All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Remember on Monday, when you wished it was the weekend? Well, wish granted. What you do with it is up to you.

After the jump, a few ideas we thought you might like. Got anything planned you don't see here? Drop it in the comments so the rest of the crowd can see.

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

Pearl Palooza
Saturday: WEQX's annual Pearl Palooza music festival is back in downtown Albany. Pearl Street near Sheridan will be blocked off for music on two stages -- here's the music lineup. starts at 1 pm - free admission

Basilica Soundscape
Friday-Saturday: The Basilica in Hudson is once again hosting the Basilica Soundscape music and arts festival. Among the lineup: SWANS, Deafheaven, Richard Reed Parry, Tim Hecker, and others. And it's sold out.

East Coast National Screen Print Biennial
Friday: The first East Coast National Screen Print Biennial opens at the Arts of the Capital Region in Troy. The monthlong exhibition will showcase the art of screen printing in many different forms. Here's a bit more about the biennial. Friday evening is the opening reception from 5-8 pm at the Arts Center, with an after-reception at Rare Form Brewing. Saturday at the Arts Center is a symposium on screen printing from 12:30 pm-1:30 pm. Both events are free and open to the public.

Hispanic Heritage Celebration At The Plaza
Saturday: The Hispanic Heritage Celebration returns to the ESP. Music, Latin arts and crafts, food vendors, performances by local dance troupes and more. The music lineup is headlined by salsa singer Jose Alberto "El Canario." Saturday 5-10 pm - free admission

Capital Region Apple and Wine Festival
Saturday-Sunday: The Capital Region Apple and Wine Festival is this weekend at the Altamont Fairgrounds. There's an art and craft show, Pride of NY specialty food vendors, a car show, kids activities, wine tasting and sales from New York wineries and apples. Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 10am to 6pm - $8 admission, under 15 get in free with an adult

Irish 2000 Festival
Friday-Saturday: This weekend is the Irish 2000 Festival at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds. Irish music from traditional to Celtic punk. Friday 5 pm to midnight and Saturday 10 am to 11pm - $16 to $30 / kids under 12 free

Festival of Meats
Saturday: The Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy is holding its 6th annual Festival of Meats at the Elk's Lodge at 25 South Allen Street in Albany. Whole pig, candied bacon, Korean beef ribs, sausages, clams and more. Saturday, bar opens at 4pm, dinner starts at 6pm - $25 all you can eat

Roller Derby
Saturday: The Hellions of Troy are back at Rollarama this weekend with a bout against the Hudson Valley Horrors. Saturday 7 pm - $12, $3 for kids under 12

Carrot Festival
Sunday: Congregation Agudat Achim in Schenectady is hosting its annual Carrot Festival. Food, crafts, music and kids activities, carrot cake. Sunday 10 am-4:30 pm - free admission

Harvest Fest
Sunday: Colonie's annual Harvest Fest at The Crossings. Music, crafts, face painting, puppet shows and kids activities. Sunday noon to 5 pm - free admission

Food and Flea
Sunday: Longhouse Food Revival, a celebration of food at a historic dairy barn in Berne, presents Food and Flea. Farmers, food suppliers, authors, book signings and book publishers will be part of the marketplace, which is open to the public. Sunday: 10 am-2 pm - $25 admission

Laughs

MopCo
Friday: The Mop & Bucket Company is back at Proctors Underground 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.

Bombers Belly Laughs
Friday: Bombers in Troy's monthly stand-up show returns. Headliner Brett Eidman has appeared on Comedy Central and SNL. Local stand up acts as well. Friday 8 pm - $10

Theater

Man From Nebraska
This is the last weekend for the Albany Civic Theater production of Tracy Letts' The Man from Nebraska. Friday and Saturday 7 pm / Sunday 3 pm - $15 / $10 students

Cassandra: The Musical
The premier of the new musical Cassandra is this weekend at Proctors. Locally written and produced it based on the myth of ancient Troy during the Trojan War. Friday and Saturday at 8pm - $36 & $42

Film

Asbury Short Film Concert
Saturday: The Asbury Short Film Concert returns to The Linda this weekend. Two hours of award-winning short films. Saturday 8pm - $10

Drive-ins
Drive in season is quickly coming to an end. If hitting a drive-in is on your summer bucket list, now is the time. Here's what's playing:
+ Malta: Screen 1: Dolphin Tale 2 / If I Stay | Screen 2: The November Man / As Above, So Below
+ Jericho: Dolphin Tale 2 / Into the Storm
+ Hollywood: Dolphin Tale 2 / Into the Storm

Who you gonna call?
The Bow Tie Cinema in Saratoga Springs is screening the original Ghostbusters this weekend in honor of the film's 30th anniversary.

Lake George Jazz Festival
Saturday-Sunday: The annual Lake George Jazz Festival is this weekend at Shepard Park. Seven jazz bands in the park. Saturday 1pm to 8pm and Sunday from 1pm to 4:30pm - free admission

Music

Friday: Laurel Halo at EMPAC
Electronic, in the concert hall. 8 pm - $18

Friday: Peter Case at The Low Beat
Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter. With: Red Haired Strangers. 8 pm - $10

Saturday: Richard Barone at The Low Beat
Formerly of The Bongos. With: Bell's Roar. 8 pm - $10

Saturday: Jim Malcom at Old Songs
"The ultimate Scots troubadour." 8 pm - $20 adults / $5 kids 12 and under

Sunday: Rubblebucket at The Hollow
Indie dance rock. With: 2001. 8 pm - $15 ahead / $17 day of

Sunday: Potty Mouth at The Low Beat
Pop punk rock. With: Aye Nako, Long Legs. 7 pm - $10

Sunday: Cassadee Pope at Upstate Concert Hall
Country, winner of The Voice. With: Jeff LeBlanc. $17.50 ahead / $20 day of

Sunday: Diane Cluck at Caffe Lena
Folk. 7 pm - $18

Museums

The Family Room
The New York State Museum has just opened a new exhibit as part of its 9/11 memorial. The Family Room recreates the room at One Liberty Plaza where the families of 9/11 victims created memorials to the loved ones they lost.

Ansel Adams/ Edward Hopper
This is the last weekend to catch the Hyde Collection exhibition of later works by photographer Ansel Adams, and a show featuring Edward Hopper and some of his contemporaries.

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.)

Saratoga Horse Expo
Saturday-Sunday: The Saratoga Horse Expo is this weekend at the Saratoga Race Course. Equestrian Events demonstrations, clinics, seminars, pony rides and petting zoo and bounce house rides. Saturday and Sunday - $8-$24.

Art in the Park
Saturday: An outdoor gallery in Saratoga's Congress Park with painters, sculptors, jewelry makers and other artists on hand to discuss their work. Saturday 10am to 4pm

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. The early season apples should be transitioning into mid season varieties. So there should be some varieties ready to be picked.

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.

NYS OGS At the Plaza, MopCo, and the Basilica advertise on AOA. And AOA is a media sponsor of the Festival of Meats and the Hellions of Troy.