All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Autumn may still officially be a few days away, but it looks like we've got a pretty nice fall weekend lined up.

After the jump, a few ways you might want to spend it.

If we missed something good, add it to the list.

And have a fabulous weekend!

Art Night
Tonight is Art Night in Schenectady. Scooter Pie, modern dance and a fall winter fashion show are part of the Variety Circus at Proctors, shops are open late with art exhibits and admission to the Schenectady Museum is free.

Garage Band Finale
http://www.myspace.com/complicatedshirt and The Union Boots wrap up this season's APL Garage Band series. You can catch them tonight in the garage behind Albany's Washington Avenue library branch. 6-8PM. Free

Tracy Morgan at The Palace
30 Rock's Tracy Morgan takes his stand up to Albany's Palace Theater tonight at 8.

Red Square tonight
Sea of Trees plays Red Square tonight with Matt Durfee and Erin Harkes Band. Things get going at 9.

A Light Conversation
EMPAC hosts Wally Cardona and Rahel Vonmoos tonight and Saturday at 8 for a dialogue in movement. A Light Conversation "reflects on life being lived: choice, commitment, pleasure, sacrifice, boredom, aesthetics vs. ethics, the uncertainty of the future, and love - first love, erotic love, marital love, mature love, and friendship." 8PM. $5-$15

Local Harvest Festival
37 local food vendors & restaurants will be sampling and selling all kinds of local deliciousness at the 2nd Annual Local Harvest Festival in Albany's Washington Park on Sunday. Here's more info on what you'll find there. Music by Eric Margan, Ashley Pond, Matthew Carefully, Swamp Baby and Ben Karis-Nix. 1PM Free.

Apples and wine and crafts
After 17 years, the Capital Region Apple and Craft Festival is now the Capital Region Apple & Wine & Craft Festival. There are wine tastings, car and motorcycle shows, music and kids activities. $8. 15 and under free with an adult. Saturday (9-6) and Sunday (10-5)at the Altamont Fair Grounds.

Irish fest
The Irish 200 Music and Arts Fest runs tonight through Saturday at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds. Irish music, dance, pipe bands, crafts, food and beer. Tonight things get going at 5. Saturday's events start at 11. $20. Under 12 -Free.

Showcase of Homes
After a year off, the Showcase of Homes is back in Saratoga. Today through sunday you can tour 16 pretty cool new houses in Saratoga. If you miss it this weekend, you've got two more to check it out. Proceeds go to help Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together. $20

For the dogs
Take the dog, or cat, or ferret to Clifton Park this weekend for the Great American Pet Festival at Shenendehowa United Methodist Church. Bring your leashed pet and check out talks and demonstrations by veterinarians, groomers and trainers and visit vendors. Pet contests, a Blessing of the Animals and a grand march of pets. Gets underway at 9:30

S.P.A.M.
Scooter Pie at Midnight's Rock and Roll Burlesque show returns to Valentine's on Saturday night at 11PM.

Swing
Doc Scanlons Hot 4 play the Savoy's Saratoga Diamond Dance on Saturday night at the Saratoga Music Hall (3rd Floor of City Hall). 7:30-11:30 . $15 gets you dancing food, Ben & Jerry's ice cream and a Free lesson at 7:30.

Dunbar and The Loom
Brooklyn sextet The Loom joins Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned on Saturday night at Valentine'swith Eureka Birds and Mia Riddle.

Hispanic Heritage Celebration
The Hispanic Heritage Celebration starts with a Parade on Saturday afternoon at 3 to the Empire State Plaza. The festival continues until 8 with music, food, dancing, crafts and kids activities.

Farmers' Markets
It won't be long before the farmers markets will be moving indoors. Get some fresh air and wander around the markets in Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga.

History
+If you're at the Troy market this Saturday at 10:30, you may want to take the RCHS walking tour. This week it looks at industry in the Collar city before collars.

+This week marks the 233rd anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga. Saratoga National Historical Park is setting up 18th century encampments with tents, campfires and musket and cannon firings, strategy sessions, and a court-martial. Saturday 10-4. Free with park admission.

+Grant's Cottage in Wilton (just north of Saratoga) has one of the best local fall views around. On Saturday from 1-3 they're holding a talk about the relationship between General Grant and President Lincoln. $5, $4 for students and seniors. Bring a lawn chair.

Play Reading
Home Made Theater's Shuster Play Reading Series starts on Sunday with a free reading of Angels in America at the Little Theater in Spa Park. 3PM.

Dine Al Fresco
This is the Northeast, after all. We're hearty stock. Put on a sweater, Check the map pick a patio, and enjoy.

Road Trip
Spend 12 hours Ulster County, something or Schoharie. Or truck up to Bennington VT. Or you could do a little fall shopping in Northampton or Woodstock

Pick a few apples
Where? Here are a few places to start. Don't forget the cider donuts.

Take a walk
The leaves are just starting to turn and the weather should be just right for a nice walk. Before you head out, check out some of our favorite autumn walks.