All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

The snowy apocalypse has nearly past, and the weekend is here. Now that it's safe to go outside, here are a few things we're thinking about trying.

Got some other ideas? Share, please.

Winter Wonderlark
Nothing captures the spirit of Christmas quite like a bunch of guys in Santa hats running down Lark Street in Speedos. The Santa Speedo Sprint (a fundraiser for the Albany Damien Center) is the highlight of Saturday's Winter Wonderlark celebration. From noon to five you can shop the UAG Gingerbread Fun Shop and Craftstravaganza, the Grand Street arts Center's traveling local craft fair (at Trinity Church). Catch the trolley and ride through Washington Park. The Speedo Sprint kicks off at 2. Ho, ho, ho!

Holiday Burlesque
In case Santas in Speedos aren't festive enough for you, Charmed and Dangerous will perform a holiday themed burlesque show Saturday night at 9 at The Lark Tavern. $15 cover.

Scrooged
Yeah, we know, you've seen A Christmas Carol. Scrooge, Marley, three ghosts, yadda yadda yadda, God bless us everyone. But you haven't seen it like this. Schenectady Civic Theater puts a new spin on an old standard with their adaptation of the Dickens holiday classic. Here's the TU review.

Striking 12
This modern day version of The Little Match Girl started as a concert in NYC. Then the author of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee wrote a book to accompany the music and Striking 12 became an off-Broadway cult musical. You can catch it at Capital Rep through the end of the month. Here's more.

Music, music, music
Albany/Brooklyn band Knotworking is back in town for an appearance this Saturday at the Ale House in Troy. The Sifters and Sumac will also be there. Show starts at 8. Alt Zydeco band Donna The Buffalo is at Revolution Hall in Troy tonight. $20

Kids pick
T'was the Land of the Night before Christmas is our kids pick this week. The Classic Theater Guild brings the story of a land where everyday is Christmas Eve to Proctor's. $12 kids, $15 adults.

Albany Symphony
The ASO is at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall tonight at 8. $25-$49.

Cut a Rug
The Crooked Lake House in Averill Park is having another one of their Ballroom, Swing, Latin Dance Parties tonight. There's a free lesson at 7:15. Then it's $10 to dance all night.

See a movie
The holiday movie season has begun. Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, Synecdoche, New York and other potential Oscar contenders have made it to local theaters.

Every time a bell rings...
This week's Movies and Mimosas feature at Schenectady's Bow Tie (Movieland) Cinema is the holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life. $5 for the movie. $2 mimosas

Ice skating
If you haven't had enough ice, strap on pair of skates and head over to Swinburne skating rink in Albany. You can also skate in Spa State Park in Saratoga.

Holiday shopping
We're noticing some crazy sales and open parking spaces at the malls these days. But if that isn't your scene, try The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Craftstravaganza, At the Warehouse, Downtown Troy or Saratoga. You also may want to take a peek at the AOA Holiday Gift Guide.

Warm up with Chocolate
Friends don't let friends drink powdered hot chocolate from a packet. Instead, sip a little spiced drinking chocolate at Crisan or take a holiday shopping break for a hot chocolate at Mrs. London's in Saratoga .

(Thanks Jess & Melissa)

photo: Flickr user albany_tim