Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!

This is not good for me→ someone online shared a dreamy list of all the elite donut spots in Orlando. Some I’d never heard of before and must investigate. Maybe I need to put together a DONUT tour???

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

• Orange Code

• Orlando Book Festival

• 407 Flea Market

• + lots of weekend recs

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Let’s roll!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️

Jazz Meets Jackpot as Blue Bamboo Turns Forgotten Library into Winter Park Party Palace

Chris Cortez stared at Winter Park's forgotten library and thought, "Hello, jazz palace!"

This music madman's wild dream drops June 22nd when Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts crashes the scene, two blocks east of Park Avenue.

Think 10,000 square feet of groovy goodness, Orlando Jazz Orchestra launching the 182-seat Encore Room while the Groove Cafe spins vinyl with a Fairbanks Avenue view.

This $3 million makeover saga went full circus when demolition costs threatened disaster. Enter 40 hammer-wielding heroes!

With fundraising ninja Rosene Johnson aboard and $800,000 spent on phase one, Blue Bamboo battled back from their Kentucky Avenue eviction (rent-tripling landlords, anyone?), beat out Rollins Museum for this space, and scored all three floors of the 33,000-square-foot building.

Community power for the win!

(Learn a lot more about Blue Bamboo’s re-opening with Patrick Connolly, right here)

Central Florida's Secret Identity: Tech Hub in Disguise

While tourists chase Mickey Mouse, Central Florida is quietly becoming an AI wonderland. "Artificial Intelligence Engineer" tops LinkedIn's fastest-growing jobs for grads, and this sunshine state is leading the charge.

Last Friday's Florida Simulation Summit showcased tech magic. Orange County, teaming with the National Center for Simulation, brought industry heavyweights together to explore how AI and VR are reshaping defense and entertainment.

Mayor Jerry Demings announced $1.5 million in startup investments through Plug and Play, while M3D Technologies founder Matthew Hogan called the region a smart city innovation leader.

Plot twist: the land of theme parks is swapping its vacation-only reputation for a tech-powered future as bright as Florida beaches.

(Learn more about Central Florida becoming a tech hub with Angie Quezada, right here)

Orange County Dumps Eisenhower-Era Rules for 21st Century Growth

Orange County is finally ditching its 1957 zoning rules. Yes, those are from when "I Love Lucy" was still on the air.

Enter the Orange Code: a sleek new system that cares more about how buildings look than what happens inside them. Paired with Vision 2050, it's directing growth to busy urban areas while keeping suburbs and rural spots intact.

Residents are actually excited. They can't wait for better bike lanes and actual city blocks instead of suburban mazes. The county's adding "density activation applications" so schools get a say early on (genius move).

After decades of mismatched rules causing headaches, commissioners vote June 3 on this long-overdue makeover.

Finally, progress that doesn't feel like watching paint dry.

➡️ Not familiar with Vision 2050? Check it out, right here!

(Learn a ton more about Orange County’s growth planning overhaul with Molly Duerig, right here)

🙋 Trivia Time

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦

Orlando Book Festival

📍Orlando Public Library. 101 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, May 17th, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Orlando becomes a literary wonderland this Saturday, May 17th!

The Orlando Book Festival brings Florida's finest authors for panels, workshops, and signings that'll make any bookworm's heart race.

The crown jewel? Emmy-nominated, #1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer takes center stage as our keynote speaker!

Best part? This epic celebration of storytelling is absolutely no cost, no tickets, no catch, no kidding!

Pack your curiosity and prepare for a page-turning adventure! 📚✨

[Check It Out]

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊

Pet Alliance Pup Crawl: Ivanhoe Village Edition

📍City Food Hall. 1412 Alden Rd, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, May 17th, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Unleash the ultimate adventure at Pet Alliance Pup Crawl: Ivanhoe Village Edition kicking off at the brand new City Food Hall Orlando and explore dog-friendly venues with your furry sidekick.

Sip specially crafted Pup Crawl cocktails at exclusive "Yappie Hour" prices while discovering 15 local pet vendors at multiple locations.

Tickets unlock drink specials, swag, and contests. Just remember you must be 21+ for the libations. Every bark tells a story waiting to unfold in vibrant Ivanhoe Village!

[Get more info, right here]

‘Silent' Piano Concert

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

🕐 Saturday, May 17th, 7 p.m.- 9 p.m.

Saturday at Lake Eola Park transforms into something extraordinary: MindTravel's 'Silent' Piano Journey, where Murray Hidary's live improvisations flow directly into your headphones.

On the East Lawn near Eola House, Orlando buzzes around you while you slip into a personalized musical meditation. No crowds, no distractions, just intimate melodies creating an otherworldly sanctuary in your city park.

This isn't your typical concert; it's a transformative adventure that redefines how you experience live music.

[Check it out, right here]

407 Flea Market

📍Lake Eola Park. 431 E. Central Blvd Orlando FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, May 17th, 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.

This Saturday, the 407 Flea Market transforms into an evening wonderland of discovery.

Unearth vintage clothing whispering tales of bygone eras, retro décor yearning to accent your home, and vinyl records eager to revive forgotten melodies.

With craft drinks in hand and food truck aromas guiding your quest, this evening market promises more than shopping—it's an expedition through time.

[Get the full details]

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Multi-Day

Amber Brooke Farms Sweet Corn Festival | Sat & Sun 10 a.m. | Eustis | More

Flower Festival at Boxi Park | Thur-Sun | Lake Nona | More

Godfrey @ Orlando Funnybone | Fri & Sat | I-Drive | More

Friday - 9th

The Art of Banky | 6 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Imaginary Friend Improv Comedy Show | 7 p.m. | UCF | More

World Music: Argentinian Rock with Jon DiRenzo | 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More

Smino | 8 p.m. | Milk District | More

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

Comedy Night with Chris Robinson | 8 p.m. | Milk District | More

The Doors: The Final Cut | 9:15 | Maitland | More

Saturday - 10th

🔥 Orlando Wetlands Presentation and Tour | 10 a.m. | Christmas | More

Ultimate Garden Party “Escape to Elegance” | 1 p.m. | Lake Buena Vista | More

Board & Brush at Dees Brothers | 12 p.m. | Sanford | More

Purple Pride 5k | 8 a.m. | Downtown | More

Fix It! Don't Pitch It | 9 a.m. | Winter Park | More

Kitten Yoga | 9:30 a.m. | Thornton Park | More

The Gatsby Ball Dinner Dance | 5:30 p.m. | Casselberry | More

Sunday - 11th

Milkshake Masterclass at JoJo's ShakeBAR | 11 a.m. | I-Drive | More

Pints for Public Media at Ivanhoe Park Lager House | 1 p.m. | Ivanhoe Village | More

Brechner Speaker Series: Asian American Pacific Islander Icons | 2 p.m. | Downtown | More

4th Annual Malcolm X Book Fest: 100th Birthday | 2 p.m. | Winter Park | More

68th Season Classical Finale | 3 p.m. | I-Drive | More

Michael “Tight Mike” Randolph | 6 p.m. | I-Drive | 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