Cover Stories
City Hall prepares to reform Rochester’s police oversight
For decades, activists have pushed for stronger police oversight. After months of study, City Council is finishing work on legislation that could do that.
Rochester 10
We highlight the work of 10 outstanding Rochesterians, people whose efforts, talent, and determination make Rochester the community it is.
Cuomo, Legislature to pursue reproductive rights protections
The Reproductive Health Act has passed the state Assembly six times and this year, the state Senate will finally vote on it. Democratic leaders in both the Assembly and Senate expect it to pass, and Governor Andrew Cuomo has promised to swiftly sign it into law. The Reproductive Health Act will essentially modernize that state’s…
Public meeting set on Rochester school district’s problems
State education officials are planning a community meeting in Rochester next week to discuss concerns about the Rochester school district. The focus: problems identified in the recent report by the state-appointed Distinguished Educator.
White reelected school board president amid serious tensions
Rochester school board members reelected Van White as president yesterday in a 4 to 2 vote. Cynthia Elliott replaces Willa Powell as vice president, marking her second partnership with White in leadership roles. New board member Beatriz LeBron nominated Natalie Sheppard, who is also serving her first term on the board, but Sheppard received only…
Divinity school development plans move forward
Developer Angelo Ingrassia’s Spot on Development is working with the city to make Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School’s former 22.5 acre campus into a Planned Development District.
ART/Work
A video series on Rochester’s rich community of artists: sculptors, actors, dancers, glass artists… Come with us as we talk with them in their studios.
Warren, Council offering separate police oversight plans
Mayor Lovely Warren has asked City Council to approve legislation that would establish stronger civilian oversight of Rochester police officers. But Council is introducing its own legislation.
Fresh Cut: ‘Bird Arms’ by Green Dreams
Green Dreams combines garage pop with nostalgic, psychedelic vibes on its quirky, new song “Bird Arms.”
AMERICANA | The Honey Smugglers
Listening to bluegrass can feel like being a hamster on a turbo wheel. In the case of The Honey Smugglers, in the wheel’s place is a steady, tire-swing tempo that gives the band a ticket to ride to other musical languages. Don’t let the instrumentation make up your mind for you. There are simply too…
METAL | ‘Post-X-mas Massacre’
There are subtle differences between the bands on this triple-bill, meat cleaver-to-the-head extravaganza. But for the most part, it’s the meeting of like-minded head-bangers, led by Ancalagon. You won’t just need ear plugs here. It’s a heads-up game on the dance floor, too. Ancalagon, Inhumatus, and Sulaco play on Friday, December 28, 9 p.m. at…
THEATER | ‘Anansi Tales for the Holidays’
With his eight feet rooted in West African folklore, the spider-shaped trickster god Anansi has traveled through oral traditions to the Caribbean and America. Directed by Reuben J. Tapp and presented by {theatre}+{náfsi},”Anansi Tales for the Holidays” is a program of interactive theater, storytelling, and puppetry, featuring stories from various authors. A Children’s mask and…
SPECIAL EVENT | ‘Ginger Minj’s Crossdresser for Christmas’
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” finalist Ginger Minj returns to Rochester this week with her new holiday show, “Crossdresser for Christmas,” in which she will share outrageous tales of her Christmases past, as well as some holiday classic stories. Presented by OFC Creations and the Bachelor Forum, the event doubles as OFC’s annual fundraiser for Broadway Cares:…
COMEDY | The Capitol Steps
Award-winning political satire comedy troupe, The Capitol Steps, returns this week for its 24th appearance at Nazareth College Arts Center’s annual New Year’s Eve comedy event. The DC-based troupe began as staffers in the Senate, and each year it presents a show filled with bipartisan wisecracks. This year the performance will be based on songs…
KIDS | Almost Overnight: Snowed In!
This week Rochester Museum and Science Center will host the last of this year’s Almost Overnight series, in which kids get to enjoy programming late into the evening. This winter-themed, STEM-focused event features three hands-on workshops that will have them using science to create sweet treats, make an indoor snowstorm, and craft a snow globe…
New Year’s Eve Events
Looking for something to do on New Year’s Eve? Check out what’s happening around Rochester on Monday, December 31. MUSIC Anamon, Aweful Kanawful. Bug Jar, 219 Monroe Ave. bugjar.com. Mon., Dec. 31, 9 p.m. $5. Claudia Hoyser. ButaPub, 315 Gregory St. 563-6241. Mon., Dec. 31, 9:30 p.m. $10/$15. Dangerbyrd, Snack Shack. Radio Social, 20 Carison…
KIDS | ‘Children’s Short Films from Around the World’
It’s never too early to get your kids into foreign films. “Children’s Short Films from Around the World,” presented this week by Rochester International Children’s Film Festival, is a 60-minute program that includes award-winning films from Argentina, Belgium, Croatia, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, and elsewhere. The short movies include live-action, animation, and stop-motion…
KIDS | Winter Break at Ganondagan
Is your kid a homebody or outdoorsy during academic breaks? Get the best of both worlds this week at the Winter Break at Ganondagan programming, featuring family activities appropriate for ages 5 and up. Activities include traditional Hodinöhsö:ni’ indoor winter games, crafting beaded necklaces and cornhusk dolls, storytimes, snowshoeing, and snowboats, which is a sledding-like…
Feedback 12/26
Send comments to themail@rochester-citynews.com, or post them on our website, rochestercitynewspaper.com, our Facebook page, or our Twitter feed, @roccitynews. We edit selections for publication in print. A just transition for New York In his speech last week, Governor Cuomo took a major step forward by calling for a “Green New Deal” for New York and…
SINGER-SONGWRITER | Annie Wells Band
Though Annie Wells has a formidable backing band, it’s as if they are more of an extension of Wells than simple support. And the grip and grasp of her gentle songwriting makes Wells an extension herself. It’s as if the songs wrote Wells. She warbles and intones with all the strength and comfort of a…
JAM ROCK | moe.
A jam band that went from playing parties at University of Buffalo to headlining major music festivals, moe. has demonstrated perseverance and vitality since forming in 1990. The quintet blends progressive improve rock with Americana, blues, country, psychedelia, and more. The songs’ lyrics have a speedy delivery with honest and poetic rawness, while complex instrumental…
HIP-HOP | Keen$ter
Ready and able to drop a verse anytime, Keenan Springer is a local rapper whose dedication to his craft is mirrored in his music. He blends hip-hop with pop and R&B, using intelligent, fast-flowing lyrics to shed light on love, perseverance, and social issues. A puzzle of meditative electronic beats pulses underneath while he sings…
FUNK | Turkuaz
Frank Zappa meets Parliament-Funkadelic with the Brooklyn-based band Turkuaz. The nine-piece, powerhouse party band features crunchy guitars, punchy horn lines, explosive drums, and vocals with a sensual attitude. Exploring both silly and serious lyrical concepts. Turkuaz plays alternative funk-rock songs about love, travel, reality, and fantasy, all with moxie and stadium-level energy. Turkuaz will perform…
Roundup: The top movies of 2018
Every film mentioned here is absolutely worthy of your time.
Our offices are closed for the holidays
CITY will be closed from December 24 – January 1
Album review: ‘None of the Above’
Sharon Coates ‘None of the Above’ Self-released sharoncoatesmusic.com There’s a bit of a dichotomy going on with Sharon Coates’ new and third CD. To reference Monk, it’s full of ugly beauty. Coates has a beautiful, almost sorrowful voice, which when paired with her backing band’s rugged support, is evenmore soft and lonely. This is especially…
Mt. Hope plans anger residents
Mt. Hope Avenue near the University of Rochester was transformed by College Town, a mix of restaurants, shops, offices, and apartments. It was built along a section of the avenue that stretches from Elmwood Avenue south to Rossiter Road and was the first phase of a major project to redevelop the Mt. Hope corridor. The…
Trump, US challenges, and Americans voters’ IQ
Donald Trump’s ignorance wasn’t in doubt. But enough Americans chose him anyway that he was able to win in the Electoral College.
Nosh chef opens Mexican restaurant in NOTA
The menu at fast-casual Old Pueblo Grill boasts a lineup of eight different tacos, plus burritos, tortas, nachos, chimichangas, tostadas, taquitos, and a breakfast menu.
Film review: ‘Aquaman’
Seeking to differentiate his film from the dour tone and muted colors that’s become DC house style, director James Wan and his team run in the total opposite direction. The psychedelic production design fills the frame with as much color as possible.
Folkfaces frontman Tyler Westcott hosts January residency at The Little
Buffalo musician Tyler Westcott adds his own new, soulful twist to traditional forms of American roots music like folk, bluegrass, and the blues.
Film review: ‘Bumblebee’
The best Transformers movie by a mile (though it’s admittedly not a high bar to clear), against all odds “Bumblebee” ultimately succeeds by finding the beating heart beneath the machinery.
Theater review: ‘The Last Night of Ballyhoo’
While holiday classics have their place, it’s refreshing to see a new option on the season once in a while. “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” doesn’t contain a single Christmas carol or Santa sighting, but it’s an insightful look at the prejudices a community can hold against even its own members.
