What if the most radical way to commemorate a war … was peace? As the United States gears up for its 250th anniversary in July, the usual pageantry is already taking shape: fireworks, reenactments and the familiar theater of patriotic memory. But a few miles east of Rochester, at Ganondagan State Historic Site, the celebration will […]
Articles
Posted inMusic
Two musical family duos reflect on the creative ties that bind
The core of any musically solid band is the rhythm section: drums and bass. The musicians work to build a foundation supporting the melodies that dance on top. They must lock into the same groove and communicate, often just with their eyes or a nod, when to pick up or slow down the tempo. Matt […]
Posted inCulture
An annual family affair, and a nana’s Ricotta pie legacy
It’s Christmas Eve when I help my aunt unload five reusable bags full of vintage cookbooks out of my car. A “9th Grand National Cookbook,” a 1968 “Foods of the Word,” Julia Child’s “The French Chef Cookbook” (which looks more like a common paperback than a cookbook), Marcella Hazan’s “The Classic Italian Cookbook” and a […]
Posted inTheater
REVIEW | ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ at RBTL
A teenage girl lounges in bed, writing a letter to Make a Wish Foundation punctuated with smiley and frowny faces. She refers to documentation of her short life expectancy, then trails off into a musical “do do do do.” It’s a little moment that catches you off guard – this girl knows she’s going to […]
Posted inCulture
Black Button’s new owner being sued by University Avenue landlord for damage
The lawsuit comes in the wake of unpaid rent and damages to the facility.
Posted inMusic Reviews
REVIEW | ‘The Somnambulist’ by Sastrugi
With its detached vocals and cold, precise rhythms, post-punk music is often confrontational. Not a lot of warm fuzzies to be found. But Sastrugi, the local band fronted by Matt Treadwell, confronts with a little boogie in its boots. The group’s new EP, “The Somnambulist,” may frighten away casual listeners with its spelling bee-caliber title. […]
Posted inFilm Features
What to watch when you’re watching together
Film and TV streaming options for all ages in your household.
Posted inArt
An unlikely friendship between a local artist and a family in Gaza
Heather Layton sat cross-legged in a big armchair off her living room. This is where she calls her friend, Baher. “We talk until our batteries run out on our phones,” she said, laughing. Sometimes the call goes unanswered, and Layton worries Baher and his family are dead. On this particular day, he answered. “I didn’t have wi-fi at my place,” he explained. It was […]
Posted inCulture
6 ways to create found family within your community
Some time in my mid-20s, right after the pandemic, this crazy thing happened to me. Suddenly, I didn’t know how to make friends. There was no school, no clubs, no mini city-esque world of college. I got up, went to work and, most days, came straight home (to my parents’ house). Everyone I was close […]
Posted inArt
Peer Bode’s video art exhibition at VSW recalls the 1970s and ‘80s
Abstract shapes of shifting colors dance over an otherwise mundane video of a cup of coffee, recorded with a handheld Portapak analog camera and displayed on three projectors. Actually it’s two videos; a lagging copy hovers over itself like a ghost, a polychromatic distortion, following the actions of its original, trailing behind the pouring, the […]
Posted inMusic
RPO’s 2026-27 season includes Chuck Mangione tribute, Fringe collab, Piano Festival and more
Before they ever actually met, Chuck Mangione brought Jeff Tyzik to Rochester. All it took was hearing his music. “Somebody sent me a Chuck Mangione recording, and when I listened to that, I was inspired by his music enough to want to come to Rochester and study at the Eastman School [of Music] where he […]
