Cover Story
Summer Guide 2014
The Rochester area comes alive during the summer. To help get you ready, we put together a list of 100 ways to live life during the summer months.
RTA ticked over testing
Rochester Teachers Association President Adam Urbanski rarely admonishes Superintendent Bolgen Vargas publicly. Vargas and Urbanski usually have each other’s back on most issues. But the RTA filed a class action grievance against the city school district last week, and in a phone interview yesterday, Urbanski was not so supportive of Vargas. The grievance concerns ELA…
![[UPDATED] More trouble for Medley Centre owner](https://i0.wp.com/www.roccitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/medley_center.webp?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
[UPDATED] More trouble for Medley Centre owner
State officials are preparing to strip Medley Centre of its Empire Zone status and the tax credits that go with the designation.
“Game of Thrones” Season 4, Episode 9: The Watchers on the Wall
First, apologies for the late blog. I’ve just relocated to a new city and only just got internet access tonight. Next week’s finale blog will be up early the morning after the episode airs. I am sure there will be lots to discuss… For the penultimate episode of the season the showrunners chose to focus…
WEEK AHEAD: City and school budget discussions; a Great Lakes Initiative webinar; a conversation with Vargas
Rochester City Council members will continue their review of Mayor Lovely Warren’s 2014-2015 proposed budget. Warren has proposed a $500 million plan that would increase spending by 3.6 percent and includes $5.8 million from increases in taxes and fees. Warren closed a $38 million budget gap by reducing capital expenses and netting a $6 million one-time increase…
Theater Review: “Hedda” at MuCCC
The most unheroic of heroines is currently appearing at MuCCC in “Hedda,” an adaptation by M.L.P. Carroll of Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” that brings some interesting changes on the original. Carroll changes the setting from late 19th-century Norway to New Haven, Connecticut, in 1948. Hedda (Meredith Powell) is returning to town from a long, arid…
Film Review: “Ida”
Aside from special occasions organized by significant segments of the community like the local Polish film festival or the Jewish film festival, few motion pictures from Poland play in theaters in this country, which makes the release of the new movie “Ida” an unusual and welcome event. It also should make audiences grateful all over…
Feds taking comments on Great Lakes plan
On September 30, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative will have completed its first four years. And the federal task force that oversees the effort to improve the health of the Great Lakes has released its draft action plan for fiscal years 2015 through 2019. The group is accepting public comments on the draft plan in advance…
DOE notes high pre-k suspensions
This is a corrected version of this blog; June 6, 2014 at 12:20 p.m. The Rochester school district has been re-evaluating its approach to suspensions and working on a new code of conduct policy. Thousands of city students are suspended yearly and there is a tendency to think that they are mostly older students. The…
Tech firm coming to former Rochester Savings Bank
A data backup and recovery firm founded by a Rochester Institute of Technology alum will be the first business to come to Rochester under the state’s START-UP NY program. Governor Andrew Cuomo made the announcement at a press conference held at RIT this morning. The company is Datto, a Connecticut-based firm founded by RIT grad…
Parker expects Duffy to apply for RBA leadership
This is a corrected version of this blog; Monday, June 9,2014 Sandy Parker, president and CEO of the Rochester Business Alliance, says she expects Bob Duffy to reapply for her job. Parker retires at the end of the year and Duffy, currently New York’s lieutenant governor, isn’t running on Governor Cuomo’s re-election ticket this fall. …
ALBUM REVIEW: “Nomadic Nature”
Gianni Gagliardi “Nomadic Nature” Brooklyn Jazz Underground giannigagliardi.com Gianni Gagliardi’s “Nomadic Nature” begins with a crash of thunder followed by the most eerie, upper-register saxophone wail. The wail may at first sound like the squeaks beginner players produce when they first navigate the instrument, but in Gagliardi’s oeuvre, it is completely under control and adds…
Urban Action 6/4
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Film looks at transgender lives The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley is promoting a showing of “Just Gender,” a documentary film about the transgender experience, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 5.…
The urban balancing act: residents vs. developers
For many of us, Rochester’s neighborhoods – their character, their collection of old houses, their lawns and trees and sidewalks, their small commercial areas – are a big reason we decided to live in the city. And city residents have been fiercely protective of their neighborhoods, fighting for zoning changes and code enforcement, for police…
100 Reasons to Celebrate Life
Eat, drink, bike, run, visit, camp, and enjoy the season!
Get outta dodge
With the onset of summer, the roads and routes of New York State aren’t as treacherous, and the thought of making the trip to some of our more outer-regional art houses is bearable. Though CITY will provide our normal coverage of Rochester’s art institutions throughout the summer, here we take a closer look at some…
Hot summer, cool treats
Winters in Rochester may leave us shivering (especially this year), but when summers roll around, it really is beautiful here. And the warmer temps may just put you in the mood to cool off again with a frozen treat. Even though there may be similarities, not all frozen treats that come in a dish or…
Ports of Call
As you probably remember from building sugar-cube packet boats in third grade, the Erie Canal was an immensely important waterway that helped to define New York State during the 19th and 20th centuries. While the boats and barges that once used the canal as a literal artery of commerce are mostly gone — although boaters…
Same drink, different takes
With summer fast approaching, not only does the weather change but our cocktail cravings change with it. Gone are the days of hot apple cider and whiskey, it’s time to bring on the frosty cold drinks of summer. We’re lucky enough to live in a city where pretty much any cocktail craving you have can…
Ideas to keep the kids entertained this summer
During our precious summer months, Rochester offers a plethora of rich activities for children of all ages. Be it along the various waterfronts, or in the city itself, amusements abound. I tend to navigate towards the neighborhood approach when planning excursions for my two children, ages 6 and 11 — we play, eat and explore…
CITY’s guide to summer festivals
For more details, see CITY’s 2014 Festival Preview Guide. Fairport Canal Days Friday, June 6, through Sunday, June 8 Main Street area, Fairport FREE Attracting more than 200,000 attendees every year, this Fairport volunteer-run festival includes live music, arts and crafts from more than 200 artisan vendors, a chicken BBQ, and a Duck Race…
ART | Exhibit Openings
This month’s First Friday kicks off the summer season with new exhibits, so be sure to check out the full list of venues and receptions on our online calendar at rochestercitynews.com. (All events are free unless otherwise noted.) The 6×6 Exhibition at Rochester Contemporary Art Center (137 East Avenue) will return for its 7th year…
“Mad Sally with Things on Strings” by Joy Adams
Many people who are labeled “eccentric” are simply living their lives defiantly unencumbered by meaningless norms — and in doing so, may find more soul-fulfilling ways of moving through this strange trip. And these types can teach the rest of us a thing or two. The current exhibit at Axom Gallery showcases the engaging work…
Look to one of these summer concert series
Looking for some live music this summer? Listed here are concert series that only come about during the summer months. As the area’s music venues continue their regular scheduling, look to Rochestercitynewspaper.com for our calendar listings and weekly Choice Picks. Concerts by the Shore Wednesday, June 4, through Wednesday, August 27 Ontario Beach Park, 4800…
FILM | “Just Gender” Documentary
In an effort to put pins in complicated reality, humans have learned to categorize everything, and we tend to understand things through opposites. But cultural constructs, such as gender, create false dichotomies which are ultimately exclusory. Complication resists our reins when people’s physical realities don’t match their inner experiences or inclinations. In light of the…
FOLK ROCK | Blitzen Trapper
Portland-based band Blitzen Trapper makes music with a wide variety of influences. The band’s sound can range from faithful folk to twangy country to 70’s Southern rock ‘n’ roll — however, the band itself asserts that its music has “lovingly” been referred to as being “Rocky Mountain Whoop-ass.” Blitzen Trapper recently released its seventh LP,…
Midsummer Night’s Shakespeare
Joseph Papp started it all in 1954: the first big-city, outdoor Shakespeare performances of note. The New York Shakespeare Festival grew into an essential component of a Manhattan summer and an entertainment empire in its own right, throwing off everything from CBS-TV productions of Shakespeare in the early 70’s to hit Broadway musicals like “A…
FESTIVAL | Spokes & Ink
Spokes & Ink brings together a community of bike lovers, artists, musicians and beer drinkers at the 4th annual Monroe Avenue festival. Those who prefer to travel on two wheels will enjoy the bike themed poster show and sale. Each print is produced by one of the dozens of local graphic artists, photographers, or letterpress…
PUNK | Titus Andronicus
Titus Andronicus — the Shakespearean play — is amongst the author’s most violent and least respected works, and thus a fitting name for a New Jersey-based punk band. Titus Andronicus — band, not bard — indeed can be violent at times both in instrumentation, as well as within honest lyrics cynically spit out in an airing…
Summer movie preview
Summer movie season is notorious for being a time when filmgoers are asked to turn off their brains, grab a giant tub of popcorn, and sacrifice a few precious hours spent outside in the sunlight, just so we can watch Hollywood’s latest round of superhero movies, sequels and remakes. But this year, the warm weather…
FAMILY | Zombie Walk and Bowl
Proving that zombies are after the heart, too, the first annual Zombie Walk and Bowl for Charity will take place along Pittsford’s Railroad Loop Trail Saturday, June 7, benefitting Flower City Down Syndrome Network, polycystic kidney disease research, Juvenile Diabetes of Rochester, and Sample Soap. Living dead of all ages can participate. Participants meet at…
SINGER-SONGWRITER | Richard Buckner
Since 1994, Richard Buckner has remained a mysterious focal point of alt-country and avant-folk. Rooted in traditions like Townes Van Zandt, he somehow manages to veil his music with expansive, tranquil arrangements. His lyrics and playing style paint images that float in and out like mist hung over morning forest floors. There is a precise…
Ten things you might not know about Seabreeze
When Seabreeze Amusement Park (4600 Culver Road, Seabreeze.com) opened to the public on August 5, 1879, as the last stop on the steam railroad, its main draws were picnic groves on the lakefront. Its picturesque landscape made the location popular. As result, the park began adding rides by the dozen in 1900, shaping the future…
LECTURE | Wish You Were Here: Peter and Chase Guttman
They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but sometimes both the tree and the apple hitch up their roots and skip off to see the world. Author, journalist, and photographer Peter Guttman has traveled to more than 200 countries on all seven continents, creating a body of work that explores the world’s cultural and geographic diversity. His…
ROCK | Modern Baseball
Modern Baseball’s music recalls sounds from the early years of indie rock. The Philadelphia quartet has drawn comparisons to cult-favorite American Football — and Modern Baseball admits the band inspired its name — and it doesn’t take more than a few songs to hear why. Its debut album “Sports” was well-reviewed, and its latest release,…
CHOW HOUND: Like family
The enthusiasm that Tom Joy has for his new business is contagious. Walking through the door of Park Ave Paninoteca, my friend and I were greeted like family — which makes sense because if you wander in on any given day, you’ll see Joy’s brother, sister, wife, or another member of the family helping out.…
SPECIAL EVENT | Hunter Derby
Held in the tradition of a vintage derby, the Genesee Country Village & Museum’s Hunter Derby gives horse and rider the same challenges as what might be found in the field on a traditional hunting trip. Courses are built to imitate hedges, banks, ditches, and gates. The museum’s Great Meadow will be transformed for the…
JAZZ | Rachelle Ferrell
When we think of large, multi-octave voices, singers like Mariah Carey and the late Minnie Riperton come immediately to mind. But for those who are familiar with her singing, Rachelle Ferrell is a charter member of that exclusive club. After graduating from Berklee College of Music, Ferrell sang back up for Lou Rawls, Patti LaBelle,…
Feedback 6/4
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…
WORKSHOP | International Trombone Festival
Now in its 43rd year, the International Trombone Festival brings together masters of the instrument from around the world to perform and teach. More than 30 participating artists, Eastman School of Music faculty, and ensembles will host classes, concerts, exhibits, and scholarly talks exploring the potential and future of the trombone. Participants include principal trombone…
Gay Alliance plans growth
The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley is planning to move out of its headquarters on the fifth floor of the Auditorium Theatre and into a transitional space that will give the organization a higher profile and the momentum to kick off a larger project, says Scott Fearing, the alliance’s executive director. That project could…
ROCK | Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band
It’s kind of like a traveling circus of rock ‘n’ roll greats whenever Ringo rolls into town. This time around the ex-Beatle’s All-Starr Band includes Steve Lukather (Toto, Asia), Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Gregg Rolie (Santana, Journey), Todd Rundgren (Utopia, producer), and Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth). In the past, Starr serves as the convivial…
Adding to the family
Family courts across New York, dealing with a steady rise in caseloads, should soon get some help. When New York lawmakers passed the 2014-15 state budget, they included $5 million to fund 20 new Family Court judges. But that’s only part of what the Legislature needs to do. It also needs to pass legislation to…
On your imaginary forces work
In its opening speech, the Chorus in Shakespeare’s “Henry V” exhorts the audience to use its imagination to recreate the numerous English and French settings of the play — hence the quote that gives this review its title. For its concluding concert of the 2013-14 season, performed Thursday, May 29, and Saturday, May 31, the…
Schools modernization project is in trouble
Since work began in 2006, the Rochester school district’s $1.2 billion project to overhaul and modernize its buildings has been scaled up and whittled down. It’s gone through four superintendents and three mayors. Design plans have started, stopped, changed, and started again. Undoubtedly the biggest challenge in a construction project this size is keeping it…
ALBUM REVIEW: “Silver Creek Attractions”
Silver Creek Attractions “Silver Creek Attractions” Self-released Silvercreekattractions1.bandcamp.com Like so many bands today, Silver Creek Attractions’ latest CD is an EP — direct and to the point, no fat, no fluff; just a five song punch in the gut. After one spin you’ll already have a pretty clear idea of what this young Rochester quartet…
Vargas wants All City High extended
Rochester schools Superintendent Bolgen Vargas says he wants to continue offering All City High as an alternative for students who need it. The school primarily serves overage students who don’t have enough credits to graduate. “What do you do with students who are entering ninth grade when they are 15, 16, 17, and 18, and…
Film Review: “Maleficent”
When it comes to all-time great movie entrances, you can’t do much better than the first appearance of the sorceress Maleficent in Walt Disney’s 1959 animated masterpiece, “Sleeping Beauty.” With a bolt of lightning, the witch appears, crashing a royal christening to deliver a promise of certain death to an infant, seemingly because the king…
