All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

When you're through building the ark and lining up your animals up in pairs, you'll need a break. So here it is-- our weekly round up of fun things to do with a weekend in the capital region, come rain or come shine.

Don't be shy-- if we left something good out, share it with the group. And have a terrific weekend.

TNO
Hey, wow-- it's the last Friday of the month already. Tonight is Troy Night Out. Wander around the collar city or hop the Trolley. Check out The Paper Sparrow, Market Block Books and all the other neat shops that are open late. Take in some art and music. And don't go home before the Official Unofficial TNO after-party-- it starts at 9 at Daisy Bakers. Music by Lazer & Blazer, Ryan Kick Jenkins and Back From Japan.

Hats off
If you don't mind crowds, it's opening weekend at Saratoga, which basically means the whole city is one big party. Most of the stores are open late and there's music everywhere you look. Here's the schedule of performers.

525,600 minutes
The touring company of RENT is at Proctor's for the weekend. It costs a lot less than it would have to see it on Broadway, (tickets will run you $20- $65 a pop) and two of the original cast members, Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp, are in the cast.

Shear Madness
Shear Madness is at Capital Rep for a few more weekends. It's a mystery/comedy where the audience decides "who done it." You can see it tonight at 8, Sat at 3 PM and 7:30 and Sun at 2:30 $36-46.

The art of G.E
For 25 years artist Percy Lee sketched G.E., it's executives and their families. Before that he traveled Europe and the Orient and severved in WWII -- sketching all the while. This weekend you can check out some of Lee's Sketches. Lee's family is selling some of his art at his Niskayuna home today and tomorrow from 9-5. If you see something you like you can take it home for somewhere between $5 and $4000.

African American Family Day
Music,poetry and family activities on the Empire State Plaza this Saturday from noon- 7 for African American Family Day. 70's legends the Chi-Lites will be there and the Capital District Community Mass Choir will perform.

Pick some berries
It's the season for all kinds of berries. Here's where you can pick your own

Soggy history teachers
A group of history teachers from the Capital Region are reenacting a Revolutionary War encampment at The Saratoga Battlefield today. They're hoping the experience will give them a better idea of the hardships faced by the Revolutionary War soldiers, which will enhance their teaching. Mother nature has seen fit to give them a little help. Anyway, you can bring your boots and umbrella and get an education by watching today.

Take a swim
The sun will come out -- on Saturday. Or so we've been promised. Grab a towel and some sunblock and head to a pool in Albany or Saratoga. If you're more of a beach person there's always Grafton and Moreau.

See the horses
The high holy days of Saratoga have begun -- so if the races are your thing, you know what to do. But if you just like seeing the horses ( and you can manage to get up early enough) check out breakfast at the track. You can sample their spread or just bring your own coffee and something good from The Bread Basket or Mrs. London's -- or Dunkin Donuts-- sit in the box seats and watch the workouts. You can also take a free tour of the backstretch (pick up the tram at the clubhouse).

Polo
Need more of an equine fix? Take in a polo match. It's $25 per carload, so don't go alone-- squeeze all your friends in with you.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
London, Paris, Rome, Clifton Park. Punk rockers The Yeah, Yeah,Yeahs head out on a world tour right after their concert at Northern Lights on Saturday night. $25

Italian Fest
Food, music, games, food. Did we mention food. Italian Fest kids off today and runs through Sunday at the Italian American Community Center on Washington Avenue Extension in Albany. Noon . Fri 5-10 PM, Sat noon-10 PM, and Sun noon-8 PM. 456-0292 ext. 17.