From the Community

Uniting and Healing through Hope of Monroe County will be hosting our annual food drive throughout this Easter season. A press conference detailing the food drive will be held on Thursday, March 27, 1:00 PM at Tops Friendly Markets, 3507 Mt. Read Blvd. Rochester, NY. At the press event, we will be announcing our annual Easter Food Basket Drive. Over the past several years, Uniting and Healing Through Hope has provided thousands of food baskets to those in need. We will be pro

Who: RCSD students, families, staff, and community partners   What: Level Up Literacy Conference: Featuring “Books and Looks” Fashion Show When: Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10 a.m.   Where: East High School1801 East Main StreetRochester, NY 14609   Details: Building on the momentum of its Districtwide literacy campaign, the RCSD will host a Level Up Literacy Conference this Saturday. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. with the “Books and Looks” Fashion Show, Excellence in Teaching a

Rochester, NY - From March through June, the City of Rochester’s Spring recreation season offers more than 100 programs and activities for kids, adults, and families. From athletics and dance to STEM and the arts, all program details and registration are now available at www.CityofRochester.gov/Recreation .   “As spring blooms across Rochester, it’s the perfect season to turn over a new leaf and try out the latest activities available at your neighborhood R-Center,” said Mayo

The City of Rochester’s International Plaza, 828 N. Clinton Ave., invites local musicians, bands, dance and cultural groups, and other performance organizations and artists to perform at Plaza events during the 2026 season.Performances at the International Plaza will primarily be held on Sunday afternoons from May through October. The Request for Interest document for prospective performers, including application instructions and requirements, is available at www.cityofroche

Student Artists in Flower City Arts Center’s Studio 678 Photo Club Rochester, N.Y., February 19, 2026—Creative works by student artists who are a part of the Flower City Arts Center’s Studio 678 Photo Club 2025/2026 will be presented in the George Eastman Museum’s community gallery, Gallery Obscura, from February 28 through June 21, 2026. These photographs and texts are inspired by the students’ vision of the world around them. Guided by program mentors and volunteers, twenty

Rochester, NY – The 2026 Special Olympics New York State Winter Games will return to Rochester, Friday, Feb. 20 and Saturday, Feb. 21. Approximately 900 athletes and coaches from throughout the state will compete in 7 sports: Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Floorball, Gymnastics, Snowboarding and Snowshoe. The Games kick off Friday evening with Special Olympics New York’s signature Opening Ceremonies at the Riverside Convention Center, beginning at 7 p.m.

What:  Teen Empowerment Dewey Avenue Ribbon Cutting When:  Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Where:  Teen Empowerment, 1298 Dewey Ave, Rochester, NY 14613 Who:  Teen Empowerment youth organizers, adult staff, community partners and public officials Rochester, NY – Teen Empowerment Rochester (TE) is proud to announce the grand opening of its Dewey Ave. (Northside) site, marking an exciting new chapter in the organization’s mission to amplify youth voice, expand p

Mercantile on Main ROCHESTER, N.Y., — Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC) is pleased to announce the return of Eat Up Roc: Downtown Restaurant Week, taking place for the first time since 2022.   The event runs Friday, February 27, through Sunday, March 8, and features 25 participating restaurants throughout downtown. Each restaurant will feature its own unique offerings, including lunch and dinner specials, prix fixe menus, discounts, special menu items, and eve

Rochester, NY — Looking for engaging family activities during February break? The Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) invites families to explore art, culture, and creativity together during a special school break offer. From February 18–22, 2026, children and teens 18 and under receive free general admission with the purchase of an accompanying adult ticket. Museum admission is valid from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, offering a full day to explore MAG’s galleries and exhibitions. General adm

Rochester, NY) – In anticipation of the return of Wicked, the Rochester Broadway Theatre League (RBTL) is aiming to turn Rochester into the Emerald City in celebration of the two-week engagement. RBTL has reached out to the City of Rochester, the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation and Visit Rochester to encourage all city buildings with color-changing lighting to display green during the run. “We want to make Rochester look as vibrant as the Emerald City in the spirit

The City of Rochester’s Black Heritage Committee invites the community to gather in the City Hall Atrium to lift spirits and voices as Black Heritage is honored through the power of music. The concert will feature student performers from Strings for Success. The concert is free and open to the community.   For the concert live stream and the full events calendar, visit www.CityofRochester.gov/BlackHeritage .   Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026   Time: Noon (Note: This reflects a

The City of Rochester and Monroe County invite area youth, ages 14 through 20, to apply for the summer work experience through the ROC Youth Employment Network now through Friday, April 17. The new name and streamlined application unify the City’s Summer of Opportunity Program (SOOP) and the County’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).   Administered in partnership with RochesterWorks, the program offers six to eight weeks of paid internships for youth who are currently e

ROCHESTER, N.Y., — Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women in the United States.1 On Friday, February 6, National Wear Red Day®, people and landmarks across the nation will “go red” to raise awareness of women’s No. 1 killer. Across Rochester, supporters are wearing red and coming together for community events throughout the day. The University of Rochester will host CPR demonstrations in the hospital lobby, Rochester Regional Health will provide

The Genesee Transportation Council (GTC), the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, will conduct one of its regularly scheduled Planning Committee meetings in a hybrid format on Thursday, February 12 at 9:30 a.m. Meetings will be held in the first floor conference room of the Monroe County CityPlace building, located at 50 West Main Street in Rochester, NY. The meeting will also be livestreamed and accessible via telephone or computer.

What:  Hundreds of   7th grade students from all of the RCSD middle schools will attend the Future Fair hosted by the Rochester Education Foundation to learn about a variety of careers so that they can imagine possibilities for their bright future.   When:  Friday, February 6, 2026 from 9:45 - 1:00  (the best times to see the event in action are 10:10 - 11:10 and 11:50 - 12:50) Where:  MCC Brighton Campus, Monroe A&B (parking lot M) More information: REF has invited 70 indivi

Tonight, Mayor Malik D. Evans and the City of Rochester’s Black Heritage Committee will kick off the annual Black Heritage event series with the free Art, Jazz and Food Tasting, featuring the work of local artists, the culinary creations of local restaurants and caterers, and the music of Paul Boutte and Roc Music.   Date: Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026   Time: 5:30 p.m. (Remarks begin at 6 p.m.)           Location: City Hall Atrium, 30 Church St.   The event series coincides with Bl

Who: School Without Walls students American Red Cross   What: Sickle Cell Awareness Event and Blood Drive   When: Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 4 p.m.   Where: School Without Walls, 480 Broadway, Rochester, NY 14607   Details: School Without Walls will host its fourth annual Sickle Cell Awareness Event and American Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, continuing a student-led effort to raise awareness about sickle cell disease and help address the ongoing nati

ROCHESTER, NY – Take Your Child to the Library Day Will be Celebrated in participating Monroe County Library System locations on Saturday, February 7, 2026 On the first Saturday next month, February 7, 2026, Monroe County Libraries will celebrate the international Take Your Child to the Library Day. Now in its 15th year, this annual event is a wonderful opportunity for children to have fun while parents and caregivers learn more about their library. Take Your Child to the Lib

Rochester, NY - Mayor Malik D. Evans announced a new round of funding for arts programming and art projects through the City’s ArtsBloom program. Local artists and small arts organizations are encouraged to submit proposals.  “Rochester has a long and proud history of creativity throughout our neighborhoods, institutions, and people,” Evans said. “The arts help tell our story, bring us together, and make our city stronger. Every resident should have access to the arts, and we

Who: Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, Superintendent of Schools Rochester dignitaries and on-air personalities    What: Level Up Read & Play Day   When: Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.    Where: Dr. Iris J. Banister School No. 33 – 10 a.m .   (World Read Aloud Day) 500 Webster Avenue, Rochester, NY 14609   The Flower City School No. 54 – 11:30 a.m.  (Global Day of Play) 36 Otis Street, Rochester, NY 14606   Details: For the first time, the Rochester City School Distri