Weekly Rochester Events #407: Not Every Written Word is Fiction

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Ok, so last Wednesday I got out to Kilbourn Hall at Eastman Theatre (60 Gibbs St.) to see The Eastman Musica Nova Ensemble. Todd Reynolds was the guest of the evening — he was an Eastman student 20 years ago and cut his teeth on the new music program then. His first piece, Requiem, was swirling, melodic harmonics with a like-minded video by R. Luke Dubois (I believe). Next was his Outerborough — a bold, cyclic piece over cyclic footage of a train crossing a late 19th Century Brooklyn Bridge. Michael Gordon's I Buried Paul followed — of his piece I wrote at the time, "bold, cyclically spinning, melodious cacophonous" which seems to fit, even if it's not cohesive English. Reynolds returned with Still Life with Mic V. 5.1: ESM Sound Painting No. 1. It was a rather interesting improvisation technique to use a version of sign-language to communicate with the band members. It seemed a little restrained, but maybe the students weren't confident enough to experiment more or maybe it just was supposed to be that way.

Thursday night I had a great dinner with Ali at Thai Taste (1675 Mount Hope Ave.) She opted to stay in while I went to The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) to see the bands there. I found Nick Young to be a good acoustic soloist: he had a moderately rich voice and played rather strummy guitar although he holds his own with songs that have more technical guitar work. I also liked Jesse Sprinkle who was a charismatic and really good, dynamic acoustic soloist. I cut the night short after that to get home and get some sleep.

Friday was the day that my Sprint phone was finally turned off. Unfortunately the disconnect message says, "the number or code you dialed is incorrect" rather than something more apt like, "the Sprint customer you are trying to reach got so frustrated with Sprint's poor service and high prices that they have successfully discontinued service." Just what will I do with an extra forty-something bucks each month?

That was also the night of The Lobster Quadrille show at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) and Ali and I decided to get dressed up for church — after all, the Lobster is (for lack of a better term) a satirical gospel band. We started things off at India Cafe (651 Monroe Ave.) which was quite good — the "mild" spice level was blander than I had hoped [that is, try "medium" which should be fine] but the samosas were the best I've had in town.

From there we brought our overdressed butts over to The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) for the show. The opening act, Death by Doll sounded like a 1960's psychedelic activist band that had access to synth-pop. I really didn't enjoy them very much, but The Lobster Quadrille was great ... even though they were a bit less polished than I've seen before. I keep trying to explain their sound, and "satirical gospel band" keeps coming back — I mean, they have rockabilly and Klesmer elements, but throwing in the slide whistle, kazoo, and washboard and they're a monster all unto themselves. And remember to dress up for the shows ... the band gets a kick out of it.

Saturday we had a chance to check out the Past and Present show on display for a few more days at The Rochester Visual Studies Workshop (31 Prince St.) It was an interesting juxtaposition of modern photographic composition using archaic, no-longer-used photographic techniques. Some of the works were quite evocative ... I didn't do it journalistic justice and get the names of the artists, but the closing show is this Saturday if you get the chance.

We also headed to Powers Farm Market (161 Marsh Rd., Pittsford) to get pumpkins for Halloween ... it's quite a blast. They have corn teepees haunted with lighted, carved pumpkins, a haunted hay ride through the woods, a good selection of pumpkins, and a market with cider and donuts. That night I went to Canandaigua to visit my girl and ended up going bowling at Roseland Bowl (4357 Recreation Dr., Canandaigua) ... I generally like to bowl a little more than one game, but this miraculous beverage called "beer" seemed to help me enjoy two whole games.

On Tuesday we went to The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) to see The Wedding March with live piano by Philip C. Carli. The movie is quite depressing — no happy twist-endings here. It's a cautionary tale: if you don't marry for love, you're fucked. Boy were the characters in this one, too. Whew. Just a bunch of jerks all around, dragging their submissive women down with them.

And oce again to wrap up abruptly with nothing to add ... this time I have an excuse, in a way, because I spent most of yesterday and today updating the hard drive in my computer, and in the process, trying to get the information on it organized a bit better. It feels like a supreme waste of time.

T H U R S D A Y

Today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. is National Depression Screening Day in Room 121 of The Wilson Commons at The University of Rochester (Library Road, details on River Campus Map). [source: University of Rochester Events Calendar] This evening at 6 p.m. in the Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) is a "Wish You Were Here" Photography Lecture with Fredric Roberts discussing his travels through Asia. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] Tonight at 7 p.m. at Image City Photography Gallery (722 University Ave.) is an Artist Talk with photographer Betsy Phillips. [source: Image City Photography Gallery e-mail] Over at The Club at Water Street (204 N. Water St.) starting around 8 p.m. is Melvin Sparks. [source: Water Street calendar] [all ages] The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Home Coming starting at 8 p.m. in which American soldiers return home as zombies hungry to vote the reigning political administration out of office. The video projection will be followed by Dead of Night, a similarly-themed film about a man thought to be killed in Vietnam who returns home and begins craving blood. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] The Headlights, Canada, and very tight modern rock band Veluxe will be at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 9:30 p.m. [source: Bug Jar calendar] [18+] Tonight at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (99 Court St.) is rocking rockabilly from Krypton 88 starting around 10 p.m. [source: Freetime] Pure Kona Poetry Open Mic Night is at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) tonight starting at 7:30. [source: Daily Perks calendar] Drinking Liberally meets at 8 p.m. tonight at Monty's Korner (355 East Ave.) [source: RocWiki calendar]

F R I D A Y

Navy Day Apparently The Critical Mass Bike Ride is tonight starting at 5:30 p.m. at the clock tower near The Wilson Commons at The University of Rochester (Library Road, #39 on River Campus Map.) to The Liberty Pole (1 Liberty Pole Way) at 6 p.m. and heading through the city from there. [source: the proverbial grapevine] Today and tomorrow starting every 10 minutes from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. is Ghost Walk starting at Third Presbyterian Church (4 Meigs St., at the corner of East Ave.) [source: Landmark Society calendar] This evening at 7 p.m. at A|V Art Sound Space (N. Union St. at Trinidad St., #8 in the Public Market, formerly the All-Purpose Room) is the opening reception for Mebemewebe presented by Islands Fold and featuring a mural by Justin B. Williams and Luke Ramsey. The exhibit runs through December 2. [source: A|V Space website] Tonight at The Mercer Gallery at Monroe Community College (1000 E Henrietta Rd., in Building 5) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. is the opening reception for Robert Heischman and Alan Singer's Subject/Subjective which runs through November 24 [source: Mercer Gallery calendar] Tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m. at Shipping Dock Theatre (31 Prince St., new location at Visual Studies Workshop) is Shipping Dock Unleashed, whatever that is. [source: Shipping Dock Theatre website] The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Unser täglich Brot (Our Daily Bread) starting at 8 p.m. that documents the modern techniques of making food and processing meat. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] Over at Betty Meyer's Bullwinkle Café (622 Lake Ave., a.k.a. "Bullwinkle's") starting probably around 9 p.m. is Tom Brosseau, minimalist acoustic (guitar and autoharp) soloist Kelli Shay Hicks, and Alela Dane. [source: WITR calendar] Wicked fun percussive groove-rock from The BuddhaHood, and One World Tribe will be at Water Street Music Hall (204 N. Water St.) starting around 10 p.m. [source: Water Street calendar] [all ages] Tonight and tomorrow at 10:30 p.m. at Nextstage at Geva (75 Woodbury Blvd.) is another Geva Comedy Improv show. [source: Geva Theatre website] Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.) will be hosting The Exit Strategy, Laser Awesome, and good, medium tempo, high distortion rock band The Black Arrows starting around 10:30 p.m. [source: band calendar] [21+]

S A T U R D A Y

Today from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Mt. Hope Cemetery (791 Mt. Hope Ave., the North Gate) is a Fall Foliage Tour then at 7 p.m. is the Luminaria Tour. [source: Freetime] This evening from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Oxford Gallery (267 Oxford St.) is the Reception for works on display by Edythe Shedden-Cowgill and Jack Wolsky which will be on display until November 25. [source: Oxford Gallery website] This evening at 7 p.m. at The Rochester Visual Studies Workshop (31 Prince St.) is the Closing/Halloween Party for Past and Present, currently on display, featuring music by minimal, airy acoustic soloist Kelli Shay Hicks, DJ's, and film projections. [source: band e-mail] Tonight at Downstairs Cabaret (172 West Main St.) at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. is a pair of shows by Nuts and Bolts Improv Troupe. [source: Nuts and Bolts e-mail] Nicole Christian will be at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) starting around 8 p.m. [source: Daily Perks calendar] [all ages] Rob Falgiano will be at Boulder Coffee Co. (100 Alexander St.) starting around 8 p.m. [source: Boulder Coffee website] [all ages] Tonight at 8:30 p.m. at Bush Mango Drum & Dance (34 Elton St.) is their Halloween Party (the "kids and families" party is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) [source: Freetime] Tonight at Java's (16 Gibbs St.) is The Accident that led me to the World starting around 9 p.m. [source: Java's calendar] [all ages] The Flat Iron Café (561 State St.) will be hosting The Sean Jefferson Quartet starting around 9 p.m. [source: Flat Iron Cafe webstie] A|V Art Sound Space (N. Union St. at Trinidad St., #8 in the Public Market, formerly the All-Purpose Room) will be hosting Venison Whirled, The Ethereal Planes Indian, (sometimes) semi-melodic fast-paced noise from Pengo, and garage solo chaos from Foot and Mouth Disease starting around 9 p.m. [source: A|V Space website] Sarah Harmer will be at The Club at Water Street (204 N. Water St.) probably starting around 9 p.m. [source: WBER calendar] [all ages] Over at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 10:30 p.m. is great rock from The QUiTTERS for their long, long-awaited CD Release Show along with great rock-and-roll from The Grinders, punk-influenced hard-edged rock from The Purrs, and 1960s-style rock from St. Phillip's Escalator. [source: Bug Jar calendar] [21+] Tonight in Ingle Auditorium at RIT (One Lomb Memorial Dr., campus map) is two great comics: Jamie Lissow, and Tiny Glover starting around 10:30 p.m. [source: RIT CAB calendar] Updated: Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.) will be hosting Woody Dodge starting around 10:30 p.m. [source: band e-mail] [21+] Tonight's another Betty's Sing-a-Long at Betty Meyer's Bullwinkle Café (622 Lake Ave., a.k.a. "Bullwinkle's") starting around 10.

S U N D A Y

Daylight Saving Time Ends — Set your clock back one hour from 2:00 a.m. daylight saving time to 1:00 a.m. standard time in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Today from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester (277 N. Goodman St.) is the opening reception for Anthea Revealed featuring computer-scanner created images by Patricia Russotti. The exhibition will be on display through November 5. [source: Arts and Cultural Council e-mail] Today at 4 p.m. at Hubbell Auditorium at The University of Rochester (Elmwood Ave. at Intercampus Dr., details on River Campus Map) is a Screening and Talk with Visiting Filmmaker Bill Brown with his film The Other Side documenting a "2,000-mile journey along the U.S./Mexico border." [source: University of Rochester Events Calendar] Tonight at 7 p.m. at Mt. Hope Cemetery (791 Mt. Hope Ave., the North Gate) is the Grand Finale Luminaria Tour. [source: Freetime] Tonight at A|V Art Sound Space (N. Union St. at Trinidad St., #8 in the Public Market, formerly the All-Purpose Room) is The Bare Flames, fast-paced chaos rock from Hilkka, and really good musician and soloist Ian Downey is Famous starting around 9 p.m. [source: A|V Space website] Tonight and every Sunday at Boulder Coffee Co. (100 Alexander St.) is a Comedy Open Mic with Matt Rohr at 7:30 p.m. [source: the proverbial grapevine] [all ages]

M O N D A Y

In theory, there is another Emerging Filmmakers Program tonight at The Little (240 East Ave.) at 9:15 p.m., but I haven't heard anything about it so your guess is as good as mine. As soon as I get the details I'll post the films. 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

Halloween 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. Today from 12:12 p.m. to 12:52 p.m. in Gleason Auditorium at The Rochester Public Library (115 South Ave.) is another Books Sandwiched-In featuring Walter Ruchle reviewing Sonia Nazario's book, Enrique's Journey. [source: Rochester Public Library calendar] [all ages] This evening at 7 p.m. in the Hubbell Auditorium of Hutchison Hall at The University of Rochester (Elmwood Ave. at Intercampus Dr., details on River Campus Map) is a discussion with physician and clown Hunter "Patch" Adams. [source: University of Rochester website] The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Nosferatu starting at 8 p.m. Quite literally the granddaddy of all vampire films, this is the first film adaptation of the legend of Dracula. Philip C. Carli will provide live piano accompaniment to the silent film. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) will be hosting fun ska from Mrs. Skannotto, The Cheetah Whores, and The True Believers starting around 9:30 p.m. [source: Bug Jar calendar] [18+] Tonight at 7 p.m. at The Flat Iron Café (561 State St.) is the Hot as Fire Spoken Word / Open Mic. [source: Flat Iron Cafe webstie] Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) is hosting an Acoustic Open Mic featuring JoAnn Vaccaro from 8 to 10. [source: Daily Perks calendar] [all ages]

W E D N E S D A Y

This afternoon at 4 p.m. in the Hawkins Carlson Room of The Rush Rhees Library in The University of Rochester (Library Rd. at Intercampus Dr., details on River Campus Map) is a discussion titled France on Fire: Ten Years of Hip Hop by Erin Hippolyte. [source: University of Rochester website] Tonight at 6 p.m. in the Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) is a Lecture and Booksigning by author Elizabeth Brayer about her book, George Eastman: A Biography. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] The Montage Live Music Hall (50 Chestnut St., formerly the Montage Grille) will be hosting Too Pure to Die, The Burning Season, Stick to Your Guns, Massacre the Wake, and Dead to You starting around 7 p.m. [source: Freetime] [16+] Tonight at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) is The Black Angels, and The Apostles Of The Hidden Son starting around 10:30 p.m. [source: Bug Jar calendar] [18+] Poor People United meets tonight and every Wednesday at 7 at St. Joseph's House of Hospitality (402 South Ave.) [source: the proverbial grapevine] There's an Open Mic for Acoustic Music at Boulder Coffee Co. (100 Alexander St.) tonight around 8. [source: the proverbial grapevine] Tonight at Milestones (170 East Ave.) is another The Comedy Block Party starting almost promptly at 8 p.m.

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