Weekly Rochester Events #426: Get Your Honey Dew Ugly Mug to Washington Street

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Well, it's time for another computational panic. See, on August 8, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the "Energy Policy Act of 2005." This Act extended Daylight Saving Time by four weeks, so it will begin on the second Sunday of March (rather than the first Sunday of April), and end the first Sunday of November (rather than the last Sunday of October). What this means is some computers — newer ones in particular — will update automatically on the new, correct weekend while others will be waiting for April.

I doubt this will cause any significant problems, but it's really not known. Lots of work was done prior to January 1, 2000 to ensure that nothing went wrong and nothing did go wrong, much to the dismay of everybody. This time nothing is being done to ensure a smooth transition, so we'll see if anything is a problem. All this talk reminds me to try using E-ZPass on the first Sunday in Novmeber: I wonder what would happen if I got on the Thruway at, say, Exit 41 in Waterloo at 12:59 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Sunday, November 4, 2007 then travelled 58 miles and got off at Exit 47 at the west end of 490 an hour later at 1:05 a.m. Eastern Standard Time — would I be ticketed for an average speed exceeding 500 miles-per-hour?

Anyway, last Wednesday I got out to The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) They started off the evening with the short Mama's Little Pirate with the "Little Rascals." It's a fun short if you can avoid looking at the overt racism for what it is, but I think it was selected to enhance the difference between the 4:3 ratio (the same as the 16mm Rascals short) version of The Goonies as it's shown on television and its cinematic, 2:1 CinemaScope widescreen version which we then got to watch. It was definitely fun to see again although I didn't catch much new — maybe aside from how goofy the bad guys were, something I missed when I saw it at 15.

I headed to The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) after that and caught Bee Eater rocking out, despite admitting they hadn't practiced together for a while. The Charms also did a great job with their power rock — I noted they seemed less synth-pop-ish than the last time I saw them which is probably just perception on my part.

Digging into March, Ali and I went to High Fidelity (170 East Ave., formerly Milestones) to check out the show there. The atmosphere is definitely different from Milestones, improving on it greatly in my first impression. The rail along the side opposite the bar is now large enough to accommodate drinks and coats, the bar itself seems more open to the bar staff, and the area behind the sound board now has couches in a lounge configuration. Our only complaint was that the house wine is awful — I would not doubt it if the bottles say "wine with natural and artificial merlot flavoring".

I found Space Agency to be a decent groove-rock band. Personally I won't seek them out because I'm not a fan of "decent groove-rock": I find the whole genre to be so bland that I can't tell if I'm watching a performance or a bad satire. However, the headlining groove-rock band (for lack of a better categorization) The BuddhaHood came through and, although I thought they played a rather subdued set, they still showed their range and filled the music with surprises.

On Friday I was back at the Dryden to see Crispin Glover present his new film. Presumably to establish an audience mindset for receiving the film, he started with Crispin Hellion Glover's Big Slide Show which was a strange anti-knowledge recitation. I liked it because it distracted my rational mind to let me experience its abstractness. The film is called What Is It? Plot-wise, it follows a guy who acts as a god-of-snails as he goes out in the world, falls in love, and tries to return home. Glover notes that's the basic "hero's journey" — a thematically common plot. The first twist, though, is that except for Glover himself, an actor in blackface, nude women in monkey masks, and a man with cerebral palsy, all the actors have Down's syndrome — despite playing people who don't. The imagery is things we're not supposed to see, look at, or gawk at, so it's rather an uncomfortable movie to watch. In the extensive question-and-answer period afterward, Glover said that he started the film as a short to demonstrate Down's syndrome actors in non-Down's syndrome roles to get corporate studio funding, but ended up with a full-length film. It's so far over the top at times that I asked if he had deliberately added elements to ensure it would never acquire any corporate sponsorship, but he said each were valid, subtle additions to the story. I still have my doubts.

Saturday I had a windfall day at Big Lots (1100 Jefferson Rd.) Ordinarily I wouldn't brag about buying stuff that comes from manufacturers with questionable human-rights practices (i.e. three things in particular: "Made in China") but it was such a steal I couldn't resist — plus, it's stuff on closeout meaning I'm justifying my decision by assuming my purchases are not part of the primary revenue stream for such manufacturers. I needed a new flannel sheet set which I managed to pick up for all of $10 — and that for a queen-sized bed. It's pretty nice, too. I was also looking for an electric blanket, or preferably a mattress pad. After shopping and finding prices around $100 for a queen, I was thrilled to find an electric mattress pad for $20. I've been playing with trying to save money on energy and this is one good way to do it. I had been using an electric space heater and kept the bedroom quite cool but that averaged about 300 watts — the mattress pad keeps the bed toasty warm with an average usage of only 50 watts. Saving 250 watts over 7 hours a night is about 1.75 kilowatt-hours a night, so it saves me nearly $7 each month in electricity.

T H U R S D A Y

International Women's Day This evening from 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Kate Gleason Auditorium at The Rochester Public Library (115 South Ave.), Carl Davis, and Marjorie Hunter will discuss High-Tech in Rochester: Changing the Local Landscape as part of the Thursday Thinkers series. [source: Rochester Public Library calendar] [all ages] Tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The South Avenue Community Center (999 South Ave.), Mayor Robert J. Duffy will host another town-hall meeting concerning recreation in the city. [source: City Hall press release] As part of The Eastman Computer Music Center (ECMC) 25th Anniversary Celebration, they will be performing The Best of Image Movement Sound at Kilbourn Hall at Eastman Theatre (60 Gibbs St.) starting at 6 p.m. [source: Eastman School of Music calendar] [all ages] Over at The Little Theatre Café (240 East Ave.) starting around 7:30 p.m. is Bazaha-Lala. [source: Rochester Cajun Zydeco calendar] Later tonight — at 8 p.m. — is a second performance by The Eastman Computer Music Center (ECMC) at Kilbourn Hall at Eastman Theatre (60 Gibbs St.) [source: Eastman School of Music calendar] [all ages] The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Cléo de 5 à 7 (Cleo From 5 to 7) starting at 8 p.m. Just a couple hours in the life of a young singer — as she waits for word from her doctor. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] A|V Art Sound Space (N. Union St. at Trinidad St., #8 in the Public Market, formerly the All-Purpose Room) will be hosting The Kamikaze Hearts, and mellow, down-tempo soloist (usually) Little Yellow Bird starting around 9 p.m. [source: A|V Space website] The Bloody Hollies, and instrumental surf-rock from The Mofos will be at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 9:30 p.m. [source: Bug Jar calendar] [18+] Tonight at Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.) is chaotic, attention-deficit hard rock/jazz/funk from Gaylord starting around 10:30 p.m. [source: Freetime] [21+] Pure Kona Poetry Open Mic Night is at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) tonight starting at 7:30. [source: Daily Perks calendar] Tonight at 8 p.m. at Bodhi's Cafe & Lounge (274 Goodman St. N., in Village Gate) is an Open Mic. [source: the proverbial grapevine] Drinking Liberally meets at 8 p.m. tonight at Monty's Korner (355 East Ave.) [source: RocWiki calendar]

F R I D A Y

Today from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Rochester Contemporary Art Gallery (137 East Ave.) is the opening reception for the Upstate Invitational featuring works by several artists. The exhibit is on display until April 8. [source: Rochester Contemporary calendar] [all ages] This evening at 7 p.m. The Baobab Cultural Center (728 University Ave., formerly on Gregory St.) will be screening the film Soulmate about "the realities facing today's successful, saved and single African-American women". The film will be followed by a discussion with Rita P. Mitchell. [source: Baobab website] Tonight at The Club at Water Street (204 N. Water St.) is T-Broussard and the Zydeco Steppers, and RedLine Zydeco starting around 8 p.m. [source: Water Street calendar] [all ages] Phil Marshall will be at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) starting around 8 p.m. [source: Daily Perks calendar] [all ages] High Fidelity (170 East Ave., formerly Milestones) will be hosting The WMDs starting around 8 p.m. [source: High Fidelity MySpace page] The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing My Country, My Country starting at 8 p.m. about a Sunni doctor running for political office in Iraq. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] Over at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 9:30 p.m. is The Buffalo Killers, and The Apostles Of The Hidden Son. [source: Bug Jar calendar] [18+] Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.) will be hosting great, somewhat mellow rock-and-roll from Hinkley, rock-alternative from Bird Circuit, and The Corrections starting around 10:30 p.m. [source: Carbon Records calendar] [21+]

S A T U R D A Y

Today from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. is a free City Living Bus Tour of homes in the Northwest area of the city starting at The Landmark Society of Western New York (133 S. Fitzhugh St.) [source: Landmark Society calendar] Tonight at A|V Art Sound Space (N. Union St. at Trinidad St., #8 in the Public Market, formerly the All-Purpose Room) is The Levar Burtones, Biting Midge, The Hoboz, Kevin Jones and The Other Tones, and rock-ska band Room 30 starting around 5 p.m. [source: A|V Space website] Today from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Oxford Gallery (267 Oxford St.) is an Artists' Reception for Material Dreams featuring the works of Fernando Llosa, Syau-Cheng Lai, and Andreas Rittmeyer on display through April 14. [source: Oxford Gallery website] Tonight at Boulder Coffee Co. (100 Alexander St.) is Daniel Ball, Jr. starting around 8 p.m. [source: Boulder Coffee MySpace site] [all ages] The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Roozi ke zan shodam (The Day I Became A Woman) starting at 8 p.m. about Iranian women in day-to-day life. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] Over at High Fidelity (170 East Ave., formerly Milestones) starting around 10:30 p.m. is Candid. [source: High Fidelity MySpace page] Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.) will be hosting Baba Yaga starting around 10:30 p.m. [source: Freetime] [21+] Tonight's another Betty's Sing-a-Long at Betty Meyer's Bullwinkle Café (622 Lake Ave., a.k.a. "Bullwinkle's") starting around 10.

S U N D A Y

Daylight Saving Time Begins — Set your clock ahead one hour from 2:00 a.m. standard time to 3:00 a.m. daylight saving time in the wee hours of Sunday morning. The All Night Ramblers will be at Java Joe's (N. Union St. at Trinidad St., #1 in the Public Market) starting around 10 a.m. — in the morning. [source: Rochester Cajun Zydeco calendar] This afternoon from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Thomas Jefferson School (1 Edgerton Pk.) is the second of three City Living Sundays about home buying in the northwest neighborhoods of Rochester. [source: Landmark Society calendar] Today from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Artisan Works (565 Blossom Rd.) is the opening of the Ramón Santiago Retrospective. [source: Artisan Works website] Tonight at The Flat Iron Café (561 State St.) is Jimmie Highsmith, Jr. starting around 5 p.m. [source: Flat Iron Cafe webstie] Tonight at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) is Bat McGrath starting around 7 p.m. [source: Daily Perks calendar] [all ages] The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Mikey and Nicky starting at 7 p.m. Nicky, a crook on the run from the mob hides out with his more stable pal Mikey. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] Wales Road, and Stainless will be at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 9:30 p.m. [source: Bug Jar calendar] [all ages] Tonight and every Sunday at Boulder Coffee Co. (100 Alexander St.) is a Comedy Open Mic with Matt Rohr at 7:30 p.m. [source: the proverbial grapevine] [all ages]

M O N D A Y

The Dr. is OUT (where "local LGBT friendly health care providers will be on-hand to discuss topics pertinent to LGBT health") will be at The Mocha Project (107 Liberty Pole Way) from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today. [source: Gay Alliance website] The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Keane starting at 8 p.m. Filmmaker Lodge H. Kerrigan presents this film about an increasingly unstable man who's granted custody of a child after his own daughter was abudcted. [source: Eastman House calendar] [all ages] Bored? Why not check out 1980's DJ night at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 11 p.m. [source: Bug Jar calendar]

T U E S D A Y

This morning at 7:30 a.m. in the cafeteria overlooking the arboretum in Bausch and Lomb (140 Stone St.) is the Artists Breakfast Group meeting ... anyone interested in art or creativity is invited. Today from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Adams Street Community Center (85 Adams St.), Mayor Robert J. Duffy will give a town-hall meeting on community recreation. [source: City Hall press release] This evening at AIDS Rochester, Inc. (ARI) (1350 University Ave.) is a presentation titled Queer & Safe from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. discussing "personal safety and staying safe with local law enforcement." [source: Gay Alliance website] Over at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 9:30 p.m. is Holly Golightly and The Brokeoffs, El Destructo and The White Rose, and punchy rock from Blue Spark and Flame. [source: Bug Jar calendar] [18+] Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (99 Court St.) will be hosting The Brokedown starting around 10 p.m. [source: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que calendar] Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) is hosting an Acoustic Open Mic from 8 to 10. [source: Daily Perks calendar]

W E D N E S D A Y

Steak and Blowjob Day Tonight at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) is Nate Hanks starting around 6 p.m. [source: Daily Perks calendar] [all ages] The Comedy Block Party hosted by Matt Rohr returns to the same location although now it's called High Fidelity (170 East Ave., formerly Milestones) starting at 8 p.m. Tonight's performance features funny-man Joshua Grosvent, Matt Bergman, Suzanne Taylor, and Marc D'Amico. [source: the proverbial grapevine] Over at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (99 Court St.) starting around 10 p.m. is 6L6. [source: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que calendar] Poor People United meets tonight and every Wednesday at 7 at St. Joseph's House of Hospitality (402 South Ave.) [source: the proverbial grapevine] There's an Open Mic for Acoustic Music at Boulder Coffee Co. (100 Alexander St.) tonight around 8. [source: the proverbial grapevine] Tonight at Café Underground Railroad (480 W. Main St.) is a Spoken Word/Poetry night starting around 9 p.m. [source: the proverbial grapevine]

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