Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!

I was on a flight back to Orlando yesterday afternoon and I’ve identified a real super-power some people have. The guy next to me climbed aboard, passed out before the cabin door closed, then woke back up as the cabin door re-opened back in MCO. I won’t even get into the fact he snored like a purring cat…..the whole damned time!

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

• A Sea of Backpacks

• Weekends at Lakeridge

• Hamlet

• + lots of weekend recs

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Let’s roll!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️

Teaching the Housing Crisis a Lesson

Orange County Public Schools is shaking up the teacher housing game with partnerships sprouting across the county like academic wildflowers. Five apartment complexes are already on board, with more waiting in the wings, and some even throwing in free preschool (talk about extra credit!).

Teachers and staff are thrilled that the program thoughtfully accommodates families of all sizes, not just single educators. The district's commitment runs deep, even surprising two employees with $500 moving gift cards to help them transition to their new homes, proof that OCPS puts its money where its mission is.

The approved locations span from Palm Gardens and Colonial Gardens to Apopka's Southwick Commons and The Mira, plus the upcoming Catchlight Crossings in East Orange County (opening 2026).

With The Enclave at Canopy Park awaiting approval and more partnerships brewing, OCPS dreams bigger than just rooftops, they're building a support ecosystem complete with free childcare and wage advocacy that could spark a nationwide education revolution.

(Learn more about this awesome housing approach for OCPS teachers with Brandon Spencer, right here)

Ready or Not: Orange County's Hurricane Expo Tackles Storm Season Head-On

Orange County's 2025 Hurricane Expo: Power of Preparedness rolls into Evans High School on June 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., turning storm prep from panic-inducing mystery into manageable reality.

Chat with emergency responders who've seen it all, grab insights from meteorologist Amy Sweezey about what 2025 might unleash, and score free supplies while learning practical storm-survival tactics. Information sessions kick off at 9:30 a.m., breaking down preparation from overwhelming mental gymnastics into simple steps.

Evans High School Gym at 4949 Silver Star Road welcomes everyone. From hurricane rookies to seasoned storm survivors who remember when gas stations actually had gas after a storm.

Because in Florida, hurricane season isn't a matter of "if," it's just good old-fashioned "when."

🌀 Want more info, get it right here.

A Sea of Backpacks: Community Rallies to Ensure 25,000 Students Start School Ready

The Orange County Convention Center transformed into a buzzing hive of activity Wednesday morning as 500 enthusiastic volunteers created an assembly line of hope. Their spirited mission: making sure 25,000 Central Florida students wouldn't walk into school empty-handed on day one.

A Gift for Teaching's annual Great Big Backpack Build brought together workers from nearly 30 local companies, all cheerfully stuffing backpacks with notebooks, pencils, erasers, and other learning goodies many families simply can't swing.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Over 70% of Central Florida's public schools qualify as high-need, with thousands of kids showing up without basic supplies each year.

These 25,000 carefully packed backpacks will soon make their way to approximately 150 schools across Orange and Osceola counties, delivering a community's heartfelt investment in student success.

(Learn more about this generous backpack mission with Lisa Bell, right here)

🙋 Trivia Time

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦

Florida Festival of New Musicals

📍Winter Park Playhouse. 711 Orange Avenue Suite C, Winter Park, FL 32789. Map to this location.

🕐 Thursday June 19th, 2025 - 11am, Friday June 20th, 2025 - 3pm, Saturday June 21st, 2025 - 7pm

In Winter Park, a theater company champions untold musical stories year-round.

The Winter Park Playhouse's passion birthed The Florida Festival of New Musicals in 2017, an extraordinary annual celebration drawing global creators.

Over four transformative days, six brand-new musicals emerge through intimate concert-style readings by professional actors.

Under Artistic Director Roy Alan's leadership, this unique regional festival creates magical moments where audiences become collaborators, witnessing raw creativity and participating in talk-backs that shape musical theater's future.

[Check It Out]

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊

Weekends at the Winery

📍Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards. 19239 U.S. 27 North, Clermont, FL 34715. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday & Saturday, June 21st & 22nd, 10 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Transform your weekends into wine country magic at Lakeridge's sprawling vineyard grounds.

For thirty years, their outdoor stage has showcased regional talent against breathtaking rolling hills. Sink into your lawn chair as melodies dance through ancient vines.

Their food court serves irresistible flavors every Saturday and Sunday, while their al fresco wine bar features Lakeridge's complete collection plus seasonal specialties like mulled wine and sangria.

[Check it out, right here]

Florida Vintage Market

📍Etoile Boutique, 2424 E Robinson St, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Sunday, June 22nd, 12 p.m.

Get ready this Sunday as Etoile Boutique transforms into a vintage wonderland from 12-5pm, featuring forty coveted local vendors showcasing curated secondhand treasures.

This isn't just shopping - it's sustainable treasure hunting where every piece tells a story.

Enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks, and bring the whole family (furry friends welcome too!). With no admission fee and endless pre-loved gems waiting to find their next chapter, prepare to discover vintage gold that speaks to your soul!

[Get more info, right here]

Hamlet directed by Michael McNamara

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

🕐 Thursday, June 20th - 7:30pm, Friday, June 21st - 2:30pm, Saturday, June 21st - 7:30pm, Sunday, June 22nd - 7:30pm

For over four centuries, Shakespeare's masterpiece has captivated audiences with its haunting exploration of mortality, vengeance, and madness.

Under Michael McNamara's direction, young Hamlet transforms from carefree scholar to tormented prince, tasked with assassinating his treacherous uncle who stole both throne and mother.

As war looms and his world crumbles, Hamlet grapples with an eternal question: when fate thrusts us into unwanted roles, how do we navigate the moral labyrinth of consequence and choice?

[Get the full details]

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Multi-Day

HAIR | Fri & Sat | College Park | More

Anime Festival Orlando 2025| Fri, Sat & Sun | I-Drive| More

Orlando International Film Festival | Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun | UCF | More

Orlando Japanese Arts, Collectibles & Sword Show | Fri, Sat, Sun | SoDo | More

Summer Kickoff Celebration | Sat & Sun | Kissimmee | More

Friday - 20th

M21: SL Benfica v. Auckland City FC | 12 p.m. | Downtown | More

Arcade Tournament: Mario Kart | 4 p.m. | I-Drive | More

Havoc Underground + Montgomery Drive Present: Dial Drive, The Longest Hall, 430 Steps, 69 Fingers, and Never Ender | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More

TCG's Diamond in the Rough Comedy Show | 7:30 p.m. | Casselberry | More

Quintron (solo) with Aaron Dilloway | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Broadway Rave | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More

You Must Dance Vol. 1: A Benefit Rave for Peer Support Space | 9 p.m. | Ivanhoe Village | More

Saturday - 21st

Reel Pride: The Birdcage | 11 a.m. | Maitland | More

The Official Pride Bar Crawl | 4 p.m. | Downtown | More

Heart Attack Man | 5 p.m. | Downtown | More

Cardiel, The Hamiltons, MACE, and more TBA | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Let It Happen: A Tame Impala Dance Party | 8 p.m. | Winter Park | More

United Groove | 9 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Primal Presents: Xotix, Noetika, Blaow! at Fixtion | 10 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Sunday - 22nd

Summer Youth Series | “Fighting Spirit: Krav Maga and Jewish History,” Session 2 | 1 p.m. | Maitland | More

Liz Longley | 5 & 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Mayhem on Mill's Presents: The Seven Year Homecomiversary | 6 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Kaonashi, Ballista, Rakuyo, and Self Inflicted Wound | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Thievery Corporation | 7 p.m. | Milk District | More

Nashville Hurricane | 7 p.m | Downtown | More

THANKS!

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We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal