All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Hey, it's the weekend! And thanks to Columbus it's 3 days long. Well, for some people anyway.

If you're looking for ways to fill alllllll that free time here are a few ideas. If we missed anything good, let us know.

And enjoy.

Music
The Woes play a mix of delta blues, country, bluegrass and New Orleans marching band music tonight at Red Square in Albany. Sgt. Dunbar and John Brodeur open.

D.J. and turntablist Kid Koala is at Rev. Hall tonight with back from japan and DJ Brad Lee. The show starts at 10:30 right after 70's rock and roller Gary U.S. Bonds. No, really. Saturday night at Rev Hall Sirsy performs with Gracie's Paris and Fo Castle in a benefit for Joseph House of Troy.

Italian Fest
So you may be conflicted about the whole Columbus thing, but we can all get together on Italian food, right? Albany's Italian-fest kicks off at noon on Saturday with food, music, crafts, food, kids stuff food and something called Roman Riding. The Columbus Day parade steps off from South Lake at 1 and goes through the park.

UAlbany Community Day
UAlbany is holding an open house on Saturday from 8:30-3:00 with all kinds of cool tours, demonstrations and workshops. They'll have tours of the art museum and the weather center, faculty presentations, demonstrations of shepherding and police dogs (not together) and student demonstrations from music and martial arts to salsa and belly dancing. Here's the full schedule and parking details.

Milk
After checking out the events at community day, you can see a screening of "Milk," the film about UAlbany grad and gay activist Harvey Milk, at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center. Saturday at 3:30. Free

Farmers' Markets
Area farmers' markets are still outdoors. Check out the fall bounty in Troy and Saratoga on Saturday and in Schenectady on Sunday.

Dance
If dancing is your thing you've got a few options this weekend. There's the
Ballroom, Swing and Latin Dance Party tonight at 7:15 at The Crooked Lake House in Averill Park ($10). The Arts Center of the Capital Region is holding its first SSH (Salsa,Swing and Hustle) party ($10). Also, The Fuze Box is hosting a "bathtub gin night" with a roaring 20's "flapper" theme and DJ Auryn. $5.

Autumn at Grant's Cottage
Ulysses S. Grant's last days were spent at a cottage on Mount McGregor in Saratoga County. Today the cottage is a state historic site with a spectacular view. It's only open to he public through Columbus Day weekend, so this is your last chance to check it out for the year. It's open all weekend from 10-4, but on Sunday at 1:00 there's a fall festival with music, cider, crafts, tours and other fun stuff. Admission is $2-$4; children 5 and younger, are free.

Ping-Pong
RPI is hosting an official 2-star table tennis tournament on Saturday from 9 to 6 at the Alumni Sports and Recreation Center on 15th Street. More than 140 people are expected to participate, including three U.S. Olympians.

Boo!
If you're in Saratoga tonight or Saturday at 7:00, you can check out a haunted history ghost walk with author and "supernatural historian" Mason Winfield. The tours start at The Arts Center at the corner of Broadway and Spring street and last about an hour and a half. If you're going, don't tell Ellsass or he'll make fun of you. $10, $7 for kids 7-11.

Blood, Fangs & Claws. Oh my.
This one may be a bit of a haul, but it sounds like a good, clean, spooky good time. The Blood, Fangs & Claws Film Festival comes to The Park Theater in Glens Falls tonight and Saturday night. It's a double feature of the locally made vampire flicks "The Temptress" and "Bloodlust." Screenings at 9PM and midnight. $5 gets you admission and an honorary vampire hunter license. Hey, you never know when that could come in handy.

See a play
Capital Rep opens a new show this weekend. The Seafarer is a Tony nominated black comedy about a game of high stakes poker with the devil.

Llamas
Why? Llamas! Saratoga Llamas is holding an open house on Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 4 at llama farms around Saratoga County. Shop for handmade fiber gifts and check out the llamas. Watch out --they spit. Here's the directions for the llama tour. Free

Car show
Check out about 200 classic cars on Front Street in Ballston Spa while eating barbecue and fried dough. The Way We Were Car Festival (named for the movie that was filmed,in part, in Ballston Spa). While you're in town take a quick spin around the bottle museum or stop in at The Whistling Kettle for a cuppa. If it rains, skip it-- the rain date is October 18th.

What the heck is nano tek?
Sure, this one is for kids, but really, do you know what nano tek is? Yeah, this is what we're sayin'. On Saturday Saturday at 1:00 the CEO of Evident Technologies will be at The Children's Museum of Science and Technology to explain it so an 8 year old (and the AOA staff) can understand it.

Apple Picking
This is it folks. It's prime apple picking season right now. So check out your favorite orchard and grab a peck, or pick your own. Looking for a pick your own place? Here's a list of some we've found. Look for a pumpkin while you're out -- there's only 3 weeks to Halloween.

Get out of town!
Sometimes what you really need is a quick change of scenery. Try going here, here, or here. They're fun day trips that will have you home in time for bed.

Take a walk
The autumn color doesn't last long. Sunday looks like it might be a great day for an autumn walk. Here are some of our favorites.

Brunch
Linger over brunch with good friends. Quintessence is open for brunch again and there's always the Bloody Mary a Cafe Madison.

photo: flickr users Tim & Selena Middleton used under a CC license