Four friends who have a lot to say, and they say it through song -- sharing their stories, their ups and their downs, and their secrets -- is the motif that makes Four the Record, a cabaret show, an entertaining show at Main St. 56 Theater this weekend.

The four-person cast features four Harvie Award winners: Deacon Smith, Jocelyn Coburn (not available for photos), Sarah Hill and Sophie Houseman.

The show opens on Friday at 7:30 p.m., with performances on Saturday at 7:30 and on Sunday at 2 p.m.

To purchase tickets, click HERE.

The Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church has just completed a huge organ renovation project, and to thank the community for its support, the church is holding a series of free musical concerts.

“The renovation of the church pipe organ was a huge undertaking for our church,” said Gregg McAllister of Batavia, a longstanding member of the church who volunteered his time to promote the renovation and fundraising. “Church members wanted to offer something special to the community to celebrate, so they planned this concert series.”

Probably the best Mr. Batavia in its 11th year history.

That’s how contestant Harry Southall described this year’s contest, which featured 13 young men on stage Friday evening at Batavia High School.  After Southall came in as first runner-up, he was elated to have been part of such a team effort even though each individual was competing for the number one spot.

The house was a-rockin' from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Willow Bend Inn as music fans welcomed spring to the sound of five area bands.

Among them, Shotgun Pauly (pictured).

The house was packed.

Also, on the bill, Bad Sign, Double Image Band, Rock Solid, and Stanton (the RnR Band).

Shotgun Pauly returns to the Willow Bend for a show on Saturday night.

The Willow Bend was celebrating 56 years as a family-run business.

Photos by Howard Owens.

For fans of vehicle racing, the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena was the place to be, with motorbikes and four-wheelers among the motorized machines taking to the frozen surface for fast trips around the track.

Anthony Barlow started Extreme Ice Racing 20 years ago, met Robbie Nichols in Elmira 15 years ago, and Nichols became a friend and supporter of the sport.

Last year, Nichols brought Extreme Ice Racing to Batavia for the first time.

"We got a few different classes," Barlow said. "We got the speedway bikes that go from zero to 60 in under three seconds, and they have no brakes. And we've got the four-wheelers, which people can really relate to because most people have a four-wheeler, and you've got the flat-track bikes. You've got the kids racing cars, people love kids, and then you've got the go-karts. So when people come, you never know what you can get with ice racing."

To view or purchase photos, click here.

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra held its annual young artists' competition on Saturday at Batavia First Presbyterian Church.

On hand as judges were board members and Musical Director S. Shade Zajac. 

The winners will be announced prior to the 2024-25 season and be featured soloists in the winter concert.  There were a half-dozen entrants this year, including 14-year-old Tristan Zhang, pictured, from Pittsford, whom Howard Sounder accompanied.

Audiences will have an opportunity to watch a French connection this weekend.

Not the one with big city narcotics detectives investigating a heroin smuggling ring, but rather, the royal Shakespearean drama of “King John,” about the difficulties of who the lead character was and that he usurped the throne, Director E. Jane Burk says.

March is "Music in Schools Month" across the nation, and on Thursday evening, Batavia City Schools held its annual concert featuring educators and students at all levels to celebrate the month.

The concern opened with the faculty/alumni band playing Sir Duke, a Steve Wonder hit honoring Duke Ellington.

Also performing are the High School Orchestra, the Middle School Beauty Shop, High School Guitar, John Kennedy Second Graders, High School Select Choir, Middle School Band, High School Rock Band, and High School Jazz Ensemble.

Photos by Howard Owens.

LoVeSexy, a Boston-based band that pays tribute to the music of Prince, played to a packed house in Park Place at Batavia Downs on Saturday night.

The band members:

• Giovanni Morant, Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keys & Trumpet
• Anthony C. Grant, Sax, Keyboards, Flute, Vocals & Percussion
• Jodee Frawlee,  Lead Guitar & Vocals
• Brian Eggleston, Keyboards & Vocals
• Jeffrey Gilman, Bass & Vocals
• Chris Botelho, Drums & Samples

Previously: LoVeSeXy pays tribute to the music and artistry of Prince on March 9 at Batavia Downs

Photos by Howard Owens

Opening on Friday night in the Pembroke High School Auditorium is the school's production of the musical "Cinderella."

Performances are at 7 p.m. on Friday and 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students.

"Come watch that sweet, innocent young maiden as she is terrorized by those closest to her and by the evasive love she so desperately craves," said Director Andy Clark. "Witness a brand new script with new characters and new songs in addition to some of the songs and characters from the original musical."

The cast:

• Cinderella, Grace Strassburg
•  Prince Topher, Charles Stringham
• Madame, the Stepmother, Sarah Forness
• Charlotte, Stepsister, Emily Guilian
• Gabrielle, Stepsister, Mikayla Stringham
• Marie, the Fairy Godmother, Lindsey Zanghi
• Sebastian, the Lord Chancellor, Sam Burton
• Lord Pinkleton, James Childs
• Jean Michelle, Micah Forness

"Our show this year also features a brand new set design team that far exceeded my expectations," Clark said. "I call them the 'Amazing Eight.' They are Stephanie and Tim Benson, Jessica and Zack Dawson, Summer Forness, Justin Reynolds, Patti Schafer and Rodney Stringham. We couldn't have done this show without them. "