All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Hot chocolate? Check. Blankets? Check. Netflix? Check.

Stuff to do for those of us who want to do more than huddle under blankets with hot chocolate watching Netflix this weekend? Check.

After the jump we've pulled together our list of stuff to do this cold January weekend. So pick a few, bundle up and get out and have some fun.

Doing something that you don't see listed here? Drop it in the comments for the rest of us to see.

And whatever you're up to, keep warm and have a great weekend.

Comedy

Jim Breuer
Friday: Comedian Jim Breuer will be at the Troy Music Hall for a stand-up show. Friday 8 pm - $27

Real Life: The Improv
Friday: In The Mop & Bucket Improv's latest format, Real Life: The Improv, improvisors create songs, and scenes based on the life of a Capital Region celebrity. Friday 8 pm - $14

Pretty Much The Best Comedy Show Ever
Saturday: Proctors hosts Jared Logan, Shane Torres and a guest stand-up act for the next installment of the Pretty Much The Best Comedy Show Ever series. Saturday 8 pm - $15

Hockey

RPI vs. Union
Saturday: The men's hockey teams from RPI and Union will face off at the TU Center in the Mayor's Cup. Saturday 7:30 pm - $15 / $10 students

Devils
Saturday: The Albany Devils take on the Worcester Sharks at the TU Center.Saturday 2 pm - $14.50-$26

Hoops

Siena
Friday/Sunday: The Siena men's basketball team is at the TU Center Friday and Sunday -- Friday vs. Marist (7 pm), and Sunday vs. St. Peter's (2 pm). TU Center on $12 and up

UAlbany
Sunday: The UAlbany's men's basketball team -- undefeated in conference play so far this season -- will be at the SEFCU Arena to take on UMBC. Sunday 4:30 pm - $12 and up

How Water Behaves
Friday-Sunday: How Water Behaves, Sheri Kramer's comedic play developed at Capital Rep's new play festival, continues this weekend at Capital Rep. From the blurbage: "It all begins when sweet Nan and her out-of-work webmaster hubby, Steve, realize they can't afford to keep up the extravagant gift giving that has become their family's tradition. In an effort to make everyone happy, they announce that they have made a gift to a charity in everyone's name. Except it's a fictitious charity. No problem -- until the website that Steve creates to seal the deal becomes prey to cyberspace hijinks, with deliciously funny and unpredictable results." Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 3 pm and 8 pm, Sunday at 2 pm - $20 and up

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Deconstructing the Early Beatles
Saturday: Beatles expert Scott Freiman will be at Proctors for another "Deconstructing the Beatles" presentation. Freiman "traces the birth of the Beatles from their days as the Quarrymen to their first visit to EMI Studios." The lecture will include stories about the production of the Beatles' music, as well as rare audio and video recordings.

These talks tend to be very popular, and tickets are running low for both sessions. So if you want to go, get tickets ahead of time.

There are two sessions on Saturday, 1:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets are running low and these events often sell out, so you'll want to make sure you have them in advance. Saturday 1:30 pm / 7:30 pm - $25 / $20 / $10 for students

Movies

Academy Awards
The Academy Award nominations are out, so catch the nominees that you can.

Classics
The Bow Tie Cinema in Saratoga Spring is screening Stand By Me on Saturday and Sunday morning at 11 am as part of its Cine Classics series. This week's Insomnia Theater film is A Clockwork Orange, Friday and Saturday nights at 11:30pm.

Force Majeure
Friday/Sunday: The Saratoga Film Forum is screening Force Majure, "a wickedly funny and acutely observed psychodrama" about a Swedish family whose vacation in the French Alps is interrupted by an avalanche that changes everything. Friday at 7:30pm, Sunday 3pm

Music

Friday: Ani DiFranco at The Egg
Indie icon. 8 pm - $33.50 SOLD OUT

Friday: Lost Leaders at The Linda
With: The Sea The Sea. 8 pm - $15

Friday: Gobhi + Great Mutations + Hammer Hawk at The Low Beat
Alt rock. 8 pm

Friday: The Normal Instruments at The Hollow
Electro improv rock. With: Solaris. 9:30 pm - $12 ahead / $15 day of

Saturday: Melanie Martinez at The Hollow
From The Voice. 8 pm - $15

Saturday: Blind Boy Paxton at Caffe Lena
Old blues played by a young guy. With: Down Hill Strugglers. 8 pm - $22 ahead / $24 day of

Saturday: Helado Negro: Island Universe Story at MASS MoCA
On Asthmatic Kitty (AKA, the Sufjan label). Performing a piece developed at MASS MoCA. 8 pm - $12 ahead / $18 day of

Saturday: August Burns Red at Upstate Concert Hall
Metalcore. With: Miss May I, Northlane, Erra. 6:45 pm - $20 ahead / $22 day of

Saturday: Old Songs Sampler Concert
A benefit for the 2015 Old Songs Festival. 8 pm - $20

Sunday: Empire State Youth Orchestra "Carmina Burana" at The Palace
The ESYO will be joined by choral groups from area high schools. 3 pm - $23 / $13 seniors / $8 students

Food

Soufflés for All Seasons
Friday: Deanna Fox teaches a class about soufflé preparation at Different Drummer's Kitchen. Friday 6:30 pm - $65

Bagels, Bialys and Pretzels
Saturday: Deanna will be back at Different Drummer's to lead a class about how to make your own bagels, bialys and pretzels. Saturday noon to 2:30 pm - $55

Eagle Watch
Saturday: Dress warm and bring your binoculars to Moreau Lake State Park for a bald eagle watch. Saturday 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Annual Frost Faire
Saturday: Saratoga National Historical Park is hosting its 20th annual Frost Fair on Saturday. There isn't likely to be enough snow for sledding but there will be wagon rides, a scavenger hunt, hot chocolate and cookies and a bonfire. Saturday 11 am to 3 pm - free

Bonnets and Bayonets
Saturday: Bonnets and Bayonets is an "evening of Victorian dance" in the 19th century ballroom at the home of Troy City Council member Lynn Kopka. The event is a fundraiser for the The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence in Albany. It includes music, dance instruction, and refreshments. Period attire is encouraged but not required. Saturday 6 pm - $15 advance / $20 at the door

Ice skating

Empire State Plaza
Bundle up and take a spin around the ice skating rink at the Empire State Plaza. The rink is open 11 am-8 pm daily, though it will be closed for maintenance this Friday. Skating is free. Skate rentals are $4 / $3 for kids under 12.

Other options
The city of Albany rink at Swinburne Park is open for the season (see the link for hours). And here's a list of other ice skating spots -- it's a bit out of date, so check before heading out.

Albany All Stars Roller Derby tryouts
Saturday: If you've always wanted to try out for the women's roller derby league, the Albany All Stars are hosting tryouts at Guptill's Arena in Latham. Only basic skating experience is required. Saturday 1 pm - $8 admission / bring your own skates or rent a pair for $4

Museums

Many options
It's a good time to go museum exploring. The Albany Institute, the State Museum (check out the new Shaker exhibit), The Clark (new building!) MASS MoCA, The Arkell, The Hyde Collection, and the Baseball Hall of Fame are all open this weekend.

if/Then
Saturday: The Berkshire Museum over in Pittsfield opens a new exhibit: "if/Then." Blurbage:

This new exhibition is all about inspired rule-breaking and the exploration of irrational creativity. For children it is a chance to freely climb, jump, and explore the large-scale sculptural structures in the galleries; for older children and adults it's an opportunity to release the confines of rational thought and re-engage with their own childhood. The two designers are working with illustrator Greg Matusic to create a visual vocabulary for If/Then, comprised of vibrant symbols and graphics that will guide visitors of all ages through the creative play space without written words.

It's open through May 3.

Farmers' markets
Winter farmers' markets continue 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 Schenectady Greenmarket will be inside Proctors on Sunday from 10 am-2 pm.
+ The Spa City Farmers' Market will be in Lincoln Baths Sunday from 10 am-3 pm.

MopCo, Capital Rep, and Troy Music Hall advertise on AOA. AOA is a media sponsor of the ESP ice skating rink.