Just Can't Not

Rochester Contemporary Art Center's 6x6 art show is back, and it's a celebration of creativity like no other! This year's event features an incredible collection of over 6,000 pieces, all created by artists from all walks of life, proving that art truly knows no boundaries. We're diving into the heart of this vibrant community gathering, speaking to artists, enthusiasts, and those who simply appre...

We're diving into the vibrant world of the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival, which is about to kick off for its 13th year from March 19th to 28th! I’m Chris Lindstrom, and today I’m chatting with the fabulous Alexandra Marar, who's bringing her storytelling show, "Guardian Stranger," to life at the Attack Theater Studios. She’s got some wild tales about how ignoring the whole "don't talk to strangers" a...

We're diving deep into the world of puppetry and horror with our lchat with Jessica Jade Jacob about Jawsica, the one-woman puppet show that's making waves at the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival! We're super stoked to introduce you to Jessica, the mastermind behind this quirky twist on the classic film *Jaws*, where she brings the iconic shark and all its characters to life using puppets. You'll hear h...

Get ready to shake your groove thing because we’re diving into the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival with our pals from the Crossing Paths Movement Collective! On March 27th and 28th, at 7 PM sharp, they’ll be taking over the Attack Theatre Studios, and trust me, you don’t want to miss this. This year’s lineup is all about dance and physical theatre, showcasing some seriously talented local artists and t...

Get ready to dive into the wonderfully weird world of "Krampus Gets Cramped," a puppet show that’s anything but ordinary! This playful piece, created by the talented Jim Julian, is part of the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival happening from March 25th to March 28th at the Mr. Roboto Project. Picture this: Krampus, the Christmas demon, finds himself in the bustling streets of 1970s New York, mingling wit...

Get ready, folks, because we’re diving into the world of theater with a special spotlight on a show that’s sure to haunt your heart—it's called "Ghosted," and it's hitting the stage at the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival! This gem is brought to us by the talented Celeste Walker, who’s here to spill the tea on her mostly true tale of love, loss, and a sprinkle of Catholic guilt, all set in a hotel that...

We're diving into the delightful chaos of "An American (not) in Paris," a hilarious solo show by Liv Rocklin, hitting the stage at the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival from March 24th to March 28th. This isn't just any comedy; it's a vibrant mix of stand-up storytelling and musical comedy, all wrapped up in a package that’s equal parts relatable and riotous. Liv shares her journey through the ups and do...

We're diving into the vibrant world of the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival, and let me tell ya, it’s a blast! I’m your host, Chris Lindstrom, and I’m super pumped to chat with local poet and rapper tamping , who’s got a show lined up called *Against Further Compressions* at the Attack Theater Studios. Fringe, folks, is all about breaking boundaries, and this festival, running from March 19th to 28th, d...

Alright, folks, let’s dive into the vibrant world of the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival with our spotlight on "A Dream of Midsummer," presented by the Brawling Bard Theater! This show runs from March 21 to March 28, 2026, at the super chill Mettā: A Healing Arts Community. We're breaking down the wild and wacky chaos of what happens when a cast prepares for the wrong show—yep, you heard that right! We...

Get ready to dive into the wacky world of clowning with our guest Sara Kantner, who’s bringing her show "The Queen (WIP)" to the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival! From March 21st to the 27th, Sara’s gonna be strutting her stuff at the Conjure Bar & Stage and the Mr. Roboto Project, and trust me, you don’t wanna miss it. We’re talking comedy, improv, and a sprinkle of wrestling vibes as she navigates...

Jenny Lopez joins host Chris Lindstrom to chat about her Pittsburgh Fringe show, "Silver Linings and Alternate Realities." Two stand-up comics and a drag queen walk into a bar. Challenged with dilemmas that our audience might be facing at the time. Their goal is to find the silver linings and alternative realities that could exist in our world today. Take the perspective of two stand-up comics 20...

Chris Lindstrom is joined by Cam Webb of the Orange Steel Theatre Company to talk about their Pittsburgh Fringe show, "Doohickey". Doohickey! is an immersive makerspace experience, where audience members are invited to join the intergalactic resistance group Caomei in their struggle against shadowy land developers whose greed is inflicting untold damage to the world. Armed with the support of Caom...

Host Chris Lindstrom is joined by storyteller Noam Osband to talk about his award-winning show "Circumscribed", making its Pittsburgh debut. It's a story about growing up with a father who was a mohel (Jewish ritual circumciser) who buried foreskins at home, failed efforts at finding paternal figures after his untimely death, and wrestling with circumcising his own kid. Weaving together family vid...

In this episode, Chris Lindstrom engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with Irene Malloy, the creator of the solo show "Show Pony," set to premiere at the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival. Their conversation traverses various facets of Irene's artistic journey, beginning with her early involvement in theater and the subsequent evolution of her creative expression. As Irene shares her motivations for d...

This episode of Just Can't Not features an in-depth conversation with Adam Eaton (@adameaton.art), a local artist and art director, who discusses his newly released photography book titled "Black is Beautiful." This book encapsulates the essence of over 70 local models from Rochester, New York, showcasing more than 250 photographs that celebrate the diversity and beauty of the Black community. You...

This episode of our podcast delves into the fascinating realm of wintertime acting, spotlighting an array of talented individuals engaged in the upcoming theatrical productions, particularly focusing on "Charles Darwin's Solstice Carol" and "Flora," both penned by local playwright Matthew Dwight Moore. We are privileged to converse with the cast, including Scott, Lisa, Cheyenne, Evan, and Greg, wh...

Small announcement on some Big Plan for @behindglassroc in 2026 Thank you to our curation team @quajay @byrobbell And a big thank you to all of you that have supported our mission of Community Over Competition 💪 See you in 2026 and please check out our GoFundMe on our Behind the Glass Instagram page ! @richardbcolon Mentioned in this episode: Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use prom...

ROC Holiday Village (@rocholidayvillage) is an enchanting winter festival and holiday institution taking place from December 5th to the 28th in downtown Rochester, New York. This year marks the seventh iteration of this event, which has evolved into a beloved tradition, drawing families and individuals alike to join in the holiday cheer. Our guest, Kelly Marsh (@kellimarsh), co-founder of ROC Holi...

Recorded LIVE in front of an audience during The 2025 Rochester Fringe Festival, Pauly joins a panel of fellow Lunchador podcasts Matt Austin & Chris Lindstrom (Lunchador Founders), Emily Hessney-Lynch (It's A Lot), and Mike Huntone (Punches & Popcorn) for a fun-filled hour of ranking banter. Mentioned in this episode: Punches & Popcorn The masters of Couch Potato style Mike Huntone, Jason...

Photographers, gallery co-curators, and dads Richard Colon and Quajay Donnell join host Emily Hessney Lynch for a conversation about photography, Rochester, community, and fatherhood. In the first half of the show, we discuss how photographing different parts of Rochester helped them get to know the city, their goals of prioritizing community over competition and uplifting underrepresented artists...

This episode is part of the Lunchador partnership with the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival (@rochesterfringe) to preview events you might not know about! Guest: Philadelphia Freedom: A Tribute to Elton John Experience the magic of Elton John like never before with Philadelphia Freedom: A Tribute to Elton John—a youthful, high-energy tribute that’s as fun as it is unforgettable! Led by a dynamic band...

This episode is part of the Lunchador partnership with the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival (@rochesterfringe) to preview events you might not know about! Guest: Dram-o-cracy - Sample four premium, unreleased single barrels from the award-winning Finger Lakes Distilling in this exclusive, insider, tasting experience led by president Brian McKenzie. Set in the Spiegeltent at happy hour, gues...

This episode is part of the Lunchador partnership with the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival (@rochesterfringe) to preview events you might not know about! Guest: Glen Tickle Tries to Be a Person When comedian Glen Tickle made a list of ways to try to be better at comedy, he realized the list was a combination of personality flaws, bad habits, and neurodiversity. If Glen is going to become a better co...

This episode is part of the Lunchador partnership with the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival (@rochesterfringe) to preview events you might not know about! Guest: Lunatics Lounge, Live Back for a third year, (585) magazine humorist Taylor Terrance brings the absurd stories from her column to life with Lunatics Lounge, Live. Hear about the antics of family and friends with stories of a prom date gone a...

This episode is part of the Lunchador partnership with the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival (@rochesterfringe) to preview events you might not know about! Guest: The Roustabouts/Guilt and Mirrors Love to Laugh? Stuck on Yuks? Crave Sketch Comedy? Then be there when the Roustabouts take the 2025 Fringe Festival and knock it on its ear! The best comedians in town have slaved over a hot stove to concoct...