BeyondTheNest: Weekly e-newsletter for Rochester | |
|
|
Save the Date
Sun, Feb 22: Fire & Ice Festival in Downtown Canandaigua at Historic Downtown Canandaigua
Mon, Feb 23: Nickel Flour's 48 Hour Play Plate-Off Cold-Read-Marathon at Multi-Use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC)
Wed, Feb 25: Fiber Art Enthusiast Meetup at Flight Wine Bar
Sat, Feb 28: RGMC fundraiser party: Hawaiian luau at Rochester Gay Men's Chorus
Sat, Feb 28: CONCERT - JOE CROOKSTON in Fairport at Fairport United Church of Christ
Sun, Mar 1: Yoga with the Birds at Genesee Country Village & Museum
Fri, Mar 6: Wonders of
Water at fivebyfive
Sat, Mar 7: Live from the Valley Benefit Concert at Three Heads Brewing at Genesee Valley Council on the Arts
Sun, Mar 8: Sweat: A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Play by Lynn Nottage at Louis S. Wolk Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester
Sun, Mar 8: Women in Music Festival at Nazareth University Arts Center
Sun, Mar 8: Jazz by the Book: Collegiate a cappella at Writers & Books
Thu, Mar 12: The Cherry Orchard - The Classics Company By Anton Chekhov at Multi-Use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC)
Fri, Mar 13: Honoring Heroes: A Night of Fortune & Fate at Monroe Golf Course from Ability Partners Foundation
Sat, Mar 14: March Maple Open House at Shadow Hill Maple Syrup
Sun, Mar 15: “America the Beautiful!” - Organist Lance Luce at Rochester Theater Organ Society
Fri, Mar 20: GCV&M Maple Sugar Festival
2026 at Genesee Country Village & Museum
Fri, Mar 20: The Cry of Jeremiah at Rochester Oratorio Society
Sat, Mar 21: Maple Weekend 2026 at Schoff's Sugar Shack
Sat, Mar 21: Dream Factory Casino Night Fundraising Event at Car Club of Rochester
Sat, Mar 21: Maple Weekend at Helmer Nature Center
Sun, Mar 22: Maple Sugaring Weekend at Cumming Nature Center of RMSC |
Note from your publisher We’re not quite to the end of winter, but we’re far enough along to start looking around for signs of life beyond the gray. This is when I look not only at the weekend's listings, but I peek into the future with those Save the Date links above... maple sugar events are only a month away!. This weekend’s lineup includes Broadway-caliber dazzle with Wicked at RBTL (I’ll be there tonight—if you spot me, please say hello!), fiery and frosty fun in Canandaigua, tulips blooming inside the George Eastman Museum (last day of Dutch Connection is this Sunday, so get thee there on the
double!), chili steaming in handmade bowls (for a good cause!), swans and songbirds along winter trails, music that chases away the blues, and chocolate paired with art and coffee (yes, please). Whether
you’re in the mood for theater, nature, history, hands-on learning, or just something deliciously different, there’s a warm pocket of joy waiting for you. Scroll down, pick your adventure, and let’s keep filling these winter weeks with light. —Debra Ross, publisher
|
|
|
|
Experience the magic of Broadway right here in Rochester! Now through March 1, RBTL's West Herr Auditorium Theatre welcomes the spellbinding sensation Wicked. This unforgettable production reimagines the Land of Oz long before Dorothy arrives, telling the
story of two unlikely friends—one green and misunderstood, the other bubbly and beloved—whose bond changes them forever. With dazzling costumes, breathtaking music, and a story full of heart, humor, and courage, WICKED is a must-see! Tickets: https://rbtl.org/events/wicked
|
|
|
|
Saturday, February 21 from 4:30–8:00 PM at Flower City Arts Center, the 19th Annual Flower City Chili Cook-Off brings the heat for one of Rochester’s tastiest fundraisers of the year! Sample delicious chili from local favorites like Voula’s, Dogtown,
Jeremiah’s Tavern, Jines Restaurant, The Sheffield, and more—then cast your vote for the best in town. Each ticket includes a beautiful hand-made chili bowl (valued at $25–$100) to take home! Come hungry and ready for friendly competition, community spirit, and an unforgettable evening that supports the entire center and its facilities.
|
|
|
|
Fire & Ice Festival returns to Canandaigua Feb 21–22! Ice sculptures, fire shows, animals, food & family fun. Sat 11–5, Sun 11–4.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Sat, Feb 21: Join the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps for a 2 hour, 1.5 mile walk along the Onondaga Lake West Shore Trail to explore newly restored habitats that attract birds, mammals and other wildlife during the winter months. National Audubon Society
staff and volunteers will help participants identify Onondaga Lake's winter songbirds, waterfowl, birds of prey and other wildlife, and learn about the importance of protecting the lake's habitats.
|
|
|
|
Looking to warm up your winter weekend? Golden Link presents an afternoon and evening of musical delight on Saturday, February 21, at Greece Baptist Church. Join the award-winning duo Pepper & Sassafras, joined by Tim Burns and John Dancks, for a
foot-tapping concert at 7:30 pm—but come early for the fun! Starting at 4:00 pm, enjoy a lively hootenanny, an interactive guitar workshop, and a cozy potluck supper. It’s a full evening of community, music, and cheer that’s sure to chase away the winter blues. Tickets and details at goldenlink.org.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
Feb 19 - 21: Four beautiful, badass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen (and fan of ribbons) Marie
Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat, and try to beat back the extremist insanity in 1793 Paris. This grand and dream-tweaked comedy is about violence and legacy, art and activism, feminism and terrorism, compatriots and chosen sisters, and how we actually go about changing the world. It’s a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection…that ends in a song and a scaffold.
|
|
|
|
Saturday, February 21, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm: Contemporary Confections brings together contemporary art, coffee, and chocolate for an indulgent afternoon at the Memorial Art Gallery. Enjoy a curated coffee menu from Ugly Duck—featuring cortados, cappuccinos, and
lattes—paired with artisan chocolates from Laughing Gull. $35
|
|
|
|
Learn the fundamentals of cheesemaking in a 19th-century kitchen at Genesee Country Village & Museum. Participants ages 18 and up will craft a hard cheese from start to finish while gaining practical skills to use at home during this popular hands-on
workshop.
|
|
|
|
Sat., Feb 21, 1PM: Black History Month celebration: The Rochester Jamaican Organization returns to the Rochester Public Library Central Library for the second year in a row! Program attendees will get the opportunity to learn about the rich history, culture
and traditions of Jamaica during an informative lecture. Last and certainly not least, join as we experience the flavors of the island with FREE food provided by local Caribbean restaurants.
|
|
|
|
As part of its 2026 Northeast tour celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, the U.S. Navy Band will present a family-friendly concert designed to connect each community with
their Navy. The program features a broad selection of musical works, from American classics to contemporary pieces. Selections include works by John Williams, Joseph Turrin, Alberto Ginastera, John Philip Sousa and Aaron Copland. As the premier musical organization of the U.S. Navy, the United States Navy Band is honored to mark the 250 the anniversary of the United States, celebrating this historic milestone throughout the year by bringing the Navy
where ships can’t go, telling the Navy story, instilling pride and patriotism and representing the professionalism of hundreds of thousands of Sailors and Navy civilians serving around the world 24/7.
|
|
|
|
Sunday, Feb 22, 2pm: Enjoy the classic sounds of the trio Mystic Sisters as they showcase their harmonies with tunes from Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and other artists.
|
|
|
Lovely local experiences are in your future! |
|
|
|
