No Rose Garden

PRESENTED BY

Good morning, Orlando! Today is a huge milestone for the newsletter. What you are holding in your hands is OS’s 100th issue. This has been a lot of fun and we’re rounding the corner on the newsletter’s 1st birthday in a few weeks. Thanks for being here!

🎂 Happy belated birthday to Amy Legge!

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

• No Rose Garden

• My trip to the History Center

• Driftwood Market

• + 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

TOGETHER WITH FEVER - DINING IN THE DARK
Dining in the Dark: A Unique Blindfolded Dining Experience at Citrus Club

Experience a unique culinary adventure with "Dining in the Dark," where blindfolds unveil a world of enhanced flavors. As vision recedes, your taste buds come alive, turning each bite into an intriguing discovery.

A surprise three-course menu becomes your playground, gently challenging expectations and rewarding curiosity. Aromas waft, textures fascinate, and flavors bloom with surprising clarity.

This isn't just dinner—it's a journey that offers a fresh perspective on food. Ideal for adventurous couples, families seeking fun, or friends craving memorable experiences.

Hosted at the elegant Citrus Club, this event promises to leave you with a renewed appreciation for the simple pleasure of eating.

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Debunking Myths and Uncovering Truths: My Trip to the History Center

I can't believe it took me this long to visit the Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando! Housed in a historic 1927 courthouse, this gem took me on a fascinating journey through 12,000 years of Central Florida's history.

Over 4 floors (the 5th floor is the former jail, but is now admin offices), I explored everything from the ancient Timucua tribe to Orlando's underground music scene. The History Center showcases Orlando's cultural evolution so well.

The interactive exhibits were engaging and informative, perfect for visitors of all ages. A highlight was a preserved 1920s courtroom, where I spotted prisoners' handcuff marks on the benches – a haunting reminder of the building's past.

Our guide, Denise, was particularly enlightening and brought the 'History Alive' program to life with her engaging commentary along the way. She debunked the popular myth about Juan Ponce de León and the Fountain of Youth, explaining that he never actually mentioned searching for it in his writings. This legend, it turns out, was fabricated years after his death!

From the Seminole exhibits to civil rights displays, each section offered new insights into the region's rich heritage. It's truly a must-visit for history buffs and curious minds alike!

No Rose Garden: Orange County's Aromatic Zoning Dispute

Orange County's air thickened with tension as locals swarmed a zoning meeting, protesting a proposed indoor sewage plant near South Orange Blossom Trail.

The Board of Zoning Adjustment, scenting trouble, postponed the hearing. At the heart of the outcry: a three-acre plot at 10002 Satellite Blvd., nestled uncomfortably close to churches and eateries. Residents fretted over potential stench and environmental impacts.

Waste Resources Management, the plant's proponent, vowed to use high efficiency air scrubbers, touting their focus on water recycling. County staff recommended approval with conditions.

As Orange County wrestles with this aromatic affair, one thing's clear: in matters of public opinion, the nose knows best.

Voices of Defiance: Opera Orlando's Holocaust Benefit Concert

In a stirring fusion of art and remembrance, Opera Orlando unveils "Defiant Requiem," a benefit concert for the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida.

Set for September 14 at the Dr. Phillips Center, this unique performance of Verdi's "Requiem" will interweave survivor testimonies and Nazi propaganda footage, creating a powerful historical tapestry.

Conducted by Murry Sidlin, the event unites the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera Orlando Chorus, and Orlando Sings. Thanks to generous sponsors, all ticket proceeds support the Center.

This is a living monument to music's enduring power to defy oppression and unite communities, promising an unforgettable evening of reflection and hope.

🔴 You can grab tickets, right here.

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Punk in the Park

📍Central Florida Fairgrounds. 4603 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, September 14th, 12 p.m.

Hold onto your liberty spikes, Orlando! Punk In The Park is crashing into the Central Florida Fairgrounds on September 14th, bringing a tsunami of legendary acts.

Alkaline Trio, The Vandals, Dead Kennedys, and Black Flag headline this sonic assault, with T.S.O.L., Down By Law, Swingin' Utters, and Dwarves joining the rebellion. But it's not just about the music – craft beer enthusiasts 21+ can wet their whistles with local and regional brews.

Two stages, zero overlaps, and enough attitude to make Mickey consider a mohawk.

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
4th Taste of Fall Celebration - Driftwood Market

📍46 W Plant St, Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, September 14th, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Autumn's magic beckons!

Immerse yourself in a world where crisp air mingles with the aroma of spiced cider and pumpkin delights. Unearth bountiful discounts on fall treasures, test your luck in thrilling raffles, and indulge in soul-warming treats that dance across your palate.

Join a celebration of everything that makes this season enchanting. Bring your loved ones and create memories as vivid as the changing leaves.

The countdown to fall's finest gathering has begun—don't miss this autumnal paradise!

3rd Annual Moon Over Avalon Mid-Autumn Festival 2024

📍Avalon Town Park. 3651 Avalon Park E Blvd. Orlando, FL 32828. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, September 14th, 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Bask in the moonlit magic of "Moon Over Avalon," a celestial Mid-Autumn celebration!

On the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, Avalon Park Orlando transforms into a tapestry of Far East and Southeast Asian traditions.

Asia Trend's third annual event, in partnership with local organizations, offers a 5-hour journey through culture and cuisine. Craft lanterns, explore 20 food vendors and 30 artisan stalls, and revel in 4 hours of mesmerizing performances.

From China's Mid-Autumn Festival to Vietnam's Tết Trung Thu, experience a night of wonder, friendship, and harmony under the harvest moon's glow.

Lake Nona Hispanic Heritage Festival

📍Drive Shack Orlando. 7285 Corner Dr, Orlando, FL 32827. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, September 14th, 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.

This indoor/outdoor fiesta serves up a feast for the soul with NFusion Band's pulsating rhythms and mesmerizing dance performances.

Culinary wizards like Bites Lab and Churro World will tantalize your taste buds, while the Kids Zone sparks young imaginations. VIP experience? Think premium views, specialty drinks, and chef's delights.

Children 12 and under enter free, making it a family affair to remember.

Don't miss this vibrant celebration of Latino culture – where every moment is seasoned with joy and wrapped in tradition!

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Friday:

The Photography of Jim Leatherman | 6 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Eclectic Knights XVI | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More

Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More

The Pinko Beats, Bichromatica, ExMonarch, and Valley in the Sky! | 7 p.m. | Audubon Park | More

FL Wildlife Photo Exhibit and Benefit | 7 p.m. | Milk District | More

Las Criadas del Melia Micro-Theatre Show | 7 p.m. | Celebration | More

Voctave: The Corner of Broadway and Main Street | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Altered Boy with Darienne Lake | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More

Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run | 9:30 p.m. | I-Drive/Universal | More

Saturday:

🔥 Fourth Annual Celebration of Latin American Arts & Culture | 10 a.m. | Downtown | More

Vegan Block Party | 4 p.m. | Downtown | More

Groove and Giggle | 4:30 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Virginia Drive Live | 5 p.m. | Central | More

Winter Parktoberfest - 1st Annual Winter Park Oktoberfest | 5:30 p.m. | Winter Park Area | More

Pokey LaFarge | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More

Woodstock '94 Tribute | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Orlando City SC v New England Revolution | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Something Corporate, Kevin Devine | 8 p.m. | I-Drive/Universal | More

Herbie Hancock | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More

Sunday:

Orlando City B vs. New England Revolution II | 5 p.m. | Kissimmee | More

UCF Knights Mens Soccer vs. South Florida Bulls Men's Soccer | 5 p.m. | UCF | More

Chez Les Copains x Bar Kada Preview Collab | 5 p.m. | Winter Park Area | More

Diva Gala Presents Portrait of Aretha Franklin | 5:30 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Bunnies, Hops and Brews | 12 p.m. | RockPit Brewing & Distilling | More

The Forum, Default Friends, Bessie, Truth Value | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Jayo | 10 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

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We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal