THE GATOR digs into how people turn real-life violence into entertainment and conspiracy, and I sat down with its writer Brennan Sauer to preview the show at the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival.

Check out the episode on Just Can't Not wherever you get your podcasts or on Lunchador.org!

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b7a19023-1fc0-4eb4-beb4-83d26ca079d8/

THE GATOR follows a group of young men obsessed with chronicling mass tragedies who get hooked on a pirate radio host called the Gator, and it centers on Harris as he scrambles to protect his daughter Annie while trying to unmask the broadcast prophet. We break down what “making entertainment out of tragedy” actually looks like — from true‑crime binges to livestreamed police scanners and niche forums that treat horror like fandom — and why that cultural machinery matters. Brennan walked me through the play’s origins (pandemic-era thinking, weird YouTube communities, and research into online subcultures) and how he uses sharp, conversational drama to expose those dynamics. Catch THE GATOR at The Muck on September 20 and September 26 at 4:30 p.m.; tickets are just $8 at rochesterfringe.com, so go snag one before they snap up. I had a great chat (Brennan was a trooper despite the flu), so swing by the Fringe, support local theatre, and follow Brennan on Instagram @brennansauer for updates.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!

We're previewing the Rochester Fringe Festival and putting a spotlight right up front on Invisible No More — a free, multidisciplinary rededication ceremony at Mount Hope Cemetery on Saturday, September 19 at 2:00.

Check out the episode on Just Can't Not wherever you get your podcasts or on Lunchador.org!

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e99f4b5c-2242-41af-8cb2-aad8762d0bf4/

I chatted with Ryan Thibodeau (psychology faculty) and Anne Harris Wilcox (dance professor) about how this piece honors roughly 300 people who were reinterred from an unmarked Highland Park burial after 1980s excavations and have largely been forgotten by history. The event blends dance, a community movement choir, live music from local players and Eastman brass students, and a closing ritual of biodegradable flowers to make visible those who “invisibly lived and invisibly died.” They wanted to include names, but the New York State Office of Mental Health limits use of those old patient records, so the focus is on remembrance, reflection, and nudging our community to do better for people living with serious mental illness today.

It’s free and mostly drop‑in, but do swing by rochesterfringe.com for details and to check out the rest of the festival — bring a friend, bring flowers, and bring your curiosity.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!

We're kicking off by saying loud and proud: the ROCHESTER FRINGE FESTIVAL is coming and UNCLE SHOEHORNS BIG EASY is playing — catch them Sept 19 at 9:30pm and 11:00pm and Sept 20 at 11:00am at the BILTMORE BAR AND LOUNGE in downtown Rochester.

Check out the episode on Just Can't Not wherever you get your podcasts or on Lunchador.org!

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/62e44d4c-5e9a-449e-9836-8ca6dcc47df0/

I sat down with Tony V. and we gabbed about how this 24-year-old outfit pivoted from classic rock roots into a nine-piece, horn-fueled love letter to New Orleans — think brass, soul, funk, and a whole lot of gumbo of musical influences. We talk about why they added horns a dozen years ago, how they balance covers and originals (yes, they write stuff that sounds familiar but is theirs), and why the band calls itself the “groove boosters” — they steal grooves with love, promise. I also tease some real-world nerdery about New Orleans — the food, the streetcars, hat shops — because music comes from places and places feed the music, ya know? Tickets are $15 and you can grab them at rochesterfringe.com — come see them, dance a little, and maybe fall in love with the big brass sound the way we did. If you want to stalk themonline first, hit uncleshoehorn.com or find Uncle Shoehorn on Spotify/Apple/YouTube and let us know what you think.. See you at the Fringe — they’ll bring the horns, you bring the moves (and maybe some jambalaya).

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!

We're hyping Illumina — a free, outdoor, audience-driven art-and-theater piece at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo) that literally needs you to make the show happen.

Check out the episode on Just Can't Not wherever you get your podcasts or on Lunchador.org!

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/60733d30-522c-40bd-ae97-09d85f8eb8ae/

We chatted with Heather Chang and Kate Sweeney from Monroe Community College about how this hybrid installation/performance folds audience contributions into the work, with actors and students making art throughout the evening and revealing a collective piece at the end. It runs outdoors at 7 p.m. on Sept. 18–19 and Sept. 25–26 as part of the Rochester Fringe Festival (which runs Sept. 15–26), and while the Fringe has a ton to see, Illumina is free and guaranteed to be different every night. I loved hearing how the students rehearse for unpredictability — we prepare for the shy crowd and the chatty crowd, and yes, we’ll probably try to make you join in. So come down to RoCo, bring a buddy (or an open mind), and get ready to be part of an art experiment — and if you want more Fringe action, go to rochesterfringe.com and pack your schedule.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!

We kick things off with the main point: we’re previewing the ROCHESTER FRINGE FESTIVAL and hyping LAMAR THE THERAPIST’s one‑man show PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT — happening Sep 17 at 7pm and Sep 19 at 6pm at THE MUCC. I’ll tell you straight: tickets are $15 at rochesterfringe.com, which is way cheaper than a Rochester parking ticket and probably more enlightening.

Check out the episode on Just Can't Not wherever you get your podcasts or on Lunchador.org!

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/1da69cf6-6b90-4a56-9df4-c64d33740403/

Lamar is a licensed forensic mental health counselor who worked as a reentry counselor supporting folks coming home from incarceration, and the show documents that work through hip hop, spoken word, monologue and even audience participation — think powerful stories, a little theater of the oppressed, and a beat that sticks with you. We dig into why conscious hip hop and oral traditions matter, how Lamar balances heavy topics with dynamism and even a little bravado, and why this format gives his music the presence it deserves. Expect moments that make you laugh, moments that make you think, and an empowering message about doing your part and sharing your gifts. Come out to the Fringe, grab a seat at THE MUCC, and let us introduce you to a performance that’s as thoughtful as it is raw and rhythmic.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!

Get ready, folks, because we're diving into an emotional rollercoaster with a tribute show celebrating the 15-year anniversary of Adele's groundbreaking album "21"!

Check out the episode on Just Can't Not wherever you get your podcasts or on Lunchador.org!

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/850cf9c8-e367-4d86-a1e9-1974cb9ce8f2/

That's right, on September 17th, we’re gathering at the Center Stage Theater at the JCC for an unforgettable performance from Alison Eberhardt and her all-star band, who brought you hits like "Allison's Angry Girl Era" and "Dark Side of the Moon." We’re talking about belting out classics like "Rolling in the Deep" and "Set Fire to Rain"—songs that still give us all the feels! Alison shares her journey of bringing this show to life, from the personal connections to the music to the hilariously chaotic rehearsal moments—trust me, you’ll want to hear about the choir and the horns!

So, if you wanna feel a wave of nostalgia mixed with a splash of fun, snag your tickets for just $20 at rochesterfringe.com and get ready for a night that promises to be as powerful as Adele herself!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!

Getting Real with Bossy: For Women Who Own Business

Check out Getting Real with Bossy: For Women Who Own Business on Lunchador!

Diane Zelinsky’s one-woman Fringe show, Clutter Is My Life Partner, is all about helping people actually get rid of their clutter — with humor, heart, and a little bit of gentle tough love. I’m Chris Lindstrom and Diane and I dig into why clutter isn’t just junk: it’s memory, habit, and sometimes trauma wrapped up in boxes that give you a headache and hide the good stuff you actually want to enjoy.

Check out the episode on Just Can't Not wherever you get your podcasts or on Lunchador.org!

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c3fe126d-2120-4a6a-8e27-fbd8741ae89c/

We explain the basics — why paper is the sticky, villainous starting point, how collections become hoards when there’s no intention or display, and why decluttering is more about storytelling and joy than shame. Diane walks audiences through real-life examples from her talks, her journalism background, and even dog-sitting gigs, and she promises the show is a laugh-out-loud, relatable one-woman comedy where you might actually walk away with free stuff she’s giving away. If you want practical, compassionate tips plus some good old-fashioned storytelling, come see her at the JCC’s Center Stage Theater on Sept 15 (6:30 pm) or Sept 19 (12:15 pm); tickets are $10 at rochesterfringe.com, and you can follow her on the “Clutter Is My Life Partner” and “Gentle Decluttering” pages.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!

We’re diving into the wild world of improv and all the shenanigans that come with it, especially as we gear up for the 2026 Rochester Fringe Festival, happening from September 15th to the 26th in good ol’ Rochester, New York!

Check out the episode on Just Can't Not wherever you get your podcasts or on Lunchador.org!

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/47b28a0d-f0f8-4953-80ff-f4222c07ca24/

This episode is packed with giggles and the inside scoop on our fabulous shows, including the Big Boozy Joy Fun Time Revival—where the drinks flow like our jokes! We’re chatting with the hilarious Kerry Young and Abby DeVuyst, who spill the beans on their improv journey, how audience participation is key, and why they think laughter is the best medicine (and maybe a little booze helps too). Stick around as we unpack what it means to create genuine connections with our audience and how every show is a new adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned Fringe-goer or a curious newbie, we promise there’s plenty of fun to be had!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!

Get ready to dive into a delightful conversation that showcases the magic of lounge singing as we chat with the fabulous Carl Potorajski (Cam Poter), who’s bringing the heat to the Rochester Fringe Festival!

Check out the episode on Just Can't Not wherever you get your podcasts or on Lunchador.org!

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2029352b-5eb1-4b0c-a2ba-1f26d69f2d41/

We kick things off by highlighting that Carl’s show, “Just to Be Close to You,” is set to be a headlining act every night from September 15th to 26th at the Garden Studio in downtown Rochester. The energy is infectious as Carl shares his passion for lounge singing, revealing how it’s not just a performance but an experience that makes audiences feel all the feels—like a 12-year-old with a crush! We dig into the art of connection, the vibrant world of clowning, and how every performance is a unique journey shaped by audience interaction. So grab your tickets at rochesterfringe.com and join us for a chat that’s equal parts laughter and heart!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!

We're diving into the exciting world of the 2026 Rochester Fringe Festival, and let me tell ya, it's gonna be a wild ride!

You can listen to the episode on Just Can't Not wherever you get your podcasts or go to lunchador.org to check it out!

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/73aff5b3-d0a9-4d05-aafc-7aa1b46c083f/

We’re chatting with the awesome Brad Cradock, who’s bringing the comedic thriller "Baby Jane, Baby Jane" and the sequel "Another Middle Earth Press Conference" to the stage. These shows are packed with humor, satire, and a sprinkle of that classic Rochester charm, taking place at the fantastic School of the Arts from September 15th to 26th.

We’ll explore how Brad cleverly intertwines pop culture and politics, giving a playful nod to the likes of Sauron and Joan Crawford while tackling real-life themes in a way that feels fresh and relevant.

So, grab your tickets at rochesterfringe.com, and get ready for some laughs and maybe a few deep thoughts along the way!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!