All Over Albany

The week ahead

Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this week, from the weather (very summer), to the World Cup, to Eve of Destruction, to garden touring, to strawberries, to the Saratoga Jazz Festival, to all sorts of music...

Weather

Here's the paraphrased forecast for this week:

Monday: Sunny and mid 80s.

Tuesday: Sunny, but maybe a shower in the afternoon. Breezy. Mid 80s.

Wednesday: Cloudy, probably some rain, maybe a thunderstorm. Mid 80s.

Thursday: Sunny and 80.

Friday: Repeat.

Weekend: Again, but even a bit warmer.

Very summer.

Ballpark

Monday-Tuesday: The ValleyCats are at The Joe for two games before heading back out on the road. Monday is "Night of Champions," celebrating the team's title from last year -- the first 1,500 fans will get "a desktop replica of the ValleyCats 2013 New York-Penn League championship ring." Monday and Tuesday 7 pm

Eve of Destruction

Tuesday: Eve of Destruction returns to the Lebanon Valley Speedway. The blurbage seems to capture it well:

Extreme Night Of Carnage-Mayhem-Explosions & More!! We Will Have School Bus Races, A Trailer Race, A Reverse Race, A Hood & Trunk Race, A Roll Over Contest, A Gauntlet Race, Truck Tug of War, Purestock Race, 4-Cylinders & A Demolition Derby!!!

Tuesday 7 pm - $14 / age 11 and under $5

World Cup

The World Cup continues this week as teams finish out group play. The US team next plays against Germany on Thursday at noon -- a win or a tie and it advances. You know, that's looking like a great day for a long lunch... Here are a few good places to catch the games.

Hidden City House and Garden Tour

Thursday: The annual Hidden City House and Garden Tour will be giving people a peek at some of the historic homes and gardens in Albany's Center Square neighborhood. Thursday 5-8 pm - $20

Strawberries

Strawberry season is here, and we're heading into the peak of it. There are a bunch of places around the Capital Region to pick your own. (Or, buy them from the farm stand.)

Saratoga Jazz Festival

Saturday-Sunday: The Saratoga Jazz Festival returns to SPAC. This year's lineup includes Earth, Wind & Fire, Trombone Shorty, Terence Blanchard, Dave Holland Prism, Patti Austin, Jon Batiste & Stay Human, Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra, Quinn Sullivan, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and others. Saturday-Sunday at noon - $60

Old Songs

Friday-Sunday: The Old Songs Festival is at the Altamont Fairgrounds -- folk, traditional, Celtic, world music and dance. Also, there are workshops with performers, a craft show, vendors for food and instruments, and kids activities. Friday-Sunday - various prices

Music

Monday: Johnnyswim at The Egg
7:30 pm - $24
Soul/folk pop. 7:30 pm - $24

Tuesday: Beck at MASS MoCA
Outside at the museum. With: The GOASTT. 8:30 pm - $50 ahead / $54 day of

Tuesday: Diana Ross at The Palace
The one and only. 8 pm - $58 and up

Tuesday: Fall Out Boy + Paramore at SPAC
Pop punk. With: New Politics. 7 pm - $26 and up

Wednesday: George Thorogood & The Destroyers at Empire State Plaza
With: Scotty Mac & the Rockin Bonnevilles, Fifth on the Floor. Update: Moved indoors to the ESP convention center. 5 pm - free

Wednesday: American Idol Live Tour 2014 at TU Center cancelled
Finalists from season 13 of the show. 7:30 - $39 and up

Wednesday: Blues for Breakfast at Rockin' on the River postponed to September 3
"Grateful Americana." 5 pm - free

Thursday: Dwele at Alive at Five
R&B night. With: MIRK. 5 pm - free

Thursday: Ester Rada at The Linda
Soul. 8 pm - $15

Friday: The Revelations at Helsinki Hudson
Soul. With: Simi Stone. 9 pm - $15

Friday: Alan Evans at The Hollow
Soul. 8 pm - $12 ahead / $15 day of

Saturday: Rusted Root at Upstate Concert Hall
Still kicking. With: The Lucky Jukebox Brigade. 8 pm - $18 ahead / $20 day of

Saturday: Swamp Baby + The Dustbowl Faeries at Helsinki Hudson
"Night of avante chamber-pop." With: Two Cats in Suits. 8 pm - $10 ahead / $12 day of

Saturday: MIRK at The Hollow
Album release show. 8 pm - $10 ahead / $15 day of

Sunday: Michael Jackson Experience at The Palace
"Unique tribute to Michael Jackson." 7 pm - $29.50 and up

Sunday: Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion at Caffe Lena
Folk. 7 pm - $18
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These are a just a few things for this week, not a comprehensive list. Know of something people should be looking forward to this week? Please share!

Live Nation, NYS OGS, the City of Albany Office of Special Events, Old Songs, and Historic Albany advertise on AOA.

photo via Beck FB