Stuff to do this weekend
The Tesla coil music show ArcAttack is at Proctors Friday night. (That guy probably has the worst trouble with static cling.)
Roll out the red carpet and call the paparazzi -- it's the weekend!
If you're looking for a way to bid a fond (or not so fond) farewell to February, you may find something that suits you after the jump. From Oscar-nominated short films to musical Tesla coils, from PechaKucha to roller derby -- there's a lot to choose from this week. Pick your favorite, put on your wool socks and go forth and have fun.
Got something planned that you don't see here? 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 the 8th anniversary of Troy Night Out. Here are a few things you can check out in the collar city:
+ 1st Playable Productions is offering tours of its interactive game studio. You can try the latest games and participate in an interactive Minecraft exhibit.
+ Tech Valley Center of Gravity is offering free tours and demonstrations all evening.
+ The Rensselaer County Historical Society is opening a new exhibit: Hoarding History: What the Museum Collects. The exhibit includes 100 recent acquisitions and considers the process RCHS goes through in acquiring items that help tell the county's history.
Tesla coils... and music
Friday: An act called ArcAttack is at Proctors. Blurbage:
The six-man crew is joined by two custom-engineered Tesla coils that throw out electrical arcs up to twelve feet long, each one acting as an electronic instrument. A robotic drum set accompanies the spectacle, its high-power LEDs flashing with bright colors at the stroke of each mechanically actuated stick. Live instrumentals combine with drum loops and samples to produce rock, electronica and indie rhythms with a splash of punk and a dash of metal served alongside a dash of pop.
During the show, the emcee engages both the crowd and the Tesla Coils by walking through a half million volts and sparks, wearing a specially-designed suit.
See also: ArcAttack performing the Doctor Who theme -- because of course they did. Friday 7 pm - $9 / $7 kids / one kid in free with each paying adult
A burlesque tribute to Clerks
Friday: The C. Amanda Boutahorse's Cult Classics burlesque series returns to The Hanger in Troy for a burlesque tribute to the Kevin Smith movie Clerks. Friday 9pm - $12
PechaKucha
The Opalka Gallery at Sage College of Albany will host the Capital Region's first offical PechaKucha night (as mentioned). PechKucha is a rapid presentation method in which a speaker gives a talk using 20 slides that are displayed for 20 seconds each. The Sage event is being held in connection with the the current Opalka exhibit, Perceptions: Sage College of Albany Art + Design Faculty Show. Friday 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Roller Derby
Saturday: The Albany All Stars take on the Lunachicks from Geneva at the Washington Avenue Armory. Saturday 6 pm - $12 / $4 kids under 12
Saratoga Home and Lifestyle Show
Friday-Sunday: 120 exhibitors with home improvement, recreation, landscaping, food and lifestyle products will be set up this weekend at the Saratoga City Center for the annual Saratoga Home and Lifestyle Show. Friday through Sunday - $6 adults, $1 kids
QFest
Friday-Sunday: Proctors' annual LBGT film festival -- Q Fest -- returns for another year. This year's slate of films and events includes the documentary Fagbug Nation, and the French film Blue is the Warmest Color. Friday-Sunday various times - $9 / $6 students each film / $40 festival pass
Film
The Palace, now digital
Saturday: The Palace is celebrating the arrival of its new digital projector by showing three films: Despicable Me 2 (2 pm - free, but ticket required), Shakespeare in Love (5 pm - $5), and Argo (8 pm - $5).
Oscar-nominated shorts
Just in time for Sunday's Academy Awards, The Spectrum is screening this year's Oscar-nominated live action and animated short films. various times
The Grapes of Wrath
Friday: The NYS Writers Institute's classic film series is screening John Ford's 1940 version of Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, followed by a discussion moderated by UAlbany history professor Kendra Smith-Howard. Friday 7 pm, Page Hall on the downtown UAlbany Campus - free
On the Waterfront
The Movies and Mimosa film this week at the Bowtie in Saratoga is On The Waterfront. Saturday and Sunday at 11 am - $5.50 film / $2 mimosa
Dr. Strangelove
The Insomnia Theater film at the Saratoga Bowtie is Dr. Strangelove. Friday and Saturday 11:30 pm - $5.50
Madison
This week at The Madison: Lawrence of Arabia, Ghandi, American Beauty, Shrek 1 & 2. various times
Oscar Night celebrations
Oscar Night at Proctors
Sunday: Proctors is showing the Oscars on the big screen in the GE Theater with a red carpet, cash bar, trivia and prizes. Sunday 6pm - free
Film Forum Red Carpet cocktail party
The Saratoga Film Forum is hosting a red carpet fundraising cocktail party on Oscar night from at The Merry Monk in Saratoga Springs with Belgian appetizers and drinks. You can stay to watch the Oscars or just come for the pre-show party. 6-8 pm - $50 per person / invites available by calling 518-584-FILM or emailing films@saratogafilmforum.org
Museums
Butterflies
The indoor butterfly house is open this weekend at miSci.
Decoding the Boxes
John Taylor, one of the world's experts on ancient Egyptian coffins, will be at the Albany Institute of History and Art Sunday for a lecture on how those coffins changed and what the scenes and hieroglyphs on those coffins can teach us about the beliefs and lives of ancient Egyptians. Sunday 2 pm - free with museum admission
Theater
Coriolanus
The Spectrum has added an extra screening of the London National Theater production of Coriolanus, starring Tom Hiddleston. Sunday at noon - $15, $12 for kids 12 and under
King Lear
Hubbard Hall in Cambridge opens a new production of Shakespeare's King Lear this weekend. Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 2pm - $25
Spring Awakening
UAlbany's Theater Department opens a production of Spring Awakening this weekend at the Performing Arts Center on the uptown campus. Friday 7 pm, Sunday 2 pm - $20 / $18 students and seniors
Figaro
Curtain Call Theater presents Figaro, an adaptation of the sequel to The Barber of Seville. Friday & Saturday 8 pm
In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)
The Theater Institute at The Sage Colleges presents Sarah Ruhl's play In the Next Room, about the history of the vibrator and how it was used by doctors to treat "hysteria" in women. Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 2 pm - $15 / $12 students and seniors
Comedy
Theatersports
The Mop & Bucket Company is back at Proctors Underground on Friday night with its TheaterSports competition -- in which teams of improvisors compete based on audience suggestions. (Think Whose Line is it Anyway?) Friday at 8pm - $14 / $6 students and seniors.
Music
Friday: Blockhouses at The Low Beat
Featuring Guy Lyons, a former member of The Figgs. With: The Piggies, Party Boat. 8 pm - $10
Friday: Eastbound Jesus at Putnam Den
Northern rock. With: Waylon Speed. 9:30 pm - $10
Friday: Garnet Rogers at Caffe Lena
Canadian folk singer/songwriter. With: Sally Barris. 8 pm - $20
Friday: The Midtown Men show at The Palace has been cancelled.
Saturday: Itzhak Perlman at Proctors
The famous violinist on the Proctors main stage. 8 pm - $20 and up
Saturday: Albany Symphony Orchestra at Troy Music Hall
The ASO will be performing Beethoven's Third Symphony and other works. Also playing Sunday at 3 pm. 7:30 pm - $19 and up
Saturday: Northern Faces at The Hollow
With: Hand Habits, Maryleigh Roohan. 8 pm - $10
Saturday Ryder & Hazel with The Dust Bowl Fairies and Swamp Baby at Steamer 10
"Ethereal quartet, led by inter-disciplinary artist, musician and performer Ryder Cooley, will share a thrilling, avant folk double bill with Swamp Baby." 8pm - $13
Sunday: North Mississippi Allstars at Helsinki Hudson
Blues/southern rock. 8 pm - $25 ahead / $30 day
Sunday: White Denim at Nanola
Rock from Austin. Tickets only available through WEQX. 2 pm
Sunday: That 1 Guy at Red Square
One-man act -- plays the "Magic Pipe, a monstrosity of metal, strings, and electronics, facilitates the dynamic live creation of music and magic." 7 pm - $12 ahead / $15 day of
Nine Pin Cider Grand Opening
Friday: Nine Pin Cider in Albany is holding a grand opening celebration and open house at its cidery on Broadway. Friday from 3 pm to 7 pm.
Chili cook Off
Sunday: Rocks in Albany is hosting a chili cook-off to benefit the Our Brothers Keepers Foundation. Sunday noon to 3 pm -$15
Wrestling
Friday-Saturday: The New York State High School Wrestling Championships are the TU Center Friday and Saturday, so there will be crowds around the arena both days.
Hoop
Sunday: The Siena men's basketball team takes on Monmouth at the TU Center. It's the Saints' last home game of the season. Sunday 2 pm - $12 and up
Corey Aldrich
Sunday: There's a fundraiser at the Confectionery for Corey Aldrich, a key person in the Capital Region's local arts and fashion scene. The money raised will help with medical bills from an accident. "Enjoy an evening of performance and fellowship as we help raise some funds to help Corey get back on his feet. Entertainment will include Musical Performance by C. Ryder Cooley, Short Plays and Stories by Richard Lovrich and a rare reading by Michael Oatman of his new childrens book, Tiny Pie." Also: a silent auction of work from local artists. Sunday 6-10 pm - $25
Ice skating
Empire State Plaza
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. This Friday is the last Rock and Skate and features Garland Nelson from 6pm to 8pm. Free to skate, skate rental is $4 adults / $3 kids / free on Friday
Schodack Island State Park
Every Friday night you can ice skate under the lights in Schodack Island State Park. Weather permitting, check before you go. 5 pm to 8 pm - free, skate rentals are available for $2
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 Mop & Bucket Company, Albany Institute, The Spectrum, and miSci advertise on AOA.
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Comments
Don't forget Greg Sestero's appearance at The Linda on Saturday night. He gives his take on what it was like to be in and part of "The Room"...aka "the greatest bad movie ever made."
... said JMcL on Feb 28, 2014 at 11:23 AM | link
Also - REEFER MADNESS the Musical is playing tonight and next weekend at Steamer 10 in Albany.
Based off the cult classic movie, Reefer Madness is a terrible (and terribly funny) warning to the parents of America about the new drug menace, marijuana. It tells the story of young Jimmy Harper, his love for Mary Lane, and their descent into the vile world of reefer, premarital sex and jazz music! 8pm 2/27, 2/28, 3/7, & 3/8; 3pm 3/9
Steamer 10 Theatre
500 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203
518.438.5503. $14 in advance
... said John on Feb 28, 2014 at 2:40 PM | link
Rusticator is playing @ Cafe Nola tonight in Schnectady.
Rusticator is an acoustic band with an Americana spirit. The four piece group consists of acoustic guitar, fiddle, upright bass, and stripped-down percussion, creating an energetic blend of original songs and sing-along covers. Inspired by the alt. country sound of bands like Wilco and The Avett Bros. Rusticator's influences stretch far beyond the outlaw country genre. Expect to be charmed by thought-provoking and toe-tapping originals; plus covers from your favorites - including The Beatles and The Grateful Dead.
... said Stephen on Mar 1, 2014 at 10:06 AM | link