Cover Story
For the poor, search for equal justice continues
Life as a defense attorney for the poor often means long days, modest pay, and crushing caseloads. In the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office, attorneys in some bureaus handle more than double the number of cases recommended by national guidelines. The heavy workload has kept the office from providing some defendants in town and village…
What We’re Spinning: February 18
Maybe it’s a New Year’s resolution. Maybe we want to dispel the myth that newspaper editors live in a bubble and aren’t living, breathing people like everyone else. Or maybe we just want to share more music with the world. Whatever it is, City is proud to launch a new weekly feature, “What We’re Spinning,”…
COMIDA approves incentives for Hart’s project
Hart’s Local Grocers is going to get some help from the Monroe County Industrial Development Agency. This afternoon, the COMIDA board approved a $145,000 incentive package for Rochester Local Capital, the company financing the planned East End grocery store. Rochester Local Capital plans to spend $3.6 million to renovate and equip the former Craig Autometrics…
Study challenges charter schools’ superiority
A new study seems to confirm what many traditional public school officials have been saying for years about student performance in charter schools: when all things are equal, traditional public schools and charters perform about the same. Forward Institute, a Wisconsin public policy organization, compared the Milwaukee school district’s state accountability report cards to those…
Upcoming Concerts: Week of Feburuary 19
[ Acoustic/Folk ] Crystal Bowersox Wednesday, April 2. Zeppa Auditorium. 315 Gregory St. 8 p.m. $25-$30. zeppabistro.com [ R&B ] Diana Ross Wednesday, June 18. CMAC. 3355 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua. $56-$96. 8 p.m. 758-5330. cmacevents.com [ Acoustic/Folk ] Willie Nelson & Family Saturday, June 21. CMAC. 3355 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua. $30-$85. 7 p.m.…
Concert Review: Air Traffic Controller, Mochester at Lovin’ Cup
With my valentine in tow, I traipsed out to Lovin’ Cup Friday night to see two bands. One I knew rather well — Mochester — and one I had never heard — Air Traffic Controller. This is where my curiosity and writing shines, according to my editor. And I have to agree; when I have…
WEEK AHEAD: Incentives for Hart’s, county charter discussion
At 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, the Monroe County Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) will hold a public hearing on a tax incentive package for Hart’s Local Grocers, the new grocery store opening in downtown Rochester this spring. Hart’s will be located at 10 Winthrop Street – in the former Craig Autometrics building – in the city’s East…
Film Review: “Winter’s Tale”
Although it’s only February and the reviewers haven’t quite used up their tiresome Top 10 lists, the new movie “Winter’s Tale” might qualify as the oddest film of the year, right up there with “Old Boy.” A fantasy/romance/weepie based on a novel by Mark Helprin, the picture employs a cast of well-known and accomplished actors,…
Theater Review: “Clybourne Park” at Geva
Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” has been a classic American play since it debuted in 1959, frequently revived and adapted to film. Bruce Norris’s 2009 “Clybourne Park” is a kind of sequel to “Raisin,” and the only play to win London’s Olivier Award as well as a Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize…
Film Review: “RoboCop”
“RoboCop” is the latest film remake to hit theaters — on a weekend that saw no fewer than three 80’s movies getting modern adaptations — giving the Paul Verhoeven sci-fi-action classic a shiny new hardware upgrade. While it is leaps and bounds better than the previous attempt to duplicate a Verhoeven masterwork (2012’s dreadful “Total…
ARTS: RPO announces 2014-15 season
Sunday morning Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra announced the concert line-up for its 2014-15 season. As with the current season, the 2014-15 season Philharmonics Series will be led by a series of guest conductors as the RPO continues the search for a permanent music director following the departure of Arild Remmereit during the 2012-2013. Several of the…
Concert Review: Greyhound Bandits at La Casa
For some people Valentine’s Day is about candy, hearts, chocolate, and love. For others it can be about pints of ice cream and sitting at home missing something they used to have, or never had at all. Or I guess it could come down to a combination of the two options. My choice this year…
Concert Review: “Echoes of the Middle Ages” at Memorial Art Gallery
A sustained — and deserved — applause rang through the Fountain Court of the Memorial Art Gallery following Thursday night’s concert, “Echoes of the Middle Ages,” presented by the Schola Cantorum of Christ Church and organist Naomi Gregory. The program, centered on the music and art of the 14th through the 16th centuries, was beautifully…
Perception of city crime, police performance varies depending on who you are and where you live
A survey of 383 Rochester residents conducted late last year found that there is a deep divide between the perception and reality of crime in the city (the full survey can be found below). And the gap widens or narrows depending on the race, age, and income of the respondents, as well as the area…
Comcast-Time Warner merger probably not great news for consumers
Rochesterians have limited choices for high-speed Internet service — something that’s almost a modern necessity. And a pending merger between Comcast and Time Warner probably won’t help matters. The Washington Post reports that Comcast will pay $45 billion in stocks to take over Time Warner. The deal needs to clear federal anti-trust reviews, but those reviews tend to…
Students’ fights may be Vargas’s biggest challenge
The last few weeks haven’t been good for Rochester schools Superintendent Bolgen Vargas and the city schools; one troubling incident has followed another. First, there was the vote of no confidence against Vargas by the Association of Supervisors and Administrators, the union that represents school administrators. That was followed by a disturbing incident involving a…
City seeks nominations for 2014 Rochester Theater Hall of Fame
Attention Rochester Theater Community: Send us your nominations for the 2014 Rochester Theater Hall of Fame City Newspaper is getting ready to induct new members into the Rochester Theater Hall of Fame, and we need your nominations. We want you to suggest actors, directors, musicians, stage managers, set designers, costume designers, producers, and other prominent…
Ash borer creeping along in Monroe County
Like many Monroe County communities, the Village of Fairport has a long-term plan to address the threat the emerald ash borer poses to its ash tree population. A few years ago, the village identified a number of ash trees susceptible to infestation by the invasive beetle, says Fairport Tree Board chair Ken Rohr. Every year…
Funk |Sophistafunk
Syracuse’s Sophistafunk is wily and fly with classic elements borrowed from the likes of Sly combined with contemporary elements like hip-hop and groove rock. It’s a relentless lyrical barrage and a funkified spinal adjustment we all could use. The tempo is accelerated slightly and the line-up of a mere three cats leaves space to move…
Urban Action 2/12
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Civil rights leader talks The Gandhi Institute will present two talks by civil rights leader the Rev. Bernard LaFayette on Monday, February 17. The first talk, “The Dream Deferred: the Challenge of Institutional…
Pop/Rock | Cry To The Blind
Of all the nu-metal uber-heavy outfits clamoring for the throne, Rochester’s Cry To The Blind does it with a positive spin. How you ask? Melody. Melody amidst the doom and weight, melody amidst the minor apocalyptic leanings. I mean, how many heavy, modern bands do you know that can pull off an acoustic album without sacrificing…
A place with no vision
I’m trying to pull myself out of my funk here, but I’m not making much progress. I just hate to see a community like this one waste its potential when it has so much. A couple of things set this off. One is that yet again, there’s a little buzz about government “consolidation.” The governor…
Classical | Valentine’s Day w/Hochstein and Ad Hoc
Whether you do or you don’t have a Valentine, you can enjoy love through classical music. On February 13, go head over heels at Hochstein in a concert titled “Meditations on Love and Roses,” featuring works of Debussy, Ravel, Saint-Saëns, Liszt, and more. The performance will be given by Hochstein faculty members Allyn Van Dusen,…
Pop/Rock | Air Traffic Controller
Boston-based Air Traffic Controller began when singer/songwriter Dave Munro, a real life air traffic controller in the Navy, released a four-track demo during his service. Since the release of that demo, the band has grown to be an indie tour de force, garnering an incredible amount of media attention and critical praise over the past…
Dishing it out
We’re emptying the Tip Jar over here at Chow Hound HQ, but before we do, a trip to exotic State Street… Berbere-spiced lentils have lately become this carnivore’s first thought when venturing out for a bite, and credit for that should go to Rochester’s recent wave of excellent and affordable Ethiopian spots. The latest is…
Theater Review: RBTL’s “Sister Act: The Musical”
“Raise Your Voice” is the penultimate song of the first act of “Sister Act: The Musical.” It gives audiences everything they’re looking for in a stage show based on “Sister Act,” the surprisingly popular 1992 comedy film starring Whoopi Goldberg. There are quirky nuns adorably learning how to sing, uplifting spiritual songs, and plentiful joyful…
Jazz | Eastman Jazz Café with Vic Juris
Over the last four decades guitarist Vic Juris has lent his brilliant technique and sophisticated musical vision to the bands of Lee Konitz, Gary Peacock, Dave Liebman, Mel Tormé, and many others. He’s also released 20 albums as a leader. When he takes the stage at the Sproull Atrium he’ll be joined by the first-rate…
Exhibit Review: “The Museum of Failure” at Hartnett Gallery
Though Thomas Edison was a concept thief and a bad wolf of a businessman, I’ve always appreciated this paraphrased quote attributed to him: “I haven’t failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” We are essentially momentary blips on a vast radar, signifying little unless we create some significant impact. And to our egos’…
Classical | ESM at the MAG: Echoes of the Middle Ages
“Echoes of the Middle Ages” on February 13 invites you to stroll or sit as the sounds of 1066-1485 fill the Fountain Gallery. From the Battle of Hastings to the collapse of the Roman Empire, the concert and music installation are designed to transport patrons to a time when sights and sounds were interconnected. The…
SPECIAL EVENTS | Black History/Heritage Month
Rochester’s cultural institutions will commemorate the Civil Rights Movement and observe Black Heritage this month, with a variety of events to celebrate culture, review progress, and discuss the ongoing struggle for legal and social equality. The following are just a few of the offerings being held this week; for more, visit our online calendar at…
Envious Disguise
Not too long ago, in a galaxy not too far away, guitarist Kyle Jennejohn and bassist Nick Gilboe were killing time writing goofy songs and laughing beer through their noses. “It all started a few years back,” says Jennejohn. “Me and Gilboe were hanging out dinking a case of Genesee beer. I had my acoustic…
KIDS l School Break Week Activities
With Winter Break quickly approaching, children are becoming more excited while parents are becoming more apprehensive. Five days of no school is either a cause for celebration or a mess of headaches. Luckily, there are numerous events going on in the area to keep the kids entertained — and you sane. Witness a female sword…
ALBUM REVIEW: “The Big Picture”
David Krakauer “The Big Picture” Table Pounding Rec. davidkrakauer.com/ Over the past three decades, clarinetist David Krakauer has carved out niches in a range of styles including classical, jazz, and klezmer (he was a member of the Klezmatics in the 1990’s). He’s found a way to combine all of his interests on his excellent new…
DANCE | inspireDANCE Festival
In its fourth year of success, the inspireDANCE Festival at University of Rochester fills six days with more than 20 workshops and performances of various dance styles. The festival, which runs Thursday, February 13-Tuesday, February 18, features New York City choreographer and dancer Heidi Latsky, as well as various choreographers from the area. Classes will…
City school board seeking change and solutions
It’s difficult to read Mary Anna Towler’s January 29 Urban Journal and not notice the pessimistic tone expressed throughout the essay. She, understandably, notes that things “just [keep] getting worse” as the district continues its “slide down.” She certainly is not alone in her views. She correctly notes that our own superintendent has described the…
EXHIBIT | “Dutch Connection”
Between 1905 and 1932, George Eastman filled his house and conservatory with thousands of bulbs ordered from Holland. Today, that tradition lives on. Filled with the sweet smells of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, amaryllis, and freesias, the Eastman House (located at 900 East Ave) will celebrate its 20th year of “Dutch Connection,” a two-week display re-creating…
ALBUM REVIEW:”Flash Mob”
Anton Schwartz “Flash Mob” AntonJazz Antonjazz.com The most powerful aspect of Anton Schwartz’s new album, “Flash Mob,” is the manner in which it manages to evoke the greatest jazz quintets of the past while simultaneously stretching toward the future. When Schwartz and Dominick Farinacci (trumpet) play together in harmony on one of Schwartz’s strong heads…
SPECIAL EVENTS | V-Day Events for Singles
I’m pretty sure that if any couples out there don’t know how you’re spending Valentine’s Day, you can figure out what to do with yourselves. This one I dedicate to the Lonely Hearts Club. The following no-date-required events and activities are just a few geared toward those Cupid hasn’t yet shanked, but you can find…
Feedback 2/12
We welcome your comments. Send them 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; those of fewer than 350 words have a greater chance of being published, and we do edit selections for publication in…
RECREATION | Winter Hikes
We have to deal with the frigid temps and the mountains of snow on our daily commute, so we may not choose to encounter them when it’s not necessary. But if we’re stuck indoors for the workday, and are chased indoors by Old Man Winter on the off-times, we run the risk of turning into…
Overcoming a polluted past
An ambitious and unique development plan has been created by neighbors and organizations for the Plymouth-Exchange neighborhood in the City of Rochester’s southwest quadrant. The city is at the very beginning of a long process to clean up and redevelop the abandoned 45-acre Vacuum Oil industrial campus. But the neighborhood, not content with standing by…
THEATER | “Sister Act: The Musical”
When a disco diva witnesses her mobster boyfriend killing a man, she is put into hiding in the last place anyone would think to look for her: a convent. The five-time Tony-nominated musical, “Sister Act,” brings a unique mix of Motown, soul, funk, and disco to the stage. Based on the hit 1992 Whoopi Goldberg…
The district’s ‘Who done it?’
City school officials and school board members say they’re taking seriously a package sent to the Democrat and Chronicle containing personal information about school board President Van White. Though the package’s contents were meant to discredit White, the situation has instead become a serious test of leadership for both Superintendent Bolgen Vargas and the board.…
Masterful classes
Garth Fagan first became affiliated with the SUNY College at Brockport Department of Dance in 1970 when he began teaching a course called “Dance for the Disadvantaged” —a course for students with no prior dance experience. Fagan had just given up performing as principal dancer and choreographer with the Dance Theatre of Detroit and was…
Rochester’s viral profile
When the Gangnam Style music video hit YouTube in 2012, it became a viral sensation that made South Korean singer Psy an international star, and introduced much of the world to Korean pop music or Kpop. Psy’s prancing dance moves inspired imitation and parody worldwide. And the video that seemed to erupt out of nowhere…
Pop/Rock | Clyde
With one foot in heavy blues rock and the other on a banana peel, Clyde (formerly Philo Beddoe) keeps with the primate and primal rock and roll themes. As Clyde however, the sound has turned a little more venomous and metal. The guitar work is splendid and the overall sound is rough and heavy as always. Right…
Medley-go-round
The clock is running down on Bersin Properties, owner of Medley Centre. Bersin’s plan for the Irondequoit site includes a hotel and a possible theater for Rochester Broadway Theatre League. But the project has faced setbacks and controversy from the outset. Bersin has until May 1 to make $3.9 million in outstanding payments to the…
