All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Hey, guess what! There are just seven weekends left until spring. But right now we have a winter weekend ahead of us, filled with chowder and ice races, theater, music and museums.

After the jump, a few things we thought might interest you. Got something else planned? Drop it in the comments and let the rest of us know about it.

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

Troy Night Out
Friday is Troy Night Out -- the first one of the year. Shops and restaurants are open late with music, art, and performances. The Photography Center on River Street is holding a Best of 2013 exhibition, the Tech Valley Center of Gravity is hosting an open house, and The Arts Center of the Capital Region debuts two new large-scale sculptures created by San Wook Lee for the space -- one made entirely out of Ramen noodles.

Chowderfest
The annual Saratoga Chowderfest is this Saturday in downtown Saratoga Springs. Sample chowders from more than 40 area restaurants -- $1 a 3-ounce taste -- and vote for your favorite. (And here's a map of family-friendly events at Chowderfest, over at Mamatoga.) 1 1am to 4 pm

Winterfest Saratoga
In conjunction with Chowderfest, Saratoga's 17th Annual Winterfest is this weekend. Events include a candlelight ski and snowshoe, concerts, a wine tasting, and a craft fair. More details.

Winter Carnival
This is opening weekend for the Lake George Winter Carnival. This weekend's events include the opening ceremonies, outhouse races, a chili cook-off, a giant snow slide, fireworks over the lake ,and a bonfire on the beach. Here's the full schedule. The carnival continues every weekend in February.

Ice skating
The ice skating rink on the ESP has a very high fun:cost ratio. It's open all weekend from 11 am to 8 pm, weather permitting -- be sure to check before heading out. $4 adults / $3 kids / free on Friday

And this Saturday, Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes will be there for a skating demonstration/public skate/meet and greet. Saturday 11 am - noon

Theater

The Mountaintop
The Mountaintop, Katori Hall's play imagining a discussion from the last night of Martin Luther King Jr's life, continues this weekend at Capital Rep. (Here's a TU review.) It runs through February 9. Friday-Sunday various times - $20 and up

"You are too twisted for color TV"
The The Local Actors Guild of Saratoga's production of Steel Magnolias opens this weekend at The Arts Center of Saratoga on Broadway. Saturday at 2 pm & 8 pm, Sunday at 7:30 pm

Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure
Schenectady Civic presents the last great case of Sherlock Holmes and Watson this weekend. Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2:30pm - $15

Good People
Curtain Call Theater presents David Lindsay-Abaire's Good People. Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm - $23

Film

"Don't drive angry"
This weekend's Insomnia Theater flick at the Bow Tie in Saratoga is Groundhog Day. Friday and Saturday at 11:30pm

Bueller and Blutarsky
The re-opened Madison Theater is showing Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Animal House this weekend. Also Conan -- both the Barbarian and the Destroyer.

Cyclo
The NYS Writers Institute classic film series starts up again on Friday with Cyclo -- the first Vietnamese film to be nominated for an Oscar. Friday at 7:30, UAlbany downtown campus, Page Hall - free

Oscar season
A number of the Best Picture nominees are playing locally, in case you want to see them before the Oscars and decide for yourself.

Comedy

Theatersports
The Mop & Bucket Company is back at Proctors Underground on Friday night with their TheaterSports competition -- where teams of improvisors compete based on audience suggestions. Think, Whose Line is it Anyway? Friday at 8pm - $14, $6 students and seniors

Hoop

Great Danes
The UAlbany men's basketball team takes on Vermont at SEFCU Arena on Saturday 7:30 pm - $5 and up

Saints
The Siena men's basketball team takes on Quinnipiac at the TU Center Saturday. 7 pm - $12 and up

Hockey
The Albany Devils are at home against Bridgeport Friday at the TU Center. 7 pm - $13.50 - $25

Music

Friday: The So So Glos at The Hollow
Indie punk. A free show thanks to EQX. With: The Slaughterhouse Chorus. 8 pm

Friday: Sonny Landreth & Cindy Cashdollar at The Egg
Slide guitarists. 8 pm - $28

Friday-Saturday: Eastbound Jesus at Red Square
The local "northern rock" group will be recording a live album over the course of two nights. With: Floodwood. 8 pm - $10 ahead / $12 day of

Friday: Albany Pro Musica High School Choral Festival at Troy Music Hall
Six high school choirs and the the Empire State Youth Orchestra Repertory Orchestra. 7:30 pm - $10

Friday:Ellis Paul at Caffe Lena
Singer/Songwriter in the tradition of Woodie Guthrie and Pete Seeger. 8 pm - $24

Saturday: Kathy Mattea at Troy Music Hall
A figure in country music for almost four decades. 8 pm - $20 and up

Saturday: Rock of Ages at Proctors
80s rock and hair band musical, on the main stage. 3 pm and 8 pm - $20 and up

Saturday: Drum Battle featuring Michael Benedict & Bopitude at The Egg
Featuring a lineup of guest drummers, culminating in a drum "battle." 7:30 pm - $20

Saturday: Beat*Shot Spins for J Dilla at The Hollow
Annual DJ show celebrating the producer J Dilla, proceeds benefit the J Dilla Foundation. 8 pm - $10

Saturday: Shari Kane & Dave Steele, Michael Jerome Browne at Caffe Lena
Blues. 8 pm - $18

Saturday: YellowJackets at Proctors
University of Rochester a cappella group. "And yes, their concert attire does include a yellow blazer." 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm - $25 / $20 students

Saturday: The Brain Cloud at MASS MoCA
"Gypsy jazz dipped in big band swing" dance party. 8 pm - $15 / $10 students

Saturday: Mayarhythms at Saint Rose
The College of Saint Rose presents Mayarhythms, a celebration of Maya Angelou with actors, singers and dancers from around the Capital Region along with students from Saint Rose, Albany High and Myers Middle School. Saturday at 7:30pm at Saint Joseph's Hall

Huyck Preserve Winter Festival
Guided snow shoe hikes, wildlife presentations and an ice luge are part of the Huyck Preserve's annual winter festival. Saturday from 1 pm to 4 pm - free

Winter Woods Snowshoe Exploration
Saturday: Fort Ticonderoga's horticulture director leads a snowshoe hike on the trail leading from the fort through the forested landscape sharing information about history and nature along the two mile excursion. 2 pm - $10

Couples Cooking Basics
Friday: A hands-on cooking basics class for couples at Gio Culinary Studio. "Student couples will learn to prepare a full dinner while working together, using professional and classic techniques that are easily duplicated at home." 6 pm - $110 (for two people)

Farmers' markets
Indoor 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).

The Arts Center, Capital Rep, and Troy Music Hall advertise on AOA.