Cover Story
In the groove
Even as record stores around the country dropped like flies, The Record Archive has kept it spinning for 40 years The Record Archive is a bonafide icon; a Rochester institution. It’s the go-to store for the hip, the aware, anybody, and everybody. And as multi-faceted as its customers are, so too is the business savvy…
Classical Review: Principal Brass Quintet at Kilbourn Hall
The Principal Brass Quintet on Sunday gave an attentive audience at Eastman School of Music’s Kilbourn Hall a taste of the New York Philharmonic with an engaging program that was accessible yet sophisticated. The group, comprised entirely of principals from that historic orchestra, did not disappoint. From the outset, the afternoon was all about the…
Road and bridge funding sought by engineers and government leaders
New York’s infrastructure is crummy and getting worse, as anyone who drives on the state’s roads probably already realizes. The American Society of Civil Engineers gives the state’s infrastructure a C- in a report card it released this morning (the report is attached at the bottom of this post). But the grade is boosted by…
Can Cuomo’s task force rescue Common Core?
Governor Andrew Cuomo has committed to forming a task force to re-evaluate the controversial Common Core curriculum. But did he have a choice? The Common Core was a thorny subject even before it rolled out in 2013 — which was a colossal mess by almost any standard. Opposition to the core has grown steadily since. …
Blossom-Winton Aldi gets approval from Zoning Board
The City of Rochester Zoning Board voted 4-1 last week to allow Aldi to put a grocery store at the corner of North Winton and Blossom roads in the North Winton Village neighborhood. The approval seems to guarantee that the controversial project will be built. “To my knowledge, we were the last hurdle,” says Zoning…
Week Ahead: Events for the week of Monday, September 28
Unions and an anti-violence group will hold their annual Peace on the Streets Day at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, on the corner of Dewey and Driving Park avenues. Peace on the Streets Day is held annually in memory of Latasha Shaw, who was attacked by a mob and stabbed to death at the Dewey-Driving…
Ron reviews “Upside Downton”
I am certain that standing ovations occur every day and night at the Rochester Fringe Festival. But it would be hard to imagine anyone more deserving of that honor than Luke Kempner, the one and only star of “Upside Downton.” He got a tremendous response at Kilbourn Hall Friday night from an audience that laughed…
Daniel reviews “Wasteland” and “Bach Without Boundaries”
Thursday evening found me at the School of the Arts’ Black Box Theatre, where I took in two very different performances each designed for two performers. The play “Wasteland” — put on here by unMasqued Theatre in a touring production directed Jeffrey Schmidt — is an intense, claustrophobic drama about two American soldiers imprisoned by…
Rebecca reviews “The Ghost at the Feast” and “Erik & the Wolf”
"The Ghost at the Feast," performed at MuCCC by The Sabotage and Gore Foundation, was a lively, absurdist take on the haunted banquet scene from "Macbeth." In the Fringe booklet blurb, the players promised that "Shakespeare purists will start a protest," but no such rioting occurred. Instead, the company earned giggles and guffaws for continuously…
Adam reviews “It’s a Spaceship Now” and “Cinderella — Just What I Needed”
“This show is artistic, not necessarily 100 percent scientifically accurate,” Stuart Wilson cautioned the audience at a certain point during his one-man production, “It’s a Spaceship Now.” And yes, the science involved may be dubious, but the entertainment value was never in question over the course of this 60-minute, interactive ode to DIY rocket science…
RPO announces interim president and ceo
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra today announced an interim president and chief executive officer. Ralph Craviso, a consultant specializing in work with non-profits, will take the position on October 1. Current President and CEO Charles Owens, who has been in the position for eight years, announced in June that he would step down on September 30.…
Pope makes moral appeals to Congress
Pope Francis just wrapped up his address to Congress and instead of excoriating the members over gridlock, economic inequality, and inaction on climate change, he spoke of opportunity and hope. (Text of the speech should be available soon on the Vatican website.) The pope, speaking gently and plainly, called on politicians to work together to…
Frank reviews Princess Wendy’s Late Nite Tease Room
Her name is Darlinda (Just Darlinda) and she will send ya, just send ya. She set my head on fire. She’s the reason I could taste blood this morning from screaming my head off during her two trips to strip on the Spiegeltent stage where she taunted and teased and bumped as a featured performer…
Rebecca reviews “The R&J Project” and "Kindertotenlieder"
"Romeo and Juliet" is one of those productions that is put on arguably too often (and fairly shallowly by high school students), and pop culture is inundated with references to it. For that reason, I’m almost never inclined to see yet another tiresome non-interpretation of it. But the play received an interesting treatment by local…
Rebecca reviews Roc Bottom Poetry Slam
Roc Bottom Poetry Slam, presented by RAPA at School of the Arts’ Ensemble Theatre, was an absolute marvel. The show included 10 performers, in solo, duo, trio, and quartet sets, speaking poetic, personal and universal truths with bold and emotional cadence. Ranging from ranting to rapping or speaking softly to singing, and all of that…
Adam reviews “Am I a Grownup Yet?”
We’ve all had that feeling at one time or another (or, if you’re me, constantly): sensing that, though we’ve gotten older, graduated college, and possibly found some sort of gainful employment, we’re not truly an adult. We’re all fumbling around and around pretending we know how “grownups” are supposed to act, faking it until we’ve…
Daniel reviews “BIO/DANCE & Social Justice”
On Tuesday night, local dance company BIODANCE presented “BIO/DANCE & Social Justice” at Geva Theatre Center’s Fielding Nextstage in a program devoted to works that highlighted the struggle against inequality on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, and more. The opening piece by Donna Davenport, “Lined Up for Injustice,” began with the dancers speaking…
REGGAE | Gyptian
Probably best known for his hit single, “Hold Yuh,” Gyptian is a roots reggae artist from Kingston, Jamaica. The music is all about ladies and lovers and beaches and vibes. “Sex, Love and Reggae” (2013) is the young artist’s fourth and latest album, which uses more production and flair, but it is still rooted in…
WORLD | A Grand Violin Duet
Coming from the classical music traditions of Southern India, the brother-sister duo of Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi is known for its melody, rhythm, and violin mastery. The two musicians were raised in an environment of sublime and divine music, and are products of a distinguished lineage — prominently the great composer Shri Thayagaraja.…
CLASSICAL | “French Café”
Autumn is a-comin’ in, and that means a new season for Pegasus Early Music. Rochester’s grand early music series begins this Sunday with a so-called “French Café” — no berets required, but you will have the chance to hear French songs and dances from the 12th to the 16th centuries, originally created by troubadours, kings,…
FOLK ROCK | Father John Misty
Father John Misty came across my radar in early 2012 when the video for the single “Nancy From Now On” was released. In it, Josh Tillman (the former drummer for Fleet Foxes and man behind FJM) sweetly sings “Oh, pour me another drink / And punch me in the face” over a grooving track that…
Upper crust
If there is one thing Pizzeria Favo (3400 Monroe Avenue) owners Suzy and Gene O’Donovan are experts in, it’s good crust. The O’Donovans opened the first Montana Mills Bread Company in 1996, eventually branching out to include 31 locations. After selling the Montana Mills business, the O’Donovans opened Yotality, a frozen yogurt shop that now…
ALBUM REVIEW: “How I Won the War”
The Grip Weeds “How I Won the War” Jem Recordings gripweeds.com Calling to mind John Lennon’s post-Fab Four rock ‘n’ roll, The Grip Weeds throw out the fun while still taking a stab at social and political morality. This New Jersey fabulous foursome adopted the title of Lennon’s 1967 cult movie, “How I won the War,”…
Our weeping wounds
Though this summer marked 150 years from the end of the Civil War, the nation remains covered in undressed wounds. And despite the desperately bloody history of slavery and the still unresolved fallout, America tends to gloss over the more violent uprisings in favor of highlighting leaders of civil disobedience. But contemporary African American artist…
ALBUM REVIEW: “Same Soil”
David Michael Miller “Same Soil” Self-released davemillermusic.com Right out of the gate, “All the Blues to You” explains Buffalo’s David Michael Miller on his new Mike Brown-produced CD, “Same Soil.” Never straying from the blue notes seems to be his practice and a sure thing when you’re looking for a shortcut to the listener’s heart and…
The City Seen: September 25-27
This weekend City attended the “Ask a Master Gardener” event at the Dorris Carlson Reading Garden at the Central library on Thursday where we heard some useful gardening tips along side many avid gardeners trying to get rid of pests and identify plants in their own gardens. The garden is a hidden gem for many…
COMEDY | Bill Maher
Comedian and host of HBO’s “Real Time” Bill Maher will visit Rochester on Sunday, September 27, for a show at the Auditorium Theatre (885 East Main Street). In the biz for more than 20 years, Maher is known for his near decade as the host of “Politically Incorrect,” and for “Religulous,” his 2008 feature-length swat…
Uphill battles
Screening as the first feature in the Witness Palestine film series, “The Wanted 18” is a most unusual documentary about an incident in the small village of Beit Sahour during the first intifada. In an effort to become self-sufficient during the Israeli occupation, and as a form of nonviolent protest, the townspeople purchase a herd…
LITERATURE | Third annual Pub Fair and Litsplosion
As the weather turns, I think fondly of a lit-loving Austin Phelps quote: “Wear the old coat, buy the new book.” Don your shabby duds and seek some pages to keep you company in the cold; head to the Pub Fair and Litsplosion, hosted this weekend at Visual Studies Workshop (31 Prince Street). The annual…
Urban Action 9/23
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Aldi hearing The city Zoning Board of Appeals will hold another public hearing on the proposal for an Aldi food market at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 24. The discount chain store would…
DANCE | Akragas Folk Dance Group
Casa Italiana — an organization on Nazareth College’s campus that offers educational, social, and cultural programs related to Italy and its culture — will host a couple of events this week featuring the Akragas Folk Dance Group of Sicily. Wearing costumes from the late-19th century and using distinct instruments, Akragas performs traditional music and dances…
Feedback 9/23
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. Comments of fewer than 350 words have a greater chance of being published, and we do edit selections for publication in print. We don’t publish comments sent to other media. Highland doctors…
SPECIAL EVENT | Roc ‘ella
Pop-up shops and boutiques, bands, arts, food trucks, and event coloring for adults will fill in College Town on Saturday, September 26, for Roc ‘ella, a bohemian-style local arts event. The afternoon — from noon to 5 p.m. — is organized by Rochester A-List, Roc City Creative, and the participating boutiques, spas, and jewelry makers.…
New Labor Federation leader
Dan Maloney says he wants America to make things. Manufacturing is the best way, he says, to rev up the US economy. Maloney, president of UAW Local 1097 for nine years, has recently been named president of the Rochester-Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation, too. His goals in the new job include improving organizing, messaging, and…
DANCE | NYS Ballet’s “The Raven”
Usher in autumn this weekend with New York State Ballet’s performance of “The Raven: 3 Tales by Edgar Allan Poe.” The performance, held at Hochstein Music Hall (50 North Plymouth Avenue), promises a lavishly haunting dance interpretation of three of Poe’s most famous works. These include a dramatic theatrical representation of Poe’s short story, “The…
Rat tales
Movies about gangsters have long been irresistible to both the storytellers and the audience, and I think the reason they remain so eternally compelling is that we viewers are allowed to have our cake and then chase it with a $7 soda. We get to live vicariously through morally bankrupt men – and they are…
A path out of poverty
A progress report released last week by the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative includes some heavy lifts. For one, the efforts outlined in the report will undoubtedly require significant funding. And the report says that the Rochester region needs to mitigate societal factors, such as structural racism, that keep people in poverty — no simple task. But…
ROCK | Bobby Whitlock and CoCo Carmel
If you’ve heard “Tell the Truth” by Derek and The Dominos, you know the music of Bobby Whitlock. He co-founded the group with Eric Clapton and played guitar on classics like “Bellbottom Blues” and other tunes on the album “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.” He also appeared on George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass”…
Uphill battles
Following so closely on the heels of the gripping documentary “Meru,” Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur’s 3D action-adventure, “Everest” — which chronicles the 1996 tragedy that befell a group of climbers who set out to scale the world’s largest mountain — only emphasizes that the true message of any movie about mountain climbing seems to be…
ROCK | The Bellfuries
Austin, Texas’ The Bellfuries are the perfect rock ‘n’ roll band. In the spirit and tone of artists like JD McPherson (where Bellfuries bassist Jimmy Sutton thumps the dog house) or a slightly less clean cut Hi-Risers, The Bellfuries mix the classic elements of 1950’s and 1960’s pop music with frequent detours into the under…
FUNK | Huntertones
Brooklyn’s Huntertones take the best of jam band rock and brass-heavy jazz and leave out the worst. Gone is the shrill blast and confusion in a world without end, replaced by a thoughtful, introspective, soulful groove. It’s still exploratory and extrapolated, but with mucho taste and talent. Huntertones will perform on Thursday, September 24, at Flour…
VOTE NOW: Best of Rochester 2015 Final Ballot
The 2015 Best of Rochester survey is now closed. Thank you to all who participated. Check City’s October 28 issue on stands or online for the final results! It’s time to revisit the Flower City. We’re all guilty of it: sticking to our favorites. We all have our go-to restaurants and hangouts, our favorite bands…
Is Hillary Clinton ‘qualified’ to be president?
Partisan politics aside, what do we think are the qualifications for president? And does Hillary Clinton have them?
Classical Review: The RPO season opener
To open the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s 93rd season and his first full season as music director, Ward Stare selected four popular works that nevertheless seem as though they are not performed often enough. None of these compositions feature a soloist, but that did not prevent their success with the listeners at the RPO’s season opener…
