WHAT IT MEANS TO STEP INTO FALL... THE FLORIDA WAY WHAT IT MEANS TO STEP INTO FALL... THE FLORIDA WAY
MEET GEORGIA DEFRANCISCO and what saying Yes! to success actually means. MEET GEORGIA DEFRANCISCO and what saying Yes! to success actually means.
MEET JASON
The owner of Swipe Savvy and how he’s making waves.
The owner of Swipe Savvy and how he’s making waves. MEET JASON
CREATIVE PEOPLE, CREATIVE PLACES
CREATIVE PEOPLE, CREATIVE PLACES
Learn about Heidy de la Cruz and how she gives immigrants a voice
Learn about Heidy de la Cruz and how she gives immigrants a voice
The Acre Orlando
L B
B E L O C A
Barks, Bites, and Brews 4Girvins Farm Dinner Monthly Fiction Book Club at The Acre
Shaw's R.A.W. Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament 2025
Broadway on Tour at The Dr. Phillips Center
Orlando House Party: Breakfast Club Primrose West Orange Junior Service League’s 16th Annual Fall 5K
Wanna be seen in our magazine? Send us photos on our Instagram! @wearebluv
Goat Yoga at Alaska Farms
E V I S I B L E
PAGES
On
When
Founder&Publisher
Wendy Bloom
Editor-in-Chief&
CreativeWingwoman
Kattie Muñiz
SocialMediaDirector
Jamie Lee
Writer Emma Drauer
Writer
Serafina Aviles
Curators
Men’sLifestyleCurator
Adam Shuler II
Arts&CultureInsider
Olivia Shannon
FashionContributor
Yomi Gissel
EntertainmentCurator
Demi Korrin
Photographer
Amanda Kossina
Farmer’s Market in Winter Garden
FROM THE EDITOR
IN FLORIDA, FALL COMES WITH A WARM BREEZE, ICED COFFEE STILL IN HAND, AND JUST A HINT OF SUMMER.
As I started letting our curators and in-house team know about our very loose theme for the October issue, I had to sit back and think about what it actually means. This issue’s theme is “Stepping into Fall… the Florida Way.” Thing is, Florida is evergreen (the sun is always shining) and that’s my favorite part of this weird, swampy, wild place. But it also makes you pause and wonder: how do we put together a magazine about stepping into fall when the temperatures are barely dropping and the leaves barely change color?
It’s simple…we actually step into it. We spend more time outdoors; we wear pants instead of shorts on the weekends; our sleeves cover a little more of our arms. We garden more, hike more, and soak in the last bits of sunshine before the time changes in October. In its own subtle way, fall here feels like a deep breath after the intensity of summer.
What really signals the season, though, are the moments happening around the city: Broadway on Tour at the Dr. Phillips Center, the last shimmer of bioluminescent waters in Cocoa Beach, outdoor movies at The Acre or in Downtown Winter Garden, or the Gilmore Girls pop-up at Elevenses in Ybor City, Tampa. Those are the things that make you feel the season, even if the thermostat disagrees.
So, stepping into fall isn’t about watching the world change around you it’s about what you make of it. And Florida, especially Central Florida, knows how to do fall in the most perfect way possible: warm breeze, iced coffee still in hand, and just a hint of summer.
Kattie Muniz
Editor-in-Chief & Creative Wingwoman
IN THIS ISSUE
Fall in Florida is less about temperature and more about tempo. We don’t wait for the leaves to change we create our own season, full of movement, color, and connection. This issue is packed with stories of people doing exactly that: stepping into their craft, their confidence, and their communities, the Florida way.
FFEATURES & VOICES
“You can create from anywhere.” Heidy De La Cruz
A woman of faith and fierce compassion turns her bedroom desk into a global storytelling studio.
“Fear is just the wall you move through.” Jason Mayoral
The founder of Swipe Savvy on risk, resilience, and building something that changes how we earn and connect.
“Style is never seasonal here.”
Our fall fashion edit: from suede and linen to red-hot confidence what it means to step into style in Florida.
“When one of us wins, we all win.”
Local creators, curators, and collaborators bring the city to life from art walks to all-women’s golf days to late-night house parties.
“Fall is a feeling.”
Not a forecast. Not a number on a thermostat. A mood, a movement, and a reminder to keep showing up for the sunshine, the stories, and each other.
Curated with love and local pride by the BLÜV team.
The Builder’s Mind: How Jason Mayoral Turns Setbacks into Startups
I’M A REBEL BY HEART. I DON’T LIKE BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO. I DON’T THINK CONSUMERS SHOULD EITHER.
DISCIPLINE, WORK ETHIC, AND ELIMINATING FEAR. ANYTHING YOU LOSE, YOU CAN GET BACK. BUT IF YOU NEVER START, YOU’LL NEVER KNOW.
He walks in easy, settles into the chair, and cracks a quick joke at the expense of the equipment crew playful, not prickly. The room relaxes. Then the red light blinks, and he shifts. Quiet, attentive, present. He waits for my first question before he speaks, giving each answer the kind of focus that tells you he’s taken the work, and the moment, seriously.
“I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was nineteen,” Jason begins. “Started my first company at twenty-one, semi-retired by twenty-eight.” He laughs. “My kids hated it. My family was tired of me being home all day. They told me to go do something.”
He did. In 2015 he launched a marketing agency that evolved into a payments company; he sold it in 2022 and planned to slow down, maybe learn golf for real. But stillness never lasts. A friend’s investment started to unravel, and Jason stepped in to help turn it around. The experience, and the losses that followed, pushed him back into builder mode.
“I flew to Vegas to meet a team with a rewards platform,” he says. “Within an hour I realized they didn’t know what they were doing. I paid for dinner, thanked them, booked a flight home. On that flight I wrote the entire business plan and development plan for Swipe Savvy.” Six and a half hours later, he had the blueprint.
The idea is simple and defiant. “With most rewards, you earn at one place and have to redeem there, how they tell you,” he says. “With Swipe Savvy, you can earn and redeem anywhere (groceries, gas, a flight) however you actually live.” Users link a payment method (checking, credit card, even HSA or crypto), and earn points day to day, with the ability to redeem just as freely. “I’m a rebel by heart,” he adds. “I don’t like being told what to do. I don’t think consumers should either.”
Validation came quickly. “A CIO from a national brand told me they’d spent tens of millions trying to build what we already had and couldn’t,” he says. “Another executive with a global footprint called it ‘brilliant’ and handed me his direct contact.” He doesn’t gloat; he notes. It’s the builder’s way of measuring progress.
The backstory to that drive is personal. “I was a young father,” he says. “I wanted a better life for my family, and I knew working for someone else wouldn’t get us there. When I wanted to quit, I remembered my childhood. It was like a scared-straight program every time.” He distills the lesson into three traits: “Discipline, work ethic, and eliminating fear. Anything you lose, you can get back. But if you never start, you’ll never know.” His grandfather’s line still frames it: Throw yourself headfirst; your body will follow.
Success, to Jason, isn’t a title; it’s a milestone. “No one without a college degree has taken a company public,” he says. “I don’t have a college degree. I don’t even have a high school diploma. My vision of success is ringing the bell on Wall Street.”
For a product built on tech, he keeps the human center visible. “Meet people where they are,” he says. “Right now, folks are careful with money. They want value that matters to them. If you give that back in a way that fits their life, that’s loyalty.” His circle stays intentionally small: cofounder Neil, a few mentors from earlier chapters, and businessmen he respects. “Most people don’t understand what I do. The few who do, they’re enough.”
When he’s not building, he’s on the course. “Golf,” he grins. “Focus, patience, strategy. Same muscles, different arena. It’s therapy.”
In the end, the picture is clear: a founder who jokes with the crew, then locks in; who writes a company on a plane ride and measures success by a bell he intends to ring; who believes fear is a wall you move through, not around. The kind of story you remember, not because it’s loud, but because it’s steady.
For more information on Swipe Savvy, be sure to check out their website and pre-order your Shop Savvy card today! www.swipesavvyrewards.com/preorder
In a city often defined by theme parks and nightlife that fades as fast as it begins, Orlando House Party (OHP) is rewriting the story. What started in a backyard has grown into one of the most intentional, community-rooted experiences in Central Florida, where music, respect, and belonging are the headliners
The spark that started it all
For Dennis Mero, the founder of Orlando House Party, this journey began with frustration and vision. After years of navigating the downtown club scene, he saw a pattern he couldn’t ignore: talented artists being underpaid, disrespected, and overlooked.
“I wanted to flip it,” Dennis told me. “I wanted to build a positive experience where artists felt seen, valued, and excited to perform. It was never just about throwing parties it was about community.”
The spark came in 2019, when friends introduced him to a 1920s home being transformed into a wine bar called Grape & The Grain. The backyard felt like magic familiar, alive, and nostalgic That’s where Orlando House Party was born The early events drew about 75 people, no cover charge, just good energy. When COVID hit, most events paused but Dennis didn’t. He pivoted to outdoor live music to keep the name and spirit alive. Today, OHP events draw hundreds and have evolved into a series of six branded experiences that mirror the cultural heartbeat of Orlando.
More than a party
From the start, OHP was designed to fill what Dennis saw missing from Orlando’s nightlife: inclusion, intention, and identity.
It celebrates the city’s melting pot through sound, from R&B, disco, and freestyle to house, tropical, and soul. It’s also about creating options beyond late-night scenes Breakfast Club, OHP’s signature daytime party, reimagines what going out can look like...think food, coffee, cocktails, and dancing under the morning sun.
Inclusivity remains a pillar. Dennis ensures women are included in lineups, often partnering with collectives like Her Turn to Spin, a DJ workshop series that empowers women behind the decks. “Representation matters,” he says. “The energy women bring to the booth changes the room ” OHP also stands proudly with the LGBTQ+ community, creating safe, open spaces where everyone belongs. “You are always welcome at our house,” Dennis said, and you feel that truth the moment you step in.
Raising the standard
OHP operates with a rare kind of intentionality. Every event has its own rhythm, guidelines, and care, from security and safety measures to personal communication with each performer.
“I meet with everyone who wants to work with us,” Dennis explained. “I want to know who they are, not just what they play. When artists feel good, they perform better, and the crowd feels that energy.”
That level of respect sets OHP apart. It’s why DJs and performers return, and why the audience feels part of something bigger than themselves. Breakfast Club, once an experiment, is now one of Orlando’s most loved day parties, proof that the culture here is shifting toward meaning, not just movement.
Weathering the storms, literally
Florida’s unpredictability is no small factor when your brand lives outdoors. Between heat, hurricanes, and rain, Dennis has learned to adapt. “I’m a little obsessed with the weather,” he laughed. “Watching The Weather Channel is how I learned English after moving from Ecuador.”
Fall in Florida: A season to reconnect
As the air cools and the city breathes again, OHP steps into its busiest and most vibrant season. This fall and winter lineup brings a curated mix of nostalgia, rhythm, and warmth:
Club: Fall Voyage (Oct 26): Yachtinspired vibes with disco, soul, and tropical sounds at Primrose Lanes.
Suga Live (Nov 23): A Pre-Thanksgiving R&B celebration featuring a twelve-piece band.
Boombastik (Dec 13): A tropical dance party with Latin, dancehall, and Afro-house energy to close out the year.
Each event blends seasonal design, diverse lineups, and Orlando flavor, all tied together by Dennis’s commitment to detail and inclusivity.
The vision ahead
In the next few years, Dennis envisions OHP expanding into new neighborhoods from the Milk District to Ivanhoe Village and eventually taking on larger venues like House of Blues or The Plaza Live.
And the dream? Bringing Breakfast Club to EDC Orlando. “That would be a full-circle moment,” Dennis said, smiling. “To show that Orlando’s culture doesn’t just exist at night, it lives all day long.”
What people don’t see
Behind the lights and speakers are long nights, spreadsheets, and constant problem-solving. “Every event has to make sense creatively and financially,” Dennis shared. “It’s not just about one great night; it’s about building something that lasts.”
Through it all, OHP has become more than a platform, it’s a pulse. It uplifts DJs, vendors, and creatives of all backgrounds while showcasing the sound of a city that’s more than a destination it’s a home.
As Dennis put it best, “OHP is about raising the standard for artists, for the city, and for the culture. When one of us wins, we all win.”
Don’t forget to follow DJ Demi and Orlando House Party on socials!
a l l E d i t i o n
T h e C o n f i d e n c e a n d C h a r m o f a F l o r i d a G e n t l e m a n
Fall in Florida doesn’t mean breaking out the puffy coats or flannels because it's freezing. We don’t get that. What we do get is cooler nights, golden sunsets, and a social calendar that starts heating up. Here, fall isn’t about leaves on the ground, it's about where you show up, what you’re wearing, and who you’re with.
Style that breathes, presence that lasts
Elsewhere, men reach for tweed jackets and heavy boots. In Florida, fall calls for clean, lightweight layers that still speak volumes. The modern gentleman here leans into unstructured blazers in sand, navy, or tobacco, cotton or linen shirts with sleeves ready to roll, dark denim or light trousers, and suede loafers or casual sneakers.
The goal is composure without bulk, seen but not loud. Accessories do the heavy lifting: a woven belt, a smooth bracelet, or a leatherstrapped timepiece adds depth without weighing you down. My quick rule of thumb is to upgrade one piece. Swap the sneaker for a suede loafer, the tee for a knit polo, or the heavy wallet for a slim card case. Small changes, big elevation. Arguably, the most Important piece to your attire is your scent.
Never, and I mean never, leave the house as a man without smelling like a champion. People may forget about your attire, what you talked about, and maybe even your name. I guarantee they won't forget if you smelled amazing or awful.
IN FLORIDA, STYLE ISN’T SEASONAL — IT’S SITUATIONAL. THE GENTLEMAN’S ADVANTAGE IS KNOWING THE SITUATION AND ANSWERING WITH EASE.
Where style meets scene
Fall in Central Florida means showing up, and the venues are as important as the wardrobe.
Cigarz on the Avenue (Winter Park): A refined Park Avenue lounge with a world-class humidor, perfect for unwinding with a tailored d a conversation that lingers.
a Cigar Company (Dr Philips): Where cigars, drinks, and me together. It’s a setting that rewards both linen jackets, dark d a good watch or casual appearances
Chapman (Winter Park): Elegant dinners and cocktails in a atmosphere, a space to impress clients or enjoy date night orcing formality.
kyBar (Downtown Orlando): Sweeping skyline views and an at complements an unstructured sport coat at sunset. The city he rest.
hese settings isn’t just a destination; it’s a stage. Style is your oduction, and Orlando offers plenty of rooms worth entering
Sundays for the family man
Florida fall also belongs to the men who carve time for family. Two weekly markets stand out:
Lake Eola Park’s Farmers Market: Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fresh produce, local makers, swans on the lake, and easy strolls that end with a popsicle or live music.
Artisan Food & Farmers Market at Dellagio Town Center: Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Dr. Phillips. With food trucks, artisan vendors, and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s stroller-friendly and packed with flavor.
Here, “dad style” is comfortable-elevated: a knit polo, lightweight chinos, loafers or refined sneakers. You’ll be picnic-ready without sacrificing polish and you’ll look good in the photos your kids will definitely insist on later
Sunday Night Football:
The Florida gentleman’s tailgate
Of course, fall Sundays also belong to the guys. Florida football culture thrives in open-air plazas and big-screen bars, and Orlando delivers on both.
Tom’s Watch Bar (Icon Park): a stadium-sized viewing experience with screens on every wall, the closest thing to being at the game without a ticket.
Sports & Social (Pointe Orlando): high-energy game days with food, drinks, and a buzz that makes every touchdown feel communal
Wall Street Plaza (Downtown Orlando): where football becomes a block party, with outdoor screens, craft beer, and the energy of hundreds of fans packed together.
The Florida way is balance: farmers market in the morning, kickoff by afternoon. From family mode to football mode, you can close the weekend with the people and the team that matter most.
The October cadence
With humidity easing, the calendar accelerates. Weeknights become meet-ups, weekends become memories, and philanthropic galas begin to shape the season.
NEVER — AND I MEAN NEVER — LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT SMELLING LIKE A CHAMPION.
For men, that means dressing intentionally: smart tailoring for a museum event, soft tailoring for a lounge, crisp casual for family Sundays, and jerseys styled with confidence for game day
A Florida fall week could look like this:
Monday rooftop meet-up at AC SkyBar in collared knit and suede loafers.
Midweek cigar and wine at Morse Code Lounge, linen shirt and dark denim.
Friday dinner at The Chapman, tailored jacket and pocket square.
Saturday Park Avenue stroll with a celebratory cigar at Cigarz on the Avenue.
Sunday family morning at Lake Eola or Dellagio Market, followed by football afternoon at Tom’s, Sports & Social, or Wall
THEME PARK TASTE, LOCAL PLATE
EPCOT
Food & Wine Finds Around Orlando
By Emma Drauer
IF YOU’RE A CENTRAL FLORIDA RESIDENT WHO DOESN’T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE HEAT AND THEME PARK CROWDS, HERE ARE SOME ALTERNATIVES TO POPULAR ITEMS AT THIS YEAR’S FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL!
Every fall, thousands of people come to Orlando to try new innovative cuisines at Disney’s Food & Wine Festival. Even as a Native Floridian, I love tasting items from a variety of cultures That being said, I’ve noticed that there are so many items from this year’s festival that remind me of my favorite local eats. If you’re a Central Florida resident who doesn’t want to deal with the heat and theme park crowds, here are some alternatives to popular items at this year’s Food and Wine Festival!
Korean BBQ Wings - K-Bob Korean Street Food
In the Brew-wing Lab at The Odyssey, they have a couple of different wings. One flavor is Gochujang, a staple in Korean Cuisine. While you do get a lot of food for the price, I’d recommend K-Bob Korean Street Food in the Dr. Phillips area. The wings are thick with a delicious breading, moist, and taste better than most wings I’ve had at sports bars Gochujang has a kick so if you don’t like spicy things I’d recommend the Korean Butter wings.
Strawberry Pomegranate Margarita -
Don Julio Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar
At the Mexico booth, the specialty drink is a flavorful Strawberry Pomegranate Margarita. My favorite local Mexican restaurant is Don Julios. They have amazing food and drinks. I’d recommend trying the passion fruit or guava (or both) Veracruzana margarita. There are four locations in the greater Orlando area, so don’t hesitate to check them out!
Chicken Tikka Masala - Ahmed Indian Restaurant
One thing I loved about the Chicken Tikka Masala at the India booth was the big portion size for the modest price. At Ahmed’s, you get a great serving of food as well. I usually get takeout as it’s easy to eat from and you already have the containers for leftovers (trust me-there will be leftovers). If you go during lunch, food is served buffet style so you can try a variety of dishes and get seconds. They have three locations in Central Florida to explore.
One of the limited edition coffees at EPCOT is a butterscotch cold brew. While there are dozens of fall coffees to try, Barnie’s brings you great flavor. There’s a reason they’ve won best coffee shop in Winter Park three years in a row. You can add butterscotch syrup to any drink you like but the cold brew is sweet and refreshing Check out their main location on Park Avenue or if you’re a UCF Knight, pop in to the second floor of the library.
These are just a few local highlights I’d encourage readers to visit. Since the festival is still ongoing, stay tuned for a Part 2 in our next issue where I spotlight even more amazing local eats!
I SAID YES! TO SUCCESS WITH GEORGIA
A Story of Passion, Purpose, and Community
Some people build businesses. Others build movements. For Georgia, founder of I Said Yes! to Success, it’s never been just about entrepreneurship it’s about choosing to say “yes” to a life rooted in passion, integrity, and community.
Georgia’s story starts with a realization. While supporting local entrepreneurs through the I Said Yes! network, she noticed a pattern: business owners were grinding through the daily hustle but losing sight of growth. They didn’t need more ideas they needed support. That spark became the foundation for I Said Yes! to Success: a company designed to give business owners the clarity, tools, and community they need to thrive.
But behind the polished brand is a woman who has learned to embrace imperfection. Georgia laughs when she admits she’s a perfectionist at heart someone who loves a “ sure thing.” Yet, building a business has taught her that sometimes you have to leap before you’re ready. “Growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone,” she says. “And oftentimes, it’s messy.”
When things do get tough, she grounds herself in faith. A sticky note on her desk reads: It’s God’s purpose, not Georgia’s purpose. That gentle reminder keeps her moving forward, even on the hardest days.
Living the “Yes!”
For Georgia, saying “yes” isn’t just a brand statement it’s a way of life. It means working with joy so her happiness spills into her family, her team, and her community. It means celebrating every win, no matter how small what she calls “Yes! moments.” Sometimes, that celebration looks like sharing the joy with her husband and daughters. Other times, it’s a little solo Yes! Girl dance.
Community is at the heart of everything she does Georgia calls herself a “connection architect” someone who delights in hearing people’s stories and building bridges between them. Authentic relationships aren’t just a value for her; they’re her definition of success.
The company behind the movement
Through I Said Yes! to Success, Georgia and her team offer more than business resources they offer partnership. “We are as invested in your success as you are,” she says “We find joy in your Yes! moments ” The company has grown into a family of businesses united by one mission: to empower entrepreneurs to define and reach their own version of success.
That mission comes alive in their events, which are equal parts networking, community-building, and celebration. On November 12, 2025, they’ll host a Grab & Go Content Creation event at Sterling Event Venue in Clermont giving business owners the chance to finally step in front of the camera and stock their feeds with fresh content. And on December 11, their Shaken & Stirred Holiday Edition will take over downtown Sanford with cocktails, venues, and a season-brightening celebration.
A legacy of Yes!
Ask Georgia what she hopes people take away from her journey, and her answer is simple: joy, encouragement, and belief in themselves. “There’s no limit to what you can do when you say Yes! to yourself,” she says.
And if she could whisper one piece of advice to her younger self? “Don’t stress so much. Give yourself grace. And do something just for you every day it’s not selfish, it’s necessary.”
Georgia’s story is proof that success isn’t about chasing someone else’s finish line It’s about building with intention, celebrating along the way, and surrounding yourself with the people who cheer the loudest. In her words, it’s about finding your own Yes! moment and then never looking back.
IT’S A PHANTOM OF THE OPERA FALL
Here Are 3 Ways You Can Live Out Your Phan-tasies in Orlando This Month
BY OLIVIA SHANNON
There’s something about autumn that brings out the theatrics in all of us. Maybe it’s the darker nights, the chill in the air (or, if you’re in Orlando, the idea of a chill), or simply the pull of a good story that blurs the line between beauty and darkness. This season, Orlando isn’t just celebrating Halloween with jump scares and haunted houses — it’s leaning into something a little more romantic, mysterious, and deeply dramatic.
Inspired by the sweeping score and tragic allure of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, several local spots have created experiences that channel the same gothic glamour and haunted romance of the beloved musical. From immersive dining and moody masquerades to reflective horrors that would make even Erik proud, these events prove that theater doesn’t have to stay on the stage — it can live and breathe all around us.
So whether you’re a diehard Phantom fan or simply someone who loves a good mix of elegance and eeriness, here are three ways to live out your phan-tasies across Orlando this fall.
1. Phantom of Helena at Helena Modern Riviera
Dine like a diva at this incredible immersive Halloween pop-up. Helena Modern Riviera at ICON Park has amazing food and craft cocktails year-round — but for the Halloween season, they’ve taken a luxe spin on the classic gothic romance story with an overlay for the ages.
The space has been transformed into a scene straight out of the Paris Opera House: chandeliers dripping with crystals, crimson drapery cascading from the ceiling, flickering candles, and, of course, guests in elegant masks. You’re encouraged to play along — to become part of the story as you dine on the Phantom’s Feast and sip cocktails inspired by the musical’s most iconic characters.
Helena’s immersive events have become a local favorite for their artistry and attention to detail, and this one might just be their most breathtaking yet. It’s theatrical dining in its truest form — and a must-do before the final curtain falls at the end of the season.
2. Echoes of the Glass Street at SeaWorld Orlando’s Howl-O-Scream
Only true Phantom devotees know the tragic backstory of Erik — raised in a circus, paraded as a sideshow oddity, and haunted by mirrors that reflected the world’s cruelty back at him. That legacy of reflection, distortion, and torment feels alive in SeaWorld Orlando’s Echoes of the Glass scare zone.
Here, shattered mirrors glint under blood-red lights as scare actors emerge from every reflective corner. Some wear jagged glass masks; others appear to vanish into the reflections themselves. The atmosphere is unnervingly immersive, and for those familiar with Phantom’s darker undertones, it’s a haunting homage.
What makes this scare zone especially memorable is how it toys with your own image. One minute you’re staring at a mirror — the next, something stares back. It’s a perfect tribute to Phantom’s themes of duality, obsession, and the masks we all wear.
3. Masquerade Scare Zone at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into the iconic masquerade scene from Phantom, Universal Orlando has turned that dream into a haunting reality. The Masquerade scare zone at Halloween Horror Nights reimagines the musical’s opulent ballroom in the most chilling way possible — one where elegance meets eerie.
Fog rolls through Hollywood Blvd. as masked figures glide (and sometimes lunge) out of the shadows. Every detail, from the gilded costumes to the eerie orchestral music, pulls you straight into the world of the Opera Ghost. The shattered chandelier centerpiece looms ominously above, a nod to the musical’s most dramatic moment (and perhaps to the fate of a few unlucky patrons).
This zone isn’t just scary — it’s beautifully scary. There’s something poetic about watching costumed ghouls twirl through the mist, laughter echoing beneath their gilded masks. For a moment, you’re Christine, spinning through the chaos, caught between terror and enchantment.
The final curtain call
For all my gothic horror and tragic romance lovers this truly feels like our season. Orlando has always been known for its spectacle, but this fall, it’s giving us something more: atmosphere. The kind that makes you crave candlelight and violins, lace gloves and velvet coats.
There’s a certain magic in experiencing a story rather than just watching it in stepping into the drama, hearing the music swell around you, and feeling, even for a moment, like you’re part of it. Whether you’re clinking glasses beneath Helena’s crimson canopy, dodging masked marauders at Universal, or catching your reflection in a cracked mirror at SeaWorld, each of these experiences captures a piece of what makes Phantom timeless.
So don your mask, hum a few familiar bars, and embrace the season in all its tragic, theatrical glory. After all the music of the night is calling.
C r e a t i v e P e o p l e , C r e a t i v e P l a c
Heidy de la Cruz
Sharing immigrant stories from her bedroom studio
Sitting across from me is Heidy De La Cruz mother, American, child of immigrants, woman of faith, and most of all, a girl’s girl. We’re in a podcast studio (not hers, but it feels like home to her). She’s comfortable among the wires and microphones, moving with the ease of someone who knows how to hold space. Within minutes, her eyes and her warm smile pull you in
She’s incredibly open. Willing not just to talk, but to listen. Which makes sense, given what she does. Heidy is the creator behind The American Dream in the Eyes of the Immigrant, a podcast that captures the stories, struggles, and quiet triumphs of people who have made their home in a new country.
When I ask how it all began, she smiles. “Oh my goodness,” she says. “I started as a listener first. I love people’s stories. How they got where they are. Around 2019, I thought, ‘I want to start my own.’ It was going to be about what God is doing in people’s lives, because everything I do is based on my faith.” That seed stayed with her until 2022, when maternity leave finally gave her time to research microphones, platforms, and topics.
“Then I found an article on Medium about an immigrant describing her culture shocks,” she says “That’s when it clicked, we never hear that part of the immigration story ”
She tells me how her husband’s story helped shape the concept. “He came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic when he was nine. He told me how mesmerized he was (going from tropical life to a concrete jungle). I realized those are the stories I want to tell: the human side. Politics aside, just why did you come? What were the culture shocks?”
Her faith guides it all. “The Bible talks about the vulnerable (the poor, the widows, the orphans, and the foreigners),” she explains. “I tell people I’m sharing the stories of God’s children. Immigrants have been dehumanized, and I want to change that narrative to a compassionate, Jesusstyle approach.”
She recalls one guest from Kenya who landed in California and was baffled when her first American burger didn’t look like the picture on the menu “Those little things are funny but also telling,” Heidy says. “Culture shock can be food, language, or even how you ask for the bathroom. It’s small, but it shapes how you adapt.”
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Faith shows up again when we talk about calling She tells me about a friend whose father (a pastor in the Dominican Republic) said God showed him a vision of planting churches in the U.S. “He didn’t come chasing opportunity; he came because he was called. Not every story is tragic. Some are about purpose.”
As our conversation drifts toward the idea of home and belonging, Heidy becomes thoughtful. “I’ve learned that the American Dream is personal,” she says. “For some it’s education, for others safety, for others family. It’s really about what success means to you.”
She laughs softly when she tells me how her interviews have made her appreciate her own parents’ courage. “They came here in the ’90s from the Dominican Republic. Because of them, I get to do what I do today. I think about that every time I press record.”
Her favorite takeaway? “We’re more alike than we are diff t ” h ys. “I talked to a woman whose parents were she described how strict they were, I was like, same life? It showed me how culture might and love feel the same everywhere ”
ask her one last question: “What do you want places (cities, neighborhoods, smaller towns) rney? What lessons do you hope resonate with
t you can start anywhere!” She pauses, then when you asked for photos of my space, I sent photos. I love those pictures, and I do love my mes I’m embarrassed by it. So really, that oo because I just started, even without the
bedroom ” she continues “I have a nine-toother on. It’s an Lside, creative on the what this is about; incredible, creative you’re right. This is workspaces, Heidy’s about the backdrop; lingers, proof that to The American rever you listen to
herturn TO SPIN
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Private Lessons & Studio Sessions – Oneon-one experiences designed to meet you where you are At home, in-studio, or online
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WHERE FEAR SMELLS LIKE NOSTALGIA
Here, the season starts not with sweaters, but with screams — a celebration of fear, fantasy, and Florida magic
by Serafina Aviles
In most cities, fall tiptoes in with crunchy leaves and a crisp in the air. In Orlando, it arrives by August with the hiss of fog machines and the sound of distant screams. Here, autumn doesn’t wait for sweater weather, instead, it’s conjured through flashing lights, eerie music, and the kind of fog that clings to your skin The scent of the manufactured mist? It smells like the end of summer, like turning a new leaf the kind of nostalgia that sticks to your T-shirt long after you’ve left the park. It’s strange, comforting, and unmistakably Orlando.
The allure of the adrenaline
Maybe it’s human nature to crave fear when it’s controlled. At Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, you pay to be chased, startled, and delighted, but all in the name of fun. It’s a rush that feels communal; strangers clutch one another in haunted houses faster than they make small talk at coffee shops. As it turns out, fear is connection in costume. We go to be scared, but really, we go to feel alive, to scream, laugh, grab someone’s arm, and know we’re safe in the chaos.
Pop culture comes to life
What makes Orlando’s fall season different is how it turns nostalgia into something tangible Each haunted house and themed zone feels like stepping through the screen, allowing us to walk into worlds we once watched wide-eyed as kids.
Universal’s movie roots show in every detail, from the sound design to the set dressing, it’s less an event and more an immersive film set. Suddenly, that horror movie you hid behind the couch watching now surrounds you in real time. It’s cinematic escapism that reminds adults how it felt to believe in fantasy and then be able to actually live it.
Tradition meets transformation
As kids, we trick-or-treated As adults, we chase that same rush, only now it’s with event wristbands, themed cocktails, and friends in matching skeleton tees. Walt Disney World’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party keeps things whimsical with glowing parades, rare character sightings, and candy galore. Across town, SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream, leans into the intensity as screams echo across roller coasters and haunted mazes. There’s truly something for every thrill level, every age, every memory, proof that the magic of fall evolves, but never really fades.
Why it still matters
Maybe the real magic isn’t in the scares at all, but in what they represent: a shared ritual of growing up, yet e t r
One Small Step for Giving, One Giant Leap for Community
THE GOOD COOKIE INITIATIVE: WHEN HIGH SCHOOL SPIRIT MEETS HOPE IN THE OVEN
At 7:20 a.m., most high school students are barely awake. But twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, two seniors are elbow-deep in cookie dough, preheating ovens instead of merely waking up their brains. What started as a business project quickly rose into something sweeter: The Good Cookie Initiative, a student-run baking venture with its profits donated to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a nonprofit funding pediatric cancer research.
By lunchtime, the cookies are gone.
The school hasn’t seen anything like it in nearly a decade. A similar cookie tradition existed ten years ago, but was shut down when it lost direction. Bringing it back wasn’t just a nostalgic nod, it was a revival with purpose. This time, it’s baked with intention. It’s not just a treat; it’s a promise.
“While eating a good cookie, I can feel like a good cookie,” one student said while lining up at the stand just minutes after the bell. The cookies aren’t just warm, they’re comforting, hopeful, and sprinkled with the kind of love that can only come from service.
There’s something magical about the way high school hallways transform when kindness becomes more than occasional. Students sprint from third period just to snag a chocolate chip treat before they sell out.
Teachers cheer them on, hoping they’re brought back one as well. Even students who don’t normally talk to one another bond over the shared tradition of “cookie days”. It's community disguised as dessert.
And in that first-period kitchen, between cutting out parchment paper and slapping stickers onto bags, there’s a quiet understanding: this is more than baking. It’s proof that small actions can rise into something bigger (like dough in the oven).
The Good Cookie Initiative isn’t just baking for a cause. It’s baking hope into the day, one cookie at a time.
Because sometimes, changing the world doesn’t start with a megaphone.
It starts with a mixing bowl.
WE ARE BLÜV 20 25 NOV
EVENT SCHEDULE
NOVEMBER 5TH
NOVEMBER 7TH - 9TH NOVEMBER 7TH NOVEMBER 1ST - 2ND NOVEMBER -JANUARY NOVEMBER 22ND NOVEMBER 15TH - 23RD
LUMINARY NIGHT GREEN PARK
A vibrant celebration of creativity, nature, and growth. 5:30 - 9pm
EDC FESTIVAL
Camping World Stadium (1 Citrus Bowl Place)
UCF SPACE GAME
Bounce House (4465 Knights Victory Way)
54THANNUALFALL FIESTAINTHEPARK
Stroll along Lake Eola’s scenic route, while enjoying the nicest weather Central FL has to offer
ASIAN LANTERN FESTIVAL
AT THE CENTRAL FLORIDA ZOO IN SANFORD ON SELECT DATES FROM NOV - JAN
CLERMONT CELEBRATES
Kick off the official holiday celebrations!
FESTIVAL OF TREES
A season of celebration presented by the Orlando Museum from Nov 15ht - 23rd
CURATORS
Adam Shuler II
Adam Shuler II, a Global Real Estate Advisor with Premier Sotheby’s, combines expertise in luxury homes, art, and philanthropy to elevate Central Florida communities
Olivia Shannon
Olivia Shannon, Social Media Manager for Villatel and Orlando content creator, highlights local businesses, partners with top brands, and showcases the city’s arts scene to her 30k+ community.
DJ Demi Korrin
Demi Korrin Alvarado, an Orlando DJ, creative director, and entrepreneur, builds inclusive, community-driven experiences that fuse music, culture, and storytelling.
