At the intersection of grill recipes, food experiments and sports on just about any social media platform, one is likely to find Chef Cuso. It’s a moniker for Victor native Jack Mancuso, the face behind (and in front of) the Chef Cuso handle who makes it very clear that he is “not a chef,” even […]
Articles
Posted inTheater
Mark Cuddy returning as interim artistic director at Geva
The former artistic director, who retired in 2022, will help with the transitional period between the departure of current artistic director Elizabeth Williamson next month and her yet-to-be-named successor.
Posted inMovie Reviews
REVIEW | ‘La Bola Negra’
The film that won ‘Best Director’ at this year’s Cannes Film Festival (for co-directors Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo) is a generation-spanning tale of war, queer love and the connecting power of art. Since its debut in May, “La Bola Negra” has been tapped as one of the year’s top Oscar contenders. It’s a challenging […]
Posted inCulture
Local father-daughter duo continues family legacy of cheese
Vincenzo Giordano never expected to get into the cheese business. It was basically second nature to love dairy growing up around farmers and cheesemakers in Rionero in Vulture, a historic hilltop town in the Italian region of Basilicata. Yet what started as a fun passion project grew into a beloved community staple. “I’ve always been […]
Posted inTheater
REVIEW | ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ at RBTL
Jukebox musicals tend to fall into two categories: a fabricated story manufactured to cram in as many hit songs as possible, or a biographical sketch of a major artist told using their songs. The 2023 Broadway musical from Alicia Keys falls somewhere in between. “Hell’s Kitchen, ” which runs through November 8 at West Herr […]
Posted inColumns
EDITOR’S LETTER | Consider the lobster thermidor
I spent this past summer with Anthony Bourdain. He was with me as I drove 140 miles roundtrip twice a week to Syracuse to teach a news reporting class. As I flew to Palm Springs and New Orleans for work trips. He was with me as I unpacked boxes from a move, built patio furniture […]
Posted inCulture
Unexpected Finger Lakes (and beyond) spots worth a midday detour
Some tamales are so good, you’ll follow directions that start with “use the basement door” to satisfy a craving — the tastiest bites are often tucked just out of sight. Even better when there’s an option to pair that lunch or dinner adventure with a hike at Letchworth, a ski run down Bristol Mountain or […]
Posted inColumns
THE RANDOM ROUTE | From Cafe Sasso to Lucky Folk Tattoo
A new series about searching for connection by way of chance.
Posted inMusic
REVIEW | ‘A Long Forgotten Past’ by Alex Nazaretski
As I listened my way through composer/guitarist/pianist Alex Nazaretski’s debut album, I was reminded of the old “Choose Your Own Adventure” books. There are several musical paths, and each can lead you in a very different direction. The nice part with this album: there’s really no wrong way to go. At the start, we enter […]
Posted inDance
Moving pictures: meet four Rochester natives who dance onstage and onscreen
Jasmine Harper has danced with the stars. From Jennifer Lopez and Ciara to Usher and Ne-Yo, Harper has shared the stage with prominent artists, but her “I made it” moment came when she was asked to tour with Beyoncé. “She’s amazing — the ultimate professional,” said Harper, a Henrietta native. “Seeing her give 125% every […]
Posted inMovie Reviews
REVIEW | ‘Possible Love’
The newest film from South Korean master Lee Chang-dong is just waiting to detonate. Instead, the plot of “Possible Love” simmers as a documentary project brings two families on different ends of a violent workers’ strike suppression together. Director Lee’s films always have a slow burn (his most recent feature from 2018 was named “Burning,” […]
Posted inCulture
Western New York takes the spotlight in locally produced TV show ‘Abilene’
Twenty years ago, Nick DiBella walked into Schutt’s Apple Mill in Webster and immediately had an epiphany. He compared the feeling to being struck by lightning. “Suddenly, I could see a television show in that place,” said DiBella, local filmmaker and co-founder of Faith Street Films. “I could see young people working on the farm, […]
