Cover Story
Happy 200th birthday to the woman who dared
The media tributes to Susan B. Anthony on the anniversary of her 200th birthday are many and glowing. But the press mocked her mercilessly in during her crusade for women’s suffrage.
God of our fathers
When the avant-garde rock musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” debuted on Broadway in 1971, it was the “Hamilton” of its time — a flashy, pop culture retelling of historical events. RBTL is presenting the musical through Sunday, as part of the show’s 50th anniversary tour.
Commentary: RPO’s 2020-21 season has talented guests, lacks diversity
Here’s what WXXI-FM Classical 91.5’s hosts think about last week’s program announcement and what you should look for next season.
Monroe County loses both elex commissioners within a month
Monroe County will lose both its elections commissioners in the span of a month as the county prepares for an onslaught of contests and expected high turnout.
Whisper to a scream
It’s impossible not to think of Harvey Weinstein while watching “The Assistant.” Though the disgraced movie mogul never appears on screen, nor is he mentioned by name, his presence haunts Kitty Green’s piercing look at systemic abuses of power in the workplace.
JAZZ | Eastman New Jazz Ensemble with Ryan Keberle
One of the top trombonists in the New York City scene, Ryan Keberle (pictured) has played with greats like Wynton Marsalis and Ivan Lins, and in leading ensembles like the Maria Schneider Orchestra. He has also worked extensively in pop music with David Bowie, Alicia Keys, and Sufjan Stevens. His own musical vision is expressed…
Dave Chisholm goes sci-fi in new comic book ‘Canopus’
In the new sci-fi comic book “Canopus,” Rochester artist, writer, and musician Dave Chisholm tracks the dust of his personal history as he relies on the strength of fantastical storytelling.
ART | ‘Painters Painting Painters’
The genre of paintings of painters has a surprisingly rich history. From Picasso’s portraits of Dora Maar to Kahlo’s portraits of Diego Rivera, the act of painting another painter challenges an artist to capture something outside the realm of what can be done with self-portraiture. Clifton Springs’ Main Street Arts is following up last month’s…
REGGAE-ROCK | MoChester
Named for the portmanteau of Motown and its hometown, local reggae-rock quartet MoChester has been on the jam since 2001. Consisting of singer-guitarist Brandon Sheffer, keyboardist Jonathan Sheffer, and drummer Alex Melville, MoChester has progressed over the years from an acoustic singer-songwriter approach to a full-fledged rock band over the years, and celebrated a revival…
INDIE ROCK | Mikaela Davis and Southern Star
Mikaela Davis, Southern Star, Record Archive, indie rock
DANCE | inspireDANCE Festival
The inspireDANCE festival is a community-driven event hosted by the Program of Movement and Dance at the University of Rochester. Now in its tenth year, the festival offers a chance for hundreds of students and professional dancers from around the Rochester area to learn together, share ideas, and experience performances. The festival features nearly 40…
JAZZ | Ethnic Heritage Ensemble
In 1972, seeking to know more about his musical roots, percussionist Kahil El’Zabar traveled to Africa to study at the University of Ghana. The knowledge he gained there led to such opportunities as writing arrangements for Broadway’s “The Lion King.” Over the last five decades, El’Zabar has worked with Pharoah Sanders, Cannonball Adderley, Stevie Wonder,…
ROCK | The National Reserve
Building its foundation from playing weekly, four-hour-long gigs in a popular Brooklyn bar, The National Reserve boasts a well-rounded, energetic live performance. Frontman and songwriter Sean Walsh, guitarist Jon LaDeau, bassist Ryan Gavel, and drummer Brian Geltner all share a palpable, kinetic chemistry that shines through the band’s varying arrangements. The National Reserve’s newest album,…
Rochester tenant’s battle with landlord, rodents persists
Linda Barger is still waiting for her landlord to make court-ordered repairs to her apartment.
HIP-HOP | MC Lars
For almost a decade, MC Lars has been wearing a golden video game cartridge around his neck. The brainy rapper has demonstrated his nerd-dom in other ways beyond his signature look, with nods to literary figures and lyrical references about pop culture. MC Lars often adds humor to a mix of quirky material, making him…
ROC the Riverway projects advancing
The Roc City Skatepark, the Rundel building’s new terrace, and an expansion of the Rochester Riverside Convention Center’s terrace are among the projects moving forward through ROC the Riverway.
Album review: ‘Live from New York City’
Chris Bethmann ‘Live from New York City’ Self-released chrisbethmann.com Rochester singer-songwriter Chris Bethmann’s EP “Live from New York City” is a realistic snapshot of today’s working musician, hustling to share their music with a new audience, in hopes that the feelings behind the songs will resonate. This self-produced, seven-song collection was recording during Bethmann’s June…
A meal made with love on Lyell
Every once in a while, I want to get spoiled by a big Italian meal made with love and care. Fortunately, Jimmy Paulino and his fiancé Tina Utz have opened Paulino’s Italian Restaurant on Lyell Avenue, right on 390 and Lyell.
LECTURE | ‘When They See Us’
One of the most infamous cases in the history of New York’s criminal justice system is that of the Central Park Five. After an investment banker was assaulted while jogging in Central Park in 1989, a number of juvenile suspects were rounded up and interrogated for hours without counsel. Sensational media coverage and an inflammatory…
Two Rochester musicians take part in February Album Writing Month
We’re in the midst of FAWM: February Album Writing Month, in which participants are tasked with writing 14 songs in the 29-day span. Rochester musicians Kelly Izzo Shapiro and Sarah Eide are up to the challenge.
Album review: ‘Groove du Jour’
Yes! Trio ‘Groove du Jour’ Jazz & People aarongoldberg.com Piano, bass and drums make up the standard jazz trio with countless albums in the archives. Bringing something new to this genre is no mean feat, but the Yes! Trio succeeds. It starts with stellar players. Pianist Aaron Goldberg has enhanced the music of Wynton Marsalis,…
MUSICAL COMEDY | Matt Griffo
Chicago-based musician and comedian Matt Griffo is no stranger to Rochester. Not only has he performed at the Rochester Fringe Festival, but things will come full circle cosmically when he plays Comedy @ The Carlson on Friday and follows in his maternal grandparents’ footsteps. Before The Carlson became a comedy club, the building was home…
Barrels of fun
Bourbon-barrel Blueberry Pancake Ale is a shudder-worthy phrase. But this 9.8 percent brew, released for the New York Beer Project’s first anniversary in Victor, provided a quick kick of humility.
MUSEUM | The Dutch Connection
George Eastman’s legacy includes changing the way the world experienced color, as technologies like Kodakchome and Eastmancolor defined generations of still and motion pictures. His drive to innovate may have been inspired by an 1895 bicycle trip through The Netherlands, where a young Eastman began a lifelong fascination with brilliantly colored tulips. Throughout his tenure…
SPORTS | Empire State Wrestling
Since its founding in 2002, Empire State Wrestling has been promoting professional wrestling events featuring local talent around Western New York. Though the spectacle is typically associated with mega-stars and national stadium tours, pro wrestling has a long history of regional promotions that develop tomorrow’s top talent in front of crowds of die-hard fans. Many…
Feedback 2/19/20: If I were mayor . . .
This week, readers tell CITY what they would do if they were mayor of Rochester.
SUNY Brockport calls off ‘dirt-digging’ probe
The president of SUNY Brockport has ordered the chief of campus police to cease investigating a tip on the college’s former head diversity officer, Cephas Archie, whose firing three weeks ago has sparked campus unrest.
Spooky & The Truth find a musical home in Rochester
Spooky & The Truth make music that frontman Riley Fressie, a k a Spooky Mulder, calls “city folk.” Formed in Philadelphia, the band has returned to its roots in Rochester and carved out a niche for itself.
Commentary: About the Monroe County GOP’s change of heart
Monroe County Republicans say they’ve had a change of heart over a wrongheaded law they rammed through the County Legislature. But it smells more like a change of plans.
The F Word: Up against the grind
Last Friday night, while cruising around in my all-wheel drive, I found myself being pulled, being inexplicably drawn as if by a tractor beam to the Rosen Krown.
Assembly member Peter Lawrence will not run for re-election
Assembly member Peter Lawrence becomes the latest in a string of Republican state legislators to announce he will not run for re-election this year.
