebration, special events will dot the calendar, adding extra sparkle to an already bright tradition, with new additions including creative workshops and a Holiday Home Tour.
👉 Check It Out
TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Art & History Museums of Maitland - Fall Studio Show 2025
Source: Art & History Museums of Maitland
📍Art & History Museums of Maitland. 231 W Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL 32751. Map to this location.
🕐 Friday, November 14th, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
The Art & History Museums of Maitland invites you to an autumn evening of gardens, live music by Shine, and local creativity, admission free.
Wander through open studios where artists demonstrate their craft, browse student ceramics and paintings at the yearly art sale, and explore the Pangrap: Espero Reimagined exhibition.
The Executive Director and Chief Curator will grill free hotdogs while you enjoy the cash bar. Pack a picnic, bring blankets, and experience Central Florida's art scene at its most welcoming.
👉 Get more info, right here
Inspire Orlando: A Night of Comedy, Music, and Community
Source: The Desire Foundation Inc
📍ALOFT Hotel Downtown. 500 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.
🕐 Friday, November 14th, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Hunger lives quietly in Parramore, but on this night, the community fights back with comedy and connection.
The Desire Foundation's 3rd Annual Night of Inspire Orlando turns entertainment into impact: live comedy, music, and stories from families served by Project 814, which delivers over 13,000 pounds of groceries monthly.
Every $1,000 raised feeds local families with 1,000 pounds of food. Doors open at 5:30 PM for an unforgettable evening where laughter meets purpose.
👉 Get the full details
Ocoee Music Fest
Source: The Ocoee Music Festival
📍Bill Breeze Park. 125 N Lakeshore Dr, Ocoee, FL 34761. Map to this location.
🕐 Friday, November 14th 4-11 p.m. and Saturday, November 15th all day
The Ocoee Music Fest returns to Bill Breeze Park this Friday and Saturday!
Friday's lineup runs 4-11 p.m. with The Romantics, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, MiniKISS, and Bre Hopkins Music.
Saturday brings Brothers Osborne, Dillon Carmichael, John Ashley, and Dallas Tyler to the stage, plus the Ocoee Garden Market, Music Fest Car Show, FAB FIVE Family Fishing Tournament, and Dash of the Century 5K.
Two days of music and community fun await.
👉 Check it out, right here
MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁
Multi-Day
Funny Bone: George Wallace | Fri & Sat | I-Drive | More
Vans Warped Tour | Sat & Sun | Downtown | More
Friday - 14th
Taylor Roberts Quartet | 8 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Galactic Empire and Bit Brigade | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
Pet Needs, Skuff Micksun, and Keep Flying in Orlando | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Orlando Magic vs. Brooklyn Nets | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More
Sweet Pill, Kaonashi, Monaco Honey | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More
Flying Horse Big Band Concert | 8 p.m. | I-Drive | More
Luke Severeid | 8:30 p.m. | Downtown | More
Emo Nite | 9 p.m. | Downtown | More
Saturday - 15th
Finding the First Floridians Screening | 2 p.m. | Downtown | More
Orlando Beer Festival | 2 p.m. | Milk District | More
Quack Attack on Poverty 5k | 8 a.m. | Winter Park | More
Mercado de Muertos | 10 a.m. | Kissimmee | More
Stories in Stone: A Walking Tour of the Maitland Art Center | 10 a.m. | Maitland | More
Diane Keaton Tribute Film: Father of the Bride (1991) | 12 p.m. | Maitland | More
K-Wave Festival | 3 p.m. | Pine Castle | More
Piano Men: Generations | 7 p.m. | Clermont | More
Evil Dead In Concert | 8 p.m. | Milk District | More
Winona Fighter x Emo Social - Warped Tour After Party | 2 .p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Sunday - 16th
🔥Gira El Vacile de Lucho Torres USA | 6 p.m. | Kissimmee | More
Tactical Turns 7 Block Party | 12 p.m. | Baldwin Park | More
Peanut Butter Matinee: Anastasia | 12 p.m. | Maitland | More
Once Upon a Wicked Market | 12 p.m. | Kissimmee | More
Edlax VI | 3:30 p.m. | I-Drive | More
Like Moths to Flames, Kingdom of Giants, Acres, and Heavensgate | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
Stephan Dyer | 6 p.m. | I-Drive | More
Hasan Hates Ronny | Ronny Hates Hasan | 7 p.m. | I-Drive | More
Vortxz | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Vitriol, Unmerciful, Weeping | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Sosocamo – No Service Tour | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More
🎭 Have an event to share?Submit it here.
THANKS!
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We’ll see you on Monday.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
