800 Acts

Good morning, Orlando! This is the Orlando Signal. The newsletter equivalent of a Godiva chocolate truffle (purple packaging only)…..better than you remember every time you open a new one.

Speaking of chocolate, let’s do a quick, fun poll 👇

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

• The Claddagh Cottage story

• Dog Days of Summer

• Liberty Weekend Concert

• + 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 ⏲️
800 Acts, One City: DTO Live! Reimagines Downtown Orlando

Orlando's downtown is set to become a hotspot with DTO Live, a year-long initiative bringing over 800 free performances to 11 venues spanning the Central Business District across a two-mile radius from City Hall to the North Quarter.

From jazz to poetry, the program will showcase diverse talents until June 2025. Mayor Buddy Dyer launched the project, emphasizing its role in fostering a thriving arts scene.

A new 20-foot rainbow arch, the first of six installations, marks the beginning of this artistic transformation. United Arts of Central Florida's Jennifer Evins highlighted the program's celebration of local creative genius.

Part of the ongoing Project DTO, this initiative aims to boost both cultural vibrancy and economic growth.

As performers like guitarist Greg Hayworth take to the streets, Orlando's urban landscape is poised for a dazzling metamorphosis.

👉 We’ll continue to do our job and keep you updated on all the latest live performances over the next year as they happen!

Orlando Poised to Unleash High-Tech Guardians in School Zones

Orlando aims to transform school zone safety with a high-tech solution: speed cameras.

The City Council is considering deploying these electronic guardians near 23 schools initially, with plans to expand to 60 more. Offenders caught speeding 10 mph over the limit will face a $100 fine, complete with video evidence.

Transportation Director Tanya Wilder touts the potential to reduce traffic fatalities by up to 37%. This initiative addresses Florida's alarming pedestrian safety record, with the Orlando area ranking 18th worst nationally for pedestrian fatalities.

Commissioner Patty Sheehan, who once filled in as a crossing guard, witnessed firsthand the prevalence of speeding in school zones.

As Orlando embraces this digital guardian system, it heralds a new era in protecting its youngest citizens.

Hearth, Hops, and Harmony: The Claddagh Cottage Story

Situated in Curry Ford West, Claddagh Cottage Irish Pub (Insta) has been pouring pints and dishing out craic for 28 years.

Owners Scott Vocca and Vicki Gish, whose love story began here amidst folk melodies, breathed new life into the pub in 2018 after relocating to 2421 Curry Ford Road. They've crafted a slice of the Emerald Isle, complete with a crackling fireplace and dart boards.

England-born chef Justin Murphy elevates traditional fare, while the taps flow with liquid gold – from velvety Guinness to crisp Smithwick's.

Every fortnight, Irish tunes fill the air, echoing the owners' musical roots.

With its expanded digs and authentic charm, Claddagh Cottage continues to captivate both regulars and newcomers, proving that Irish spirit thrives in the heart of Florida.

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Dog Days of Summer

📍Edgewater Drive. Orlando, 32804. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, June 29th, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Get ready for a delightful day at Dog Days of Summer, College Park Main Street's newest pet-friendly event! This canine celebration offers a fun-filled experience for both two-legged and four-legged family members.

Enjoy the entertaining quirkiest dog contest, where unique pooches showcase their charms. Browse local dog businesses featuring treats, accessories, and more.

Watch as pups and kids play together, creating sweet memories in the summer sun. This special event (Insta) turns an ordinary day into something extraordinary, where every dog gets its moment to shine.

Don't miss out on this chance for family fun that's sure to have tails wagging and faces smiling!

TOP 3 4 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Ivanhoe Village Parking Lot Party

📍Ivanhoe Park Brewing. 1300 Alden Rd, Orlando, FL 32803 Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, June 28th, 6:30 p.m.

As twilight descends, Ivanhoe Park Brewing's parking lot transforms into a vibrant festival. Welcome to the Parking Lot Party, where Friday nights come alive under starry skies.

Over a dozen food trucks, including Red Panda Noodle, Hot Asian Buns, and Chicken Waffle Grill, tempt with mouthwatering aromas. Ivanhoe's bartenders stand ready to quench your thirst.

This isn't just a feast; it's a celebration of community. The clinking of glasses mingles with sizzling grills and excited chatter as strangers become friends. Kick off your summer at this culinary carnival, where every bite and sip creates lasting memories.

Gather your crew for a legendary Friday at Ivanhoe Park Brewing's Parking Lot Party.

Liberty Weekend Concert Featuring the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

📍Orlando International Airport – Terminal C Level 2. 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, June 29th, 6:45-8 p.m.

Get ready for a patriotic prelude to the Fourth of July!

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is orchestrating a star-spangled spectacle with its Liberty Weekend concert (Insta). The Orlando Philharmonic will fill the air with American classics and patriotic favorites, igniting the spirit of independence.

Before the music soars, at 6:45 p.m., witness a moment of honor as the Colonel Joe Kittinger Award recognizes a local veteran's exemplary service to aviation, country, and community.

👉 This red, white, and blue extravaganza comes with a bonus: three hours of free garage parking!

So whether you're a history enthusiast, music lover, or just seeking to jumpstart your holiday celebrations, don't miss this harmonious blend of patriotism and philharmonics. It's an all-American evening that'll have your heart flying high!

Orlando Oddities & Curiosities Market

📍Osceola Heritage Park. 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34744. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, June 29, 11:00 a.m.

Step into the Oddities Extravaganza, a haven for lovers of the dark and strange. This isn't your average curiosity market—it's a meticulously curated experience spanning 50,000 square feet of air-conditioned space.

Over 200 vendors, handpicked by Orlando's oddities shop, Prometheus Esoterica, offer a treasure trove of the unusual. From expertly preserved specimens to haunting taxidermy, from whisper-laden antiques to soul-stirring dark art, every corner brims with fascination.

Spooky apparel lets you wear your passion for the peculiar. This indoor event, featuring the finest oddities purveyors from across the state and beyond, is a pilgrimage for connoisseurs of the curious.

Ready to immerse yourself in a world where the extraordinary becomes ordinary?

Great American Block Party

📍Lake Nona Town Center. 6967 Lake Nona Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, June 29th, 3-11 p.m.

Prepare for a star-spangled spectacle at Lake Nona Town Center's Great American Block Party!

This annual extravaganza serves up a feast for the senses with mouthwatering food trucks, carnival games, and roaming entertainers. Unleash your competitive spirit in the messy wing-eating contest or showcase your baking prowess in the pie bake-off.

As night falls, a dazzling laser light show will paint the sky in patriotic hues. From savory bites to sweet treats, from laughter-filled games to awe-inspiring performances, this free event captures the essence of American community spirit. Don't miss this summer evening filled with flavor, fun, and fireworks.

Join the community in celebrating what makes America great - together!

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁 

Friday:

JMSN | 6 p.m. | Downtown | $22 (more info)

Feid | 7 p.m. | Downtown | $85.99-$470 (more info)

The Corner Gallery Presents: History Bluffs! | 7:30 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $10 (more info)

Telephone w/ special guest Doxy | 8 p.m. | Audubon Park | $10 (more info)

Leah Senior & Kairos Creature Club | 8 p.m. | Downtown | $25 (more info)

The Brian McKnight 4 | 9 p.m. | I-Drive/Universal | $56.50-$90 (more info)

YOI TOKI: Featuring Macross 82-99, Vantage, and Engelwood | 9 p.m. | Downtown | $25 (more info)

Carlos Mencia | Fri 6 p.m. and Sat 5:30 & 8:30 p.m. | I-Drive/Universal | $32-$62 (more info)

Saturday:

Mid-Florida Milers Walk Around | 8:30 a.m. | Winter Park Area | Free-$4 (more info)

It’s Such a Beautiful Day & Me | 11 a.m. | Winter Park Area | $12.50 | (more info)

Burlesque Brunch with the Babes | 12 p.m. | Central | $25 (more info)

Kpop FanArt Fair Pride | 2 p.m. | Thornton Park | Free (more info)

The Motown and Soul Revue | 2 & 7 p.m. | Downtown | $35-$45 (more info)

Camp Trash | 6 p.m. | Downtown | $15 (more info)

The Steel Crows, Lily of the Valley, Montra, Magi, and Sknydp | 7 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $12 (more info)

Copa America 2024 - Group A - Chile v Canada | 8 p.m. | Downtown | $81-$550 (more info)

Numb | Malie Donn Live for the 1st time In Orlando | 9 p.m. | $50-$145 (more info)

Patrick Hagerman's Birthday Revue | 10 p.m. | Mills 50 | Free (more info)

Sunday:

Peanut Butter Matinee: Little Women | 12 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $11 (more info)

Nik & Reema | 5 & 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | $25 (more info)

Steve-O | 5 & 8 p.m. | Downtown | $50.50-$60.50 (more info)

Village Social: Peace and Power Flow Yoga | 6 p.m. | Downtown | $18 (more info)

Roberto Carlos | 8:30 p.m. | Downtown | $42-$425.75 (more info)

Just B. A true story | Sat 5 p.m. & Sun 7 p.m. | Downtown | $15 (more info)

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We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal