Rochester Speaks

by Rochester Speaks

The ESL Rochester Fringe Festival Is Back. Here's How to Find Your Show.

Erica Fee, CEO of the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival, joins the show to preview 12 days of performances across 45 venues running September 15th through 26th, and make the case for why Rochester showing up for this festival matters beyond just entertainment. Erica highlights a handful of must see shows including Tea Party at the End of the World with only 30 tickets, Just to Be Close to You with 60 tickets and 10 awards, the outdoor Circus in the City at Parcel 5 on September 18th and 19th and Pete Davidson at Eastman Theatre on September 25th. She also talks about the economic ripple effect of the festival, what it does for downtown venues long term and why getting younger Rochesterians comfortable downtown is one of the festival's quieter victories. There are five ways to get tickets. Buy online at rochesterfringe.com, through the app in the Apple or Google Play Store, by phone at 585.957.9857, at the main festival box office at Main and Gibbs starting September 13th or at any venue door one hour before showtime.

Aug 31, 2026

20:07

Al Sigl Has Been Serving Rochester's Special Needs Community for 65 Years. Tom O'Connor on What Is Coming Up This Fall.

Tom O'Connor, President of Al Sigl Community of Agencies, joins the show to talk about two of their biggest fall events and what makes this 65 year old Rochester institution unlike anything else in the country. Tom shares how Al Sigl supports seven nonprofit member agencies by providing space, shared services and fundraising infrastructure so they can focus on serving over 55,000 children and adults with disabilities and special needs in our community. He also spotlights Medical Motor Service and Rochester Hearing and Speech Center as two member agencies doing especially critical work that many Rochesterians do not know about. Fine Tastings is September 24th at Monroe Golf Club featuring local restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries plus a new mocktail experience from Threads and Tonic. The Community Walkabout is a free accessible trick or treat and costume contest at Eastview Mall, wrapping up before the Bills kick off. Register and find sponsorship opportunities at alsigl.org/tastings and alsigl.org/events.

Aug 31, 2026

13:12

CSC Rochester's Heroes Ball: A Celebration of Rochester's Cancer Support Community

Colleen Parsons and Rob Poltrino, co-chairs of the Cancer Support Community Rochester Heroes Ball, join the show to talk about an organization that has been serving everyone touched by cancer since 1959 and the upcoming gala that helps make it all possible. Colleen shares what CSC Rochester actually offers, from one on one mental health counseling and support groups to yoga, art classes, a food pantry and a kitchen where community groups can come cook dinner for members. Everything is free to members. Rob shares what brought him to CSC and why he believes in it deeply enough to help lead their biggest fundraiser of the year. That fundraiser is the Heroes Ball on Friday October 9th at the Hyatt Regency downtown, featuring Buffalo Bills Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas as the keynote speaker. From 9:00 to 9:45pm attendees will have the chance to get a photo with Thomas. A VIP pre-event is also available while tickets last. Get tickets, learn about volunteer opportunities or reach out about community chefs nights at cscrochester.org/heroesball.

Aug 31, 2026

18:00

The Child Abuse Epidemic Hiding In Plain Sight & Rochester's Advocate

Jeff Pier, President and CEO of the Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester, joins the show to talk about the child abuse epidemic hiding in plain sight across our community and what his organization does when a child comes forward. Jeff shares how the CAC brings 20 partner agencies including police, the district attorney's office, medical professionals and child protective services under one roof so children never have to tell their story more than once. He also makes an important distinction every parent and trusted adult should hear, the difference between a trusted adult and a safe adult, and why that shift in language could protect a child before abuse ever occurs. If a child says something that concerns you call 585.935.7800 or visit cacgroc.org. For active disclosures contact the New York State Child Protective Services hotline first.

Aug 31, 2026

17:46

90 Years of Delphi Rise. The President and CEO on What Has Changed and What Still Needs to.

Jen Cathy, President and CEO of Delphi Rise, joins the show to mark the organization's 90th anniversary and take stock of how far addiction treatment has come since the 1930s when the only answers were jail or church. Jen walks through nine decades of evolving understanding, from moral failure to chronic disease, from the War on Drugs to harm reduction, and shares where Delphi Rise stands today on some of the most debated questions in addiction treatment. She also talks about a shift most people have not noticed yet, alcohol use disorder has quietly become the number one diagnosis they see, and the THC levels in today's marijuana are changing that conversation too. Delphi Rise operates Monroe County's only 24/7 walk-in program. No insurance required, no one turned away. The 90th Anniversary Celebration is September 24th at Arbor Loft with emcee Norma Holland. Tickets are $90. Visit delphirise.org to get help, volunteer, donate pantry items or purchase tickets to the celebration.

Aug 20, 2026

25:31

Agape Haven of Abundance Is Celebrating Seven Years of Changing Lives in Rochester. Meet the Kids Who Prove It.

Julia Oakley, director of Agape Haven of Abundance, stopped by Rochester Speaks with ten of her summer camp youth to share what seven years of out of school programming has built in the Rochester community. The kids speak for themselves. In just a few minutes of conversation, they cover financial literacy, mental health, Black history, yoga, sailing, horseback riding, job fairs and what it means to have a safe and loving place to grow during the summer months. Their future plans include nursing, law, teaching, medicine, psychology, professional sports and yes, at least one NFL or NBA career with a rap backup plan. Agape Haven of Abundance provides out of school time programming for children in the city of Rochester, functioning as a home away from home and offering holistic support during the summer and school year. Learn more at: https://www.agapehavenofabundance.org/

Aug 20, 2026

22:37

Smoking and Health Action Coalition on Vaping, Smoke Free Housing and Why the Fight Is Far From Over

Lindsay Kremers, Community Engagement Coordinator, and Haley Rockow, Youth Engagement Coordinator at the Smoking and Health Action Coalition of Livingston and Monroe Counties, join the show to talk about where tobacco use stands today and why vaping has created a whole new set of challenges for public health advocates. Lindsay and Haley walk through the coalition's four main program areas including tobacco free outdoor spaces, point of sale restrictions, tobacco litter and environmental impact, and smoke free multi unit housing. They share updates on local progress including Tri-City Rentals converting 3,000 units across Monroe County to smoke free, and celebrate two Reality Check youth ambassadors who took their advocacy all the way to the state level this year. Haley also breaks down what is actually in a vape device, why synthetic nicotine is not a safe alternative and what the vapor you cannot smell is still doing to the people around you. To find quitting resources visit the Quit Line or Smoke Free New York. Learn more about the coalition's work at smokingandhealth.org.

Aug 20, 2026

16:33

RBTL's Albert Nocciolino on Why Rochester's Broadway Scene Punches Way Above Its Weight

Albert Nocciolino, producer and presenter for the Rochester Broadway Theater League, joins the show to preview the 2026 to 2027 M&T Bank Broadway Season at West Herr Auditorium Theatre and make the case for why this is one of the best lineups RBTL has put together in years. Albert walks through all seven shows, talks about the economic impact of touring Broadway on Rochester businesses and hotels, why West Herr Auditorium Theatre has become a true regional destination drawing audiences from Erie to Binghamton, and what RBTL's education program is doing to build the next generation of theater lovers across Monroe County's high schools. An open house is happening Wednesday August 19th from 10am to 5pm at West Herr Auditorium Theatre. Come tour the venue, see the renovations and pick out your season seats. Season tickets, single tickets and full season information are available at rbtl.org.

Aug 15, 2026

15:27

The Trek Within. Rob Sullivan on Cancer, a Heart Attack He Almost Missed and the Magic He Found in Both.

Rob Sullivan, speaker and author of The Trek Within, joins the show to share one of the most remarkable personal journeys you will hear on Rochester Speaks, starting with a cancer diagnosis on his 48th birthday and ending with a dream that saved his life years later. Rob talks about why he chose to go public about his illness, why he never used the word "have" to describe his cancer, and what shifted for him when he stopped thinking about fighting and started thinking about walking alongside what his body was trying to teach him. He also shares the story of a dream so vivid and specific that it led him to an urgent care on the way to get shrimp tacos and saved him from a widow maker heart attack with a 95% blocked artery. The Trek Within is available through your local independent bookseller, Amazon and Barnes and Noble. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-trek-within-rob-ryan-sullivan/1145642779 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962071340?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Aug 15, 2026

24:02

The ESL Rochester Fringe Festival Has Something for Everyone. Here Is How to Find Your Show.

Erica Fee, CEO and Festival Producer of the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival, joins the show fresh off a scouting trip to the Edinburgh Fringe to talk about what is coming to Rochester September 15th through 26th, and why this festival continues to stand apart from anything else happening in American cities. Erica shares the origin story of the Edinburgh Fringe dating back to 1947, how Rochester's festival has grown into one of the largest in the country with 715 shows across 45 venues, and what makes the bifurcated model so unique. She also previews Circus in the City at Parcel 5 and Gibbs Street on September 18th and 19th, Pete Davidson at Eastman Theatre on the 25th, the brand new Garden Studio at One Fringe Place, the Spiegel Tent, Street Beat at MLK Park on the 26th and a handful of limited capacity shows that are worth grabbing tickets for immediately. About a quarter of all shows are completely free. Tickets for everything else are available now. Visit rochesterfringe.com, download the Rochester Fringe app or stop by the festival box office at Main and Gibbs Street during the festival. Tickets can also be purchased by phone or at venue doors one hour before showtime if available.

Aug 7, 2026

23:43

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