The decorated tiki bar at Easy Sailor has a large red octopus wall sculpture, vintage-style paintings, rustic wood walls, and nautical decor.

A bowl of ramen with sliced pork, halved soft-boiled eggs, chopped green onions, spinach, seaweed, and noodles in broth from Public Provisions in Rochester.

A band performing on stage with blue and red curtains, three musicians are visible: one singing and playing guitar, one playing bass, and a drummer in the background. The scene is lit with colorful stage lights at the 5 Spot in Nashville, TN.

Colorful sculpture of a one-eyed monster with purple arms and a pizza body, surrounded by a pizza-themed backdrop and blue curtains at Denver's Meow Wolf.

Filipino food plate with rice, fried egg, diced beef stir-fry, and spring rolls from Pinoy Boy in Buffalo, New York.

A stage decorated with candles and white drapery, with a person dressed in dark clothing performing under blue lighting, at an event called the Edgar Allen Poe Speakeasy.

A pour over coffee from AM:FM Coffee in Rochester, NY

Senojfromtheroc performing at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Arts

Music

Culture

Cuisine

Drink

The Underrated Vibes

Andy Gold 7/4/26 Andy Gold 7/4/26

High Falls Rises Again for Flower Fest

Hosted on June 6, Flower Fest was a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Rochester’s iconic city logo. However, for those of us who attended, it became a celebration of a historic space with new life. In my view, it became a reminder of what happens when the city gives one of its most historic spaces the attention it deserves, and crowds turn out to embrace the experience.

Andy Gold 6/7/26 Andy Gold 6/7/26

Culture and Community Shine at the Rochester Greek Festival

A 29-year old tradition that dates back to 1997, Rochester’s Greek Festival is one of the city’s most vibrant, culturally rich, and cherished annual summer events. It is estimated that the Rochester Greek Festival drew 25,000 guests or more to the neighborhood to celebrate.

Andy Gold 5/14/26 Andy Gold 5/14/26

The 5 Spot Rules the Night in East Nashville

The 5 Spot in East Nashville is a different type of music venue, one that feels more like a neighborhood dive bar that the locals hit up for more affordable craft beers, cool touring bands, and to support Nashville-based artists.

Andy Gold 4/21/26 Andy Gold 4/21/26

An Interactive Experience with Senojfromtheroc

If you’re not following along with Senojfromtheroc’s music, then you’re already missing out on one of Rochester’s best artists, whose recent 2025 album release, Dark Skin Trail Mix,is a genre-blending “no skips” hit.

Andy Gold 3/17/26 Andy Gold 3/17/26

A Stage Dive Into the 585’s Rising Music Scene, Part 2

To understand the 585’s rising music scene, one must see the value of local talent, as there are over 3,000 unique bands performing regularly at local bars and music spaces regionally. Rochester has an eclectic artistic underbelly, and while local music venues tend to be smaller, they excel at offering a closer connection between the audience and performers.

Andy Gold 2/21/26 Andy Gold 2/21/26

The Legacy of Johnny Cash Lives On In This Nashville Museum

Exploring Downtown Nashville, I stumbled upon a monumental site, the Johnny Cash Museum. For those of you who love Outlaw Country, Country Rock, and Rockabilly music, you’ve probably listened to Johnny Cash at one time or another. For me, Johnny Cash was a musical legend, a figure who transformed the Outlaw Country scene and who bridged cultural divides through his famed hits.

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