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 (winter is here), to Thanksgiving, to words and stories, to basketball, to politics, to trotting, to music...

Weather

Here's the paraphrased forecast for this week:

Monday: Maybe some snow in the morning, cloudy. Low 40s.

Tuesday: Cloudy, chance of snow and rain in the afternoon. Upper 30s.

Wednesday: Some sun, maybe some afternoon snow showers. Mid 30s.

Thursday: Sunny. High of 24.

Friday: Sunny, 30.

So... winter's decided to start.

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.

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

Words

Front Parlor
Monday: The Front Parlor storytelling series is at The Olde English in Albany. This month's theme: "Falling." Monday 7:30 pm

Brass Tacks
Tuesday: The Brass Tacks poetry series is back at The Low Beat in Albany. 7 pm

Hoops

UAlbany
Two games for the UAlbany men's basketball team at SECFU Arena:
+ Monday: The Great Danes face Oneonta. Monday 7 pm -- $8 and up
+ Tuesday: They're right back at it with a game against Holy Cross. Tuesday 7 pm -- $8 and up

Siena
The Siena men's basketball team has its first two home games of the season at the TU Center:
+ Wednesday: The Saints take on Lehigh. Wednesday 6 pm -- $10 and up
+ Saturday: They're back in action against Colgate. Saturday 2 pm -- $10 and up

Politics and civility

Monday: Current Congressman Paul Tonko and former Congressman Chris Gibson will be at Siena for for talk titled "Reforming Our Politics: How to Restore Civility to our Political System." It's hosted by Siena's Center for the Study of Government and Politics. Monday 4 pm, Sarazen Student Union -- free

Back To The Video Store: National Lampoon's European Vacation

Monday: The Palace is hosting a screening of National Lampoon's European Vacation -- with the actor who played Rusty, Jason Lively. ""Back to the Video Store" is Albany's first interactive film screening experience that invites YOU the audience to enjoy some of your favorite nostalgic films from the 80's or 90's all while breaking down the making of the film itself with a live special guest who experienced the film first-hand!" Monday 7 pm -- $10

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

Tuesday: A production of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical will be at The Palace. "Come see all of your favorite characters from the special including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life... " Tuesday 6 pm -- $28.50 and up

New York State International Film Festival

Monday-Tuesday: The New York State International Film Festival will be showing a bunch of shorts at The Linda followed by discussions. Monday an Tuesday 6 pm -- $10 / $15 both nights

Stage on screen

Allejujah!
Monday: The Spectrum is screening a National Theatre Live production of Allejujah!, a new play by Allan Bennett. Monday 7 pm -- $15

Red
Tuesday: Proctors is screening a UK production of Red starring Alfred Molina and Alfred Enoch. Tuesday 2 pm and 7 pm -- $15

Turkey trotting

Troy Turkey Trot
Thursday: The annual Troy Turkey Trot is Thanksgiving morning. More than 7,000 people will be running/walking/trotting through downtown Troy. The event includes a 5k, 10k, walk, and kids' mile. There's in-person registration and bib pickup Wednesday from 11 am to 6 pm at the Atrium. And there's also day-of registration starting at 6:30 pm until 30 minutes prior to the start of each event.

Saratoga
Thursday: The annual Chris Dailey Turkey Trot 5k is in downtown Saratoga Springs. 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.

Music

Wednesday: Myles Kennedy & Co. at Upstate Concert Hall
Rock. With: Walking Papers. 8 pm -- $20 ahead / $23 day of

Wednesday: Hamell on Trial at The Low Beat
November residency. 7 pm

Friday-Saturday: The Disco Biscuits at The Palace
Two nights. $39.50 ahead / $42.50 day of

Friday: NRBQ at The Hangar
"Burn off those Turkey Day calories by groovin' to the Q!" 8 pm -- $25

Friday: Eastbound Jesus at Cohoes Music Hall
With: Olivia Quillio. 8 pm -- $22

Friday: Souly Had at Upstate Concert Hall
Hip hop. 27delly, Jay P Finesse (with Hank Stacks & TB), The Age. 8 pm -- $13 ahead / $15 day of

Saturday: Sean Rowe at The Hangar
The one and only. 8 pm -- $20

Saturday: Reel Big Fish at Upstate Concert Hall
"Tickle My Tiki TOURch." With: Ballyhoo!, We are the Union. 8 pm -- $20 ahead / $23 day of

Saturday: The Marcus King Band show at Cohoes Music Hall is sold out.

Sunday: A Joyful Noise! Gospel Brunch at Caffe Lena
"Gospel Music director & Soulist Garland Nelson leads Lena's Inspirational Voices gospel choir for an afternoon of joyful noise." Plus: food from Hattie's. 1 pm -- $35

To do list

1. Spend time with friends and family.

2. Give thanks.

(3. If you're making a frozen turkey for Thanksgiving, TAKE IT OUT OF THE FREEZER NOW and put it in the fridge to start defrosting. Do not wait. And check it Tuesday night to see how it's coming along. Trying to cook a not-thawed turkey is no fun. Also: Don't stress about the cooking. It's your home, not a restaurant. People will be happy just to be together.)

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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!

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