BeyondTheNest: Weekly e-newsletter for Rochester | |
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Save the Date
Fri, May 8-Sun, May 17: 2026 Rochester Lilac Festival in Highland Park Fri, May 8-Sun, May 24: Blackfriars Theatre presents Parade Sat, May 9: Breast Cancer Coalition Pink & Teal Challenge (Run and Walk) at MCC
Sun, May 10: Mother’s Day Brunch Train Ride at Arcade & Attica
Railroad
Sun, May 10: Mother's Day Weekend Adventure at Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures
Sun, May 10: Mother’s Day &
Brunch at GCV&M Thu, May 14: Over the Rainbow: The Golden Girls Musical
Fri, May 15: 2026 Genesee Valley QuiltFest
Sat, May 16: International Festival & Classic Euro Car Celebration
Sun, May 17: Flower City Days at the Market - Plant and Garden Sales Fri, May 22-Mon, May 25: Forging Japanese Blades at Wendell Castle Workshop in Scottsville Sat, May 23: Birding at Powder Mills Park and the
Burroughs Sanctuary (Joint Field Trip with Rochester Birding Association) Wed, May 27: Geva Theatre Presents Anastasia: The Musical! Fri, Jul 17-Sat, Jul 18: Make a Beautiful Lamp at at Wendell Castle Workshop in Scottsville |
Note from your publisher This week’s newsletter is full of art, the kind nature makes and the kind people make. Outdoors, May is showing off: bluebells, wildflowers, birds, river paths, orchards, and all the fresh green reminders that the world knows exactly how to decorate itself when spring finally gets the floor. You’ll see it in Early Spring Wildflowers at Breese Park, the Bluebells Walk at Hundred Acres Nature Park, and Saturday Afternoon Bird Talks: Whooping Cranes at the Montezuma Audubon Center. And then there’s what humans add to the canvas: music, dance, film, theater, books, paintings, ceramics, cultural celebration, and even a little rock ’n’ roll. Whether your weekend mood points you toward a woodland trail, a museum gallery, a ballpark, a stage, or a dance floor, there’s plenty here to help you notice beauty in both its wild and handmade forms. Check out The Sound: A New Musical, Asian Pacific
American Heritage Celebration Day at the MAG, the Rochester International Film Festival, Mimesis: The BFA Thesis Exhibition, RPO Presents The Music of Tina Turner, and the Round & Square Dance at York Central School. So grab your curiosity, choose your view, and find something beautiful this weekend! —Debra Ross, publisher
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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 spouse and family 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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Cheer on the Rochester Red Wings as they take on the Worcester Red Sox at ESL Ballpark through this Sunday! This exciting homestand is packed with family fun... last night's rained-out game will now be the first game in a doubleheader starting this morning at 11:05 a.m. Friday is Teacher Appreciation Day. Saturday is the City's annual Clean Sweep event (volunteers get a free Clean Sweep T-shirt, a light breakfast, a free ticket to the game, and a voucher for food and drink at the game). Sunday is a Knot Hole game; kids can run the bases with Spikes and Mittsy.
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CenterStage at the JCC, May 2-17: In 1943, deportation orders of over 7,000 Danish Jews inspired their friends and neighbors to help them escape to Sweden across The Sound, sending ripples far beyond the waters that transported them to safety. Set in both past and present, this magical and heroic story of one family’s race against the clock to elude capture may restore your faith in humanity.
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Friday, May 1, 2026, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Join naturalists Carol and David Southby to celebrate May Day with a wildflower walk at this a hidden gem in the western part of Henrietta. Our group has been delighted and amazed by the number of different wildflowers growing along this short woodland trail. Flowers included spring beauty, trout lily, Dutchman’s breeches, violets, and trillium. Carpets of Virginia bluebells (Mertensia) grow there and can be a special treat.
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Saturday, May 2 at 2pm: See a vast expanse of bluebells and learn about this wild flower and others. Why do some flowers appear only in Spring? When Bluebells disappear what happens to them? Nearby is the Genesee River. (5 minute walk) and more!
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Please join us for the third Saturday Afternoon Bird Talk at 2:00 PM. The Seneca Meadows Education Center is at 1977 NYS Route 414 in Waterloo, NY 13165. We will have a talk about Whooping Cranes.
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Through May 3: The RMSC’s temporary exhibit explores the tasks and challenges required of a space explorer, requires teamwork to solve problems, and illuminates the science + tools needed to monitor damage to a spacecraft. Experience a rocket launch, explore how a lack of gravity can affect the body & mind, and discover how scientific observations and measurements can both differ in space. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to sleep, eat, shower, and use the toilet in space, Astronaut allows you the opportunity to explore your curiosities. On display at the Rochester Museum & Science Center through May 3 only, so it's a great time to head there now!
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Sunday, May 3, 12:00 pm–4:00 pm at the MAG: Join us for Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration Day! Enjoy free museum admission and join us as we celebrate together and embrace music, art, culture, community, and more.
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What is CSA? Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) offers the opportunity for people, of a specific geographic region to support a local farm, the local community and the rural economy. Through annual enrollment (by purchasing a share) the share holder helps the farmer with much needed funds at the beginning of the growing season while knowing the share holder will receive (on a weekly basis once the picking season starts) the freshest possible produce grown by the farmer. It gives the share holder the chance to really learn about and know who is growing their food. If you are interested in our 2026 CSA please email [email protected] for information. |
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Three-day celebration of short films with four shows: 7:30 pm show each evening. There is also a 2:00 pm matinee on Saturday May 2. Different films each show- dramas, comedies, documentaries. Films are from the USA and around the world. Q&A with filmmakers after each show.
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Join author Debi Bower at The Ugly Unicorn on Saturday, May 2, from 1–3 p.m. for a relaxed afternoon celebrating local places and the joy of exploring them. She will be signing copies of her newest book, Highland Park: Frederick Law Olmsted’s Living Landscape in Rochester, New York, as well as Day Trips Around Rochester and Hidden Places Around Rochester. Whether you are discovering these books for the first time or adding to your collection, we would love to see you.
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Mimesis: The BFA Thesis Exhibition opens Friday, May 1 and continues through May 8 in the Arts Center Gallery at Nazareth University. A opening reception will be held Friday May 1 from 5- 7pm with refreshments. The exhibition showcases the work of five artists in a variety of media, including Painting, Printmaking, Ceramics and Metals.
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The Annual Antiques & Artisans Show welcomes dealers from around the region with both fine and primitive 19th-century wares to 20th-century vintage. Plus, shop handcrafted goods by local artisans and explore all GCV&M has to offer!
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May 2, one night only, at the West Herr Auditorium Theatre: All hail the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll! Superstar singers LaKisha Jones, Nova Y. Payton, and Armando Imagines will take you on a journey through Tina Turner's legendary musical career as your Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra elevates all her iconic songs including "What's Love Got to Do with It," "Disco Inferno," "Proud Mary," and more. As sentimental as it is powerful, this production pays tribute to the eight-time GRAMMY-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee in a way that proves Tina Turner truly was "simply the best."
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Bring a partner or just your dancing shoes! The Genesee Valley Council on the Arts is hosting a good ol' Round & Square Dance on Saturday May 2nd at York Central School. Even if you've never tried this form of entertainment, come learn and have yourself a great time!
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GET YOUR TICKETS BY MAY 8 AT: https://tinyurl.com/ZontaROC2026 Join us for the Zonta Club of Rochester's 2nd Annual Rocking for a Cause fundraiser featuring the incredible Brian Lindsay Band on Friday, May 15th at Penfield Country Club! Doors open at 6PM, with live music from 7-10PM. Tickets are on sale now for $65 per person or $500 to reserve a Table for 8! Each ticket includes delicious food, live music, and more! We look forward to seeing you there!
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Lovely local experiences are in your future! |
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