Arts & Life

After five decades, Garth Fagan Dance continues to evolve. It must, if it is to survive. The pandemic has shaken all of the dance world down to the pointe technique of its toes.

What a bargain: For a mere $8, Rochester’s Unleashed! Improv offers a quick synopsis of any show at Rochester Fringe. Imagine! You only need to go to this one show — “Unleashed! Improv Presents: Other People’s Shows” — during the entire 12 days of the festival! This one! It’s all the exclamation points you need!

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP)  Cabbage Patch Kids, the rosy-cheeked dolls that left store shelves picked clean during the first big holiday toy craze, are up for a spot in the National Toy Hall of Fame, part of a finalist group announced Wednesday that also includes garden-variety sand and the toy fire engine.

Also among finalists being considered for a November induction are five competitive games: Battleship, Risk, The Settlers of Catan, Mahjong and billiards, as well as the piñata, American Girl Dolls, Masters of the Universe and Fisher-Price Corn Popper.

The glittering mirror ball overhead, a thumping disco version of “Let the Sunshine In,” and the promise of karaoke to come signaled that the “Cirque du Fringe: AfterParty” would be delivered with a hefty portion of not-so-well-aged cheese.

Tuesday’s opening night of the 10th annual KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival delivered what we’ve come to expect: sideshow shenanigans that ranged from the downright stupid to the astounding, presented by Las Vegas showman Matt Morgan.

The longtime leader of The Hochstein School will be retiring in June 2022.

That announcement was made recently by Peggy Quackenbush, who has been President & Executive Director of the music and dance school since 1992. She has been on the faculty since 1979.

Quackenbush said that she is, “Deeply honored and grateful to have worked with our amazing faculty, staff, and Board for all these years – truly a shared labor of love. My gratitude also goes out to all of our wonderful students, families, and donors who make Hochstein so special.”

If there were ever a public sculpture perfect for shareable selfies, “Lover’s Rainbow” could be it.

The piece, one of two monumental outdoor sculptures planned to be installed on the grounds of the Memorial Art Gallery next year, will be made of steel rebar painted the colors of the rainbow and bent to form a high archway that spans several dozen feet across the open lawn.

The KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival opens Tuesday, with more than 425 live and virtual performances over the next 12 days. But after more than 18 months of COVID-19 caution, what will Rochester Fringe look like?

Will the pandemic blunt the rapid growth of this event, now in its 10th year?

When BIODANCE takes the stage on Tuesday, Sept. 14 to present its Rochester Fringe show “Elemental Forces,” it will be the premiere performance for downtown’s brand new performing arts center.

Formerly Xerox Auditorium, the renovated 700-seat Theater at Innovation Square will host a variety of local arts organizations, and will serve as the new performance venue for Garth Fagan Dance, Rochester City Ballet, and Sonic Era Jazz Orchestra.

The Rochester Broadway Theatre League has joined the growing list of arts organizations that are modifying their coronavirus pandemic guidelines.

Beginning with the Sept. 21 opening of “Cats” at the Auditorium Theatre, all audience members, volunteers and staff will be required to wear a face mask while in the building, regardless of their vaccination status.

“Cats” will be the first touring show presented by the RBTL since March, 2020.