Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!
So we hear about invasive pythons (🤮), feral hogs, and iguanas largely down south, but today I read there’s invasive panther chameleons in certain parts of Orange County? This is a first for me.
Now onto today’s Orlando Signal (weekend fun) issue:
- Saving Ancient Giants from Bulldozers
- Big Fish
- Sol y Sabor
- + lots of weekend recs
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Let’s roll!
- Philip
3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
A Canvas of Community: How One Artist's Vision is Transforming Apopka's Heart
Where Main Street meets Central Avenue in downtown Apopka, artist Ridge Bonnick is turning a humble Domino's Pizza wall into pure magic. His vibrant mural isn't just paint on brick, it's Apopka's personality bursting to life in brilliant color.
Armed with brushes and a $50,000 city grant, nonprofit Main Street Apopka is betting big on art as their downtown's secret weapon. Board President Caitlin Kasheta knows this isn't just about pretty pictures, it's about showing the world who Apopka really is right now.
Bonnick spent months wandering the streets, sketching stories and soaking up local vibes before putting brush to wall. Now, even half-finished, his masterpiece has heads turning and cameras clicking.
Passersby can't help but slow down for a peek at this colorful love letter to their city, proving that sometimes the best urban transformations start with one spectacular splash of creativity.
🖌️ Catch a glimpse into this mural’s progress, right here
(Learn more about this murals backstory with Emma Delamo, right here)
Orange County Schools Just Made Lunch Money a Thing of the Past!
With students returning to Orange County Public Schools on August 11th, they can toss their lunch money worries out the window, everyone eats free! The district just rolled out an exciting new policy providing complimentary breakfast and lunch to every single student through the Community Eligibility Provision.
Gone are those cringe-worthy moments when students couldn't afford lunch! This move creates a totally fair playing field where every kid gets fed.
Parents can breathe easy: no forms, no applications, no hassle. The universal program automatically covers everyone, freeing up staff to focus on whipping up delicious, brain-boosting meals that keep students energized and ready to learn.
📚 What’s the Community Eligibility Provision? Check it out.
(Learn more about this school lunch program with Leticia Silva, right here)
Orange County's Tree Heroes Save Ancient Giants from Bulldozers
Matt Melvin tramped through jungle-like overgrowth near Lake Nona and struck gold: two spectacular Live Oaks towering like botanical skyscrapers. Their weathered trunks whispered tales of centuries past.
As Orange County's tree detective, Melvin delivered the verdict developers once dreaded: these leafy legends are staying put!
September 2023 unleashed a game-changing law that sent chain saws packing after 23 years of tree-clearing madness. The smart new rules protect Heritage Trees and Specimen Trees because science proves these green giants are environmental superheroes: guzzling stormwater, hoarding carbon, and housing critters.
When the Florida Urban Forestry Council crowned Orange County with their 2024 "Outstanding Ordinance" award, it confirmed what locals suspected….they'd cracked the code on keeping both developers and Mother Nature happy.
(Learn more about Matt Melvin’s tree-saving work at the Orange County Government’s Zoning Division with Chris Romero, right here)
WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Bookish Market at The Brass Tap
Image courtesy of The Brass Trap
📍The Brass Tap, 781 North Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, August 9th, 6 p.m.
Step into a vibrant marketplace where local artisans like Burdog & The 3D Printalorian, Swig&Swag, and Novel Hookup showcase their creative passion projects.
Connect with celebrated storytellers Colleen Young, Dani Keen, Heather Garvin, and Sarah E. Green as they share their literary magic.
At 6pm, immerse yourself in an all-inclusive crafting workshop featuring premium supplies, an inspiring book, fresh flowers, and your choice of craft beer or wine to sip while creating.
👉 Check It Out
TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Big Fish
Image courtesy of St. Luke’s
📍St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. 4851 S Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32819 Map to this location.
🕐 Thurs, Aug 7th, 7 p.m. - Fri, Aug 8th, 7 p.m. - Saturday, August 9th, 2 and 7 p.m. - Sun, Aug 10th, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Where reality dances with fantasy, BIG FISH weaves Daniel Wallace's acclaimed novel and Tim Burton's beloved film into an enchanting musical journey through the American South.
Edward Bloom's impossible tales of giants and witches blur truth and myth, as his son Will seeks the man behind the stories.
Directed by Steve MacKinnon, with choreography by Lindsay Wood Hose and music direction by John R. Mason III and Bradley Roberts, this visually stunning production celebrates family bonds and storytelling's timeless magic.
👉 Get more info, right here
Sol y Sabor: A Celebration of Culture & Music
Image courtesy of Orlando Philhamonic Orchestra
📍The Plaza Live. 425 N Bumby Ave, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, August 9th, 2 p.m.
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra's electrifying new celebration fuses Latin American passion with world-class artistry!
Orlando musicians Dan Kassteen (trumpet) and Mauricio Céspedes Rivero (viola) join the groundbreaking all-women Mariachi Perlas de Orlando, featuring talent from San Antonio and Orlando.
Arrive early for Latin-inspired food trucks and Mexico Lindo Folkloric Ballet with Casa De Mexico. Then experience heart-racing mariachi arrangements in the intimate Palmer Room, a true fiesta for all senses!
👉 Get the full details
Don't Tell Comedy Takes Over Mills 50: Mystery Meets Mayhem
Image courtesy of Don’t Tell Comedy
📍Secret Mills 50 location revealed 8am show day
🕐 Friday, August 8th, 8 p.m.
Orlando's most intriguing comedy experience is coming, and you won't know where until 8 AM show day.
They’ve revolutionized live comedy with secret locations, surprise lineups of 4-7 curated comedians, and zero soul-crushing drink minimums.
Just BYOB to our cozy indoor venue with chairs provided. Secure your ticket, get location details via email, and enjoy 70-90 minutes of pure comedic gold where anything can happen.
👉 Check it out, right here
MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁
Multi-Day
🔥 Free Kids Concert: Mr. Richard at Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream | Fri & Sat | Curry Ford West (1) & Audubon Park (2) | More (1) & More (2)
ToonFest Orlando 2025 | Fri, Sat, Sun | I-Drive | More
The Good Pour Winter Park Grand Opening | Fri, Sat, Sun | Winter Park | More
Friday - 8th
Will Patrick Quartet | 8 p.m. | Winter Park | More
DeLand Ice Cream Walk | 6 p.m. | DeLand | More
Pizza & Paint @ Lazy Moon Pizza | 2 p.m. | Maitland | More
35 Years Anniversary Show | 6:30 p.m. | I-Drive | More
Chain Gang, Boltcutter, Curb Cut, TUT, & Blown Apart at Sly Fox Pub | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More
International Guitar Festival: Scout | 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More
Nookie: A NuMetal Night | 8 p.m. | Winter Park | More
The Summer Freestyle Explosion | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More
Saturday - 9th
41st Annual Cup-A-Thon I Pottery Sale | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Cars & Country | 5 p.m. | Winter Garden | More
Brian Kelley | 8 p.m. | Milk District | More
International Guitar Festival: Hiroya Tsukamoto | 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More
Automatic Drawing | 11 a.m. | Maitland | More
Saturday Matinee Classics: Stalker | 11 a.m. | Maitland | More
Feature: The Donn of Tiki | 3:30 p.m. | Maitland | More
Combat Night Pro Kissimmee | 4:15 p.m. | Kissimmee | More
Orlando City B vs. Chattanooga FC | 7 p.m. | Kissimmee | More
Orlando Pride vs. Racing Louisville FC | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More
Sunday - 10th
Punk for Public Media: A Benefit Concert | 12 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Uncomfortable Brunch: Female Trouble | 12 p.m. | Maitland | More
Opera Orlando in Concert: Summer Concert Series 2025 | 2 p.m. | Winter Park | More
John DePaola Quintet | 3 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Kountry Wayne | 5:30 & 8:45 p.m. | I-Drive | More
Orlando City SC vs. Inter Miami CF | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More
International Guitar Festival: Johnbern Thomas Quartet | 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More
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THANKS!
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We’ll see you on Monday.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
