Arts & Culture

A local conductor involved in a recent controversy has a new job. 

The Rochester Chamber Orchestra has named Arild Remmereit as their artistic director. Remmereit previously was music director for the RPO.  He had been a guest conductor for the chamber orchestra in February, and he will take the new job on a regular basis in the next season.

David Fetler has been the music director and conductor for the chamber orchestra for  50 years and he will step down from those positions in the 2014-2015 season, which will allow Remmereit to take over those tasks.

Rochester's Lilacs are going to be in good condition throughout the festival, according to Monroe County Parks Superintendent of Horticulture, Mark Quinn.
He says they were at peak bloom at the start of the festival, and tonight's predicted freeze won't damage the lilacs.
He says the cold weather actually holds the bloom for a longer period of time.
Quinn says he doesn't remember seeing a bloom that looks any better than this one.
The Rochester Lilac Festival runs through Sunday.

A film series created to address the social stigmas of mental illness kicks-off its 5th season on Tuesday.

The Reel Mind Film & Theatre Series features films on mental illness, addiction and brain disorders while providing a message of hope that recovery is possible. Each film is followed by a question and answer session led by noted community psychiatrists, consumers and visiting filmmakers. The series begins with the screening of "In a Dream" at the Memorial Art Gallery.

Visitors to Highland Park for day one of the Rochester Lilac Festival were greeted by rain -- heavy rain at times.
But regular visitors to the festival are accustomed to some iffy weather now and then.
Even Lilac -- and that's her name -- a Rochester resident who never misses this event, says it could be raining, snowing, or 85 degrees during the festival -- you never know.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected during the festivals day-run through May 19th.