Weekly Rochester Events #237: It's a Raincoat, Mac

Thursday, July 24, 2003

Anyhow, I was talking with some people over the weekend who were noting all the bad things that happened in the past week. Stuff like that guy who drove through the farmers market in California and other mean stuff. However, I pointed out a number of nice things that people have done too which acts as a foil to the evil of the world. You know, stuff like saving trapped water from a well or giving bone marrow to a dying puppy. Mostly, though, life's just a bunch of littler ups-and-downs.

I decided I don't want to be among the people who just shake their heads and say things like "that's a shame" or nod and say, "isn't that nice." I figured I'd do stuff like cut fewer people off in traffic and hold more doors open. It won't let any more puppies live, but I guess it's something. I took a crack at it last week, deciding that I'd stop whenever I could to help someone stranded on the side of the road. So far it was just once on Saturday, and the guy's car still wouldn't run because it had been trashed by bad mechanics (as best I could tell) but at least I helped a little.

Oh, and on a related note, I'm trying to unload all of those "buy-N-get-one-free" cards so when I was at Spot Coffee (East Ave. and Mathews St.) I gave my then-full card (I just bought the N-th drink) to the guy behind me. I really don't get down there much for coffee or anything and I didn't need two coffees so I just gave the card away. He was really quite surprised by it. I just gave it to him and walked away—I didn't want him to think I was hitting on him (whatever his sexual preference) because he was just the lucky next person in line.

I was thinking the other day that between this and the garage sale last week, I think I'm acting like someone at risk for teenage suicide. Well, except that I'm giving away stuff that's not my favorite possessions. And I'm like twice the age of a teenager. And I'm still alive. Stuff like that.

I am a little bummed out, though, because despite doing a great many things last week, none of it is particularly interesting. I'm trying to figure out a way to put some Garrison Keillor spin into it ... alas, I'm just not that clever. Probably the most exciting thing is that I took a picture of Mars and the Moon last Thursday morning when they were really close together but I won't put it up until Mars is really really close to Earth in August. Other than that, it was the usual barrage of bands and drinking with the staff of Montage Grille (50 Chestnut St.) and that Antigone Rising overextended themselves trying to make an album and be on tour so they skipped the tour (which would have included the East End Fest last weekend) and that I got to see Buckwheat Zydeco again, and I got to see Kevin Meaney over at Comix Café (3450 Winton Pl.) and he did okay—I hung out with the local comics while they chatted with him offstage but I didn't meet him so I've got no cool story about it. He seems to be a nice enough guy, though.

This coming week should be amusing since today is the first day of the new no-smoking-in-bars law. As I keep telling people, as a non-smoker I'm not particularly glad about the whole thing—I'm more annoyed by all the whining from the smokers and bar owners. Obviously, Johnny's Irish Pub (1382 Culver Rd., still smoke-free) is still smoke-free and doing better than ever, but only John at Water Street Music Hall (204 N. Water St.) had the foresight to advertise that they'll be smoke-free right on the website and in their ads. Meanwhile, The Brickyard Pub (240 South Ave. Ext.) is taking a different tack and are advertising that you can smoke on their outdoor patio. Christani's (730 Elmgrove Rd., formerly the Panorama) is just flat out opposing the ban ... no big loss there.

I guess I decided that if I go to a place that seems "non-smoker hostiile" with signs declaring their opposition to the smoking law, I'll just go somewhere else. Vote with your dollars, kids.

Oh, and one last thing (and finally something interesting.) I just got back from stopping by at that introductory improv class at Terry Fyke Studio of Dance (30 Main St., Scottsville, NY.) Well, first of all, it was quite the ordeal getting there since I can orienteer about as well as a blind dog on acid unless I have my GPS, laptop, and map software. I ended up taking 390, going North on 15 for a quarter mile, doubling back, going East on 251 for ten minutes (and almost ended up where I work) before I realized I should have gone west. I turned around and took a right on East River Road for a few miles, realizing I needed to go to River Road to get to Scottsville, and finally arriving after 45 minutes of driving. I turned a simple 10 minute, 12 mile trip into a stammering 27 mile ordeal.

Plus I managed to kill another bird with my car ... this one came straight down in front of me while I was going 60 and missed the bumper by a foot only to land right in the path of the tires. Yeah. Eww. This makes four birds and two squirrels I've killed with that car. (Yes, by accident.)

So I get there around 6:45 and go to join the other students.

Now, I like to think of myself as not easily embarrassed. In reality it's just that I avoid situations where I can be embarrassed. This time, though, I walked right into it.

There were about 10 people there to take the class—all female, and all between the ages of 8 and 14.

An image formed in my mind:

So Elyssa, how was the class?

Great, Mom. We did this trust thing where we closed our eyes and walked around in a circle of people and they'd keep us from walking into the walls. And a bunch of other stuff.

So who else was there?

There were a bunch of other girls there and this old guy named Jason. He kept looking at us weird.

I'm thinking of suburban moms ganging up to find out who the weirdo was touching their daughters at the dance stuido. Nope. Not today. Don't need it. Thanks a bunch. Adios. Game, set, and match. "Buh"—and—"Bye."

I apologized to John Barthelmes and said I really couldn't stay because the crowd was so young. He said there were supposed to be more adults and pointed out Frank Storace and Scott Hildreth (from Nuts and Bolts Improv Troupe) as examples—except that they were teaching the class. It's okay for teachers to be way older, but students? Not if I'm the only one.

T H U R S D A Y

At Verb Café at Writers and Books (740 University Ave.) tonight, Jack Garner will be introducing the screening of Of Mice and Men as part of Writers and Books Screenplay Salon. It's $10 for members and $12 for non-members, starting at 6. Today is the second day (was anyone really waiting with baited breath to go on Wednesday?) of the The Monroe County Fair from 11 to 11 today then from 10 to midnight tomorrow and Saturday, and on Sunday from noon to 7. Among the most amusing things are the Mad Science Show at the Dome Stage tonight at 7 (among other times) and the Frog Jumping Championships in Entertainment Alley at 8. Updated: The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) will be hosting under-power pop band The Coppards (with Otto filling in on drums) excellent acoustic (both rapid-fire and some lonely slower songs) with Ian Downey (at least if he doesn't change things around completely) and Gaybot starting around 9 p.m. Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.) will be hosting one of Rochester's best funk/rock bands, Astronomical Unit starting around 10:30 p.m. Montage Grille (50 Chestnut St.) will be hosting the even-paced, jazz-oriented rock band Thought starting around 9:30 p.m. Pure Kona Poetry Open Mic Night is at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) tonight starting at 7:30.

F R I D A Y

Tonight at German House (315 Gregory St.) is Nuts and Bolts Improv Troupe (see their site at ImprovAmerica too) starting around 8 p.m. They apparently had success in New York last month and are back for more local entertainment. Today's another day of things to do at The Monroe County Fair including the Scavenger Hunt at noon at the Gazebo and the Ugly Chicken Contest at 1 at the Rabbit & Poultry Barn. The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Yadon ilaheyya (Divine Intervention) starting at 8. Finally ... a dark but comedic view of the Palestine/Israel conflict. Over at Johnny's Irish Pub (1382 Culver Rd., still smoke-free) starting around 9:30 p.m. is the talented acoustic cover band man John Akers. A night of "acoustic music, poetry, and art" (according to the Montage) with Ronald Louis Lickers and Friends will be at Montage Grille (50 Chestnut St.) starting around 9:30 p.m. Tonight at Millennium (2235 Empire Blvd.) is modern rock and covers with Uncle Plum starting around 10 p.m.

S A T U R D A Y

Lunch today at Corky's Craving Parlor (1136 Monroe Ave.) at noon. Today is the Ten Ugly Men Event (east side of Genesee Valley Park) featuring Uncle Plum, Ciara Lynn, Me and the Boyz, Tickle the Taint, and Unlimited starting around 11:30 a.m. Basically, you give money which goes to charity, then you consume food, drink, and music which was donated by producers of such things. It's $30 at the gate, but cheaper if you get tickets in advance. I hear it's lots of fun ... and since it's right around the corner from me, I might be more tempted to go. The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Irreversible starting at 8. A really long, violent, realistic rape scene sets the mood of the irreversibly of the events of time. Rock-and-roll with The Hentchmen, expertly executed rock with Duke Galaxy and the Pipeliners, and The Hirisers will be at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 10:45 p.m. Richard Thompson will be at Water Street Music Hall (204 N. Water St.) starting around 9 p.m. Although I haven't seen him before, he seems to be someone who plays acoustic but walks all over the place doing a bunch of random stuff. Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.) will be hosting Scaler starting around 10:30 p.m. Over at Acme Bar & Pizza (495 Monroe Ave.) starting around 10 p.m. is Don't Bother the Dog. I don't think I ever saw them, but I do know I haven't heard of a gig from them in a couple years. Their website still proudly proclaims them winning the Freetime Magazine Most Popular Band Contest in 2000 and 2001. Nu Bomb Turk will be at Richmond's (21 Richmond St.) starting around 10:30 p.m.

S U N D A Y

National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (half-staff until sunset) Over at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 8:30 p.m. is Supagroup, and Spacetrucker.

T U E S D A Y

There's a special show over at Comix Café (3450 Winton Pl.) tonight to benefit Camp Good Days and Special Times featuring Kevin Meaney, Jimmy "J. J." Walker, Sky Sands, Rob Lederman, Mike Dambra, Mike Glousek, and Joe Fico for $10 starting around 8. As a benefit to elect David Atias to school board, groove-rock bands Freebeerandchicken , The Niche,and The Deborah Magone Band will be at The Club at Water Street (204 N. Water St.) tonight starting around 7:30. FYI, he's running on the The Green Party of Monroe County and Working Families lines. Tonight at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) is the synth-rock band The Prids, The Purrs, and Ithaca rock band Whatever Mary starting around 10:45 p.m. Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) is hosting an Acoustic Open Mic from 8 to 10. For this one, there's no microphones and it's pretty open ended.

W E D N E S D A Y

Tonight from 8 to 10 is an Open-Mic Comedy Night at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) While once it was a workshop type of environment, it's now more-or-less a regular open mic ... by default it's still a place to try out new stuff.