Brian Blair

Oct 29, 2024 | therepublic.com | Brian Blair

Story source spellings: Dave Stehouwer; Gail Nowels; Jean Brownlee; Annalee Huey; Cindy StephensonWhen Dave Stehouwer hears the thunder, he wonders if he has somehow caught lightning in a bottle. The Parkinson’s patient, with a mix of medicine and a boisterous Asian art known as Taiko drumming, has seen his tremors disappear and a measure of confidence reappear.

Oct 23, 2024 | therepublic.com | Brian Blair

They know how important it is for buildings to have good bones. And the leaders of Exhibit Columbus figure it can be important to have a good funnybone, too. So next week’s Exhibit Columbus symposium’s opening day on Thursday will close with a three-comic stand-up show at 5:45 p.m. The Commons at 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus. The idea? That perhaps there can be a few newcomers to the serious architectural awe locally after a not-so-serious evening at one of the city’s Modernist marvels.

Oct 22, 2024 | therepublic.com | Brian Blair

If the nonprofit Brown County Music Center were itself a performer, it’s fair to say that it might be enjoying a substantial encore. The 2,003-seat concert venue nestled among the nearby Nashville hills at just beyond its five-year mark is averaging 1,375 people per show at an average ticket price of $56, according to its leaders. The top ticket buyer is between 45 and 65 years old. And 40 percent of shows boast a ticket resale value of about four times more than face value, venue leaders say.

Oct 22, 2024 | therepublic.com | Brian Blair

The paranormal and a bit of the abnormal and more will line the path of a self guided tour from 5 to 9 p,m, Nov. 1 in downtown Columbus. Therein lies the essence of “Haunted History: Downtown’s Paranormal Past.” Tickets are $20 per person in advance and $25 per person the day of the event at https://bartholomewhistory.org. The Bartholomew County Historical Society fundraiser is a self-guided tour of seven locations locally.

Oct 19, 2024 | therepublic.com | Brian Blair

Hope native and Nashville, Tennessee country singer-songwriter Jenna Shoaf is fighting to make a name for herself in Music City — beginning with a passionate first single about fighting. The tune, titled “Civil War,” is slated to be released Friday, the day after her 25th birthday. The song deals with the less-than-civil end of a relationship. “It’s an emotional song that doesn’t hold back,” Shoaf said. ” … You feel like you have to act like everything is OK even though it’s not.