City Magazine

09/09/2025

The ESL Rochester Fringe Festival kicks off today and runs through September 20, featuring 250+ shows in 30+ venues downtown. 🩰🎭🪩🎪🎤

CITY staff + freelancers rounded up a few must-sees for the 14th annual fest — check out the full list in the September issue, on stands and online now:

Stuff we’re jazzed to see, in case you want some recs.

09/04/2025

Movie Review | “Twinless”

James Sweeney wrote, directed and stars in a quirky-yet-deep film about loss — it opens in theaters this weekend.

Read the full review online:

James Sweeney wrote, directed and stars in a quirky-yet-deep film about loss.

09/03/2025

Comedian, television host, producer and seven-time “New York Times” best-selling author Chelsea Handler has made it her responsibility to create an atmosphere that brings people together.

“The backdrop that we’re living in is depressing,” she said. “I mean, every day is a new nightmare … And I think people in times like these really need a reprieve more than ever.”

On the heels of a new Netflix special, Handler will headline the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival’s opening weekend with a one-night-only performance on Saturday, 9/13.

Read Cypris Wilkinson’s full story in our September issue, on stands and online now:

Comedian Chelsea Handler makes her Fringe debut on September 13.

08/29/2025

“Why Rochester?”

As August wraps, our 2025 Rochester 🔟 cohort tackles one final question.

Add your answer below ⤵️

08/28/2025

The team hunkered down offsite yesterday for our annual strategy meeting — big ideas coming ya way this year. 💡

Shout out to for convincing Berto he likes cream cheese + for the workspace + for the tart we consumed like it was going out of style 🍅

08/28/2025

🚨 TICKET GIVEAWAY ALERT 🚨

We've got 2 tickets to giveaway to the Biggest Day Party: ROC Music FEST! I love 90's Tour! Featuring Vanilla Ice, Rob Base, Color Me Badd, C & C Music Factory and Young MC! Tacos, Tequila and 90's vibes!

Tag your throwback concert buddy that you would bring and we'll pick winners in 24 hours!

08/10/2025

The clothing was black, the guitar tones were crunchy and as soon as Jett ripped into “Cherry Bomb” — her 1976 hit with her first band, The Runaways — the high energy was established. Behind big rose-tinted sunglasses with detached cool, Jett embodied the spirit of rock as both a talisman for power and a commodity. In other words, she freaked it.

Read Patrick Hosken’s full review online:

The Hoochenanny headliner brought big, timeless rock to Camp Eastman on August 9.

08/08/2025

It's time. 🫡

Best of Rochester 2025 primary voting is now open through September 19:

Nominate your favorite people, places and things to do through September 19.

08/06/2025

🥍 For a time this summer, it looked like the Rochester Knighthawks lacrosse team could be the latest local sports team to be shuttered. But on Tuesday, the Seneca Nation was announced as the team's new owner. "Once the opportunity came,” said Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca, “we looked at it and we realized the importance of it."

08/04/2025