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BEST BETS: July 1 to 7, 2011

City, RPO toast the Fourth
The final version of the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted July 4, 1776. A year later, Philadelphia marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks. More than 230 years later, Rochester celebrates with a concert and spectacular fireworks show to celebrate our country's freedom. (Many other surrounding communities have events planned, as well.) Monday evening's celebration kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with a special appearance by Jimmie Highsmith Jr. on the Main Street Bridge. Following at 9 p.m. will be the RPO led by conductor Michael Butterman. The fireworks, which light the skies at 10 p.m., can be viewed from the Main Street Bridge, the Broad Street Bridge, Chestnut Street near the Washington Square Garage and the streets surrounding those areas. Visit cityofrochester.gov for other recommended seating areas and info on free parking. (The RPO also performs patriotic and other all-American favorites complete with fireworks at CMAC on Saturday.)

Old-fashioned celebration
Genesee Country Village & Museum plans festivities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Independence Day, with a parade, concerts and a naturalization ceremony to welcome new citizens. Each year, dozens of citizens are sworn in at the museum as a part of the celebration of freedom and nationhood. See how Americans celebrated July Fourth over time and enjoy patriotic concerts by the Geneseo Cornet and Pittsford Fire Department bands, dive into the pie-eating contest and compete in several fun competitions, including watermelon seed-spitting, sack races, egg tosses and peashooter contests. On-site restaurants will be open, and picnic space is available. Witness a pistol duel and revisit the 1873 Canandaigua trial of Susan B. Anthony, who illegally voted in the 1872 presidential election. Visit gcv.org.

Marking a milestone in flight
The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum will celebrate the centennial of naval aviation with a free event for the public at Champlin Beach on Saturday. The museum's exact replica of the Navy's first aircraft, the A-1 Triad seaplane, will be on display from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weather permitting, the plane will be flown at 1 p.m. Capt. Richard Dann, executive director of the United States Navy Centennial of Aviation, will arrive at 1 p.m. to greet visitors. Visit glennhcurtissmuseum.org.
 

National pastime
At Frontier Field on Monday, the Rochester Red Wings take on the Pawtucket Red Sox. The Red Wings will wear red, white and blue flag-themed jerseys. All special-edition jerseys, certified game-worn and autographed by the Red Wings players, will be auctioned off after the game with proceeds to benefit the Veterans Outreach Center. Visit redwingsbaseball.com.
 

Downstairs Cabaret presents 'Accidental Hero'
Downstairs Cabaret Theatre presents "The Accidental Hero," the true story of an Army officer in World War II who ends up liberating the same Czech towns where his grandparents lived. It tells the story of Matt Konop, who had grown up speaking Czech on a farm in Wisconsin, ashamed of his humble background. Thrown into the war, he hits Omaha Beach, is a hero in the Battle of the Bulge and survives to the final days of the war. Then his story takes a turn from yet another soldier's tale to something more epic when he is given the dangerous assignment to go behind enemy lines into Czechoslovakia. At the border, he decides to go in alone. "The Accidental Hero" will be staged at Downstairs Cabaret at Winton Place for four performances: 8 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $21 to $24. Visit downstairscabaret.com.

On the big screen
"Larry Crowne" was co-written and directed by Tom Hanks, who also stars in the film with Julia Roberts. It's about a man who is downsized out of his longtime job, only to head to college, where he meets a colorful community of outcasts. In "Monte Carlo," three young women (Selena Gomez, Katie Cassidy and Leighton Meester) vacationing in Paris find themselves whisked away to Monte Carlo after one of the girls is mistaken for a British heiress. Find movie times.

Shakespeare at Highland Park
The Shakespeare Players, a program of the 86-year-old Rochester Community Players, presents Shakespeare at the Highland Park Bowl. The program kicks off Friday and runs through July 16. "Othello" is the 15th annual free outdoor Shakespeare production at the bowl. "Othello" is directed by Stephanie Roosa and produced by Patrick White. Performances are free, although donations are encouraged. Visit rochestercommunityplayers.org for details.

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