Crafting Magic

Good morning, Orlando! Did you hear last Monday we launched our “2024 Orlando Signal Restaurant Guide,” crowd-sourced and powered by OS readers? Get it here if you missed it.

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

• Floating solar in Orange County

• Crafting magic

• Easter brunch all over Orlando

• + 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, OR, just hit reply to this email and tell us. 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 ⏲️
Floating Solar Array Helps Energize Orange County's Sustainable Future

In Orange County, a solar array floating on a pond marks a major milestone towards sustainability. Boasting over 2,000 panels, this installation at the Southern Regional Water Supply Facility is the largest of its kind in the Southeastern U.S., generating enough clean energy annually to power 179 homes.

Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson hailed it as a symbol of potential and hope, reflecting the county's vision of multitasking to combat climate change. Chief Sustainability Officer, Carrie Black, noted the 1.2-megawatt array's role in reducing the facility's energy costs by 25% while aligning with the county's 2035 goal of 100% renewable operations.

Collaborating with utility providers, Orange County aims to inform residents about energy rebate programs, alleviating high costs in certain neighborhoods. Sierra Club's Raquel Fernández advocated complementing this investment with rooftop solar for resilience.

Reflecting a nationwide solar boom, with U.S. capacity soaring 51% in 2023, this floating array symbolizes Orange County's commitment to a sustainable, resilient future.

The Woven Tapestry of Migration: An Artist's Tale

For Gisela Romero, a Venezuelan artist who left her homeland six years ago, a simple table runner became the vessel for her memories. With only a few suitcases to carry their lives, Romero and her husband chose the table runner, a symbol of the "Constant Goodbye" that defines the immigrant experience.

At the Maitland Art Center, Romero's exhibition, "A Constant Goodbye: The Table Runner's Stories," invites visitors through five galleries, each a chapter in the story of displacement and hope. Table runners, adorned with symbolic objects, line the halls, accompanied by poems, essays, and reflections from other immigrants, penned in English, a language Romero finds "better for poetry."

Romero has created a powerful testament to the immigrant experience, reminding us that even in the face of loss and change, memories and hope can be carried in the humblest of objects.

Through her art, she invites us to see the world through the eyes of those who have left everything behind, finding resilience in the threads that connect us all.

Chef Jes Tantalo: Crafting Magic with Local Flavors

Chef Jes Tantalo is making waves at Orlando's Redlight Redlight with her innovative dishes and commitment to local ingredients. The shrimp and beans, a quick saute item served with fresh potato chips, and the cabbage dish, featuring a char sear and curry emulsion sauce, are among the most popular menu items.

Tantalo also praises the pork cutlet, paired with carrots and fried greens, as a standout on the pub side.

Sourcing from local farmers markets and suppliers like Everoak Farm, Winter Park Urban Farm, Zenn Naturals Farm, Florida Mushroom King, Fleet Farming, and Wild Ocean Seafood Market, Tantalo emphasizes the importance of fresh, Florida-based ingredients for maximum flavor.

She encourages home cooks and aspiring chefs to shop at farmers markets too, highlighting that the freshest vegetables taste better and require less effort to prepare.

Tantalo also urges diners to be adventurous and try new things, like kohlrabi, which can be cooked in many ways similar to a potato.

Her passion and creativity are set to inspire food lovers in Orlando and beyond.

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Easter in Orlando: Where Flavor Meets Festivity

📍All over Orlando.

🕐 Sunday, March 31st

Orlando is set to host unforgettable Easter celebrations all around town this Sunday.

The Orlando Magazine has uncovered the city's most delightful Easter brunch spots, from indulgent Sunday buffets to hidden gems in lively neighborhoods. Families and food enthusiasts can explore a world of culinary creativity, with traditional Easter fare and innovative flavor combinations.

Beyond the dining room, Orlando offers egg hunts, photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, and community events that showcase the spirit of togetherness.

Prepare to be swept away by the magic of Easter in Orlando, as you create lasting memories and fall in love with the city's charm and delicious offerings. Raise your glass to spring and embrace the simple pleasures that define this special time of year.

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox

📍The Plaza Live. 425 N Bumby Ave, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Sunday, March 30th at 8 p.m.

In 2011, New York City pianist Scott Bradlee created Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ) in a Queens basement, with a simple goal: remake today's pop hits into the classic sounds of yesterday's legends. Miley Cyrus became The Platters, Bruno Mars turned into Frank Sinatra, and Guns 'n' Roses transformed into Bessie Smith.

Nearly a decade later, PMJ has become a global phenomenon, performing over a thousand shows on six continents at iconic venues like Radio City Music Hall and the Sydney Opera House. The project has showcased the world's most extraordinary talents, many of whom have become stars in their own right.

A Postmodern Jukebox show is a celebration of vintage music and culture, a whimsical journey through time that reimagines pop music history. It's a unique blend of nostalgia and innovation, creating an unforgettable experience that brings the past to life, right in your own hometown.

Orlando Festival of Laughs

📍Addition Financial Arena. 12777 Gemini Blvd N, Orlando, FL 32816. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, March 29th at 8 p.m.

Get ready for a side-splitting night of comedy at the Orlando Festival of Laughs.

This star-studded event features a lineup of comedic heavyweights, each bringing their unique style to the stage:

• Sommore, a trailblazer for women in comedy, leads the pack with her Netflix special "Queen Chandelier."

• Lavell Crawford, known for his roles in "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul," will have you in stitches with his Grammy®-nominated stand-up.

• Bill Bellamy, a former MTV "VJ" and star of "Love Jones," brings his versatile humor to the mix.

• Tony Roberts, the "comedians-comedian," showcases the talent that has made him a headliner across the US.

• Rounding out the group is Special K, a veteran stand-up and comedy writer for the Rickey Smiley Morning Show.

With such an incredible array of comedic geniuses, the Orlando Festival of Laughs guarantees an unforgettable evening of laughter and entertainment. Don't miss your chance to experience the best in the business as they come together for one night only, creating comedy magic that will leave you wanting more.

Silent Discos In Amazing Spaces | Orlando Science Center

📍Orlando Science Center, 777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Sat, Mar 30th at 8:00-11:00 p.m.

Ever hear of a silent disco? Well, Imagine this: You're dancing the night away, surrounded by your closest friends, as the mesmerizing skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex towers above you, illuminated by a dazzling array of lights.

For one extraordinary night, the main exhibition space of this beloved attraction will transform into a colossal dance-floor, complete with a bar, state-of-the-art lighting, stunning visual effects, and not just one, but three incredible DJs spinning their magic simultaneously.

✨ As you arrive, you'll be handed a set of wireless, light-up headphones, your key to an evening of endless possibilities.

✨ Each headset features a switch, granting you the power to seamlessly alternate between three live DJs, ensuring that you never miss a beat.

Each maestro will be serving up a meticulously curated setlist, dedicated to a specific genre of music that's guaranteed to keep you grooving all night long.

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁 

Friday:

• Misfit Market and Movie: David Lynch Night | 6 p.m. | Ivanhoe Village | Free (link)

• Mayhem On Mills: I Want To Be Evil | 6:30 p.m. | Thornton Park | $25 (link)

• Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Clippers | 7 p.m. | Downtown | $70-$1200 (link)

• Orlando Meowgic vs. Miami In Heat Cat Basketball Showdown | 7 p.m. | Thornton Park | Free (link)

• Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Red Stars | 7 p.m. | Downtown | $15-$80 (link)

• Utlimate Floyd Tribute - The Pink Floyd Experience | 7 p.m. | South Eola | $25-$200 (link)

• Mr. Martini: Sundown Sessions | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | Free (link)

• Endoxa Booking Presents: Twin Tribes, Urban Heat, and Dancing Plague in Orlando | 7 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $20 (link)

• Shadow Cabinet | 8 p.m. | Winter Park Area | Free (link)

• Distant Stations, Proxima Tide, Reimar Live at the Nook! | 8 p.m. | Milk District | Free (link)

• Mayhem on Mills Afterparty w/ Ska Sux | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | (link)

Saturday:

• Kids Easter Egg Hunt | 10 a.m. | Conway/Curry Ford | Free (link)

• Puerto Rico Baseball Day PLAY BALL Event with University of Central Florida | 10:30 a.m. | UCF | Free (link)

• Spring Fling | 12 p.m. | Winter Park Area | Free (link)

• We Sell. Spring Fever. | 12 p.m. | Thornton Park | Free (link)

• Goblin Market: Discount Art Mart | 1 p.m. | Ivanhoe Village | Free (link)

• Women in the Arts Expo-Celebrating the Genius of Women | 2 p.m. | Downtown | Free (link)

• BETWEEN YOU & ME w/ Young Culture, Homesafe | 6 p.m. | South Eola | $22 (link)

• Otoboke Beaver | 6 p.m. | Downtown | $29 (link)

• 152 Productions Presents: For The Fallen Dreams, Elijah, Versus Me, Spirit Leaves, and Until I Die | 6:30 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $16 (link)

• Biscits | 8 p.m. | Downtown | $20-$25 (link)

• Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies | 7 p.m. | Downtown | $33-$600 (link)

Sunday:

• Easter Car and Truck Show | 11 a.m. | Kissimmee | Free (link)

• 152 Productions Pressnets a FREE show: Fluxe, Breathless, NOT, Dirty Rivals, and Backstep | 6:30 p.m. | Winter Park Area | Free (link)

• Al Stewart and the Empty Pockets | 6:30 p.m. | Milk District | $35.50-$45.50 (link)

• Black Lips | 7 p.m. | South Eola | $25 (link)

• ONEUS | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | $49.50-$99.50 (link)

• TommyInnit | 8 p.m. | I-Drive/Universal | $39.50 (link)

THANKS!

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We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal