IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT SOUND

Textures Tower Over Downtown St. Pete

Meet Mike Ingold, Ingold Audio Design Co.

Mike Ingold’s love of music, woodworking and fabrication have finally all come together in a new business venture with the opening of Ingold Audio Design Co. earlier this year.

Born and raised in the Detroit metro area, Ingold received a BFA from Grand Valley State University and a MFA degree from Kendall College of Art and Design. For the last 10 years, Ingold as been working as a Professor of Art and Design and the Wood Shop Technician for the University of Tampa while continuing to design, build, and modify guitars in his spare time. While professionally Ingold’s focus has been seated in the field of Art and Design, specifically woodworking, he has been playing, recording, modifying, building, and collecting guitars since he was in middle-school. In his free time from work, Ingold can always be found tinkering with his guitar gear; swapping out hardware, modifying circuits, experimenting with signal path, all in search of the (un-gettable) “perfect” sound.

METRO: What made you decide to open your own business?

INGOLD: Historically, I had always seen my interest in guitar as a hobby or side-project, but a few years ago I began posting images of the things I was working on in some guitar forums online. To my surprise, my work received a ton of positive feedback and interest. Designing and building guitars combines all of my interests and skill-sets into one perfect endeavor.

M: What inspires you and why did you want to make guitars?

I: Having been educated in the field of art and design, I have always been inspired by artists who take risks and operate outside the boundaries of popularity and acceptance. I have an immense respect for those who aren’t afraid to push the avant guard and question the norm. My favorite artist is Marcel Duchamp, who pioneered the idea that art can be anything that the artist says is art. For me, the guitar has always been a symbol of experimentation, rebellion, and freedom.

M: How long does it take to make a guitar?

I: I am a one-man show and every part of every instrument that comes out of my shop has been touched by me. It is faster to work in small production runs of three or four instruments at a time, but speed is not necessarily the ultimate goal. I actually prefer it when I get one-off custom orders so I can really focus on one guitar at a time and make it a singularly perfect object. Production can take as little as a week or as long as six weeks.

M: What is your favorite type of music?

I: I tend to lean into musicians and groups that have an experimental component to their sound, which can be true of music in many different genres.

M: Where is the best place to watch live music in Tampa Bay?

I: Our city is lucky to have a ton of great music venues, and I’m lucky enough to know a few of the amazing folks who help run them. I love what’s happening at the Floridian Social Club (formerly the State Theater) in St. Pete right now. Jannus is always a great place to see a show. My favorite place to both see and play music in Tampa has to be Crowbar in Ybor.

M: What do you like to do in your free time?

B: I’m a family man who loves spending time with my fiancé and our three kids. We are all movie-buffs, so we do a lot of family movie nights and still love going to the theater when we can. Aside from family, it’s all music. I am always playing in at least one, if not several bands in the Tampa Bay area. My next gig will be at Hooch and Hive on Mother’s day, where some local musicians and I will be playing a cover set of Depeche Mode’s greatest hits for all the moms.

—— Ronda M. Parag

MUSIC FOR ALL 12th Annual Gasparilla Music Festival

Presented by Coppertail Brewing Co. the Gasparilla Music Festival is set to take to the stages over two days April 29 – 30, 2023 at Curtis Hixon Park. Headliners recently announced include hip-hop duo Run The Jewels comprised of Killer Mike and El-P. The other headliner on Saturday night includes Canadian electro-funk duo and Grammy Award® Nominees, Chromeo, who recently released a new album and performances at Coachella. The festival closes out on Sunday with American Rock Bank, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, which pays tribute to Grateful Dead. Known by fans as J-Rad, the group has been selling out major markets and venues with their incredible live performances including surprise guests and high-energy jams. The schedule is jammed packed with other national and local acts including Cannons, Rising Appalachia, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Flipturn and The 502s.

“It’s a transitional year for GMF as we adapt to the challenges of rapidly growing downtown development,” said Melanie Rouse, GMF Board President. “We’re looking forward to celebrating one last year in Curtis Hixon with a sensational lineup. We’re very excited to establish our new home at Julian B. Lane Park in 2024 where we can grow for years to come and remain an integral part of the downtown landscape.”

New this year is extension of music up and down along the Riverwalk from the Straz Center for the Performing Arts to Sparkman Wharf. This will give musical fans the opportunity to catch live music in various venues along the Riverwalk. Festival goers will have a variety of ways to move up and down venue sites with the Pirate Water Taxi, TECO Streetcar trolley, E-scooters, bicycles and by walking. Bike riding is encouraged with an expanded Bike Valet area and is free for concert goers. Returning again this year is the popular Silent Disco and the amazing food vendors set up at Calle Cocina.

Gasparilla Music Festival is a nonprofit event that serves as an immersive experience celebrating the best of Tampa culture through music, food, fashion, art and, of course, award winning beers. Musical education is supported through its Recycled Tunes program which provides instruments to students, who otherwise would not have access to them.

Gasparilla Music Festival

April 29 – 30, 2023

Advance General Admission tickets start at $50 with VIP tickets starting at $125. Visit www.gmftickets.com for ticket information.

17th Annual Pride & Passion Tampa Museum of Art

Get ready to celebrate Pride & Passion at the Tampa Museum with the fantastic theme of Sabor which means flavor. The celebration will be influenced with the sights, sounds and tastes of Latin American culture that can be found throughout the Tampa Bay area. The evening will include a lively evening of salsa, merengue, cubia and bachata music, plus a few surprise performances. Guests will also enjoy dishes from local Latin American restaurants, and a premium open bar with a tequila bar. The event will be co-chaired by Walter Pinillos and Cee van Os. As a committee member for 8 years, Pinillos felt it was time for him to lead this year’s Pride & Passion and immediately agreed to co-chair along with van Os, who have teamed up together for many charitable causes and events. “I strongly believe in the freedom of arts and speech and we must keep the program’s at the Museum available to promote creativity, awareness and independent thoughts,” says Walter. “We need these programs at TMA to cultivate young minds.”

Pride & Passion raises funds to support the Tampa Museum of Art, allowing it to supplement diversity, equity, and inclusion programming. Proceeds help the Museum offer programs that allow access to art education to all, create safe places for people to experience the arts and celebrate local talent. “We must all work together to help spread the Pride legacy of diversity, equality and inclusion,” adds Walter.

“The Museum is a fabric of the community,” says Walter. “Pride & Passion at the Tampa Museum of Art has a bright future.”

Pride & Passion will be held Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Tampa Museum of Art. Visit www.tampamuseum.org/pride for ticket information.

PurpleStride Strives To End Pancreatic Cancer

More than 64,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. The currently reported five-year survival rate is 12 percent. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is working toward advancing treatment options and earlier detection for pancreatic cancer patients. PanCAN Tampa Bay is raising money and awareness through PurpleStride, the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer. This family-friendly event is on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Thank you to our premier sponsor Dave Andreychuk Foundation and additional sponsors Moffitt Cancer Center, The Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund, Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute, Baycare, Amazon Studios, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 1905 Family of Restaurants, AdventHealth, and Hooters. We would love to see you there.

For more information about getting involved outside of the walk, visit our Facebook group, Tampa Bay — Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) or our Instagram handle @pancantampabay.

Registration for the walk is free, just visit www.purplestride.org/tampabay.

THE TRUTH ABOUT MAGAZINES:

Source: GfK MRI

Philanthropic Women of St. Joseph’s Annual Luncheon : The annual luncheon for the Philanthropic Women of St. Joseph’s celebrated their 15th year anniversary of supporting health care for women, children and families at five of the BayCare hospitals. The luncheon featured keynote speaker Deborah Norville who is an emmy-winning broadcaster, best-selling author and crafter. The premier sponsors were Harvey and Cherie Schonbrun and Sid and Donna Jordan. | The Dalí Museum Teen Fashion Show – Neiman Marcus: Friends, supporters and art lovers gathered on the second level of Neiman Marcus Tampa Bay to enjoy an evening of fashion created by teen designers from the Dalí’s fashion education program. Presented by Neiman Marcus, Fashion Design at The Dalí teen designers joined Neiman Marcus fashion models for a special runway show featuring Dalí teen program members showcasing their original designs of wearable art. All proceeds benefit The Dalí Museum educational programs.

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay – 20th Annual Cup of Compassion Breakfast 2023: It was a sold-out breakfast at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay’s annual fundraising breakfast. Attendees heard heartwarming stories of how the Crisis Center assists so many people in need from suicide intervention, sexual assault advocacy, TIA airport assistance, hospital transport through TransCare and more. Deanne King of WFLA served as the mistress of ceremonies. The event speakers included Board Chair Roger Boothroyd, client Lisa Yob, Crisis Center CEO Clara Reynolds , and Sheriff Chad Chronister . No matter the crisis, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is there to help. The event raised over $755,000 making it the most successful breakfast yet. | ACT Social: The Arts Conservatory For Teens hosted a cocktail reception to benefit the organization and for those to learn more about how ACT impacts students lives through arts education and professional development. The host committee included Smith & Associates’ Bob Glaser, Neiman Marcus’ Kimberly Biehl and others at the beautiful home of Steve and Amanda Heese. Guests enjoyed performances by students including poetry reading, singing and other performances. Guests enjoyed cocktails, wines and delicious appetizers by Mise en Place.

(13) Sheriff Chad Chronister, Nikki DeBartolo, Deanne King – WFLA Anchor (14) Robby Kimberly, Kat Lewis, Allie Spurrier, Kelly Hausler, Ryan Calvin (15) Lisa Yob, Roger Boothroyd, PhD – Chair, Board of Directors, Clara A. Reynolds – President & CEO (16) Penny Parks, Yvette Segura, Kimberly Overman (17) James Patterson, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor (18) Betsy Hapner, Debbie Lundberg (19) Bob Glaser, Alex Harris, PhD (20) Javier A. Nieves-Costas, MD, Alex Harris, PhD, Maria Giacalone-Mozo (21) Alex Harris, PhD, Emily Harris (22) James Hossmark, Kim Biehl (23) Amanda Heese, Sally Dee (24) Kellen Carter, Alex Harris, PhD, Robert Roubideaux

2023 Opera Tampa Grand Gala Carnevale: It was a night to celebrate at the 2023 Opera Tampa Grand Gala for the signature fundraising event. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner on the Carol Morsani Hall stage that was elaborately decorated by FrankLynn Visual Marketing. Dinner was followed by a live auction, performances by Opera Tampa artists, and desserts and dancing in the lobby. Lea Lavoie Davis was the Carnevale Gala Chair. | 11th Annual Children’s Dream Fund Dreammaker Luncheon: Almost 400 guests gathered at Armature Works in Tampa to honor the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Lightning Foundation as the Children’s Dream Fund Dreammaker of the Year. This annual event honors an individual or group for their contribution to the Children’s Dream Fund and to the Tampa Bay community. Emcee Doug Hensel aka DJ Fresh shared the stage with a special co-emcee, Weston Hermann. Hermann was the recipient of a Dream in 2018 to have his own ice rink and is still an avid hockey player. Accepting the award on behalf of the honorees was Elizabeth Frazier, VP of Philanthropy & Community Relations at the Tampa Bay Lightning. | The Chislers, Inc. Minaret Mixer: The Minaret Mixer preview shopping party kicked off The 58th Chiselers Market with guests happily paying twice the price to get first dibs on the estate-quality donations — silver, crystal, china, furniture, antiques, art, books, jewelry, designer fashions and much more — collected for the annual, one-day-only sale that funds the Chiselers ongoing preservation projects at historic Plant Hall, headquarters of the University of Tampa. The 400 guests enjoyed signature Minaret Mixer vodka cocktails, music by the Seaside band and hors d’oeuvre stations throughout the stunning former 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel.

(25)Guido Arguello, Melina Wong (26) David Delac, Belinda Alexander (27) Gary Sasso, Karen Sasso (28) Lee Lowry, Dan Molloy (29) Doug Hensel (DJ Fresh) and Weston Hermann (co-emcees) (30) Elizabeth Frazier, Amand Griffin, Sarah Costello (31) Joey Sunshine, Jennifer Mook, Riley Mook, Allison Mook (32) Sara Coulter, Loren Lopez, Alyssa Rhoads, Darien Cobb (33) Chiselers President Beth Garcia, Honorary Chairs Carmen and Harry Barkett (34) Chiselers Market chairwoman Liz Wessel, Joe Wessel, Minaret Mixer Chairwoman Laura Lee Glass and Matthew Glass (35) Charlene Cofer, Charlene Gordon, Lucie Dowie, Carol Segundo (36) Beth Garcia, Jane Hernandez, Cindy Ramm, Elizabeth Christenberry

Tampa Bay Go Red for Women Luncheon

When: February 10, 2023

Where: Armature Works

The Tampa Bay Go Red for Women Luncheon encouraged attendees to “Be the Beat” and be a relentless force for longer, healthier lives. More than 400 people rocked their red and celebrated the strength of women in the fight against heart disease.

Held at the Armature Works in Tampa, the luncheon brought together community members, supporters and sponsors to focus on preventing heart disease and stroke by promoting healthy lifestyles and raising nearly $900,000 for research and education initiatives.

During the luncheon, 2023 Go Red Chairwoman Amanda Stevens officially passed the torch to 2024 Chairwoman Shantha Diaz who will lead the Go Red for Women movement and oversee next year’s luncheon on February 9, 2024.

Tampa Bay METRO was a proud media sponsor.

Photography: Foto Bohemia, www.FotoBoho.com

CITY: Fashion+Art+Culture Designer Naeem Kahn

When: Saturday, March 4, 2023

Where: Tampa Museum of Art

The Tampa Museum of Art transformed into a vibrant runway filled with fashions by internationally renowned designer Naeem Khan. The co-chairs for 2023 CITY event were Sharmila Seth and Courtney Kuhn. Presented by Brave and Khun Automotive this years CITY was the largest runway event with models strutting the gorgeous designs both outside under the portico and inside the museum. Guests sipped crafted cocktails and enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres from Eddie V’s and delicious desserts. The after-party was New York disco themed Studio 54 where guests danced to the DJ music and celebrated into the evening.

All funds raised by CITY: Fashion+Art+Culture benefit the Tampa Museum of Art’s exhibition and education programs for children, teens and adults.