WXXI

Go Public

Hochstein at High Falls 2026: Watkins & the Rapiers

Watkins & the Rapiers performs live at Hochstein at High Falls on Thursday, June 25 at 12:10pm.

Watkins & the Rapiers play an eclectic mix of acoustic music incorporating echoes of Cajun, country, jug band music, reggae, soul, and swing. The band’s repertoire includes more than 60 quirky original songs written by band members, as well as covers of songs by artists as diverse as The Band, Travelling Wilburys, Steve Earle, and Colorblind James, among others. The band has been rocking out in the Greater Rochester area since January 1996, when the band was formed on a lark to fill an empty performance slot at the Rose & Crown Pub. The band includes Scott Regan, Kerry Regan, Tom Whitmore, Marty York, Steve Piper, and Rick McRae.

More about the concert series:
Hosted by Hannah Maier of The Route/WRUR 88.5, the concerts begin at 12:10 pm at Granite Mills Park, near the Pont du Rennes bridge.

Concerts take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the rain location at MCC Downtown Campus will be announced by 10:30 am on Hochstein’s website and via Hochstein’s social media. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating and lunch. Each performance will run approximately 40 minutes.

Parking Info: Public parking is available at the High Falls Parking Garage.

Hochstein at High Falls concerts are presented by High Falls Business Association, The Hochstein School, and The Route/WRUR 88.5. Hochstein at High Falls concerts are also made possible by a number of local organizations, including Brandtatorship, LaBella Associates, and Monroe Community College. 

Photo: Watkins and The Rapiers
Provided.

Hochstein at High Falls 2026: Candy

Don’t miss Candy performing at Hochstein at High Falls Thursday, June 18 at 12:10 p.m.

Candy and her band perform 50s/60s traditional country music.

More about the concert series:
Hosted by Hannah Maier of The Route/WRUR 88.5, the concerts begin at 12:10 pm at Granite Mills Park, near the Pont du Rennes bridge.

Concerts take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the rain location at MCC Downtown Campus will be announced by 10:30 am on Hochstein’s website and via Hochstein’s social media. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating and lunch. Each performance will run approximately 40 minutes.

Parking Info: Public parking is available at the High Falls Parking Garage.

Hochstein at High Falls concerts are presented by High Falls Business Association, The Hochstein School, and The Route/WRUR 88.5. Hochstein at High Falls concerts are also made possible by a number of local organizations, including Brandtatorship, LaBella Associates, and Monroe Community College. 

Hochstein at High Falls 2026: Debbie Kendrick Project

Rochester’s Queen of the Blues is back at High Falls for another great performance on Thursday, July 16 at 12:10 p.m.

Vocalist Debbie Kendrick carries on a tradition of many great blues and gospel artists that goes back to the legendary Son House. Her group has an acoustic vibe and its influences harkens back to the early days of blues, gospel, folk, and jazz music. The Debbie Kendrick Project includes drummer Pete Monacelli, a veteran of the local jazz scene; bassist Mike Patric, who also accompanies the legendary Joe Beard; guitarist Aleks Disljenkovic, whose acoustic fingerstyle guitar provides a solid rhythmic background for Debbie’s powerful vocal melodies; and vocalist Ann Culbreth. Kendrick inspires audiences across New York and Canada with her improvisational performances, laughing with the band and chatting with the crowd.

More about the concert series:
Hosted by Hannah Maier of The Route/WRUR 88.5, the concerts begin at 12:10 pm at Granite Mills Park, near the Pont du Rennes bridge.

Concerts take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the rain location at MCC Downtown Campus will be announced by 10:30 am on Hochstein’s website and via Hochstein’s social media. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating and lunch. Each performance will run approximately 40 minutes.

Parking Info: Public parking is available at the High Falls Parking Garage.

Hochstein at High Falls concerts are presented by High Falls Business Association, The Hochstein School, and The Route/WRUR 88.5. Hochstein at High Falls concerts are also made possible by a number of local organizations, including Brandtatorship, LaBella Associates, and Monroe Community College. 

Photo: Debbie Kendrick
Provided.

New York at 250: A Resource Guide for Public Libraries and Partners

New York at 250: A Resource Guide for Public Libraries and Partners’ provides a practical framework, offering information and support materials for libraries and cultural institutions interested in developing public programs for the 250th commemoration.

Organized into three sections, the guide provides best practices, showcases examples of programs aligned to each of the six interpretive themes, and offers ways to stay connected. Turnkey event ideas are categorized by time commitment, making it easy for organizations of all sizes to find options that fit their capacity.

The guide is available as a downloadable PDF on the NYS Library’s website ➡️: Download the guide. Click on the image of the guide to get to the download option.

Unearth a Story: Summer Learning Guide

Explore, play, and learn with PBS KIDS and public libraries this summer! WXXI Rochester’s Early Learning Team has curated a series of activities and resources from PBS KIDS and PBS that are free to use and available to public libraries and summer learning programs across New York State.

All of the resources in the Summer Learning Guide have been reviewed by library professionals from the Monroe County Library System and OWWL Library System to ensure alignment with this year’s summer reading theme, Unearth a Story. This collection is appropriate to use with children in PreK through 3rd grade and includes opportunities for watching, playing, and exploring. Resources are designed for use in programs, to share with families for at‑home learning, and for use on social media.

Download the Summer Learning Guide

Download PDF here or by clicking the image above: https://www.wxxi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NYS-PBS-KIDS-Summer-Reading-Guide_FINAL.pdf

Questions? If you have questions or want additional support for using these materials, please contact WXXI Rochester’s Director of Early Learning, Cara Rager at CRager@wxxi.org.

PBS KIDS and the PBS KIDS Logo are registered trademarks of Public Broadcasting Service. Used with permission.

MASTERPIECE “Downton Abbey,” Season 1• WXXI-TV

Whether you’re a first-time viewer or just want to revisit PBS’ highest rating drama of all time, the Crawleys are back for you to enjoy. 

Downton Abbey, Season 1 airs Sundays at 10 p.m., starting May 17 on WXXI-TV and streaming on the PBS app.

Created by Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park), Downton Abbey depicts the lives of the noble Crawley family and the staff who serve them, set at their Edwardian country house in 1912.

And, if you love a good binge, all six seasons are now on Passport! Don’t have Passport? Click here to learn about the service.

Photo: Downton Abbey on MASTERPIECE Season 1. Shown from left to right: Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley, Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley and Jessica Brown Findlay as Lady Sybil Crawley. Credit: Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE

Civics Collection

Democracy depends on informed citizens who have the knowledge and skills to engage in their government. Empower your student citizens with this collection that teaches civic knowledge and understanding through applied examples from U.S. history and skills such as analyzing civic engagement and engaging in civil discourse. Focusing on multiple perspectives and diverse stories, these resources enable all students to see themselves as civic actors and prepare them to engage in civic political life. Explore by topic, skills and grade levels 3-12.

This collection is available through PBS LearningMedia

Explore the Collection

U.S. History Collection

Expand students’ understanding of U.S. History with engaging resources that bring the major people, events, and trends in history alive, while integrating often untold stories into the curriculum. Curated clips of trusted PBS programs and a diverse array of other media and interactive resources develop students’ historical thinking skills while broadening their appreciation of history’s multiple perspectives and complexity. Explore by historic era, skills and grade levels 3-12.

This collection is available through PBS LearningMedia

Explore the US History Collection

Keep informed about what’s happening in your community and WXXI by signing up for our newsletters.

Sign Up