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 (full-scale winter), to stories, to skating, to holiday stuff, to music...

Weather

Here's the paraphrased forecast for this week:

Monday: Snow from overnight, then sleet and rain. Maybe 3-6 inches. Could be messy. Low 40s.

Tuesday: Some sun, upper 30s.

Wednesday: Some sun, lower 30s.

Thursday: Some sun, but cold -- lower 20s.

Friday: Sun and even colder -- highs in the teens.

Full-scale winter.

Stories

Tuesday: The Front Parlor storytelling series is at The Ale House in Troy. This month's theme is "Luck." Tuesday 7:30 pm

Camelot

Tuesday-Sunday: Capital Rep continues its production of Camelot. Blurbage:

The four-time Tony® Award-winning musical, with one of the richest scores of the Broadway song book, tells the story of the legendary King Arthur, who rules his kingdom with new ideals, bringing peace to a troubled land. This lusty, romantic tale is sure to inspire audiences with a celebrated score that includes the classics "If Ever I Would Leave You," "The Simple Joys of Maidenhood," "How to Handle a Woman" and the title song, "Camelot."

It runs through December 24. Tuesday-Wednesday -- $25 and up

Skating

The ice skating rink at the ESP recently opened, and if you're looking for some midweek fun, you might think about stopping by for an evening skate (or day skate, depending on your schedule). The rink is open Monday-Sunday 11 am-8 pm (closed 3-4 pm for maintenance). It's free to skate. Skate rentals are $4 / $3 for kids / free on Fridays.

Swinburne: The city of Albany's Swinburne Skating Rink also recently opened for the season.

Holiday stuff

A bunch of holiday-themed shows and whatnot during the week and into the weekend...

Monday: Elf at The Palace
A screening of the modern classic. 7 pm -- $5

Tuesday: Live From WVL Radio Theatre: It's A Wonderful Life radio theater show at Proctors
"This fresh new adaptation of the film is set in the fictional studio of WVL Radio Theatre, which is struggling to stay on the air one snowy winter's night. The professional voice actors are unable to get to the studio, but the show must go on--and so a small but intrepid band of employees manages to create the story's dozens of characters and scenes using just their voices and some everyday household items for sound effects." 7:30 pm -- $30

Tuesday: A Christmas Story at Cohoes Music Hall
Screening of the classic Christmas movie. 7 pm -- $5

Thursday: Cherish the Ladies "Celtic Christmas" at Troy Music Hall
"In their Celtic Christmas program, the Ladies put their signature mark on classic carols such as 'O Come All Ye Faithful' and 'Silent Night,' in arrangements that highlight the group's unique Celtic instrumentation, beautiful harmonies, and spectacular step dancing." 7:30 pm -- $29 and up

Thursday-Sunday: Melodies of Christmas at Proctors
Annual holiday concerts featuring the Empire State Youth Orchestra and Youth Chorale. various times -- $15 and up

Friday: Mendelssohn Club Holiday Concert at The Egg
"The Mendelssohn Club of Albany, now in its 108th season, presents its annual Holiday Concert, "Christmases Old and New" with a mix of traditional carols, classical and popular songs." 7:30 pm - $20

Friday: Mountain Snow Orchestra at The Egg
"For 24 years the support band for Bridget Ball and Chris Shaw's long running hit Christmas show 'Mountain Snow Mistletoe', Kevin McKrell, Brian Melick and John Kirk keep the tradition alive with a down home evening of holiday music, merriment and mischief." 8 pm -- $25

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 in which Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts Gang discover the true meaning of Christmas." Presented by the Park Playhouse. various times -- $20 / free for kids 12 and under

Saturday: West Point Benny Havens Band at The Linda
Annual big band holiday concert. 7 pm - free (reservation required, and it's filled up in years past)

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: Holiday Folk Show at Caffe Lena at Saratoga Arts
"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.'" There's December 17 8 pm / December 18 3 pm - $20 / $10 kids and students

Sunday: Magpie and Kim & Reggie Harris: Sing Solstice at Proctors
"Come sing, laugh, light a taper at our warm and wonderful musical celebration of the Season of Light!" 7 pm -- $26 and up

Music

Monday: July Talk at The Hollow
Alt rock. With: Mona. 8 pm -- $10.27 ahead / $12 day of

Monday: 20 Drummers Drummin' at UAlbany Performing Arts Center
University Percussion Ensemble + Rensselaer Percussion Ensemble + guests. 7 pm -- $6 / $3 students and seniors

Tuesday: Dan + Shay at Upstate Concert Hall
Country. 8 pm -- $20 ahead / $25 day of

Wednesday: Sick Puppies at Upstate Concert Hall
Rock. With: Trapt, Jim Breuer and the Loud & Rowdy, Citizen Zero. 7 pm -- $15 ahead / $18 day of

Thursday: Colony House at Vapor
Alt rock. With: Girl Blue, One Red Martian. (Free because of EQX.) 7 pm -- free

Thursday: Session Americana at Caffe Lena at Saratoga Arts
"Session Americana is a Boston-based rock band in a tea cup, or possibly a folk band in a whiskey bottle." 7 pm -- $20

Friday: Lapalux at EMPAC
"Considered 'one of the finest producers of the moment,' London-based artist Lapalux (AKA Stuart Howard) is a rising star of electronic music." 8 pm -- $18

Friday: The Figgs at The Low Beat
Annual show around the holidays. 8 pm -- $10

Friday: Cannon The Brave at The Madison
EP release show for the indie pop duo. With: Jasper. 8 pm -- $10

Friday: Madaila at Putnam Den
Pysch pop. 9:30 pm -- $10

Saturday: The Ballroom Thieves at Helsinki Hudson
Folk/roots. 9 pm -- $12 ahead / $15 day of

Saturday: Annie In The Water + Black Mountain Symphony at The Hollow
Annual Guthrie/Bell Christmas party show. 8 pm -- $12

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These are a just a few things for this week, not a comprehensive list. Look for out "Stuff to do this weekend" list for the upcoming weekend on Friday.

Know of something people should be looking forward to this week? Please share!

Troy Music Hall and The Madison advertise on AOA. And AOA is a media sponsor of the ESP skating rink.

photo: Marielle Tepper