“Before the Dawn,” the sophomore album from Fairport native Claudia Hoyser, is an ethereal dive into modern Americana and country. Hoyser’s unique voice and emotional vulnerability create something new and fresh, sultry and sweet. For fans of indie and country, this LP is sure to turn heads. While exploring themes like growth and healing, “Before […]
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Posted inMusic
Pittsford grad Isa Antonetti, Eastman faculty and alumni take home Grammy Awards
Among this year’s winners at the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 1 were Pittsford-Mendon graduate Isa Antonetti and several Eastman School of Music faculty and alumni. Antonetti is the daughter of Victor Antonetti Jr. (a 2025 CITY Rochester Ten), and performed with her father’s Latin band, Orquesta Antonetti, as a teenager before graduating […]
Posted inSports
Rochester’s forgotten NFL heroes
Before the Bills. Before billion dollar stadiums. Before the NFL became a national obsession, Rochester was already rewriting the rules of football. On dusty sandlots and roaring high school fields, a visionary owner, a Haitian-born trailblazer and a city that loved the game more than college or pro teams laid the foundation for a sport […]
Posted inCulture
Local businesses close; donate portion of proceeds during nationwide shutdown
This week, the Somali Student Association at the University of Minnesota called upon the nation to shut down in response to the deaths of Keith Porter Jr., Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti and ongoing ICE activity. Activist groups have designated Friday, January 30 as a day for no work, no school and no shopping. […]
Posted inBest of Rochester
Best of Rochester Staff Picks: Recreation
The fastest way to burst a social bubble, a year-round walk ‘n’ talk spot, the ultimate winter escape and more — here’s what was on our radar in 2025.
Posted inBest of Rochester
Best of Rochester Staff Picks: Shopping & Services
A Bills book adults will like, the fair-trade store featuring 38 countries, a Digicam renaissance and more — here’s what was on our radar in 2025.
Posted inBest of Rochester
Best of Rochester Staff Picks: Arts & Entertainment
A new rehearsal space for everyone, a place to spot future Broadway stars, the best millennial emo revival and more — here’s what was on our radar in 2025.
Posted inTheater
REVIEW | ‘The Woman in Black’
When the first jump scare happened during Geva Theatre’s production of “The Woman in Black” on Tuesday, a woman two seats down grabbed her friend’s arm and yelped. By the fourth jump scare, she said (loudly), “I’m gonna fight him!” The decent-sized crowd that had shuffled in from an icy 10-degree January night to endure […]
Posted inMovie Reviews
REVIEW | ‘No Other Choice’
More people than not have likely had to face the loss of a job. Whether it be a termination or a mass company layoff, their name just happened to be selected in favor of the bottom line — an unfortunate occurrence in a corporate world. It’s not an easy change to navigate, especially when the […]
Posted inMusic
CITY’s year in (music) review 2025
Year-end lists condition people like me to think that there must be One Best Album to rule over all others. This is simply not true. My favorite 2025 music was made by several diverse artists that I love equally: ambient instrumentalist Walt McClements, New York City band Geese, local improvisational duo Wren Cove — more […]
Posted inTheater
REVIEW | ‘Monty Python’s Spamalot’ is not dead yet
“Monty Python’s Spamalot” galloped into the West Herr Auditorium Theatre this week on invisible horses, leaving behind a trail of flatulence, flesh wounds, flying cows and a lot of laughter, proving that this 20-year-old madcap musical of the highest disorder is“not dead yet.” If those references were lost on you, not to worry, not to […]
Posted inMusic
Taye Diggs and The Skycoasters to be inducted into Rochester Music Hall of Fame
Long before he was demanding last year’s rent from his bohemian friends, Taye Diggs grew up in Rochester and attended School of the Arts. Since then, the actor, singer and Broadway star has gone on to much success and acclaim, including performances in the stage and film versions of “Rent” and “Chicago.” Later this year, […]
