Wednesday, June 15

MUSIC: Relive the glorious 90's when Blues Traveler kicks off the Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack's free summer-concert series. Blues Traveler burst on to the mainstream music scene in 1994 with the hits "Run-Around" and "Hook," and its blues-folk-rock blend made it a popular live-music act since. Lead singer and scorching harmonica player John Popper was recently in Rochester at the end of April with his other band, the Duskray Troubadours. Catch him again at the racetrack for free. Other concerts in the 2011 Finger Lakes concert series include Blood Sweat and Tears with Chuck Negron (of Three Dog Night) on June 22 and Phil Vassar on July 6. Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. The casino is located at 5857 Route 96 in Farmington. For more information visit fingerlakesracetrack.com. (ER)

Thursday, June 16

SPECIAL EVENT: Beat the crowds and enjoy a cold one at the Art & Treasures: Bargains and Beer Party, a preview event for the Memorial Art Gallery's sale that opens to the public Friday and Saturday. This early-bird event is held 6-8 p.m., and tickets are $18 at the door. Whichever day you go, you'll find items like gently used antiques, artwork, jewelry, and small furniture to add some old-fashioned class to your home. Regular sale hours are Friday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and admission is free. Also mark your calendars for the 2011 M&T Bank Clothesline Festival at the MAG September 10-11, which is the largest and longest-running (55 years) fine arts and crafts festival in Rochester. The Memorial Art Gallery is located at 500 University Ave. For more information on both events visit mag.rochester.edu. (JH)

Friday, June 17

MUSIC: Be as nasty as you wanna be when Uncle Luke and 2 Live Crew take over the Main Street Armory. Uncle Luke is, of course, Luther Campbell, music impresario, entrepreneur, and leader of the notorious rap group that scandalized the nation in the 1990's with awesomely filthy songs like "Me So Horny," and which became arguably an unwitting icon for First Amendment rights. The show starts at 7 p.m., tickets cost $30-$50. The Armory is located at 900 E. Main St. For more information visit rochestermainstreetarmory.com. Also coming up this summer at the Armory are concerts by The Flaming Lips (June 25), Dirty South Summer featuring Yo Gotti and OJ Da Juiceman (July 1), and Reel Big Fish with Streetlight Manifesto (August 11). (ER)

Saturday, June 18

FESTIVAL: Take a moment to stop and smell the roses. Better take a whole day, actually, because there are more than 300 different rose varieties to smell at the Maplewood Rose Weekend. Held during the peak of rose season, this festival runs June 17-19 and features more than 5000 roses. There are also two days of activities, including horticultural workshops and demonstrations by local gardeners and landscape professionals at the historic Maplewood Rose Garden (100 Maplewood Ave). Saturday features events like a perennial swap, wine tastings, an arts and crafts show, and children's entertainment. Other events during the weekend include a city-wide block party on the Driving Park Bridge on Friday and the Dady Brothers in concert on Sunday. For more information, including a full schedule, visit maplewood.org. (JH)

Sunday, June 19

SPORTS: It's Father's Day! Take Dad out for a baseball game - and go back in time - to check out the Base Ball Opening Weekend at Genesee Country Village & Museum's Silver Base Ball Park. Silver is the first 19th-century replica ball park in the country, and features teams playing in period costumes, obeying period rules, and following period etiquette, plus vendors selling vintage snacks. Opening day will feature a double-header, and games will continue throughout the summer featuring the park's home teams. If you like what you see, check out the National Silver Ball Tournament August 5-7. GCVM is located at 1410 Flint Hill Road in Mumford. For more information visit gcv.org. (ER)

Monday, June 20

EXHIBIT: Play hooky from work and have a nice, relaxing day at the Rochester Museum & Science Center. The RMSC is not just for kids - although it's a great place for the little ones, of course. I'm a fan of the "At the Western Door" exhibit, which catalogues 400 years of interactions - both positive and negative - between European settlers and the Native American tribes of this region using artifacts, dioramas, and text. Don't miss the cool little lounge with a comfy seat that looks out onto the RMSC's quaint flower garden. The RMSC has a host of other exhibits, including the current limited-time exhibit, "Energize It!" Also make sure to catch the big-screen shows at the museum's Strasenburgh Planetarium this summer, "Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs" and "Dolphins," plus the Saturday-night laser shows - U2 is up for June, and The Beatles are up in July. The RMSC is located at 657 East Ave. For hours, admission, and more information call 271-4320 or visit rmsc.org. (ER)

Tuesday, June 21

HOLIDAY: Even though we've been sweating our winter pounds off in this humidity (no, that wasn't a complaint), June 21 marks the official first day of summer. So, ready, set, make the most of these few sunny months by throwing a celebration of Dionysus, vacation (if you get one), and finally being able to walk around in a normal amount of clothing, or less. Play music through your open windows, air out your stale house, and make use of that porch with some friends, frozen delights, and cook-out snacks. Or play hooky and take to the beach! The days are only going to get shorter from here on out... (RR)

Wednesday, June 22

MUSIC: Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons bring the classics to the Auditorium Theater tonight. Valli has one of the most distinctive voices in music history, and he and his group became legends through songs like "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like a Man," and "Sherry." The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and its story was the source for the Broadway smash "Jersey Boys." Catch them live for one-night only at 7:30 p.m.; tickets cost $40-$85. The Auditorium is located at 875 E. Main St. Other summer events at the Aud include Cedric the Entertainer (July 2). Visit rbtl.org or call 222-5000 for more information. (AC)

Thursday, June 23

THEATER: Rochester is home to dozens of terrific community-theater troupes. For a week this summer, it will be home to dozens more as the American Association of Community Theatre Conference comes to town June 20-26. AACTFest 11 will bring more than 600 theater folks to town for a variety of workshops, panels, and parties, and Geva Theatre (75 Woodbury Blvd.) will host a dozen performances from groups as far afield as Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Florida, Washington, California, Texas, and even Belgium. Performances are open to the public and cost $12-$15 per session (most sessions include two shows). For more information on the conference visit aactfest11.org. (ER)

Friday, June 24

MUSIC: Catch local pop-rock band The Beaumonts as part of the Bop Shop's 14 Fridays at Village Gate performance series. Every Friday this summer you can head to the courtyard at the urban shopping center - located in the Neighborhood of the Arts - and take in free music by some of the area's most interesting bands, like The Accordion Babes (July 1), blues man Steve Grills (July 15), The Handmade Orchestra (July 22), C'est Bon Cajun Dance Band (August 19), and the Airplay Vaudeville Revue (August 26). Plus you can grab some great food and drink at any of Village Gate's quality restaurants, do some perusing through the specialty shops, and just take in the hip city spectacle. Village Gate is located at 274 N. Goodman St. For more information on the 14 Fridays series visit bopshop.com. (ER)

Saturday, June 25

SPECIAL EVENT: Get your Gatsby on in summery, sultry linens for Writers & Books 30th Anniversary Gala, which will take place 7-11 p.m. at the Rundel Library (115 South Ave.), and will feature author Ann Patchett, who will discuss her new book, "State of Wonder." The night will also include music by Salmorejo, a performance by local youth poets, a silent auction, South American cuisine, an open bar, and anniversary cake and coffee. Tickets are $100 and registration is required. Patron level tickets are $150, and include a reception with Patchett, a signed copy of her newest novel, a tour of 30 years of Writers & Books memorabilia showcased in the Rochester Historical Society "All Busine$$" exhibit, and refreshments. For more information on this and other W&B events taking place this summer, call 473-2590 x107 or visit wab.org. (RR)

Sunday, June 26

FESTIVAL: Have you ever seen a parade on water? You will at the annual Harbor and Carousel Festival at Ontario Beach Park. Boats will stream across Lake Ontario during the festival's boat parade of lights. Also look for fireworks, two stages for live music, and a giant food tent. The festival takes place Thursday, June 23-Sunday, June 26. Carousel rides are available all weekend long, and horses aren't your only option: the famous Dentzel carousel includes tigers, otters, and even an ostrich on which to ride. Other events include a classic car show on Saturday, carnival rides, and an artisan farmers market. Festival hours are Thursday 6-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The park is located at the Charlotte neighborhood at 4800 Lake Ave. Call 865-3320 or visit cityofrochester.gov for more information. (AC)

Monday, June 27

SPORTS: Gear up, get a team together, or sign up individually for the mid-week Backyard Hockey Festival at the Perinton Recreation and Aquatic Center (1350 Turk Hill Road, Fairport). The event was established in 2007 and features competitive street-hockey tournaments every June and August. New this year, 100 percent of the proceeds collected will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The tournament runs June 27-29 and costs $30 per player, or $20 online at backyardhockeyfestival.webs.com. Other events happening in Perinton this summer include the Gazebo Concert Series every Thursday through August 4 at Fairport Kennelley Park (Main Street at the canal), and the Center Stage Concert Series on Sundays July 10-September 11 at Center Park (1100 Ayrault Road, Fairport). Both series are free to attend. More info at perinton.org. (JH)

Tuesday, June 28

SPECIAL EVENT: Discover talented local authors at the Little Theatre's Authors Aloud in the Caf� series. This collaboration between the Little and Writers & Books will bring in several local writers per session (the series continues July 19 and August 2), where they will read from and discuss their work. Authors Aloud runs 8-9 p.m. in the theater's caf�, and admission is free. It's a busy summer for Rochester's independent and foreign cinema, with the From Britain With Love series (six new British indie films, screening Thursdays through July 28), Picnic in the Parking Lot (July 26, with burgers, hots, salads, and a free beer tasting), drag night in the caf� (August 16, with local drag performances, food and drinks, and a screening of a drag film), Best of the Fest nights (August 22-23, with programming from ImageOut, Jewish Film Festival, and 360 | 365 George Eastman Film Festival), and much more. The Little is located at 240 East Ave. For more information visit thelittle.org. (ER)

Wednesday, June 29

ROAD TRIP: Paul Bunyan Day technically took place on June 28, but you can still pay homage to the legendary lumberjack by taking a road trip to Old Forge to get your photo taken with the 19-foot Bunyan statue that welcomes guests to the Enchanted Forest amusement park. The park features 50 rides and attractions, and has become best known for its Water Safari, with 32 kick-butt water rides. The older kids will love the mega-tall slides and more daring rides, while younger kids will want to stick close to Tadpole Hole, Pygmy Pond, or the Kid Wash. The park also has Storybook Lane (massive three-dimensional fairy tale dioramas that freaked me out when I was a kid), daily circus shows, and don't miss the candy store loaded with old-timey items like rock candy, sculpted licorice, and more. Enchanted Forest is located on Route 28 in Old Forge. The park is open daily through September 5. For admission fees, hours, and more information visit watersafari.com. (ER)

Thursday, June 30

MUSIC: Dig! Funk icon Bootsy Collins plays Party in the Park tonight. Collins is a bassist and singer who got his first break playing with James Brown in the 1960's and then Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970's, but he may be best known for his part in Deee-Lite's 1990 hit "Groove Is In the Heart," where he out-glamored everyone else in the video with those fabulous star-shaped shades. Collins is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as part of Parliament) and is currently touring to promote his new album, "The Funk Capital of the World." Party in the Park takes place every Thursday 5-10 p.m. at the Riverside Festival Site, at Court Street and Exchange Boulevard. Note that there is a $2 fee for concerts this year. Other notable Party in the Park shows this summer include Los Lonely Boys (June 16), Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad (July 7), moe. (July 21), Robert Randolph and the Family Band (August 4), and The Romantics (August 11). For a full line-up visit rochesterevents.com. (ER)