All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Welcome to spring. The first full day and the first weekend. No, the tulips are nowhere near in bloom, but the ice cream stands are opening, so that's something.

After the jump you'll find our list of ways to spend the first weekend of the new season. Got something else planned? Share it with the crowd.

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

Capital District Garden & Flower Show
Friday-Sunday: Proof that it's actually spring: The Capital District Garden and Flower Show returns to Hudson Valley Community College this weekend. Blooming flowers, gardens, demonstrations, exhibitors and vendors. Friday 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday 10 am to 7 pm, Sunday 10 am to 5 pm - $12 at the door

Old Is New Consignment Sale In Albany
Friday-Sunday: St. Sophia's Greek Orthodox Church on Whitehall Road in Albany is hosting the Old is New Sale. The consignment event will have women's, men's, and junior's clothing and accessories as well as furniture and home decor items. Friday from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Saturday 8 am to 3 pm, Sunday (half price sale) 11 am to 2 pm

Craft New York Beer Festival
Saturday: The Craft New York Beer Festival will be at the Desmond in Colonie. Sample over 60 selections from 30 New York State craft brewers as well as food pairings. Saturday 5-8 pm - $40 in advance/ $50 at the door / designated Drivers $15

Roller Derby

Hellions of Troy Roller Derby
The Hellions of Troy season opener is this Saturday at Rollarama in Schenectady. (Seating is limited, but you can bring your own chair.) Saturday 7 pm - $12 at the door, 12 and under $5

Albany All Stars Roller Derby
The Albany All Stars have a bout on Sunday afternoon at the Washington Avenue Armory. Live music by The Pistolwhips. doors open at 1 pm, bout at 2pm - $12 at door, under 12 $4

Comedy

Mike Birbiglia
Friday: Comedian/storyteller/actor/writer/director/This American Life regular Mike Birbiglia will be at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall for a show. His current tour is titled "Thank God for Jokes." Blurbage: "Mike Birbiglia returns to the stage with more painfully awkward stories about telling jokes ... and how that can get you in trouble. Join Birbiglia as he visits Cats-a-chusetts, argues with someone about their nut allergy, hosts an awards show for angry celebrities, and learns that Fozzie Bear is a tough act to follow." Friday 8 pm - $29 and up

Rain Pryor
Saturday: Richard Pryor's daughter Rain performs at RJ Ritz Terrace in Schenectady. Saturday 8pm. $20

Theatersports
Friday: The Mop & Bucket Company is back at Proctors Underground on Friday night with a new season of TheaterSports -- in which teams of improvisors compete based on audience suggestions. (Think Whose Line is it Anyway?) Friday at 8pm - $14 / $6 students and seniors.

Improv Jam
Saturday: MopCo is hosting an Improv Jam at MopCo World Headquarters (309 Union Street, Schenectady). Come watch the process and, if you're so moved, give it a try yourself. Saturday 8 pm - $5

Theater

Gypsy
The Sondheim/Arthur Laurents musical based on the life of Gypsy Rose Lee continues this weekend at Capital Rep. The show features Broadway veterans and a number of talented actors from the Capital Region, including Benita Zahn and George Franklin. Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 3 pm and 8 pm, Sunday 2 pm

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Schenectady Light Opera Company opens its production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, about a middle school spelling bee. Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 2 pm - $18-$28 (Friday's show is followed by an opening night party)

The Understudy
Schenectady Civic opens a production of The Understudy, a comedy about a movie star and her ex-fiance who are trying to move into legitimate theater. Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 2:30

Urinetown
CR Productions at Cohoes Music Hall's production of Urinetown, the Tony-winning satirical musical about a town where a water shortage drives a ban on private toilets, closes this weekend. Friday & Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 3 pm - $25-$25

King Lear
Hubbard Hall in Cambridge presents Shakespeare's King Lear this weekend. Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 2pm - $25

Figaro
Curtain Call Theater presents Figaro, an adaptation of the sequel to The Barber of Seville. Friday & Saturday 8 pm

Film

Zombie thriller weekend
If you don't want to sleep this weekend, check out the list of zombie and thriller flicks at The Madison.Zombieland, Evil Dead, World War Z and the Hitchcock classic, Psycho.

The Armstrong Lie
The Carey Institute for Global Good is screening The Armstrong Lie, a film that explores Lance Armstrong's fall from grace. The film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring professional cycling expert John Eustice and a Rensselaerville cyclist who competed against Armstrong. Saturday 6:30 pm - $10

Kiss the Water
The Saratoga Film Forum presents the documentary Kiss the Water, about fly-fishing lure creator Megan Boyd, and how she became an artist in her field. Friday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 3 pm

Mean Streets
The Film Forum is also screening Scorsese's Mean Streets as part of its monthly Spring Street Classic series at the Spring Street Gallery in Saratoga. Saturday 7:30 pm - free

The Rabbi's Cat
As part of their Town & Gown series, Skidmore College and the Saratoga Film Forum present the animated French film Le Chat Du Rabbin, the story of a rabbi's cat who eats the family parrot and gains the ability to speak, skewering faith, tradition and authority with sardonic wit. Sunday at 7:30 pm

Museums/Galleries

An Irrepressible Conflict
The State Museum's exhibit about New York State during the Civil War -- An Irrepressible Conflict -- closes this Sunday after its long, extended run.

Butterflies
The indoor butterfly house is open this weekend at miSci.

Music

Friday: Switchfoot at Upstate Concert Hall
Alt rock. With: The Royal Concept. 8 pm - $20 ahead / $22 day of

Friday: Glen David Andrews at Helsinki Hudson
"[J]azzy, horn-laced New Orleans funk and soul." 9 pm - $20 ahead / $22 day of

Friday: Gurf Morlix at Caffe Lena
Longtime Texas songwriter/producer. 8 pm - $18

Friday: Paul McKenna Band at Old Songs
"Scottish folk band with driving guitar & bouzouki, intense fiddle playing & warm paring of flute and whistles." 8pm - $23 adults / $5 kids 12 & under

Saturday: Betty at MASS MoCA
Veteran alt rockers. A performance in conjunction with Darren Waterston's installation "Uncertain Beauty." 8 pm - $12 ahead / $16 day of / $10 students

Saturday:The Phantoms at Steamer 10. Five part old school vocal harmony fun. 8 pm $13 in advance; $15

Sunday: Empire State Youth Orchestra at Troy Music Hall
Playing music by Russian composers, including Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev. 3 pm - $20

Sunday: Low 'n Lonesome at Caffe Lena
"[A] 20-finger pickin' party" for a new CD. 7 pm - $14

Maple Weekend at Sugar Oak Farms
It's sugaring season. Malta's Sugar Oak farms is hosting a sugaring day with tours of its sugaring operation, and sawmill and tapping demonstrations. You can see a variety of different collection methods and sample free maple coffee. Saturday 10 am to 4 pm.

Rockin' to Relocate
The new Cafe Congress (formerly the Hungry Fish) is holding Rockin' to Relocate, a fundraiser for its move to Congress Street, at River Street Pub. Food, raffles and a show by the Mysteios and Shift the Paradigm. Friday 6pm to midnight - $12

Taste of the Capital Region Wine & Food Pairing
RiverStone Manor is hosting a Taste of the Capital Region Food and Wine Pairing with samples from Altamont Winery, Oliva Vineyards and Adirondack winery. Friday 6 pm to 9 pm - $50

Star Party
Landis Arboretum is hosting a public "star party." Members of the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers will be there with telescopes to help you view the night sky. Friday and Saturday, 8:30 pm - free, though donations are accepted

Tour of Proctors
In honor of F.F. Proctor's birthday, Proctors in Schenectady is offering a tour of the historic theater -- including a look backstage and in the dressing rooms, and a demonstration of Goldie, the Wurlitzer organ. Saturday at 10 am - free

Monopoly Tournament
The Visiting Nurse Service Foundation is hosting a Monopoly Tournament this Saturday in Saratoga Springs. Sign in starts at 4:30 with the first 90 minute round beginning at 5pm - $75 per person to play (includes dinner), $50 per person to watch (also includes dinner)

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).

Troy Music Hall, Capital Rep, MopCo and Schenectady Civic advertise on AOA. AOA is a media sponsor of the Albany All Stars