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BEST BETS: June 11 to 17

Jazz Fest kicks off

The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival is upon is. Hooray for nine days of awesome music (much of it free) in downtown Rochester. This year's Jazz Festival will feature its largest lineup ever, with more than 1,000 artists, including headliners Gladys Knight, Herbie Hancock, former New York Yankee Bernie Williams, Jeff Beck, Delta bluesman Keb’ Mo’ and John Pizzarelli. Free outdoor stage shows include Smash Mouth, Los Lonely Boys, Booker T & the MG’s, Marc Broussard and Mick Hayes. The festival takes place in 17 venues and outdoor stages within walking distance in Rochester’s East End Cultural District. Knight (pictured) performs at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre at 8 p.m. Friday. She is best known for her work in the soul/R&B genre, including “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye).” For more information or tickets, visit rochesterjazz.com.

Big show, small artworks

Among a couple dozen art exhibits showing on First Friday will be a preview of "6X6X2010" at Rochester Contemporary Art Center. More than 5,000 small artworks by people from all walks of life will be on display. Most of the pieces are paintings, but works in multiple media are well-represented. Though professional artists and celebrities created some of the pieces, all artwork is unsigned; buyers make their selections based on what's visually appealing and learn the artists' names later. For best selection, plan on attending the opening reception and artwork raffle from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Preview hours are 1 to 10 p.m. Friday. Visit rochestercontemporary.org for more information.  

On the big screen

The big summer comedy "Get Him to the Greek" stars Russell Brand and Jonah Hill. It's about a record company intern (Hill) who is hired to accompany an out-of-control British rock star to a concert at L.A.'s Greek Theater. Also opening Friday is "Killers," in which a vacationing woman meets her ideal man, leading to a swift marriage. Back at home, however, their idyllic life is upset when they discover their neighbors could be assassins who have been contracted to kill the couple. Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl star. Find movie times.

Celebrate Greek culture

The Rochester Greek Festival is this weekend. Presented by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, the festival features traditional dance performances and mouth-watering cuisine such as spanakopita, gyros and baklava. Tents, tables and a performing area transform the church parking lot at 962 East Ave. It runs 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today through Saturday and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Visit rochestergreekfestival.org. 
 

Welcome to Zootopia

Zootopia is the theme for the annual Zoobilation at 5:45 p.m. Saturday at the Seneca Park Zoo. Zoobilation is the zoo's largest annual fundraiser. The evening features a champagne toast, a sampling of wines from New York's premier wineries and live music. Hors d'oeuvres, food and desserts are offered. A vast assortment of items will be on display in the silent auction. The event is for those 21 and older. To prepare for the event, the zoo will be closed to the public all day. Tickets are $80. Visit senecaparkzoo.org/Zoobilation for details.

Canal Days in Fairport

Fairport Canal Days is one of the premier annual arts and crafts festivals in the Northeast, attracting nearly a quarter-million visitors each year. The festival features over 300 artisans, more than 40 food and drink vendors and performances by regional bands. It kicks off with a chicken barbecue at 4:30 Friday and continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The duck race is at 3 p.m. Sunday. For details, visit fairportcanaldays.com.

Opera unplugged

Empire State Lyric Theatre will perform "L'elisir d'amore" with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in Kilbourn Hall Saturday and Sunday. The plot of the comic opera centers on Nemorino, a peasant, and wealthy landowner Adina, with whom he has fallen in love. Raffaele Ponti, ESLT's artistic director and conductor, will lead a 40-piece orchestra and 17 singers. Ponti is a frequent guest conductor in Europe and North America. Cast members are professional singers with wide-ranging experience. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday after a 6 p.m. party for VIP ticket holders and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Visit empirestatelyrictheatre.org for details.

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