Stuff to do this weekend
And Clarence gets his wings.
Well, we're in the thick of it now. Shopping, wrapping, holiday parties. But in case you're not busy enough, or you're looking for a fun way to procrastinate further, we've stuffed your weekend stocking with a whole bunch of stuff to do.
Got something planned that you don't see here? Drop it in he comment section so we can all see.
And whatever you're up to, have a fantastic weekend!
Holiday
Friday-Sunday: Melodies of Christmas at Proctors
Annual holiday concerts featuring the Empire State Youth Orchestra and Youth Chorale. various times - $15 and up
Friday: Be the Light: Songs for the Christmas Season with the Jamcrackers at Old Songs
Folk holiday concert. 8 pm - $20 / $5 12 and under
Saturday: West Point Jazz Knights at The Linda
Annual big band holiday concert. 7 pm - free (reservation required, and it's filled up in years past)
Saturday: The Puppet People present A Christmas Carol at Old Songs
"This puppet spectacular features beautiful handcrafted marionettes, shadow puppets, gorgeous masks, lavish costumes, vivid sets, a professional soundtrack that includes many holiday favorites, a giant 9-foot parade puppet and guaranteed smiles!" 2 pm - $15 / $10 12 and under
Saturday: Holiday Folk Show at Caffe Lena
"The time when festive folks across the region come to Caffe Lena to enjoy a 'Candlemas-Hanukkah-Ramadan-Solstice-Christmas-Kwanzaa-New Year-Boxing Day-Epiphany Event.'" 8 pm - $20 / $10 kids and students
Saturday: Magpie and Kim & Reggie Harris: Sing Solstice at Proctors
Eighth Step show of holiday music. 7:30 pm - $24 and up
Saturday: Albany Berkshire Ballet performance of The Nutcracker at The Egg
40th anniversary show. 1:30 pm / 5:30 pm - $25 and up
Saturday-Sunday: Production of A Charlie Brown Christmas at The Palace
"The classic animated television special, A Charlie Brown Christmas comes to life in this faithful stage adaptation where Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the other Peanuts grapple with the real meaning of Christmas. " Presented by the Park Playhouse. December 19 at 2 pm and 7 pm / December 20 at 2 pm - $20 / free for kids 12 and under
Capital Holiday Lights
Friday-Sunday: The Capital Holiday Lights in Albany's Washington Park are open for the season. You can drive through 125 light displays and stop at the lake house for a snack and a visit with Santa and the reindeer. Friday-Sunday 6-9 pm - $15 and up
Polar Express
Friday-Sunday: The Polar Express train starts this weekend at the Saratoga North Creek Railway. A round trip journey to "the North Pole" complete with a visit from Santa. Friday-Sunday - various times and prices
Stage
A Christmas Story, The Musical
Friday-Sunday: Capital Rep's production of A Christmas Story, The Musical continues. It's a stage adaptation of the movie. Friday-Sunday various times - $20 and up
Miracle on 34th Street
Friday-Sunday: Home Made Theater presents a stage version of the classic film Miracle on 34th Street. Friday at 7:30 pm / Saturday at 1 pm and 4:30 pm / Sunday at 3 pm - $18 / $12 for kids 12 and under
Charley's Aunt
Friday-Sunday: Curtain Call Theater presents the farce Charlie's Aunt. Friday and Saturday at 8pm / Sunday at 3pm - $24
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)
Friday: The Linda hosts a production of Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!). "Instead of performing Charles Dickens' beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told...plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung. A madcap romp through the holiday season!" A Confetti Stage production. Friday 7:30 pm - $15
Disney On Ice
Friday-Sunday: Disney on Ice, Let's Celebrate is at the Times Union Center. Friday-Sunday various times and prices
Comedy
Electric City Improv
Friday: MopCo's newest format of short and longform improv games continues in the Proctors Underground. Friday at 8pm - $14 / $6 for students and seniors
Film
It's a Wonderful Life
Friday: The Palace is screening It's a Wonderful Life. If you're going to catch this film in a theater, a big old movie house like the Palace is a good place. Friday 7 pm - $5 / $3 kids
More It's a Wonderful Life
Saturday-Sunday: It's a Wonderful Life is this weekend's Saturday and Sunday morning Movies and Mimosa film as well as the Friday and Saturday late-night Insomnia theater flick at the Saratoga Springs Bow Tie Cinema.
Babes in Toyland / Muppets Christmas Carol
The Madison Theater is screening the Laurel and Hardy film Babes in Toyland this weekend. They're also screening A Muppet Christmas Carol.
The Martian
Friday: Proctors is screening The Martian on the big screen in the GE Theater. Friday 7:30 pm - $5
Music
Friday: Old Dominion at Upstate Concert Hall
Country. 8 pm - $18 ahead / $20 day of
Friday: Heather Maloney at Caffe Lena
Singer/songwriter. 8 pm - $18
Friday: Gratefully Yours featuring Vinnie Amico from moe. at The Hollow
"[A] revolving All Star line up of Grateful Dead inspired musicians." 10 pm - $10 ahead / $12 day of
Saturday: Sean Rowe at Takk House
With The Sea The Sea. A benefit show for Joseph's House & Shelter. Saturday 7 pm - $25
Saturday: The Matt and Kim show at Upstate Concert Hall is sold out.
Sunday: Club d'Elf with John Medeski at Helsinki Hudson
"[A] Moroccan-dosed dub-jazz collective featuring a constellation of top musicians." 8 pm - $18 ahead / $20 day of
Sunday: A Saratoga Christmas with The McKrells at Home Made Theater
"Join us for an evening of Christmas favorites, Kevin's trademark sound, and their popular rendition of A Visit from St. Nick ('Twas the Night Before Christmas)." Sunday at 7pm - $15
Holiday Markets
Holiday Gift Shop at Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
Sunday: Through December 27 the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence in Albany hosts a holiday gift market with handmade gift items on Sundays. each Sunday through December 27
The Shop
Saturday: The Arts Center for the Capital Region has a holiday shop that is open on Saturday and features the work of local artists and crafters.
Museums
Museum gift shops are fun places to do some holiday shopping and then go enjoy the exhibits.
+ The holiday shop is open at the Albany Institute. They also have a new exhibit -- Masterworks: 225 Years of Collecting. And you can also check out The Capital Region in 50 Objects.
+ MASS MoCA has a handful of current exhibits/ (There's also currently a car on site for collecting LEGO for Ai Weiwei.)
+ The Clark has a good permanent collection, and there's currently an exhibit about how works have been added to it.
+ The Arkell is an easy drive out west to Canajoharie. It currently has a display of winter landscapes, and exhibit of works by William Joyce.
+ The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls has pay what you wish admission for the month of December. Current exhibits include American printmaking and works by photorealist Audrey Flack. (And there's more to do and eat in Glens Falls.)
Skating
ESP
The ice skating rink at the Empire State Plaza is open for the season (weather permitting). It's open every day 11 am-8 pm and it's free to skate. Skate rentals are $4 for adults / $3 for kids (and free on Friday).
Swinburne
Cooking
It can be fun to take a cooking class this time of year. Here are a few classes slated for this weekend:
Couples Christmas dinner
Friday: Gio Culinary Studio has a hands-on cooking class for couples about making Christmas dinner. "Students Couples will learn how to make a spectacular, complete Christmas dinner, using all scratch ingredients along with professional and traditional techniques that are easily duplicated at home." 6 pm - $120
Holiday classics
Friday: Deanna Fox will be at Different Drummers for a demo class about holiday classics. "Together, we'll learn to make buche de Noel, sticky buns, savory palmiers, citrus salad, roasted chestnuts, glazed ham, sweet potato souffle, and figgy pudding, plus a bit of history behind each dish." Friday 6 pm - $65
Farmers' markets
Stop by a farmers market for something local and delicious to take to a holiday party.
+ Troy Waterfront Farmers Market is inside the Atrium. Saturday 9 am-2 pm
+ The Saratoga Farmers' Market is indoors at the Lincoln Baths. Saturday from 9 am-1 pm
+ It's the last weekend of the season for the Delmar Farmers Market, indoors at the Bethlehem Central Middle School. Saturday 9 am-1 pm
+ The Schenectady Greenmarket is at its indoor location at Proctors. Sunday from 10 am-2 pm.
+ The Spa City Farmers' Market is inside at the Lincoln Baths Sunday from 10 am-3 pm
Helsinki Hudson, MopCo and Cap Rep on AOA.
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?