BeyondTheNest: Weekly e-newsletter for Rochester | |
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Save the Date
Fri, Feb 6: In Focus: Dutch Connection, the annual flower display,
starts at the George Eastman Museum
Sat, Feb 7: Honor Band Concert at Nazareth University Arts Center
Sat, Feb 7: Bird-Friendly Chocolate Tasting at Montezuma Audubon Center
Sat, Feb 7: Valentine’s Cheese Board Painting Class at Flight Wine Bar
Sun, Feb 8: Black History Month Celebration Day 2026 at Memorial Art Gallery Sat, Feb 14: Learn to Weave Workshop at Rochester Folk Art Guild
Sat, Feb 14: RPO: Saint-Saëns & Mendelssohn at Eastman Theatre
Sat, Feb 14: For
The Love of Books: Adult Book Fair at Cobblestone Arts Center
Sat, Feb 14: Sip & Celebrate Galentine’s Wine Social at Flight Wine Bar Sat, Feb 14: Ice Wine Festival at Casa
Larga
Sat, Feb 14: The Winter Warriors at Old Fort Niagara at Old Fort Niagara
Sun, Feb 15: CARNAVAL SHOW from Grupo Cultural Latinos En Rochester, Inc.
Sun, Feb 15: Valentine's Day Brunch & Film at George Eastman Museum Sat, Feb 21: Golden Link presents Midwinter Music Madness: Pepper & Sassafras with Tim Burns and John Dancks |
Note from your publisher Despite Mother Nature having handed us the coldest January stretch on record—and it's looking like we're plunging back into it on Saturday—I nevertheless feel that this weekend shows off what Rochester does best. From splashy stage productions to hands-on science, music, and ice time, there’s something wonderful waiting no matter what kind of February mood you’re in. Musical theatre lovers can enjoy Hello, Dolly! and The
Sound of Music, while those craving something more contemporary can dive into modern opera or a Pops concert packed with classic love songs. If you’re looking for pure, high-energy fun, nothing beats an Amerks home game, where winter suddenly feels like the best season of all. If you’d rather slow things down and warm things up, the annual Dutch Connection floral display at the George Eastman Museum opens tomorrow; it always reminds me that spring really is coming even if the thermometer disagrees, and it pairs beautifully with their thought-provoking photography and film exhibitions. There are date-night options, hands-on workshops, and pre-Valentine’s events and treats. Just put on
an extra sweater when you head out, okay? Thanks. —Debra Ross,
publisher
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Feb 6-22, 2026: Find respite from Rochester’s chilly winter with a warm favorite, Dutch Connection! Drawing thousands of visitors to the museum, this annual floral display serves as a sweet reminder that spring is on its way. A nod to those original orders, the annual display features thousands of colorful tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, amaryllis, and spring annuals, throughout the historic mansion. Tropical orchids, courtesy of the Genesee Regional Orchid Society, are displayed as well.
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Friday, Feb 13 at 7:30pm: The unforgettable animated classic "Up" returns to the big screen at the Eastman Theatre, with Michael Giacchino’s Oscar- and Grammy award-winning score performed live to picture! Follow the unlikely duo of a curmudgeonly 78-year-old balloon salesman and his 8-year-old stowaway on this hilarious, heartwarming journey to a lost world filled with danger and surprises. The perfect outing to warm your heart in winter!
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Saturday, Feb 14: East Meets Ice! New York State Ice Wine and Culinary Festival returns to Casa Larga Vineyards! It's the largest celebration of traditional Ice Wines made in NYS. Fill your commemorative glass with additional samples from Casa Larga and visiting NYS producers. The celebrations continue with winter activities, vineyard rides, an ice lounge with celebrity bartenders, bespoke vendors for shopping, photo opportunities and more. Session 1: 11:00 am- 2:00 pm; Session 2: 3:00 pm- 6:00 pm
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Friday, Feb 13 at 7:30pm: The unforgettable animated classic "Up" returns to the big screen, with Michael Giacchino’s Oscar- and Grammy award-winning score performed live to picture! Follow the unlikely duo of a curmudgeonly 78-year-old balloon salesman and his 8-year-old stowaway on this hilarious, heartwarming journey to a lost world filled with danger and surprises. Enter to win a family four-pack of tickets now! Drawing will be Monday, Feb 9. The winner will be notified by email.
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In honor of Black History Month, the Eureka Lodge #36 has collaborated with the Archive of Black History and Culture to curate an exhibit highlighting the history of the lodge. Materials featured in the exhibit include the original handwritten minutes from the first meeting, which took place on May 8th, 1879. The Eureka Lodge #36 exhibit will also include an early Bible used by members of the Lodge that was published in 1892.
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Impressionist art is anything but tame and stagnant. Frontiers of Impressionism explores the evolution of the radical artistic movement that changed the course of art history. The audience will see fifty-three stellar paintings from the Worcester Art Museum’s collection through the lens of more than thirty artists—American and European—including Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, Mary Cassatt, Childe Hassam, and John Singer Sargent.
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February 7-22 at the JCC's Centerstage: Rochester’s beloved popular music series has spanned 10 incarnations and featured over 300 songs from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Join us for a joyous evening of favorites, voted on by you, the audience! Head to https://jccrochester.org/arts-culture/centerstage for tickets
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Grab your sweetheart and join RPO’s own Herb Smith for his Pops Series conducting debut! Two of Broadway’s best, Chester Gregory (The Jackie Wilson Story, Motown: The Musical) and Shayna Steele (Rent, Hairspray) perform some of the greatest classic love songs for the ages, including Could It Be I’m Falling in Love, What’s Love Got To Do with It, Let’s Get It On, and The Best!
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Are you a fan of family history? Do you wonder who your ancestors were and how you can learn more about them? Whether you are an experienced researcher or just starting out, we invite you to join our friendly, informal monthly gathering. Explore your questions, share your discoveries, and research your family’s past alongside fellow ancestry seekers. Join the club as we explore a different theme or topic each month.
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Join us this winter for an intimate, maple-inspired five-course brunch inside the cozy, climate-controlled barn at Kettle Ridge Farm. Round up your closest friends or family members (six to eight seats per table) and prepare for the ultimate tree-to-table experience at the Sugarmaker's Barn Brunch by Kettle Ridge Farm. Our chefs will impress your palates with their take on brunch utilizing locally sourced ingredients. We do not release menus in advance; the mystery is all part of the fun.
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Feb 7, 2pm: Make the birds your Tweetheart this Valentine's season at Montezuma Audubon Center's Bird-friendly Chocolate Tasting event. Join us for a special chocolate tasting and pairing experience, using a curated selection of eco-friendly chocolates.
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Valentine’s Cheese Board Painting at Flight Wine Bar with Roc, Paint, Sip
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Step into the 1850s Jones Farm kitchen to learn how coffee was roasted and doughnuts were fried in the 19th century. Participants ages 16 and up will use historic techniques and ingredients to make and enjoy their own brunch-time treats during this hands-on workshop at Genesee Country Village & Museum.
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An ensemble of voices and historical instruments, directed by Stephen Kennedy, performs the 30-minute sung liturgy by candlelight. Organ preludes at 8:50 PM precedes Compline each week.
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Make a Valentine for a U.S. Veteran, leave it in our "mailbox," and we'll deliver it to the Veteran's Outreach Center to give to a Veteran for Valentine's Day! In the Children's Center, while supplies last.
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Lovely local experiences are in your future! |
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