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 (proper), to holiday stuff, to skating, to cooking, to music...

Weather

Here's the paraphrased forecast for this week:

Monday: Scattered snow showers, sun, mid 30s.

Tuesday: Snow, 2-6 inches depending on location, mid 30s.

Wednesday: Maybe snow, low 20s.

Thursday: Some sun, low 20s.

Friday: Cloudy, around 30.

Proper winter.

Hanukkah

The Jewish holiday Hanukkah begins at sunset Tuesday and runs through sundown on December 20. Hanukkah commemorates the re-dedication of the temple in Jerusalem in 165 BCE, and a miracle in which a supply of oil only large enough to burn for one night lasted for eight -- thus the eight nights of Hanukkah.

Die Hard

Monday: The Palace is showing Die Hard -- which is, or is not, a Christmas movie depending on who you're to talking to. Monday 7 pm -- $5

Stage

She Loves Me
Tuesday-Sunday: Capital Rep continues its production of She Loves Me. "This confection of a musical is based on the timeless story by Miklos Laszlo that also served as inspiration for the classic film The Shop Around the Corner and more recently You've Got Mail." Tuesday-Sunday various times -- $25 and up

Disney on Ice
Thursday-Sunday: The touring Disney on Ice show is at the TU Center. It has a Frozen them, because of course it does. Thursday-Sunday various times and prices

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Thursday-Sunday: A production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will be at Cohoes Music Hall. "The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world-so when they crash Sunday school and demand parts in the Christmas pageant, the whole town panics." A Park Playhouse production. Thursday-Sunday various times -- $25 / $15 kids 12 and under

Arts and sciences

Beyond global warming
Tuesday: The Brain Food for the Curious series of short lunchtime talks at the State Museum has a talk about global warming and its effects. Tuesday 12:10 pm, Huxley Theater -- free

Punk Rock Sketch and Sip
Wednesday: The Punk Rock Sketch and Sip is back at The Low Beat. "Learn or practice figure drawing with live, alternative figure models, with local artist and educator Robert B. Eaton. Enjoy a complimentary draft while you sketch. All skill levels welcome, attendees are encouraged to bring their own materials but limited materials will be provided to get you started." Wednesday 6 pm -- $15 / $8 students

Immigrant stories
Wednesday: The "Immigrant Stories: In Their Own Words" series in Saratoga Springs will be at Caffe Lena with stories about holidays. "Almost everyone celebrates a holiday, be it religious, national, or personal, and in this way we are brought to empathy, understanding and common ground. Tonight's immigrant storytellers will give accounts of their process of coming to the states with the experience of holidays woven in." Wednesday 6:30 pm -- free

Cooking

This could be a good week to stay warm by taking a cooking class...

Italian bakery
Tuesday: Gio Culinary Studio has an Italian bakery class: cannoli, sfogliatelle, pasticiotti, zeppole, creams and fillings. Tuesday 6:15 pm -- $65

Ric's World Tour:South Russia
Tuesday: Different Drummer's Kitchen has a class with Ric Orlando about dishes from Central Asia, including dips, kebabs, and kasha. Tuesday 6 pm -- $79

Sushi
Wednesday: Different Drummer's Kitchen has an intermediate sushi class with Yasuo and Kathy Saso. Wednesday 6 pm -- $69

Skating

The ice skating rink at the ESP recently opened for the season, 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) -- weather permitting. 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.

Music

Tuesday: Jennifer Nettles at The Palace
"See Jennifer Nettles perform all of her biggest hits along with holiday classics from her album 'To Celebrate Christmas'..." 8 pm -- $39.75

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

Thursday: Eileen Ivers Joyful Christmas at Troy Music Hall
"Celebrate the season with one of the world's most acclaimed fiddlers!" 7:30 pm -- $32 and up

Thursday: Scotty McCreery at Upstate Concert Hall
Country. With: Drew Baldridge. 8 pm -- $30 ahead / $33 day of

Thursday: Adam Ezra Group at Caffe Lena
Alt folk rock. 7 pm -- $18

Friday: Mendelssohn Club Holiday Concert at The Egg
"The Mendelssohn Club of Albany is its 109th season, presents 'Class and Brass.'" 7:30 pm - $20

Friday: Mountain Snow Orchestra at The Egg
"John Kirk, Brian Melick and Kevin McKrell have been bringing Christmas cheer to audiences for years as the 'orchestra' for the annual Mountain Snow Mistletoe Show. This year they will be joined by the 'new' McKrells and their Celtic-influenced 'folkgrass' for a down home evening of holiday music, merriment and mischief." 8 pm -- $28

Friday: Gibson Brothers: North Country Christmas at Proctors
Bluegrass. 7:30 pm -- $30 and up

Friday: Broadside at The Hollow
Pop punk. 8:30 pm -- $14

Saturday: Shemekia Copeland at The Massry Center
Soul/blues/R&B. 8 pm -- $35

Saturday: Magpie and Kim & Reggie Harris: Sing Solstice at Proctors
An 8th Step show. 7:30 pm -- $26 and up

Saturday: Boy Named Banjo at Caffe Lena
Americana. With: Richie & Rosie. 8 pm -- $18

Saturday: Lord Electro at Parish Public House
Jam. With: The Edd, Sun House. 9 pm -- $10

Sunday: Albany Pro Musica The Many Moods of Christmas at Troy Music Hall
"This year's program features Ola Gjeilo's stunning 'Dreamweaver' and Robert Shaw's exhilarating collection, 'The Many Moods of Christmas, suite three.'" 3 pm - $25 and up

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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!

The Troy Music Hall advertises on AOA. And AOA is a sponsor of the ice rink at the ESP.