All Over Albany

The week ahead

Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this week, from the weather (like summer), to spying history, to the ballet, to drama, to music...

Weather

Here's the paraphrased forecast for this week:

Monday: Sunny and 87.

Tuesday: Cloudy, maybe a thunderstorm and rain. Low 80s.

Wednesday: Cloudy, maybe rain. Low 80s.

Thursday: Sunny and 81.

Friday: Sunny and 83.

Weekend: And so on.

That's summer.

Albany I Spy

Monday: Albany I Spy, the photo scavenger hunt from Albany Archives and the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, returns for another history hunt through downtown Albany. The clue sheet will be available Monday and answers are due by July 18 at an end-of-contest event with prizes at the Parish Public House. free to participate

NYS Writers Institute

Monday-Friday: The New York State Summer Writers Institute continues its series of public readings at Skidmore this week with appearances by Carolyn Forche, Victoria Redel, Frank Bidart, Rivka Galchen, Mary Gaitskill, Honor Moore, Joseph O'Neill, Joanna Scott, and Joyce Carol Oates. (That link has the day-by-day schedule.) Monday-Friday 8 pm, Davis Auditorium (Palamountain Hall) - free

New York City Ballet

Tuesday: The New York City Ballet opens a two-week run at SPAC with performances every day through Saturday. The run starts with an all-Balanchine program. And Saturday night is the ballet gala.

Speaking of dance: Julianne Hough and Derek Hough will be at the Palace Friday night with Move Live on Tour. Friday 8 pm - $49.50 and up

Stage

WTF
The Williamstown Theatre Festival continues its 2015 season this week with productions of two shows:

+ Off the Main Road: Kyra Sedgwick stars in the world premiere of a play by Pulitzer Prize-winner William Inge.

+ Legacy: Jessica Hect and Eric Bogosian star in the world premiere of a play by Daniel Goldfarb.

Many of the shows at WTF sell out, so it's better to get tickets sooner rather than later. Tuesday-Sunday various times - $35 and up

Park Playhouse
The Park Playhouse in Albany continues its 2015 season with a production of Singin' in the Rain. Tuesday-Sunday 7:30 pm - reserved seats $16 and up / lawn seats are free

Swimming pools

Many municipal pools are now open for the season. Here's a list.

Beat*Shot

Friday-Saturday: The annual Beat*Shot Music Festival returns to The Hollow in Albany. "This two day celebration of Hip-Hop, DJs, beat boxers, vocalists, film, dance, and poetry features some of the most talented performance artists from around the country. We've even collaborated with Iron Bar Collective to coordinated a tournament style elimination Beat Box Battle for good measure. " two-day pass $17 ahead, $25 at the door / day pass $10 ahead, $15 at door

Music

Monday: Tanglewood Brass Spectacular
"Members of the Boston Pops brass and percussion sections perform a one-of-a-kind concert with two of the world's best drum-and-bugle corps..." 7 pm - $15 and up

Wednesday: Super 400 at Rockin' on the River
Hometown heroes. With: Blue Hand Luke. 5 pm - free

Wednesday: Kim Waters at the ESP
Jazz night. With: Alex Bugnon, The Jazzy Four. 5 pm - free

Thursday: Yonder Mountain String Band at Alive at Five
Bluegrass. With: The Blind Owl Band (also playing at The Hollow later that night). 5 pm - free

Thursday: Hoochie Coochie Men at Parish Public House
Folk/blues. With: Sub Slab, Joe Mansman & The Midnight Revival Band 8 pm -

Friday: The Figgs at The Low Beat
Album release show. 9 pm - $10

Friday: The Lone Bellow at The Egg
Alt country. 8 pm - $28

Friday: Alejandro Escovedo at Helsinki Hudson
Austin icon. 9 pm - $25

Friday: Bryan Thomas at Upbeat on the Roof
Soul rock. 7 pm - free

Saturday: Weird Al at The Palace
Can't stop the accordion. 8 pm - $29.50 and up

Saturday: WGNA Countryfest at Schaghticoke Fairgrounds
Featuring Dierks Bentley, Easton Corbin, Craig Campbell, A Thousand Horses, and The Cadillac Three. gates at 11 am - $45

Saturday: Eilen Jewell at Helsinki Hudson
Queen of the Minor Key. With: Seth Adams. 9 pm - $20 ahead / $22 day of

Saturday: Toshi Reagon Love Sessions: Michael Jackson Vs. Prince at MASS MoCA
"[D]iving into the repertoires of Michael Jackson and Prince for an all-out musical smack down where the King of Pop comes face-to-face with the Prince." 8 pm - $20 ahead / $26 day of

Sunday: Jake Miller at Upstate Concert Hall
Pop rap. With: Jasmine V, Alex Angelo. 7 pm - $20 ahead / $22 day of

Sunday: Charlie Parr at Caffe Lena
Folk. 7 pm - $18

Sunday: Red Baraat at Music Haven
"[I]rresistible vibe, juxtaposing the Punjabi rhythms of Indian Bhangra with the exuberant second-line funk of New Orleans parade music." With: Hot Tamale Brass Band. 7 pm - free

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These are a just a few things for this week, not a comprehensive list. Know of something people should be looking forward to this week? Please share!

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photo via Weird Al's website

tags: stuff to do