All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Welcome to the first full weekend of the new year.

Got plans? If you want to do a little more than recover from all the holiday celebrating, we've got a few suggestions.

After the jump, some stuff happening this weekend that we thought you might enjoy. Got other plans? Let us know what you're up to.

And have a great weekend!

1st Friday
Tonight is the first 1st Friday of 2012. Shops and galleries are open late with art and music in venues in Albany. UAG The Albany Center Gallery hosts its 7th annual members show, Albany Barn's Swan St. gallery features some beautiful watercolors by Judy D'Angelo, Mary Frances Millet, and Ruby Silvious that will help you shake the Januaries. The Ultraviolet Cafe is exhibiting collages by Jennifer Grainer. For those who want to brave the cold on their bikes there's a 1st Friday Gallery Spin at 6 pm. It leaves from the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial at Washington Park. Post-1st Friday events include the Capital Swing Dance at the Albany Elks Club (Doc Scanlon's Deja Voodoo Boys are the headliners $15, 8:30 - 11:30), DJ Trumastr at Quintessence, and Mother Judge has a 12th Night show at The University Club.

Roller Derby
The Albany All Stars are at the the Washington Avenue Armory Saturday night. Doors open at 6, bout starts at 7. $12 , $4 for kids under 12.

Improv
You never know what you're going to get. Mop and Bucket makes up a new Broadway show based on audience suggestions in tonight's Spontaneous Broadway show at Proctors. 8 pm - $14, $6 for students and seniors.

The Jim Gaffigan comedy show at Proctors is sold out.

Music

Friday: Lenny Lashley's Gang of one with Rev. Todd Seely, Henry's Rifle and Tex Railers Doomtown at Valentine's
A night of Americana. 8:30 pm

Friday: Eastbound Jesus at Red Square
Folk/Rock/Americana from Saratoga Springs. 8 pm - $7

Friday: Railbird at Helsinki Hudson.
9 pm - $15

Friday: Ellis Paul at Caffe Lena
Singer/songwriter known for bridging the gap between modern and traditional folk. 8 pm - $27

Saturday: The Big Takeover at Red Square
Ska and reggae with a party beat. 8 pm - $10

Saturday: Red Horse at the 8th Step at Proctors
Three well-known singer/songwriters (Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky) join forces. Quality songwriting and harmonies. Saturday at 7:30 pm - $28

Sunday: Steve Earle at Helsinki Hudson
Singer, songwriter, storyteller. 8 pm - $48 and up

Shooting Star
Schenectady Civic's new Read Aloud play reading series continues this weekend with a free reading of the bittersweet romantic comedy Shooting Star, with Steve Fletcher and Jean Carney. Sunday at 2:30. Free.

Ice skating at the ESP
The ice skating rink at the Empire State Plaza has reopened. The rink is open from 11 am - 8 pm every day, but it closes from 3-4 pm for maintenance. Skating is free. Need to get your skates sharpened first? Or you can rent skates there, $3 for children under 12 and $4 for adults.

RPI Hockey
The Engineers take on Dartmouth tonight. 7:30 pm - $12 On Saturday they play Harvard at 7 pm - $12

Rocky Horror
The shadow cast returns to The Linda tonight. 8 pm - $8

Moscow Festival Ballet - The Sleeping Beauty
The Moscow Festival Ballet brings Sleeping Beauty to Proctors on Sunday afternoon at 2. $20 - $55

Model Trains
The model trains are still up at the Schenectady Museum. You can see them Saturday and Sunday from noon-3 pm. Free with museum admission.

Where sweaters come from
Foster Sheep Farm in Schuylerville is hosting a sheep shearing day open house on Sunday. Shearers will shear a flock of seventy sheep and The Yarn Shop will hold spinning and weaving demonstrations. 10 am to 4 pm

Kid Stuff: Great Toys From Our Childhood
All those great old toys you grew up with, are at the "Kid Stuff" exhibit at The Albany Institute of History and Art this weekend.

History, one week at a time
This Sunday afternoon Dennis Gaffney, author of Civil War: the Seven Day Scholar Exploring History One Week at a Time will be at the Albany Institute of History and Art to share stories from his book, including a few about the role of Albany and New York State in the war effort. 2 pm - free with museum admission.

Movies
It's Oscar season. Be decadent -- treat yourself to a double feature. Put extra butter on the popcorn.

Bake some cookies
It's cold out. Bake cookies. They're yummy and they'll make the house smell good. 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
Winter farmers' markets are open this weekend : Saturday in Troy and Saratoga, and Sunday in Schenectady.

Get some hot chocolate
On our list this weekend, a trip to Mrs. London's for some of this.

Brunch
It's one of the best ways to spend a lazy weekend morning. Here are a few fun brunch options and some great diner breakfast stops.

Yep, AOA is a media sponsor of the Albany All Stars.

photo: Ted Barron via Steve Earle Facebook