Greek Fest @ The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church On East Avenue, May 31-June 3
by Sue Cannon
•Running May 31 thru June 3 at the Greek Orthodox Church, 962 East Avenue, is Greek Festival 2012. The event brings the aromas, tastes, sounds and traditions of Greece to Rochester with traditional foods like Spanakopita, Gyros, Moussaka, Lamb Shank dinners, Greek coffees, wines and beer and more. There is also a Greek marketplace with all manner of unique treasures – clothing, jewelry, local Greek art, books, icons, specialty foods and more. There will be also be a Kiddie Village as well as live music and dancing! Call (585) 244-3377; or go to www.rochestergreekfestival.org.
•It’s Summer! And that means it’s time for the popular East End Festivals. On June 1, Rochester’s East End area, centering on East Avenue in downtown, will celebrate with “A Tribute to Tributes” – honoring great tribute bands. Watch for performances by Kiss Alive (Kiss), Live Wire (AC/DC), 2U (U2), Almost Journey (Journey), Big Eyed Phish (DMB), Into the Now (The Dead) and a Skycoasters Disco Inferno! Visit www.eastendmusicfestival.com for details.
•At the Sulphur Springs Festival taking place on June 1 & 2 in Clifton Springs NY, there will be live music, food vendors, crafts, entertainment, a kids’ tent, pony rides, a pie-eating contest, car show, parade and more. Visit www.sulphurspringsfestival.com for details.
•Fairport Canal Days on June 1, 2 & 3 offers a chicken barbeque and live music by Bill Tiberio, the Eastman Educators Big Band, and other local/regional acts. The event also features over 300 arts & crafts vendors lining the streets of the Village, children’s events, canal boat cruises, great food and more. New this year in Kennelly Park are performance paintings, with artists painting to music as it is performed live on the gazebo on Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.fairportcanaldays,com.
•The First Congregational Church at 58 N. Main Street in Canandaigua will host Women Artists of the Finger Lakes II: A Contemporary Show and Sale from June 1 thru 3. Forty-five women artists who work or reside in the Finger Lakes Region will participate in the juried show. One hundred and sixteen works, not seen at last year’s event, have been selected for inclusion – watercolors, oils, sculptures, photographs, pastels, acrylic, enamel painting, pen & ink and charcoal drawings. Call (585) 394-2184.
•The Zoobilation gala is scheduled for June 2 at the Seneca Park Zoo, 2222 St. Paul St. This annual fundraiser, a 21-and-over event, will take you on an African journey in celebration of three new African lions who now call our Zoo home. There will be great food, adult beverages, live entertainment, silent and live auctions and more; including the famous Wine and Beer Trail and Dessert Trail. In honor of the new “Step Into Africa” exhibit, Garth Fagan Dance School Ensemble will premiere a special African dance performance. The Bermuda Mavericks return by popular demand to offer auction items. Call (585) 295-7394.
•On June 2nd, McKenzie’s Irish Pub at 3685 W. Henrietta Road will host a Flair Competition starting at 8 p.m. Check out the amazing bartender tricks as seven teams compete. There will also be 50-50 raffles and give-a-ways; and the Labatt Girls will stop by before the event to get the party started. Call (585) 334-8970; or visit www.mckenziesirshpub.com.
•Tinker Nature Park at 1525 Calkins Road in Henrietta will host an All About Raptors program by naturalist Ron Walker on June 2. The “Friends with Feathers” program will be offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call (585) 359-7044.
•The 19th Ward Community Celebration’s Square Fair will be held on June 2 at Aberdeen Square Park. Events include a parade (starting at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 174 Thurston Road), a pancake breakfast, arts & crafts, live entertainment, and great foods from local restaurants. The park is on Aberdeen Street, between Post and Woodbine. Call (585) 328-6571.
•The 4th annual RCTV Black Music Month Celebration will be held on June 2 at 21 Gorham Street. The studio will be open, providing visitors with a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the process of live broadcasting as musicians perform a variety of music with roots in black culture – gospel, jazz and hip hop – while being filmed and shared live with viewers. There will also be activities for kids, information booths and more. Visit www.rctv15.org.
•The 2012 Hamlin Wheel Fest is scheduled for June 2 at 1658 Lake Road. The event includes live music, children’s activities, a silent auction, an antique/classic boat show, crafts, chariot races, live steam railroad demonstrations, a cruise in, games, great food, fireworks and more. Call (585) 964-2421.
•In downtown Spencerport NY, the annual Spencerport Firemen’s Carnival is planned on June 6 thru 9. There will be carnival rides, food and games; a Youth Parade on Wednesday, a Firemen’s Parade on Thursday, music by 7th Heaven on Friday, and by The Taint on Saturday. Saturday is also “Family Fun Day” with special prices on rides from noon to close. Visit www.spencerportfire.org for details.
•Scheduled for June 8 & 9 in the town of Albion NY, the annual Strawberry Festival will provide a street race, arts & crafts, parades, wine tasting, terrific food vendors offering all manner of strawberry creations, and more. Visit www.orleanscountytourism.com.
•The Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival is scheduled for June 8, 9 & 10 in various locations around Canandaigua. Artists will work in various media, painting scenes and vistas – city streets, historic structures, farm and vineyards. There will be live music, and planners promise fun for young and old. Visit www.canandaiguaarts.com.
•Running June 8 thru 10 at Warner Road Farm in Marion NY is the first annual Upstate Fiddler’s Picnic. The two day celebration of American bluegrass, folk and acoustic roots music will feature live music on two stages, overnight camping, arts & crafts, food, children’s events, songs around the campfire and more. Among the national acts you can expect to see are Floodwood featuring Al Schnier & Vinnie Amico of moe., Big Leg Emma, Cabinet, Hot Day at the Zoo, Boots N’ Shorts, Free Grass Union, Aaron Austin Band and Clinton’s Ditch. Visit www.fiddlerspicnic.wordpress.com
•There will be food, rides and entertainment in Edmund Lyon Park on June 8, 9 & 10 during the East Rochester Festa Italia. Featured acts include a tribute to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin by Henry Prego and Joe Scalissi; and an appearance by recording artist Giada Valenti. Visit www.festaitaliaer.com.
•Newarkfest, held on June 8 thru 10 in Newark NY, will offer a fireman’s parade, a carnival, arts and crafts, food vendors, the Canal Duck Race, a 5K run, an antique car show, entertainment and more. Visit www.waynecountytourism.org.
•Rochester & The Legendary Erie Canal will be explored on June 9 in a special Tour of the Mt. Hope Cemetery. Meet at the North Gatehouse, opposite Robinson Drive, at 11:30 a.m. Call (585) 461-3493.
•The Opening Party for the 5th Rochester Biennial Exhibition will be held on June 9 at the Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Avenue. The event will focus on Americana with music provided by Edna’s Kin and Krypton 88; and Sky Sands providing the laughs. Cocktails, snacks and desserts will be available. Call (585) 276-8939.
•On June 9, the 15th annual Outdoor Expo will be held at Mendon Ponds Park, in the Beach Area. The free event offers outdoor recreation on both land and water – hiking, canoeing, kayaking, backpacking, camping, bicycling and more. Visit HYPERLINK “http://www.adk-gvc.org” www.adk-gvc.org for details.
•Positively Pittsford will provide rides, games, festival-style foods and continuous music by such bands as Orient Express on June 9 in the State Street Municipal Parking Lot, downtown Pittsford. Visit www.townofpittsford.org for details.
•The 5th annual Keuka Arts Festival is scheduled for June 9 & 10 in Penn Yan Boat Launch Park. The event includes over 100 top rated artists and artisans selling their wares, fine wines, delicious cuisine and live music – bluegrass, acoustic and blues. The free event offers docking and parking, so you can arrive by boat or car! Visit www.keukaartsfestival.com for details.
•On June 9 & 10, the Landmark Society is offering its 42nd annual House and Garden Tour, focusing this year on “An Enclave of Elegance: From Council Rock to Grosvenor Road.” Homeowners on Grovenor Road, Pelham Road, Council Rock Avenue and Highland Avenue will open their doors to you from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (585) 546-7029 to reserve tickets.
•The 37th annual Street Machines Outdoor Auto Show is scheduled for June 9 & 10 at Badgerow Park in Greece, 1120 Latta Road. There will be food and drinks available at the show which regularly draws over 500 cars, trucks and bikes from all over New York and Canada. A Cruise In is scheduled for Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. Visit www.streetmachinesofrochester.com for details.
•The vineyards along the Keuka Lake Wine Trail invite visitors to celebrate the arrival of summer with a Barbecue at the Wineries. On June 9 & 10 and 23 & 24, eight participating wineries will use a different Dinosaur Bar-B-Que sauce or rub on their foods; inviting ticket holders to see how well local wines complement the barbecue and side dishes. Visit www.keukawinetrail.com.
•On June 10, the 5th annual Brighton Green Energy Fair will be held in the Brighton High parking lot at 1050 S. Winton Rd. Over twenty vendors will be on hand, offering green products and services as well as information on alternative energy and recycling. There will also be children’s activities, a silent auction, farmers market and more. Call (585) 241-3078.
•Benefiting CURE: Kids with Cancer, the 2012 Pittsford Car & Bike Show will be held on June 10 in the town’s municipal parking lot. Cars from the 50s, 60s, and 70s will be featured as well as hot rods, muscle cars and more. There will also be a beer tent, food and music by The Tombstone Hands. Call (585) 385-6661.
•Roses & Rosés on June 11 at Sonnenberg Gardens, 151 Charlotte Street in Canandaigua will feature wines from over twenty-five vineyards and foods from local eateries; live music, a silent auction, and more. Call (585) 394-4922.
