All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Technically there's a week left until fall, but someone forgot to tell Mother Nature. We're expecting a pretty perfect fall weekend with plenty of sunshine, temperatures in the upper 60s-low 70s and a whole mess of great stuff to do.

After the jump, a few things we thought might be fun-- from Larkfest to Living Walls to cider donuts. Got something else planned? Go ahead and share it with the group.

And have a fantastic weekend!

Larkfest
The annual LarkFest starts tomorrow at 10. This year's music lineup is headlined by Mike Doughty. There's a good group of locals, too -- make sure you check out We are Jeneric. And the silent disco will be back. 10 am-5:30 pm - free

Living Walls
The conference/series of events that go along with the Living Walls public art project runs through Sunday. The series includes talks on topics such as sustainable living, neighborhood revitalization, and public art. There are also a bunch of performances lined up. The events are free.

Earlier:
+ Talking with Living Walls organizer Samson Contompasis.
+ Living Walls in action

Art Night
Tonight is Art Night in Schenectady. The monthly art walk includes a Motown tribute event in Proctors' Robb Alley and shops and galleries around the city are open late with music, art and performances. free

Hannaford Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Latin arts, crafts, food, music and dance at the Empire State Plaza Saturday from 3-8 pm. free admission

Irish Fest
The Saratoga County Fairgrounds hosts the Irish 2000 Music and Arts Festival today through Saturday. They've got a huge line-up of bands from traditional to Celtic Rock. Tonight 5-11, Saturday 11-11. $16 in advance, $20 at the door. Two day pass $25 (advance sale only) Kids under 10 are free. (Parking $3)

Over the Edge
If you're wandering past the Crowne Plaza in downtown Albany later today, look up. You'll be able to see a whole bunch of people rappelling off the building in a fund-raiser for Special Olympics.

Music

Tonight: OUTPOST1 at Fuze Box. Deep Children, Party with Tina, Knomad, as part of a birthday party for KAB. 10 pm - free before midnight for 21+, $10 for under 21)

Tonight: Pony in the Pancakeplays a happy hour show at Valentine's. 6PM.

Tonight: Blink 182 at SPAC. With: My Chemical Romance, Matt and Kim. 7 pm - $25 and up

Tonight: Deni Bonet at Caffe Lena. Apparently she plays her violin the way some people play air guitar. 8 pm - $16 ahead / $18 at door

Tonight: The APL's Garage Bands in the Garage series wraps up with the Lazy Suns and the Heddy Brothers. The show is in the parking garage of the Albany Public Library's main branch on Washington Avenue (off Elk Street). 6 pm - free

Saturday: college a capella at Universal Preservation Hall. The Colgate Thirteen, and Skidmore and Waldorf, in a benefit for UPH and Caffe Lena. 2 pm - $15 ahead / $20 at the door / $25 for couple / $30 for a family

Saturday: LarkFest after party at Valentine's. With: Charlie Watts Riots and Super 400. 6 pm

Saturday: Albany Symphony Orchestra at The Palace. For the opening night of the season, the ASO will be performing Holst's "The Planets," as well as two other works. 7:30 pm - $19 and up

Saturday: Roots Music Festival at The Linda. With: The Red Haired Strangers, Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys, Dan Johnson and the Expert Sidemen, Holly and Evan, and others. 7 pm - $15
Diamond Dance
Skip Parsons headlines the monthly Saratoga Savoy Diamond Dance tonight at the Saratoga Music Hall. Art, dance demonstrations and free food. 7:30-11:30 - $15

Improv
Mop and Bucket will be making things up with another Chortle Combat show Underground at Proctors tonight. 8 pm - $14, $6 for students and seniors

Theater
+ Playwright and humorist Dylan Brody brings his one person show More Arts/Less Martial to Skidmore tonight. It's billed as "a poignant and often hilarious journey from a childhood of bullied insecurity to an adulthood of martial arts study, personal growth and ultimately true mastery of storytelling and Taekwondo." 8 pm at Skidmore's Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater. Free.

+ Capital Rep opens Superior Donuts, a comedy/drama set in a decrepit donut shop in the uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Tonight at 8, Saturday at 3 & 8. Sunday at 2. $20-$60

Showcase of Homes
Tour some incredible homes in Saratoga County in the first weekend of the 2011 showcase of homes. It's like taking a walk through HGTV. The proceeds go to local charities including the area Habitat for Humanity. $20

Yaddo Tours
Yes, they're giving tours of Yaddo on Saturday, but alas, it's sold out.

Home Show
If you're thinking about some new projects around the house, you may want to check out the Fall Home Show at the TU Center this weekend. Today and Saturday 11-6 pm - free admission

Farmers' markets
The farmers' markets in Troy, Saratoga, Delmar and Schenectady will be open this weekend in their regular spaces, so stop in, support area farmers and get as much seasonal goodness as you can.

CDCG freeze drying and cooking class
Capital District Community Gardens is holding a freezing and drying class on Saturday from noon to 2 at the Oakwood Community Center in Troy. Agricultural journalist Amy Halloran will teach blanching, pre-cooking and dehydration techniques that will help prepare your seasonal foods for winter storage. $12

Oktobeerfest in September
On Saturday from 1-6 Ellms Family Far in Ballston Spa hosts their annual Oktobeerfest -- no we didn't spell it wrong. German bier, craft beers, food and entertainment. $10 per person, $30 for a carload.

Cider Donuts?
Yes. It's time. The weather dictates that we may now eat cider donuts. Heck, who needed to wait for the weather. But somehow they taste better when there's a little nip in the air. Wonder where to get them? Check out Daniel B.'s Tour de Donut.

Ice Cream!
Take a trip to Chatham to try some Golden Organics ice cream, head over to The Snowman for a Boston Milkshake. If you're up for a challenge, take the AOA Ice Cream Tour or make a stop on Daniel's Tour de Soft Serve. Did we mention you're running out of summer?

Factory Tours
Take a trip to Burlington, Vermont and stop along the way to see how ice cream, teddy bears, and beer are made.

More road trips
Take a shopping trip to Northampton or spend 12 hours in Ulster County, Bennington, Vermont and Columbia County.

Brunch
Relax with a nice cold mimosa or Bloody Mary over brunch (one of our current favs is The Iron Gate on Washington Ave in Albany. Get a table outside if you can) or enjoy a great diner breakfast.