Stuff to do this weekend
Sled dogs at the Lake George Winter Carnival
So there's a little snow on the ground. And more coming on Saturday. You live in the Great Northeast! You're hearty stock. You're hardcore! Suck it up and get outside.
Or, you know -- not.
There's plenty of indoor and outdoor stuff to do this weekend. After the jump -- a few things we thought might be fun.
Got something else in mind? Share it with the crowd.
Keep warm and have a fabulous weekend!
1st Friday
Tonight is 1st Friday in Albany. Shops and galleries are open late with exhibits, music and performance art. Marketplace gallery is hosting a series of performance art pieces by Meghan VanAlstyne throughout the night. You'll find the full 1st Friday map here.
Zhivago Slog
It sounds like a cross between a David Lean film and the Zombie walk. Basically, you wrap yourself in Zhivago style Russian winter garb and walk from the northwest corner of Washington Park to Scratch Café. Hopefully there will be some vodka at the end. Prizes for the best costumes.The slog starts at 5PM.
Capital Swing Dance
When you're done slogging and checking out the 1st Friday art, Sonny and Perley's Jive Five are headlining the Capital Swing Dance at 25 South Allen Street (The Albany Elks Club). There's a free beginner lesson at 7:30. You can dance from 8:30 to 11:30 for $15.
Music
+Alt country singer/songwriter Todd Snider is at Club Helsinki Hudson on Friday.
+Bluesman Ernie Williams celebrates his birthday at The Linda on Saturday 

+ The Brooklyn based alt country band Yarn plays Putnam Den on Saturday . Maybe they'll play the Schenectady song.
Hellions on wheels
The Hellions of Troy take on the Oz Rollergirls this Saturday night at Rollarama in Schenectady. Doors open at 6, whistle is at 7. $10/ $3 for kids under 12.
Plexus
This exhibit of large-scale prints by NYC-based artist Rob Swainston opens tonight at the Massry Center for the Arts at The College of Saint Rose with a reception (5PM) and a gallery talk(7PM at St. Joseph's Hall). Swainston's large scale prints examine " ways in which historical, political, and cultural factors contribute to how we experience and understand images in our society." Free.
Winterfest
You can't beat winter, so you might as well celebrate it. Saratoga's Winterfest is a whole weekend of activities including wine tastings, a candlelight ski and snowshoe (tonight at 6:30 at the warming hut in Spa State Park) and a snowman building contest.
Chowdah!
Warm up by sampling soup in Saratoga. Over 50 restaurants from in and around the Spa City are offering $1 samples of their soups and chowders. You can take a stroll, sample soup and vote for your favorites. Here are the details. Saturday from 11-4.
50th Annual Winter Carnival
The Lake George Winter Carnival kicks off this weekend and continues every weekend in February. All kinds of activities are planned, including skydiving, hot air balloon rides, ATV races on the lake, dogsleds and a bonfire on the beach.
Hockey
The Albany Devils face off against the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday night at the TU Center.
See some flowers
If you've already had enough of snow, you can check out the blooming flowers and the art at The Albany Institute of History & Art's Amaryllis Festival. Tonight and Saturday. $5
Other museums
Museums are warm, and full of really cool stuff. This is the last month to check out the large scale Material World exhibit at Mass MoCA (the tissue paper forest looks like something right out of Narnia) and The Clark has an impressive collection and is currently running a European portrait exhibit that looks kind of neat. Or you could stay closer to home and ride the A Train at the New York State museum.
Soul Cinema
From the folks who brought you It Came From Schenectady comes a the first in a four night series celebrating African American Art and Culture with film and live performance. The series kicks off tonight with a screening of the 1976 comedy, "Car Wash," starrig Richard Pryor, George Carlin and The Pointer Sisters. Also Djs and a live stand-up show by Dee Watson. Other events are planned for later in the spring.
7PM $12.
Watch the Super Bowl
If you're looking for a big screen for the big game, Proctors is showing the Super Bowl on the giant screen at the GE Theater. Free.
Don't watch the Super Bowl
Not a fan? Catch a movie instead. There are a bunch of Oscar contenders to check out. And you can still see the Social Network at the Spectrum.
Play in the snow
Go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Or clear off a pond and go skating. It's also a good season for snow angels.
Brunch
Linger over a boozy brunch with friends or start your weekend with a great diner breakfast.
The Hellions of Troy advertise on AOA
The Albany Institute of History and Art has advertised with AOA in the past.
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Comments
The snow is too damn high.
... said Bob on Feb 4, 2011 at 9:58 AM | link
Pine Ridge (cross country) is offering night skiing tonight, 2/4, from 6-9:30.
www.pineridgexc.com
... said slilly on Feb 4, 2011 at 10:59 AM | link
Ernie Williams steals my thunder every year. (It's my birthday, too.)
... said Ellen on Feb 4, 2011 at 11:41 AM | link
Those dog tongues in the picture are cracking me up!
... said Laura on Feb 4, 2011 at 1:52 PM | link
Pick up game of football in Washington Park, at the dog park, at 2 on Sat.
... said the snow knows on Feb 4, 2011 at 11:06 PM | link