All Over Albany

The week ahead

Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this week, from hockey, to gingerbread houses, to Christmas Elvis, to all sorts of music...

Weather

Here's the paraphrased forecast:

Monday: Sunny, highs around 40.

Tuesday: The same.

Wednesday: Repeat.

Thursday: Cloudy. Chance of rain and snow. Highs in the upper 40s.

Friday: Cloudy, mid 40s.

Weekend: Some sun, colder. Highs in the upper 30s.

December-like.

Cinderella as ballet

On Monday The Spectrum is showing the Birmingham Royal Ballet's new production of Cinderella, featuring the work of award-winning choreographer David Bintley. 7 pm - $15, $12 for children.

Holiday stuff

Melodies of Christmas
Melodies of Christmas has been a holiday ritual in the Capital Region for decades. This year's series of concerts featuring the Empire State Orchestra & Youth Choral is at Proctors, and it will be the first time in years without beloved director Ned Fleischer, who passed away this fall. Thursday through Saturday at 7pm, Sunday at 3pm. $15-$25

A Wonderful Life
For four days this week at the Cohoes Music Hall, there will be theatrical performances of the classic Christmas tale of fate and family. Thursday and Friday at 8pm, Saturday 3pm and 8pm, Sunday at 3pm. $25-$35

Christmas with Elvis
Saturday at the Troy Music Hall: the "ultimate Elvis holiday bash," Blue Suede Christmas, featuring two Elvis impersonators (one for young Elvis, one for not-young Elvis). 8pm - $49/$39/$29, Students and children $15

The Nutcracker
On Sunday the Albany Berkshire Ballet has two performances of The Nutcracker at The Egg. 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm - $35 adults / $25 kids

Albany Devils Hockey

In case you like to experience your holiday season with a bit more athleticism and aggression (as opposed to the passive family kind), the Devils will play Wednesday (Syracuse Crunch), Friday (Worcester Sharks) and Saturday (Springfield Falcons) at the Times Union Center. 7 pm - $15-$30

Gingerbread houses

On Saturday Different Drummer's Kitchen at Stuyvesant Plaza has a class for kids on how to make a gingerbread house. Noon - $40

Joshua Bell

Acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell will be performing with the Albany Symphony Orchestra at the Palace Saturday night. Bell is a renowned performer -- one of, it not the best, violinists in the world -- who's sold millions of albums. He plays a 300-year-old Stradivarius that he bought for almost $4 million. He was also the subject of a great Washington Post story a few years back in which he played incognito for commuters in a Washington Metro station (video embedded above). 7:30 pm - $45 and up

Music

Tuesday: Man Overboard at Valentine's
Pop punk. With Handguns, True Things, State Champs, I Was A Hero. 6 pm - $10 ahead/$12 day of

Wednesday: Jes Hudak at Caffe Lena
Grew up in Saratoga. Went to LA. Went around the world. Went on YouTube. Went on a reality competition TV show. And now she's back, at Caffe Lena, where she used to perform at open mic night as a 13 year old. 7 pm - $5

Friday: Sonya Kitchell, Elizabeth & the Catapult at Helsinki Hudson
Alas, there is no actual catapult. But two ladies who can sing. 9 pm - $15 ahead / $18 at door

Friday: Pillowhead Jingle Jam at Putnam Den
With: Carry the Tradition, Abbott Hayes, Cosmonauts. 9:15 pm - $7

Saturday: Zucchini Brothers at The Egg
The popular local kids music band playing their holiday songs, and old favorites. Sweaters and cheese. And fudge. 2 pm - $10

Saturday: Wu Tang Clan at Northern Lights
Classic hip-hop at its finest. With all the original members. 8 pm - $40

Saturday: Duncan Sheik at Helsinki Hudson
Sure, he's the "Barely Breathing" guy -- but he's also the Spring Awakening guy. 9 pm - $18

Saturday: Dirty Paris at the Red Square
With: Olivia Quillio, Diazepam. Bring a toy for charity.8 pm - $5

These are a just a few things for this week. Know of something people should be looking forward to this week? Please share!

Look for our "Stuff to do this weekend" post on Friday.

photo: Bill Phelps via Joshua Bell website