Weekly Rochester Events #317: But How Old is Old Rochelle?

Thursday, February 3, 2005

Regardless, all I've really got this week is a week full of dissonant activities. Last Thursday I started out at The Rochester Public Library (115 South Ave.) for Thursday Thinkers about "Fundamentalism in America and in the Middle East." I found a couple things interesting. First, Reverend Scott Taylor brought up the The Fundamentalism Project done at University of Chicago (5801 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago, IL) He said they found 5 characteristics of fundamentalist thinking:

• Our rules apply to all people and all areas of life.
• Men are superior to women.
• Education must be controlled and is in the service of faith.
• History should be denied and culture opposed — particularly the change that occurs; to deny that their beliefs were influenced by the past.
• The outward characteristics are indistinguishable (whenever dates and names were not mentioned, experts couldn't tell which belief system was being discussed) and therefore, fundamentalism preceded religion: it is a human tendency, not a religious one.

Later that night I was again in Christianland (at least a little ... in both cases) with In the Realms of the Unreal. Apparently, this guy Henry Darger was known to acquaintances as a janitor with a couple odd personality quirks. However, he spent most of the free time in his adult life (following a traumatic childhood where he was essentially ostracized from default society) working on artwork and a 15,000 page novel titled In the Realms of the Unreal. None of this was discovered until shortly before his death in 1973 when he finally moved out of his apartment to an assisted living home and people had to move his stuff.

He's essentially a self-taught artist who wrote a lot, particularly his novel about "the Vivian girls" who were seven girls who fought on the side of Christianity against the child slave owners. Darger's work on it included large murals depicting the battles where young girls (drawn in styles similar to period advertising from the 1950's ... and mostly naked ... and often with penises) fought bloody battles against the slave owners. Interestingly (and somewhat obviously) the story followed his own issues with his faith — for instance, when he lost a favorite photograph he used as a template, he prayed that God help him find it, and when that didn't happen, the side of Christianity suddenly started losing battles ... er ... in the story.

In talking with people about this, they often remark that Darger was a unique and special individual. While I realize the volume, consistency, and duration of his work was extreme, I feel there are many people around who are creating work that goes unrecognized. Every time you meet someone who's a bit off-kilter — someone who can't seem to grasp the world the way most people do — consider that they might be going home to work on some unique artwork the world has never seen, and which will probably be thrown away by their landlord when they die. Either that, or they get high and play video games all day. There's really no in-between.

On Friday I went to Josh's party — the lead singer and guitarist from the mostly humorous hard-rock band Serious. Among the highlights was that he introduced his Elton John cover band, "The Johns." They attempted a couple songs ("Rocket Man," and "Daniel") which were interesting in their re-realized punk-rock form, but I guess the band was supposed to implode and quit then-and-there. It didn't go quite as planned, and ended up not being as funny as it seemed or as it should have been. Kudos to Josh for trying and almost pulling it off, though. Plus, he got me one of those Serious "World Slavery Tour" T-shirts, so you should forget that it went not quite as planned.

Monday night I went to The Little (240 East Ave.) for the Emerging Filmmakers. Once again, there were some really great shorts that night. In the Still by Stephen Lindsay and Michael Bartolotta was a really spooky tale of a guy who hears someone in the house in the middle of the night and things are really messed up with the universe when he goes to check it out. More Than 2 Million by Lei Chang was a really good documentary on the lives of three people with brain and spinal injuries — among the more than 2 million afflicted in the United States ... as a short, it was interesting to get quickly to the personal questions you wished you could ask: how did you get like this, and what's life like? Back/Forward by Chuck Amadori again touches on the paranormal ... well, pretty much grabs hold tight, actually. It's about a homeless guy who has an unusual encounter with a girl who spends some time to get to know him a little bit. We Are The Littletons by Penny Lane is the visuals of a rented, furnished house and its contents overdubbed with the reading of the letters passed back and forth between the owner and tenant — the owner being a woman warning about their "evil" adopted daughter who's not allowed to return to the house and the somewhat evasive tenant ... the whole thing is footnoted as "a true story." Finally, Frog by Christopher Conforti is the animated tale of the worst day in any frog's life — and possibly containing the most disturbing animated visual: a cutaway view of a *ahem* human rectum as our hapless protagonist is *ahem* passed.

Tuesday I was out at The Rochester Public Library (115 South Ave.) again to see the "Tuesday Talks" featuring Dr. Ruth Scott discussing "A Look at the History of Race Relations in Rochester." She had some interesting personal insights on how to resolve such issues, like the time she went to eat at the Sibley's cafeteria only to refuse to accept that it was for men only — apparently politely and insistently to the point that the "men-only" status was eventually eradicated.

Anyway, she noted several things that cause efforts to bridge racial divides to fail. First, it is like a bridge over rough water, and to succeed, you need to concentrate on building the bridge, not on how bad the water is — that is, focus attention on successes like Flower City Habitat for Humanity rather than the failures of the past like the 1964 riots. Second, be much more patient: society has a short attention span for social projects. Fixing problems in racial relations that have been broken for hundreds of years is going to take longer than the typical 6-month project lifespan. Third, groups that consist of a single gender and a single race always fail to fix problems that affect everyone in a community. On that last note, I asked her what we can do to transition the Renaissance Square project from one being decided by politicians and business leaders to one where the whole community is involved. She said I should pose that question and ones like it to mayoral candidates: "what will you do to ensure the whole community is represented when it comes to projects that affect the whole community?"

That night I got to see a few songs from the young, raw, sloppy punk band Kaotik Diisorder (which means they're exactly right for the genre) at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) After that was Dropsonic who did some really good "wall-of-sound-style" power, Southern rock. Finally was Rockstars who I really didn't get a chance to remember on New Year's. They play chaotic rock, I guess, but they had a dude on stage doing tribal/erotic dancing wearing nothing but a monkey skull over his penis along with a girl in pseudo Native American garb whom he proceeded to tie up on stage.

I swear, you get to see nothing like this anywhere else.

T H U R S D A Y

This evening in Gleason Auditorium of The Rochester Public Library (115 South Ave.) is another Thursday Thinkers from 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the topic of Casino Gambling in Rochester. The discussion panel will consist of Pulitzer Prize winning The New York Times reporter and author of Temples of Chance David Cay Johnston and Mayor William A. Johnson, Jr.. [source: Friends of the Public Library flyer] Starry Nites Café (696 University Ave., formerly Moonbeans) will be hosting Jim Bowers starting around 8 p.m. [source: Starry Nites calendar] Tonight at 7 p.m. at The Rochester Historical Society (485 East Ave.) is a "Reading Between The Lines For Adults" book discussion on The Democratization of American Christianity . [source: Freetime] The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Pink Christmas starting at 8 p.m. a comedy about blackmail and hunting, and preceded by a couple of director Phil Chambliss' other films, The Devil's Helper (wherein hunters will do anything to extend hunting season) and The Mr. Visit Show. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] Ms Conceptions by Bernice Cross closes today at The Rochester Contemporary Art Gallery (137 East Ave.) [source: Rochester Contemporary calendar] [all ages] The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) will be hosting Footage, and power-ish rock band Seven Head Division starting early around 9 p.m. [source: Bug Jar calendar] [18+] Pure Kona Poetry Open Mic Night is at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) tonight starting at 7:30. [source: Daily Perks calendar]

F R I D A Y

There will be a Family Fun Night at the ice rink at Manhattan Square Park (130 Chestnut St.) tonight from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. featuring Tropical Ice: Salsa and Latin Style ... umm ... skating. [source: City Hall press release] [all ages] Tonight at Water Street Music Hall and The Club at Water Street (204 N. Water St.) is a Tsunami Relief Benefit Concert with Another Perfect World, Northside Johnny, wicked fun percussive groove-rock from The BuddhaHood, and Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad starting at 7 p.m. [source: Water Street calendar] This evening at The Eastman Lounge (109 East Ave., at the East Avenue Commons apartments) is Bob DiBaudo at 5 p.m. then at 8 p.m. is Michael Stryker. [source: Freetime] The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing The Best of the Fest, the best films of The Rochester International Film Festival from the past years starting at 8 p.m. This year's lineup includes The Walrus and the Carpenter, The Owl and the Pussycat: a claymation film featuring a show-stealing gay pig, literal interpretations in The Animated Star Spangled Banner, Fast Food Matador, and The Dirdy Birdy. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] Good punk rock from The Emersons, fun and good punk-rock from The Flour City Knuckleheads, and more good punk with an Irish slant from Tom Foolery and the Shenanigans will be at Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.) starting around 10:30 p.m. [source: WBER calendar] Harold Pannell will be at The Clarissa Room (293 Clarissa St., formerly Shep's Paradise) starting around 9:30 p.m. [source: Freetime] The University of Rochester (Elmwood Ave. at Intercampus Dr., details on River Campus Map) will be hosting The Daily Show's Mo Rocca starting around 9 p.m. in Strong Auditorium. [source: Freetime]

S A T U R D A Y

O'Bagelo's, 165 State Street, noon. Over at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 3 p.m. for an afternoon show is good and gimmicky heavy metal band Blüdwülf, classic-style punk band The Teenage Junkies, young, raw, sloppy punk band Kaotik Diisorder, No Fucker, and Warsquad. [source: Bug Jar calendar] [all ages] From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today is an East Avenue Organ Crawl starting at The Asbury First United Methodist Church (1050 East Ave.) and including The Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word (597 East Ave.), and Christ Church of Rochester (141 East Ave.) I think the visual in my head when someone says "organ crawl" and what it actually is are very different ... at least I hope so. [source: Freetime] Christ Church of Rochester (141 East Ave.) will be hosting some great acoustic talents: Otto Hauser, Kelli Hicks, and Autumn In Halifax starting around 6:30 p.m. [source: the proverbial grapevine] George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be having a lecture and book signing this afternoon at 5 p.m. with Jessica Burstein and her book Law & Order: Crime Scenes [source: Eastman House calendar] The Hayseeds will be at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) starting around 8 p.m. [source: Daily Perks calendar] [all ages] Tonight from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at The Memorial Art Gallery (500 University Ave., near Goodman St.) is a preview of The Paper Sculpture Show featuring live musical performances from The Avengers, The Steve Greene Trio, very good bluegrass band The String Theory Bluegrass Band, and The Ontario Ensemble. [source: Memorial Art Gallery calendar] The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing The Best of Curly: A Stooges Celebration featuring Three Stooges movies Three Little Pigskins, Punch Drunks, Uncivil Warriors, What's the Matador, and Hoi Polloi starting at 8 p.m. and again tomorrow at 5 p.m. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] Acoustic/groove-rock band Gregory Paul and the Autumdivers, perfect-1980's-rock-band-styled band Tiger Cried Beef, and raw punk-rock band The Grievants will be at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 10:30 p.m. [source: Bug Jar calendar] Tonight at Water Street Music Hall (204 N. Water St.) and The Club at Water Street (204 N. Water St.) is a Bob Marley Birthday Tribute starting at 9 p.m. featuring dozens of great acts including Aimee Lane, Dee Adams, Dennis Monroe, JoAnn Vaccaro, Joff Wilson, The BuddhaHood, and Urknee and Bjürton. [source: Water Street calendar] [all ages] Over at Richmond's (21 Richmond St.) starting around 10:30 p.m. is Those Rusty Strings. [source: Freetime]

S U N D A Y

Today at Ontario Beach Park (Beach Ave.) from noon to 3 p.m. is the 11th Annual Chilly Chili Challenge as part of the ColdRush stuff going on up there. [source: City Hall press release] Over at The Club at Water Street (204 N. Water St.) starting around 6 p.m. is Third Estate, Public Aggravation, and Forgotten Monday. [source: Water Street calendar] [all ages] This afternoon at 2 p.m. at The Memorial Art Gallery (500 University Ave., near Goodman St.) is an Artist Lecture with Josef Bajus, one of the artists in the Paper Sculpture / Paper Trail exhibit. [source: Memorial Art Gallery calendar] Brian Blatt's Biodomes in Watercolor closes today at A|V Art Sound Space (#8 in the Public Market, off N. Union St., formerly The All-Purpose Room.) [source: artsound website] Starry Nites Café (696 University Ave., formerly Moonbeans) is hosting their weekly Open Mike Poetry tonight at 7 p.m. [source: Starry Nites calendar] [all ages]

M O N D A Y

Jim Patton's Faces of Indochina photography exhibition on display in the Link Gallery at City Hall (30 Church St.) will close tonight at 5 p.m. [source: City Hall press release] [all ages] Tonight at the Dryden Theatre of George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) at 8 p.m. is Surprise Cinema! with the film title announced right before it's screened. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] Dawn Carmell will be on hand at Starry Nites Café (696 University Ave., formerly Moonbeans) to explain Tea Leaf Reading as part of Holistic Night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. [source: Starry Nites calendar]

T U E S D A Y

Today at 12:12 p.m. in the Gleason Auditorium at The Rochester Public Library (115 South Ave.) is another of the Tuesday Talks, this time about The Real Estate Boom in Downtown Rochester with panelists John Billone, Jr. of Flower City Management, Pat Tobin of Christa Development Corp. (119 Victor Heights Pkwy., Victor) and City Councilman Bill Pritchard. [source: Friends of the Public Library flyer] Water Street Music Hall (204 N. Water St.) will be hosting their 4th Annual Fundraiser for The March of Dimes with Uncle Plum, Another Perfect World, Nik and the Nice Guys, Sometimes Three and also next door at The Club at Water Street anything band The Peachy Neachys , The Swamp Padres, and The Bootleggers starting around 5 p.m. [source: Water Street calendar] Murph's Irondequoit Pub (705 Titus Ave., formerly Irondequoit Town Lounge, next to the House of Guitars) will be hosting really talented guitarist Kinloch Nelson starting around 9 p.m. [source: band e-mail] Tonight at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) is Somebody's Closet, Tristeza, and acoustic soloist/loop artist Autumn In Halifax starting around 10:45 p.m. [source: Bug Jar calendar] [18+] 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. [source: Daily Perks calendar]

W E D N E S D A Y

The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Blue Velvet starting at 8 p.m. David Lynch is at it again contrasting the bland un-reality of "real" suburban life with the dramatic and emotional reality of the "fake" life of whack-jobs. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] A|V Art Sound Space (#8 in the Public Market, off N. Union St., formerly The All-Purpose Room) will be hosting Emil Beaulieau, Can't, Helicopter, and (sometimes) semi-melodic fast-paced noise from Pengo starting around 9 p.m. [source: Carbon Records calendar] Poor People United meets tonight and every Wednesday at 7 at St. Joseph's House of Hospitality (402 South Ave.) [source: the proverbial grapevine] 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. [source: Daily Perks calendar]

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Unicef focuses on child protection and immunizations, as well as helping countries in crisis with emergency assistance.

Oxfam International is a confederation of 12 organizations working together to find lasting solutions to poverty, suffering and injustice. They are providing emergency aid equipment to help in disaster relief.

American Red Cross Disaster Relief page is an Amazon.com donation page and it's among the easiest ways to donate from if you're an Amazon.com customer.

JayceLand #312 is the updated I did on December 30 with the chain letter these links.

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