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Alysa Stryker on December 16th, 2009
Despite his nasty intentions, the ill-tempered Grinch remains a loveable holiday icon. He's had quite a career, from the original Dr. Seuss children's book, "How The Grinch Stole Christmas," the classic animated film adaptation from the 1960's, and the Jim Carrey live-action movie from earlier this decade. Each version offers
Choice Events
Alysa Stryker on December 16th, 2009
Radio station WDKX looks to celebrate the youth of Rochester and the spirit of the season through the WDKX Holiday Step Jam, an evening slated to have national recording artists share the bill with several area step teams. Nationally acclaimed hip-hop/R&B artists will perform, including The New Boyz (of the
Choice Events
Alysa Stryker on December 9th, 2009
Many of us would like to block out the egregious interim jobs we had to endure as a young 20-something. But writer and comedian David Sedaris ironically launched his career by recounting one of his prior jobs, a Christmas elf at Macy's department store in New York City. In his
Choice Events
Alysa Stryker on December 9th, 2009
The nonprofit organization TYKEs (Theatre Young Kids Enjoy) is dedicated to theater that makes children simultaneously learn and laugh. To kick of its latest season, TYKEs will present "Click, Clack, Moo," an adaptation of the award-winning children's book by Doreen Cronin. The musical entertains and educates, following Farmer Brown while
Choice Events
Alysa Stryker on December 9th, 2009
Every facet of the holiday seems larger than life in the avant-garde, wild, and lavish production "Cirque Dreams: Holidaze." Fusing the art of European cirque-style performance with American circus and Broadway flair, the production is an extravagant, theatrical spectacle of balancing acts, skillful marches on thin wires, elaborate dances, and
Choice Concerts
Alysa Stryker on December 9th, 2009
After a successful showing last year, the RPO's orKIDStra series brings back the European holiday classic "The Snowman" for another show in 2009. The animated film based on the book by Raymond Briggs will screen as the RPO, conducted by Michael Butterman, will perform the whimsical score live; this year
Choice Events
Alysa Stryker on December 2nd, 2009
Mayor Duffy will officially kick off the holidays in Rochester with the lighting of the Liberty Pole Saturday, December 5. And after the switch is thrown, this year's event will afford plenty of fun for the family.
At the Sibley Building, located at corner of Main and Franklin streets, you can
Choice Events
Alysa Stryker on December 2nd, 2009
Now in its 28th year, the Metro Justice Alternative Fair is a way to diverge from the commercial side of the Holiday by purchasing crafty, original gifts while supporting social justice, sustainability, and community awareness. Hundreds of fair-trade, earth-friendly, and locally made items will be for sale, such as hand-crafted
Choice Events
Alysa Stryker on December 2nd, 2009
You don't have to follow the stand-up circuit to know that Dane Cook has made quite a stir in the comedy world since his original debut on Comedy Central back in 1998. In addition to his best-selling comedy albums, he has transitioned to full-fledged movie star, scoring major roles opposite
Choice Events
Alysa Stryker on December 2nd, 2009
This year, it's all about finding the perfect gift while saving on some green. If you've had your eye on any particular items from the stores on Park Avenue, venture out to the business district's Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 3. More than 50 Park Ave businesses will offer
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Recent Blog Posts
Music Blog
Alysa Stryker on February 5th, 2010
"Meet me by the edge of this moment, you bring stillness, I'll bring movement. Meet me by the edge of right now, you bring silence and I'll bring sound."
Heather Maloney's lyrics are enough to stop you dead. Poetic and powerful, Maloney's talents come to you in layers. Her lyrics, angst
Music Blog
Alysa Stryker on December 7th, 2009
As bassist Sean McLay told me before the show began, Funknut is all at once a "blend of funk and soul with a pop groove." Although the band is only a three-piece, its music swells and produces a much larger sound. Lovin' Cup would have been a perfect venue to
Music Blog
Alysa Stryker on November 23rd, 2009
The name Teagan and the Tweeds conjures up several images. I admittedly had an already-developed vision of who I was about to see before walking into the Lovin' Cup on Friday night. I placed my bets on finding a group of young hipsters, with a three-, maybe four-piece ensemble, and
Music Blog
Alysa Stryker on November 8th, 2009
Cellist Helen Money is a rock musician who plays a classical instrument. I asked her before the show to describe her sound. "Dark, kinda raw, and melodic. I have a hard time describing myself," she told me.
If I were her, I would be hard pressed to make any kind of
Music Blog
Alysa Stryker on October 27th, 2009
It was a picture-perfect scene at Abilene Bar and Lounge Sunday night: five or six chairs inched up close to the performers in a circle, with some eerie candlelight, a packed house, and some gritty, straight-up folk coming from the stage. Real folk is played less like a song and
Music Blog
Alysa Stryker on October 19th, 2009
I spent the entirety of the Loveful Heights show Friday night at Starry Nites with my jaw dropped, eyes glued, in awe. These two ladies have an aura about them. They possess a striking confidence and a beauty that is few and far between. Loveful Heights (Maggie Clifford and Kat
Music Blog
Alysa Stryker on October 9th, 2009
The original bill for the Boulder Coffee show Thursday night took a few turns throughout the week. Initially, I walked in the venue expecting the indie/folk-rock six-piece Baby Shiver's Boutique alongside the much-hyped Golden Ghost.The set began an hour late, and as it turns out Baby
Music Blog
Alysa Stryker on October 3rd, 2009
Most of us in Rochester have been getting a heavy dose of Swati's oft-requested tune on WBER, "2 a.m." It's near tranquilizing; penetratingly poetic, it draws you in.But if you came to check her out on Friday evening downstairs at the German House for Indie Fest's second round, you may
Music Blog
Alysa Stryker on October 2nd, 2009
Josh Netsky was dealt a less-than-sizeable crowd for his show Downstairs at the German House on the opening night of the Rochester Indie Fest. As the set carried on into the evening, Netsky gently pleaded for a little crowd participation with a not-so-subtle hint to the idle loungers
Music Blog
Alysa Stryker on September 7th, 2009
Friday night could not have been a better evening to mix and mingle with the smoothness of Brian Rath at Starry Nites Cafe. The full moon was floating and circling around the city, almost demanding that your eyes pay attention to it, as the 20- and 30somethings huddled around outside,
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