All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

And the winner is...

Yeah, we won't know until Sunday. If the anticipation is killing you (or, you know--not) here are our picks for things you could do to take your mind off it all until Sunday night.

Did we miss something good? Let us know!

Roller Derby!
The women of The Empire Skate Troopers take on The Montreal Roller Derby on Saturday night at The Washington Avenue Armory. Doors open at 6. The bout starts at 7. $12. $4 for kids.

This week you can wander Schenectady in the cold
It's Art Night in Schenectady. Bundle up and check out the music, art and live performance venues in the Electric City. Duck into Proctor's for a little music or Aperitivo for a dessert pizza.

80's Night at Rev Hall
Mousse up, grab your spandex and head over to Revolution Hall for an 80's dance party. Proceeds benefit Joseph's House of Troy. It's $7 to get in, but only $5 if you bring a personal care item to donate.

Poetry Invitational
Yes Reading! is hosting it's first Poetry Invitational tonight at Townsend Park Bakery. Local poets Daniel Nester, Anna Eyre, James Bellflower, Natalie Knight, Randall Horton, and Alifair Skebe will be reading their work. Free.

Beat Poetry
The Sanctuary for Independent Media hosts beat poet Amiri Baraka along with Saxophonist Rob Brown on Saturday night at 8. Baraka will read from his new book, "Somebody Blew up America and Other Poems."

Saratoga Swing
The Saratoga Savoy folks are holding their monthly swing fest on Saturday night. The Diamond Dance starts at 7:30 at The Saratoga Music Hall (upstairs at City Hall). $15 gets you lessons, free food, dancing and Ben and Jerry's ice cream. This month the band is Nitrojive.

A cappella
RPI is hosting the northeast quarterfinals of the collegiate a cappella championships on Saturday night. A cappella groups from SUNY Potsdam's A Sharp Arrangement, University at Buffalo's Buffalo Chips and RPI's Rensselyrics are among the competitors. $15.

Take a cooking class
Saratoga Restaurant Equipment Sales is hosting another one of their cooking classes. This week Chef Kevin from Brindisi's in Saratoga presents 3 dinner party entree that will feed four people for under $20. Learning how to cook three $20 meals will cost you $65.

New York in Bloom
If you're in need of a little springtime (and by now, who isn't) you might want to wander over to the NYS Museum this weekend for New York in Bloom. There are more than 100 floral displays set up all around the museum as part of their annual fundraiser. There are kids activities and demonstrations. We hear Claudia from Crisan will be giving a lecture on edible art! $6. Free for kids under 12.

Bread & Jam and Loiacono
You can catch Matthew Loiacono along with Princess Mabel on Saturday night at the Bread and Jam Cafe in Cohoes. 8 p.m. Free!

Mardi Gras at Red Square
The folks at Red Square are celebrating Fat Tuesday a little early this year. The Breakfast is headlining their Mardis Gras party. BYOB (bring your own beads).

Last minute Oscar cramming
Just a couple of days left to see the Oscar nominated films. There still might be time to rent Frozen River.

The 56 year old virgin
Capital Rep's Biggest Little International Play Festival continues with The Love Hungry Farmer. It's a one many show about a 56 year old virgin- bachelor-farmer who is looking for luv. Here's a NY Times review of a production done a few years ago, with the Des Keogh-- the same actor doing the show at Cap Rep.

The Full Monty
The Full Monty opens this weekend at Cohoes Music Hall. Yep, that's the musical where the unemployed steel workers take it all off. That's right, leave the kiddies at home. Tonight and Sat at 8 PM. Matinees Sat-Sun at 3 PM. $23-40.

Winterfest
Cross country ski races, music, crafts, fair food, hikes a scavenger hunt and snow sculpture are part of the Winter Festival in Spa State Park on Sunday. It's part of a fundraiser to benefit the Saratoga P.L.A.N.

Oscar Night
If you're not content to sit home in your pj's and watch the glitterari on TV, you could join the red carpet action at The Saratoga Film Forum. The Film Forum is holding it's annual Oscar Night Gala at Mare in Saratoga on Sunday. You can dress up and have dinner and champagne while you watch the festivities on the big screen. No, it's not like being there, but it's as close as most of us are going to get. $50