In honor of National Poetry Month, we premiere our occasional poetry column, which features unpublished poems by local, national, and international writers.
Staff Pick
Posted inArts & Entertainment
SPECIAL EVENT: City Newspaper’s 2016 Best Busker Contest
City Newspaper’s Best Busker contest is turning 7 years old!
Posted inCulture
The City Seen: February 5-6
Last weekend, City ventured through The Hungerford Building and Writers & Books during First Friday, then went over to Roc Brewing Co. on Saturday for the Dudes Night Out 3rd Anniversary Show. In line with the new Fungerford events, Heartbreak Hotel brought out Valentine’s Day themed art, such as Gretchen Arnold’s rejected Valentine’s cards, and […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, DAY 9: Frank reviews Tim Berne SnakeOil, Amy Lynn and the Gunshow
With just two shows to officially cover I hit the Jazz Fest scene amidst a sea of people. The streets were teeming with eager bodies, but the fun stopped there. Now perhaps I’m showing my ass here, and heating up my self-perceived cool, but I thought Tim Berne SnakeOil at Montage was the worst thing […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 9: Willie reviews Marianne Trudel, Trombone Shorty
Ah. The last night of the jazz fest. That went by quick, didn’t it? First up tonight was Marianne Trudel, tinkling the ivories in the beautifully intimate Hatch Hall. I stuck around for her first song (coming in at a lengthy 15 minutes), and her soft stylistic playing was perfect for the pin-drop-quiet acoustics of […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, DAY 9: Ron reviews Gwilym Simcock, Five Play, Torben Waldorff
Pianist Gwilym Simcock brought just the right mix of tradition and experimentation to Christ Church Saturday night. He played mostly straight-ahead, but occasionally went under the hood to spice things up. At one point he played totally inside the piano, strumming the strings percussively as if they were on a mandolin. Simcock took care to […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 6: Paloma reviews Gretchen Parlato, Supertramp’s Roger Hodgson
There was something in her hands that was prayerful, especially as she tipped her head back, eyes closed, and just let her head rock side to side. Even before she sang a note, it was apparent that Gretchen Parlato would be worth every bit of the long line and the wait outside of Kilbourn Hall. […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 6: Frank reviews Lee Fields and The Expressions, Soweto Kinch, Rocky Lawrence
Alright youse guys, let’s talk about life and the quartet of want, expect, need, and get. Tonight’s foray into our beloved downtown — a city resurrected to look like a city we want, expect, and need, but only get one time a year — brought me and the Tin Man, riding shotgun in a blue […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 6: Ron reviews Goldings-Stewart-Bernstein, Aaron Goldberg Trio, Jacob Karlzon & Viktoria Tolstoy
Goldings-Stewart-Bernstein took the stage to a full house at Montage Wednesday night and proceeded to play a couple of original songs. The band is, of course, B3 organist Larry Goldings, drummer Bill Stewart, and guitarist Peter Bernstein, three top players on the national jazz scene. The tunes, by Goldings and Bernstein respectively, gave them an […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 4: Frank reviews The Dave Spinner B3 Band, The Sicilian Jazz Project, Violet Mary, and Chris O’Leary Band
With the casual air of a felon who knows he’s guilty, but doesn’t care, The Dave Spinner B3 Band swung vibrantly nonchalant and tasteful in the Big Tent Monday night. The band came out with its take on the Funky Meters before moving into Herbie Hancock territory. The set was even-keeled and steady in the […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 3: Willie reviews Mike Brignola and Friends, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet
For my Sunday night at the Jazz Fest, I was back at the Rochester Club for Mike Brignola and Friends. Sometimes at the festival I have to make concessions, and even though baritone sax isn’t tuba, it still dances low enough in my range-likings to be worth checking out. But, there was just something off […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 3: Ron reviews Rafael Zaldivar, Christian Wallumrod Ensemble, Dave Rivello Ensemble
I chose my Sunday night venues with the best of intentions. After researching all of the acts, watching videos, and listening to the music, I picked what I thought would be the best shows. So I was surprised to be disappointed by two out of three of them. Rafael Zaldivar is an excellent pianist, but […]
