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 (hello, winter), to the media and politics, to drama, to turkey trotting, to giving thanks...

Weather

Here's the paraphrased forecast for this week:

Monday: Cloudy, breezy, more snow showers. Upper 30s.

Tuesday: Some sun, upper 30s.

Wednesday: Sun and 40s.

Thursday: Cloudy, maybe some rain and snow. Upper 30s.

Friday: Cloudy, maybe some rain. Mid 40s.

Hello, winter.

Thanksgiving

It's Thursday (of course). Though we now regard Thanksgiving as one of the major American holidays, it wasn't an official annual holiday until 1863 when it was made so by Abraham Lincoln (with a proclamation written by New York's William Seward). And the holiday wasn't officially fixed to the fourth Thursday of November by Congress until 1942.

By the way: New York was the first state to adopt an annual Thanksgiving day, beginning in 1817.

The media and the presidential election

Monday: UAlbany is hosting a discussion about the media's impact on the presidential election. The panel: moderator Rosemary Armao (journalism professor at UAlbany and journalist), attorney/political advisor Bruce Gyory, UAlbany political scientist Bruce Miroff, political media strategist Jessica Proud, Boston College political scientist Emily Thorson, who studies "how political information and misinformation reache citizens (through traditional and new forms of media as well as through informal interactions) and the conditions under which this information affects their attitudes and behavior." Monday 6:15 pm, Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, uptown campus -- free

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Wednesday-Sunday: A touring production of the Tony-winning play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will be at Proctors. "Fifteen-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain; he is exceptionally intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor's dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an earth-shattering discovery and a journey that will change his life forever." (There's no show on Thanksgiving.) Wednesday-Sunday various times -- $20 and up

Sports

Hockey
Tuesday: The Albany Devils take on the Toronto Marlies at the TU Center. Tuesday 7 pm -- $19 and up

Hoops
Wednesday: The Siena men's basketball team faces Arkansas-Pine Bluff at the TU Center. Wednesday 7 pm -- $10 and up

Turkey trotting

Troy Turkey Trot
Thursday: The annual Troy Turkey Trot is Thanksgiving morning. Roughly 7,500 people will be running/walking/trotting through downtown Troy. The event includes a 5k, 10k, walk, and kids' mile. Online registration closes Monday just before midnight. Last chance registration is Wednesday in-person at the packet pickup. There's no-day off registration for the 5k, 10k, or kids' mile.

Saratoga
Thursday: The annual Chris Dailey Turkey Trot 5k is in downtown Saratoga Springs. Last year more than 3,000 people participated. Online registration closes this Tuesday at noon. Last chance registration is Wednesday from 4-8 pm during packet pick-up. There is no day-of registration.

Museums

Got people in town and need to take them somewhere? You might hit up a museum:

+ The Albany Institute currently has exhibits about rock 'n roll photography, the design and history of chairs, and Alexander Hamilton. And museum admission is free Friday-Sunday this week as part of the Home for the Holidays program.

+ The State Museum recently opened The People's Art: Selections from the Empire State Plaza Art Collection and Hudson Valley Ruins.

+ MASS MoCA has the big Nick Cave Until exhibit.

+ The Clark has a good permanent collection, and there's currently an exhibit of early travel photography.

+ The Norman Rockwell Museum is just over the Massachusetts border in Stockbridge -- and it currently has an exhibit about Hanna-Barbara cartoons.

+ The Arkell is an easy drive out west to Canajoharie. It currently has an exhibit of the work of pop-up book creators Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart.

+ The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls has this year's Artists of the Mohawk-Hudson Region.

+ Baseball fans could probably spend most of the day at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Music

Tuesday: Sully Erna at The Egg
"A personal, confessional, raw work which takes yet another stylistic left-hand turn from the music he has created as front man for the multi-platinum rock band Godsmack..." 8 pm -- $29.50 and up

Wednesday: Hamell on Trial at The Low Beat
Happy hour show. 6 pm

Wednesday: Eastbound Jesus at Putnam Den
Thanksgiving Eve throwdown. 9 pm -- $10

Saturday: Mike Gordon at The Egg
From Phish. 8 pm -- $31.50

Saturday: Jackie Evancho at Troy Music Hall
Classical crossover pop singer.7:30 pm -- $29 and up

Saturday: Simi Stone at Helsinki Hudson
Soul rock. 9 pm -- $18

Sunday: Trans-Siberian Orchestra at TU Center
Prog rock holiday music. 3 pm and 7:30 pm -- $47.50 and up

To do list

1. Thanksgiving prep. If you haven't started defrosting that turkey -- DO NOT WAIT ANY LONGER.

2. Spend time with family and friends.

3. Give thanks.
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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!

Troy Music Hall advertises on AOA.

photo: Joan Marcus