The F Word: Bernunzio Uptown Music is still strumming
The showroom at Bernunzio Uptown Music on East Avenue is officially closed right now, but that’s not to say owner John Bernunzio has completely shut down the operations.
Rochester renters’ rights pioneer dies; her case lives on in limbo
With the help of the Legal Aid Society of Rochester, Linda Barger took her case for better living conditions to court and won.
Calendar Preview: Traditions, off the wall
It’s May. Moms and grads each have their big day coming up, but any pomp and parties have to be virtual and distanced.
Rochester Children’s International Film Festival presents daily surprise shorts
After Cuomo’s announcement that schools would remain closed, the Rochester International Children’s Film Festival announced it would extend the availability of its films for another month.
County unveils virtual Narcan training as overdoses tick up
County health officials said the practice of physical distancing has placed strains on residents’ mental health.
Album review: ‘Just Name It’
Rochester-based rocker Greg Townson hits the bullseye with the new album “Just Name It,” his third stab at pure pop sugar.
I went to my first big, fat, coronavirus wedding
Unleashed! Improv spoofs Zoom weddings in an interactive improv hour.
When finding a job means doing a video interview
In a pandemic, interviewing for a job means video conferencing.
Inside Monroe County’s COVID-19 contact tracing team
This team is containing the spread of COVID-19 by identifying and isolating people who been in contact with a person who tested positive.
We all want businesses to reopen. But who will patronize them if they do?
Imagine the restrictions on businesses were lifted today. How eager would we be to embrace normalcy? Would you go to the movies? The gym? Happy hour?
Mendoza: Monroe County has ‘flattened the curve,’ urges patience on reopening
Monroe County officials say public health data will determine when businesses reopen.
The F Word: Sound engineers are suffering
When COVID-19 struck, the infrastructure of the live music scene in Rochester collapsed like dominoes. And sound engineers who run the venues’ sound systems have become a casualty.
Album review: ‘Three’
“Three,” Gilfema’s first album since 2008, is world-jazz music at its best.
Self-isolation film guide: Sometimes there’s no place like home
Antsy under isolation? This selection of bad-trip movies reminds us that sometimes it’s better to just stay home.
URMC hopes are high after COVID-19 drug trial
URMC researchers say their part of a national study for the drug remdesivir showed promising signs for treating COVID-19.
Monroe County faces staggering budget shortfall
County Executive Adam Bello projects that the gap could account for as much as 10 percent of the county’s $1.2 billion.
Final Hill Cumorah Pageant delayed to 2021
The extravagant annual pageant of the Mormon church has become another arts-related casualty of the coronavirus pandemic.
Bello’s request to join state climate program referred to committee
President Joe Carbone sent the legislation to the county’s Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee for review.
Album review: ‘Chamber Jazz’
On “Chamber Jazz,” Eastman School of Music professor Charles Pillow filters elements of great French Impressionist composers like Ravel and Debussy through a jazz sensibility.
Monroe County approves ‘hazard pay’ for some county workers
About half the county’s workforce will receive 10- to 20-percent raises. Meanwhile, the city of Rochester is looking to layoff or furlough workers.
First Friday art series goes virtual
For the first time ever, the monthly mass art opening series will be streamed on May 1 to art patrons as a curated set of short presentations.
Thruway cashless toll rigs coming to Pittsford, Chili
The New York State Thruway Authority plans to convert all of the Thruway to cashless tolling by the end of the year.
Two jazz fest headliner acts rescheduled
The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival has set new October dates for its headlining shows featuring Puss N Boots and Spyro Gyra.
Local Music Quarantine Challenge yields three attempts at ‘Serenity’
Jackson Cavalier has challenged Rochester musicians to cover each other’s songs during the pandemic. Interestingly, Benny Bleu’s “Serenity Song” is the only one to be covered twice.
Democrats spar over selection of Monroe County elections commissioner
Monroe County Democrats having been bickering for months over the ostensibly routine procedure of choosing an elections commissioner.
Virtual arts as the new normal, and Brokaw’s Exquisite Quarantine Poems
COVID-19 is teaching us to slow down, but not so much that we ignore the burgeoning virtual arts scene in Rochester.
Bello proposes 10-20% ‘hazard pay’ for Monroe County workers
Workers in line for increases include 2,400 employees who work in areas of public safety, health, and environmental services.
URMC warns workers of impending furloughs
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy financial toll on the University of Rochester’s Medical Center, which employs 16,000 full-time and 2,000 part-time workers.
Half of New York breweries are not making beer, survey finds
One in four breweries in the Finger Lakes and more than half in New York City have shut down during the pandemic.
Monroe County to get new drive-thru coronavirus testing site, Cuomo says
Where the testing sites will be located and how many samples they will be able to collect remain unclear.
New York cancels presidential primary amid coronavirus concerns
The cancellation of New York’s June 23 presidential primary will not affect a special election for Congress or a primary for a state Legislature seat.
Calendar preview: Strange times, happy hours
Our musical city overflows with talent, and an expanding roster of local bands and venues make it possible to enjoy happy hours in-place.
