City Newspaper Summer Guide 2016

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SUMMER GUIDE 2016

2016

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MER Guide

DRINKS........................................ 4 OUT-OF-TOWN BREWERIES WORTH A STOP

TRAVELS. . ..................................... 8

[ INTRODUCTION ] BY JAKE CLAPP

48 HOURS AT NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE

Warm weather is an invitation to get out of the house and move around, and many of us are eager to take advantage of it. The long days are perfect for long drives outside of Rochester — and there’s plenty to do across Western New York.

This year’s Summer Guide is meant to give you a few ideas for when you want to get out of town. If you’re a beer fan, start on page 4 for a round-up of the best regional breweries. Each one will require an afternoon drive, but they’re well worth it. If you want to take the full weekend away, flip to page 8 for Leah Stacy’s tips on making the most out of 48 hours in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The beautiful weather also means that bands will be on tour. Music writer Daniel J. Kushner highlights 10 concerts — from CMAC to Buffalo’s Artpark and the Chautauqua Institute — that will make you want to jump on I-90.

If a trip isn’t in the cards, or you want to spend more time around Rochester this summer: on page 16, writer Rebecca Rafferty has outlined three opportunities to volunteer in different neighborhoods around the city.

You can balance that volunteer work with some time for yourself: Mixing yoga with spirits and beer is a popular trend that’s finally hit Rochester. Turn to page 22 for more. And each summer brings its own crop of blockbuster movies filled with aliens, disasters, and supervillains trying to destroy the world; film critic Adam Lubitow breaks down the summer movie season on page 28.

What are your plans for this summer?

Making any long trips? Let us know in the comment section below this article online at rochestercitynewspaper.com.

MUSIC........................................ 12

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10 CONCERTS TO CATCH THIS SUMMER

COMMUNITY.. .............................. 16 CHARITABLE WAYS TO FILL THE DAY

RECREATION............................... 22 YOGA AND SPIRITS HITS ROCHESTER

FILM.......................................... 28 SUMMER MOVIE PREVIEW 2016

On the cover: Illustration by Ryan Williamson Publishers: William and Mary Anna Towler Editorial department themail@rochester-citynews.com Arts & Entertainment editor: Jake Clapp Contributing writers: Daniel J. Kushner, Dave Labarge, Adam Lubitow, Rebecca Rafferty, Leah Stacy Art department artdept@rochester-citynews.com Art director/production manager: Ryan Williamson Designers: Aubrey Berardini, Mark Chamberlin Advertising department ads@rochester-citynews.com New sales development: Betsy Matthews Sales representatives: Christine Kubarycz, Sarah McHugh, Tracey Mykins, David White, William Towler Operations/Circulation kstathis@rochester-citynews.com Circulation manager: Katherine Stathis Distribution: Andy DiCiaccio, David Riccioni, Northstar Delivery, Wolfe News Summer Guide 2016 is published by WMT Publications, Inc. Copyright by WMT Publications Inc., 2016 - all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, photocopying, recording or by any information storage retrieval system without permission of the copyright owner. rochestercitynewspaper.com facebook.com/citynewspaper @roccitynews

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CITY 3

Beer Miles WHEN GETTING OUT OF TOWN THIS SUMMER, STOP FOR A PINT AT THESE BREWERIES

[ DRINKS ] BY DAVE LABARGE

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Climbing Bines

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SUMMER GUIDE 2016

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On a smaller scale than Ithaca Beer, though no less impressive, is Prison City Pub and Brewery. Located east of Rochester in Auburn, New York, the brewpub operates under a general theme forged in the shadows of the Auburn Correctional Facility just down the road. Beers such as The Klink and Bleek Worden are in the rotation, which encompasses a wide array of styles, all executed with skill. Despite the brewery’s having been open only since late 2014, Bleek Worden emerged with a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival in the Belgian Pale category, a prestigious award at the largest American Beer competition. The food is worth the trip if you’re the designated

With the explosion in popularity of IPA’s and other hop-centered beers, there is something of a premium on hops of all kinds, especially those that provide particular fruit, citrus, and pine notes that drinkers are looking for in their beer, be it craft, indie, or otherwise. Prior to imparting unique flavors and characteristics to beer, hops begin as the flower of the noble humulus lupulus plant. Hop plants climb upward and are classified as bines, meaning they wrap around support trellises in a helix pattern. The flowers are harvested and can be used whole or in a pelletized version during the brewing process. There are a great many varieties of hops, and depending on the specific strain and when it is introduced in the brewing process, they can be used to provide bittering or flavoring agents to the brew. Hops also provide very practical antibacterial properties.

It follows then, that hop growth is something of an emerging market. A brewery having the ability to grow proprietary hops is a rare thing. Climbing Bines Hop Farm came to fruition several years ago, with hops swallowing up space previously devoted to vegetables. In the past few years, the farm has morphed into a farm brewery, utilizing the hops grown on the property to brew its own small-batch beers. Grab a pint or fill a growler any day of the week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Finger Lakes 34

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PRISON CITY PUB AND BREWERY

CLIMBING BINES HOP FARM

28 State St, Auburn, NY www.prisoncitybrewing.com

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Local beer drinkers are likely familiar with Ithaca Beer Company offerings, such as the flagship Flower Power IPA. Flower Power and many other Ithaca brews are readily available in the Rochester market, but the Ithaca brewery and taproom is worth the dedicated trip down Cayuga Lake. Set away from the town center, the brewery has grown in size with multiple expansions in recent years. The menu features traditional pub fare with an elevated slant, and several year-round, seasonal and specialty beers are featured on tap. Lots of outdoor space is available for lawn games and general merriment with a familiar, relaxed vibe typical of the town. Brewery tours are available on the weekends, and the taproom is open Wednesday through Sunday.

driver (please do have a designated driver), 14 and the atmosphere is better than most for visitors with kids, with a children’s menu that can be customized and a box of Legos for entertainment. Open seven days a week.

Prison City Pub & Brewing OL ASC OW

ITHACA BEER COMPANY

AUBURN

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ven a barely observant person these days would find it hard to ignore the proliferation of beer. The opening of new breweries in the United States has exploded at an unheard of rate. There are more breweries open at this moment than there have been at any other time in the country’s history.

Rochester has its fair share of new breweries and brewpubs, but there’s no shortage of beer options in our surrounding areas. Hop in the car and hit up one of the following spots for a fun few hours; these day-trip destinations are solid entries in an ever-expanding list. And of course, don’t drink and drive — bring along some friends and use a designated driver.

Addresses and websites are included on the maps.

511 Hansen Point Rd, Penn Yan, NY www.climbingbineshopfarm.com

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FINGER LAKES NATIONAL FOREST 96

ITHACA 14

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Ithaca Beer Co.

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CITY 5

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Beer Miles

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384

DELAWARE PARK

Community Beer Works

15 Lafayette Ave, Buffalo, NY www.communitybeerworks.com

Resurgence Brewing Company

1250 Niagara St, Buffalo, NY www.resurgencebrewing.com/ 190

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RESURGENCE BREWING COMPANY The first thing you’ll notice when you approach the entrance at Resurgence Brewing Company in Buffalo is the gorgeous beer garden. Depressed from the main building and fenced off from outside entry, it is an ideal spot for a refreshing drink on a warm, sunny day. If sitting outside isn’t your thing, the environment indoors – the building is an old converted warehouse – is no less inviting. The focus at Resurgence is on the beer, with multiple rotating styles, and fomenting conversation among friends. There are a few games around the building, including giant Jenga, and communal tables have well-worn Trivial Pursuit question cards to open dialogue. There are limited food offerings as well, should you find yourself hungry and reluctant to leave. The brewery is open Wednesday through Sunday.

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SUMMER GUIDE 2016

COMMUNITY BEER WORKS Set in an unassuming building just up Niagara Street from Resurgence, Community Beer Works has been open for just over four years, and is seen as one of the catalysts of reinvigorating beer in Buffalo and Western New York. Due to the small size of the operation and its increasing success, the brewery is in the process of expanding and will move its main operations to a larger building later this year. Local beer enthusiasts may recognize the name, as several beers have made their way onto the taps at Rochester’s Swiftwater.

Try one of the acclaimed beers Thursday through Saturday.

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5

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BUFFALO MUSEUM OF SCIENCE

Brewing Company

, Buffalo, NY rewing.com

BIG DITCH BREWING COMPANY Another Buffalo brewery eyeing expansion is Big Ditch Brewing Company. Fresh off being named the best craft brewery in the state at the TAP New York festival, Big Ditch is pursuing additional brewing equipment and a production line with the goal of canning for wider distribution of popular brews.

As with the rest of the breweries on this list, the beer is made in-house. Located in downtown Buffalo, the building houses a production area that is separated from a large tap room. The space is bustling with energy and has a sophisticated vibe, perhaps attributable to its proximity to the business district. Food offerings are a bit more expanded than some of the others on this list, but beer is still the focus. Stop in Tuesday through Sunday. rochestercitynewspaper.com

CITY 7

A Weekend Trip Abroad

48 HOURS AT NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE

[ TRAVELS ] BY LEAH STACY

Hidden away on the shore of Lake Ontario, just over the Canadian border, is a picturesque town brimming with world-class theater, gourmet dining options, and awardwinning wineries. And with a travel time just under two hours, it’s an ideal weekend getaway for culture-loving Rochesterians.

For those who find themselves in need of a quick travel fix, we’ve compiled a list of must-dos for a weekend at Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The Prince of Wales Hotel was built in 1864, and is now one of Niagara-on-the-Lake's most recognizable icons. PHOTO PROVIDED

SEE A THEATER PRODUCTION—OR TWO Each year since 1962, between the months of April and October, Niagara-on-the-Lake has been home to the Shaw Festival, a full season of professional theater productions built on plays written by George Bernard Shaw or during his lifetime (1856– 1950). This year’s season includes two contemporary takes on Shaw works, “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” and “The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God.” For musical lovers, there’s a new version of “Alice in Wonderland,” developed at Shaw Festival and featuring 19 original songs, as well as the festival’s take on “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Rounding out the season are several classics — Wilder’s “Our Town,” Wilde’s “A Woman of No Importance” — and a modern adaptation of Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya.” The shows are held in four distinct venues, on or within walking distance of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s main strip of shops and restaurants. Little-known fact: Shaw Festival is North America’s second-largest repertory theater company.

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The Prince of Wales Hotel also has restaurant and spa on the property. PHOTO BY DAVID COOPER

LIVE LIKE ROYALTY

Tara Rosling as Alice Liddell in "Alice in Wonderland." The musical will be produced by the Shaw Festival this summer. PHOTO BY EMILY COOPER

On the corner of Picton and King Streets in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake is the Prince of Wales hotel, perhaps the most recognizable visual icon of the area. The two-story brick hotel, built in 1864, captures the Victorian era through elegant decor (think brocade fabrics, vases filled with

roses, and four-poster beds) and traditional afternoon tea sessions, complete with finger sandwiches, pastries, and handmade scones with Devonshire clotted cream. There’s also an acclaimed restaurant on the property – Escabèche – and a full service spa. Pro tip: stay overnight and take advantage of the saltwater swimming pool. continues on page 10

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CITY 9

A Weekend Trip Abroad

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WALK AND WINDOW SHOP Downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake’s main promenade, Queen Street, runs parallel to the Niagara River, which feeds into Lake Ontario. Along Queen Street there are many clothing and jewelry boutiques, gift shops, and eateries to sample. Duck into The Scottish Loft for UK-imported trinkets

EAT AND REPEAT Everyone knows poutine originated over the border, and Niagara-on-the-Lake has two excellent options: the chicken curry poutine (on the lunch menu only) at Corks, 19 Queen Street, and the house curry poutine at The Irish Harp Pub, 245 King Street, which also boasts “great craic,” or entertainment, as the Irish say.

Niagara-on-the-Lake has dining options to suit any palate and dietary need. For farmto-table lovers, Treadwell Cuisine (114 Queen Street) boasts a seasonal menu and focuses on Niagara wines (chef-owner Stephen Treadwell

PHOTO BY DAVID COOPER

and treats (including Cadbury chocolates) and stop in Greaves Jams, with shelves full of more than 30 homemade jams, jellies, marmalades, and condiments. Before leaving Queen Street, snap a selfie with the George Bernard Shaw statue (located in front of Shaw Café & Wine Bar, 92 Queen Street).

worked at Toronto’s fine French restaurant Auberge du Pommier previously).

If it’s a balmy night, grab dessert at COWS, an ice cream parlor that originated in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, in the 1980’s. (Fans of Anne of Green Gables will be able to spot connections to PEI throughout the store; there’s AOGG branded Raspberry Cordial in glass bottles and fancy chocolates.)

COWS offers more than 30 original ice cream flavors (and its own snarky clothing line, with T-shirts sayings like “Moomoolemon” and “Insteergram”).

Niagara-on-the-Lake sits at the mouth of the Niagara River as it spills into Lake Ontario. Across the river is Fort Niagara in Youngstown. PHOTO BY DAVID COOPER

TOAST THE NORTHEASTERN CLIMATE A trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake should include wine tastings at nearby vineyards, where the regional award winners include icewine and riesling, thanks to the cool northern climate. (Inniskillin Wines makes a riesling icewine that wins gold awards at international competitions each 10 CITY SUMMER GUIDE 2016

year.) More than 10 wineries are within a few miles of “Old Town” Niagara-onthe-Lake, and some – like Peller Estates Winery & Restaurant – offer highly rated edibles to pair with their vintages.

For more, visit shawfest.com or niagaraonthelake.com

rochestercitynewspaper.com CITY 11

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summer concerts ip h thhe tr rip tri wortth RAY LAMONTAGNE, FUTURPOINTE DANCE, CHAUTAUQUA OPERA AMONG GREAT SHOWS THIS SUMMER

[ MUSIC ]

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ummer is here, and so are the seemingly limitless concert options.

So many possibilities to bliss out with familiar favorites, and to venture into new musical and visual experiences at venues you may not have previously considered.

By no means an exhaustive list, below are 10 diverse summer shows, ranging from chamber music festivals and contemporary opera to DIY barn concerts, rock in outdoor arenas, and even modern ballet. Many of the events are outside the confines of the city, but all of them are well worth the trip.

Perennial indie favorite Death Cab for Cutie brings its signature shimmering, atmospheric brand of rock to CMAC in Canandaigua on Wednesday, June 8, at 7

p.m. Touring in support of the 2015 album “Kintsugi,” Death Cab demonstrates its knack for indelible pop grooves wedded to frontman Ben Gibbard’s wistfully romantic lyrics. Complementing the headliners will be ascendant Scottish electronic pop band CHVRCHES, which combines 80’s synth nostalgia with indie sensibilities, led by singer Lauren Mayberry. Pure Bathing Culture opens. ($25-$45; cmacevents.com) For adventurous music lovers craving concerts that are more off the beaten path, both geographically and sonically, The Barn is an ideal summer destination — a 90-minute jaunt from Rochester to Fulton in Oswego County. With a cozy house-show feel transplanted to a carefree, rustic-woods

setting in a converted barn, this distinctive venue boasts an intriguing lineup of regional and touring artists once a month through October. Notable this season is the Saturday, June 25, gig (7 p.m. start), jam-packed with charismatic Rochester retro-rock bands The Televisionaries and The Temptators, plus Auld Lang Syne — Upstate’s unsung heroes for incomparably beautiful songwriting. $7-$9 donation. Information about this show and the entire series, including directions: The Barn, facebook.com/groups/thebarninvolney.

If a road trip to the Buffalo-Niagara region is in the cards: piano rock mainstay Ben Folds makes his way to Artpark Outdoor Amphitheater in picturesque Lewiston on continues on page 14

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Summer Concerts

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Ben Folds will perform with yMusic at Artpark on Wednesday, July 13. PHOTO BY ALLAN AMATE

Wednesday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m. Backed by yMusic — the top-flight chamber ensemble with big-time indie credentials that also appeared on Folds’s newest record “So There” — the stalwart singer-songwriter is still at it. This time, he adds classical instrumentation to his crafty piano chops, undeniable gift for melody, and playfully irreverent attitude. Tickets are $12-$27; info, artpark.net.

For more traditional chamber music in an idyllic setting, the Finger Lakes region is the place to be. Canandaigua Lake Music Festival — Friday, July 15, through Saturday, July 23 (canandaigualakemusic. org) — welcomes beloved pianist Jon Nakamatsu for multiple concerts. The festival opens with the lovely pairing of Nakamatsu performing Franz Schubert’s “Impromptus” and Pegasus Early Music, with its interpretation of works by Renaissance composer John Dowland on July 15 at 8 p.m. at Finger Lakes Community College.

Ray LaMontagne is scheduled for Saturday, July 23, at CMAC. PHOTO BY SAMANTHA CASOLARI

On Saturday, July 23, 7 p.m., CMAC plays host to celebrated rock and folk darling Ray LaMontagne, whose unmistakably ardent and smoky vocals have enchanted 14 CITY SUMMER GUIDE 2016

fans since he burst into the spotlight with the 2004 album “Trouble.” Coming fresh off the release his latest album, the dreamy, slickly produced “Ouroboros,” the singersongwriter continues to deliver a seductive blend of rock, country, blues, and soul, resulting in a singular Americana vibe only

N'Jelle Gage-Thorne of FuturPointe Dance.

PHOTO BY CARRIE MATEOSIAN

LaMontagne can provide. The Arcs play the supporting slot. ($45-70; cmacevents.com) If you missed FuturPointe Dance and its stunning rendition of the composer Darius Milhaud’s ballet “La création du monde” (“The Creation of the World”) last March at Kodak Hall, you’ll get another chance to see company co-founders N’Jelle GageThorne and Guy Thorne’s transcendent choreography in a reprise performance.

It’s all part of FuturPointe’s “The RED, GREEN & GOLD Show” (referring to the Pan-African colors present in numerous country flags from the continent) at Hochstein Performance Hall in Rochester on July 23 and 24. The vibrant program, featuring the dance company’s quintessential blend of classical ballet, contemporary, Caribbean, and Latin dance elements, will also highlight additional selections from the

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troupe’s distinctive repertoire. The Saturday, July 23, presentation at 7 p.m. specifically caters to students and artists and includes an open-to-the-public tech rehearsal and artists’ talk with the audience. Tickets are $5. The official performance on Sunday, July 24, 7 p.m., is $20 for the general public; recommended dress code is red, green, and gold. Tickets and more information: futurpointe.org.

In a major departure from the established canon of Verdi and Puccini, Chautauqua Opera takes a rare plunge into 21st century opera with indie classical composer Missy Mazzoli’s “Song From the Uproar” as its final production of the season on Monday, August 8, at 5 p.m.

– and it’s a special one. The “multimedia chamber opera” details the fascinating, enigmatic life (and death) of Swiss-born Isabelle Eberhardt: traveling to North Africa at the turn of the 20th century, she presented herself as a man, converted to Sufi Islam, and married an Algerian soldier.

The libretto was written by Royce Vavrek, reinforced by Stephen Taylor’s video work utilizing arresting archival footage. And of course there is the composer’s hypnotically gorgeous music, a scintillating alchemy of acoustic and electronic elements. Featuring the riveting mezzo-soprano Abigail Fischer as Eberhardt, “Song From the Uproar” is a pivotal work in the evolution of modern opera, a must-see. The opera itself is free, but the purchase of an evening gate pass is

&

required ($42). Information, chqtickets. com and ciweb.org/opera.

Now in its fourth summer season, Finger Lakes Opera and its artistic director, Gerard Floriano, have clearly filled a niche for area audiences who may be inclined to stay local rather than visit the Chautauqua Opera near Jamestown or the Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown.

On Friday, August 12, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 14, at 2 p.m. at SUNY Geneseo, Finger Lakes Opera presents Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata (The Fallen Woman).” A powerhouse of the repertoire, “Traviata” tells the classic tragedy of a 19th century courtesan named Violetta, who is caught between true love and her scandalous reputation as a high-society paramour. The production features soprano Danielle Talamantes in the role of the doomed heroine, with tenor Yi Li playing her lover Alfredo. Tickets are $30-$75.

Information: geneseo.edu/fingerlakesopera.

Summer chamber music in the Finger Lakes continues with the Skaneateles Festival, from Wednesday, August 10, through Saturday, September 3 (skanfest. org). Led by Artistic Directors Aaron Wunsch and Julia Bruskin, Skaneateles serves up enticing programs with titles like “Paris 1900” on Friday, August 12, at 8 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $22-$28.

rochestercitynewspaper.com CITY 15

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Service e l i m s a h t i w CHARITABLE WAYS TO SPEND THE EXTRA HOURS OF DAYLIGHT

[ COMMUNITY ] BY REBECCA RAFFERTY

As the summer stretches out before us, the sunshine hours are ripe with possibility. But while there’s opportunities for vacations and cookouts, there’s also time to work with volunteer projects that improve Rochester and the region. As cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, dedicated citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

There are numerous organizations in Rochester that accept volunteers, and we took a look at three grassroots groups that each take the initiative to improve different areas: food deserts that are assuaged by neighbors who garden together; a reading program that helps incarcerated parents stay connected with their kids; and a group that helps keep a unique natural park pristine. Read on, get inspired, and slay your own personal apathy monster.

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The Marketview Heights Collective Action Project is an intrepid, grassroots community effort in a time when many of us don’t know our neighbors’ names.

I joined members of the group on a tour of the neighborhood one Saturday, and as we stopped to chat with various people enjoying the nice weather on their porches, one of the group would invariably sit down on the lawn, and begin weeding their neighbor’s garden while laughing and discussing plans.

I’ve never seen anything quite like the familial rapport amid this diverse neighborhood.

The collective began about eight years ago, when members started to plan community gardens in tandem with efforts already in motion to improve housing stability in the area.

The project has three main community gardens: the Sofrito Garden at 227 North Union Street, which is owned and tended by Migdalia Alvarado; the Tea and Herb Garden at 325 North

Members of the Marketview Heights Collective Action Project grow food, flowers, and community.

Judy Douglas and Martin Pedraza tend one of the neighborhood's gardens. PHOTO BY AUDREY HORN

Union Street; and the Children’s Garden on First Street, where kids can learn how to plant, grow, and cook food through an annual Field-to-Table program.

The group hosts annual block parties

in late August, and switch it to a new street each year to get more neighbors involved. “It piques people’s curiosity,” says Judy Douglas, who works for CAP’s continues on page 18

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continues from page 16

Through the Storybook Project, incarcerated parents can connect with their children via recorded readings of books, which are sent to the kids each month. PHOTO BY JULIE GELFAND

fiduciary agent, PathStone, and has lived in the Marketview Heights neighborhood for 32 years. Last year, the project fed more than 600 people, she says.

Though CAP began with community gardens, it has since branched out to other ways of neighbors sharing resources and skills. Martin Pedraza — who many call “The Mayor” for his handson approach — manages most of the community gardens as well as the garden “bump outs” on Union Street, and helps residents with lawn care, plumbing, electrical, and roofing problems.

Another neighborhood resident, Jocelyn Kirkland, makes herself available to help youth apply for GEDs and college. At the resource center at 144 Weld Street, neighbors can receive help with job searches and resumes, and use the fax machine instead of making the trek to various offices.

“This place no longer resembles what we think of as the ‘hood,” says Yinhao Ye, who moved to Rochester from Singapore three years ago.

The neighbors have increased homeownership through the city’s Focused Investment Strategy, which uses Community Development Block Grant funding. Street by street, the majority of the houses are kept up beautifully.

“The stability of folks in this community has really changed,” Douglas says. “Even in the rental properties.

Some people have been here in the same house renting for 10-plus years. It’s not like it used to be, when there was a constant turn over.”

And the loveliness of the neighborhood is further enhanced by the neighborhood’s Blocks in Bloom program, which Pedraza oversees with 18 CITY SUMMER GUIDE 2016

the help of other enthusiastic gardeners.

“Beautification, I’ve found, is really key in this community,” Douglas says.

The Collective Action Project welcomes volunteers for the resource center and donations for the gardens. To learn more, call 563-7203 or visit marketviewheightsroc.org.

CONNECTING FAMILIES There’s a growing movement in America to reconsider how we treat those who’ve spent time in prison, and work is being done by average citizens to help lower recidivism and bring people back into society after their sentence.

Canandaigua resident Claire Kremer founded The Storybook Project 12 years ago after learning about a Texas-based program that helps keep jailed parents connected with their children through reading.

Twice a month, The Storybook Project gives parents — who are pre-screened to ensure there are no protection orders that will be violated — in the Ontario County Jail the opportunity to select a volume from a room of donated books. The program’s volunteers assist in making recordings of the parent reading the book, which can include a greeting. A CD is made from that recording, and mailed with the book, which may also include a note, to the child.

“If there are many children in the family, we do individual mailings for each child,” Kremer says.

Though the volunteers never have direct contact with the children, the impact of the program is evident in the improved conduct of inmates (participation can be revoked by the corrections officers as penalty for getting

Nearly 80 volunteers helped the Friends of Washington Grove clear the space, located in Cobb's Hill Park, of debris during April's Clean Sweep. PHOTO PROVIDED

into trouble). And the program is based on studies that show that keeping jailed parents connected with their children lowers the chances of re-offending in the future. It also raises the chances of parents reconnecting with their families after time has been served, says Linda Moroney, who is working on a documentary about Kremer’s efforts called “Turn the Page.”

“The kids go back to these books over and over, because they can hear their parent’s voice, but they’re also learning to read along,” Moroney says.

The website for “Turn the Page” cites some startling numbers: “One in 28 children in the US has a parent who is incarcerated. More than 50 percent of these children never see their parent the entire time of incarceration.”

“As a society, we say we care about children, but if we demonize prisoners, we’re going to demonize their families,” Moroney says. “We don’t think about people in prisons as coming from families worth preserving, worth maintaining,” or having children that we should care about.

Last February, Britt Hopkin helped start a version of The Storybook Project that works with women inmates at the Monroe Correctional Facility, where he has volunteered for six years through the prison ministry of Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church.

“This isn’t just about the child and the mother,” Hopkin says. “There’s an educational component in this.

Getting people to see that prisoners are people too is critical to integrating them back into society in a more ethical way.” continues on page 20

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Nature: Groups can help monitor the

environment by going out on frog watches, bird counts, and bat-listenings, or participate in “Pulling Together,” a program for identifying and removing invasive species. The Cornell Ornithology Lab has a readymade program (birds. cornell.edu/citscitoolkit/projects), and the Seneca Park Zoo offers opportunities as well (senecaparkzoo.org/citizenscience). Learn about more programs at citizensciencealliance.org and scientificamerican.com/citizen-science, or just google “Citizen Science.” You can even propose a project to some of the sites.

Furry Friends: There are far too many cats

and dogs who are without “forever homes.”

Verona Street Animal Shelter not only provides shelter, but improves the quality of life for the fur babies during their stay.

You can volunteer in a number of ways, including walking dogs, fostering, and assisting with fundraising events. Learn more at vsas.org/volunteer. rochestercitynewspaper.com CITY 19

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There are many ways to volunteer for The Storybook Project, even if you’re not comfortable going into a jail. Volunteers help burn CDs; raise money or apply for grants for books, which can be acquired at a discount from publishers; or donate new books directly. The most popular books are “Goodnight Moon” and “I Love You Forever,” Kremer says.

For more information, email ckremer1@ rochester.rr.com for the Ontario County group, and check out prisonministry-edr.org for the Rochester group.

THE KEEPERS OF THE GROVE Enjoying the simple, free pleasure of the outdoors can be easily paired with small acts to help protect our local environment — and of course, both the impact and joy are multiplied with friends.

Friends of Washington Grove is a nonprofit organization that assists the City of Rochester in maintaining Washington Grove, 26 acres of relatively undisturbed old-growth forest that was acquired by the city in 1912.

Some of its oak and hickory trees are 250 or more years old.

Located in Cobb’s Hill Park on the eastern extremity of the Pinnacle Range, the space is of geological, botanical, and ecological interest, and a favorite spot for hikers and trail runners.

“It’s a forest where, in at least the past couple hundred years, the trees haven’t been cut,” says Andrew Seager, president of the Friends board. “There are very few parks in cities in the US where that is the case.”

The group, which consists of board members, naturalists, and a number of volunteers, removes debris and invasive species such as black swallow-wort from the grove, plants native species like black and white oak and strawberries, and maintains the woodchip trails. A group of almost 80 volunteers, mostly high school students, participated in April's Clean Sweep to remove garbage from the grove.

Seager calls the space “majestic. It’s an unkempt place where you feel a little bit like you’re in the wild.” And aside from protecting a relatively unique bit of nature in the city, there’s research coming out about how spaces like this actually change brain function, he says. “It’s a calming space people can retreat to. And we certainly could do with a little of that in this world.”

To learn more, email friendsofwashingtongrove@gmail.com, and find the organization on Facebook at facebook.com/ friendsofwashingtongrove.

20 CITY SUMMER GUIDE 2016

rochestercitynewspaper.com CITY 21

Namaste for a Drink

THE YOGA AND SPIRITS TREND HITS ROCHESTER

(From left to right) Stephanie Betzwieser, Carolyn Stiles of Rochester Beer Gals, and Hannah Zimmerman host an occasional "Ales and Ohms" class at Roc Brewing, and hope to spread to other breweries this summer. PHOTO BY MARK CHAMBERLIN [ RECREATION ] BY LEAH STACY

T

he shirts started as a joke, really.

Certified yoga instructor Nicole Kazimer loves her occupation as much as she loves champagne, so her boyfriend (a graphic designer) suggested they combine the two interests and add to the apparel line for Kazimer’s business, HelloYogaGirl. They emblazoned longsleeved, gray jersey shirts with “Yoga and Champagne” in large, gold typeface. Local screen printer Tiny Fish Printing produced a small batch of 50 shirts, and they sold out within four days. Kazimer realized they might be on to something.

A few weeks later, in November 2015, Kazimer was having lunch with friends Cameron Phelps and Frank Cooper Morehouse, two of the bartenders behind Flower City Drinksmiths, which holds craft cocktail classes. The shirt came up in conversation, and an idea was born. Kazimer had been holding her Hikyoga classes, which combine hiking and yoga, outdoors all summer — but now it was too cold.

A yoga class learns about how to mix a couple of cocktails at The Daily Refresher. PHOTO BY MARK CHAMBERLIN 22 CITY SUMMER GUIDE 2016

continues on page 24

rochestercitynewspaper.com CITY 23

Namaste for a Drink

continues from page 22

Nicole Kazimer just wanted to combine her two favorite things, yoga and champagne, for her line of clothes, but ended up hosting classes. PHOTO BY MARK CHAMBERLIN

“In the winter, obviously we couldn’t go on the trails outside in Rochester,” she says. “So the guys came up with the idea for a cocktails and yoga class.”

Four sold-out classes were held at Ox and Stone on Alexander Street, and the demographic, unsurprisingly, was females in their mid-20’s through 50’s. “I think women really enjoy this, because it’s just sort of that ‘Sunday funday’ where you can get out of the house and bring your girlfriends,” Kazimer says. “It’s the new brunch.”

It’s not an entirely original idea: combining yoga and beer has been a trend in bigger cities for a few years now. The New York Times wrote about yoga and beer classes in June 2014, pointing to Beth Cosi of Charleston, South Carolina, as the first yoga instructor to popularize the pairing (she now runs a program called Bendy Brewski Yoga). And in July 2015, People.com called it “the hottest new fitness trend.” Kazimer is the first in Rochester to combine spirits and yoga, but there are other groups in the city who offer beer and yoga pairings.

The base of the cocktails is champagne

(to stick with the apparel branding), and each three-hour class begins

24 CITY SUMMER GUIDE 2016

with mingling time, complete with charcuterie, cheese and fruit boards, and punchbowls. Then, the group of 50 is split into two groups: while the Drinksmiths teach 25 attendees how to make two different drinks, the other 25 start yoga with Kazimer. After 30 minutes, the groups switch. This happens twice — and the finished cocktails are simply placed on each person’s yoga mat for a little buzzy Namaste. Because the event sells out every time, there’s more on the docket for this summer. (They’re also taking the class on the road to host a few in Buffalo).

Many of the attendees are repeat customers who bring new friends the next time they attend. And many of them have never done yoga, which is part of Kazimer’s primary goal. She removes the pressure and stress of a studio environment so attendees don’t need to worry about knowing how to pose, what to wear, or being judged.

“This is such a laidback environment,” she says. “You can socialize and take sips of your cocktail in a balancing pose while you’re doing yoga. I just like seeing people happy when they leave”

continues on page 26

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A yoga class during a session in the back of The Daily Refresher. PHOTO BY MARK CHAMBERLIN

For those who aren’t into craft cocktails, there are other alternatives. Kazimer also started a “Yoga and Chill” class at Makers Gallery and Studio on Saturday mornings — an hour-long yoga class that includes Fuego coffee and a handcrafted doughnut from Roc Donut King in the ticket price.

Carolyn Stiles, who founded Rochester Beer Gals in fall 2014, moved back to

Rochester after living in Denver for a few years. She was involved in the huge beer scene there, so was eager to recreate that community in her native city. The Rochester Beer Gals events, which happen once a month, are focused on combining social and educational components.

“We want to widen the horizons of people who already like beer,” Stiles says.

“When you pair beer with an activity, you’re experiencing craft beer in a different way. It’s a new exploration, regardless if you’ve tasted the beer before.”

In January, local Pilates instructor Hannah Zimmerman approached Stiles about starting a collaborative series called “Ales and Ohms,” a yoga and Pilates class held in a local brewery. The young women then connected with Roc Brewing Co. on South Union Street in downtown Rochester, since the venue is centrally located and well lit, and it also gave the opportunity for tours of the brewing space before the class. Both of the “Ales and Ohms” classes sold out.

“These events tend to attract the same type of person,” Stiles says.

26 CITY SUMMER GUIDE 2016

“Someone who is really into yoga is often going to be into beer — both of those things tend to be really laidback and chill.” She also attributes the event’s success to a general openness toward collaborative, crossover activities.

Rochester Beer Gals will continue to hold beer and yoga classes, but the group plans to venture into other spaces as the weather warms (breweries with patios, especially). It’ll also diversify the types of classes offered this summer.

“We don’t want to be perceived as just a yoga and beer group,” Stiles says.

“It’s more like ‘activity and beer’ — fun experiences paired with beer. That could mean a run and beer, or hiking and canoeing followed by a beer tasting.

We want to be accessible to everyone.”

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Summer 201 Movie Previe [ FILM ] BY ADAM LUBITOW

Last year’s summer movie season ended up delivering three films that cracked my top 10 Best of 2015 list — including “Mad Max: Fury Road” in the number one spot — so summer 2016 has a lot to live up to.

And while only time will tell if this season can hold up to last year’s, a number of worthy contenders will soon be making their way to air-conditioned

28 CITY SUMMER GUIDE 2016

multiplexes and movie theaters across Rochester. I’m hoping we’ll still be talking about more than one of these films by the time December rolls around.

As always, remember that movie release dates are subject to change, so be sure to check local listings before you go gallivanting off to the theater.

16 ew

m

Andy Samberg stars in "Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping." PHOTO PROVIDED BY UNIVERSAL PICTURES

“Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping”: Andy Samberg and his Lonely Island compatriots bring us this mockumentary skewering the modern pop music scene. Samberg plays Conner4Real, a white hip-hop superstar who’s sent into a career tailspin when his latest album bombs. With a promising trailer, the film could have the potential to be “This is Spinal Tap” for the pop crowd. (June 3)

“Warcraft”: Duncan Jones (“Moon”) helms this unrepentantly nerdy big screen adaptation of the fantasy MMORPG (that’s “massively multiplayer online role-playing game” for the n00bs), which follows a war brewing between orcs and humans.

The game itself has accumulated a huge fanbase over the years, but it remains to be seen whether the film can connect with general audiences. (June 10) “Finding Dory”: Pixar’s sequel to its 2003 smash “Finding Nemo” follows Dory (Ellen

Degeneres reprising one of the most indelible animated vocal performances of all time) going off in search of her long-lost family. The return of director Andrew Stanton is a hopeful sign for a studio whose sequels have been a decidedly mixed bag (for every “Toy Story 3,” there’s a “Cars 2”). Still, I’m allowing myself to get excited. (June 17) continues on page 30

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“The Neon Demon”: “Drive” director

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(June 24) “De Palma”: Brian De Palma sits down

for a candid conversation with Noah Baumbach and Jake Paltrow for this comprehensive documentary covering the Hitchcock-loving auteur’s entire career, from the 70’s through today. The film started screening at festivals last year, and early reviews say it’s must-see viewing for film buffs. (June TBD) “The BFG”: Steven Spielberg teams up with Disney to adapt Roald Dahl’s 30 CITY SUMMER GUIDE 2016

classic book about a lonely young girl who befriends a Big Friendly Giant (played by Mark Rylance, fresh off his Oscar win). With those credentials, plus a script by the writer of “E.T.” (the late Melissa Mathison), there’s reason to hope that “The BFG” will be able to capture some magic. (July 1) “The Purge: Election Year”: This year’s election cycle has been insane enough that the third film in the “Purge” horror franchise might end up seeming quaint by comparison. This new chapter finds several survivors of Purge nights past working to eliminate the annual event once and for all. Sounds good, but the film will have to work pretty hard to be scarier than what we’ve been seeing on the news every day. (July 1) “Swiss Army Man”: Paul Dano stars as a man marooned on a desert island whose salvation arrives in the form of a corpse that washes up on shore (played by “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe).

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farting dead body like a jetski, the movie caused quite a stir at Sundance.

But despite its reputation as “the farting corpse movie,” the film’s champions claim it’s got enough heart to counteract all that hot air. (July 1) “Ghostbusters”: Paul Feig’s take on Ivan Reitman’s classic 1984 supernatural comedy faced an uphill battle even before it was announced that he’d be casting an all-female ghostbusting team, making misogynist nerd’s heads explode all across the Internet. While there are big shoes to fill, the comedy powerhouses in the lead roles (Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, and Kate McKinnon — not to mention Chris Hemsworth as the team’s dim-bulb receptionist), makes me optimistic. I’ll admit the trailers have underwhelmed me, but I’m holding out hope that Feig is playing things close to the vest by saving the best material for continues on page 32 rochestercitynewspaper.com CITY 31

Summer Movie Preview

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the film. But hey, even if it’s bad, the movie’s already responsible for bringing back Ecto Cooler, so at least we’ve got that. (July 15) “Lights Out”: Back in 2013, a diabolical little short horror film, about a woman who endures an encounter with a malicious supernatural presence who only appears when the lights are off, made the Internet rounds. Now three years later, the film’s director, David F. Sandberg, gets a crack at adapting his short into a feature-length frightfest.

Sandberg was able to pack some memorable scares into under three minutes, which makes me eager to see what he can do with more time and a bigger budget. (July 22) “Bad Moms”: Frazzled moms (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn) band together to take down the queen bees of the PTA (played by Christina Applegate and Jada Pinkett Smith) in this raucous comedy from the writers of “The Hangover.” It’s being billed as “Mean Girls” for moms, and I’m definitely down for that. (July 29) “Jason Bourne”: Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass make a welcome return to the Bourne franchise with this newest installment (the fifth), which finds the super spy digging further into his mysterious, knotty past. (July 29) “The Founder”: This year’s George Eastman Award winner, Michael

Keaton, stars as McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc in this supposedly warts-and-all telling of the company’s creation. The sharp instincts of writer Robert D. Siegel (“The Wrestler” and “Big Fan”) should offer an interesting counterbalance to the more sentimental hand of director John Lee Hancock (demonstrated in films like “The Blind Side” and “Saving Mr. Banks”), hopefully making for a compelling (and possibly Oscarfriendly) drama. (August 5) “Pete’s Dragon”: Disney puts its hand at a big-budget remake of its 1977 musical about an orphan boy and his beloved pet dragon.

Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, and Karl Urban star, but what really intrigues me is the choice in director: David Lowery, whose stoic indie Western “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” doesn’t immediately scream “Disney material.” But clearly the studio is pleased with the results, since it’s already been announced that Lowery has been chosen to helm the live-action remake of their classic “Peter Pan.” (August 12) “Sausage Party”: This filthy R-rated animated comedy from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg follows an anthropomorphic continues on page 34

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sausage (voiced by Rogen) who gets purchased from the supermarket, and discovers the horrifying fate of grocery store products after they’ve been brought home. Featuring the additional voices of James Franco, Salma Hayek, Kristen Wiig, Edward Norton, Bill Hader, and many more, this promises to be bonkers. (August 12)

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