All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Somewhere between "I couldn't eat another bite" and "Is it time for leftovers?" comes the time to stretch your legs a bit and find something to do.

So, after the jump, a buffet of Capital Region fun. Pick a helping of your favorites and feel free to go back for seconds.

Got something planned that you don't see here? It's the holiday season, so share with the rest of us.

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

Ice skating
Friday: The ice skating rink at the Empire State Plaza is scheduled to open for the season (weather permitting). The rink is open 11 am-8 pm. Skating is free. Skate rentals are $4 / $3 for kids under 12 (and skate rental is free on Fridays). Also: there's a free learn-to-skate clinic on Saturday (registration required -- these clinics fill up fast).

Museums
Got people in town and need to take them somewhere? You might hit up a museum. The Albany Institute (admission is free this weekend and the holiday shop is open), miSci (the train exhibit is opening), the State Museum (check out the new Shaker exhibit or Saturday afternoon's talk on the 100 year history of the carousel), The Clark (new building!) MASS MoCA, the Arkell, The Hyde Collection, and the Baseball Hall of Fame are all open Friday and the weekend.

Holiday

Holiday Shopping
If you're looking to escape the malls this season, you could take a drive or hop a train to Basilica Farm & Flea in Hudson or visit some of the other local holiday markets. And lots of independent businesses around the Capital Region are celebrating Small Business Saturday with holiday sales and and some shop owners in downtown Troy are keeping later hours for the season.

Capital Holiday Lights in the Park
The Capital Holiday Lights in the Park continue in Washington Park. Friday and Saturday at 6-10 pm / Sunday 6-9 pm - $15 per vehicle

The Polar Express
Sunday: The Saratoga & North Creek Railway's Polar Express trips continue. They run through December 28. ticket prices vary

The Secret Garden
Friday-Sunday: Capital Rep's production of the Tony Award-winning musical The Secret Garden continues this weekend. various times - $20 and up

Theater Sports
Friday: Improv comedy teams compete against each other creating scenes and songs from audience suggestions in the Mop & Bucket Company's annual Theater Sports competition Underground at Proctors. Friday 8 pm - $14

Great Russian Nutcracker
Saturday: The Moscow Ballet performs The Nutcracker at The Palace. Saturday 3 pm - $27.50 to $68

Film

Over the Rainbow
Friday-Sunday: The Bow Tie in Saratoga Springs is screening The Wizard of Oz this weekend, as their classic film and their insomnia Theater feature. Friday and Saturday nights at 11:30pm and Saturday and Sunday mornings at 11am.

Jealousy (La jalousie)
Friday & Sunday: The Saratoga Film Forum is screening the French film, Jealousy (La Jalousie) this weekend. It's the story of a stage actor who leaves his wife for an actress and examines issues of trust. Friday at 7:30pm, Sunday 3pm

Hermitage Revealed
Sunday: The Spectrum screens Heritage Revealed, a journey through the history, special collections and hidden treasures of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. Sunday at noon

Hockey
Friday-Saturday: The Albany Devils have home games at the TU Center on -- Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 5pm.

Albany Sports Card & Memorabilia Show
Saturday-Sunday: More than 35 vendors with vintage and modern sports cards, autographs and collectables will be at the Albany Ramada Plaza on Saturday and Sunday for the Albany Sports Card & Memorabilia Show.

Music

Friday: Black Veil Brides at Upstate Concert Hall
Rock and body paint. With: Falling In Reverse, Set It Off, Drama Club. 7 pm - $25 ahead / $29 day of

Friday: Thanksgiving Super Soul Fest at The Egg
Al B. Sure, Jeff Redd, Fonda Rae, Cupid. 8 pm - $39 and up

Friday: Slick Rick at Putnam Den
Veteran rapper. With: DJ Trumastr. 9 pm - $20 ahead / $25 day of

Friday: Grainbelt at The Low Beat
Black Friday tradition. 6 pm

Friday: The Heavy Pets at The Hollow
Jam. 8 pm - $10

Saturday: French Montana at Upstate Concert Hall
Rapper. With: Rowdy Rebel. 9 pm - $25 ahead / $28 day of It's next Saturday, not this Saturday.

Saturday: Sixties Rock Experience at Proctors
Tribute acts performing as music stars of the 60s. 7 pm - $20 and up

Saturday: Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra at The Linda
As advertised. 7:30 pm - $10

Friday-Saturday: Holidelic at Helsinki Hudson
"Part dance party, part funk concert, part comedy show, the holiday-funk spectacular Holidelic features original holiday songs as well as loose, funk-infused adaptations of Tchaikovsky, "Frosty the Snowman," "Little Drummer Boy" and the like." 9 pm each day - $20 ahead / $25 day of

Saturday: The America show at The Egg is sold out.

Sunday: Trans-Siberian Orchestra at TU Center
Christmas music, played very loud. 3 pm & 7:30 pm - $33 and up

Sunday: Straight No Chaser at The Palace
A cappella group. 7:30 pm- $29.50

Sunday: Hot Club of Saratoga at Caffe Lena
Gypsy jazz. 7 pm - $18

Farmers' Markets
Farmers' markets are indoors:
+ The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market will be in the Troy Atrium in downtown Troy Saturday from 9 am-2 pm.
+ The Saratoga Farmers' Market will be at the Lincoln Baths on Saturday from 9 am-1 pm.
+ The Delmar Farmers Market will be inside at Bethlehem Central Middle School on Saturday.
+ The Schenectady Greenmarket will be inside Proctors on Sunday.
+ The Spa City Farmers' Market will be in Lincoln Baths Sunday.

Spend time with people you love
Spend a little of your holiday weekend just catching up with friends and family. It's one of the best gifts you can give (or get).

MopCo, Capital Rep, and Basilica Hudson advertise on AOA. And AOA is a media sponsor of the ice rink at the ESP.