Cover Story
Vargas’s plea to higher ed
Bolgen Vargas may be remembered as the superhero who figured out a way to reverse 30 years of declining student performance in the Rochester City School District. Or he could be remembered as another name on a long list of well-meaning superintendents ultimately bested by an ossified bureaucracy. After two years leading the school district,…
Commission recommends public financing of campaigns; can’t crack dark money group’s shell
Last night, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s public corruption commission — the Moreland Commission as it’s often called — released its preliminary report, and its findings ought to surprise no one. In short, the report says that New York has lax campaign contribution rules, that enforcement of those rules sucks, and that the state has a pay-to-play…
PISA scores forecast dimming future for US students
If students, parents, teachers, and business leaders are wondering about the impact education reform is having on academic performance in most US school districts, the latest results of the Program for International Student Assessment scores provide a stark answer. US students are not improving in core subjects – reading, math, and science. And even worse,…
Concert Review: Eddie Clendening, Mike Graham, Jason Smay, Danielle Ponder at Record Archive
This is a band so new, it ain’t got a name yet. It got slapped together after Denver, Colorado, strummer and crooner Eddie Clendening sat in for an impromptu jam at Abilene with The Lustre Kings. Clendening is here on business. It just so happens that rockin’ is his business, and business is good. He’s…
Who is the face of public safety in Rochester at this moment?
UPDATE, DEC. 3: Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley has dropped the charges against the three young men arrested while waiting for a bus last week. Doorley released the following brief statement: “After reviewing the facts associated with these arrests, I have decided to dismiss the charges in the interest of justice.” ORIGINAL BLOG: I know…
WEEK AHEAD: Open-air drug markets, O’Flynn raise, day care cuts
Rochester City Council member Adam McFadden will hold a public forum to discuss open-air drug markets at 6:30 p.m on Wednesday, December 4, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 30 Church Street. McFadden has proposed legislation to create drug-free zones in the city. The legislation would create a new section of City Code to prohibit loitering…
Monroe County’s Obamacare benefit
Heading into 2014 budget preparations, Monroe County officials anticipated a 1 percent increase in Medicaid costs. Instead, the county should see a decrease. During last night’s County Legislature Human Services Committee meeting, officials acknowledged that the decrease is due to the federal Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The benefit to the county’s 2014…
County officials say day care subsidies are a state issue
Local children’s advocates and faith groups have flooded County Executive Maggie Brooks’ office in recent months with letters requesting a $1 million increase in local funding for low-income child day care subsidies. But the push is apparently not sitting well with county officials. During a Legislature committee meeting last night, Kelly Reed, commissioner of the…
DANCE | “The Nutcracker”
A Rochester holiday tradition returns as the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Rochester City Ballet, and the Bach Children’s Chorus come together to produce “The Nutcracker” this weekend. If you and your family have yet to experience this classic tale, this is the year to go. Seriously, go order tickets right now. Every Rochesterian needs to see…
“Dallas Buyers Club”
His recent work in film displays quite an impressive versatility for the very active and generally underrated Matthew McConaughey. In “The Lincoln Lawyer,” “Magic Mike,” and “Killer Joe,” for example, he plays extremely different characters — a slick defense attorney, a sleazy strip club owner, a soft-spoken, polite hetman/deputy sheriff. His latest picture, “Dallas Buyers…
Day care cut
When Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks presented her 2014 budget proposal recently, she said that the county would provide more funding for child day care subsidies than the state requires. And as a result, she said, no families currently receiving subsidies would lose their slots. | But Brooks chose her words carefully. She didn’t say…
SPECIAL EVENT | ROC Beard Bounty
A wise man once said “with great beard comes great responsibility.” OK, so a wise man never really said that, but there’s still a lot of truth to it. For example, if you possess a great beard, it’s your responsibility to compete in the ROC Beard Bounty at Lovin’ Cup (300 Park Point Dr.) on…
“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”
It’s a difficult task crafting a successful middle chapter of an established story. On one hand, the tedious work of establishing the world in which the tale is set has been done; but on the other, without the benefit of a proper conclusion, you run the risk of delivering a less-than-satisfying experience for the audience.…
Vargas’s bold plan for the school district
Want to read something that will break your heart? Sitting on my desk at work is a hefty group of reports collected over the years, including numerous ones produced by the Rochester school district. Among them is a survey of initiatives designed to provide a better education for the district’s poorest, African American children: a…
THEATER | “Jackie”
Fifty years ago, one of the most tragic and scrutinized events in our country’s history occurred when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade through Dallas. While there are many accounts of what happened, from many different people, none may be as important as the point of view of Kennedy’s wife,…
DJ/Electronic | The Deer Tracks
Swedish bands frequently charm the ears of English-speaking folks, and Gefle, Sweden natives The Deer Tracks are no exception. The nifty electronica duo deconstructs traditional electro-pop by mixing in a wider range of influences and mid-tempo beats that are both atmospheric and trippy. Imagine a post-disco Eurocentric dance party at Grandma’s log cabin, deep in…
DINING REVIEW: Esan Thai
There are streets in Manhattan that have yet to be completely overtaken by chain restaurants, though they are further and fewer between than they were 10 years ago. These patches of resistance are little, rabbit-warren-like spaces, crammed with wood-grain Formica two-tops and tiny black chairs. They’re dimly lit and decorated with tchotchkes reflecting the cuisine…
Pop/Rock | Chris Trapper
Buffalo native Chris Trapper began his career as the frontman of pop trio The Push Stars before evolving into a modern-day troubadour. Trapper has grown his fan base the old-fashioned way: one gig at a time by engaging audiences and crafting exquisite tunes. Trapper’s music has been regularly placed on the silver screen and played…
Pop/Rock | Record Store Day Black Friday
This Friday, of course, is Black Friday, and for most of us, that means a time to avoid stores for fear of being trampled. Music enthusiasts will be pleased to know that they too can participate in the madness this year, minus the whole being trampled part. Local record stores are participating in Record Store Day…
CD Review: Michel Gentile, Daniel Kelly, Rob Garcia “Works”
It’s no secret that Brooklyn is the epicenter of New York’s youthful jazz scene. It’s not just because jazz musicians can’t afford Manhattan rents. It’s more about being where the action is, and at this point there’s no shortage of it in Brooklyn. In fact, new institutions have sprung up, tapping into the active scene.…
Pop/Rock | Vampire Weekend
On its latest release “Modern Vampires of the City,” Vampire Weekend adheres strictly to the either/or songwriting process of music-based or lyric-based composition, with no creative or blended grey area. It’s impossible to tell which song was rendered in whichever discipline, but honestly, when you deal with a band of subtly, a mysterious lyrical story line,…
CD Review: Manuel Valera & New Cuban Express “Expectativas”
The title of Manuel Valera & New Cuban Express’s album, “Expectativas,” is not too difficult to translate. The word means expectations, and mine were high for the new album by Valera and his group. If you caught his act at the Rochester International Jazz Festival (he’s played the festival a couple of times) you know…
Pop/Rock | 98 PXY Jingle Jam ft. Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy has certainly traveled far into pop and rock territory since it’s post hardcore beginnings in Wilmette, Illinois back in the early oughts. After the release of four successful albums, the band announced a hiatus for its members to pursue side projects and production endeavors in 2009. The band resurfaced earlier this year…
CD Review: PJ Rasmussen “Adventures In Flight”
PJ Rasmussen is a young guitarist/composer to keep your eyes and ears on. He has already composed the score, in a variety of styles, for a New York theater adaptation of Dostoevsky’s “The Gambler,” and written music for a new version of the 17th-century play “L’Illusion Comique,” transported from France to turn-of-the-20th-century Louisiana. So, it’s…
DJ/Electronic | DJ Hollywood
Clubbers, party goers and good-time seekers in general never seem to get enough retro in their dance floor diets. On Thanksgiving weekend — a time for “spirited” reunions and family-induced decompression sessions — this fact should hold especially true. The Beatclan regularly rocks eclectic party jams from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s for their crowds…
CD Review: Matt White “The Super Villain Jazz Band”
Before becoming a professor at Coastal Carolina University, trumpeter Matt White was the go-to guy for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Gene Krupa Big Band, and a variety of jazz and pop stars including Bob Mintzer, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Leibman, Brian Setzer, Bruce Hornsby, and Brad Paisley. He’s finally at the helm of his own…
DJ/Electronic | After Gobble Party
DJ Flex’ breakbeat-oriented La selva night will return to Tilt nightclub this Thanksgiving weekend for the fourth annual After Gobble Party. You won’t find a better place to work off those extra holiday calories than Tilt’s epic dance floor. This installment will feature an enhanced sound system for a world-class sonic experience. The bass bins will surely rattle when headliner, DJ Spinz of Toronto, properly rinses the place out. La selva…
CD Review: Meg Okura And The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble “Tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto”
If you remember the 1980 hit song “Computer Game” by the Yellow Magic Orchestra (or should I say, if you are still trying to forget the 1980 hit song) you may wonder why YMO composer and band member Ryuichi Sakamoto would be the subject of a jazz tribute album. I have to admit, I had…
JAZZ | Eastman Jazz Ensemble
The interests of Bill Dobbins, director of the Eastman Jazz Ensemble, span a wide swath of the history of jazz, but there is no doubt that his major passion is the work of Duke Ellington. So, it’s no surprise (but quite a treat) that the second half of the ensemble’s December concert will consists of…
CD Review: Justin Morell Dectet “Subjects and Complements”
Guitarist/composer Justin Morell has collaborated with Dizzy Gillespie, Bob Mintzer, and Peter Erskine, all leading figures in the jazz world. But he’s also worked with chamber orchestras and string ensembles. So it’s not surprising that his excellent new album, “Subjects and Complements,” straddles both genres. The word “subjects” in the CD’s title refers to the…
An Evening of Music and Conversation with John Sebastian
It was one of the great moments of the 1960’s. While helping out backstage at the Woodstock Festival, John Sebastian was asked to perform a song to stall for time. Midway through “Darling Be Home Soon,” he was so taken with the half-million young people in front of him that he slipped out of the…
“Frozen”
Once upon a time in the kingdom of Arendelle, there lived two young princesses: Anna (voiced by Livvy Stubenrauch as a child, and Kristen Bell as an adult) and her older sister, Elsa (Eva Bella, and later, Idina Menzel, of “Wicked” fame). Elsa was born with the power to manipulate and create ice and snow,…
Urban Action 11/27
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Greece board openings Greece Town Supervisor-elect Bill Reilich is seeking people interested in serving on several town boards. The vacancies are a result of term expirations, which occur on December 31. Applications are…
CD Review: Disney’s “Frozen” Soundtrack
In development for almost as long as Walt Disney Animation Studios has existed, Disney’s adaptation of “The Snow Queen” is now the computer-animated “Frozen” with original songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez (“In Transit”, “The Wonder Pets”) and Robert Lopez (“Avenue Q”, “The Book of Mormon”), and an orchestral score by Christophe Beck. Having previously written the…
Feedback 11/27
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…
ART | Second Storie Indie Market/Folk Art Guild Festival of Crafts
Celebrate local folk art this weekend by checking out two special arts and crafts sales taking place in Rochester. The Rochester Folk Art Guild will host its Annual Holiday Festival of Crafts, a three-day event designed to showcase the work of the guild’s skilled artisans and craftsmen. The guild’s work is rustic and evocative of…
SPECIAL EVENT | Men of the Strip
Jeff Timmons, part of the late 90’s boy band 98 Degrees, comes to Rochester next week as part of the new male revue Men of the Strip. In addition to some new material, Timmons will also be performing some throwbacks from his 98 Degrees days. The choreography for the group is done by Glen Douglas…
Love me, love my city
Rochesterians often have a rocky relationship with their city. It’s passionate and nurturing, but it can also be upsetting or frustrating. In other words, it’s love in all of its beautiful, complicated glory. And it’s a kind of love that three local women — Laura Fox, Tanya Mooza Zwahlen, and Ana Liss — say deserves…
ART | More Fire Glassblowing Demo/Sale
More Fire Glass Studio will hold its annual holiday sale this weekend, and also provide a glimpse into the mesmerizing process of glass blowing. The sale will showcase the work of the studio’s skilled artists, and will feature everything from vases to jewelry to glass sculptures. In particular the sale will feature some of the…
OSSIA
OSSIA has been a student-run ensemble at the Eastman School of Music since the mid-1970’s. Chances are, even if you’ve heard of it or gone to one of its concerts, you haven’t been behind the scenes to learn that it is more than just an ensemble — it’s an incubator in arts management. With our…
Historical society works on finances
The Rochester Historical Society continues to struggle financially, and is currently living rent-free at Rochester Public Library’s Rundel building on South Avenue. But a plan is in place that will hopefully help, says society President Patrick Malgieri. It includes a commitment from board members to donate $100,000 to the society over three years. The society’s…
COMEDY | MuCCC Benefit
We’re in that time of year where cold medicine is flying off the shelves, but don’t forget about another important medicine: laughter. There will be a chance for plenty of it this Saturday, November 30, at MuCCC (142 Atlantic Ave.) during the 2nd Annual A Benefit Show for MuCCC’s Benefit, Benefiting MuCCC. The show features…
“Sister Strikes Again! Late Nite Catechism 2”
The character of the funny nun has been around at least since Chaucer, and is here to stay as a staple of pop culture. You’ve seen her in “The Sound of Music,” “The Flying Nun,” numerous variations on “Nunsense”, etc., etc. My own upbringing was about as un-Roman Catholic as can be imagined, so I…
The right code for a changing city
The building stands startlingly close to the road — an oversized blue billboard for people living across McArdle Street in northwest Rochester. Faded signs advertise the structure’s various lives: Aries Precision Products, Keene Transmission, Metropolitan Granite & Marble. Its parking lot backs up to a chain-link fence with a line of large trucks on the…
