Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!

Oy vey. I’m already exhausted by “Epic Universe,” and I haven’t even been there!

🎂 Happy belated birthday to ACEs Matter!

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

• OFD’s Door Alarm Mission

• La Lucha

• History Bluffs!

• + lots of weekend recs

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Let’s roll!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️

From Building Spree to Building Freeze: Orange County Schools Halt Construction as Students Vanish

For ten years, Orange County has built schools at a pace that would make suburban developers blush.

Nearly 30 new campuses sprouted across Central Florida as the district scrambled to keep up with seemingly unstoppable population growth. But now, construction equipment is being mothballed.

Students are disappearing faster than cafeteria pizza on Friday. Orange County Public Schools is pausing new construction, with officials projecting a decline of more than 3,000 students next year.

Chief facilities officer Rory Salimbene says declining enrollment projections reduce the need for new schools, with no new campuses planned after 2026 until at least 2030.

The culprit? Florida's expanded school voucher program has become a Pied Piper, leading thousands toward private schools and homeschooling options.

(Learn more about this public school exodus with Angie Quezada, right here)

From Emergency Response to Prevention: Orlando Fire Department's Door Alarm Mission

Orlando firefighters are trading hoses for hammers in their clever new Community Care Alarm Program, transforming first responders into home safety heroes. These door-to-door installations bring two free alarms per household, creating early warning systems for families with little escape artists.

Florida unfortunately leads the nation in drowning deaths among children ages one to four from 2019-2021. Children with autism face even greater risks, naturally drawn to water while being master wanderers who slip away from caregivers in seconds.

These smart devices sound off when vulnerable family members approach pools, retention ponds, or lakes. Families can choose blaring alerts or gentle chimes.

Any Orlando resident in houses or townhomes can request this free service, proving prevention beats emergency response.

Dead Zone to Dream Zone as Orlando Starts Plan to Revive Highway Underpass

Orlando is betting real magic might happen beneath Interstate 4's rumbling belly. This week, city council approved a $105,000 contract to start The Canopy, transforming 10 forgotten acres under the highway into a glittering entertainment destination with art installations and mesmerizing light shows.

The ambitious project envisions a seamless corridor from Church Street to Washington Street that bridges downtown's highway-bisected halves. Currently serving as temporary parking and ride-share lots, this prime real estate will become a 365-day attraction integrating multiple transportation options while supporting local restaurants and shops.

Safety remains paramount, with comprehensive security measures and regular police presence planned for the space. Construction begins this year, completing in 20 months, potentially creating a nationwide model for reclaiming urban dead zones and revitalizing downtown cores through creative infrastructure reimagining.

⁉️ Have you heard about or seen The Canopy renderings? Check it out, right here.

(Learn more about The Canopy’s project kick-off with Emma Delamo, right here)

🙋 Trivia Time

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦

World Music-Jazz Series: La Lucha

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

🕐 Friday, May 30th, 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

You've had one of those days when everything goes wrong. Then you hear it…a sound that stops you mid-stride, something beautifully between jazz and world music.

Welcome to La Lucha, a trio quietly revolutionizing the music scene.

These musical alchemists have shared stages with legends, yet serve up fresh magic that's dynamic, personable, and deeply touching, transforming life's daily grind into pure joy that makes you forget your troubles entirely.

[Check It Out]

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊

History Bluffs! Live Comedy Game Show

📍Casselberry Recreation Center. 200 N Triplet Lake Dr, Casselberry, FL 32707. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, May 30th, 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Three storytellers. Two truth-tellers. One masterful liar.

History Bluffs transforms audiences into detectives, challenging everyone to spot the bluffer among armchair historians spinning tales too bizarre to believe—except when they're actually true.

Can you separate historical fact from fiction while laughing? This comedy game show proves truth is stranger than fiction—if you can figure out which is which.

[Get more info, right here]

Collective Corner Pop-Up at The Acre Orlando

📍The Acre Orlando. 4421 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32804. Map to this location.

🕐 Sunday, June 1st, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Acre Orlando transforms into pure magic when Collective Corner arrives, a living celebration of human imagination where creativity blooms like wildflowers.

Here, makers, designers, doers, and dreamers showcase stories crafted by hand and heart. From vintage treasures to handmade décor, plants to jewelry, each piece carries someone's dream waiting to become yours.

Bring family and furry friends to discover that shopping small means touching the soul of community—an experience found nowhere else in Central Florida.

[Check it out, right here]

Anastasia the Musical

📍Trinity Preparatory School Auditorium. 5700 Trinity Prep Ln, Winter Park, FL 32792. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, May 30th, 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Saturday, May 31st, 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

From Russia's fallen empire to 1920s Paris, Anastasia dazzles with stunning costumes and soaring songs like "Journey to the Past" and "Once Upon a December."

Meet unforgettable characters: ruthless Soviet officer Gleb, dashing conman Dmitry, lovable ex-aristocrat Vlad, regal dowager empress Maria, and humorous lady-in-waiting Lily.

This breathtaking musical weaves together spectacular visuals and captivating music as Anya discovers her true identity. A tale where costumes shimmer, voices soar, and every character brings magic to life on stage.

[Get the full details]

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Friday - 30th

🔥 Grand opening of Nothing Bundt Cakes | 5 p.m. | Oviedo | More

Orlando Critical Mass | 6:30 p.m. | Lake Highland | More

Michael Jr.'s Funny How Marriage Works Tour | 7 p.m. | Kissimmee | More

Let's Get Shrekxual: A Burlesque Show | 8 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Florida Prize Exhibition Preview Party | 6 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Greyson Zane with Possessia, Twin Rova, and Amani Minott | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Umphrey’s McGee – Cruising Altitude 2025 Tour | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More

Saturday - 31st

🔥 Super Saturdays: How to Make Your Dragon | 10:30 a.m. | Millenia | More

Orlando Sneaker Convention x Food Trucks | 2 p.m. | Downtown | More

The 18th Annual Hurricane Party Music Festival! | 12 p.m. | Sanford | More

Adults-Only Science Night Live | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More

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

Let's Color Our World! | 10 a.m. | Winter Park | More

The Importance of Being Earnest | 11 a.m. | Maitland | More

Media Swap! exchange books, movies, music, and games for Free! | Audubon Park | More

Kung Fu Show- Presented by Wah Lum Kung Fu Temple | 1 p.m. | Downtown | More

The Silky Bloom | 1 p.m. | College Park | More

World Peace Through Humor: A German 101 Stand Up Comedy | 5:30 p.m. | Casselberry | More

Luau & Local Eats | Kissimmee | 6:30 p.m. | More

Gafieira Rio Miami | 7 p.m. & 9 p.m. | Downtown | More

Sunday - 1st

Pizza Shop Rave | 4 p.m. | Downtown | More

BAPS Charities Walk | 8:30 a.m. | Downtown | More

Pride at IKEA Orlando | 11 a.m. | Millenia | More

Faire of the Dog Summer Night Market | 6 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Void, Midnight Vice, Antagonizör, and American Mayhem | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Orlando City B vs. Chattanooga FC | 7 p.m. | Kissimmee | More

Ryan Ellis – The Better Days Tour | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More

Yandel: Sinfónico USA Tour 2025 | 8 p.m. | Downtown | 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