Greentopia Festival: Eco-movement Takes Root at Rochester’s High Falls – September 17-18, 2011

Rochester's High Falls, once the cradle of the region's industry, now the cradle of a green movement

The High Falls district is a wonderful historic area of downtown Rochester that has long struggled for an identity.  During the 17th and 18th Century, it was the cradle of Rochester’s industry as the mighty Genesee River was funneled off into Brown’s Race, powering gristmills that led to Rochester being christened  the “Flour City.” Soon, other businesses cropped up around the gristmills, such as one of the world’s largest button factories, the Eastman Kodak Company and the Genesee Brewing Company. Click here for the history  and a walking tour of the High Falls and Historic Brown’s Race District.

In recent years, the district no longer had the same high traffic it once did, and excluding a recent attempt to turn it into an entertainment district, it has lain fallow, waiting for the right opportunity to flourish.  Recent endeavors to renovate buildings there and turn them into mixed-use complexes offer encouragement that this will be one of Rochester’s next growth districts.

One visionary company that has seen the possibilities of this district is the Philipson Group, a  marketing, design and  event planning group that is the driving force behind the upcoming Greentopia Festival taking place on September 17-18 in the High Falls District.  This will be an event unlike any other you’ve attended because of its focus on ecology, sustainability and environmental best practices. This event will also become  a “launchpad” for a new initiative to transform the Pont de Rennes Bridge into a suspended arboretum and park. “GardenAerial,” its prospective name, will be designed to encourage foot and bike traffic, showcasing the district’s history and its beautiful 96′ urban waterfall.

It is exciting how many organizations have gotten behind and are partnering on this initiative, demonstrating this region’s commitment to the environment.

There’ll be an exciting lineup of speakers both days.  Saturday will feature an array of Eco Quick-Talks, and on Sunday, keynoters Ed Begley Jr., Actor and Activist (live via Skype), Bill McKibben, Author, Educator and Environmentalist, Paul Watson, Animal Rights Activist and Conservationist (via skype), Patrick Cullina, V.P. of Horticulture and Park Operations (via skype) and Michael Cooper, Civil Engineer at Bergmann Associates will share insights. During the afternoon on Sunday, a variety of enviro-mentor panels gather speakers discussing green topics and issues.  All  speakers are encouraged to use a “TedTalks” style of fast-paced engaging presentation and the topics cover everything from waste reduction, urban living, health and wellness and alternative energy to green homes and more.

Attendees are also invited to “Bike the Bridges” on Saturday, September 17 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for a scenic tour of the area (be sure to see brochure and to sign waiver), and there’ll be plenty of music (more than a dozen groups will be performing), food (including culinary demonstrations by local chefs on the use of regional products) , kids’ activities, exhibitions and vending of consumer-oriented green products and technologies, and a showcase of alternative fuel low-emissions vehicles.

This event is free and open to the public and takes place in the High Falls Historic Browns Race District of Rochester.

I hope you’re as excited about this event as I am and I look forward to seeing you there.

P.S. If you’re there on Sunday, September 18, I’ll be participating on an enviro-mentor panel from 4 to 5 p.m. in the main room at the Center at High Falls.  The topic I’ll be covering will be “Sustainable Finger Lakes: The Greening of a Tourism Treasure.”  Check out my “video postcard” that will be part of the presentation and that offers a snapshot of a longer piece I’m working on that will include interviews and more tourism-oriented businesses.

Photo and text copyright 2011©Carol White Llewellyn.

 

Little-known Facts about the Finger Lakes – Vintage Baseball in Mumford, NY

"Down Time" for Silver Ball Tournament Players

Professional baseball was born in New York City in 1845 when members of the Knickerbocker Base Ball* Club formed and began formalizing the rules of the sport.  The game  has changed, along with its rules, uniforms and etiquette since those early days, but true baseball aficionados can see the game played in its original 19th Century form at Genesee Country Village & Museum‘s premier vintage baseball park.  Each year, a dozen teams from across the northeast gather in Mumford, NY to play the three-day round robin-style National Silver Ball Tournament.

In 2011, the tournament takes place from Friday, August 5 through Sunday, August 7 at Genesee Country Village & Museum, located at 1410 Flint Hill Road in Mumford.  Spectators can catch the games between between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.  Major Event Admission rates apply: Adult $16, Youth 4-16 $10, Seniors 62+ or students with ID $13, children under 3 admitted free.

If this article was of interest, you may also enjoy the Travel Maven’s 2009 Article on Genesee Country Village, the National Silver Ball Tournament and Laura Ingalls Wilder Day.

For more on Vintage Baseball, visit the Vintage Base Ball Association’s website.

*Baseball was originally written as two words.

Photo and text copyright 2011 © Carol White Llewellyn.

 

Ganondagan’s Native American Dance and Music Festival: 20 Years of Tradition and Change – July 23-24, 2011

Ganondagan's Annual Festival commemorates its dedication as a Historic Site

On July 23 and 24, Ganondagan State Historic Site will hold its 20th Annual Dance & Music Festival.

Jeanatte Miller, Friends of Ganondagan Executive Director looks back at this annual celebration that started with one modest tent under which a storyteller, Iroquois dancers and a demonstration or two entertained attendees. The festival began in 1991 to celebrate the July 14, 1987 dedication of Ganondagan as a State Historic Site.

“In the beginning, we had Iroquois Social and Pow Wow dancers. As the festival grew, we decided to change things up each year,” shared Jeanette, who heads the separate non-profit organization that supports the Historic Site’s educational initiatives and handles its events and marketing.

“Although we still focused on Iroquois culture, we began adding performances by other indigenous people,” she explained.

For example, in 1995 a group of Maori dancers introduced attendees to traditional dance and music from New Zealand.  Since then, Ganondagan has welcomed Aztec Dancers, the Dinah Tah Navajo dancers,  Hawaiian Dancers and even dancers and musicians from France performing traditional Basque numbers.  Each year, the Buffalo Creek and Ganondagan Spirit Dancers pack the tent with attendees who love watching the dynamic Iroquois social and pow wow dancing.

Grammy and Nammy Award Winner Joanne Shenandoah Headlines the 2011 Festival

Video courtesy of LinkTV, Joanne Shenandoah and Youtube.

 

Native music is integral to the festival as well, and over the years, attendees have been treated to both contemporary groups and more traditional performers.  This year, Ganondagan welcomes Grammy and Native American Music Award Winner , Joanne Sheandoah who has performed at The Parliament of the Worlds Religions, The White House, Carnegie Hall and three Presidential Inaugurations.

In addition to Native Dance and Music, Ganondagan hosts a Native Arts Market.  For collectors of Native art, names like Peter B. Jones, Tammy Tarbell, Tom Huff and Michael Galban are an enormous draw.  Many of the artists, some of whom come from as far away as Arizona and New Mexico, do demonstrations in their booths. The quality of the work shown and sold at the festival is on a par with that found at the Santa Fe Indian Market.

My daughters and our visitors from China enjoyed making corn husk dolls

So, what else is there to do at the Festival? Plenty! For music lovers, the Family Drum Jam offers an opportunity to try Native drumming, and award-winning Native flute maker William Harjo will teach a Native flute workshop (bring your own or buy one at the festival).  If you enjoy crafts, the Wegman’s Family Discovery Area offers hands-on activities for kids that focus on transforming recyclable products into fun crafts.  Throughout the festival, demonstrations provide a fascinating look at Native handwork and culture today. Scheduled demonstrations include an historic archery demonstration by Michael Galban, Pottery Making by Peter B. Jones, one on Ancient Tools by Mike Tarbell and Water Drum Making by Bill Crouse Sr. At workshops on both days, attendees can make classic Native arts such as corn husk dolls.  Be sure to register early for these popular activities that usually sell out. (Note: there is an additional fee for the Native crafts workshops).  Another great way to explore the history of the Native people who lived in this region is to join storytellers Perry Ground and Barbara Bethmann Mahooty who bring Iroquois tales to life, or to take a tour of Ganondagan trails and longhouse, given by expert trail guides and site interpreters.  Culinary adventurers can even try such Native delicacies as fry bread, bear and venison sausage, but less exotic foods are also available for purchase.

Ganondagan’s 20th Annual Native American Dance & Music Festival will take place on July 23 & 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ganondagan State Historic Site, located at 1488 State Route 444 in Victor.  There is free parking and shuttle service from Fireman’s Field, off of Maple Avenue in Victor, NY.  Simply follow festival signs from Route 96 in Victor.  The admission fee is Adults $12, Seniors $10, Students (18+ with ID) $7, Children 3-18 $5, Children under 3 Free.  Friends of Ganondagan Members are free with current membership card.  Become a Friends on Ganondagan Member at the festival and you’ll receive free admission.

Note: Sign interpretation is offered for free at this festival and golf carts make the entire event accessible to those who have disabilities or difficulty walking.

For more about this event, take a look at this slide video I created for last year’s event, but please note that this year’s dates are Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24.

Photos and text in article copyright 2011 © Carol White Llewellyn. All rights reserved.