Stuff to do this weekend
Nothing says farewell to summer like a good toss of the caber.
Yes, we have a few more weeks of official summer, but unofficially, folks, this is it. Pretty soon the swimming pools and ice cream stands will give way to pumpkin picking and cider donuts. The take home: get out there and soak in some summer this weekend.
AOA is taking one last summer Friday. But after the jump, we've pulled together a few things we thought might interest you. Got something planned that didn't make the list? Drop it in the comments and let the rest of us know.
And whatever you're up to, have a fantastic Labor Day weekend!
Scottish Games
Saturday-Sunday: The Capital District Scottish Games return to the Altamont Fairgrounds. You know, in case you want to see some lads toss some cabers. Also: demonstrations, dancers, and music (including pipe bands). Saturday $18 ($22 at the gate), Sunday $10 ($12 at the gate)
The Track
Track season wraps up on Monday at the Saratoga Race Course. Saturday and Sunday is the Final Stretch Festival. Saturday is the Woodward Stakes, a Grade 1 stakes race.
Final Stretch Weekend
As this is the last weekend of Track season, downtown Saratoga Spring is hosting its annual Final Stretch Festival to celebrate the close of the season. There will be bands playing on the sidewalk all over the city. Saturday and Sunday nights starting at 7pm - free
County fairs
County fair season wraps up around the Capital Region this weekend with three fairs -- all of them close on Monday:
+The Fonda Fair at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds
+The Columbia County Fair at the fairgrounds in Chatham
+ The Schaghticoke Fair at the fairgrounds in (surprise) Schaghticoke.
Troy Night Out
Friday is the last Troy Night Out of the summer. On the list of things to check out:
+ Mop & Bucket Company -- the improv comedy troupe -- is playing two free improv shows at The Arts Center of the Capital Region. 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets available at The Arts Center front desk after 5 PM on TNO.
+ A giant sidewalk sale at stores all around the Collar City
+ Brown's is hosting a scotch tasting
Theater
Man From Nebraska
Albany Civic Theater opens its first production of the new season, Tracy Letts' The Man from Nebraska.
Film
"Here's lookin' at you, kid"
Friday: The last of the Friday Night Flicks, Casablanca, will be shown on the lawn at West Capitol Park in Albany. The movie is free and AOA is providing free popcorn to the first 150 people. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair. Friday 8 pm - free
"My name is Inigo Montoya..."
The Cine Classic at The Bow Tie Cinema in Saratoga Springs this weekend is The Princess Bride. Saturday and Sunday at 11 am
Who ya gonna call?
The Bow Tie in Saratoga Springs is screening the original Ghostbusters this weekend in honor of the 30th anniversary of the film.
"Bond. James Bond."
The Madison Theater in Albany is having a mini James Bond Festival this weekend, with screenings of Goldfinger, Casino Royal, Golden Eye and Live and Let Die.
Drive-ins
+ Jericho: A Labor Day weekend triple feature of Fire and Rescue, Maleficent, and Ninja Turtles.
+ Hollywood: How to Train Your Dragon 2 /Maleficent
+ Malta: triple features on both screens
Screen 1: Guardians of the Galaxy / Lucy/ Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Screen 2 : Maleficent / Ninja Turtles / Hercules
Baseball
Friday and Saturday: The last home stand of the ValleyCats season wraps up this weekend with games Friday and Saturday at The Joe.
Saratoga Polo
Friday and Sunday: Saratoga Polo hosts its last matches of the season. Friday and Saturday, matches starts at 5:30 pm - $20-$50
Music
Friday: Jason Aldean at SPAC
Big country star. With: Florida Georgia Line. 7 pm - $40.50 and up
Friday: Train at Tanglewood
Pop rock. 7 pm - $27.50 and up
Friday: Roomful of Teeth at MASS MoCA
Grammy-winning vocal ensemble. 8 pm - $15 ahead / $20 day of
Friday: Melli and the Sparks at The Hollow
Alt rock. 8 pm - $5
Saturday: Jorma Kaukonen at Helsinki Hudson
Blues/folk/rock guitarist. 9 pm - $35
Saturday: Thumpers at The Hollow
Alt pop. With: Accents. 7:30 pm - free (it's an EQX show)
Saturday: MaryLeigh Roohan at Caffe Lena
Singer/songwriter. 8 pm - $15
Saturday: This Renaissance + Stellar Young at Putnam Den
Album release show for This Renaissance. And Stellar Young has a Kickstarter for its next album. With: So Last Year, City Under Siege, Good Guys Bad Guys. 8 pm - free
Saturday: Corrin Campbell at The Low Beat
Also a sergeant in the US Army. With: Two Guys. 8 pm
Sunday: Tony Bennett at Tanglewood
Recently turned 88. 2:30 pm - $25 and up
Sunday: Steely Dan at SPAC
A pavilion-only show. 7:30 pm - $49 and up
Sunday: David Wax Museum at Caffe Lena
Not an actual museum. Probably not made of wax, either. 7 pm - $22
Food
Friday: Price Chopper's Market Bistro in Latham is hosting a Lobster cooking class. On the menu, lobster nachos "with an Asian flair," lobster corn chowder, and baked stuffed half lobster. Friday 6pm - $60
Museums
A few local exhibits are closing in the next couple of weeks:
Grossology
miSci's Grossology exhibit is open for a few more weeks. Digestion, organs, and stinky gunk to play with, including interactive games and larger-than-life exhibits about the science of the human body. Saturday 9 am-5 pm and Sunday noon-5 pm
Ansel Adams/ Edward Hopper
The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls continues its exhibition of later works by photographer Ansel Adams, and a show featuring Edward Hopper and some of his contemporaries.
Albany Institute
The Albany Institute of History and Art's Small and Seductive contemporary art exhibit is up for a few more weeks, as is its Summer Exposure photography exhibit.
The Clark
The much-anticipated expansion of The Clark Art Institute -- designed by architect Tadao Ando -- is now open. The Clark is in Williamstown, about an hour's drive east of Albany. If you're headed that way, you might think about a combo ticket for The Clark, MASS MoCA, and the Williams College Museum of Art.
Berkshire Botanical Gardens
The Berkshire Botanical Gardens are a lovely place to to wander or have a picnic.
Corn maze
A walk through a corn maze is a sure sign that autumn is arriving soon. Fort Ticonderoga's Corn Maze Adventure is now open. You can wander through the maize maze looking for history and clues. 10 am-5 pm daily
Garden Party
Sunday: The annual Columbia-Greene Garden Party to benefit The AIDS Council of Northeastern New York is this weekend at the historic Ludlow House in Claverack. Sunday from 3-6 pm - $75.
Swimming
Many of the Capital Region's pools and beaches close after this weekend. Here's a handful of places to swim.
Hit the beach
Time is running out. If you need your ocean fix, here are some of the closest places to get it.
Check out a state park
Visit a local state park, like Cherry Plain, Moreau, Grafton Lakes or Peebles Island.
Farmers' Markets
Outdoor farmers' markets should be flush with produce:
+ The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market will be on River Street in downtown Troy Saturday morning.
+ The Saratoga Farmers' Market is at the High Rock Park pavilions on Saturday.
+ The Delmar Farmers Market is at Bethlehem Central Middle School on Saturday.
+ The Schenectady Greenmarket is around Schenectady City on Sunday.
+ The Spa City Farmers' Market will be on the front lawn of the Lincoln Baths Sunday.
Live Nation advertises on AOA, and AOA is a media sponsor for the NYSOGS Friday Night Flicks outdoor film series.
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