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Perspectives: Cedric Alexander on police and the community
Cedric Alexander’s office is sparse and uncluttered. There are the usual mementos, awards, and framed diplomas you find in most executive offices. The American flag stands behind his desk, and a black and white photo of him sitting near President Obama is strategically placed on a shelf, as if to oversee what goes on in…
Warren appoints Curtin as city’s corporate lawyer; Curran retiring
Brian Curran, the city’s corporation counsel, will retire from his position on December 31, 2017. Mayor Lovely Warren has appointed Tim Curtin as his replacement. Curtin, who is currently deputy corporation counsel, will start on January 1, 2018. Curtin was bond counsel for the city from 1994 to 2015 when Warren made him deputy corporation…
Classical review: Publick Musick’s ‘Rejoice’
Except for Handel’s “Messiah,” and perhaps Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio,” baroque music and Christmas may not go together in most audiences’ minds. The truth is that there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of vocal and instrumental works dedicated to the Christmas season by hundreds of 17th and 18th century composers. Publick Musick’s first concert of its 2017-18…
Protest targets Canal Corp tree removal plan
A citizens group will rally Sunday against a New York State Canal Corporation plan to remove trees from sections of Erie Canal embankment in Pittsford and Perinton. Stop the Clear Cut’s rally will be held at noon across from the Ayrault Road boat launch in Perinton. Speakers will include Pittsford Supervisor Bill Smith, Perinton Supervisor…
Rally urges fair scheduling for workers
Activists and workers staged a rally near the Cheesecake Factory in Pittsford Plaza yesterday, coordinated by Metro Justice, to call attention to “fair scheduling” regulations being considered in Albany. The regulations, which have been proposed by the State Labor Department, would provide important benefits to hourly workers, particularly those in fields such as restaurants, retail,…
School 41 to close and a new school to open in its place
Rochester City School District officials decided, at a meeting earlier this week, to close School 41 and re-open a new school in the same location
Mikaela Davis takes on her next psychedelic lullaby
Mikaela Davis carves out her sound, awash in color, on a big sky canvas and in the heads of her fans. Her gentle voice delivers the particulars while her harp paints the theme. It’s an indie rock twilight scene — or a psychedelic lullaby that puts you awake and allows you to dream. Addressing the…
INDIE POP | Katie Von Schleicher
With an honest, commanding voice that encroaches into just about every crevice of her latest record, “Shitty Hits,” Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Katie Von Schleicher has staked her claim as one of the most exciting solo acts currently going. Songs like “The Image,” “Midsummer,” and “Life’s a Lie” are magnificent compositions that call to mind the expert…
Album review: ‘No, Really’
The Results “No, Really” Self-released facebook.com/theresults One of the jobs of a music critic, as I see it, is to rein in some of the hyperbole while letting fly with some of their own. However, in the case of Rochester’s The Results’ new album, “No, Really,” the band is way better than the hype. A…
HIP-HOP | Khia
Florida-based “femcee” Khia may only have one hit, but she definitely left a lasting impression. Her raunchy, catchy 2002 single, “My Neck, My Back (Lick It),” off her debut album “Thug Misses” hit Top 40 stations and dance clubs across the globe. She went to on to record six more albums — although her album…
Album review: ‘Wallop Dollop’
Luke Cornwell “Wallop Dollop” Self-released lukecornwell.bandcamp.com Sometimes you’ve got to listen to an artist and allow them to ferment in your ears lest you pass judgement too quickly. It’s kind of like when I first heard Ween; I wanted to kill that guy. “What’s with all this shrieking?” Well, I’m older now (and I do…
HIP-HOP | UNO the Activist
Rapper UNO the Activist, aka Young Shyne, is straight out of Zone 3, Atlanta. He’s armed to the teeth with ubiquitous auto-tuned, Southern hip-hop ballads — and fueled by copious amounts of liquid codeine. UNO dropped his debut single, “I Doubt It,” during his senior year of high school, and dreamed of being an audio…
Feedback 12/6
We welcome your comments. Send them to themail@rochester-citynews.com or post them with articles on our website, rochestercitynewspaper.com. Those of fewer than 350 words have a greater chance of being published; we edit selections for publication in print, and we don’t publish comments sent to other media. Employers can make mass transit a high priority On…
HOLIDAY | Holiday Bazaar at The Market
Alright, now that it’s December, there’s not much time left to procrastinate — I’m mainly writing that for myself — to get together gifts for the holiday season. CITY always endorses conscious gift-giving, or even giving your time to help a neighbor, and we hope you’ll keep local makers and artists at the top of…
Urban Action 12/6
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Dreamers tell their stories The Rochester Committee on Latin America and University of Rochester Dreamers will present “Pass a Clean Dream Act and Protest Temporary Protected Status (TPS): a Call for Action!” on…
COMEDY | Brad Williams
Never expect Brad Williams to be PC in his delivery, but for good reason: there are things that make us unique, we should own them, and we should laugh about them. A large chunk of Williams’ energetic, smooth comedy centers on being a dude with dwarfism and how it shapes his perspective — on sex,…
Number of local refugees plummets
The global refugee crisis has been getting worse over the past several years. More than 65 million people have been forced from their homes by political instability, war, persecution, or extreme poverty. Some live in different parts of their homeland; others risk crossing borders to reach the relative relief of refugee camps and settlements. But…
THEATER | ‘A Christmas Story: The Musical’
Grab your glasses and pink bunny costume — “A Christmas Story” is coming back to Rochester. The touring musical based on the 1983 movie of the same name follows Ralphie Parker, a bespectacled kid in 1940s Indiana as he tries to scheme his way to getting the perfect gift: an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot…
Dinolfo’s budget: too good to be true?
County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo makes some very important investments in her 2018 budget proposal. The plan includes roughly $3 million to add 30 Child Protective Services caseworkers, restores $1.7 million for services that have been proven to reduce child abuse and neglect, and boosts child day-care funding by $1.6 million. These are the very investments…
MUSEUM | The Science of ‘Ripley’s Believe it or Not’
Ever wonder how you measure up against the world’s tallest man? Well, let’s just say you’re going to need a really big selfie stick to get a snapshot with a model of Robert Wadlow, who stood 8 feet 11 inches tall! It’s part of The Science of “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” on display at…
ART | Costumes from the Beaux Arts Ball
RIT’s University Gallery on October 27 hosted its second annual Beaux Arts Ball, for which all first year RIT Design, Art, and Crafts students create functional costumes using limited materials, basing their designs on art history research. The ball has a history dating as far back as the 1950’s; RIT lecturer Graham Carson revived the…
K2 Brothers Brewing is all about family
K2 Brothers Brewing is truly a family affair — which is perhaps unsurprising, given that the brewery’s name alludes to siblings. The New York State Farm/Micro Brewery, owned and operated by brothers Kyle and Brad Kennedy, officially opened its doors on Saturday, December 2. The brewery focuses primarily on American-Style beers. “We love our IPAs…
ART | ‘From the Seeds of Cucumber Alley’
Flower City Arts Center’s photography program is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a fundraiser and exhibition that looks back at its origins — the program was founded in 1977 by Anne Beach as Cucumber Alley School of Printing. This history is illustrated through archival materials, a documentary video screening, and display of photos by volunteers…
CITY’s Worst Date Contest: Winners Announced!
Winner: Joe G. I met a girl one night on Bumble. She was cute and seemed like she had a lot going for her. We hit it off and I suggested dinner. We went to an Italian restaurant for our first/last date called Rocco’s on Monroe/Marshall St. She brought with her a pumpkin spice latte…
BLUES | Albert Cummings
New England guitar slinger Albert Cummings let’s fly with a fiery fleet-fingered display. He ably wrings the neck on his guitar at any tempo, but it all truly shines on the slow blues, where he riffs blindingly brilliant and smooth. Clearly influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Kings (Albert and Freddie), Cummings brings plenty…
ART ROCK | Jack and The Jukebox
Utica’s Jack and The Jukebox defy the genre that defines them by taking a lighter, less dense, less-convoluted approach to art rock. The style commands an intricate approach that borders on orchestral and cosmic themes. When you say “art rock,’ bands like Genesis, King Crimson, and Procol Harum come to mind — and so does…
HOLIDAY | TUBACHRISTMAS
A unique holiday tradition, TUBACHRISTMAS will bring yuletide cheer with unlikely, low-range instruments. TUBACHRISTMAS has been a Rochester fixture for more than three decades, with 150-plus musicians set to perform exclusively on tubas and euphoniums. For this joyous set of Christmas carols, conducted by Jeremy Stoner, it really is “all about that bass.” The audience…
CLASSICAL | Musica Nova
Hailing from the Second Viennese School, composers Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern were lions of 20th century modernisms, championing serialism and a groundbreaking approach to harmony and dissonance. This Sunday, the Brad Lubman-led ensemble Musica Nova will interpret these twin titans of atonality at the Eastman School of Music. The student group will perform Schoenberg’s…
CLASSICAL | Publick Musick’s ‘Rejoice!’
“Messiah” and “The Nutcracker” aside, there is a huge amount of worthwhile classical music for Christmas that is seldom explored by performing organizations. But this weekend, Rochester early-music ensemble Publick Musick will offer “Rejoice!”: engaging selections from the vast treasury of sonatas, cantatas, and other chamber music with a Christmas theme by 18th century Italian…
Theater review: ‘First Date’ at JCC CenterStage
There are a few “firsts” in life that almost everyone can relate to: first day of school, first kiss, first home — the list goes on. But perhaps the “first” that draws the most entertaining anecdotes is a first date (even more so if it’s a blind date). The co-creators of “First Date: The Broadway…
‘And, Ain’t I a Woman’ conversation focuses on intersectionality
While there are a limited (but important) amount of concrete things we can do to challenge racist and sexist national policies, our ability to creatively tackle inequity on local levels is just about boundless. Arts community organizer Rachel DeGuzman is continuing her series of creative forums, “At the Crossroads: Activating the Intersection of Art and…
Council prepares to tackle police oversight system
A new report notes that Rochester’s police oversight process “was part of the first wave of civilian oversight in the first half of the 20th century” and that “many communities have moved beyond or enhanced this approach with other forms of monitoring.”
Republicans’ tax plan as a nation-shaper
Donald Trump and the madness in the White House isn’t our biggest problem. The Republicans in Congress are.
‘Move’ documentary explores individual, citywide impact of gun violence
The new locally-produced documentary “Move” from first-time filmmaker Tam Little chronicles the 2015 shooting at the Rochester Boys & Girls Club, and seeks to spur viewers to take action.
Theater review: ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’
When Screen Plays announced a production of “Meet Me in St. Louis” at the Lyric Theatre this month, it caused a quick double take. Wasn’t that last year’s show? Could this be a misprint, or a mistaken announcement? As it turns out, Geva Theatre and “A Christmas Carol” doesn’t have a corner market on holiday…
‘The Disaster Artist’ screenwriters give a word to the Wiseau
CITY spoke with “The Disaster Artist” screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber about the mysterious origins of Tommy Wiseau, and why audiences all over the world have connected with his story.
Film review: ‘Last Flag Flying’
Richard Linklater’s “Last Flag Flying” captures male camaraderie while delving into the toll military combat takes on service members — as well as weighty ideas of patriotism, heroism, and the lies about each that get told for reasons both noble and selfish.
