Cover Story
Dems are taking a crack at frozen legislation
A slew of bottled-up legislation now has the chance to make it to the Governor’s desk.
Film preview: ‘Who Will Write Our History’
On Sunday, January 27, the George Eastman Museum will host free screenings of Roberta Grossman’s powerful documentary “Who Will Write Our History” to coincide with International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Remembering Rochester theater icon Barbara Biddy
As co-founder and artistic director of Shipping Dock Theatre, the late Barbara Biddy gave Rochester audiences entertainment that could be edgy, but was frequently thought-provoking for over 30 years.
Council’s police accountability plan gets mixed reviews
During their first opportunity to weigh in on City Council’s proposed Police Accountability Board, residents had both criticism and praise on Wednesday night.
Third Dem wants Spaull’s Council seat
A third candidate says he wants to be the Democratic candidate for the East District City Council seat, a position now held by Elaine Spaull. Neighborhood leader Bryce Miller announced his plans this morning.
Warren’s considering involvement in schools
There has been widespread community concern about the Rochester school district for years. That concern seems to have grown, though, in the wake of the tough assessment by the district’s state-appointed Distinguished Educator, Jaime Aquino. And based on several community forums, Mayor Lovely Warren says she believes the community wants city government – and her…
BLUES | The Reverend Kingfish
Influenced by early 20th century Americana, The Reverend Kingfish is on a mission to keep this era alive by mixing blues with Django-esque jazz, Tin Pan Alley, and vaudeville. Sipping from an entire whiskey bottle in between songs, Kingfish has a smooth demeanor that makes you feel at ease. He sings free-spirited sentiments about adultery,…
POP ROCK | The Burkharts
Friends since grade school, The Burkharts found a natural chemistry after starting to mess with instruments around the same age. Based out of Buffalo, The Burkharts is a five-piece alternative-pop rock band with a laid-back, feel-good delivery. After a few lineup changes and a name change, The Burkharts is currently working on its first full-length…
COUNTRY | Uncle Ben’s Remedy
With a sound stemming from the small-town communities of Western New York, Uncle Ben’s Remedy is an infectious country party band. Currently touring behind its third studio album, “The Things That Bring You Back,” Uncle Ben’s Remedy puts a punk rock twist on traditional country music. The band shakes the floorboards with its high-octane shows,…
HIP-HOP | Claude Bennington’s Fever Dream
Claude Bennington’s Fever Dream enjoys and employs two genres, perhaps more. We’re talking hip-hop and jazz here, and the band’s propensity to explore. However, in this outfit, the varied styles balance each other out. The music comes off contradictory, gentle and trés cool. The spoken lyrics recall the Beat poetry of Bob Kaufman as they…
ALTERNATIVE ROCK | Guster
Ever since Guster released “Lost and Gone Forever” two decades ago, there’s been a bond between the band and local fans. Guster has made Rochester a regular tour stop and in turn, Flower City Gusterrhoids have flocked to the band’s shows. I’ve seen this band perform more than any other, so expect catchy songs that…
ART | ‘Photography with a Purpose’
Photographers Jorge Alvarado and Lindsay Jewett in 2017 created the non-profit organization, Walking With A Purpose, to assist with sustainable development and clean water access in Nicaraguan communities. Current political unrest in Nicaragua has compounded problems that Nicaraguans face. Alvarado and Jewett have created photographs that show both the beauty and the struggles of the…
THEATER | ‘Beautiful’
The early life and career of beloved singer-songwriter Carole King is the subject of the Tony and Grammy award-winning Broadway hit, “Beautiful —The Carole King Musical,” which returns to Rochester this week. Born Carol Klein in Brooklyn, King’s passion and talent gained her entrance into the music industry when she was just a teen. She…
ART | ‘Double Quadruple Etcetera Etcetera I & II’
Interdisciplinary artist Sondra Perry’s 2013 video installation, “Double Quadruple Etcetera Etcetera I and II” is a silent, nearly 10-minute work consisting of two screens. On each, a lone performer (Danny Giles and Joiri Minaya) garbed in white engages in a furiously convulsive dance against a bright white background. Perry’s work means to address the issue…
LECTURE | ‘From Inclusion to Equity: The Diversity Advantage’
While some of America is in a heavy flirtation with white ethno-nationalism, the well-meaning parts of white America could stand to tweak our understanding of how to reach for and achieve equality. This week, a panel discussion on the topic of diversity and equity will take place, focusing beyond multicultural inclusion to how full equity…
THEATER | Penny Sterling plays
Rochester audiences this week have a rare opportunity to see both theatrical shows by award-winning storyteller Penny Sterling, performed on two consecutive evenings. Sterling’s “Spy in the House of Men: A One-Woman Show (with balls)” tells her story of living her first 54 years as a male — working, raising a family, and pretending her…
ART | ‘Articulating Craft’ and ‘Stratum’
Two fresh exhibits open this week at Nazareth College Arts Center. In the Arts Center Gallery, “Articulating Craft” is a national, juried group show exploring the ever-evolving look of contemporary craft, featuring works that combine tradition with inventive process, technique, and materials. An in the center’s Colacino Gallery, Rebecca Aloisio’s solo exhibit “Stratum” is filled…
Council nearing vote on police oversight reform
[UPDATED] One of the most important reforms in recent Rochester history – changing the way the city handles complaints about police conduct – is likely to be voted on by City Council in February. After months of study, Council released its proposal last week for a Police Accountability Board with broad powers. Council held the…
Feedback 1/23
Send comments to themail@rochester-citynews.com, or post them on our website, rochestercitynewspaper.com, our Facebook page, or our Twitter feed, @roccitynews. We edit selections for publication in print, and we don’t publish comments sent to other media. Cuomo, Biden, and 2020 We read now that Governor Cuomo has come out in support of Joe Biden for the…
Urban Action 1/23
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Forecasting the region’s economy The Rochester Beacon online publication will present a 2019 Economic Forecast Forum on Monday, January 28. The forum will look at the economic challenges and opportunities that will impact…
COUNTRY | Brindamor
Without pretense, Rochester’s Brindamor adds an extra dash of lonely to its overall, countrified folk strain. With a fleeting listen you can plainly hear the roots and beyond. Whether the band’s giving it a casual 2/4 giddy-up or slowing it down to waltz, there’s more going on beneath the surface. It’s the kind of controlled…
Picking a candidate to run against Trump
Deciding who to vote for won’t be easy. But we’d better do a better job during the selection process in 2020.
Film preview: ‘Stan & Ollie’
Occasionally by-the-numbers as a biopic about Laurel & Hardy, the films works significantly better as both an affectionate look back at a classic film era, and an honest look at the highs and the lows of a lasting creative alliance.
Cocktails & cake at Park Ave’s late night bakery
Caramel Bakery and Bar is a cheerful, sweet-smelling alternative to many of the city’s nighttime haunts. Wednesday through Saturday it’s a great after-dinner spot for dessert and a nightcap or two, and its Sunday brunch is providing a welcome option for those tired of the long wait for a seat at the other Park Avenue…
Theater review: ‘Peter Pan’
With an ensemble of more than 40 (including many elementary and middle school-age children) and a jovial, gender-neutral Peter Pan, Robert Wesleyan College Community Theatre’s production of J. M. Barrie’s classic story is a celebration of youth, joy, and freedom.
Interview: We Banjo 3
We Banjo 3 is an Irish-Americana fusion band that is reviving the banjo’s opulent heritage.
Album review: ‘It’s Going Down’
Some Ska Band ‘It’s Going Down’ Self-released someskaband.com Here’s some real ska-jump-and-jive-soul for ya, sluggo. Think The Slackers, with a smirk. With ska-meister Charles Benoit – he of the poison pen and the savage saxophone – driving the bus and producer Sam Polizzi keeping said bus from driving over the cliff, tension runs high and…
Album review: ‘Schlock value’
Harmonica Lewinski ‘Schlock Value’ Self-released harmonicalewinski.bandcamp.com Cut the heart out of the Linkster’s “Jack The Ripper” and goose it with an Elvis Costello-esque, jackbooted march, and you’ve got the opening track to “Schlock Value,” Harmonica Lewinski’s new, most excellent seven-inch pleasure platter of colorfully psychedelic surf trash. Recorded in the bowels of Irondequoit, the band…
