Rochester Area Media Partners LLC, Chris Hastings, chairman
FOUNDERS
Bill and Mary Anna Towler
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ryan Williamson
EDITORIAL
Editor-in-chief: Leah Stacy
Arts reporter: Patrick Hosken
Multimedia reporter: Roberto F. Lagares
Contributors: Kellen Beck, Sydney Burrows, Florence Cardella, Brendan Dabkowski, Vanessa Cheeks, Gino Fanelli, Jon Heath, Leah Joy, Johanna Lester, George Cassidy Payne, Mona Seghatoleslami, Wren Werner
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CITY (ISSN 1551-3262) is published monthly 12 times per year by Rochester Area Media Partners, a subsidiary of WXXI Public Broadcasting. Periodical postage paid at Rochester, NY (USPS 022-138). Address changes: CITY, 280 State Street, Rochester, NY 14614. Member of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia and the New York Press Association. Copyright by Rochester Area Media Partners LLC, 2026 - all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, photocopying, recording or by any information storage retrieval system without permission of the copyright owner.
What if it all works out?
EDITOR'S LETTER
BY LEAH STACY LEAH@ROCHESTER-CITYNEWS.COM
The following pages, for me, mark a full three years of working on CITY magazine. The May 2023 issue was a shared production between myself and Dave Andreatta, a sort of “passing of the torch” as he moved into a new role and I took the helm. In his outgoing editor’s letter for that issue, Andreatta wrote about his four years as editor — a challenging journey through WXXI’s acquisition of the magazine, a pandemic, a rebrand to “magazine” and the transition to monthly from weekly print:
“When the rebranded CITY Magazine launched in September 2020, it picked up where its weekly predecessor left off - holding a mirror to greater Rochester for an enlightening, entertaining, and honest reflection of life in our community. Each issue sought to blend an array of news and commentary with street-level coverage of the arts, music, food and drink, and culture, to galvanize people around shared interests and ignite important conversations. We did some excellent and impactful work.”
My goal, from day one, was to continue that excellent work.
In the three years since Andreatta wrote those words, I marvel at the many changes CITY — and WXXI, as its parent company — has navigated. The CITY team looks very different, including welcoming its first multimedia reporter and shifting to more digital content; WXXI welcomed a new CEO, Chris Hastings, for the first time in 28 years; CITY resurrected the Best Of Rochester awards and revamped the party into a true awards show experience; the current presidential administration cut CPB and NPR funding, creating an opportunity for more support from within our community; and WXXI is currently undergoing a reorganization
to position the company — including CITY and The Little Theatre — as a trusted, lasting local and national media resource.
Zooming out, the opportunity to hold this position has been one of my proudest career milestones. Zooming in, it is a daily privilege and honor to tell the stories of the community I call home. Is it the job I dreamed of on the first day of J-school in 2011? Not quite. But like many preconceived ideas we have for our lives, sometimes things work out now how we project, but for the best.
Berto has a folder in his email titled “Why we do this,” and it’s where
he saves nice emails and replies and shout-outs from social media. In early April, he, Patrick and I sat on a panel at the Henrietta Public Library, and our friend Jim asked each of us thoughtful questions about CITY. There was a small group of people there to listen and ask questions, and we walked away with a jolt of gratitude for the work we get to do and the people it matters to. If we could’ve saved that night in Berto’s folder, we would have.
I say this a lot in the office — local journalism, particularly arts and culture journalism, isn’t brain surgery. We aren’t literally saving lives. But I will tell you
that sometimes, the work saves me. Us. All of us. It matters, especially in 2026, the same way a sunny, warm day matters after a winter of gray and cold; the way a baby’s laugh matters in the midst of grief; the way a kind word from a stranger matters when you are lonely. It matters because we need to know that even when things are going terribly wrong in the world around us, there are still some good stories.
So when life feels heavy or we’re tempted to focus on the negative, here’s a reminder from my best friend, for me and for you — what if it all works out?
L
Staff fest picks
Call me old fashioned, but I’m a real jazz man. When I think of summer in Rochester, I picture myself on Gibbs Street stepping in rhythm to booming drums, or walking through the East End with the horns of Steely Dan’s “Josie” blowing in the air, or catching vibrations from an impromptu show on the sidewalk. As such, the Rochester International Jazz Festival remains a banger. I think we’re all in agreeance on that. —PATRICK HOSKEN
Food-themed festivals have to be the best — and what better food than sauerkraut?
Just follow your nose past the sweet, sulfuric smell of Clifton Springs and you arrive at the sauerkraut capital of the world. Every first weekend in August, Phelps plays host to the mighty “krauter.” My ideal ‘kraut weekend kicks off with the half-marathon, followed by a cheeseburger topped with sauerkraut, followed by a piece of chocolate sauerkraut cake, washed down with a warm beer where I pass out in the municipal baseball field listening to the Midlakes marching band horn section play Bruno Mars covers. —RYAN WILLIAMSON
After years covering and attending (and even performing at) local festivals, I have a unique set of memories tied to each one. The ESL Rochester Fringe Festival will always hold a special place in my heart, followed closely by the Hilton Apple Festival. On the Fringe side, I’ve been attending since year one, and performed several shows in following years. After that, many years reviewing shows for then-CITY Newspaper (s/o to my editor at the time, the inimitable Jake Clapp who returned to New Orleans in 2019).
Then there was my stint as the Fringe PR coordinator in 2022, when I worked with the best social duo, Margo and Mike (AKA the Fringe Fries), and our dear Adele Fico. Fringe has a bottle-it-up magic no matter what role I have; and I can’t recommend attending enough. On the Hilton Apple Fest side, some of my earliest fest memories happened there, fighting through the crowds for that first seasonal sip of cider to chase a bite of hot apple cider donut. My dad grew up in Hilton, so inevitably someone would recognize someone else and there’d be (for us kids) the dreaded small talk. Then, of course, the bushels of apples we’d take home to make into glorious jars of applesauce. To this day, the taste of any apple sends me back to the fields of Hilton.
—LEAH STACY
I’d be remiss if I did not tip my grandfather's fedora and don a guayabera to attend the Puerto Rican Festival. The formative memories made watching amateur boxing matches midday, seeing my late grandmother honored in the parade as the grand marshal in 2012 and finding out that growing up listening to Johnny O and the “Mas Flow: Los Benjamins” album (on repeat) at deafening levels is a canon event growing up in a Puerto Rican
household. Of course, the food is top tier and as the honorary “gordito” of the family I know what I am talking about (pro tip: some pastelillos, platanos and a malta goya will fix you). —-ROBERTO FELIPE LAGARES
Every year as the weather warms, I get swept up in spring. The sun, the birds, the gradual shift from white and gray to blue and green, the blooming flowers. The titular lilacs of the Lilac Festival and their fellow blossoming trees, bushes and flowers that line the winding paths of Highland Park always grab me. I'm entranced by the pinks, purples, and whites of the azaleas, rhododendrons and magnolias, intoxicated by the heady floral bouquets, transfixed by the towering ginkgos, chestnuts and spruces. Pair that curated nature walk with an overpriced lemonade and a sugar-topped fried dough, I'm ready for summer.
—KELLEN BECK
EVERY FEST UNDER THE SUN
BY CITY STAFF
Rochester’s reputation as a “festival town” is one we herald proudly from May through (roughly) October. From downtown to the Finger Lakes, our region features festivals celebrating everything from flowering trees and craft cocktails to film and folk music. So break out the calendar and save the dates (also: maybe try cloning yourself), because it’s time for CITY’s annual roundup of all the fests we could find from now ‘til fall.
Did we miss one? Email hello@roccitymag.com and we’ll add it to the online guide.
Rochester Lilac Festival
May 8 — 17
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 128th year, the Lilac Festival features music, food trucks, vendors and more. The 2026 edition features high-profile performances by a diverse crop, including Cimafunk (May 8); The Lone Bellow (May 10); Taylor Swift tribute band Cruel Summer (May 11); hometown harpist Mikaela Davis, who is dropping a new album (May 13) and more. There’s also a brand new food and bev tasting event, “The Lilac Table” featuring some of the area’s best bites and cocktails, the crafty “Art in the Park,” the Lilac 5K & 10K, and, of course, more than 500 blooming shrubs. roclilacfest.com
Reel Mind Mental Health Film Festival
May 13, 20, 27
Reel Mind Film Festival returns to The Little Theatre with films centered around mental health and neurodiversity. The 2026 theme, “Life in the Time of Dementia: Stories of Memory & Change,” encourages conversations that explore memory, caregiving, and the shifting sense of self that comes with cognitive change. There will be three ticketed screenings; each one followed by a panel discussion. reelmindfilmfest.com
ARTS MUSIC ROADTRIP
Genesee Valley QuiltFest
May 15 — 17
The biennial Genesee Valley QuiltFest, held this year at RIT’s Gordon Field House, offers over 600 beautiful traditional and art quilts all in one place. The show features works by local and national quilt artists plus over 60 vendors from seven states offering quilting, sewing, knitting and crocheting supplies. Professional quilt judges will be at the show to award ribbons and prizes. Food trucks will be onsite, and there will also be classes, lectures and special exhibits. geneseevalleyquiltfest.com
Tree Peony Festival of Flowers
Saturdays and Sundays, May 16 — May 31
Starting in mid-May, the private Linwood Gardens will open its grounds to the public every weekend for the 30th annual blossoming of the Japanese and American 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. Light lunch and treats available for purchase onsite. linwoodgardens.org/festival
Rochester Independent Comics Expo
May 15 — 16
The annual Rochester Independent Comics Expo (RICE) includes workshops, live events and an expo of comics art from Rochester and beyond. A comics slideshow and launch party kicks things off at Writers & Books on May 15, and the daylong festival on May 16 features over 75 comics artists, among other programs. RICE is operated by Western New York Comic Arts, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; both WNYCA and RICE are 100% volunteer-run. wnycomicarts.org
Geneva Music Festival
May 19 — June 14
Violinist Geoffrey Herd founded this fest — which spans venues around Geneva — back in 2011. Organizers have once again booked artists who transcend typical chamber-music signifiers as well as a more traditional cohort who will bring Beethoven and the ‘Sounds of the Revolution’ to life. Folksy-bluesy-classical Invoke kicks off the lineup, followed by the likes of Jeremy Denk, Fred Hersch Trio, Eight Blackbird, and Mark & Maggie O’Connor. Regional wineries will serve as venues and pour tastings at select shows. genevamusicfestival.com
GlassFest
May 22 — 24
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 the Wineglass 8K Race. Free live music soundtracks each day, with a Memorial Day Tribute at Riverfront Centennial Park to end the fest. gafferdistrict.com/events/glassfest/
Annunciation Rochester Greek Festival
May 28 — 31
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. And for dessert, don’t forget Greek coffee and a baklava. From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, but closing at 9 p.m. on May 31. rochestergreekfestival.com
Caledonia Trout Festival
May 30
For the fourth year in a row, Caledonia’s premier fishing fest brings demonstrations and plenty of vendors to Main Street and Pioneer Street in Caledonia in the spirit of both community and helping folks connect to the great outdoors. The fun runs 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. bigspringsmuseumcaledonia.org
Rochester Cocktail Revival
June 1 — 7
Raise a glass to Rochester Cocktail Revival, the largest (and longest-running) spirits festival of its kind on the eastern seaboard, which returns for year 13 with more than 70 events at 30 partner venues downtown. Offering something for industry members and cocktail enthusiasts alike, RCR hosts annual pairing dinners, educational seminars, concerts, late night parties and headline events including a garden soirée at George Eastman Museum on Wednesday, June 3; an immersive theater production in the Public Market featuring local performers on Friday, June 5; and the climactic Bar Room Battle Royale on Sunday, June 7 at Radio Social. A portion of all proceeds each year is donated to Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club Rochester; RCR has raised more than $310,000 to date. rochestercocktailrevival.com
Nitrate Picture Show
June 4 — 7
The George Eastman Museum's festival of film conservation features screenings of vintage nitrate prints from international archives and the Eastman Museum’s own collection, as well as lectures from leading archivists, inviting attendees to experience the art and science of film preservation from print conservation to archival projection. Attendees have the rare experience of watching original nitrate prints projected in the cinema while surrounded by other enthusiasts, as well as the opportunity to tour the Louis B. Mayer Conservation Center Nitrate Vault, attend concerts in the historic mansion, participate in Nitrate Touch and more. Last year’s sold-out 2025 festival welcomed 500 attendees from around the world; this year is already sold out as well. eastman.org/nitrate-picture-show
Fairport Canal Days
June 5 — 7
Dozens of art merchants will line the water in the middle of Fairport along with plenty of live music and food vendors, as well as the popular rubber duck race for charity. Kick things off during this scenic 48th annual weekend fest 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 6
Each first Saturday in June, the 19th Ward Community Association — the oldest neighborhood association in Rochester — hosts the Square Fair, a festival that celebrates the vibrancy of the neighborhood and has been going strong for 60 years. The event at Aberdeen Park features games and activities for kids, local vendors, a mechanical bull to ride and more. A parade kicks off the fun; the organizers encourage attendees to wear white to celebrate the anniversary. 19wca. org/square-fair
The Fast & the Furriest
June 6
A must-attend event for animal lovers, the 20th annual Fast & the Furriest Dog Walk and Pet Fest returns, 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 at Brown Square Park across from Rochester Animal Services, 184 Verona St. vsas.org/the-fast-the-furriest
New York State Yoga Festival
June 6
This celebration of movement (and nature) presented by Hikyoga features classes set against the backdrop of Letchworth State Park’s natural beauty, along with hiking, live music and plenty of vendors. The 2026 theme is “Wild & Free,” encouraging a “return to our roots — ditching the shoes, flowing under the open sky and reconnecting with the pure joy of being outdoors.” Held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; tickets start at $30 plus fees. nysyogafestival.com
Finger Lakes Opera Summer Festival
June 6 — August 9
This operatic, multi-venue fest celebrates local lungpower with free events at breweries (June 6 at 20 Deep Winery, June 21 at Iron Smoke Distilling, July 10 at Three Heads Brewing), a third annual free Juneteenth program (June 18 at New Bethel CME Church), and three fully staged productions: “Glory Denied” (July 19); “Happy End” (July 23) and “The Marriage of Figaro” (August 6 and 9); all at at Robert Panara Theatre at RIT/NTID. fingerlakesopera.org
Quiet on the Set! Film Festival
June 7
Ithaca has become 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 to 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
Flower City Poetry Fest
Highland Park Bowl
June 10 — 12
Returning for its third year, the Flower City Poetry Fest (previously “Poetry in the Bowl”) is an open-air, three-day celebration held at the Highland Park Bowl in partnership with Highland Park Conservancy. Each night runs 6-8:30 p.m. and features award-winning poets and musicians with deep ties to New York State. Other highlights include a special choral ensemble performance of the winning poem from our Teen Poetry Contest ("Freedom" by ninth-grader Bronwyn Capps, performed by Rochester Oratorio Society) and readings by the NY State Poet Laureate, Kimiko Hahn, and Rochester's own Marie Howe, who won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. wab.org/poetry-festival/
Northfield Common Creators Fest
June 13
This is the fourth annual outdoor festival presented by RocOnly Events, NOTION gift shop and Neutral Ground Coffeehouse at Northfield Common, a unique shopping destination located next to the towpath of the Erie Canal in the Village of Pittsford. The event brings together a curated mix of local artisans alongside food trucks, live music and a dedicated kid zone, all in one easy, walkable setting. Visitors can also take part in interactive offerings like tarot readings, a braid bar, pet portraits, on-the-spot poetry, permanent jewelry and a mobile plant truck. Shops will be open throughout Northfield Common during the 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. fest. pittsfordchamber.org
Celtic Faire
June 13 — 14
Hear the sounds of bagpipes, watch Highland games and Irish dancing, shop specialty vendors, enjoy traditional foods and explore a variety of pan-Celtic traditions. Kilts welcome! This much beloved annual event takes place at Genesee Country Village and Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days; admission required. gcv.org
Adirondack Mountain Club's Outdoor Expo
June 13
Can’t pitch a tent? The 26th annual Outdoor Expo has you covered. For one day, 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 — plus, a petting zoo. 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 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission is free. gvc-adk.org.
Keuka Arts Festival
June 13 — 14
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 also features family activities, clowns and art demonstrations. keukaartsfestival.com
Off the Dock Chamber Festival
June 14 — 20
Founded in 2023, this week of chamber music in Skaneateles offers immersive, tight-knit experiences for music lovers like a festival kickoff titled “Bluegrass to Bach” (June 14) and “Composers at the Library” (June 16). Concerts will showcase emerging professional performing artists hailing from the nation's top music conservatories. Saxophonists Kodachrome Quartet and Eastman grad Holden Turner will perform, among others. offthedockchamber.com
Rochester Harborfest
June 18 — 20
The Rochester Harborfest, which returns for its 40th anniversary this year, marks the opening of the summer season at Ontario Beach Park with a celebration of the waterfront. Featuring free family activities like a sand-sculpting competition, a huge car show and a Saturday night boat parade of lights; the fest also boasts food vendors, a kids’ fun zone, tours of the historic Genesee-Charlotte Lighthouse (just down the road), free rides on the 120-year-old Dentzel carousel, tours of the 204-year-old Genesee-Charlotte Lighthouse and more. ontariobeachentertainment. org/harborfest
Rochester International Jazz Festival
June 19 — 27
The 23rd edition of the Rochester International Jazz Festival transforms downtown Rochester into a walkable celebration of world-class music across 19 venues. Featuring 300+ shows, including more than 110 free concerts, jam sessions and workshops, the festival showcases over 1,750 artists from around the world. The 2026 lineup includes Bob James (June 20), Arturo Sandoval (June 21), Hiromi (June 23), Chris Botti (June 25), Gladys Knight (June 26), Count Basie Orchestra (June 27), and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (June 27), plus many more. Experience up to 20 shows each night during one of the most immersive and musically diverse festivals in North America. rochesterjazz.com
Dances at MuCCC
June 23 — 27
The annual contemporary dance festival happens at 8 p.m. on June 23, 24, 26 and 27 and features program A Tuesday and Wednesday, then Program B on Friday and Saturday. All shows will take place at the Multi-Use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC). Each program showcases dancing and compositions by selected choreographers and collaborators within this year’s theme “Moving Margins to the Center,” directed by Donna Davenport and Nanako Horikawa Mandrino. Tickets can be reserved in advance or purchased at the door; $15 general admission, $10 students and seniors (65+). muccc.org
Finger Lakes Chamber Music Festival
June 26 and July 8, 24
For two evenings in the summer, Hunt Country Vineyards in Branchport becomes a music destination, featuring the music of Sch ubert, Beethoven and FLCMF artistic director Richard Auldon Clark’s premiere of “Sonare III - Wiccan” (June 26) and the music of Dohnanyi and Mozart for string trio (July 24). A third FLCMF event (July 8) will take place as part of the Yates County Lawn Concert Series in Penn Yan. All shows are free to attend, though donations are welcome and appreciated. fingerlakes-music.org
FLXcursion
June 27 — 29
Headquartered biannually in Geneva, FLXcursion is an international celebration of Riesling regions featuring public events like the FLXcursion Grand Tasting: The World Cup of Riesling on Linden Street (June 27), wine dinners and industry-only seminars, tastings and more held in venues across the Finger Lakes over four days. Mingle and explore the grapes and topics that unite Riesling winemakers, and try wines from around the world along the way. flxcursion2026.com
Sterling Renaissance Festival
Saturday and Sundays, July 4 — August 16
This festival at 15385 Farden Rd. in Sterling may seem niche to the casual observer, but it’s a popular one in this neck of the woods, and 2026 marks its 50th anniversary. 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. sterlingfestival.com
Glimmerglass Festival
July 10 — August 16
A must-visit festival every year in historic, glorious Cooperstown features a month’s worth of top-level opera productions featuring up-and-coming pro singers. This year’s lineup includes Glimmerglass artistic director Francesca Zambello’s acclaimed production of “Madame Butterfly,” Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma” and a new adaptation of Mozart’s love comedy “Così,” set at an American college. Be sure to leave time for a stop at the National Baseball Hall of Fame on your way in or out of town. glimmerglass.org
Rochester Real Beer Expo
July 11
This year showcases 75+ breweries, craft cideries, kombucha makers and craft beverage makers in the concourse at ESL Ballpark with a focus on local breweries and wineries as well as non-alcoholic fare. The fun is accompanied by live music and ballpark food vendors and takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. (VIP preview hour kicks off at 3.) 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
Corn Hill Arts Festival
July 11 — 12
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 tradition dating back a half-century, 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. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. cornhillartsfestival.com
Rochester Comedy Festival
July 16 — 19
Comedy @ The Carlson will launch the first-ever Rochester Comedy Festival, a four-day event that brings together top touring comedians, rising local talent and a diverse lineup of live shows celebrating stand-up, improv and podcasting. Kicking off the festival is the finale of Rochester’s Funniest Stand-Up Contest, where local contestants will compete for a $1,000 cash prize, a paid spot on the “Best of the Fest” showcase and the title of “Rochester’s Funniest Person 2026.” The finals will be hosted by Rochester native comedian and improviser Tommy Bechtold (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Abbott Elementary,” “The Middle”). The festival will conclude with a special headlining performance from national touring comedian Pete Correale on July 19. CarlsonComedy.com
GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance
July 16 — 19
The ever-popular, family friendly Finger Lakes spin on Woodstock returns to Trumansburg for its 34th year with more than 30 live music acts headlined by Donna the Buffalo, Rhiannon Giddens and Taj Mahal; there’s also a four-day pre-festival “Culture Camp” offering daily workshops and nightly dinners and dancing. Camping is available and part of the experience, and all ages are welcome. grassrootsfest.org
Downtown Canandaigua Art and Music Festival
July 17 — 19
This cultural staple of Canandaigua ushers in its 37th year with a juried art competition of more than 150 artists, 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. to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. downtowncanandaigua.com
Seneca Falls Convention Days
July 17 — 19
It’s been 178 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, celebrates the writing of the Declaration of Sentiments, the Convention in Seneca Falls and neighboring Waterloo, which gave rise to the American women’s rights movement. 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 movement of ideas and people through Central and Western New York State” in mind. nps.gov/wori
Oatka Festival
July 18 — 19
Returning for its 36th annual year, LeRoy’s Oatka Festival begins with a gala music parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, a car show at 11 a.m. Sunday and a duck derby on Oatka Creek to close out the fest at 5 p.m. on Sunday. The festival will run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days with an arts and crafts show overlooking the creek, food and drink options and plenty of family friendly activities. Pets are not allowed. oatkafestival.org
Rochester Pride Festival
July 18
The cornerstone of Rochester 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 Avenue to Highland Park on Saturday, July 18 at 11 a.m. From there, the Trillium Health-organized Rochester Pride Festival (themed ‘Enchanted Pride’ this year) begins with food and drinks, games, vendors and live performances. The festivities stretch all of July, including a Pride Flag-Raising Ceremony on July 13. rochesterpride.com
ChamberFest Canandaigua
July 22 — 29
This milestone year marks a new chapter for the festival as renowned pianist Audrey Andrist joins cellist Amy Sue Barston as co-artistic director. The classical festival celebrates all things chamber music with Bridget Kibbey & Friends (Kibbey has been dubbed “Yo Yo Ma of the Harp”) as a headliner. There’s also a July 23 concert paired with a five-course meal at The Lake House on Canandaigua and an evening where musicians of all ages and levels gather to perform a shared repertoire from memory at Cobblestone Arts Center on July 25. chamberfestcanandaigua.com
Indigenous Music & Arts Festival
July 25 — 26
This annual event, held at the Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan State Historic Site, showcases Haudenosaunee and Indigenous cultures. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, enjoy dance, music, storytelling, traditional craft demonstrations, an arts market, children's activities, raffles, guided trail walks, gallery tours, food and more. ASL interpretation will be provided at the mainstage throughout performances. ganondagan.org
Spencerport Canal Days
July 25 — 26
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 44th 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. Past years have brought classic car shows and chances to win prizes in the Canaligator Race. Free admission. spencerportcanaldays.com
Waterfront Art Festival
July 25 — 26
Webster's Charles E. Sexton Memorial Park once again hosts this party in its 53rd 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. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. waterfrontartfestival.com
JCC Ames Amzalak
Rochester Jewish Film Festival
July 26 — August 2
The Rochester International Jewish Film Festival enters its 26th 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 information and schedule is forthcoming. rjff.org
Skaneateles Festival
July 30 — August 22
A destination for music enthusiasts from a wide variety of genres from jazz and classical to bluegrass and Broadway, the Skaneateles Festival continues to enchant audiences with its blend of world-class performances and unwavering commitment to artistic excellence. Skaneateles Lake provides the picturesque backdrop to top-flight performances from jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, decorated fiddlers Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland, piano virtuoso Garrick Ohlsson and the Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens. The fest runs throughout August, including a free music lecture series with Juilliard professor Aaron Wunsch. skanfest.org
Puerto Rican Festival
July 30 — August 1
To celebrate its 56th anniversary, this high-energy festival — one of the longestrunning ethnic festivals in the region — will once again take place at Parcel 5. The commemoration of Puerto Rican culture features three days of live music, cultural cuisine and art, celebrity guests and pride. pr-festival.com
Lima Crossroads Festival
July 30 — August 2
This festival in Livingston County is all about the blues — and the heat. The 2025 performer lineup boasts two tents full of acts like the Pete Griffith Group, Steve Grills and the Roadmasters, Destini Rawls, Sugaray Rayford and more; a BBQ Rib Fest Competition adds additional temperature. There are also family events and activities for kids such as a scavenger hunt and a bounce house, an old-time jail, a 5K run and more. limafest.org
Pan Afrikan Festival
August 1
Formerly called the Afrikan American Festival and currently in its 18th year, Rochester A.B.O.V.E.’s one-day festival (held this year on National Black Business Day) at the Highland Park Bowl celebrates and unites the various cultures of the African diaspora. Expect plenty of live music throughout the day, plus food, family friendly activities and artisan vendors. panaffestival.org
Pageant of Steam
August 5 — 8
There have been 66 years of steam at this festival featuring antique steampowered vehicles. Events include tractor pulls, sawmill demonstrations, live music, food and a worthwhile flea market — there’s even a 25 Years of Muscle Tractors exhibit this year. The Pageant of Steam, held in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Moline Gold Club, runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day at 3349 Gehan Rd. in Canandaigua. General admission for adults is $10, kids under 12 are free. nysteamengineassociation.com/pageant-of-steam
Lucille Ball Comedy Festival
August 6 — 9
The National Comedy Center in Jamestown, the premier museum and cultural institution dedicated to comedy, will feature headliners Jerry Seinfeld, Bert Kreischer and Seth Meyers at the 36th annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. Additional performers include comedian, writer, producer and Emmy Award-winner Carol Leifer (“Seinfeld,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Saturday Night Live,”) and “America’s Got Talent” finalist Gina Brillon (“Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” NBC’s “Stand up for Diversity Showcase”); a stand-up showcase will take place on Friday, August 7. comedycenter.org
FGAS German Festival
August 7 — 8
The longest-running ethnic festival in Monroe County celebrates Rochester’s rich German heritage. Hosted by the Federation of German-American Societies at Spencerport Fireman’s Field and now in its 121st year, German Fest brings the community together for a lively weekend of tradition, music and fun. This isn’t just an Oktoberfest-inspired event — it’s an authentic cultural celebration led by German-Americans themselves, preserving traditions, music and customs passed down through generations. Support local German singing, dance, language and cultural groups while immersing yourself in authentic German food, beer and wine in a festive atmosphere. Live music includes crowd favorites Die Lustigen Almdudler and performances by the Germania Singers and Rochester German Dancers. rochestergerman.org
Middlesex Music Festival
August 8
Located just an hour south of Rochester, this one-day festival predates both Grassroots and The Great Blue Heron Festival and is nearing its 40th year of highlighting the best local talent around. A no-frills, back-to-basics vibe is what has kept it one of the area's greatest treasures year after year as it serves up a tasty platter of folk, bluegrass, zydeco and good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll. The festival is family friendly and features food and beverage vendors as well as local craft vendors. facebook.com/middlesexmusicfest
Avon Rotary Corn Festival
August 8
Corn on the cob might just be the perfect summer food. Why not celebrate at the Avon Rotary Corn Festival, now in its 38th year? You don’t even have to participate in the corn-eating contest to enjoy the festival. There are plenty of arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment on two stages and games. Free of charge, the festival takes place on Genesee Street in the Village of Avon. Free parking and shuttle available at Avon Middle School; reserved handicapped parking onsite. avoncornfest.com
Victor Music & Food Festival
August 8
For one afternoon and evening, the Village of Victor’s Mead Square comes alive (really, almost 5,000 people attended last year) 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 8 — 9
This village festival has been going strong for 30 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 runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. brockportartsfestival.com
Hoochenanny Festival
August 14 — 16
A whiskey-soaked celebration of American craftsmanship, blending rock, indie, alternative and punk. For three days, bourbon flows and the music howls as national acts take the stage, including Lit, Toadies and Cracker (Aug. 14); My Morning Jacket, Guster and Grace Bowers (Aug. 15); and Modest Mouse, Joywave and Amigo The Devil (Aug. 16). Explore more than 150 top spirits, whiskey tastings and immersive experiences alongside local food, vendors and two stages at Center Park West in Fairport. General admission is free Friday, August 14 (registration required); tickets for other days (and other admission levels) start at $50. hoochenanny.com
South Wedge Fest
August 15
A signature neighborhood celebration in one of Rochester’s most vibrant districts, this fest transforms South Avenue (between Gregory Street and Averill Avenue) into a lively, pedestrian-only festival filled with music, art and community energy. Featuring 70+ local vendors, live buskers and culturally diverse dance companies— from traditional styles to global influences — the festival emphasizes the creativity and spirit of Monroe County. Highlights include the 5th Annual Pet Parade, along with local food, small business open houses and family friendly activities throughout. This free, inclusive event runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. swpc.org
Fiddle & Folk Festival
August 15 — 16
Gather ‘round and listen to over 100 musicians throughout the grounds, all showcasing folk music traditions and musical stylings dating back to 19th-century New York State. The event takes place at Genesee Country Village and Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days; admission required. gcv.org
Flour City Brewers Fest
August 21
The New York State Brewers Association brings this sudsy celebration to the Rochester Public Market. If you like your beer to be local, the offerings here seem infinite at what organizers call the longest-running craft beer festival in New York State. Sample your preferred brews, munch on food and maybe even get a flash tattoo from 5-9 p.m. flourcitybrewersfest.com
Barry’s Irish Festival
August 21 — 22
The seventh annual Barry’s Irish Festival will take place at the Webster Fireman’s Field in August rather than September this year; the two-day fest is produced by Jess and Danny Barry, owners of Barry’s Old School Irish pub on the Eagle Vale campus in Fairport and producers of Barry’s Irish Cream Liqueur. The fest will feature live Irish music, crafts and games for the family, food trucks, Irish brews and spirits, a Rochester Cocktail Revival bartender competition, raffles, arts vendors, a kilt-wearing contest, Irish dancers, bagpipers and more. Rain or shine. facebook.com/BarrysOldSchoolIrish
Rochester VegFest
August 23
A full day of plant-powered celebration at Parcel 5 showcasing the best in vegan food, ethical living and sustainable practices. The free outdoor festival runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features a lively mix of food and retail vendors, engaging speakers, cooking demos, live music, family friendly activities, community resources and more. rocvegfestny.org
Rochester Tiki Week
August 24 — 30
The third annual Rochester Tiki Week — operated by the crew behind Jack’s Extra Fancy and Easy Sailor — returns again this year, featuring rum-soaked cocktail events across multiple bars, “all for the love of tiki.” The culminating event is a Swizzle Contest at Marge’s Lakeside Inn, which will take place just before sundown on Sunday, August 30. instagram.com/rochestertikiweek
Irondequoit Arts & Music Festival
September 5
The fourth annual Irondequoit Arts & Music Festival will take place at 400 Bakers Park on the I-Square stage (next to I-Square and the House of Guitars). The fest features seven live bands playing from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; over 30 local artists and vendors; food and drink options and much more. The locally run festival is sponsored by (and supports) neighborhood businesses. clcartsevents.com
M&T Bank Clothesline Art & Fine Craft Festival
August 29 — 30
One of the east coast's longest-running arts festivals in the country, and MAG's biggest fundraiser. The annual celebration of the arts (2026 marks year 69) brings together over 300 artists and tens of thousands of visitors in one weekend. Clothesline promises all-day live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, free family art activities and explorations in the museum's galleries. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day; shopping for MAG members starts at 9:30 a.m. mag.rochester.edu/clothesline/
Foodlink Festival of Food
September 14
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 from the sell-out fest, which is the largest independent tasting event in the Finger Lakes region, benefit Foodlink, the region’s largest food pantry serving 10 counties. From 5-8:30 p.m.; tickets on sale July 6. foodlinkny.org/FoF
ESL Rochester Fringe Festival
September 15 — 26
Named “one of the country’s more prominent multidisciplinary events” by The New York Times, Rochester Fringe Festival kicks off 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 theater 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
Borderland Festival
September 18 — 20
Since 2018, East Aurora in Erie County has become a bit of a music destination, thanks to Borderland, which welcomes another notable crop of headliners this year: Jack White, Alabama Shakes, Lord Huron, Pixies and The Head and The Heart are all slated to perform at the féte, which also features tent and RV camping. Ticket prices go up at the door, though kids under 10 get in free. borderlandfestival.com
Oktoberfest
September 18
A newer annual offering in the Rochester Public Market's special events lineup, Oktoberfest celebrates the advent of autumn with German food, beer, live music, cultural performances, games and more for the whole family. The event, which runs 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., is offered in collaboration with Rohrbach Brewing Company, a prominent presence in the Market Business District. cityofrochester.gov/oktoberfest
Turtle Hill Folk Festival
September 19
This annual celebration of folk music traditions, presented by the Golden Link Folk Singing Society, 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. This year’s festival takes place at Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Rd. goldenlink.org
North Winton Village Festival
September 19
The annual neighborhood shindig returns to Linear Garden between East Main St. and Mayfield St. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Families can stroll through food and arts vendor booths, enjoy live music and spend time in the dedicated kids area. Free to attend; visit the website for artist and vendor announcements. northwinton.org/ neighborhood/festival-of-the-arts
Hilton Apple Festival
October 3 — 4
A westside tradition, the Hilton Apple Fest is in its 44th year, with a weekend of festivities built around New York State’s famous fruit. Enter the apple pie contest or sample apple varieties, cider, and donuts while you browse the arts and crafts show, listen to live bands and check out the card, toy & collectibles expo; Saturday only features a car show. Family friendly activities abound, admission is free and all ages are welcome. hiltonapplefest.org
Agricultural Fair
October 3 — 4
A fall favorite in the tradition of country fairs of old, featuring an outdoor market, Indigenous storytelling, hands-on activities, animals and entertainment. The event takes place at Genesee Country Village and Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days; admission required. gcv.org
Open House & Apple Festival
October 10 — 11
Celebrate fall at the Rochester Folk Art Guild’s annual open house and Apple Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Explore a working farm and artist community, visit craft studios, meet the makers and shop handmade goods alongside fresh-pressed cider, live music and seasonal food. A free, family friendly weekend in a beautiful rural setting. folkartguild.org
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
October 12
This one-day celebration for all ages will begin and end with ceremonies at sunrise and sunset, respectively, in Cobbs Hill Park. Over the course of the day, there will be numerous activities at Lake Riley Lodge, including dance and music performances (with audience participation); lacrosse demonstrations; storytelling and guest speakers; Indigenous educational displays; craftmaking; food and Native vendor booths. Volunteers and vendors may still apply. Free admission, all ages welcome. indigenouspeoplesdayrocny.org
HAPPY FESTING!
Flower power
CULTURE
BY GINO FANELLI GFANELLI@WXXI.ORG
Ask a city-dweller what best represents Rochester, and you may hear garbage plates or chicken French, Kodak or Xerox, even good old Genesee Beer.
But the easiest answer is perhaps less obvious: the Flower City mark. That five-petaled sigil has become such an ingrained local icon that it can easily be overlooked, placed everywhere from the shoulder patches of Rochester police officers to murals, trash cans, city vehicles and inked into every other Rochesterians’ skin.
The mark is a five-petaled symbol meant to represent both a waterwheel and a flower, in homage to Rochester’s dual homonyms: its past life as the Flour City, and its current as the Flower City. The symbol was designed by the city’s first graphic designer, Lee Green, in 1976 under an initiative modeled after the Nixon-era Federal Design Improvement Program.
“The idea was to create something that was cohesive, something that would have meaning, something that would be telegraphic and function well as an identifier and a mark,” Green said. “And that was really the goal, if you will, in creating the mark. I wasn’t thinking about what was going to happen 50 years later.”
That program also birthed official logos across the country, meant to encapsulate an organization or municipality’s
The iconic City of Rochester mark gets its own festival — and documentary — this year.
identity and branding. Perhaps the most well-known logo born from that program was NASA’s “worm” design. But cities nationwide also got in on the action.
Most, if not all, cities that adopted marks in that era no longer prominently use them. But in Rochester, the mark has become an increasingly enduring identifier.
For Nate Miller, assistant digital media specialist at the city, its prevalence makes the mark something unique. Miller has worked archiving the use of the mark and its history and said he could not find another example of a city still prominently using a mark like Rochester’s.
“It’s such a simple, timeless, beautiful design,” Miller said. “It’s so adaptable. It’s so scalable. People started using it almost immediately. And fast forward to now, I think we all see ourselves in it, and it is unique.”
Miller has also helped produce a documentary on the mark, which will be first aired at a special screening at The Little Theatre in late May. The film will then be publicly screened at Flower Fest, a celebration of the golden anniversary of the mark.
The one-day event is planned for June 6 on the Pont de Rennes bridge in the High Falls District. The festival will boast a market for artists selling city mark-adorned wares, a continuous airing of a documentary on the origin and history of the mark and a city mark-themed drone show. The festival will be organized by Bella Events Group through a $100,000 contract with the city, approved in March by the Rochester City Council.
The Flower Fest plans to feature tattoo artists on the bridge among its artisans.
“I want to know when we started seeing tattoos, when people really began to associate themselves with it, and not just as a city mark,” said Barbara Pierce, communications and special events director for the city. “If you’re out in a Florida beach somewhere, and somebody sees that mark, it’s like, ‘Hey, Rochester!’ It’s like the Bills
logo, and you’re yelling, ‘Go Bills.’” Green, who worked at the city for about four years before moving onto a career with IBM, also found the tattooing of the mark somewhat of a surprise.
“Years ago, I presented at conferences, and I’d have young folks come up to me, and the conferences had nothing to do with the city of Rochester, because I worked for IBM after that,” Green said. “But they had tattoos of the city mark on their arms, and it was just... It was kind of bizarre, really, but at the same time, kind of cool.”
The symbol is a registered trademark of the city of Rochester, and the city has legally challenged people who have used it without their consent. Pierce said the city tries to keep the cost to use the symbol low. For
commercial use, rights to the symbol cost $100 per year. For non-profits, it’s $50 per year.
“It’s pretty much nothing in the scheme of trademarks,” she said. Pierce added that 254 rights to the city mark have been granted.
The Flower Fest is another step in a series of actions taken by the city to capitalize on the mark. Last year, the city moved to change its official flag — a tricolored yellow, white and blue banner featuring the coat of arms of Nathaniel Rochester and a crane at its center—with a blue flag with a Flower City mark.
That news came as a bit of a surprise to many Rochesterians. The official flag, designed in 1934, was rarely displayed publicly and relatively unknown.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
Meanwhile, the Flower City mark had already served as the official symbol on city vehicles and buildings for years.
It is a somewhat unique phenomenon: in the realm of municipal governments, mayoral administrations tend to change visuals when they come into office. But the Flower City mark has endured.
Just why it stuck is a mystery. Green and Miller both pointed to the simplicity of the design, its connection to the city’s history, its versatility and elegance and just the simple fact that it looks cool.
Green is certain of one thing, however.
“I can absolutely guarantee you that when I designed that mark, its application as a tattoo was not part of my criteria,” Green said. “I mean, it’s funny and it speaks volumes, really, in many ways.”
Editor’s Note: WXXI, the parent company of CITY and The Little Theatre, provided production support for the forthcoming city mark documentary.
Gino Fanelli is an investigative reporter for WXXI News. You can reach him at gfanelli@wxxi.org.
PHOTOS PROVIDED
Summer of whimsy
COMMUNITY
BY FLORENCE CARDELLA
Before I tell you how I plan to have the most whimsical summer possible (and, more importantly, how you can too), it’s important we have a shared understanding of the definition of ‘whimsy.’
According to Merriam-Webster: whimsical (adjective) resulting from or characterized by whim whim (noun) a capricious or eccentric and often sudden idea or turn of the mind
Within this framework of playfulness, eccentricity and amusement, we can plan a summer exploring the region’s many festivals, activities and landmarks. The horrors persist, and while paying attention to what’s going on around you is critical, so is recharging and nourishing your soul. In order to maximize how well you live, you have to start saying ‘yes’ to things.
SAY YES
Saying yes is just as powerful as saying no. Opening yourself up to opportunity is just as important as setting a boundary and, oftentimes, is even more freeing. My suggestion this summer is to say yes to every invite you can — even if it’s something you’re not super interested in or something you’ve never heard of. Go invest in the enrichment of your soul. Take that second to slow down and celebrate the little moments. After all, festivals are really in celebration of something, aren’t they?
A guide to maximizing our shortest — and most charming — season.
BRANCH OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE (LITERALLY)
Don’t let distance deter you from experiencing something magical. My goal for the summer is to visit three events I’ve never been to: a garlic festival in a small town to celebrate harvest season (Geneva hosts the Glorious Garlic Festival on August 1-2), a peony festival in the countryside (Linwood hosts one every weekend in May) and a festival at someone’s house (the Purple Painted Lady Festival is September 19-20 in Palmyra; self-proclaimed “the largest & kindest arts festival in Western New York”).
The point is to get out there and experience something that isn’t in your backyard, to try living in someone else’s for a minute. Take a route you don’t normally take. Fill up your gas tank and try to get somewhere without using GPS. Let the wind carry you a little bit, and try to not be in a rush and just be.
BRANCH OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE (FIGURATIVELY)
Sometimes, to get whimsical you have to get weird. Stop thinking about what other people are thinking about you, and think about yourself for a second. It’s not being selfish, it’s just checking in.
Rochester hosts a prime opportunity for this every fall — this year, the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival happens September 15-26 and will host hundreds of multidisciplinary events from comedy and drag to trapeze and music, encouraging folks to engage with the ostracized, the ‘other,’ even the arcane.
FLO’S TIPS FOR INVITING WHIMSY INTO YOUR DAY-TO-DAY:
Sit on a porch and say hi to people who walk by
Tell a stranger you love their outfit
Park farther away from a destination so you can see what else you happen upon in the vicinity
Make loose plans
Engage with the community
Listen to “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. (And I swear this one is true — I dare you to not be in a lighthearted and open-minded state of being after that.)
This festival also offers a unique opportunity to explore different parts of the city — it’s headquartered in center city at One Fringe Place (don’t miss the Spiegeltent), but takes place at more than 30 community theaters, bars and other unconventional venues. Participate in a show, dance and support people who are putting themselves on display.
BUILD YOUR OWN SOUNDTRACK
In the summer, I live on playlists — one for the beach, one for windows-down car rides, one for cooking with sunlight streaming into the kitchen — I store up the moments that happen during those playlists and keep them for a rainy day.
I also incorporate as much live music into my life as I can. Even if you go to a show alone, there’s an element of genuine togetherness that is hard to replicate anywhere else.
My rec? Borderland Festival, September 18-20 (summer is a mindset, and September counts), is a music and arts festival that focuses on community, sustainability and great sounds in a way that brings people together. Go camp in a field, talk to strangers, sing along and make memories. If you ask me (and I think you are), live music is pure magic.
MAKE AND CREATE (AND SUPPORT MAKERS AND CREATORS)
If you’re looking for something a little more local, Corn Hill Arts Festival, held this year on July 1112, is an amazing way to explore the Corn Hill neighborhood while going on what I refer to as a ‘structured wander.’ Wandering aimlessly can be a little anxietyinducing, but when you’re able to park your car and walk around a neighborhood festival buzzing with art, music and openness that can’t be engineered, you’re giving yourself a boundary to explore. Craft festivals always give a gentle reminder that there are people intentionally slowing down and taking the time to make something with their hands and share it. You can do that, too!
Check out tourism websites, pick up those little brochures at rest stops, and hopefully I’ll see you out there making memories and living with joy.
Florence Cardella is a Rochester native, full-time bartender and sometimes writer and photographer who searches for community at every possible turn and looks for whimsy in the unexpected. You can follow her @themidnightlibrarian.
ILLUSTRATION BY JACOB WALSH
The International Plaza embarks on its largest season yet.
A cultural hub
BY KELLEN BECK
As soon as the weather breaks each year, weekends around North Clinton Avenue belong to the International Plaza.
From the opening ceremony on May 3 this year through the close of the season October 11, the Plaza will host more than a dozen festivals and celebrations on Saturdays and Sundays, all with music, food and local vendors.
The International Plaza, which sits on North Clinton Avenue between Sullivan and Hoeltzer Streets, is a vibrant market and greenspace developed by the City of Rochester. It opened to the public in 2020 and is jointly operated by the Rochester Public Market and the Ibero-American Development Corporation. Local food vendors post up weekly throughout the season, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with market days on Sundays 1 to 5 p.m.
Most of the weekend events attract at least a few hundred attendees, said Jason Barber, site manager of the Plaza. But the four signature events – Roc con Poder, Dominican Day, International Day of Salsa and Roc the Plaza with Grand Tone – can pull in thousands.
“This year we’re changing things up,” Barber said. “We’re doing a bit more.”
There’s a Latinx Pride day and drag pageant that’s been scheduled closer to Rochester
Pride, a Juneteenth celebration, a back-to-school event, Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations, Gospel in the Plaza, a Cuban cruise-in car show and a Memorial Day block party. Diversifying the festival lineup helps draw in a wider crowd and welcome more people from the community.
Victor Antoinetti, local musician and director of marketing for Rochester’s Poder 97.1 Latin radio station, has performed at the Plaza and is helping to organize local and international music talent for Roc con Poder on July 11. It’s the station’s fourth annual event, and the second time it will take place at the Plaza. A big part of this year’s Roc con Poder lineup will be a tribute to New York salsa legend Willie Colón, who passed away in February.
“It’s been a fun journey growing with the Plaza from where it started,” said Antonetti. “I’m excited to be a part of that and be included.”
Even when there are no big events happening at the International Plaza, it’s still a bustling little oasis, Barber said, which has a huge impact on the rejuvenation of the neighborhood.
“It is always full of life,” Barber said. “Music’s playing, people bring their speakers. People chill, they get coffee, they eat empanadas, alcapurrias, tamales, pastelitos; they eat all this amazing food. They just enjoy each other’s company and it’s such a unique environment.”
Like countless immigrants from the American South, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Dominica and other Latino regions, Barber’s mother came to Rochester from Cuba in the late ‘60s, finding home on North Clinton Avenue. Barber knows the stories of the neighborhood from back in the day: the patchwork Black and Latino communities working, creating and celebrating together with big block parties.
Antonetti recalls North Clinton being the hub of Latino culture and buying all his records at La Mina when he was growing up in Rochester. To have the International Plaza, a dedicated space where the community can gather, connect, eat, dance and celebrate, helps reestablish those old connective tissues.
“For Latinos, this is our home base. This is our hometown,” Barber said. “This is the neighborhood that shaped all of us.”
Not only is the Plaza a gathering and performance space for the community, it’s also a business incubator. Vending fees are only $40 ($20 for non-profits). Other festival tabling fees can reach as high as several hundred dollars, giving vendors at the International Plaza a much more equitable cost of entry. Re-purposed shipping containers at the Plaza provide space and infrastructure for up-and-coming entrepreneurs, and Barber said this year they’re working with The Commissary, a shared commercial kitchen space in the Sibley Building that also opened in 2020.
“We have bakeries, we have a Cuban sandwich shop, Ecuadorian grocery store, Puerto Rican food, Mexican and Colombian food,” Barber said. “We even have our own little ice cream parlor.”
For Antonetti, the cultural melting pot makes the Plaza special.
“Just to try the different experiences in the different cultures, I think it’s great,” he said. “From what [the Plaza] used to be — a vacant lot — to all these things that bring that neighborhood back to life. I’m really happy.”
cityofrochester.gov/internationalplaza
Kellen Beck is a Rochester-based writer who has covered science, tech and entertainment since joining Fairport High School’s newspaper “The Lampion” in 2010, among other publications. Email him at kellentbeck@gmail.com.
PHOTOS PROVIDED
International Plaza 2026 Season
May 2026
May 3 – Opening Ceremony
Sunday, May 10 – Mother’s Day Celebration
Sunday, May 17 – Malcolm X Celebration
Sunday, May 24 – Memorial Day Block Party
June 2026
Sunday, June 7 – Zumba con El Clave
Sunday, June 14 – Father’s Day Celebration
Sunday, June 28 – Ibero Pride Day
July 2026
Saturday, July 11 – Roc Con Poder (Signature Event)
Sunday, July 19 – Festival de Barrio (Neighborhood Event)
Sunday, July 26 – El Calle Ocho Cruise-In Car Show
August 2026
Sunday, August 9 – Arts at the Plaza
Sunday, August 16 – Dominican Day (Signature Event)
Sunday, August 23 – International Salsa Day (Signature Event)
Sunday, August 30 – Back to School at the Plaza
September 2026
Sunday, September 6 – Gospel in the Plaza
Sunday, September 13 – Hispanic Heritage Kickoff
Saturday, September 19 – Fringe with Europa
Sunday, September 20 – Bachata event
Sunday, September 27 – ROC the Plaza (Signature Event)
October 2026
Sunday, October 4 – Latin American Festival
At the crossroads
BY GEORGE CASSIDY PAYNE
footing. Mike Falk, president of the Lima Crossroads Council, has helped run the festival for a decade.
“We’re the largest free festival around, 42 years,” he said. “Things come and go.”
It almost didn’t stay, reduced to a one-day event that leaned on big name acts but lacked cohesion.
Shelly saw an opening, though he
How Jim Shelly turned a struggling Lima pub into a blues haven.
Anne Harris performing on the Fanatics Pub stage.
PHOTOS BY ROBERTO F. LAGARES
might not have called it that. “They needed a marquee,” he said. “Something people could look forward to.”
In November 2024, he convinced the organizers to put up a tent and bring in Mississippi bluesman Johnny Rawls. About 800 people showed up for that show alone and it worked, not just in numbers, but in feel. The music fit the place in a way previous bookings hadn’t.
“We brought it from bankruptcy to a positive $58,000 annual budget, all through donations,” said Falk. “Don’t be afraid to try things. Some work. Some don’t.”
That moment didn’t just revive a festival weekend; it quietly reoriented Shelly’s own business. What had been, by his own admission, a failing operation began to take on new life.
“That turned the whole thing,” he said.
Agents started calling. The calendar filled. What began as a single experiment grew into a schedule that now sees five or six shows a week. Not because Shelly chased the circuit, but because the circuit found him.
Fanatics works because it resists scale. It’s a seated room (about 99 seats now, expanded from 55), with food, drinks and a layout that invites people to stay.
“The blues crowd likes to sit,” Shelly said. “You don’t want to stand the whole time.”
It’s a small observation, but speaks to a larger philosophy. Design the experience around the people who actually show up. Not an imagined audience, not a trend, but the real habits of a community.
And a community has formed. Regulars from Lima and Livonia. Travelers from Buffalo, Syracuse, even Toronto and Cleveland. People who plan weekends around a show in a room that barely holds a hundred.
They come for the music, but they return for something harder to quantify.
“You can talk to the artists here,” Shelly said. “They’re right there.”
After the set, musicians sit down, eat dessert, sign autographs and talk like anyone else in the room. There’s no backstage to disappear into, no
separation between performer and audience. At larger venues, that distance is part of the architecture. Here, it’s been designed out.
Shelly will admit, without hesitation, that he wasn’t a music promoter, not at the start.
“I was learning,” he said. “From the customers.”
Early on, blues fans, many of them far more knowledgeable than he was, began to guide him. They told him who mattered, who was coming up, who he should be paying attention to. The artists themselves filled in the rest.
Johnny Rawls became more than a booking. He became a kind of ambassador. They still talk regularly. Other names followed: The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Walter Trout, Shemekia Copeland. Artists who could fill larger venues but return, again and again, to a room in Lima.
Why?
Part of the answer is simple — Shelly pays them well.
“I’m very generous,” he said. “I give most of the ticket sales to the artists. I live off the food and drink.”
It’s a reversal of the typical model, where venues often squeeze margins from performers. Shelly does the opposite. Lower guarantees, higher upside. A sold-out run can mean a significantly better payout than a bigger room with higher overhead.
Word travels fast among musicians. There are plenty of venues that pay fairly; few that feel like this.
During COVID, Shelly found himself staring at a problem and, as it turned out, an opportunity. Above Fanatics there were rooms filled with years of accumulated junk. Instead of leaving them unused, he cleared them out, renovated, and turned them into simple lodging for touring musicians.
Now, bands can stay the night. No hotel. No extra expense. No rush to load out and drive.
“The younger bands want to stay there,” he said. “Especially if they want to have a few drinks.”
It’s the kind of practical decision that changes the entire experience of playing a show. That attention to detail shows up everywhere. Shows start at 7 p.m. and end by 9:30, making weeknight gigs viable. A patio expands the footprint without losing intimacy. A membership model gives regulars access to a private archive of professionally recorded performances, shared carefully, out of respect for the artists.
Even the sound is considered, though not without tension.
“We mic everything because we film it,” Shelly said. “Sometimes the bass and drums are more than the room can handle.”
It’s one of the few places where ambition, capturing high-quality recordings, runs up against the limits of a small space. But even that friction feels like part of the experiment.
Lima has long called itself a crossroads, geographically and culturally. For years, that identity was more historical than lived. The festival, the bed races, the flow of traffic through town, these were fragments, not always fully connected.
Fanatics helped knit them together.
“The Crossroads and Fanatics are kind of synonymous now,” Shelly said.
On festival weekends, the effect is visible. Dozens of vendors. Thousands of people lining the streets. Music spilling out from multiple tents, blues, country, cover bands, each offering something different, but all part of the same shared moment.
Shelly focuses on what he knows best: the music. Others handle different pieces. It works because it’s collaborative.
“It’s great to work together,” he said.
If you tried to reduce Fanatics to a formula, you’d miss it. But certain ingredients stand out. Pay artists well. Make the room comfortable. Start the shows on time. Let people sit. Give musicians a place to sleep. Keep the scale human. Listen, to your customers, to the artists, to the room itself. None of it is revolutionary, and that’s the point.
At some point during a show, somewhere between the first set and the last call, you’ll see it. A musician steps off stage and slides into a chair a few feet from where they were just playing. Someone from the audience leans over, says something small. They laugh. Maybe they talk about the set. Maybe they don’t.
Nothing dramatic happens. No announcement, no recognition. But Shelly notices it. He always has.
George Cassidy Payne is a writer and journalist exploring the intersections of art, culture and social justice in Western New York. He also works as a crisis counselor and community organizer, bringing a deep commitment to storytelling and human connection.
Owner Jim Shelly.
PHOTOS BY ROBERTO F. LAGARES
todo DAILY
Full calendar of events online at roccitymag.com
SUNDAY, MAY 3
THEATER
“The Sound”
JCC Hart Stage, jccrochester.org
As Nazi Germany tightened its squeeze on Denmark in 1943, a massive operation materialized to ferry Danish Jews away from Nazi capture and eastward to neutral Sweden, across the Øresund sound. The musical “The Sound” dips in time between World War II and present day, following a family that escaped Denmark. The show runs May 2 to 17 at the JCC with both matinees and evening showtimes, tickets $28 for students and kids, $40 for members, $45 for non-members. KELLEN BECK
ART
Asian Pacific
American Heritage Celebration Day
Memorial Art Gallery, mag.rochester.edu
The Memorial Art Gallery opens its doors for everybody on Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration Day from 1 to 4 p.m., with music, performances, presentations and family-friendly arts and crafts. Learn more about the different cultures, communities and art in the Asian Pacific American umbrella, then check out the rest of the exhibitions and more permanent fixtures the MAG has to offer. Admission is free. KB
MONDAY, MAY 4
MUSIC
Brock Saltsman, Delaney West, Jacob McKelvie and A Box of Stars
Bar Bad Ending, barbadending.com
A night of singer-songwriter fare is on tap at the Monroe Avenue watering hole, featuring sets by Rochester’s own Brock Saltsman (of Pluck) and Delaney West, plus Massachusetts artist Jacob McKelvie and Vermont’s A Box of Stars. Doors for the $10 show open at 6 p.m. PATRICK HOSKEN
TUESDAY, MAY 5
SPORTS
Stars on Ice
Blue Cross Arena, starsonice.com
The Blue Cross Arena turns gold as U.S. Olympic champion figure skaters take the ice Tuesday night. U.S. gold medal Olympians Alysa Liu, Ilia Malinin, newlywed duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates, and more will showcase their talents – the apex of figure skating – hot off their wins in Milan this past winter. Liu’s return to the sport after a long hiatus swept up world’s attention, culminating in an incredible gold-winning performance, and Malinin is renowned for being the first skater to land a quad axel in
competition. Show starts at 7 p.m.; tickets $35+. KB
ART
Women’s Perspectives
Image City Photography Gallery, imagecityphotographygallery.com
Photography is perspective. It’s an artistic medium that forces the viewer to place themselves into the shoes and eyeballs of the artist, the photographer. With its latest showcase, Image City Photography offers visitors the perspectives of women, featuring photographs from artists including Diane W. Dersch, Margy Meath, Donna LaPlante and others. The gallery is open through May 17, Tuesdays through Saturdays noon to 6 p.m.; Sundays noon to 4 p.m. No admission. KB
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
MUSIC
Remember Sports and Cusp
The Bug Jar, bugjar.com
Philadelphia indie rockers Remember Sports head to the Bug Jar for an evening of emotional, resonant music hot off the release of their latest album “The Refrigerator” in February. Their stripped down, raw style dips into the wells of punk and garage without getting too off the wall. They’re joined by openers Cusp and Sibling. The music starts at 8 p.m. with tickets $20-25. KB
THURSDAY, MAY 7
THEATER
Furlough’s Paradise
Geva Theatre, gevatheatre.org
Sade’s been granted furlough from prison to attend her mother’s funeral. She’s staying with her only cousin, Mina, who is returning home after moving out to the West Coast. For Sade’s three day stint on the outside, the two reconnect and delve into their pasts, how they’ve changed, how they got here. The intimate performance runs through May 10, with shows on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets $30+. KB
FOOD + BEV
Happiest Hour
The Strong Museum, museumofplay.org Forget the kids, it’s adult time at the Strong National Museum of Play (but, like, not adult adult time). Happiest Hour returns with a cash bar, Jackbox Trivia, a DJ and of course all the fun and games the museum has to offer. The whole place is 21+ from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., tickets $25, $24 for members. Wear a video game-related shirt to celebrate the upcoming World Video Game Hall of Fame celebration coming up on the 9th. KB
FRIDAY, MAY 8
MUSIC
Ravi Coltrane
Smith Opera House, thesmith.org Jazz legend Ravi Coltrane comes to the storied Smith Opera House in Geneva Friday. The saxophonist and composer is the son of John and Alice Coltrane, and has been performing and recording some truly stunning music for more than 20 years, collaborating with a long list of other legends of the genre. The concert is at 8 p.m. and tickets are $42 and up. KB
SATURDAY, MAY 9
LITERATURE
“Listen to Your Mother”
Hochstein Performance Hall, flowercitywriters.org
This nationally renowned storytelling event has been a tradition for many Rochesterians since 2015, and a vital part of how the community celebrates motherhood on Mother’s Day weekend. The 2026 show is
ON PAGE 10
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI, formerly AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the important role these communities have played in our country’s shared history. WXXI honors AANHPI Month with special programs, storytelling, and events, and we invite you to watch, listen or join in on things we've planned all month long. Scan for more
Local Stories
Watch on WXXI’s YouTube Channel
WXXI in partnership with the Asian Pacific Islander American Association of Greater Rochester features stories from local members of the community that provide examples of culture, heritage, history and contributions to our region and nation. Features include artist and filmmaker Mara Ahmed, artist Nancy Gong, New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney, Founder of House of Refuge USA Bijaya Khadka, and more on WXXI's YouTube Channel.
PBS KIDS AANHPI Playlist
PBS KIDS features a playlist of 30+ on-demand videos celebrating AANHPI month including Jelly, Ben and Pogo, Let’s Go Luna, Daniel Tigers Neighborhood, Working It Out Wombats, and more.
SCAN THE CODE TO SEE 'EM ALL!
WXXI News Asian American profiles
Racquel Stephen, WXXI News Health, equity and community reporter, profiles Asian Americans in the Rochester area who are making an impact in our community. Visit WXXInews.org.
AND MORE @
WXXI Classical presents…. Flower Drum Song
Saturday, May 2 at 3pm I The Little Theatre
Join WXXI Classical for a screening of Flower Drum Song, the first feature film in American history to feature a majority Asian cast. Set in 1950s San Francisco Chinatown, four intertwined lovers— an undocumented immigrant, cabaret performer, club owner, and a young man balancing independence with family traditions and expectations. The film will be followed by a discussion about the movie’s soundtrack by Rodgers and Hammerstein moderated by WXXI Classical host Steve Johnson. Visit TheLittle.org for tickets.
Indie Lens Pop-Up: The Grocery List Show
Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30pm I The Little Theatre
Join WXXI for a free screening of a The Grocery List Show, where Top Chef contender Chrissy Camba takes you to five bustling international grocery stores in America and the communities they serve. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion to be moderated by educator, anthropologist, and community collaborator Dr. Christina Heyon Lee. The screening is free, but reservations are required. Visit WXXI.org/events
Friendship
and Harmony: Celebrating Asian and Pacific Americans in Classical Music
Monday, May 18 at 8pm on WXXI Classical (FM 91.5)
This special highlights some of the AAPI classical musicians and composers who have shaped the sound of classical music in America, like Yo-Yo Ma and Silkroad Ensemble, Queen Liliuokalani, Jiji, Mahani Teave, Anne-Akiko Myers, Christopher Tin, Reena Esmail, Jon Nakamatsu, and Midori.
Independent Lens “Light of the Setting Sun”
Monday, May 18 at 10pm on WXXI-TV + streaming on the PBS and WXXI apps
A Chinese family’s multigenerational trauma unfolds across time, place, and identity. Filmmaker Vicky Du traces her family’s mental illness back to the Chinese Communist Revolution of 1949. Spanning Taipei, Taiwan, and New Jersey, the film explores identity, gender roles, and whether healing can break the cycle for future generations.
Independent Lens “Third Act”
Monday, May 25 at 10pm on WXXI-TV + streaming on the PBS and WXXI apps
Generations call Robert A. Nakamura the godfather of Asian American film. Tadashi Nakamura calls him Dad. Tadashi turns the camera on his father as they confront art, activism, and aging. From WWII incarceration to cultural awakening and a Parkinson’s diagnosis, Third Act is a tender portrait of legacy, inherited trauma, and the final chapter of a shared creative life.
PAPA RAY’S VINTAGE VINYL ROADSHOW
Thursday, May 7 at 8pm on WXXI + streaming on the PBS/WXXI apps
Tom “Papa”' Ray, DJ, musician, and owner of St. Louis’s Vintage Vinyl, visits record stores around the U.S. and the world. The series kicks off in Rochester, where Papa Ray stops at the Record Archive to talk with owner Richard Storms, House of Guitars to chat with co-founder Armand Schaubroesk, and Bop Shop Records to visit owner Tom Kohn.
(Repeats Saturday, May 23 at 5 pm.)
TROLLEY PARK: GREAT LAKES
Monday, May 11 at 9pm on WXXI + streaming on the PBS/WXXI apps
Trolley Parks were born when trolley companies began adding picnic areas, playgrounds and carousels to the ends of lines to increase weekend ridership. In the early 1900s, there were more than 1,000 trolley parks, but today, only a dozen remain, including Rochester’s own Seabreeze Park. The film reveals the rich histories of both Seabreeze Park, welcoming guests since 1879 on the shores of Lake Ontario, and Waldameer Park on Lake Erie. (Repeats May 16 at 4 pm and 5/18 at 5 pm)
ROLLING THRU
Monday, May 25 - Friday, May 29 at 3pm on WXXI-TV + PBS/WXXI apps
In this bike travel series, host Pat Kelly rides from Buffalo to Brooklyn along the Empire State Trail, meeting local characters, trying food, and exploring how New Yorkers are tackling climate challenges. The Rochester episode (airing May 25) features a stop at Foodlink Farm, the Inner Loop, and Vision Zero. And, the soundtrack behind the Rochester segment is music by Rochester band Flower Kitty, featuring Hannah Maier, host of Afternoons with Hannah Maier on THE ROUTE (FM 88.5).
You can also watch the series on-demand by scanning the QR code.
presented by Flower City Writers Collective, and the co-presenter and recipient of show proceeds is Teen Empowerment. Cast members include Fonda Abdoch, Mary Aman, former CITY editor (and current contributor)
David Andreatta, Emily Benson, Erica Beversluis Saran, Sky Dunn, Amy Hatch, Sondra Imperati, Amanda Kernahan, Leah McGuire, Pia Moller, Kyle Semmel, Janice Spiotta, and Meagan Zdep. Show at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $20. LEAH STACY
PETS
Rochester
Dachshund Parade
Washington Square Park
There’s lots to love about dachshunds — their little legs and long bodies are just the start. They can also be really sweet and it’s very fun to watch them frolic. Which you can do at the 24th Annual Rochester Dachshund Parade. It’s more than a stroll around the perimeter of Washington Square Park. There’ll be oompah music fitting their German heritage — the breed’s name means “badger dog” — and a fashion show that’s as cute as it sounds. Plenty of people turn out to parade their
pups and a lot of spectators come as well. But it’s probably best if you leave your non-weiner dogs at home. The event starts at 10 a.m., with the parade at 11:30 a.m. JEREMY MOULE
SUNDAY, MAY 10
FILM
“Aliens”
The Little Theatre, thelittle.org It’s Mother’s Day at the movies, and what’s a better pick than “Aliens.” Protagonist and mother Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) wakes up 57 years in the future after narrowly escaping a harrowing run-in with the
aggressively violent xenomorph alien, and just wants to get to her daughter. Unfortunately, another mother, a xenomorph queen, has been busy laying eggs around a human colony, and the plot claws her back into alien hell. The climax of the James Cameron film is a mother vs. mother showdown. Showtime at 7 p.m.; tickets $7-12. KB
THEATER
“The Mikado”
Downtown United Presbyterian Church, off-monroeplayers.org
A satirical opera that skewers the British Empire through a comedic story set in a fictional Japanese town, “The Mikado” first hit the stage in the 1880s in London and quickly exploded in popularity, unsurprisingly, because the British are one of the easiest targets and most deserving recipients of criticism. The Off Montoe Players’ production runs May 8 through 17, with 7:30 p.m. shows Friday and Saturday, Sundays at 2 p.m. KB
MONDAY, MAY 11
EDUCATION
Highland Park History Walking Tour
Highland Park, roclilacfest.com
Explore the rolling hills of Highland Park while its hundreds of flowering plants are in bloom. During the Lilac Festival, free guided tours lasting around 45 minutes will illuminate the history of the park designed by the famed Frederick Law Olmsted. Tours run daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. while the festival is going. For those who like to keep their own pace, selfguided tours are also available for free online. KB
TUESDAY, MAY 12
MUSIC
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & Other Delights
Kodak Center, kodakcenter.com
After a 35-year hiatus from touring, and having just turned 91 years old, Herb Alpert is back at it. The nine-time Grammy Award winning trumpeter stops in Rochester with an all new Tijuana Brass Band, playing the funky, poppy, jazzy hits his group started churning out in the early ‘60s. The music starts at 7:30 p.m. Tix $64+. KB
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
MUSIC
Mikaela Davis
Highland Park, roclilacfest.com/music
There aren’t a whole lot of harp players that we would consider household names. With her jammy, Americana stylings, Mikaela Davis takes the harp into uncharted territories with fantastic results. Her band headlines the evening at the Lilac Festival at 7 p.m., with local favorites Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad and Judah opening at 4 p.m. Entry to the festival is free, but you can snag VIP access to an elevated SkyDeck for $40. KB
THEATER
“Three Sisters”
Multi-use Community Cultural Center, muccc.org
Love and loneliness. Aspiration and devastation. “Three Sisters,” written by Anton Chekhov in 1900, is a play about duality, of longing for better things and of the brutal truth of reality. Spanning several years, the story is about three sisters and their younger brother and their hopes to get back to Moscow and
live more fulfilling lives, only to be met with disappointment and death. It’s a decidedly Russian tale, rooted firmly in the cultural swing of global industrialization. The play opens at the MuCCC May 8, running through the 16th with shows Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets $30, $15 for anyone under 25 with an ID. KB
THURSDAY, MAY 14
ART
“Peer Bode: Open Fields” book launch
Visual Studies Workshop, vsw.org Experimental video artist Peer Bode has been at it for more than 50 years, and his oeuvre is the focus of VSW Press’s latest book, “Peer Bode: Open Fields.” Bode’s mesmerizing exhibition “Signal Into Memory” has been on display at the Visual Studies Workshop downtown, featuring selections from his work at the Experimental Television Center in Central New York in the 1970s. The book launch at VSW features a moderated conversation between Bode and fellow artist Sherry Miller Hocking, 7-9 p.m. KB
FRIDAY, MAY 15
FILM
“The Muppet Movie”
The Little Theatre, thelittle.org The Muppets head to Hollywood in “The Muppet Movie,” a 1979 comedy masterpiece that dives into the origin story of Kermit and the gang, all wrapped up in a road trip romp. It very likely spawned the whole pop cultural prequel craze that’s been pushing out movie after movie and show after show that dare to ask “Ok, but how did we get here?” “The Muppet Movie” walked so “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” could run. Shows are May 15 and 17, 7 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. respectively. Tickets $6-12. KB
EDUCATION
War of 1812 Weekend
Genesee Country Village and Museum, gcv.org
Do you know much about the war of 1812? I sure don’t. The fine folks at the Genesee Country Village and Museum are here to rectify our educational wrongs and shed some light in our historical blindspots. Immerse yourself in the Genesee Valley circa 1812 as American colonists slipped back into war with Britain, both sides roping Indigenous groups into their conflict. GCV&M explores the developments of the war in our region and how it impacted life at the historical village. The event runs from May 15 to 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free entry for members, $10-17 for the rest. KB
SATURDAY, MAY 16
COMEDY
Jerry Seinfeld
West Herr Auditorium Theatre, rbtl.org
Observational comedy has to be relatable. If there aren’t shared references between the comedian and the audience, it’s no easy task to bridge that cultural gap. There’s no doubt that “Seinfeld” is one of the most inventive and enduring comedies to ever grace the medium of television, but now that the eponymous Jerry could feasibly reach billionaire status in our lifetimes, an unimaginable mass of wealth to the general public, the question is begged: Does Seinfeld still have it? Showtime at the Auditorium is 8 p.m., tickets are $76+.
FOOD + BEV
The Lilac Table
Highland Park, roclilacfest.com
As the Lilac Festival winds down, spend an afternoon with some of
the finest food and drinks that the city has to offer at the Lilac Table. Running from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., this tasting-and-mingling event brings together some of Rochester’s most popular spots, DJ’d by PEPI. Partners include old restaurant favorites like Poké Sushi, Good Luck and Vern’s, newcomers Bevy and Vanni’s Jazz Lounge, and favorite whistle-wetters Strangebird, Living Roots, Iron Smoke and Mercury Coffee, to name a few. After fees, tickets are $108.55. KB
SUNDAY, MAY 17
FESTIVAL Malcolm X Celebration
International Plaza, cityofrochester. gov/internationalplaza
Celebrate the birthday and legacy of civil rights legend Malcom X at the International Plaza on North Clinton Avenue. The public space will host local food vendors, artists, dancers and hip hop artists, with spoken word performances, educational programming and dialogues to bring the community together to celebrate Black culture. The plaza is free to visit and open from 1 to 5 p.m. KB
MONDAY, MAY 18
MUSIC
Ossuary
Bug Jar, bugjar.com
For fans of playbills with indecipherable bandnames, the metalchocked lineup at the Bug Jar this Monday night is a feast for the senses. Wisconsin death/doom metal band Ossuary headlines the evening with its crushing, oppressive soundscapes and cathartically hellish vocals. The band is joined by Dead Void, Hedgerow, and Ritual Atrophy, with doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15-17, 18+. KB
TUESDAY, MAY 19
MUSIC
Joe Jackson
Kodak Center, kodakcenter.com
Experience the new wavey, jazz-pop vibes of Joe Jackson, stopping on his North American summer tour for just one night in Western New York. Known for ‘70s and ‘80s hits like “Steppin’ Out” and “Is She Really Going Out with Him?,” The British saxophonists’ latest album, “Hope and Fury,” draws on his love-hate relationship with his home country. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets start at $88. KB
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
ART
Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden
Memorial Art Gallery, mag.rochester.edu
John Rhoden was a constant sculptor, always working on groundbreaking new pieces through his lifetime in the 20th century. His sensual style is evocative, and his subjects vary wildly, inspired by his wide travels. The Memorial Art Gallery is displaying more than 40 of his pieces, paired thoughtfully with music and interpretive dance performances inspired by his work. The MAG is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays and second Fridays of the month. Students and kids $9, seniors $18, and adults $20. KB
THURSDAY, MAY 21
THEATER
“Over the Rainbow: The Golden Girls Musical”
OFC Creations Theatre Center, ofccreations.com/goldengirlsmusical
I have a feeling we’re not in Miami anymore. “Over the Rainbow: The Golden Girls Musical” is a musical parody mashup of “The Golden Girls” and “The Wizard of Oz,” wherein Golden Girl Dorothy Zbornak winds up in the magical world of TV Land by way of a ferocious hurricane. She meets up with Oz-ified versions of her good friends Rose, Blanche and Sophia (a scarecrow, a tin-belle and a lion), having encounters with a smattering of other TV characters as they make their way down the golden brick road. Performances run from May 14 to 31, shows Wednesday to Sunday, tickets $46 and up. KB
FRIDAY, MAY 22
THEATER
Broadway in Hollywood
Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, rpo.org
It’s showtune night with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. With a suite of songs from musicals that were adapted into movie, the RPO melds together the world of Broadway and Hollywood, conducted by Evan Roider. They’ll be hitting a wide array of tunes, from “Oklahoma!” to “Cabaret,” “The Sound of Music” to “Little Shop of Horrors,” and “Mamma Mia!” to “Wicked.” Shows are 7:30 p.m. on the 22nd and 23rd, tickets run the gamut from $16 to $106. KB
SATURDAY, MAY 23
THEATER
“Parade”
Black Friars Theatre, blackfriars.org
In 1913, Jewish-American Leo Frank was swept up in a racist witchhunt, accused of terrible crimes against a teenage girl. As the sensationalization of his wrongful conviction billowed out into a national furor, he was demonized by the public. The musical “Parade” tells his story, scratching beneath the historical surface to reveal the humanity at the center of Frank’s morbid fate. The production runs May 8 through 24, with shows Thursday to Sunday. Tickets start at $36.50, $33.50 for seniors, $20 for students with ID. KB
We’ve all heard about oil and water, but what about Honey & Vinegar? Brandon Sheffer and Ben Overmeyer, also known as half of the groove band MoChester, embody the sweet and sour feel of their shared moniker. The acoustic duo plays from 2-5 p.m. at this spot on Titus Avenue. PH
MONDAY, MAY 25
SPORTS
Rochester Red Wings vs. Syracuse Mets
ESL Ballpark, milb.com/rochester Closing out Memorial Day weekend, the Rochester Red Wings take on the Syracuse Mets. There’s a camouflage jersey giveaway in honor of the holiday, and Bruce the bat dog will clock in to do some work out on the
field. It’s America’s pastime, they like to say. Plus the stadium is stocked with classic Memorial Day eats. The game starts with opening pitch at 4:05 p.m. Tickets $7+. KB
TUESDAY, MAY 26
MUSIC
Pentagram
Montage Music Hall, rocentevents.com
England had Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, the U.S. had Bobby Liebling and Pentagram (minus the bombastic success). The grandfathers of heavy rock and progenitors of doom metal, Pentagram is still melting faces with shredding riffs and chugging breakdowns 55 years on. With bulging eyes and a wild, white mane, frontman and vocalist Liebling’s stage presence is so captivating that he’s become a meme as a new generation has become acquainted with the band. Doors open at 6 p.m., tix $30 in advance.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27
SPORTS/NATURE
Dirt Cheap Trail Race
Durand Eastman Park, yellowjacketracing.com
As we collectively fall face first into another economic recession, remember the words delivered by Michael Caine in “Batman Begins”: “Why do we fall, sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves back up.” It’s time to rise, lace up those sneakers and hit the trail for the Dirt Cheap Trail Race at Durand Eastman Park, an annual race series that kicked off during the 2008 recession. Explore four miles of the outdoors on a Wednesday night at 6:15, registration is only $25. KB
THURSDAY, MAY 28
THEATER
“Deep Blue Sound”
MuCCC, muccc.org
No one knows why, but the whales are gone from Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest. Ella is dying of cancer. A handful of characters are trying to manage their disparate connections with others and the world around them. Could the lack of whales hint at a larger problem? The production at the MuCCC May 22 to 30, shows Thursday through Sunday. Advanced tickets are $15 for students and seniors, $20 for adults. KB
FRIDAY, MAY 29
ART
6x6x2026
Rochester Contemporary Art Center, roco6x6.org
Thousands of artists have contributed to the Rochester Contemporary Art Center’s 6x6 hybrid exhibit/fundraiser. Anyone can submit a 6-inch by 6-inch artwork to be displayed anonymously at RoCo’s gallery and online, which can then be purchased for $20 to benefit RoCo. Artists’ credits are only revealed after purchase. It stitches together a quilt of vastly varying work, with space for up to 6,000 pieces to be shown in-person. The in-gallery sale preview is May 29 noon to 9 p.m., May 30 and 31 noon to 5 p.m., before online sales start June 1. The galley re-opens June 5. KB
SATURDAY, MAY 30
COMEDY
Matt Friend
Comedy at the Carlson, carlsoncomedy.com Matt Friend’s been popping up in all kinds of places with his spoton impressions; maybe you’ve seen him embodying Jeff Goldblum on “The Late Show with Stephen
Colbert,” doing Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell on a variety of news channel appearances, or heard his work on “The Simpsons” or “Family Guy.” Friend is bringing his impressions and timely observations to Comedy at the Carlson with shows at 7 and 9 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Tickets $29 general admission, $39 priority seating. KB
SUNDAY, MAY 31
ART
Print Club of Rochester’s 95th Annual Member Exhibition
MCC Mercer Gallery, printclubofrochester.org
The Print Club of Rochester hosts an annual exhibition for its printmaking members to showcase their artwork together, and this year’s lineup is hosted at Monroe Community College’s Mercer Gallery. Woodcuts, lithographs, linocuts and all kinds of print styles are on display from local artists in the club, which got its start in 1930. The exhibition runs through July 2, and the gallery is open Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. KB
MONDAY, JUNE 1
RECREATION
Strangebird Run Club
Strangebird, strangebirdbeer.com
As summer peeks its warm face out from around the seasonal corner, doesn’t it feel like the perfect time to get moving outside? Meet up with the Strangebird Run Club at 6 p.m. on Mondays, which welcomes all skill levels and ages. Explore the neighborhoods around the Genesee River with fellow runners and then grab one of the best beers in town back at the brewery. Maybe a pizza, too. And the BBQ cauliflower sandwich is really good. KB
TUESDAY, JUNE 2
THEATER “Anastasia”
Geva Theatre, gevatheatre.org
After the revolutionary Bolsheviks descended upon the Russian royal family in the 1910s, it was long rumored that Anastasia, daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, escaped execution and became the only surviving family member. In “Anastasia,” a young woman named Anya with amnesia tries to remember her past but gets caught up in a scheme when two men attempt to capitalize on her resemblance to the famed Grand Duchess. Geva Theatre’s run of the musical starts May 27 and goes through June 28, with shows daily except Mondays. KB
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3
ART
Desire and Abundance
Memorial Art Gallery, mag.rochester.edu
Still life art, frequently focused on everyday objects in our lives, allows viewers to explore mundanity, to dig deeper into the things we use or see or pass by constantly without giving them a second thought. With American works from the 1800s to present day, the Memorial Art Gallery’s Desire and Abundance exhibition offers cultural snapshots throughout the broad history of the United States. The MAG is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays and second Fridays of the month. Students and kids $9, seniors $18, and adults $20. KB
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
DANCE
Thursday Nite Swing-In
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, rocswingin.com
When’s the last time you danced? Like, truly danced. Every Thursday, St. Thomas Episcopal Church hosts the Thursday Nite Swing-In, where everyone is welcome to join in on the jubilation, no partner or experience needed. If you’re not experienced or need a refresher free lessons are taught on the first Thursday of every month. Lessons start at 7:15 p.m., and dancing goes until 10 p.m. Entry is $7 on DJ nights, $15 on band nights. KB
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
ART
Peer Bode: Signal into Memory
Visual Studies Workshop, vsw.org
Experimental video art exhibition Signal into Memory wraps up its stay at the Visual Studies Workshop on June 6, with a closing party from 6 to 9 p.m. on the 5th. Featuring a handful of screens and projectors in a minimalist setup, the gallery features mesmerizing video works and performances created by Peer Bode starting in the 1970s. Entry is free and the gallery is open Wednesday to Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday noon to 4 p.m. KB
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
FOOD + BEV
Zoobilation
Seneca Park Zoo, senecaparkzoo.org Folks, the animals need our help. More specifically, they need our money. Support the Seneca Park Zoo’s conservation efforts at the annual
Zoobilation, a food-and-drink-focused fundraiser that brings donors into the zoo for an after hours stroll featuring samples from local restaurants, activities, a silent auction and live auction, and, most importantly, zoo animals. Conservation is key and it requires resources. Tickets are $200 and the Zoobilation festivities run from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. KB
CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS
PUZZLE ON PAGE 70. NO PEEKING!
Some like it hot
Five generations of Zweigle's prove that family is a link to longevity.
WORDS AND PHOTOS
BY ROBERTO F. LAGARES
(PREFERENCE: WHITE HOT WITH DIJON MUSTARD
The longstanding tradition of Sunday sauce is rooted in family: a designated time of the week where a slow-cooked pot of flavors brings the entire family to the dinner table. But for Julie Camardo, CEO of Zweigle’s (preference: white hot), Sunday sauce meant driving to all the local “hots” places with her family.
“We’d hop in our old station wagon and go to Nick Tahou’s, Bill Gray’s, Tom Wahl’s or Schaller’s,” said Camardo, “That was my Sunday.”
For as long as Camardo can remember, the Zweigle’s building at 651 N. Plymouth Ave. is where she spent school breaks and summer recess — from sorting mail, photocopying and part-time data entry in her high school days to eventually joining the packaging department while in college.
The company was founded in 1880 by Camardo’s great, great-grandparents Josephine and C. Wilhelm Zweigle. It was originally located at the corner of Joseph Avenue and Kelly Street until, under the leadership of her grandfather Robert H. Berl, the company was forced to relocate to its current home due to urban renewal.
“Being in the city was really important to my grandfather,” said Camardo. “He had workers that lived in the city of Rochester, and part of (that decision) was because of the reliable, good, strong people that had worked for us for years.”
Berl’s considerations paid off with employees like Theresa “Terry” Haller (preference: white hot) who just entered year 42 with the company, spanning three generations of Zweigle. It was Haller who ran
the packaging line — dubbed “Terry’s line” — Camardo worked on during college. But, what keeps someone around for over four decades?
“A lot of my family members have worked here — brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and friends of theirs, so it’s been a family thing,” said Haller.
Enduring 146 years of operation and two unprecedented pandemics (Spanish flu and COVID-19) is no easy feat, but the ebb and flow of the hot dog contains multitudes. In the best of times, it can represent the entrance of better weather and the impending festival season. In the worst of times, it is a reliable, affordable meal.
“Hot dogs fall in all the categories — we are celebrated during good times,” said Camardo. “[However for] those that are struggling, six or eight hot dogs in a package can feed a whole family versus a pound of steak, right?”
The affiliation of hot dogs with the change in season is not coincidental. There is a seasonal nature to the product — Camardo said 70% of production takes place from May to August. This coincides with festivals, outdoor grilling and, of course, baseball. According to Dan Mason, general manager of the Rochester Red Wings (preference: white hot with meat sauce), approximately 151,000 Zweigle’s dogs were sold last season.
“Zweigle’s is just a long homerun away from our ballpark,” said Mason. “You can’t buy a fresher dog in all of baseball.” (CITY statcast: while the Salhen Packing Co. in Buffalo has been declared the closest hot dog manufacturer to a baseball stadium at ~2 miles driving distance and .95 miles geographically, Zweigle’s sits a mere .8 mile drive and .6 miles geographically from ESL Ballpark.)
But the connection between Zweigle’s and the Red Wings goes beyond close distances. The white hot — a staple offering in the ageold question “red or white?” — was created specifically for the Rochester Tribe (the precursor to the Red Wings) by the Zweigle brothers, Leonard and Bill, in 1925; further cementing the company’s roots in the fibers of a city that still makes up the bulk of their sales. (Beyond that, a partnership with another Rochester pillar, Wegmans, has expanded
their reach to the likes of New York City, Boston, Virginia and North Carolina.)
As a local symbol with a reach beyond state lines, it’s hard to believe Zweigle’s is still a small, family owned company consisting of fewer than 60 employees.
“From start to finish, to make a hot dog from raw meat — grinding it, stuffing it, cooking it, chilling it, packaging it — we do it all here,” said Mark Pacana, quality and sanitation manager (preference: white hot with mustard). “We can do that in under four hours.”
The level of efficiency is a focus for Camardo as manufacturing industries navigate the challenges of rising raw material costs and attracting labor. Zweigle’s has invested in both ergonomics and semi-automatic machines in the packaging areas.
“It’s not always about replacing people, it’s about trying to become more efficient,” said Camardo. “It’s very challenging to get people who really want to work and care in a cold, wet environment. How do you find those people? It’s not always easy. So you have to automate.”
That automation can only go so far for Zweigles due to the nature (or, for them, the natural casing) of the business. Handling the natural casings requires a human touch to ensure uniformity — a ceiling even Germany, arguably the mecca of traditional sausage casing manufacturing, has long since reached.
“There is an art to tying and hanging them,” said Camardo.
So where does a company approaching a century-and-a-half in business go from here? Aside from maintaining the level and quality of their reputation, the future of Zweigle’s is about leaning into their history.
“We want people to appreciate the authenticity, the uniqueness of where something is made, where they’re from originally,” said Camardo. “There is something amazing about that.”
Roberto Felipe Lagares is CITY’s multimedia reporter and has an unruly amount of film cameras on his person at all times. You can follow him @ bertoscamera.
MUSIC REVIEWS
“A JOURNEY THROUGH THE PAST” BY ABSOLUTE GREY
The first thing a listener might notice about Rochester’s new wave-leaning 1980s band Absolute Grey is Mitch Rasnor’s propulsive, melodic bass guitar, pushed to the front of the band’s Paisley Underground–inflected soundmix. The second, perhaps, is Beth Brown’s captivating voice, buoyed by jangly guitars and just utterly soaked in reverb. Dreamy.
Absolute Grey’s “A Journey Through the Past,” released in March, is 19-track compendium of live and previously unreleased songs. The four-piece’s sound is all soft focus and echo, conjuring up something indistinct but transcendent beyond rain-streaked city windows. Also a pretty good name for a Rochester band, no? We claim to dislike the gray that “colors” our days, but use the British spelling — grey! — and make it a bit more pronounced — absolute! — and that undercurrent of dread transforms into high art. It’s that same sensibility, wavering between brightness and drear, that punctuates this collection.
Gloom comes through on “We Autumn,” with Rasnor’s slow, postpunk bass line locking in against guitarist Matt Kitchen’s minor-chord shimmer, while Pat Thomas’s drums punch up through the song’s lowhanging haze. “Killing Birds” starts dark, but Brown’s warbling lifts it up, and the band flirts with Cramps-like intensity by the end. If echoey brightness tickles you, the hopepunk “Watching Waiting” is a good place to start.
The album is full of nods to revered ’80s indie bands; they cover both Big Star’s “September Gurls” and The Dream Syndicate’s “Halloween” and also rep The Replacements.
Seeing them live before they disbanded in 1990 would have likely felt revelatory for a kid tuned in to music that is a hybrid of refined and sloppy, but ever reaching up to become better. Had they kept the torch burning, Absolute Grey might have been a name spoken alongside The Bangles, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Smiths and even the War on Drugs. — BRENDAN DABKOWSKI
“NEXT YEARS” BY GOO PHASE
Spring is officially blooming, and Goo Phase has given us the perfect warmweather tune with their first-ever release, “Next Years.” Goo Phase, composed of Jesse Amesmith on vocals and guitar, Allegra Anka on bass and Kate Philipson on drums, has been creating music for over a year, and the band is officially ready to spread their wings and share their art.
The three-piece indie punk band from Rochester released their first single, “Next Years,” April 3 on Bandcamp. The track was recorded with Trevor Amesmith and Jimmy Stadt, and Ben Morey at Submarine Sound Studio handled the mix and master. If you want nostalgia or to tap into your inner child who just wants to rock, “Next Years” is here to provide the soundtrack.
Listeners are invited into the world of Goo Phase by lively guitar, intentional strums and bopping drums that make it impossible not to dance along. This is one to blare with the windows down on a perfect sunny day (becoming more and more frequent as we move closer to summer). A music video to accompany the track was released April 11; shot by Goo Phase themselves and incorporating film footage from the early 1900s. The video captures both the playful energy and the artistic drive of Goo Phase, drawing us further into the track and warding off distraction.
During “Next Years,” the guitar and bass melt together, warm and oozing into the ear like, well, goo. The brain melts and merges into each note, becoming one with the song. Goo Phase’s introduction fades away like the sun after a long day of cherishing the simple, yet ever-so-important joy of playing outside.
“Next Years” is an iconic debut and a silky earworm, leaving fans eager for what’s next.
— LEAH JOY
“STAY” BY ANDY WENDT
After a few false starts, it seems spring has finally sprung. Along with the shift into the season of rejuvenation, pastels and Allegra comes “Stay,” the latest single from Rochester-based songwriter-producer Andy Wendt. Described as an “anti-love duet,” this track is far more than another silly love song, dressing its deceptively simple song structure with deeply emotionally vocal performances, lyrics and a full orchestral string arrangement.
It begins with a delicate piano melody and somber, but assertive, female vocals sung by co-writer and pianist Becky Sortore: “Running in place, somehow still out of breath, beat down, strung out, broken with nothing left / how can you hold onto my nothingness” verifies the melancholy vibe established by the music.
Andy’s vocals come in as a response: “I see your scars and all of your battle wounds, please let me in so I can carry you,” and the alternate perspective sent chills down my neck and choked me up. This song lets you in on a couple that’s going through it. They both know they can’t stay together, but there is still so much to hold on to.
The narrative of the song is confirmed in an Instagram post, where Andy explained he wrote the chorus of the song after his divorce a few years ago. Since then, it has grown and evolved into this emotional masterpiece with the help of the additional songwriters Jacqui Smith and Andres Gutierrez.
The emotional nature of “Stay” is fully undergirded by the lush cinematic string section; it’s hard to picture the song without it, although its addition to the track was cosmic kismet. Listen to the song’s whole backstory on the Tones Studios Instagram account, and blame your teary eyes on the pollen.
— WREN WERNER
“NEW
YORK ÉTUDES, VOLUME 2”
BY
JEFF BEAL
Practice. Study. Repetition. These are the familiar patterns of learning: for a musical instrument, a new language or most other skills. Dreaming. Resting. Feeling. Are these modes the break from that work, or can they also be a part of it?
Those interlocking experiences were on my mind while listening to Jeff Beal’s new album, “New York Etudes Volume 2,” letting the gentle patterns of the piano solos wash over me.
In his two volumes of “études” (studies) for piano, Beal has written music that is a form of practice, both for processing thoughts and finding peace. It started as a sort of musical journal when he moved to New York City in 2021, with only a piano in his apartment.
Beal is best-known for writing Emmy Award-winning film and TV scores, including “House of Cards” and “Monk.” Most of his music has been written in front of a computer and played by studio orchestras. Here, he embraces lower-tech, intimate and direct pieces that evoke simplicity while having a lot of thought behind them.
The second album of études follows some major changes in Beal’s life, including the passing of his parents. That sense of loss is reflected in the music, most directly in the final track, “Last Breath,” while never turning fully dark in its melancholy. It all has a sense of light and air, while my favorites are those playing with contrast, especially “Summer Spring” and “Dark and Light” in the middle of the album.
For fans of Phillip Glass, Max Richter or Ólafur Arnalds — composers who have created high art of seemingly simple music — this album is definitely something to check out. For the pianists out there, Beal has also published the sheet music for these etudes, so you can try practicing them yourself.
— MONA SEGHATOLESLAMI
Deep purple
BY PATRICK HOSKEN PATRICK@ROCCITYMAG.COM
For Mikaela Davis, the 2026 Rochester Lilac Festival is a homecoming. Though the harp-playing, twangy, jam-adjacent singer-songwriter is now based in Catskill, New York, she still considers Rochester home enough to make her May 13 headlining set in Highland Park the release party for her new album, “Graceland Way.” Fellow local cornerstone group Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad will support.
It’s just one of the many shows at this year’s Lilac Festival that celebrates Rochester in all its musical diversity. The fest, which runs May 8-17, features 10 nights of live music spanning funk and jazz, jam and folk, soul and pop, old and new — and a good crop of generally unclassifiable, always dynamic genre polymaths.
There’s a sound for every taste. And Davis’ is far from the only music that began ringing out right here in the Flower City.
On May 12, the festival stage features an entire evening of performers curated by the Rochester Music Hall of Fame, anchored by hall of famer and local music legend Scott Mayo. A former member of Earth Wind & Fire, Mayo’s musical journey began as an 8-year-old in Rochester and was fortified by an eventual internship at WDKX when he was a student.
Decades later, Mayo’s saxophone contributions can be heard on Beyoncé’s disco smash
The Rochester Lilac Festival has a musical act for every ear.
CIMAFUNK
ZAHYIA
JD MCPHERSON
SCOTT MAYO
“Cuff It” and in films like Damien Chazelle’s “Babylon.” He also handled arrangements for Bruno Mars and Sérgio Mendes’ smooth and lightly funky “Don’t Say Goodbye” between recording his own solo albums.
In Highland Park, he’ll be backed up by Western New York’s premier horn-centric ensemble, Prime Time Funk, with support from fellow local players in The Dawgs and Stoney Lonesome.
After all, it’s not a party without some funk, something Erik Alejandro Iglesias Rodríguez, AKA Cimafunk, understands innately. The Cuban musician expertly fuses Afro-Cuban rhythms with Latin rock and a flair for glamorous 1970s fashion — something he brought to a charming set at the 2025 Rochester International Jazz Festival.
His May 8 Lilac Fest headlining set features an amuse-bouche from Zahyia, the local powerhouse R&B and soul singer who is no stranger to charming sets.
It also arrives a night before that of Lee Fields, who doesn’t just embody the sound of old-school soul; he actually lived it. After a recording career in the 1960s and ‘70s, Fields retreated from the industry, only to return in the ‘90s and build a new foundation with his heart-rending, tidal wave of a voice.
Thanks in part to Daptone Records, Fields helped define
the soul comeback of the 2000s along with label mates Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley. His May 9 set in Rochester follows one from Lady Wray, an R&B vocal talent with ties to Swing Mob, the musical collective that helped fortify the careers of Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Ginuwine and more from an unlikely spot in Rochester’s East End.
As party music has evolved over the decades, so has its instrumentation and style. Case in point: talents like Brooklyn’s The Lone Bellow, which makes uplifting Americana, and Fairport native and delicate country singer Claudia Hoyser; both are on stage May 10.
Despite her humble beginnings playing the New York State Fair in 2007 and 2008, Taylor Swift is now impossible to see outside of a stadium. But local tribute act Cruel Summer makes it easy to have a similar experience; the group headlines on May 11, supported by local alt-pop act Roses & Revolutions.
But old heads might ask: what ever happened to rock and roll?
Rockabilly guitarist and singer-songwriter JD McPherson, a favorite of the Abilene Bar & Lounge crowd who came through at Christmastime, returns for a May 16 set supported by the formidable local Prime Time Brass ensemble. Joe P, meanwhile, has garnered attention for playing a nylon-string guitar in dozens
of Instagram videos. He also performs live, including on stage at Highland Park on May 14, backed up by Rochester powerpop greats The Demos.
And then there are the folks who can seemingly do it all, like Anees. The vibrant talent found his song “Sun and Moon” go viral in 2022, and he performed it on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” He’ll bring his unique blend of pop, R&B and alternative to the Lilac Fest on May 15. Rochester rapper, spokenword artist and educator Chi TheRealist supports.
How does one bring a festival in the Flower City to a close? Eggy can help. The New Haven jam band is made up of great interpreters, spinning staples like Crosby Stills & Nash’s “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” and Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” into full webs of musical exploration. The hot-rod rock group High Fade performs as direct support for the fest’s closing night on May 17.
With a sound for every sensibility — some loud, some quiet, some curious, some funky — make sure to bring earplugs. And as always, don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers. roclilacfest.com
Patrick Hosken is CITY’s arts and culture reporter. He was formerly the music editor at MTV News and a producer at Buffalo Toronto Public Media.
PHOTOS PROVIDED
LEE FIELDS
ANEES
EGGY CHI THEREALIST
The upstart Ticketing Co. seeks to be an independent, alternative option in a crowded market.
Ticket to ride
BY PATRICK HOSKEN PATRICK@ROCCITYMAG.COM
If it takes two laptops and a smartphone to secure Taylor Swift concert tickets — and these days, it does — the ticketing system might be broken. Indeed, behemoths Live Nation and Ticketmaster recently settled an antitrust case with the Justice Department, though 33 states and the District of Columbia are still moving forward with the case.
The claim? These liveentertainment giants have monopolized the industry, and fans have paid the price.
Trevor Titley has always opted for a different approach.
“I’m noticing a want and a need from organizers and event throwers and festivals to bring it back to working with fellow independent companies,” Titley said.
The Ticketing Co., a startup ticket platform Titley runs from his home in Fairport, is one of them. He oversees a 15-person team, with many developers based in Quebec, and the mission is simple: give independent organizers and venues what they need to run successful events.
That includes first-rate customer service and sharing a wealth of knowledge about live events.
“They feel lost when they’re working with an Eventbrite. They feel lost when they’re working with an AXS or Ticketmaster,” Titley said. “With our service, you can sell 10 tickets on my website,
Trevor Titley. PHOTO BY ROBERTO F. LAGARES
and you’re my best friend. You can give me a call, send me a text, and I answer.”
That’s not to say Titley, a Long Island native and University at Buffalo graduate, would turn down the chance to be the ticket platform for an artist like Swift. The Ticketing Co. has its own queue system, though a blockbuster concert might be a bit beyond its capacity — for now.
terms of festivals and events,” Titley said. “We’re squeezing it in during the good months when we can, but it really did blow my mind to see things like the Perinton Amphitheater hosting amazing events.”
While he was based in New York City, Titley built up years of experience as an event organizer. He started with two musical subcultures known for their rich communities: EDM and jam bands. Before long, he began working with the Northlands Music & Arts Festival in New Hampshire and, closer to home, the Adirondack Independence Music Festival.
In doing so, Titley amassed a vault of knowledge he can draw on to answer organizers’ hypothetical questions.
That’s what he does very well, said Blake Gianniny, whose firm Gianinny Brothers owns property at East and Alexander and has used events in the neighborhood as marketing opportunities.
The company has instead made smaller-scale events across North America its bread and butter. A reiki sound bath in Virginia. A comedy showcase in the heart of Dubuque, Iowa. An RV show in Maryland that sold 10,000 tickets.
“We do have the same technology as a lot of these major platforms,” Titley said. “Granted, we may not have the million people going to Eventbrite to search for a specific event, but we’re building up our own organic reach within Rochester or Western New York, or Buffalo specifically, that we can (use to) be an asset to reaching people.”
Locally, Titley provided the ticket platform for last month’s Flower City Thaw musical festival at East Avenue and Alexander Street. He’s currently in talks and working with other Rochester organizations and venues to deepen The Ticketing Co.’s roots in his adopted home, where he relocated from Brooklyn less than two years ago.
His wife is from Rochester originally, though she didn’t have to put on a hard sell when the pull to return home became strong.
“The beautiful thing about Rochester (is) when I moved here, there was so much happening in
“He’s pretty knowledgeable on all the different ways to approach ticketing, even for a free event,” Gianinny said. “If you’re going to work with Eventbrite, you’re certainly not going to get the owner.”
Titley’s organization also focuses on giving back. Money sold from each ticket benefits programs that help deliver Narcan training to events professionals as well as initiatives like emergency preparedness workshops for venue staffers.
The Ticketing Co. has grown nearly 40% over the last year, Titley said. This naturally raises an important question: how can a service sustain its key selling point of personal-touch customer service as it scales up?
He’s fielded this one before.
“If someone emails me, I’m going to get to them,” Titley said. “But maybe, if you’re not selling over a certain threshold, you don’t talk to me, but you talk to somebody within my team who is still very open and very excited about having those conversations.” theticketing.co
Patrick is CITY’s arts and culture reporter. He was formerly the music editor at MTV News and a producer at Buffalo Toronto Public Media.
PHOTO BY ROBERTO F. LAGARES
LUNCH & DINNER
THURSDAY-SATURDAY 11:30am-10:00pm
SUNDAY & MONDAY 4:00pm-9:00pm
SUNDAY
Rochester band The Demos picks up where they left off.
Press play
MUSIC
BY JON HEATH
When The Demos step on stage, the sound is tighter, the edges cleaner, the connection sharper than ever. After a four-year hiatus, the band’s return has been shaped by time, perspective and a city that never quite stopped listening.
Led by Jay Milton on vocals and guitar alongside Callan Saunders, Jeremiah O’Reilly and Caela Moore, the current lineup brings together players from across the band’s different eras. Returning members Ryan Farnung and Anna Dana add a renewed chemistry that bridges past and present.
That continuity makes their upcoming appearance at the Rochester Lilac Festival feel especially fitting. More than 15 years after their last performance in Highland Park, the band returns not as it once was, but more fully formed.
The story begins in 2002 when Milton saw The Strokes perform songs from their debut album on “Saturday Night Live.” It was a moment that caught his attention in a way that Britney Spears had failed to do.
“I instantly was like, whoa! Modern music can be like this?” he recalled.
Within months, Milton had gathered a group of high school friends, setting in motion what would become The Demos. The origin story carries a charming inevitability. Even the band’s name arrived by accident — misread on a demo CD and immediately embraced. Like the name, the
lineup shifted over time, but the core ambition held: write hook-driven, melodic rock songs and play them wherever anyone would listen. By college, that ambition had become more focused. They toured, released EPs and, in 2011, recorded their first full-length album, “Lovely.” It was a project shaped as much by experimentation as by necessity
— produced on a laptop, often in unconventional spaces, chasing whatever acoustics felt right in the moment.
“Some of it didn’t work,” Milton said, “but it was fun and inspiring and really freeing.”
That freedom carried further than they expected. The album caught the attention of a small label in Japan,
where it sold out.
“I would get pictures of Tower Records in Tokyo where there was a cardboard cutout of me,” Milton said. “It was really bizarre!”
Despite an invitation to tour, the band never visited Japan. Instead, they began charting on college radio stations back home — no small feat for an unsigned band from Rochester. Festival
The Demos. PHOTO BY KRIT UPRA
appearances followed, along with a growing sense that The Demos were no longer just a local project, but part of a wider indie rock conversation.
And yet, they never drifted far from home.
In a music scene where longevity and reinvention often go handin-hand, The Demos built their reputation steadily, each release refining their identity. The community they found — musicians supporting one another, audiences investing in local bands — carried them early on and now welcomes them back.
After the release of “24 Hour Hotline” in 2022, the band stepped away. Life had shifted: Milton and Moore were raising children, careers were evolving and the uncertainty of a pandemic-altered music landscape made constant performing difficult to sustain. Still, the pause was never framed as an ending.
“I don’t think the word ‘breakup’ ever came up,” Milton said. “It was always just a hiatus.”
That distinction matters. Because when the band returned, the response was emphatic, from both old friends
and new listeners alike. Doug Kelley, who books shows at The Bug Jar, has watched that dynamic play out in real time.
“Having The Demos back in the scene has been great,” he said. “They are more refined than ever, and crowds are responding well. A good chunk are legacy fans, but I’ve seen the younger generation gravitate to the merch table, too.”
That refinement shows up most clearly on stage. Years of experience (and then, time away) have sharpened the band’s instincts. The sound still carries the DNA of its influences: the angular guitars and urgency of The Strokes, the harmonic sensibility of The Beach Boys. But the years have added something else — a clearer sense of who they are.
Josh Netsky, lead singer of Rochester band Maybird, a contemporary of The Demos from the early 2010s, agreed. Netsky played alongside Milton when The Demos last played the Lilac Festival in 2008.
“A lot of time has passed, and the music has evolved,” Netsky said, “but so many of the core elements that
attracted me to the group in the first place remain.”
He added that Maybird’s journey has been very similar to that of The Demos.
“We’ve been playing together for a very long time and have gone through some moves and changes, but we still feel perfectly at home playing music in Rochester,” Netsky said. “Something I love about going to Demos shows is that I can depend on seeing people who have stuck with them all through the years and have always been loyal fans and friends of the group.”
That kind of loyalty runs both ways, and it’s part of what is fueling the band’s next chapter. The Demos are writing again, building a home studio and revisiting older material with fresh ears. In rehearsals, songs they hadn’t touched in years are resurfacing.
That interplay between past and present will be on full display when The Demos take the stage at the Rochester Lilac Festival at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14. For the fest’s talent director Dave Drago, who helped bring them onto the bill, the
decision was immediate.
“The Demos were — are — an institution in Rochester,” he said. “One of our great rock bands. Iconic. They’re a super cohesive group with a style of rock that speaks to a modern indie listener as well as an older one. Perfect for Lilac Fest.”
The festival setting offers something new as well. For a band accustomed to late-night club sets, a daytime, all-ages audience carries a different kind of energy; one that feels especially meaningful now. Milton and Moore’s children, who have never seen them perform with the band, will be in the front row.
The stakes may be different, but the pull is the same. And if Japan ever comes knocking again, Milton knows the answer.
“In a heartbeat, we would go.”
Jon Heath is an English writer now based in Rochester who enjoys getting to know people and teasing out their stories; he writes about music, literature and friendly folks.
Garth Fagan Dance looks back — and forward — during a milestone decade.
55 years in motion
BY SYDNEY BURROWS
Audiences around the world have long been enamored with Garth Fagan’s choreography. While families and theatergoers may be most familiar with his Tony Award-winning work on “The Lion King,” others have been singing Fagan’s praises since long before his Broadway debut. But without the company and overall artistry of Garth Fagan Dance, it’s unlikely his choreography would have reached those stages at all.
This year, as the company marks its 55th anniversary, Garth Fagan Dance is shining a light on what makes Fagan’s choreography so distinctive by revisiting some of his earliest works.
“These pieces are what brought Garth to notoriety,” said Norwood “PJ” Pennewell, artistic director of Garth Fagan Dance. “They’re a cyclic expression of the Fagan Technique, which helped to facilitate his choreographic voice through movement. The choreography then, in turn, helped fine-tune the technique.”
Company dancers teach the Fagan Technique, which draws from ballet, modern and Afro-Caribbean traditions, to students of all ages and levels at their school on Chestnut Street. While Fagan’s choreography continues to captivate audiences, the technique itself is designed to develop and challenge dancers to reach their fullest potential.
Classes are structured with discipline and precision at the forefront.
Athleticism, flexibility and balance are essential to performing Fagan’s work, which Pennewell said is one reason the company has produced so many accomplished dancers.
“The Fagan Technique is a beautiful alternative to some of the other forms of training that are embedded in the conventional wisdom of dance institutions,” he said. “It’s a completely different way of moving that shapes you as an artist.”
The development of dancers is evident in the company’s many accolades. Multiple artists from Garth Fagan Dance have won the prestigious Bessie Award (including Pennewell and executive director Natalie Rogers-Cropper). Fagan was also recently awarded the 2025 Bessie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance.
“Garth not only created beautiful work, but also raised beautiful
MAY PICKS
Palestine ’36
OPENS MAY 1
A Witness Palestine 2025 selection returns to The Little. In 1936, as the British Empire tightens its grip on Palestine, Yusuf is caught between his village home and his work in Jerusalem.
GEORGIA
Blue Heron
OPENS MAY 8
Eight-year-old Sasha and her family relocate to a new home on Vancouver Island. Their fresh start is interrupted by increasingly dangerous behavior from Jeremy, the family’s oldest child.
I Love Boosters
OPENS MAY 22
The new Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) film!
A crew of professional shoplifters takes aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. Starring Keke Palmer and Naomi Ackie.
Backrooms
OPENS MAY 29
In the feature-length horror debut from director Kane Parsons, a strange doorway appears in the basement of a furniture showroom, and a therapist ventures into the eerie dimension.
PHOTO PROVIDED
dancers — powerful in their delivery and worthy of a high award like that,” said Rogers-Cropper. “The level never changes, and we’re not going to let it change.”
While Rogers-Cropper has served as school director for many years, she stepped into the additional role of executive director in 2023 — a transition that hasn’t come without challenges. Like many arts organizations, Garth Fagan Dance is in a constant battle for funding, working to prove its value while striving to provide dancers with full-time salaries. At the same time, the company is looking ahead, with plans to expand its number of dancers, renovate its studios and establish a more permanent theater space. Despite those pressures, Rogers-Cropper said she is honored to carry Fagan’s legacy forward, both administratively and as a choreographer.
Pennewell, who spent more than a decade establishing himself as a choreographic voice within
the company before being named artistic director in 2023, said Rogers-Cropper is coming into her own creatively.
“She went so far into her creative consciousness and came out with this stirring, startling, beautiful reflection on the struggles we’re all going through right now,” he said of “Messages to the Storm,” Rogers-Cropper’s latest work. “It’s a stunning piece, grounded in hope and optimism.”
With “Messages to the Storm,” Rogers-Cropper explores the strength of the human spirit. Featuring two group sections and a pivotal duet, the work centers on relationships and the ways we lean on one another to move forward.
The 55th anniversary program, which takes place at Nazareth University Arts Center May 7-10, will include “Messages To The Storm” and Pennewell’s “Priestess Hill” alongside re-stagings of Fagan’s “Never Top 40 (Jukebox)” and the audience favorite “Prelude.” The
performances may carry added resonance for Rochester audiences as the company returns to its former home base at Nazareth University Arts Center.
Themes of hope amidst struggle run through the program, aiming to leave audiences with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.
“Our art form creates a place where a person can be invigorated,” Rogers-Cropper said. “It’s exhilarating — it leaves you willing to go through life, to face adversity with beauty and creation.”
Though Fagan is no longer involved in the day-to-day operations of the company, his influence remains ever-present, even in new works and among a new generation of dancers. Pennewell, who joined the company in 1978, and Rogers-Cropper, who followed in 1989, both carry his imprint in their choreography, having spent decades performing and studying under him.
And as the company looks toward new collaborations and premieres, Garth Fagan Dance isn’t losing sight of its roots.
“The original work still finds me,” Rogers-Cropper said. “When I’m watching a work of art, I want to be challenged. And that’s what Fagan’s work does. Even if I weren’t working here, I would be watching Garth Fagan Dance, because I want to understand.”
Garth Fagan Dance presents its 55th Anniversary Performance Celebration at Nazareth University Arts Center, May 7-10. More information and tickets are available at garthfagan-dance.org.
Sydney Burrows is a Rochester-based dancer and writer focused on amplifying the stories of talented artists across the region.
The Dish
FOOD AND BEV NEWS, GOSSIP, AND GATHERINGS CURATED BY LEAH STACY
WHET YOUR PALATE
Roma Rochester, a new Italian spot offering prime rib, Detroit-style pizza and fresh pasta, will open soon at 321 Exchange Blvd. in Corn Hill. Beautifully Nourished, a cold-pressed juice bar, will open soon at 145 State Street. The northeast quadrant’s first third-wave coffee shop, El Camino Café, which began as a pilot project at the International Plaza, opens May 4 at 200 Clifford Ave. The Mafia Hub, a Buffalo Bills–inspired bar and restaurant serving (you guessed it) wings and more, has opened at 187 St Paul St.
Gotham Halal, Rochester’s first halalsmashburger hybrid, has opened at 2534 W. Ridge Rd. in Greece. Jordan River, a new Middle Eastern café, has opened in the former Starbucks, 680 Monroe Ave. And ROCLobster, a pop-up dining room and seafood food truck at the Public Market, is open Thursday through Sunday for the
season. Meanwhile, Pizza Wizard is joining the Fairport club — the zany downtown shop will have a second location in a gas station near the canal TBA.
Pura Vida Ville, which serves up homemade Mexican and Costa Rican cuisine, has opened a second location at I-Square in Irondequoit. Brown Hound Downtown in the Memorial Art Gallery also has a revamped bar area, with plenty of room to sip pre- or post-exhibit. Palmer’s Direct To You Market, an open-to-the-public butcher shop and kitchen, has reopened at 900 Jefferson Rd. after significant renovations.
FOR THE LOCAVORES
Rochester native Zack Harper is planning to open a small grocer, Aker Club, in the former DGX space in Sibley Square; it would be the first independent grocery store downtown since Hart’s Local Grocers closed in
2019 after five years of operation on Winthrop Street.
Bonesteel Wines & Spirits, a minority woman-owned business in Victor’s High Point development, is now open; the newest venture from Tanvi Asher, owner of Peppermint Boutique at the Culver Road Armory. Bonesteel focuses on hard-to-find bottles, emerging producers and strong representation of exceptional New York State wineries and distilleries. bonesteelwines.com
Rochester Lilac Festival will host its first-ever food and bev event, “The Lilac Table: A Tasting Collective” 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. The ticketed tasting, now on sale, features shuttle dropoff, a welcome drink, more than 25 local partners sampling items and a gift bag. roclilacfest.com
Due to construction at Brighton High School, the popular Brighton Farmers Market will hold its outdoor summer Sundays at a new temporary location: Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, 150 Sawgrass Drive. brightonfarmersmarket.org
Rochester Hope’s newly expanded food pantry, which nearly doubles its current size, is now open. Founded in 2023 on the campus of St. Michael’s Church, 869 N Clinton Ave., the pantry helps bring food security to Rochester and Monroe County. Located at the border of two of the state’s most food-insecure zip codes, the pantry currently serves more than 400 families every week. rochesterhope.org
The Rochester Public Market’s monthly Food Truck Rodeo series has returned for the season on the last Wednesday of every month; May 27 will featuring food, beer and live music from A Girl Named Genny 5-9 p.m.
Finding community through music, documentary-style.
Hitting the high notes
BY JOHANNA LESTER
In his book “How Music Works,” the great and good musician David Byrne notes, “Music resonates in so many parts of the brain that we can’t conceive of it being an isolated thing. It’s whom you were with, how old you were, and what was happening that day.”
How better to describe the feeling of attending a concert or a music festival; the smells and sounds and tastes uniting in a symphony of experience. When done well, music-focused documentary films (or series) can simulate this same feeling of immersion. You weren’t there, but you were so close to being there. Or maybe you were there, and a resultant film is just a reminder of how it felt to be a part of something bigger than yourself, to sing your favorite songs alongside 50,000 potential friends.
What follows are recommendations on how to chase that feeling — and some suggestions for artist-centered docs that dig a bit deeper into those whose brilliance beckon us forward in the first place.
MUSIC FOR THE MASSES
One of the best documentaries of the last decade, 2021’s “Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” is so precise in its capturing of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which took place across six Sundays. That it overlapped with Woodstock is significant, and director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson leaves no (Sly and the Family) stone unturned in dissecting the whys and hows. The music, though? Unparalleled. Thompson also directed “Ladies & Gentlemen…50 Years of SNL Music,” which aired early last year and is worth checking out.
Barely 30 years ago, radio stations refused to play songs by women back-to-back for fear of listeners changing the channel. And thus, Sarah McLachlan’s inspiration for Lilith Fair was (essentially) born. If you’re of a certain age, 2025’s “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery” is worth the nostalgia trip. The festival burned short and bright, and, even with its faults, gave attendees exactly what they were looking for: community. This is an especially good watch if you’re interested in the process of putting together a music festival. (Hiring local stagehands! Day-of press conferences!)
“Homecoming: A Film by Beyonce” (2018) is not quite a festival doc, but it does concern her history-making performance as the first Black woman to headline Coachella. If you’ve seen this movie, you’re likely already obsessed (rightly) with that performance, and if you haven’t, you’re in for an extremely rewarding treat. It’s pageantry and skill at its peak; this is the kind of transcendent performance that was made for the documentary treatment.
ONE TICKET, PLEASE
In a previous piece for the hallowed pages of this magazine, I recommended “Stop Making Sense” (1984), Jonathan Demme’s knockout of a Talking Heads concert film. I stand by that (obviously), but, in the interest of not fully repeating myself, I now encourage you to seek
out “American Utopia,” a Spike Leedirected film of Byrne’s Broadway show of the same name. (All Broadway shows should be filmed for posterity and screened, and yes, I am pitching that on the spot for a future column.) It’s joyful and thoughtful and effervescent as Byrne is known to be and absolutely benefits from being helmed by an Oscar winner.
Are you ready for it? Whether or not you classify yourself as a Swiftie, you should watch “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.” And, on that note, you should also watch “Taylor Swift: The End of an Era.” The former is the concert itself, and the latter is a series covering the making of that concert. Both give the audience some deep insight into how it all came together, set to Swift’s biggest hits. One of my favorite things to do with a concert doc is have it play in the background while I’m working — Eras Tour energy is great for this.
Another mash-up: this time, it’s Peter Jackson’s “The Beatles: Get Back.” More Oscar-winning directors should do music documentaries. This three-part series from 2021 chronicles the making of the Beatles’ “Let It Be,” leading up to a live show — that famous rooftop concert. As with “Summer of Soul,” the amount of existing footage is reason enough to watch, even if your tolerance for the boys from Liverpool is wanting. There’s also an inherent sadness here, especially in moments of sudden levity. The boys quoting lines from “A Hard Day’s Night” hit especially hard, given how fractious their relationships had become.
SPOTLIGHT ON
While it is not the point of “Music by John Williams,” a documentary from 2024 on legendary composer and cinematic collaborator John Williams, I did learn that one of his sons was, at times, the lead singer of the band Toto. What a time! I watch a lot of movies and I was still surprised by how many iconic scores Williams has under his belt. Frequent appearances by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, among others, highlight how important Williams is to the process of their movie-making. There’s a lot of footage of recording sessions with orchestras, which is reason enough to throw this on.
Another Academy Award-winner (Best Documentary Feature in 2014) “20 Feet From Stardom” readjusts the spotlight on backup singers, including Darlene Love — remember her annual visit to “Late Show with David Letterman” to sing “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)”? We had it so good — Lisa Fischer and Merry Clayton, among many others. So many songs you know by name, supported by artists you’ve never heard of. Some documentaries are time machines, and some are light bulbs over the head. This is the best of both worlds.
Johanna Lester is a pop culture critic who mainlines movies, TV and the best cookies Rochester has to offer. She’ll also hold that grudge on your behalf. Follow her @theauntjojo.
AN ADVICE COLUMN FROM CITY MAGAZINE
Dear Maggie,
I’ve started pursuing social media content creation and I feel like my friends don’t respect my work. It’s not full-time yet, but I’m serious about turning it into something sustainable. At first they were supportive, but now I get backhanded comments when I pull out my phone to try to capture content. One person has asked not to be recorded at all, and while no one else said they have a problem specifically, the vibe has definitely changed. I feel like I can’t share a big part of my life. Is there a way to balance pursuing this dream and keeping my friends?
Sincerely,
Camera Shy
Dear Camera Shy,
Being a good friend sometimes means having uncomfortable conversations, and this is one of those times.
If your content is built around your life, it makes sense you’ll be recording often. But that also means the people in your life get a say in how (or if) they’re included. That’s not them disrespecting your work; it’s them setting boundaries. And reading between the lines here, your friends may be reacting to moments where they felt like the hangout became more about you getting the shot than spending time with them.
It’s worth checking in with yourself: are you fully present? Today, a stray social post has the ability to do some damage. Are there some moments that are off-limits, or are you recording everything, including the Friday night post-work vent session? That said, even if they are feeling put upon, it’s not an excuse for them to be passive aggressive and avoid directly communicating their concerns.
I’ve been in a similar spot with friends from work. I was left off invites, ignored at company events, there was even a
separate group chat. I only found out about it because they sent something not meant for my eyes to the wrong thread. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was hurt (I’m a sensitive soul). But the upside was that it created an opportunity to finally talk it through, and a lot of the issues came down to miscommunication and unspoken frustration on both sides. While we were able to work it out and they remain some of my dearest friends to this day, I wish it had never gone that far.
Set aside time to talk (phones off or silenced), and be upfront about your goals. You don’t have to give up what you’re building, but hear them out. At the same time, tell them how their reactions have made you feel and address the snide comments. You also need to accept that they may all ask for you to put the phone away when you’re together. You might even need a different content style to preserve friendships while still making your influencer dreams come true.
This isn’t about choosing between your friends and your work. It’s about setting boundaries on both sides so neither comes at the other’s expense. xoxo, Maggie
May Honoree
BY S.J. AUSTIN & J. REYNOLDS
78. Elliott and Walton, for two 79. Hosp. areas 80. Cover with paint 81. Currency of Ireland
