Event Explorer

For ten days each summer, a small town on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way becomes a gathering place for some of the world's finest chamber musicians. What began as an ambitious cultural idea in Bantry has grown into one of Ireland's most respected music festivals, drawing artists, students, and audiences from around the world to the coast of West Cork. In this episode of Event Explorer, Daniel Roth si...

What happens when you give students the tools, mentorship, and stage to solve real problems? In this episode of Event Explorer, Daniel sits down with Carolyn Ward and Phil Grumm from The Henry Ford to explore the growing impact of Invention Convention Worldwide and the National Invention Convention. They discuss how the program works from the classroom level all the way to the national stage, why...

The Vilnius Light Festival transforms Lithuania’s capital into a living gallery of light each January. In this episode of Event Explorer, host Daniel Roth sits down with Petras Bevs from the festival’s creative team to explore how history, architecture, and contemporary light art come together to celebrate the city’s birthday in the heart of winter. We talk about how Vilnius shapes the festival’s...

Carnaval de Québec is one of the world’s longest-running winter festivals, transforming Québec City into a place of celebration, culture, and shared tradition every February. In this episode of Event Explorer, host Daniel Roth talks with Jérôme Déchêne, Director of Programming and General Manager of Carnaval de Québec. They discuss how you program a festival built around winter, how Carnaval balan...

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is home to one of the most unique traditions in the country. Each year, volunteers carve thousands of blocks of ice from Lake Flower to build an Ice Palace that becomes the heart of a weeklong celebration. Host Daniel Roth sits down with Chairman Jeffrey Branch to explore how this tradition has survived the elements, grown with the community, and turned into a belo...

The Día de los Muertos Festival at Mesa Arts Center began with a few altars and a dream of bringing people together. Now, it’s one of Arizona’s most beloved celebrations of life and memory. Host Daniel Roth sits down with Ginny Montano to explore how the tradition grew, what makes it special, and why it matters today. #DiaDeLosMuertos #MesaArtsCenter #EventExplorer #FestivalCulture #ArizonaEvents...

Every October, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware comes alive with Halloween fun by the sea. Costumes, parades, live music, and a smiling green witch fill the boardwalk as the Sea Witch Festival celebrates its 35th anniversary. In this episode of Event Explorer, host Daniel Roth talks with founder Carol Everhart, President and CEO of the Rehoboth Beach–Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, about how this seaside...

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest ballooning event in the world and one of the most photographed. Each October, more than half a million people gather before dawn to watch hundreds of hot air balloons rise into the New Mexico sky. In this episode of Event Explorer, host Daniel Roth is joined by Tom Garrity, founder and president of The Garrity Group and one of the Fiesta’...

What does it take to launch a professional tennis tournament — from scratch? In this episode of Event Explorer, host Daniel Roth sits down with Alex Demuth, Tournament Director of the Cranbrook Tennis Classic, an ATP Challenger Tour event hosted on the campus of Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Now entering its third year, the tournament draws international players — some of them G...

Since 1907, the Portland Rose Festival has brought the city together with parades, dragon boats, fireworks, and flowers - lots of flowers. In this episode, Event Explorer host Daniel Roth speaks with Jeremy Emerson, incoming President of the Portland Rose Festival Foundation, about what it takes to keep this tradition relevant, inclusive, and uniquely Portland. From milk carton boat races to the G...

The Olympics bring the world together through sport, celebration, and culture. But they also raise important questions about how large-scale events are produced, powered, and made accessible to everyone. In this episode, Daniel Roth talks with Stéphanie André, a producer and advisor who played a key role in shaping the sustainability and accessibility efforts for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralym...

What happens when world-class music meets small-town magic? Spencer Shewen, the creative force behind Riverfest Elora and Mariposa Folk Festival, joins host Daniel Roth to talk about building unforgettable festival experiences in the heart of Ontario. From curating diverse, high-energy lineups to keeping things rooted in local culture, Spencer shares how Riverfest has grown into one of Canada’s mo...

What started as a way to bring Memphis together has become one of the most impactful civic festivals in the U.S. In this episode, Daniel talks with Kevin Grothe, Executive Vice President of Memphis in May International Festival, about how this month-long celebration has grown into a global gathering, from barbecue competitions and music festivals to cultural exchanges and international business co...

Every summer, Boothbay Harbor, Maine comes alive with Windjammer Days — a weeklong celebration of maritime heritage filled with schooners, vintage boats, lobster races, codfish relays, and fireworks over the water. In this episode, Daniel talks with Mark Gimbel and Bruce White, two local leaders who helped grow the festival into what it is today. From the history of tall ships to the joy of tug-of...

Sarah Kneller didn’t set out to become a leader in esports, but once she got pulled in, she helped shape it. From wrangling chaos at the first International Dota 2 tournament to launching Gamers & Guardians for military communities, she’s been at the frontlines of what digital-first events can do. In this episode, we talk about what makes an event feel real, even when it’s happening online. Sa...

Since 2002, SF Sketchfest has hosted the biggest names in comedy—Monty Python legends, Kids in the Hall, Mr. Show, SNL icons, Paul Giamatti, Tim Curry, and even surprise appearances from Bill Murray. In this episode, co-founder David Owen joins us to share how the festival grew from a six-show grassroots event into a comedy mecca that blends underground talent with cultural icons. We go behind the...

How do you train someone to run a music festival, a halftime show, or a citywide celebration? It starts with education. In this episode of Event Explorer, we sit down with Dr. Tim Otteman from Central Michigan University—one of the only accredited event management programs in the U.S.—to talk about what it takes to prepare the next generation of event professionals. From hands-on internships to cl...

Juliet Kennedy, founder of Brick Lane Jazz Festival, joins Event Explorer to share how East London’s underground scene helped shape one of the UK’s most exciting music festivals. We talk about curating genre-blurring lineups, building community through venues, and what’s in store for the 2025 edition. 🎶 Brick Lane Jazz Festival returns April 25–27, 2025 Full Lineup and Venue Info: https://www.bri...

Mamie Hong Weinberg’s story is the story of Chinese American culture in Los Angeles over the last several decades. A lifelong resident of Chinatown, Mamie has watched her community evolve while playing an active role in preserving and celebrating its traditions. In this episode of Event Explorer, Mamie shares her journey from childhood in Chinatown to performing as a dancer, to her current leaders...

Now in its 18th year, this Miami Gardens institution brings together legendary artists like Ms. Lauryn Hill, New Edition, Toni Braxton, and Beenie Man for a weekend that celebrates Black music, community, and creativity. In this episode, we sit down with Troy Brown, a powerhouse in the live entertainment industry, to talk about what it takes to grow a festival into a cultural movement. As a key pl...

On this episode of Event Explorer, Charlie Dolman, Event Operations Director for Burning Man, takes us behind the scenes of building and running Black Rock City. With more than 75,000 people gathering in the Nevada desert, Burning Man requires its own infrastructure, safety systems, and sustainability efforts to function. We dive into the logistics of laying out the city, managing thousands of vol...

On this episode of Event Explorer, we’re talking about On Air Fest, the festival that’s turning podcasting into a live, immersive experience. Founder Scott Newman joins us to share how the event brings together podcasters, journalists, musicians, and creative minds like Anderson Cooper, Penn Badgley, Seth Meyers, and The Kid Mero for performances, conversations, and unexpected moments that push th...

Lumina, Providence’s winter light festival is transforming February into a season of art, connection, and community. Daniel Roth chats with Nora Barre, Executive Director of the Downtown Providence Park Network, about how public-private partnerships are revitalizing the city and showcasing its vibrant culture. Discover how Lumina’s stunning light installations and local collaborations are boosting...

Even the darkest winter nights can shine brightly. On this episode of Event Explorer, we head to Portland, Oregon, to explore the magic of the Portland Winter Light Festival. What began as a grassroots effort to light the city’s bridges has become a dazzling celebration of art, technology, and community, drawing nearly 200,000 visitors each year. Join us as we talk to Alisha Sullivan, the festival...

Winter has a way of turning even the chilliest days into something magical, and nowhere does it better than Aspen, Colorado. For 74 years, Wintersköl has been the heartbeat of Aspen’s winter season—a celebration of snow, community, and creativity. From torchlight parades and dazzling fireworks to soup competitions and zany traditions like ski splashes, this festival has it all. In this episode, Da...