Defying Gravity

Three sensational New York vocalists are bringing the house down with showstopper after showstopper...

Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!

Orlando woke up shrouded in fog several times this week, and my early morning walks have felt somewhat cinematic. Thankfully, it’s not Halloween-time, otherwise my walks would consist of looking over my shoulder repeatedly. 🤣

Now, in today’s issue:

Downtown Sweetens the Deal
Defying Gravity
Touch of Evil
+ lots of weekend recs

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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. Loving the Signal? Contribute here!

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Downtown Sweetens the Deal With Extended Free Parking

Great news for downtown Orlando explorers: the Park DTO program is back for another year of free two-hour parking through December 31st, 2026, or until the money runs out.

Using the ParkMobile app, visitors can snag complimentary parking while checking out the urban core, which added nearly 30 fresh spots last year. City officials know that ditching parking fees means more people actually show up, and local businesses love that.

I’ve used this app and redeemed free parking a number of times downtown. Incredibly efficient, and easy.

Here's the kicker: you can now use up to 16 free parking codes per account, double the previous limit. Whether you're hunting down the perfect taco, hitting up a new boutique, or catching a show, your wallet gets a break while you enjoy everything downtown has cooking.

🔥 Check out the program and see how to redeem your free parking, right here.

An Automotive Tribute Fit for the King

Today, the Orlando Auto Museum unveils a gloriously wild piece of rock and roll history, a 41-foot-long pink Cadillac shaped like a guitar that Elvis Presley once cruised across a Las Vegas stage.

The museum picked January 8th, the King's birthday, to showcase this beautifully bizarre ride. The souped-up 1970 Cadillac Eldorado, decked out with strings and frets, languished in a French junkyard before owner Michael Dezer swooped in to save it last September.

Tickets are just $19.35, a playful nod to Presley's 1935 birth, on today and tomorrow. Channel your inner Elvis on Saturday and Sunday during Rock & Roll Weekend and snag free admission. This guitar-mobile joins a few thousand jaw-dropping vehicles worth a boatload.

(Learn more about the King's pink guitar-mobile with Dewayne Bevil, right here)

Oakland Preserve Launches Hands-On Naturalist Training

Want to geek out over Florida's freshwater ecosystems?

The Oakland Nature Preserve kicks off a six-week deep dive starting Friday, Jan. 16th. Classes meet consecutive Fridays through Feb. 20 at the Jim Thomas Environmental Education Center, 747 Machete Trail in Oakland.

The University of Florida's Florida Master Naturalist Program delivers 40 hours of hands-on exploration, think wildlife spotting, habitat hopping, and conservation problem-solving. Registration closes at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12th.

This course welcomes nature-loving adults 18 and older, from weekend warriors to park professionals and teachers hunting continuing education credits.

You'll split time between classroom sessions and field adventures.

✨ Check out this 6-week program, right here.

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Defying Gravity: Blockbuster Broadway

Source: Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

📍Steinmetz Hall. 445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, January 10th, 2:30 & 7:30 p.m.

Ready for a night of pure Broadway bliss?

Three sensational New York vocalists are bringing the house down with showstopper after showstopper from "Wicked," "The Phantom of the Opera," "Annie," "Jersey Boys," "Chicago," "CATS," and "The Lion King."

It's decades of musical theater magic packed into one unforgettable evening. No lottery stress, no planning months ahead, just you, incredible performers, and all those songs you can't help but sing along to.

Pure theatrical joy awaits!

👉 Check It Out

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Winter Mini-Fest

Source: The Orlando Fringe

📍Orlando Shakes. 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Through Sunday, January 11th, 7 p.m.

The Florida Theatrical Association is bringing back Winter Mini–Fest for its tenth year of winter festival fun.

Dive into multiple days of carefully curated performances: crowd-pleasing favorites from past festivals, exciting new material from beloved Fringe artists, and fresh talent scouted from festivals nationwide and internationally.

It's the perfect way to kick off the new year and reconnect with the vibrant, creative energy of the Fringe community.

👉 Get more info, right here

Three Kings Day 2026

Source:

📍Old Town. 5770 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746. Map to this location.

🕐 Sunday, January 11th, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Imagine children wake each January 6th, eyes sparkling with anticipation. The Feast of the Three Kings is more than presents, it's a cherished tradition woven through generations of Latin families.

The celebration bursts to life when the Three Kings arrive in full royal glory! Families feast on free hotdogs, popcorn, cotton candy, and snow cones.

Every child under 11 scores a toy, while lucky raffle winners snag bikes and tablets.

It's where ancient legends meet modern fun, creating memories that last forever.

👉 Get the full details

Saturday Matinee Classics/Enzian Film Club - Touch of Evil (4k Restoration)

Source: Enzian Theater

📍Enzian Theater. 1300 S Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, January 10th, 11 a.m.

Jump into cinema magic with the Enzian Film Club's dazzling 4K screening of Touch of Evil!

This Saturday Matinee Classic includes a lively film noir chat with Michael Furlong from University of Central Florida.

Orson Welles' noir gem stars Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, and Welles himself as a shady police chief cooking up trouble.

With Russell Metty's moody cinematography, Henry Mancini's mesmerizing score, and that legendary opening crane shot, the 1998 reconstruction brings Welles' true vision to life, straight from his epic 58-page memo to the studio!