All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Since Christmas is on Friday, many places are closed from late Thursday through Saturday morning -- and things are looking a little slow for the rest of the weekend. After the jump, a few things for you to check out.

Doing something you don't see here? Tell the rest of us about it. It's the season of sharing. Meanwhile, enjoy the company of family and friends.

Happy holidays!

Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Saturday-Sunday: A touring production of the stage musical Irving Berlin's White Christmas will be at Proctors. It's an adaptation of the classic film. Two Schenectady natives also star: Kerry Conte and Rachel Rhodes-Devey. Saturday-Sunday various times - $20 and up

A Christmas Story
Saturday-Sunday: This is the last week for Capital Rep's production of A Christmas Story, The Musical. It's an adaptation of the famous film. (Many of these last few shows are sold out or will be soon.) Saturday-Sunday various times - $20 and up

Jingle Jangle: A Winter Celebration
Saturday: The Farm Complex and Museum Shop at Olana will host Jingle Jangle: A Winter Celebration with 19th century activities, music, craft projects, ice carving, hikes and horse and carriage rides. Saturday 1 pm - $10 per person / $25 per carload

Kwanzaa Celebration at State Museum
Saturday: The annual Capital Kwanzaa celebration returns to the New York State Museum. Candle lighting ceremony, drum circle, kids activities and an African Marketplace. Saturday 5 pm, fourth floor terrace - free

Capital Holiday Lights
Friday-Sunday: The Capital Holiday Lights in Albany's Washington Park continue 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

Comedy

Pretty Much the Best Comedy Show
Saturday: Myq Kaplan headlines Pretty Much the Best Comedy Show at Proctors. Kaplan has been a finalist on Last Comic Standing and has appeared on Conan, the Tonight Show, and in his own half-hour Comedy Central special. Saturday at 8 pm -- $15

Madlaughs at The Madison Theater
Saturday: A lineup of local stand-up comedians joined by improvisors Sorry Not Sorry will be at at The Madison Theater's monthly Madlaughs comedy show. Saturday 8 pm - $10

Bing Bamboo Room Burlesque
Sunday: The Bing Bamboo Room Burlesque presents a Holidaze Hangover show at The Low Beat. Sunday 8 pm - $15

Film

The Goonies
Saturday: The State Museum is screening Goonies. Saturday 11 am - free

Space Jam
Sunday: Proctors is screening Space Jam with Michael Jordan, Bill Murry, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing. Sunday at noon and 2pm - 5 pm

Hockey
Saturday: The Albany Devils are at home at the Times Union Center against the Providence Bruins. Saturday 5 pm - $17 and up

Museums

+ The Albany Institute is open Saturday and Sunday. You can check out the new Masterworks: 225 Years of Collecting exhibit. And there'a also The Capital Region in 50 Objects exhibit.

+ 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 Arkell closes for its winter break starting January 4.)

+ 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 -- be sure to check because the weather hasn't been very permitting lately.) 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
Swinburne ice rink in Albany has opened for the season. The rink is open seven days a week. Hours vary. It's $1 to skate (.25 for seniors and .50 for students). Skate rental is $3. The rink has been closed until the weather turns cold again.

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
+ 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

Capital Rep and the Albany Institute advertise on AOA. And AOA is a media sponsor of the ESP ice rink.

photo: Kevin White