Families are invited from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. for musical performances throughout the museum featuring RPO musicians as well as student groups, an instrument petting zoo, a musical story time and music-related arts and crafts.
All are included in the regular museum admission.
“We’re so excited to have such an amazing partner and host as The Strong National Museum of Play for this truly unique, family event,” said Barbara Brown, RPO vice president of education. “Best of all is the chance to share the stage with young talent right here in our community.”
Added Cathy DeBellis, senior director of public programs at the Strong, ““Music and play go hand-in-hand and we’re honored to join with the renowned Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra to bring this winter celebration to our guests.”
Nerdvana, a gaming-themed restaurant and bar, is now open in Rochester.
Nerdvana has opened in the Neighborhood of Play. (submitted photo)
The venue is located in the Neighborhood of Play, which surrounds the Strong National Museum of Play downtown.
The opening marks the first expansion and second location of Nerdvana. The restaurant opened in Frisco, Texas in 2016.
Kristy Pitchford, Nerdvana’s CEO and owner, said Nerdvana came about to “synthesize gaming, togetherness, drinks and food while being comfortable amongst friends.”
Nerdvana bills itself as offering the ultimate upscale nerd culture experience that features custom cocktails and a scratch kitchen all under one roof.
Customers can play the latest multiplayer video games, tabletop games and retro classics at their tables.
Nerdvana Rochester is open seven days a week: from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. on Friday, noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
The ancient top, the Masters of the Universe line of action figures and Lite-Brite have been inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.
The ancient top, the Masters of the Universe line of action figures and Lite-Brite have been inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. (submitted photo)
The honorees, unveiled during a special ceremony Thursday at The Strong National Museum of Play, were chosen from a field of 12 finalists that also included bingo, Breyer Horses, Catan, Nerf, piñata, Phase 10, Pound Puppies, Rack-O and Spirograph.
The National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong, established in 1998, recognizes toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period.
Each year, the hall inducts new honorees and showcases both new and historic versions of classic toys beloved by generations.
Anyone can nominate a toy to the National Toy Hall of Fame. Final selections are made on the advice of historians, educators and other individuals who exemplify learning, creativity and discovery through their lives and careers.
Toys are celebrated year-round in a state-of-the-art exhibit at The Strong.
Through the Passport to Healthy Play program, pediatric patients with Jordan Health who complete their physical and dental screenings will be provided passes and meal vouchers to enjoy a day of play at The Strong on specified days.
“Jordan Health is excited to partner with The Strong to provide young patients the opportunity to explore healthy ways to play,” said Janice Harbin, president and CEO of Jordan Health. “We understand that health goes beyond physical health and includes the mental and active state of our young people, too. To build a healthier community, we must provide healthy options of exploration for the next generation.”
The Passport to Healthy Play program will host two upcoming dates this year – Sept. 10 and Nov. 12 – and additional dates will be announced for 2023.
“The physical, cognitive and emotional benefits of play have been proven time and time again,” added Steve Dubnik, president and CEO of The Strong. “We’re proud to join with Jordan Health to share a day of play with their patients and to also encourage and incentivize families in our community to complete their crucial medical wellness screens.”
Baby Nancy, sidewalk chalk and Jenga have been inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong National Museum of Play.
The honorees were unveiled during a special ceremony at the Strong and were chosen from a field of 12 finalists that also included bingo, Breyer Horses, Lite-Brite, Masters of the Universe, My Little Pony, Risk, Sorry!, Tamagotchi and Yahtzee.
Baby Nancy, sidewalk chalk and Jenga have been inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong National Museum of Play. (provided)
In 1968, Operation Bootstrap launched Shindana Toys, a community-owned company dedicated to making toys that “reflect Black pride, Black talent and most of all, Black enterprise.” In its first year, Shindana produced Baby Nancy, a baby doll with a dark complexion and textured hair. By Thanksgiving 1968, she was the best-selling Black doll in Los Angeles, and before Christmas, she was selling nationwide.
“Although Shindana Toys ceased operations in 1983, Baby Nancy still stands as a landmark doll that made commercial and cultural breakthroughs,” said Curator Michelle Parnett-Dwyer.
Historians believe that the earliest people played with chalk, and traces of Paleolithic cave art executed in chalk have been found throughout the world. And anyone with a driveway and kids knows the value of a bucket of colored chalk to keep children busy for hours.
“There are few limits to what kids can do with chalk. Every sidewalk square, patio, and driveway holds the potential for a work of art, a winning game of strategy and cleverness, or a demonstration of physical agility, poise and balance,” said Chief Curator Christopher Bensch.
Englishwoman Leslie Scott created Jenga based on wooden blocks from her childhood in Africa. The word jenga is the imperative form of kujenga, the Swahili verb “to build.” The game challenges players to remove one block at a time from a tower without knocking it down.
“Fans say that much of Jenga’s success lies in its simplicity and ability to be played by almost anyone,” Curator Nicolas Ricketts said. “It is one of the rare games that’s equally fun for two people or a bigger crowd. It’s perfect for a game party with a group or something more intimate, but either way, it’s always sure to make instant memories.”
The National Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong, established in 1998, recognizes toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period. Each year, the hall inducts new honorees and showcases both new and historic versions of classic toys beloved by generations.
Anyone can nominate a toy to the National Toy Hall of Fame. Final selections are made on the advice of historians, educators and other individuals who exemplify learning, creativity and discovery through their lives and careers. Toys are celebrated year-round in a state-of-the-art exhibit at the Strong.
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Follow Velvet Spicer on Twitter: @Velvet_Spicer
As many of us settle into the idea of working from home or contend with being cooped up in the house while we practice social distancing, we may be tempted to pull out some video games to pass the time. Maybe you pull out an old-school game like Centipede or Frogger, or perhaps a game of Bejeweled is more your style.
One dozen finalists were named in the 2020 World Video Game Hall of Fame. (Photo provided)
Each of those games has been named a finalist in the 2020 World Video Game Hall of Fame. Joining them are GoldenEye 007, Guitar Hero, King’s Quest, Minecraft, NBA Jam, Nokia Snake, Super Smash Brothers Melee, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
The Strong National Museum of Play, which hosts the hall of fame, announced the 12 finalists on Thursday.
“These 12 World Video Game Hall of Fame finalists all significantly influenced the development of video games or popular culture,” said Jon-Paul Dyson, director of The Strong’s International Center for the History of Electronic Games. “Together, these games help tell the story of the gaming industry and its influence on society. Nokia Snake proved that mobile devices could be gaming platforms, and Bejeweled took that idea to new heights. Centipede was a hit in the early arcade, and Frogger jumped out of the arcade to become a pop culture icon. King’s Quest changed the adventure genre of games forever, and a game like Uncharted 2 pushed the boundaries of video game storytelling and art.”
The World Video Game Hall of Fame received thousands of nominations from more than 100 countries for consideration for the 2020 class. Fans will be able to vote for their favorite finalists from March 19 to April 2 as part of a “Player’s Choice” ballot at worldvideogamehalloffame.org.
The three games that receive the most public votes will form one ballot and will join the 29 other ballots submitted by members of the International Selection Advisory Committee, comprised of journalists and scholars familiar with the history of video games and their role in society. The public, collectively, will have the weight of one judge.
The final inductees will be announced during a special ceremony at The Strong museum at a date to be determined.
The World Video Game Hall of Fame recognizes electronic games that meet the following criteria: icon-status—the game is widely recognized and remembered; longevity—the game is more than a passing fad and has enjoyed popularity over time; geographical reach—the game meets the other criteria across international boundaries; and influence—the game has exerted significant influence on the design and development of other games, on other forms of entertainment, or on popular culture and society in general.
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Families are invited from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. for musical performances throughout the museum featuring RPO musicians as well as student groups, an instrument petting zoo, a musical story time and music-related arts and crafts. 
