Dear friends—
Hope you’re staying healthy and that your week was a good one!
We at (585) are willing to bet that many of you have purchased a jigsaw puzzle (or unearthed one from the basement) during your weeks in isolation — likely for the first time in years. But we’re also guessing that was soo four weeks ago. You’re over it.
So now what?
For your entertainment, we’ve compiled a list of theaters and movie theaters, and a couple other organizations, that are getting creative in bringing you their art/goods/services. Most of them are bringing local theater, brews, and history (and the latest movies) right to the comfort of your own home.
- Geva Theatre Center is staying busy, even though their doors are closed. Their weekly podcast, “Out of the Rehearsal Hall,” features interviews with a variety of writers, directors, and artists. The podcast is available on their website, as well as on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and more. Also check out their Facebook page for “Happiness Hour” events, featuring video chats with professionals of the stage, at 4 p.m. every Friday.
- Don’t you miss the smell of buttery popcorn in a dark movie theater, crammed elbow to elbow with complete strangers? Same here. If you also miss the best in indie movies that Rochester has to offer, fret not. The Little Theatre has gone virtual and has several movies on their website available to watch at home. Each film can be purchased and streamed through the distributor’s websites, and most can be viewed on platforms like Android, Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast. Virtual discussions and musical performances by local artists are also on The Little’s site, and check out their online Shop for popcorn, beer, wine, and more for curbside pickup (shop restocks on Wednesdays).
- Look to the skies this Saturday, May 16, for a special event honoring first responders, healthcare workers, and essential workers: Operation Thanks From Above. The National Warplane Museum, located in Geneseo, will be conducting a flyover to honor those working tirelessly to ensure our safety. Planes will fly over key hospitals, Veterans Affairs locations, city centers, parks, and other notable venues in the Rochester area from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Bristol Valley Theater is hosting a live performance this Saturday, May 16, at 7 p.m. of “The King’s Legacy,” a theatrical event that will stream on BVT’s YouTube channel and will remain active until June 16. The musical explores the intrigue of the court of King Henry VIII, including his six wives. While BVT’s 2020 season has been cancelled, details of future “BVT at Home” events will be updated on their Facebook page and website as they are scheduled.
- Our state’s craft beer community is banding together during COVID times in many ways, including with a Virtual Happy Hour organized by The New York State Brewers Association. Every day at 6:30 p.m., on a different brewery’s Facebook page, you can meet the folks behind the beer you love. Each Happy Hour will feature a different topic or virtual game. Tune in this evening, Friday, May 15, at 6:30pm to meet brewmaster Dean Jones of The Genesee Brewery.
- Need some laughs? The gang from Blackfriar’s Theatre will host “Unleashed! Cabin Fever Improv” today, Friday, May 15, at 7 p.m. RSVP on their website by registering for this free performance, coming to you via Zoom. Blackfriars is also hosting a Book Club that meets on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. to discuss a new play each week. Plays are announced the previous Friday afternoon. The theater is also celebrating its 70th season and raising funds through their Triple Threat Raffle. Ticketholders have a chance at winning $3,000, two lifetime subscriptions to the theater, or a dozen date nights. More details available online.
- Join Ganondagan State Historic Site Manager Peter Jemison Wednesdays and Fridays at 11 a.m. for Ten Minute Teachings on Facebook Live. The Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor is the original site of a 17th century Seneca town that existed 350 years ago and spans more than 500 acres. Ganondagan is the only New York State Historic Site dedicated to a Native American theme.
- New York State’s drive-in theaters just got the OK to reopen — and that means no straining to see the screen across your living room. Get ready to watch a movie on the big screen again! The Flour City Drive-In Theateris returning to Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex on Friday, May 29, for its first showings of the season. The theater will announce dates and movie selections in the upcoming week.
Don’t forget, you can view the entire May/June issue of (585) Magazine online, for free, here. Thank you to all our readers and subscribers. We appreciate you!
– Jinelle Vaiana, contributing writer
[email protected]
