All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

OK, so if you're not busy shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating or throwing/attending holiday parties, you might be looking for something to do this weekend.

If that's the case, we don't think you'll be disappointed. After the jump, a whole bunch of stuff that looked interesting to us. Got other plans? The holiday season is for sharing. We're just sayin'.

Whatever you're up to, have a festive weekend.

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. Friday and Saturday at 7pm, Sunday at 3pm. $15-$25

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

An Nollaig
Billboard calls Eileen Ivers the Jimi Hendrix of the violin. Ivers plays a Celtic holiday concert on Sunday afternoon at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. 3PM. $15-$38.

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

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. 7:30 pm - $45 and up

Music

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:Charlie Watts Riots upstairs at Valentine's
Power pop for the masses. 9 pm

Friday: OUTPOST1 at the Fuzebox
This month: Myrryrs, Looney, Party With Tina, Knomad. 10 pm - $5

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: Lyle Lovett at The Mahaiwe
If you missed the show with his acoustic group at The Egg last weekend, you can catch him in Great Barrington on Saturday. Only a handful of tickets left. 8 pm - $70-$100

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

Saturday: Ominous Seapods upstairs at Valentine's
This may be the neo jam band's last local performances for a while. 8 pm

Dancing

Doc Scanlon's Yuletide Pajama Party Hop
The Arts Center of the Capital Region hosts this combination swing dance/pajama party with Doc Scanlon's Rhythm Boys tonight. 8-11 pm, free lesson at 7 pm - $15 ($12 if you wear pajamas) $10 for students

Winter Ball
The Capital Region Salsa Social holds its Winter Ball on Saturday night at the Troy Masonic Hall. Latin Music, food, dancing and instructors. $20

Diamond Dance
The montly Saratoga Savoy Diamond Dance is Saturday night at the Saratoga Music Hall (top floor of city hall in Saratoga). This month features The Tichy Boys and Johnny Rabb. Music, dancing and refreshments. 7:30-11:30 pm - $20

Theater

Man of La Mancha
The Capital Rep production of the Cervantes tale continues its five-week run this weekend. Tonight at 8 pm. Saturday 3 pm and 8 pm, Sunday 2 pm & 7 pm - $40-$70

The Last Night of Ballyhoo
Confetti Stage presents The Last Night of Ballyhoo, a romantic comedy from the author of Driving Miss Daisy. Here's Michael Eck's review. Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 2 pm - $12 online / $15 at the door

A Wonderful Life
Cohoes Music Hall, presents the musical theater adaptation of the Capra Film It's a Wonderful Life.. Friday at 8pm, Saturday 3pm and 8pm, Sunday at 3pm. $25-$35

Miracle on 34th Street
Classic Theater Guild presents the holiday classic Miracle on 34th Street at Proctors. Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday at 2 pm. $14-$17.95

Scooter Pie at Midnight
Scooter Pie's last rock n' roll burlesque show of the year at Valentine's is this Saturday night. 11 pm

Albany Devils
They have two games this weekend: 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

Menorah Workshop
The Home Depot at Halfmoon Crossing Blvd is running a Make Your Own Menorah Workshop for kids. Noon to 2 on Sunday - free

Model trains
This weekend, the Schenectady Museum's annual holiday display of O gauge Lionel model trains returns. At noon on Saturday and Sunday. Free for members, $7.50 for adults, children $5, seniors $6.25.

Last Run & fireworks
About 1,500 runners will meet up in front of the Judicial building at State and Park Streets in Albany this Saturday evening for a 5K up State Street and through Washington Park. Fireworks at 4:45 pm. The run starts at 5pm. The run is full but spectators are welcome.

Kid Stuff: Great Toys From Our Childhood
If the holidays make you nostalgic for Slinkies, yo-yos, Pez dispensers and all those great old toys you grew up with, check out the "Kid Stuff" exhibit at The Albany Institute of History and Art this weekend.

Holiday Shopping
Ummm... you're not done yet? OK, lets see if we can help. There's the Tight Knit Market at the Troy Farmers' Market on Saturday (lots of locally hand made goodies) and The Holiday Shop at The Arts Center (fun gifts made by regional artists). And here are some other fun, local gift ideas.

Holiday Light Displays
+ The Capital Holiday Lights are open in Albany's Washington Park. Tonight and Saturday from 6-10 pm, Sunday from 6-9 pm - $15 per car, $25 per van

+ Quick Response light display in Round Lake (map). Horse and wagon rides and visits with Santa and refreshments. 5:30 pm to 9 pm - free.

Bake some chocolate chip cookies
Sugar cookies? Again. How about some of the best chocolate chips you've ever had, instead? Here are two of the best chocolate chip cookie recipes you're likely to find (at least until the year 2040) and some interesting info to go along with them.

Farmers' markets
Farmers' markets are indoors but there's still plenty of great stuff to be had. Check out the markets at Troy, Saratoga, Delmar (last weekend of the season) and Schenectady.

Road trips
Get the road tripping out of your system before the real snow starts. Maybe it's time for a holiday shopping trip to Northampton. Or you could spend 12 hours in Ulster County, Bennington, Vermont and Columbia County.

Brunch
If you want to try the pancakes at The Jonesville Store, you'd better hurry. Here are a few other brunch options and some great diner breakfast stops.

Capital Rep advertises on AOA.
Proctors is also an AOA advertiser.

Wu Tang Clan via Wu Tang Clan Facebook
Joshua Bell: Bill Phelps via Joshua Bell website
Duncan Sheik: Crackerfarm via Duncan Sheik Flickr