Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!

So as a non-football fan (gasp!), I’m told Super Bowl LIX is this Sunday in a Chiefs vs. Eagles match-up. You will find me right here, drinking a Sunday afternoon beer, working on Monday’s Orlando Signal. But who are you rooting for? Hit reply and let me know!

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

• Morning Scoops

• Virginia Drive Live!

• Pancakes & Booze

• + a lots of weekend recs

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Let’s roll!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Morning Scoops, Meaningful Change this Month at Kelly's Ice Cream

Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream is turning breakfast rules upside down this February, transforming morning indulgence into hope for young patients. The month-long "Ice Cream for Breakfast" fundraiser, which raised $20,000 last year for Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, returns with delectable breakfast-inspired flavors like Blueberry Pancake and Cinnamon Crunch.

The campaign peaks on February 18th, when pajama-clad guests can savor exclusive treats while 50% of sales support the cause with Breakfast Buddies and Maple Bourbon Bacon flavors.

Founded by Kelly Seidl, a former Arnold Palmer nurse, this initiative honors Malia Grace, whose joy of breakfast ice cream during her cancer journey inspired a movement.

🍦Get the list of participating locations around Greater Orlando, right here.

Pipes & Passion: Paul Jacobs Opens Winter Park's 90th Bach Festival

Winter Park's prestigious Bach Festival Society is poised to launch its milestone 90th season, igniting the winter calendar with a feast of musical mastery.

The celebration begins tomorrow (Feb 7th) with virtuoso organist Paul Jacobs, whose free performance promises a spellbinding journey from Bach's intricate fugues to contemporary masterpieces.

The main festival, running February 13th through March 2nd, weaves together classical titans like Beethoven, Brahms, and Handel with vibrant spirituals and jazz.

Made possible by Rollins College's Faith Emeny Conger '54 Visiting Organist Concert Series, this opening recital operates on a first-come basis, inviting music lovers to experience organ artistry at its finest.

👉 Check out the calendar of events, right here.

Orlando's Golden Moment: A City Turns 150

What a journey it's been! From a cozy frontier settlement of just 40 brave souls to today's bustling family of 300,000, Orlando is celebrating its incredible 150-year adventure.

Mayor Buddy Dyer and our City Council have planned a heart-warming year of festivities leading up to our big birthday bash on July 31, 2025.

From the fascinating "Orlando Collected" exhibit featuring 150 treasured pieces of our past, to stunning then-and-now photo displays, we're showcasing how our beloved city grew from a tiny four-square-mile community into 120 vibrant neighborhoods brimming with arts, culture, and that famous Orlando magic.

🔥 Here’s all the deets around how you can participate!

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
2025 Paws In the Park

📍Lake Eola Park. 512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, February 8th, 10:00 a.m.

Unleash the fun at Lake Eola Park on February 8 as America's largest pet festival, Paws in the Park, returns for its 31st year.

Watch costumed canines strut before celebrity judges, marvel at dock-diving dogs, and explore the beer garden and food trucks.

This tail-wagging extravaganza, benefiting Pet Alliance's mission to save 4,000+ pets annually, aims to raise $210,000. With gratis vaccines, pet adoptions, and endless entertainment, this beloved Orlando tradition promises to transform downtown into a paradise for pets and people alike.

[Check It Out]

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Virginia Drive Live!

📍Ivanhoe Village. 1399 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, February 8th, 5:00 p.m.

Two of Orlando's most vibrant districts, Ivanhoe Village and Mills50, unite to bring back Virginia Drive Live!, transforming the street into a pulsing celebration of local culture.

From Orange Avenue to Mills, the thoroughfare comes alive with artisans, merchants, and mouth-watering food vendors, all set to a soundtrack of live music.

For just 5 bucks, visitors can grab a wristband at Ten10 Brewing or The Yard at Ivanhoe, unlocking special deals while supporting the Main Street programs that keep these districts thriving.

[Get more info, right here]

International Vegan Food Festival

📍Wall Street Plaza. 25 Wall Street Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, February 8th, 2:00 p.m.

Step into a world where traditional cuisine meets modern plant-based artistry at the International Vegan Food Festival.

Master chefs from across the globe transform humble ingredients into extraordinary creations – from mouthwatering burgers to creamy pasta that rivals any traditional dish. Watch as innovative cooking techniques turn jackfruit into succulent pulled "pork" and cashews into velvety cheese.

Whether you're vegan-curious or a committed plant-based enthusiast, this culinary journey promises to inspire and delight.

[Grab tix, right here]

2025 Pancakes & Booze Art Show

📍Tactical Brewing. 4882 New Broad St Orlando, FL 32814. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, February 7th, 8:00 p.m.

Where pancakes meet paintings and creativity collides with comfort food, Orlando's most unique art show returns to The Abbey on February 7th, 2025.

The Pancakes & Booze Art Show, a cultural phenomenon born in LA, transforms the space into an artistic feast featuring 75+ local artists, 300+ artworks, and unlimited, free pancakes.

With live DJs, body painting, and a decade-long legacy spanning 35+ cities, this 21+ event promises an unforgettable night where artistic expression meets late-night cravings.

[Get Details]

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Multi-day:

Big Jay Oakerson | Fri 6 & 9 p.m. and Sat 6:30 & 8:30 p.m. | I-Drive | More

Selwyn Birchwood | Fri & Sat 7 & 9 p.m. | Downtown | More

Cendrillon | Fri 7:30 p.m. and Sun 2 p.m. | Downtown | More

Friday:

Beerlympics | 1 p.m. | SoDo | More

Lunch & Learn: A Recipe for Revenge | 12 p.m. | Downtown | More

Metropolis Mayhem in Vault 5421 | 8 p.m. | I-Drive | More

Street66 Band | 5 p.m. | College Park | More

Massacre, Druid Lord, Killing Addiction, and Embodiment | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More

John Lumpkin and The Covenant | 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More

Paul Jacobs | 7:30 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Voices of Freedom: An Evening of Spoken Word | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More

BASSRUSH presents INFEKT: Veggie Games Tour 2025 | 10 p.m. | Downtown | More

Freaky Fridays: Ichi the Killer | 11:59 p.m. | Maitland | More

Saturday:

Love Local Wine Walk | 2 p.m. | Audubon Park| More

Indigo Blues BBQ at the Zoo | 9 a.m. | Sanford | More

Sweet & Savory: A Chef's Table Mixology Experience with Sunny Mixers | 6 p.m. | Lake Highland | More

Designing Fabrics with Water Marbling | 10 a.m. | Maitland | More

Free Spring Family Day | 10 a.m. | Maitland | More

Saturday Matinee Classics: The Grand Budapest Hotel | 11 a.m. | Maitland | More

Spiritual Spaces | 5 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Creative Control Winter Fest | 6 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Wine, Cheese & Chocolate: Perfectly Paired By The Tasty Trio | 7 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More

Ulysses Owens Jr. Presents The 904 Jazz Organ Trio | 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More

Sunday:

Couple Shuffle | 9 a.m. | Kissimmee | More

Galentine’s Yoga | 10 a.m. | Winter Park | More

Central Florida Film Slam | 12 p.m. | Maitland | More

Sweetheart Market | 2 p.m. | Ivanhoe Village | More

Kxllswxtch & SXMPRA | 6 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