Orlando Family Stage marks centennial with celebratory reunion

ORLANDO | Orlando Family Stage celebrated its centennial with a commemorative breakfast Feb. 3, reuniting the theatre company’s current and former leaders, board members, artists, donors and community partners. “This organization, to get to 100 years, couldn’t get here without commitment from leaders, volunteers, public and private partnerships that exist,” says Dave Riccardi, President of Orlando Family Stage’s Board of Directors. “And there’s no greater partnership that we have in our hi...

Renaissance Theatre Company nears reopening after Orlando shutdown

ORLANDO | After city officials required the Renaissance Theatre Company to shutdown in mid-September, the fan favorite venue is just about ready to return home.
“It’s been a pretty tough couple of months, but I am really proud of the way that we’ve handled everything,” says Co-Founder Donald Rupe. The main change to the Ren during the building’s closure is an upgraded fire alarm that now alerts guests to evacuate the building, Rupe describes, a $40,000 upgrade. This was a requirement...

Winter Park church’s ‘Everyone Is Welcome Here’ banner removed and burned

WINTER PARK, Fla. | The inclusive “Everyone is Welcome Here” banner outside of the First Congregational Church of Winter Park was removed and lit on fire Jan. 20, church leaders have shared.



The church shared the news via Facebook on the morning of Jan. 25.



“This act of hate and attempted arson was the result of our church, simply showing through our words and actions that we love and accept everyone,” they shared in a post. “Sadly, this type of hatred and violence is being normalized...

Rep. Johanna López and Samuel Vilchez Santiago raise thousands in campaign funds in two weeks

State Rep. Johanna López and Samuel Vilchez Santiago have raised thousands of funds just two weeks after filing for their respective campaigns for Orange County Commission District 4 and Florida House District 43. López has become the highest-fundraising candidate for the Orange County Commission so far in 2026, with over $70,000 raised between her campaign and two affiliated political committees, Friends of Johanna López and Pa Lante Together. Filing on Jan. 5, López entere...