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Holiday Guide 2013
Vegan holidays, fighting a fear of santa, toys past and present, a holiday events guide, and more!
Student behavior: Vargas dares to go there
When Rochester schools Superintendent Bolgen Vargas presented his proposal for college-run schools last week, it was just one piece of a larger package of steps needed, he said, to improve student achievement. The full pac kage includes improving financial management to reduce the hand-wringing over budget gaps; working with BOCES to revive a technical careers program…
Dems attack big pay raise proposed for Sheriff O’Flynn
Last night, County Legislature Democrats had a chance to question county officials about a proposed $37,000 raise for Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn. The Sheriff’s Office is within the purview of the Legislature’s Public Safety Committee. But Dems help back. They appear to be holding their questions until the Lej’s Ways and Means Committee meeting on Thursday,…
Concert Review: The Djangoners at Little Theatre Cafe
The Little Theatre Café has always struck me as temporal twilight, a layover in a caffeinated limbo if you will, on your way to or from cinematic bliss. While in this holding pattern and holding a cup of hot joe, you can dig any number of bands on the artistic fringe as they punch out…
WEEK AHEAD: County committees to examine Brooks’s budget proposal
Legislators will discuss County Executive Maggie Brooks 2014 budget proposal during committee meetings on Monday and Tuesday. On both days, the meetings start at 4:30 p.m. and will be held in the Legislature chambers at the County Office Building, 39 West Main Street. Four committees meet each day. The Human Services Committee meeting, which starts…
RPO announces travel packages for Carnegie Hall concert
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra today announced additional details of its May 7, 2014, concert at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. The performance – part of the Spring for Music festival – will see 250 local musicians and staff heading to NYC. The RPO is encouraging Rochester fans to make the trip as well. Tickets to…
Warren resigns City Council seat
Council has 30 days to select a replacement.
Could Buffalo and Rochester both be solar manufacturing hubs?
The state’s economic development arm will invest $225 million to build a high-tech and green energy business hub in Buffalo. The money is going toward infrastructure and building construction at a 90-acre site, RiverBend, that is the former home of Republic Steel. And yesterday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the manufacturing complex’s first committed tenants, both…
Concert Review: RPO’s Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony
Beethoven might be the headliner, but the attention grabbers from last night’s Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra concert were guest cellist Edward Arron performing Saint-Saëns and living American composer Kevin Puts. Perhaps you have heard of neither? All the more reason to get to Saturday night’s concert. Arron’s performance demonstrated what happens when you do everything right…
Day care subsidies: What Maggie Brooks didn’t say
When Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks presented her 2014 budget proposal recently, she said that the county would provide more funding than the state required for child day care subsidies. And as a result, she said, no families currently receiving child day care subsidies would lose their slots. But Brooks chose her words carefully. She didn’t…
Dems call for Legislature to investigate LDC’s
Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature say they want a committee of legislators to take over an internal investigation into two county-linked local development corporations.
ARTS: Rochester Fringe Festival announces 2014 dates
The Rochester Fringe Festival Board of Directors today announced dates for the 2014 edition of the festival – its third edition – which will take place September 18-27. The official press release follows: FRINGE ANNOUNCES 2014 DATES: SEPT. 18-27 First Niagara renews title sponsorship for 10-day event 2013 ticket revenue increased more than 100% over…
Concert Review: This is Home at Dubland Underground
Typically anticipation runs pretty low for a Monday early-evening gig. Often, it’s a low-dough slot with minimal risk for promoters and minimum return for the band. That is unless, you’re in This Is Home and it’s your first gig ever. I braved the bluster and wind Monday, November 18, to stand in a modest sea…
Rochester Police Chief Sheppard to retire
Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard is retiring at the end of the year. Sheppard apparently sent an e-mail this morning, breaking the news to the department.
Moving past the Turkey
Last year, I spent a few months halfheartedly attempting veganism. When I first considered eating that way, one thing came to mind: substitutes. What could I eat that would mimic the taste of my beloved meat and cheese? I went out and bought a wide variety of chik’n nuggets, tempeh, and a whole slew of…
Pop/Rock | Advance Base
Chicago-based act Advance Base, the stage name of musician Owen Ashworth, lists his genre simply as sad. On the album “A Shut In’s Prayer,” Ashworth presents a folk-inspired gift for the narrative form and gentle speech-based vocals, calling to mind artists such as Leonard Cohen and Bill Callahan. Ashworth embraces vintage pop instrumentation, employing instruments…
2013 Holiday Events Calendar
Continuing/Ongoing [Exhibit] Annual Holiday Poinsettia Show at Lamberton Conservatory. 180 Reservoir Ave. More than 1,000 poinsettias in more than 15 different varieties. Runs December 6-January 5. Daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Open until 9 p.m. Sundays. Closed Christmas Day. $2-$3 (children 5 and under free). 753-7270. Monroecounty.gov/parks. [Exhibit] Holiday Displays at the George Eastman House. Display…
Classical | Eastman Chorale
“Like a black swan as death came on/Poured forth her song in perfect calm.” With this excerpt from the opening lines of Benjamin Britten’s “Hymn to Saint Cecilia,” the Eastman Chorale will perform at Christ Church, under the baton of William Weinert. The concert will also include “Cantico del sole,” by fellow Englishman William Walton,…
KIDS | Polar Express
Few things are more exciting than going on a trip, and when you’re a child, few things could be more memorable than a journey to see Santa Claus. Based on the classic book of the same name, “The Polar Express” train rides held at the Medina Railroad Museum (530 West Ave., Medina) capture the magic…
Classical | Cordancia Chamber Orchestra
Cordancia brings together musicians from the RPO, ESM, Hochstein, and the Penfield Symphony Orchestra to perform eclectic, vibrant music of the classical genre. When conductor David Harman lifts his baton on Friday the sound that will usher forth is “The Protecting Veil” by John Tavener for cello and strings. The concert will also feature Copeland’s…
FILM | Warren Miller’s “Ticket to Ride”
You don’t have to ski or snowboard to appreciate Warren Miller’s films, and his latest one, “Ticket to Ride,” is no exception. The film follows world-class skiers and snowboarders as they travel to some of the best mountains the world has to offer. Once there they go out and do their thing on the powder,…
The Manhattan Project
Rochester-based electronic sensation The Manhattan Project is more of an experience than a band, a re-defining of gravity. The duo — Shawn Drogan (drums and electronics) and Charlie Lindner (keyboards and synth) — creates a swirling, pulsating electronic universe without losing sight of the humans that dig it, or the humans behind it. The Manhattan…
SPECIAL EVENT | Holiday Bazaar at RMSC
Sometimes it can be a real challenge to find a truly unique gift to give someone for the holidays. Make that challenge a little easier by stopping by the Rochester Museum and Science Center’s (657 East Ave.) 43rd Annual Holiday Bazaar Arts and Crafts Sale this weekend, Friday-Sunday, November 22-24. This year’s event is the…
Democrats on the run
Like them or not, we’re all pretty clear on what the Tea Party and the far right wing of the Republican Party stand for: opposing President Obama on everything and obstructing government. What do Democrats stand for? Well, that depends. Democrats are fond of nuanced positions. And they’ll run like scared cats at the first…
RECREATION | Webster Turkey Trot/YMCA Turkey Classic
If you’re looking for a marathon to run, there are two coming up you won’t to miss. Why? Because you get to eat turkey when it’s all over. First, the YMCA Turkey Classic will be taking place this Sunday, November 24, at the Southeast Family YMCA (111 E. Jefferson Road). It starts with a 1-mile…
Sight without light
Most people would likely agree that humans cannot see in total darkness. But spelunkers, people who study and explore caves, have made anecdotal observations for years disputing that assumption. And they may now have data on their side. A new University of Rochester study shows that some people have the ability to see their own…
THEATER | “Macho’s Place”
Men get a really bad rap, but they share the same needs and desires as the “other half” of humanity, and are equally as vulnerable. (If you don’t believe me, just take a look at your man the next time he has a head cold.) Women can be very vocal about the burden of having…
Marina questions
Environmental questions and concerns continue to surround the Daniele family’s plans to expand their marina in Irondequoit Bay. The latest: the Penfield Town Board says that the project needs a full-scale environmental review. The board concluded at a meeting last week that the expansion could significantly affect the bay’s biology and ecology, says Jim Costello,…
“Blue is the Warmest Color”
Three hours of the new French film, “Blue is the Warmest Color,” should convince even the most ardent Francophiles that the nation has lost its way and drawn a number of film critics along with it. Inspiring considerable discussion before it achieved a wide release, the movie deals with a familiar subject — a young…
CHOW HOUND: Island time
That stately two-story brick building at 289 Alexander Street, the one that most famously housed Lloyd’s and most recently Benedettos, has had new life breathed into it by Havana Cabana, which bills itself as a Cuban café and rum bar. The latter is certainly accurate; the gorgeous bar boasts more than 40 different varieties of…
“Kill Your Darlings”
“Kill Your Darlings” marks the latest, and possibly most successful step yet, in Daniel Radcliffe’s continued efforts to move away from his most recognizable role and carve out a career for himself beyond the world of Harry Potter. Since its debut at Sundance, director John Krokidas’ film has gained notoriety as the film in which…
Urban Action 11/20
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Rally for school budgets EducAction, an education advocacy group, will hold a rally from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20, to bring attention to what the group says is the…
“Dear Mr. Watterson”
Recently released on video-on-demand, “Dear Mr. Watterson” is director Joel Allen Schroeder’s love letter to “Calvin and Hobbes” cartoonist Bill Watterson’s comic strip about a mischievous 6-year-old boy and his best friend, a stuffed tiger named Hobbes. Far from juvenile, fans of the comic know how funny, moving, and wise Watterson’s work could be. Despite…
Feedback 11/20
We welcome your comments. Send them to themail@rochester-citynews.com, or post them on our website, rochestercitynewspaper.com, our Facebook page, or our Twitter feed, @roccitynews. For our print edition, we select comments from all three sources; those of fewer than 350 words have a greater chance of being published, and we do edit selections for publication in…
“Tuesdays with Morrie”
Mitch Albom’s “Tuesdays with Morrie” may have been a pop-culture juggernaut as a book; as a play it is pretty much Lifetime for guys. Albom’s memoir of afternoons spent in the company of a college professor he remembered fondly, during the professor’s last days, and the life lessons that resulted, was on the bestseller list…
DJ/Electronic | DJ Bittle ft. Shawn Drogan
DJ Bittle has been a familiar face in Rochester’s EDM scene for a few years: his bone-shaking sonic blend of all things bass-centric makes him a crowd favorite. Shawn Drogan, drummer of local live electronic duo The Manhattan Project, is a veteran of laying down thick hypnotic-dance grooves. It’s not hard to imagine the chemistry between these two when they debut their…
Holistic for the holidays
The holidays are a stressful time, and this stress can take its toll on mind, body, and soul. We live in a world where we bombard our bodies with electrical signals, sit all day in uncomfortable positions, and go entire days without interacting with the earth’s natural settings. Gift giving can only add to that…
Jazz | Laura Dubin Trio
Two of the original compositions on the debut CD by pianist Laura Dubin, “Silver Lining” and “Ode To O.P.,” are not only hard-swinging gems, buy they also reveal a great deal about Dubin’s influences. The first is a tribute to Horace Silver, the second to Oscar Peterson, and you can hear elements of both in…
A Toy Story
Kids today don’t know just how good they have it when it comes to toys. I can only imagine the confusion that would ensue if a kid were expecting a PlayStation 4 for Christmas, only to open up an Atari instead. If you’re kid has been taking their gifts for granted, why not teach them…
Jazz | Eastman Jazz Lab Band
When The Eastman Jazz Lab Band takes the stage at Kilbourn Hall Thursday night, the group will pay homage to two recently departed jazz greats: pianist Marian McPartland and saxophonist/flautist Frank Wess. The band’s director, drummer Rich Thompson, played in a trio setting with McPartland many times and worked with Wess in the Count…
He sees you when you’re sleeping
The whole notion of Santa Claus had always creeped me out. I wish I could say that, as an adult, this skepticism has lifted—but it hasn’t. This is an awful curse, particularly when you’re a child and Santa is supposed to be something mystical and joyous. Unfortunately, my childhood personality was akin to a deeply…
Alt-Country | Mad Cow Tippers
With a most excellent accelerated 2/4 stomp and giggle this miscreant trio from Ithaca — with Rochester’s Reverend Sam on bass — play songs steeped in irony. Though hilarious, titles like “I’m The Bulge in Satan’s Pants” don’t distract from the music’s redneck thrash, twang, and thrills. Mad Cow Tippers borrows from the likes of…
Video Game Review: Super Mario 3D World
With Sony and Microsoft both unveiling shiny new consoles this month, and their accompanying media blitzes, Nintendo’s struggling Wii U needs a hit this holiday season in the worst way. It needs a console seller, and given that the new editions of Mario Kart and Smash Bros. are still months away (at least), Nintendo has…
Celtic Punk | The Mahones
Dublin-born, Canada-based Finny McConnell is considered by many as one of the main instigators in getting this whole Irish Punk drinking party started, years before bands like Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys kicked the scene wide open. The Mahones is a tight outfit with more of a lean on the Irish music tradition and…
