In one of Charles Arnold’s most memorable self-portraits, the artist stares at the viewer while surrounded by an eclectic array of items: an animal skull, an otherworldly plant, and a piece of architectural ornamentation. But the strangest presence in the print, also staring out (though somewhat cross-eyed), is Arnold’s hero, Wile E. Coyote. “Road […]
Ron Netsky
Posted inNews & Opinion
Cabinet of curiosities
The note is no more than three inches high and six inches wide. The handwriting has faded, but the object’s significance is palpable. My Dear Mrs. Post: Please shelter this sister from the house of bondage till five o’clock — this afternoon — she will then be sent on to the land of […]
Posted inCulture
Across the universe
The subjects of Adam Frank’s research are thousands of light years away from the earth; he studies the life and death of distant stars. But his work as associate professor of physics & astronomy, theoretical astrophysics and plasma physics at the University of Rochester, is ultimately about us — how we got here and […]
Posted inMusic
Riding the hydra
One thing James Carter cannot be accused of is traveling light. When he visits Penfield High School for two concerts this weekend, he’ll be bringing along four or five of his saxophones. In fact, hearing him on soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass saxophone, not to mention sopranino and the rare F-mezzo, you might […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Across the universe
Part one of a two-part series. Dark matter, dark energy, and the Big Bang are ideas so large and seemingly intangible it’s not easy to get a grip on them. Adam Frank, associate professor of physics and astronomy, theoretical astrophysics, and plasma physics at the University of Rochester, wrestles with concepts like these every day. […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Rhapsody in black and white
On any given weekend, Billie Holiday, Sonny Rollins, or Stan Getz might be performing at the Ridgecrest Inn. Dave Brubeck or Louis Armstrong could be headlining at the War Memorial. Ray Charles might be playing a dance at the Roller Palace. And Ron Carter was always in the house band at the Pythodd Club. […]
Posted inMusic
Record Review
Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz Jazz Alliance When I’m on the road, I feel especially lucky if I find a radio station carrying Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz. For 25 years, McPartland has hosted one of the most engaging shows on the airwaves, interviewing and playing spontaneous duets with jazz greats. Her personality is so engaging that […]
Posted inMusic
Vocal ease
As a teenager, Karrin Allyson listened to all the usual suspects: Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Carole King, Aretha Franklin. She sang folk music and joined an all-female rock band called Tomboy. Then she heard Nancy Wilson. “When I finally discovered jazz it seemed to encompass all that I was really interested in doing,” […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
21st-century sublime
American Sublime, a recent exhibition at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, surveyed the paintings of 19th-century landscape masters Frederic Edwin Church, Thomas Cole, and others. The show explored the traditional view of the sublime landscape in all its transcendent glory. That was then; this is now. Scott Laird, gallery director […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
21st-century sublime
American Sublime, a recent exhibition at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, surveyed the paintings of 19th-century landscape masters Frederic Edwin Church, Thomas Cole, and others. The show explored the traditional view of the sublime landscape in all its transcendent glory. That was then; this is now. Scott Laird, gallery director […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Shooting down UFOs, stamping out Bigfoot
Paul Kurtz debunks urban legends and pop-culture myths
