City Magazine

11/01/2024

At 282 Alexander Street in Rochester’s East End, an iconic brick Victorian building has witnessed over 140 years of history. Originally a family home later refitted into one of the city’s most famous restaurants — Rio Bamba — the space has been a whirling dervish of food, drinks, gossip, music, dancing, mafia activity and possibly even a ghost.

Read Kellen Beck’s full story about what’s now known as The Alexander Social online:

Once a private residence, mafia meeting place and the city’s finest restaurant, what’s now The Alexander has a colorful history.

10/30/2024

Next Thursday, Nov. 7 from 6–8p ! Join us for a CITY Social to celebrate the annual food + bev issue. Chat with the CITY team, grab copies of the mag, pitch a story idea, sip a custom cocktail + grab some snacks on us.

FREE + open to all. ✔️

10/29/2024

Weekend plans? From spooky and inspiring to comedic cringe and romcom, our critics have a fresh roundup of theater and film reviews online. 🔗

“How I Learned What I Learned“
“POTUS”
“Brides of Dracula”
“We Live in Time”

10/28/2024

In 2019, guitarists Tom Napoli and Ken Luk founded the Rochester Mandolin Orchestra. They’ll host the Classical Mandolin Society of America’s 2024 Convention here in town Oct. 30 - Nov. 2.

Read Patrick Hosken’s full story online:

The Classical Mandolin Society of America’s 2024 Convention hits Rochester Oct. 30 through Nov. 2.

10/26/2024

10/23/2024

Our annual Best Of readers’ poll is a chance to shout out your favorite people, places and things to do.

Primary ballot nominations for the FINAL FOUR will be open until Nov. 1 at midnight — determined by your votes! 🗳️

Want to let your fans know to nominate you/your business for Best Of? Find a handy Best Of social media kit at the link in bio! 🔗

10/22/2024

"A band will play Cleveland and then they’ll go to Toronto and go through Canada that way, and then come back out and hit the New England states,” said Doug Kelley, who has booked shows at the Bug Jar since 2012.

Or, the artist might stop in Buffalo and continue straight ahead to Albany on its way to New York City and other bigger markets in the Northeast. Both routes leave Rochester woefully passed over.

In our October issue, Patrick Hosken + Daniel J. Kushner explored the state of venues, and how Rochester stacks up against nearby cities.

Read the full story on stands and online:

Rochester concert promoters weigh in on the solution.

10/21/2024

The Rochester of 1848 contained multitudes. Frederick Douglass published “The North Star” across the street from the stately Corinthian Hall downtown. Activists rallied for women’s suffrage in nearby Seneca Falls. And a rural house 30 miles east of the Flower City became the epicenter of two young girls communicating with spirits.

Against this backdrop opens the action of “The Summer Land,” a new play written by Tappan, New York native and SUNY Geneseo alum Kate Royal, which The Company Theatre will present from Nov. 8-17.

Read Patrick Hosken’s full story in our October issue, on stands and online now:

“The Summer Land,” a new play, examines Rochester as the hub of the Spiritualist movement of the 1840s.

10/21/2024

join the pasta party tomorrow 🍝

10/17/2024

The Little Theatre on East Avenue opened its doors a week before the stock market crash of 1929. In keeping with its devotion to silent films, The Little Theatre chose to be known as “The House of Silent Shadows” and its first presentation was the “Cyrano de Bergerac.”

It had almost 300 seats (compared to the nearby Palace’s 3,000), served coffee and cigarettes and styled itself — according to a pamphlet from 1949 commemorating the theater’s 20th anniversary — as one of a string “of ‘Intimate’ theaters in cities across the country for showing unusual films.”

That string was known as the ‘Little Theatre Movement,’ created by the Motion Picture Guild in the 1920s to give cities smaller, more intimate, higher-brow film experiences.

Today — October 17 — is The Little Theatre’s 95th birthday. In our October issue, Pete Wayner writes about the beloved Rochester spot’s (almost) century of history.

Read the full piece on stands or online:

The Little Theatre weathers nearly a century of storms by pivoting and forging community.

10/14/2024

Now through October 29, Roar is getting kinky — “Kinky Boots,” to be exact. After the downtown nightclub staged a sold-out run of the Broadway musical “Little Shop of Horrors” in 2023, they decided to make annual musicals part of the events roster. 🎭 —> 🗓️

Read Brianna Milon’s full story online:

The Tony Award-winning musical "Kinky Boots" takes centerstage at ROAR October 13-29.

10/12/2024

On a Wednesday in mid-October 2023, Martine had officially been open about eight days, and two large cardboard boxes containing chest freezers had just been delivered, taking up most of the first floor. Chuck Cerankosky and Will Cornfield sat side-by-side, troubleshooting a payroll issue on a laptop. When Cerankosky stepped away to answer a call, Cornfield poured water into a shot glass nearby and took a swig before running to the kitchen to check on a cocktail he was batching.

“You can get a cocktail here after midnight,” said Cornfield. ”In fact, we want to make you cocktails until 2 a.m.”

Tonight (10/12) from 8 p.m. ‘til late, Martine will celebrate one year serving “kocktails” at 647 South Ave. — complete with 20 DJs, food, drink & merch specials.

Read the full Martine story from our Nov. 2023 issue online:

Martine, a new bar concept from Chuck Cerankosky and Will Cornfield, opens in the South Wedge.

10/11/2024

A rollercoaster, ferris wheel, merry-go-round, shooting gallery, midway and theater sparkling with 3,000 incandescent bulbs drew daily crowds by the tens of thousands; as did attractions whose names still entice the modern thrill-seeker — Katzenjammer Castle, House of Trouble, Cleopatra, Temple of Mirth, Cave of Winds, Helter Skelter and Mystic Chute.

In our October 'Lore' issue, Katie Epner explores Dreamland, Rochester's forgotten amusement park:

Exploring Dreamland, Rochester’s forgotten amusement park.

10/08/2024

Musician Adam Weiner, who has led the Philadelphia rock and roll band Low Cut Connie since 2010, makes context one of his two secret weapons. The other is an upright Baldwin piano named Nellie that’s both his sidekick and, as he said, “like a pommel horse for gymnastics.”

Patrick Hosken caught up with Weiner ahead of Low Cut Connie’s gig at Water Street Music Hall on Oct. 13 — full story online:

The Philadelphia rock and roll band performs at Water Street Music Hall on Oct. 13.

10/07/2024

A conversation between a bee and a flower. A dysfunctional couple that treats an umbrella like a human baby. An adaptation of a Dorothy L. Sayers short story featuring an obsessive sculptor and a Hollywood star.

These are just a few of the eclectic offerings at the Rochester Community Players’s Playwrights Showcase, which takes place at MuCCC from Oct. 9 – 13 and features staged reading performances by 10 local writers.

Read Katherine Varga’s full story online:

Rochester Community Players features the work of 10 local scribes in the first Playwrights Showcase at MuCCC Oct. 9 – 13.

10/04/2024

Fresh off a tour that brought the metal band on its first Asia trip—playing clubs in Tokyo, Osaka, Beijing, and Bangkok, to name a few—followed by a stint in Australia, Undeath releases their third album, “More Insane,” today. They’ll play a hometown show at Photo City Music Hall on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Read Gino Fanelli’s full story in our October issue, on stands and online now:

Rochester’s biggest metal band checks in from the road ahead of their Oct. 27 homecoming.

10/03/2024

Best Of Rochester is 🔙 — and bigger than ever for 2024!

This is your annual chance to shout out favorite people, places, and things to do. Your chance to give recommendations to other CITY readers. As always, the four finalists in each category are dictated by your write-ins. 🗳️

The primary ballot is open until Nov. 3 at midnight. Nominate your faves:

Vote in the primary ballot for our annual readers’ poll through November 1.

10/02/2024

The irreverent Transylvanian romp from Mel Brooks runs through Oct. 27 at Geva Theatre.

The irreverent Transylvanian romp from Mel Brooks runs through Oct. 27 at Geva Theatre Center.

10/01/2024

Meet CITY’s new multimedia reporter: Roberto Lagares! (And yes, he did pick a plate lunch for his first day, he’s currently napping.) We’re thrilled to welcome a visually forward team member who’s been featured in our pages a few times already. Keep an eye out for lots more video + social content. 📽️📸

Here’s a bit more from Berto, in his own words:

Hello everyone, Roberto here — the people call me Berto — and I’m excited to be a part of the CITY team! A little about me: I was born and raised in Rochester two blocks from Kodak Park. A journalism & broadcasting (media production) graduate from SUNY Brockport with over seven years of shooting, editing and video production experience. I’ve worked on campaigns for NY-based companies like Butter Meat Co. and nationally recognized brands such as Bud Light; worked as an editor/producer at Apple; and most recently, I was a multimedia designer for Monro Inc.

Food and bev is my love language. (Let’s just say a restaurant with a meticulously crafted cocktail menu hates to see me coming.) My blood type is coffee, and although I will never make eye contact with the server, I absolutely do want to hear the specials of the day. Film photography is a major hobby that absorbs any spare time I may have (and what’s left in my bank account). If I’m not watching the Yankees elevate my blood pressure, I’m adding a movie to my Letterboxd (my latest online obsession).

I can’t wait to add some visual flair to the incredible stories we are already bringing to the community. If you see me out and about (likely with one of my many film cameras) say hi, smile and wave.

You can follow me here or see how your email finds me [email protected]. ✉️

09/26/2024

The term ‘burlesque’ brings a few images to mind. The American-born French dancer Josephine Baker, or perhaps the 2010 film starring Christina Aguilera and Cher. But here in Rochester, there’s an emerging presence: think bright green corsets, blond hair and the sultry that is Little Mx. Bunny.

LMB is the alter ego of Isa Reese (they/she/he). Over the last three years, they have performed on stages all across New York State. When Bunny’s on stage, all eyes are on them. No matter the song or routine, a crowded bar will go quiet once they’re moving.

In May, LMB performed in front of their biggest audience yet: 6,000 people, opening for Chappell Roan at her concert at Buffalo Outer Harbor.

Read Brianna Milon’s full story, with photos by Rafael Rodriguez, on stands and online:

After opening for Chappell Roan in May, Little Mx. Bunny continues to build a draglesque career.

09/23/2024

The whimsical Artisan Works on Blossom Road has long blended fine art with kitsch and collectibles; a giant wooden toothbrush sculpture sits next to a Salvador Dalí painting, yards from a restored Lincoln Continental and vintage Kodak signage. These items (and thousands more) came to ArtisanWorks over the last quarter century via the dogged work of its founder, Louis Perticone.

After the death of Perticone in July, ArtisanWorks is forging ahead with his vision front and center.

Read Patrick Hosken’s story, with photos by Mike Martinez, on stands and online:

After the death of founder Louis Perticone, ArtisanWorks forges ahead with his vision front and center.

09/19/2024

Our biggest TriviaCITY yet!💥 Thanks to everyone who came out to hang, and congrats to our winning team: Virgo Season. ♍️ See y’all next year! 🎤




📸:

09/17/2024

💥Tomorrow, 9/18!💥 It’s an annual Fringe tradition: TriviaCITY! Join CITY Magazine for a fun-filled night hosted by CITY’s Art Director Jacob Walsh. Gather your friends (or make some new ones at the event!) and assemble a team; the prizes promise to be fun.

All ages
7:30 p.m
Wed., 9/18
🆓
📍@ the Spiegelgarden

09/17/2024

Organizer and martial artist John Ra seeks to expand the cultural fair, now in its second year, which takes place on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Schoen Place in Pittsford.

Organizer and martial artist John Ra seeks to expand the cultural fair, now in its second year.