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 (rain near the start), to the fair, to the orchestra, to The Track, to a food festival, to music...

Weather

Here's the paraphrased forecast for this week:

Monday: Some sun, low 80s. Maybe thunderstorms at night.

Tuesday: Rain and thunderstorms to start. Mid 70s.

Wednesday: Some sun, maybe some rain. Mid 70s.

Thursday: Sunny and 77.

Friday: Sunny and 82.

Weekend: And so on.

Tuesday could be not great.

The Track

It's the third full week of the season at the Saratoga Race Course. Wednesday is Irish-American Day with "Irish music, dance, food and entertainment." (And, of course, there is no racing on Tuesday.)

Baseball

Monday-Friday: The ValleyCats are at The Joe through Friday, with two games against Lowell (Tuesday's game is at 11 am) and then a three-game series against Auburn. Promotions this week: Monday is "Ultimate 80s" night. Wednesday is "Superheroes" night. Thursday is "Half-Way to Valentine's Day" with fireworks. And Friday is "Early Oktoberfest."

Altamont Fair

Tuesday: The Altamont Fair opens at the fairgrounds in (you guessed it) Altamont. The fair is the county fair for Albany, Schenectady, and Greene counties. Admission is $15 Tuesday and Wednesday. Friday, Saturday, Sunday it's $17. The one-price ticket includes "admission, parking, shows, concerts, Circus Hollywood and unlimited rides" Kids under 36-inches tall are free -- but they're not allowed to ride the Midway rides.

New York State Food Festival

Wednesday: The New York State Food Festival will be back at the Empire State Plaza, with approximately 100 vendors offering food at both lunch and dinner. And there's music starting at 5 pm. The headliner is Cracker (set for 7:45 pm).

Philadelphia Orchestra

Wednesday-Saturday: The Philadelphia Orchestra continues its annual residency at SPAC. Wednesday is an all-Beethoven program with Emanuel Ax. Wednesday is show tunes with Broadway star Megan Hilty. Friday is a "Winter Tales" program. And Saturday's program features cellist Johnnes Moser. (The orchestra will be at SPAC through August 22.)

Stage

WTF
The Williamstown Theatre Festival continues its production of Moon for the Misbegotten, starring Audra McDonald and Will Swenson. Opening later this week: An Intervention, which has two separate casts.

Also this week at WTF: Ana Gasteyer: Swing With A Handsome Woman on Monday. The show "features comedy star and classically-trained songstress Ana Gasteyer serving up swagger and swing in her new nightclub jazz act." Monday 7:30 pm - $45 and up

Pajama Game
Tuesday: The Park Playhouse in Albany continues its August production, The Pajama Game. It runs through August 22. Tuesday-Sunday 7:30 pm - lawn seating is free / reserved seats are $16 and $18

Documentary

Wednesday: The Spectrum will be showing the documentary Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck. Blurbage: "Here, we take a journey through Cobain's life and his career with Nirvana through the lens of his home movies, recordings, artwork, photography, and journals." It's gotten strong reviews. Wednesday 6:30 pm - $10.25

Museums/history

RCHS
Tuesday: The Rensselaer County Historical Society is hosting one of its biannual deck parties. The theme is "Welcome to Troy," an effort to reach out to people who have recently moved to Troy and want to learn more about the place and its history. Tuesday 5 pm - $20 / $10 students and under 30

1791 Club
Wednesday: The Albany Institute is hosting a behind-the-scenes tour with executive director Tammis Groft for the 1791 Club, an effort to "work closer with 21-40somethings who are looking to engage with local art + history." Wednesday 5:30 pm - $10 (pre-registration required)

Music

Monday: Joe Bonamassa at SPAC
Blues guitarist. 8 pm - $93.55 and up

Monday: Justin Townes Earl at Helsinki Hudson
Folk rock singer/songwriter. 8 pm - $25

Monday: Lady Palace III: Beach Bash Dance Party
Three DJs. 7 pm

Tuesday: Between The Buried and Me at Upstate Concert Hall
Metal. With: Animals As Leaders, The Contortionist. 7:30 pm - $18 ahead / $20 day of

Wednesday: Cracker at the ESP
Part of the New York State Festival. Be my sweet potato, be my honey lamb. With: Gedion Luke and the People, Soul Sky. 5 pm - free

Wednesday: Zoso at Rockin' on the River (Riverfront Park)
Led Zep tribute. With: TwoGuys. 5 pm - free

Wednesday: Psychedelic Furs + The Church at Upstate Concert Hall
Like something from a John Hughes movie. 8 pm - $25 ahead / $28 day of

Thursday: Laney Jones and the Spirits
Progressive bluegrass. With: Milton. 8 pm - $12 ahead / $15 day of

Thursday: Primate Fiasco at Putnam Den
Opposable thumbs out of control. 9:30 pm - pay what you will

Friday: Driftwood at Caffe Lena
With: Gracie and Rachel. 7 pm - $22

Friday: Jocamo at Upbeat on the Roof
Funk, R&B, soul, rock. 7 pm - free

Saturday: The Sean Rowe show at The Ale House is sold out.

Saturday: The Brand New show at Brewery Ommegang is sold out.

Saturday: PigPen Theatre Co. at MASS MoCA
"Part innovative theatre company and part rollicking indie folk band..." 8 pm - $16 ahead / $22 day of

Sunday: The other Brand New show at Brewery Ommegang is also sold out.

Sunday: Brantley Gilbert at SPAC
Country star. With: Lee Brice, Cam.7:30 pm - $40.75 and up

Sunday: Bella's Bartok at Caffe Lena
"[A] Balkan-inspired, circusy six-piece band..." With: Kaatskillachia. 7 pm - $16

To do list

1. All the summer things. Don't wait.

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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: Casey Normile