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: Sept. 9 to 15, 2011

'On Golden Pond' at Geva
Geva opened its season this week with "On Golden Pond" on the Mainstage. The Ernest Thompson play, which debuted on Broadway in 1979, was adapted for the screen in a 1981 film that starred Henry Fonda, Katherine Hepburn and Jane Fonda. It's about a couple who return to their cottage on Golden Pond for their 48th summer. This year, however, their peace is disrupted by a visit from their divorced daughter Chelsea, who arrives with not only a big chip on her shoulder but her new fiance and his 13-year-old son. Kenneth Tigar stars as Norman; he played Mr. Kopeckne in "Barney Miller" and has had roles on "NCIS" and "Boardwalk Empire." Beth Dixon (who has had roles on "Law & Order" and "Home Improvement") is Ethel. “On Golden Pond" runs through Oct. 2. Tickets start at $25. Visit gevatheatre.org.

Annual Clothesline Festival
By the time the Clothesline Festival rolls around, Rochester's rich festival season is winding down. The arts and crafts show, which stretches across the Memorial Art Gallery’s 17-acre campus, features seasoned artists and craftspeople. The MAG fundraiser is Saturday and Sunday. More than 400 artists will be on hand this year. It's 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Access to the museum is included in the $5 admission charge. Visit mag.rochester.edu/clothesline.

New comedy at JCC
JCC CenterStage presents "The Lady With All the Answers," a comedy based on Ann Landers' biography and reader letters. For more than 50 years, twin sister rivals Dear Abby and Ann Landers ruled the advice column world, answering countless letters about love, sex, religion and the proper way to hang toilet paper. On a life-changing night in 1975, Ann Landers shares insight into the wise, funny, no-nonsense woman whose daily dialogue with America helped shape the social and sexual landscapes of the last half-century. It stars Susan Hopkins as Landers. It opens Saturday and runs through Sept. 25. Visit jccrochester.org.
 

10-year remembrance
An exhibition that opened last week at the Rochester Museum & Science Center recognizes the global impact of the 2001 terrorist attack at the World Trade Center in New York City. RMSC is the first city in the country to play host to "September 11, 2001: A Global Moment." Included are 75 artifacts from the New York City attack, such as an American flag from one of the WTC towers, building fragments, signs, a flight attendant uniform, a New York Police Department shield, a firefighter's helmet, a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police Jeep and a portion of Auguste Rodin's "The Three Shades." Images, videos, a timeline and personal stories show the attacks' impact. The exhibition can be viewed until Nov. 27. Visit rmsc.org.

On the big screen
"Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star" is a comedy about a kid from the Midwest who moves out to Hollywood in order to follow in his parents’ footsteps—and become a porn star. It stars Nick Swardson. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, "Contagion" is centered on the threat posed by a deadly disease and an international team of doctors contracted by the CDC to deal with the outbreak. It stars Matt Damon, Kate Winslet and Jude Law. Nick Nolte stars in "Warrior" as an alcoholic former boxer whose youngest son returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament. Find movie times.

Annual Emerald Ball
Pluta Cancer Center's 12th Annual Emerald Ball is Saturday at Oak Hill Country Club. Former Pluta Cancer Center patient Michael Spitale, owner of the Michael Spitale Salon in Brighton, will deliver the keynote address. Tickets are available from $175 to $225. The Emerald Ball begins at 6 p.m. with a champagne reception followed by dinner and a live auction. All proceeds from the Emerald Ball support Pluta Cancer Center's patient care. Visit plutacancercenter.org or youtube.com/plutacancercenter.

Victor festival
The 35th annual Hang Around Victor Day festival is Saturday on the streets of the village. The event features more than 100 vendors, festival fare and plenty of entertainment, as well as 5K and kids’ races. The kids’ area is in the parking lot in front of Village Hall and offers hands-on activities. Highlights include a 40-foot inflatable obstacle course, a dunking booth and martial arts demonstrations. Visit victorchamber.com.

ImageOut lineup
ImageOut, Upstate New York's longest-running lesbian and gay film and video festival, will announce its 19th annual program lineup at the Festival Fair on Friday. The event, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Rochester Museum & Science Center's Strasenburgh Planetarium, is the first chance for the public to learn about this year's lineup and buy tickets prior to online sales. It's free and open to the public. "Christopher and His Kind" will be shown. This year’s festival, which runs from Oct. 7 to 16, will feature more than 90 films. Visit imageout.org.

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.