🏆 This Mills 50 restaurant just made OpenTable's Top 100 list

Plus, doctors and nurses at AdventHealth launched an orchestra and colder temps are coming.

By Katie Johnston

It’s Thursday, and if I wasn’t absolutely exhausted, you could for sure find me at the opening of the Unusual Frida Florida Juried Art Show happening at Leu Gardens tonight. Lucky for all of us, it’s a two-night event and from 6-9 p.m. both nights, you can check out the works of more than 35 different artists who all created a Frida-inspired piece “that depicts her in a way that she hasn’t been seen before and using any medium of their choice.” Tickets are $11. 

And you know what would make it the most perfect night? Getting to relive my childhood watching Flight of the Navigator on the big screen. The Enzian is hosting its outdoor Popcorn Flicks in the Park at Central Park in Winter Park tonight and fewer movies bring back a flood of memories like this 1986 cult classic. Pretty sure my brother made us watch it no short of a million times. Pack your blankets, cheese and crackers, and a bottle of wine, and head over there by 7 p.m. You can thank me later. 

What Orlando is talking about

🌡 The coldest weather we’ve seen all winter is heading our way this weekend, reaching mid-40s on Saturday and lows of 39 by next Tuesday. (Fox 35) 

• Related: While the cooler temps sound glorious in theory, the truth is that in practice, it hurts a lot of our unhoused communities. Now’s a great time to donate jackets, blankets, socks, sneakers, hygiene items, and more necessities to area shelters and nonprofits. Don’t know where to start? Some of my favorites are Christian Service Center, Matthew’s Hope, Pathlight Home, Covenant House, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, and Hope Partnership.

🚀 3, 2, 1, liftoff. You might hear some sonic booms today from the Space Coast. SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket this morning around 10:25 a.m. and the booster will land back at Cape Canaveral likely within a 10-minute window of the launch.  (WUSF)

🏆 OpenTable just gave Bites & Bubbles something to happy cry about. The Mills 50 restaurant just learned that it ranked in the online reservation platform’s Top 100 US restaurants for 2021. And it’s because of reviews from diners (coupled with their bomb food, great service, and sweet new location) that they earned the title. The only other two restaurants in Central Florida to make the list were Eddie V’s and The Boathouse. (Orlando Weekly)

😷 A new study from UCF researchers has found that face masks can cut the distance airborne pathogens can travel in half, that’s when compared to someone not wearing a mask. Their findings suggest that certain guidelines could change, like relaxing social distancing measures for example. (UCF) 

🎼 Doctors and nurses and workers at AdventHealth have launched an orchestra in response to the pandemic. For some members, it was the first time they’ve picked up an instrument in 20 years. As WESH reported, AdventHealth Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Rob Roy said, "This has just sort of pulled people apart, and music is one of the few things that can pull people back together." The orchestra held its first show in November. See it in action for yourself here. (WESH) 

🤞 Since we’re on the topic, experts are still sticking to their predictions that the current COVID-19 surge of the omicron variant will peak soon. On Tuesday, Orange County’s 14-day rolling positivity rate was at 34.89 percent, and Florida recorded more than 71,742 new positive cases, coming close to a record of 77,156 that was set over the weekend. Seminole County is now 3rd in the state for most infections, Orange County is No. 6, and hospitalizations have passed 11,000 for the first time since September. (WKMG / Orlando Sentinel / Fox 35)

• Related: Running low on ideas of date night activities for when you’re stuck staying at home? Not anymore. Check out this refreshed roundup from our pals over at Orlando Date Night Guide, and have yourself a good old-fashioned game night at home, dress up for your own theme night, or travel around the world from your kitchen. 

C’mon on in, the water’s fine

Things to do

Submit your events to our calendar.

Today

🍷 Sip wine and stroll through the neighborhood while shopping local vendors and supporting local biz (Thornton Park)

🖼 Snag your tickets now to see the Frida-Kahlo inspired art show pop-up happening at Leu Gardens Thursday and Friday (Audubon Park)

🍿Take it back to your childhood if you're a geriatric millennial and watch "Flight of the Navigator" on the big screen once again (Winter Park)

🍿Calling all 80s-babies: Watch "The Flight of the Navigator" on the big screen in Central Park (Winter Park)

Tomorrow

🎶 Head to the Dr. Phillips Center for the grand opening weekend of Steinmetz Hall thru Saturday (Downtown)

🍷 Enjoy a grilled cheese, good wine, and local music at Swirlery Wine Bar (SoDo)

🍿Pack a chair and head to Ivanhoe Park Brewing for this week's Brew and View featuring "Jumanji" (Ivanhoe)

Saturday

🖼 Get some facetime with the artists behind Snap! Orlando's latest exhibit, "As Seen in Florida" (South Eola)

🍿Head to The Nook for a night of movie trash. Drink local brews and pick apart "Showgirls" with everyone else (Milk District)

🍿Grab a blanket and settle in for movie night on the lawn of Nora's Sugar Shack (Ivanhoe)

🍿Make your way to Independence Square for a night of "Back to the Future," kids games, movie trivia, popcorn, and fun (Maitland)

Sunday

💐 New plant parents, check out this floral design workshop for beginners happening at The House on Lang (Mills 50)

🛍 Shop local plants, art, vintage, and oddities at the Bazaar Botanica happening at Ivanhoe Park Brewing (Ivanhoe)

🍿Celebrate what would've been Betty White's 100th birthday with a viewing of "Lake Placid" at the Enzian (Maitland)

Monday

🎯 Challenge your friends to 90s drag bingo at Ivanhoe Park Brewing (Ivanhoe)

Wednesday

🍿Don't miss your chance to experience this yea'rs Orlando Fringe Mini Digi-Fest (Online)