CITY May 2024

A festival, a parade

BY LEAH STACY @LEAHSTACY

When I was a college professor, May was a sort of controlled chaos. Finals, graduation, accepted students’ days, planning class schedules for the fall semester.

But just over the horizon — the promise of summer break.

Here in the flower city, it’s not Memorial Day that signifies the beginning of the season; it’s Rochester Lilac Festival. I can remember a full range of weather for the mid-May fest over my 30+ years as an attendee, but rain (snow?) or shine, the Highland Park event means festivals are in full swing.

In my family, May is a bit of a double header: my youngest brother was born on my mom’s birthday, and they’ve been celebrating in tandem (like true Gemini) ever since. Lil brother turned 30 last year, and mom is hitting the 60 milestone this month. So to the woman who raised me to speak up for myself, love others well and work hard: may this year bring more hummingbirds to your feeder and memorable moments with your “kids.” Love you, ma.

(Ahem, back to business.)

Our May issue is both a planning guide and a deeper look at some of the people and places that make these magical months possible. As always, we had a crackerjack crew of freelance contributors in addition to our full-time staff. And since January, we’ve had an absolutely stellar intern, Joe Morrell, from St. John Fisher University. He graduates this month, but keep an eye on Joe — his limitless energy and ideas have him bound for big things.

‘Til next time, L

Hope to see you

R.E.P.O.R.T.S.

(R)EADING, (E)ATING, (P)LAYING, (O)BSESSING OVER, (R)ECOMMENDING, (T)REATING, (S)HOUTING OUT.

BY JOHANNA LESTER

REPORTER: Simeon Banister, age 42. President and CEO of the Rochester Area Community Foundation

SOCIAL: @racf4change, @simeonbanister; racf.org

HOMETOWN: Rochester, NY

READING: “The New York Times,” “The Atlantic,” “Bloomberg News,” “The Guardian,” WXXI/NPR, “CITY,” the “Democrat & Chronicle,” “Rochester Business Journal,” “Minority Reporter,” “Challenger,” and “Rochester Beacon.” I’m on the board for a statewide online newspaper, “New York Focus,” and I also keep up with “Stanford Social Innovation Review,” “Chronicle of Philanthropy,” and a few other journals.” Most recent book: “Poverty, By America” by Dr. Matthew Desmond. In March, Desmond was invited by the Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative to speak at Innovation Square Theater. I had the honor of concluding the event with a community-driven call to action.

EATING: I’ve been enjoying ‘Taste of the Finger Lakes’ at New York Kitchen in Canandaigua. The food and wine pairings are fantastic, but the real highlight is the educational experience they offer. If you haven’t taken a class with my friend Maiah Johnson Dunn, you’re missing a treat. Her ‘DEI and Wine’ series is particularly enlightening, focusing on Black-owned vineyards and their wine pairings. She, Alyssa Belasco and the team at New York Kitchen are curating an enriching experience that combines great tastes with important conversations.

PLAYING: I relish coaching and playing lacrosse with my kids, and I’ve re-embarked on my fitness journey at the YMCA—one of the best values in town. Recently, I went with friends to see “Mrs. Doubtfire” at RBTL. I was skeptical at first, wondering who could possibly step into Robin Williams’s shoes. To my surprise, the show was a hit and had us all laughing. Blackfriars Theatre continues to impress; their production of “Once on This Island” was thought-provoking in many respects. At the Community Foundation’s annual luncheon, we were treated to a spectacular performance by the cast of Geva’s “Wizard of Oz,” much

like everything Geva puts its hands to. Last year, RACF’s “An Evening Out with the Arts” event showcased a plethora of local arts organizations. We are indeed a city rich in talent.

OBSESSING OVER: Since last year’s PGA Championship in Rochester, I’ve developed a real obsession with golf. I used to think playing and watching golf was the most boring way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Now, here I am, literally watching The Masters as I respond to this piece. I’ve been bitten by the bug!

RECOMMENDING: Buying local is always better. As you browse the pages of CITY, use it as your guide to what to buy, see, and do in our community. Whether attending events, purchasing from shops, or dining out, choosing local enriches our community’s economy and fosters a unique cultural identity. Let’s put an emphasis on buying from entrepreneurs who emerge from communities that have been under-invested.

TREATING MYSELF TO: Community leadership and working to improve and uplift our community is taxing. My team noticed my need for rest and self-care and kindly gifted me an hour-long massage at Ape + Canary. The spa’s care and expertise gave me the relief and rejuvenation I desperately needed.

SHOUTING OUT: The Rochester community, for the overwhelming love and support shown during my mother, Queen Mother Iris Banister’s recent passing. This experience has deepened my appreciation for Rochester as a restorative and loving place. To all the naysayers out there, I can personally attest to the incredibly positive, supportive and affirming aspects of our hometown. The sense of community here is truly something special, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.

Interested in being a CITY R.E.P.O.R.T.S. interviewee?

Send an email to leah@rochester-citynews.com.

PHOTO BY ERICH CAMPING

YOUR FESTIVAL GUIDE

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From the months of May through September, Rochester is a triedand-true festival town. While we're not boasting Coachella-level lineups, we hold our own here (and beyond, well into the Finger Lakes) with festivals celebrating everything from silent films and craft cocktails to the Erie Canal and corn crops. So break out the calendar and save the dates, because we rounded up all the fests we could find for the next five months.

Rochester Lilac Festival

MAY 10 — 19

The Flower City lives up to its name every May, kicking off festival season with purple blooms and groovin’ tunes in Highland Park. Now in its 126th year, the Lilac Festival features music, food trucks, vendors and more. The 2024 edition features high-profile performances by swing revivalists Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (May 14) and local soul force Danielle Ponder (May 16), plus the funky fusion sounds of Ghost-Note (May 12), Pachyman (May 13) and Dopapod (May 18). There’s “Art in the Park,” the Lilac 5K & 10K, and, of course, more than 500 blossoming lilac shrubs. rochesterevents.com/lilac-festival

Finger Lakes Celtic Games & Festival

MAY

18

Lincoln Hill Farms in Canandaigua hosts this annual celebration of Celtic culture, featuring Highland heavy games, bagpipes, Celtic punk courtesy of local band 1916, dance, demonstrations, a large gathering of Scottish Clans, historical and heritage societies, artisans’ wares, activities for kids and more. Mayo for Sam! flceltic.org

Geneva Music Festival

MAY 18 — JUNE 9

This year’s theme is “Light Dark,” a celebration of contrasts. Chamber-music artists present Love & Loathing (19th-century work and beyond), War & Peace (Beethoven, Shostakovich and Antoine) and Night & Day (from Haydn to contemporary classical). Traditional favorites The Brothers Blue return. Concerts take place at several venues in Geneva. genevamusicfestival.com

Tree Peony Festival of Flowers

SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS, MAY 18 — JUNE 2

Starting in mid-May, the private Linwood Gardens opens its grounds to the public every weekend for the blossoming of the tree peonies, which turn the already serene spot into a veritable paradise. The grounds are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and reservations are required. Admission is a $15 suggested donation per adult (kids get in free) or $20 per adult for the guided historical tour. The tour lasts an hour and includes information about the history of the summer house, family and gardens at 1912 York Road West, Linwood, Livingston County. Sweet Arts Bakery will be on site with light lunch and treats for purchase. linwoodgardens.org/festival

GlassFest

MAY 24 — 26

Appropriately hosted in Corning, home of the Museum of Glass, GlassFest celebrates all things glassmaking. In addition to guided public art tours and live glassblowing on Main Street, GlassFest features food and drinks, crafting, local dancers, Native American storytelling and an 8K run — plus a headlining set from ‘90s alternative-radio heroes Everclear. gafferdistrict.com/events/glassfest

Annunciation Rochester Greek Festival

MAY 30 — JUNE 2

Spanakopita, gyros, lamb shanks, flaming cheese, dancing, refreshing drinks, kids' activities and shopping at the Greek marketplace await at the Greek Orthodox Church, 962 East Ave. From 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily. rochestergreekfestival.com

Fairport Canal Days

MAY 31 — JUNE 2

In its 47th year, Fairport Canal Days saw a record number of artisan applications ahead of the scenic two-day fest. Those art merchants will line the Erie Canal along with plenty of live music and food vendors, as well as the popular rubber duck race for charity. Kick things off with the Chicken BBQ Friday night, shop on Saturday and stick around for Canal Nights featuring live entertainment. fairportcanaldays.com

19th Ward Square Fair

JUNE 1

Each first Saturday in June, the 19th Ward Community Association hosts the Square Fair, a festival that celebrates the vibrancy of the neighborhood. The event is held in Aberdeen Square Park, 330 Post Ave., and opens with a pancake breakfast followed by games and activities for kids, local vendors, a mechanical bull to ride and more. A parade starts at 11 a.m., leaving from the 19th Ward Community Association office at 216 Thurston Road. 19wca.org

Rochester Cocktail Revival

JUNE 3 — 9

Raise a glass to the largest (and longest-running) spirits festival of its kind on the eastern seaboard, which returns for year 11 with more than 75 events at 30 partner venues downtown. Offering something for industry members and cocktail enthusiasts alike, RCR will host pairing dinners, seminars, concerts, parties and headline events including a garden soirée at George Eastman Museum June 5; “Cocktails on the Promenade” on the Genesee Riverway June 7; an immersive theater production featuring local performers and DJs on Saturday, June 8; and the climactic Bar Room Battle Royale on Sunday, June 9 at Radio Social. Full schedule and speaker lineup launches online May 15. rochestercocktailrevival.com

The Fast & the Furriest

JUNE 8

Adirondack Mountain Club's Outdoor Expo

JUNE 8

A must-attend event for animal lovers, The Fast & the Furriest Dog Walk and Pet Fest returns for an 18th year, featuring a 5K and 10K race along the Genesee River and a dog walk downtown, live music, food trucks, sponsor giveaways, vendors, pet contests and other activities for families, including, of course, the furry ones. Proceeds from the race and fest help fund food, shelter, enrichment and medical care for shelter animals, and support adoption, lost and found and spay/neuter programs. The festival takes place from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Brown Square Park across from Rochester Animal Services,184 Verona St. vsas.org

Quiet on the Set! Film Festival

JUNE 8

For the past six years, Ithaca has been a haven for creative youths interested in making their own short films — the silent kind. Quiet on the Set! entries nod to the region’s early filmmaking history and can be submitted by kids ages 11 - 18 from anywhere in the Finger Lakes, the Southern Tier and Central New York. Submissions, one to five minutes in length, are reviewed by a jury of local arts professionals and educators. Screenings of all the entries and a ceremony for the top three takes place at 2 p.m. at Cinemapolis, 120 East Green St. in Ithaca. whartonstudiomuseum.org/quiet-on-the-set

Can’t pitch a tent? The 25th annual Outdoor Expo has you covered. From 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., you can partake in demonstrations and workshops for hiking, canoeing, kayaking, backpacking, camping, bicycling and other related outdoor activities, as well as sustainability, all presented by a variety of local clubs and organizations. Live music from Golden Link Folk Singing Society, and plenty of food (including ice cream), will be there. Sponsored by the Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club and Monroe County Parks, the festival will take place at Mendon Ponds Park, in the beach parking lot near Canfieldwoods Shelter. Admission is free. gvc-adk.org

Rochester Real Beer Expo

JUNE 8

Beer has never been bigger in Rochester — that’s why the 12th annual Real Beer Expo is set to fill the concourse at Innovative Field. This year showcases 75+ breweries, craft cideries, kombucha makers and craft beverage makers with a focus on local breweries as well as non-alcoholic fare. The fun is accompanied by live music and food vendors and takes place from 6 - 10 p.m. VIP preview hour kicks off at 5. Tickets are $55-$75 ($15 for DD), and the event sells out every year. All proceeds from the event will fund public art, community events and neighborhood improvements in the South Wedge, where the event began in 2012. rochesterrealbeer.com

Low Bridge High Water

JUNE 8

The Village of Brockport’s signature event, Low Bridge High Water is an annual celebration marking the summer opening of the Erie Canal. Expect family activities, kayaking, biking, music, a Barge Charge 5K and food, all at the Brockport Welcome Center. 2024 also marks the 200th year of navigation on the canal. facebook.com/LowBridgeHighWater, brockportny.org

Keuka Arts Festival

JUNE 8 — 9

Festivities along the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, just a short walk from downtown Penn Yan, include hundreds of fine arts and crafts vendors, food, wine and live blues and jazz. The free event, celebrating its 15th year, also features family activities, clowns and art demonstrations. keukaartsfestival.com

Rochester Deaf Festival

JUNE 15

The free, day-long family event returns with plenty of vendors and exhibitors, children’s programs and activities, food trucks, entertainment, performances and educational opportunities. It takes place from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Roundhouse Shelter at Genesee Valley Park, 1000 East River Road. rochesterdeaffestival.com

Rochester Harborfest

JUNE 21 — 23

Rochester Harborfest marks the opening of the summer season at Ontario Beach Park with a celebration of the waterfront. Featuring free family activities like professional sand-sculpting demonstrations, a huge car show and a Saturday night boat parade of lights, the fest also boasts a volleyball tournament, a kids’ bounce house, food vendors, wine tasting, tours of the historic lighthouse, free rides on the 120-year-old Dentzel carousel and more.

ontariobeachentertainment.org/harborfest-2

CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival

JUNE 21 — 29

Blues legend Taj Mahal and jazz guitar virtuoso Bill Ritenour are among the headliners for this year’s Jazz Fest, which transforms downtown Rochester into a multivenue musical wonderland each June. Other top acts include jazz-pop songwriter Laufey (June 26), John Oates of Hall & Oates fame (June 27) and vocalist Samara Joy (June 28). But with hundreds of acts at dozens of concert venues and clubs around town, there’s something for everyone. rochesterjazz.com

Chautauqua Institution 2024 Season

JUNE 22 — AUGUST 25

This summer marks Chautauqua Institution’s 150th year as a hub of culture and ideas, as well as arts, education, recreation and religion — the four pillars it was founded upon. As such, the entire season feels like a festival. Expect nine weeks of chamber music and jazz, live theater, film screenings, literary discussions and much more. The marquee highlights include concerts by The Beach Boys, Wilco and Boyz II Men; talks and performances by Renée Fleming and Wynton Marsalis; a visit from renowned journalist Margaret Sullivan; and a partnership with National Geographic to tackle the future of water. chq.org

ROC Pride Month

JULY 20

The cornerstone of ROC Pride Month, a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community shepherded by the community-based group ROC Pride Collective, is the iconic parade, which marches down South Ave. to Beikirch Park on Saturday, July 20 at 11 a.m. From there, the Pride Festival begins with food and drinks, games, vendors and live performances. But the festivities last all month with an ImageOut film screening, a Pride Night with the Rochester Red Wings, Pride Day at Seabreeze, a Pride bike ride in Genesee Valley Park, open mics, concerts, dance parties, an art sale and more. Watch for related events beginning in June, including a pop-up Pride Day at the Zoo. trilliumhealth.org, rochester.lgbt/pride2024

Sterling

Renaissance Festival

SATURDAY AND SUNDAYS,

JULY 6 — AUGUST 18

This festival at 15385 Farden Road in Sterling may seem niche to the casual observer, but it’s a popular one in this neck of the woods. This celebration of the post-Middle Ages era of enlightenment and cultural boom is more the stuff of idealized myth than historical fact, but it’s plenty of fun all the same. Each weekend of the Sterling Renaissance Festival focuses on a different theme, from Romance with a Renewal of Vows Ceremony and Ale Fest to Pirate Invasion and Fantasy, Fairies & the Future. Expect plenty of theatrical performances, music, food and general merriment. There’s no better festival for escapism, so grab a turkey leg and a tankard of ale, or have tea with the Queen. Early bird single-day tickets are $26.27 for kids ages 4 to 11, $41.77 for adults. Early bird kids’ season passes are $133.66, adult passes are $238.82. sterlingfestival.com

Corn Hill Arts Festival

JULY 13 — 14

This Rochester festival isn’t as high-profile as those highlighting jazz music, flowers and Fringe performers, but as a staple of the community, it’s right at the top of the list. A 56-year tradition, the Corn Hill Arts Festival revels in the cultural contributions of local artists (including an Emerging Artists Expo) and musicians. Plus there are beer and wine gardens, family-friendly attractions like the Fairy Houses Showcase and bounce houses. This can’t-miss festival runs from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday. cornhillartsfestival.com

ChamberFest

Canandaigua

JULY 12 — 21

This classical festival rings in 20 years of chamber music with the scintillating string trio Time for Three as headliners, bringing their chameleon-like approach to genre. There’s also a July 16 concert paired with a five-course meal at The Lake House on Canandaigua, and the festival’s annual “Classical Blue Jeans” concert on July 17 featuring Americana fiddle music at Casa Larga Vineyard, and a children’s concert on July 18. chamberfestcanandaigua.com

Arts at the Gardens

JULY 20 — 21

Canandaigua’s Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion provide a florid backdrop to artists’ paintings, ceramics, jewelry, prints, woodworking and fine art from other mediums. Add a wine and beer garden, live music and food to the mix, and you’ve got a full-fledged summer festival. Admission is $10, kids 15 and under are $5, and kids under 3 are free. Arts at the Gardens runs from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days. sonnenberg.org

Canandaigua Art and Music Festival

JULY 19 — 21

This Finger Lakes Festival ushers in its 35th year with its juried art competition, live music, activities for kids, food and more. Festivities take place on Main Street and the Central on Main area. Hours are 12 p.m.-7 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. downtowncanandaigua.com

Seneca Falls Convention Days

JULY 19 — 21

It’s been 176 years since the Women’s Rights Convention was held in 1848, and Seneca Falls knows how to commemorate the historic event with its annual Convention Days festival. This year’s theme is “Revolutionary Families.” The Women’s Rights National Historic Park hosts a series of events including talks given by historians, presentations by living history performers and programming for families — all with the evolving role of family in American life in mind. nps.gov/wori

Glimmerglass Festival

JULY 22 — AUGUST 20

A must-visit festival every year in historic, glorious Cooperstown, a month’s worth of top-level opera productions featuring up-and-coming pro singers. This year’s lineup includes the beloved Gilbert & Sullivan operetta “The Pirates of Penzance,” the 19th-century verismo classic on romance and revenge, “Pagliacci,” or “Clowns,” and the kids’ opera “Rumpelstiltskin and the Unlovable Children.” glimmerglass.org

Finger Lakes Wine Festival

JULY 26 — 28

The Finger Lakes region takes its wine seriously, so naturally this festival at Watkins Glen International Speedway is an essential summer activity for any oenophile.The festival kicks off with a Bacchus-inspired Launch of the Lakes event on July 26 ($27), for which participants are encouraged to wear their best toga. A smorgasbord of beverages from regional wineries, cideries, and distilleries — including Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, Glenora Wine Cellars, Thirsty Owl Wine Company and Black Button Distilling — will share their wares. A long list of vendors selling food, art and other merch will also be on hand.Taster passes are $59 for one day and $64 for two days. Designated driver passes are $32. Cabanas and camping options are also available. flwinefest.com

Indigenous Music & Arts Festival

JULY 27 — 28

The story of Haudenosaunee culture is also the story of our region. You can celebrate at Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan with a robust schedule of storytelling music, dance, trail walks, traditional crafts, Indigenous cuisine and activities for kids. The headlining performers are yet to be announced, but they will be listed on Ganondagan’s website. The festival goes from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. ganondagan.org

Canandaigua Lakefront Art Show

JULY 27 — 28

Now in its 51st year, this festival boasts the opportunity to check out the work of regional artists while catching a beautiful lakeside view at Kershaw Park on Lakeshore Drive. The event also brings local food vendors. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days. Admission and parking are both free. lakefrontartshow.com

Spencerport Canal Days

JULY 27 — 28

Perhaps there’s no better source of local historical pride that also makes for a prime festival venue than the Erie Canal. Spencerport hosts its 42nd Canal Days this year, and as always, you can meet with arts and crafts vendors, grab some grub, sample some wine and enjoy live music. There’s also a classic car show, and don’t miss out on the chance to win prizes in the Canaligator Race. Free admission. spencerportcanaldays.com

Waterfront Art Festival

JULY 27 — 28

Webster's Charles E. Sexton Memorial Park once again hosts this party in its 51st year. As its name suggests, the setting is the stuff of an idyllic summer. The event itself features hundreds of visual artists as well as a full lineup of live music, plus beer, wine, and cider. The fest goes from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday. waterfrontartfestival.com

Skaneateles Festival

JULY 31 — AUGUST 24

Co-artistic directors Julia Bruskin and Aaron Wunsch continue to program compelling chamber music that goes beyond classical music to include the worlds of jazz, folk and the blues.Skaneateles Lake provides the picturesque backdrop to top-flight performances from headliners including Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Rhiannon Giddens, and Chris Thile. Numerous additional concerts — featuring such artists as pianist James Ehnes, operatic bass-baritone Davóne Tines, Claremont Trio, and more — run throughout August, including programs meant to highlight the refugee communities of Central New York. skanfest.org

Rochester Jewish Film Festival

JULY 14 — 21

The Rochester International Jewish Film Festival enters its 24th year of telling Jewish stories from all over the globe. In addition to film screenings, there are related events such as Q&As with filmmakers and social events. Festival passes are $150 for JCC members and $190 for non-members. When it is released, the schedule of films will be available at rjff.org

Puerto Rican Festival

AUGUST 1 — 3

Now in its 54th year, this high-energy festival is at a new location, Parcel 5. The commemoration of Puerto Rican culture features dancing, music and food. More details, including the artists’ lineup, will be available at prfestival.com

Lima Crossroads Festival

AUGUST 1 — 4

This festival in Livingston County is all about the blues. The 2024 musicians aren’t known yet, but as the home of Fanatics Pub, Lima will host a lineup that brings the heat. There are also family events and activities for kids such as a scavenger hunt, a BBQ cookoff, a 5K run and more. limafest.org

St. Stanislaus Polish Arts Festival

AUGUST 2 — 3

This parish festival features Polish food staples like potato pancakes and specialty beers, live music, raffles and outdoor activities, including “pisanki,” or traditional egg decorating. The festival goes Friday from 4 - 9 p.m. and Saturday 3 to 9 p.m. St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 1150 Hudson Ave. polishartsfest.org

Pan Afrikan Festival

AUGUST 3

Formerly called the Afrikan American Festival, Rochester A.B.O.V.E.’s one-day festival at the Highland Bowl celebrates the various cultures of the African diaspora with plenty of live music throughout the day, plus food and other vendors. Saxophonist Will Holton is the headlining artist. There will also be a children’s play area literature tent, a space for health screenings. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. For updates, watch panaffestival.org

Pageant of Steam

AUGUST 7 — 10

There have been 64 years of steam at this festival featuring antique steampowered vehicles. Events include tractor pulls, sawmill demonstrations, live music, food and a worthwhile flea market.The Pageant of Steam runs from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. each day at 3349 Gehan Road in Canandaigua. General admission for adults is $10, kids under 12 are free. nysteamengineassociation.com/ pageant-of-steam

Avon Rotary Corn Festival

AUGUST 10

Corn on the cob might just be the perfect summer food. Why not celebrate at the Avon Rotary Corn Festival, now in its 36th year? But you don’t have to participate in the corn-eating contest to enjoy the festival. There are plenty of arts and crafts, live entertainment and games. Free of charge, the festival takes place on Genesee Street in the Village of Avon. avonrotary.org

Victor Music & Food Festival

AUGUST 10

For one afternoon and evening, the Village of Victor’s Mead Square comes alive with this celebration of food and drinks, along with live music from twangy, crowd-pleasing, down-home favorites. The fun begins at 4 p.m. and goes until 10 p.m. victormusicfoodfestival.com

Brockport Arts Festival

AUGUST 10 — 11

This village festival has been going strong for 28 years, and shows no signs of stopping. The gathering sees Main Street in Brockport filled with live music, artists’ work for purchase, live music, a rubber duck derby on the canal and food — including a wine garden and farmers' market. The free festival is open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days. brockportartsfestival.com

St. Josaphat Ukrainian Festival

AUGUST 15 — 18

Rochester has long been home to a thriving Ukrainian community, so this annual festival — which started in 1973 — is an essential celebration of the culture. St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Church on East Ridge Road in Irondequoit hosts a free celebration of traditional Ukrainian folk music and dancing, arts including ceramics, wood carvings and Ukrainian Easter eggs, food like pierogi and holubtsi, church tours and more. Thursday, 6 - 10:45 p.m.; Friday, 6 - 11:45 p.m.; Saturday, 1 - 11:45 p.m.; Sunday, 1 - 8 p.m. rochesterukrainianfestival.com

Flour City Brewers Fest

AUGUST 16

Rohrbach Brewing Company brings this sudsy celebration to the Rochester Public Market once again. If you like your beer to be local, the offerings here seem infinite: Buffalo’s Big Ditch Brewing Company and Resurgence, Fifth Frame, Frequentem, Mortalis, Nine Maidens, Other Half, Swiftwater,Three Heads and of course, Genesee Brewing Company, are all part of the lineup. And that’s not even half of the participants. Sample your preferred brews and munch on food from the likes of Neno’s, Le Petite Poutine, FLX BBQ and Roll’N Deep. The Brothers Blue will provide the Americana soundtrack from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. $50. flourcitybrewersfest.com

Rochester Summer Soul Music Festival

AUGUST 24

Innovative Field will once again host this shindig of soul for a full day of compelling music performances. This year’s stacked lineup includes Dru Hill, Regina Belle, Ruff Endz, Nate & Renee, Jamall Youngblood, Nyk Tyrell, Anthony Dounté and Luna Sol Child. 3 - 9 p.m. $25-$129. VIP suites are also available. rocsummersoulfest.com

Turtle Hill Folk Festival

SEPTEMBER 6 — 7

This annual celebration of folk music traditions is custom-fit to focus on both professional and amateur musicians alike. A full slate of events include evening concerts on both days, workshops and small presentations during the day on Saturday and many informal opportunities for performers and audience members to make music together. The festival takes place at the Rotary Sunshine Campus, 809 Five Points Road, Rush. Featured performers include the duo Celtic Confusion, Brendan Taaffe & Stefan Amidon, The Rough & Tumble, and Kray VanKirk. goldenlink.org.

Valley Rising Festival of Music & Art

SEPTEMBER 7

This new one-day festival on Geneseo’s Main Street aims to showcase the best of the Rochester/Finger Lakes music universe. Headlined by the bluegrass- and folk-centered Sam Grisman Project, the fest also welcomes Dirty Blanket, Public Water Supply, Dori Freeman, Flying Object, Adrianna Noone, Buzzo All Stars and more. Music from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. $40. visitgeneseo.com/events/valley-rising-festival-of-music-art

Clothesline Arts Festival

SEPTEMBER 7 — 8

For more than 60 years, Clothesline has been a showcase for work by fine artists and craftspeople, and an opportunity for those artists to connect directly with community members on the lawn of the Memorial Art Gallery. In addition to more than 400 artists from around the country, there will be music and dance performances, food, art-making activities, and more. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Shopping for MAG members starts at 9:30 a.m. both days. mag.rochester.edu/events/clothesline-festival

Rochester Fringe Festival

SEPTEMBER 10 — SEPT. 21

Named “one of the country’s more prominent multidisciplinary events” by “The New York Times,” Rochester Fringe Festival marks 13 years this fall with more than 500 ticketed and free performances at arts venues and public spaces around the city. The 12-day event brings in local, national and international acts ranging from theatre and comedy to dance and visual art for audiences of all ages and is among 250 Fringe Festivals in the world and approximately 50 across the U.S. rochesterfringe.com

Festival of Food

SEPTEMBER 16

Spend an early fall evening tasting (and voting for your favorite!) food and beverages prepared by myriad area eateries set to a backdrop of live music at the Rochester Public Market. All proceeds benefit Foodlink, the region’s largest food bank serving 10 counties. From 6 - 9 p.m. General admission is $75, VIP tickets are $110. foodlinkny.org

Oktoberfest

SEPTEMBER 20 — 21

From 12 - 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at Webster Fireman’s Field, enjoy live German music, authentic cuisine from Swan’s Market and Helmut’s Strudel of WNY, and beer and wine by Cobblestone on Main. This family-friendly event benefits Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester, which provides people with developmental, physical or intellectual disabilities a barrier-free, safe and accessible place to experience the joy of play through team sports and adaptive recreational equipment. Tickets are $5 at the door from 12 - 3 p.m. on Friday only and $10 all other times. Children under 12 are free and must be accompanied by an adult. No pets or outside food and drinks allowed. miraclefieldoktoberfest.com

Fall Fest

SEPTEMBER 28

Co-produced by the City of Rochester and Downtown Definitely, Fall Fest is an urban destination for autumn festivities like pumpkin painting, games and inflatables, crafts for kids, giveaways and more seasonal activities. The free event will be held from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Parcel 5, 285 E. Main St., and also feature the City of Rochester’s popular program “Little Kids and Big Rigs,” where children can explore police cars, fire trucks, SWAT vehicles, an ambulance, dump trucks, garbage trucks, and more. Fall Fest is presented by MVP Health Care. rochesterdowntown.com/event/fall-fest

Telltale signs

BY KATIE EPNER KEPNER@WXXI.ORG

Like the feeling of sun on your shoulders for the first time since winter, Rochester’s festival season awakens with a welcome wave of nostalgia: a freshly painted purple crosswalk, fragrances of buds in bloom and ablaze, the warm embrace of reggae echoing through the winding paths of Highland Park. And since 2017, two figures have joined that canon. Situated stage-left on a small podium, donning headphones and an energy that’s impossible to ignore, Terri Reisinger and Kim Billyard embody much more than showmanship as two of Rochester’s most recognizable performance interpreters.

Performance interpreting has The Grateful Dead to thank for its proliferation; the affectionately titled ‘Deafheads’ have held ground at Dead shows since the 1980s, utilizing props, technology and a flourishing pool of interpreters to deliver a sonic buffet for the Deaf and hard of hearing. This not only caught the attention of other bands keen to embrace the movement, but also then-bright-eyed college students Reisinger and Billyard.

“We talked about it as soon as we met,” said Billyard. “I found a little card written in 2003 or 2004 that said something like, ‘we are going to interpret for Phish.’”

Reisinger swiftly chimed in, “and then, that became a reality.”

For a city with the largest Deaf and hard of hearing population per capita in the United States, it’s striking that one of Rochester’s

Terri Reisinger and Kim Billyard. PHOTO BY JACOB WALSH

largest festivals didn’t hire interpreters for its headlining shows until 2017. The tide changed when Jenny LoMaglio joined Rochester Events, the production company that has organized the Lilac Festival since 2016.

“I got a phone call, a massive complaint,” she said. “The caller said, ‘I love music, I feel it. But you offer nothing.’”

Having only been part of the team for six months at the time, LoMaglio started small and hired an interpreter for an afternoon seminar in 2016, but knew she had to aim higher. The following year, she budgeted to bring on Reisinger and Billyard.

“I thought it was a perfect fit — what I didn’t expect was the fanfare,” she said. “At the end of the night they would have 30, 50, 100 people crowded around them after the show talking to them, thanking them and crying.”

The duo signed a five-year contract in 2018, also joining the Party in the Park concert series and winning over Deaf and hearing fans alike.

Blake Nitko and his wife, Dr. Sara Blick-Nitko, wager they’ve attended every Lilac Festival for the past 15 years.

“Before they offered interpreters regularly, we wouldn’t stay too long,” Nitko wrote via Facebook Messenger, “we’d try to sneak our way up to the front, by the speakers, to feel the music, but we lose interest quickly when we can’t understand what the singers are saying.”

Both Blake and Sara are profoundly deaf, but that doesn’t stop them from enjoying the transcendent experience of a live show.

“Once interpreters were offered at these concerts, we found ourselves staying for hours at a time even until the night is over— enjoying full access to the music,” said Nitko, who is the social media manager for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at RIT.

Despite the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires venues and businesses to provide an interpreter when requested, not every venue or promoter approaches accessibility the same way.

“Our experiences with concerts have varied widely,” said Nitko. “Some venues turn us down outright and say they are not responsible for the interpreters, while others such as the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) have been very accommodating, offering us seats near the front where we can see the interpreters clearly and feel the music better.”

And when it comes to the interpreters themselves, showmanship matters. Between studying, translating and practicing, Billyard and Reisinger estimate they spend 10 to 15 hours preparing for each show. Reisinger describes her approach as “transliteration,” opting to present the lyrics as performed by the artist, whereas the sentence structure of ASL could approach a phrase from a completely different direction.

“I want to see people singing along,” she said. “I want them to know those words.”

This weight of responsibility is not lost on Billyard, either.

“It’s about the Deaf community being on an equal footing,” she said. “The community was just really thrilled that there was finally access provided at a festival in Rochester. So I think the Lilac Festival doing it was awesome, and I hope they set a precedent that other people will follow.”

Currently, the Lilac Festival, Party in the Park and the Park Point Concert Series have interpreters contracted for all headlining events in 2024.

A timely pruning

BY LEAH STACY LEAH@ROCCHESTER-CITYNEWS.COM

Astroll down the blossom-covered paths of Highland Park is more than a spring tradition in Rochester — it’s a rite of passage. Ask any local about the Rochester Lilac Festival, and you’re likely to hear stories about how they’ve attended since childhood, or perhaps the first time they brought their own children to walk the hallowed festival grounds of blooming lilacs (and onions). May 10 through 19 will be the Lilac Festival’s 126th year in the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park, and perhaps the most musically ambitious of its many iterations over the last century.

Jenny LoMaglio is entering her tenth year with the festival, but her first year as lead producer after longtime organizer Jeff Springut (who took over Lilac Fest in 2012 with 90 days’ notice) stepped away in 2023.

“When you have a chance to sort of put your own stamp on it, you can capitalize on the things that are already really good,” said LoMaglio, who also has a full-time, remote position with global company Dentsu Creative. “It's almost like we needed to prune the bush, move forward with a bit of a fresh start and something to build off.”

One of the first things she did was call fellow multitasker Dave Drago, owner of boutique

Rochester Lilac Festival’s fresh music lineup spotlights regional talent alongside national headliners.

Why not let the bands do what the arts and crafts vendors do, making original work and showing it here?”

- DAVE DRAGO, TALENT BUYER & PRODUCTION CONSULTANT

recording spot 1809 Studios in Macedon; co-owner of concert venue Essex on University Avenue and talent buying company ZDM Presents; and director of the music business undergraduate program at Nazareth University.

While Drago had a few things on his plate already, he couldn’t pass up a chance to reconfigure the longstanding lineup of cover and tribute bands at Lilac Festival and spotlight original hometown talent alongside larger headlining acts.

“I'm all for connecting the right people with the right gigs, and Jenny and I were in

lockstep with the aesthetic,” he said. “Why not let the bands do what the arts and crafts vendors do, making original work and showing it here?”

Drago already had an inspirational model in mind: Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island.

“When people go to Newport Folk, they study up, do their homework on the bands playing,” he said. “I want to build that kind of curated experience here — local and national bands that people may have heard once or twice, but aren’t as familiar with.” What resulted was 10 national

headliners with 10 direct support performers, and the largest variety of regional talent in festival history — 14 bands that call the Rochester region home.

Kicking off the regional performances on festival opening day is Bellwether Breaks, a fivepiece soul-rock band that’s often compared to Lake Street Dive. Vocalist Elyse Patricia Gayann, who grew up near Letchworth, has attended Lilac Fest annually since she was a child; it was there she was first introduced to live music.

Bellwether Breaks, which kicks off the regional performances on festival opening day. PHOTO PROVIDED

“I found a lot of my favorite bands going to this fest,” she said. “Playing it now, as an original band, feels like a big thing. I can’t believe we’re first, it’s such an honor to kick it off.”

In addition to Gayann, Bellwether Breaks is Chris Coon (keys), Dave Goebel (drums), Wade McClung (guitar), and Eugene Bisdikian (bass). Three of the band members are Eastman School of Music alumni.

“We’re really stoked to play, and excited more original bands are going to be highlighted,” said Gayann. “There’s been a lot of cover bands in the past, but you have to consider that all cover bands are based on original bands.”

The Lilac Festival’s website lists the splashy 10-day lineup, including ‘An Evening of Soul Curated by Danielle Ponder’ on Thursday, May 16. A helpful “for fans of” genre key accompanies each night’s listings and a Spotify playlist featuring this year’s artists are both available online as well.

And though the more than 80 musical acts are getting a lot of attention this year, there’s a ton of work going into the entire infrastructure of the free, allinclusive festival, including more than 300 juried arts and craft vendors and plenty of family friendly activities. The festival has also partnered with AutismUp to create a dedicated space outfitted with soft lighting and activities that aid regulation for visitors with sensory sensitivities.

“The demographic is everyone — it doesn't matter who you are or where you came from. You can just come to the park and walk through the flowers, or you can hear free music all day long,” said LoMaglio. “The food that you're eating is primarily from local food vendors that are making a go of a small business. Everybody's blood, sweat and tears put this event on. It is for our town.”

Rochester Lilac Festival runs May 10 - 19; free and open to all. roclilacfest.com

From top left; Danielle Ponder, Aaron Rizzo, Claudia Hoyser, Eli Flynn, Ellen Pieroni, Left Handed 2nd Baseman, and Ekua. PHOTOS PROVIDED

“AWAKEN THE ENDLESS DEEP”

BY HAISHEN

Rochester band Haishen derives its name from a Chinese word for “sea god,” so it’s fitting that its debut full-length album, “Awaken the Endless Deep,” would be a concept record drawing from Chinese creation mythology.

If it’s possible for heavy metal to be sunny, Haishen has achieved it — the sound is clean and full of clarity. Despite pummeling rhythms from bassist Justin Montione and drummer Randy Rowe, Jr. on tracks like “Leviathan,” the musicians avoid any muddiness. Catchy modified arpeggios add both melodic interest and texture to “Goddess in the Machine.”

Elsewhere, the band manages to toe the line between proggy interludes like that on “Flesh of the Earth, Child of the Sea” and straight-ahead metal with groove-oriented tendencies and hair metal flourishes on “Undersea Battle.”

“Awaken the Endless Deep” is less atmospheric and more accessible than the trio’s self-titled EP from 2020. Case in point, “Pyrrhic Victory” is a surprising diversion into acoustic pop. But the non sequitur works, especially in the context of the subsequent closing track, “Nüwa Awakens,” with its Tool-like synthesis of sparkling psych-rock melodies and cryptic metal rhythms and textures.

The new album is also more lyric-driven, and the band keeps listeners’ ears on alert with vocals that range between screams, melodies and growls. Equipped with a remarkably versatile voice and guitar chops that draw on the many nuances of metal music, frontman Xuhao is the galvanizing force behind Haishen.

The most impressive aspect of “Awaken the Endless Deep” is its cohesion, even as the musicians refuse to stay in any one lane of myriad heavy music subgenres.

Haishen plays an album release show for “Awaken the Endless Deep” on Thursday, May 9 at Photo City Music Hall. The 18-andover show also features the bands Praun, Grave Sight and Eternal Crypt playing in support. 6:30 p.m. $14.87-$20.52. photocitymusichall.com

— DANIEL J. KUSHNER

“EXPLAIN” BY BLUE ENVY

Rochester power trio Blue Envy has cranked out tunes together since before they graduated high school in 2018; they list blues and progressive rock as key musical influences.

But a few listens of their newest EP, “Explain,” self-released on May 17, reveals a highly technical feat: Blue Envy distills the past three decades of rock-radio history into a handful of tracks. Their chameleonic abilities might be their biggest strength.

“I Don’t Wanna Know,” a song about frustration, finds charm in Nick Lenhard’s plucky, pronounced lead bass lines. Vocalist Andrew Young’s exploratory guitar on “Never Freed” lends an airy, slightly funky touch. Those two songs will appeal to fans of the 2000s output of the Red Hot Chili Peppers — especially the highly melodic albums “By the Way” and “Stadium Arcadium.”

Drummer Stephen Coleman gets his moment as soon as the EP kicks off with a series of fast breaks throughout the chunky garage-rock cut “Mold.”

And then comes the prog.

The final two songs on the EP, “Explain” and “Wind,” sweep beyond six minutes each; the title track boasts an ambitious song structure, atmospheric keyboard and a tricky time signature switch-up midway through. “Wind” stretches out into a wide, cinematic guitar solo.

The technically impressive closing tracks offer ample opportunity for the group to flex their musical chops and loosen into some jamming, even if it comes at the expense of the songs themselves.

That they exist alongside a speedy, catchy headrush like “Mold” is part of Blue Envy’s ethos. The trio absorbs and reflects diverse sounds. The more they lean into the tighter ones, the more success they should find.

There’s excitement in how accurately Blue Envy can capture the tried-and-true electricity of some of the biggest rock bands to ever do it. That bodes well for the next stop on their journey.

— PATRICK HOSKEN

“LEGACY: A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF JJ JOHNSON”

BY NICK FINZER

In the world of jazz, the trombone is a bit of a stepchild. It’s an unusually expressive instrument, capable of everything from French horn-like elegance to guttural roughness. But over decades, the melismatic saxophone and the more in-your-face trumpet have hogged the bebop spotlight. That is, unless J.J. Johnson was playing. During his career — from the 1940’s to his death in 2001 — Johnson proved the trombone could hold equal status.

That’s why Johnson is revered by Rochester-born trombonist Nick Finzer. On his new album, “Legacy: A Centennial Celebration of JJ Johnson,” Finzer, who graduated from the Eastman School of Music, honors Johnson. He’s joined by three of Johnson’s former bandmates: pianist Renee Rosnes, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Lewis Nash. The disc was recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Johnson’s favorite.

“Legacy” features new arrangements of Johnson’s compositions, songs from his repertoire and a couple of Finzer’s tunes written in the style of Johnson. Like all jazz greats, Johnson put his unique imprint on standards and they are represented here by an excellent rendition of Arthur Johnston and Johnny Burke’s “Pennies From Heaven.”

No tribute to Johnson would be complete without his most gorgeous composition, “Lament,” and Finzer’s arrangement brings out all of the beauty. Other Johnson tunes include an energetic take on “Say When,” a mellow treatment of “Shortcake” and a traditional blues rendition of “Fatback.” With every solo, Finzer proves he is an heir to Johnson’s trombone prowess.

The album’s second ballad, Rosnes’s “Malaga Moon,” was a mainstay in Johnson’s repertoire. Rosnes and Reid both play exquisite solos on the track. “That Thing” and “CC” are trombone showcases by Finzer, who goes to town on both. The former features Nash in a stellar drum solo, while Rosnes contributes a superb piano flight on the latter.

— RON NETSKY

“DRAGON HOUSE” BY MULTIBIRD

Aboard a ship captained by Rochester alternative folk stalwart Seth Herbert-Faergolzia, Multibird’s quilted layers are presented fresh with “Dragon House,” the band’s first release on Needlejuice Records (a lauded Nashville indie outfit whose other talents include King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard).

Upon cracks of a single snare, “Pity Party” builds in a musical round, ‘doe-adeer’ format, but with the intricacy of a master looper — leading into the theatrical “Runners on Their way.” Meditation commences, and as the track develops into a bubble-blowing, vocalized shanty, the passenger gets a sense that the captain is also the builder.

“Feather” is a still life, both reflection on one’s purpose and a minor anthem to holding on, delivered with a voracity reserved for important pleas. “Maybe I Will” is a jaunty country nursery rhyme, almost teaching a new alphabet with different sets of ABCs propelled by low horn jug chaos.

Proceeding in a Waitsian two-step, “Truest Blood” is corduroy-core in the wild — a love song with crackling fire-truck accordion, desert guitar rolls and an “Inner Light” vocalized chorus in support of singular commitment: This is all I know / Rather spend my days with you.

The alternative psych-soul of “Dust Devil” eludes demons with tempo shifts and mixed meters, and is calmed next by “Holy Mother,” a quirky monastic chant. “Call To Action” features well-arranged brass atop complex forms, which aid this rapid-fire ska mosh of positivity: It does not require a gun, son... “Hi” showcases Hebert-Faergolzia’s acoustic freak-folk chops, and is comfortably in the earnest worlds of both singer-songwriter and psychedelic choral deconstruction. This open-mindedness allows for the consideration of great concepts, with the largest query of ’em all up for interpretation on “Positively Purposeful”, a ballad about “everything ever” which offers a powerful turn of phrase: The meaning of life is just to enjoy it, with the right mind.

“Dragon House” allows enticing glimpses into an abbey of sorts, clearing space for its listener to reflect and convene alongside the devout. — RYAN YARMEL

Still Standing: The Barns of J.T. Wells & Sons, a new documentary produced by Katie Andres and Jill Kuchman of Churchbell Creative, LLC., highlights the history, heritage, and present-day plight of Western New York’s agriculturally and architecturally significant Wells barns. The 90-minute film makes its television debut on WXXI-TV on Monday, May 13 at 9 p.m.

We asked co-producer Katie a few questions about the film, and here’s what she had to say.

Q. What inspired you to produce a documentary specifically focused on Wells barns?

A. While working at the Avon Century Barn in 2015, guests peppered me with questions related to the barn’s history and design. My limited knowledge about the structure wasn’t enough to satisfy the curiosity of the guests –or my own!

I turned to the Monroe County Library System in desperation. Typing “Wells Barns” into the search box revealed a single title: Wells Barns: J.T. Wells & Sons, Scottsville, NY 1886-1942: Barns Still Standing. Locating this book at the Scottsville Free Library was a game-changer. Type-written by the wife of a Wells descendant, and featuring black and white photos, the book was a relicand a researcher’s dream come true. This documentary is an extension of that original work – bringing barn lovers up to speed on the current status of Western New York’s Wells barns.

Q. How did you decide which Wells barns to feature in your documentary?

A. Meeting most viewers where they are in terms of their understanding of what a barn is and how it was originally used was strategic. The first profiled barn needed to be a barn still used for agricultural purposes. Nathan and Hannah Ruekberg’s barn was the perfect fit. In the same family for multiple generations, their barn represents a conundrum for the family and the documentary’s viewers – how will the decisions of the family’s sixth and seventh generations impact the barn’s future?

From there, we encourage viewers to “see” barns differently, presenting several adaptive reuse scenarios – culminating in the colossal undertaking of not only giving a barn a new purpose, but ultimately a new home in a new location.

Q. Did you encounter any challenges during the production phase, and how did you overcome them?

A. Over the past nine years we encountered many challenges. Funding its production was tough. The Wheatland Historical Association’s fiscal sponsorship of our production company greatly expanded our grant pool. Contributions from family members and friends and digging into our own pockets moved us forward. Filming during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to think creatively.

Q. How do you believe the documentary sheds light on the historical significance of Wells barns within the context of American agriculture?

A. Long ago, Wells barns were constructed with a clear purpose. They played an integral role in securing the harvest, protecting livestock, and housing farming equipment. Today, many of these barns have lost their original purpose and fallen into disrepair.

According to Frances Stern, former Manager of Technical & Grant Programs with the Preservation League of New York State, Wells barns were selected for inclusion on the League’s 2018-2019 “Seven to Save” Endangered Properties List with the intent that their example could provide a case study designed to raise awareness and to help inform

and educate barn owners in NYS and across the country, looking for support in re-purposing and re-envisioning other endangered barns and agricultural outbuildings.

Visually striking and arguably iconic, Wells barns are taken for granted by the average passerby. Yet beneath their soaring heights, their vast spaces are filled with stories. Rich in culture and history, they risk being silenced. As producers, we recognize the power of sharing these stories on-screen.

Q. Did you uncover any surprising stories while researching the history of these barns?

A. We have been spoiled with access to such a rich historical repository. Uncovering the history of other kinds of barns often proves much more difficult due to each structure’s unique vernacular architectural style. Documenting the history of houses usually took precedence over detailing the history of functional agricultural outbuildings.

Fortunately, Wells barns have had a series of champions - including Jean Melville, Daniel Fink, Bob and Judy Pratt, and others. The support of local historians and access to the Monroe County Library’s archives in conjunction with access to personal, family, and municipal archives was crucial.

To read more about the production, visit WXXI.org.

Co-producer Katie Andres

MaryLand on Masterpiece

Sundays at 9 p.m., May 5-19 on WXXI-TV

This three-part series tells the story of two sisters re-discovering each other after discovering the secret life of their mother.

Great Performances: Hamlet

Friday, May 10 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV

Experience this Shakespearean classic directed by Tony Awardwinner Kenny Leon from The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park, starring Tony Award-nominee Ato Blankson-Wood.

CREATE Showcase: Spring Has Sprung

Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on WXXI-CREATE

Springtime is abloom inside and out as Create hosts celebrate the season with dishes and decorations that bring a little sunshine to your home.

Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story

Monday, May 13 at 10:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV

Using his camera as a “weapon against injustice,” Chinese American photographer Corky Lee’s art is his activism. His unforgettable images of Asian American life empowered generations. This film’s intimate portrait reveals the triumphs and tragedies of the man behind the lens.

Photo: Eva Best as Rosaline and Suranne Jones as Becca | Credit: ITV Plc

Photo: Daniel Pearce and Ato Blankson-Wood | Credit: Joseph Sinnott

Independent Lens: The Tuba Thieves

Monday, May 20 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV

What is the role of sound and what does it mean to listen? Hardof-hearing filmmaker Alison O’Daniel uses a series of tuba thefts in Los Angeles high schools as a jumping-off point to explore these questions. This is a Move to IncludeTM presentation. Visit movetoinclude.org to learn more.

National Memorial Day Concert

Sunday, May 26 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV

WXXI brings you the 35th annual broadcast of America’s national night of remembrance with performances by some of today’s biggest musical stars.

THE GHOST ARMY

Monday, May 27 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV

During World War II, a hand-picked group of American GIs undertook a bizarre mission to create a travelling road show of deception on the battlefields of Europe, with the Nazi German Army as their audience. The US 23rd Headquarters Special Troops used inflatable rubber tanks, sound trucks, and dazzling performance art to bluff the enemy again and again, often right along the front lines. This little-known unit’s knack for trickery was crucial to Allied success in World War II, but their top-secret mission was kept quiet for nearly 50 years after the war’s end. Using archival footage of this top-secret unit, photographs, paintings, and sketches created by ‘ghost army’ soldiers during the war, as well as interviews with veterans of this special unit, The Ghost Army tells their extraordinary story on film.

THE LOCAL CONNECTION

New Yorker Arthur B. Singer, who served in World War II as a member of The Ghost Army, was an American wildlife artist. Mr. Singer posthumously received the Congressional Gold Medal for his service in the secret WWII tactical unit last March. His son, Alan Singer, a retired RIT professor of art, and his family accepted the award on his behalf.

On display in the Anthony Mascioli Gallery at the Central Library, Rundel Memorial Building through May 18, 2024, is “Our Nature,” a collection of artworks from the Singer family – Arthur Singer, Judy Singer, and their sons, Paul Singer and Alan Singer.

Photo: Christine Sun Kim signs in American Sign Language the word ‘disconnect.’ Credit: Judy Phu

Photo: Members of the U.S. Armed Forces | Credit: Capital Concerts

Self portrait of Arthur B. Singer

cultural podcasts you should check out! 6

Subscribe to them wherever you get your podcasts.

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Five days a week, Pop Culture Happy Hour serves you recommendations and commentary on the buzziest movies, TV, music, books, video games, and more. Join arts journalists Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, and Aisha Harris - plus a rotating

Alt.Latino

The global Latinx community is evolving and growing fast. Alt.Latino is here to celebrate it and all of its nuances through music. In each episode, NPR Music’s Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with a different living legend or rising star to discuss Latinx culture, heritage, and the shared borders of our experiences.

The One Recipe

Pretty much everyone who cooks aspires to have a clutch of recipes they can make their own. Host Jesse Sparks, Senior Editor at Eater talks to chefs and gifted cooks from all over the world about their “one” and the story behind it.

NPR’s Book of the Day

In need of a good read? Or just want to keep up with the books everyone’s talking about?

NPR’s Book of the Day gives you today’s very best writing in a snackable, skimmable, pocket-sized podcast.

Life Kit

Everyone needs a little help being a human. From sleep to saving money to parenting and more, host Marielle Segarra talks to experts to get the best advice out there. Life Kit is here to help you get it together.

It’s Been a Minute

Has it been a minute since you heard a thoughtprovoking conversation about culture? Brittany Luse wants to help. Each week, she takes the things everyone’s talking about and, in conversation with her favorite creators, tastemakers, and experts, gives you new ways to think about them.

A Passion for Bach and Coltrane with the Imani Winds

Monday, May 13 at 8 p.m. on WXXI Classical

Jeff Scott, founding horn player of the Imani Winds and composer, took inspiration from two giants of music, J.S. Bach and John Coltrane, to create an innovative and surprising oratorio that brings together classical and jazz. This special includes spoken word by AB Spellman and is performed by the Imani Winds, along with the Harlem Jazz Quartet and jazz soloists.

Folk Classics Across the Globe

Thursday, May 16 at 3 p.m. on WXXI Classical

Never-before recorded folk tunes from three contrasting countries and cultures: Iran, Venezuela, and Ukraine/Russia, and composed or arranged by composers from these locations. Professional musicians from the respective countries perform these intersections of folk and classical music. Ines Guanchez hosts (pictured).

Fur, Feathers and Flutes

Thursday, May 23 at 3 p.m. on WXXI Classical

Classical music has the ability to calm both humans and our pets. You’ll hear stories of composers who loved their pets along with music inspired by their furry friends. There’s an opera-loving parrot, classical-loving cats, and how classical music can help train your canine.

Call The Mind: Mental Health Awareness Series

Sundays at 9 p.m. in May on WXXI News

Every episode explores emerging research and informed perspectives on vital issues. Each features thought-provoking interviews with top experts, the voices of people living with mental illness, and sound-rich stories from across the country.

Air dates and episode titles:

5/5 – The Homelessness Crisis & Mental Health

5/12 – The Burden of Being

5/19 – Incarcerated with Mental Illness

5/26 – Schizophrenia: Finding Hope on a Hard Road

Years after leaving her Palestinian village to pursue an acting career in France, Emmynominated Hiam Abbass (SUCCESSION, RAMY, BLADE RUNNER) returns home with her daughter, in this intimate documentary about four generations of women and their shared legacy of separation.

Palestine’s entry for Best International Feature in the 2024 Academy Awards, this second feature from Lina Soualem premiered at Venice Biennale, won the Grierson Award at the BFI London Film Festival, had its North American Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and won the shared jury prize at the Marrakech International Film Festival. An important film that beautifully portrays the complexity of Arab women’s lives.

Wednesday, May 29

Tickets at thelittle.org

Wednesday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets at thelittle.org

Drew (Colin Burgess) is approaching the end of his twenties and, with it, his relative youth. Looking to make a sudden change, he decides to quit his cushy desk job and “embrace life.” Cycling quickly through friends, hobbies, and goals, it’s not long until Drew realizes he has no idea what to do with his newfound freedom. plus...

Star Colin Burgess will join us live at The Little for a Q&A, hosted by CITY Magazine reporter Patrick Hosken.

FREAKY FRIDAY (2003)

Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets at thelittle.org

A body-swapping classic for millennials. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan play a mother-daughter duo who wake up one day having switched bodies. Hijinks ensue!

May 1 through 6, only at The Little Tickets at thelittle.org

This revolutionary DIY parody film and hilarious reimagining of the classic autobiographical comingof-age story follows an unconfident, closeted trans girl as she moves to Gotham City to make it big as a comedian by joining the cast of UCB Live - a government-sanctioned late night sketch show in a world where comedy has been outlawed.

Helmed by writer/director/editor/star Vera Drew and using her own life experiences as a basis for the film, THE PEOPLE’S JOKER is a deeply personal journey that’s as much documentary as it is parody.

Originally screened as part of Anomaly – Rochester’s Genre Film Festival.

ALSO SHOWING:

opens may 17

From director Jane Schoenbrun (WE’RE ALL GOING TO THE WORLD’S FAIR) comes this horror-fantasy-thriller about how the things people watch can sometimes have the power to see them in return. Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.

The Skaneateles Festival celebrates 45 seasons of connection through music.

Composing a community

BY DANIEL J. KUSHNER DANIEL@ROCHESTER-CITYNEWS.COM

Fewer than 90 minutes down the road from Rochester is Skaneateles, with its quaint village-meets-posh lakeside vibes — an idyllic location for outdoor summer concerts. Perhaps that was part of the calculus for residents David and Louise Robinson, whose dedication to music and community inspired them to make their home the early epicenter for a new festival in 1980.

Fast-forward to 2024, the 45th anniversary season of Skaneateles Festival. The Robinson Pavilion at Anyela’s Vineyards will host classically trained Grammy Award-winners Wynton Marsalis, Rhiannon Giddens and Chris Thile, whose musical careers also encompass blues, folk, jazz and bluegrass.

MUSIC

And though the festival’s roots were firmly planted in classical chamber music, its reputation for making additional stylistic connections is not new.

“Some of the fun of programming during our years was seeing how that trunk of the tree could reach out the branches into other areas of music,” said cellist David Ying, an Eastman School of Music professor and former co-artistic director of Skaneateles Festival.

In 2005, Ying and his wife, pianist Elinor Freer — who spent their honeymoon in Skaneateles before becoming familiar with its music scene — took the helm of the festival. They were tasked by the festival’s board with building on the existing audience at Skaneateles by broadening the scope of its programming. The result was concerts by such artists as the genrebusting string trio Time for Three, jazz pianist Marcus Roberts and the late folk musician Mike Seeger.

“We didn’t want to alienate the audience that was already there,” Freer said. “We had to walk sort of a tightrope — keep a lot of the tradition alive, but at the same time bring in little pieces here and there of something fresh.”

Ying and Freer went on to lead the festival for a decade. “Those 10 years were some of the happiest musical memories of my life so far; just the connections we made with the community and the people there,” Freer said.

That spirit of togetherness came through during a 2006 concert for which several community members had composed music using Hyperscore, a computer software program that uses algorithms to build

musical elements like harmonization. The newly minted amateur composers wrote two-minute works that were played alongside traditional string quartet repertoire.

“People were listening to Beethoven, (but) in the next breath they were listening to their neighbor’s piece,” Ying said, “and cheering for a 12-year-old’s piece like they were Josh Allen of the Bills and they just made a great play.”

Embedded in the classical musicmaking tradition if only for an evening, the community members could see the connection between what they had written and what the canonic composers wrote.

“The music becomes elevated that much more when it takes on this personal and connective quality,” Ying explained. “It’s a very, very special place to have a music festival.”

In 2015, Ying and Freer passed the baton to another cellist-and-pianist couple, New York City-based Julia Bruskin and Aaron Wunsch. That first year as co-artistic directors, the pair performed Benjamin Britten’s Cello Sonata, which Wunsch said set the tone for their time at the festival.

“I wasn’t quite sure how the audience would respond, and I just remember they were up on their

feet right away,” he said. “That spirit of embracing the performers and the eagerness that you feel from the audiences in Skaneateles is somewhat unique. We don’t always get that here in New York City.”

While Bruskin knew she would enjoy the music-making at Skaneateles, the building of friendships has also been particularly worthwhile. “Those relationships over 10 years have grown and been a community that we really value as part of our musical life,” she said.

Bruskin and Wunsch’s approach to programming was apparent from the outset, with exciting collaborations such as those between jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman and string quartet Brooklyn Rider. Wunsch said that he and Bruskin have found Skaneateles audiences to be open to a wide variety of musical styles.

“We do enjoy dreaming up the programs, and then seeing those come alive,” Wunsch said. “The thing we didn’t know when we started was ‘Who is this community of people?’ and ‘What are their likes and dislikes and curiosities?’ And that took a while for us to meet the people and realize who this music is really for.”

The current artistic directors also have a mind for community. Bruskin and Wunsch hope to shine a light on Central New York’s refugee communities in tandem with the world premiere of a work by Afghan composer and refugee Arson Fahim, as well as two performances by Syrian clarinetist and composer Kinan Azmeh.

The Skaneateles Festival is about more than just classical music, but it’s also not just about stretching the boundaries of genre.

Below: Skaneateles Festival concertgoers take in a performance at Robinson Pavilion at Anyela's Vineyards. Inset: Aaron Wunsch and Julia Bruskin, co-artistic directors of the festival. PHOTOS PROVIDED

Summer stock

BY KATHERINE VARGA

Murder trials, medieval Chinese curses and messy family dysfunction – it may be summer, but drama never takes a vacation. While some theaters wind down for the summer, many others across upstate New York and southern Canada are ramping up their annual festivals. This summer’s offerings, in particular, include an exciting assortment of world premieres and works starring complicated and compelling women. If you’re hoping to hide from the heat in a cool, dark theater, here’s your guide to get started.

Several Rochester theaters are ending their season with a Broadway blockbuster bang. Geva Theatre Center will mount “The Color Purple,” the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s classic novel about Black women coming together in the face of trauma, May 28 - June 23. Blackfriars Theatre concludes their season with Kander and Ebb’s increasingly relevant “Cabaret,” the 1967 Tony Award-winning musical about a cabaret club during the rise of Nazwism in pre-Weimar Berlin, May 10 - 26. For a more gentle, escapist option, JCC CenterStage is also presenting a woman-led musical with “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” which plays May 4 – 19 and features hit songs from the titular singer-songwriter.

Community theaters keep the local scene thriving during the summer. The Rochester Community Players host their annual Shakespeare at Highland

Off-season theater options, from NOTA to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Bowl with one of the Bard’s less often produced plays, “Pericles, Prince of Tyre,” in a family friendly version including puppets from July 11 - 27. Pericles travels through the Mediterranean and faces dangers like shipwrecks and pirates while trying to reunite with his family; the performances are free and open to all. In a very different examination of family, Eighth Child Productions presents an evening of three original one act plays by local playwright Laura Thomas about mothers, sisters and prodigal sons in “Kinfolks,” June 6 - 9 at MuCCC

For new works outside of Rochester, the Chautauqua Theater Company is a breeding ground for new theater. This summer they’ll be staging “Birthday Candles” by Noah Haidle, which was developed during their New Play Workshop and opened on Broadway in 2022. Running July 9 - 21, the piece consists of birthday moments

throughout one woman’s life, challenging an actress to play the same character at 17 years old, 101 years old and many ages in between.

The Stratford Festival in Ontario offers a few world premieres, including “Get That Hope” by Andrea Scott from July 21 - Sept. 28, a dysfunctional family drama that unfolds over one hot summer day in Toronto’s Little Jamaica. Scott was inspired by both Eugene O’Neill and her mother’s move from Jamaica to Canada. Stratford will also debut “Salesman in China” by Leanna Brodie and Jovanni Sy, playing Aug. 3 – Oct. 26. Presented in both English and Mandarin, the play is based on the 1983 trip Arthur Miller took to Beijing to direct a production of his iconic “Death of a Salesman.” This piece of theatrical history may sound niche, but another bilingual play based on the same incident premiered in the East Village just last year. (Who knew Arthur Miller was back in the zeitgeist?)

If Chinese theater intrigues you but the twentieth century is just too recent, Shaw Festival in Niagaraon-the-Lake, Ontario is presenting two Chinese stories from around the thirteenth century: “Snow in Midsummer” by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, adapted from the more

excitingly titled classic “The Injustice to Dou E That Moved Heaven and Earth” by Guan Hanqing and playing August 8 - Oct. 5. The play may be a bit too relatable in its portrayal of alarming changes to the climate; in this case, the unusual weather comes from the curse of a wrongly executed woman. More medieval revenge follows with Ji Junxiang’s “The Orphan of Chao” adapted by Michael Man, the 1330 tale of a royal orphan who avenges his family’s death, playing June 13Oct. 5.

For something a little closer to home in time and place, the REV Theatre Company’s summer repertoire at the Merry Go Round Playhouse in Auburn, features recognizable musical blockbusters, starting with “Jersey Boys” June 522, the jukebox musical portraying the rise and fall of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. They continue with “Newsies,” the Disney hit based on the 1992 movie musical about young exploited newspaper boys singing and dancing their way through a strike in turn-of-the-century New York City, July 10 - 27.

If you’re thinking “music sounds good, but make it weirder and maybe with a serial killer,” then check out the Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown.

“Elizabeth Cree,” a recent opera by Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell playing July 28 – Aug. 20 features a woman on trial for murdering her husband in London circa 1880. The piece interweaves performers in a music hall with crime, making it an appropriate companion for Ruggero Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci,” the 1892 Italian opera about a troupe of clowns and a murdered wife, playing July 27 – Aug. 18.

The Royal George Theatre at Shaw Festival in Niagara- on-the-Lake. PHOTO PROVIDED

Rochester’s Cronkite signs off

BY PATRICK HOSKEN PATRICK@ROCHESTER-CITYNEWS.COM

Two hours before he steps into the studio on a spring afternoon, longtime 13WHAM news anchor Don Alhart is chasing people down at the station. Not for a story, but because they almost left without getting his signature.

Alhart published a children’s book in 2020, “Sibley’s Christmas Adventure,” and he regularly signs copies around town. He told the guests to stop by WHAM-TV’s Henrietta building and he’d do it personally.

That behavior might be typical of famous local news talents driven by a love of the spotlight. But Channel 13’s white-haired staple, who turned 80 in May, is a different breed.

“I’ve always felt that if people feel comfortable in the newsroom environment, they’ll feel more comfortable on the air,” he said, “and the viewer will feel more comfortable.”

Alhart, a Rochester Rotary Club leader who wears a pin with the group’s logo on his lapel, lives by one of its chief mottos: “service above self.” For nearly 60 years, that work has encompassed being a trusted news voice across the region and focusing on positivity during his signature “Bright Spot” segments.

When he signs off the evening newscast for a final time on June 6, it’ll bookend his career — 58 years to the day since he first

Don Alhart will retire after the 6 p.m. newscast on June 6, exactly 58 years since his first day on air.

began at the station in 1966.

“That’s the first thing that I will miss, the ability to put other people on the news,” Alhart said. “That’s always been the biggest thrill for me.”

His tenure is historic. He’s recognized by Guinness World Records for the longest career as a male television news broadcaster. He has emceed charity dinners for guests like Gerald Ford, Colin Powell and Walter Cronkite, presenting poems he wrote for them.

Rather than lining his walls with the photos from these events, he keeps them compiled in an unassuming black book in a desk drawer.

Alhart’s office is instead decorated with ordinary items that, when asked about, become inspirational. A giant candy dish invites staff members to say hi. A 45 RPM record of Noel Harrison’s “A Young Girl” calls back to his days as a Top 40 DJ in Ithaca.

And a black-and-white framed photo of two grinning animal control workers gives Alhart a little perspective. “Their job was to pick up dead animals,” he said. “If those two guys can be that happy, I can never complain about anything at my job.”

Sports Director Mike Catalana has worked with Alhart for nearly 40 years. He called him arguably the most famous person in Rochester (with apologies to George Eastman) and said 13WHAM’s entire culture stems from what Alhart does.

“He set the tone for the whole place,” Catalana said.

All current and former 13WHAM employees interviewed for this story said the same. Ginny Ryan, who co-anchored the 11 p.m. newscast with Alhart for three decades, praised his “quiet commitment” and “keen ability to read the room.”

“He was the steady presence that we knew we could always

Don Alhart poses at the anchor desk in the WHAM-TV studio, where he’s worked since 1966.

PHOTOS BY JACOB WALSH

Top and bottom: Don Alhart sits in his newsroom office ahead of the nightly newscast. Middle: Alhart chats with 13WHAM Sports Director Mike Catalana and meteorologist Scott Hetsko during the 6 p.m. broadcast.

PHOTOS BY JACOB WALSH

rely on as a newsroom and as a community,” Ryan said. “There’s something to be said for that quiet voice, the person who is always going to be there.”

That voice was also used widely for humor. Ryan called Alhart a “library of puns, bad jokes, and stories that fit the situation.” In the 1990s, when the Tickle Me Elmo doll was the hot-ticket holiday kids toy, the pair journeyed to Walmart after midnight to locate one for Ryan’s son.

“We both got one,” Ryan said. “I go, ‘What are you doing with it?’ Don says, ‘I have no idea.’”

Doug Emblidge, who retired from anchoring 13WHAM in 2022, called Alhart an “organized and meticulous” guy who could also wire a telephone hookup and work new gadgets better than some of the younger folks on staff.

That came in handy years ago, when Emblidge’s wife

Don Alhart looks into the automated studio camera during a commercial break in an April evening newscast.

PHOTO BY JACOB WALSH

The longtime broadcaster has been a fixture of Rochester’s television news scene and has watched the industry transform over his six-decade career. PHOTOS PROVIDED

unexpectedly went into labor at a Channel 13 party — and Alhart pulled out a primitive cell phone for Emblidge to use to call the doctor.

“It’s easy to take things for granted, right? It’s hard to take Don for granted,” Emblidge said. “What he’s done is so extraordinary, not just because of how long he’s done it, but because of how well he did it and how truly sincere he was in considering his job to be a calling.”

As the clock nears 6 p.m., Alhart reviews his scripts, bolding certain words for emphasis. When he pulls up his Outlook calendar, long blue blocks fill each day with podcast appearances, doctors appointments and other tasks.

Before he walked the long yellow hallway to his office today, he’d already had a haircut and gotten some light exercise in. Keeping busy and regimented is how he has made sense of the world for decades.

“Where a normal person might call in sick, you’ve got to be there, but you’ve got to be there,” Alhart said. “You have to look presentable, be on the air and be your normal self whether you feel like it or not.”

He’s still figuring out what his schedule will look like on June 7, when he doesn’t have to come into

Channel 13 for the first time since he was 22 years old. The station’s vice president and general manager, Chuck Samuels, said whatever it is, Alhart has earned it.

“Don was the Walter Cronkite of Rochester,” Samuels said. “He was the example for everybody, not just in the newsroom, but elsewhere in the building and in the community.”

Naturally, there are some loose ends. Alhart personally fits WHAM-TV’s new hires for their custom-molded on-air earpieces. “Who’s going to do it now?” meteorologist Scott Hetsko wondered aloud during a commercial break in the studio.

As for a successor, who could ever fill the shoes of Rochester’s Cronkite?

Alhart appreciates the comparison, but references another broadcasting legend he aimed to emulate: Johnny Carson, who hosted NBC’s “The Tonight Show” for 30 years and had a reputation for helping build other comics’ careers.

“I’ve always admired that he was there every night,” Alhart said. “He didn’t have to steal the show. He didn’t have to be the star. He could put the spotlight on someone else, and I’ve said that. I can shine the light on someone, and the reflection is all the light I need.”

todo DAILY

Full calendar of events online at roccitymag.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1

FAMILY

“Sesame Street” Live!

Say Hello

Kodak Center, kodakcenter.com

Elmo, Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby come to Rochester with plenty of neighborhood pals in tow. This live experience of the beloved PBS show boasts all the singing and dancing kids have come to love, plus a post-show photo opportunity to capture the special moment. It’s the latest “Sesame Street” tour produced by Round Room Live, the masterminds behind similar shows for “Blippi” and “Peppa Pig.” The fun begins at 6 p.m. Available tickets start at $27.50.

PATRICK HOSKEN

THURSDAY, MAY 2

LITERATURE

Stephen Eoannou

Bookeater, facebook.com/ bookeaterbooks

Did you know the guy who created the character Lone Ranger was from Buffalo? I didn’t, but radio and comics writer Fran Striker is the subject of a new novel by Stephen Eoannou. “Yesteryear” follows Striker and his story — which Eoannou describes as “often controversial” — as well as other real-life figures including then-president-elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The novelist, who published the book last October to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the premiere of “The Lone Ranger” on WEBR in Buffalo, makes an appearance at Bookeater for a reading at 7:30 p.m., with the doors open one hour earlier. Admission is $5 and includes a glass of wine.

DANIEL J. KUSHNER

FRIDAY, MAY 3

THEATER

“The Book of Mormon”

West Herr Auditorium Theatre, rbtl.org

At this point, “The Book of Mormon” is a modern classic of American musical theater. But the show, which follows two Salt Lake City missionaries as they attempt to spread the good word in Uganda, has always been an odd duck. Written by “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone with songwriter Robert Lopez, “The Book of Mormon” combines irreverent humor and clever writing with genuine heart. The Tony Awardwinning musical is back on tour and stops in Rochester through May 5. The opening night’s show starts at 8 p.m. Available tickets start at $51.85. DK

MUSIC

The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra

The Theater at Innovation Square, theaterais.com

During his reign as a big band leader in the 1940s, Glenn Miller notched more top-10 hits than both The Beatles and Elvis Presley ultimately would. Eighty years after his death, Miller remains a cornerstone, with

standards like “In the Mood” and “Moonlight Serenade” under his belt. His legacy continues with the 17-member jazz orchestra and vocal ensemble that bears his name, which has been active and touring since 1956. The swingin’ sounds of those brassy favorites will hit downtown Rochester at 7 p.m. (with doors at 6 p.m.). Tickets range from $44 - $56, plus fees. PH

SATURDAY, MAY 4

MUSIC

Lotte Lenya Competition Finals

Kilbourn Hall at Eastman School of Music, kwf.org

Every spring, the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music presents the high-profile vocal competition named after Lotte Lenya — the famous Austrian-American singer and Weill’s wife — at Eastman School of Music. The contest’s final round is a showcase of talented, classically trained vocalists who are versatile enough to perform both operatic repertoire and musical theater with aplomb. The 2024 finals’ judges include Metroplitan Opera star and Eastman professor Nicole Cabell, composer Jeanine Tesori, and writerdirector Tazewell Thompson. Past winners Analisa Leaming, Rebecca Jo Loeb, Michael Maliakel, and Jacob Keith Watson will also perform. If you’re interested in hearing what opera’s future sounds like, this is a great opportunity. Free. 8 p.m. DK

DANCE

Star Wars Rave

Photo City Music Hall, photocitymusichall.com

May the 4th be with you! Photo City has been hosting a lot of themed raves — Shrek, Broadway, Super Mario Bros. — but there’s something about a Star Wars rave that seems right. Something about the similarities of lightsabers and glow sticks, or lasers in space and dancefloor lighting, or Yoda and the weirdo at the bar. Or that weirdo at the bar could be dressed like Yoda — attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite Star Wars characters. Things start at 8 p.m. and tickets are $26. JEREMY MOULE

FILM “

Star Wars: A New Hope”

The Little Theatre, thelittle.org

A throwback to the OG 1977 Star Wars film that started it all. Showing at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday to commemorate the unofficial holiday, May the 4th Be With You, and Sunday at 3 p.m. Doors open one hour prior to each screening. $11, with discounts available for members, seniors, and military. NOELLE EVANS

ENVIRONMENT

Clean Sweep Saturday

Innovative Field, cityofrochester.gov/ cleansweep

Volunteer to pick up litter, plant flowers, trim trees and show some love for Rochester’s urban environment and wildlife. Volunteers get a free ticket to that day’s Red Wings game and a food/drink voucher. T-shirt, tools and breakfast provided. Starts at 8 a.m. NE

FILM

“Return to Sender: Women of Color in Colonial Postcards”

ROC Cinema, maraahmed.com

A short experimental film directed and produced by Mara Ahmed, funded by a NYSCA grant. Three contemporary South Asian American women recreate British colonial postcards from the early 20th century. Followed by a panel discussion. 12 p.m.– 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $18 plus fees $16 plus fees for students and seniors. NE

SUNDAY, MAY 5

MUSIC

Holocaust

Remembrance Concert: “A Time to Remember...”

Kilbourn Hall at Eastman School of Music, esm.rochester.edu

For the ninth time annually, the Eastman School presents its Holocaust Remembrance Concert, which shines a light on the work of composers who suffered during the Holocaust. This year’s program includes compositions by Otto Manasse, Erwin Schulhoff, Marcel Tyborg, Mieczyslaw Weinberg and Rosy Wertheim. The free concert starts at 7:30 p.m. DK

SPORTS

Rochester Red

Wings Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Innovative Field, milb.com/rochester

The Red Wings match up against the Syracuse Mets in the planned finale of a six-game series that happens to fall on Cinco de Mayo. Pre-game fun includes an autograph booth, and after the ninth inning, kids can run the bases. Game time: 1:05 p.m. Gates open at noon. PH

MARKET

8th Annual Spring Sip & Shop Event

Arbor at the Port, rocmadegoods.com Here’s a chance to head down to the Genesee River and enjoy everything from handmade arts and crafts to a full bar and signature drinks to permanent jewelry welding, baked goods and sweet treats. Dozens of vendors are featured at this free indoor/outdoor event from noon to 4 p.m. There’s plenty of free parking around the Port Building. Visitors are asked to please leave their pets at home.

ALEX CRICHTON

MUSIC

Sexyy Red

Blue Cross Arena, bluecrossarena.com

This female rap artist rose to fame after her hit single “Pound Town” was released in 2023. Since then, she has collaborated with the likes of Drake and SZA. Her catchy yet provocative lyrics resonate with many age groups,

and she has managed to sell out arenas all over the nation. The concert also features newer rap artists Hunxho, Bossman Dlow and Skilla Baby. 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. music. Available tickets start at $54.90.

RACQUEL STEPHEN

MONDAY, MAY 6

MUSIC

“Let’s Be Clear”

The Theater at Innovation Square, theaterais.com

Measures for Justice is a Rochesterbased organization that uses data tools to inform criminal-justice policy decisions. Storytelling can likewise be a powerful tool to influence change. Thus, MFJ produced “Let’s Be Clear,” a documentary series highlighting individual tales from across the country where hard data has impacted the personal experiences of those impacted by the criminal justice system. A Q&A panel discussion follows. Free, with advance registration recommended. PH

TUESDAY, MAY 7

FITNESS

Ladies Climbing Night

Central Rock Gym, centralrockgym. com/rochester

Ladies’ night, but put it on a wall. This weekly meet-up takes place every Tuesday and is open to femaleidentifying rock climbers of all skill levels from 7 – 8 p.m. $18 (includes gear), free for members. NE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

COMEDY

ROC Cinema

Open Mic

ROC Cinema, innerloopblog.com

Hosted by The Innerloop Blog, this weekly comedy open mic provides a great opportunity to work out some new bits, try out stand-up for the first time or simply enjoy the performances of friends and neighbors. Participants who sign up are drawn randomly from a hat, with each comedian performing for four minutes. The evening’s best entertainers, as voted by the audience, will be part of The Innerloop Blog’s Comedy Showcase on the last Friday

of the month. In-person sign-up begins at 8:30 p.m., and the open mic starts at 8:45 p.m. Free. DK

PARTY

CITY Social

The Alexander, roccitymag.com

Join the CITY crew from 6—8 p.m. at The Alexander (formerly Ox & Stone), 282 Alexander St. Pick up a copy of the mag, pitch an idea for a future issue, and sample food and drinks from the new venue's menu. Free and open to all. LEAH STACY

THURSDAY, MAY 9

ART

Sarah Friedland: “Social Guidance”

Visual Studies Workshop, vsw.org Sarah Friedland concentrates her work as a filmmaker and choreographer at the intersection of, as she describes, “moving images and moving bodies.” It’s not unusual to see sequences of people in routine motions — fire drills, public assemblies — recontextualized through her lens. As the Project Space Resident at Visual Studies Workshop, she has selected clips from the VSW archives that speak to her own work, creating a conversation between the video pieces. The installation also features her own “Movement Exercises Trilogy.” 7 p.m. $10 suggested. PH

FRIDAY, MAY 10

THEATER

“Cabaret”

Blackfriars Theatre, blackfriars.org

Although there’s a trend toward successful movies spawning musicals, the American classic “Cabaret” was a 1966 musical before it was the 1972 film starring Liza Minnelli. The storyline follows English singer Sally Bowles and American writer Clifford Bradshaw as they navigate Berlin on the eve of Nazi fascism. “Wilkommen” to this Blackfriars production, directed by the company’s artistic head Brynn Tyszka. The musical opens today at 8 p.m. and runs through May 26. Opening night tickets are $36.50, but prices vary by day of the week. Discounts for students, seniors, and groups are available. DK

SATURDAY, MAY 11

THEATER

“Shrek the Musical”

West Herr Auditorium Theatre, rbtl.org

It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but until the 2001 animated movie “Shrek” came out, I was unfamiliar with Leonard Cohen’s timeless classic “Hallelujah.” The rest of the film’s soundtrack, with its abundance of jukebox tunes, made for an indelible musical backdrop to the fantastical tale about a misunderstood ogre. That original story became the inspiration for the musical of the same name, which premiered on Broadway in 2008 and was written by opera composer Jeanine Tesori. The production gets a brief run of three performances in Rochester. The opening performance starts at 8 p.m. Available tickets start at $41.85. DK

MUSIC

Los Straitjackets

The Little Theatre, thelittle.org

At this point, Nashville instrumental rock band Los Straitjackets are an institution. The quartet, known for donning black suits and colorful luchador masks, fuse bright surf licks with early rock and roll rhythms. That dynamic combination has led to collaborations with folks like Nick Lowe. As they celebrate 30 years together, the Jackets (featuring Rochester’s Greg Townson on guitar) stop off at The Little for a show presented via Abilene’s On the Road series. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 day-of-show. PH

CONTINUED ON PAGE 52

PETS

Rochester

Dachshund Parade

Washington Square Park, dachshundparade.com

This annual event has been going on for 22 years, which is a testament to the enduring love people have for wiener dogs. They may be short in stature but they’ve got big personalities. The event starts at 10 a.m. with songs, oompah music to honor the breed’s German roots, and a fashion show that you do not want to miss. The parade starts around 11:30 a.m. after the pups have had some time to socialize and sniff. The organizers say there will be treats available for people and pooches. JM

SHOPPING

Flea Market

Upstate Vintage Market, upstatevintagemarket.com

Who hasn’t taken a short road trip to check out a flea market or other event out of town? Head toward Brockport to visit an antiques and collectibles co-op in Clarkson, about a half-mile east of Route 19. Local community vendors provide a wide range of handmade items; the market also buys antiques and collectibles. The flea market runs from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. AC

SUNDAY, MAY 12

CULTURE

Mother’s Day Psychic Fair

Iron Smoke Distillery, ironsmokedistillery.com

I won’t be able to take my mom to this event, but perhaps yours is more predisposed to this side of the supernatural spectrum. This free event includes the opportunity to patronize Metaphysical Market artisans, receive a tarot reading, and more. 2:30 p.m.6:30 p.m. DK

MUSIC

Lyle Lovett and Lisa Loeb in Conversation and Song

Smith Opera House, thesmith.org

The success of Lisa Loeb’s breakout hit, 1994’s “Stay (I Missed You),” came partly due to her neighbor,

Ethan Hawke, who convinced Ben Stiller to place it in the movie they were shooting, “Reality Bites.” That same year, Lyle Lovett’s then-wife, Julia Roberts, provided background vocals to multiple songs on his album “I Love Everybody.” These are only a few of the great stories both songwriting talents share. They may or may not tell them during their evening of “conversation and song” at Geneva’s 130-year-old historic theater. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $55.39. PH

MONDAY, MAY 13

MUSIC

Penfield Symphony Orchestra’s “Americans in Paris” Concert

Penfield High School, penfieldsymphony.org

The striking sounds of percussion and brass will transport you to Paris during the opening of this Olympicthemed concert. Inspired by the upcoming Summer Games in France, the orchestra begins with Leo Arnaud’s “Bugler’s Dream” and John Williams’s “Olympic Fanfare and Theme.” The concert is led by guest conductor Jared Chase, a finalist for PSO’s open music director position. 7:30 p.m. General admission is $15; student tickets are $1 with school ID. MEGAN MACK

TUESDAY, MAY 14

MUSIC

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Highland Park Mainstage, roclilacfest.com

During the height of the ’90s swing music revival, California band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was one of its leading lights. But these ambassadors of the big-band sound never really went away. When the group takes the stage at this year’s Lilac Festival, fans will undoubtedly be treated to their vintage hits “You & Me & the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby),” “Mr. Pinstripe Suit” and “Go Daddy O.” BBVD hits the stage at 7 p.m. but the free show begins at 4 p.m. with Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul followed by Horacio & La Fama Salsa Band at 5:30 p.m. VIP Skydeck passes are available for $35 plus tax. DK

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

FESTIVAL

Lilac Festival Seniors’ Day

Highland Park, roclilacfest.com

North America’s largest collection of lilacs is for everyone, from the littlest bud to the oldest bloom. As such, Seniors’ Day celebrates the elders in the community with “a delightful and relaxed experience,” brought to life by music, food, and activities tailored to seniors. Translation: the fun of Rochester’s flagship springtime festival without all the fuss. Folks can enjoy a leisurely stroll and lunch specials, as well as ADA-accessible loop drop-offs and bus and van parking. Free. PH

THURSDAY, MAY 16

MUSIC

Ringo Deathstarr

Photo City Music Hall, photocitymusichall.com

Obviously, Ringo Deathstarr is a sick name for a band. Beyond that, this Austin, Texas outfit performs contemplative, brooding rock in the shoegaze tradition. The atmospheric and slightly sludgy soundscapes can lull you into a blissful haze, but there are enough guitar and vocal hooks to keep you on alert. The 18-and-over show’s doors open at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 plus fees, day-of-show tickets are $25 plus fees. DK

MUSIC

An Evening of Soul Curated by Danielle Ponder

Highland Park Mainstage, roclilacfest.com

Fresh off creating the music for the Apple TV+ miniseries “Manhunt,” powerhouse vocalist Danielle Ponder returns to Highland Park stage at 7 p.m. for a night of soul music featuring a pair of artists she handpicked herself. Chicago-born, Rochester-based rapper and singer Chi TheRealist precedes Ponder, as he did during her hometown gig at Essex last October, at 5:30 p.m.. Kicking things off are the Afrobeat-influenced EKUA and the lo-fi, dreamy Zwena at 4 p.m. Free. VIP passes are $35 plus tax. PH

COMEDY

Mike Birbiglia: “Please Stop the Ride”

Kodak Center, kodakcenter.com

Sleepwalking through a second-story hotel window, and surviving, is the stuff of superhero origin stories.

For comedian and storyteller Mike Birbiglia, it’s just another bit. He’s built an impressive career on stage, in film and on television extracting the humor from moments like those; his specials “The New One” and “The Old Man and the Pool” tackle parenthood and aging with unexpected comedic grace. His newest, “Please Stop the Ride,” promises another adventure. The show begins at 7 p.m. $35-$65.

PH

FRIDAY, MAY 17

MUSIC

Monica and Musiq Soulchild

West Herr Auditorium Theatre, rbtl.org

This performance featuring two soulful R&B singers would be a great Mother’s Day gift. Monica is a Grammy Award-winning multiplatinum artist who began her career about 30 years ago. Her hit singles include “The Boy is Mine” featuring R&B artist Brandy, “Before You Walk Out of My Life” and “So Gone.” Musiq Soulchild mixes R&B, funk, blues and hip-hop. His hit singles “Love” and “Teachme” reflect his ability to blend genres seamlessly. Doors open at 7 p.m., music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $76.80. RS

SATURDAY, MAY 18

ART

“Collidoscope: de la Torre Brothers

Retro-Perspective

Corning Museum of Glass, cmog.org

The Corning Museum of Glass is always worth a day trip, but the opening of the new exhibition “Collidoscope” adds incentive. The show highlights the vivid and evocative glassworks of Mexican American artists Einar and Jamex de la Torre. Their collaborations are fantastical and folkloric, borrowing from familiar imagery to create their own distinct

iconography. But just in case you can’t make your way to Corning right away, don’t worry: the exhibition runs through January 5, 2025. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free museum entry for kids 17 and under. Adult tickets are $22; discounts are available for college students, seniors, AAA members, military and local residents. DK

MUSIC

Mosaic Foundation

Hollerhorn Distilling, hollerhorn.com

Finger Lakes reggae group Mosaic Foundation sounds like sunshine. It’s not unusual to see at least three of its seven members playing synthesizers or keyboards; the result is an atmospheric but light sonic presence. Soulful vocals from Yao Foli power the engine of the band, and a tight rhythm section keeps the motor running. They’ll bring that energy to Hollerhorn in Naples from 7 P.M.-11 p.m. The rainor-shine show is 21-and-over. Please leave your pets at home. $20 plus fees. You can also catch them at the Ithaca Reggaefest in June. PH

MUSIC

Fishbone’s Angelo Moore

Photo City Music Hall, photocitymusichall.com

Since its inception in 1979, the Los Angeles band Fishbone has defied any neat categorization. Ska, funk, rock, soul, metal, punk? Yes and, all of the above. And lead singer and saxophonist Angelo Moore has been at the center of it all. The charismatic frontman is a veritable force. If your feet aren’t movin’, that’s on you. Local acts Some Ska Band and Turkey Blaster Omega get the evening started. Doors open at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 plus fees, day-of-show tickets are $30 plus fees. DK

SUNDAY, MAY 19

FESTIVAL

Rochester Record Fair

Radio Social, rochesterrecordfair.com

About a decade ago, at a record fair, I talked myself out of buying an early pressing of Jonathan Richman’s “The Original Modern Lovers” recordings. I’ve regretted it since. I’ll try my luck again at this must-attend event for vinyl, CD and tape lovers, which promises 40 tables of crates and collections, presented by the deep divers at HiFi Lounge and Needle Drop Records. Brunch and bowling are also available, as ever. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free, with early bird admission for $10. PH

PHOTOGRAPHY

Roc Arts United Monthly Arts Mingle

The Yards, rocartistsunited.org

Each month, Roc Arts United gets local artists together to talk shop and build organic collaborations. Photographer Richard Colón leads this month’s meetup with a photo walk beginning outside The Yards at the Rochester PubIic Market. But you don’t need a DSLR, only a “curious creative eye” and a desire to chop it up with other local creative folks. Be there by 10 a.m. PH

MUSIC

Orchestral Olympics

Hochstein Performance Hall, rpo.org

Trying to get a quick workout in? Let the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra move you, in more ways than one. This all-ages afternoon recital is devoted to “pulse-pounding rhythms from the wide world of symphonic sports.” Jherrard Hardeman conducts, possibly while clad in a jersey. Preconcert activities begin an hour before, at 1 p.m., so plan naptime for the kiddos accordingly. General admission tickets run $10 for children and $20 for adults. PH

MONDAY, MAY 20

FITNESS

Cardio Charleston

The Rose Room, groovejuiceswing.com

Join Groove Juice Swing every Monday night from 6 – 7 p.m.

for a workout with a twist. Cardio Charleston is a jazz and swing version of Zumba, blending classic moves from the 1920s (think flapper) with current workout trends (think interval training, flexibility and balance). This is a solo dance class; no partner needed. All fitness and experience levels welcome. $10 at the door, or buy a six-class punch card for $50. LS

TUESDAY, MAY 21

FILM

“The Color Purple”

Winton Branch Library, facebook.com/ wintonlibrary

As a preview to the upcoming Geva Theatre production (more on that in the May 28 listing), the Winton Branch Library hosts a screening of the 2023 movie adaptation of the musical “The Color Purple,” based on novelist Alice Walker’s award-winning book. Directed by Blitz Bazawule, the film features performances from Fantasia Barrino (“American Idol”), Danielle Brooks (“Orange Is the New Black”), Ciara and Taraji P. Henson. 5 p.m. Free. DK

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22

FILM

“From Russia with Love”

Dryden Theatre, eastman.org

There’s a certain magic around James Bond films, even if the franchise has gone through several iterations and adapted to the times. They’re all thrilling, entertaining spycraft stories with a little short-term romance thrown in to advance the plot. The older movies were also a little corny, but in a way that’s more endearing than it is off-putting. Such is the case with “From Russia with Love,” which came out a year after the Cuban Missile Crisis and reflects the growing Cold War between the United States, the Soviet Union and their respective allies. Sean Connery was a fantastic Bond whether he was playing it straight or leaning into a pun, and he’s called this his favorite film of the franchise. As with any Bond flick, watching it on the big screen is a treat. “From Russia with Love” begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $12 general admission, $9 for members, and $5 for students and children. JM

MUSIC

Hozier

Darien Lake Amphitheater, hozier.com

Irish musician Andrew John HozierByrne, better known simply as Hozier, set the world on fire with his 2013 song “Take Me to Church,” but it was a slow burn that rocketed the undeniably sexy rock ballad to the top of the charts. Now a household name, Hozier has released three full-length albums, including 2023’s “Unreal Unearth.” While “Take Me to Church” is ubiquitous, don’t sleep on the rest of the soulful singersongwriter and Grammy nominee’s catalogue. 8 p.m. Available lawn seating starts at $54.35. DK

THURSDAY, MAY 23

MUSIC

Orodruin and Cardinals Folly

Bug Jar, bugjar.com

The local doom metal staples in Orodruin took their name from the actual Mount Doom, the pinnacle of evil in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” saga. But their sound, while heavy, is accessible and has broad appeal. That’s what keeps them endearing, more than a quartercentury into their career. They share the stage with fellow doomers Cardinals Folly, venturing to the Bug Jar all the way from Finland, and whose song “Ride or Die 666” rips big time. Rochester’s Saints & Winos open the show. Music starts at 9 p.m. 18+ tickets are $18 plus fees, 21+ are $15 plus fees. PH

LECTURE

Nostalgic Scents: Connecting with Our Memories Through Our Sense of Smell

Webster Public Library, websterlibrary.org

If I could bottle the scents of freshly cut grass and chlorine, I’d relive my childhood summers at my grandmother’s house each time I sprayed them. In this presentation, library professional Melinda Wallington explains why our brains are hard-wired to link our sense of smell to our memories. You’ll learn why you can suddenly recall an experience after just a brief whiff of a particular odor. Free, but registration is required. 6:30 p.m. MM

FRIDAY, MAY 24

FILM

“Get on the Bus”

Dryden Theatre, eastman.org/drydentheatre

In 1995, hundreds of thousands of Black men traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Million Man March with the aim of recasting their stereotypes and bringing renewed attention to Black voter issues. A year later to the day, Spike Lee released this, his tenth film, which follows the fictionalized story of several men en route to the capital from Los Angeles. It’s the latest in the ongoing series “Wake Up!: The Cinema of Spike Lee,” which showcases all 24 of the director’s films throughout 2024. PH

partnerships and continue to shine a positive light on local businesses and people. This event features entertainment, food and valuable resources for youth participants and their families to enjoy. The objective is to create a fun and safe environment while driving home messages of antibullying, anti-violence and anti-gangs. The day will be jam-packed with nonstop fun in the sun. 2 p.m.-10 p.m.

General admission tickets are $25 plus fees. VIP tickets and other packages are also available. RS

THEATER/FILM

“Nye”

The Little Theatre, thelittle.org

The Avett Brothers

CMAC, cmacevents.com

Catching Seth and Scott Avett play tunes with their long-running band around here has historically been easy to do. Whether they hit Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards or Chautauqua, they tend to be summer fixtures. Their brand of rootsy storytelling and rustic musicality (see this year’s “Country Kid”) tends to capture hearts. They’ll bring that charm to CMAC a week after their new album, “The Avett Brothers,” hits stores. Americana singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell, who recently appeared on Zach Bryan’s chart-topping self-titled 2023 album, opens the show. Available tickets start at $57.75. PH

Aneurin “Nye” Bevan led the creation of the National Health Service in Britain after World War II, putting in place a system of care based on “clinical need, not an individual’s ability to pay,” per its constitution. In this theatrical telling of Nye’s life story and triumph, he’s played by Michael Sheen, a fellow Welshman known for his work in “The Queen,” “Frost/Nixon,” and Showtime’s “Masters of Sex.” The stage production, written by Tim Price and directed by Rufus Norris, will be screened at The Little via National Theatre Live. The metaphorical curtain rises at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $20 for members, students and seniors. General admission is $24. An additional screening takes place Sunday, June 2. PH

SUNDAY, MAY 26

COMICS

RochesterCon Pop Culture Show

SATURDAY, MAY 25 MUSIC

Love & RNB BBQ

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, eventbrite.com

The mission is to bring the community together through

Double Tree Hotel, therochestercon.com Here’s something to satisfy your inner nerd. It’s a comic convention with a variety of vendors showing off comic books, magazines, toys, video games, sports cards, anime and much more. Industry professionals like voice actress Linda Young and comic book legend Bob Budiansky of “Transformers” fame will also be featured. The convention runs from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be bought online or at the door. Free parking and free admission for kids under 11. AC

MUSIC

“If All Rochester Wrote the Same Song”

The Little Theatre, rochestersongs.com

This annual songwriting competition was born out of a friend snooping through another friend’s basement. As the story goes, The Route radio host Scott Regan was paging through fellow songwriter Jeff Riales’s notebook and came across the title, “Don’t Go Drinking on an Empty Heart.” They shared the title with the local music community, and 25 versions of that song later, “If All Rochester Wrote the Same Song” came to be. The title of this year’s song is “That’s Where I’ll Be.” Of the hundreds of submissions, a handful of songs of various genres, moods, and themes have been selected for the performance featuring a house band. 4 p.m. $20. MM

MONDAY, MAY 27

MUSIC

Big Nobody

Bug Jar, bugjar.com

A Monday night is no excuse not to rock out! The local indie rock quartet Big Nobody, fronted by CITY’s own Art Director Jacob Walsh, makes carefully crafted guitar pop with no heavy thinking required. Just drift in and let the music wash you away with its easy-flowing riffs and garage rock aesthetic. As evidenced by last year’s album “Ripped From the Dream,” it’s ultimately Walsh’s mind for melody that makes the songs sing. Grocer from Philadelphia and the formidable Rochester outfit Pluck round out the lineup. 18-and-over show, doors at 8 p.m., music at 9 p.m. 21-andover tickets are available at the door for $10. Tickets are also available in advance: $10 plus fees for 21-andover; $15 plus fees for 18-and-over. DK

TUESDAY, MAY 28

ART “6x6x2024”

Rochester Contemporary Art Center, rochestercontemporary.org

The annual summer art event “6x6,” celebrating the local creative community, continues through July 21, but an in-gallery preview begins today. The exhibition features submissions of work six inches tall by six inches wide, which are sold for $20 each to raise money for Rochester Contemporary Art Center. Not only is this event a great way to add to your personal art collection and support the local scene — it’s also one of the cultural highlights of the year. The in-person preview — at which you can get a sneak peek of the art and make a list of favorites — runs from today through Thursday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. and on Friday, May 31 from 12 p.m.-9 p.m. Admission is free for RoCo members and $5 for the general public. The virtual art sale of 6x6 works starts on June 1 at 4 p.m. and is $10 for RoCo members and $15 for non-members. DK

THEATER

“The Color Purple”

Geva Theatre, gevatheatre.org

“The Color Purple” has seen several different creative variations since author Alice Walker published the original novel about the resilient Celie in 1982 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction the following year. An Oscarnominated cinematic adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg, with stars Whoopie Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover, followed in 1985. The musical version that Geva is presenting with Theatre Latté Da through June 23, with music and lyrics by Benda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, first premiered on Broadway in 2005. Recommended for theatergoers 16 and older due to depictions of violence and trauma. The opening night performance begins at 7:30 p.m. $30-$62. DK

CONTINUED ON PAGE 58

LUNCH & DINNER

THURSDAY-SATURDAY 11:30am-10:00pm

SUNDAY & MONDAY 4:00pm-9:00pm

EVENT SPACE AVAILABLE BRUNCH

SUNDAY & MONDAY 11:00am-2:45pm

Book your special gathering with us!

Gentles Farm Market

Selling local fresh fruits and vegetables for over 100 years.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29

MUSIC

The Heavy Heavy

Essex, essexroc.com

The music of U.K. duo The Heavy Heavy feels beamed in directly from 1967. With the Baroque organ of The Zombies and sunny harmonies in the vein of The Mamas & the Papas, pals and collaborators Will Turner and Georgia Fuller fill every note with an air of throwback charm. But they make those sounds feel fresh, skirting the label of a nostalgia act. It’s a hit around here: In addition to their Roc stop, the duo visits Buffalo, Homer and Woodstock this month as well. Doors open at 7 p.m. $30. PhilipMichael Scales opens. PH

THURSDAY, MAY 30

GAMING

ROC Game Dev

Social Night

Dice Versa, rocgamedev.com

ROC Game Dev’s monthly social helps connect folks in the local gaming developer community IRL. One easy way to do that? With games, of course. This month’s meetup will be held at Dice Versa, a lounge spot that offers games of the physical variety (board, that is), located across from Innovation Square. It boasts over 250 board games, plus cocktails, wine, small bites and casual conversation about all things gaming. Free. 7 p.m.9 p.m. PH

FILM

Nitrate Picture Show

Eastman Museum, eastman.org/ nitrate-picture-show

The appeal of nitrate film has long been the silvery luster of how it appears when projected onscreen. That luster comes at a high cost: extreme flammability. As such, nitrate

prints largely fell out of circulation in the latter half of the 20th century for safety reasons. This festival screens vintage nitrate prints as a way of celebrating film conservation. The lineup is largely kept under wraps until the festivities kick off on May 30, though the first screening will be D.W. Griffith’s 1916 silent film “Intolerance.” Festival passes begin at $150. Individual tickets may be available at the box office. PH

MUSIC Sonidos Unidos

Lovin’ Cup, lovincup.com

For the past decade, local salsa band Sonidos Unidos has brightened parties and dance floors across Rochester with its unique blend of Latin music. From bachata and merengue to pop-R&B hits, the group can make it work, living up to the promise of their name (“united sounds”). To mark the occasion of the group’s 10th anniversary, the band’s members spend Salsa Night at Lovin’ Cup celebrating their reign, beginning at 8 p.m. $10. PH

FRIDAY, MAY 31

MUSIC

The Guess Who

Kodak Center, kodakcenter.com

One of the great Canadian bands of the classic-rock era, The Guess Who debuted in 1962 and scored No. 1 tunes with “American Woman” and “No Sugar Tonight” in the early ’70s. They disbanded a few years later, but a few former members have toured relentlessly under the band’s name in the decades since. Original drummer Garry Peterson anchors its current lineup without key song architects Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman. Due to recent legal action from Cummings, the group’s setlist may not span those big hits. But the show must go on, at 7:30 p.m. $35.50-$75.50. PH

PUZZLE ON PAGE 66.

Cat + The Coyote brings one-of-a-kind theatrical experiences to Rochester audiences.

Immersion on the dance floor

BY SYDNEY BURROWS

When Cat Olson creates work for her immersive dance theater company, Cat + the Coyote, her first thought is not about technique or the coordination of music and movement. Instead of tailoring the piece to the stage or a topic like many post-modern dance creators, Olson focuses on the relationship between performer and audience. This perspective is especially important for immersive theater, which brings audience members into a space other than a traditional theater and invites them to be an integral part of the piece.

Olson’s creative process is inspired by her own performance career, which began at Hochstein School of Music and Garth Fagan Dance. After graduating from SUNY Brockport, Olson moved to New York City to complete her MFA at New York University and work professionally.

When a friend of hers joined the cast of “Sleep No More,” an internationally successful immersive theater production by British theater group Punchdrunk, Olson felt herself pull away from classical dance. She was determined to make her way into the space between dance and theater in which “Sleep No More” lived.

“I got in after my third audition,” Olson said. “That was a whole new dance chapter. There’s something

ARTS

PHOTO BY LOUIS RESSEL

about working with ‘Sleep No More’ that pulls that out of people. I started thinking of myself as a fully rounded creator, performer and choreographer.”

A decade later, after moving back to Rochester during the pandemic and connecting with Heather Roffe Wiktorski, a fellow SUNY Brockport graduate and director of the undergraduate dance program at Nazareth University, Olson added “teacher” to that list. Since teaching at Nazareth, Olson has found immense inspiration in her students. So much so that she decided to create her company with four graduating seniors as her founding members in May 2023.

Jennifer Roush, a former student of Olson’s and current member of Cat + The Coyote, credits Olson with changing her perception of a dance career.

“I learned that dance as a profession is way broader than I ever imagined,” said Roush. “She broadened my mind about what possibilities exist for me and my future career.”

Hoping to use what she has learned from working with Olson to

spark an immersive theater career of her own, Roush will pursue an MFA at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London this fall.

While Olson’s students draw inspiration from her teaching, she has also discovered new creative motivation from her work in the classroom.

“Serving the students comes to the forefront and the rest of it strips away,” she said. “It lets me get at these things that I maybe would have worried more about if I had been by myself.”

Along with this element of mental clarity, Olson found demonstrating for technique classes allowed her to expand her physical range of movement. Her continuous growth as a dancer and choreographer is, in large part, due to Olson’s ability to embrace challenges, a characteristic she passes onto her students.

“She knows how to push you in ways that are uncomfortable, to make discoveries about yourself and your art,” said Roush. “But she knows how to do it carefully so you grasp it fully.”

Olson’s risk-taking is reflected both in the movement and challenging topics of Cat + The

Coyote’s performances. Her most recent work, “Pedestals” explores female objectification and the layered life experiences of being a woman. Olson has also created pieces about the stages of grief, aging, motherhood and evolution.

Though the ideas behind her creations are important, Olson always comes back to the audience. She hopes people leave her performances feeling the urge to talk with others about what they saw.

“Every piece of great dance I’ve seen are pieces that tackle fresh, challenging ideas and not only feel profound from a visual standpoint, but also spark conversation,” said Olson. “One of the most interesting things about art as a medium is the conversations we have after.”

Upcoming performances by Cat + The Coyote include a premiere of a collaborative work, “Invite Only,” at Rochester Cocktail Revival on Saturday, June 8; “Chapter 38” at Dances at MuCCC June 19 - 22, and “Pedestals” at Rochester Fringe Festival in September.

instagram.com/cat_and_the_coyote

PHOTO BY LOUIS RESSEL

Love thy neighborhood

CULTURE

BY PETE WAYNER

Behind a finch-yellow door on Castle Street in Geneva sits a restaurant built on a love story. Slightly more than a year old, Anorah has woven itself into the fabric of a city singled out in the Finger Lakes for its excellent food and drink. It occupies the space formerly home to Red Dove Tavern, a beloved neighborhood spot that closed amid the turbulence of the pandemic. It was after a particularly hard night at that restaurant that the story of its successor began.

Shawna Shell and Mike Pavone, owners of Anorah, met at the nearby Linden Social Club. He was enjoying an open bar tab courtesy of Kindred Fare (also in Geneva, for those keeping score at home) to commemorate Pavone’s last day in their kitchen. Shell, then GM of Red Dove, needed a drink. Cocktail met bar tab, girl met boy, and six years later, they opened Anorah less than 400 feet away.

“Every time we go to Linden Social Club, which usually happens after a long day at the restaurant,” said Shell, “we look over at that velvet couch and say, ‘we met right there.’”

It seems appropriate now that so many local spots had a hand in Anorah’s inception, as local ties have become a throughline in both its cuisine and its mission. Pavone, the head chef, estimates

The duo behind Geneva restaurant Anorah sets the table for community.

Seafood Cake Bao Bun: panko-crusted cod and shrimp, lettuce, onion, hot peppers, tomatillo aioli; “Sometimes Sunny Cocktail.” PHOTOS BY PETE WAYNER

that in the warmer months he sources 85% of the menu’s ingredients from regional farms. This includes meat from Bedient Farms in Middlesex and Fisher Hill in Canandaigua, mushrooms and microgreens from Mush Love Greens in Geneva, and Farmer Ground Flour from Trumansburg, which Pavone blends with Italian 00 flour for Anorah’s signature steamed bao buns. Cooking with local ingredients expresses a larger mission to bring people together.

“We’re eclectic comfort food,” said Shell. “We try to stay true to having inspiration from all different kinds of styles of cooking, taking that and making it our own, formulating some sort of comfort element so when you come in here you get a friends and family atmosphere.”

Shell, a Geneva native, started her tenure in hospitality in her early teens; young enough that she needed working papers. Her resume is a patchwork of Geneva favorites bisected by time spent earning a degree in public health education and a short stint working in a medical nonprofit, but red tape and bureaucracy made it difficult to feel as if she was actually making a difference.

“Since I was young that was my main interest — getting into some sort of field helping other people … working in restaurants is a different sort of helping people,” she said. “It’s not the same degree at all, but in a certain way if you get to a certain status, you can start feeding back into your community.”

The ideal of setting a table where all feel welcome is reflected in Anorah’s interior and

menu icons. Verdant plants hug the windowsills and a tasteful scattering of framed art and nostalgic decor gives the impression of dining at the home of a very stylish, cosmopolitan godmother.

This sense of snug hospitality extends from the surroundings to signature dishes. A rotating array of puffy bao buns has spanned the last year’s oft-changing menus, including panko-crusted cod and shrimp cake bun with tomatillo aioli and a hoisin barbecue mushroom bun with cucumber and peanuts. A bolognese rich enough to raise a Nonna’s eyebrows features house tagliatelle, Bedient Farms beef and pork and Finger Lakes Gold cheese from Lively Run. The Thai chicken wings (also from Bedient) are a twice-fried, shatteringly crisp tribute to the famous and (sadly) shuttered Pok Pok in Portland, Ore.

This cross-cultural, cross-country range of influences reflects Pavone’s culinary history. An early interest in cooking led him to Tony D’s first days in Corn Hill, where owner Jay Speranza taught him the ropes.

“He pushed me quite a bit pretty quickly, and that was my launchpad for how I started,” said Pavone. “The goal was always to own my business. I was constantly trying to learn and absorb as much as I could.”

From there, Pavone landed a spot as sous chef at The Tasting Kitchen in Los Angeles. There, Pavone learned how a well-oiled kitchen can run with broadened seasonality (and deep pockets). He brought this knowledge home to open Lulu

Taqueria in Fairport, after which he did a stint at Kindred Fare in Geneva, where (as we’ve covered), he and Shell next founded a restaurant called Anorah. The name is an amalgam of their mothers’ first names (Angela and Deborah).

The name’s significance hit home in Anorah’s first weeks, when Pavone’s mother passed away unexpectedly. A literal storm compounded matters around the same time. Heavy rains rolled downhill toward Seneca Lake, flooding the restaurant’s basement and drowning its water heater and a chest freezer. When Pavone arrived at the scene, the owners of Microclimate, another Geneva restaurant, were waiting to help.

“Ellie (Dolan) was down there with me in knee-high water trying to save stuff,” he said. “It was really cool to see what it’s like to have good neighbors.”

Good neighbors. Two Geneva restaurant workers share some post-shift drinks. They open a restaurant around the corner, fill the menu with bounty from surrounding farms, and when floodwaters (metaphorical and literal) rise, neighbors arrive with buckets and start bailing.

After the restaurant was officially named, Shell learned that “Anorah” is a Greek word meaning “to honor.” Today, the restaurant honors the memory of Pavone’s mother, honors the city and region that supports it, and honors all who come to a table hungry, in the name of hospitality and good neighbors.

anorahrestaurantbar.com

Co-owner Shawna Shell pouring a Sometimes Sunny cocktail. PHOTO BY PETE WAYNER

Co-owner and head chef Mike Pavone in the kitchen. PHOTO BY PETE WAYNER

The Dish

BITE-SIZED NEWS

Now open in Chili Center, Localist Coffee serves Australian-inspired coffee and myriad other drinks and snacks. Beginning as a pop-up and mobile operation, Localist comes to Rochester by way of Phoenix and adds another coffee option on the west side of the city. With a modern-minimalist, highly Instagrammable aesthetic, the shop is located within the same building as The Father’s House church and has a separate entrance through their patio. Hours are 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday. instagram.com/localistcoffee

Three Brothers Wineries estate wines will debut new branding this month, with labels designed to reflect the winery’s commitment to quality and environmental responsibility. As one of the first New York State wineries to be certified as a sustainable vineyard by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, the winery is focused on creating long-term success through sustainable practices. 3brotherswinery.com

WHET YOUR PALATE

The Swan Family of Rochester will launch their latest concept, The Alexander, in mid-May. Located in the former Bamba Bistro building that most recently housed Ox and Stone, the restaurant and event space will offer new American fare and comfort classics, many hearkening back to the early Swan days. Renovations in the Alexander Street space will accommodate both a traditional restaurant experience and private events. instagram.com/ thealexandersocial

Bob Caranddo, who owned Orbs in the South Wedge (RIP, we still miss those meatballs), will open a new venture, Angelinas on South, in the former Beale Street Cafe location at 689 South Ave. this month. The once New Orleans-inspired interior has been given a fresh coat of white paint and an airy industrial look in the dining room. Cuisine will have a local focus and there’s a large, L-shaped bar where guests can order craft cocktails. angelinasonsouth.com

FOR THE LOCAVORES

Greater ROC and Swiftwater Brewing Company in the South Wedge have teamed up to create a limited release craft beer called “Makin’ Waves.” The American Pale Ale was designed to embody the creativity and passion of the Rochester region. After a successful initial launch of the beer last month, Swiftwater is making another triple-batch to be released to the public in select stores.

Greater ROC is an organization working to highlight the region and draw attention to the greater Rochester area; this collaboration is a celebration of the strong craft beer community within the region. swiftwaterbrewing.com

Pinnacle Wine & Liquor on Monroe Avenue announced via Instagram it now carries Jeppson’s Malört, a wormwood-based digestif native to Chicago. Invented as a “cure for stomach aches” during Prohibition by Swedish immigrant Carl Jeppson, Malört is both a regrettable rite of passage and a storied hangover cure. Pinnacle claims to be the only retailer of 750s and pints in Rochester; any challengers? pinnacleliquor.com

FOOD FÊTES

Gather a few friends, pick a fun team name, and put your palate to the test for a chance to take home the winning prize at the monthly Living Roots Mystery Wine Tasting. Teams of four will taste through four mystery wines (from a variety of producers, plus some bonus comparative tastes) and answer a range of questions relating to them. $100 covers tastings for the whole team, and additional drinks/food can be purchased from the tasting room menu. Attendees will receive 10% off all tasting room purchases on the day of the class. exploretock.com/livingrootswineco

Avvino’s downtown spot in the Mercantile on Main, La Bola, will host a family friendly Mother’s Day brunch buffet on Sunday, May 12. With more than a dozen entree options (including La Bola’s signature paninis), a “kids table,” and a dessert table, this spread is certain to satisfy all ages and palates. $75 per ticket, or $25 for ages three to 10. exploretock.com/avvino

Market bites

Because you shouldn't shop on an empty stomach.

CULTURE BY JOE MORRELL JOE@ROCHESTER-CITYNEWS.COM

During the warmer months in Rochester, there’s a high probability you will see me meandering down a sidewalk, sunglasses on, tote over the shoulder. If it’s a Saturday, there’s an even better chance that I’m on my way to one of my favorite spots: Rochester Public Market. I’m a lover of the market not only for its ability to provide affordable, local products, but also because it’s a great place to eat.

For a city that has many walkable neighborhoods, we don’t really have a lot of walkable street food options — so apart from the few hot dog carts that remain sprinkled through downtown and the occasional food truck sighting, the Public Market remains the spot with the most vendors offering bites you can eat on the move, whether it’s an arancini, donut, or a couple pierogies.

Ahead of peak market season, we curated a list of a few favorite hand-held snacks to munch on on the move.

Empanadas | Juan and Maria’s Juan and Maria’s is a staple at the Public Market, and for good reason. I could eat through their entire menu of various empanadas and sauces. It’s a choose-your-own adventure kind of setup with no wrong paths: nine different empanadas, a variety of sides and five signature sauces.

Although there are close to endless combinations, a personal favorite is the breakfast empanada. Loaded with egg, cheese and a trio of ham, bacon, and sausage, neatly sealed and fried

for a perfect morning snack. (A must with their smokey red gold sauce.)

Arancini | Mama Napoli’s

By nature, an arancini is a rather simple, reimagined ‘leftovers’ dish. A rice ball, typically arborio rice, is combined with some variation of cheese-meat-veggie, then fried and often dolloped with red sauce. You can find great arancini throughout Rochester, and Mama Napoli’s Authentic Arancini in the

Market is no exception. At a booth inside Shed B, Mama Napoli’s is serving arancini in little boats and topped with red sauce. There’s both a vegetarian version with spinach and mozzarella as well as their classic filled with ground meat, peas, and cheese.

Pierogies | Cherry’s European

When you enter the market from Railroad Street, the first vendor hut you see is Cherry’s European. Serving up Polish-Ukrainian-American Cuisine, Cherry’s offers a mix of breakfast and lunch options with Eastern European influence. As someone who grew up making frozen pierogies after school, I am partial to the warm, fluffy dumplings filled with cheesy potatoes. Cherry’s evokes my childhood after school snack in the best way. Smothered in caramelized onions and served with a healthy plop of sour cream, their snacksized pierogies are a great snack at any point in a market day.

Waffle Bites | The Gourmet Waffler

When we stumbled upon The Gourmet Waffler we couldn’t resist a walkable envelope of bite-sized waffles. The fluffy pieces, with crispy little edges and a

slight citrus flavor, are a sweet treat. The booth in Shed B is operated by Prosper Rochester, a non-profit empowering youth to create and operate small-scale social enterprises. Prosper Rochester’s booth at the market features a few different products to shop, all managed by Rochester youth alongside Prosper’s CEO Jill Stolt.

Cake Donut | Duke’s Donuts

There’s a sort of nostalgic magic to watching donuts come out of the fryer, down the conveyor and immediately rolled in a giant bowl of sugar. Duke’s Donuts, located right in the center of Shed B, serves up hot, fresh donuts all day. Although Duke’s apple cider fry cake gets a lot of love and fandom, their contrasting cake donut rises to the top of my list. It’s a fluffy, fried treat topped with crunchy sugar and placed in a little pocket bag — perfect for carrying as you walk through the busy market.

PHOTOS BY ABBY QUATTRO

Answers to this puzzle can be found on page 59

Car Starters

PUZZLE

BY S.J. AUSTIN & J. REYNOLDS