All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

The Christmas cookies are starting to get stale and the yule log channel has gone dark until November. Time to get out of your post-holiday daze and find something fun to do this weekend.

After the jump, a few suggestions that looked interesting to us. Got another plan? Sharing with others is a great resolution for the new year.

So is having more fun.

Bundle up and enjoy the weekend!

1st Friday
The first 1st Friday of the year is tonight in Albany. Bundle up and check out art exhibits and sales all over A-Town. A couple of things that look interesting: Thomas D'Ambrose and RADICAL! are both emerging local artists being featured in Albany Center Gallery's Eco Primitive Eco Surreal show. D'Ambrose works with vintage wallpaper to create animal figures, RADICAL's drawings are social commentary. The show opens tonight with a reception at 7. Also, The Marketplace Gallery's Samson Contompasis has curated a spiritual themed exhibition at St. Peter's Church (105 State Street) with paintings by Norman McGrattan & Timothy Murphy and music by St. Peter's Choir and Organist. You'll find more details and a map here.

Post 1st Friday
Wrap up 1st Friday at the Capital Swing Dance at the Albany Elks Club (25 South Allen Street) where Doc Scanlon's Rhythm Boys are playing with jazz violinist Jonathan "Jazz" Russell & vocalist Colleen Pratt. 7:30 -10 $15/$10. Rather listen than dance? Sonny and Perley have a show at The University Club. 8-10. Free.

Roller Derby
The Capital City Legislayers face off against the Empire Skate Troopers in the first Albany All Stars bout of the year on Saturday night at 7 at The Washington Avenue Armory. $12 at the door, $4 for kids under 12.

Beware! The Other Head of Science
Beware! The Other Head of Science is at the Troy Bike Rescue tomorrow night. They'll be joined by Crossbow, Cattle Drums and SIRS. $5

Wine and dine for the Arts
Albany's 2nd Annual Wine and Dine for the Arts food festival is underway. Sample wine and foods from around the Capital Region at the Grand Tastings today from 4-8 and Saturday from noon to 4. $50. You can also take part in seminars and a silent auction and meet the chefs. The Gala Dinner on Saturday night is a bit pricier ($150), but the proceeds go to benefit Capital Rep, the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Albany Center Gallery and Park Playhouse.

Improv
If you're resolving to laugh more this year, check out MopCo's first improv show of 2011 tonight. It's Underground at Proctor's at 8. $14, $6 for students and seniors.

Tradition!
Also at Proctor's tonight through Sunday, the Tony Award winning musical Fiddler on the Roof.

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
We haven't seen this particular production, but I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change is a really cute review about love and relationships that takes you from the first date right through to the later years. You are guaranteed to recognize yourself or people you know. It's being performed this weekend at Hilton Center for the Performing Arts. Tonight and Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2.

1st Time Warp of the year
The Linda is screening The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a shadow cast, tonight (technically it's Saturday) at midnight. $8

Curling
Yes, curling. The Albany Curling Club is having an open house on Saturday from 8-4 and Sunday from 10-4. You can come and watch or give it a try yourself.

Model Trains
Take a kid (or, you know, just go yourself) to see the Model trains at the Schenectady Museum & Planetarium on Saturday from Noon-3 p.m.

Catch up on the new movies
Oscar season is coming. If you want to be sure to see them all, you should probably start soon.

Brunch!
Wait out the snow with friends over a some pancakes and Bloody Marys. Here are a few places you could go.

Make snow angels
Not feeling ambitious enough for a snowman or aggressive enough for a snowball fight? Lie down on the front lawn and make a snow angel. You know you want to. Put on some warm clothes first and follow up with hot chocolate.

Photo:Flickr user Saskia van de Nieuwenhof