BeyondTheNest: Weekly e-newsletter for Rochester | |
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Save the Date
Now through Dec 28: A Christmas Carol at Geva Theatre Tue, Dec 9 - Sun, Dec 14: & Juliet at RBTL
Wed, Dec 10: Holiday Afternoon Tea at Genesee Country Village & Museum
Today through Dec 28: Rumors at Blackfriars
Theatre
Sat, Dec 13: Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland at Kodak Center
Sat, Dec 13: 2 day craft and vendor fair at Holy Childhood
Sat, Dec 13: Free Holiday Studio Sale at Rochester Folk Art Guild
Sat, Dec 13: The Open Road Theatre -presents- The Servant of Two Masters
By Carlo Goldoni at Multi-Use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC)
Sat, Dec 13: Merry & Bright: A Holiday Cabaret at Geva Theatre
Sat, Dec 13: The Days the Artists Spoke at RoCo at Rochester Contemporary Art Center
Sun, Dec 14: Penfield Symphony Orchestra's "White Christmas" Concerts - Dec 14 and 15 at Penfield High
School
Fri, Dec 19: Gala Holiday Pops at Eastman Theatre
Sat, Dec 20: Holiday Figure Skating Show at Genesee Figure Skating Club
Mon, Dec 22: Seneca Park Zoo 2025 Holiday Magic Tours start at Seneca Park Zoo
Sat, Dec 27: Mindful MAGiC: Martyrs Water Meditation at Memorial Art Gallery
Tue, Jan 13: Spamalot: January 13-18, 2026 at RBTL |
Note from your publisher I stopped by Roc Holiday Village last night, sleet and all, and was surprised by how warm and inviting the vendor stalls felt—like a little pocket of holiday cheer tucked into the middle of downtown. I found some great local artisan gifts (and maybe a treat or two for myself), and it reminded me just how creative
and resilient our community is this time of year. The Village runs through December 28, and if you haven’t been yet, it’s well worth a visit. Hardy souls can also strap on skates for free skating on the rink! This weekend, I’m planning to see Rumors at Blackfriars—Neil Simon’s farce about a dinner party gone spectacularly off the rails. It opens tonight and runs through the 28th, and I’m really looking forward to a night of laughter in one of my favorite local theaters. Whether you’re in the mood for live music, art-making, trolley rides, or just some twinkly
lights and good company, there’s something happening nearby that can make the season feel a little brighter. —Debra Ross, publisher
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My new book is not actually about eclipses 😇 This is publication week for my long-awaited book The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong
Communities. I was chair of Rochester's Eclipse Task Force for the 2024 eclipse and also of the American Astronomical Society's national Solar Eclipse Task Force, which meant I had a front-row seat to the many communities across the country that managed the eclipse. So many stories! So many practical leadership strategies so necessary in this day and age... It was all so inspiring that my co-author (Jamie Carter of Forbes) and I
saw how it all applied far beyond eclipses, and we realized that it deserved a book. Read about the people who made it happen here, and everywhere! It makes a great holiday gift for anyone who experienced last year's eclipse here, and also any community leader who needs to pull together a diverse group of people to make things happen. See a chapter-by-chapter
summary on our website theeclipseeffect.com. Order it here: https://amzn.to/3KKFbZK |
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Cheers to play! Join The Strong this evening--Thursday, December 11--for the adults-only Happiest Hour from 5:30–9:30 p.m. sponsored in part by Advantage Federal Credit Union. The night includes cash bars (cash and credit accepted), loads of fun, music by DJ Naps from BreakThrough Entertainment, cotton candy from Sugary Delights, an Ugly sweater contest, Supermarket Sweep, Minute to Win It games, special holiday displays throughout the museum, and access to the entire museum. All attendees must be 21+ with valid ID. Tickets must be purchased online.
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Blackfriars Theatre presents Rumors, Neil Simon’s uproarious farce about a dinner party gone spectacularly wrong. When the first guests arrive to find their host unconscious and no sign of his wife, the evening spirals into a frenzy of cover-ups, confusion, and laugh-out-loud moments. Performances run December 11–28, Thursdays through Sundays (no show on Christmas Day). Tickets: $39.50 regular, $36.50 for seniors (60+), $20 for students with valid ID. Don’t miss this sharp, high-energy comedy—perfect for a night out this holiday season! Tickets at https://www.blackfriars.org/rumors.
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December 22 - Jan 3: The most magical ride of the season starts at the Zoo! Bring your own warm beverage and snuggle under a blanket while enjoying a 90-minute cart tour through the Zoo, led by Zoo Naturalists. Member price: $20.00 per person; Non-Member price: $30.00 per person (which includes admission to the Zoo). Morning and afternoon tours are available on select days. See https://senecaparkzoo.org/holiday-magic-tours/ for more information and tickets.
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Sat, Dec 13: Experience the magic of cirque like never before with the all-new Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland! A thrilling blend of world-class circus artistry and your favorite holiday music, this spectacular production will transport you to a winter wonderland of awe and enchantment. With breathtaking acrobatics, soaring aerial performances, and an all-new production for this year, Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland delivers an unforgettable holiday experience for the whole family. Feel the holiday spirit come to life with heart-pounding feats and beloved seasonal melodies.
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Raise your glass—and your creativity—at the Champagne Flute Painting Event with Roc, Paint, Sip at Flight Wine Bar on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM! For just $35, you’ll receive a champagne glass, all painting supplies, your first beverage, and gratuity. It’s the perfect way to get ready for New Year’s Eve while enjoying a relaxed, artistic afternoon with friends. Seating is limited, so don’t wait—reserve your spot today at https://square.link/u/LDFRpiNF
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Dec 11-14: The Servant of Two Masters is a fast-paced romantic comedy set in 1700s Venice, inspired by the colorful world of Commedia dell’Arte. Chaos erupts when Beatrice, disguised as her brother, and her beloved Florindo unknowingly hire the same sly servant—Truffaldino. Add in a pair of young lovers navigating overbearing parents, a bold maid with eyes for Truffaldino, and a few sneaky side characters, and you’ve got a whirlwind of mistaken identities, slapstick, and surprises. This lively production promises laughs, love, and classic Italian flair!
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November 8 - January 4: The George Eastman Museum's annual Sweet Creations Gingerbread display is a beloved Rochester family tradition! Check out the dozens of cleverly designed and deliciously decorated gingerbread houses that fill the mansion... it's a visual and aromatic treat for visitors of all ages, and is sure to put you in the holiday spirit! All of the gingerbread creations are available in an online silent auction. Free to members; included with museum admission.
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Featuring a dazzling display of artificial evergreen trees, adorned with energy efficient lights. Trees are decorated for the season by area non-profit groups and will be on display all month. In addition to tree viewing, guests are invited to enjoy the state-of-the-art exhibits at the Niagara Power Vista. Free admission and parking. For more information, contact (716) 286-6661.
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Dec 12-14 at Geva: Come share some hot cocoa, good cheer, and timeless tunes that are sure to leave you merry and bright! Broadway veterans Chelsea and Geoff Packard (Wicked, Matilda, The Phantom of the Opera, Beautiful, Promises, Promises, Rock of Ages) return home to Rochester for a festive evening of holiday favorites and fresh new takes on beloved classics.
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Art Starts are fun, one-time classes featuring mini, introductory lessons in art making with the guided help of one of our teaching artists. All materials, encouragement, and inspiration are included. Check out our class calendar at https://mag.rochester.edu/series/art-starts/ .
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Dec 13-14: Tiger Tracks is back for its NINETEENTH year and is bigger than ever this time! Our annual Tiger Tracks train show & Sale is a two-day event that you don’t want to miss! Hosted in the wonderful Gordon Field House at Rochester Institute of Technology, our train show has more vendors, more layouts, and more fun!! Tiger Tracks, presented by the RIT Model Railroad Club, is fun for the whole family. We have two days full of vendors, museum displays, operating model railroads, exciting seminars and more.
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The Gilmour Project returns Winter 2025. They previously racked up 58 shows in North America to celebrate the 1973 release of Pink Floyd’s masterwork, ‘The Dark Side of The Moon’–to immense press / fan acclaim & boffo box office.
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New York Museum of Transportation in Rush: Take a vintage trolley ride, meet Santa Claus, see the Midtown Plaza Monorail, enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and a museum full of holiday decorations. December 7, 13 and 14. Reservations at www.nymtmuseum.org/Christmas
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Rochester’s 42nd annual TUBA CHRISTMAS concert will take place Sunday, December 14, at 3:00 pm in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. A mass low-brass choir of over 100 tuba and euphonium players of all ages and abilities will perform traditional Christmas carols with an enthusiastic audience sing-along. The concert is free! No tickets required.
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During Holidays, the Market is decked out in holiday lights and festive music, and offers a great volume and variety of local shopping and unique gift items. Kids can visit Santa from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. during the Sunday events, and from 6 to 8 p.m. during the Thursday evening event. Plus, everyone can enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides offered during all the events!
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Join us in Fairport Saturday, Dec 13th, 11:00AM-4PM to try our best delights for the holidays. Sample the flavors and pick your favorites for yourself or gift giving.
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Art Center of Rochester in Irondequoit: Saturday, Dec 13, 6pm-8pm: Join us for our 5th annual Boozy Advent Calendar Workshop. You will be creating a 12-Day Advent Calendar with small booze bottles.
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150 spectacularly-lit houses around Rochester Rochesterians are incredibly creative! Check out our annual list of 150 houses turned into holiday fairyland, organized by town. More houses are added every day for 2025 as reports come
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Weekend highlights for December 12-14, 2025Friday, December 12, 2025- Rumors - Rochester, NY. A farcical comedy about a chaotic tenth wedding anniversary party filled with confusions and
miscommunications. Show at 7:30 pm.
- Christmas Carol at Geva Theatre - Rochester, NY. A classic adaptation of Dickens’ story about Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformative night with four ghosts. Check schedule for times.
- Juliet - Rochester, NY. A hilarious new musical that flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. Show at 7:30 PM.
- Cirque Musica Holiday
Wonderland - Rochester, NY. A thrilling circus and holiday music show with acrobatics and aerial performances. Show at 7:30pm.
- Free Mini Photo Session at Shoott - Rochester, NY. Book a free 30-minute outdoor photo session to capture holiday or family
moments. See link for times.
- Holly Trolley Rides - West Henrietta, NY. Take a vintage trolley ride, meet Santa, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, and see holiday decorations from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.
- Magical Christmas Adventure at Hidden Valley - Varysburg, NY. Holiday activities including cookie decorating, letters to the North Pole, and a trolley ride through a wintery forest. 9am-4:30pm.
- Merry & Bright Holiday Cabaret - Rochester, NY. Enjoy hot cocoa and timeless holiday tunes with performances from 1:30PM to
- Holiday Spectacular at Blue Barn’s Campus - Hilton, NY. Holiday light show and family activities from 5:00PM to 8:00PM.
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Wishing you and yours good health and happiness! |
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