Name: Eastman Presents: Aristo Sham: A Star Ascendant
Start: 2026-12-08
End: 2026-12-08

The Strong National Museum of Play is the ultimate play destination for all ages! Explore upstate New York’s largest year-round cultural attraction and experience two floors—more than a city block long—of hands-on, dynamic, interactive exhibit spaces. Discover the world's largest collection of toys, dolls, and games. Play your way through video game and pinball history, leap into the world of American comic book superheroes, and move like a playing piece on a giant game board. Enjoy a 1918 carousel; indoor, tropical butterfly garden; food court; diner; and more. Meet history’s playful side in The Strong’s three halls of fame. Go hands-on with the toys beloved by generations in the National Toy Hall of Fame; learn about toy industry luminaries such as Milton Bradley, Walt Disney, Jim Henson, and George Lucas of the Toy Industry Hall of Fame; and see how electronic games are changing the way people play, learn, and connect with each other in the World Video Game Hall of Fame. The Strong is open 362 days a year and is centrally located in Rochester, New York. Visit museumofplay.org or download The Strong Museum Guide mobile app to plan your visit today. Parking is available in the museum's garage for $5. ATM on site.

The Strong Museum

Save $5 with code ROCSPORTS

Strong National Museum of Play - Rochester’s ultimate destination for hands-on fun and adventure for all ages

Stop by Flight Downtown and meet the new owner, see the beautiful changes and follow us on social media for entertaining events. Flight Downtown offers wines, beers, ciders and small plates. We will always have something new to try. During the nice weather, enjoy our delightful covered patio. Reach out to us for information on private events and fundraising. Cheers!

Flight Wine Bar Downtown

Every Monday, Flight gives 10% off your final bill.  Reservations are always encouraged.

Founded in 1921 as the first professional school of the University of Rochester, the Eastman School of Music is celebrating its centennial in 2021-2022! For one hundred years, Eastman has been one of the world’s major centers for the study of music and for the training of professional musicians and music teachers. Famous alumni include jazz greats Chuck Mangione, Maria Schneider, and Ron Carter, award-winning composers Charles Strouse, George Walker, and Kevin Puts, and Metropolitan Opera sopranos Renée Fleming and Erin Morley. Eastman offers more than 800 concerts and other performances, many of them free, during the year, from chamber music to wind ensembles, from jazz to opera.

Eastman School of Music

In a sophisticated setting overlooking the University of Rochester's Eastman Theater, Chef/Owner Tony Gullace prepares sumptuous treats for a discerning dining public. Extensive wine list and full service bar. Lunch: Mon-Fri, Dinner: Mon-Sat. Private rooms available for special events.

Max of Eastman Place

Ludwig’s Center Stage Cafe offers fresh, homemade food for both breakfast and lunch. We also provide a variety of catering options to make your next event easy and delicious. Delivery and setup are available with 24 hours’ notice. To place an order, call us at (585) 454-4440, or visit us online at http://ludwigscenterstagecafe.com.

Ludwig's Center Stage Cafe

Family-owned NY style pizzeria serving up slices, wings, subs and other delicious items all day and night! At 3 Daughters Pizzeria, we pour our passion into crafting the city's best handmade dough and fresh tomato sauce made daily so you can enjoy your favorite classic pizzas. We also serve up bold, creative specialty pies like our beloved Steak and Cheese and BLT pizza. All of this is made to bring friends and family together in Rochester. We're dedicated to delivering an authentic, unforgettable pizza experience that keeps you coming back for more. We are open every day with late-night hours on weekends, making it easy to grab food when you need it. Pick up in-store, dine in, or get delivery straight to your door in Rochester. Our website online ordering is built to save time and keep things easy, so you can enjoy fresh food without the hassle of calling or waiting in line.

3 Daughters Pizzeria

We create dialogue & build community through contemporary art. Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo) is a venue for the exchange of ideas and a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) that was founded in 1977. As a center for thoughtful contemporary art, RoCo provides unique encounters for audiences and extraordinary opportunities for artists.

Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo)

Gio’s Prime 26 is Rochester’s destination for classic steakhouse dining in a modern setting. Guests enjoy prime cuts, seafood specialties, and an acclaimed wine program, all crafted under the expertise of our culinary team. Located within The Inn on Broadway, Gio’s offers an elevated dining experience for celebrations, corporate dinners, and everyday occasions.

Gio's Prime26

Garth Fagan Dance is an internationally acclaimed contemporary dance company founded in 1970 by visionary choreographer and educator Garth Fagan. Based in Rochester, New York, the company is recognized for its distinctive movement vocabulary, Fagan Technique™, which blends elements of modern, post-modern, ballet, and Afro-Caribbean dance into a powerful and innovative artistic form. Through more than five decades of performance, education, and community engagement, Garth Fagan Dance has become one of the most influential and enduring dance organizations in the United States. The company has toured extensively throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and Africa, earning widespread critical acclaim for its athleticism, musicality, and emotional depth. Garth Fagan’s groundbreaking choreography gained global recognition through his Tony Award-winning work for the Broadway production of \*The Lion King\*, which continues to inspire audiences worldwide. Beyond performance, Garth Fagan Dance is deeply committed to arts education and cultural enrichment. Through classes, workshops, residencies, and outreach programs, the organization serves students, emerging artists, and community members of all ages and backgrounds. These initiatives foster creativity, discipline, self-expression, and an appreciation for the performing arts. Today, under the artistic leadership of Norwood Pennewell and Natalie Rogers-Cropper, Garth Fagan Dance continues to preserve and advance Garth Fagan’s artistic legacy while cultivating new generations of dancers and audiences. The company remains dedicated to artistic excellence, innovation, and community impact, using dance as a powerful vehicle for storytelling, cultural connection, and human expression. Throughout the year, audiences can engage with Garth Fagan Dance through performances, educational programs, and community events across Rochester, including Juneteenth celebrations, the company’s home season at Nazareth University, productions presented during the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival at the Garth Fagan Dance Studio Theater on Chestnut Street, and much, much, more!

Garth Fagan Dance, Inc.

Founded in 1929, The Little Theatre is the premier cultural center for the presentation of American independent, international, and classic films — as well as music and visual arts — for the greater Rochester community. The Little has five screens, plus a café. Also, their popcorn is magic.

The Little

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

Extoled by *The New York Times* as a pianist “whose playing combines clarity, elegance, and abundant technique,” [Aristo Sham](https://www.aristosham.com/bio) rocketed to prominence upon receipt of the gold medal and audience favorite award at the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. His first-ever Eastman outing will feature works by Bach, Chopin, and Brahms (whose Second Concerto he played in the final round of the Van Cliburn).

[J. S. Bach – F. Busoni: Chaconne in D minor](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1-Y8qGn6lM)  
J. Brahms – F. Busoni: Six Organ Chorale Preludes  
F. Chopin – F. Busoni: Variations on a Prelude in C minor  
*Intermission*  
J. Brahms: Klavierstücke   
-Capriccio in F-sharp minor, Op. 76, No. 1  
-Capriccio in B minor, Op. 76, No. 2  
-Capriccio in G minor, Op. 116, No. 3  
-Intermezzo in C major, Op. 119, No. 3  
-Intermezzo in A major, Op. 11-8, No. 2  
-Capriccio in C major, Op. 76, No. 8  
J. Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 1 in C major, Op. 1

\*This event is part of the Fernando Laires Piano Series.

Eastman Presents: Aristo Sham: A Star Ascendant

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