Lionel Friggin Richie

Good morning, Orlando! I’m pleased to report, tomorrow, Lionel Richie (+ EWF) enters the building in Orlando.

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

• Massive MCO Upgrades + awesome pro tip

• Lionel Friggin Richie

• Pineapple Festival

• + lots of weekend recs (pssst, there’s an easter egg with a free event I’m attending next week)

🛑 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 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Orlando Takes Flight: Massive MCO Upgrades Elevate Travel Experience

Orlando International Airport (MCO), one of the nation's busiest aerial gateways, is undergoing massive upgrades to meet record travel demands.

• The $260 million expansion of the new Terminal C adds 8 gates and a pedestrian bridge.

• But the transformation extends to MCO's aging Terminals A & B with a $40 million renovation. This will refresh passenger areas in Airsides 1 and 3, expand restrooms, and unveil new dining and retail across both terminals.

• With nearly 22,000 parking spots, MCO is also implementing cutting-edge guidance systems to streamline parking.

As the airport soars to new heights, it remains grounded in elevating convenience and quality for the 60 million annual passengers.

👉 PRO TIP: For travelers without the convenience of TSA PreCheck, check out Orlando International Airport's innovative FREE MCO Reserve program offers the ability to pre-book their security screening slot, providing a seamless experience for flights departing between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., alleviating the stress of long queues.

Craft Libations and Cheffy Bites: The Rees Family's New Epicurean Venture

In the vibrant Mills 50 neighborhood, Joe and Alda Rees, the visionary couple behind the beloved Strand restaurant, have unveiled a new epicurean experience – d.b.a. This offshoot cocktail bar seamlessly blends the artistry of crafting stiff sips with meticulously prepared cheffy snacks, enveloped in a breezy, midcentury aesthetic curated by Alda and her daughter Olivia.

The Rees siblings, Olivia, Leo, and Zack, effortlessly guide patrons through a culinary odyssey, from the tantalizing green-curry aioli accompanying fresh tuna tartare to expertly mixed libations like the mezcal-forward "jaguar's nap" and the rum-and-absinthe "carnival cruise."

Whether indulging in the comforting warmth of the pretzel with pimiento cheese or savoring the boldness of the duck flatbread, d.b.a. (Insta) encapsulates the Rees family's passion for crafting unforgettable epicurean experiences.

Cole NeSmith's Vision: Transforming Orlando into a Global Arts Mecca

In a whirlwind of artistic innovation, Orlando's Creative City Project is setting the stage for two captivating productions. Rehearsals are underway for Wavelength, a multisensory spectacle fusing music, visuals, and cutting-edge technology at the prestigious Steinmetz Hall.

Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing for the triumphant return of Immerse, the organization's signature large-scale interactive art event. Cole NeSmith, the visionary founder, envisions Immerse becoming a global cultural phenomenon drawing hundreds of thousands in February 2025.

The entire month will see downtown Orlando transformed into a vibrant artistic playground, culminating in the spectacular Immerse weekend on February 21st.

With ambition and collaborative spirit, Creative City Project weaves a tapestry of art transcending boundaries.

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Lionel Richie And Earth, Wind & Fire - Sing A Song All Night Long

📍KIA Center - 400 West Church Street. Orlando, Florida 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, May 31st, 7:30 p.m.

Get ready, Orlando, for an electrifying night of soul and funk on May 31st, as icons Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire take the stage together. Richie, the velvet-voiced mastermind behind hits like "Hello" and "Dancing on the Ceiling," last visited in 2019 during his acclaimed All The Hits Tour.

Now, he joins forces with the cosmic ambassadors of funk, Earth, Wind & Fire, whose infectious grooves and timeless anthems like "September" and "Shining Star" have earned them multiple Grammys and global adoration.

Imagine the euphoria when these two legends collide, their sounds intertwining to create a transcendent celebration of music's power to unite and ignite. This is more than a concert – it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won't want to miss.

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Hauser - The Electrifying Cellist

📍Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. 445 S. Magnolia Ave. Orlando, FL 32801 Map to this location.

🕐 Sunday, June 2nd - 7 p.m.

From forging a revolutionary musical fusion of classical, pop, and rock, HAUSER has mesmerized global audiences with electrifying arena performances that shatter industry norms.

Propelled by his iconic "Smooth Criminal" rendition as founding 2Cellos member, he captivates millions. HAUSER's shows blend virtuosic cello pyrotechnics with raw rock energy, fueled by a repertoire spanning Lady Gaga to Tchaikovsky.

This dynamism enabled touring with Elton John – rare for a classically trained cellist. Collaborating with legends like Bocelli and Red Hot Chili Peppers, or through his Billboard-topping "CLASSIC" album video series, HAUSER (Insta) consistently transcends boundaries.

A phenomenon uniting generations, he commands stages with virtuosic skill and animal magnetism – a rock star wielding a cello, merely beginning an extraordinary odyssey.

The Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds ‘24

📍Camping World Stadium. 1 Citrus Bowl Place. Orlando, FL 32805. Map to this location.

🕐 Monday, June 3rd, 8 p.m.

🚨 This event is obviously not for this weekend, it’s for this coming Monday, but I wanted to include it here since tickets for an event this popular sell out fast.

Brace yourselves for an earth-shattering experience as the legendary Rolling Stones unleash their unstoppable force upon Camping World Stadium on June 3rd, 2024.

Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood, the indomitable titans of rock, take the stage, commanding a presence that defies the laws of time. Born from London's gritty streets in 1962, this iconic ensemble emerged as a cultural phenomenon, forever altering the landscape of popular music.

Decades later, the Rolling Stones remain at the pinnacle, an inextinguishable force that promises a spectacle etching itself into rock history's annals.

Pineapple Festival - Escape to Paradise

📍Lake Nona Town Center. 6877 Tavistock Lakes Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, June 1st, 5-11 p.m.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors and infectious rhythms of Puerto Rico at Lake Nona’s Pineapple Festival! Inspired by the Festival De La Piña Paradisíaca, this lively street festival celebrates the island's rich cultural heritage and the versatility of the pineapple.

Indulge in authentic cuisine, dance to live music, and marvel at captivating performances.

Discover the many ways the pineapple is celebrated, from refreshing drinks to artisanal crafts.

Entry is free and open to all. Join us for an unforgettable day filled with mouthwatering delights, electrifying beats, and the irresistible charm of Puerto Rico!

🔥 Advanced Notice: Our media partner, Winter Park City Magazine, is hosting a June issue launch party Wednesday, June 5th from 6-8 p.m. at FORWARD/SLASH Distillery & Blending House. Come mingle and enjoy an evening with delicious drinks and great company. 👉 I’m attending this event (this is me) so come up and say HI. Grab your free tickets, right here.

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁 

Friday:

Florida Prize Exhibition Preview Party | 6 p.m. | Mills 50 | $50 (more info)

Orlando Indie Night | 6 p.m. | Downtown | $20 (more info)

NIght of Champions | 6 p.m. | I-Drive/Universal | $40-$100 (more info)

Goth Prom | 7 p.m. | South Eola | $20 (more info)

Film and Sketch: "Labyrinth" | 7:30 p.m. | Audubon Park | $10-$14 (more info)

A-F-R-O, 60 East, and O_Super | 8 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $20 (more info)

When Wills Went Nü Metal | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | $10 (more info)

Tommy Frenzy, Holy Human and Kissing Betty at Uncle Lou's | 9 p.m. | Mills 50 | $5 (more info)

Saturday:

Duck Race | 9 a.m. | Kissimmee | $20-$32.50 (more info)

History Alive: Navigating Florida’s Tourism History | 11 a.m. | $6-$8 (more info)

Special Program: Troll 2 | 12 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $11 (more info)

Goblin Market | 1 p.m. | Winter Park Area | Free (more info)

Kick- Off Summer with Mega Wow | 2 p.m. | Downtown | Free (more info)

Orlando Predators vs. Washington Wolfpack | 7 p.m. | Downtown | $30-$150

Punx Prom | 7 p.m. | Casselberry | $7-$10 (more info)

Gala of Ghouls | 7 p.m. | Thornton Park | $13 (more info)

Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra begins with A Comic Con{cert} | 7 p.m. | Ivanhoe Village | $30 (more info)

Super Bitch, Warm Frames, Bacon Grease, Cujo Bronson Band | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | (more info)

Considering Matthew Shepard | Sat 8 p.m & Sun 2 p.m. | $39.50-$59.50 (more info)

Central Florida Orchid Society's 66th Annual Show and Sale | Sat 9 a.m. & Sun 10 a.m. | Winter Park Area | $5 (more info)

Sunday:

Stephen Sharer | 12 p.m. | South Eola | $64.99-$149.99 (more info)

Faire Of The Dog: Summer Market | 12 p.m. | Mills 50 | Free (more info)

Orlando Local Makers Summer Bash | 12 p.m. | College Park | Free (more info)

Uncomfortable Brunch: Ratcatcher | 12 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $11 (more info)

Local Author Festival | 2 p.m. | Downtown | Free (more info)

Mayhem On Mills presents: The Big 6 | 5:30 p.m. | Thornton Park | $25 (more info)

Montgomery Drive Presents: Dikembe, Virginity, Winded, and Yeah, Sure | 6 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $15 (more info)

Sean Finnerty | 7:30 p.m. | Central | $10 (more info)

Candlelight Spring: A Tribute to Adele | 9 p.m. | $46-$61 (more info)

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We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal