Sure the holidays mean spending time
with the family. But you can still have fun, too. With these low-cost events,
you’ll even be able to pay your fuel bills.
Metro Justice’s Alternative Fair
happens at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 South Winton Road, on
Friday, December 2, 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, December 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ever get depressed because no one buys you holiday gifts from Mann’s Jewelers?
At least there’s hope for your kids. Show them what really matters, surrounded
by hundreds of fair trade, earth friendly, and/or locally produced items. Many
items priced under $3, so kids can shop, too. Tasty food and entertainment for
all ages. Suggested donation $3, under 12 free, free childcare. Go to
www.metrojustice.org or call 325-2560.
Anderson Alley Artists host a Holiday
Gala on Friday, December 2, 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, December 3, 11 a.m. to 4
p.m. You’ve encouraged your kids’ creativity. You’ve taken them to galleries.
Now kids — and adults — can meet working artists in their studios and see a
variety of art offered for sale. Enjoy elegant refreshments and live music
throughout the former shoe factory located at 250 North Goodman. It’s like a
trip to SoHo without the unpleasant expense. Free. Visit
www.andersonalleyartists.com or call 473-0070.
Afraid your brain will explode if you
hear one more cheesy holiday song? Seek sanctuary at Comhaltas Ceoltoiri
Eireann’s Irish music jam on Sunday, December 4, 4 to 6 p.m. at the American
Hotel, corner of routes 15A and 5 & 20 in Lima. All ages will enjoy
traditional Irish tunes in a relaxed atmosphere at this jam session, held the
first Sunday of each month in one of the historic hotel’s dining rooms. Hearty
homemade soups and Guinness on tap, too. I’ll take either one over a wassail
bowl any day. Free. Info at www.irishrochester.org or call 244-3902.
Now more than ever, nothing blows the
stink off like a road trip. East Aurora, south of Buffalo about 90 minutes
away, has plenty of bang for the gas buck. Located on the Fisher-Price campus
at 636 Girard Avenue, Toy Town Museum’s exhibits include Good Grief, It’s the Peanuts, and Feel the Power, a multi-dimensional Buffalo Bills exhibit. Open
Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Go to www.toytownusa.com or
call 716-687-5151.
Also in East Aurora, Explore and
More: A Children’s Museum at 300 Gleed Avenue, has Culture Corner, a hands-on, realistic examination of life in South
Africa, Vietnam, the Netherlands, and Mexico. Other exhibits, plus a kids’ art
room modeled after Van Gogh’s studio. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5
p.m., Sunday 12 to 5 p.m., until 8 p.m. first Fridays. Admission $4, babies
under one and WIC families free. Visit www.exploreandmore.org or call
716-655-5131. Don’t miss Vidler’s 5 & 10 store on historic Main Street, and
the Roycroft Campus, a center for the Arts & Crafts Movement, founded by
Elbert Hubbard in 1895.
The
Original Art 2005, a traveling exhibition of original children’s book
illustrations sponsored by the Society of Illustrators, opens with a reception
on Friday, December 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. at RIT’s Bevier Gallery, in the James
E. Booth Building. Should be easy to sell even if your kid’s a reluctant
reader. They all love the pictures. Gallery hours Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday 1 to 4:30 p.m.,
Sunday 2 to 4:30 p.m. Closed December 24 through January 1. Free. Call 475-7680
or 475-2646 for info.
Kwanzaa Family Day at the Memorial
Art Gallery, Thursday, December 29, 4 to 9 p.m., lets kids explore the African
American cultural holiday through art activities, live music, and family tours.
Proving once again culture is fun for everyone. Admission $1, children 5 and
under free. Visit www.mag.rochester.edu or call 473-7720.
As Dickens reminds us in A Christmas Carol, sitting around a cold
flat is not very festive. Enjoy these fun seasonal events that leave you with
enough cash to keep the home fires burning.
See more of Linda’s writing at
www.junkstorecowgirl.com.
This article appears in Nov 16-22, 2005.
