Stuff to do this weekend
A great weekend to enjoy the tulips.
It wouldn't be Tulip Festival weekend without some rain. Looks like a pretty typical spring weekend for the Capital Region. Sunday should be the better day for Tulip Fest, but Saturday's not looking too bad.
After the jump, a whole bunch of stuff going on this weekend. If you've got something in mind, share it with the crowd.
And have a fantastic weekend.
1st Friday
Albany will be one big party this weekend. Tulip Festival weekend kicks off with 1st Friday tonight. Shops and galleries are open late with all kinds of art and music. The Beauty of Ugliness show at main branch of the Albany Public Library features work by AOA faves Sebastien and Bennett and other local artists. There's the monthly Capital Swing Dance at the Albany Elks Club at 8:30 and an after-parties at The Marketplace Gallery, Valentine's, The Iron Gate, and the University Club with Mother Judge.
Tulipfest
Tulips, fair food, music, art and more tulips. Cold War Kids headline the music lineup for Tulip Festival this year. They take the main stage in Washington Park on Saturday at around 4. The festival starts at noon today with the annual street washing, and a luncheon to benefit The Food Pantries, but most of the events are Saturday and Sunday in and around Washington park. Here's the full Schedule of events.
Canalfest
The tulips aren't the only thing to celebrate in the Capital District this weekend. Saturday is the RiverSpark Canal Festival at the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center.
Music
+ The Knyghts of Fuzz play a happy hour show tonight at Valentine's 6-8 p.m.
+ Bluesman Ernie Williams is at Quintessence tonight at 9
+ Bruce Cockburn is at The Egg on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
+ Tomorrow night's Phantogram show at RPI/a>, is sold out.
+ Psychobilly night at Northern Lights on Saturday with The Reverend Horton Heat with Reverand Payton's Big Damn Band and locals Slick Fitty . 8p.m. 20 in advance/ $25 at the door.
+ moe. drummer Vinnie Amico plays Putnam Den on Saturday night with the Amico Barrady Quintet. 9 p.m.
+ The Glenn Miller Orchestra plays the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on Saturday, May 7, 8 p.m.
+ RPI a cappella group The Rensselyrics has a concert on Saturday at 8 at the Chapel + Cultural Center.
+ Five-time Grammy winners The Blind Boys of Alabama perform at a gospel brunch at Helsinki Hudson on Sunday afternoon at 2.
Game on
The annual GameFest symposium and exhibition at RPI is tonight and Saturday. Twenty student teams will be demonstrating video games they've designed. Also, on Saturday: Brian Reynolds, the chief game designer for social games giant Zynga (the company behind FarmVille), will be giving a keynote.Circus
Ringling Brothers Circus comes to the TU Center tonight through Sunday. Tickets run from $12-$80.
UAlbany Art
This year's Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition is now open at UAlbany's art museum through May 15. There's an opening reception this Friday at 5 pm.
Deadliest Catch
Captain Sig and the Hillstrand Brothers from The Deadliest Catch will be at
The Palace tonight at 8 pm. Tickets start at $31.75
Theater
+ A touring version of the 70s Rock Musical Hair isat Proctors tonight and Saturday at 8 with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2. There's a post-show discussion with the cast after tonight's performance. $20-$70.
+ The Not So Common Players present the first area production of Stephen Sondheim's Anyone Can Whistle tonight and Saturday at 8 and Sunday afternoon at 2 at Shenendehowa High School East. Free.
+ The New York Theatre Ballet will be at The Egg Friday night. 8 pm - $24
+ The Classic Theater Guild's production of female version of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple is at Proctors this weekend. $16.50 & $13.50.
Seis de Mayo
There's a late Cinco de Mayo party at The Linda tonight with Las Manos 7 p.m.
Derby Day
Throw a derby day party on Saturday, or place a bet, sidle up to a bar, order a mint julep and see who wins the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby. Post time for the big race is slated for 5:45.
Drive in
The Hollywood is showing Paul and Fast Five and The Malta Drive in will screen Thor and Rango on one screen and Fast Five and Paul on the other.
Baby Animals
Check out the baby animals at Indian Ladder Farms ($5) or Hancock Shaker Village.
Farmers' Markets
Outoor markets are opening on Saturday in Saratoga and Troy, and the Schenectady Greenmarket moved outdoors last Sunday. If you're in Troy, the Rensselaer County Historical Soceity has started up its history walks again. This week's walk is focused on the Great Fire of 1862 and leaves from the market table at 11:30 am. $5 (free for members)
Road Trip
Looks like a nice weekend for a quick road trip. Here are a few ideas:
+ Spend 12 hours in Columbia County .
+ You can also try Ulster or Schoharie county. Or head over to Bennington.
Hang out on a patio
It should be prime patio weather this weekend. Check out the AOA outdoor dining map and pick your favorite.
Brunch
Take Mom to a Mother's Day brunch. It's a busy weekend, so make a reservation first. Here are some places where you can get her a good mimosa and here are some spots for a great diner breakfast.
Take a day hike
Here are a few suggestions.
Ice Cream
Take Daniel B.'s Tour de Soft Serve, make a stop on AOA's Ice Cream Tour, or stop in to your favorite seasonal ice cream stand.
Macaroni Necklaces
Moms love the homemade presents. Stop by The Albany Art Room and make your own Mother's Day gift.
Proctors, The Palace, EMPAC and The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and The Albany Art Room have advertised on AOA.
Say Something!
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Comments
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" opening at Albany Civic Theater tonight, running through May 22nd - the preview audience last night had a great time. It's a lot of fun (and there's a champagne reception tonight in honor of opening night!)
... said Amy on May 6, 2011 at 10:40 AM | link
As part of tonight's 1st Friday festivities, there's a bike ride from gallery to gallery. It's a lot of fun, imo. Meet in Washington Park at State & Henry Johnson at 6pm.
... said ethan on May 6, 2011 at 10:53 AM | link
We really need an update on that cat.
... said Rob on May 6, 2011 at 11:25 AM | link
MIRK is playing at the Icarus Dreams gallery on Lark Street on Saturday (I think the show is at 8pm).
Don't forget our Albany County Drive-In, the Jericho!. They're showing Fast Five and the Adjustment Bureau.
... said Summer on May 6, 2011 at 1:47 PM | link
Albany Pro Musica will perform the Berlioz Requiem on Saturday at 8pm at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany.
... said Dani on May 6, 2011 at 2:18 PM | link
Also on Saturday one of Brooklyn's finest and funkiest Afrobeat groups, Underground System, will be playing Red Square. They will have a few special guests from FELA! on Broadway playing with them. DJ Trumastr will be spinning late nite - Only $10, so come out and get down!
... said Bhawin on May 6, 2011 at 2:59 PM | link
Whoops, I lied; the Mirk show is at 2pm: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=220227021336725
... said Summer on May 6, 2011 at 5:41 PM | link
Don't forget to stop by All Good Bakers at 160 A Quail St. on your way to or from Tulip Fest and your other adventures this weekend! We're open Fri 11-6, Sat. 11-4, Sun 10-2 (with quiche & croissants). This Mother's Day we'll have Nick's Grandma Taylor's Secret Sugar Cakes.
... said All Good Bakers on May 6, 2011 at 7:22 PM | link
This and every monday night during the summer we play pick up games of kickball at Hoffman Park starting at 6pm. All skill levels and ages welcomed. It is free to play. More information can be found on our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_166318683425484&ap=1
... said Fish on May 6, 2011 at 8:18 PM | link