AUGUST

Saturday, August 1

[ SPECIAL EVENT ] There's not much better than a sunset painted across the lake while you take an evening walk through Canandaigua's historic South Main Street. You can sample a smattering of regional wines and check out a number of local merchants at tonight's Summer Wine Walk. Canandaigua is home to a number of art galleries, gift shops, and cute apparel boutiques; many are open to attendees of the Wine Walk. Starting at 4 p.m., six Canandaigua Wine Trail wineries will provide samples to visitors while they tour the area leading up to the City Pier. If you can't make it today, there's an earlier Wine Walk on July 3; check downtowncanandaigua.com for details.

Sunday, August 2

[ FESTIVAL ] You'd have to try hard to be bored at the Park Ave Summer Arts Festival. Forget your lazy Sunday and head out to the annual art, craft, and music festival and try to visit as many of the 300 artists and vendors as possible. Or rest your legs at one of the countless live music shows spread throughout the festival over the weekend. By the end of the day you can hope to be stuffed with favorites like turkey drumsticks and fried dough, or try some candied nuts and Italian ice. Or you can grab a bite at one of the neighborhood's awesome eateries. Kids won't be bored either, with climbing inflatable rock walls and other activities. This festival goes on both Saturday and Sunday. For details visit park-avenue.org.

Monday, August 3

[ SPORTS ] Forget your Monday blues and head out to a ball game. See the Rochester Red Wings take on the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs for the last time this season at 7 p.m. at Frontier Field in High Falls. Tickets cost $6.50-$10.50. And don't forget that Mondays are also Kids Eat Free night, where the first 500 kids receive a hot dog, soda, and a snack for gratis. As if that's not enough, there's a pre-game autograph session starting at 6:25 p.m. The Red Wings have planty of home games this summer; for tickets and information visit redwingsbaseball.com.

Tuesday, August 4

[ MUSIC ] Save your money; it's of no use at Buckland Park in Brighton during the Brighton Sunset Serenades concert series. Tonight the Brighton Symphony Orchestra will take the stage. The BSO has been around for nearly 30 years and consists of a number of amateur and professional musicians. Bring a picnic basket and a blanket in tow; it's a great place for a date. The Brighton Sunset Serenades take place at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday through July, and end August 11; see ny-brighton.civicplus.com.

Wednesday, August 5

[ FESTIVAL ] Get back to nature, learn about your body, make some new friends, and bask your naked ass in the open air at the Northeast Naturist Festival in Moravia. The Empire Haven Nudist Park's annual festival features dozens of events. Go on a clothing-optional hike and swim in Potter's Falls, enjoy spiritual dancing, participate in various mental and physical health exercises, or attend award-winning artist Faerie Elaine Silver's Full Moon Concert at night. The festival continues through Sunday, August 9; visit empirehaven.homestead.com for schedules and festival information.

Thursday, August 6

[ MUSIC ] One of the best things about Rochester in the summer is the city's many gorgeous gardens - it isn't called the Flower City for nothing. Check out one of the more spectacular spreads while also taking in some quality live music at the George Eastman House's Garden Vibes series. Tonight's band is local rock ‘n' roll trio The Hi-Risers, and the Garden Vibes concert series has three other shows on Thursdays throughout the summer, on July 9 and 23, as well as August 20. Tickets cost $10. Visit eastmanhouse.org for more info.

Friday, August 7

[ RANDOM ] You may not know it, but you're in a great location to celebrate National Lighthouse Day. Upon the hill in the Village of Charlotte sits a historic lighthouse, the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse. Today's your chance to visit the lighthouse, built in 1822, and the Keeper's House & Museum, built in 1863. This year a new exhibit opens at the lighthouse, where you can see the 192-year-old tombstone of William Hincher, the original owner of the land. Take the opportunity for a day at the beach, and visit a relatively obscure landmark and important piece of local history. For more details about the lighthouse visit geneseelighthouse.org.

Saturday, August 8

[ KIDS ] If you have some cool kids, they're probably also energetic kids, and maybe even bored kids on a Saturday afternoon. Take the family out to the Cool Kids Day & Parade today in Brockport, where there's more than enough fun to be had. Going on during the Brockport Arts Festival, the Cool Kids Day is an all-day event dedicated to kid arts, specifically "Can-imals," or animals made of tin cans. You can collect cans and construct animal-related sculptures for prizes. The parade is surrounded by tons of other events and activates, like kids inflatables, board games, scrap art, and more. For more events and information on Cool Kids Day, or the summer-long Cool Kids series, visit generationcool.biz.

Sunday, August 9

[ RECREATION ] Early August is one of the hottest and muggiest times of the year. Yuck. Escape the heat and humidity at Lockapalooza at Genesee Waterways, an annual event geared around kayaking in the Rochester area. Join the Genesee Waterways Center at its Lock 32 whitewater kayak course. Whether you're a novice or an expert at kayaking, there are tons of opportunities for you to learn about the sport and participate in. Join in on free instruction, competitions later in the day, and an evening barbeque with movies. Compete in slalom races, oatercross, and freestyle races and events throughout the day. To sign up or get more information visit geneseewaterways.org.

Monday, August 10

[ RANDOM ] In this humble writer's opinion, the s'more is the greatest of summer desserts. Yes, even better than ice cream. I'll stand by that. Celebrate the humble camping treat on today, National S'mores Day. You can go all out by having a s'mores party, or maybe just serve an interesting type of s'more for dessert. No one really knows who decided to mix a graham cracker, marshmallow, and chocolate bar. All we know is that its warm gooiness came to prominence sometime in the early 20th century. Today there are hundreds of ways to make s'mores using all sorts of variations, such as using peeps for marshmallows. There are even dozens of recipes for making s'more cookies, cupcakes, and brownies that you can find online. Whatever you decide to do, start up your campfire (or your microwave if you have to) and s'more away the day.

Tuesday, August 11

[ KIDS ] Play hooky and check out the gigantic arcade and video game exhibit, "Videotopia" at the Strong National Museum of Play. Spend the whole day at the museum with your friends and act like a kid again, reliving those great games from the 80's and 90's - Donkey Kong! Pong! Tetris! Ms. Pac-Man! - in all their coin-operated glory. There are more than 100 arcade games to choose from, plus exhibits on the history and importance of electronic gaming. Don't worry about meals; just visit the museum's food court for pizza, subs, tacos, or a Bill Gray's burger at the vintage Skyline Diner. If you regress too far you may find yourself riding the indoor carousel. Don't worry; nobody will judge you. The exhibit runs through November 1. Admission to the museum costs $8-$10, but a special $20 Gamer Pass is available to adults that grants free admission for the duration of the "Videotopia" exhibit AND four free tokens per visit. Tubular! Check museumofplay.org for more information.

Wednesday, August 12

[ MUSIC ] If you haven't been to the beach in ages, Wednesdays are a great time to check out the lakefront at Ontario Beach Park in Charlotte for the Concerts by the Shore series. Walk the boardwalk and ogle the beach volleyball players while you eat hots and sausages from Wegmans and enjoy music from different local bands each week. Tonight you can catch the Dady Brothers, the well known Irish folk duo. Grab a cone from one of the nearby Abbotts stands and walk the pier, watching the sailboats come in. If you can't make this one, try to get out to one of the other concerts every Wednesday night at 7 p.m., with band including Atlas (July 8), Me & The Boyz (July 22), Ruby Shooz (August 26), and more. Check monroecounty.gov for a schedule.

Thursday, August 13

[ LIT ] Ditch this week's book club, forget your average book reviews, and come to Some Are Reading at the Memorial Art Gallery. Participate in a review and discussion of Richard Thomson's "Vincent Van Gogh: The Starry Night." You may see the famous painting on every mug and calendar in existence, but do you really know the history and secrets behind it? There are other Some Are Reading events hosted at the Memorial art Gallery on select Thursdays through July and August. Go to mag.rochester.edu for more information.

Friday, August 14

[ FESTIVAL ] Head out for the last East End Fest of the year. Enjoy the food from area restaurants, local beer, and live music performed throughout the night. Five stages across the East End become home to 11 bands for the finale of this annual three-part festival; tonight's line-up includes Uncle Plum, Zach Deputy, 50/50, and Something Else. The festival also runs Friday, July 10. Check eastendmusicfestival.com for more info.

Saturday, August 15

[ DANCE ] If you can't get enough of "Dancing with the Stars" or "So You Think You Can Dance," spend your evening swinging at the Groove Juice Swing Lindy Hop. The event features an introductory lesson and social where you can pick up a few swing steps and then put them to use with other rug-cutters later in the evening. Live jazz performances and DJs provide the music. Groove Juice holds the events at 7 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month at the Tango Café Dance Studio on Gregory Street. For more information check out groovejuiceswing.com.

Sunday, August 16

[ SPECIAL EVENT ] Take a scenic drive down to Canandaigua this weekend for the Finger Lakes Riesling Festival and satisfy your wine craving. The region might be well known for its Reisling grapes - it's one of the only areas in the country where the German grape is grown in abundance - but this festival celebrates the local food, flavor, and fun of the Finger Lakes too. Stroll down Lakeview Drive while sampling wines from more than a dozen vineyards and listening to music from bands like the Skycoasters and the Campbell Brothers. Also takes place Saturday, August 15. For more information, visit rieslingfestival.com.

Monday, August 17

[ RECREATION ] Assuming that the weather's nice, head over to the Port of Pittsford for a Sam Patch Boat Tour along the Erie Canal. Daily cruises go through the Village of Pittsford and Erie Canal lock system. The Mary Jemison, Sam's sister vessel that departs from Corn Hill Landing, is 76 years old (don't worry, it hasn't sprung a leak yet), and offers unique waterside views of historic Rochester sights, like Mount Hope Cemetery and the Fredrick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Bridge. To make reservations (the tours tend to book up fast) or for more information, visit samandmary.org.

Tuesday, August 18

[ RECREATION ] Nothing says summer quite like campfires and s'mores. Throw some history and ghost stories into the mix and you've got the Full Moon Flashlight Tours at the Stone-Tolan House. The museum, which is the oldest house in Monroe County, was built in a former 1800's tavern and offers a glimpse into the private lives of rural Rochesterians from the past. Besides, where else can you gorge on Jiffy-Pop and toasted marshmallows and get a history lesson all at once? The late-night tours start at 7 p.m. Make sure to bring your flashlight and $5 admission for individuals, $12 for families. Check out landmarksociety.org for more information.

Wednesday, August 19

[ MUSIC ] For 30 years, classical music lovers from all over the state have flocked to the small, scenic town of Skaneateles for the Skaneateles Festival. It's a bit of a hike - about an hour drive from Rochester - but the line-up always includes the some of the finest musicians from around the world playing everything from Beethoven and Bach to Gerschwin and Crumb. Highlights of this year's fest, which runs August 12-September 5, include guitar virtuoso Eliot Fisk and 14-year-old piano prodigy Conrad Tao. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit skanfest.org.

Thursday, August 20

[ ART ] Jessica Lange is best known as a big-time Hollywood actress, having worked in front of the camera in movies like 1982's "Tootsie" and the 1976 remake of "King Kong." But she's also adept at working behind the camera, as is proven by "Photographs by Jessica Lange," the new exhibit at George Eastman House that runs July 18-September 20. Spend some time after work today (the Eastman House is open late on Thursdays) perusing images taken by Lange in such places as the Yucatan, Russia, Scandinavia, Ethiopia, and - perhaps most exotic of all - Minnesota. For more information on the show, or the Eastman House's other summer exhibits, visit eastmanhouse.org.

Friday, August 21

[ ART ] If your wallet's feeling a little light today, drop by the Fire Sale at the Genesee Center for Art and Education for a bit of carefree shopping. There's never any guarantee you'll find exactly what you're looking for at these kinds of sales, but you'll always find something interesting - I've seen everything from classic antiques to airplane oxygen masks. Even if you do end up spending a small fortune on that must-have item, you can feel good about doing it. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the center, and unsold items will be donated to the Volunteers of America. The modified garage sale continues on August 22. For more information, check out geneseearts.org.

Saturday, August 22

[ SPORTS ] Aside from the team's enthusiastic announcer, the Rochester Raging Rhinos have brought three league championship trophies and plenty of soccer fans to this city. Join the stampede at PAETEC Park tonight to support the team as it plays the Carolina RailHawks. The Rhinos lost to Carolina at the end of last season, so it's bound to be an intense rematch. The game starts at 7:35 p.m., and tickets cost $10-$50. For more information, and for the Rhinos's full summer schedule, visit rhinossoccer.com.

Sunday, August 23

[ RECREATION ] It's hard to imagine summertime in Rochester without a trip to Seabreeze Amusement Park. But this local favorite isn't just about the rides - though the Jack Rabbit is a must - it's about the water park, too. Escape the August heat and cool off in the park's 260,000-gallon wave pool or get completely drenched in the water-war atmosphere of the Soak Zone. If you're a more of a daredevil, check out the Helix, a four-story funnel that spins you around and around before shooting out into a giant pool of water, or the ever-popular body slides (just be ready to wait in some lengthy lines). For admission rates and hours of operation, visit seabreeze.com.

Monday, August 24

[ FILM ] Since "Jaws" premiered in 1975, sharks have gotten a notoriously bad rep. Hopefully the film "Wild Ocean" at the Strasenburgh Planetarium will remedy that with its in-depth (no pun intended) look at the underwater predator and its migratory and feeding habits. With sweeping views of the South African coast projected on the Planetarium's massive screen, you'll feel like you're actually underwater with the Great White. Or if you'd rather trade views of the deep ocean for deep space, try "Planets and Plutoids" or one the Planetarium's other star shows. The Planetarium is located right next door to its parent organization, the Rochester Museum & Science Center, on East Avenue. For specific show times (they vary depending on the day) or information on the other movies, star shows, or laser shows, visit rmsc.org.

Tuesday, August 25

[ LIT ] To celebrate its first quarter-century in existence, Writers & Books on University Avenue has been holding special 25 and Under reading events every month to introduce local literati to up-and-coming young writers. Hosted by slam poet Sally Bittner Bonn, who also teaches at the center, tonight's event starts at 7 p.m., and is free for WAB members and $3 for the general public. The center also offers classes in journalism, creative writing, and even stage and screenwriting all summer long. For more information about these and other programs, visit wab.org.

Wednesday, August 26

[ ART] They say a picture's worth a thousand words, and if that's true, there's a lot to be said about the Portfolio Showcase 2009 at Image City Photography Gallery. A panel of expert judges will select eight portfolios of up-and-coming photographers to go on display at the gallery on University Avenue from August 12 though September 6, so now's your chance to see what some of the next great photographic eyes in Rochester can do. Check out imagecityphotographygallery.com for details on this and other shows at the gallery.

Thursday, August 27

[ DANCE ] Kick up your heels tonight - and every other Thursday night - at the weekly Rochester Contra Dance. This high-energy partner dance (don't worry if you're single, you can find a partner there) is sort of like square dancing, but without the square. A caller tells you what to do and you repeat the same series of steps 15 to 20 times in one dance, which is good news for anyone with two left feet. Just make sure you bring comfortable shoes and clothes, and $7 for admission. Dances start at 8 p.m. at Covenant United Methodist Church on Culver Road, and last for three hours - plenty of time to tucker yourself out for the day. For more info, check out rochestercontra.com.

Friday, August 28

[ DANCE ] Gasp! It's a Friday night in the summer and there's not a single festival going on in Rochester. Take this rare opportunity to go dancing at one of the area clubs. There are a bunch to choose from, but here are some suggestions: Hightail it to High Falls and shake it at Tribeca (233 Mill St, tribecaVIP.com), an upscale spot that's essentially three clubs in one. If you're out in Pittsford, consider the cougar-friendly environment of Taylors (3300 Monroe Ave, taylorsdisco.com). If you're downtown you've got super-chic One Restaurant & Lounge (1 Ryan Alley, oneryan.com), gay-friendly but all-inclusive Tilt Nightclub and Ultralounge (444 Central Ave, myspace.com/tiltniteclub), Vinyl (291 Alexander St), and Venu Resto-Lounge in the St. Paul District (151 St. Paul St, venurochester.com). And that's just the tip of the iced martini glass.

Saturday, August 29

[ MUSIC ] Don't stop believin' that you'll be able to score tickets to see 80's legends Journey at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. tonight. The band, which is back with new lead singer Arnel Pineda (we miss you, Steve Perry!), gained popularity with a younger crowd a few years ago after its hit song was used in an episode of "Laguna Beach," and hit the iTunes charts again last month when it was re-recorded for the Fox TV show "Glee". If you can't make it for this show, there's plenty of other concerts in Darien Lake's summer music series, including No Doubt (June 19), Def Leppard with Poison and Cheap Trick (June 26), Rascal Flatts (July 11), and Creed (Auguest 8). For tickets and more information, visit godarienlake.com.

Sunday, August 30

[ SPECIAL EVENT ] Summer gas prices are notoriously high, but even that can't diminish the longstanding American love affair with vintage rides. The Good Ol' Boys Annual Classic Car Show at Bellamy Park in Mt. Morris in is in its 13th year this summer, and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. More than 100 members of the Street Machines of Rochester, a popular local car club, will come to show off their classic rides, which they also take out on the town throughout the summer on their Cruise Nights. Yes, hot rod culture is alive and well for all those longing to polish up the old jalopy or cruise down the highway in that classic convertible. For more information and for a calendar of summertime auto events, visit streetmachinesofrochester.com.

Monday, August 31

[ SPECIAL EVENT ] Complete your summer checklist with a trip to the annual New York State Fair. Pile all your buddies into a car for the trek up to Syracuse for Day 5 of this can't-miss Central New York summer event, which attracts thousands of visitors annually. Grab a corndog and cotton candy on the midway, browse through arts and crafts tents, check out the agricultural competitions, and ride all your favorite carnival rides during the day, then stick around for the nightly parade at 6 p.m. and the big-league concerts in the evening. No act has been announced for tonight yet, but other performers this year include Kelly Clarkson (August 27) and country singer Kenny Chesney (August 28). The fair runs August 27-September 7 at the fairgrounds off Route 690 near Syracuse. Daily admission is $10 for adults, free for children under 12. For more information visit nysfair.org.