All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

The Capital Region is trying to pack 12 pounds of weekend into a 10-pound bag. There is a lot going on this weekend -- from tug boats to jazz to beer festivals to food festivals, to a food and wine festival, to a cheese tour. The problem is going to be deciding which things you'll be able to squeeze into your weekend. And whether you'll be able to squeeze into your jeans when it's over.

Doing something you don't see here? Drop it in the comments so the rest of us can see.

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

1st Friday
It's the last 1st Friday of the summer in Albany. A few things you may want to check out:
+ Albany Barn's Stage One building is hosting the annual Summer In The City Youth Talent Exhibition featuring art work produced at schools and summer camps in Arbor Hill and other neighborhoods throughout the city.
+ The Machine Creative Coop has glass blowing demonstrations outside the shop and cartoonist Reggie Baker inside.
+ Pine Hills Review launch party at The College of Saint Rose, with readings and a reception.
+ Iron Gate Cafe is hosting its annual Lobster Bake.
+ Upstate Artists Guild is hosting its annual members show.
+ Albany Center Gallery is opening its Fine Craft Show with a 1st Friday reception.
+ The monthly Capital Swing Dance is at 25 South Allen.
+ Jeff Strange is at The University Club
+ Hudson Disco Tek hosts visual artists Margaret Orapello and Ashley Marie Cooper and musical guests Kevin Sullivan, Bryan Mathys, Doug Dulgarian and The Good Vibes.

Troy Craft Beer Week
Troy Craft Beer Week continues through Saturday. It includes specials and events at beer-focused bars/restaurants in downtown Troy, including The Ruck, The Ale House, Brown's, and Rare Form.

The week concludes with the first Troy on Tap festival Saturday in Riverfront Park, from the organizers of Saratoga Beer Week and Saratoga Brewfest. Blurbage: "Come out and enjoy first-rate craft beers in an amazing setting, where attendees receive an unmatched sampling of beers, in an atmosphere filled with live music, delicious food for purchase, and great vendors. What better way to spend a Saturday than with great friends, amazing beer, delicious food and jamming music." Saturday 2-5 pm - $40 ahead / $50 at the door

Saratoga Wine & Food Festival
Friday-Sunday: The Saratoga Wine & Food Festival is back at SPAC. It includes all the usual events: tastings, demonstrations, and whatnot. There's also a new event this year: BBQ, Brews & Blues -- "this BBQ bash will serve as the kick-off event with six of the Capital Region's finest restaurants competing against six Manhattan Grill masters." The headlining personalities for this year's festival are chef Marc Murphy (from Chopped on the Food Network) and wine expert Kevin Zraly, who's back again. various times and prices

Tugboat Roundup
Friday-Sunday: The Tugboat Roundup returns to Waterford. More than 25 tugboats will be gathered at the Waterford Waterfront. The weekend includes tours, rides, demonstrations, kids activities, and fireworks Saturday night. And on Friday there's a tugboat parade from the Port of Albany to Waterford -- it leaves the port at 2:45 pm and arrives in Waterford around 5 pm.

Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival
Saturday: The Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival is back at the Corning Preserve. Update: It's been moved to the rain location at the Corning Preserve Boat Launch. The lineup: Jack DeJohnette Trio featuring Ravi Coltrane and Matt Garrison, Catherine Russell, Professor Cunningham and His Old School, Michael Benedict Jazz Vibes, Maria Zemantauski. Saturday starting at 1 pm - free

Stockade Villagers Art Show
Saturday: The annual Stockade Villagers art show in Schenectady is Saturday (with a rain date of Sunday). More than 100 artists will show and sell their work. Saturday 10 am to 4 pm - free admission

Little Italy Street Fest In Schenectady
Saturday: Schenectady's annual Little Italy Street Festival is on North Jay Street in the city's Little Italy neighborhood. Food, music, crafts and a celebration of Italian culture. Saturday noon to 9 pm - free admission

St. George's Greek Festival
Friday-Sunday: Three days of Greek foods, desserts, music, dancing, crafts and more at the annual St. George's Greek Festival in Schenectady on Clinton Street. Friday and Saturday 11am to 11pm, Sunday noon to 7pm - free admission

Altamont Craft Beer Fest
Saturday: The Altamont Craft Brew Fest is at the Altamont Fairgrounds this weekend with beer, food, and music. Saturday 3-8 pm - $35 ahead / $45 at gate / $5 designated drivers

Washington County Cheese Tour
Saturday-Sunday: The annual Washington County Cheese Tour returns this weekend. It is pretty much what it sounds like: a self-guided tour to a handful of cheese-making farms in Washington County (and one in Vermont) -- with samples. Here's a recap of the tour from a few years ago. Saturday and Sunday 10 am-4 pm - free

Comedy
Friday: The Mop & Bucket Company opens its season with Chortal Combat, a short form improv comedy show in which improvisers compete to create scenes and songs using audience suggestions. Friday 8pm - $14 / $6 for students and seniors.

Music

Friday: Chevelle at Upstate Concert Hall
Alt metal. With: Kyng, Dayshell. 7:30 pm - $25 ahead / $27 day of

Friday: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 at Helsinki Hudson
Son of Fela Kuti. 9 pm - $25 ahead / $30 day of

Friday: Bear Grass + Midnight Snack + Lucky Jukebox Brigade at The Low Beat
Midnight Snack is from Boston. 8 pm - $7

Saturday: Neutral Milk Hotel at Brewery Ommegang
Influential indie rock. 5 pm - $36

Saturday: Albany Symphony with Joshua Bell at The Palace
The ASO opens its season with a visit from the superstar violinist. 7 pm - $45 and up

Saturday: Lizz Wright at Helsinki Hudson
Jazz/R&B singer. 9 pm - $35

Saturday: Clutch at Upstate Concert Hall
Rock. With: Lionize, American Sharks. 8 pm - $25 / $28 day of

Saturday: Hamell on Trial at The Low Beat
One man storytelling, comedy, music show. With: Jefferson James. 8 pm

Sunday: G. Love & John Hammond at Zankel Center
"A very special evening with two artists whose stories intersect at Caffe Lena." 7 pm - $35 and up

Sunday: Demi Lovato at TU Center
Disney factory pop star. 7 pm - $19.50 and up

Theater

Man From Nebraska
Albany Civic Theater presents Tracy Letts' The Man from Nebraska. Friday and Saturday 7 pm / Sunday 3 pm - $15 / $10 students

Drive-ins
+ Malta: Screen 1 - Throwback weekend with a double feature of Jaws and Jurassic Park | Screen 2 - Guardians of the Galaxy / Ninja Turtles
+ Hollywood: If I stay/ The Giver
+ Jericho: Into the Storm/Guardians of the Galaxy

Museums

Ansel Adams/ Edward Hopper
Time is running out to catch the Hyde Collection 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 -- has been open for a few months now. (And maybe the summer crowds have moved on.)

Berkshire Botanical Gardens
Stop and see the flowers at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens before they're gone.

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

Check out a state park
Visit a local state park, like Schodack Island, Cherry Plain, Moreau, Grafton Lakes or Peebles Island.

Apples
Apple season has arrived and local orchards are starting up pick your own. Among the early season apple varieties: Mac, Gingergold, Akane, Gala, and Paula Red.

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.

MopCo and The City of Albany Office of Special Events advertises on AOA.

photo via Neutral Milk Hotel FB