Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!
Summer rains and storms are here in all their glory. Great for the plants, bad for people living with migraines! 👎
Now onto today’s Orlando Signal (weekend fun) issue:
- Stage Passes
- Bazar À La Carte
- Between Islands
- + lots of weekend recs
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Let’s roll!
- Philip
3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Stage Passes: The New Binge-Watching
Central Florida theaters are stealing a page from Disney's magic playbook with unlimited subscription models! The Renaissance Theatre in Orlando (Friends with Benefits), Hideaway Performing Arts Center in Eustis (Hideaway Pass), and Theater West End in Sanford (All Access Pass) now offer all-access passes that work just like theme park annual passes.
Theater executives describe these programs as Netflix for live entertainment. The Hideaway's $349 annual pass unlocks unlimited access to every event, while the Renaissance offers monthly tiers from $50-$200. These clever initiatives create predictable revenue streams while rewarding devoted theater lovers.
Theater leaders rave about the dual benefits of upfront cash and guaranteed audiences. Artistic directors note that packed houses drive profits through concessions and merchandise, with passes delivering incredible value for entertainment enthusiasts craving unlimited cultural adventures.
(Learn more about these theatre pass programs with Matthew J. Palm, right here)
No Shame, All Gains: Orange County's Judgment-Free Financial Breakthrough
Six months ago, Orange County rolled out an ambitious financial wellness experiment. The results? Pure magic. Nearly 300 residents have transformed their money stories, collectively crushing almost $200,000 in debt while padding their savings accounts by more than $93,000. Talk about a financial glow-up!
What began as one location has multiplied into five community centers stretching from Apopka to Orlando, plus a game-changing virtual option that brings financial wizardry straight to people's living rooms. No more excuses about traffic or babysitters, financial empowerment now fits into any schedule.
Program Manager Beyra Pavon-Molina and her team have created something special: judgment-free zones where money conversations happen without shame or sales pitches. Whether you're tackling debt monsters or building emergency fund fortresses, these financial superheroes are ready to help Orange County residents win with money.
👉 Know someone who needs help? Check out the Orange County Financial Empowerment Center, right here.
A Century-Old Canvas: Winter Park's Preservation Magic
The bones of a 1925 Orwin Manor home whispered secrets that only an artist's eye could decode. While others saw decay: leaky roof, damaged floors, weathered facade, one clever homeowner spotted treasure wrapped in nearly a century of character.
For two and a half years, magic unfolded room by room, stripping the home to its skeleton before rebuilding it as a modern masterpiece. But here's the twist: the exterior stayed frozen in time under Winter Park's historic preservation rules.
City officials know the secret sauce, preservation isn't just about pretty buildings, it's about keeping Winter Park's soul intact. The result? Pure architectural wizardry: cutting-edge comfort inside, vintage charm outside. This delightful balancing act protects what makes Winter Park special, one lovingly restored home at a time.
(Learn more about Winter Park’s preservation efforts with Ginger Gadsden, right here)
WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Bazar À La Carte
Image Courtesy of Bazar À La Carte
📍Casselberry Arts Center. 137 Quail Pond Cir, Casselberry, FL 32707. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, July 19th, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
This Saturday, Casselberry Arts Center transforms into a creative wonderland.
Bazar À La Carte brings together forty handpicked Orlando artisans, a sprawling community picnic, live DJs, hands-on workshops, and natural photo spaces.
This isn't just shopping, it's celebrating authentic craftsmanship where emerging creators thrive in a nurturing, low-risk environment that champions mindful consumption and sustainable artistry.
[Check It Out]
TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Between Islands
Image Courtesy of The Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra
📍Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts. 460 E New England Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, July 19th, 8 p.m.
The Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, led by Todd Craven, unites with Claire Hodge and VoxO for Between Islands, a profound exploration of loss, renewal, and connection through contemporary music.
Nine living composers bare their souls. Ethan Soledad's sweeping Legacy Songs of Unity anchors this musical odyssey, joined by intimate works from Central Florida Composers Forum members including Charles Griffin's grief-transformed Between Islands, Troy Gifford's poetic
The Night, and pieces exploring cosmic wonder, spiritual ecstasy, and human resilience.
[Get more info, right here]
Wine Stroll
Image Courtesy of Clermont Main Street
📍The Art Walk. 756 W Montrose St, Clermont, FL 34711. Map to this location.
🕐 Friday, July 18th, 6:30 p.m.- 9 p.m.
Step into an evening where Downtown Clermont comes alive with clinking glasses and shared stories.
Wander through 20+ captivating venues on a curated journey sampling 25 wines from distant vineyards spanning continents, from Tuscany's sun-drenched hills to New Zealand's misty valleys.
This isn't just wine tasting; it's a global adventure condensed into one magical night. As melodies drift and laughter mingles, you'll join a mix of neighbors and fellow enthusiasts united by discovery.
Come thirsty for adventure.
[Get the full details]
Let's Laugh About It Comedy Show
Image Courtesy of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
📍Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater. 445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, July 19th, 7 p.m.
Prepare for an evening where belly laughs echo and cheeks ache from smiling!
This spotlight features the region's most talented comedians, handpicked to deliver comedy gold that bridges generations. Picture genuine storytelling, clever observations, and wholesome punchlines creating magical moments when the entire audience erupts in unison.
From parents seeking relief to teenagers discovering timing, everyone finds their comedic sweet spot. Your evening awaits.
Secure seats before they vanish and join us as we "let's laugh about it" together!
[Check it out, right here]
MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁
Multi-Day
Marlon Wayans | Fri & Sat | I-Drive | Move
Ice Cream for Breakfast with Santa: Christmas in July | Sat & Sun | Kissimmee | More
Tal Cohen: Beast Mode Trio | Sat & Sun | Downtown | More
Friday - 18th
Night of Champions 11 | 6 p.m. | I-Drive | More
Kristopher James | 7 & 9 p.m. | Downtown | More
Euclid Place Florida Takeover: You Vandal, New Aesthetics, Earthgirl, Here Here, Paperback Romance | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Opening Night with Resident Artist Sarah Hanna | 7 p.m. | Milk District | More
The Symposium | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
NOT with Badvril, Suisside, and Band Called Stella | 7:25 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Gerald Law II & The Clutch | 8 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Natalie Cuomo and Dan LaMorte | 9 p.m. | Downtown | More
Saturday - 19th
Vault 5421 8th Birthday Bash | 8 p.m. | I-Drive | More
Ryan's Choice: Alien – Director’s Cut (4K Restoration) | 12 p.m. | Maitland | More
Miss Sizzlin' Summer Pinup Contest | 4 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Mates of State – Somewhere Tour | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
Isaiah Falls | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More
DIME with Flowers For Emily, Rosalind, and Memory Well | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Emo Nite | 9 p.m. | Downtown | More
United Groove | 9 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Sunday - 20th
🔥 Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center Architectural Tour | 10 a.m. | Downtown | More
Sensory Sunday: Kicking it with History | 12 p.m. | Downtown | More
Pro Wrestling Action returns to Sanford for the All-Star Battle Vol.5! | 6:30 p.m. | Sanford | More
Orlando Social Network: Summer Meet & Greet at Brewlando | 12 p.m. | Conway/Curry Ford | More
Building Bridges: How Central Florida Public Media (WMFE) Unites our Community | 2 p.m. | Winter Park | More
maye-Música Para Abrir El Cielo Tour | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
Candlelight: Rings and Dragons | 8:45 p.m. | Downtown | More
Treis & Friends, Soulpax, Pretoria, and plazas | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
THANKS!
🧠 Interested in reaching smart readers like you? Grow with us right here.
We’ll see you on Monday.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
