Scientific Soiree

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Orlando! We hit the Lake Nona Farmer’s Market last night and made the mistake of eating dinner before we went. There was some great eatin’ over there, but we did come home with oreo chocolate chip cookies.

Happy birthday (10/2) to Diana Prince! 🎉

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

• Scientific Soiree

• The Beach Boys!!!!……tribute

• Kona Luau

• + 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 ACEs MATTER
The 2024 Rib TRIBE Wellness Saturday Immersions

Transform your pain into power at Orlando's ground-breaking ACEs awareness series at The CLIC in Ocoee.

The RIB TRIBE program empowers domestic violence survivors to become community champions. Through cutting-edge neuroscience and emotional intelligence techniques, you'll join a sisterhood of strength, ready to break cycles of violence.

Discover your voice in documentary projects and Manifestation Journaling. This isn't just healing—it's a movement to prevent future tragedies.

Join on October 5th, 19th, and 26th, 2pm-5pm EST. Partially funded by Orlando Orange County Sheriff's Office, we're building a tribe of warriors. Your story matters. Your healing could change lives.

Ready to rise? Register now. Be the hero of your story—and someone else's. Or donate to the cause, right here.

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
The Unseen Threat with a COVID Winter Forecast

Florida braces for another COVID winter as free testing kits resurface, signaling a potential surge. Dr. Cindy Prins of UCF warns of increasing prevalence, noting the importance of testing awareness.

Orange County's case rollercoaster peaked at 1,800 in July, defying seasonal expectations. The CDC forecasts a mid-January hospitalization rate of 7.2 to 9.7 per 100,000, higher than summer's 5 per 100,000. Vaccination rates have plummeted, with Orange County seeing a dramatic drop from 10,000 to 280 shots year-over-year.

Long COVID remains a significant threat, affecting millions. Despite public complacency, experts stress COVID's continued danger.

As Florida faces this invisible tide, vigilance and vaccination remain crucial defenses.

Spellbound After Dark: A Scientific Soiree at OSC

In a bewitching twist, Orlando Science Center conjures "OSC After Dark" on October 26th, transforming its halls into an adults-only Halloween haven. From 8-11 p.m., revelers 21 and up will explore shadowy exhibits, craft creepy puppets in The Hive: Makerspace, and gaze at eerie night skies.

Costume-clad guests can compete in spine-tingling contests, belt out otherworldly karaoke, and test their spectral knowledge with themed bingo and trivia.

An open bar and light bites fuel the nocturnal adventure, while interactive displays add a dash of science to the sorcery.

As Loch Haven Park's bastion of wonder sheds its family-friendly guise, it promises a night where curiosity and Halloween spirits intertwine.

Priced Out of Rent as Orlando's Locals Face Housing Squeeze

In Orlando's shadow of magic, a less enchanting tale unfolds. September brings a slight dip in rent - one-bedrooms down 2.6% to $1,510, two-bedrooms falling 0.5% to $1,840.

Yet for many, the City Beautiful remains unaffordable. A staggering proportion of tenants - almost one in two - find themselves financially stretched, allocating more than 30% of their earnings to keep a roof over their heads. The crisis hits hard: 24% of homeless adults are over 50.

To comfortably afford a one-bedroom, one needs $31.50 hourly - far above Florida's newly increased $13 minimum wage.

As tourists snap castle photos, locals face a different endurance test. Orlando grapples with a crucial question: How to keep the magic alive for those who call it home?

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute

📍Garden Theater. 160 W Plant St, Winter Garden, FL 34787. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, October 4th, 7:30 p.m. through Sunday October 5th

Surf's up! The Beach Boys, rock titans with 100 million records sold, rode a tidal wave of success from the '60s onward. With 80+ charting songs worldwide and 36 US Top 40 hits, they're more than music—they're summer incarnate, even though it’s Fall already. 😃 

From "Surfin' Safari" to "God Only Knows," their sound defined an era. Ready to catch that wave?

SAIL ON, The Beach Boys Tribute, drops anchor at The Garden October 4-6 for the Garden Parties series. Dive into the soundtrack of endless summers, complete with specialty cocktails to keep the good vibrations flowing.

TOP 4 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Kona Luau

📍Wekiva Island. 1014 Miami Springs Dr, Longwood, FL 32779. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, October 5th, 6 - 9 p.m.

For one enchanting October day, Wekiva Island transforms into a Hawaiian paradise without leaving Florida.

This annual Kona Luau, celebrating the island's anniversary, whisks guests away on a tropical adventure. Hips sway in spirited hula hoop contests as island rhythms fill the air. Refreshing specials flow freely, complementing the Aloha spirit that permeates the atmosphere.

As dusk settles, a mesmerizing fire dancer takes center stage, their flames painting the twilight sky.

This dazzling spectacle proves that sometimes, the most extraordinary journeys unfold right in your own backyard, no passport required.

Orlando's Artistic Feast Returns - Pancakes & Booze Art Show

📍The Abbey. 100 S Eola Dr UNIT 100, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, October 5th, 8 p.m.

Brace yourselves, art aficionados! The Abbey explodes with creativity on October 5th as Orlando's Pop-Up Underground Art Show makes its electrifying comeback.

For a decade, this cultural whirlwind has married free pancakes with avant-garde art. Dive into a sensory overload where:

• 75+ local visionaries showcase 300+ pieces

• Endless FREE pancakes fuel your exploration

• DJs craft mesmerizing soundscapes

• Live body painting pushes artistic boundaries

From 8 PM to Midnight, this 21+ event promises a night where syrup flows and imagination knows no limits. Don't just observe art—live it!

Rocky Horror Picture Show 49th Anniversary Spectacular Tour

📍Steinmetz Hall. 445 South Magnolia Ave. Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, October 4th, 8 p.m.

Step into the time warp, daring devotees!

The 49th Anniversary Spectacular Tour awaits, starring Barry Bostwick - the original Brad Majors. Experience The Rocky Horror Picture Show like never before with an uncut screening, live shadow cast, and electrifying audience participation.

Strut your stuff in our costume contest, then journey through time with our exclusive memorabilia display, showcasing authentic artifacts and an original movie costume.

Don't miss this chance to do the Time Warp again. After all, it's just a jump to the left...

Milk Mart Spooky Soiree

📍The Nook on Robinson. 2432 E Robinson St, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Sunday, October 6th, 12 p.m.

The Spooky Soirée descends upon our city, transforming 7 venues into a playground of the peculiar.

Artisans and food wizards will bewitch the intersection of Robinson and Bumby. The Nook on Robinson serves as the portal to this realm, where 125+ vendors offer Halloween treasures and costume pieces.

Embrace your inner creature and join the nocturnal revelry! Prepare for a night where art and food become the lifeblood of our local Halloween spirit.

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Friday:

Leprous w/ Earthside and Fight the Fight | 6 p.m. | Milk District | Info

CIMAFUNK – PA’ TU CUERPA TOUR | 6:30 p.m. | Downtown | Info

Zheani | 8 p.m. | South Eola | Info

Trash Fest II w/ Trash Panda, Implosive Disgorgence, Claux, Shades of War, and Gnarcoossee | 7 p.m. | Winter Park Area | Info

Dallas Symphony Organist Bradley Hunter Welch | 7:30 p.m. | Winter Park Area | Info

A Rocky, Whorish Patter Show | Fri, Sat, Sun 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | Info

La Casa de Bernarda Alba | Fri & Sat 8 p.m. and Sun 3 p.m. | Downtown | Info

Saturday:

🔥 AdVintage Fair & Flea Market | 8 a.m. | 12 N. Primrose Dr., Orlando | Info

Let's Celebrate! Wedding & Quinceañera Halloween Expo | 1 p.m. | I-Drive/Universal | Info 

South Asian Film Festival: The Red Suitcase | 11 a.m. | Winter Park Area | Info

South Asian Film Festival: Call Me Dancer | 1:30 p.m. | Winter Park Area | Info

CG5 – Under The Spotlight Tour | 6 p.m. | Downtown | Info

Sexyy Red | 7 p.m. | UCF | Info

Ms. Pat: The Hot and Flashy Tour | 7 p.m. | Downtown | Info

Late Night Monster Scream-A-Thon | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | Info

Freestyle Free For All Tour 2024 | 8 p.m. | Downtown | Info

13 Films of Halloween: Killer Klowns from Outer Space | 11:59 p.m. | Winter Park Area | Info

Sunday:

🔥 2nd Annual "Itty Bitty Art" Expo | 12 p.m. | Historic Sanford Welcome Center | More

South Asian Film Festival: Nocturnes | 11 a.m. | Winter Park Area | Info

Patria Peruvian Fest  | 11 a.m. | Central | Info

Collective Corner @ The Acre | 11 a.m. | Central | Info

South Asian Film Festival: Chhota Cinema New Indian Shorts 2024 | 2 p.m. | Winter Park Area | Info

Barktober Festival at Mennello | 11 a.m. | Mills 50 | Info

Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit | 5 p.m. | Downtown | Info

Charli XCX & Troye Sivan | 7:00 p.m. | Downtown | Info

The Jins, Olive Vox, and Catnap | Mills 50 | 8 p.m. | Info

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We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal