JULY

Wednesday, July 1

[ MUSIC ] Head out to Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack for a free concert by 70's rockers Three Dog Night. The band scored hits with "Mama Told Me Not to Come" and "Joy to the World," among others, and got its name from one of its members' girlfriends reading a story about indigenous Australians, who on cold nights would dig a hole in the ground and curl up with a dingo (a wild dog). If it was really cold, they'd bring up to three dogs with them. So there you go. The show starts at 6 p.m. at the racetrack, located off Route 96 in Farmington. Other summer shows include Chubby Checker (July 15) and Eddie Money (August 1). All of them are free, so you can spend your cash on the slots. See if you can find Zeus; my aunt won $700 off him on a nickel slot at another casino. True story. Details on the concerts at fingerlakesracetrack.com.

Thursday, July 2

[ ART ] During your lunch break sneak downtown to take in "6x6x2009," the second and possibly final installment of the successful art project at Rochester Contemporary Art Center. The "6x6" shows feature square artworks in the titular dimensions created by, well, everyone. Local artists, national artists, international artists, and even people who consider themselves non-artists submitted works, with a total of more than 3050 pieces part of this year's show. The goal is to broaden people's expectations of what art is, and what it takes to make it. The show also encourages people to buy art, as the works can be bought for $20 each. It's amazing what you can find while scanning the jam-packed walls. Some are funny, some are sad, some are simplistic, while others are startling complex. Actually, forget about the lunch break; exploring this will take all day. Rochester Contemporary is located at 137 East Ave. The exhibit runs through July 12. Gallery admission costs $1. For more information visit rochestercontemporary.org.

Friday, July 3

[ RANDOM ] Celebrate Stay Out of the Sun Day by taking advantage of the air-conditioned glory provided by the many branches in the Monroe County Public Library System. With more than 30 branch libraries in the city and county there's bound to be one nearby, each of them offering various amenities. And it's not just about books: you can surf the net on the library computers, borrow DVDs, CDs, or video games, or join in one of the dozens of community involvement programs offered, from lectures and workshops to book groups and movie nights. And don't forget to pick up some summer reading materials (but make sure to return them on time). For more info check www3.libraryweb.org.

Saturday, July 4

[ SPECIAL EVENT ] What better way to celebrate our nation's independence than to blow shit up? It's the Fourth of July, and almost every town in the area - Irondequoit, Penfield, Brighton, Brockport, Canandaigua, Chili, Fairport, Greece, Henrietta among them - will light up the night sky with dazzling fireworks displays. So pull up a lawn chair, kick back in your back yard, and watch the sparks literally fly. For its July 4 extravaganza, the city of Rochester will throw a party on the Main Street bridge, complete with a performance by the RPO. For more information visit cityofrochester.gov.

Sunday, July 5

[ FESTIVAL ] When I was a kid our annual family "vacation" would be a trek to the Sterling Renaissance Festival, which spawned all kinds of memorable moments. Chief among them is my grandfather, a very sweet but mischievous man, asking one of the buxom turkey leg gals if he could have a nibble of her own exposed thigh. To which his wife replied in deadpan, "Jimmy, even if you caught it, you couldn't ride it." Ah, memories. Anyway, the festival is an impressive set-up, covering acres of hilly woods in Sterling (not far from Oswego) that have been transformed into an English Renaissance village. Open weekends only, July 4-August 16, the fest features dozens of musical, comedy, and dramatic performances on a variety of stages, impeccably staged live jousts, all manner of arts and crafts for sale, and some absolutely delicious food, like the aforementioned turkey legs. Day tickets cost $13-$25. For more information visit sterlingfestival.com.

Monday, July 6

[ MUSIC ] A carillon is an instrument that features a set of bells played via keyboard and pedalboard. The University of Rochester has a large one - one of only six in the state, it features 50 bells - that hangs in the tower atop Rush Rhees Library. Every summer the university puts on a series of Hopeman Memorial Carillon Recitals featuring carillon players from across the country, including Todd Fair from the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music, who kicks off this year's season tonight. The concerts run every Monday in July starting at 7 p.m., and they are free to the public. Bring a blanket to the Eastman Quadrangle, chill out with some food and friends, and listen to one of the more unique aural pleasures to be had in town. For more information visit rochester.edu.

Tuesday, July 7

[ MUSIC ] He writes the songs that make the whole world sing: Barry Manilow brings his "Ultimate Manilow: The Hits...And Then Some" tour to Blue Cross Arena tonight. Over the past few years I have shed my ironic armor and become an unabashed Fanilow. It is impossible to resist brilliantly crafted melodies like "Looks Like We've Made It" and "Copacabana." Impossible, I tell you. Hook electrodes to the testicles of even the most trenchant hipster and dollars to donuts he'll end up admitting that he knows every line to "Mandy." She came and she gave without taking! What's not to love? The show starts at 8 p.m., and tickets cost $10-$120. Come prepared to sing along. And remember: music and passion are always in fashion at a Manilow show. Check bluecrossarena.com for more information, and details on other BCA summer shows like Keith Urban/Taylor Swift (August 2) and American Idols Live (August 15).

Wednesday, July 8

[ THEATER ] "Shakespeare in the park" just sounds so cultured, even if you're getting eaten alive by insects. Every year since 1997 the Rochester Community Players have staged one of the Bard's plays in the Highland Bowl, and tonight's your chance to catch 2009's selection, "Hamlet." Here's a refresher for those who skipped 10th grade English: the prince of Denmark is in a mood after his uncle murdered his father and married his mother. He broods about life and death for a while before he decides to do something about it, and that's when things get really tragic. Bring a lawn chair, blanket, and some bug spray (we weren't kidding about those insects!) to the show, which starts 8 p.m. and is free. The play runs through July 18. For more information visit rochestercommunityplayers.org.

Thursday, July 9

[ MUSIC ] Revitalization efforts in the High Falls District are well under way. You can get into the spirit by catching some of the free concerts as part of the new Hochstein at High Falls series, including today's entry, Classics Go to the Movies. The Hochstein Faculty String Quartet will perform selections some of the most recognizable scores in Hollywood history, including "The Godfather, "Scent of a Woman," and "A Clockwork Orange." The series runs every Thursday, June 4-July 16 (no concert July 2), at 12:15 p.m., and admission is free. For more information on this and other Hochstein School of Music & Dance summer events check out hochstein.org.

Friday, July 10

[ MUSIC ] She feels for you: r'n'b goddess Chaka Khan performs tonight at the Main Street Armory on East Main Street. Khan - born Yvette Marie Stevens - first gained notoriety as the lead singer of funk outfit Rufus in the 1970's, which scored huge hits with songs like "Tell Me Something Good." Later in the decade she went solo and hit big with the disco anthem "I'm Every Woman," and went on to win several Grammy Awards, and even recorded the updated theme song for PBS TV show "Reading Rainbow." Chaka Khan's show starts at 9 p.m., and tickets cost $41-$46. For more information check rochestermainstreetarmory.com, which also has details on other Armory shows like Busta Rhymes (June 20), Rick Ross and Elephant Man (July 4), and Matisyahu (July 14).

Saturday, July 11

[ SPECIAL EVENT ] Back in 1994 about 250 aviation enthusiasts got together to form the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group. Since then the group has been putting the Geneseo Air Show, which features aircraft from the past, with a focus on planes from WWII. This year's show runs today and Sunday, July 12, with the theme "Go Navy." Aircraft scheduled to appear at - and above - the turf strip at the Geneseo airstrip are an F4U Corsair, the TMB Avenger, and F6F Hellcat, to name a few. If you really want to extend the WWII feel, on Saturday night you can head to the USO Memories Show on the airport grounds, featuring music by vocalist Nancy Kelly and the Rick Holland Little Big Band. The air show runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days, and admission costs $5-$15. The USO show starts at 7 p.m. and costs $10-$15. For more information visit 1941hag.org.

Sunday, July 12

[ FESTIVAL ] Visit the 41st Annual Corn Hill Arts Festival and see if you can count how many booths sell kettle corn (and how long all of the lines inevitably are for the sweet, salty snack). The festival is a fund-raiser for the city's oldest neighborhood, and features arts and crafts from more than 400 artisans, food from more than 40 vendors, entertainment for kids, and new this year, the Emerging Artists Expo, showcasing pieces by up-and-coming local youth artists. The festival also runs Saturday, July 11, and starts both days at 10 a.m. in the streets of the Corn Hill neighborhood, off Exchange Boulevard. Admission is free, and there is a free shuttle bus from several downtown parking points. For more information visit cornhill.org.

Monday, July 13

[ FILM ] The 2009 Jewish Film Festival continues tonight with screenings of the documentary "Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust" at 6:30 p.m., and the drama "Lemon Tree," a personal story set in the midst of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, at 9 p.m., both showing at the Dryden Theatre. The festival runs Sunday, July 12-Monday, July 20 and features a total of 18 films of Jewish interest, screening at the Dryden, the Little, or the Jewish Community Center. For a full schedule of films and other details visit rjff.org.

Tuesday, July 14

[ THEATER ] Although mostly associated with Utah, Mormonism actually got its start just down the road near Palmyra, where a young Joseph Smith grew up and claimed to have had visions of God and Jesus, who told him to start his own religion based on golden plates he found in the side of a hill. That hill is now the home of the Hill Cumorah Pageant, which tells the story of Mormonism brought to life through tremendous spectacle and a cast of hundreds. This year the pageant (featuring a script that was largely written by sci-fi author Orson Scott Card) runs July 10, 11, and 14-18 on the hill, just off Highway 21 between Manchester and Palmyra. The shows start at 9:15 p.m. and admission is free. For more information visit hillcumorah.org/pageant.

Wednesday, July 15

[ SPECIAL EVENT ] The Monroe County Fair kicks off, with all its wholesome all-American goodness. You've got your pie-baking (and -eating) contests, your rides like the Tilt-a-Whirl and the Scrambler, your homegrown live entertainment, your diet-ruining fried foods, the pony shows - it's like Norman Rockwell threw up all over the place. And there's nothing wrong with that. In case you can't make it on opening day, the fair runs through Sunday, July 19. For more information check mcfair.com.

Thursday, July 16

[ MUSIC ] You'll like it, you'll love it: country superstar Tim McGraw takes the stage at CMAC in Canandaigua. McGraw is perhaps best known for being Mr. Faith Hill, but he's got a string of hits to his own name, including "Don't Take the Girl," "Live Like You Were Dying," and others. He's also dabbled in acting, with roles in big Hollywood flicks like "Friday Night Lights" and "Flicka." McGraw's show starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets cost $35-$75. He's part of an impressive line-up of shows at CMAC this year, including The Offspring (June 30), Jason Mraz (August 2), John Legend (August 10), Pat Benatar and Blondie (August 11), and Counting Crows (September 6). For more information visit cmacevents.com.

Friday, July 17

[ DANCE ] Spice things up tonight at the Flat Iron Café's Latin Dance Night. Everyone is welcome at the weekly Latin dance lounge, from beginners all the way up to experts. You can expect everything from sexy sambas to fast-paced cha-chas - just make sure you shake it. If you need a break, sip a cool drink and enjoy the Latin music. Dancing starts at 10 p.m. and admission is free. Visit flatironcafe.net for more information.

Saturday, July 18

[ FESTIVAL ] Rochester is home to the second-largest LGBT population in New York State, and they'll come out in force for Gay Pride 2009, which features a parade and festival today, following a kick-off party July 17 at the Strathallan and prior to the annual picnic at Genesee Valley Park on July 19. This year's parade honors the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, starts at 4 p.m., and will run down Park Avenue to the parking lot of the Auditorium Theatre, where the Pride Festival will kick off afterward featuring performances from alt-rock group BETTY (seen on "The L Word") and dance diva Pepper MaShay. For more information check out gayalliance.org.

Sunday, July 19

[ RECREATION ] End your weekend with a spooky, yet educational tour of Mount Hope Cemetery. The tours, which start at 2 and 2:30 p.m. from the North entrance, offer up something a little different each time (depending on the guide), but they all feature some tidbits about the cemetery's most famous residents, Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. Learn about Rochester's local history, the geology of the cemetery, and even Victorian attitudes toward death - there's a little something for everyone. Tours are free and last about two hours. For more information, and for a full schedule of Mount Hope tours, visit fomh.org.

Monday, July 20

[ RANDOM ] Question: Where in Rochester can you be a contestant on a game show and win cool prizes? Answer: at Lovin' Cup Trivia Night every Monday night at 9 p.m. Bring your friends and find out if you're smarter than a fifth grader (or at least the other local contestants). Once you've taken your turn at the podium, sit back and enjoy the cozy atmosphere of this relatively new coffee shop/music venue in Park Point near RIT. For the 411 on other specialty nights and events check out lovincup.com.

Tuesday, July 21

[ THEATER ] Straight form the Apollo Theatre in New York City comes "Three Mo' Divas," the summer musical revue at Geva Theatre. "Divas" features the vocal talents of Jamet "Smooth and Sexy" Pittman, Laurice "Take No Prisoners" Lanier, and "Super" Nova Payton, who perform in a wide variety of genres, from Broadway showtunes to jazz to gospel to opera. The show starts July 7 and runs through August 9. Tickets cost $25-$49. For more information check gevatheatre.org.

Wednesday, July 22

[ RECREATION ] Get some fresh air and fresh food today with a trip to a the Foodlink Farmer's Market on West Ave. The market is open Wednesdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and offers a wide variety of locally grown foods and other homemade goodies. If you can't make it today, there's a farmer's market open somewhere in town just about every day of the week. For a complete list of Rochester-area farmer's markets, visit inforochester.com/marketsfarmer.htm.

Thursday, July 23

[ RECREATION ] Work it out at the Beach Cheap Aquathon Series. This City of Rochester-sponsored program challenges participants to either a swim-run (1K swim, 2.5K run) or a run-swim-run (throw an extra 2.5K run in front of that first option) on the beach, in the lake, and then on the bike path. Three of the events take place throughout the summer starting at 6:30 p.m. at Durand Eastman Beach (the other two are on June 25 and August 27), and you can participate in any or all of them. It's a great opportunity to show off that beach bod you've been working so hard on all winter and spring. For more information visit yellowjacketracing.com.

Friday, July 24

[ MUSIC ] Get an earful of some of the best up-and-coming indie music brewed locally and nationally at Boulder Fest 2009. The local coffeehouse chain regularly features quality bands at its South Wedge and 19th Ward locations, and from today through Sunday, July 26, the music is pretty much non-stop at the Alexander Street location. It's too early for a line-up just yet, but keep checking bouldercoffeeco.com for details.

Saturday, July 25

[ ART ] Members of the Memorial Art Gallery can get their first peek at the "62nd Annual Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition" at tonight's opening-night party. The rest of you will have to wait until the show opens to the public on July 26. In addition to the exhibit, which features 37 works by 28 regional artists selected by curators James Hyde (Guggenheim Felllow) and David A. Kwasigroh (director of the Indianapolis Art Center), the opening night soiree will feature music by the Sim Redmond Band and the Westview Project, and a special performance by Arvel Bird from the Ganondagan Native American Festival (see listing for July 26). The party runs 8-11 p.m. at the gallery on University Avenue. Tickets are for members only, but the "Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition" runs through October 4. For more information check mag.rochester.edu.

Sunday, July 26

[ FESTIVAL ] Don't' miss the final day of the Ganondagan Native American Dance & Music Festival in Victor. The annual event celebrates all manner of Native American culture, including traditional dances, music, storytelling, crafts, and more. Get hands-on with workshops for adults, while kids can learn how to make cornhusk dolls and more, plus chow down on native foods like fry-bread and check out the bark longhouse, or go for a guided hike or participate in the family drum jam. The gorgeous costumes worn by the Spirit Dancers are worth the drive alone. The festival starts on July 25 and runs 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. Admission costs $2-$10. For more information visit ganondagan.org, where you can also find details on Ganondagan's other summer events.

Monday, July 27

[ FILM ] Ever notice how movie theaters are always crowded with obnoxious mouth-breathers every time you go to see the latest blockbuster on the weekends? Well come Mondays those same movie houses are virtually empty and desperate to get your ass into their seats. Save your cash the weekend before and take advantage of some mid-week movie deals tonight. At The Little on East Avenue you can get $5 admission to any show on Monday nights, so here's a chance to catch that buzzed-about indie/foreign film you skipped while watching the latest 80's cartoon-turned-cum-live-action-movie. Meanwhile Pittsford Cinemas in Pittsford Plaza has popcorn deal on Wednesdays, and the Regal chain typically shows free kids films during select weekday matinees.

Tuesday, July 28

[ RECREATION ] Fore! Golf is a great summertime sport, but not everyone is the next Tiger Woods. If you need to practice your putting, or avoiding the sand traps, go mini-golfing. There are plenty of places in Rochester where you can take a swing at this classic American sport, but my favorite is Adventure Landing on Ridge Road in Greece. After you're done teeing off on the obstacle-filled course, head indoors to their WOW! Ball Factory to pummel your friends with foam balls (like Nerf gun wars, only better). For hours and prices, visit adventurelanding.com.

Wednesday, July 29

[ THEATER ] Any true theater lover has had that moment, standing atop a balcony, where she holds out her arms and exclaims, "Don't cry for me, Argentina!" Now it's time to see the professionals do it, as Bristol Valley Theater in Naples stages Andrew Lloyd Weber's epic "Evita," running July 23-August 2. The musical tells the story of Eva Peron, a poor but ambitious country girl who clawed her way to power as the First Lady of Argentina using her wits, talent, sexuality, and just a little touch of star quality. Loaded with hummable tunes, it's one of Weber's more reserved shows, with nary a glamour cat or love-smitten train engine in sight. But that doesn't make it any less fabulous. Tickets cost $10-$30; for details visit bvtnaples.org, where you can also learn about the rest of BVT's summer 2009 season.

Thursday, July 30

[ KIDS ] The Penfield Kids Fest wraps up with a performance by the Mike Kornrich Band. The series runs every Thursday in July at 7 p.m., and features music and other performances geared toward entertaining kids without driving parents completely insane. Everybody wins! It takes place at the Penfield Amphitheater off Atlantic Avenue, which also hosts a variety of other events in the summer, including a jazz series every Tuesday night in July, and a quartet of rock shows every Saturday July 11-August 1. All of the events are free, and you can find info at penfield.org under the Parks and Recreation tab.

Friday, July 31

[ MUSIC ] The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has a big summer planned, highlighted by its Center City Summer Series, a slew of concerts held in First Niagara Center City Paviliion, a.k.a. the same temporary venue that houses the Jazz Fest Big Tent. The series includes a bunch of cool, unexpected programs from the orchestra, including "Best of the Blues," featuring the music of W.C. Handy and others (July 10-11), "Russian Spectacular: Rachmaninoff & Tchaikovsky" (July 17-18), and "Symphonic Rock!" in which the RPO plus a rock band performs the songs of Led Zeppelin (July 24) and Pink Floyd (July 25). But tonight you're going to get all dramatic for "Three Broadway Divas," featuring the orchestra and Great White Way veterans Jan Horvath, Debbie Gravitte, and Anne Runolfsson, who have shows like "Phantom of the Opera," "Chess," "Sweet Charity," and more to their credit. Continues August 1. Tickets cost $20-$50. For