Explore Rochester

My first real memory of City Hall came during the protests responding to RPD murdering Daniel Prude. After a week of going home tired, beaten, and wreaking of tear gas, organizers planned a camp-out at City Hall to send a very simple message; “this is the people’s hall.” There were movies projected onto the side of buildings, music, food, and community. Some of us stayed up all night keeping watch because there was word of white supremacists circling the area. Police showed up at daybreak.

Since that morning, there have been many other memories at City Hall. I’ve seen our community show up to demand change from our local government… we’ve elected a few kick-ass people while we were at it. Together, we’ve passed a more expansive Sanctuary City Ordinance, a Ceasefire Resolution to take a stand against the genocide in Gaza, and protections for the more than 100,000 residents who rent their homes.

This building holds a complicated combination of memories for me, and there’s still SO much to be done…but it stands as a testament that when the community comes together, we can build the kind of world we all want to live in. I’m proud to live in a city that so often reminds me of that fact. // Kevin Stewart 8/8

As a kid we would usually take 390 down to the farm. But on days that we could afford to move more slowly, we would take “the scenic route” through Naples. This overlook sits atop “the high road,” or RT21, and faces you up the south end of Canadagua lake. The hills on the right are the birth places of the Seneca Nation.

Days that we can move slowly are increasingly rare, but when I do get one, the drive down to Naples is one of my favorite ways to spend it. I stop here every time.

I hope you get a slow day soon to go stand at this overlook and find some places of your own. If you want some recommendations, check out Gonandagon, Hollerhorn, and Grimes Glen. // Kevin Stewart 7/8

Pound for pound, I think Rochester has one of the best food/beverage scenes out there. As spoiled as we are by the hard working people sweating over the stove, fryer, or flattop, I’m thrilled to be able to show some love to them through this series. This is Chef Zemeta of Zemeta’s on S. Clinton. She’s there six days a week, and even though she’s always either “tired” or “busy,” I’ve never seen her without a smile on her face.

I had my first experience with Ethiopian food back in middle school at a friend’s family celebration. I made a fool of myself by rolling everything in the injera bread and trying to eat it like a burrito…earning me some well deserved heckling from the room.

We’ve come a long way since then, but Zemeta’s feels so much like walking into a home that’s filled with kindness and incredible food…it always brings me back to that moment and makes me smile too. // Kevin Stewart 6/8

My first job was washing dishes at 15. I moved my way up the line for over a decade before deciding I wanted to move to front of house. That’s when this sweetheart on my shoulders gave me my first job behind a bar at the new place he’d just opened called Bitter Honey.

Bitter was the reason I learned to bartend, got to chop agave with some of the finest mezcaleros on the planet, and met some of the most important people in my life.

It’s been a while since I’ve tended bar, but every time I step in these doors, I hear someone shouting “buuddyy!!”...maybe to me…maybe to a total stranger. But it makes me smile. I sit down to a Victoria and whatever mezcal the staff is excited about this week, and I can’t help but feel at home. // Kevin Stewart 5/8

Summer nights at Lake Ontario are some of my favorite memories…but I burn easy…so during the day, you’re more likely to find me in the woods. Thankfully, Rochester has both of these things right across the street from each other.

This little glade (the “Seyerel Hill Collection”) has everything a person could want. Trees for sittin’ and reading, soft grass for picnics and frolicing, and a quaint little pond that at least one beaver calls home. I hope you have the chance to explore Durand park and all the little secret places it holds. // Kevin Stewart 4/8

There have been so many places that have shaped me as a grower. Ambrose Garden, 490 Farmers, Equicenter…I have had so many incredible mentors who have been patient with me despite my stubbornness – shoutout to Katie, James, Stephanie, and so many others.

This is The Vinyard. It’s a 3 acre property tucked away off of Bay St, and I’ve been fortunate enough to grow on some of the land this summer. We host weekly skill shares, grow food together, and every bit of what we harvest goes to the people of our community for free.

This project isn’t just about growing food, or learning together, it’s a proof of concept that if we’re just allowed access to land, we can grow enough food to feed our community and change the way this city thinks about food security. // Kevin Stewart 3/8

When the pandemic hit, I felt powerless. I knew I needed to do something to help, and I knew I was starving for green space. So I got a permit for one of the 3,000 vacant lots in Rochester, and decided to start Ambrose Garden…despite having NO idea how to grow vegetables... Turns out, you don’t have to be an expert grower if you have some incredible friends and community members around you who are willing to lend a hand.

We made SO many mistakes this first year, but we also built a space that hosted mutual aid events, celebrated the lives of friends who were lost, and is still growing six years later.

I will always be grateful to Ambrose garden for setting me on the path of urban agriculture. There are dozens of incredible gardens around the city if you want to get involved. And if there isn’t one near you, message me. I’d love to help you build one. // Kevin Stewart 2/8

This is a field on my family’s Christmas tree farm in Cohocton, NY. The land has been with my family for the last 60 years.

We spent most Mother’s Day weekends planting. For my dad’s birthday, we would usually juuust be wrapping up pruning season. During harvest, my brothers and I would drag the smaller trees through the snow until we were strong enough to throw them onto the trailer ourselves. More than anywhere else, this place made me who I am. // Kevin Stewart 1/8

Introducing our week 613 (Yr. 12 Wk. 40) contributor: Kevin Stewart
⠀
Hi folks, my name is Kevin. I’m not much of a photographer, but I do sure as hell love this city.

I’ve experienced many different sides of Rochester over the years, but this series will feature three main facets. Green spaces that I’ve been a part of building or were parts of building me, a taste of the Rochester restaurant industry, and (I promise, not too much) politics.

Rochester has so many pieces and places that are worth falling in love with, but more than anything, I’ve always resonated with the rugged aspirationalism (a word...I think?) of our city. We’ve never been perfect, but this place is filled with good people who are willing to get their hands dirty and work for something better. Abolition, suffragettes, civil rights, and innovation…These things are in the bones of our city. And I am so grateful to call this place my home.
 ⠀

We all know Rochester is a festival town, and that extends to FILM festivals as well! They’re a unique part of the film-release ecosystem: (1) they allow people to see films before their regular theatrical releases, building up early interest and buzz, (2) with unique programming teams, festivals have specific focuses and viewpoints, allowing movies to be shown theatrically that may otherwise not get another release in town (due to timing or priority), and (3) they help build community around subject-matter, representation, interest, and emotions!

Many films doing the festival circuit don’t even have trailers yet, so if you truly want to take a leap of faith and see the coolest new thing, come watch what your local film festival teams have brought to town. Plus, the vibe is different at each one, even during the busy film festival season: ImageOut LGBTQ+ Film Festival (Oct), Polish Film Festival (Oct/Nov), Anomaly (Nov), and Witness Palestine (Nov).

Our Anomaly - The Rochester Genre Film Festival team is celebrating our 8th year November 11-15 at both The Little (The Little Theatre) and The Dryden (Dryden Theatre), showcasing as many cool, new, indie genre films as we can: horror, sci-fi, action, fantasy, and (my favorite) the indescribable. We put together a welcoming atmosphere, with a decorated lobby, giveaways, a “come as you are” mentality, and content warnings so you know what you’re getting yourself in for (if you like horror, awesome! And if you don’t like horror, we always have several “slightly safer” films for you as well!). Short films, features, filmmaker Q&As, and always lots of surprises and great vibes, thanks to our incredibly hardworking all-volunteer team. (Pictured: Melvin the Devourer on screen at Anomaly 2025.)

Festival passes are on sale for Anomaly Film Festival, ImageOut, and Witness Palestine Film Fest, so grab a pass today, and come watch films together!

Thanks for having me this week! Stay spooky, Rochester, and I’ll see you at the movies! // Matt DeTurck 8/8