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 (wintry and then not), to holiday movies, to stories, to the stage, to hoops, to skating, to music...

Weather

Here's the paraphrased forecast for this week:

Monday: Rain and snow, windy. Around 40.

Tuesday: Sun and 28.

Wednesday: Sun and 35.

Thursday: Sun and 42.

Friday: Cloudy, probably rainy, around 50.

Wintry and then not.

Screen

Bad Santa
Monday: The Palace's movies series is showing Bad Santa, starring Billy Bob Thornton. Monday 7 pm -- $5

Bolshoi Ballet: Don Quixote
Tuesday: Proctors is showing a Bolshoi Ballet production of Don Quixote in the GE Theatre. Tuesday 2 pm and 7 pm -- $15

It's a Wonderful Life
Looking ahead to Friday: The Palace is showing It's a Wonderful Life. The old classic in an old movie palace. Friday 7 pm -- $5

Words and stories

Front Parlor
Monday: The Front Parlor storytelling series is back at The Olde English in Albany, which is "tarted up like Santa's own gingerbread man cave this time of year." This month's theme: "The Holidays." Monday 7:30 pm

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

Albany Archives
Wednesday: Matt Malette -- Mr. Albany Archives -- will be at the Albany Public Library Washington Ave Branch for a talk about local historical connections to holiday traditions. Among the stories: The first Christmas card printed in the United States was printed in Albany. Wednesday 6:30 pm -- free

Stage

It's a Wonderful Life: Live from WVL Radio Theatre
Wednesday: An Immediate Theatre Project production called It's a Wonderful Life: Live from WVL Radio Theatre is at Proctors. It's the classic story with a twist. "It's Christmas Eve in 1945, and only a handful of WVL Radio's actors have braved the blizzard to perform that evening's broadcast of It's a Wonderful Life and keep the station afloat. This clever stage adaptation breathes new life into the poignant story of George Bailey and Bedford Falls." Wednesday 7:30 pm -- $35

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
Tuesday-Sunday: The is the last week for The Rep's 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

Hoops

Siena
Tuesday: The Siena men's basketball team takes on the College of Charleston at the TU Center. Tuesday 7 pm -- $15 and up

UAlbany
Thursday: The UAlbany men's basketball team faces Manhattan at SEFCU Arena. Thursday 7 pm -- $8 and up

Ice skating

Empire State Plaza
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.

Swinburne
The city of Albany's Swinburne Skating Rink is open for the season. The rink is covered, so it can operate in all weather. It's open Monday-Sunday various times (usually the afternoon and evening). Admission is $1 / 50 cents for kids / 25 cents for seniors. Skate rental is $3.

Music

Tuesday: Cherish the Ladies at Troy Music Hall
"A Celtic Christmas." 7:30 pm -- $29.50 and up

Wednesday: Hamell on Trial at The Low Beat
"Peace on Earth blah blah blah." 7 pm

Thursday: Deadgrass at The Hollow
"[A] string band adventure through Jerry Garcia's musical world." With: The Lane Brothers. 8 pm -- $12

Thursday: Gypsy Jazz Party & Jam with Hot Club of Saratoga at Caffe Lena
They'll be joined by Sara L'Abriola, "a twenty year old guitar virtuoso from New York City studying under gypsy-jazz master Stephane Wrembel." 7 pm -- $15

Saturday: Clear Mind at Lucky Strike Jupiter Hall
As part of a hip hop showcase with: D3V, Rhakim Ali, Promise the Unbreakable, Touch Money Militia, Word the ThirdEye, Chris Cool Peeples & Clarisse Harbour. 8 pm -- $10

Sunday: Roomful of Blues at Caffe Lena
"[O]ne of the tightest, most joyful blues ensembles in the world." 7 pm -- $37

Sunday: Pony in the Pancake Holiday Show at The Low Beat
Better Pills, Onlyness, Beargrass, Sinkcharmer, Los Espejos, Electric Turtle. 7 pm

To do list

1. Christmas is a week from Tuesday, so things are slowing down for the end of the year. It's a good time to finalize plans for holiday cooking/entertaining/visiting/travel.

2. If you're thinking about going out on New Year's Eve, line up reservations. (Don't wait.)

3. Spend time with family and friends.

4. Be good to yourself. You made it through this year.
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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 advertises on AOA. And AOA is a sponsor of the ESP ice rink.