Raising awareness of Sarasota’s sound regulations has been quite an experience. Initially, I hadn’t expected to receive such an outpour of emotion, whether positive or negative. But in the last five months, I’ve been called everything from a muckraker to a phony to a progressive to a snotty kid. I’ve navigated aggressive phone calls, outcries from business owners and verbal threats. Whereas I thought most downtown merchants would support change, I learned many are afraid to publicly admit it. There is a tumultuous history regarding “sound” in Sarasota. In the [...]

We joined a killer turn-out at Frightmares Haunted House. With more than 20 years of experience with movies and props, John Rusnak does not disappoint in this spooky creation. Check out their page for hours and locations. – “Like” Instudio E on Facebook to tag and see more photos.

I felt a mix of reluctance and excitement when I settled into my seat for Pig Iron Theatre’s Zero Cost House for the Friday 2 p.m. show. I had been warned about the negative reviews the show had been garnering, and upon arrival, I learned that the show was to be 1 hour and 45 minutes without an intermission. No bathroom breaks, no beverage on a hot day (incidentally, you can bring one in but no one was working concessions), and no chance to process and discuss during a pause [...]

Since its inaugural year in 2009, the Ringling International Arts Festival has never been one to cut any corners when it comes to style and pizzazz, and Wednesday’s RIAF Inspires Opening Night event had no trouble meeting the standards set by its forbearers: RIAF put on the Ritz to set the tone for what promises to be yet another unforgettable festival. As the sun began to dip below the horizon at the Ringling estate, the fourth annual Ringling International Arts Festival celebrated its kickoff with a glamorous cocktail reception on the grounds of the [...]

Ready, set, go! Season in Sarasota has officially begun, as Stephen High, Director of the Ringling Museum of Art, announced last night at the opening event for the Ringling International Arts Festival (known simply as RIAF, pronounced “ree-off”). RIAF has found footing as an important book-end to a world-class season of events in our great city. Once a fledgling festival, RIAF is now in its fourth year and seems to be a graduating senior (can you tell I teach undergraduates?), ready to launch as a signature festival that people from [...]

On Oberhofer‘s infectious debut album Time Capsules II, singer and songwriter Brad Oberhofer takes his lyrics straight from the journal of a lovesick boy. Again and again he pines for the girl he doesn’t have time to take out. Oh, the perks of being a rock star. On “I Could Go,” he perfectly plays the conflicted artist, whistling for the attention of the girl of his dreams before accusing her of running around. On “Haus,” he wants to build another girl a home, later confessing he’s been “hiding” and “lying.” [...]