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: Aug. 18 to 25, 2011

Classic soul crooners slated for area concerts
The Whispers, Keith Sweat and the O'Jays perform Saturday at the Blue Cross Arena for their Family Reunion tour. Slow jam king Keith Sweat (pictured) dominated R&B radio in the '80s and '90s with hits such as "(There You Go) Tellin' Me No Again," "I'll Give All My Love to You," "Make It Last Forever," "Twisted" and "Nobody." Formed in the Watts section of Los Angeles in 1964, soul group the Whispers had hits such as "Rock Steady," "And The Beat Goes On" and "It's a Love Thing." The O'Jays were one of Philadelphia soul's most popular and long-lived outfits. Released in 1972, the O'Jays' hit "Love Train" reached No. 1 on both the R&B Singles and the Hot 100 charts. The song's lyrics of unity mention England, Russia, China, Egypt, Israel and Africa. It has been covered by everyone from the Rolling Stones to the Wiggles, but no one does it like the O'Jays. Some of the band's other hits include "Back Stabbers" and "For the Love of Money." Visit ticketmaster.com.

Def Leppard, Heart in concert at Darien Lake
English rock band Def Leppard—singer Joe Elliott, guitarist Phil Collen, bassist Rick Savage, drummer Rick Allen and guitarist Vivian Campbell—will perform Sunday at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center. The band has so many hits from the '80s, including "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" and "Rocket." Recently it released the live CD "Mirrorball." Heart—super-rocking sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson—also performs. They topped the charts with "What About Love," "Never," "These Dreams," "Nothin' at All" and "If Looks Could Kill." The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Visit livenation.com.

Art blossoms at Sonnenberg
Arts at the Gardens, a juried fine art show and sale on the grounds of the Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park in Canandaigua, is Saturday and Sunday. The event features more than 100 artists showcasing paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, glass, woodwork, photography and other fine art. Wine and food also are offered. Included in the $6 special event entrance fee is admission to the gardens and mansion, including the Fashions & Flowers exhibit of vintage clothing and accessories. Sonnenberg's gardens, developed from 1901 to 1920, are open from May to October. Parking for the event is free. Visit artsatthegardens.org.

Clambake and beer benefit for Hope Lodge
Custom Brewcrafters has joined the American Cancer Society's B. Thomas Golisano Hope Lodge Hospitality House and RocHOPE Young Professionals committee for "Hops For The Hope Lodge." Custom Brewcrafters sponsors a clambake and beer tasting from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at its Honeoye Falls facility, 300 Village Square Blvd. All funds raised will support Hope Lodge. Tickets are $20. Find more details at facebook.com.

Singer celebrates Bette Midler
Cassandra Hohn returns to Downstairs Cabaret Theater this weekend with "Bathing in Bette," a musical tribute to Bette Midler and the shows that she did at The Continental Baths in New York City. Hohn brings to the stage the repertoire and brassiness of the "The Divine Miss M." Hohn has performed with Norah Jones and Tony Bennett. Performances are at the Downstairs Cabaret, 3450 Winton Place in Brighton, through Aug. 28. Visit downstairscabaret.com for details and tickets.

On the big screen
Jason Momoa stars in the remake of the 1982 film "Conan the Barbarian," the tale of Conan the Cimmerian and his adventures across the continent of Hyboria on a quest to avenge the murder of his father and the slaughter of his village. In "Fright Night," a teenager suspects that his new neighbor is a vampire. It stars Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell and David Tennant. "One Day" stars Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess. After spending their college graduation night together, they are shown each year on the same date. In "Spy Kids: All the Time in the World," retired agent Marissa Cortez Wilson (Jessica Alba) gets back into action and recruits her two stepchildren to stop a supervillain known as the Timekeeper (Jeremy Piven). Find movie times.

All aboard for Diesel Days
The Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum in Rush plans to highlight the diesel locomotive on Sunday during Diesel Days. Several of the museum's operating diesels will be running, from a small 45-ton switcher to large 1,000- and 1,200-horsepower road-switchers. Visitors can take locomotive and caboose rides, walk through a restored 1909 Erie Railroad depot and check out trolleys. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the event. Learn what makes a diesel go, see how they are operated and take a ride behind them. Visit rgvrrm.org for details.

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.