All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Wow -- if you're bored this weekend, you can't blame the Capital Region. There is so much going on this weekend. Just so, so, sooooo much.

Did we mention there's a lot going on?

OK, so let's get on with it. After the jump you'll find a listing of just some of things to do, hear, taste and see this weekend -- from jazz and tugboats to food festivals and cheese tours. We've lined it up for you so all you have to do is choose.

Planning something you don't see here? Tell us about it.

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

Tom Junod
Friday: The new season of the NYS Writers Institute visiting writers series opens with journalist Tom Junod at the State Museum. He'll be reading from, and discussing, his 2003 Esquire piece "The Falling Man," about the photo of the man seen falling from the World Trade Center during the September 11 attack. Friday 7 pm, State Museum Huxley Theater - free

Waterford Tugboat Roundup
Friday-Sunday: The annual Waterford Tugboat Roundup starts with a tugboat parade on Friday afternoon (look for the boats around 2:30 pm in Albany and 3:30 pm in Troy). Saturday and Sunday there will be boats, tours, fair food, music, crafters and kids activities at the Waterford waterfront. Saturday 10 am to dusk followed by fireworks, Sunday 11 am to 4 pm - free admission

The Saratoga Wine & Food Festival
Friday-Sunday: SPAC hosts the annual Saratoga Wine & Food Festival -- a full weekend of wine and food and classic cars. Tastings, pairings, celebrity chefs, demonstrations and more. Friday-Sunday - various price points

Pearl Palooza
Saturday: Pearl Palooza, the annual WEQX music festival, returns to Pearl Street in downtown Albany. This year's lineup is headlined by Matisyahu. Saturday starting at 1 pm - free admission

Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival
Saturday: The Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival returns to Jennings Landing on Saturday. It's a full afternoon and evening of jazz along the river. Performers include Booker T. Jones, The Joey Thomas Big Band, Kate Davis, Keith Pray's Soul Jazz Revival, and Larry Moses' Latin Jazz Express. Saturday 1-9 pm - free admission.

Basilica Soundscape
Friday-Sunday: Basilica Soundscape is at Basilica Hudson. The music festival includes film screenings, a craft market, performance art and more. Lineup includes Haxan Cloak, Wolf Eyes, Health, Actress, Jenny Hval, Viet Cong, Weyes Blood, Circuit Des Yeux, Perfume Genius, Black Mass, Gourisankar & Indrijat Banajeer. Friday-Sunday - weekend passes are $70 / daily passes are $40 / Sunday's events are free

St. George Greek Festival
Friday-Sunday: This weekend is the annual Greek Festival at St. George's Greek Orthodox Church in Schenectady. Music, dancing, Greek food, pastries, arts and crafts. Friday & Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday noon to 7 pm - free admission

Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Saturday: The Hispanic Heritage Celebration is back at the Empire State Plaza on Saturday. Latin food, music, dancing, culture and family friendly activities. Saturday 5 pm to 10 pm. - free admission

Stockade Outdoor Art Show
Saturday: Schenectady's Stockade neighborhood hosts its annual outdoor art show (rain date Sunday) on North Ferry & Front streets. Wander the historic Stockade, view and purchase original work from local artists. Saturday 10 am to 4 pm - free admission

Little Italy Street Festival
Saturday: Schenectady's annual Little Italy Street Festival returns to North Jay Street. Music, food, crafts and cultural activities. Saturday noon to 9pm - free admission

Washington County Cheese Tour
Saturday/Sunday: This is Washington County Cheese Tour weekend. Cheese lovers can take a self-guided tour of four Washington County cheese farms at which they can sample cheeses, yogurts, and ice cream, as well as tour the farms, meet the animals, and learn more about how the products are made and purchase their favorites. Here's a look at one of the cheese tours past. Saturday & Sunday, 10am to 4pm - free admission

Urban Raid Albany
Saturday: The Urban Raid obstacle race returns to Downtown Albany. The route for the race takes runners past the Capitol Building, Lincoln Park and other Albany landmarks and includes huge obstacles like a two-story-high cargo climb, ropes, marine hurdles and the Raid's signature wall. Late registration accepted. starts on Saturday at 10 am - free to watch, $65-$100 to participate

Stage

Theatresports!
Friday: Think Whose Line is it Anyway? The Mop & Bucket Company returns to Proctors Underground to compete in improv games, creating scenes and songs based on audience suggestions. Friday 8 pm - $14 / $6 students and seniors

Murder Mystery Garden Party
Saturday: Ten Broeck Mansion's 1890s Murder Mystery Garden Party in the mansion gardens is SOLD OUT.

The Commons of Pensacola
Friday-Sunday: Curtain Call Theater presents The Commons of Pensacola. The play, by actress Amanda Peet, is based on the wife of notorious Wall Street scam artist Bernie Madoff. Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm - $24

Angel Street
Friday-Sunday: Albany Civic Theater closes its production of Angel Street -- the Victorian thriller that was the basis for the film Gaslight. Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday at 3 pm - $10 to $18

Bing Bamboo Room Burlesque
Saturday: The Bing Bamboo Room Burlesque celebrates its 11th anniversary with two shows at The Low Beat with guest host Scooter Pie. (Show are 21+). Saturday 7 pm - $15

Hudson River Valley Ramble
September weekends are filled with events celebrating the Hudson River Valley as part of the Hudson River Valley Ramble. You can search for events near you here.

Museums/Galleries

Van Gogh and Whistler
This is the last weekend to catch The Clark's very popular exhibit of Van Gogh nature paintings.

Also at The Clark: Whistler's Mother: Grey, Black, and White. It's on display through September 27.

Seeing Double
The Albany Institute of History and Art continues Seeing Double, an exhibit with anaglyphs -- stereoscopic images that appear to be 3D when viewed through special glasses.

The Late Drawings of Andy Warhol
The Hyde Collection's exhibit featuring some of Andy Warhol's drawings created between 1973 to 1987, one of Warhol's most prolific periods, closes in a couple of weeks. Many of the drawings are on view to the public for the first time. (On display through through September 27.)

#schenectadydoesntsuck
Mabee Farm Historic Site just opened a new exhibit called #schenectadydoesntsuck, featuring a look at the Electric City through the lens of the popular local Instagram account #schenectadydoesntsuck.

Air, Fat, Sugar & CO2 Exhibition
The Arts Center of the Capital Region is hosting an exhibit by Greg Skochko titled Air, Fat, Sugar & CO2 -- an interactive art show. Blurbage: "Part circus act, part self-deprecating stand-up routine and science experiment, Greg Skochko constructs sculptures that function as fantastic mechanical objects, fused with plausible scenarios and characters of his conjuring. Encouraging viewers to participate in the performance spectacle, he collides a child-like playfulness with serious cultural issues such as American Capitalism, classism, and over-consumption." The show runs through October 10.

Music

Friday: Hippo Campus + Phases at The Hollow
Vampire Weekend-ish + pop. 8 pm - $10.27 ahead / $12 day of

Friday-Saturday: Basilica Soundscape at Basilica Hudson
Music both Friday and Saturday nights, mini Basilica Farm & Flea on Sunday. $70 weekend pass

Friday: Down Hill Strugglers at Caffe Lena
Old-time string band. With: The Littlest Birds. 8 pm - $18

Saturday: Pearl Palooza in downtown Albany
Headliner this year is Matisyahu. music starts at 1 pm - free

Saturday: Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival at Corning Preserve
Headliner this year is Booker T. Jones. music starts at 1 pm - free

Saturday: Peter Case at The Linda
Veteran singer/songwriter. 8 pm - $18

Saturday: U.S. Elevator at Helsinki Hudson
Rock side of Johnny Irion. With: Darren Jessee. 9 pm - $18 ahead / $22 day of

Saturday: Yann Falquet & Pascal Gemme at Old Songs
Fiddle and guitar. 8 pm - $20

Sunday: Robin and Linda Williams at Caffe Lena
Frequent Prairie Home Companion guests. 7 pm - $28

Movies

Bow Tie
The Saratoga Springs Bow Tie is screening Stage Door, with Katherine Hepburn and Ginger Rodgers as part of its Movies and Mimosas screening Saturday and Sunday mornings at 11am. The Friday and Saturday night Insomnia Theater feature is Trading Places, with Eddie Murphy and Dan Ackroyd.

Drive ins
+ Jericho: Man from U.N.C.L.E / Sinister
+ Hollywood: Minions / Inside Out
+ Malta: Screen 1: No Escape / American Ultra / Straight Outta Compton / Train Wreck | Screen 2: Sinister 2 / Insidious:Chapter 3 / The Gallows

Steal a summer day
Two weekends left before summer 2015 is officially over. Steal a day outside, enjoying summer food, or just wandering.

You could also spend 12 hours in The Berkshires, The Catskills or visit one of the many state parks in the Capital Region.

Troy Flea
Sunday: Troy Flea has a craft market every Sunday through October 4 in Riverfront Park. Sunday 11 am to 4 pm - free admission

Coffee tasting
Sunday: Superior Merchandise Company, the new boutique/coffee bar in Troy, is hosting a free coffee tasting featuring Supersonic Coffee from Berkeley, California. Sunday 12:30 to 2pm - free

Farmers' markets
It's one of the best times of year to visit the farmers' markets:
+ The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market will be on River Street Saturday from 9 am-2 pm.
+ The Saratoga Farmers' Market will be in High Rock Park. Saturday from 9 am-1 pm
+ The Delmar Farmers Market is open for the season at Bethlehem Central Middle School. Saturday 9 am-1 pm
+ The Colonie Farmers Market is at the Crossings. Saturday from 9 am-1 pm
+ The Schenectady Greenmarket will be around Schenectady City Hall. Sunday from 10 am-2 pm.
+ The Spa City Farmers' Market will be outside the Lincoln Baths Sunday from 10 am-3 pm

Helsinki Hudson, The Mop & Bucket Company, The Hudson River Valley Ramble, City of Albany Office of Special Events, and NYS OGS advertise on AOA.