All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

This is it folks--that season we tell everyone is one of reasons we live here. Come on, raking leaves won't take the WHOLE weekend. Have some fun. Here are a few things you may want to check out. Got some other ideas? Post them!

J.J. Grey at Rev Hall
This one comes with the WEXT seal of approval. J.J. Gray and Mofro play a mix of southern blues, soul and rock. They're in town tonight at Revolution Hall. If you want a sample, you can catch them on Exit 97.7 this afternoon at 1.

Saratoga Fall Festival
Saratoga's Annual Fall Festival runs all weekend. There's music, food, pumpkin painting, apple baseball, ghost stories in the cemetery and lots of other stuff. Check the full schedule for details.

Witches
"Frightening finger foods," broom riding contests, entertainment and a midnight séance on Saturday at the Albany Witches Ball. Come in costume...or not. It's at Trinity Temple, 279 Whitehall Road, Albany. Things get going at six. Admission is $25 and there's an open beer and wine bar all night.

What the puck?
Been a while since you've been to a hockey game? The Albany River Rats face the Philadelphia Phantoms on Saturday afternoon at 1 at the Times Union Center

ASO Italian Opera Night
The Albany Symphony Orchestra is pulling out some of the opera's greatest hits. Some world renowned singers will join the ASO to perform works by Puccini, Verdi and Donizetti, Rossini and ohters. It's part of a fundraising gala for the ASO. The Gala is kind of pricey, but you can go to the concert for as little as $25.

Worhol at UAlbany
UAlbany just opened an Andy Worhol exhibit. It includes 102 original Polaroids and 51 gelatin silver prints from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. You can see them through December 21st at the University at Albany Art Museum.

Zombie Prom
The Hellions of Troy--the collar city's new roller derby queens, are hosting a Zombie Prom upstairs at Valentines on Saturday night. Festivities get underway at 8 with music by Zombie Bomb and We are Architects. If you come in costume it's $6. No costume? $7.

Meanwhile
Downstairs at Valentines you can catch Brent Gorton and The Tender Breasts. It's been a while since they've played around here, and it may be a while until they come around again.

The Spaghetti Western Orchestra
This one's kind of out there, but it could be fun. Using using coat hangers, cornflakes, nail clippers, rubber gloves and other home made instruments, The Spaghetti Western Orchestra recreates the Ennio Morricone soundtracks to spaghetti westerns. (Fun fact: Morricone's music was one of Danger Mouse's inspirations for the Gnarls Barkely song "Crazy.") They're at Proctor's on Saturday night. Prices vary, but if you add five bucks to your ticket, you can come early for -- yep -- a spaghetti dinner.

Boo
There's still time to freak yourself out with a ghost tour of Saratoga Springs or a trip on the Haunted Hayride at the Altamont Fairgrounds.

Carve a Pumpkin
They're everywhere! Find your favorite pumpkin patch and bring a couple home. Then call a few friends, hollow them out (the pumpkins of course) and decorate. Don't forget to roast the seeds.

Autumn Zen
Warm cider donuts are better when there's a little nip in the air. What are you waiting for?

Take a hike
There are lots of places to take beautiful autumn walks in the Capital Region. Find your favorite walk and your favorite companion and go for a stroll.