This weekend in Monroe County, NY

Start from Schoen Place at Collin’s pavilion in Erie Canal-Schoen Place, Pittsford, NY for a friendly coffee-themed group ride. Roll west on the canal path to Lock 32 to gather additional riders, continue toward the UR campus, then make your way downtown along the west side of the Genesee River. A coffee stop is planned at Javas on Gibbs Street. The return follows the river’s east side through the UR campus, reconnects with the Erie Canal path, and finishes back where the ride began. The route and downtown coffee destination may change slightly from week to week.

An annual fall festival at Hilton Baptist Church in Hilton, NY offers a full day focused on crafting. Participants can bring their own projects to work on, take time to browse offerings from many vendors, and enter raffles, with tickets available for purchase. Coffee, tea, and ice water will be provided. Advance registration is recommended. The fee for the day is $25, payable at the door by cash or check made out to Hilton Baptist Church. To register, share your name and telephone number with the church office by emailing hbchurch50@gmail.com or by calling 585-392-7990. Lunch is available for $5, and registrants are asked to note whether they plan to have lunch so preparations can be made.

Learn how to make a pumpkin wreath with chunky yarn in a relaxed, hands-on class. The cost is $25, and all materials are included. The project involves detailed handwork, so dexterity is important. To register and arrange payment, send a message to the page in advance.

Explore the music and movement of Guinea through West African drum and dance classes led by Guinean artist Mohamed Diaby at South Wedge Mission. Beginners are welcome, and participants can choose drumming, dancing, or both. Pricing is $15 for the drum class, $20 for the dance class, or $30 for both. If you take the drum class, you may stay to drum for the dance class for an additional $5. Payment is accepted in cash or via Venmo @Diaby. Mohamed’s background includes early training on jembe with his brother Moustapha, an invitation as a teenager to a troupe sponsored by the wife of President Sekou Toure, guidance from Mamady Keita that led him to Africa Djole, and service as lead drummer with Les Merveilles de Guinea with work across West Africa, including Sierra Leone. Kemoko Sano of Les Ballet Africains expressed interest in bringing him into the company. He later performed at New York City’s Symphony Space, directed the Guinea style troupe Africa Sogaye in Atlanta, organized the WAH WAH Drum and Dance Conference, and continues to teach across the United States, Canada, and Europe while sharing the music and culture of Guinea.

Celebrate the season at the Howard Hanna Rochester City Office during the 1st Annual Harvest Celebration. Community members, families, and children of all ages are invited to enjoy autumn treats, connect with neighbors, and create lasting fall memories.

A One Piece trading card game event at Legacy Games in Webster, NY features a $5 entry fee and prizing that includes one Participation Pack and one Winner Pack.

Celebrate Veloura Hair Salon’s grand opening alongside its first anniversary at a community-focused gathering featuring a full slate of activities. Guests can take part in hair and barber services and watch beauty and wellness demonstrations. Food and drinks highlight a Puerto Rican and Latin menu, with giveaways and event specials available throughout. This family-friendly occasion marks a year of growth and welcomes participants of all ages.

Visitors can meet adoptable cats and kittens during open hours and speak with volunteers about the adoption process. Same day adoptions are not available. All prospective adopters must complete an application, which may be submitted in person or online.

Connect with fellow Gundam model builders to trade techniques, solve build challenges, and share ideas in a participant-led discussion. The space is provided by Dan's Crafts & Things. Bring an in-progress project along with a favorite completed kit for show and tell. Kits and supplies are available to purchase, though there is no requirement to buy anything. The club meets twice each month. Children are welcome, and they must be accompanied by an adult.

The Social Adventure Knights provide a small stage where creatives from the area can share their talents with the community.

Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Vanessa Collier brings a sound rooted in classic Memphis soul, R&B, and blues. Her sixth album, Do It My Own Way, was crafted on analog gear with musicians playing together to capture a warm, old-school feel, complete with horn-forward grooves, layered vocals, and saxophone lines that add a subtle power to each track. The record ranges from the funk drive of Elbow Grease to the moody pull of Take Me Back and the rhumba sway of Just One More, while Shoulda Known Better stands out for its deep groove. Wild As a Rainstorm dives into retro soul with Hi Records legend Rev. Charles Hodges on organ and has been featured on Spotify’s Retro Soul playlist. Rosetta honors trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the title track pushes back against industry sexism, and closing song Warrior celebrates resilience and pays tribute to her mother. Collier wrote the songs, produced the project, arranged the horns and other parts, and performs on acoustic and electric guitars, alto and tenor saxophones, flute, and lead and background vocals. The album also features Laura Chavez, Scott Sutherland, Byron Cage, and Rev. Charles Hodges. A Berklee College of Music graduate who first toured with blues icon Joe Louis Walker before stepping out on her own, she is a twelve-time Blues Music Award nominee and a four-time winner, including honors such as Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, Horn Player of the Year, and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. She has appeared at the Chicago Blues Festival, opened for Blues Traveler, draws inspiration from artists like Mavis Staples, Sharon Jones, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin, and previously saw Heart On The Line spend nine weeks in the top 15 of the Billboard Blues Albums chart.

Presented by Rochester Entertainment Events, North Carolina rock band He Is Legend headlines a bill with In Angels and Excide. This is a 16+ event. Advance tickets are $25 and increase to $30 on the day of the show. The group formed in Wilmington, North Carolina and built its catalog from a self-released demo and the EP 91025 to full-length releases including I Am Hollywood, Suck Out the Poison, It Hates You, Heavy Fruit, and Few, with White Bat later announced.

Barry’s Old School Irish hosts a milestone celebration for Danny’s 40th, honoring 15 years of good times at the Pub, from friendships and live music to favorite bites and drinks. The night features Celtic Cross together with other musical guests connected with Danny over the past 15 years. A special single-page menu highlights his go-to appetizers, dinners, and drinks from the Pub. A complimentary birthday toast is planned, birthday cake will be served, and attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite green in his honor.

Candy celebrates the release of their new album with a live set featuring songs from the record. Vinyl and CD copies will be available, along with fresh Candy merchandise to take home. Televisionaries will also perform as part of the bill. Admission is $10 at the door.

Roc Artists Open Market fills Innovation Square in downtown Rochester with artisans, small businesses, vintage finds, food offerings, live music, activities, and more. Visitors can experience a varied lineup of local music, stage performances, and lively dance showcases that spotlight creativity in many forms and celebrate the city’s arts community. Whether you are an avid art fan or simply looking for a fun outing, this market offers plenty to discover.

Artisan Works hosts the first Love Your Body Day, an art expo and panel discussion centered on self love, body positivity, and empowerment. Organizers are inviting artists to exhibit and sell work that engages these themes, whether bold, healing, challenging, thought provoking, or celebratory. Rochester National Organization for Women (ROC NOW) is shaping a community centered program that plans to include an expert panel, about 27 artists, an exhibition of Chelsea Merritt’s 2025 NOW Foundation Poster Contest winning design, and promotion of the 2026 contest. Additional elements are slated to feature a yoga session with Rebecca Phelps, a sound bath with Amy Mantrow, a performance by Stage Presence Dance Collective led by Kaitlynn, and a live henna demonstration by Komal Khanna of Hey_Henna. Artists are also encouraged to submit original designs to the NOW Foundation Love Your Body Poster Contest for an opportunity at national recognition. This event is trans and nonbinary friendly.

A Halloween-themed kids club at Actual Natural Kids features hands-on crafts, sweet treats, and lighthearted mysteries in a festive setting. Participants can personalize a trick-or-treat bag with paint and stencils, decorate pumpkins without carving using markers, stickers, and glitter glue, and create colorful peel-and-stick window clings to brighten up autumn windows. A caramel apple nacho bar serves crisp apple slices with warm caramel, chocolate chips, sprinkles, and other crunchy toppings. Brave guests can try the Mystery Box Room, reaching into hidden containers to feel spooky textures like pretend monster eyes, wiggly worms, or a witch’s tongue in a playful sensory challenge. The fun continues with Halloween-themed games, friendly competition, prizes, and plenty of laughs. Admission is $25 for one person or $30 for a family. Costumes are encouraged. To register or ask questions, text Liz at 585-721-4369.

Set out aboard the Colonial Belle for a narrated Erie Canal lock cruise featuring live music by AJ & Jennifer Marie DiNoto. Depart from Fairport for an eight mile trip to Lock E32 in Pittsford, pass through the lock while rising and descending about 25 feet as the captain explains each step, then enjoy instrumental tunes and vocals on the eight mile return to Fairport. Along the way, the captain shares canal history, sights along the route, stories from the waterway, details about the Colonial Belle and its family tour boat operation on the Erie Canal since 1989, and answers questions. The experience includes lock passage and a three hour narrated cruise with live music. Bagged snacks and a wide selection of non alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase from the fully licensed bar, with cash and credit accepted on board. Outside food and drinks, including bottled water, are not permitted due to state and local regulations and insurance policies. Children ages 3 and under ride free with a reservation so they can be counted under US Coast Guard rules. Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure, and guests should check in at the dock before boarding. Public cruises sail when minimum passenger requirements are met. Performer lineups may change if unforeseen conflicts arise. A comparable act will be substituted when possible, or the price difference between a narrated cruise with live music and a regular narrated cruise will be refunded in the case of a last minute cancellation.

A relaxed gathering for Magic: The Gathering Commander players. Tables usually number two to three and are organized by preferred power level, often with one competitive game and one or two more casual options. Expect friendly, interactive play, the occasional slime counter joke, and a sociable atmosphere for meeting other players. Drinks are available, including beer, seltzer, wine, and non-alcoholic choices.