Name: Writing from Photographs with Sonja Livingston | Gates Library
Start: 2026-10-12
End: 2026-10-12

Rochester By Water is a nonprofit organization that connects the community and visitors to Rochester's historic waterways through authentic, guided boat experiences and educational programs. Founded in 1991, RBW operates the iconic Sam Patch replica packet boat on the Erie Canal in Pittsford and the new modern yacht Riverie in downtown Rochester. Sam Patch features the signature canal experience of passing through a century old lock. Riverie cruises the Genesee River and Erie Canal, and provides a magical view of urban wildlife and the city skyline. Sam Patch and Riverie offer a wide spectrum of entertainment and education options for families, businesses, schools, and organizations. Themed cruises include live music, birding, guest experts, arts & culture, Erie Canal and Rochester history, and environmental science. Snacks and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are available for purchase. Online cruise booking is open now at https://rochesterbywater.org. Cruises range from $30 to $50 per adult with discounts for seniors, military/veterans, and students from 4-21 years old. Infants to 3 years old are free. Both vessels hold approximately 40 passengers and are available for private charters for celebrations, corporate events, and educational programs. For information on charters, visit our private Charters page: https://rochesterbywater.org/private-charters/

Rochester By Water/Riverie Cruises

Tapas sparkles with a stylish, warm & rustic atmosphere. The menu is electric & exotic, featuring many wild game & seafood dishes. Martini menu, 35 wines by the glass, homemade sangria.

Tapas 177

Cafe and restaurant inspired by the traditional Italian sagra: a local festival centered around food, community, and the joy of gathering.

Sagra Italia

The International Plaza offers a unique gathering space that celebrates and builds on the rich arts and cultural assets of our surrounding neighborhood. It is a hub where local entrepreneurs and businesses can showcase and sell their products and services in a low-risk, flexible environment, fostering neighborhood economic development the International Plaza, 828 N. Clinton Ave. Managed in collaboration with the City of Rochester and the Ibero American Development Corp., the International Plaza brings the world to Rochester with a variety of food, gifts and entertainment from vendors and performers highlighting a wide assortment of global cuisine, culture and heritage. Community partners will also be on site to present information on valuable services and resources. Parking is available in their lot. Visit the website for an updated list of events during the spring, summer and fall.

The International Plaza

FLCF invites visitors to sing choral-orchestral masterpieces each summer. Led by world-class musicians and up-and-coming guest artists, FLCF promises an unforgettable experience for music tourists visiting Rochester's vibrant arts community. See the Finger Lakes, make new musical friends, and finish your stay with a riveting performance.

Finger Lakes Choral Festival

Fresh, homemade, and high-quality aren’t just catchwords, they are our foundation. Our menus are rooted in the traditions of southern barbecue and influenced by flavors that give our dishes their own distinctive character.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

Astor on Main is a bright open space in the Hyatt Regency Rochester with comfy booths and tables that serves breakfast and lunch.

Astor on Main

Boulder Coffee Co., located in the Lobby of the Hyatt Regency Rochester offers locally roasted, ethically-sourced coffee, refreshers, tea and snacks that embrace our community. Boulder offers something for everyone.

Hyatt Regency Rochester

Center City Terrace & Lounge, a seasonal space on the 4th floor of the Hyatt Regency Rochester, is a beautiful urban indoor/outdoor space with scenic views of Rochester’s downtown skyline, high-end spirits, craft cocktails, a light menu, firepits and comfortable terrace seating.

The Street Craft Kitchen & Bar serves an eclectic international menu plus local Rochester specialties, over eight local rotating beers on tap, and offers a full cocktail and wine selection. Located on the lobby level of the Hyatt Regency Rochester, this is the perfect place to grab a local beer and a Rochester’s classic -¬ the “Roc City Garbage Plate.”

Street Craft Kitchen & Bar

Rochester, NY, is the third-largest metropolitan area in New York State, nestled along the southern shore of Lake Ontario. With a proud sports tradition, Rochester is home to iconic teams like the Rochester Red Wings (MiLB), Rochester Americans (AHL), Rochester Knighthawks (NLL), and Flower City Union (NPSL). Our vibrant sports culture thrives across all levels, from youth clubs and high schools to elite collegiate programs, creating a strong, year-round foundation for athletic excellence.

The Rochester NY Sports Commission champions Monroe County through the power of sports tourism. By attracting championships, invitationals, and tournaments across a wide range of disciplines, we help fuel the region’s economy and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Each year, Rochester welcomes a growing roster of sporting events, showcasing our top-tier facilities, supportive community, and dedication to teamwork on and off the field.

We invite event organizers, rights holders, and sports professionals to discover why Rochester and Monroe County are ideal destinations for your next competition or tournament. Let’s play in Rochester!

Visit Rochester

What can photographs tell us about our lives today, the traditions of our past, and the world we want to create? Which stories, emotions, details, secrets, and meanings lie just outside frame of the photograph?

Whether you’re creating memoir, poetry, family history, or a scrapbook—using photographs to inspire or accompany your work can add much-needed texture, focus, and intimacy. This session will offer tips and writing prompts to help get you started. You’ll have time to discuss your work in a supportive environment and come away with fresh ideas and drafts to refine or expand into longer projects. Bring 3-5 photographs (phone or hard copy) that intrigue, inspire, or hold great meaning for you.

This workshop is presented as part of our [Rochester Reads 25th Anniversary](https://writersandbooks.org/rochester-reads/) programming. Participants in this workshop will learn from Sonja Livingston, author of our 2026 Rochester Reads selection, *Ghostbread*.

**Sonja Livingston** is the author of four books of creative nonfiction, including the award- winning memoir Ghostbread, which has been adopted for classroom use around the country. Her work appears in The Kenyon Review, Ploughshares, Salon, and elsewhere. Honors include a NYFA Fellowship, an Iowa Review Award, an Arts & Letters Prize, a VanderMey Nonfiction Prize, and an AWP Book Prize. Sonja is an associate professor in the MFA Program at Virginia Commonwealth University and teaches in the Postgraduate Program at Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Writing from Photographs with Sonja Livingston | Gates Library

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