All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

We're not sure what we did to deserve the coming weekend, but we're not going to ask questions. The forecast looks fan-freaking-tastic (we're pretty sure that's a meteorological term) and the list of stuff to do seems just about as good.

Pick something from our list, or let us know what you've got planned -- but whatever you do, get outside and enjoy it.

Schenectady County Summer Night
Kids activities, music and fireworks tonight in downtown Schenectady. 5-10 pm (fireworks around 9) - free

Art Night
Here's some of what's on tap for Art Night in Schenectady tonight:
+ Proctors hosts XMALIA, C. Ryder Cooley's performance art project that includes giant projections, music and an avant cabaret trapeze act.
+ Also at Proctors, Side Show Extravaganza -- an art installation curated by Marketplace Gallery's Sampson Contompasis, with hurdy gurdy music.
+ A Shakespeare Showcase at 137 State Street to raise money for the Classic Theater Guild.

Pig Out
The Troy Pig Out is this weekend. Professional BBQ teams from across the country will meet in Troy for the annual, weekend-long Collar City BBQ competition. Ticket sales for Saturdays People's Choice St. Louis Rib competition go on sale Saturday afternoon at 4. In addition to some amazing barbecue, there will be music and chef's demonstrations on both days, and fireworks over the river on Saturday night.

SwordPaw's Indie-Rock Craft Show
Ben Karis-Nix, Severe Severe, Sea of Trees and more great bands, as well as local artists/crafters, will be at SwordPaw'ss Indie-Rock Craft Show in Troy. Saturday night from 4-10, at 313 10th, Troy. $5 suggested donation.

Saratoga Race Course open house
They're almost off. The Saratoga Race Course officially opens next week, but this Sunday you can get a sneak peak at its open house, with races (no wagering), music, kids stuff and lots of fun food. 11-4. Free admission.

Baseball
The Tri-City Valley Cats are at home at The Joe tonight, Saturday at 7. and Sunday at 5. $5-$10.

Ballet
This is closing weekend for the New York City Ballet season at SPAC. The final performances are tonight at 8 and Saturday at 2 and 8. There's a kids program before tonight's performance (7PM) and an a cappella group tomorrow night before the show (6 pm).

Music
+ The Albany Public Library kicks off the Garage Bands in the Garage series tonight at 6 at the main library branch on Washington Avenue. The Rob Skane 3 and the Knyghts of Fuzz will play from 6 to 8. Free.

+ Tonight at the Fuze Box: OUTPOST1, with Doctor Jeep, Deep Children, Party with Tina. 10 pm - $5

+ Tonight at Helsinki Hudson: Railbird and Yassou Benedict. 9 pm - $10

+ Tonight at the Tang: the "Upbeat on the Roof" series continues with jazz and the Brian Patneaude Quartet. 7pm

+ Tonight at Caffe Lena: Americana duo Beaucoup Blue, with "folk troubadour" Greg Klyma. 8 pm - $15 ahead / $17 at the door

+ Tonight at Red Square: Engloria, Olivia Quillio, Tweed McGee, The Shoutout, Carl Daniels. 7:30 - $8 ahead / $10 day of

+ Tonight at Jillian's: funk band Chinatown Lights, with MIRK, and The City Never Sleeps.

+ Saturday at MASS MoCA: Buke and Gass, "oddly catchy prog-punk" that was an All Songs Considered fave last year. And as Stereogum notes: "the buke is 'a self-modified six string baritone ukelele' and the gass is 'a guitar-bass hybrid.'" (One of the members builds instruments for Blue Man Group, the other fixes bikes.) 8 pm - $14 ahead / $18 day of

+ Saturday at the TU Center: Keith Urban. (So, crowds downtown). 7:30 pm - $28 and up

+ Broadway stars Jason Danielley and Kelli O'Hara join the Boston Pops at Tanglewood for a tribute to Cole Porter. Sunday afternoon at 2:30. $21- $115.

Theater
Williamstown
+ Steven Webber and Maura Tierny in Three Hotels - Tonight and Saturday night at 7, Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 3:30 $54
+ Lewis Black's farce One Slight Hitch Tonight and Saturday night at 7:30, Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 4 $35
+ Comedy of Errors, tonight and Saturday night at 7. Outdoors at Poker Flats Field. Free.

+ Saratoga Shakespeare Company performs The Merchant of Venice tonight and Saturday at 6 and Sunday afternoon at 3.

Bang on a Can
Mass MoCA's three week long Bang on a Can music festival is underway. There will be music in the galleries every day. Saturday's "Kids Can Too" concert is kids show that includes a lot of audience participation.

Polo
It's polo season in Saratoga. There's a match tonight at the Saratoga Polo Association at 5:30. General admission $25 per car, clubhouse un-reserved $25, clubhouse general admission reserved $40.

Burlesque
Scooter Pie at Midnight's rock 'n roll burlesque show starts on Saturday night/Sunday morning at midnight at Valentine's.

Drive-in
+ Malta Drive-in: Harry Potter/Horrible Bosses on one screen, Transformers/Zookeeper on the other.
+ Jericho Drive-in: Transformers and Super 8.
+ Hollywood Drive-in: Harry Potter and Horrible Bosses.

Swimming
The pools, sprinklers and beaches in the Capital Region are all open. Here are the details you'll need.

Farmers' markets
Saturday: Troy, Saratoga, Delmar. Sunday: Schenectady and the new Malta Drive-in Market.

Road trips
Take a shopping trip to Northampton or spend 12 hours in Ulster County, Bennington, Vermont orColumbia County.

Brunch
Spend a lazy morning/afternoon lingering over brunch and a Bloody Mary or enjoy a great diner breakfast.

photo via xmalia.tumblr.com