Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!

For those who celebrate Easter, wishing you a great one on Sunday! We’re still deciding what foodie spot we’re hitting to spend the holiday, but hopefully it entails DONUTS!

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

• Tiny Theater

• Plat Nerd Fest

• Corner of My Dreams

• + lots of weekend recs

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Let’s roll!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️

ADU’s, Big Solutions: How They’re Keeping Families Together

When Camilo Betancur faced Orange County's sky-high rents, he stumbled upon a housing hero: Ready Set Orange, the innovative program turning backyards into havens for aging parents with ADU’s.

By March, he'd clinched first-place bragging rights as the county's inaugural permit recipient, planning the perfect retirement nest for his parents.

Since its August 2024 debut, the program has magnetized 323 homeowners, with 122 already blueprinting their dreams. Neighbor Maykel Permuy jumped aboard too, both selecting the cozy 531-square-foot Clementine model.

Betancur pocketed a cool $10,000 in savings on architectural fees while slashing the timeline from a year to just four months.

One tiny home at a time, Orange County is slowly trying outsmarting its housing crisis.

🔥 Learn all about Ready, Set, Orange right here.

Tiny Theater Takes Flight After Cancer Detour

Orlando's theatrical gem, Theater on the Edge, is back in action after a three-year timeout when Samantha DiGeorge tackled Hodgkin lymphoma head-on.

The cozy 25-seat venue hatched "Birds of North America" last Saturday, starring theater veterans Allan Whitehead and Elaitheia Quinn.

Chemo wreaked havoc on Samantha's hands, threatening her legendary set design magic, but she's bounced back brilliantly. Her woodland set now boasts 20 birdcalls and nature-inspired aromas!

Husband Marco turned chemo sessions into quirky date nights while juggling his UCF teaching gig.

Though they wonder if audiences will flock back, the couple is already eyeing McCarthy's "The Sunset Limited" for their next artistic adventure.

(Learn more about this theater comeback with Matthew J. Palm, right here)

Orange County's Transit Tax Tango Continues

The Orange County Transportation Mobility Advisory Commission gathered last Thursday for another dance with the perpetually elusive transportation sales tax.

Previous proposals—which promised $379-759 million yearly—never made it to the finish line. While everyone agreed Orange County's transit system needs a makeover, the "how" sparked lively debate.

Robert Perez championed bike lanes and expanded SunRail, while Amber Homberger pointed to her commuting math problem: 90 minutes by car versus a whopping four hours via public transit.

With residents clamoring for better coverage and cleaner buses, the committee plans to huddle with SunRail and Lynx before suggesting whether this tax deserves another spin around the ballot box.

(Learn more about transit taxes with Brandon Spencer, right here)

🙋 Trivia Time

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦

Thornton Park District's 3rd Annual Plant Nerd Fest

📍Thornton Park District from 707-900 Washington St. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, April 19th, 12 - 6 p.m.

Saddle up, PLANT NERDS! This botanical bonanza features earth-conscious vendors offering rare plants, sustainable goods, nature-inspired art, handcrafted treasures, organic products, and vintage finds.

Celebrate our planet while supporting small businesses that cherish the environment! Come for the greenery, stay for the community—six spectacular hours where plant passion blooms and eco-conscious shopping thrives.

[Check It Out]

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊

Easter Weekend Celebration at The Morse

📍The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. 445 North Park Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789. Map to this location.

• Friday (4/18): 9:30AM–8:00PM (Live music 5-8PM)
• Saturday (4/19): 9:30AM–4:00PM
• Sunday (4/20): 1:00PM–4:00PM

Discover magic this Easter at The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art with $0 admission all weekend. Home to the world's largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany's masterpieces—from radiant stained glass to exquisite jewelry. Don't miss the breathtaking Tiffany Chapel!

Transform your holiday with timeless beauty and artistic wonder.

[Get more info, right here]

The Grateful Spread

📍Rockpit Brewing. 10 W Illiana St, Orlando, Florida 32806. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, April 19th, 7 p.m.

Step into a portal where "The Spread" conjures the Grateful Dead's spirit with uncanny precision and fresh energy. Not merely covering classics like "Truckin'," "Friend of the Devil," and "Touch of Grey," they transform them into living experiences.

Their performances bridge worlds—where seasoned Deadheads and newcomers alike find common ground in the groove.

Come witness this alchemical fusion where yesterday's psychedelic magic powers tonight's celebration, and boundaries between audience and artist beautifully dissolve.

[Check it out, right here]

Kelly Green - Corner of My Dreams

📍Timucua Arts Foundation. 2000 S Summerlin Ave, Orlando, FL 32806. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, April 19th, 7:30 p.m.

Kelly Green returns to Orlando with an intimate performance featuring music from "Corner of My Dreams," an album honoring her late mother.

The evening showcases Luca Soul Rosenfeld on bass, Evan Hyde on drums, Michelle Amato leading a vocal quartet, and a string ensemble.

Audiences will experience both fresh compositions and reimagined standards in this heartfelt musical tribute where memory and melody intertwine beautifully.

[Get the full details]

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Multi-Day

Easter Weekend Celebration at The Morse | Fri, Sat, Sun | Winter Park | More

Nick Swardson | Fri & Sat | I-Drive | More

Boxi Park Easter Weekend | Thurs - Sun | Lake Nona | More

Friday - 18th

Magnolia Park - the VAMP Tour | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More

30 Years of “Rockstars + Stardust” | 6 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

UCF Composition Studio Recital | 6 p.m. | UCF | More

Night of Champions X | 6 p.m. | I-Drive | More

Crime Junkie Podcast | 7:30 p.m. | UCF | More

Month of Jazz: The Fractal's Creative Jazz | 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More

Los Tigres del Norte | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More

Saturday - 19th

3rd Annual Arts + Heart 5K & Health Fair | 7 a.m. | Downtown | More

Popup Market Event | 10 a.m. | Milk District | More

Central Florida Earch Day | 10:30 a.m. | Lake Eola | More

Early Irons Easter Car & Truck Show | 9 a.m. | Kissimmee | More

Gather up the whole band and join us for Breakfast with the Bunny! | 9 a.m. | I-Drive | More

Young Naturalist Explorers: Gopher Tortoise Day Event | 9:30 a.m. | Winter Park | More

Creating Personal Holiday Cards | 10 a.m. | Maitland | More

Earth Day Family Day | 10 a.m. | Maitland | More

Kids' Easter Egg Hunt | 10 a.m. | Curry Ford | More

Retro Modern Home Tour | 1 p.m. | Audubon Park | More

Sunday - 20th

Lake Eola Park Easter Egg Hunt and Festival | 10:30 a.m. | Lake Eola | More

17th Annual Winter Park Paint Out | 1 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Easter Extravaganza at Altira Pool + Lounge | 4 p.m. | Downtown | More

Sensory Sunday: Happy Birthday, Orlando! | 12 p.m. | Downtown | More

Thornhill, AVOID, Banks Arcade, and Oceans Grove in Orlando | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More

Lavelle Dontae | 6:30 p.m. | I-Drive | More

Sky Navy, Medians, Ravenous Tanuki, Elders | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | 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