Cover Story
ImageOut 2014
A colorful look at the 22nd Annual Rochester LGBT Film & Video Festival
Catholic bishops’ changing views on gays
It’s taken a long time, but in some ways it was inevitable. An assembly of Roman Catholic bishops called to the Vatican by Pope Francis has released a document saying that the Catholic Church should be more welcoming to gays, unmarried couples, and divorced people and their children. Some Catholics are shocked and outraged, especially…
Concert Review: Rochester Chamber Orchestra’s “Jan DeGaetani: A Musical Legacy”
The mezzo-soprano Jan DeGaetani, who taught at the Eastman School of Music and lived in Rochester for many years, died a quarter-century ago. Her influence as a teacher, a proponent of new music, and simply as a great vocal artist, is still strongly felt — or should be. The Rochester Chamber Orchestra’s first concert of…
Film Review: “Kill the Messenger”
From “All the President’s Men” to “Good Night and Good Luck,” there have been any number of films devoted to telling the true-life tales of the journalists devoted to uncovering stories of corruption, abuse of power, and hidden scandals. The involving but formulaic “Kill the Messenger” continues in that tradition, focusing on Gary Webb (Jeremy…
Film Review: “Age of Love”
In the charming locally-produced documentary “The Age of Love,” filmmaker Steven Loring follows the first-of-its-kind senior speed-dating event, held right here in Rochester. Meant exclusively for singles aged 70 to 90, the event allows 30 seniors (15 women and 15 men) to get a second chance at finding love. It’s admittedly a somewhat cutesy sounding…
Film Review: “The Judge”
Although in real life as we call it, most trials, even criminal trials, are deadly dull affairs, with long, tedious interrogations of witnesses, repeated inquiries about minor points, quibbles over legal minutiae, and often incomprehensible discussions of scientific or technical matters, much of it guaranteed to confuse or anaesthetize jurors. On the stage and screen,…
Week Ahead: Symposium on poverty; Oak Orchard watershed; higher education forum; coffee and conversation
From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Center for Environmental Initiatives will lead a program on the interrelationship between the Oak Orchard Creek and Oak Orchard River watershed and Lake Ontario. The event will include presentations from State Department of Environmental Conservation Great Lakes Program staff; George Thomas of CEI; David DeGolyer of…
Group ranks state legislators’ environmental records
Environmental Advocates of New York has released its annual scorecard for state legislators, and Democrats in the Rochester delegation outscored their Republican counterparts. Environmental Advocates bases the scores around legislation it has identified as priorities. Legislators get points for the “correct” vote, whether it’s in favor of legislation the organization supports or against legislation it…
NYSUT sues state over Common Core tests
No matter how state education officials promote the benefits and successes of the Common Core curriculum standards, it remains controversial. And a new lawsuit by New York State United Teachers probably won’t ease those concerns. The union that represents most of the state’s teachers says that the state is stepping on the First Amendment rights…
Question Bridge discussion: “The representation of black men in the media”
Rochester Contemporary Art Center hosted the first in a series of panel discussions related to the video installation "Question Bridge: Black Males,” Wednesday evening. The discussion, “The representation of black men in the media,” was organized by the Democrat & Chronicle, and included 10NBC news anchor Janet Lomax; Minority Reporter publisher-editor Dave McCleary; James Lawrence,…
Urban Action 10/8
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Gupta speaking at RIT RIT will host “Medicine and Media,” a talk by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 18. The neurosurgeon and CNN medical correspondent has won two Emmy…
METAL | Soulfly
Formed by ex-Sepultura frontman, Max Cavalera, Soulfly circles sacred themes of spirituality, mother earth, and religion with an unholy blast and dirge. Those who consider themselves devout, or at least devout to the metal may want to genuflect with horned hand held high at this one. Soulfly performs with Million Miles From Broadway on Wednesday,…
On domestic violence, progress, but not enough
If you drive downtown at night this month, you’ll see three buildings – City Hall, the library’s Rundel Building, and the Public Safety Building – lit in purple. The lighting’s part of an observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighting a problem that’s gotten a lot of attention lately. We’ve all heard about – and…
CLASSICAL | “Io Vidi in Terra”
Love’s torments and delicious pleasures expressed in florid and passionate songs: “Io Vidi in Terra,” the 2014-15 season opening concert for Pegasus Early Music sounds, to use a carefully chosen adjective, ravishing. The composers are, unsurprisingly, Italian: 16th and 17th century geniuses like Claudio Monteverdi and Benedetto Ferrari, whose canzonettas, or solo vocal works, are…
CHOW HOUND: To your health
Pulling in to the plaza where Saha Med Grill (1290 University Avenue) is located, I had a sense that there’s a theme going on: health. Walking from the car to the restaurant, I heard the barking of a personal trainer and the grunts from participants in what looked to be a circuit training class going…
ROCK | Jars of Clay
When Charlie Lowell and Matt Odmark were nominated for induction to the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2010, they were among the youngest musicians ever considered for the honor. Both Lowell (keyboards) and Odmark (guitar) have accomplished much as members of the three-time Grammy Award winning group Jars of Clay. The band’s breakthrough hit single…
JAZZ | Dave Liebman’s Expansions
When a young saxophonist named Dave Liebman joined Miles Davis’s group in 1970, it was obvious that a star was born. More than 300 albums and myriad projects later, Liebman is reinvigorating his music with a brand new group, appropriately called Expansions. Aside from Liebman’s long-time bassist Tony Marino, the group is composed of rising…
Question Bridge Coverage 2014
“Question Bridge: Black Males” is a transmedia project that seeks to facilitate dialogue between black men of diverse and contending backgrounds by creating a platform for them to represent and redefine black male identity in America. Through November 16, Rochester Contemporary is presenting the “QB:BM” video installation, and will host a weekly conversation series led…
INDIE ROCK | The Appleseed Cast
Hailing from Lawrence, Kansas, The Appleseed Cast summons a “post-rock” sound that thrives on inventive drumming, waves of sweeping guitar arpeggios, and impassioned vocals. Its predominantly guitar-based music has evolved over the years, hailing emo predecessors while carving out its own unique niche. New members have been brought in throughout the band’s history, and each…
Of earth and time
Genesee Pottery’s annual “History in the Making” exhibit provides a fascinating opportunity to see a range of great work by contemporary ceramicists from around the nation. The educational showcase also provides a specific look at the historic practices and techniques from which these artists draw influence. This year’s show, juried by Fred Herbst, professor of…
JAZZ | Eastman Jazz Ensemble/Eastman New Jazz Ensemble
You can always count on a great concert from the Eastman Jazz Ensemble and the school’s New Jazz Ensemble, but this Thursday’s show should be extra strong. Highlights will include pieces by three recently departed giants. The works will include a suite by Bob Brookmeyer, New Jazz Ensemble director Dave Rivello’s mentor, and three pieces…
ART | The NOTA Project
It’s a fascinating exercise to see how different artists see the same object or space. That’s exactly the idea behind a new exhibit opening this week at Image City Photography Gallery (722 University Avenue). “The NOTA Project” is a collaborative effort of five area photographers and photographer-mentor, Bruno Chalifour. After months of studying and critiquing…
INDIE ROCK | Bike Thief
It takes a lot of courage and skill to successfully build one of those grand, sweeping chamber rock songs. When a band starts to layer in strings, a choir, and horns, it takes a deft precision to do it with subtlety — or it’s going to just end up a pretentious mountain of “Look How…
ART | “Hidden Beauty”
Beginning Wednesday, October 8, RIT’s William Harris Gallery will host “Hidden Beauty: Exploring the Aesthetics of Medical Science” on the third floor of RIT’s Frank E. Gannett Hall. The exhibition is part of a collaborative photographic art piece and book project led by Norman Barker and Christine Iacobuzio-Donahue, featuring images from more than 60 medical…
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
What a long, strange trip it’s been. From playing to 10 people on the roof of an upscale East End watering hole, to creating a booty shake quake with thousands of fans in Red Rocks, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is clearly the master of roots reggae in the jam band world. It doesn’t lampoon…
KIDS | ZooBoo
If you’re looking for some merry-not-scary Halloween fun for your wee ones, bring your costumed tots to the annual Spooktacular event at Seneca Park Zoo (2222 St. Paul Street). The festivities will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays, October 11-12, 18-19, and 25-26. The event features 15 trick-or-treat stations, costumed…
ALBUM REVIEW: “Angel Eyes”
Afro Bop Alliance “Angel Eyes” Zoho Afrobop.com What comes to mind when you think of Washington, D.C.? Jazz, of course. No? Well, you obviously haven’t heard the Afro Bop Alliance. This Grammy Award-winning ensemble, centered in the center of power, is led by percussionist Joe McCarthy, but the tunes are written and arranged by several…
FILM | “Cyrano de Bergerac”
The Little Theatre has been screening art house and independent films to enthusiastic Rochester audiences since it first opened its doors 85 years ago. This Thursday, October 9, the theatre celebrates how it all began, with a special one-time only showing of the first film ever to grace the Little’s silver screen: the 1923 silent…
U-Theatre Taiwan
U-Theatre Taiwan’s “Sound of the Ocean” at Nazareth College Arts Center last week was a meditative journey that must have spoken personally to each audience member. A primitive, yet finely-tuned energy reverberated from the group’s drumming, movement, and theatrical presence that surely reached everyone watching and listening. It was, indeed, like being pulled in by…
SPECIAL EVENT | Beauty & Ink Expo
Ink junkies can get their next fix, Monday, October 13, at the 2014 Beauty & Ink Expo, featuring Normandy Ink, Rock City Inkslingers, and several independent artists, like Natty Tatty. Artists will have portfolios available as well as putting talents on display live throughout the night. For the hair aficionados, celebrate the 4 year anniversary…
Feedback 10/8
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…
Artists in residence at rec centers
Though Rochester is rich in arts and culture, more must be done to make sure that everyone shares in the bounty, regardless of social class, Mayor Lovely Warren often says. One step in that effort is to bring artists, musicians, and others into city recreation centers. City Council is currently considering legislation that would create…
Rochester’s bike boulevard experiment
Some roads in the City of Rochester, due to their design or the amount of traffic they get, are just not accommodating to cyclists. Cyclists tend to avoid them, even though the routes often connect important destinations, such as neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and parks. To get around that problem, city planners have turned to bicycle…
Climate change: Lowering temperatures at RCSD
Stephne Givens, then 13, stepped off the bus in front of Jefferson Middle School on the morning of September 21, 1995. Within minutes, an argument broke out, and Givens was fatally stabbed in the neck by a 12-year-old school mate. Givens’ brutal death shocked the country. And some Rochester school officials say that the killing…
Black men in media
Group discussions related to the video installation “Question Bridge: Black Males” will begin on Wednesday, October 8, at Rochester Contemporary Art Center with an open dialogue about representation of black men in the media. The discussion is organized by the Democrat and Chronicle and will feature D&C staff writer Gary Craig, editorial page editor James…
