Stuff to do this weekend
As in years past, Lark Street will be packed for LarkFest this Saturday. / photo: Sebastien B
Fall begins this weekend, and this weekend is filled with all kinds of autumnal stuff to do.
After the jump, a few items we picked from the Capital Region stuff to do orchard.
Mix, match, share.
As always, if you've got something planned that you don't see here, let us know about it.
And whatever you're up to, have a fantastic weekend.
LarkFest
Saturday: The annual street festival on Lark in Albany returns. The music lineup for this year's LarkFest is headlined by Willie Nile and Bobby Long -- but there are also a bunch of good locals on the slate: Charlie Watts Riots, Molly Durnin, Rodeo Barons, Barons in the Attic, The Last Conspirators, Matt & the Bad Ideas, Grainbelt, The Chronicles. Saturday 10 am-5:30 pm - free admission
Adirondack Balloon Festival
The 40th annual Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival is already underway. Launches are slated from Saturday and Sunday morning starting at 6:30 a.m. at the Queensbury airport. There are also evening launches at 5p.m. on Friday and Saturday and a moonglow launch on Saturday night at 8pm. The airport opens at 5am on Saturday and Sunday with a big breakfast in the hanger and activities all day. Heads-up: Balloon Festival events are always very crowded. You'll want to arrive very early and expect long lines. If the weather is good and the balloons can launch, it's worth the trouble.
Mummies
The Albany Institute of History and Art opens its new Mystery of the Albany Mummies exhibit on Saturday. Here's a a look from a preview this week. On Sunday at 2pm there's a talk about the exhibit by Peter Lacovara, one the key curators behind the exhibit -- it's free with museum admission.
Showcase of Homes
The Saratoga Showcase of Homes starts this weekend with house tours on Saturday and Sunday. High quality home gawking at 14 homes in and near Saratoga Springs. Proceeds benefit Northern Saratoga Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together Saratoga County.11 am-5 pm - tickets $20
Friday evening, from 5-10 pm there is a "Comfort of Home" event with comfort foods from area chefs at eight of the homes on the tour. Tickets for that are $25 -- or $40, including a tour ticket.
Theater
Ghost The Musical
Ghost, the new musical based on the Oscar winning film closes its run at Proctors Friday night. 8 pm - $20-$80
One Slight Hitch
The Curtain Call Theater production of Lewis Black's One Slight Hitch continues this weekend. It's a comedy about a family and a wedding day gone wrong. Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 3 pm - $23
Seussical
Troy Civic Theater presents Seussical The Musical this weekend at The Arts Center of the Capital Region. The Cat in the Hat leads a musical trip based on the stories of Dr. Seuss. Friday and Saturday 8pm - $15 / $13 students and seniors
Scott and Hem in the Garden of Allah
Barrington Stage is winding down its season with the world premiere of Scott and Hem in the Garden of Allah: "In 1937, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, famous authors and frenemies, meet in Hollywood at the notorious Garden of Allah apartment complex. A humorous and heated exchange ensues about the cost of love, friendship and the price of being a writer." Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday 4pm & 7:30 pm, Sunday 3 pm - $40 and up.
Comedy
Improv returns
+ Mop & Bucket Company's official opening night for its Proctors season is Friday, with Chortal Combat. Teams of improvisors compete by creating scenes and songs using audience suggestions. Post show opening night party at MopCo's Union Street headquarters. Friday at 8pm - $14 for adults, $6 students/seniors.
+ Mop & Bucket returns to The Comedy Works on Saturday at 8pm with a night of improv games based on audience suggestions. Saturday 8pm - $15 advance, $20 at the door.
Coffee and Comedy
Stand up comedian Vernon Payne hosts another Coffee and Comedy night at Hudson River Coffee House, with a line-up of six local comedians. Friday 8:30 pm - $5 cover
Film
The 32nd Asbury Short Film Concert
The Asbury Shorts, New York City's longest running short film exhibition, brings its short film "concert" to Albany on Saturday at The Linda. 8 pm - $10 general admission.
It really tied the room together
It Came from Schenectady has its annual screening of the The Big Lebowski lined up at Proctors Saturday night. Contest, prizes, white russians. 7 pm - $9 / $6 students
Retro weekend at the drive-in
The Hollywood Drive-In is hosting another Retro Weekend with screenings of E.T. and American Graffiti. gates open at 6:30 pm Friday and Saturday, screenings start around 7:30. $9 for adults, $5 age 5-11
FarmAid
Saturday: The yearly benefit concert -- featuring Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews -- is at SPAC this year. And it's sold out.
Fresh Grass
Friday-Sunday: Fresh Grass, the annual bluegrass and roots music festival at MASS MoCA -- returns. The lineup includes The Infamous Stringdusters, The Wood Brothers, Sarah Jarosz, Noam Pilkeny and Friends, and many others. three day pass: $78 / $68 students / $38 kids - single-day adult tickets from $28
Music
Friday: Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang at Putnam Den
From Dr. Dog. With: Sgt Dunbar and the Hobo Banned. 10 pm - $7
Friday: The London Souls at Helsinki Hudson
Rock from New York City (not London). 9 pm - $15 ahead / $18 day of
Friday: Zoogma at Valentine's
"Known for their energetic performances and retina pleasing light show, the band consistently dishes out heavy-weight beat-driven dance parties..." With: Digital Dharma, Damn Right. 9 pm - $12
Friday: Goldtooth and Masai at Albany Public Library
Last "Garage Bands" show of the season. The family-friendly shows are in the garage of the main branch on Washington Ave. 6 pm - free
Saturday: Electric City UkeFest at Proctors
Celebration of the ukelele returns. Daytime sessions include lessons and demos. And there's a multi-performer concert in the evening. The first 8th Step show of the season. 10 am - 5 pm (day sessions) / 7 pm (concert) - $35 head / $40 at door (everything) / $15 (concert only)
Saturday: Charlie Watts Riots at Valentine's
Album release show for power pop trio. With: John Powhida International Airport, Juston Stens. 6 pm
Saturday: Pete Francis at Valentine's
From Dispatch. With: The Ameros. 8 pm - $10
Saturday: Albany Symphony Orchestra at the Palace
The ASO starts its new season with Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony, as well as a new work. 7:30 pm - $19 and up
Sunday: Hot Club of Saratoga at Caffe Lena
Gypsy jazz. 7 pm - $14
Roller Derby
The Hellions of Troy play their third annual charity bout this weekend at Rollarama Skating Rink. Saturday 7 pm - free admission, donations benefit the Animal Protective Foundation and Peaceful Acres Horses
UAlbany Football
UAlbany takes on Central Connecticut State at its new football stadium Saturday. 7 pm - $10
Troy Restaurant Week
Today-Sunday: Troy Restaurant Week continues. It's a little bit a different than some of the other restaurant weeks. Participating restaurants will be offering fixed-price deals at a range of price points, from $5 to $30.
Color Me Rad
The Color Me Rad 5k race, in which runners start out with white shirts and get doused with colors at each mile marker, is back at the Altamont Fair Grounds Saturday. The race itself is sold out, but you can also stop by to watch and cheer. Saturday 9am
Festivals
Upper Madison Street Fair
The Upper Madision Street Fair is this Sunday in Albany, with music, arts, crafts, food kids activities and more. Sunday noon-5 pm
Liberty Ridge Farm's Fall Festival
Liberty Ridge Farm begins its annual fall festival this weekend with campfires barnyard games, shows, and a corn maze.
Clifton Park Farm Fest
Nine farms around Clifton Park will be open to the public this weekend with tours and special events for a celebration of farming.
Horse Expo
Kids activities, pony rides, demonstrations, clinics, and trick riding are all part of the Saratoga Horse Expo this weekend at the Saratoga Race Course. Saturday 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. Adults $8, Family of four $20, Under 6 -free.
Saturday in The Park Fall Festival
East Greenbush's Saturday in The Park Fall Festival is (surprise) Saturday. Music, arts and crafts, animals, family-friendly activities at Onderdonk Park. 11 am to 3 pm - free admission
Five Rivers Fall Festival
Five Rivers hosts a family-friendly Fall Festival on Saturday. Crafts, activities, animals and more. noon to 4 pm - free
Mohawk Valley Antique and Flea Festival
The Mohawk Valley Antique and Flea Festival is Saturday in Glenville. Antiques, vintage and upcycled items, music, barbecue. Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm
Lakeside Antiques Festival
Lakeside Cider Mill Ballston Lake is hosting its annual antique festival on Sunday. 9 am to 4pm
Robotic Dinosaurs
There are only a few weeks left to see the giant robotic dinosaurs at MiSci in Schenectady (the exhibit closes near the end of this month). While you're there you can check out the planetarium and other exhibits.
Apples and cider donuts
Orchards around the Capital Region are starting pick your own season. Check the website of your favorite (or give 'em a call).
Also in season: cider donuts. Pick an orchard or farm stand and get them while they're still warm. Perhaps the Tours de Cider Donut can inspire your choice.
Corn Maze
The giant maze at Fort Ticonderoga is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm -- free with admission to the fort. And the corn maze at Samascott's Garden Market in Kinderhook is now open -- 11 am to 5 pm Saturday-Monday, $7 per person (kids under 4 free).
Farmers' markets
It's the best time of year to take a trip to one of the local farmers' markets. Markets are open in Troy (Saturday), Delmar (Saturday), Saratoga (Saturday), Schenectady (Sunday), and the new Spa City Farmers Market -- at the Lincoln Baths in Saratoga Springs (Sunday).
Proctors, The Mop & Bucket Company, miSci, and the APL advertise on AOA. And AOA is a media sponsor of the Upper Madison Street Fair.
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Comments
New York State Neighborhood Revitalization Conference:
This Saturday, the 21st from 9am-5pm at Russell Sage College:
A day of idea sharing, problem solving, and strategizing for the future of NYS neighborhoods, including Keynote from author and urban activist Vincent DeSantis, and 8 workshops from neighborhood leaders about how they are making great things happen in their communities.
Schedule and more information:
http://nyneighborhoods.org/conference/conference-schedule/
... said Neighborhood Revitalization Conference on Sep 20, 2013 at 11:28 AM | link
Tomorrow! Saturday September 21, Charmed and Dangerous is performing a benefit cabaret/burlesque show at Ten Broeck Mansion for their end of summer Fundraiser. If you came last year you know it's not a show to miss. Doors open at 7 show starts at Dusk. Show is planned to be inside under a tent so bring a sweater, if it's pouring we'll move inside, first come gets seats. $20 per person, includes 1 drink ticket. Cash only.
Tickets at our website: www.tenbroeckmansion.org
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/events/510679722354858/
... said Jillian on Sep 20, 2013 at 11:47 AM | link
Food swapper (those looking to swap) and swap-curious (those interested in seeing what this is all about) tickets are still available for Sunday's "From Scratch Club's" swap in Troy. 4-6pm at the Oakwood Community Center.
Go here to sign up!
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/8254085191?ref=ebtn
... said Jessica R on Sep 20, 2013 at 1:37 PM | link
Come try orienteering at Thacher Park on Saturday morning! (And grab a cider donut from Indian Ladder Farm on the way home?)
Join us on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Hop Field picnic area in Thacher State Park, for National Orienteering Week. Instruction for newcomers is always available, and special giveaways are part of our NOW day. Be there anytime between 10 am and noon to prepare for a course of your choosing.
More info:
http://altamontenterprise.com/09042013/national-orienteering-week-approaching
http://empo.us.orienteering.org/schedule
https://www.facebook.com/EmpireOrienteeringClub
... said laiskiainen on Sep 20, 2013 at 1:58 PM | link
Does anyone know how long the balloons stay in the air at the festival? With two little kids theres no way I can get there that early from Albany.
... said Jeff on Sep 20, 2013 at 2:34 PM | link
@Jeff - I'm not sure how long the balloons are actually in the air because they all kinda float out of view after launching. But, you have about a one-hour window starting at launch time when there are lots of balloons around, getting filled and taking off. There are other activities for kids at the fest during the day, but the main attractions are the launches. You really have to plan to get to the airport 30-60 mins before the launch to get through the entrance and park. The early morning is worth it - the launch is awesome if there is good, calm weather. If your kids don't mind sleeping in the car on the way up, I'd say give it a try!
... said Paul on Sep 20, 2013 at 7:48 PM | link