O’Brien and Funke go on the attack at first debate
Rochester Rotary events are usually polite, cordial affairs. But today the organization hosted the first debate between Democratic State Senator Ted O’Brien and his opponent, Republican Rich Funke. And both candidates seemed to have the same strategy: go for the throat. Funke was up first for opening remarks, and he drew on his background as…
Housing Authority shakeup gets ugly
George Moses, chair of the Rochester Housing Authority, clearly had one idea of how today’s press conference would go. He would read a prepared statement, and then take limited questions on why the RHA board voted to dismiss Alex Castro as the Housing Authority’s executive director — limited because he could not discuss personnel or…
Warren wants answers on RHA dismissal
Mayor Lovely Warren is demanding answers about a recent shakeup at the Rochester Housing Authority. Last week, RHA board members ousted executive director Alex Castro and picked City Council member Adam McFadden to take his place. At the time, the reasons for Castro’s termination weren’t clear. Today, in a terse letter to board chair George…
Monroe County plans to sell Riga land to COMIDA
Monroe County officials plan to sell about 130 acres of land adjacent to the Mill Seat Landfill to the Monroe County Industrial Development Agency. COMIDA would pay approximately $1.4 million for the land on Brew Road in the Town of Riga, according to a County Legislature referral released late yesterday. The transaction had been budgeted…
Jazz Fest 2015: Club Passes on sale, October 24, plus venue changes announced
Club Passes for the 2015 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival will go on sale Friday, October 24, at 10 a.m., the festival announced today. Club Passes will sell for an early bird price of $174 (plus $6 service charge, $8 if mailed) until midnight on December 31. The price will then increase to $194 (plus…
The Little announces new “Mondo Mondays” film series
The Little Theatre will kick off a new “Mondo Mondays” film series, showcasing strange, awful, and rarely-screened flicks, with a viewing of “The Room,” on Monday, November 3. Though “The Room” has been called “the worst movie of all time,” it nevertheless has a massive cult following, because there’s a certain guilty-pleasure, wince-y charm in…
Film Review: “Fury”
No one doubts that war is Hell, but for Hollywood it remains good cinema. Perhaps because of the passage of time, or because of the rise of the comic-book superhero flicks with all their excessive effects, World War II, the obvious favorite for war films, rarely appears on the screen. The violence and brutality of…
WEEK AHEAD: Highland Hospital expansion; stopping mass incarceration; Webster project; protecting open space; more
Residents of the neighborhoods near Highland Hospital will get a better look at a proposed hospital addition at a 5:30 p.m. meeting today (Monday, October 20) in the Olmsted Lodge in Highland Park. Residents will see preliminary designs for a two-story, 30,000-square-foot addition that would be built off the back of the hospital on what…
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[UPDATED] Legality of McFadden’s appointment to RHA questioned
Questions are being raised about the legality of Adam McFadden’s appointment last week to lead the Rochester Housing Authority.
Theater Review: “Bad Jews” at JCC CenterStage
You don’t have to be Jewish, or even particularly bad, to love Joshua Harmon’s corrosive comedy “Bad Jews.” An Off-Broadway hit last year, it is receiving its first regional theater production at the JCC CenterStage. Artistic Director Ralph Meranto was eager to get the rights for this play, and with good reason: as the title…
Council member calls for investigation of RHA dismissal
Rochester City Council member Jackie Ortiz is calling for an investigation into Alex Castro’s removal as head of the Rochester Housing Authority. The RHA board voted to dismiss Castro earlier this week, and then named City Council member Adam McFadden to replace him. The switch has some people accusing the city and the RHA board…
ROC the Future is moving forward
Some of what panel members at ROC the Future’s second “State of Our Children” discussed at a breakfast meeting this morning would not have surprised a lot of people. The challenges that many Rochester students and their families face as well as students’ low performance in key areas of early childhood development and education are…
![[UPDATED] Cooperative Extension plans a move](https://i0.wp.com/www.roccitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/brooksmaggie8_thumb.webp?fit=180%2C180&ssl=1)
[UPDATED] Cooperative Extension plans a move
The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County will move from Highland Park to Seneca Park, pending approval from the County Legislature. The extension owns approximately 2.8 acres at 249 Highland Avenue, and the property includes its current office building. But the building needs extensive repairs and improvements, which the extension can’t afford, according to County…
Concert Review: Heavy Trash at Water Street
If you couldn’t slow down and go down to the Heavy Trash low-down throw-down at Water Street Music Hall, then I’m here to rub it in. You missed a mondo killer rockabilly shock transmission from the very heart of primal rock ‘n’ roll. Direct from New York Cit-ay, Heavy Trash heaped on the sleaze just…
Concert Review: The Empty Hearts at Sticky Lips Juke Joint
From my balcony perch at Sticky Lips Juke Joint during The Empty Hearts’ positively packed show Tuesday night, it was as if I was staring into a boiling, balding caldron of Scorgie’s remnants and black-clad bon vivants. All the kids were there. We’re getting older, but still love our rock ‘n’ roll. And this was…
Question Bridge discussion: “Community art perspective”
This week’s iteration of the “Question Bridge: Black Males” conversation series, held on Wednesday, October 15, was themed “Community Art Perspective,” with a panel featuring artist and community arts organizer, Shawn Dunwoody; filmmaker and president of UTCHAT VISION, Shabaka Mu Ausar; and dancer and founder-artistic director of PeaceArt International, Thomas Warfield. Each of the panelists…
Judge says Pittsford boards need to review apartment project
A judge may have just unstuck a controversial Village of Pittsford development proposal. For months, Pittsford Canalside Properties’ proposed Westport Crossing housing project has been in limbo. The village, developer, and a citizens’ group have been arguing intertwining lawsuits largely focusing on environmental, planning, and zoning issues. The project couldn’t advance through the required review…
[UPDATED] New route for St. Paddy’s parade
UPDATE: Mayor Lovely Warren says that in response to business owners’ concerns, additional routes will be drafted.
Sheriff’s Office to get body cameras
It looks like the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is going to get body cameras. Corporal John Helfer, spokesperson for the office, says that the department will probably get 10 to 15 cameras for a pilot program. “We’ve been looking into this for two or three years,” he says. “There’s no specific reason other than it’s…
Astorino talks tax plan in Rochester stop
Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks has thrown her support behind Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino’s tax plan. Her backing should come as no surprise, since she was an early Astorino supporter. She introduced Astorino at an appearance at a East Rochester gun shop in March, when he was touring Upstate to announce his candidacy. During…
Cuomo talks Moreland Commission on Charlie Rose
Governor Andrew Cuomo disbanded his much ballyhooed Moreland Commission because the State Legislature passed an ethics reform package. At least that’s what he told Charlie Rose during an interview last night. Cuomo said he’d told legislators that if they didn’t pass ethics legislation that he wanted, he’d form the commission to examine public corruption in…
LECTURE | An Evening with Kathrine Switzer
A few months ago, I saw a series of vintage images of a young woman running in a marathon. In one image, the disgruntled race director was laying hands on her, attempting to push and pull her off course; in another frame, a different man was slamming his own body into the first man so…
JAZZ | Clay Jenkins
When trumpeter Clay Jenkins takes the stage at Kilbourn Hall in the Eastman School of Music’s Faculty Artist series, he’ll be showcasing the work of the school’s Faculty Jazz Quartet with Harold Danko on piano; Jeff Campbell, bass; and Rich Thompson, drums. Jenkins — who paid his dues with Stan Kenton, Harry James, Buddy Rich,…
THEATER | “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom”
How’s that for a title? A satirical play written by drag performer Charles Busch in 1984, “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom” follows the friendship — and frequent feuds — of two immortal vampire lesbians as they survive the fall of the city of Sodom, and find their way to present-day Las Vegas. The Forum Players Theatre…
JAZZ | Eastman Jazz Café with Larry Koonse
Guitarist Larry Koonse is just as comfortable soloing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra as he is playing with jazz greats like Lee Konitz and Charlie Haden or pop stars like Rod Stewart and Linda Ronstadt. Not only will his fingers be racing over the fret board at the Eastman School of…
LITERATURE | An Evening with David Sedaris
Late last year, author David Sedaris contributed an essay to The New Yorker — and would later turn it into a segment for the radio program “This American Life” — about the suicide of his sister a year before, and how his family reacted, and interacted during a pre-planned beach vacation soon after. The story,…
ROCK | Gringo Star
Within the trend of trying to recapture the sounds of the 60’s British Invasion, Gringo Star manages to stand out among the others trying to cop the essence of garage rock’s glory days. With its experimental style that carries garage, psychedelic, and surf sounds, the band conjures memories of everyone from the Fab Four —…
SPECIAL EVENT | An Evening with Jason Alexander
Before he went on to portray the neurotic George Costanza for nine seasons of “Seinfeld,” Jason Alexander was already a well-regarded stage performer. He made his Broadway debut in the Stephen Sondheim musical, “Merrily We Roll Along,” and went on to portray Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof,” and Pseudolus in “A Funny Thing Happened…
METALCORE | Unearth
Unearth has some impressive staying power in a genre that’s notorious for its revolving door. The Massachusetts-based metalcore band formed in 1998, right as that new wave of American heavy metal was starting to take hold — alongside bands like Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God, and Trivium — and have stayed fairly consistent across five…
SPECIAL EVENT | PumpkinPalooza
Pumpkin muffins and lattes are good and all, but they are no PumpkinPalooza. The yearly event held in Lyons is back promises to be better than ever with new and different events. Show off your artistic side in Village Square at the annual Pumpkin Carving on Thursday, October 16, at 6 p.m. This will be…
St. Phillip’s Escalator
It’s been eight years since City Newspaper first sat down to talk with Rochester’s heavy blues and garage rock trio, St. Phillip’s Escalator. They were kids then, barely in their 20’s and their music was unfettered from any pretense or calculated effort. It was big; it was loud; it was all theirs. Taking a page…
THEATER | “Curtains”
“Curtains” is that rarest of theater rarities: a musical whodunit, created by a quartet of blue-chip Broadway names: book by Peter Stone (“1776”) and Rupert Holmes (“The Mystery of Edwin Drood”), and score by John Kander and Fred Ebb (“Cabaret,” “Chicago,” Zorbá”, and many, many more). This 2007 show is actually half whodunit and half…
ALBUM REVIEW: “Metamorphosis”
Amanda Ashley Trio “Metamorphosis” Self-released Amandaashleymusic.com Whether she’s parked behind a piano or strapped to a guitar, there’s no mistaking Amanda Ashley’s vocal flexibility and tone. But on her new CD, “Metamorphosis,” and in the trio format, Ashley gets to explore a series of more hushed dynamics. The drama I associate with her solo work…
LIT/THEATER | “Two Kinds of Fear”
Many Rochesterians are aware of our city’s rich history of social movements and activism. Among the most famous and impactful of these individuals who lived and worked in Rochester were former slave and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, and suffragist Susan B. Anthony. The two became friends and collaborators, struggling together for a time through their separate…
ALBUM REVIEW: “Perfect People”
Sleepwalk Parade “Perfect People” Self-released Sleepwalkparade.bandcamp.com Opening with a casual to-and-fro lope with “2004,” Sleepwalk Parade’s “Perfect People” makes with the classic pop promises right away. The second song out of the gate mixes the band’s harmony-laden tune-age with a more contemporary strain that actually works without the often unavoidable plastic patina and sugar. The…
Feedback 10/15
Send comments 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, and we edit selections for publication in print. We don’t publish comments sent to other media. Powering Upstate On “Ginna’s Future in Jeopardy” (News): Although…
Hawkins, to protest and push progressive ideas
Our editorial staff is usually able to reach consensus on political endorsements, but in this year’s governor’s race, we weren’t, so we’re giving you the arguments of both sides. As the majority of our editorial staff spells out this week, Andrew Cuomo has done many good things for New York. Neither of his two third-party…
Arguments for and against redistricting prop
Three ballot propositions will greet voters on November 4. The first asks whether the state’s Constitution should be amended to change how State Assembly, Senate, and New York’s Congressional districts are redrawn. Currently, the once-a-decade redistricting process is handled by a task force of Assembly members and senators. Under the amendment, that responsibility would go…
O’Brien has earned a second term
Even before Democratic State Senator Ted O’Brien had a challenger, New York politicos knew his re-election battle would be tough; he’s a freshman legislator in a competitive district, and Republicans were clear that they’d be gunning for the seat. Then Republican Rich Funke entered the race, and it virtually guaranteed that the 55th Senate District…
Preliminary hospital designs to be shown
Residents of the neighborhoods near Highland Hospital will get a better look at a proposed hospital addition at a meeting on Monday, October 20. The meeting is at 5:30 p.m. in the Olmsted Lodge in Highland Park. Residents will see preliminary designs for a two-story, 30,000-square-foot addition that would be built off the back of…
Keep Louise Slaughter
Calling Congress member Louise Slaughter a progressive is an understatement. She’s one of the most liberal and loyal members of the Democratic Party, and a political rock star in her home district. She’s also a tenacious and scrappy fighter who has survived numerous Republican attempts to unseat her, probably few more qualified than her last…
Question Bridge continues
Rochester Contemporary Art Center hosted the first in a series of panel discussions related to the video installation “Question Bridge: Black Males,” at Rochester Contemporary Art Center last week. The discussion focused on the representation of black men in the media. The need for positive representation in the media was reiterated many times, as well…
Urban Action 10/15
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Panel discussion on the ACA The Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency will hold a panel discussion on the Affordable Care Act from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, October 17. The panel…
Cuomo deserves our vote
(As in September’s Democratic Primary, City’s editorial staff is divided on its endorsement for governor. Endorsements from both sides follow, with the staff majority first.) Andrew Cuomo isn’t a perfect governor, and some of his shortcomings are as serious as his critics say. We, too, are disturbed by his meddling in the work of the…
DINING REVIEW: Better with age
I was excited to try Next Door when it opened in late-2009. But on my visits over the course of its first year, I was disappointed. Though it had plush decor and an attentive wait staff, I found Next Door’s food disappointing, particularly compared to its forerunner, Tastings. I hadn’t been back until recently. If…
SINGER-SONGWRITER | Little Lapin
You would only need to listen to singer-songwriter Lucy Cioffi’s songs once or twice to know that her music is a hidden gem still waiting to be discovered. When I heard the opening moments of “Foreign Places,” with its synth-infused guitar jangle and lilt, I was hooked. After working as a surfing instructor in New Zealand,…
“Devil’s in the Details”
There are many ways the concept of the devil has been depicted throughout time and within popular culture: the cloven-hoofed, goat-faced Baphomet; the seductive, fallen angel; the serpent; the feminine temptress; or with an indirect presence, through possession. Erich Lehman, who is celebrating the sixth anniversary of his 1975 Gallery with a devil-themed group art…
ROCKABILLY | Heavy Trash
If you really want to know why rock ‘n’ roll is such a turn-on for guys like Heavy Trash’s Jon Spencer (Blues Explosion) and Matt Verta-Ray (Speedball Baby) — if you really want to get right down to what delivers the shivers and the squeal appeal — you’re gonna have to get past the luster…
SPECIAL EVENT | Tweed Ride
The Fifth Annual Rochester Tweed Ride takes place on Sunday, October 19. Bust out your tweed, argyle, and old fashioned bikes — or go hunting for the appropriate gear – and join other riders for a picturesque 12-mile ride through Rochester. Before the ride, a free breakfast will be provided, and afterwards a picnic lunch…
ROCK | Diane Draheim Benefit
The Rochester music community really knows how to take care of its own. Diane Draheim just got a new heart and that ain’t cheap, so the generous hearts in the Dan Eaton Band, 5Head, Anonymous Willpower, Watkins & the Rapiers, and Infrared Radiation Orchestra are throwing “Assisting an Angel: a benefit for Diane Draheim.” There…
THEATER | “Triquetra”
“Triquetra” is the Gaelic word for a Trinity knot, so it is an appropriate name for the Irish Players’ next offering, a program of three one-act plays in three different styles by three important figures in the Irish theatrical renaissance of the 20th century. John Millington Synge’s “In the Shadow of the Glen” is poetic…
FOLK | Appleseed Collective
Filled with plenty of twangy guitar and rounded out with banjo, double bass, and washboard percussion, The Appleseed Collective brings the energy with its wide range of sounds. Formed in 2010 and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the five-piece band is an eclectic mix of dixieland, ragtime, bluegrass, and jazz, topped off by a pleasing…
