Cover Story
Hot wheels
Many Rochesterians shy away from bicycling because of our harsh, fickle weather, or because our city, like so many others, has been developed around roadways. And though it’s slowly improving, we don’t yet have the best biking infrastructure. Improbable as it might sound, some of our population use bikes as their primary mode of transportation…
[UPDATED] Republicans say no pay raise for O’Flynn in 2014
The proposal raised eyebrows and provoked outrage, especially in light of the fact that the budget proposal also cuts day care subsidies for low-income families.
Two Rochesters and two Americas
While Lovely Warren campaigned for mayor, she made a compelling observation about the city that resonated with many voters. Her description of “two Rochesters”— a city divided by economic and political power — was one of the most important narratives of the mayoral election. Warren tapped into a sense of anger about wealth disparity. But…
Eastman House sues over apartments
The George Eastman House has filed a lawsuit in an attempt to prevent construction of an apartment complex on University Avenue in the East Avenue Preservation District.
Concert Review: Genesee Johnny, The Hi-Risers, Moistboyz
I love seeing bands play at The Beale on South Avenue, as they shoehorn themselves onto the windowsill the restaurant calls a stage. I braved the ass-chapping cold this past Thursday to catch Genesee Johnny and the River Rats. The last time I remember seeing Johnny, it was solo, foot-stompin’ Delta style with a cross-section…
East Irondequoit wants Congel to pay $4 million
When Medley Centre’s developer missed an investment milestone earlier this year, it was clear that he’d have to pay a penalty. Last night, the East Irondequoit school board provided some insight into what that penalty could be. According to media reports, board members voted to asses the developer, a firm owned by Scott Congel, a…
New report paints grim picture of poverty in the Rochester area
What’s most distressing about the report’s findings is the extreme concentration of poverty in Rochester, and the deep barriers to social and economic progress it poses.
Week Ahead: University Ave. apts, downtown master plan, Medley penalty, O’Flynn raise and day care cuts, Pittsford lawsuits, Education rallies
Morgan Management has only one final bureaucratic hurdle to clear in its quest to build a 99-unit apartment complex at 933 University Avenue, in the East Avenue Preservation District. Morgan will be in front of the city’s Preservation Board this week — which has already given the project its unofficial support — for the final…
REVIEW: Garth Fagan Dance at Nazareth Arts Center
Rochesterians are graced by having a dance company with the stature and international reputation of Garth Fagan Dance living and performing in our city. I feel especially privileged at having the ongoing opportunity to annually see fresh work, discuss it with Fagan and his protégé Norwood “P.J.” Pennewell, and analyze it through writing. The more…
Obama’s optimism overshadowed by a somber interview
A contemplative and at times somber President Barack Obama took to the stage at American University last night for an interview with Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC’s “Hardball.” The interview in many respects showed a different president than the man who first took office in 2008. The big smile wrapped around a canyon of teeth was…
Imagination more important than testing, Ravitch says
As news of how US students’ scores on the most recent Program for International Student Assessment exams compared to their peers in many other countries, a kind hysteria set in. US students’ proficiency in math, science, and reading barely ranked in the top 20. While some education and business experts read the results as further…
O’Flynn questioned over proposed raise
When it comes to his potential $37,000 raise, Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn has his story and he’s sticking to it. During a County Legislature committee meeting tonight, Democrats questioned O’Flynn about the raise, which he’d receive under the 2014 proposed county budget. The county administration has said that O’Flynn included the raise as part of the…
Interfaith group calls for child care funding boost
An interfaith group is calling on Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks and County Legislators to restore $1.3 million in proposed cuts to day care subsidies. And it wants the county to put in an additional $600,000 on top of the $1.3 million. The $1.3 million cut is included in Brooks’ 2014 budget proposal and comes…
Richards: County budget includes new costs to city taxpayers
Mayor Tom Richards just issued a press release addressing what he calls “unannounced charges to city taxpayers” in the proposed 2014 county budget.
Holiday | Irish Christmas in America
Irish Christmas in America is a show from Ireland that shares holiday traditions of music, story, song, and dance with American audiences. Among the beautiful voices from the Emerald Isle are Pauline Scanlon and Eilis Kennedy (known as Lumiere). The duo is accompanied by guitarist Donogh Hennessy and explores the moods of Christmas, from joyous to…
Pop | Heffron Drive
It’s rare to find a brand new group on the scene that can generate the sort of enthusiasm among fans like Heffron Drive does. Of course, if the band is a side-project of Kendall Schmidt, lead singer/actor of pop sensation Big Time Rush, it might not be that big of a surprise. Heffron Drive is…
Classical | Roberts Wesleyan College “Messiah”
Handel’s “Messiah” is definitely a Christmas music staple, but only the first part of this great oratorio is about Christ’s birth; the second and third parts delve into other aspects of Christian belief. However, they also contain dandy music (including the “Hallelujah Chorus”), so no holiday concert seems complete without them. The Roberts Wesleyan College…
Pop/Rock | Anthony Green
Anthony Green is well-known for being part of noteworthy bands such as Circa Survive, Saosin, and Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer, but he has also had a successful solo career on the side. Green has released three solo albums since 2008 — the most recent, “Young Legs” — having been released earlier this month.…
Blues | Teagan and Lou
Local favorite Teagan and The Tweeds play electric, country-infused blues. Two members of the band — Teagan Ward, the lead singer/guitarist, and Lou Giglio, lead guitar — have set off on an adventure of their own, creating a noteworthy acoustic duo. Teagan and Lou combine a wide range of styles to create soulful, oftentimes confessional,…
The gift of theater
There’s more to holiday-time entertainment than Hallmark Channel movies and antique animated specials. Instead of watching another Christmas movie marathon, why not get out of the house and see a holiday-themed play? The Rochester theater calendar is full of them this month, from old favorites like “A Christmas Carol” and “It’s A Wonderful Life” to…
Fowls
You say the words “math rock” and eyes often glaze over. It’s as if by definition you have to compute something or contribute to some higher understanding in lieu of simple listening enjoyment. But what happens when the components in the equation are melodic or angelic or narcotic? What happens when two core components are…
CHOW HOUND: Flour arrangements
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my Italian heritage, it is this: You do not visit someone’s home, especially during the holiday season, without an armload of carbohydrates. Sure, you could pop by empty-handed, but everyone will whisper behind your back, and the invitations should dry up quickly once the malocchio really kicks in.…
Absences add up
Rochester schools Superintendent Bolgen Vargas has successfully brought public attention to the connection between attendance and student achievement. While the district’s low graduation rate has been reported for years, one of its underlying causes — chronic truancy — received less attention. School officials confirm that three months into this school year there are 186 students…
Pop/Rock | Pale Green Stars
They used to call Jeff Jones Dracula when he fronted Dracula Jones; a breakneck and rough-hewn outfit whose fast and loose hard rock had fans wiping their chins. Well the cat is back without the Transylvanian prefix and a new band with plenty of bite: Pale Green Stars, a trio full of honky tonk, country…
Urban Action 12/4
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Play reading Downtown United Presbyterian Church will present a reading of Joanna McClelland Glass’s “Palmer Park” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, at 121 North Fitzhugh Street. The play raises questions about…
DANCE | Garth Fagan Dance
Rochester-based choreographer Garth Fagan has earned international recognition for his work. In fact, in 2012 he was named one of “America’s Irreplaceable Dance Treasures” and his work was recognized as having significantly enriched American cultural influence. Despite all of these accolades, the Garth Fagan Dance troupe hasn’t forgotten its home city of Rochester, and returns…
Planning a downtown: Rochester pictures its future
We moan a lot in Rochester about how much our downtown has changed. And it has, obviously. Cities do change — with population changes, with people’s needs, with the times. In the 1960’s, Rochester tore down seedy old buildings that had straddled the Main Street bridge and had cut off the view of the river.…
KIDS | “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
Unless you live under a rock — a rock that has no books — chances are you’re familiar with one of Dr. Seuss’ most famous stories, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” What most of us may not be familiar with is the book being turned into live theatrical adaptation. Fans of the book, the classic…
Pop/Rock | Moistboyz
I first heard Moistboyz “1.0 (Fuck No)” and fell in love. It was lo-fi, Stooge-esque and keenly reminiscent of Ween. That makes sense because the band sports Ween blood in its lineup via guitarist Mickey Moist (one Michael Melchiondo). Founded in New Hope, PA in 1995, Moistboyz is antagonistically quirky in tone and stance; essentially…
Framing First Friday
First Friday is a monthly citywide gallery night showcasing area artists. Participating galleries exhibit a mix of local, national, and international talent, and many artists open their studios to the public. First Friday Rochester was initiated by Rochester Contemporary Art Center. This photo series gives a behind-the-scenes look at some of the artists that exhibited…
DANCE | Red Hot Holiday Ball
Much like Brandon Walsh from “Beverly Hills 90210,” I’m not much of a dancer. Give me five beers and a My Morning Jacket concert and I’ll get down like there’s no tomorrow, but aside from that I’m pretty awkward when it comes to dancing. There’s a part of me that’s always wanted to learn, though.…
ART | First Friday
First Friday is a citywide gallery night that takes place on the first Friday of every month 6-9 p.m. at several local art venues. The idea is to provide a night that is open and accessible to all who want to come out and engage with Rochester artists and view some of the works being…
LIT | Blind Date with a Book
Although we’ve all heard the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover,” subconsciously, we can’t help but do it anyway. That’s why this Friday, December 6, Writers & Books is doing us all a favor and taking the cover out of the equation by wrapping its books in nondescript brown paper. On the outside…
SPECIAL EVENTS | Holiday Events
The holiday spirit infects the city of Rochester this week as several events help to kick off the festive season. The Park Avenue Merchants Association will be putting on its annual Park Ave Holiday Open House, which will take place Thursday, December 5, 5-9 p.m. More than 50 Park Avenue businesses open their doors to…
“Oldboy”
Of all the movies he’s directed in a decidedly uneven career, Spike Lee’s newest production, “Oldboy,” qualifies as the strangest and perhaps the least Spikeish of all his works. To begin with, the picture derives from an unusual source, a Korean movie based on one of those Japanese graphic novels known as manga. Remaking a…
