East End Events

February 1 is First Friday citywide Gallery Night with over 20 participating venues, free shuttle bus service and 14 opening receptions throughout the city. http://www.firstfridayrochester.org/february_08.htm

On Saturday, February 9th following the 6:30 pm showing of JULY ’64, filmmakers Christine Christopher and Carvin Eison will be in the theatre to discuss three days of conflict in July 1964 that altered the course of history in Rochester. Ms. Christopher and Mr. Eison will also preview a clip from their latest production UMBRA: EMERGING FROM THE SHADOWS OF LYNCHING. The discussion will offer first-hand insight to the circumstances that lead up to the riots and ended with the National Guard being called to a Northern city for the first time during the civil rights era.

On Monday, February 11th the spotlight will be on dance in America. The first of two documentaries that evening will be BEEN RICH ALL MY LIFE. The film tells the story of the Silver Belles dance troupe who performed in Harlem’s most prestigious haunts, with legendary band leaders like Cab Calloway, and Duke Ellington. The second film will be the documentary short OATKA TRAIL, a lyrical opus choreographed by Garth Fagan and inspired by an old Seneca Indian Trail near Rochester. Our special guests will be Fay Ray, one of the original Silver Belles who still dances at age 90, Geri Kennedy, the group’s manager and Tony Award winning choreographer Garth Fagan. The discussion will examine the recorded history of dancers and their remarkable contributions to American culture.