Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!
Last Monday I announced a fun little giveaway celebrating the 200th newsletter published. Ladies and gents, we have a winner.
Drumroll, please.
Gmayzing, you are now the proud owner of a $30 gift certificate to either The Salty, Sampuguita, or Haan Coffee! I’ll email you shortly and let you choose.
Thanks, everyone, for participating!
Now onto today’s Orlando Signal (weekend fun) issue:
- Orlando's Fall Arts Explosion
- The Grandmothers' Legacy of Love Butterfly Sculpture Garden
- Golden Girls Gone Wild
- + 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 ⏲️
Orlando's Fall Arts Explosion: 100+ Shows to Rock Your World
Autumn in Orlando just got a major upgrade! United Arts of Central Florida is dropping over 100 incredible performances through October 30th, and the lineup is absolutely stacked.
We're talking musical buffet madness, hypnotic Afrobeat that'll get you moving, spine-tingling opera, sultry Latin jazz, and soul-stirring folk music.
From cozy intimate venues where you can practically high-five the performers to massive theaters with mind-blowing acoustics, plus killer outdoor concerts under Orlando's gorgeous sky, there's literally something for everyone.
Thanks to their partnership with Visit Orlando, tons of shows are just $25 or less, so your wallet stays happy while your soul gets fed!
🔥Check out the complete list of shows, right here!
Love Letters That Fly as Orlando Unveils Magical Butterfly Garden Where Art Meets Family
Imagine hundreds of butterflies erupting skyward at Lake Eola Park as Orlando threw the ultimate party last Sunday for its newest public gem! The Grandmothers' Legacy of Love Butterfly Sculpture Garden just transformed a corner into pure magic, complete with towering, rainbow-bright sculptures that'll make your Instagram feed jealous.
Mayor Buddy Dyer and Commissioner Patty Sheehan joined the Orlando Land Trust for this epic unveiling that's got everyone buzzing.
Here's the sweetest part: wander the garden's winding paths and you'll spot the names of 400 grandchildren scattered like hidden treasures throughout the space. When grandparents and kids gathered to release butterflies into the Orlando sky, they weren't just opening a garden, they were launching love letters that fly on wings!
🦋 Check out photos of this new garden, right here.
The City Beautiful's Not-So-Beautiful Rent Crisis
The City Beautiful is having a not-so-beautiful housing moment. New University of Florida research shows Orlando faces Florida's second-largest affordable housing crunch, with nearly 98,000 families discovering that "affordable" and "Orlando rent" don't often appear in the same sentence.
Orange County has 71,000 households spending over 40% of income on rent, including teachers, restaurant workers, and healthcare staff who keep the magic alive but can't afford to live near it. With median rent hitting $1,799, many workers are getting creative with commutes from neighboring counties.
The region leads the state with 7,000 homeless families, proving that even in the land of dreams, housing nightmares are very real.
👉 Check out the full 2025 Rental Market Study, right here.
WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Orlando Booze & Bites Fest
Source: Battle Bros Events
📍Festival Park. 2911 E Robinson St, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, September 13th, 12-5 p.m.
Indulge at the Orlando Booze & Bites Festival, where yummy food meets unlimited craft cocktails in Festival Park.
Sample extraordinary $5-or-less bites from Orlando's finest restaurants while enjoying all-day open bar access to premium beer, seltzers, and cocktails.
VIP tix include early entry plus craft drafts and top-shelf liquor.
Epic game zone, live music, free parking, and local vendor marketplace complete this unforgettable 21+ experience.
👉 Check It Out
TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
4Roots September Farmers Market & Community Fair
Source: 4Roots
📍4Roots Farm Campus. 1101 John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32804. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, September 13th, 9 a.m.
Picture crisp September air filled with fresh-baked aromas and children's laughter as neighbors discover local treasures.
This Saturday, 4Roots becomes a bustling community hub featuring the Mobile Market (SNAP & FAB accepted), plus over 20 vendors showcasing farm-fresh produce, handcrafted goods, and irresistible treats.
Pet-friendly with free parking, it's your perfect Saturday rhythm. Connecting, investing in local creativity, and celebrating what makes our community unique.
Bonus: Visit the Zero Landfill event at 4Roots Warehouse, 8am-1pm!
👉 Get more info, right here
The Golden Girls Gone Wild Pub Crawl
Source: Curry Ford West Inc
📍All across these four iconic Orlando Main Streets 👆
🕐 Saturday, September 13th, 3 p.m.
Four Friends, Four Streets, One Legendary Night.
Ivanhoe Village, The Milk District, Mills 50, and Curry Ford West unite for The Golden Girls Gone Wild Pub Crawl across 40+ bars and restaurants.
Channel your inner Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, or Sophia across 40+ local bars with themed drinks, costume contests, and pure sass.
Every sip supports the neighborhood gems that give Orlando its soul. Grab your chosen family and make this golden!
👉 Get the full details
2025 Orlando Pen Show
Source: Orlando Pen Show
📍The Florida Hotel and Conference Center. 1500 Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32809. Map to this location.
🕐 Thursday, Sept 11th through Sunday, September 14th.
Pen nerds, this is your time!
For the fourth year, Orlando transforms into a writer's paradise as the 2025 Orlando Pen Show takes center stage.
Over 100 vendor tables showcase everything from one-of-a-kind custom creations to vintage gems carrying decades of stories. Discover household names alongside hidden artisan treasures, plus vibrant inks, premium papers, and essential accessories. Expert-led classes deepen your craft knowledge.
This is a tradition meets innovation, celebrating the enduring power of fine writing.
👉 Check it out, right here
MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁
Multi-Day
🔥 The Rock, Mineral, Gem, And Jewelry Show | Fri & Sat | SoDo | More
Friday - 12th
Pickleball for Freedom | 9 a.m. | Lake Nona | More
KinRay Art Café: A Creative Night Out | Downtown | 5:30 p.m. | More
Orlando Tattoo Show IV | 2 p.m. | Kissimmee | More
BREED with Rhythm Of Fear, Gillian Carter, We're Wolves, and Trash World | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
Michael Minelli – With Love Tour | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
UCF Knights Volleyball vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves Volleyball | 7 p.m. | UCF | More
Will's Pub 30 year anniversary ft. The Legendary JC's, Blue Streak Mamas, and The Ludes | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Rafi Bastos | 6 & 9 p.m. | I-Drive | More
Eladio Carrión | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More
Dream Theater 40th Anniversary Tour ft/Parasomnia & A Change of Season | 8 p.m. | I-Drive | More
Greg Diaz and The Art of Imagination | 8 p.m. | Winter Park | More
I Love R&B | 9 p.m. | Downtown | More
Saturday - 13th
🔥 Connected | 7 a.m. | Downtown | More
Sculpt Wellness Day Party: Indoor event! | 1 p.m. | OBT | More
Draw Club at Black Phin with Draw Lab Orlando | 1 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Pitmasters & Pourers | 3 p.m. | Mt. Dora | More
DTO Local Line Up | 11 a.m. | Downtown | More
Bynx Presents: Lowdive | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More
17th Annual UNCF Orlando Run/Walk for Education | 8 a.m. | Audubon Park | More
Saturday Matinee Classics: Ran | 11 a.m. | Maitland | More
We're Your Venus Celebration | 4 p.m. | Thornton Park | More
Orlando Pride vs. Bay FC | 5 p.m. | Downtown | More
70's - 80's Retro Music Night Dinner & Dance | 6 p.m. | Casselberry | More
Sunday - 14th
Paws Around the Pier Bridal Showcase | 11 a.m. | Lake Buena Vista | More
Y2K Market | 12 p.m. | Ivanhoe Village | More
UCF Knights Volleyball vs. Brown University Womens Vollyball | 1 p.m. | UCF | More
Barre & Brews Class | 11 a.m. | Conway/Curry Ford | More
Central Florida Jazz Society Presents: Johnny Mercer Tribute with the Michael Kramer & Greg Parnell Trio | 3 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Crypta "In The Other Side" Tour in Orlando | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Colleen Orender: Blues from Nashville | 7:30 p.m. | SoDo | More
Food Trucks & Artisan Market | 10 a.m. | Dr. Phillips | More
THANKS!
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We’ll see you on Monday.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
