Arts & Culture

In the world created by “Rubes” cartoonist Leigh Rubin, cows, bears, and sometimes insects get equal time with humans making puns and delivering one-liners.

Rubin sits down at his drawing board every day to come up with a new concept. He’s been doing that for 35 years, and “Rubes” is now distributed worldwide to more than 400 media outlets.

Two shows – one a blockbuster musical, the other a provocative premiere – make the upcoming weeks here one of the most significant stretches ever in Rochester theater. Two shows set in times nearly two centuries apart. But sharing one commonality.

McGrath will be back in town  to perform at the Lovin’ Cup in Henrietta.

McGrath says he was told by a doctor last December he’d have only months to live. McGrath, who now lives in Nashville, has decided not to undergo treatment for cancer.

And he says he really does just take things as they come, so when the owners of the Lovin’ Cup said they would keep his regular appearance in April open for him, McGrath says he was feeling pretty good, so he’s agreed to perform on Saturday, April 27.

Conductor Dr. Rachel Waddell describes music as a “performing tool to bring people together.” She views her work with the orchestras at the University of Rochester’s River Campus as a chance to have people challenge themselves, and society.  

The Highland Park Conservancy is planning to resurrect a beloved structure in the park  in the next few years.

From 1890 through 1963, the highest point of Highland Park held a three-story structure that offered panoramic views, the vision of famed park designer Frederick Law Olmsted.

The structure became known as the Children’s Pavilion, a place where children in the city could play in fresh air. It also became a popular spot for ceremonies, concerts and family gatherings.

Edna Claunch is the co-chair of the Children’s Pavilion reconstruction capital campaign. 

The director of a singing group at Roberts Wesleyan College is reflecting on the Notre Dame Cathedral fire, just a few weeks ahead of a trip where they will sing across France.

The Roberts Wesleyan Chorale was scheduled to open their tour at Notre Dame on May 14.

Adam Potter, director of choral activities at the college, said his initial response was motivated a bit by their trip, but quickly turned to disbelief that “800 years of history were being destroyed within a day.” He said the whole group was looking forward to performing in that space.

Rochester's oldest continuously occupied public building will now be a public rental space for weddings, concerts and other events.

The Episcopal Church of St. Luke & St. Simon Cyrene -- known by many as “Two Saints Church” -- has been on South Fitzhugh Street in Rochester since the early 1800s when the Erie Canal used to flow right by it.