All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Ready. Set. Spring forward.

Yep, it's that time already.

If you have plans for Sunday morning, be sure to set your clocks forward before heading to bed Saturday night.

After the jump, a few things you might want to try this weekend. Got something else in mind -- share with the rest of the crowd.

And whatever you're up to, have fun.

Annual Albany St. Patrick's Day Parade
Albany's tribute to all things Irish, the St. Patrick's Day parade, steps off at 2 pm on Saturday. For those of you who want to be sure to see it, here's the route. For those of you who want to stay the hell out of the way of it, we direct you to the aforementioned route. The post-parade celebrations will be going on in bars and restaurants all over the city.

Music
+ Mike Doughty is playing Helsinki Hudson tonight at 8. $25

+ Loudon Wainwright III, Shawn Colvin play the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield tonight. $35/$50

+ Hamell on Trial, a one man punk band who records with Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe Records, brings his smart, funny show to Red Square tonight at 8.

+ Erin Harkes, Matt Durfee and Mike Poulopoulas will be at Moon & River Cafe on Saturday night at 8.

Comedy
+ "Fluffy" comedian Gabriel Iglesias has two shows at The Egg tonight. 7 pm and 10 pm - $37.25

+ Mop & Bucket's improv show is different every week. You can catch them tonight at 8 Underground at Proctors. $14

Godzilla
Proctors is showing a Godzilla double feature tonight. Godzilla Kaiju Battle 2011 starts at
7 with Son of Godzilla, followed by Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monster All Out Attack. It's an It Came From Schenectady event, so there'll be prizes, special guests games and comfy couches. $12 Adults, $6 for 17 and under.

More Film
+ The Writer's Institute is screening The Clay Bird at UAlbany's Page Hall tonight. The 2003 drama examines the nature of dedication to Islam through its look at a family in Pakistan in 1960, on the eve of the Bangladeshi war of liberation. 7:30. Free.

+ Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg is showing on Saturday night at 7:30 at The Schenectady JCC. It's a documentary about the life of radio pioneer Gertrude Berg, the creator, writer and star of the radio series, Meet the Goldbergs. $8 for non-members, $7 for members.

Steve Reich: Music for 18 Musicians + Double Sextet
The New York Times called Pulitzer Prize winning musician Steve Reich "the greatest living composer." This Saturday night at 8 Reich's minimalist composition Music for 18 Musicians will be performed at EMPAC. $5-$15.

While you're there, check out the MindBox. It's described as a "viewer-driven dance video and music triptych." Created by a media artist and a choreographer, it's a modified one-armed bandit slot machine that lets viewers use levers and buttons to remix the moves of a beatboxing character. It'll be at EMPAC through April 4.

Raptorfest
The Winter Raptor Fest near Ft. Edward includes a snowshoe race, horse drawn sleigh rides, a snowman competition and guided walks through the woods. But mostly it's a chance to learn more about owls and other endangered birds of prey in the Washington County Grasslands. Saturday and Sunday. Free.

Hockey
+ #4-ranked Union College takes on Colgate this weekend in an ECAC tournament best-of-three series. Games are Friday, Saturday, and (if necessary) Sunday night. Individual tickets are $12 for adults / $6 for kids.

+ The Albany Devils take on the Springfield Falcons on Saturday at 5 at the TU Center. On Sunday they play the Syracuse Crunch at 4. Take a moment to admire the skill of the Zamboni driver,

Make your own pasta
Learn how to make your own ravioli on Saturday at Forno in Saratoga. 11 AM. $45. Reserve a spot by calling 581-2401.

Not Just Another Pretty Place
The State Museum show on landscape in New York has been held over until March 19, so you have another week to check it out. Over 100 landscapes including paintings,photographs, prints, ceramics and furniture.

Circle of Life
Right now it looks like this weekend's performances of The Lion King at Proctors are sold out. But, you know, cancellations happen. The show continues its run at Proctors for one more week. Tickets start at $20.

Crowns
Crowns tells the stories of six African American women through the hats they wear to church. Capital Rep's current production has been getting good reviews. You can catch it tonight at 8, Saturday at 3 and 7:30 and Sunday at 2:30. $16 to $53.

Poetry + Prose: Open Mic
The Arts Center of the Capital Region hosts the first in a series of poetry and prose open mic performances. 2pm. Free.

Resolution time-out
Here are some delicious ways to sideline those healthy resolutions.

Brunch
Linger over a boozy brunch with friends or start your weekend with a great diner breakfast.

Do something crafty
Here are some places where you can get help, crafting space and supplies.

Ice Cream!!!
Brave the cold and head for The Snowman in Troy. Yep, it's open -- spring can't be far behind.

EMPAC advertises on AOA. So does Capital Rep. Proctors has advertised on AOA in the past.

photo: Sebastien B