Y’know, I wanna see a revitalized, happening, downtown Rochester as much as anybody. Without a vibrant downtown area, the city will continue to be a destination for people going to work and precious little else. The tumbleweeds will roll down Main Street every night at 6:30, right after the sidewalks are rolled up. I hope the people in charge of the city & the county will be able to come to agreement on the Renaissance Square project. BUT….if you don’t have the money for a Performing Arts center, then you can’t build one! Everybody would like to have a nice house, but if you or I don’t have the money, and no one’s lending it to us, you can’t build that house. Just because you want it doesn’t mean you’re gonna have it. A new performing arts center is appealing to everyone, but let’s be real…there’s no money for it. A downtown MCC is crucial and a new bus terminal will be a welcome addition for the people who ride the bus regularly. There’s gotta be a way to have them and make the project work! Trying to build a Performing Arts Center without the $$ is destined to join the Fast Ferry as a huge mistake.

 http://www.reading-the-d.com/2009/07/tim…

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Sheeeeeeit….that was one helluva fine show!  That the rain held off was a good thing too.  I gotta say, both bands delivered most excellent sets…hard to say whose was stronger as there was no shortage of well-known classics.  I’d probably give the edge to BAD CO. with literally every song a killer: “Can’t Get Enough”, “Rock Steady,” Burnin’ Sky,”  “Run w/ The Pack,” “Movin’ On,” all of ‘em!  And they sounded great!  Paul Rodgers has still got a voice that is rich & powerful, and it’s strength and tone belie the fact that he’s 60+ years old.  F***’in awesome!  Ladies & Gentlemen, on guitar…Mick Ralphs!  When there are as many classic guitar riffs that Bad Co. has, you don’t want anyone other than the originator of those licks to be playin’  them.  There’s no more of a “classic” rock sound than a Gibson Les Paul thru a stack of Marshall amps.  Sweet!  Let’s not forget 2nd guitarist Howard Leese, who spent a bunch of his years with HEART.  He really added some depth and fine guitarring to the show!

Doobies were also really “on it.”  One hit after another, delivered with passion & enthusiasm made for a great opening set.  The addition of the sax player really rounded things out nicely, especially for “Takin’ It To The Streets,” and my fave of the night, “Long Train Runnin.”  Man, did that songs have BALLS!  “Listen To The Music,” China Grove” (of course!), “Black Water,” “Rockin’ Down The Highway,” and some excellent blues/boogie numbers.  A full shell of rockers @ the CMAC made a whole bunch of noise.  Whatta great way to start the long holiday weekend!

Hey CMAC…lose the $8 beers!  There’s a recession goin’ on, ya know!  Sheeeeit.

Afternoons With Robinson’s THE OUTER LIMITS 1st stop in Medina, NY. Music provided by The Goods. Alcohol provided by O’Brien’s Tavern. Cheese pizza provided by the Flying J.