Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!
Wishing you all a winter without frozen pipes. Is that even a thing in Orlando?
Now, in today’s issue:
- Controlled Chaos
- Year of the Horse
- As The World Turns
- + 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.
P.P.S. Check out tons of open Orlando area jobs at the Orlando Signal Job Board, right here.
3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Controlled Chaos: How One Orlando Rage Room Is Healing Through Destruction
This spot popped up on my radar recently and immediately thought, this is a hell of a way to spend a Saturday afternoon! I had to dig in.
When licensed therapist Imari Melton heard about "impact therapy," she had a brilliant idea: why not let people smash stuff to feel better? The result was Rage Room Orlando, where over 15,000 customers have found stress relief through gloriously controlled destruction.
The concept is beautifully simple. Visitors suit up in protective gear, grab their weapon of choice: bats, sledgehammers, crowbars, crank up their favorite angry playlist, and go to town on rooms full of breakables.
But Melton's vision goes beyond just fun and games. Through her company Coping Lab Inc., she's worked with over 100 women overcoming abuse and partnered with juvenile justice for court-mandated anger management. It turns out breaking things in a safe space might actually be therapeutic.
🔥 Want to smash the SHIZ out of something this weekend and let it all out? Then this is your spot!
Swan Song as Orlando's Iconic Birds Need Better Care
Lake Eola's celebrity swans are causing quite the flap after 37 birds lost their battle with avian flu in just over a month.
Volunteers are ruffling feathers, collecting roughly 2,000 signatures demanding changes at Orlando's fourth-highest tourist destination.
Their wishlist? Expert avian oversight, aggressive trash removal to prevent ingestion and entanglement, and transparent water-quality reporting.
The irony is hard to miss. These web-footed icons have symbolized civic pride for over a century and draw tourists in droves, yet lack dedicated caretakers watching their tail feathers.
The outbreak starting in late December claimed 29 mute swans and spread to nearby Lake Davis. City officials are finally reevaluating the program.
(Learn lots more about protecting Orlando's iconic swans with Ryan Gillespie, right here)
Eastern European Market Brings Old World Flavors to Orlando
When you're done smashing things at the Orlando Rage Room 👆, you might be hungry for something equally interesting.
Aniko, The Balkan Market, recently threw open their doors in Ivanhoe Village, bringing Eastern European flavors straight to Orlando.
This family-owned gem showcases the best of Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, and beyond.
Named after their kids Ana and Niko, the market is packed with goodies: smoked meats that'll make your taste buds dance, fresh dairy, prepared foods, produce, canned goods, grains, legumes, sweets, and all the spices you need for authentic Balkan cooking.
Whether you're a curious foodie ready to explore new flavors or missing tastes from the old country, Aniko welcomes you to discover what Eastern Europe has been cooking up.
🍴 Check out Aniko, right here!
WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Celebrate Lunar 2026
Source: Heritage & Hope Inc
📍Luminary Green. 437 N Terry Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, January 31st, 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Celebrate Lunar is back for year five, and this time it's supporting Heritage and Hope Inc., a fresh non-profit building up the next generation of young leaders.
Get ready for hand-picked vendors with exclusive menus, lion dancers, live singers, KPOP performances, a kids' carnival, raffles, and Year of the Horse swag.
The showstopper? Dynasty of Dance Hip Hop Breakdancing Battle (5-9 p.m.), live DJ, elite judges, and b-boys and b-girls competing for the crown.
I was here last year and it was fun as hell with tons of yummies all over the place. Five years in, and they're just getting started. Let's celebrate! 🎉
👉 Check It Out
TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
David LaChapelle: As The World Turns
Source: Orlando Museum of Art
📍Orlando Museum of Art. 2416 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.
🕐 Kicks off Saturday, January 31st
The Orlando Museum of Art is rolling out David LaChapelle: As the World Turns, the biggest U.S. museum retrospective of the legendary photographer, on view from January 31st to May 3rd.
Curated by Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon, this visual feast spans four decades, from his Andy Warhol-launched Interview Magazine days to dazzling portraits of Madonna, David Bowie, and Lady Gaga.
With over 100 works plus a never-before-seen piece created with Deodato Arte, Italy, it's where pop culture glamour meets spiritual seeking in the most spectacular way.
👉 Get more info, right here
The 51st annual Mount Dora Arts Festival
Source: Mount Dora Center for the Arts
📍Historic walking district of downtown Mount Dora. 510 N Baker St, Mt Dora, FL 32757. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday's open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday until 4 p.m..
Pack the car for Mount Dora, the 51st annual Arts Festival is calling your name this weekend.
This charming town transforms into an open-air gallery where 300 talented artists show off their best work beneath moss-draped oaks.
Stroll the historic streets with a craft cocktail in hand, catch some live music, and grab a bite between browsing.
The perfect day trip? Free admission seals the deal.
👉 Get the full details
Kitty Fest 2026
Source: Bazaar Botanica Markets
📍Tuffy's Music Box & Lounge. 200 Myrtle Ave, Sanford, FL 32771. Map to this location.
🕐 Sunday, February 1st, 1-6 p.m.
Luna gives a big MEOW to this event!
Kitty Fest 2026 is here for everyone whose camera roll is basically a cat shrine. Expect Central Florida artisans, rescue groups, and gloriously weird entertainment.
Alt-Redo brings Meow-a-oke to the Patio, plus there's a Kitty Hissing Booth and Cat Costume Party for humans brave enough to dress up.
The real star is the Liberation Cat House, a non-profit rescuing at-risk cats through fostering, medical care, and TNvR programs. Vendor fees and supply drives fuel their mission to save more whiskered lives.
👉 Check it out, right here
MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁
PLAN AHEAD
🎺 Roses wilt. Chocolates disappear. But a night with a live big band? Unforgettable. The award-winning CFCArts Big Band serves up My Funny Valentine February 5th-8th at the Pugh Theater at Dr. Phillips Center, complete with Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Michael Bublé, and enough brass to make your heart flutter. Feel like dancing? Come February 5th & 6th. Want to sit back and soak it in? February 7th & 8th are your nights. Tap/Click here for more info & tix.
Multi-Day
Hannah’s Closet Children’s Consignment Sale | Fri & Sat | Winter Park | More
ZORA!® Outdoor Festival of the Arts | Sat & Sun | Eatonville | More
Tommy Davidson | Fri & Sat | I-Drive | More
Friday - 30th
Aquarius Party | 7 p.m. | Ivanhoe Village | More
Florida Dungeon Fest II | 5 p.m. | Winter Park | More
GoldFord: Space of the Heart Tour | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
Orlando Magic v Toronto Raptors | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More
International Chamber Music Festival: Cassie and Maggie MacDonald | 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More
Americana: Barber, Bernstein, Copland | 7:30 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Neko Case | 8 p.m. | Milk District | More
Matt Pryor in Orlando | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Ella & the Bossa Beat | 8 p.m. | Winter Park | More
DJ Dolo76 | 10 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Saturday - 31st
Yard Sale on the Farm | 8 a.m. | Altamonte | More
Faded Kingdom Beer Festival | 12 p.m. | Baldwin Park | More
UCF Trumpet Day | 10 a.m | UCF | More
Michael Mann-uary: Miami Vice | 11 a.m. | Maitland | More
UCF Knights Mens Basketball vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Men's Basketball | 12 p.m. | UCF | More
Mardi Gras Masquerade Dinner Dance | 5:30 p.m. | Casselberry | More
The Wombats – Oh! The Ocean Tour | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
The Event 2026 | 6 p.m. | OBT | More
Demola | 7:30 p.m. | Milk District | More
Telephone, Mike Levin, Turtleneck | 8 p.m. | Ivanhoe Village | More
Sunday - 1st
Snow Globe Terrarium Workshop | 6 p.m. | Audubon Park | More
The Night Porter | 12 p.m. | Maitland | More
Maitland Symphony Orchestra plays Concertos | 3 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Bad Bunny Bowl-Day Party | 3 p.m. | Downtown | More
The Butterfly Effect Showcase | 6:30 p.m. | Downtown | More
Sheng Wang | 7 p.m. | I-Drive | More
Koffin Kats, Playboy Manbaby | 7 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
