All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Yes, this weekend will be a little soggy. This could be a good excuse for a lot of people to couch surf or clean out the DVR. But not you.

You've got a long list of stuff to do waiting for you after the jump. If you choose to stay home and catch up with the DVR, we won't judge. But if you're looking to get out of the house, pack your umbrella, and check out this week's list.

Planning something that isn't on the list? Share with the rest of us. And whatever you're up to, have a great weekend.

Raise a glass. And a Barn.
The Albany Barn is hosting a Raise the Barn fund raiser at TASTE tonight with guest bartenders and jazz from The B3 Combo (part of the B3nson Collective.) 6pm - $5 cover

The Track
We're halfway through the 2012 meet at Saratoga Race Course. Friday is Family Day with crafts, a bounce house, and kids activities. and Sunday is a give-away day: you get a Saratoga picnic mat with every paid admission, while they last.

Breakfast at the track
Even if you're not much of a gambler, the Saratoga Racecourse is gorgeous in the morning. You can do their buffet breakfast or bring your own bagels and coffee, hang out in the boxes and watch the workouts. Then take a free tour of the backstretch. They leave every 20 minutes or so from the clubhouse gate.

The orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra's summer residency at SPAC continues this week. Saturday is Wizard of Oz night -- the orchestra will be playing the score for a re-mastered version of the classic film.

Polo
There are matches on Friday and Sunday at Saratoga Polo, with events and after-parties and classic cars. Gates open at 4pm. Matches start at 5:30pm. $25-$40.

Improv
Mop and Bucket Company is back underground at Proctors on Friday night. A new show every week based on audience suggestions. Think Whose Line is it Anyway. Friday 8PM. $14, $6 students and seniors.

Theater
The packed summer theater festival season continues. A few highlights for this week:

+ The students of Park Playhouse II will perform Hairspray this weekend at the Washington Park Lakehouse in Albany. It's outdoors, so it depends on the weather. We've seen several members of the cast perform in this show before, and if that's any indication, it should be a really fun night. Saturday and Sunday at 8pm. Free.

+ Broadway veteran Tina Fabrique plays Ella Fitzgerald in Ella at Capital Rep. Friday at 8, Saturday at 3PM & 8PM, Sunday at 2PM

+ The Williamstown Theatre Festival's production of a new adaptation of the Russian comedy A Month in the Country continues this weekend.

+ The Classic Theater Guild's production of The Durang Hour, an evening of one act comedies by Christopher Durang closes this weekend at Indian Ladder Farms' Helderberg Theater Festival. Durang's plays have pretty mature themes, so you probably don't want to bring kids to this one. Saturday at 8PM. Free.

+ The Heldeberg Theater Festival is also doing The Merry Wives of Windsor on Friday at 8 pm and Saturday at 2pm. Free.

Circus in Schenectady
The Zoppé Italian Circus is in Schenectady this week, set up in a big-top tent outside Proctors. The Zoppé is old -- 170 years old -- and old school, like something out of a story. They shows continue through Sunday. various times - $25 and up adults / $15 and up under 17

Dogs
The Adirondack Circuit AKC Dog Show continues through Sunday at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds. Show dogs from all over the region will be competing for prizes. Here's the list of events and competitions.

Trumped
The indie film You've Been Trumped -- about Donald Trump's attempt to buy one of Europe's most environmentally sensitive stretches of coast to put in a hotel and luxury homes -- is screening at Proctors Friday and Saturday. The film's producer, Richard Phinney, will be doing a Q&A after the Friday and Saturday's 7:30 screening. Friday, 5:30pm & 7:30pm, Saturday 3:30pm, 5:30pm and 7:30pm - $5

Hudson Music Fest / Basilica Music Festival
The annual Hudson Music Fest is back this weekend, Friday through Sunday, with more than a hundred acts at more than 30 venues around the city.

Also this weekend in Hudson: the Basilica Music Festival at Basilica Hudson on Friday Saturday with a lineup that includes Gang Gang Dance, Prince Rama, Liturgy, and Mick Barr. It's being "presented in association with" Pitchfork. $15 each day or $25 for both (advance)

Music

Friday: Eastbound Jesus at Red Square
Americana/bluegrass. 8 pm

Friday: Steven L. Smith Band at Upbeat on the Roof at the Tang
Roots rock/alternative country. 7 pm - free

Saturday: Chris Smither at The Linda
Folk/blues. 8 pm - $25

Saturday: The Lucky Jukebox Brigade at Valentine's
With: The KillBillies. 8 pm

Saturday: Bass Fix at Red Square
A bunch of DJs playing stuff they don't normally play. 8 pm - $7 before 11 pm / $10 after

Making ice cream
Friday at Different Drummer's Kitchen at Stuyvesant Plaza: a class on making "exotic ice cream," taught by Michelle Hines Abram. The flavors to be made during class: honey lavender, maple porter, chocolate chipotle, pear ginger. 6 pm - $50

Taste of The Great States: Wine & Food Pairing
The Saratoga Winery and Tasting room is hosting a wine and food pairing on Saturday night featuring cuisine from Texas, Louisiana, and New York paired with wines from Saratoga Winery. Saturday 7pm - $39 (reservations required)

Museums
A rainy Saturday could be a good day to catch up on those museum exhibits that have been on your list. There are a bunch right now that are only open for a few more weeks. Here are a few:

Great, Strange, and Rarely Seen: The Albany Institute's exhibition of pieces from its collection that are rarely on theldisplay closes August 26.

The Clark: Many of the exhibits related to the Clark's display of artifacts from China close during either August or September.

Artists of the Mohawk Hudson Region: The UAlbany Art Museum's exhibition of regional artists closes September 8.

Fence Select: This year's Fence Select show at the Arts Center of the Capital Region just opened -- but it closes August 31.

Dance
The Ajkun Ballet performs Don Quixote on Saturday night at The Egg. 7:30 pm $29, $19 (children 2-11)

Burlesque
Charmed and Dangerous brings its burlesque troupe to Albany's historic Ten Broeck Mansion on Saturday night for a cabaret with a burlesque twist. 7pm to 9pm, $20 (includes the show and one drink ticket).

Mediums
If contacting the other side is your thing, there are two mediums in the Capital Region this weekend. John Edward is at the Holiday Inn Wolf Road Albany tonight at 7pm [John Edward is Sold Out] and Long Island Medium Theresa Caputo is at The Palace on Sunday at 3 pm.

Tours
Have a little fun, see some cool stuff, and learn something:

+ On Saturday the Rensselaer County Historical Society is giving a tour of the Hart-Cluett House. If you're hitting up the farmers' market or Troy Fela, it's could be a nice addition to your day. If they don't show it to you, ask them to take you next door to see Abraham Lincoln's blood. 2 pm - $10

+ If you're interested in how things work, Brookfield is offering a tour of the School Street Hydroelectric Plant at 14 Mohawk Street in Cohoes. Saturday 8am to 10:00am Free.

Dueling organs
The antique Ferris tracker organ at Round Lake Auditorium takes on the modern electronic organ on Sunday night at 8pm. $10.

Gardens
Sunday could be a good day for a trip out to Western Mass and stop in at the Berkshire Botanical Garden.

Swimming
Sunday looks like the best day for swimming. You've got to get it in while you still can. Pick a pool or a beach, grab a towel and a good book, and you're good to go.

Ice Cream
Check out one of the 12 staples at The Ice Cream Man, or the winners of Daniel B's Tour de Hard Cream or one of these stops on the AOA Ice Cream Tour.

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.

The Saratoga Race Course advertises on AOA, as does SPAC. So does the Mop & Bucket Company