All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Hunt for rainbows...

Yes, it's going to rain a bit this weekend.

No, this will not daunt us in our search for fun.

We are not daunted.

No daunt here at all.

No, sir...

Here's our list of stuff that looks like fun this weekend. Bring an umbrella and maybe a good pair of wellies and have at it.

As always, let us know what we missed. And have a great weekend.

Saratoga Arts Festival
The city of Saratoga Springs will be one giant arts festival this weekend. You'll find, music, theater, dancing, painting, sculpture, film and more at venues all over the city. Among the more than 100 events: a trashion show, Hubbard Hall's performance of Another Antigone, and Music for Films for Music -- a screening of new, experimental films accompanied by music from Matthew Carefully and a line-up of great local musicians. Here's the full festival schedule. A pass to the entire weekend will set you back $40, or you can pick you're favorites for around $5 a pop.

World Cup Block Party
Albany celebrates "the beautiful game" this weekend with a block party to mark the start of the World Cup. Broadway in Albany will be blocked off on Saturday and tents with beer and big screen televisions will be set up to watch the games. $5

Old Glory on Broadway Block Party
Streets are closed between 4th Street and 5th Avenue in Troy on Saturday for the Old Glory block party. There's music, family activities and food -- including a hot dog eating contest. Noon -6

Armenian Festival
St. Peter Armenian Church in Watervliet is hosing a weekend-long festival with Armenian foods, music dancing and games. Saturday from 4-8 and Sunday from noon-4.

Celtic Fest
Schenectady celebrates all things Celtic on Saturday. The Celtic Faire takes place on Jay Street from 10 am to 11pm on Saturday with music, crafts, performances and a "best knees in a kilt contest."

Pridefest
The annual Capital Pride Festival kicks off on Sunday at noon with a parade in the Washington Park neighborhood of Albany. After that there's a full day of music and festivities with performances by Taylor Dayne, Shannon, Erin Harkes, and Vesper. Closing parties at Oh Bar, Rocks and Waterworks from 5-10.

Music

Tonight
+Scientific Maps are at Valentine's tonight at 9 with The Tins, Brent Gordon and Dead Friends.
+Sirsy plays Rev Hall tonight at 7.
+Skidmore's Upbeat on the Roof series starts tonight with Tequila Mockingbirds.
Weather permitting it will be on the roof of the Tang. If it rains it will move indoors. 7PM
+Sugarland is at SPAC tonight at 7.
+Tift Merritt plays The Linda tonight with Jason Collett
+Justin Friello is holding a CD release party tonight in he GE Theater at Proctors. 7:30. $12
+Matthew Carefully is in Northampton tonight at the Basement with Dennis Crommett. 8PM. Free.
+Tom McWatters, Stephanie Niles when her tour stops at Bread & Jam tonight at 8.
+You can catch Erin Harkes with Maurizio at the new Judge's Inn in Troy
+The Sanctuary for Independent Media's Live From Lock One festival features blues artists Thomasina Winslow, MotherJudge & JV and the Cutters. 7PM. Suggested donation of $10, $5 for students/seniors and low income.

Saturday
+The Reducers, Robot Monster, Graboids play Valentine's 8PM
+The Rhythm on the Ridge roots music festival at the Maple Ski Ridge in Rotterdam features Ramblin Jug Stompers, Red Haired Strangers and Flood Road Boys and others. Saturday and Sunday.
+Erin Harkes is at The Linda w/ Cassidy
+Tern Rounders, Patrick Porter are having a "Moonlight Jamboree" at Bread & Jam on Saturday night. Free.
+Red Square hosts the seven piece horn group Duchess & the Afro Dub Rebels along with Bearquarium on Saturday night
at 8.
+DJs Lazer & Blazer and Properly Chilled will be joined by SCOOBY CAROLANon Saturday night at Quintessence from 10PM to 3AM. Free.

Sunday
+Aficionado joins Tigers Jaw and End Of A Year on Sunday night at
Valentines. 7PM.
+Jim Gaudet & the Railroad Boys perform at The Orchard Tavern in Albany on Sunday at 5.

Film
Exit Through the Gift Shop is playing at The Spectrum. It's the true story of the filmmakers failed attempts to make a film about the infamous graffiti artist, Banksy --who eludes all attempts to catch him on camera.

Comedy
Mop & Bucket will make up funny stuff Underground at Proctor's. You can catch their improve show tonight at 8. $14, $6 students & seniors

Naked Bike Ride
Not quite what it sounds like. It should probably be called the Nearly Naked Bike Ride. Scantily Clad Cyclists ride through Washington Park on Saturday at noon as part of the World Naked Bike Ride -- an event that promotes cycling and the human body and draws attention to the vulnerability of cyclists to "car culture."

Art
See Dega's work through the eyes of Picasso at an exhibit opening this weekend at The Clark Art Institute. Picasso Looks at Degas explores the work of both artists. It opens to the public on Saturday and runs through September 10th. This Sunday at 3 the curators will host a discussion about the exhibit.

Soap Box
The Capital District Soap Box Derby kicks off on Saturday morning at 9 outside the NYS Museum on Madison Avenue.

Kids stuff?
The "Physics of Toys" program really appeals to our inner geeks. It's for ages 8 and up at The Children's Museum of Science and Technology. We're wondering how high "up" means. $2, free for members. 235-2120.

Go garage sale-ing
The Annual Ballston Spa Garage Sale is this weekend June. On Saturday and Sunday there will be garage sales all over the villiage. After you've shopped, stop in at The Whistling Kettle for lunch or dessert.

Dance
Sunday afternoon the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga will host dance demonstrations from around the world, including Irish Step Dancing, Belly Dancing and Greek dancing. They'll also hold Bollywood and Hip Hop classes. Kids dancing and face painting too. 11-3

Duck Derby
Tomorrow is Duck Day in Mechanicville. There's a rubber duck race and a festival with music, crafts games a dunk tank, bounch house and more. 5 - 9 PM.

Art you can eat
The Grand Street Community Arts Center is holding its second annual Art You Can Eat fundraiser for the Grand Street Kids Club program. The artistic food contest will be judged by community members. Buy raffle tickets to vote for your favorite dish and you could win it. 6-8. They'll also have a children's art show.

Farmers' Markets
Pick up some fresh veggies, meats and baked goods at farmer's markets in Troy, Saratoga or Schenectady.

Yumm
Pick up some French macarons or some fancy pants tarts and go to town.

Get out!
It can't rain all weekend. Take a walk or a hike. Thacher Park is open (if it's dryer than expected, you can hit the beach) or you could check out the secret gardens at Pine Hollow Arboretum . Or pick your own favorite spot.

Wait out the showers at an ice cream stand.
Here are a few of the seasonal stands that are pretty popular. Or you could take the ice cream tour.