All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Maybe it's because of Easter and Passover, but the pickings seem to be a little slim this weekend in the stuff to do department. Still, what's there looks promising.

So peruse the menu, make your selections and by all means, let us know what we're missing.

Vengeance in a meat pie. Mmmm.
Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd comes to Proctor's tonight and Saturday. How a story about a guy who exacts revenge on society by slitting the throats of hypocrites and selling them in meat pies could be so funny and touching and revealing is beyond us -- but it is all of those things. Still more amazing -- in this pared down version, the actors are the orchestra. Yep, not only are they acting and singing this complicated music, they're playing it too. But it doesn't come off like a cheap parlor trick. It all works to tell the story. At $20-$55 the tickets to this Broadway touring show are a steal.

Yes, Reading
The "Yes, Reading!" folks are back at Townsend Park Bakery/Café on Washington Ave., in Albany tonight. This week's featured authors are Shane Jones and Julianna Spallholz.

"The Autobiography of a Black Panther"
Author Robert Hillary King is at The Sanctuary for Independent Media Tonight to talk about his life and autobiography. King became a member of the Black Panther Party while in prison for a crime he didn't commit, where he remained in solitary confinement for 29 years as one of the Angola 3. The state later admitted his innocence and set him free. By donation.

Music
This weekend's shows to see include:

The Felice Brothers tonight at Valentine's

Mathew Loiacono will be at Revolution Hall tonight with Gene Ween Band andEmergency Party.

Sea of Trees on Saturday at Valentine's with Matthew Loiacono, Severe Severe and The Rain in Spain

Movies and Mimosa
This Saturday's Movies and Mimosa feature at Schenectady's Bow Tie Cinema seems like the perfect flick watch while sipping champagne and O.J. "The Philadelphia Story" is a gem of an old comedy staring Katherine Hepburn, Carey Grant and Jimmy Stewart that revolves around a high-society wedding. The movie is $5 and mimosa's are $2.

Savion Glover at the Egg
The Albany Symphony Orchestra accompanies tap genius Savion Glover at The Egg on Saturday night. Glover's Jazz program includes music by Duke Ellington and Leonard Bernstein. $19-$38.

Old School Rap
This show just made us go "what? Really?" Classic rappers Doug E. Fresh (yep, that Doug E. Fresh) and Slick Rick are in Clifton Park on Saturday for a show at Northern Lights. This may be worth it for the nostalgia alone. $38

Easter Burlesque?
Yeah, they're not two words we'd ever think of putting together either. But the Charmed and Dangerous folks are holding an Easter Burlesque show in the back room at Lark Tavern on Saturday night. $15 cover.

Make 'em laugh
Let your inner stand-up comedian out (or go watch someone elses) at Tess Lark Tavern's Comedy on the Park: Comic's Open Mic Night.

Ice Cream
Check out one of the stops on the AOA ice cream tour.

Chocolate bunny sales
Don't forget that international tradition of cruising the drug stores for half price chocolate rabbits on Sunday night. OK-- umm-- maybe that's not an international tradition. Maybe it's just something we do.

photo: Flickr user Hans S.