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 (no complaints), to writers, to history, to The Track, to blueberries, to a bunch of big-name music shows...

Weather

Here's the paraphrased forecast for this week:

Monday: Cloudy, maybe rain and a thunderstorm. Low 80s.

Tuesday: Repeat, but a higher chance of rain, could be heavy at times.

Wednesday: Some sun, upper 70s.

Thursday: Sunny and 78.

Friday: Sunny and 81.

Weekend: And so on.

No complaints.

Arts and sciences

Writers Institute
The NYS Summer Writers Institute public reading series continues this week at Skidmore. Among the authors up this week: William Kennedy (Thursday) and Robert Pinsky (Friday). 7 pm in Skidmore's Palamountain Hall - free

Center Square history walk
Wednesday: The Historic Albany "Walkabout Wednesday" series will be in Albany's Center Square neighborhood for a history walking tour. Wednesday 5:30 pm - $10 (reservation required)

Slam
Friday: The Nitty Gritty Poetry Slam will be at The Linda for an event featuring performances from members of the last three Nitty Gritty slam teams. Friday 8 pm - $10

Smokey Joe's Café

Tuesday: Capital Rep opens its production of Smokey Joe's Cafe, a "tribute to legendary rock and roll composers Leiber and Stoller that includes 39 of America's greatest hits, including On Broadway, Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock, Fools Fall In Love, Love Potion #9, and Stand By Me." It runs through August 10. $20 and up

WTF
Opening this Thursday at the Williamstown Theatre Festival: Living on Love, starring Renee Fleming, the world-famous soprano. The cast also includes Justin Long and Anna Chlumsky.

The Track

Friday is opening day for the season at the Saratoga Race Course. (And Sunday is the hat contest.)

As you know, the Track is open Wednesday-Monday each week during the season (no racing on Tuesday). The season concludes on Labor Day.

Blueberries

Blueberry season is well underway in the Capital Region. This is an old list, but it will give you some ideas about places to pick them. Blueberries are easy to pick, and ripe berries just off the blueberry bush are a treat.

Looking ahead to the weekend...

The Troy Pig Out is this Saturday and Sunday.

Music

Wednesday: Justin Timberlake at the TU Center
Noted: Throwing your knickers at him won't get you any extra credit card points. 8 pm - $48 and up

Wednesday: Sarah McLachlan at SPAC
A pavilion-only show. 8 pm - $40.50 and up

Wednesday: HmfO at Rockin' on the River
Hall & Oates tribute. With: Stop Making Sense (Talking Heads tribute). 5 pm - free

Thursday: Eastbound Jesus at Alive at Five
Locals night. Also up: Stellar Young, Hard Soul. 5 pm - free

Thursday: Eastbound Jesus at The Hollow
Celebrating promoter Greg Bell's birthday. Also: Dr. Jah And The Love Prophets, and M.R. Poulpoulis. 8 pm - $10

Friday: The Oh Hellos at Upstate Concert Hall
Folk rock. 8 pm - $12 ahead / $15 at the door

Friday: Hot Club of Saratoga at Upbeat on the Roof
Gypsy jazz. 7 pm - free

Friday: Lucky Jukebox Brigade at The Hollow
They have a new album. 9 pm

Friday: Jes Hudak at Caffe Lena
Around the world, on TV, and back where she got her start. 8 pm - $16

Saturday: James Taylor at SPAC
Back at SPAC for the first time in 11 years. (And a GE Kids-in-Free show.) 8 pm - $40 and up

Saturday: The Parlor at The Hollow
Raising money for a new album. With: Careers, Pony in the Pancake. 8 pm

Sunday: BSO with Joshua Bell at Tanglewood
The world-famous violinist joins the BSO for a program that includes works from Beethoven, Rouse, and Lalo. 2:30 pm - $21 and up

Sunday: Bruno Mars at the TU Center
Originally from Hawaii -- not Mars. 7:30 pm - $43 and up

Sunday: Conjunto Chappotin y Sus Estrellas at Music Haven
Renowned "Son" band from Cuba. With: Maria Zemantauski. 7 pm - free
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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!

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photo via Justin Timberlake FB page