*Please note: these events will take place off-site, not in the VSW microcinema

Marketview Heights is a Rochester neighborhood undergoing lots of change. The rise of the Public Market and the efforts to fill in the north section of the Inner Loop have brought attention and investment to this historically disinvested community, but it is not the first time Marketview Heights has experienced this kind of change. Through a series of short films films from the VSW archives followed by a panel discussion, we aim to discuss historical and contemporary efforts and conversations around development and gentrification in the Marketview Heights neighborhood and surrounding community. The panel will feature long-time leaders, activists and neighbors from the Marketview Heights neighborhood.

This event is hosted by 540WMain and City Roots Community Landtrust and serves as the organization’s gentrification-focused event for the year. The annual Gentrification Conference is being planned to return in 2023. 

Date and Location: 

• Thursday July 14th, 7pm: Film Screening
  • Location: Lewis Street YMCA, 53 Lewis Street
• Saturday July 16th, 2022, 2-6 pm: Day of Service 
  • Location:  First Market Farm, 20 1st Street, Rochester 14605

On Thursday July 14th at 7 pm at the Lewis Street YMCA we will have a screening of short films from the VSW archives followed by a panel discussion to discuss historical and contemporary efforts and conversations around development and gentrification in the Marketview Heights neighborhood and surrounding community. The panel will feature long-time leaders, activists and neighbors from the Marketview Heights Collective Action, HINGE Neighbors, and Friends of the Public Market.

To put the energy generated by the films and discussion into action, there will be a Day of Service and community meal on Saturday July 16th from 2-6pm. We will meet at First Market Farm, located at 20 1st street, at 2pm to break up into teams for a couple different service projects, work for a few hours and then return to the farm around 4:30pm for a community meal. 

what you’ll learn

• The historical legacy of gentrification and divestment of low-income neighborhoods and how this legacy informs contemporary development decisions from the City government 
• History of successful grassroots activism and change-making at the heart of Rochester’s institutionally marginalized communities and neighborhoods 
• Ways that you can support City Roots Community Landtrust in its efforts to promote development without displacement in Marketview Heights and beyond 

registration:

Registration can be done through 540WMain’s Eventbrite (LINK)

540WMain uses a “gift economy” structure for all class registration tickets, meaning although this content does have a cost to us as an organization, we trust you to select an option that is right for you. This may be based on your ability to pay, want to support our organization, or what you feel is an equitable price.

registration options:

• Registration – $30
• Registration + Fund Someone Else’s Class – $60
• Full Scholarship – $0

age/level:

This class is most appropriate for those 16+

location:

Lewis Street YMCA, 53 Lewis Street, Rochester 14605

what to expect:

• highly interactive format
• whole group discussions guided by intentional prompts
• short film screenings
• come to class prepared to participate, engage, and discuss
• ASL interpreting is provided for all classes

Film Screening Program will include excerpts from:

• Demolition, Justification or Remedy? (1980)

• 16th Ward Sample excerpts (1978)

• Viewing of Housing Tape at Mt. Carmel & discussion Tape 1 (1978)

• 16th Ward Press Conference Vargas House(1978)

• Public Housing Auction Tape 1 (1978)

• Commercial for the Marketview Heights Neighborhood (1979)

This Community Curator program is supported by the Rochester Area Community Foundation’s Arts Vitality Fund. 

The VSW Salon is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts and by the ArtWorks program of the National Endowment for the Arts.