All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

OK, up off the couch. Yes, you. You've got a holiday dinner to work off in time for leftovers tonight. The holiday season is officially underway, and there are plenty of ways to kick off your celebrations this weekend.

We've put together a few ideas after the jump. If you're up to something else that isn't on the list, share with the rest of the crowd. And whatever you're up to, have a happy holiday weekend.

Troy Night Out
Friday is Troy Night Out. Shops and galleries are open late with art, music and Black Friday holiday specials. On the list of things to do:

+ There's a member show and reception at the Fulton Street Gallery
+ The Arts Center of the Capital Region has screenings of single channel videos as part of 2x2 Collective: double consciousness, at 6pm and 7:30pm. Also, the holiday shop is open with gifts made by local artists and crafters.
+ Tours and demonstrations of the Tech Valley Center of Gravity

And, as always, Daisy Baker's is hosting the TNO after party.

Movies

If you have some free time this week because of the holiday, it's not a bad time to catch a movie.

Multiplex
Lots of decent choices at the multiplexes now: The new Hunger Games movie -- Catching Fire -- has been getting good reviews. 12 Years A Slave -- the historical story based on the life of Solomon Northup, who was from Saratoga Springs -- has been getting fantastic reviews. Also getting praise: Dallas Buyers Club. Though they've been out for a while, Gravity is really good and the new Thor movie is fun. And opening Thursday: The Book Thief and Black Nativity.

Miracle on 34th Street
This week's Movies and Mimosa film at the Saratoga Bow Tie Cinema is Miracle on 34th Street. Saturday and Sunday at 11 am - $5.50 tickets / $2 mimosa

Muscle Shoals
The Saratoga Film Forum is screening Muscle Shoals, a documentary about the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, the Alabama studio where greats from Wilson Picket and Aretha Franklin to The Rolling Stones and Paul Simon have been lured to record. Friday at 7:30pm, Sunday at 3pm

A Christmas Carol
The Dickens classic opens this weekend at Capital Rep. Friday 8pm, Saturday 3pm & 8pm, Sunday 2pm - $20 and up

Comedy

Spontaneous Broadway
Friday: The Mop and Bucket Company makes up a Broadway show at the Underground at Proctors, complete with music, props and costumes, based on audience suggestions. Friday 8 pm - $14, $6 for students and seniors

Music

Friday-Sunday: We Will Rock You at Proctors
The Queen musical is at Proctors for four shows in three days. various times - $20 and up

Friday: Grainbelt at Valentine's
The 14th or 15th annual day-after Thanksgiving show. 6 pm

Friday: The Franklin Electric at Helsinki Hudson
Indie pop folk from Montreal. 9 pm - $10 ahead / $12 day of

Saturday: Nellie McKay at Helsinki Hudson
She's hard to describe -- sort of Broadway cabaret inflected by rap, jazz and a whole bunch of other musical styles. And Doris Day. 9 pm - $25 ahead / $30 at door

Saturday: Irish Christmas with Eileen Ivers at Troy Music Hall
Virtuoso Celtic fiddler. 7:30 pm - $20 and up

Saturday: No Pepper Fest at Valentine's
"Heavy duty mayhem on both floors." 5 pm

Sunday: Sean Rowe at Caffe Lena
A chance to see him up close. 7 pm - $18

Devils Hockey
The Albany Devils are at home at the TU Center this weekend. Friday at 7pm and Saturday at 5pm.

Museums
Got people in town and need to take them somewhere? You might hit up a museum. The Albany Institute (see the mummies), miSci (the train exhibit is opening), the State Museum, MASS MoCA, the Arkell, and the Baseball Hall of Fame are all open Friday and the weekend.

Great Train Extravaganza
Saturday: Model train sales, exhibits and seminars at the Great Train Extravaganza at the Empire State Convention Center. Sunday 10am to 4pm - $7 for adults, pre-teens free with an adult.

Local holiday shopping

The Shop at The Arts Center
Saturday: The Arts Center of the Capital Region has opened it's annual holiday shop. You can shop gifts from local artists and crafters at The Arts Center. Saturday 11am - 3pm

TightKnit
Saturday: The TightKnit handmade holiday market is in the Fear Building atrium on Saturdays through December. Saturday 9 am - 2 pm

Saratoga Craft Marketplace
Local crafters and vendors at the 38th annual Holiday Craft Marketplace at the Saratoga City Center. Saturday 10am to 4pm - $5 admission benefits the Saratoga Center for the Family

Dickens Holiday Festival
Shopping in an English market at Longfellows Inn and Restaurant's Dickens Holiday Market. Food tastings, strolling carolers and Dickens characters. Sunday 11am to 4pm - $8 adults / 8 and under are free

Holiday Fun

Festival of Trees
The annual Festival of Trees starts on Friday at 32 & 44 Washington Avenue in Schenectady. Friday, 9am to 8pm, Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 4 pm $5, $2 Ages 6-12, 5 and under -Free.

Capital Holiday Lights in the Park
The Capital Holiday Light Display in Washington Park begins on Friday. You can stop at the lake house and go shopping or visit with Santa. Fridays and Saturdays from 6-10 pm - admission prices are $15.00 per car, $25.00 for 10-18 passenger vehicle

Farmers' markets
The farmers markets are a good place to find something interesting to make or bring to Thanksgiving. Markets are open in Troy (Saturday at the Atrium), Saratoga (Saturday at the Lincoln Baths in Spa State Park), Schenectady (Sunday at Proctors), and the Spa City Farmers Market -- at the Lincoln Baths in Saratoga Springs (Sunday at the Lincoln Baths).

Stuff The Sleigh 5K
The Stuff the Sleigh 5K is an opportunity to burn off a few of those Thanksgiving calories while raising money for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. The race starts on Saturday morning at 10am at The Corning Preserve. Registration fees: $20, $25, $30

Get a tree
If you're looking for a real Christmas tree, here are some places to look.

Enjoy time with family and friends
Because that's what it's all about, isn't it?

The Troy Music Hall and MopCo advertise on AOA.

Nellie McKay photo: Amy T. Zielinski | Sean Rowe photo: Marius Bugge