The Botanical Garden of Curitiba gives our gardens a run for their money. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
This week kicked off with National Sisters Day, and Orlando has some siblings worth celebrating. The city has eight international sisterhood partnerships that it established through its international affairs program.
Curitiba, Brazil
Est. 1996 | The state capital of Paraná is regarded as an international model for sustainable development due to its robust public transit system and numerous public parks. Just like Orlando, Curitiba’s central park has swan boats.
Monterrey, Mexico
Est. 1995 | The “City of Mountains” is known for its amazing hiking trails and vibrant tech scene. The capital of Nuevo León also sits at an altitude of 3,000 ft, so tourists should drink plenty of water.
Seine-et-Marne, France
Est. 1991 | Seine-et-Marne is home to Disneyland Paris — no wonder it’s our sister city. It’s also home to the stunning Château de Fontainebleau, a former residence for French kings. It also played a role in the French Revolution.
Americans and the Holocaust: Media and Memory | 6-7:30 p.m. | Winter Park Library, Winter Park | Free | South Florida journalist and historian Eliot Kleinberg looks at the ways journalism shaped America’s views of WWII and the Holocaust.
Luminary Market and Movie Night | 5:30-9 p.m. | Luminary Green Park | Free | Shop 20+ local vendors to support the Creative Village and stick around for the outdoor film screening — this month, it’s “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
Off Earth | 7 p.m. | Will’s Pub | $6+ | Discover new, local talent as the loudest acts from the area take the stage and represent genres ranging from underground rap to metal.
Thursday, Aug. 7
April Brown + After 5 | 7 + 9 p.m. | Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts | $29+ | The Pensacola-born neo-soul and jazz singer performs with the local band.
My Cousin Tiera | 7 p.m. | The Funny Bone | $32+ | The viral comedian seen across Facebook + Instagram performs her relatable comedy and storytelling.
Friday, Aug. 8
41st Annual Cup-A-Thon | Friday, Aug. 8-Saturday, Aug. 9 | 7-10 p.m. | Crealdé School of Art, Winter Park | Free | Browse one-of-a-kind ceramic cups, bowls, and other vessels handmade by Crealdé instructors, artists, students, and friends.
Orange County broke its tourist tax record again in June, bringing in $34 million. This is a 10.3% increase in tourist tax collection compared to June 2024, and the surge has been attributed to the new Universal Epic Universe park. Demand for hotels also rose in June. (WESH)
Development
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts purchased two parcels of land on East Jackson Street, adding ~44,000-sqft of space. The $10.4 million expansion aims to add future performance, wellness, and community gathering opportunities. For now, it will be used for administrative + parking space. (ClickOrlando)
Number
$488,597. That was the average home listing price in the 32821 zip code during the second quarter of 2025 — Orlando’s hottest real estate area. The city’s housing market has remained strong, thanks to the local job market and homebuyers seeking properties away from the coast. (Orlando Business Journal)
Edu
University of Central Florida’s Board of Trustees voted to increase out-of-state tuition by 10%, which will equate to roughly $2,000 for most full-time students. The new rates will take effect for the fall semester, and it’s the first out-of-state fee increase in a decade. (Orlando Sentinal)
Real Estate
Applications have started opening for My Safe Florida Home grants — a program that offers funding for hurricane mitigation efforts, for qualifying homeowners, which can also lower insurance costs. The state has awarded $280,000 for this year’s efforts and grants prioritize low-income residents and peopled aged 60+.
Arts
Orlando is envisioning a public display for the Orlando Tennis Centre. Applications are open for interested creatives to make a piece reflecting the facility’s architecture + athletic purpose. The selected artist will be given a ~$80,000 budget and the artwork is slated to be installed in summer 2026.
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Category
Games
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Get ready to see my face more often: I will be helping to create this newsletter for the foreseeable future, and I am so excited to help you learn more about Orlando.
Here’s a fun fact to get us started: “Wednesday” season 2 premieres today, and I learned that Emma Myers, who portrays Enid Sinclair, was born in Orlando.
^This content was created by our Client Success Team. Let’s work together — explore affordable advertising options at advertise.6amcity.com.
