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 (sunny ), to Muppets, to the stage, to marijuana, to stories, to skating, to music...

Weather

Here's the paraphrased forecast for this week:

Monday: Sun and mid 30s.

Tuesday: Sun and 32.

Wednesday: Sun and 31.

Thursday: Sun and 32.

Friday: Cloudy, mid 40s.

That sun will feel good.

Movies

The Muppet Christmas Carol
Monday: The Palace is showing The Muppet Christmas Carol (Michael Caine plays Scrooge.) Monday 7 pm -- $5

The Madness of George III
Tuesday: Proctors is showing the National Theatre Live filmed production of The Madness of George III, starring Mark Gatiss as the king. Tuesday 2 pm and 7 pm -- $15

Edward Scissorhands
Thursday: The It Came From Schenectady series at Proctors is showing the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp. Thursday 6:30 pm -- $9 / $6 students, seniors, kids

Stage

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
Tuesday-Sunday: The Rep continues its production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, based on characters from Pride and Prejudice. "In this charmingly imagined sequel to Jane Austen's masterwork, the ever-dependable Mary Bennet is growing tired of her role as dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings' romantic escapades. When the family visits for Christmas, an unexpected guest sparks Mary's hopes for independence, an intellectual match -- and possibly even love?" Tuesday-Sunday various times -- $22 and up

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Wednesday-Sunday: The Classic Theater Guild has a production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in The Addy at Proctors. Wednesday-Sunday various times -- $20 / $16 students, seniors, military

Arts and sciences

Marijuana: Justice, Equity, Reinvestment
Tuesday-Wednesday: An event called "Marijuana: Justice, Equity, Reinvestment" will be at the Albany Capital Center. It includes a series of talks, panels, and discussions related to marijuana legalization in New York State, and the opportunities that could present for economic development and social justice. Tuesday-Wednesday various times -- free (registration required)

Meltwater mayhem
Tuesday: The Brainfood for the Curious series of short lunchtime talks at the State Museum continues with a talk about the time when New York State was covered with an ice sheet -- and what happened when it melted. Tuesday 12:10-12:30 pm, Huxley Theater -- free

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

Ice skating

The ice skating rink on the Empire State Plaza is now open for the season. The operating schedule is seven days a week (weather permitting) from noon-8 pm, closed daily from 3:30-4:30 pm for maintenance. It's free to skate. Skate rental is $4 for adults / $3 for kids 12 and under, and Saturday is free skate rental day.

Music

Monday: Breaking Benjamin + Five Finger Death Punch at TU Center
Hard rock. 6 pm -- $25 and up

Wednesday: Horseshoes & Hand Grenades at Caffe Lena
"Bluegrass mavericks." 7 pm -- $20

Thursday-Sunday: Melodies of Christmas at Proctors
Annual holiday concerts featuring the Empire State Youth Orchestra and Youth Chorale. various times -- $25 and up

Thursday: Ghost at The Palace
Metal. 8 pm -- $39.50 and up

Thursday: Ballroom Thieves at Massry Center
Rescheduled show. With: Odetta Hartman. 8 pm -- $25

Thursday: Funk Night Xmas at Parish Public House
Hayley Jane (Hayley Jane and the Primates), Beau Sasser (Kung Fu), Chris DeAngelis (Kung Fu), Justin Henricks (Wurliday), Bryan Brundige (The Chronicles), Phil Chow (The Chronicles). 9 pm -- $10 ahead / $15 day of / $5 off with a toy for the toy drive

Thursday: Griffin House at Caffe Lena
Singer/songwriter. 7 pm -- $25

Thursday: Comedy Night + Paranoid Social Club at Putnam Place
Two comics + one band. 8 pm -- $15

Friday: Jewel's Handmade Holiday Tour at The Palace
"[P]erforming Holiday classics, Holiday originals and classic Jewel songs." 8 pm -- $39.50 and up

Friday: Mendelssohn Club Holiday Concert at The Egg
Now in its 110th season. 7:30 pm -- $22

Friday: Mountain Snow Orchestra at The Egg
"Kevin McKrell, Brian Melick, John Kirk & Trish Miller have been bringing Christmas cheer to audiences for years as the 'orchestra' for the annual Mountain Snow Mistletoe Show and return for a down home evening of holiday music, merriment and mischief." 8 pm -- $25

Friday: Donna The Buffalo at Cohoes Music Hall
Roots. With: The Gary Douglas Band. 8 pm -- $27

Friday: Ana Egge at Caffe Lena
Folk. Album release show. 8 pm -- $20

Saturday: Bebel Gilberto at The Egg
"Born into bossa-nova royalty, Bebel Gilberto warms the season with an intimate evening of contemporary Brazilian jazz." 8 pm -- $34.50

Saturday: Jocelyn & Chris at The Hollow
That would be Jocelyn Arndt and Chris Arndt. 8 pm -- $15

Saturday-Sunday: Holiday Folk Show at Caffe Lena
"The time when festive folks across the region come to Caffe Lena to enjoy a sweet, sentimental and silly celebration of the season complete with swanky décor, audience participation, and loads of lovely songs." December 15 at 8 pm, December 16 at 3 pm -- $20 / $10 kids and students

Saturday-Sunday: Everett Bradley's Holidelic at Helsinki Hudson
"[T]he holiday-funk spectacular Holidelic features original holiday songs as well as loose, funk-infused adaptations of Tchaikovsky, "Frosty the Snowman," "Little Drummer Boy" and the like." December 15 at 9 pm, December 16 at 8 pm -- $25

Sunday: Albany Gay Men's Chorus: "Everything Possible"
Annual chorus concert of holiday music, this year at the at the First Lutheran Church in Albany (181 Western Ave). 4 pm -- $15

Sunday: President's Holiday Concert at EMPAC
Annual RPI holiday concert in EMPAC's concert hall. 3 pm -- free (registration requested)

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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!

AOA is a sponsor of the ESP ice rink.