Cover Story
Hard knocks and hard hits
In one swift motion, Jerremy Lorch snatches a volleyball out of the air, plops it on his lap and whizzes off down the basketball court — a strong breeze following his wheelchair as he speeds down the sideline. But Lorch doesn’t get far. Another man in a wheelchair rams into him with spectacular force, nearly…
How Medley’s promise turned to peril
When Scott Congel took on Irondequoit’s Medley Centre, he seemed like the perfect candidate to make something happen on the site. The Congel family business, Pyramid Companies, has built and operated malls across the Northeast, including the thriving Walden Galleria in suburban Buffalo. Officials thought that the Congel name and connections would translate into tenants…
Eastman adds series
The Eastman School of Music is expanding its performance offerings in its 2014-15 season, adding a new series that will include comedian Jason Alexander, Broadway star Bernadette Peters, and the Vienna Boys Choir. The new series, named Eastman Presents, will also include appearances by pianist Peter Serkin, the Kodo Drummers, and Cuban jazz trumpeter Arturo…
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 6, Episode 11: Glitter Ball
I AM STUNNNED. Sincerely. I am absolutely shocked by the events of tonight’s episode. I should clarify that 4/5 of the episode was fairly predictable — the Adore redemption arc was blatantly telegraphed, as was Darienne tanking the challenge — but the identity of the Bottom 2 and the eliminated queen really threw me for…
Medley developer suing former lender
The owner of Medley Centre is suing Nomura Credit and Capital, the Japanese bank that withdrew its financing for the redevelopment project. (Read the complaint below.) Bersin Properties planned to make over the moribund mall for housing, retail, a hotel, and entertainment. Online records from the county clerk’s office show that Bersin filed the lawsuit…
WEEK AHEAD: bus how-to; judgment day for Medley; downtown roundup
The Rochester Transit Service will hold a “How to Ride the Bus” orientation from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, April 29, at the RGRTS administration building, 1372 East Main Street. This is the first of a series designed to help first-time riders or those who might need a refresher. It is free and open…
In key areas, local Democrats still struggle
I covered Joe Morelle’s appearance at a young Democrats’ meeting many years ago, not long after he had been named leader of the Monroe County Democratic Committee. I remember being struck by the mix in the party he had inherited. On the one hand, New York was on the verge of sending a Democrat, Eliot…
Rochester school district may lease building space to charter
In an unprecedented move, the Rochester school board voted 5 to 0 in favor of leasing some of its excess building space to a local charter school last night. Board members Cynthia Elliott and Melisza Campos did not attend the meeting. Sharing public school buildings has been a source of tension between pro-charter and anti-charter…
Theater Review: GRRC’s “Agnes of God”
The story behind John Pielmeier’s play “Agnes of God” will be familiar to most Rochesterians who lived here in the 1970’s and early 80’s. According to the playwright’s introduction included in the program to Greater Rochester Repertory Companies’ current production of the show, Pielmeier — interested in writing a play through which he could explore…
Collections net tons of unused prescription drugs
In the first three months of 2014, Monroe County collected approximately 1.55 tons, or 3,099 pounds, of unused prescription drugs. Prescription drug take-backs began a few years ago when reports surfaced that pharmaceutical chemicals were being detected in many water bodies, including the Great Lakes. Improper disposal of unused medication is seen as a major source…
Serious questions about East’s potential savior
School Turnaround, the organization that may be charged with rehabilitating East High School, has 48 hours to respond to a barrage of questions, says board president Van White. The committee that screened the proposal had numerous questions at a meeting yesterday, White says, and more questions followed the meeting. “These are really thoughtful questions that…
![[UPDATED] Monroe merchants fight Inner Loop plan](https://i0.wp.com/www.roccitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/news2-1.webp?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
[UPDATED] Monroe merchants fight Inner Loop plan
City of Rochester agrees to allow left turns onto Monroe after State DOT says it’s OK.
HIP-HOP | Tech N9ne
Rapper Aaron Dontez Yates, better known by his stage name Tech N9ne, has been in the rap game for more than 20 years, and his longevity can be accredited to the simple fact that this guy can spit fire. His “chopper” style of rap is equal parts speed and technicality — kind of like a…
“Jodorowsky’s Dune”
In telling the behind-the-scenes story of 70’s-era cult director Alejandro Jodorowsky’s failed attempt to adapt Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic, “Dune,” into a movie, filmmaker Frank Pavich documents one of Hollywood’s most legendary tales of “What if?” Told largely by Jodorowsky himself, through ceaselessly entertaining talking head interviews, the director explains how he’d hoped his film…
BLUEGRASS/HIP-HOP | Gangstagrass
Bluegrass and rap sound like two genres that should probably never meet — we’ve all seen how country and rap has fared — but Brooklyn-based group Gangstagrass somehow found the golden balance. Anyone familiar with the FX series “Justified” and its opening credits will recognize the band’s track “Long Hard Times to Come,” which earned…
“Under the Skin”
It’s been 10 long years since director Jonathan Glazer’s last film (2004’s genre-defying romance, “Birth”) but his latest proves to be every bit worth the wait. Based loosely on the novel by Michel Faber, “Under the Skin” stars Scarlett Johansson as an alien in human form, prowling through Scotland looking for unassuming men to lure…
CANCELLED | Leon Russell
Main Street Armory has announced that Leon Russell’s April 25 appearance has been cancelled. Refunds will be given at the point of purchase. Below is the original choice. Singer-songwriter Leon Russell’s name can be found in the liner notes of countless records. As a session musician in Los Angeles, Russell played on Phil Spector productions,…
Johnny Bauer and Great Escape
Johnny Bauer has performed music for 39 of his 42 years on earth. It started in the crib — if not the womb — and quickly moved to the stage with his family’s band, Bauer Power. “It consisted of my mom, my dad playing guitar,” Bauer says. “My oldest brother playing keyboards and bass, my…
ALBUM REVIEW: “Fox 45”
Fox 45 “Fox 45” Eat Here Records Fox45.bandcamp.com Fox 45 is uber referential on its self-titled debut EP. Every style, hook or riff the band cops to, it does unabashedly. It’s nothing particularly new, but it’s good — damn good. Sure the Sabbath riff on the opening track “Gehenna” is obvious, but who gives a…
Urban texture
Last autumn, Rochester witnessed the annual summer street art festival, Wall Therapy, bust out of its regular July programming with an off-season “Fall Therapy” mural-making series. After a dormant winter, Wall Therapy will present yet another break-out painting session this week. “Writes of Spring” will focus specifically on letterform graffiti, and will feature an international…
ALBUM REVIEW: “Liar’s Moon”
Jerry Falzone “Liar’s Moon” Self-release Jerryfalzone.com Each of the 10 cuts on Jerry Falzone’s excellent new “Liar’s Moon” would do just fine as simple guy-with-a-guitar-and-something-to-say vignettes but Falzone uses his simple strum and croon as a catapult to launch into a lush atmosphere of classic rock. Lush — perhaps a tad lonely even — but…
FILM | “Shoulders to Stand On: The LGBT History of Rochester”
Come out in remembrance of the men and women who had the courage to stand up for their right to love whomever they choose. “Shoulders to Stand On: The LGBT History of Rochester,” directed by Kevin J. Indovino, tells the story of a city that has always been at the forefront to encourage social change…
DANCE | Performance Roundup
From ballet to salsa to clogging, there’s a dance event to satisfy however you feel like shakin’ it this weekend. Here are a few key performances to check out, but there is always much more going on. Check out our online calendar at Rochestercitynewspaper.com for all of Rochester’s happenings. The Borinquen Dance Theatre will debut…
Feedback 4/23
Send comments to themail@rochester-citynews.com, or post them on our website, rochestercitynewspaper.com, our Facebook page, or our Twitter feed, @roccitynews. For our print edition, we select comments from all three sources, and we edit selections for publication in print. Press politicians to act on climate Great article by Jeremy Moule on the Sierra Club lecture dealing…
PHOTOGRAPHY | Cuba! Through 36 Eyes
Rochester is often referred to as the “Image City of the World” and the “Photo Capital of the World” for its rich history of photography and artistic neighborhoods, according to the Image City Photography Gallery. Located in the heart of ARTWalk and the Neighborhood of the Arts, the Gallery offers photographic artists rent space for…
Williamson follows the sun
The Wayne County town of Williamson could begin powering its municipal buildings almost entirely with solar energy as early as the fall. The electricity will come from a 1.5 megawatt solar farm, which will be built on the closed Williamson landfill. Compared to the 580 megawatt Ginna nuclear plant, the generation capacity is small. But…
SPECIAL EVENT | After Dark: Carnival of Curiosity
This weekend, the Rochester Museum & Science Center will host “Carnival of Curiosity,” its third adult event at the museum. The show explores the rarities of circus show attractions and hoaxes that you’ve always wanted to get to the bottom of. On all three floors of the Museum, experience awe-inspiring performances, witness live science demonstrations,…
Can parents save the schools?
Few people not directly employed by the Rochester school district are as nimble at navigating local policies, labor agreements, and state education law as Carrie Remis. In 2006, Remis co-founded the Rochester Fund for Educational Accountability, an all-volunteer organization that provided technical assistance and training to parent groups on federal education law (the group has…
SPORTS | Rochester Rhino’s Home Opener
Soccer fans, rejoice for the return of the Rochester Rhinos season. The Rhinos will be opening its 19th season on Sunday, April 27, against the Charleston Battery. Gates open to the Stadium at 2:30 p.m. and families can enjoy an array of pre-game festivities including the 1:30 p.m. WNY Derby soccer game between the American…
Morelle out
Joe Morelle will step down as chair of the Monroe County Democratic Committee when his term ends in September. He made the announcement at a press conference on Tuesday morning. Members of the county Democratic Committee members will elect a new chair after Morelle steps down, although Morelle refused to speculate on who that person…
POP | Rochester Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
There’s no denying the impact of Rochester’s music scene on our culture here and abroad. Joining the ranks of the previous two years’ inductees — like bluesman Son House, Cab Calloway, Young Rascal Gene Cornish, Lou Gramm, Mitch Miller, DJ Nick Nickson, and many more — will be this year’s honorees Duke Jupiter, David Hochstein,…
Urban Action 4/23
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Poverty’s impact explored The South Wedge Mission will host a presentation on the economic and political dynamics of concentrated poverty at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at 124 Carolina Street. A theatrical…
ROCK | Infrared Radiation Orchestra w/Greg “Stackhouse” Prevost
Prepare yourself for a night of British invasion garage rock and a buzzsaw blast furnace of hellacious Delta blues. Rock ‘n’ roll encyclopedia, The Infrared Radiation Orchestra draws from everything cool in the electric church and will focus this particular show on material from across the Atlantic, from an era when America surrendered its title.…
An Earth Day wish: move the tech park
With a name like Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, you’d think we’d get some actual regional planning. Instead, the goal seems to be insuring that every area in the region gets a share of state money. All right: I’m being snarky. The council does have representatives from throughout the Rochester-Finger Lakes region working together…
FUNK | AudioInFlux
When listening to groove band AudioInFlux, the first word that comes to mind is funk. It flavors an extensive array of other self-identified, stylistic influences found in the band’s music, and keeps you locked in. Jazz, soul and hip-hop are all equally represented in the Rochester-based outfit’s eclectic output, but mostly serve as accoutrements to…
CHOW HOUND: A west side story
La Marifinga started out as an idea for a food truck, but eventually evolved into a restaurant serving Spanish and American food on the west side. Edgar Gonzalez, the current Sous Chef at Rocco, opened the restaurant with his wife, Diana, who is at the restaurant seven days a week — an admirable feat when…
JAZZ | Culture Clash
Before he became director of the music program at Rochester Institute of Technology, Carl Atkins was well known for his saxophone prowess. Over the decades he’s played with Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, Jaki Byard and others. Atkins also served as co-director of the Thelonious Monk Institute. He’ll be exploring the blues with his current group,…
City Newspaper’s 2014 Best Busker Contest
Thank you to the hundreds of people who came out to City’s 5th Annual Best Busker Contest May 1 in Rochester’s East End! We are proud to announce the winners of the 2014 contest
JAZZ | Spontaneous Duos
Rochester musicians will celebrate International Jazz Day in a most appropriate way: making it up as they go along. Here’s how it works: Musician one plays solo for five minutes and then is joined by improvising musician two. After five minutes musician one leaves and musician three enters, picking up the music with musician two.…
“From the Rough”
The High Falls Film Festival is still six months away, but this Friday, April 25, the festival will host a special screening of the sports drama “From the Rough,” at the Little Theatre. The film tells the story of Dr. Catana Starks (Taraji P. Henson, “Hustle and Flow”), the first African-American woman to coach a…
