CITY Newspaper Winter Guide 2017

Henrietta Dems resurrected.

JUSTHEALTH, ADD CHEESE PAGE 5 D I N I N G , PA G E 4

Interview with an atheist.

KIDS EXPLORING WINTER PAGE 6 CIVIL LIBERTIES, R E C R E AT I O N , PA G E 8

Pixar and the ultimate NO SKATES NEEDED BUILDING YOUR BINGE set of speakers.

S P O R T S , PA G E 1 2

F I L M , PA G E 1 4

CLASSICAL, PAGE 20 JULY 6-12, 2016 • FREE • GREATER ROCHESTER’S ALTERNATIVE NEWSWEEKLY • VOL 45 NO 44 • NEWS. MUSIC. LIFE.

2 CITY

WINTER GUIDE 2017

Winter

WARMUP

[ INTRODUCTION ] BY JAKE CLAPP

Something feels a little incongruent with publishing this Winter Guide during a relatively mild winter. There hasn’t been much snow in the first month of 2017, and a streak of days with temperatures in the upper-30’s and mid-40’s would fit better in April rather than a Rochester January.

Depending on what aspects of winter you like, the unseasonable weather could be a welcome surprise or a bitter frustration.

We’re not complaining, but we know the lack of snow throws a wrench into the plans of those looking for winter sports, and the warmer temperatures means fewer nights next to a fire.

Still, it is winter in Rochester, and that comes with some inevitable opportunities.

Something about winter makes most of us rush for comfort food, those delicious, notalways-good-for-you dishes that scratch an itch. Mac ’n’ cheese has always been a popular comfort dish, but the last few years have seen Rochester restaurants take it up a notch.

Writer Leah Stacy highlights some of the city’s best mac ’n’ cheese dishes on page 4.

Regardless of the amount of snow on the ground, winter brings out a new perspective on the natural world. Beginning on page 8, Rebecca Rafferty tells the story of Earth Explorers, a City of Rochester program that engages kids with nature-oriented activities.

Those looking to get moving this winter might want to turn to Kathy Laluk’s broomball story on page 12. The sport is like a cross between hockey and soccer, and has been growing into a vibrant league.

In case a bad storm does hit (you know it’s going to happen) and you’re stuck inside, you know you’ll turn to Netflix eventually.

But trying to decide what to watch is one of the hardest decisions of the day. On page 14, Adam Lubitow has crafted five movie marathons using the movies available on Netflix and Amazon Prime (if you don’t subscribe to Prime, you can still pay a few dollars for these movies) — all you have to decide now is the genre.

What are you looking forward to this winter? Disappointed or delighted about the weather? Let us know in the comment sections of these stories online at rochestercitynewspaper.com.

INSIDE FOOD. . .......................................... 4 KIDS/RECREATION......................... 8 SPORTS...................................... 12 FILM.......................................... 14 EVENTS...................................... 16 On the cover: Photo by Ryan Williamson Publishers: William and Mary Anna Towler Editorial department themail@rochester-citynews.com Arts & Entertainment editor: Jake Clapp Special Sections editor: Dan Poorman Contributing writers: Kurt Indovina, Kathy Laluk, Adam Lubitow, Rebecca Rafferty, Leah Stacy Art department artdept@rochester-citynews.com Art director/production manager: Ryan Williamson Designers: Justyn Iannucci, Kevin Fuller Photographer: Kevin Fuller Advertising department ads@rochester-citynews.com New sales development: Betsy Matthews Sales Representatives: Christine Kubarycz, Sarah McHugh, Bill Towler, David White Operations/Circulation kstathis@rochester-citynews.com Business manager: Angela Scardinale Circulation manager: Katherine Stathis Winter Guide is published by WMT Publications,

Inc. Copyright by WMT Publications Inc., 2017 - 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.

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CITY 3

Choose YOUR NOODLE

[ DINING ] BY LEAH STACY | PHOTOS BY KEVIN FULLER

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Local restaurants capitalize on the ultimate comfort food In 1937, the American dinner table changed forever. That was the year Kraft began producing boxed macaroni and cheese, and a beloved comfort food became accessible within minutes.

Thomas Jefferson is often credited with introducing macaroni and cheese to the United States when he was in the White

1 Public Market • 445-8118 Thurs & Fri. 11am-4pm Sat 6am-2pm • Sun 10am-3pm 4 CITY

WINTER GUIDE 2017

restaurants have found ways to put their own tasty spin on cheesy pasta.

Do you have a favorite mac ‘n’ cheese dish in Rochester? Tell us about it in the comments below this story online at rochestercitynewspaper.com.

Next Door Bar and Grill’s Truffle Mac ‘n’ Cheese While the menu isn’t dedicated to different versions of macaroni and cheese, the Wegmans-owned Next Door Bar and Grill has a truffle mac ‘n’ cheese that almost never leaves the menu. Truffles already make a meal feel luxurious — but when added to cheese sauce, they kick pasta to a gourmet level. This dish, which uses fusilli (a longer, thicker corkscrew) is also baked and topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs. Of course, it features items patrons can purchase at one of the Wegmans stores and recreate at home using the recipe from Wegmans.com.

Macarollin VEGETARIAN & VEGAN CAFE

House — he’d likely tasted the dish during his trips to Italy, where it was invented as early as the 13th century.

Colder temperatures, understandably, find Rochesterians craving comfort foods, and hot dishes oozing with creamy sauce and carbs top the list. Sure, cooking Kraft at home is fine, but many local

During warmer months, the sunny Macarollin food trucks are constantly popping up at the Rochester Public Market, festivals, private events, and every highway between. When it’s snowy, patrons

The Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese at Next Door Bar and Grill.

can get their fix in the Eastview Mall food court. Macarollin’s classic mac utilizes cavatappi (corkscrew) noodles and a blend of aged Cheddar and shallot-infused cream sauce topped with crispy breadcrumbs, but there are more than 25 rotating flavors

in all, including a lobster mac with goat cheese and lemon-scented breadcrumbs.

Macarollin began in 2013 and has since grown to four food trucks (with several franchise locations in the works). continues on page 6

rochestercitynewspaper.com

CITY 5

Jeremiah's Twisted Chicken Mac 'n' Cheese.

The Original Mac & Cheez

Armed with 25 years of recipes and experience from his native Marche, Italy, chef David Piergiacomi moved to Rochester with his family several years ago. In 2012, he and his wife, Maria, set up a sampling table at the Rochester Public Market, where they handed out forkfuls of mac and cheese, pasta al forno style — “pasta in the oven” — and it was so popular that they soon had a food trailer called “The Original Mac & Cheez.” In late 2015, their quaint brick and mortar location on Main Street in Webster opened (the trailer still operates during warmer months). Rather than gooey orange cheese and elbow noodles, Piergiacomi uses mostly Italian cheeses (all his dishes have a ParmigianoReggiano base) to formulate a homemade sauce and pours it over penne before he bakes it. Sides are available, but the pasta itself is rich and filling.

Jeremiah’s Twisted Chicken Mac ‘n’ Cheese

For those craving more than a dozen wings and a pitcher of beer, Jeremiah’s offers a varied menu filled with comfort food. One of the most popular entrees is the Twisted Chicken Mac ‘n’ Cheese: cavatappi pasta with white chicken, melted cheddar, and Buffalo wing sauce topped with chunky bleu cheese and diced scallions (pro tip: omit those). It’s a generous portion, perfect for sharing or taking home for lunch or dinner the next day.

Tavern 58’s Classic Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Tavern 58 is tucked away on Gibbs in 6 CITY

WINTER GUIDE 2017

the Eastman neighborhood, an intimate little dining spot with a patio for warmer days. Despite the term “tavern,” its menu tends away from bar food and caters to a nice evening out. Tavern 58’s Classic Mac ‘n’ Cheese may be one of the only versions of the dish to include port wine cheese, which gives a sweet tang to the Cheddar sauce and doughy homemade pasta. It’s also baked, with a panko crust.

The Owl House’s Vegan Mac-N-Cheese

OK, so cheese is not vegan. But there are vegan versions of cheese, and some are just as delicious as the actual dairy product. Take, for example, The Owl House’s Mac-N-Cheese, which features a sauce made from Kabocha squash (a winter squash that resembles a squat green pumpkin) atop Flour City’s radiatori (small nuggets of pasta with plenty of ridges to catch sauce).

Green beans and broccoli are tossed in and the whole dish is baked with an The Owl House makes its cheese sauce from Kabocha squash.

DIY

WHIPPING UP A BATCH OF MACARONI AND CHEESE AT HOME IS ANOTHER WAY TO SATISFY A CRAVING FOR THE MUCH-LOVED COMFORT FOOD. WHILE CHEESE IS DEALER’S CHOICE, THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO ADD FRESH, SEASONAL INGREDIENTS TO THE CALORIC PASTA. - ADD MASHED AVOCADO TO THE CHEESE MIXTURE - ROASTED BROCCOLI OR BRUSSELS SPROUTS - USE CAULIFLOWER AS A (PARTIAL) PASTA SUBSTITUTE - SAUTÉ MUSHROOMS AND GARLIC - FOR A SHOT OF GREEN, FOLD IN FRESH SPINACH OR KALE

SOUTH WEDGE

area businesses & restaurants

herbed panko topping. This version is not always on the menu, since it’s a seasonal entrée — previous versions included duck sausage, tofu, and actual cheese.

Mooney’s

If braving 490 is worth the largest portion of mac and cheese in Western New York, then a trip to LeRoy might be in order. Mooney’s, located on Lake Street in an unobtrusive clapboard building beside railroad tracks, is an outpost of the Buffalo-based franchise sports bar. The menu is extensive but centers around Mooney’s Macaroni & Cheese, which has more than 20 varieties. Made with New York’s own Yancey’s Fancy Cheeses, the dish comes in ‘side’ and ‘whole’ sizes. Attentive waiters will warn patrons that a side is an easy two servings, and a whole will feed two to four moderately hungry people. Among the flavors is “Loaded Fries Mac” (French Fries are baked in) and “Beef on Weck” (fresh roast beef and a Kimmelweck topping).

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[ KIDS/RECREATION ]

BY REBECCA RAFFERTY

Scheduling FRESH AIR Earth Explorers provides winter recreation for kids

The act of prying kids away from glowing screens and out into the cold winter light could be considered a modern Olympic sport. But the City of Rochester’s Earth Explorers program, offered through several of its recreation centers, aims to engage city youth in free, year-round outdoor activities.

Winter-specific programming includes hiking, sledding, snowshoeing, scavenger hunts, and educational discovery of the natural world.

Earth Explorers has been in action for more than a decade. In the last four years, it’s been headed up by Sara Scott, Coordinator of Horticultural & Environmental Programming with the City of Rochester’s Department of Recreation and Youth Services.

Many participating kids aren’t particularly familiar or comfortable with outdoor winter activities aside from sledding, Scott says. “So it’s been a process to get them outside and see that there’s lots you can do.”

Some days, the activity could be as simple as going for a group walk around the neighborhood, to see and discuss what’s different in nature during the winter months.

Prior to working with the City of Rochester, Scott worked as a science teacher in New York City for five years. “I was doing some gardening with my students, and thought, ‘man, I don’t want to be in a classroom anymore,’” she says. “I love working with youth, but I felt like the classroom was just too restrictive. I wasn’t inspired, and I didn’t feel like I was doing a good job of inspiring my kids.”

She switched things up, working at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for a few years, coordinating an outreach program to Title 1 school students, bringing plants to the classroom. When she arrived in Rochester, she thought she’d adapt her experiences in education to recreation center programming.

But those ideas quickly fell away.

“First I was like, ‘I’m going to have a lesson plan, and we’re going to have all these objectives…’ then I was like, ‘it’s not going to happen,’” Scott says with a laugh.

At the rec centers, there’s a basic week-toweek plan of giving the kids a taste of different nature-oriented ideas and activities, but the educational component is at times led by what the youth notice or how they respond to the environment, and answering their questions, she says.

Much of the time is spent on simple, unabashed discovery. “They’re running around, picking up sticks, and just noticing things,” Scott says. A big piece of it is getting the kids to slow down and look around to see that there’s nature all around, even outside of the woods, she says.

This less-structured approach comes out of necessity — while there might be a core group of kids regularly involved in Earth Explorers, continues on page 10

8 CITY

WINTER GUIDE 2017

rochestercitynewspaper.com

CITY 9

Explorers

Get involved in the City of Rochester’s upcoming winter activities:

continues from page 8

there are others who don’t attend each week, and new faces periodically join in the fun.

The rec centers are completely open to the community, so one of the challenges is how to build on ideas or create a unit when you might have a completely different group of kids every day, Scott says.

Though the programming is open to all city residents between the ages of 6 and 18, Scott says the participants tend to skew younger. “Usually by the time they’re 13, they’re more interested in other things. The 7-to-12 range of kids are excited to learn and try something new; they still seem to have that playful side of going into the woods in the winter and seeing what it’s all about.”

As puberty takes hold, imagination isn’t necessarily cool anymore, Scott says. “But the 13-year-olds will go sledding, that’s something they’ll still do,” she says.

The different rec centers offer different programming, from environmental to sports, arts, or STEM focuses — and city schools will provide transportation after school to any of the centers, but parents and guardians are responsible for pick up. Check out the chart that accompanies this story online for more information on specific programming offered at each center.

10 CITY WINTER GUIDE 2017

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 4P.M.: NATUREPHOTOGRAPHYCLUB @ HUMBOLDTR-CENTER(FORYOUTH).

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 4:30P.M.: EARTHEXPLORERSNATURESKILLSANDTEAMBUILDINGCLUB @ HUMBOLDTR-CENTER. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 10:30 A.M.: GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY: COMPOSTING IN YOUR HOME GARDEN @ ARNETT LIBRARY. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 10 A.M.: FAMILY FRIENDLY HIKE IN GENESEE VALLEY PARK (MEET AT GENESEE WATERWAYS CENTER).

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, AND SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12: 33RD ANNUAL LAKESIDE WINTER CELEBRATION. A WEEKEND OF FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES AT ONTARIO BEACH PARK INCLUDING HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES, OUTDOOR CHILDREN’S GAMES, AND FIREWORKS. FEBRUARY BREAK: STEAM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS) ACTIVITIES. CONTACT HUMBOLDT R-CENTER FOR MORE INFORMATION: 428-7294.

THROUGH JANUARY-FEBRUARY, WHEN THERE’S ENOUGH SNOW: ADULT AND YOUTH SNOWSHOES ARE

PHOTO COURTESY VASHON JAMAL BROYLD SR.

AVAILABLE FOR RENT THROUGH THE CITY OF ROCHESTER DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND YOUTH SERVICES (400 DEWEY AVENUE). RATES: $10/DAY OR $15/ WEEKEND. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 428-8820.

Humboldt R-Center offers Earth Explorers programming year-round, but in the fairer seasons, Scott and her staff travel to six other rec centers to offer one activity per week that has some link to nature. “That could be a craft; cooking a healthy meal; or in the summertime, gardening,” she says. And if there was enough interest at a specific center, the city could feasibly expand the year-round programming to another site.

In the warmer months, there’s a focus on community gardens, facilitated by master gardeners through a partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension. Several of the centers have raised-bed vegetable gardens, which organizers are planning to expand in the coming spring. Earth Explorers also partook in a volunteer program with The Friends of Washington Grove, in which kids learned to identify and remove invasive plants, discussed their negative impact, and helped plant native species in the grove.

Humboldt also has a green magnet program, with year-round environmental education. Every Wednesday, a van picks up participants and brings them to a park, where they engage in scavenger hunts, games, hiking, and nature observation.

Some community members might think going to Washington Grove or Seneca Park, for example, is a commonplace activity, Scott says. “But to the kids, it’s like, ‘Whoa. Where are we?’”

PHOTO COURTESY VASHON JAMAL BROYLD SR.

In late December, Earth Explorers partnered with Earth Works Institute for a winter day camp for the Humboldt youth at the Bayview YMCA, which entailed outdoor nature survival programming such as fire-building, hiking, foraging, and building structures.

When the weather becomes bitter, indoor discussions about nature prevail, and might revolve around how different animals survive throughout the winter.

Scott says she doesn’t expect the programming to dramatically increase the youth’s environmental consciousness, but

they’re notably more aware of an ethic regarding the environment.

Some of the immediate reactions the kids have to the outdoors are that things are dirty and gross, and that every bug they see should be smashed, Scott says. “Before you actually find out what it is, and what its purpose is, we’re scared of it, and we want to kill it. And I think a lot of us approach a lot of things that way.”

The programming attempts to commute those impulses into fascination. Scott tells the kids: “We’re going to look at this compost, and there’s going to be worms and bugs. And we’re not going to kill any of it. We’re going to

actually pick it up, look closely, and see what’s going on.”

Scott says this hopefully plants seeds in youthful minds about how respect factors into other systems and relationships, so they take into consideration how their actions impact a garden, a trail, or other people.

“For me, it’s about empathy for other people,” she says. “I think when you understand how intricate the environment is and how delicate and amazing things are, how they work the way they do, you start to think about bigger things.”

And bringing youth into a totally different environment, even for a few hours, can reveal an entirely different side of them, too, Scott says.

Kids who participate in the programming now can work their way into intern and then paid youth leadership positions, coordinating hikes and gardening activities, or programs of their own interest. The city also annually hires thousands of kids to work at recreation centers and partner agencies through its Summer of Opportunities Program.

Donations of equipment and warm winter gear from the community are always welcome.

And parents who would like to participate in programming with their kids are welcome as well. Sara Scott is open to hearing what youth and parents would like to see more of, in terms of activities and opportunities. Send your ideas to sara.scott@cityofrochester.org.

rochestercitynewspaper.com CITY 11

Broomball, like a cross between hockey and soccer, brings out all kinds of Rochester players

Sweeping THROUGH WINTER

[ SPORTS ] BY KATHY LALUK

Whoosh!

A red rubber ball the size of a coconut goes flying down a sheet of ice, followed by a stampede of adults carrying sticks. The intense mob shifts and slides as they reach the other side of the rink, spreading out around a small net.

“Here! Here! Here!” one player shouts.

His teammate whacks the ball across the ice as another player loses control and careens into him. Another player darts past — legs wobbling like a newborn fawn — desperately trying to gain his balance as he cradles the ball with his stick and sends it just out of the goalie’s reach.

“Goal!” the crowd of about 20 players cheer. They’ve gathered at Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex to watch other members of the Iceplex Broomball League as they await their turn on the ice.

Since it started as a series of casual pickup games in the summer of 2014, the league has attracted more than 70 players from across the area to try this hybrid of soccer and ice hockey. It’s the brainchild of Brandon Bleier. He played broomball in college and wanted to spread the bug throughout Rochester.

“The puzzle pieces just kind of fell into place,” Bleier says. “And a monster was born.”

12 CITY WINTER GUIDE 2017

PHOTO BY KEVIN FULLER

It’s believed that broomball started in Canada, when players were trying to play hockey but didn’t have ice skates. Originally, players (typically five on each team, plus a goalie) used a corn broom with the bristles either cut off or covered with tape. Now, players use sticks with small rubber or plastic broom-shaped “heads” to try and hit a ball (think a kickball, but smaller) into the opposing team’s net.

Bleier describes broomball as a mix of the best elements from both hockey and soccer.

“Hockey is fast paced; it’s constant. Just bam, bam, bam, bam! Push it to the net. Rebound.

Bring it back out to the point, shoot again,” Bleier says. “Broomball requires a lot more patience. If there’s not a shot, bring it back to the defense, make them chase you, wear them Bill Gray's Iceplex hosts a broomball league that attracts more than 70 players. PHOTO BY KEVIN FULLER out, then make the pass and the shot.”

Back in the game, attacker Tom LaSalle darts pushes toward the net. The other players steam rises off of the players’ heads as they full speed down the rink after the ball. He’s just scramble along the ice to get into position. take off their helmets and pads. two feet or so from the next player when he The ball flies back in front of the net.

By the The league requires players to wear some tries to slow down, his legs outstretching at an time the goalie sees it, it’s been passed away to sort of head protection. Bleier says they’ve awkward angle to grip the ice. another player and is scooped into the net. seen everything from bicycle helmets to Wobbling about, he finds his center and

“It’s a very good workout,” LaSalle says. motorcycle helmets and even a construction knocks the ball away from his opponent, “Running back and forth on the ice is tiring.” helmet before. “As long as it straps to your bringing it away from the net. He pauses, In fact, there’s plenty of running during the head and isn’t going to go flying off, you’re looks behind him, then to his left, before two, 22-minute-long halves.

After the game, good,” he says. The league recommends a clobbering the ball to his teammate, who

You’re a real eye opener

Beat the Winter Snow Glare!

Large selection of sunglasses available Broomball is like a cross between hockey (minus the skates) and soccer. PHOTO BY KEVIN FULLER

hockey or lacrosse-style helmet. Players can use regular running shoes or boots, but Bleier says specialty broomball shoes (about $80$120) are best. “They have bristles that trap the snow and give you a much better grip,” he says.

Bleier also strongly recommends shin guards, knee pads, and gloves (preferably hockey or lacrosse gloves) for protection from falls. The rink lends sticks to players who need them, but many have their own (that’ll cost you about $50-$60 online).

Currently, it’s a no-checking league. That means it’s OK for players to have contact with other players, but not aggressive or intentional contact. As in hockey, twominute penalties can also be given to players for tripping, slashing, high-sticking, or other aggressive plays.

Bleier, who officiates the games, says he rarely sees fights or arguments break out among players. “Every once and awhile tempers get heated in the moment of competition, but once everyone walks away, cooler heads prevail,” he says.

The league runs year-round, typically on Monday nights, with 10-game sessions, plus playoffs and championships (the next session starts February 6). This season, there were five teams of 6 to 15 players each. Players can register with a team or the league managers will find a team for you to join.

“We find everyone a home,” Bleier says.

“In a sport like this, there’s a lot of passion, but it’s well-intentioned passion.”

The league is coed and recreational, meaning teams must have at least one female playing or play with one fewer person on the ice. The league also allows subs for $10 per game.

“We try to make it as well-run and respected as any other sport league in Rochester, even if it is the baby brother right now,” Bleier says. The 29-year-old says he hopes that the longer that the league is around, the more people from his generation will join. “Many people think, ‘I’m too old to play hockey, I’m too old to play soccer’ … but you’re never too old to play broomball.”

That was part of the appeal for Tom LaSalle. He had played in local collegiate leagues, but was looking for something different and joined the league this past summer. “I watched videos on YouTube and I’m a big hockey fan, but I don’t know how to skate,” LaSalle admits. “So being able to play broomball, being able to run around on the ice, it gives me something that’s a little like hockey, except it’s a little more of a challenge.”

Like Bleier, many of the players in the league started off in college. Broomball has a presence on the RIT, SUNY Geneseo and the College at Brockport campuses. “The collegiate leagues are great — a lot of players get exposed to broomball through that, but they have their own limitations,” Bleier says.

In addition to stricter game-play rules (like a no contact rule), they’re also not allowed to serve alcohol, which is a big draw for these players after their games.

Bleier says the league has attracted people from all walks of life, from first responders to college students to computer programmers.

“It’s such an eclectic group of people,” Bleier says of the league. “Broomball doesn’t lend itself to a ‘typical personality.’ It doesn’t box itself in. You don’t have to be an ‘Alpha’ to come and play broomball. And it’s a real pleasure to be a part of that.”

To help generate local interest in the sport, the Iceplex hosts ‘try it’ nights once every couple months for free.

As for the future, Bleier hopes to see the league grow enough to meet two nights a week – perhaps a coed rec league and a competitive league. He’s also hoping to sponsor a team to send to national competitions.

“The feedback is almost always overwhelmingly positive,” Bleier says. “The players want the league to run and grow as much as anyone else. That’s always been my mentality: ‘It’s our league.’”

For more information on broomball at Bill Gray’s Iceplex, check out billgraysiceplex.com/ broomball.html.

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Netflix vs. Chill [ FILM ] BY ADAM LUBITOW

When you’re snowed in, make your own movie marathon with these suggestions If you’ve lived in the area for any significant amount of time, you know that Rochester winters are long, cold, and dark. In the coming months most of us will be doing our best to avoid the outdoors and stay inside where it’s warm (and there are snacks). What better way to pass the time until the sun returns than marathoning a ton of movies — preferably

A Warm and Welcoming Place...

from the comfort of a cozy pillow fort.

Of course, with film streaming services providing more options than ever before, the task of choosing what to watch can be daunting. But never fear, we at CITY are merciful folk, and have taken the stress out of the film selection process. Behold: five pre-made movie marathons, all laid out and ready for viewing. Whether you

binge them all at once or spread them over a long weekend, all you’ve got to do is make the popcorn.

As an added bonus, we’ve included a couple of extra films that will be screening locally this winter, which will make excellent additions to your marathons should you actually decide to venture out of the house.

“Hugo” (Netflix) — Martin Scorsese pays

factory worker who must decide whether to obey the instructions of his pet cat, who tells him to murder people, or the wise words of his dog, who just wants him to be a good boy.

“Tucker and Dale vs. Evil” (Amazon Prime) — In this hilarious genre send-up, two sweetnatured rednecks (delightfully played by Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine) are forced to fend off attacks from a group of preppy teenagers on their way to a deserted cabin in the woods.

“Housebound” (Netflix) — After a failed robbery attempt, a young woman is placed under house arrest in her childhood home, where she must contend with her busybody mother — plus an evil spirit hell-bent on vengeance.

“Ravenous” (Netflix) — An underappreciated treasure, this gruesome horrorwestern revolves around a band of 19thcentury frontiersmen who believe that they can gain superhuman strength by devouring their fellow man. Starring Guy Pearce and an unhinged Robert Carlyle, this movie must be seen to be believed.

“An American Werewolf in London” (Amazon Prime) — John Landis directs this tale of two American college students who are attacked by a giant wolf while backpacking through the moors of England. Quite possibly the best horror-comedy ever made, and the werewolf transformation effects from makeup legend Rick Baker still can’t be beat.

tribute to the magic of the movies and filmmaker Georges Méliès (more on him later) in his adaptation of Brian Selznick’s graphic novel “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” about the adventures of an orphaned boy who lives inside a railway station in 1930s Paris.

for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a great Sunday brunch.

Approximate Time: 7 hours, 15 minutes

Family-friendly Adventures “E.T. The Extraterrestrial” (Netflix) — You

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can’t go wrong by starting a marathon off with Steven Spielberg’s beloved classic about a boy and the hideous-slash-adorable Reese’s Pieces-loving alien who changes his life forever. With still-solid effects and one of the best child performances ever in Henry Thomas, this is still the gold standard of the genre.

“Adventures in Babysitting” (Netflix) — Poor Elisabeth Shue must venture into the big, scary city to rescue her stranded friend, dragging the kids she’s supposed to be taking care of along for the ride. Chaos ensues.

“The Witches” (Amazon Prime) — A young boy gets into a heap of trouble when he and his grandmother accidentally vacation at the same hotel where the witches of England are holding their annual convention.

Anjelica Huston emotes deliciously as The Grand High Witch in this still-frightening adaptation of the Roald Dahl book.

Outside the comfort of your home: “Explorers” — In this kiddie sci-fi cult

favorite from director Joe Dante, Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix are teenage outcasts who escape their angst-ridden adolescent lives by attempting to build a reallife spaceship. Screens at the Dryden Theatre on Sunday, January 29, at 2 p.m.

Horror With a Twisted Sense of Humor “The Voices” (Amazon Prime) — Ryan

Reynolds stars as a seemingly mild-mannered

Approximate Time: 8 hours, 18 minutes

The Wondrous World of Space Travel “Europa Report” (Netflix) — An

international crew of astronauts set out on a mission to discover whether life exists on Jupiter’s fourth moon in this claustrophobic found-footage sci-fi thriller. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but worth the trip.

“Galaxy Quest” (Netflix) — The washed-up cast of a long cancelled “Star Trek”-esque TV series get the chance to prove themselves when a crew of real-life aliens enlist their help to save their planet. A wildly entertaining love letter to Trekkies everywhere, this film features a wonderful performance from the late Alan Rickman (the MVP among a fantastic cast that also includes Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shalhoub, and Sam Rockwell).

“A Trip to the Moon” (Netflix) — French film pioneer Georges Méliès’ silent short is the grandfather of science-fiction films everywhere (it also plays an integral role in the plot of “Hugo”). Without Méliès’ elaborate sets, costumes, and show-offy in-camera editing tricks, the genre wouldn’t be what it is today. Note: Netflix streams a black and white version with narration, as well as a colorized version with a soundtrack from electronic duo Air. “World of Tomorrow” (Netflix) — Animator Don Hertzfeldt’s hilarious and devastating Oscar-nominated short about a young girl who receives a message from her future self.

“Interstellar” (Amazon Prime) — With the planet slowly dying, a group of explorers embark on a mission to save mankind.

Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi epic operates in a realm somewhere between silly and sublime.

Approximate Time: 6 hours, 37 minutes

Outside the comfort of your home: “Contact”

— Before “Arrival,” there was this similarly hopeful look at humanity’s first encounter with extraterrestrial beings, and the difficulties of intergalactic communication.

Screens at the Dryden Theatre on Thursday, February 9, at 7:30 p.m.

Endlessly Quotable Teen Comedies

“G.B.F.” (Netflix) — When a shy teen is

outed to his classmates, he suddenly becomes the trendiest new accessory among the popular elite: the “gay best friend.” Like the rest of the films on this list, this one’s a lot smarter than it looks.

“Clueless” (Netflix) — Amy Heckerling’s

loose adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma” boasts a pitch-perfect performance from Alicia Silverstone as a spoiled but wellmeaning rich kid who decides to makeover the new girl in school into teen royalty.

“Heathers” (Netflix) — Winona Ryder and Christian Slater star as a pair of high school misfits who hatch a plan to start knocking off the in crowd. One of the darkest (and best) teen comedies ever.

“Mean Girls” (Netflix) — Lindsay Lohan plays the home-schooled new girl who gets a crash-course in high school politics when she infiltrates the queen bee inner circle.

Approximate Time: 6 hours, 32 minutes

Giant Monsters Attack!

“Trollhunter” (Netflix) — Three college

students making a documentary about bear poaching find more than they bargained for out in the Norwegian wilderness.

“The Host” (Netflix) — A huge reptilian creature emerges from Seoul’s Han River to chow down on the city’s residents in this scary-funny gem from South Korean director Bong Joon-ho.

“Monsters” (Netflix) — The indie-thriller that landed director Gareth Edwards the “Godzilla” remake (which in turn got him that sweet “Rogue One” gig), in which a journalist escorts an American tourist through a forbidden zone in Mexico—left contaminated after an alien invasion six years prior—to the safety of the U.S. border.

“Cloverfield” (Amazon Prime) — Matt Reeves’ excellent found-footage creature feature gives a worm’s eye view as a mysterious monster lays waste to New York City.

“The Mist” (Amazon Prime) - Based on a Stephen King novella, this terrifying fable follows a group of people holed up in a supermarket after a storm unleashes a horde of terrifying creatures upon their town.

A note: This order presents the films from lightest in tone to bleakest, but feel free to reverse the order for a vibe that has more 2017 hope than 2016 despair.

Approximate Time: 8 hours, 50 minutes rochestercitynewspaper.com CITY 15

@ROCCITYNEWS

For 30 years, only our secret family recipes with everything made from scratch Serving Lunch and Dinner Tuesday - Saturday

Through the The big concerts, theater performances, and events to look forward to in the beginning of 2017 [ CALENDAR ] COMPILED BY KURT INDOVINA

75 W. MAIN ST. • WEBSTER (in old church mall) 872-1237 • MARIASMEXICAN.COM

For the complete list of events and the most up-to-date calendar, check us out at rochestercitynewspaper.com.

Ongoing [ THEATER ]

Emancipation Denied: The Story of Black Wall Street

and “Porgy and Bess.” 8 p.m. $20-$65.

Kodak Hall at Eastman Theater, 60 Gibbs St. 274-3000; eastmantheatre.org. [ POP/ROCK ]

Through Jan. 28. Wed.-Fri. 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., and Sat. Jan. 28, 4-6 p.m. The story of the aspirations, struggles, and successes of the African-American community of Greenwood, Oklahoma, during the early 1900’s. $7-$15. MuCCC, 142 Atlantic Ave. 465-8388; muccc.org.

Post-Holiday Shitty Weather Punk Extravaganza

[ ART EXHIBIT ]

Wednesday, February 1

Hungerford Open Studios

[ ART EXHIBIT ]

Through sleet or snow, the Hungerford open studios will go on. First Friday of every month; 6-9 p.m. Free. Hungerford Building, 1115 E. Main St. Thehungerford.com.

9 p.m.-1 a.m. Firehouse Saloon, 814 S. Clinton Ave. 319-3832; thefirehousesaloon.com.

Celebrating Black History: Dunstan Luke and Najhay Quick Open through March 26. Oil paintings, urban artwork, and more. Gallery 384, 384 East Ave.

[ ART EXHIBIT ]

Richard Renaldi: Manhattan Sunday Series consists of portraits, urban still lifes, and streetscapes. Through June 11. George Eastman Museum, 900 East Ave. 271-3361; eastman.org

[ THEATER ]

The Underpants

7 p.m. $20. Anthology, 336 East Ave. 4841964; anthologylive.com.

Theobald Maske has an unusual problem: his wife’s underpants won’t stay on. Through Feb. 19. Feb. 3, 10, 11, 16, 17, & 18, 8-10 p.m.; Sat. Feb. 4, 7-9 p.m.; Sun. Feb. 5, 12, & 19, 2-4 p.m. And Thurs. Feb. 9, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $28.50-$36.50. Blackfriars Theatre, 795 E Main St. 454-1260; blackfriars.org.

Friday, January 27

[ THEATER ]

Wednesday, January 25 [ MUSIC ]

The Devil Makes Three

[ VOCALS ]

Norm Lewis: The Music of the Night An evening with the star of Broadway’s “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” 16 CITY WINTER GUIDE 2017

Friday, February 3

GEEK! A heartfelt celebration of our contemporary online, fantasy-fueled geekdom. Teenage outcasts Dayna and Honey must tackle

Zoobrrrew. PHOTO BY MARIE KRAUS every obstacle their course — from angry Pokémon, to steampunk armies — in order to get to Dante’s Fire-Con. Through Feb. 12.

Feb. 3, 4, 10, 11, at 7 p.m.; Feb. 5 & 12, at 2 p.m. $5-$10. School of the Arts, 45 Prince St. 242-7682; rcsdk12.org. [ SPECIAL EVENTS ]

ZooBrrrew In the cold of the night, get a little buzzed and wander the Zoo. 21-and-over happy hour features regional beers, a variety of wines, live music, food, animal experiences, and a drawing including packages from Swain Resort. Tickets are limited to 150. Continues Sat. Feb. 4. 5:30-8 p.m. both days. $30-$35.

Seneca Park Zoo, 2222 St. Paul St. 3367200; senecaparkzoo.org. [ SPECIAL EVENTS ]

Monster Jam Features eight competitors: Carolina Crusher

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BACCO’S RISTORANTE

The annual Polar Plunge takes place Saturday, February 12. FILE PHOTO with driver Gary Porter, Fullboar and driver Ed Eckert, and more. Feb. 3, 7-9:30 p.m., and Feb. 4, 1-3:30 & 7-9:30 p.m. $15-$55.

Blue Cross Arena, 1 War Memorial Square.

232-1000; bluecrossarena.com. [ ART EXHIBIT ]

Meleko Mokgosi’s Pax Kaffraria A collaborative exhibition between RoCo and the Memorial Art Gallery. Made up of 8 paintings (referred to as chapters), 1 of which will be displayed at RoCo Feb. 3 Mar. 19. 6 other works will be displayed at MAG Feb. 19 - May 7. Rochester

Your host Giovanni La Gamba

Contemporary Art Center, 137 East Ave. 4612222; rochestercontemporary.org.

Enjoy a memorable winter evening in our delightful, cozy ristorante.

[ ART EXHIBIT ]

Michael Harris: Works on Paper

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN DISHES.

Juxtaposition of found images with formal explorations. Work on mixed media paintings. Through March 19. Rochester Contemporary Art Center, 137 East Ave. 4612222; rochestercontemporary.org. continues on page 18

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Serving Dinner Tuesday – Saturday

www.baccosristorante.com R eser vations R ecommended

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rochestercitynewspaper.com CITY 17

Events

continues from page 17

Saturday, February 4 [ SPECIAL EVENT ]

31st Annual Chocolate Ball Sampling award winning chocolate cakes is worth braving the cold, isn’t it? A dinner gala featuring food, drinks, and music. Proceeds will help support epilepsy programs and services. $200. Hyatt Regency, 125 E. Main St.. 442-6420; epiny.org.

Saturday, February 11

Olympics. 9 a.m. $60. Charlotte Beach, 4650 Lake Ave. 586-7400; polarplunge.net.

[ KIDS EVENTS ]

Royal Ball

Hansel & Gretel

[ RECREATION ]

Through Feb. 12. Feb. 4 & 11, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.; Feb. 5 & 12, 2 p.m. $10-$20. RAPA, Kodak Center, 200 W. Ridge Rd. 254-0073; kodakcenter.org.

Winter holds no bounds to the courageous feat. Plunge into the winter waters to show support and raise money for the Special

[ ART EXHIBIT ]

[ POP/ROCK ]

Growing Light: The Work of Margaret LeJeune

Decades Rewind

Sunday, February 12

[ THEATER ]

Thursday, March 2

Friday, February 17

Dress in your most regal attire and meet Her Majesty, the Queen of Play. A day full of dancing, lively music, quests to fulfill, and the chance to be knighted by the queen herself.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Continues Feb. 12, 1-4 p.m. $14.50. The Strong National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Square, Rochester. 263-2700; museumofplay.org.

2017 Polar Plunge

A theatrical music journey, rewinding through 30 years of music. Features 8-piece band and 6 vocalists, and more than 100 period specific costume changes of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. 7:30-9:30 p.m. $42-$48. Rochester Auditorium Theatre, 885 E. Main St.. 2225000; decadesrewind.com.

Through March 30. Opening reception Thurs.

March 2, 5-7 p.m., following a lecture held from 1-2 p.m. Mercer Gallery at Monroe Community College, 1000 E. Henrietta Rd. 292-2021; monroecc.edu/go/mercer

Tuesday, February 28

[ SPECIAL EVENT ]

[ ROCK ]

Features live talks, artists performance, and interactive workshops by innovators and thought leaders from the Rochester area.

7 p.m. $22-$25. Anthology, 336 East Ave.

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Registration required. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Geva Theatre Center, 75 Woodbury Blvd. 2324382; tedxrochester.org.

1 War Memorial Square. 758-5300; bluecrossarena.com

Friday, March 17

Friday, March 4

[ THEATER ]

[ THEATER ]

Hands on a Hard Body

Sister Act Through Mar. 12. Sat. & Fri. Mar. 4, 10, & 11, 7:30 p.m. Sun. Mar. 5 (ASL interpreted performance), & 12, 2 p.m. $19.75-$49.50.

RAPA, Kodak Center, 200 W. Ridge Rd. 2540073; kodakcenter.org.

Sunday, March 5 [ POP ]

A comedy about 10 hard-luck Texans, under a scorching sun for days on end they’ll fight to keep at least one hand on a brand-new truck in order to win it. Through April 2.

Thurs. Mar. 23 & 30, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Fri. Mar. 18, 7-9 p.m. Fri. & Sat., Mar. 24, 25, 31, & April 1, 8-10 p.m. Sun. Mar. 19, 26, & April 2, 2-4 p.m. $31.50-$39.50. Blackfriars Theatre, 795 E. Main St, Rochester. 4541260; blackfriars.org.

Maroon 5 7 p.m. $34-$405. Blue Cross Arena,

Big Wreck. PROVIDED PHOTO

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20 CITY WINTER GUIDE 2017