MovingForward, much as you may have started this thread in search of ideas or advice, let me just thank you for having done so. It's heartwarming to be allowed to journey with you in your friendship with your new friend; to observe one human being reaching out to another whilst attempting to bring companionship and happiness to him. It's encouraging to bear witness to your humanity and compassion at a time when most of us are afraid to open ourselves up to that risk. This is a beautiful thread and I thank you for seeing fit to share this new experience with all of the questions that you may have with us. I hope that you will continue to grant us the joy and privilege to look on as your friendship continues to grow.
I don't have any blind friends but my physiotherapist is blind...much as I have been going to him for about ten years, I am still baffled at how he was able to study physiotherapy since he was born blind. He excels at his work and he is a phenomenal man. Just being in his company is such a treat because he is a happy and upbeat fellow who is at peace with being blind and most times is the first to crack blind jokes whilst also sharing about his journey as a blind person. He lives life to the full and even belongs to a blind softball team - I am still waiting for him to explain how that works.
I can understand why your friend would enjoy dramas...and I suspect that there's more to it than being able to follow the storyline...though I am not blind so I could be far off the mark. Your friend, most especially since he has struggled to accept being blind, strikes me as having a deep and serious type of guy who is searching for answers in life. Dramas tend to capture that kind of approach best. I know on my part, if I were blind, action movies would irritate the living crap out of me because of all of the sudden noises: gunshots, explosions, punches, women screaming etc. I'd get fright after fright after fright and I'm certain I'd end up wishing that I could climb through the screen and slap everyone into next week.
I don't think that you ought to beat yourself up for not having approached him sooner. Everything happens in it's own time. If he had chosen to distance himself from everything and everyone to the extent that he had...most especially if he had been burnt in the past like you suspect, then he could so easily have pushed you away. He may not have been ready for your friendship if you had approached him sooner. The important thing is that you have offered him your friendship and he has been wise enough to accept it. That's the thing that counts the most.
My reaction when you spoke about colors and the idea of a disco came to mind, is that you may want to always run things past him as opposed to springing things on him. Considering the way that his senses would be heightened through being blind, there are so many variables to consider...as I sense you've already realised. When it comes to discos there are the sound levels added to which the noise of people talking etc which could be a bit overwhelming and disorientating added to which there's the crowds of people to contend with etc.
I think that the suggestions about going outdoors are wise...my gut tells me that the simple, going back to basics activities stand to work best for the two of you. When considering the outdoors, there stands to be so much that will stimulate his senses - sounds, scents, textures etc. Perhaps you can come up with simple manual tasks that he'd enjoy doing with you like potting plants - possibly making a potted herb garden etc. because in such instances, there isn't just the stimuli but also the sense of accomplishment afterwards.
You come across to be a kind, considerate and sensitive person. I have no doubt that you will come up with ways for the two of you to spend time together. I wish the two of you all of the very best!