All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

John Brodeur is back. Tulip bulbs are ready to be dug. There's Helvetica to be discussed. And a bunch of other stuff.

Citizens of the Capital Region, do not be alarmed. We have it on good authority that this weekend the sky will part and the day star that made a brief appearance this week will return. Briefly, anyway.

It is perfectly safe. Just apply a little sunscreen and come out of your homes.

Looking for something to do with your partly sunny, 79-degree weekend? After the jump you'll find a few of our ideas. If you've got something else planned, pass it on.

And whatever you're planning, have a great weekend!

Art Night
The Electric City Couture Fashion Show is back at Schenectady Art Night. The show features new and established local designers including Joleen Button and Katie Pray. The show kicks off tonight at 7 pm. While you're downtown, check out the Social Faceworking project -- art that looks at the social networking connections of artists. You'll find it in the arcade at Proctors.

Roller Derby
The Albany All Stars are back with a double-header at the Washington Avenue Armory on Saturday night. Doors open at 5, first bout starts at 6. $12 at the door. $4 for kids under 12.

Tulip futures
The folks from the Washington Park Conservancy are selling tulip bulbs this weekend. You can get a bag of 30 bulbs for $5. On Saturday you can pick your color and variety, but you have to dig them up yourself. Meet up in front of the Moses Fountain in Washington Park at 9 am. On Sunday you can pick up pre-packed bags of bulbs at The Lake House in Washington Park and wait to be surprised next spring.

Comedy
+ Mop and Bucket Company makes up a new improv show every Friday night Underground at Proctors.$14, $6 for students and seniors
+ Dave Attell has been called one of the funniest people in America. He's bringing his stand-up show to The Egg Saturday night at 8. $29.50 in advance, $34.50 on Saturday.

Niska-Day
It's the 30th anniversary of Niskayuna's annual festival on Saturday. There's a parade, entertainment, stuff for kids, food, and fireworks. free

S.P.A.M
Scooter Pie at Midnight is back with her rock 'n roll burlesque show. Saturday night/Sunday morning at midnight at Valentine's.

Lakeside Farm Art and Crafts Show
This should be a beautiful weekend to wander through the craft show at Lakeside Farms. It's open Saturday and Sunday, and you can get breakfast, lunch or donuts on the farm. Free to enter.

Sheep Show
Norman's Kill Farm in Albany has an open house on Saturday from 1-4. They'll be showing off the sheep that munch on invasive plants. They'll also have farm tours, birding, blacksmithing, composting, art and music. Free.

Diamond Dance
NitroJive (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy-style swing) headlines the Saratoga Savoy Diamond Dance on Saturday night. Swing dancing, a free lesson, snacks and Ben & Jerry's ice cream. 7:30 to 11:30 at the Saratoga Music Hall (top floor of City Hall). $15

Get rid of some stuff
The New Covenant Presbyterian Church at 916 Western Ave in Albany is holding a recycling event where you can dispose of computers, printers, cell phones, pdas, batteries and other electronics for free. They're also holding a rummage sale. Saturday from 9-1.

American Music Festival
The Albany Symphony Orchestra's American Music Festival is at EMPAC's concert hall through Sunday. $20

More Music

+ Tonight at Valentine's, Hot Cousin is doing a happy hour show at 6. We hear they'll be playing a set of 80s music.

+ At 9 pm tonight, alt-country band Two Cow Garage plays Valentine's. $8

+ Saturday at Valentine's: The Cast Before The Break. Also up: The Lucky Jukebox Brigade, Titanics, Evazan. 7 pm - $10

+ Saturday night at Proctors: John Brodeur is back in town touring for his new-again album Tiger Pop Ten -- it's a newly recorded version of his 2001 album Tiger Pop. Also up: Tom McWatters and the Philo Beddoe Band. 7:30 pm - $10 ahead / $12 at the door

+ Severe Severe has a new album, and they're playing Saturday at Red Square. Also up: Alta Mira, Filmstrip, Company. 8 pm - $8

+ There's a Caffe Lena benefit celebrating the 70th birthday of Bob Dylan Saturday at Skidmore. A bunch of musicians from around the region will be playing Dylan songs. 8 pm - $25

Theater
+ Schenectady Light Opera presents the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Carousel. Tonight and Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 2 pm. $22, $28

+ CR productions at Cohoes Music Hall is doing the Gershwin musical Crazy For You tonight and Saturday at 8 pm.

+ Albany Civic's production of A Midsummer's Night Dream closes this weekend. You can see it tonight and Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday afternoon at 3 pm. $15

+ Hubbard Hall continues its production of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along tonight and Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. $25

Lit Up in Hudson
Hundreds of books and magazines from independent publishers will be on sale for $2 an issue/$4 a book at the Hudson Valley Literary Festival at the Hudson Opera House.
Lots of publishers and authors will be there. At 5 pm the event moves to Hudson Wine Merchants for readings and reception.

Farmers' Markets
Outoor markets are open! On Saturday you can visit the markets in Saratoga and Troy. The Schenectady Greenmarket is open on Sunday. If you're in Troy, the Rensselaer County Historical Soceity has started up its history walks again.

Lupines
Art, music, puppets, guided hikes and Bettie's double-decker cupcake bus will all be part of The Albany Pine Bush LupineFest this Saturday from 10-4.

Bike Rodeo
On Saturday from 10-1 the Albany Police Athletic League hosts its second annual Bike Rodeo. No lassoing or tricks -- it's a chance to get your bike tuned up and take a group ride. Come early and pick up a few prizes and a free bike helmet. It's at the boat launch parking area at the Corning Preserve. Free

Helvetica and the New York City Subway System
Font geeks, this one is for you. Award-winning graphic designer, typographer and calligrapher Paul Shaw teaches at Parsons School of Design and the School of Visual Arts. He'll talk about his newest book, Helvetica and the New York Subway System, on Sunday afternoon at The Albany Institute of History and Art on Sunday afternoon at 2. Free

Baby Animals
This is the last weekend to visit the baby animals at Indian Ladder Farms. $5

Road Trip
Put the top down (or, you know.. just the windows) and take a road trip. Take a shopping trip to Northampton or spend 12 hours here, here or here.

Brunch
Here are some places where you can get her a good mimosa and here are some spots for a great diner breakfast.

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.

Brodeur photo: Angela Wieland
Helvetica image: Helvetica and the New York City Subway System