All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Looking for something to do this weekend?

You've come to the right place. There is like a metric ton of stuff going on this weekend. Well, OK, maybe not that much, but you grasp what we're going for here, right?

After the jump, you can see for yourself what's up this weekend. Got something planned that didn't make the list? Share please.

And whatever you're up to, have a fantastic weekend.

Pig out!
Than annual Troy Pig Out is this weekend in Riverfront Park. It's two days of barbecue, music, cooking demonstrations, fireworks and the People's Choice Rib Taste-Off. Tickets for the rib taste-off go on sale Saturday at 4 pm and the contest starts at 5 pm. It's $1 per ticket (each ticket gets you one rib.) With five tickets you get a ballot. They have 8,000 tickets -- which makes it sound like there's no rush, but they will sell out, so get yours early. Saturday 11am - 10pm, Sunday 11am-4pm.

Saratoga Race Course Open House
The annual sneak peak at the Saratoga Race Course is this Sunday. Music, games, food, pony rides, handicapping clinics, tours, and non-wagering races. Sunday 11am-4pm - free

Ballet
The New York City Ballet's two-week summer residency at SPAC is underway. Friday night is Family Night. Saturday night is the Gala, with picnics on the lawn and, one local premiere, and two world premiere ballets, and a Moulin Rouge-themed post party with music, dancing, and fireworks.

Beer at Proctors
Sample brews from over 75 Capital Region brewers and pub fare from all around the Capital Region at Proctors on Tap Brews and Brews festival. Saturday 5 pm - $25 in advance / $10 designated driver ticket

Theater

The packed summer theater festival season continues. Here are a few shows you might want to catch:

Earnest and Red Hot
The David Hyde Pierce-directed, gangster version of The Importance of Being Earnest at the Williamstown Theatre Festival closes on Saturday night. Last of the Red Hot Lovers opened this week -- the cast of which includes Leslie Bibb and Susie Essman. The Valley of Fear, based on the final Sherlock Holmes novel, is playing for free at Williamstown's outdoor Poker Flats Field.

Bakerloo
The Bakerloo Theatre Project is back in Troy this weekend with a contemporary warfare version of Henry V -- "Once more unto the breach, dear friends..." -- (Friday and Saturday), and an updated version of George Bernard Shaw's Candida (Saturday and Sunday). Performances are at RPI's Academy Hall -- and they're pay what you will.

Park Playhouse
This year's main production at the Park Playhouse in Albany is Cabaret. You can see it every Tuesday through Sunday until July 29. The production includes table seating built into the stage design -- those tickets are $20. Center section seating is $15, and side section seating is $13. Lawn seats are free.

MopCo. You Never Know
The Mop and Bucket Company is making things up Friday night underground at Proctors. MopCo.'s weekly improv show is based on audience suggestions, so it's a different show every week. Friday 8 pm - $14, $6 for students and seniors.

Ballin' at the Graveyard

Ballin' at the Graveyard -- a documentary about the pick-up basketball scene at the courts in Albany's Washington Park -- opens at the Spectrum on Friday.

Camp Bisco
Friday and Saturday: the annual electronic music festival Camp Bisco in Mariaville, just west of Schenectady. The lineup is huge. Here's the day-by-day schedule. $190 three day pass / $85 Saturday

Sound of Music sing-a-long
Saturday at the Mahawie in Great Barrington: a sing-along screening of The Sound of Music. "The movie is projected in glorious, full-screen Technicolor, complete with subtitles so that the whole audience can sing along." (As if you need the subtitles to be able to sing along.) Also: there's a costume contest. It sounds cheese-tastic. 7 pm - $15 and up

Music

Friday: Gillian Welch at The Egg
Big part of the modern Americana/bluegrass/alt-country scene. 8 pm - $34.50

Friday: Donavon Frankenreiter at Upstate Concert Hall
Surfer, friend of Jack Johnson. Those might be the same thing. 9 pm - $18 ahead / $20 day of

Friday: Holly & Evan at Upbeat on the Roof
On the roof of Skidmore's Tang Museum. 7 pm - free

Friday: Chuck Prophet at Helsinki Hudson
Singer songwriter with a long history. Covered by and collaborated with a bunch of notables. With: Leland Sundries. 9 pm - $18 ahead / $20 day of

Saturday: Michael Eck: 100 Years of Woody Guthrie at Caffe Lena
A new one-man show on Guthrie's 100th birthday. 8 pm - $15 ahead / $17 at door

Saturday: Blues Band Showdown at The Linda
Four local bands competing for prizes and a chance to compete in Memphis. 7 pm - $12

Saturday: Chris Smither at Helsinki Hudson
Folk/blues veteran, performing with a full band. 9 pm - $25

Sunday: Electric Guest at Upstate Concert Hall
Retro-y. Produced by Danger Mouse. The "hipster take on cheese." 8 pm - free

Sunday:Sirsy at Freedom Park (Scotia)
Indie pop in the park. Bring a blanket. 7 pm - free

Speakeasy
Saratoga's Batcheller Mansion turns into a speakeasy Friday from 6-9 pm. Hootch, food from Lily and Rose, dancing, gambling (just for fun, not for cash). Costumes welcome. Friday 6pm-9pm, $25.

Farmers' markets
The outdoor seasons for farmers' markets are in swing in Troy (Saturday), Delmar (Saturday), Saratoga (Saturday), and Schenectady (Sunday).

Troy Flea
Troy Flea, a new TightKnit Saturday market that includes "handmade, vintage and antique art and goods," is open for the season. It's on the block of River Street in Troy south of the farmers' market, from 9 am-2 pm.

Museums

MASS MoCA
MASS MoCA's annual Bang on a Can festival has started. And Oh, Canada, show that highlights art from our neighbors to the north, opened recently. Museum admission $15, $10 for students, $5 for children.

2012 Artists of the Mohawk Hudson Region
Sixty-five works of art by 30 artists from the Hudson Mohawk Region are part of an exhibit at the University at Albany Art Museum. Saturday 11 am-4 pm - free

Adirondacks
A exhibit of work from Adirondack photographer Seneca Ray Stoddard continues at the State Museum. Free

Ice Cream
The results of Daniel B's Tour de Hard Cream are in. Now you can try the winners out for yourself. Or check out one of these stops on the AOA Ice Cream Tour.

Wooden shoes
The new Sculpture in the Streets exhibit is made up of giant wooden shoes. Take a walk around downtown Albany and check them out.

Road trip
A lot of people have extra days off this weekend, which is always a good excuse for a little road trip. A ride out to Columbia County to check out the field sculptures at Art Omi or a shopping trip to Northampton could be fun. Or maybe a visit to a brewery or cheese farm.

Swimming
Pick a pool or a beach, grab a towel and a good book, and you're good to go. Don't forget your sunscreen.

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.

SPAC and MopCo. advertise on AOA.

photo: Noah Abrams via Electric Guest Facebook