Every year Visit Rochester puts together its list of Cold Rush events, an umbrella term that highlights some of the key arts and entertainment events taking place from January through March. The point of Cold Rush is obvious: the snow might be on the ground, but there's still plenty going on in and around Rochester. Below is a list of the 2010 Cold Rush events. Note that this only a tiny fraction of the events taking place in the region over the next few months. For a comprehensive listing of activities, from theater productions to outdoor races to festivals and more, check out City Newspaper every Wednesday, or visit our searchable online calendar at rochestercitynewspaper.com. For more information on Cold Rush check visitrochester.com.
EXHIBIT: "Lego Castle Adventure"
Saturday, January 23-May 9
New exhibit features a giant interactive castle stuffed with Lego brick decorations. There will be opportunities to meet Lego sculptor Nathan Sawaya, and check out his "Art of the Brick" exhibit. | Strong National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Square. For hours and fees call 263-2700 or check museumofplay.org.
THEATER: "Swing for Victory"
Through January 24
Relive the classic wartime songs of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, and more in four-part vocal harmonies with this revue dedicated to "the greatest generation." | Downstairs Cabaret Theatre Center, 540 E Main St. For schedule and ticket information call 325-4370 or visit downstairscabaret.com.
EXHIBIT: "Fashioning Kimono"
Sunday, January 31-April 4
Explore the story of Japan's traditional national dress as it was influenced by advances in technology and other cultures with 97 kimonos created between the 1890's and 1950's. | Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave. For hours and fees call 276-8900 or visit mag.rochester.edu.
SPECIAL EVENT: Zoo Brrrew
Friday, February 5
Happy-hour event for adults 21+ features food (everything from appetizers to wood-fired pizzas to make-your-own s'mores), drink, live music, and of course animals. Preregistration required. | Seneca Park Zoo, 2222 St. Paul St. For more details call 336-7200 or visit senecaparkzoo.org.
THEATER: "Underneath the Lintel"
Friday, February 5-March 7
The Geva Nextstage presents this mystery about a librarian trying to chase down the previous borrower of a book returned 113 years overdue. | Geva Theatre, 75 Woodbury Blvd. For a schedule of shows and tickets call 232-GEVA or visit gevatheatre.org.
EXHIBIT: "Be the Dinosaur"
Friday, February 5-May 4
This interactive show blending traditional exhibits and computer simulations takes visitors back more than 65 million years to discover the plants, animals, and insects that dominated the prehistoric era. | Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Ave. For hours and fees call 271-4320 or visit rmsc.org.
SPECIAL EVENT: Ganondagan Winter Games
Saturday, February 6
Learn about the ways of the Seneca tribe with traditional Native American winter activities. Take in demonstrations on dog sledding, maple sugaring, toboggan making, and more, plus taste native foods. | Ganondagan Historic Site, 1488 State Route 444, Victor. For hours or more information call 742-1690 or visit ganondagan.org.
DANCE: Rochester City Ballet's "Peter and the Wolf"
Saturday, February 6-Sunday, February 7
The RCB's adaptation of the classic children's story is accessible for kids pre-K and up. Look for pre-performance activities, live music, and opportunities to meet the RCB dancers. | Nazareth College Arts Center, 4245 East Ave. For show times and ticket information call 389-2170 or visit rochestercityballet.org.
THEATER: "An Enchanted Evening"
Saturday, February 6-February 14
An all-new revue featuring the works of Rodgers & Hammerstein, composers of some of Broadway's favorite shows, from "Oklahoma" to "The Sound of Music." | Jewish Community Center, 1200 Edgewood Ave. For show times and ticket information call 461-2000 x235 or visit jccrochester.org.
SPECIAL EVENT: Susan B. Anthony House Luncheon
Wednesday, February 10
The Susan B. Anthony House presents a one-act drama that explores the battle for gender equality in the United States. | Rochester Riverside Convention Center, 123 E Main St. For more information call 274-7490 or visit susanbanthonyhouse.org.
SPECIAL EVENT: Valentine's Dinner Party
Friday, February 12
Gourmet dinner and dancing with a romantic atmosphere. Reservations required. | Artisan Works, 565 Blossom Rd, Suite L. For more details call 288-7170 or visit artisanworks.net.
EXHIBIT: "Dutch Connection"
Friday, February 12-February 28
The George Eastman House brings nature indoors for its annual display of thousands of flowering bulbs, including tulips, hyacinths, and freesias, this time created to murder George Eastman's 1910 display. | George Eastman House, 900 East Ave. For hours and fees call 271-3361 or visit eastmanhouse.org.
SPECIAL EVENT: Lakeside Winterfest and Polar Plunge
Sunday, February 14
The area's biggest wintertime event features ice-carving demonstrations, horse-drawn sleigh rides, dog-sled demonstrations, children's games, the Chilly Chili Challenge, and the annual Polar Plunge, a bracing dip in the freezing waters of Lake Ontario. | Ontario Beach Park, Charlotte. For details visit cityofrochester.gov.
SPECIAL EVENT: New York Ice Wine Festival
Saturday, February 20
Celebrate New York's award-winning ice wines with tastings, gourmet food stations, live music, seminars, and live ice-carving demos. | Casa Larga Vineyards, 2287 Turk Hill Rd, Fairport. For more details call 223-4210 or visit casalarga.com.
MUSIC: Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra: "Big Screen Epics"
Friday, February 26-Saturday, February 27
Guest conductor Jack Everly conducts music from Hollywood classics, including "Star Wars," "Titanic," "Gone With the Wind," and more. | Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St. For show times and ticket information call 454-2100 or visit rpo.org.
THEATER: Shen Yun Performing Arts
Saturday, February 27-Sunday, February 28
Traveling troupe performs Chinese dance and music in a colorful show. | Auditorium Theatre, 885 E Main St. For show times and ticket information call 222-5000 or visit rbtl.org.
SPECIAL EVENT: Gardenscape
Thursday, March 11-March 14
Shake off the winter doldrums and look forward to spring with this garden show, featuring plant displays, marketplace vendors, seminars, and more. | Dome Arena, 2695 E Henrietta Rd. For more information visit rochesterflowershow.com.
SPECIAL EVENT: St. Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday, March 13
Celebrate the Irish holiday with the annual downtown parade. | Parade travels down East Avenue from Alexander to Main streets, and Main Street to Plymouth Avenue. For more details visit rochesterparade.com.
THEATER: Rochester Children's Theatre's "Peter Pan"
Saturday, March 13-March 21
RCT brings to life the adventures of Wendy, Michael, and John as they meet flying sprite Peter Pan and venture into Never Never Land. | Nazareth College Arts Center, 4245 East Ave. For show times and ticket information call 389-2170 or visit rochesterchildrenstheatre.org.
SPECIAL EVENT: Sap, Syrup, Sugar
Saturday, March 13-March 28
Find out how maple syrup is made with hands-on crafts, games, storytelling, tastings, and more in the historic village. | Genesee Country Village & Museum, 1410 Flint Hill Rd, Mumford. For hours and details call 538-6822 or visit gcv.org.
DANCE: Moscow Festival Ballet's "The Sleeping Beauty"
Friday, March 26
The world-renowned dance troupe presents the well-known fairy tale in ballet form, with music by Tchaikovsky and choreography by Marius Petipa. | Nazareth College Arts Center, 4245 East Ave. For ticket information call 389-2170 or visit naz.edu/artscenter.