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 the weather (hot), to oops, to a blood sport, to silent film, to the longest day, to documentary, to a crazy amount of music...

Weather

Here's the paraphrased forecast:

Monday: Some clouds, some sun. Maybe a thunderstorm later in the day. Highs around 80.

Tuesday: Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s.

Wednesday: Sunny, highs in the low 90s.

Thursday: Repeat.

Friday: Sunny, mid 80s.

Weekend: Sunny and upper 70s.

Hot. Hot. Hot.

Oops

The Front Parlor Storytelling Series is back at the Olde English in Albany Monday night. This month's theme: "Oops." 7:30 pm

Before the talkies

Proctors is showing The Artist this Monday and Tuesday on its main stage. The most recent Academy Award winner for best picture is, of course, a black-and-white mostly silent movie. So seeing it in Proctors grand old theater is a good fit. Monday 2 pm, Tuesday 5 pm and 7:30 pm - $5

Proctors is also showing the Charlie Chaplin classic The Gold Rush on Monday. Depending on your schedule, you might be able to swing a silent double feature. (The Artist plays at 2 pm on Monday, The Gold Rush at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm that same day.) Monday 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm, 7:30 pm - $5

Nitty Gritty

Tuesday: The Nitty Gritty Poetry Slam is back at Valentine's. The local poetry slam team is tuning up for the National Poetry Slam in August -- and it's looking for alternates in what is promised to be "a blood sport." sign up at 7 pm, open mic at 7:30 pm, slam at 8 pm - $5 / $3 students

The longest day

The summer solstice is Wednesday (technically just past 7 pm Wednesday). It marks the moment when the northern hemisphere is most tilted toward the sun. It's the official beginning of summer.

And, of course, one product of being tilted toward the sun like that: it's the longest daylight of the year. The sun will rise that day at 5:17 am and not set until 8:36 pm, meaning daylight will stretch until well after 9 pm (if it's not cloudy).

A few activities making use of all that daylight:
+ There's a sunset hike at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center that evening. $3 person / $5 for a family
+ The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy has a family-friendly event on the Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail in Delmar.

Bonus astronomical fact: There's a new moon on Tuesday, so Wednesday night's moon will be just a sliver. If you're outside, and the sky is clear, there should be good stargazing.

Documentary

Brunswick
Thursday: The Linda is showing Brunswick, Nate Simms' documentary about the tension between preserving agricultural space and development in Rensselaer County. The doc also features a soundtrack by Matthew Carefully. 7 pm - $6

Pink Ribbons, Inc.
Thursday-Saturday: Proctors is showing Pink Ribbons, Inc., a documentary about the co-option of breast cancer for marketing purposes. From the doc's site: "In showing the real story of breast cancer and the lives of those who fight it, Pink Ribbons, Inc. reveals the co-opting of what marketing experts have labeled a 'dream cause.'" Reviews: NYT | Washington Post | NPR. multiple times - $5

Punk marching band

Friday: The 19-piece punk marching band What Cheer? Brigade will be playing a guerilla-style show under the Hoosick Street overpass in Troy Friday night. After the show, the band will march to a dance party. 9:30 pm - $5 donation encouraged

Music

Monday: Kinky Friedman at The Linda
Texas musician, author, columnist, political candidate, "dispensing the wisdom of the Jewish troubadour." With: Tequila Mockingbirds. 8 pm - $25

Wednesday: Hair of the Dog at Rockin' on the River
The first show this summer for Troy's outdoor concert series. 5 pm - free

Thursday: Patty Smyth at Alive at Five
Opener is Sirsy. 5 pm - free

Thursday: These United States at Valentine's
Alt-country. "We're probably just a crazy band with some kind of wings, but I don't know where they fall." With: Sgt Dunbar. 8 pm - $10

Thursday: The Black Ships at Putnam Den
Mentioned previously. With: William Hale. 9 pm - free

Friday: Matthew Sweet at The Egg
Power pop extraordinaire. Playing Girlfriend in its entirety. 8 pm - $28

Friday: Fuel at Upstate Concert Hall
90s night continues. 7 pm - $15 ahead / $17 day of

Friday: The Wood Brothers at Putnam Den
Includes Chris Wood of Medeski Martin & Wood. 9 pm - $15

Friday: OUTPOST1 at Jillian's
5kinandbone5 joins the regulars. 11 pm - $5

Friday: Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys at Caffe Lena
Home-grown bluegrass. 8 pm - $16 ahead / $18 at door

Friday: Grainbelt at Valentine's
A "full blown electric happy hour CD release show." 6 pm

Friday: The Blisterz and The Mysteios at APL
First of the Albany Public Library's Garage Band series for this summer. 6 pm - free

Friday: Yo-Yo Ma at Tanglewood
With the Silk Road Ensemble. 8 pm - $20 and up

Saturday: Fiona Apple at Mountain Park (Holyoke, MA) Calvin Theater (Northampton)
She's back. And this time the album's title is only 23 words long. (Show was moved from Mountain Park.) 7 pm - $35 and up

Saturday: Beach Boys at SPAC
More than 50 years old -- the band, not the guys. 8 pm - $25 and up (free kids ticket with each adult ticket)

Saturday: Diana Krall at Tanglewood
She'll be at the Saratoga Jazz Fest, too. 7 pm - $24 and up

Saturday: Red Square Carnival Show
Lucky Jukebox Brigade, Skeletons in the Piano, Charmed and Dangerous Burlesque, fire spinning, fortune telling. 8 pm - $7

Saturday: The McKrells at Caffe Lena
Celtic cowboy. 8 pm - $15 ahead / $17 at door

Sunday: Caravan of Thieves at Caffe Lena
Gypsy jazz. 7 pm - $16 ahead / $18 at door

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.

SPAC advertises on AOA.

photo via Matthew Sweet Facebook