READERS’ ROCHESTER

What are your favorite things to see and do locally? What are the best restaurants and shops? Share your thoughts with fellow Explore Greater Rochester readers: visitors and residents alike.

Submit a Comment >
Read Comments >

BEST BETS: June 18 to 24

Daughtry comes to town

Daughtry, featuring "American Idol" finalist Chris Daughtry, comes to the Blue Cross Arena for a 7:30 p.m. concert Saturday. Daughtry finished second on the fifth season of "Idol," losing to Taylor Hicks. (Where is he now?) The band includes Daughtry, bassist Josh Paul, drummer Joey Barnes and guitarists Brian Craddock and Josh Steely. With the release of "Leave This Town," Chris Daughtry made "American Idol" history by becoming the first Idol to have two consecutive No. 1 albums. Lifehouse and Cavo also will perform Saturday. For more information or tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.

Back by popular demand

Blackfriars Theatre plays host to a return engagement of the newest show from popular sketch-comedy troupe EstroFest. The new show features audience involvement and a dash of improv, with sketches like "The Mother Moose Show," which humorously reminds us of how scary classic childhood stories really are; "The Mating Game," in which host Lucky Lucy introduces us to three colorful bachelorettes; "Old Testament Divas," with first-person stories from Eve and Noah's wife; and "On the Lawnfront," in which lawn ornaments such as the flamingo, gnome and jockey come to life to talk about neighborhood happenings. Performances run through Aug. 15. Visit blackfriars.org or bftix.com for more information.  

On the big screen

Those with little ones will be excited to hear that Woody, Buzz and the whole gang are back in "Toy Story 3." As their owner prepares to depart for college, his loyal toys find themselves in day care, where untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice. It stars the voice talents of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. Also opening is "Jonah Hex," in which the U.S. military makes a scarred bounty hunter (Josh Brolin) with warrants on his own head an offer he cannot refuse. In exchange for his freedom, he must stop a terrorist (the always-creepy John Malkovich). Find movie times.

African drum troupe celebrates solstice

Bush Mango Drum & Dance will welcome the change of seasons with its Summer Solstice Celebration Friday and Saturday. The company's 15 members, spanning a range of ages and ethnic backgrounds, perform the energetic dance and music of Guinea in West Africa. Bush Mango offers drumming and dance classes for children and adults, as well as a summer arts camp and Saturday program for kids. Executive/artistic director Colleen Hendrick, who completed yoga teacher training at Open Sky Yoga, plans to start offering yoga classes in July. Show times are 7:30 p.m. both days at Bush Mango Community Center, 34 Elton St. Visit bushmango.org for details. 
 

Jazz Fest continues

The Jazz Festival wraps up Saturday. Critically acclaimed guitarist/songwriter and former New York Yankees star Bernie Williams plays tonight at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Jeff Beck has two shows Friday evening at Eastman Theatre. And Smashmouth is the big show (and it's free) Saturday night. Dozens of other bands also are playing for free around Rochester. For details, visit rochesterjazz.com.

Give it Up for a great cause

What a brilliant idea: Enjoy and discover some great live music while supporting an agency that helps children who have been sexually or physically abused. Give It Up 2010 combines the joys of music and charitable giving in one exciting evening of live, critically acclaimed music featuring Diana Jones, Rhett Miller and The Bottle Rockets. The benefit concert for Bivona Child Advocacy Center is Saturday at the German House. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For admission to this special event, each guest will be encouraged to contribute a suggested tax-deductible donation of $50, payable in advance to the Bivona Child Advocacy Center. Tickets won't be sold at the door. For details, visit bivonacac.org or call 935-7800.

A big draw

Trevor Flynn, a British artist and educator whose Sketchmob events bring together professionals of all disciplines to draw and socialize, will give a talk in Rochester at 7 this evening. Flynn is a proponent of drawing and idea generation in the creative industries and education. Besides Sketchmob, he has been involved in London's Big Draw, a public drawing event, and other activities that show how drawing fosters creativity and new ideas. His talk, "20 Fresh Perceptions: Uncommon Sense and the Visual Perception," is at 7 p.m. at the Memorial Art Gallery. Flynn will also lead classes Friday and Saturday at MAG. For more information, visit mag.rochester.edu.

Submit listing information

Help us provide readers with the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on dining, shopping, entertainment and the arts, wineries, sports and recreation, special events, museums and more.  

For information about submitting listings to Explore Greater Rochester, contact us by email.