Cover Story
Classic innovation
As Jamal Rossi was presented as the new dean of the Eastman School of Music earlier this month, both he and University of Rochester President Joel Seligman highlighted the school’s history. But they also addressed the task of operating in an increasingly changing music world. “Our challenge in the coming years,” Rossi said at the…
Supposed reform of Newark’s schools is a cautionary tale
A friend brought New Yorker reporter Dale Russakoff’s article “Schooled” to my attention. Newark, New Jersey’s school reform efforts involving Governor Chris Christie, Senator Cory Booker, and social media’s boy-billionaire Mark Zuckerberg is a must read. Russakoff chronicles Booker’s rise from a sharp, post-civil-rights-era law scholar and community activist to Democratic mayor of Newark, and eventually to a…
EPA proposal would leave it up to states to cut power plant emissions
Earlier today, the federal Environmental Protection Agency laid out its new plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. But there’s a pretty good chance that some energy interests and lawmakers will try to either sue or legislate the proposed rules into oblivion. The EPA is using a technical regulatory process to implement the…
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[UPDATED] Medley owner sues over tax incentives
In a move that should shock no one, Medley Centre’s owner is suing the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency, Monroe County, the Town of Irondequoit, and the East Irondequoit school district. Attorneys for Bersin Properties filed the lawsuit this morning. It deals with a tax agreement that Bersin has with COMIDA and the local…
WEEK AHEAD: City Council begins its review of Warren’s budget
Rochester City Council members will begin their review of Mayor Lovely Warren’s 2014-2015 proposed budget. Warren has proposed a $500 million plan that would increase spending by 3.6 percent and includes $5.8 million from increases in taxes and fees. Warren closed a $38 million budget gap by reducing capital expenses and netting a $6 million one-time increase…
“Game of Thrones” Season 4, Episode 8: The Mountain and the Viper
Another episode, another “Oh, shit!” ending. Expect at least one more of those before we wrap up Season 4, which adapts the second half of Book 3 — easily the best of the series (so far) — and ventures a bit into Book 4 and beyond. In addition to that brutal, jaw-dropping ending, we also…
Film Review: “Cold in July”
Film noir has ascended from its murky origins in the dark past back in the 1940’s to high cinema fashion in our time, when any crime story of any kind earns the trendy term. Detective films, gangster movies, horror flicks, everything but romantic comedies, no matter their style or content, huddle under the great critical…
With Working Families nod in question, Cuomo digs in on campaign finance
On Saturday, at its nominating convention, the state Working Families Party will decide whether it’ll endorse Governor Andrew Cuomo for the November election. The endorsement isn’t a given, since many of the party’s members are unhappy with some of the governor’s policies. The core of the Working Families Party’s is made up of labor leaders…
Rochester wants money to study theater
The City of Rochester is asking the state for $270,000 to study the possibility of building a new performing arts center downtown. Mayor Lovely Warren says that the city has applied for funding through the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. The city would contribute $30,000 toward the study. The study would look at the…
Concert Review: RPO presents Holst’s “The Planets”
In its opening speech, the Chorus in Shakespeare’s “Henry V” exhorts the audience to use its imagination to recreate the numerous English and French settings of the play — hence the quote that gives this review its title. For its concluding concert of the 2013-14 season, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra highlights imaginative musical canvases by…
New Orleans goes all charter
It’s finally happened. The US is about to have its first all-charter school system. New Orleans will close its last remaining traditional public schools and beginning this fall, all of the city’s students will have to enroll in a charter school through a computerized lottery system. Some in the education community see this as the…
Warren says she’ll accept whatever happens with mayoral control
My nose tells me that something may be up with mayoral control and the Rochester school district. But it’s difficult to pin down. What we know for sure is that State Assembly member David Gantt introduced mayoral control legislation in January 2013, and reintroduced it in January 2014. It presumably sat there until May 20 of…
FBI investigating schools modernization project
Mayor Lovely Warren confirmed today that the FBI is conducting an investigation into activities involving the first phase of the $325 million Rochester schools modernization project. The nature of the investigation is unclear, as is the impact it may have on the second phase of the $1.2 billion project. “About a month ago, my corporate…
Another campaign finance limit wiped out
Recently, and quietly, the State Board of Elections declared its yearly overall contribution limits unenforceable. But limits on contributions to individual candidates remain in place, according to an Associated Press article. Prior to the decision, a person or limited liability corporation could only donate a maximum of $150,000 to a combination of candidates, political parties, and…
Possible rating system sends chills through higher ed
It’s hard to know what to think about President Obama’s plan to rate higher education institutions. The rating system would inject the federal government into an accountability role for about 7,000 colleges and universities. The feds would evaluate tuition costs and graduation rates, among other factors. On one hand, the federal government and ultimately taxpayers…
PUNK | The Menzingers
The Menzingers has made a true impact in the world of punk rock with past releases, most notably 2012’s “On The Impossible Past,” which garnered attention for reviving and refreshing the pop punk genre. In fact, The Menzingers presents a sound that feels authentically pop punk, employing familiar techniques like catchy choruses, a steady, energetic beat, and melodic, oftentimes gritty, vocals. The band released a new album, “Rented World,” last…
WORKSHOP | Conversations on Race
Anyone who thinks that the issues of racial equity in our society were solved during the Civil Rights Era needs to take a good look around. Or even better: talk with some people outside of your usual chatter circle. Bearing witness to the experience of others — not just what talking heads have to say…
HIP-HOP | Afroman
“Because I Got High” might be the greatest of all stoner anthems. Released in 2000 by California-born rapper-guitarist Afroman, it is easy to sing along to and funnier than, say, Black Sabbath’s “Sweet Leaf.” “Because I Got High” was actually modeled after one-hit-wonder “Don’t Worry Be Happy” and ironically the moral of Afroman’s story is…
DRINKS | Whiskey Workshop with Black Button Distilling
Black Button Distilling, 85 Railroad Street, is opening its distillery for a 3-hour class on the process behind making spirits. Head distiller Jason Barrett will teach attendees about what happens at the distillery and the differences between the spirits created there. Craft cocktails will also be available to sample. The class is reserved for those…
JAZZ | Rob Garcia 4 featuring Noah Preminger
On “The Passion Of Color,” the Rob Garcia 4 play drummer Garcia’s evocative compositions inspired by the art of Van Gogh and others. The non-traditional group also covers Jimi Hendrix’s beautiful “Little Wing.” Among the 4 is rising star saxophonist Noah Preminger who enhances every cut with his blistering solos. A major force on the…
RECREATION | Rochester Map Adventure
In an era of GPS and smartphone map services, getting your bearings the old fashioned way is unusual. Still, exploring your own city can lead to new discoveries or renewed interest in local gems that we tend to take for granted. On Saturday, May 31, Rochester Orienteering Club will host its 3rd annual urban orienteering…
Feedback 5/28
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…
“Belle”
In addition to the countless films made from original scripts, the medium’s long history demonstrates a close relationship with other arts. Hundreds of movies grow out of plays, short stories, novels, poems, even popular songs, but the origin of “Belle” may be unique —it began with a painting. The painting, an 18th-century portrait of two…
HIP-HOP | Future
In 2010 and 2011, Future caught fire in Atlanta, his home base, with a string of mixtapes that bridged tough trap with pop — the kind of stuff that gets a lot of play in nightclubs. After his massive single “Tony Montana,” Future’s name spread across the South and the rapper signed with Epic Records,…
Theater Review: Out of Pocket Productions presents “Well”
I don’t know if it is postmodern, or meta-theatrical — or neither or both — but Lisa Kron’s “Well” is a clever, humane, and thought-provoking play. At the beginning of the show, Kron, who is the play’s writer as well as its main character, tells the audience they are in for a “theatrical exploration” of sickness…
POP PUNK | Hit the Lights
On Hit the Lights’ 2012 album, “Invicta,” the Ohio pop punk band surged back after what seemed a frustrating mistake signing with a major label. The band ultimately worked with Razor & Tie Records for “Invicta,” and Hit the Lights came out with its most mature release to date. The album pushes the pop anthem…
Lyme disease on the rise
Dogs and ticks have a long history together. And because of that relationship, man’s best friend is a good indicator of how prevalent Lyme disease is in an area. In Monroe County, the number of dogs testing positive for Lyme disease has been increasing. So far this year, 550 Monroe County dogs have tested positive…
Good Listenin’
Just ask Austin-based country singing salvation Dale Watson and he’ll tell you. “Ameripolitan,” he says. “It’s a new genre. It’s what country used to be. And that’s what you’ll hear at my show. It’s honky-tonk, western swing, rockabilly, and outlaw.” That’s what it is, but Watson is quick to tell you what it isn’t as…
Building support for gun safety
Signs opposing the SAFE Act appear along roadsides and front lawns in Monroe and surrounding counties like patches of clover. And chances are you’ve driven behind vehicles with bumper stickers calling for the law’s repeal. But signs supporting Governor Andrew Cuomo’s signature gun-control legislation are harder to find. That doesn’t mean the controversial law, approved…
“For No Good Reason”
In “For No Good Reason,” director Charlie Paul delves into the work of English illustrator Ralph Steadman, whose splotchy, grotesquely caricatured art is probably familiar to you even if you don’t immediately recognize his name. He’s most well-known for his collaborations with Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, so it follows that the film focuses mostly…
Urban Action 5/28
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Talk on police reform The New York Civil Liberties Union will present “How We Changed the NYPD,” a talk by Candis Tolliver at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4. Tolliver is the NYCLU’s…
“A Million Ways To Die In the West”
“Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane has got to be one of the most frustrating entertainers working in Hollywood today. His projects tend to rely on the shock value of politically incorrect humor while pandering to the lowest common denominator with endless barrages of dick and fart jokes. But at the same time, he manages to…
ALBUM REVIEW: “Outlier”
Mrs. Skannotto “Outlier” Self-release Mrsska.com Rochester skanksters Mrs. Skannotto will keep you guessing with its new offering, “Outlier.” This band has always been much more than ska — what with its sinister punk energy, slick speed, and clever progressions. When the band does cop to a more ska-centric sound the entire band is painstakingly precise…
“Palo Alto”
“Palo Alto” marks the debut of the third generation of filmmakers from the Coppola family, with the first feature from writer-director Gia Coppola. Her film takes inspiration from a collection of short stories by James Franco, but don’t let that scare you off, as Coppola delivers a remarkably assured depiction of aimless youth stumbling through…
Bigotry, shock jocks, and corporate ethics
You can make plenty of money spreading ridicule and bigotry, and commercial radio and television companies have become masters at it. And so last week, a Rochester radio duo known as Kimberly and Beck did what their employer was paying them to do: they played to the baser instincts of their listeners. Taking an innocuous…
SINGER-SONGWRITER | Mary Gauthier
“Falling Out Of Love” on Mary Gauthier’s 2005 release “Mercy Now” is the most haunting un-love song I’ve ever heard. It arrests me every time. She’s done plenty since, but hasn’t lost any of her love-lost charm and tarnish. Gauthier sings of a life lived hard: abandoned at birth in the Big Easy, she ran…
ROOTS ROCK | James McMurtry and The Bottle Rockets
Man alive, this is one righteous roots rock bill. Sprung from the loins of western novelist, Larry McMurtry, James McMurtry takes a similar approach to his big sky-borne music. McMurtry is essentially a folk artist (think an amped-up John Prine) and you could say that without hesitation if it were not for the electrified locomotive…
ART | “Poetic Passages”
Most makers don’t really retire. Nearly 14 years after closing his chapter as professor of painting, printmaking, sculpture, and figure drawing at Rochester Institute of Technology Lawrence “Judd” Williams is still creating. Williams’ playful, non-representational work is collected locally and nationally, and he was selected as one of six artists to participate in the Memorial…
HIP-HOP | Young Jeezy
In 2001, rapper Jay Wayne Jenkins released an independent album under the Moniker “Lil J.” He would change his moniker to Young Jeezy, and four years later in 2005 he landed a top 5 hit with “Soul Survivor.” It’s his most well-known song, and while Jeezy’s solo work hasn’t climbed that high in the charts…
FOOD | May’s Food Truck Rodeo and Devour Rochester
This month’s Food Truck Rodeo will take place Wednesday, May 28, at the Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union Street, 5 to 9 p.m. Local Americana band Dang! will perform while more than 25 food vendors — including La Petit Poutine, The Sammich Guy, Cheese & Confused, and Potatoes to Go — are serving up…
DINING REVIEW: The Red Fern
Garbage plates, nachos, donuts, burgers: they hit our palates’ bliss points, but miss the good-for-us target entirely. Sating those cravings in a way that won’t result in a food hangover is no small feat. Yet this is what The Red Fern, the all-vegan and frequently gluten-free restaurant at 283 Oxford Street, aims to accomplish. “Often…
FESTIVAL | Greek Festival
Tradition comes alive at the annual Rochester Greek Festival. With dancing, food — like Loukoumades, Saganaki, Spanakopita, and Baklava — church tours of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, and craft shopping, the festival highlights the area’s deep Greek history. The festival takes place Thursday, May 29, through Sunday, June 1, from 11 a.m. to 11…
