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Festivals, and fancy-free
With spring officially here, all the best weather — and the best local festivals — are ahead of us. And as you plan out your celebration destinations heading into the summer, CITY has you covered with our annual Festival Preview Guide.
CITY Newspaper’s 2019 Festival Preview Guide
We all know that person. You know, that guy. I’m talking about the person who insists (enter ridiculous voice) “there’s nothing to do in Rochester.” This individual is missing out on a world of adventure and events in our city, plus the surrounding counties. My friends, don’t be this person. Here’s your map, your guide,…
LaMar appointed to Legislature seat
Sabrina LaMar has been appointed to the County Legislature’s 27th District seat, which was left vacant after LaShay Harris was appointed to a vacant City Council seat. LaMar works as project coordinator for the Community Engagement to Reduce Victimization (CERV) project at RIT’s Center for Public Safety Initiatives. She also chairs the education committee of the…
2019 Skaneateles Festival features Wynton Marsalis, Hilary Hahn
In the Skaneateles Festival’s 2019 season, music lovers will have the opportunity to hear some of the most prominent musicians in their respective genres — classical, jazz, and folk alike.
Terry Dade will be Rochester’s next superintendent
School district officials have confirmed that the Rochester school board has selected Terry Dade as the next superintendent of the Rochester City School District. Dade is currently an assistant superintendent for the Fairfax County Public Schools in Falls Church, Virginia, a district with 180,000 students. Dade will sign his contract at an upcoming school board…
Album review: ‘Bloody Rubbish’
Ray Paul ‘Bloody Rubbish’ Kool Kat Musik koolkatmusik.com Ray Paul is the pope of power pop. And the Rochester garage rocker has a new record, “Bloody Rubbish.” This album has tracks from a couple different decades, as well as some live tracks. Regardless, “Bloody Rubbish” is bloody rockin’ — like Cheap Trick’s “In Color” era,…
Ward Stare to leave RPO in 2021
Ward Stare will be stepping down from his position as music director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra at the end of the summer 2021, after seven years.
Rochester hops on electric scooter trend
City of Rochester officials expect by the end of this year’s session in June, the State Legislature will pass a law legalizing the use of electric scooters on New York’s roads. And when that happens, they want Zagster, which operates a city-wide bike sharing program, to set up public electric scooter share system. Mayor Lovely Warren…
Opera review: RPO performs ‘Così fan tutte’
Love triangles are not rare in opera, but Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” — performed this week by Ward Stare and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra — presents a love rectangle.
Former RHA chair George Moses indicted
A federal grand jury has indicted George Moses, the former board chairman of the Rochester Housing Authority, on two counts of making false statements to the FBI.
Speakers at Assembly hearing call for tenant protections
Speaker after speaker at a State Assembly hearing on housing issues today had one message: New York tenants of all types and in all locations need stronger protections. The hearing – one of three conducted around the state – was held in the Monroe County Legislature’s chambers at the County Office Building. Around two dozen…
East’s partnership with UR extended
The Rochester school board is extending the partnership between East Upper and Lower Schools and the University of Rochester for up to five years. A new contract still needs to be developed by the attorneys for the UR and the city school district, board President Van White said earlier today. During a meeting Thursday night,…
Rochester school board adopts budget; few teacher layoffs seen
The Rochester City School District voted to adopt a $931 million budget Tuesday night. It was a 6-to-1 vote with Commissioner Judy Davis voting no.
Veteran hot air balloon pilot Sean Quigley clears the air
I’ve always had this romantic notion about hot air balloon rides — of rising to great heights and taking in spectacular views — which is sadly at odds with my uneasiness about said heights. I’ve imagined the insecurity of being exposed to the open air in a swinging basket…no thanks. But having not actually gone…
CITY’s 10th Annual Best Busker Contest
Come down to Rochester’s SOUTH WEDGE for a night of free music on the streets from great local musicians, plus ridiculous deals from neighborhood merchants!
Save the date! Thursday, May 23rd, starting at 5pm
Feedback 5/8
Send comments to feedback@rochester-citynews.com with your name, your daytime telephone number for verification, and your city, town, or village. Comments of fewer than 500 words have a greater chance of being published, we edit selections for publication, and we don’t publish comments sent to other media. The best way to remove Trump Regarding Urban Journal’s…
ROCKABILLY | Lee Rocker
Doghouse bassist Lee Rocker’s name is synonymous with the slap and thunder he gets from his instrument. As a founding member of The Stray Cats, some 40 years ago, Rocker has been part of a movement that got that beloved blend of country, jazz, and blues blasting out of the radio with hits like “Stray…
Urban Action 5/8
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) An era of cyberwar Friends and Foundation of the Rochester Public Library will present a review of “The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage, and Fear in the Cyber Age” on Tuesday, May 14. The…
INDIE POP | I Don’t Know How but They Found Me
Sourced from a line of dialogue in “Back to the Future,” I Don’t Know How but They Found Me is equal parts band name and existential proclamation. Formerly of Panic! At the Disco, songwriter-bassist Dallon Weekes teamed up with drummer Ryan Seaman to form IDKHow. The duo’s quirky dance-rock reverberates with 80’s nostalgia as well…
Celebrating Caribbean culture
It is barely spring, and I already cannot wait for the end of summer. August 10 marks the annual Carifest Parade and Festival, a day-long celebration of Caribbean culture with music, dancing, food, and art. This is exciting to me, not only because it is one of the many good excuses to go outside and…
METAL | Overkill
Formed in the Big 80’s in New Jersey, thrash metal band Overkill isn’t just about the speed, although they have plenty of horses under the hood. Through various shifts in its lineup over the years, the band serves it up heavy and mean as well. This has led some in the know to call Overkill…
Cobbs Hill plan suits dismissed
A coalition of tenants and neighborhood residents have apparently lost their legal battle to stop Rochester Management from replacing the Cobbs Hill Village senior-resident apartment complex with new apartments for seniors. On May 2, Supreme Court Justice William Taylor dismissed two separate suits against Rochester Management, the City of Rochester, the City Planning Commission, and…
ACOUSTIC POP | Chris Trapper
Former frontman of 90’s alt-rock band The Push Stars, Chris Trapper has made a name for himself, touring North America and the United Kingdom since 2002. Originally from Buffalo, NY, he performs infectious soft rock melodies, telling relatable stories with an affable presence. Singing bittersweet pop ballads with sincerity and yearning, he has a familiar,…
Genesee’s waters still need help
The Mighty Genesee’s watersheds cover 1.6 million acres between its origin in Potter County, Pennsylvania, and its end at Lake Ontario. That means a variety of things influence the river’s water quality and that of its tributaries. But the two biggest concerns are the levels of phosphorus and suspended solids like sediment that are in…
BLUES ROCK | Vinyl Orange Ottoman
Radiating heat from start to finish, Vinyl Orange Ottoman delivers high-energy soul music that’s sure to make you sweat. Currently working on its third studio album, the Rochester-based sextet fuses funky rock ‘n’ roll grooves with gospel-soul power and bluesy undertones. The band’s music is simultaneously nostalgic of the good old days and forging ahead…
Charter school growth not likely in 2019
With changing political dynamics in the Democrat-led New York State Legislature and opposition from the teachers union, the cap on charter schools in New York is unlikely to be raised this year. A 2015 law restricts how many new charter schools could open in New York City to 50, and the city reached that cap…
OPERA | ‘Così fan tutte’
Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” is the latest in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s annual concert opera performances, and a somewhat unusual choice to follow crowd-pleasers like “Carmen” and “La bohème.” The plot of “Così,” in which two sisters develop surprising affections for each other’s fiancés, was long considered morally distasteful. One translation of the title is…
RCSD superintendent finalists get their public platform
The four finalists for Rochester schools superintendent put themselves on public display over the weekend. There were no surprises, no stand-out performance that made one candidate seem an obvious choice, but the school board’s forums let anyone who was interested see the finalists in person. And the finalists’ presentations, coupled with their resumes, provide a…
THEATER | ‘Freedom: A Modern Dance Show About Your Rights’
Genesee Community College closes out its performance season this week with a 20-piece dance performance choreographed by adjunct professor Tara Pocock. “Freedom: A Modern Dance Show About Your Rights” examines human rights and freedoms through the lens of dance, challenging audience members to question what their rights are and if they are allowed to exercise…
THEATER | ‘Richard III: Villain or Hero’
With the birth of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s first child this week, it’s evident that there’s an enduring fixation on royals, and British royals in particular. And it’s not just the contemporary, popular ones — there’s a whole organization, with chapters in various countries, dedicated to clearing the name of one of England’s most…
SPECIAL EVENT | ‘Listen to Your Mother’
The annual spoken word event, “Listen to Your Mother,” celebrates being a mother, having a mother, and the lifetime journey of motherhood. It’s a grassroots phenomenon with more than 250 productions in communities across the country. Now in its fifth consecutive year, Rochester’s production features 13 local writers and storytellers — including Erica Bryant with…
SPECIAL EVENT | Dachshund Parade
The 18th Annual Rochester Dachshund Parade will give your lengthy pups a chance to stretch, sniff, and play in the park. This year’s theme is ‘Dachshund: A Dog for All Seasons?’ In addition to a multitude of long bois and girls, the parade features info booths from veterinary services. Dachshund-themed merchandise will be available for…
RECREATION | Rochester Bike Week
This year’s Rochester Bike Week spans nine days, featuring a range of events and activities for all ages and skill levels. It offers the chance to explore the growing cycling infrastructure in Rochester, reasons to get out in the fresh air, and connect with other riders. Events kick off with on Wednesday, May 8, which…
ART | ‘White/Black Invitational’
If you love a minimal aesthetic but also love acquiring new art objects, a fun trick is to pare down the palette. Unless you go for monochrome, you can’t get more stripped down than black and white. This month Flower City Arts Center will host “White/Black Invitational,” an exhibit of photography, prints, and ceramic objects…
COMEDY: Brian Regan
Comedian Brian Regan’s career has spanned more than 30 years, and includes two Netflix comedy specials, “Stand Up and Away!” and “Nunchucks and Flamethrowers,” and appearances on Jerry Seinfeld’s series “Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee” and “Late Night with David Letterman.” Regan’s standup comedy, which often riffs on relatable, mundane situations, incorporates sketches and audience…
The water’s everywhere – not solely in our lake
In late April, 6,000 people in the Montreal area had to be evacuated. Late last week, another 3,000 were forced out.
Album review: ‘Sounds of Oppari’
Elusive Travel ‘Sounds of Oppari’ Self-released reverbnation.com/elusivetravel Metal-gaze trio Elusive Travel began in 2000, led by singer-guitarist Chris Dalcin. Now with bassist Matt Roselli and drummer Cory Olcott, the band unleashes a head-banging thrill ride of pulsing, heavy rock music mixed with post-metal, shoegaze, and doom on “Sounds of Oppari.” Dive into crashing sonic waves…
Review: ‘Nonbinary: Memoirs of Gender and Identity’
A new anthology about shrugging off gender conformity contains personal essays by 30 people spanning different ages, races, ethnicities, classes, abilities, and religions.
Album review: ‘Dreams on Hold’
Sarah Eide ‘Dreams on Hold’ Self-released saraheide.com Singer-songwriter Sarah Eide’s new album “Dreams on Hold” poetically reflects the trials and tribulations of being a woman in modern society. Influenced by her classical roots and the wonder of nature, Eide blends elements of pop, blues, roots, soul, and gospel to create an enthralling Americana storybook. Her…
Theater review: ‘Revival: The Resurrection of Son House’
Blues artist, son of a preacher, steel worker, farmer, husband, alcoholic, and one of the first black musicians to make a record in the United States. While these words all apply to Eddie “Son” House, they don’t begin to tell his story the way Geva’s latest world premiere, “Revival: The Resurrection of Son House,” does.
Flavorful comfort foods at La Olla Criolla
Though La Olla Criolla is a cafeteria-style venue, it’s a family restaurant, and they cook and serve the Creole fare like you’re at home for dinner.
Film preview: Rochester International Film Festival
Celebrating the art of the short film, RIFF presents a program of films that pack as much compelling plot, character, and visual interest as a traditional feature in only a fraction of the time.
Cordancia Chamber Orchestra presents ‘Music from Terezín’
Cordancia Chamber Orchestra will perform “Music from Terezín,” a program of works by Jewish composers who were victims of the Holocaust, on May 11 and 12.
Film review: ‘Long Shot’
For all its odd-couple pairings, its depiction of a mainstream politician who genuinely wants to get things done is perhaps what most obviously marks the film as political fantasy.
