KidsOutAndAbout's weekly e-newsletter |
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Save the Date Fri/Sat, Apr 24 & 25, 2026: SPACE!: Reprise of RPO April 2024 Eclipse Concert at Eastman Theatre Sat, Apr 25: 90-Second Newbery Film Festival at Dryden Theatre Sat, Apr 25, 2026: Imagine RIT annual creativity & innovation festival Sat, Apr 25: Earth Day in ACTION at Aquarium of Niagara Sun, Apr 26: Annual Old Fashion Day at Honey Locust Farm in Caledonia
Tue, Apr 28: Rochester Red Wings vs. Worcester Red Sox Apr 28-May 3,
2026 Fri, May 1: Opening Weekend at Long Acre Farms
Sat, May 2: Maker’s Edge: Community STEAM Day at the
Harley School Sat, May 2: Safari Tours start for the season at Hidden Valley Animal Adventure Sat, May 2: Spring Fling Festival from School of Rock, Rochester Fri, May 8 - Sun, May 17: 2026 Rochester Lilac Festival
Sat, May 9: Pink & Teal Challenge from Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester
Thu, May 14-Sun, May 17: Water for Elephants from Stages performed at ROC City Circus
Sat, May 16: Dino ROAR @ Stokoe Farms 2026 - special 20% off discount code Sun, May 17: OrKIDStra: Mother Goose with Rochester City Ballet at
Hochstein Wed, May 27: Geva Theatre Presents Anastasia: The Musical |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
One day last week, I was driving home around 7 pm when I glanced out the passenger's window and saw a stunning rainbow stretched fully across the sky, glowing in front of dark gray storm clouds that were rushing away to the east over Penfield and East Rochester. I was approaching a stop light. Left was the way home, where various chores awaited... but right was the way to the
rainbow. My husband was driving behind me, and I knew that if I turned right, he was going to think I had lost my mind. For a split second, practicality made its case: Don’t be silly; go home, you have stuff to do. But then another question darted into my mind: Am I a person who chases rainbows, or am I not? Once I framed it that way, the answer was easy. For kids and grownups alike, this can actually be a helpful way to make all
kinds of decisions. When the moment comes to act, it helps to ask not just What do I feel like doing? but Who am I? Am I a person who tells the truth? Am I a person who helps? Am I a person who persists when times are hard? Am I a person who stops to notice the beautiful things around me? We build identity one choice at a time for our entire lives. The clearer we are about who we want to be, the easier it becomes to know what to do in the moment, to give ourselves evidence that we
are, in fact, that sort of person. I hope the kids in your world grow up thinking of themselves as people who seek what is bright and good and full of wonder. It’s our job to show them that delight is often worth the detour.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize
Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Connect more. Do more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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Review of A BEAUTIFUL NOISE If Neil Diamond’s music has been part of the soundtrack of your life, A Beautiful Noise, playing at the Auditorium through Sunday,
may be just the grown-up night out you’re looking for. While younger audiences may not connect as strongly to its nostalgic pull, adults who have lived with these songs for years are likely to find plenty to enjoy in this warm, music-filled production. My review, Hello Again, Old Friends showcases Nick Fradiani’s standout performance, why the show works more through memory than plot, and how its real pleasure lies in reconnecting audiences with earlier versions of themselves. —Deb |
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Friday and Saturday, April 24 & 25 at 7pm at the Eastman Theatre: Embark on an interstellar musical adventure with this cosmic Pops program! Reprising our 2024 Eclipse concert, Jeff Tyzik and your RPO soar through the galaxy with iconic tv and film themes and classical masterpieces. Experience the mystery and majesty of outer space with celestial soundscapes and stunning visuals—prepare for liftoff! This concert is perfect for all ages.
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Saturday, April 25, 2026: Welcome to the extraordinary! Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival is a FREE signature event that showcases the imaginative and inventive spirit of RIT students. Visitors of all ages experience the breadth and depth of RIT through interactive presentations, hands-on demonstrations, exhibitions, performing arts, and research projects set up throughout campus. 350+ Student Exhibits, 2200+ Exhibitors, 300+ Volunteers. Join us on the RIT campus 10am-5pm on Saturday, April 25, at Imagine RIT.
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Saturday, April 25, 2pm at the GEM's Dryden Theatre: Join us for the annual 90-Second Newbery Film Festival, an annual video contest in which young filmmakers create weird short movies that tell the entire stories of Newbery-winning books in just a few minutes. Hosted by the hilarious pair of children's book authors James Kennedy and Bruce Coville. Perfect for kids 5 and up, this film festival is especially inspiring for kids who might be interested in learning to create their own films. You must pre-register to get your FREE tickets at https://90secondnewbery.com/events.
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May 2, 2026: Calling all STEAM enthusiasts! Join The Harley School, WXXI Education, and the Rochester Museum and Science Center for “Maker’s Edge: Community STEAM Day” held at Harley on May 2 from 11 am -2 pm. This event is free and open to the public and features hands-on activities; Robotics in Action; NASA Hunch Projects; student science showcase. This Community STEAM Day is recommended for ages 8-14 but open to all.
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Join us Saturday, May 9th at Monroe Community College to walk or run and have FUN at the Breast Cancer Coalition's annual Pink & Teal Challenge! It's BCCR's largest fundraising event of the year; all proceeds stay local to provide cutting-edge programs and services free-of-charge to anyone touched by a breast or gynecologic cancer diagnosis. Bring your kids to the walk... it's a great cause! Women's-Only 5k Run starts at 9:30am, All-Inclusive Walk starts 9:45am. To register visit: Pink & Teal Challenge.
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Looking for an exciting and enriching summer camp for your child? Martial Arts America’s Summer Karate Camps offer a safe, fun, and action-packed experience led by expert Black Belt instructors. Designed for ages 6–12, each week features a unique theme, exciting activities, games, crafts, obstacle courses, and daily karate classes—perfect for beginners and experienced kids alike! With locations in Brighton, Penfield, and Webster, plus early drop-off and late pickup options, we make summer easy for busy parents. No prior martial arts experience needed—just tons of fun, fitness, and confidence-building! Learn more and reserve a spot at www.Rochesterkarate.com.
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Sunday, April 26, 2026: Old Fashion Day at Honey Locust Farm from 10 am to 3 pm. This one-of-a-kind annual event showcases antique farm equipment with demonstrations pulled by the farms stunning Draft Horses, local artisans, Punkey's Cornell Chicken BBQ and sweets. Check out a small petting zoo area with your favorite farm animals. This FREE event is perfect for the whole family and a community favorite!
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April 24 & 25, 6:30-9pm: Join Genesee Country Village & Museum for an evening hike to witness one of spring’s most fascinating natural events. Participants will explore the trails with Nature Center staff to look for migrating salamanders on their way to vernal pools, followed by a campfire and a reading of "Big Night for Salamanders" by Sarah Lamstein.
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Friday, April 24, 4pm-6pm, Helmer Nature Center in Irondequoit: Be a part of making HNC even better and greener! Help plant maples in our Sugar Bush and join one of our Staff Naturalists for a tree walk to learn more about the flora here at Helmer. After planting, stick around for some snacks as a thank you for your work! All ages & abilities welcome! Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. The Animal Room will be open!
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Seneca Park Zoo is not only home to many animals from all over the globe but also an excellent habitat for our local birds! Unleash your inner birder and view the Zoo in a different way while learning about the different types of birds that call this park and Rochester home. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair. All birding skill levels welcome! The tour goes from 8:00 am to 9:30 am (remember, early bird catches the worm)!
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Friday, April 24, 5:30PM - 8:00PM: Parents, take the night off! Kids Night Out at Cobblestone Arts Center is a fun-filled evening where children can play, create, and unwind in a safe, welcoming environment, all while parents enjoy a few hours to themselves. The night includes pizza, drinks, a creative craft, karaoke, a movie, and plenty of fun activities to keep kids entertained from start to finish. Led by our experienced staff, Kids Night Out is designed to be both exciting for kids and worry-free for parents.
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Connecting Through Storytelling and Art returns to the Lincoln Branch Library with a lively series of free Saturday workshops celebrating Hispanic culture, creativity, and community. From carnival crafts and cultural tastings to bilingual reading, STEAM activities, and music‑filled storytimes, families can enjoy hands‑on experiences each week from 1 PM to 2 PM at 851 Joseph Ave. All ages are welcome.
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Bring your kid’s clean, gently used clothes & gear in all sizes to our FREE Kid’s Clothing Swap on Saturday, April 25th at 9am! Don’t miss out: swap 1-for-1 or make a donation at the door to refresh your child’s wardrobe sustainably. This event is open to the Rochester community, so bring some friends and socialize with other local families while you swap.
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Pizza Making Workshop Join us for a fun and interactive Kids' Pizza Workshop, where young chefs can unleash their creativity! Each child will get to make their very own pizza, choosing from a variety of delicious toppings, and then enjoy their tasty creation fresh out of the oven. Afterward, they’ll decorate their own aprons to take home as a keepsake from the day. It’s the perfect blend of hands-on cooking, crafting, and yummy fun!
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Play Palace 1st Anniversary Glow Party! Don’t miss the biggest event in our history! On April 26th (10 AM–4 PM), we’re dimming the lights for an epic Glow-in-the-Dark takeover. Every child gets a Spin-to-Win at the door for a chance at FREE admission, plus a massive Scavenger Hunt and glow ball pit fun. No special event pass required—just standard admission! Tickets are strictly limited; buy yours online now to guarantee your spot or risk it at the door!
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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