Once again, the
blooming has begun among the 22 acres of lilac bushes in Highland Park. Enter
the Lilac Festival, Rochester’s oldest and largest festival, held this year
from Friday, May 9, through Sunday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. A
half-million people will descend on the park, and there’ll be enough food,
drink, music, and stuff for sale to fill 10 purple-hazed days. (And don’t
forget the “other” lilac festival: the Lilac Time Committee’s day-long celebration
on Saturday, May 17. We’ll preview that in next week’s City.) Admission is free. For more info: 546-3070, 546-8484 (TTY), www.lilacfestival.com.
Lilac Festival
activities
Opening Day Ceremonies Fri,
May 9. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performs on the Lilac
Stage at 10:30 a.m. Ceremonies begin at noon.
Lilac Home and Garden Show Fri and Sat, May 9 and 10. Items for decoration, home improvement, gardening,
and gifts, at the Big Top Tent, near the corner of Highland and South Aves. Fri
noon-8 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Master Gardener Plant Sale Fri and Sat, May 9 and 10.Flowers, vegetables, herbs, shrubs, trees, Cooperative Extension,
249 Highland Ave, Fri noon-4 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
R NEWS Lilac Parade Sat, May 10. More than 100 entries and 20 marching bands. Starts on Science
Parkway, corner Mt. Hope and South Aves., at 10:30 a.m.
Silver Base Ball Sat,
May 10. Demonstration game by the Genesee Country Village & Museum’s 19th
century “base ball” program. At the overlook off Reservoir Ave, at 1 p.m.
The Discover U Psychic Fair for the Mind, Body & Soul Sat and Sun, May 10 and 11.Psychics, palm readers, healers, metaphysical gifts, and more, at
the Cornell Cooperative Extension Auditorium, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 256-1960.
Arts & Crafts Show Sat and Sun, May 10 and 11. Over 100 exhibitors, hand-made gifts and crafts. On
South Ave, just south of Highland Ave. Sat 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wine, Jazz ‘N More Thurs, May 15. Wine tastings and food sampling, featuring vino from 12 New York
wineries. At the Big Top Tent, near the corner of Highland and South Aves, from
10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Lilac Search for the Stars Fri-Sun, May 16-18. Competitions for junior singer, adult singer, comic, and
male and female model. At the Big Top Tent, near the corner of Highland and
South Aves. Fri 5-8 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun 1-5 p.m.
Art in the Park Sat and Sun, May 17 and 18. One hundred artists display their work and compete
for prizes. At the corner of South and Highland Aves, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Montana Mills Lilac 10K Sun,
May 18. Starts at Highland Ave, at 9 a.m.
Children’s Pavilion Exhibit Mon, May 12-Sun, May 18. Photos and a scale model of the
former Ellwanger and Barry Children’s Pavilion. At the Lower Gatehouse, Reservoir
Rd. Mon-Thurs 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m., Fri and Sat 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Rochester Civic Garden Center 5 Castle Park. Located in the historic Warner Castle and
grounds, the center features a gift shop and an art show. A silent auction
takes place May 9-18 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. 473-5130.
Lamberton Conservatory Greenhouse located at the corner of South and Reservoir Avenues. Open 9:30
a.m.-8 p.m. daily.
On stage
The music at this
year’s festival runs the gamut from concert-band fare to alternative rock to
blues. Most of the concerts are free, on the ESL Lilac Stage, near the corner
of Highland and South Avenues. An added bonus this year: the return of music in
the Highland Bowl — a day of blues headlined by George Thorogood.
           The full schedule of musical
performances follows.
Friday, May 9
ESL Lilac Stage
10:30 a.m. Oliver Middle School Band
11:15 a.m. Oliver Middle School Chorus
noon Opening
Ceremonies
12:30 p.m. School #12 Band
1:30 p.m. Grace Band
5 p.m. Bird Circuit
6 p.m. Twin-A
Featuring John Lardieri
7 p.m. Sarah Slean
Saturday, May 10
ESL Lilac Stage
12:30 p.m. Sons
of Pitches
2 p.m. Riverside
Drive
3:30 p.m. Power
Company
5 p.m. Brass Taxi
6:30 p.m. The
Skycoasters
Sunday, May 11
ESL Lilac Stage
10:30 a.m. Allison
Wiener Strings
11 a.m. Stealing Andy
noon 98th Div Army
Jazz Band*
1:30 p.m. Me
& the Boyz
3 p.m. Spanky
Haschmann
5 p.m. The Buddahood
6:30pm The Subdudes
Monday, May 12
ESL Lilac Stage
10:30 a.m. Schroeder
9th Grade
11 a.m. Top Brass
11:30 p.m. Hilltop
Singers
1 p.m. East High
School Gospel Choir
3:30 p.m. Diocese
Select Concert Band
4:30 p.m. SOTA
Singers
5:30 p.m. Marshall
High School (Urban Steel Band)
6:30 p.m. SNMNMNM
Tuesday, May 13
ESL Lilac Stage
10:30 a.m. Churchville
Chili
11 a.m. Gananda Middle
School 7th & 8th Grade Band
11:45 a.m. Greece
Olympia Orchestra
12:30 p.m. Frederick
Douglass Middle School
1:30 p.m. Greece
Olympia Jazz Band
5 p.m. Prime Time
Funk
6:30 p.m. Campbell
Brothers
Wednesday, May 14
ESL Lilac Stage, music for Lilacs ‘n
Seniors Day
11 a.m. Spry 8th Grade
11:30 a.m. Spry
8th Grade
noon Hochstein
Senior Chorus, featuring members of the Webster Senior Singers, the Sweden
Senior Chorus, and the Gates-Chili Chorus.
1:15 p.m. Oasis
Tappers
5 p.m. Swamp Padres
6:30 p.m. Eastman
Youth Orchestra
Thursday, May 15
ESL Lilac Stage
10:30 a.m. Spry
Middle School 6th GradeBand
11:30 a.m. Nathaniel
Rochester Band
noon Gates Chili
Middle School 7th GradeBand
12:45 p.m. Gates
Chili Middle School Symphony
1 p.m. Northstar
Christian Academy
3 p.m. The Bill
Tiberio Group
5 p.m. Gamalon
6:30 p.m. Nancy
Kelly with Joe Romano
Friday, May 16
ESL Lilac Stage
10:30 a.m. Spry
Middle School 7th GradeBand
11:30 a.m. Brockport
12:15 p.m. Paul
Rd. Band & Chorus
1:15 p.m. Churchville
Chili 6th #1
1:40 p.m. Churchville
Chili 6th #2
5 p.m. Atlas
6:30 p.m. Southside
Johnny
Saturday, May 17
ESL Lilac Stage
10 a.m. Pendel Brass
& Singers
11:15 a.m. Athena
Show Choir
12:30 p.m. Ciara
Lynn
2 p.m. The Heyseeds
3:30 p.m. Double
Cross
5 p.m. Josie Waverly
with JB & Company
6:30 p.m. Craig
Morgan
Sunday, May 18
ESL Lilac Stage
10 a.m. 10K Awards
Ceremony
noon Brad Batz
Group
1:30 pm Unlimited
3 p.m. Sometimes
Three
4:30 p.m. Long
Live Rock n Roll
6:30 p.m. Martha
Reeves
Highland Bowl,Bowl Full of Blues
12:30 p.m. Space
Trucker
2 p.m. Coupe DeVilles
3:30 p.m. Tom
Hambridge
5-7 p.m. George
Thorogood
Highland Bowl all-day
tix: $8 in advance; $10 at gate; free for kids. Tix available at all area ESL
Federal Credit Unions, The House of Guitars, The Distillery, both Record
Archive locations, and Jillian’s.
Kids
The Lilacs ‘n Kids Zone, located in the area
surrounding the Lilac Pavilion, near the corner of Highland and South Avenues
(look for the purple arches), is completely devoted to the entertainment of
your children. There will be face-painting, inflatable games, and pony rides,
magic, juggling, and music. The full schedule of kids’ performances on the
Lilac Pavilion stage follows.
Friday, May 9
6 p.m. Kidding
Around
Saturday, May 10
1 p.m. The Dinner
Dogs
2 p.m. Hilby the
German Juggle Boy
3 p.m. Chris
Wilkinson, The Magic Guy
4 p.m. The Dinner
Dogs
5 p.m. Hilby the
German Juggle Boy
Sunday, May 11
1 p.m. Tiger Tom
Singer and Storyteller
2 p.m. Two: High
Energy Juggling
3 p.m. Chris
Wilkinson, The Magic Guy
4 p.m. Tiger Tom
Singer and StorytellerÂ
5 p.m. Two: High
Energy Juggling
Monday, May 12
12:30 p.m. Kidding Around
6 p.m. Jazzbo the
Clown
Tuesday, May 13
12:30 p.m. Chris Wilkinson, The Magic Guy
6 p.m. Kidding
Around
Wednesday, May 14
12:30 p.m. Kidding Around
6 p.m. Chris
Wilkinson, The Magic Guy
Thursday, May 15
12:30 p.m. Wegmans Zoomobile
6 p.m. Jazzbo the
Clown
Friday, May 16
12:30 p.m. Chris Wilkinson, The Magic Guy
6 p.m. Kidding
Around
Saturday, May 17
1 p.m. Amadeus
Chorale
2 p.m. Tiger Tom
Singer and StorytellerÂ
3 p.m. Chris
Wilkinson, The Magic Guy
4 p.m. Wild Wings
Birds of Prey
5 p.m. Tiger Tom
Singer and Storyteller
Sunday, May 18
1 p.m. The Dinner
Dogs
2 p.m. Wild Wings
Birds of PreyÂ
3 p.m. Chris
Wilkinson, The Magic Guy
4 p.m. The Dinner
Dogs
5 p.m. Jazzbo the
Clown
Seniors
This year’s Lilacs ‘n SeniorsDay is Wednesday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The day features
free musical performances by the Spry Middle School 8th Grade Band, the
Hochstein Senior Chorus, the Oasis Tappers, and the Eastman Youth Orchestra.
Free shuttle tours of the park will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be
available at 11:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Advance reservations for lunch ($4.95)
are required. 256-4960.
Food
The International
Food Court is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and offers Middle Eastern,
Cajun, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, and Rochesterian (garbage plates). Vendors
will also be scattered throughout the park, offering festival culinary
standbys: kettle corn, cotton candy, lemonade, fried dough, hots, ice cream,
the works. You can buy beer and wine afternoons and evenings in the Wine
Garden, next to the Highland/South Stage.
Parking
Your best bet is to
avoid sidling up to the park via side streets; the festival committee has
issued ample warnings that cars parked illegally will be ticketed or towed.
Instead, head straight for any of the free, legal parking areas designated for
festival-goers.
           On weekends, park at Monroe Community College, 1000 East Henrietta
Road (about 2 miles south of Highland Park), and ride one of the continually
operated, lift-equipped, free shuttle buses to Highland Park. The buses will
run daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., on the day of the
parade, Saturday, May 10). (Limited, paid parking is also available in the
Goodman Street and Elmwood Avenue lots.)
           On weekdays, limited free parking will be available in two lots:
Goodman Street south of Highland Avenue, and Elmwood Avenue east of South
Avenue. There is handicapped parking in the Goodman Street and South Avenue
handicapped lots, both south of Highland Avenue.
           Or, you can avoid the whole thing
and take the bus: RTS provides daily bus service on Routes 5 and 11, including
service from the corner of South and Highland Avenues.
Sweet smells, sweet
sounds
Lilac Festival music
Rochester’s first
sign of spring and first chance to hear music outdoors, The Lilac Festival, has
an added attraction this year: a concert at the Highland Bowl. That’s right,
the Bowl is back, baby! The sounds of sweet music will mingle with the sweet smell
of lilacs on Sunday, May 18, when “Lonesome” George Thorogood And The Destroyers fill the air with their classic
rockin’ blues (see interview in next week’s City).
Also on the bill: Rochester’s diesel-powered, 2/4-rockers Space Trucker, Tom Hambridge,
and local blues champs The Coupe de
Villes.
           For the
majority of the week-long fest, The ESL stage — located on Highland Avenue,
near South Avenue — is where it’s at. With a schedule peppered with various
school bands and cover bands, this stage offers a lot of choices and no room
for excuses — it’s free, for Christ’s sake!
           Here are some highlights…
           On Friday, May 9, Rochester
alternative rockers The Bird Circuit play brilliantly crafted pop without the sugary aftertaste. WBER-favorite and
chick-rocker Sarah Slean closes the
evening, sweetly.
           An a cappella group (with the
coolest name in the fest), The Sons Of
Pitches, open up the stage on Saturday, May 10. It’ll be mostly
cover-oriented party rock this day, closed by local favorites The Skycoasters.
           Sunday, May 11, is melting-pot day, with new groove-meisters
Stealing Andy (emerging from the DMB
tribute ashes of Tripping Billies); the big-band bombast of Spanky Haschmann; the swirling,
pounding world grooves of The Buddhahood;
and New Orleans’ swamp-boogie legends The
Subdudes.
           Standout shows for Monday, May 12,
are the Marshall High School Urban
Steele Band and L.A.-by-way-of-Rochester rockers SNMNMNM.
           Local gospel treasures The Campbell Brothers will bring a
little sanctified sanity to the festivities when they close the show on
Tuesday, May 13.
           Get yer jazz on Thursday, May 15,
with The Bill Tiberio Group, Gamalon (note: not Gamelon, the more
well-known band), and Nancy Kelly with
Joe Romano.
           Among the all-time legends of blue-eyed soul, Southside Johnny And The Asbury Jukes rock out on Friday, May 16. When they played last year at Manhattan Square
Park, the enthralled, capacity crowd stayed on its feet for what seemed like
hours. Better wear sneakers.
           Country takes the spotlight on
Saturday, May 17, with honky-tonk chanteuse Josie Waverly with JB & Company, budding 16-year-old star Ciara Lynn, Double Cross, and Nashville newcomer Craig Morgan.
           Motown legend Martha
Reeves will have ’em dancin’ in the street when she closes the whole damn
thing on Sunday, May 18. See ya there.
— Frank De Blase
This article appears in May 7-13, 2003.
