Weekly Rochester Events #369: Little Blobs of Red Blood

Thursday, February 2, 2006

Ok, so last Thursday I took the first of the classes with Geva Comedy Improv. Not surprisingly, it was quite challenging. Surprisingly, it was the nature of trying to not think about it and just rely on your instincts that made it so challenging. I'll see how things go this coming week.

Friday I got up and twisted my back the wrong way and that fucking sciatic shit came back — not nearly as bad as before, but it kept me from going nuts and trying to get to everything I had listed. That night I did go to see David Perlman's Caught My Eye exhibition at Image City Photography Gallery (722 University Ave.) I thought it was pretty good, but of course I was also in a foul mood (i.e. thinking I was on the verge of being completely immobile for another two weeks) so I guess that means it was really good. Likewise, I stopped at The Rochester Contemporary Art Gallery (137 East Ave.) to see Lift / Left by Deborah Jack which I kind of liked despite my foul mood. It's a series of videos of people jumping projected onto the white walls in the darkened gallery, and there is text on the walls: some in readable silver but the bulk of it hidden as white lettering. The dance to see what was written is interesting in itself and I'd like to get back there sans-opening to take a better look.

Saturday I made it to the Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) to see Schiller's Reels: The Films of Tom Schiller. Tom Schiller proved to be an entertaining host as he introduced the series of short films he produced as a segment on Saturday Night Live. La dolce Gilda had a funny classic feel ... like an award-winning Italian film from the 1970's — the comedic twist being that its lusted-after star was Gilda Radner. In Don't Look Back in Anger, John Belushi plays himself as an old man, having outlived all his fellow SNL alumni — a funny black-and-white film, although now bittersweet and a bit spooky as he died just a few years after it was filmed. Jan Hooks plays an old woman fantasizing about her days with her love, played by Phil Hartman in Love is a Dream — another likewise bitersweet film; although humor this time comes from the unrealness of the dubbed song the duo dance and sing to. Finally, Java Junkie was the most straight-forward satire: in it a coffee addict spins out of control and eventually recovers — particularly memorable for the 1940's-styled addiction spiral in the red-light district of coffee shops.

In addition to his shorts, they showed Schiller's feature film, Nothing Lasts Forever which was quite a treat of bizarreness. There really isn't any one movie like it because it's really all movies ever made rolled into one. It's about a young man trying to get a break in New York City and he ends up going to the moon, falling in love, and returning to fulfill his dreams. It's strange, warm, omni-genre, omni-temporal, innocent, non-sarcastic, and non-cynical. It reminded me a bit of Ed Wood's films in its naiveté and money-saving use of stock footage. We were also treated to one final hilarious short in which Chris Farley plays a man who goes on a nearly unstoppable rampage after being tricked by hidden camera coffee commercial.

I almost stopped at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) but decided against it because I figured my back would get more messed up standing around watching bands. Plus the universe decided to tack on another "fuck you" footnote by having the muffler pipe break in the car ... just what I need when I'm teetering on the abyss of complete immobility. Fortunately, I got it fixed on Monday. And I didn't end up completely immobilized.

Monday night, my bad luck expanded its tendrils of influence when I went to The Little (240 East Ave.) to see the films of the Emerging Filmmakers Series. I joined the record-setting crowd for the series, but it was that night that they were unable to get the sound to work in Theater #5, so the show was begrudgingly cancelled (although the same films will probably be reattempted in March.) The theater was kind enough to give everyone the option of a cash refund or two regular film passes, but the request for free drinks in the cafe was denied.

On Tuesday I went to the Artist Breakfast Group meeting in the early morning and we took a trip to Jane Ellen B. Art Apparel (714 University Ave.) to see Jane's works. She has a new shop (as mentioned) that specializes in "art apparel" in which she fits her hand-dyed clothes to customers to complete the artwork. I'm not big into expensive clothes, but this stuff seemed more rational because it's about how it looks, feels, and moves, and not about whose name is on the label.

That night I stopped by The Montage Live (50 Chestnut St., formerly the Montage Grille) to see what was up with the Words of Wisdom Talent Showcase. At this point, it's a fledgling hip-hop/spoken-word open mic night. They're hoping to get more people to attend to set up for some performance shows, but for now it's still building.

T H U R S D A Y

Groundhog Day This afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in the Hawkins Carlson Room at The Rush Rhees Library in The University of Rochester (Library Rd. near Intercampus Dr., details on River Campus Map), author Sarah Shun-lien Bynum will read from her book Madeleine Is Sleeping and be awarded The Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize. [source: University of Rochester Events Calendar] This afternoon from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 is another lecture in the Thursday Thinkers series in Gleason Auditorium at The Rochester Public Library (115 South Ave.). The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley (179 Atlantic Ave.) Executive Director Kris Hinesley, Community Relations Director Todd Plank, and Anti-Violence Coordinator Alexandra Cobus will discuss How Gay Friendly is Rochester? [source: Gay Alliance website] This afternoon at 5:30 in the Forman Gallery at The Memorial Art Gallery (500 University Ave., near Goodman St.) is a discussion by chief curator Marjorie B. Searl about the recently acquired 1837 painting of Pittsford on the Erie Canal by George Harvey. [source: Memorial Art Gallery calendar] Tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the Link Gallery of City Hall (30 Church St.) is Illuminating the Way, "an evening of art and jazz." [source: the proverbial grapevine] Tonight at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 9:30 a.m. downstairs at The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley (179 Atlantic Ave.) is an information session titled How To Mobilize Our Community For "The Step Study" referring to the "Phase II/III HIV vaccine research study" (known commonly as The Step Study.) The National Institute of Health (NIH) (9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD) has selected The HIV Vaccine Trials Unit (at the University of Rochester Medical Center) to take part in this study. In this area they will be looking to attract "sexually active, HIV-negative Men Who Have Sex with Men, age 18-45." [source: Gay Alliance website] Killer of Sheep will be screened tonight at 7:15 p.m. in Morey Hall, Room 321 at The University of Rochester (Elmwood Ave. at Intercampus Dr., details on River Campus Map). [source: University of Rochester Events Calendar] Tonight in Hoyt Hall at The University of Rochester (Elmwood Ave. at Intercampus Dr., details on River Campus Map), The University of Rochester Cinema Group will be showing Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing for free at 8 p.m. and again 10:30 p.m. [source: RocWiki] The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) will be hosting Coersion probably with another band or two starting around 10 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] [all ages] Drinking Liberally meets at 8 p.m. tonight at Monty's Korner (355 East Ave.) [source: RocWiki calendar]

F R I D A Y

Tonight is the Opening Party for the new Jane Ellen B. Art Apparel (714 University Ave.) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow. [source: the proverbial grapevine] The images and, presumably, the bluesy acoustic-rock of Cole Gockley will be at Boulder Coffee Co. (100 Alexander St.) starting around 7 p.m. [source: Freetime] [all ages] The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Tom Jones starting at 8 p.m. in which a young man grows into a promiscuous playboy who can't help but stay in love with his hometown sweetheart. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] So apparently, there's this kind-of DJ event at the subway tunnel somewhere in the vicinity of an abandoned building behind Geva (75 Woodbury Blvd.) starting around 8 p.m. The event is called Revolution Now: Urbanize! and will feature video projection of Peter Kingstone's video Liberty Leading the People. [source: RocWiki calendar] Apparently, accordian and musical-saw duo Dreamland Faces are back in town for a secret performance at Betty Meyer's Bullwinkle Café (622 Lake Ave.) starting around 8:30 or so. [source: City Newspaper] [21+] Updated: The Earphone / DJ evi'thaw show at A|V Art Sound Space (#8 in the Public Market, off N. Union St., formerly The All-Purpose Room) has been canceled tonight. [source: artsound website] Tonight at TiLT Nightclub and Ultralounge (444 Central Ave.) starting around 10 p.m. is "funkhiphopdiscoelectrostreetjams" from DJ Jhim, DJ Keven Atoms, and DJ Queen Knobtweekaaaah. [source: band flyer]

S A T U R D A Y

O'Bagelo's, 165 State Street, noon. This evening at 6 p.m. at The Montage Live (50 Chestnut St., formerly the Montage Grille) is jazz vibraphonist Lalo then later at 10 p.m. is electronica with Trip Throttle. [source: Montage calendar] Tonight in Hoyt Hall at The University of Rochester (Elmwood Ave. at Intercampus Dr., details on River Campus Map), The University of Rochester Cinema Group will be showing The Shining for free at 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m., and midnight. [source: RocWiki] Bill Welch will be at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) starting around 8 p.m. [source: Daily Perks calendar] [all ages] The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Darwin's Nightmare starting at 8 p.m. tonight and 7 p.m. tomorrow night. It's about how a company introduced the Nile perch into Tanzania's Lake Victoria and wiped out all other fish species, creating an ecological and sociological hell-on-earth in Mwanza. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] The Main Street Armory (900 E. Main St.) has their first show at 8 p.m. tonight with Of a Revolution (O.A.R.) with Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers. [source: Freetime] Over at The Club at Water Street (204 N. Water St.) starting around 9 p.m. is Faces On Film, and The Hip Twelve. [source: Water Street calendar] [all ages] Tonight at Starry Nites Café (696 University Ave., formerly Moonbeans) is well seasoned folk singer Brad Yoder starting around 9 p.m. [source: Starry Nites calendar] [all ages] The Pia Mater, and The Johnny Five will be at Richmond's (21 Richmond St.) starting around 10:30 p.m. [source: WITR calendar] Satirical gospel rock band The Lobster Quadrille, Incommunicato, and Irwin will be at Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.) tonight starting around 10:30 p.m. [source: band e-mail] Tonight at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) is excellent hard rock from Low Ton, great punk rock/hard rock from The UV Rays, and Grime Time starting around 10:45 p.m. [source: Bug Jar calendar] Tonight's another Betty's Sing-a-Long at Betty Meyer's Bullwinkle Café (622 Lake Ave.) starting around 10.

S U N D A Y

Today at The Memorial Art Gallery (500 University Ave., near Goodman St.) is Extreme Materials Free Admission Day from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Also, there's another pair of Going for Baroque at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., this time featuring Lars Gjerde playing the the Italian Baroque organ. [source: University of Rochester Events Calendar] This afternoon from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. is the 22nd Annual Lakeside Winter Celebration at Ontario Beach Park (Beach Ave.) featuring the 6th Annual Polar Plunge, the 12th Annual Chilly Chili Challenge, and an Ice Sculpture Competition and Demonstration. among many other events. [source: City Hall press release] If you miss him yesterday, Brad Yoder will be at Spot Coffee (200 East Ave.) starting around 8:30 p.m. [source: band calendar] 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

Tonight at 7 p.m. at Verb Café at Writers and Books (740 University Ave.) is another Rochester Poets Reading and Open Mike. [source: Writers and Books calendar] [all ages] Updated: Tonight from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Dazzle Theater (112 Webster Ave.) is the first of three "forums to gather public comment on the recent report by The Center for Governmental Research (CGR) (1 South Washington St.) on recommendations to assist in the operations of the City's Neighborhood Empowerment Teams (NET)." You can review CGR's full report online. This meeting is for the northeast and east areas of the city. [source: City Hall press release] Tonight at the Dryden Theatre of George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) at 8 p.m. is another Surprise Cinema! with the film title announced right before it's screened. [source: Eastman House calendar] There's also Open Mic Poetry at Java's (16 Gibbs St.) starting around 9 p.m. [source: Java's calendar] [all ages] Bored? Why not check out 1980's DJ night at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 11 p.m. [source: Bug Jar calendar]

T U E S D A Y

This morning at 7:30 a.m. in the cafeteria overlooking the arboretum in Bausch and Lomb (140 Stone St.) is the Artists Breakfast Group meeting ... anyone interested in art or creativity is invited. Tonight at 8 p.m. at The Montage Live (50 Chestnut St., formerly the Montage Grille) is another Words of Wisdom Talent Showcase — essentially a hip-hop/spoken-word open mic night. [source: Montage calendar] The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing The Wrong Box starting at 8 p.m. in which a couple aging brothers try to outlive one another to claim a large inheritance ... comedy ensues. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] The Spaces, one-man guitar/synth drum stoner rock cover band Skull, okay hard-rock/metal instrumental band Moustache, and Pretty Boy Floyd will be at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) 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. [source: Daily Perks calendar] [all ages]

W E D N E S D A Y

This evening from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Verb Café at Writers and Books (740 University Ave.) is a meeting of The Freedom Writers Group who write letters in support of writers and journalists around the world. [source: Writers and Books calendar] [all ages] Tonight at The Mid-Town Athletic Club (200 E. Highland Dr., actually nowhere near mid-town) at 7 p.m. is an Artist Networking Event sponsored by The Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester and featuring photographer Walter Colley. [source: Arts and Cultural Council e-mail] Poor People United meets tonight and every Wednesday at 7 at St. Joseph's House of Hospitality (402 South Ave.) [source: the proverbial grapevine] Updated: Tonight from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Aquinas Institute (1127 Dewey Ave.) is the second of three "forums to gather public comment on the recent report by The Center for Governmental Research (CGR) (1 South Washington St.) on recommendations to assist in the operations of the City's Neighborhood Empowerment Teams (NET)." You can review CGR's full report online. This meeting is for the west and northwest areas of the city. [source: City Hall press release] There's an Open Mic for Acoustic Music at Boulder Coffee Co. (100 Alexander St.) tonight around 8. [source: the proverbial grapevine]

Polls | Other Projects

This week's award goes to The Rochester Public Library (115 South Ave.) for creating a month-by-month calendar locked on the current month. Events are listed for an entire month, implying there's a lot of stuff they could publish in advance, but by the last days of the month, users are given no clue what's coming up. Congratulations, Monroe County Library System!

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