10,000 Guests, 900 Dinners

Good morning, Orlando! I wrote about Kappy’s Subs in Maitland’s community farewell in Monday’s issue. And just like that, they’re saved!

Now onto today’s Orlando Signal, Thursday (weekend fun) issue:

• 10,000 Guests, 900 Dinners

• Phat Ash Bakes

• ABF’s 4th Annual Fall Festival

• + lots of weekend recs

🛑 Don’t forget to click (or tap) the poll at the bottom of this issue so we know if we’re on the right track. Every time you vote in a poll, our cat Luna gets a little treat. 🐈

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On with it!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Hammered Lamb’s Community Lifeline

In Orlando's Ivanhoe Village, The Hammered Lamb faced extinction until its patrons decided otherwise. Construction on Orange Avenue and Ivanhoe Boulevard had battered the beloved pub, forcing closures on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Enter "Save the Lamb," a grassroots fundraiser that transformed an ordinary Saturday into a neighborhood spectacle.

Throngs of supporters lined up before opening, their enthusiasm electric. Manager Eryn Modica marveled at the incredible turnout and unwavering support. As day turned to dusk, the event morphed into a block party, complete with local bands and food trucks.

The message was clear: In Orlando, a pub isn't just a business—it's a community cornerstone worth fighting for.

👉 If you love this spot, or just want to help, you can do so right here.

10,000 Guests, 900 Dinners: The Dinner Party Project's Delicious Decade

Dana Marie Roquemore's The Dinner Party Project (TDPP) celebrates a decade of breaking bread and barriers.

Since 2014, this visionary venture has served up nearly 900 events, uniting over 10,000 strangers through gourmet meals and spirited conversation.

TDPP's signature experience—featuring craft cocktails and four-course feasts by private chefs—has caught the eye of brands like Tito's and Hendrick's Gin.

As TDPP marks its 10th anniversary, Roquemore invites all to a free bash on November 8, promising drinks, bites, and the chance to toast a decade of dining differently. Here's to TDPP: proving that sometimes, the most meaningful connections start with "Pass the salt, please."

Paint, Passion, and Public Spaces: Orlando's Mural Festival

I briefly mentioned this on Monday, but Orlando's Downtown streets are poised for a creative explosion today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) as the Downtown Arts District and CityArts present a dazzling mural festival.

Magnolia Avenue will buzz with artistic energy as local talents bring 8-foot canvases to life before an enthralled audience. The festival, part of the popular Third Thursday series, invites Central Florida muralists to apply for a $1,000 stipend and a chance to showcase their skills.

Spectators can vote in the "muralist team challenge," while enjoying live music, food trucks, and bars.

👉 Then on Saturday, September 21st, the Orange County History Center lawn becomes a temporary gallery, displaying these fresh masterpieces. It's a vibrant celebration proving that in Orlando, art thrives in the open air.

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Whiskey Business

📍The Plaza Live. 425 N Bumby Ave. Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, September 20th, 7 p.m.

Whiskey enthusiasts, rejoice!

Orlando's liquid gold extravaganza, Whiskey Business, returns September 20th at the newly revamped Plaza Live. This spirited soirée promises a night of unlimited whiskey samplings from top-shelf distillers like Von Payne and Old Elk.

Culinary delights from local hotspots will keep palates primed, while a smorgasbord of entertainment—from pianist Mark Falchook to contortionist Sarah Rex—ensures a feast for all senses.

As amber nectar flows and flavors dance, immerse yourself in this whiskey wonderland. Clock in at 7 p.m. for an intoxicating adventure where every sip tells a story and the only limit is your endurance. Cheers!

TOP 3 4 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Bake Night with Phat Ash Bakes

📍Phat Ash Bakes. 912 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, September 21st, 6 p.m.

Step into the sugar-dusted realm of Phat Ash Bakes' Bake Night, where cookie dreams become reality!

Join cookie wizards Ash and Izzy for 90 minutes of pure confectionery magic. Armed with fluffy vanilla dough and an arsenal of mix-ins (BYO welcome!), you'll craft edible masterpieces limited only by imagination.

This BYOB extravaganza offers expert guidance, a custom apron, and memories sweeter than any dessert.

With just 16 spots available and a tempting 15% discount (code: FALL15), don't let this cookie adventure crumble away.

Songwriters Rising at Bynx Orlando

📍Bynx Orlando. 420 E Church St., Unit 118, Orlando, FL. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, September 20th, 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Brace yourself for a sonic adventure at Bynx Orlando's Songwriters Rising! This third Friday, this musical oasis comes alive with three extraordinary acts.

Fresh from his album release, Sentinel Events leads the charge, joined by the mesmerizing acoustic duo Devin & Gage, and the enchanting Sad Lady Cowboy. Your guide for the evening? The incomparable Hannah Stokes.

At 8 PM, dive into a world where coffee aromas dance with melodies, and signature sandwiches accompany soul-stirring tunes on this monthly rendezvous with Orlando's beating artistic heart. Don't miss it!

Amber Brooke Farms 4th Annual Fall Festival

📍Amber Brooke Farms. 36111 County Rd 44A, Eustis, FL 32736. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, September 21st, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

How about an lovely day trip to Eustis? Orlando's countryside awakens as Amber Brooke Farms hosts its 4th Annual Fall Festival.

From September 21st to November 3rd, weekends transform into a blend of autumnal wonder. Navigate the corn maze, pluck the perfect pumpkin, and frolic with farm animals. Lose yourself in fields of sunflowers and zinnias while live music serenades your senses. With 25+ activities and mouthwatering treats from specialty vendors, it's a celebration of harvest and community.

Don't miss this rural revelry – secure your ticket online and immerse yourself in the golden hues of fall at Amber Brooke Farms.

Oktoberfest at Redlight Redlight

📍Redlight Redlight. 2810 Corrine Dr, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, September 21st, 12 p.m.

Lederhosen at the ready!

Orlando's slice of Bavaria arrives at Redlight Redlight on Saturday, September 21st at high noon.

This free Oktoberfest extravaganza promises a whirlwind of German delights: frothy steins, sizzling bratwurst, and oompah melodies under a grand tent. Families, fear not—there's cookie decorating for the kiddos and ample parking at nearby Audubon Park School.

Dress to impress for the best-dressed competition, and flex those biceps for the 6 PM stein-hoisting showdown.

From noon onward, raise a toast to "Gemütlichkeit" at Orlando's very own biergarten bash!

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Friday:

Weezer: Voyage To The Blue Planet Tour 2024 | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More

Sally Michel: "Abstracting Tonalism" | 6:30 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Howl at the Moon | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Mark Normand: Ya Don't Say Tour | 7 p.m. | I-Drive/Universal | More

9/20 Horror punk night at Uncle Lous!! | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Dayve Stewart | 7 & 9 p.m. | Downtown | More

Jordan Foley & Kyle Keller | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Hans Gruber and the Die Hards, Petty Thefts | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Celebrating Hispanic Voices: An Evening of Spoken Word | 8 p.m. | More

Orlando Out Fest | Fri, Sat & Sun | Downtown | More

Saturday:

🔥 Pig Roast and Pig Skins | 12 p.m. | Oviedo | More

Fish4Fun | 7:30 a.m. | South | More

Special Olympics Orlando Swim Race for Inclusion | 9 a.m. | South | More

Urban Marketplace | 11 a.m. | Thornton Park | More

Opening Reception: Sally Michel: Abstracting Tonalism | 1 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Latin Jazz and Art Festival | 5 p.m. | Casselberry | More

UCF Knights Volleyball vs. University of Maryland Terrapins Volleyball | 6 p.m. | UCF | More

Silvestre Dangond | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Martini Fest Orlando | 5 p.m. | Ivanhoe Village | More

Bassem Youssef | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

My Brother, My Brother and Me | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Sunday:

UCF Knights Womens Soccer vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Women's Soccer | 12 p.m. | UCF | More

Orlando Literary Expo | 2 p.m. | Downtown | More

Raices | 2 & 6 p.m. | Downtown | More

ARConnection | 5 & 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Esto No Es Un Show: Galder Varas (en Español) | 5:30 p.m. | I-Drive/Universal | More

Briston Maroney – Ultrapure Tour Part 2 | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More

Banda MS | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More

Forrest Isn’t Dead, Mirror Parts, Taverns, and Buboy | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Squeeze/Boy George | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

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We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal