Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!

I was looking through the list of January birthday shout-outs coming this month (pssst. check out the bottom of this email if you want one), and looks like a bunch of readers were born this month!

This got me wondering about what months have the most birthdays. Did you know Northern states tend to have a birth peak in June and July, while Southern states experience a birth peak in October and November?

Anyway…..here’s the first one for January: 🎂 Happy EARLY birthday to Glaucio Rodrigues (1/11)!

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

• Apopka's 12-Year-Old Food Network Star

• Lunar New Year Celebration

• A Hero’s Life

• + lots of weekend recs

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Let’s roll!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
From Kitchen Helper to Food Network Star: Apopka's 12-Year-Old Baker Takes Flight

Meet Brooklyn Barrett, Apopka's newest culinary star.

At just 12 years old, this budding baker competed on Season 13 of Food Network's "Kids Baking Championship."

Brooklyn's journey began at age 3, baking alongside her mother Courtney, and evolved from mispronouncing "Cutthroat Kitchen" as a toddler to mastering macarons in her grandmother's modest condo kitchen.

The animal-themed season premiered January 6 showcased her talents alongside hosts Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown, with $25,000 and a Food Network magazine feature at stake.

Though fiercely competitive, Brooklyn has already won by forming lasting friendships with her fellow contestants.

(Learn more about Brooklyn Barrett with Amy Drew Thompson, right here)

A Milestone of Tales: Orlando Story Club Turns Ten

The Orlando Story Club (OSC) is set to mark a decade of storytelling excellence with an unforgettable celebration at downtown's CityArts.

On Saturday, January 11, from 7 to 10 PM, the venue at 39 South Magnolia Avenue will come alive with selected performances from OSC's most memorable storytellers. The evening promises an elegant blend of nostalgia and new narratives, complete with champagne and light refreshments.

For those who've been part of OSC's journey – whether as performers or audience members – this gathering represents more than an anniversary; it's a testament to the enduring power of shared stories.

Digital Age Limits: Florida's Bold Move to Protect Teen Users

A game-changing social media law just rolled out in Florida, reshaping how young people connect online. Started on January 1st, kids under 14 won't be able to have their own accounts, while teens 14-15 will need a parent's green light to stay active.

Social platforms have 90 days to close accounts that don't meet these rules and wipe all personal data clean - or face hefty $50,000 fines per violation.

Two groups are pushing back in court, worried about free speech and access to educational content. The law zeros in on platforms with features like infinite scrolling that keep kids glued to their screens.

Florida isn't alone - twelve other states are making similar moves to help protect young minds online.

(Learn more about this new social media law with Danielle Prieur, right here)

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
8th Annual Amateur Rib Contest @ Ten 10 Brewing

📍Ten 10 Brewing Co. 1010 Virginia Dr, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, January 11th, 12 p.m.

Love Ribs??? Then get ready for the ultimate BBQ showdown!

At Ten 10’s 8th Annual Amateur Rib Contest, 24 pit masters will battle for the "Best Ribs 2025" crown on Brookhaven Drive and their back lot.

Groove to Big Ron Betts and his Big Band while sampling competition ribs and our exclusive brew release.

Admission is free, but grab raffle tickets to vote for "People's Choice" – all proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank.

Bring the whole family (four-legged friends welcome) to this smoky celebration!

[Get more info, right here]

TOP 3 4 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Lunar New Year Celebration @ Saigon Night Market

📍Festival Park. 2911 E Robinson St, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday & Sunday, January 11-12th, 2 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Experience the magic of Lunar New Year at Saigon Night Market, transforming Orlando Festival Park into a dazzling celebration of Asian culture for the Year of the Snake.

Watch acclaimed performers from across America bring traditional dances to life, from Vietnam to Korea, while over 100 food vendors craft authentic delicacies that will transport your taste buds across Asia.

With carnival rides, games, and performances that blend ancient traditions with modern festivities, this spectacular 2025 celebration promises unforgettable memories for the whole family.

[Get more info, right here]

ICMF: VIBEAT. High-Level Chamber Jazz

📍Timucua Arts Foundation. 2000 S. Summerlin Ave Orlando, FL 32806. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, January 10th. 7:30 p.m.

Experience VIBEAT: where traditional jazz meets bold innovation.

This extraordinary vibraphone-led quintet channels the spirit of Weather Report, Steps Ahead, and the Burton-Corea legacy while crafting their own intoxicating blend of jazz, R&B, trap, and electronica.

Fresh from acclaimed performances at NYC's Jazz Gallery, Art Basel Miami, and SoFar Sounds, VIBEAT brings their fearless improvisation and dynamic grooves to Timucua - the world's finest living room concert hall - as part of the 2025 International Chamber Music Festival.

[Get more info & tix, right here]

Healthy New Year Showcase: Destination Lake Nona

📍Lake Nona Town Center. 6941 Lake Nona Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, January 11th, 10 a.m.

Kickstart 2024 with a transformative Wellbeing Showcase at Lake Nona Town Center.

Energize your morning with a community run led by Core Values Physical Therapy & Wellness, then explore a vibrant mix of fitness demonstrations by LNPC, including Bootcamp, Zumba, and Yoga/Pilates Fusion.

Experience Primeval Human Performance's invigorating ice bath and sauna stations, perfect your serve at the USTA Red Ball Court, and savor healthy bites from local restaurants.

Make a difference by donating blood at the OneBlood bus, too!

[Get more info, right here]

A Hero’s Life

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

🕐 Saturday & Sunday, January 11th (7:30 p.m.) and 12th (2:30 p.m.)

Journey through an epic musical voyage as AdventHealth presents "A Hero's Life."

Under Eric Jacobsen's masterful direction, journey through Grieg's mesmerizing Peer Gynt Suites, featuring the iconic "In the Hall of the Mountain King."

New York Philharmonic's Principal Clarinetist Anthony McGill debuts Gabriel Kahane's world premiere clarinet concerto, while Concertmaster Rimma Bergeron-Langlois leads a soaring violin solo in Strauss' brass-rich Ein Heldenleben.

Join an unforgettable celebration of heroism through music.

[Get more info, right here]

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Multi-day:

Yallmark | Fri 5 p.m. and Sat 10 p.m. | Downtown | More

VERSuS | Fri 5:45 p.m. and Sat 6:15 p.m. | Downtown | More

Clingstone | Fri 6:30 p.m. Sat and 1:40 p.m. | Downtown | More

Donnell Rawlings | Fri & Sat | I-Drive | More

Friday:

Sarah Silverman: Postmortem | 7 p.m. | I-Drive | More

The Harlem Globetrotters | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

A Night of the Mystic Arts | 5 p.m. | Casselberry | More

Nile and Six Feet Under “Revenge of the Underworld” Tour | 5:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Orlando Magic v Milwaukee Bucks | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Parrotfish, Madwoman, Mirror Parts, Treis and Friends | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

We call it Ballet: Sleeping Beauty Dance & Light Show | 6:30 p.m | Kissimmee | More

Saturday:

Resin Jewelry Workshop | 3 p.m. | Downtown | More

Under Dees Stars | 5 p.m | Sanford | More

Will Patrick | 7 p.m. & 9 p.m. | Downtown | More

K-Pop FanArt Fair: Future Market | 12 p.m. | Thornton Park | More

UCF Knights Womens Basketball vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Women's Basketball | 2 p.m. | UCF | More

Out of The Galleon: A Program of James Hall Compositions | 2:30 p.m. | SoDo | More

C.S. Lewis' "The Screwtape Letters" | 4 p.m. | Downtown | More

Punks For a Purpose Vol.2 | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

ICMF: Sokolowski Trombone Project (STP) Jazz Septet | 7:30 p.m. | SoDo | More

Sunday:

The Butterfly Effect Showcase | 5 p.m. | Downtown | More

Orlando Magic V Philadelphia 76ers | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More

Heather Shaw | 5:30 p.m. | I-Drive | More

DIKEMBE with Woolbright and Porch Coffin | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

THANKS!

🧠 Interested in reaching smart readers like you? Grow with us right here.

We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal