Cover Story
Worlds collide on walls: WallTherapy 2013
Symbolically, walls stand to divide space, to enclose people and property. But for Dr. Ian Wilson and the network of medical professionals, artists, and volunteers he has organized around Rochester’s annual Wall\Therapy street-art festival, and the medical-philanthropy organization Impact, walls stand for something other than themselves. Through those initiatives, walls have the capability to unite…
Morgan submits new plan for University Ave. apartments
Morgan Management has submitted a revised plan for a proposed apartment development at 933 University Avenue. The proposal has faced opposition from some neighborhood groups over its size and density. Eastman House officials oppose the project, too, as they had hoped to acquire the land. Morgan Management has revised its plans several times in response…
COMIDA to vote on Xerox incentives next week
Next week, the Monroe County Industrial Development Agency will hold two additional hearings on Xerox’s application for property and sales tax incentives on a potential expansion project at the company’s toner plant in Webster. And at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 25, COMIDA will meet to vote on the proposal (the location is forthcoming and…
Race and the Martin-Zimmerman case
The Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman case has engulfed the country in a conversation about race and justice, once again. It is tragic that a black teen lost his life in a situation so ordinary that it defines mundane: walking, snacking on candy, and talking to a friend on the phone. How many other teens in this…
Rochester mayoral candidates file financial disclosure forms
Candidates for public office in New York have filed their latest financial reports, and both Rochester mayoral contenders are raising money at a good clip. Incumbent Mayor Tom Richards started the year with an opening balance of $107,676. He reports contributions of $94,175 and expenses totaling $58,523.83 from the second half of January to July…
Slaughter endorses Richards; Warren responds
Rochester in on the march, says Representative Louise Slaughter, and it needs to keep Tom Richards at the helm to continue the advance.
Week Ahead: Council candidate wants a citizen-owned Midtown Tower
OK, this is kind of awesome. Lisa Jacques, a candidate for Rochester City Council and a city business owner, is encouraging people to show up to Tuesday night’s Council meeting with $5,000 in hand to buy Midtown Tower. Council is due to vote Tuesday night to sell the tower and an adjacent parking lot to…
Strange encounter in a Rochester parking garage
So this happened yesterday. I was leaving a parking garage in downtown Rochester — putting my money in one of those machines that people seem to have so much trouble with — when I was approached by a parking attendant. (Actually, I’m assuming he was an attendant. I didn’t look closely.) It’s not unusual to…
Primaries likely in Rochester, Henrietta
The candidate petitions are in and the city will likely have Democratic primaries in the mayoral, City Council, and school board races. And the town of Henrietta will probably see a Republican primary for the supervisor’s office.
Buffalo News: Wegmans dropping health insurance for part-timers
[UPDATE] Today, Wegmans released this statement regarding the company’s plans for part-time employee health care benefits: “Even though the new health care law is requiring some changes, we are not going to do anything that will hurt our employees. Wegmans will continue to offer health care benefits for part-time employees, but eligibility requirements will change. This…
Lej approves infant mortality study
Last night, the Monroe County Legislature approved a measure to initiate a study of infant mortality in Monroe County. Infant mortality is a serious problem in the county. Data compiled by ACT Rochester shows that the local infant mortality rate regularly exceeds the state figure. In 2010, 6.9 children under age 1 died for every…
BLUES | Big Rib BBQ & Blues Fest
It’s the perfect festival, really. It centers on two of my three favorite pastimes: blues and barbeque. And it’s a perfect blend of national and Rochester artists, with locals like the Deborah Magone Band, Steve Grills and the Roadmasters, the Coupe de Villes, Mitty and the Followers, Fred Vine, John Cole, and Joe Beard join…
Feedback – 07-10-13
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. Comments of fewer than 350 words have a greater chance of being published, and we do edit selections for publication in print. We don’t publish comments sent to other media. New Yorkers…
HARD ROCK | Babayaga
Some heavy or “stoner” bands have trouble getting out of second gear, getting caught up in their own sludge and drop-tuned quicksand. One glowing exception is Rochester’s Babayaga. With its new disc, “Been A long Time Comin’,” Babayaga pounces as much as it pounds and pummels. The quartet adheres to the Black Sabbath approach: find…
Passing the bucks: Cuomo’s latest give-away
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s tax-free zones at state universities are just the latest move to create politically favored businesses and insulate their owners from the rigors of market competition. Cuomo and others in both parties who back such laws say they spur entrepreneurs. What they are really doing is creating an enlarged body of business owners…
JAZZ | Rich Thompson
Drummer Rich Thompson may be known locally for teaching jazz drumming and directing the Jazz Lab Band at the Eastman School of Music, but he’s also toured with the Count Basie Orchestra and Byron Stripling, and played with artists like Marian McPartland, Tito Puente, and Bobby McFerrin. When he celebrates the release of his excellent…
“The Lone Ranger”
As history demonstrates, the law of the conservation of matter applies magnificently to Hollywood, where nothing, it seems, is ever wasted, lost, or forgotten. The Lone Ranger galloped through decades of radio shows, comic books, television series, and movies, yet returns once again, with his faithful Indian companion Tonto and his white horse Silver, only…
AMERICANA | Donna the Buffalo
Upstate New York’s Donna the Buffalo has been active in the music scene for more than two decades. The group is well-known for its distinctive brand of Americana music, mixing its familiar roots with a plethora of genres, ranging from reggae to zydeco to the blues. Donna recently released “Tonight, Tomorrow, and Yesterday,” an album…
“The Kings of Summer”
We’ve all been there: you’re 15, filled with angst, hormones raging, your parents are driving you insane, and you just can’t wait to get the f— out of the house. You’re still a kid, but longing for the sweet freedom of adulthood, fantasizing about finally striking out on your own, away from the rules and…
ROCK | Sirsy
Albany-based Sirsy’s sound is impressively full, considering the fact that it is merely a duo. The band consists of singer/drummer Mel and guitarist Rich, joining together in a White Stripes-esque effort toward making a very big noise with a very small band. Sirsy’s songs are reminiscent of the heavy, grunge-influenced pop of the 90’s, calling…
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
A reminder of a time when rock ‘n’ roll was nothing more than a raw, primal wail, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion came back in 2012 with “Meat and Bone,” the band’s first album in eight years. Formed in 1991 in New York City out of the ashes of Pussy Galore, The Blues Explosion —…
ROCK | The Sound Awake
Ithaca-based band The Sound Awake presents a pleasant, laid-back vibe that feels as classic as it does innovative. Singer-songwriter Nick Bullock has created a collection of songs that recalls the folk-rock of the 60’s, complete with overlapping, background harmonies and clean, tight production. Bullock’s songwriting also calls to mind the late Elliott Smith, due to…
Jobs training program falls short
Residents, parents, and educators consistently urge the city and the Rochester school district to do more to prepare young people who aren’t college-bound for careers in the trades. Many Rochester residents who are chronically unemployed — often women, African Americans, and Latinos — could benefit from the training, too. Reaching Occupational Achievement for Residents in…
EXPERIMENTAL ROCK | Summer People
Despite the incessant rain and lackluster sunshine that we have been forced to live with lately, summer will finally come to Rochester this week in the form of five dudes from Binghamton. The Summer People sound is as unpredictable as the weather in Western New York, so calling it “experimental” is about as close as…
Historic Gannett building for sale
Standing next to the Gannett building at 55 Exchange Boulevard, it’s immediately clear that the building is a monument to another time. Built in the late 1920’s by Gannett founder Frank Gannett, the building’s neo-Classical style exudes the authority and power of newspapers during their golden age. The building, which Frank Gannett constructed to house…
FESTIVAL | Corn Hill Arts Festival
The Corn Hill Arts Festival will celebrate its 45th year on Saturday and Sunday, July 13 and 14, with hundreds of fine arts and craft vendors, and an entertainment schedule that includes a mix of exciting new acts and festival favorites. The two-day event takes place Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.…
“Twelfth Night”
The combination of Shakespeare, a warm summer night, a lovely green space, fireflies, and a bottle of wine (well, not if you’re reviewing, of course) has been a popular one in Rochester for 17 years, thanks to the Rochester Community Players. The group’s Shakespeare Players shingle presents the Bard’s works throughout the year, but it’s…
FESTIVALS | Renaissance Festival, Sports and Music Fest
This weekend brings us festivals in celebration of ye olde times, babe-a-licious beach sports, and more. The following fests are just a sampling; for more events, check out our calendar at rochestercitynewspaper.com. Sterling Renaissance Festival: Sterling, NY. Feast on food fit for the Queen, and enjoy artisan demonstrations and interactive performances each Saturday and Sunday…
Urban Action 07-10-13
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Pride Weekend events The Rochester region’s LGBT community and friends will celebrate Pride Weekend beginning on Friday, July 19, with a Pride Rainbow Ride. Cyclists will take the Pride colors through the Neighborhood…
RECREATION | Swimming Spots
It’s July. Go swimming. ‘Nuff said. Oh, you don’t have a pool? Me neither. Lucky for us, there are dozens of public places to cool off, many of which are listed at cityofrochester.gov. Just search “aquatics” and you’ll get the list of recreation centers and schools with pools, beaches that offer open swimming hours under…
Election economics
City Council President and mayoral candidate Lovely Warren rolled out her economic plan last week during a press conference at her west-side headquarters. | Warren’s plan includes creating a Rochester Industrial Development Agency to guarantee jobs for city residents, pursuing social impact bonds to help deal with Rochester’s serious social problems, creating a small business…
THEATER | Jawbone Puppet Theatre & Poncili Company
When I hear the words “puppet theater,” I think of crafty embodiments of archetypes relating moralizing tales, geared toward tots. Unless, of course, we’re talking about “Avenue Q,” which is a set of crafty embodiments of archetypes relating moralizing tales for the sexually mature set. On Thursday, July 11, MuCCC (142 Atlantic Ave.) will host…
Fired up
Pollsters tell us that more than 90 percent of Americans eat pizza at least once a month, and statistically we consume some 350 slices of pizza per second. Pizza is probably as universally popular a food as there is in this great land of ours. The vast majority of that pizza is baked in gas…
RECREATION | Critical Masquerade
On Saturday, July 13, you can join an event that combines the exhilarating activity of a Critical Mass bike ride and the playful, fancy affair of a masquerade. At approximately 3 p.m., gussied-up cyclists will meet at a secret location — to be disclosed to ticket holders — to build and decorate bicycles and other…
CLASSICAL | Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Baritone Aaron Bigeleisen has won several local and national competitions for young singers, appeared on NPR’s “From the Top,” sang the national anthem at the White House as a presidential scholar in the arts — and he just graduated from high school. Bigeleisen also won the Rochester Philharmonic League’s Young Artist Auditions Special Award and…
Round two for Pittsford project
The Westport Crossing project in the Village of Pittsford is set for another flare up. The developer, a subsidiary of Mark IV Enterprises, has proposed a maximum 167-unit apartment complex with a restaurant at 75 Monroe Avenue. But the developer now wants to make changes significant enough to require another sign off from the village…
R&B/HIP-HOP | Rochester Summerfest
It seemed for a while that the Rochester Music Fest (now called Rochester Summerfest) had died off with the Johnson administration. Weak line-ups and a lack of focus all but killed the once-huge summer event. But it looks like it’s back. There’s some heavy hitters on this bill in the hip-hop/R&B scene. Something for everyone…
