All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Winter is threatening to make a tiny, last ditch effort this weekend, but it shouldn't be enough
to keep you inside.

After the jump, a few ideas to get you out of the house over the next couple of days. Got something else planned? Tell us about it.

And whatever you're up to, have a great weekend!

Troy Night Out
February is short, so it's Troy Night Out already. Art, music and performers all around the Collar City tonight and a post-party at Daisy Baker's afterward. Here's the schedule.

New York in Bloom
The annual New York in Bloom flower show runs from today through Sunday at the New York State Museum from 9:30 am - 5 pm. Saturday is also the museum's 19th annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show and Sale from 10-5. There's a $5 charge to enter the museum on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Vanguard Designer Show House -- Before
In May the Albany Symphony will hold its Vanguard Designer Show House fund raiser in three condo spaces at 17 Chapel, but this weekend you can get a look at the before spaces, meet the designers and view their plans at the Vanguard sneak preview. Saturday and Sunday from 1-3 pm - $10

Crosswords
Skidmore College is hosting its first New York Times crossword puzzle tournament on Saturday afternoon. Contestants will attempt the crossword puzzles that will be published in next week's New York Times. The first two winners of the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday puzzles will challenge each other in the Thursday puzzle. The winner gets an iPad 2. Entry is open to the public but you need to register. Saturday at 2 pm

Laughs
MopCo.: You never know. The Mop and Bucket improv company has a new show Underground at Proctors. It's a mix of short-form scenes and improv games, and it's different every week. Friday at 8 pm - $14, $6

Step off
The Palace has its annual step show celebrating Black History Month lined up for Friday. 7 pm - $22

Japanese
Saturday at Different Drummer's Kitchen at Stuyvesant Plaza: a cooking class with Yasuo Saso (of the late, much-admired Saso's) on "everyday Japanese." Among the dishes: chicken lettuce wraps and stir-fried bok choy and tofu. noon - $65

Theater

+ Classic Theatre Guild's performs One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Tonight and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday afternoon at 2 pm. $14.50 and $17.50.

+ UAlbany presents the world premiere production of a new theatrical interpretation of Dickens' Great Expectations. Tonight through Sunday at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center. 8 pm - $12 / $8 for UAlbany community.

+ London's National Theater Live presents the new Nicholas Wright play, Traveling Light, on the big screen at The Spectrum. Noon on Sunday - $15, $12 under 12.

The Motown Story
Singer, writer, actor and teacher Donald "The Soul Man" Hyman leads a tribute to the soul artists of the late 1950s and '60s. Saturday at Saint Joseph Hall at St. Rose. 7:30 pm - free.

Music

Friday: Company of Thieves at Jillian's
They can't stay away. With: Erin Harkes, Wild Adriatic. 8 pm - $12

Friday: Beppe Gambetta at Caffe Lena
"One of Europe's foremost guitarists." 8 pm - $18 ahead / $20 at door

Friday: Alexis P. Sutter Band at Helsinki Hudson
Rising star on the blues, roots and soul scene. 9 pm - $20

Saturday: Gustafer Yellowgold at MASS MoCA
A kids show about a friendly yellow alien by Taylor Morgan. "This might be the best kids' show you ever see." There's also a cartooning workshop for kids at 1:30 pm. 11:30 pm - $6 concert / $10 concert and workshop

Saturday: Mike Doughty at The Linda
He'll be reading from his memoir, The Book of Drugs, between songs (review). Also: audience Q&A. 8 pm - $22

Saturday: Hamell on Trial at Steamer 10
One-man punk. Not a kids show. 8 pm - $15

The Looking Through a Glass Onion Beatles talk by Scott Freiman at Proctors tonight is sold out.

Dance
NoDisco dance party tonight at The Fuze Box. A night of DJs playing a mix of Italo disco, house, new wave, new romantic, disco revival, house, Detroit techno and more. 8 pm - no cover for over 21

Film
Last chance to see the feature films before Sunday's Academy Awards. Meanwhile, here are some other film options this weekend:

+ This year's Oscar nominated live-action and animated short films finish their run at the The Spectrum this weekend.

+The Saratoga Film Forum is showing the live-action Oscar shorts tonight at 7:30 pm, and the short documentaries on Sunday afternoon at 3 pm. $7, $5 for members

+ The NYS Writer's Institute continues its February salute to the films of John Sayles with a screening of Amigo tonight at the Recital Hall in the UAlbany Performing Arts Center. 7:30 - free

UAG Gala
The Upstate Artists Guild is holding a gala fundraiser on Saturday night at the Normanside Country Club in Delmar. Hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, art, music, silent auction and performances by C. Ryder Cooley and the Stompin' Jug Ramblers.6-10 pm - $20-$100

Ice skating at the ESP
The ice skating rink at the Empire State Plaza is open 11 am - 8 pm every day. It's closed 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.

Roller skating party
The Albany Public Library and the Albany All Stars are holding a free family skating party on Saturday from 1-3 pm at the Washington Avenue Armory. There will be skates available.

Snow Tubing
No, it hasn't really snowed that much. But don't let that keep you from snow tubing.

Snow Train
Take the snow train out to North Creek to do some skiing,tubing, snowboarding, or just hanging out.

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.

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.

photo via Mike Doughty Facebook