Events
Inkcarceration Rocks The Ohio State Reformatory
Some of the biggest names in rock take over The Ohio State Reformatory for Inkcarceration
July 19, 2022
Photos by Steve Thrasher
Metalheads and tattoo enthusiasts from all over the country flocked to the Ohio State Reformatory to celebrate another year of Inkcarceration Festival. The yearly music and tattoo festival brings out the best in Rock/Metal and Tattoo scenes for a 3 day festival for all ages. Attendees also got an opportunity to tour the famous penitentiary which also hosted a tattoo competition and haunted house. A rainy weekend didn’t keep fans from coming out in an attempt to break last year’s attendance record of 75,000, which they most likely shattered.
Day 1 started off with a bang as we got to see some of the biggest rockers over the last 30 years. As the day progressed fans packed the Inkcarceration grounds to see the likes of From Ashes to New, Lacuna Coil, Code Orange, Sleeping With Sirens, Daughtry and I Prevail. The bands alternated two main stages which were located side by side. The stages were separated by a giant screen so you wouldn’t miss a moment no matter where you were. The music never stopped as one stage started when the other finished their set.
The first day finished off with 3 bands that have been a main staple of the rock world for the last 30 years. Canadian rockers, Three Days Grace set things off for the headliners with all their hits from “Animal I Have Become”, “Home”, “I Hate Everything About You”, and finished off with “Riot”. Papa Roach is known for putting on a great performance, and didn’t disappoint. Lead Singer Jacoby Shaddox kept the crown jumping all set. At one point he even hopped over a guardrail on to the other stage. The band graced the crowd with all their hits from over the years, such as “Broken Home”, “Getting Away With Murder”and “Between Angels and Insects”. The did great covers of Prodigy’s “Firestarter” and Blur’s “Song 2” that got fans going nuts. Papa Roach finished things off with the song that put them on the map “Last Resort”. Korn finished off the night showcasing 30 years of their Nu Metal sound the world has come to love. Jonathan Davis kicked things off with “Falling Away From Me” and continued with a mix of music from 10 different albums. It didn’t take very long before he busted out the infamous bagpipes to play the unique hit “Shoots and Ladders”. They rocked out with their major tracks such as “Got the Life”, “Coming Undone” and “Did My Time”. Korn sent fans home happy with the song that started things off back in the early 90’s “Blind”.

Day 2 continued where day 1 left off with another 11 hours of rock. This day had a bit more of a diverse sounding lineup that brought in all kinds of rock fans. We got a heavy dose of hardcore with bands like Spiritbox and Avatar. They were then followed up with Canadian country/rock band Theory of a Deadman. The night was headlined with some heavy hitters beginning with Evanesence highlighting decades of memorable hits. Amy Lee hit all the high notes and even broke out the piano for “My Immortal”. Breaking Benjamin finished the night off with an electric performance with big hits like “I Will Not Bow” “Breath” and “Sooner or Later”. They even brought out Adam Gontier from Three Days Grace to help with “Dance With the Devin”. Breaking Benjamin finished off the night with their biggest hit “The Diary of Jane”. Lead singer Benjamin Burnley told the crowd this was the band’s favorite show that they have headlined.

Day 3 rained all day, however this did not stop the rock. The event may have started an hour late due to a thunderstorm but the nasty weather helped make for an unforgettable experience. As the grounds continued to get muddier as the day went on fans started mudslides on the hills making Inkcarceration even more rock and roll than it already was. This final day probably had the best lineup of the three as we saw bands such as 10 Years, Butcher Babies, Sick Puppies, Nothing More, and Black Veil Brides rip the stage in the name of Metal. Rapper Jelly Roll also took the stage to a great response showcasing the blend of the two genres. The night was headlined by big names starting with Seether from South Africa. They rocked the crowd starting with “Gasoline” before slowing things down with a partial acoustic version of “Broken”. Lamb of God kicked off their hardcore headline with “Memento Mori” and continued a moshed pit filled set ending with “Redneck”.

The festival came to a conclusion with megastar band Distubed. The multi platinum selling heavy metal band kicked things off in loud rock fashion with “Ten Thousand Fists”. As the rained continued down the band ran through 25 years of legendary hits such as “Stupify”, “Are You Ready” and “The Game”. Disturbed even brought out a piano and they did their famous cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence”. The band debuted their new single called “Hey You” to a great response from fans. After faking fans out with an encore, they finished the festival out with the song that made them popular, “Down With the Sickness”.

Mansfield is most famous for the Ohio State Reformatory.The Prison was built in 1886 and was operated until 1990. It was made famous while being host to the filming of The Shawshank Redemption. Over the last 5 years more exposure has been brought to this historic location as it now hosts the Inkcarceration Tattoo and Music Festival. Throughout the festival the reformatory was open for tours. Here you could see where they shot scenes from Shawshank Redemption as well as the different parts of the castle-like institution. The tour showed inside the cells and different offices of the staff and warden.

The Ohio State Reformatory is presumed to be haunted and has been well documented for paranormal activity. One of the rooms during the tour gives you an opportunity to experience this. The prison also plays host to a haunted house called “Blood Prison”. The haunted house tour takes you into the basement of the prison filled with startling props and scary live actors with the sole purpose of to scare you senseless. As far as haunted houses go this has been one of the best ones I have ever experienced. During Inkcarceration, there is only a limited section of the tour available. The full tour can be experienced from September 24th to October 30th.

During the festival was also a tattoo showcase inside the reformatory. Dozens of the country’s best and brightest artists were open for appointments to show off their skills. The artists were also part of a weekend long tattoo competition judging different aspects of their artform. The competition was judged each night on the stage located outside the prison.
The unstable weather couldn’t stop the festivities in Mansfield, Ohio this past weekend. The festival was filled with great music and complemented with great tattoos and paranormal pieces of Ohio history. With most likely a record setting crowd, this festival will be here to stay and we look forward to what will be in store in 2023.
Events
Fright Nights Unleashed: Big Scares, Bold Bites and a Night to Remember
Fright Nights Delivers Scares, Flavor and a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Halloween Magic.
Events
Horrorland Scares Up a Frightfully Good Time
Six haunted houses, sinister surprises and death-defying entertainment turn Miami’s Jungle Island into a scream-worthy playground where fear and fun collide. (more…)
Events
The Wharf Fort Lauderdale Is Going Full Halloween, and We Want In!
Horror movie villains on Friday, disco skeletons on Saturday, and two nights of Halloween chaos we absolutely cannot miss.
October 14, 2026
Okay, Fort Lauderdale, Halloween weekend is looking GOOD.
The Wharf Fort Lauderdale is giving us not one, but TWO completely different Halloween parties this year, and honestly, choosing between them feels unfair. One night we’re running from horror movie villains, and the next we’re dancing under disco balls with skeletons. What more could we possibly want?
Whether you’re the type who lives for a good scare or just wants an excuse to wear something outrageous and dance all night, The Wharf has plans for you.
And yes, we’re already thinking about costumes.
Friday, October 30: Slasher Drive-In
Remember when horror movies were all about creepy drive-in theaters, questionable decisions, and someone inevitably running in the wrong direction?
Well, The Wharf is bringing that energy back with Slasher Drive-In, an old-school horror-inspired Halloween party that sounds equal parts terrifying and ridiculously fun.
The venue is transforming into a vintage-style drive-in movie theater, complete with a throwback concession stand serving movie-night snacks.
Cute, right?
Except there’s one tiny problem.
Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Ghostface, and Leatherface are all on the guest list.
Yes, the horror icons themselves will be roaming around the venue throughout the night, so maybe think twice before wandering off alone.
We love a good Halloween theme, but this one sounds like you’re stepping straight into your favorite slasher movie. Except instead of screaming at the characters on screen, you might actually be the one doing the screaming.
And honestly? We’re kind of into it.

Saturday, October 31: ‘Til Death Do Us Party
Now THIS is our kind of afterlife.
On Halloween night, The Wharf is trading horror movie scares for a full-blown disco takeover with ‘Til Death Do Us Party, where Studio 54 meets the great beyond.
Think glitter, mirror balls, disco skeletons, fabulous costumes, and a dance floor that refuses to rest in peace.
It’s spooky, it’s glamorous, and it’s giving us every reason to break out the sequins.
There will also be a costume contest, plenty of photo opportunities, and a special menu of $12 Halloween cocktails, because what’s a disco in the afterlife without a little something spooky to sip?
We’re picturing outrageous outfits, sparkly accessories, and a whole lot of dancing. If you’ve been saving a dramatic Halloween look for the perfect occasion, this might be it.
And can we just appreciate a Halloween party that doesn’t make us choose between looking fabulous and embracing the spooky season?

So, Which Night Are We Going?
Here’s the thing. We genuinely cannot decide.
Friday is for horror movie lovers who want to hang out with the villains they’ve spent years being terrified of.
Saturday is for the disco queens, costume enthusiasts, and anyone who believes Halloween should involve a little glitter and a lot of dancing.
Our solution? Both. Obviously.
Halloween only comes around once a year, and The Wharf Fort Lauderdale is making a pretty convincing case for clearing the entire weekend.
So call your friends, start planning those costumes, and prepare for two nights that sound way too fun to stay home for.
Because whether you’re running from Ghostface or dancing with the dead, one thing’s for sure: Fort Lauderdale isn’t going to be boring this Halloween.

The Halloween Weekend Details
Where: The Wharf Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Friday, October 30: Slasher Drive-In, featuring horror movie characters, drive-in theater vibes, and movie-night snacks.
Saturday, October 31: ‘Til Death Do Us Party, featuring a Halloween disco, costume contest, photo ops, and $12 specialty cocktails.
The vibe: A little spooky, a little fabulous, and absolutely worth getting dressed up for.
Events
Regatta Grove Is Getting Spooky, and Fangtasia Might Be Our Favorite Halloween Plan Yet!
Vampire vibes, waterfront cocktails, and two nights of Halloween fun on Biscayne Bay? We’re so in.
Okay, Miami, THIS is the kind of Halloween we’re talking about.
Picture this: you’re sipping a cocktail by the water, the sun is setting over Biscayne Bay, there’s a breeze coming off the water, and suddenly your favorite waterfront hangout has entered its vampire era.
Welcome to Fangtasia at Regatta Grove, where Halloween meets Miami’s favorite kind of night out.
Taking over Regatta Grove on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, Fangtasia is bringing a darker, moodier twist to the waterfront spot we already love. And honestly, vampires and cocktails by the bay? We’re listening.
There’s something about Regatta Grove that makes an ordinary night feel like a mini vacation. The waterfront views, the open air, the tropical atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you show up for a drink and somehow lose track of time.
Now imagine all of that with a spooky Halloween twist.
Fangtasia is bringing the Halloween spirit to Coconut Grove without losing the laid-back coastal charm that makes Regatta Grove so much fun in the first place.
Think mysterious waterfront vibes, wicked cocktails, and the perfect excuse to embrace your dark side for the evening.
And can we talk about how good a vampire-inspired Halloween party sounds against a Miami sunset?
We’re already obsessed with the idea.
Listen, we love a haunted house. We love a good Halloween party. But there’s something especially appealing about celebrating spooky season with a cocktail in hand and Biscayne Bay as your backdrop.
No need to choose between your favorite Miami waterfront hangout and getting into the Halloween spirit. Fangtasia is giving us both.
Whether you’re going all out with your costume or just looking for somewhere fun to spend Halloween weekend, this is the kind of plan that’s easy to get excited about.
And with two nights to choose from, there’s really no excuse not to get a little fang-tastic.
If your Halloween group chat is still full of “What are we doing?” messages, consider this your answer.
Regatta Grove is already one of those places we love finding an excuse to visit, and throwing a vampire-inspired celebration into the mix just makes it better.
Grab your favorite people, embrace the spooky season, and make your way to Coconut Grove for a Halloween weekend with a little bite.
Because really, who wouldn’t want to spend Halloween sipping cocktails by the bay?
Where: Regatta Grove, Coconut Grove, Miami
When: Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 2026
The Vibe: Moody waterfront Halloween fun, wicked cocktails, and a vampire-inspired twist on a Miami favorite.
Our take? Halloween by the water with a little vampire energy sounds like a pretty perfect night to us.
Entertainment
A Crash Course in Comedy, Gator Style!!
Nikki Glaser Sinks Her Teeth into UF’s Homecoming ‘Gator Growl’ with a Night of Roasts, Rivalries and Gator Pride.
Events
Minnesota Renaissance Festival Gives Boredom the Axe
Sword swallowers, royal encounters, outrageous costumes and an avalanche of jokes turn Minnesota’s sprawling Renaissance Festival into a kingdom worth getting lost in.
Events
Finding Finland Hidden in Plain Sight
FinnFest USA Brings Finnish Culture, Creative Voices, Global Ideas and an Unexpected Pizza-Roll Connection into Focus in Minneapolis.
Events
Zéya 100k
The Miami born app celebrated a major milestone with a seriously fun South Florida party, but 100,000 downloads are only part of what’s next.
September 26, 2026
Zéya had plenty to celebrate, and they definitely knew how to throw a party.
The Miami-born swapping app recently marked 100,000 downloads, and SFL Insider joined the celebration for a night that felt much more like a fun Miami get-together than a typical tech event.
The atmosphere was lively, social, and genuinely welcoming, which actually made a lot of sense once we learned more about what Zéya is trying to build. This isn’t supposed to be another faceless marketplace where you post something and hope a stranger buys it. Zéya wants swapping to feel social, easy and connected to your community.
And after spending the evening celebrating with the people behind it, that part of the concept clicked.
Because we all have stuff.
The dress you wore once. The bag you loved until you didn’t. The camera you were definitely going to learn how to use. The random purchase that seemed necessary at the time and has barely moved since.
Zéya’s question is pretty simple: Why keep buying more when someone nearby might want exactly what you already have?
Even better, the app is now getting ready to move beyond swapping just things.
Services are coming too.
And that could make Zéya a whole lot more interesting.

– Creative Director & Strategist: Kateryna Brovkova — @kate.directs – Event Photo & Video Coverage: Yoisker Palmi — @yoiskr7 – Zéya Team: Zéya — @zeya_app – Sounds by: Lacré Studios — @studioslacre
Swipe. Match. Swap.
The easiest way to describe Zéya is old school bartering with a very modern makeover.
You browse what’s available nearby, see something you want and connect with the person who has it.
Then you offer something of your own.
Swipe. Match. Swap.
If the values don’t quite line up, Zéya allows an optional cash top-up to help make the trade work. And now, you don’t necessarily have to swap at all.
Zéya’s new cash-only option is officially live, meaning users can purchase an item directly when they find something they want. That’s a pretty significant shift for an app that started with swapping at its core. You can still trade, add cash to balance out a swap, or now skip the trade altogether and simply buy.
In other words, Zéya is starting to look less like a traditional bartering app and more like a flexible local marketplace where you decide how you want to make the deal.
100,000 Downloads Is a Pretty Big Deal
Zéya has now officially surpassed 100,000 downloads across iOS and Android, an exciting milestone for a company that started right here in Miami.
Founder and CEO Mehdi Taifi sees that number as something bigger than just downloads.
“One hundred thousand downloads is exciting because it shows that swapping can become a real habit, not a last resort,” Taifi said.
That idea stuck with me.
We’re so used to thinking buy when we want something new. Zēya is trying to get us to think swap first.
Earlier this year, the company also closed a $2.45 million strategic growth round led by Storage Innovations LLC, helping support its next stage of development.
Judging by the energy at the celebration, Zéya certainly isn’t treating 100K like a finish line.

– Zéya Team: Zéya — @zeya_app – Founder: Mehdi Taifi — @medimeds – Event Photo & Video Coverage: Yoisker Palmi — @yoiskr7
Zēya 4.0 Makes the Whole Thing Easier
The company has also rolled out Zéya 4.0, designed to make getting from “I want that” to actually completing a swap much faster.
One of my favorite additions is the AI Listing Assistant, mostly because writing listings is probably the least exciting part of selling anything online.
Take a photo, upload it, and the app can generate the item name, description, and category in seconds.
Done.
The update also adds chat before making an offer, group chat, and a visual balance meter that makes it easier to see whether a proposed swap feels fair.
Zéya has expanded its categories too, including Baby & Toddler and Sports & Outdoors.
So that barely used handbag has value.
But so do the golf clubs in the garage.
And Now Zēya Is Moving Beyond Stuff
This might be my favorite part of what’s coming next.
Zéya is adding services.
That changes the whole idea of what you can bring to a swap.
Maybe you don’t have a designer bag to trade, but you’re an amazing photographer.
Maybe you tutor.
Maybe you’re a personal trainer, stylist, graphic designer, pet sitter or the magical person who actually knows how to organize a closet.
Your skills have value too.
The full details of how services will work are still to come, but opening Zēya to services takes it beyond simple bartering. It becomes more about exchanging value, whether that value happens to be sitting in your closet or comes from something you know how to do.
And suddenly the possibilities get much bigger.
It All Feels Very Miami
Maybe that’s another reason I enjoyed the celebration so much.
Zéya feels very Miami.
It’s social. It’s stylish. It’s a little entrepreneurial. And it revolves around discovering something you want without necessarily paying full price for it.
We can absolutely get behind that.
The party reflected that same energy. People were mingling, talking about the app and celebrating what is clearly a big moment for the team, but it never felt overly corporate or stuffy. It felt like a community celebrating something that started locally and is beginning to grow.
That seems especially fitting for a company that wants its marketplace to feel like a community too.
Swap, Don’t Shop
There is an obvious sustainability benefit to giving perfectly good things another life instead of constantly buying new ones.
But Zéya doesn’t make that feel like a lecture.
The appeal is much simpler.
You have things you don’t use. Someone else wants them. And chances are, they have something you want too.
Add AI-assisted listings, local discovery, cash top-ups, cash-only purchases, community features, and soon the ability to exchange services, and it starts looking very different from the bartering most of us remember.
Zéya’s tagline is “Swap Don’t Shop.”
After a fun night celebrating 100,000 downloads and getting a closer look at where the Miami company is headed next, we’re curious to see just how far people are willing to take that idea.
Because if swapping can be this easy and this social, maybe we really don’t need to buy everything new.

– Zéya Team: Zéya — @zeya_app – Venue: One K — @onek_socialbar
-
Music4 weeks agoZach Top Honors Country Music’s Past While Claiming His Future in South Florida
-
Press Releases4 weeks agoPalace Miami Beach Is Going All Out for LGBTQ+ History Month
-
Restaurants4 weeks agoLiquid Gold, Greedy Angels and the Rum Putting India in a Bottle
-
Entertainment4 weeks agoWho Killed Joan Crawford? Camp, Cocktails and Carnage
-
Restaurants3 weeks agoCocktails, Caviar and Waterfront Views: Sweetwaters Opens in Fort Lauderdale
-
Restaurants4 weeks agoAnthony’s Turns Up the Heat With Coal-Fired Chicken
-
Music3 weeks agoOne Dream, Two Musical Worlds
-
Music4 weeks agoOf Monsters and Men Turn the Fillmore Spiritual


