All Over Albany

The week ahead

Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this short week, from the weather (not bad at all), to holy days, to food and wine, to lots of music...

Weather

Here's the paraphrased forecast for this week:

Tuesday: Some sun, maybe some rain. Upper 70s.

Wednesday: Sunny and 77.

Thursday: Sunny and 72.

Friday: Repeat.

Weekend: Sunny and mid 70s.

Not bad at all.

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year -- Rosh Hashanah -- starts at sunset on Wednesday and ends at nightfall on Friday (it's unusually early this year). It's one of the holiest days of the year for Jews, and marks the start of the High Holy Days -- which conclude with Yom Kippur (sunset September 13 this year).

A traditional Rosh Hashanah greeting or message is to wish someone a good year.

Poetry

Tuesday: The Nitty Gritty Poetry Slam returns to Valentine's for a new season in its traditional format. Want to compete? Sign up is at 7 pm. Open at mic at 7:30 pm. Slam at 8 pm. $5 / $3 students

Restoration Festival

The Restoration Festival returns Friday and Saturday at a new location -- the Contemporary Artists Center at Woodside in Troy. The festival includes two days of music on two stages. The headliner this year is Man Man -- they play Saturday night. (But don't sleep on Friday night, which includes a bunch of good locals.)

Tickets are $32.50 for both days / $15 Friday only / $27.50 Saturday only.

Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival

Saturday: The annual Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival is lined up at Jennings Landing in the Corning Preserve. The slate includes six acts, including: Sensemaya, Arch Stanton Quartet, Charlie Hunter, Oleta Adams, and Foreworks. Music starts at 1 pm -- it's free.

Friday: The night before in downtown Albany jazz acts will be competing for a spot in the Saturday lineup. Ten acts will be playing at venues in the State/Pearl/Broadway part of the downtown from 5-9 pm.

Saratoga Food and Wine Festival

The annual Saratoga Food and Wine Festival is Friday-Sunday at SPAC. The headlining "personalities" this year: funny person/TV host Mo Rocca, chef Zak Pellacio (Food & Game in Hudson, and spots in NYC), wine expert Kevin Zraly. They'll be appearing at various events throughout the festival.

The festival includes a bunch of different events, some of which require different tickets. But the big event of the festival for most people is the grand tasting on Saturday -- tickets are $85. (And if you'd like to partake of the wine and not have to worry about driving, The Giddy Up will be offering rides between Albany/Clifton Park and Saratoga for $25.)

Cooking competition class

Friday: Gio Culinary Studio in Vorheesville has a mystery basket cooking competition class lined up:

Student teams will be asked to recreate 3 dishes, an appetizer, entree and dessert from a mystery "basket". After a quick demonstration of each dish by Chef Gio, teams will be assigned to their own kitchen stations and given a time limit to duplicate the demonstrated dish. After each dish, teams will be scored on Flavor, Technique and Appearance. When all three dishes are complete, the scores will be tallied and the winning team announced.

The winners get a gift certificate for a free cooking class. Friday 6:15 pm - $75

Soccer

The US Men's National Soccer Team is playing a qualifier for the World Cup Friday night at Costa Rica (kickoff 10 pm). Because it's an away game, the match will be shown on the beIN Sport -- a channel most people do not get. (Yes, it's ridiculous.) If you're looking for a place to catch the game, you can bet Wolff's will be jammed with fans -- including the Albany chapter of the American Outlaws.

Music

Wednesday: Kid Rock + ZZ Top at SPAC
Kid Rock's actual name is Bob. With: Uncle Kracker. 6:45 pm - $29 and up

Thursday: Maroon 5 + Kelly Clarkson at SPAC
Random thought: Both Kelly Clarkson and Adam Levine are famous thanks to in part to TV. 7 pm - $36

Thursday: The Black Crowes at Brewery Ommegang
Rescheduled from earlier this summer. With: The London Souls. 7 pm - $45 ahead / $50 day of

Thursday: Big Sam's Funky Nation at Red Square
Sam plays the trombone and leads a funky nation. With: The Chronicles. 8 pm - $12 ahead / $15 day of

Friday: David Wax Museum at The Linda
On display at the David Wax Museum: "Mexo-Americana." With: Cuddle Magic. 8 pm - $18

Friday: Crystal Bowersox at Helsinki Hudson
American Idol runner up. With: Emily Elbert. 9 pm - $25 ahead / $30 day of

Friday: Anthony Fallacaro at The Hollow
Roots rock singer/songwriter. With: Holly and Evan. 8 pm - $10

Saturday: Mayer Hawthorne at the Empire State Plaza
Modern soul singer. Part of the New Music Festival that also includes: Graham Tichy, They Mysteios, Superhumanoids, Robert Randolph and the Family Band. music starts at 2 pm / Mayer Hawthorne at 7:45 pm - free

Saturday: Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion at Helsinki Hudson
Folk rock duo. (And they're married. And she's Arlo's daughter.) Their latest album was produced by Jeff Tweedy. They're also playing Sunday night at Caffe Lena. 9 pm - $15 ahead / $18 day of

Saturday: Steve Katz at The Linda
From Blood, Sweat, and Tears. Part of the American Roots and Branches series. Hosted by Michael Eck. 8 pm - $18

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These are a just a few things for this week. Know of something people should be looking forward to this week? Please share!

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photo via ANTI- Records