Hyde

May 23, 2024

Good morning, Orlando! Happy Memorial Day weekend, beautiful people. As they say, it’s going to be a scorcher out there, but I hope you all have a great one nonetheless.

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

  • Orlando school’s “grandpa”

  • Hyde

  • Milk Mart’s 8th birthday bash

  • + 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 4 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Volunteer Frank Johnson: The “Grandfather” of Orlando's Pershing School

At 8 a.m. each school day, Frank Johnson takes his post outside Orlando's Pershing School, greeting students with a warm smile as cars line up. This simple act has become his purpose since the pandemic disrupted the safety patrol routine. He explains that he started doing it when the students returned after COVID and just never stopped.

One student named Cody, touched by Johnson's kindness after losing his grandparents, asked him to be his honorary grandfather. It caught on with many others, Johnson happily notes, saying he now has hundreds of “grandchildren.”

With a lifelong passion for service spanning the Army and community volunteering, Johnson, now retired, finds fulfillment making school days brighter.

Orange County recognized him as an "Everyday Hero" - a reminder that small acts of kindness can have a profound impact.

NBCUniversal's Passion Play in Orlando

NBCUniversal has transformed the former Golf Channel studios in Orlando into a cutting-edge technology hub celebrating the City Beautiful's spirit.

It houses Sports Next entities like GolfNow, GolfPass and SportsEngine, as well as Fandango offerings like its ticketing service and Rotten Tomatoes. Around 300 of the 600 employees are in tech roles.

Will McIntosh, president overseeing the businesses, noted they are connecting people to passions like movies and golf. The redesign heavily incorporates Orlando landmarks and neighborhoods through artwork, room names and larger-than-life photos. Nods to golf's heritage remain too, including Arnold Palmer's original golf cart.

A centerpiece is the 300-seat "Bounce House" event space, once a broadcast studio reinvented to foster the hub's young, socially-driven workforce.

Dance Without Limits: Chance2Dance Empowers Special Needs Artists

In Maitland, Chance2Dance studio became a beacon for dancers with special needs, empowering them to unleash their talents.

Nicole Warren created the state's first sensory-friendly dance space, tailored to unique abilities with specialized lighting, climate control, and wheelchair accessibility.

The studio nurtured neurodiversity and self-expression through outreach across Florida and New York. For the Heard family, Chance2Dance transformed life for daughter Katie, born with Down syndrome and sensory issues.

Once overwhelmed by therapies, Katie thrived, her confidence soaring through dance. The studio's curriculum fostered skill progression, from basic steps to choreography.

At its annual showcase, Chance2Dance celebrated the magic of inclusive artistry, unlocking extraordinary talents too often overlooked.

Memorial Day in The City Beautiful: 5 Local Events Paying Homage to Heroes

Memorial Day Weekend heralds summer's arrival, but more importantly, honors the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice. As Orlando commemorates, these 5 local events pay tribute:

Through these meaningful events, the Orlando community comes together to honor and keep alive the memory of those who made sacrifices for our freedoms.

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Hyde - A Twisted Theatrical Thrill Ride


📍Peach Venue - 1001 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, May 24th, 7:10 p.m., Saturday, May 25th, 2:10 p.m., Sunday, May 26th, 8:00 p.m.

The smoky theater illuminates Edward Hyde, resplendent yet menacing, poised to unveil a shadowy tale. From the minds behind "Generic Male" comes PUSH Physical Theatre's twisted Jekyll and Hyde spin-off.

Hyde commands this space, recruiting actors to depict his scandalous memoir. But chaos reigns when his esteemed guest delays and the rogue performers go off-script.

Can the fiendish Hyde maintain sanity to orchestrate the century's greatest spectacle? Brace for a hilarious, hazardous rollercoaster blurring myth and reality.

PUSH received effusive acclaim: Critics' Choice Best Show, International Fringe Encore Series Winner, 4-time Best of Fest.

Reviewers lauded the exquisite comedic actors' athleticism, inventiveness sparking awe, and perfect metaphoric storytelling in motion.

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Collect-a-Con - A Pop Culture Phenomenon

📍Orange County Convention Center. 10 S Forest Ave, Apopka, FL 32703 Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday & Sunday, May 25th-26th, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

In Orlando this weekend, a celebration unlike any other awaits: COLLECT-A-CON, the nation's largest trading card, anime, and pop culture extravaganza.

From May 25-26, the Orange County Convention Convention Center West Hall WD2 will transform into a collector's paradise with over 900 vendor tables.

Brace for star-studded appearances, including OPTIMUS PRIME's Peter Cullen, DARTH MAUL's Ray Park, CHUCK NORRIS, Power Rangers icons, and voice actors from beloved anime like Dragon Ball Z, Attack on Titan, and more. Immerse yourself in Pokémon cards, Funko Pops, comics, video games, and the nostalgia of the original Pokémon TV cast performing live.

Embrace cosplay showcases, celebrity panels, exclusive promos, and live gaming experiences that blur the lines between reality and imagination. COLLECT-A-CON (Insta) is where passions ignite and fandoms converge.

Milk Mart’s 8th Anniversary Birthday Bash

📍Milk District. 2432 E Robinson St, Orlando, Florida 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Sunday, May 26th, 12-6 p.m.

Milk Mart - Orlando's vibrant quarterly celebration of local artistry hosted at the Robinson and Bumby intersection in the Milk District. This enchanting event transforms The Nook, Etoile Boutique, Sportstown, Sideward Brewing, Milkhouse, Whiskey Lou's, and Otto's High Dive into a wonderland showcasing over 200 local artists, makers, businesses, and pop-up purveyors.

It's a feast where the aromas of sizzling food trucks mingle with the infectious energy of Central Florida's flourishing creative scene. From captivating artworks to handcrafted wares, Milk Mart (Insta) dazzles with incredible diversity.

Whether an art connoisseur or someone seeking a delightful day out, this celebration promises a one-of-a-kind experience brimming with vibrant colors, melodic rhythms, and tantalizing flavors that capture the extraordinary spirit of our community.

Classic Rock and Car Show - Lake Concord Park


📍Lake Concord Park. 95 Triplet Lake Dr, Casselberry, FL 32707. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, May 25th, 4 p.m.

This Saturday, Lake Concord Park intertwines music, classic cars, and artistic expression from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. into an unforgettable experience.

Rockit Fly (insta), a beloved local band, makes their Casselberry debut, channeling the anthemic spirits of 1980s icons like Journey and Guns N' Roses. Opening act Sound Theory ignites the atmosphere with infectious 70s-90s covers. Over 150 classic cars line the grounds, vying for best car honors.

The city honors veterans through a color guard display and plaque. Three galleries showcase diverse works by over 40 artists. Then, satisfy cravings with offerings from 20+ food and beverage vendors.

Gather friends and family to immerse yourselves in this harmonious fusion of music, cars, art, and celebration.

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁 

Friday:

Our Last Night: The Covers Only Tour with Special Guests Broadside & Normandie | 7:15 p.m. | I-Drive/Universal | $50-$130 (more info)

Orlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns | 7 p.m. | Downtown | $15-$80 (more info)

Black Tusk | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | $15 (more info)

Todd Rundgren | 7 p.m. | Milk District | $49.50-$110 (more info)

Taylor Maxwell (Sundown Sessions) | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | Free (more info)

Trash Panda, Dripping, Wombrot, and Gornormity | 7 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $15 (more info)

Distant Stations, Jay Aguilar, Aria Flori | 8 p.m. | Central | Free (more info)

LADY GAGA Born This Way Dance Party | 8 p.m. | Downtown | $20 (more info)

Code 55 ft. Cat Dealers, Bhaskar, & Nora Van Elken | 10 p.m. | Downtown | $14.99-$34.99 (more info)

Carnival on the Runway | 6 p.m. | Downtown | $40 (more info)

Saturday:

The Adventure Begins! | 10 a.m. | Winter Park Area | Free (more info)

Collective Corner Local Pop-Up Market - Elks Lodge | 11 a.m. | Milk District | Free (more info)

She Sells | 12 p.m. | Thornton Park | Free (more info)

ODrone Music Festival | 4 p.m. | Milk District | $10 (more info)

Fatal Entries Zine Release Show: Off Track, Eyelash, Eronoi, Velora, Warm Frames | 6 p.m. | Audubon Park | $10-$12 (more info)

Soca Anthropology – Back In Time Lime | 6 p.m. | Downtown | $45-$155 (more info)

Acta Non Verba, Effit, The Rat Basturdz, Unadapted, Lot Lizards | 6:30 p.m. | Central | $10 (more info)

John Gallagher (Sundown Sessions) | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | Free (more info)

152 Productions Presents: Fluxe, Stella, Doolittle, Saucers Over Washington, and Still Pictures | 7 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $15 (more info)

Thievery Corporation | 7 p.m. | Milk District | $39.50 (more info)

Orlando City SC v Columbus Crew | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | $11-$205 (more info)

Reggae Fest | 9 p.m. | Downtown | $30-$50 (more info)

Orlando Carnival Jouvert | 8 a.m. | Downtown | $40 (more info)

Sunday:

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

Claux Record Release Show w/ Mind Virus, Voidrium, Scorch, and Medulla | 6 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $15 (more info)

Caskey: Return of the Black Sheep Tour | 7 p.m. | Downtown | $20 (more info)

Anitta | 8 p.m. | I-Drive/Universal | $46.50-$141 (more info)

The Bottleneck Effect | 1:40 p.m. | Central | $13 (more info)

Bangs, Bobs and Banter: Confessions of a Hairstylist | 8:50 p.m. | Central | $15 (more info)

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We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal