All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Winter is going to make somewhat of an effort this weekend, so Saturday might just end up being a good day to catch up on the DVR. That said, If you're looking to get out and do something, you've got a few good options.

After the jump, a round-up of stuff we thought you might want to try. Got other plans? Share please.

Keep warm, and have a great weekend!

Monster trucks
Because sometimes you just want to crush things -- or watch things get crushed. The Monster Jam is at the TU Center tonight and Saturday. Monster trucks will drive over cars and other stuff. The show also appears to include a fire-breathing metal dinosaur. 7:30 pm - $20 and up (kids $5)

Her Telling Heart
Shot in Schaghticoke, Her Telling Heart is a modern adaptation of Poe's The Tell Tale Heart -- with a twist. It was written by upstate NY writer/director Eli Meissner. Proctors hosts a screening of the new film on Saturday night, followed by a panel discussion with the writer and producers. WNYT's Benita Zahn will host the event. 7pm - $20 Adults, $17 for Students & Seniors

Comedy
+ Savannah's opens Comic Syndrome, its new comedy club, on Saturday night. Comedy Central's Big Jay Oakerson headlines. Doors open 6:30, show at 7:30pm - $25 includes dinner.

+ Only two weeks left of Mop & Bucket's Spontaneous Broadway. Each week they make up a new Broadway show based on audience suggestions. Underground at Proctors. Tonight at 8 pm - $14, $6 for students and seniors.

Music

Friday: OUTPOST1 at the Fuzebox
This month features DJ Trumastr -- along with Party with Tina, Looney, and Knomad. 10 pm - $5

Friday: Rob Skane Trio at Putnam Den
With: Charmboy, the Blisterz. 9 pm

Friday: Teddy Thompson at Helsinki Hudson
Pop folk rock. He's the son of Richard and Linda Thompson. 9 pm - $20 ahead / $25 day of

Friday: Shannon Pelcher at Red Square. This Brooklyn based singer songwriter is a little Tin Pan Alley, a little 60s folk and a little jazz. She plays a CD release show tonight with the Hill Hollow Band. 8 pm

Saturday: Nine Votes Short at Valentine's
Punk. The singer had an excellent mohawk at the Santa Speedo Sprint. With: Dead Ellington, Charlie Don't Surf, Heroes and Martyrs. 8:30 pm

Saturday: Plug In Stereo at Valentine's
Acoustic pop. The most remarkable thing about this guy might be his hair. 7 pm - $10 ahead / $12 day of

SPAM
Scooter Pie at Midnight, the monthly rock and roll burlesque show at Valentine's, is slated for Saturday night. 11 pm

Theater

+ Wendy Wasserstein's Tony nominated play The Sisters Rosensweig is in previews at Capital Rep. Tonight and Saturday at 8, Sunday at 2.

+ Next Fall continues its run at Curtain Call Theater. Tonight and Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 3 pm - $22.

Dance
The Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company will be premiering two new works at The Egg Friday night, along with three other works, during its annual concert there. 8 pm - $24

Ice skating at the ESP
This could be a weekend for some outdoor skating -- light snow and high 20s on Saturday, sunny and low 30s on Sunday. 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. Here are a few other places you could try.

The rink will be closed for general skating Saturday from noon-4 pm for SkateFest. (Thanks, Carl)

Happy New Year
The Chinese Community Center hosts a Chinese New Year celebration on Saturday afternoon at The Egg. 2:30 pm - $20, $20, $100

Movies
There are all kinds of fantastic movies out now. It's supposed to snow Saturday. Do we smell a double feature?

Museums
Museums are warm. And full of interesting stuff.

+ The Clark has an exhibit that examines the influence Rembrandt's work had on Degas. There's lots of Degas and some beautiful impressionist work in the museum's permanent collection as well. And if you like to mix your fine art with a dry martini, shaken -- not stirred -- they're screening Dr. No at 2 pm on Sunday.

+ MASS MoCA has a number of exhibits open, including "The Workers" -- a look at labor through the eyes of 40 different artists, the really-long-running Sol LeWitt Wall Drawing Retrospective, and an installation about internet memes that closes at the end of the month.

+ This is the last weekend for the model trains at the Schenectady Museum and Planetarium.

+ Lots of good (and free) stuff to see at the NYS museum, including the Shadow and Substance photo exhibit.

+ 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. You can also stop by and visit the mummies. On Sunday, Michael Cassin, Director of the Center for Education in the Visual Arts at The Clark will be giving a lecture on Rembrandt and the "Golden Age" of Dutch artwork.

Wurstfest
Saturday is Wurstfest at the German-American Club of Albany. Bauernwurst, bratwurst, rye bread, German potato salad, sauerkraut, potato pancakes. 5-10 pm - $20

Appreciate the squirrels
Tomorrow is Squirrel Appreciation Day. Who knew? The Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center is celebrating with a kids program about squirrels. 10:30-noon - $3 per person, $5 per family.

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.

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.

Yes, Capital Rep and Proctors do advertise on AOA.

photo: Her Telling Heart