Cover Story
The Olympics at home
Every two years, the world’s powers put their differences aside, send their best athletes to one destination, and watch them compete in events ranging from graceful to ruthless to downright dangerous, all to prove their global superiority. That’s the idiosyncratic and glorious spirit of the Olympics that takes hold of our hearts — and the…
What We’re Spinning: February 11
Maybe it’s a New Year’s resolution. Maybe we want to dispel the myth that newspaper editors live in a bubble and aren’t living, breathing people like everyone else. Or maybe we just want to share more music with the world. Whatever it is, City is proud to launch a new weekly feature, “What We’re Spinning,”…
Legislation tackles microbeads
New legislation headed for the state Assembly could ban personal care and hygiene products that contain tiny plastic beads, commonly known as microbeads. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office announced the legislation in a press release today, though Assembly member Robert Sweeney is introducing and sponsoring it. Sweeney is chair of the Assembly’s Environmental Conservation Committee.…
Public meeting on RCSD budget
Rochester schools superintendent Bolgen Vargas will present his proposed budget for the 2014-2015 school year at 6:15 p.m. today at the district’s central office, 131 West Broad Street. The presentation will be followed by two “budget open houses.” The first will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, at Wilson Foundation Academy, 200…
A novel approach to unionizing
An interesting experiment in unionizing is happening in Chattanooga, Tennessee. According to the Washington Post’s Wonkblog, this week 1,570 workers at a Volkswagen plant in the city will vote this week whether to join the United Auto Workers union. And UAW and Volkswagen both want them to vote yes. That the union and the automaker…
Upcoming Concerts: Week of February 12
[ Pop/Rock ] The Hold Steady Monday, April 21. Water Street Music Hall, 204 N. Water St. $20-$23. 8 p.m. 352-5600. waterstreetmusic.com [ Classical] RPO: The Music of John Williams Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10. Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 26 Gibbs St. $18-$92. 8 p.m. rpo.org [ R&B ] Chris Wilson Sunday,…
Film Review: “The Lego Movie”
Just hearing the word “Lego” probably conjures up distinct childhood memories, ones that will no doubt vary slightly from person to person. Some might remember digging into a big bucket of those primary-colored plastic bricks and building elaborate worlds out of whatever pieces you happened to pull out, while others may think of the more…
Film Review: “The Past”
In “The Past,” director Asghar Farhadi’s follow-up to his Oscar-winning masterpiece “A Separation,” an Iranian man travels to Paris in order to finalize his divorce to his ex-wife. Ahmad (Ali Mosaffa) has made the trip at Marie’s (Bérénice Bejo, “The Artist”) request, and Ahmad finds once he’s arrived that Marie has moved her new boyfriend,…
Concert Review: Falling Hollywood at Lovin’ Cup
Saw quite an interesting band Saturday night at Lovin’ Cup. Interesting in its poppy meld of genres, interesting in the strength of its songwriting, interesting in its rhythm and lead guitar flip-flop, and interesting that all of that overshadowed the group’s growing pains. Hailing from Erie ,PA, Falling Hollywood came out with a reserved swing,…
WEEK AHEAD: Bicycle plan, Vargas meeting
The first of two public meetings on the City of Rochester’s Bicycle Boulevards Plan is at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11, in the Kate Gleason auditorium at the Central Library, 115 South Avenue. The city, state Department of Transportation, Monroe County, Rochester Cycling Alliance, and the Genesee Transportation Council are developing a plan for…
Film Review: “The Monuments Men”
A story too little known, the work of a group of some 300 men and women on a most unusual military mission in World War II provides the basis for George Clooney’s latest movie, “The Monuments Men.” The unit, a decidedly unmilitary bunch of museum curators, artists, art historians, and architects, worked in Europe, landing…
Rochester increases full-day pre-K
Earlier this week, 823 of the city’s 4 year olds – about 70 percent – went from half day to full-day pre-kindergarten. The expansion of the city’s pre-K program was made possible by a $5.9 million state grant. At a press event earlier today, more than a dozen school, government, and community leaders urged more…
“American Idol” 2014: Group Round BS
Hollywood Week continued with Group Round. Historically I have loved Group Round. We’ve gotten some major break-out moments in past seasons, with performers really stepping to the front of the pack. And we have also got some spectacular freak-outs. Thursday night we got some decent group numbers, we got some awful group numbers, but we…
Coalition to ask Albany for more state aid, more child care funding
For the ninth straight year, a coalition of business, community, and government leaders is asking the powers that be in Albany to revamp the state’s municipal aid formula. During a press conference this afternoon, the Rochester Community Coalition laid out its 2014 state legislative priorities — the issues they’ll press state legislators and officials on…
Morelle wants investigation of Medley’s state tax credits
State Assembly member Joe Morelle is calling for Empire State Development to investigate whether the Medley Centre project still is, or should be, eligible for its Empire Zone benefits. Developer Scott Congel bought the Irondequoit mall and the company that owns it, Bersin Properties, several years ago. Over the years, his plans for the mall…
Attack on White boomerangs
This is a corrected version of this blog: 2-7-14 at 8:26 a.m. Here we go again. Even when you try to maintain a sense of hope for the city school district, it’s easily dashed. The latest example comes from a story reported yesterday by the Democrat and Chronicle’s David Andreatta. This is what we know…
Concert Announcement: Leon Russell
Leon Russell will be coming to the Main Street Armory April 25, with The Villains providing main support. Doors open at 7 p.m., tickets run $35 in advance, $40 at the doors and are available now at the House of Guitars, Aarons Alley, Ticketfly.com, or 1-877-4FLY-tix.
“American Idol” 2014: Hollywood Week, Part 1
Producers promised us big shake-ups for Hollywood Week – apparently viewers hate the middle rounds (I know I can’t stand semi-finals) – which thus far has translated to a new interstitial “Airport Round.” Basically the kids got off their planes at Hollywood and were taken to an airplane hangar, where 50 of them were picked…
Charters nervous about de Blasio
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was a staunch and vocal advocate of charter schools. Charters proliferated during the Bloomberg years, aided by the guidance of former schools Chancellor Joel Klein and a change in state laws that raised the cap on the schools in New York. Teachers, parents, politicians, and school officials across…
ALBUM REVIEW: “Echo Echo”
Patrick Jaouen “Echo Echo” Iscorg Productions patrickjaouen.com Patrick Jaouen’s “Echo Echo” is a mellow and minor affair with a surprising amount of velocity. There is more momentum and sustained energy to be found in Jaouen’s acoustic drive than in the bulk of the indie-leaning genre you would likely associate with him. The vocals are devoid…
ALBUM REVIEW: “Blues Shock”
Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues “Blues Shock” Blind Pig Records billybranch.com This platter is clean, baby, but it ain’t sterile. Over the course of 11 cuts, legendary Chicago harmonicat Billy Brach heaps plenty of hellacious, honkin’ dirt over The Sons of the Blues’ baby-bottom-smooth groove. Branch explains that this is his first…
ART | Exhibit Roundup
There’s plenty of creative energy keep us engaged this week. Here are a few key spots to check out, but many more gallery and studio spaces will host First Friday receptions. Check out our online calendar at rochestercitynewspaper.com and firstfridayrochester.org for more art events. All of the following events are free to attend unless otherwise…
Why we shouldn’t boycott Sochi
Controversy is nothing new for the Olympics. Barely an edition of the international sports event goes by without some scandal. Some are relatively minor — the Ryan Lochte grills situation in Beijing comes to mind. Some, like the massacre of Israeli athletes during the 1972 Munich games, are major world events in their own right.…
RECREATION | Lakeside Winter Celebration
We Rochesterians are a hardy folk, not about to let a little Polar Vortex trap us indoors all winter (right?). This weekend, get your fill of snow-season festivities at the 30th Annual Lakeside Winter Celebration, held at the Port of Rochester and Lake Ontario Beach Park in Charlotte. This year’s event has been expanded to…
KIDS | “Shrek the Musical!”
An ornery ogre gets the girl, who has more in common with him than he expected. An unsinkable, talking donkey steals scenes, and a feisty cookie helps save the day. Relive the magical story of fairytale misfits at Rochester Children’s Theatre and Nazareth College Art Center’s co-production of “Shrek The Musical!,” which kicks off this…
Urban Action 2/5
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) The future of nonprofits Friends and Foundation of the Rochester Public Library will host the talk, “Emerging Needs of Nonprofit Organizations in the Current Economy,” at 12:12 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11. The…
COMEDY l The Disgruntled Clown
With offensive language, politically incorrect jokes, and a range of topics not suitable for children, The Disgruntled Clown is not your average circus act. His comedy touches on topics ranging from employment opportunities to what you really want to say to that guy driving next to you. He has worked with such well-known comedians as…
Conversion therapy
The Upper Mt. Hope neighborhood is part of a busy universe right now, with the College Town and CityGate development projects, as well as the construction of a new Route 390 interchange at Kendrick Road. Amid these growing pains, members of the Upper Mt. Hope Neighborhood Association say they are working with City Hall to…
SPECIAL EVENT l Balloon Manor
Imagine “climbing” up a five-story beanstalk to find a giant, just like in the fairy tales. This year marks the return of Balloon Manor, and Larry Moss and Kelly Cheatle of Airigami (a business that specializes in “the fine art of folding air”) are making those tales a reality…almost. Airigami brings to Rochester “The VERY…
Feedback 2/5
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…
THEATER l “Murder: A Love Story”
Filled with murder, suspense, and comedy, “Murder: A Love Story” is a “who-done-it” that allows the crowd to participate in a film-noir-inspired tale. The show tells the “Casablanca”-like story of a group of people hiding from World War II. None of the characters know who is a friend, or who is an enemy. The Mystery…
The most powerful group you don’t know
Many parents and teachers are familiar with their local school board members. But most probably couldn’t tell you what the New York Board of Regents is or what it does, says Eric Mihelbergel, a founder of New York Allies for Public Education, a coalition of 45 education-advocacy organizations with 25,000 members across the state. NYSAPE…
Pop/Rock | Burlesque for Breasts
The gorgeous gals and femme fatales in Sirens & Stilettos Cabaret present Burlesque for Breasts “Shake ’em to Save ’em,” a fundraiser to help raise money for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. But the whole affair ain’t just visual; these torrid torso tossers will be joined by Maria Betts Music, Danielle Ponder & The Tomorrow People, The Pickpockets, and Anonymous…
START-UP NY: Big boost or big giveaway?
New York has a problem. The state’s public and private universities produce well-educated students and foster plenty of technological innovation, but out-of-state companies are often the ones to benefit. It’s a trend that state government and business leaders have tried, with limited success, to reverse for years. But some elected leaders and economic development officials…
Pop/Rock | Violet Mary
Violet Mary is a study in keen balance. This is one of the few hard rock bands that still manages to maintain melody on the see-saw between muscle and melodic subtlety. And I don’t just mean dynamics that pull back to let the melody be heard here or there, but the presence of an actual…
Staub stays put
Larry Staub, director of the Monroe County Parks Department, won’t join the County Legislature after all. Earlier this month, Legislature President Jeff Adair appointed Staub to fill a vacant Perinton-based seat in the Legislature. But last week, Staub sent a letter to Adair declining the job and Adair appointed Perinton Republican Dorothy Styk instead. “After…
Pop/Rock | Les Racquet
Les Racquet looks like a power trio, and sounds all over the board, but it’s actually a comfortable fit among jam bands. The Brooklyn outfit incorporates three-part vocal harmonies, groove centric rhythms, elements of guitar-driven roots-rock, along with virtuosity, to make it coherent. Les Racquet also inherits the jam band aesthetic of connecting with fans…
DINING REVIEW: Cheese Masters
In the late 1980’s, the National Dairy Board ran a television commercial touting the glory of cheese. The jingle was set to the tune of “Food, Glorious Food” from the musical “Oliver!,” as singers proclaimed the wonders of cheese while kids and adults alike enjoyed “Cheese, glorious cheese!” in all its “saucy, snappy, mild, or…
Pop/Rock | Ivy’s Panic Room
Local band Ivy’s Panic Room presents its own brand of alternative rock, inspired by artists such as Blink 182, Franz Ferdinand, and The Front Bottoms. The band explores a slowed-down pop-punk sound the majority of the time, presenting its listeners with noteworthy melodies that just beg for a group sing-along. At times, however, the band…
“Redefining the Multiple: 13 Contemporary Japanese Printmakers”
When we think of Japanese printmakers, the Edo Period’s large woodblock prints of courtesans, actors, samurai, and landscapes with the ever-present Mount Fuji immediately come to mind. The current exhibit at Memorial Art Gallery illustrates the diversity of work being created by contemporary Japanese artists, including wood-block prints, photographs, and some sculptural works that severely…
Folk | Rusty Belle
Massachusetts-based trio Rusty Belle makes music that fits loosely under the category of folk-rock, but tends to defy genre. A number of different elements come into play in Rusty Belle’s music, from the blues to 60’s folk to old-time country, and it’s apparent that this band has combined a wide range of influences to create…
Jazz | Eldar
The last time Eldar came to town for the Rochester International Jazz Festival, he sat down at the piano in Hatch Hall and dazzled the crowd with a few standards, a couple of originals and even a bit of Prokofiev. Then he blew everyone away with a brilliant rendition of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody In Blue.”…
Jazz | The Rita Collective
What if you took the kind of world music played by a Tunisian oud player and filtered it through a jazz sensibility? That’s the premise behind The Rita Collective, a new chamber jazz ensemble. That formula also works for the group when they play a Miles Davis classic, a Beatles hit, or even a Rage…
The Barry Altschul Trio
When Barry Altschul takes one of his epic drum solos, he concentrates with all his might on…nothing. “If you think,” says Altschul, “you’re late. You have to trust your musicality.” Altschul has trusted his musicality in collaborations with many of the greatest artists in jazz. He’ll bring his current trio to Lovin’ Cup Sunday. Altschul…
What We’re Spinning: February 4
Maybe it’s a New Year’s resolution. Maybe we want to dispel the myth that newspaper editors live in a bubble and aren’t living, breathing people like everyone else. Or maybe we just want to share more music with the world. Whatever it is, City is proud to launch a new weekly feature, “What We’re Spinning,”…
