City Magazine

Octavia Spencer will receive the George Eastman Award for her distinguished contribution to the art of cinema. Link to story in comments. 🔗⬇️

Best known for her non-linear multimedia work, filmmaker Mara Ahmed creates documentaries, soundscapes and visual art projects that challenge colonial narratives and cross political and cultural borders. Born in Lahore but educated in Belgium, Pakistan and the United States, Ahmed’s work reflects those layered histories and displacements. Her films have aired on PBS as well as screening internationally.

Ahmed’s latest doc, “The Injured Body: A Film About Racism in America” was shot over eight years and post-produced in Rochester, weaving together the voices of 16 women rooted in local communities and featuring the work of 10 dance artists and choreographers.

It premieres on May 30 at The Little Theatre; read George Cassidy Payne’s full preview online, link in comments. 🔗

If it takes two laptops and a smartphone to secure Taylor Swift concert tickets — and these days, it does — the ticketing system might be broken. Indeed, behemoths Live Nation and Ticketmaster recently settled an antitrust case with the Justice Department, though 33 states and the District of Columbia are still moving forward with the case.

The claim? These live-entertainment giants have monopolized the industry, and fans have paid the price.

Trevor Titley has always opted for a different approach.

“I’m noticing a want and a need from organizers and event throwers and festivals to bring it back to working with fellow independent companies,” he said.

The Ticketing Co., a startup ticket platform Titley runs from his home in Fairport, is one of them.

Read ’s full story with photos by in our May issue, on stands and online now, link in comments. 🔗

💃🏽 As soon as the weather breaks each year, weekends around North Clinton Avenue belong to the International Plaza.

From the opening ceremony in May through the close of the season in October, the Plaza will host more than a dozen festivals and celebrations on Saturdays and Sundays, all with music, food and local vendors.

Read Kellen Beck’s full story on the cultural hub’s largest season yet in our May issue, on stands and online now — link in comments. 🔗

When The Demos step on stage, the sound is tighter, the edges cleaner, the connection sharper than ever. After a four-year hiatus, the band’s return has been shaped by time, perspective and a city that never quite stopped listening.

Led by Jay Milton on vocals and guitar alongside Callan Saunders, Jeremiah O’Reilly and Caela Moore, the current lineup brings together players from across the band’s different eras. Returning members Ryan Farnung and Anna Dana add a renewed chemistry that bridges past and present.

That continuity makes their upcoming appearance at the Rochester Lilac Festival feel especially fitting. More than 15 years after their last performance in Highland Park, the band returns this Thursday, May 14, not as it once was, but more fully formed.

Read Jon Heath’s full story in our May issue, on stands and online now, link in comments. 🔗

It was the spring of 2004 when Christy Muscato and Julia Sittig met at a local doula training. Both pregnant at the time, they quickly became friends and that friendship evolved into Beautiful Birth Choices, a North Winton Village-based business focused on helping people navigate pregnancy, birth and their postpartum experience. Alison Spath joined their team in 2014 and came on as third co-owner in 2020. What began as a desire to create a space for community has grown to doula support services for over 1,700 births.

Read Helana Shumway’s piece about how the trio makes the birthing process — and beyond — a labor of love, online now, link in comments. 🔗