Cover Story
Dish 2014
Rochester dining: fondue, food challenges, and pastry chefs
Film Review: “God’s Pocket”
The appearance of “God’s Pocket” suggests the ambiguity inherent in the preservative quality of art, possibly most apparent in the cinema. Something like a posthumous work, the movie stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, a strange, sad circumstance in which the man who died so recently, whose presence remains vivid in memory, of course looks familiar and…
Film Review: “Godzilla”
The last time Godzilla lumbered his way into theaters in an American-originated film was back in 1998, when director Roland Emmerich attempted to capitalize on audiences’ love affair with giant lizards — reawakened by the massive success of “Jurassic Park” and its sequel — by grafting them into another of his disaster porn epics, à…
New York to review Comcast-Time Warner deal
The state Public Service Commission has started its review of the proposed Comcast-Time Warner Cable merger. The review should take about four months. Here’s the good news for New Yorkers who get cable, Internet, or phone services from either company: the PSC will examine some very important criteria in assessing the $45 billion deal. According…
Theater Review: “Sunset Boulevard” at Blackfriars
The dark side of Old Hollywood was apparently on the mind of Blackfriars Artistic Director John Haldoupis when he programmed the theater’s 2013-14 season. It opened with “Me and Jezebel,” which told an inspired-by-real-life story about latter-day Bette Davis. And now it closes with “Sunset Boulevard,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical adaptation of the Billy Wilder…
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 6 Reunion/Finale: And the winner is…
The good news: the right queen won! The bad news: was it just me, or was basically every part of that reunion totally predictable? It’s times like this where I sincerely feel for RuPaul and the “Drag Race” folks. They gave the fans basically everything they could want in that reunion episode. They crowned the…
WEEK AHEAD: Single payer activism; RPD reorg; downtown district; commissioners and cookies; solar suburbs
The Everybody INstitute, a day-long training event for activists and organizers, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, at School Without Walls, 480 Broadway. The event is being presented by Metro Justice and advocates for single payer health care from across New York State. It will be led by Ben…
Theater Review: “Tinker to Evers to Chance” at Geva Nextstage
One of the themes underlying two of Geva’s plays this season seems to be — as the PR for the latest Nextstage production has it — “the redemptive power of baseball.” This particular kind of redemption is achieved not by good works, but by faith — eternal optimism directed toward perpetually losing teams. Last winter’s…
“Game of Thrones” Season 4, Episode 7: Mockingbird
Watch that last step, Lysa gurl! It’s a doozy! Lysa Arryn’s poorly planned physics experiment kicked off what should be a string of deaths over the next few episodes. I don’t think that’s spoiling anything — people die on this show all the damned time. But by my count we should see at least five…
Hillzilla hysteria sweeps America
Godzilla, the monster mutation that radiation created, opens in theater today. But another monster drama, Hillzilla, started weeks ago in Washington. Now that Republicans have run out of Obamacare catastrophes to talk about, they’ve shifted their focus to Hillary Clinton. House Speaker John Boehner whipped together another committee to investigate Benghazi. And Karl Rove’s assertion…
Little drama as Monroe Democrats select candidates
Last night’s meeting of the Monroe County Democratic Committee was a relatively tame affair, serving mostly as a coronation for the candidates chosen by local legislative district committees. The sole exception was a three-way contest for a City Court seat nomination, which required two rounds of voting. For candidates to get the party’s backing at…
Better odds for ex-offenders
Simply forbidding employers from asking about people’s criminal history on job applications — typically by asking them to check a box — isn’t enough to radically transform the employment landscape in Rochester.
Green light on UR plan with a warning
The Rochester school district can move forward with the University of Rochester to develop a plan to turn around troubled East High School. Rochester School Board President Van White received a letter today from State Education Deputy Commissioner Ken Slentz saying that the district now has until July 1, 2014, to submit a detailed plan…
Can bike sharing work in Rochester?
Students, faculty, and staff at Nazareth College and Rochester Institute of Technology can borrow a bicycle from a shared pool to get around on and off campus. The schools have bike-sharing programs, just like countless other campuses and cities across the world. Public bike-sharing services, similar to those at Naz and RIT, could soon emerge…
AMERICANA | Hayes Carll
The last time Hayes Carll came through Rochester he sold out Abilene Bar and Lounge in a matter of hours. And for good reason: Carll is a natural storyteller. The Austin-based singer-songwriter has a gift for humor, honesty, and reflection, vocalized — with a swaggering Texas twang — over stout Americana. Carll has shown immense…
Kodak environmental settlement finalized
A federal bankruptcy court judge has given final approval to the Eastman Business Park clean-up settlement between Kodak, the State Department of Environmental Conservation, and federal agencies. Under the settlement, Kodak will put $49 million into an environmental trust fund to pay for ongoing and future clean up and monitoring work at the business park…
Union could run Syracuse school
The Syracuse school district is seriously considering one of the least-used options the State Education Department offers school officials to fix failing schools: charter conversion, according to an article on Syracuse.com. And the Syracuse teachers union would run the school, which is even more unusual. The SED gives school districts a limited set of options when it…
Theater Review: RBTL presents Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”
Disney’s animated adaptation of the French fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast” hit movie theaters in 1991. It is an important Disney property for several reasons. It was the first animated film to ever score a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards, and it was also the first Disney animated feature to be turned…
Evil stepsisters and tutus
In the Rochester City Ballet’s studio on University Avenue, the company is rehearsing the ballroom scene from the classic story ballet “Cinderella” for this weekend’s performance at Nazareth Performing Arts Center. Cinderella and the Prince are practicing the pas de deux — or step for two — of their initial meeting. She is shy and…
ALBUM REVIEW: “Cold Truth, Warm Heart”
Mike Pope “Cold Truth, Warm Heart” NINETEEN-EIGHT Records Mikepopejazz.com Even if you haven’t heard of Mike Pope, you’ve probably heard him play. Over a three-decade career he’s been the bassist of choice for a variety of artists including Chick Corea, Al Di Meola, Chuck Loeb, David Sanborn and Eldar. So, it’s not surprising that his…
Feedback 5/14
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…
A better city, from the ground up
When Jessica Vittegleo started an Internet fund-raising campaign to buy and put up Little Free Libraries in Rochester, her goal was simple: to foster literacy and a love of reading in her South Wedge neighborhood. The libraries, which are tied into the national Little Free Library organization, are hand-painted boxes stuffed with books free for…
Fondue for you, by you
Past its heyday in the late 60’s to mid-70’s, Americans haven’t regarded fondue with much familiarity or respect. Beyond the confines of a great aunt’s holiday gathering, a chain restaurant charging an arm and a leg for melted government-grade cheese, or a party with an ironic menu (and PBR as the beer of choice), maybe…
Urban Action 5/14
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Climate change film ColorBrightonGreen.org will present the documentary film “Comfort Zone” at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14. The film examines what climate change means to Upstate New York. Two of the three…
Chew, swallow, and repeat
As I prepared to encounter the first of three food challenges at three different Rochester area restaurants, it occurred to me: I love food and I love to eat, but for me, eating is more about frequency rather than amplitude. Even though the goal was to simply savor the experiences — this would be merely…
Can anyone ‘turn around’ a Rochester high school?
I should be encouraged, I guess, that the University of Rochester is willing to consider becoming involved in the operations of East High School. I’ve been hopeful that local colleges and universities would try to help improve city schools, so if the UR interest pans out, that would be a good first step. But I’m…
The sweet life
For many restaurant diners, dessert is an extra — something to indulge in only when you’re feeling particularly decadent. But for some chefs, dessert is a passion, a calling, an artform. The term “pastry chef” is slightly misleading. It calls to mind flaky phyllo or sticky breakfast sweets, but encompasses so much more. Pastry chefs…
ART REVIEW: Binary stars
It’s not easy to combine two distinct styles and aesthetics to create cohesive pieces of artwork. Besides the normal concerns of technical and symbolic prowess, collaboration demands practice in not getting too attached to your own ideas and solutions. In preparation for their current show, “Core Collapse,” painter St. Monci and illustrator Justyn Iannucci passed…
DINING REVIEW: Sai Gon
During the winter, one way I sustain myself is with steaming, head-clearing bowls of Vietnamese pho — which for me, serve the same purpose as a Swedish sweat lodge. As my friend and I arrived at the Sai Gon Restaurant in West Brighton, I decided that my tenure at the altar of soup should be…
JAZZ | Danny Fox Trio
The more you listen to “Wide Eyed,” the new album by the Danny Fox Trio, the more you know this is not your average jazz trio. An excellent pianist, Fox is certainly capable of swinging, but he’s more interested in exploring the outer edges of the trio form. So a tune might grow from the…
ROCK | Del Paxton
Buffalo-based band Del Paxton labels its music as being both “alternative” and “emo” — two titles that certainly fit the mood of the music the band creates. The band cites acts like American Football and Third Eye Blind as being major influences, thus resurrecting an emo, math-rock sound that has been mostly neglected by bands…
ART | Cheryl Hrudka One Woman Show
One of Artisan Direct’s newest gallery editions is an exhibit by Cheryl Hrudka, a healthcare worker before she pursued a love of abstract art and photography. While she takes traditional photographs, Hrudka attempts her own vision of the world through her work. She has also been quoted as saying she enjoys taking the road less…
BLUEGRASS | The Fevertones
Thankfully, The Fevertones’ insightful and decisive lyricism doesn’t leave the band’s enthusiastic jump and giddy-up from pulling any punches. The vocals turn hot on the band’s 2013 release “Barefoot and Still Breathing,” calling to mind a random Lomax recording circa another place and time. The band possesses too much energy, too much freshness to be…
COMEDY | Jon Lovitz
While he may be best known for his role on Saturday Night Live in the 1980’s, Jon Lovitz has touched on virtually every part of show business. Since SNL, Lovitz has made appearances on television hows including “Married… with Children,” “The Simpsons,” “The Critic,” “Seinfeld,” and “Friends.” He has appeared in over 47 films, as…
CLASSICAL | The Quest for Don Quixote
Don Quixote is not only a great literary character, he has also done nicely as an inspiration for music — and not just “Man of La Mancha,” either. This Sunday, First Muse Chamber Music explores three works inspired by Cervantes’ Knight of the Woeful Countenance. Telemann’s “Don Quichotte” suite is a delightful Baroque confection drawing…
FESTIVAL | Linwood Gardens Tree Peony Festival of Flowers
Linwood Gardens is a historic garden sanctuary that features collections of tree peonies dating to the 1940’s. Home to peony collections like Eve of Radiance, Hana Kisoi, Ezra Pound, Chinese Dragon, Argonaut, and Black Pirate, when the tree peonies first bloom, Linwood celebrates with the Tree Peony Festival of Flowers. The festival takes place on…
EXPERIMENTAL | Marco Benevento
Marco Benevento’s Zach Galifianakis-like appearance and odd onstage behavior — like the giant tiger mask he wears and puts on his band mates — adds a sense of comedy to his shows. In the end though, you’ll remember the show more for the great tunes. The New York City based producer’s three-piece band features the…
YOUTH | Teen Book Festival
Back for the ninth year, the Teen Book Festival will feature 31 award-winning authors, including Jay Asher, Laurie Halse Anderson, Ann Brashares, E. Lockhart, and Lauren Myracle. The festival is split up into four sessions, where each author will be presenting three times during the day. Throughout the day, vendor tables will be set up,…
ROCK | New City Slang
New City Slang is street poetry and jangly guitars through fuzzed out amps. Art and punk ooze out of this Rochester band. Harlow Crandall, Pete Mantkelow, Matt Oyer, and Collin Ramirez are doing something different here, mixing feedback and aggression with folk ballads and lyrics that paint poignant images. The first time I saw the…
SPECIAL EVENT | The Uncorked Canvas
The Uncorked Canvas is a twist on your usual night out. During a 2- to 3-hour class, a certified artist will be at Brickwood Grill, 250 Monroe Avenue, to give you step-by-step instructions on creating your own flower artwork. While you and your friends work on your masterpieces, the setting will be a bar instead…
ROCK | Pony Hand
Pony Hand is a driving, dirty, psych-garage band. Its infectious riffs and vocals waft above the melody before sinking in and leading the music with an urgent charge. Karrah Teague’s voice is sexy and full of rage, while Brandon Henahan’s guitar burns like The Stooges’ 1973 album “Raw Power.” The drums are filled out by…
SPECIAL EVENT | Bonsai Exhibition and Sale
The Bonsai Society of Upstate New York was founded in 1972 and has since regularly hosted bonsai professionals for lectures, demonstrations, and workshops to educate the Rochester community on Bonsai, the Japanese art of growing trees and shrubs in containers. Each spring, the society hosts an exhibit of living Bonsai that were designed, created, and…
Dog’s years
I live my life in between musical vignettes and the moments in between. There have been otherwise unassuming shows — or moments therein that have had a profound impact on me as a musician and as music fan. For example, there was the time James Brown nearly put a part in my scalp with his…
RECREATION | Flower City Days at the Market
The Public Market may be the place for your weekly fruits and veggies, but it can also be the place to go for all of your gardening needs this month. Flower City Days at the Market offers over 250 local nurseries and growers selling plants and garden accessories on seven different days. The event also…
ALBUM REVIEW: “Road Shows Volume 3”
Sonny Rollins “Road Shows Volume 3” Doxy Records Sonnyrollins.com Sonny Rollins is old school enough to know that jazz is best when it’s live. His latest release, “Road Shows Volume 3,” has the freshness of one of those great 1950’s club recordings. Rollins is the reigning monarch of the saxophone so these “clubs” were large…
