Though she died in 2010, Lucille Clifton remains one of the most consequential poets in American literature. It requires only a few lines to understand her power. Clifton, a Buffalo native who spent years in Baltimore, chose clear, distilled language to articulate her meanings. “(T)hey ask me to remember,” she wrote in a 1987 poem, […]
Patrick Hosken
Patrick is CITY's arts and culture reporter. He was formerly the music editor at MTV News and a producer at Buffalo Toronto Public Media.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Using a hot sauce IV and a broken table to process grief
Sports fans often feel like their team’s stakes are life or death. Even the vocabulary of “die-hards” reinforces this, and as any Buffalo Bills fan can affirm, elimination from the playoffs initiates a period of actual grief. It is in this way that sports fandom and personal experiences of loss — through illness and even […]
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 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 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 […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Children’s lit magazine ‘Magic Dragon’ looks to its future in an uncertain financial landscape
There’s a dragon in Joanne Andrews’ basement. He’s a few feet tall, brilliant green and clad in a wizard’s hat and a wand. He’s also made onto a foam board. Andrews created him as the mascot for Magic Dragon, the children’s literary magazine she assembles in her Pittsford home with editor Patricia Roesch. Andrews is […]
Posted inMovies
The Oscars love disability stories, but it’s complicated
The trailer for “Song Sung Blue,” director Craig Brewer’s Oscar-nominated biographical drama about a Neil Diamond tribute act, sets up a familiar arc. While looking for glory, musicians Mike and Claire — played by Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson — find each other. And when the glory arrives, so do the struggles: alcoholism, addiction and, […]
Posted inMusic
Gladys Knight and Mikaela Davis among summer festival performer announcements
Despite a fresh snowfall, festival season is just a few months away. This week, two of the city’s cornerstone summer celebrations have revealed some 2026 headliners. The Rochester Lilac Festival will fill Highland Park with homegrown and touring acts beginning May 8 and running through May 17. Each night has free live music, with local acts […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Vision of Sound returns for four days of eclectic local music and dance
The Rochester City Ballet, a krumping university professor and ensemble musicians will gather this weekend for a unique festival. Vision of Sound, which pairs local composers and choreographers to perform new work together, returns for four shows of eclectic music and dance February 19-22. The shows will be staged at four local schools, including SUNY Brockport, Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, […]
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, […]
Posted inMusic
REVIEW | ‘Are We There Yet’ by Katy Martin
Though goals and results drive modern society, it’s only after struggle and pain that we learn the journey is the destination. Local singer-songwriter Katy Martin’s latest solo album, “Are We There Yet,” captures this wisdom in eight indie folk songs that play with bright, twee sounds while tackling an ever-present heaviness. Martin, half of the […]
Posted inMusic
REVIEW | ‘Montréal’ by The Thriffs
Until recently, Rochester band The Thriffs went by a more typical tag: The Thrifts. But due to the existence of another band of the same name, this moody yet energetic quartet modified its name. The change-up suits the music, a rare blend of insular post-punk infused with blasts of extroverted personality. On The Thriffs’ debut […]
