Stuff to do this weekend
Everybody in the pool!
Well, it's the first real weekend of summer. No, it doesn't seem like anyone really knows what the weather will be like, so you may as well just make plans to celebrate the solstice the way you want to, and adjust if it rains on your parade.
Looks like there's plenty of good stuff to choose from. Here are our picks. As always, let us know if you've got another plan.
TNO
The Collar City is open late tonight for Troy Night Out. Take a walk through some of the shops and galleries. And be sure and drop by Daisey Bakers and Bacchus for the TNO Official Unofficial After-Party. Upstairs: Music from cml, jenkins and back from japan. Downstairs: Lazer & Blazer.
All That Jazz
It's Freihofer's Jazz Festival weekend. Grab your blanket and cooler and get a good spot on grounds at SPAC. This year you'll hear Miles Davis, George Benson, Patti LaBell, Dave Brubeck and more . ($41.50 - $110)
More Music
The Foy Brothers are having a CD release party at Revolution Hall tonight. $10
French-American singer Madeleine Peyroux and Kelly Joe Phillips are at The Calvin Theater in Northampton. $23.50-38.50
Tomorrow night at at Rev Hall, get your 70's on for Alive: The Kiss Tribute Band. $10 advance, $12 door.
Matthew Loiacono is at Caffe Lena on Sunday night. $10
Readings
The Fuze Box has an open mic for writers tonight at 8.
Swim
City pools in Albany are open as of today. The Victoria and Peerless pools in Saratoga open for the season on Saturday.
Road trip
Spend 12 hours in fabulous Schoharie County
Take a hike
There are plenty of good hiking trails around the Capital Region, but if you only have a couple of hours, you can still get a good hike in at the Indian Ladder Trail.
Designer bargain shopping
Pick up some designer deals at the Marika Charles factory sale.
Theater
Capital Rep's murder mystery/comedy "Shear Madness" changes every night because the audience chooses the ending. Tonight at 8, Saturday at 3 and 7:30 and Sunday at 2:30. $15-$46.
Far Out
The gallery at the Albany International Airport opens a new show today that combines industry and nature. "Out of This World" promises art made with stuff like plastic dishware, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, sewer grates and tree stumps. Sounds cool to us.
Antiques Fair
If you like antiques, you're really going to like the Round Lake Antiques Show. Two hundred antique dealers will be set up in the Village of Round Lake ( the village itself is a pretty neat place to check out. It used to be an old religious meeting camp in 1800's and the architecture and close set houses are kind of neat to see.) While you're there, check out the giant pipe organ in the Round Lake Auditorium. 9-5 Saturday and Sunday.
For the dogs (and cats)
Whiskers no-kill animal shelter is hosting a Walk for the Animals at 1PM Saturday at The Crossings of Colonie. It's a 2.5 mile fun walk. Registration 11 AM. Walk at noon. There's a "My doggie's got talent" contest at 1 PM and they'll have music, food, vendors and a blessing of the animals. Visit ewhiskers.com or call 448-9565.
Later on Saturday the folks at George Bar on Central Avenue are hosting Whiskey Sours, Lucy Bottoms and other drag performers in a benefit drag show for Whiskers. Yes, a benefit drag show. There's no cover but donations go to to support the shelter.
Take your dog to lunch
There's another Yappy Hour in Saratoga on Sunday. You can take your pooch for lunch at The Backstretch Tap Room and Terrace on Caroline Street. Apparently if you and your dog dress in semi-formal attire you could win a gift certificate. You may also risk the other dogs making fun of you, but it's your call. Bring your leash, and make sure fido can play nice with the other dogs.
Baseball
Lots of opportunities to check out a baseball game this weekend.
The Saratoga Phillies are playing at the East Side Rec in Saratoga Springs tonight and Sunday night at 7. Free.
The Dutchmen have a game on Saturday night at 7:30 at Albany's Bleeker Stadium.Tickets range from $3 to $4.50. Kids under 4 are free.
And the Tri-City Valley Cats are home at "The Joe" all weekend with games tonight and Saturday at 7and Sunday at 5.
Party with the Stars
The Albany Amateur Astronomers will have their telescopes set in the Pine Bush Preserve on Saturday night from 9 to 11. They'll help point out star clusters, nebulae and other cool stuff. If the weather cooperates this one could be a great kid pick. $2 per person and $5 per family.
Geek Double Bill
The Malta Drive-in is showing a Transformers and Star Trek double feature. Oddly, there's sort of a prehistoric double feature on their other screen with Year One and Land of the Lost.
You can also catch Transformers at the Hollywood Drive-in.
In case of rain
A movie is a great way to wait out a summer thunderstorm. We're not the biggest metal heads at AOA, but this week we checked out "Anvil! The Story of Anvil" at The Spectrum, and were pleasantly surprised. It's a documentary about the metal band Anvil and their attempt at a comeback. Kind of like Spinal Tap, but for real -- and oddly inspirational.
Hit a patio
Looks like we'll have a little bit of patio weather this weekend. Looking get a side of fresh air and sunshine with your lunch or dinner? Check here.
Ice Cream
Celebrate the solstice with ice cream. Here are some of our favorite summer ice cream joints.
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
The Old Songs Festival or traditional music and dance is this weekend.
"Old Songs is a family-friendly festival of folk, traditional, Celtic and world music and dance, known for its relaxed atmosphere, interactive sessions and workshops,hands-on experience and participatory nature. In addition to three concerts there are 120 daytime workshops given by performers. Also featured are a juried craft show, food and instrument vendors, and a well-run children's activity area. Click on the links at left for more information."
... said Jessica R on Jun 26, 2009 at 10:33 AM | link
Sgt. Dunbar will be opening for ukelele master Jake Shimabukuro at Schenectady's Central Park at 7 p.m.
Also, my high school band teacher will be bringing his jazz trio, Michael Benedict Jazz Vibes, to Cohoes' Bread and Jame Cafe on Sunday from 2 - 5 p.m. He's pretty cool in my humble opinion.
The drag show's at 4 p.m., by the way.
... said jess on Jun 26, 2009 at 10:35 AM | link
thanks for the TNO afterparty mention - two floors of music, and it will cost you a whopping nothing. zilch. well, the drinks cost money, but that is just how it is...
hope to see some of you there.
... said skfl on Jun 26, 2009 at 11:22 AM | link
RE: Jazzfest...
There is a Miles Davis tribute. Miles Davis passed in 1991, so unless he's coming as an angel (which he could), he's not playing. I WISH!!!
... said Kari on Jun 26, 2009 at 11:33 AM | link
oops. Yeah, that's what we meant. Duh. Thanks Kari.
... said Mary on Jun 26, 2009 at 11:57 AM | link
lancaster street in the lark street/center square neighborhood is having its annual block-wide yard sale saturday from 9-4. stop by! i think i will be sitting out for a while with a few items i'd like to sell.
... said Kim D. on Jun 26, 2009 at 1:45 PM | link
Speaking of the opening of Victoria Pool - there will be a launch party for Melange Press with first book author Gary Fisher this evening (Friday) from 7 - 9 poolside. Mr. Fisher's book is entitled "Channel Surfing with God" and tells the take of drug abuse, rehab and redemption. Desserts and non-alcoholic beverages will be served.
... said Pam on Jun 26, 2009 at 2:10 PM | link
@Kim D.: Yeah, I still haven't decided if I'll be out there selling or not.
... said Summer on Jun 26, 2009 at 2:44 PM | link
@Summer: you're a lancasterer too??
"iiiiit's a small world aaafter all..."
oh ya, it's albany. :P
... said Kim D. on Jun 26, 2009 at 10:20 PM | link