All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Sunny skies + warm temperatures + a 3 day weekend = awesome.

Yes, it's the unofficial last weekend of the summer, but we don't want to think about that right now.

We just want to think about sunshine. And all the things we can do with it.

With that in mind, here's this week's list of stuff we thought might be fun to try this weekend.

If you've got something else in mind, pass it along!

And have a great weekend!

1st Friday
You can kick things off with 1st Friday in Albany tonight. Wander through the labyrinth at Elk & Eagle street from noon to 9PM.
There are new works by artist Tommy Watkins at the Lark Street Bid office and at Townsend Park Bakery, artwork by Laura Glazer and Lori Hansen can be seen at Capital Wine, Albany Center Gallery closes out their Domestic Dramas exhibit, and The Marketplace Gallery is hosting an EPIC art event with artists from NYC and the Captial Region and the final Papergirl NY showing.

1st Friday Bike ride
There's a group ride scheduled tonight, right through the 1st Friday festivities. Meet at the soldiers and sailors memorial in Washington Park (near State Street), and bring your bike.

Post 1st Friday
There are now so many after-parties they need their own heading. Here are a few that looked fun: There's champagne and ice cream at the Lark Bid with music by We are Jeneric ($20), A Tex Mex party with music by Mark Jones at Iron Gate Cafe, the Capital Swing Dance Party at the Elks Club on South Allen with Reggie's Red Hot Feetwarmers at 8:30 (free lesson at 7:30) $15, $10 for students and parties at 4 Central Ave and Marketplace Gallery.

Improvise
Every Friday night Mop and Bucket's show is new -- because they're making it up. And you can contribute to the fun or just watch. You can catch them Underground at Proctors tonight at 8. $14, $6 for students and seniors.

Close the biergarten
Drop in to Schuetzenpark for happy hour tonight. It's the German-American club of Albany's original German Biergarten at 32 Cherry Street, and they're having their last biergarten event of the season. The Biergarten opens at 4 and German food and drink is available for purchase.

Fairs
The Columbia County Fair, the Schaghticoke Fair and the Fonda Fair are already underway and run through Monday with fair food, rides, music animals and all kinds of other great fair type stuff.

If it's not Scottish...
We can never get enough bagpipes, kilts, caber tossing, Celtic music and beer. And then there's the Bonnie Dog Contest! The Capital Region Scottish Games return to the Altamont Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday.

Drive-in
There's a triple feature this weekend at the Jerico Drive-in that... well...let's just say it offers something for everyone. It starts off with Toy Story 3, then there's Eat Pray Love, and it winds up with The Expendables.

The Hollywood closes out its season with Despicable Me and Toy Story 3.

More outdoor movies
Take a kid to see "How to Train Your Dragon" in Wiswall Park in Ballston Spa tonight at dusk. Bring chairs or a blanket and a picnic.

A day at the races
Now that the Travers ruckus has died down, it's a great time of year to visit the races. While you're in town, stop for drinks and history at The Adelphi. On Friday racing starts at 2:30 and there's a "block party" after the last race of the day.

Final Stretch
Saratoga will be a big party on Saturday and Sunday nights with the Final Stretch Music Festival. Grab a patio seat and people watch or catch the bands on Broadway and the side streets from 7 to 11 PM.

Mass MoCA
It should be a great weekend for a drive to Mass MoCA. We headed out recently to see the Material World exhibit, which was pretty cool -- especially the giant forest made of tissue paper. You can walk through it and under the trees -- it's a little like Narnia. The Leonard Nimoy Secret Selves exhibit is there too. Watch his interviews with the subjects of his photos -- they're the best part. If you're there on Saturday, there's a Soul dance party with Mta and the Cornerstones in the Courtyard at 8 ($19)

Picasso/Degas
There's only a couple of weeks left to catch The Clark's exhibit Picasso Looks at Degas. If you get a combination ticket for Mass MoCA and the Clark you'll save $5.

Everybody in the pool
Pools and beaches are about ready to close (Troy is closed already). So dive in while there's still time. Here's the list of pools, beaches and sprinklers.

Stay-cation
Check out these ideas ideas for a Capital Region summer staycation.

Dine Al Fresco
Find a nice patio and soak in a little sunshine. Check the map before you go.

Ice Cream!
Get it while you can -- some of your favorite seasonal ice cream stands will be closing any day now. Stop by and fill up on your favorite flavors. Or check out the Capital Region Ice Cream Tour.

Road Trip
Spend 12 hours Ulster County, something or Schoharie. Or truck up to Bennington VT and check out this weekend's big Garlic Fest. If you're in the mood to shop, check out Northampton or Woodstock

Star gazing
The Thacher Nature Center has a star gazing program scheduled for 9PM on Saturday night for kids.

Bigger kids might want to check out the Hirsch Observatory at RPI on Saturday night (Free.)

BBQ
Labor Day is always a great weekend for a cookout. Stop by Rolfs or your favorite local butcher -- then fire up the grill!