Cover Story
2018 Fringe Festival Guide
The seventh annual Rochester Fringe Festival kicks off Wednesday, September 12, and this year has expanded to a whopping 11 day stretch of more than 500 shows taking place in and around downtown Rochester.
The F Word: Laughing Through Tears
If you see me crying on the street, chances are I’m actually laughing. Yet when something is sad, I cry…then laugh.
FESTIVAL | Clothesline Festival
Rochester’s longest-running fine art and crafts festival has expanded this year to include artists from beyond the bounds of New York State. The Memorial Art Gallery’s 62nd Clothesline Festival will continue to host local and regional makers, but festival goers this year can also browse and buy from national artists. The fest will also feature…
School board race comes at tough time in the district
Ordinarily, candidates for school board wouldn’t be on the ballot in the September 13 Democratic primary. But three board candidates are running, thanks to vacancies created by resignations. And the race comes during a particularly difficult time for the Rochester school district. On the ballot: Judith Davis, an intellectual property specialist for a local firm;…
Colgate Rochester Crozer moving to Village Gate
Changes that have affected divinity schools throughout the country have had an impact on Colgate Rochester Crozer, and next spring, the historic institution will leave its expansive campus across from Highland Park. It’s moving northward on Goodman Street to a much more urban setting: the sprawling Village Gate complex. CRCDS now has only 100 students…
Four Dems seek party line for Attorney General
Until a few months ago, Eric Schneiderman was a sure bet as the Democratic Party’s candidate for attorney general. But it’s been a screwy year in New York politics, and Schneiderman resigned from the seat – and faded from the public eye – amid allegations that he’d physically assaulted several women, all former romantic partners…
Williams, Hochul differ on Lieutenant Governor’s role
New York’s lieutenant governor can seem like an odd seat to fight for, but there have been several Democratic and Republican primaries for it since 1990. The lieutenant governor can deliver tie-breaking votes in the State Senate, but otherwise doesn’t have many chances to act on – and take credit for – things that voters…
ART | ‘These Are Sobering Findings’
If you’ve ever placed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and (eventually) received the documents, you may have been surprised or disappointed by the black bars that obscure parts of the document’s contents. That’s because there are transparency exemptions that protect against certain harms, including invasion of personal privacy, law enforcement investigations, and geological…
Festival Info
The seventh annual KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival will host more than 500 performances in and around downtown Rochester. The Fringe’s official website is rochesterfringe.com, where you can find a full schedule of events, purchase tickets, and get the latest information. The Fringe also has a handy app available on Google Play and Apple App Stores.
LITERATURE | Antiquarian Book Fair
The 46th Annual Rochester Antiquarian Book Fair returns to the Main Street Armory this week, boasting dozens of vendors from regional secondhand book shops and individual sellers of all manner of printed material and fascinating ephemera (including maps, posters, photographs, and fine art). If you’re a returning patron, you might already be familiar with returning…
Headliners
Eddie Izzard Hopefully you didn’t sleep on getting tickets, because London comedian Eddie Izzard’s performance is sold out. Izzard has performed standup comedy around the world, is known as an actor on stage and screen, and is involved in both politics and charity. And, of course, he normalized identifying as a (self-described) “straight transvestite” in…
BLUES-PSYCH ROCK | The Minks
Nashville’s The Minks manage to sound both raw and polished, old-school and current. Perhaps it’s the band’s simple, grimy blues-rock structures, tempered by vocalist Nikki Barber’s smooth and soulful Southern charm. Maybe it’s all the fuzzed-out guitars and ’60s-throwback keyboards, giving the music a decidedly retro sound without losing any edge. Whatever The Minks are…
Rock ‘n’ roll singalong
Massaoke is kind of like that cover band you always wish you had started. And with the London musicians performing in America for the first time ever on back-to-back nights at Parcel 5 as part of this year’s Rochester Fringe Festival, you don’t have to miss out. The premise is simple: Massaoke provides the electrifying…
INDIE POP| Evil Hearted You
Evil Hearted You is a dazzling combination of old-timey jazz and modern dream-pop. Singer-songwriter and pianist Amber Tracy, along with guitarist Shane Durgee, play thoughtful and melodic anthems with an intangible, dark beauty. The duo is reminiscent of Regina Spektor, if Regina were a specter who lovingly haunted her songs. Turnip Heart and Boy Jr.…
Feedback 9/5
Send comments to themail@rochester-citynews.com, or post them on our website, rochestercitynewspaper.com, our Facebook page, or our Twitter feed, @roccitynews. Comments of fewer than 450 words have a greater chance of being published, we edit selections for print, and we don’t publish comments sent to other media. Pride issues On our article on the Black Pride…
PSYCH-FOLK | Particle Kid
Having toured with his legendary father Willie Nelson throughout his life, J. Micah Nelson is forging his own musical path under the moniker “Particle Kid.” Creating a distinctive style of spacey folk soundscapes, Nelson has released dozens of albums, EP’s, and singles since 2011. Currently based in Los Angeles, Nelson has a warm but subtly…
Urban Action 9/5
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) The dark side of ‘civilizing’ The Rochester Pachamama Community’s Seeds of Hope program will present the documentary film “Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code” on Sunday, September 9. The film, by Native…
WORLD MUSIC | Paa Kow
Ghanaian drummer and composer Paa Kow demonstrated innate passion and musical skill early on, touring in his family’s band. Branching out on his own, Paa Kow has released three studio albums since 2012, including his latest, 2017’s “Cookpot.” With the support of his Afro-Fusion orchestra, Paa Kow blends aspects of jazz, Afro-pop, and funk to…
Groups hope stories lead to climate action
Climate change is often framed in the context of oblique policies, such as the different regulatory approaches to cutting climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions. Missing from that public discourse is the human element. But activists across the country have realized that personal stories may be the key to speeding up action on climate change, and they’re…
FOLK | Turtle Hill Folk Festival
It’s all things folk for the folks at this year’s Turtle Hill Folk Festival. Hosted by Golden Link Folk Singing Society, the three-day fest features camping, fireside sing-alongs, workshops, and performances by Reggie Harris and Scott Ainslie; Bruce Molsky with Allison de Groot; my personal favorite, the hilarious Christine Lavin; and many more. If you…
SPECIAL EVENT | Community Garage Sales and Super Fleas
We’ve got just five more chances to treasure hunt at the Greatest Community Garage Sale and Super Fleas, which are held on select Sundays through mid-October at the Rochester Public Market. Dozens of vendors participate in the mass garage sale-style events, offering collectibles, clothing, tools, bikes, sports equipment, and more. And market cafes and food…
BLUEGRASS | Dirty Blanket
Dirty Blanket has been a full band only since 2016, but the group already feels like an indelible part of Upstate New York’s Americana scene. With an up-tempo feel that borders on punk rock energy, the Canandaigua quintet plays music that’s steeped in bluegrass — but frequently ventures into country, and folk, with jam band…
RPD video strengthens calls for more oversight
Will a video from a police officer’s body camera mark the turning point for reforming police oversight in Rochester?
Album review: ‘If You Only Knew’
The boys and girls in Rochester’s indie-pop darling The Demos have taken their incredible grasp of songwriting out of its comfy place and blown it up and way out.”If You Only Knew,” the band’s brand-new EP, is epic. It isn’t out of place, but rather out of time. Just try and pinpoint everything you’re hearing…
SPECIAL EVENT | RocCon
Whether you love comics, science fiction, superheroes, or pop culture in general, a comic convention can be a place for you to find kindred spirits. The annual, family-friendly RocCon features a costume contest, presentations, vendors, and food trucks. A variety of celebrities will be on hand as well, including Chester Rushing (“Stranger Things”), Brutus “The…
Album review: ‘Coyote’
The Capitals have been making music since 2011, but the band has largely flown under the radar here in the Western New York music scene. That may change with the recent release of its fourth EP, “Coyote,” which blends classic elements of rock with pop textures, singer-songwriter Americana, blues, and psychedelia. There is a growing…
ART | ‘Stephanie Del Monte: Transcendent’
The Gallery at More Fire Glass Studio offers Rochester more than glass art. Its upcoming exhibition, “Stephanie Del Monte: Transcendent” features large wall hangings constructed of wood and fiber. Del Monte’s works are introspective and represent her own meditations through intricate knots and weavings in hand-dyed cotton and wool, and botanically-dyed rope, suspended from carved…
Critic’s picks: Amanda
Storychick Rochester Storybooth, “Josephine, a burlesque cabaret dream play,” Light Painting Experience, and more.
Critic’s picks: David
“Carrie: The Musical,” Phil Shakespeare and The Lord Chamberlain’s Other Men present “The Tempest,” “The Violet Hour,” and more.
Critic’s picks: Leah
“Love and Information,” “Fielder’s Choice,” and “The Spyglass Seven.”
Critic’s picks: Adam
“Mo-to-the-oncle,” “Totally Rad! An 80’s Pop Adventure,” “A Jazz Musician Walks into a Comics Shop,” and more.
Critic’s picks: James
“Art Lobotomy: Peering Into The Creative Psyche,” Ask Us Anything Booth, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Artists.
Critic’s picks: Daniel
The Immersive Igloo, “The Year’s Models,” Eastman Percussion Ensemble: “Steve Reich’s ‘Drumming,’ ” and more.
Critic’s picks: Kathy
Bushwhacked Backyard show series, “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “Lost in the Shuffle,” and more.
Fresh Cut: ‘I’m in the Pool, Man’ by Passive Aggressives Anonymous
John Valenti is at it again. Although the mastermind behind Rochester’s most darkly satirical indie band Passive Aggressives Anonymous recently relocated to sunny California, it hasn’t dislodged his tongue from his cheek. If anything, with his newly released music video, “I’m in the Pool, Man,” Valenti seems freshly inspired. The musician and filmmaker is still…
Our recommendations in key primary races
New York’s political parties hold primary elections on September 13. And while Republicans have a primary for the 133rd state Assembly seat, and there are several third-party races (The Reform Party’s for attorney general, the Independence Party’s for Fairport Village mayor and trustee), the big Rochester-area races are in the Democratic Party. We’re endorsing in…
New Ground Poetry Night offers the mic to all
After four years, the inclusive monthly New Ground Poetry Night is going strong. Held on the first Tuesday of each month at Equal Grounds Coffee House, the open mic is hosted by poets Jonathan Everitt and Albert Abonado.
Film preview: ‘The Bookshop’
There are movies made to challenge you, and then there are movies like “The Bookshop.” Sweet, sad, and oh-so-British, the film is well-made and acted, but it’s also safe and sort of boring.
Chow Hound: Neno’s food truck gets brick-and-mortar
The family-run Neno’s Gourmet Mexican Street Food has opened up shop on Monroe Avenue, and offers an expanded menu.
Film review: ‘The Little Stranger’
More than a haunting Gothic tale, “The Little Stranger” narrows in on class politics, and the social upheaval of post-war England takes its toll on the film’s characters. Director Abrahamson conjurs up a pervading sense of dread and quiet menace.
Interview: Ben Morey and The Eyes
Ben Morey is a songwriting machine, with no end of outlets for his prolific and varied output. He also teaches music, and dreams of opening a music school to further that calling. In the meantime, he’s thinking up new projects, writing songs, and trying to finish them.
