Summer Guide 2013

PHOTO BY MARK CHAMBERLIN

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Summer's Drunken Lullabies

I'm going to be honest: I'm not the biggest fan of heat. Or sun. Or sand. So most of the things that people look forward to every summer, I tend to loathe and shy away from. I've always been a colder weather winter warlock, turning the AC on early and hoping fall and cooler-weather comes fast.

But even the winter we got this year had me waiting for that giant ball of light in the sky to finally show up and force me to open some windows and turn the heat off. And even though I'm a little sad that we seemed to have jumped right from the depths of winter to the endless days of summer (and skipped, you know, the less-warm spring), there is one good thing that even I can get excited about every summer: City's annual Summer Guide.

This year's guide includes a combination of my favorite things: Music, beer, and food. We've got a look at the large-scale music festivals and concerts coming our way, a look at just where to find the best breweries, and a hunger-inducing look at festival and carnival foods. Better book that fall gym time now, folks.

I'm also a giant sucker for scavenger hunts, and a big fan of garage-sale hunting, and this year's guide includes a public-artwork quest that will keep you scratching your head, while learning about Rochester's artistic past, and a look at where to find those bargain summer scavenging deals. Double whammy.

We purposefully took a more regional approach this year, so don't be Gollum and hide from the outside, get out there and see something new this summer. Explore. Drink. Take a road trip. There are lots of great things to do in Rochester, and a lot to explore close by. And enjoy it, because we all know that summer doesn't last long here. -- Willie Clark

In This Guide...

Summer Guide

MUSIC: Pitching a tent

A tour of Upstate New York's summer music festivals

Looking to catch some concerts this summer outside your own back yard? Want to make that concert a road trip?

By Roman Divezur Jun 19, 2013

Music festivals Rochester Buffalo Syracuse camping summer summer festivals
Summer Guide

MUSIC: Regional Concerts

Ameribeat Festival of the Arts July 4-7. Four nights of camping and music includes shows by Max Creek, The Z3 (tribute to Frank Zappa), The Primate Fiasco.

Jun 19, 2013
Summer Guide

THEATER: Summer's servings on the stage

A look at regional theater productions

For some institutions, summer may be the slow season. But Rochester's theater scene is coming off extremely lively fall, winter, and spring seasons, continuing the momentum right through the summer months.

By David Raymond Jun 19, 2013

Theater Rochester musical performance Shakespeare theatre festival
Summer Guide

THEATER: Theater Events

Blackfriars Theatre July 19-28: "Rent." Blackfriars Theatre, 795 E. Main St. 454-1260, bftix.com.

Jun 19, 2013
Summer Guide

ART: Roc and Seek

A public art scavenger hunt

I'd like to play a game, Rochester. And since the weather's been lovely (knock on ALL the wood), let's take this game outdoors.

By Rebecca Rafferty Jun 19, 2013

Art Rochester Public Art Sculpture Murals Graffiti Monuments Labor History
Summer Guide

ART: Exhibits / Events

Art Exhibits Did we miss something?

Jun 19, 2013
Summer Guide

ANTIQUING: Sailing through garages

Rochester's local picking and antiquing scene

The rainy weather of April and May sends plenty of Rochestarians into their garages, attics, and overflowing closets for a little spring cleaning. That cleaning leads to piles of goodies, tenderly set out on lawns and in public spaces.

By Kathy Laluk Jun 19, 2013

Rochester shopping thrifting garage sales antiques antiquing flea markets
Summer Guide

ANTIQUING: Flea Markets & Garage Sales

Flea Markets & Garage Sales Did we miss something?

Jun 19, 2013
Summer Guide

GEEK EVENTS: Nerd up your summer

May these geek events be with you

Like many nerds, I have the tendency to remain indoors, permanently huddled in front of whichever glowing box happens to be displaying my currently desired form of entertainment. But now it's summer: the few months every year when Rochester is guaranteed at least some beautiful weather.

By Adam Lubitow Jun 19, 2013

Rochester nerd geek Atari cosplay pirates festival Renaissance drive in movies events
Summer Guide

PHOTO FEATURE: Living on the Lake

Two photographers share shots of summer

The Greater Rochester area is blessed with miles of Lake Ontario shoreline. The communities that line the lake become especially attractive during the summer.

By MARK CHAMBERLIN and Matt DeTurck Jun 19, 2013

Slideshow
Summer Guide

OUTDOORS: Sports & Recreation Events

2013 PGA Championship August 8-11. One of the biggest golf championships in the world, and the last of the golf season, comes to Rochester.

Jun 19, 2013
Summer Guide

BREWERIES: Have yourself a beer

Where to get your summer drink on in Upstate New York

In Rochester, memories of this year's interminable winter weather dissipate quickly once the sun begins to shine again and the summer beer season begins. And summer certainly does seem to be prime beer season in Upstate New York.

By Lillian Dickerson Jun 19, 2013

Slideshow
Summer Guide

BREWERIES: Brewery Events

Annual Ironman Race Barbeque Sun July 28. Beer and barbeque outside of the brewery all day in celebration of the Lake Placid Ironman.

Jun 19, 2013
Summer Guide

FOOD: Summer's exclusive festival foods

Funnel cakes, fried dough, and some super doughnuts

Rochester's summer will be filled with places to see, events to attend, and perhaps most importantly, food to eat. From now until September, there is a festival to be found nearly every weekend.

By Alexandra Carmichael Jun 19, 2013

Rochester food festivals festival food Oreos fried dough doughnut burger State Fair New York State Fair
Summer Guide

FOOD: Festivals & Events

Festivals & Special Events Did we miss something?

Jun 19, 2013