Items tagged with 'stufftodo'
Stuff to do this weekend
The holiday weekend is here! This is the time of year we dream about in February, so don't let it pass you by. Get out and do some stuff. Want some hints? We've got some.
The Buzz about Serena and Anna
Serena Williams will be in town next Wednesday for a World Team Tennis match at the Washington Ave Armory, the new home of the NY Buzz (they had previously played in Schenectady's Central Park). And with a few breaks (tennis joke), Serena could very well be the new Wimbledon champ by next week.
The other big star on this year's Buzz schedule is Anna Kournikova. She'll be here July 22. Tickets aren't cheap for either match ($39, $49, $59). But if you're thinking you'd like to see both of them play, you might consider just buying a season pass to the Buzz. It's $99 for every game, which is only $20 less than tickets to see the two stars.
Fireworks!
Ooooooooo. Ahhhhhhhhhh.
It's 4th of July weekend! Time for barbecues , picnics and fireworks. If seeing the fireworks is part of your patriotic duty, you'll have plenty of opportunity to fulfill it this weekend. Here's the list:
Troy's Prospect Park
You're never too old to play in the park.
Here's to feeling like a kid again on merry-go-rounds, swings and slides, and then having a grown-up picnic underneath a lazy tree (bring Kool-Aid and leave the wine at home). If it's still not worth playing hooky for, maybe the view--watching everyone hustle about their normal harried lives--might sway you to freedom.
The Silver Birch Trading Post
Fair-trade art and gifts at The Silver Birch
A-Town's Delaware Avenue is home to a handful of gems that are adding to its up-and-comer image. Count fair-trade advocate The Silver Birch Trading Post among them. A hybrid of an art gallery and a boutique, the store's goal is to help support starving artists both around the way and around the world. So if you're a lawyer by day and pillow stuffer/wood ring carver/hot shot photographer by night, release your artsy output right here.
Capital Region Pools
Doesn't this make you want to take the rest of the day off?
Summer isn't summer without a little pool time. So where can you cool off and get a few laps or a good game of Marco Polo in around the Capital Region? You pack the beach towel and sunscreen, we've got the list:
Aficionado
Aficionado -- all ten of 'em.
Tonight kicks off a regional tour for ten-piece local progressive rock band Aficionado at Savannah's. Yes, there really are ten full-time members, including a flautist and a member who plays the lights. If you haven't heard them yet, just wait until they play tonight. Apparently, listening to them without the visual experience is like "going to see Cirque du Soleil with a blindfold on."
Stuff to do this weekend
This weekend marks the unofficial start of summer for those of us still stuck on the academic calendar. School is out, the pools are opening, the evening air smells of neighboring barbecues and there's plenty of fun stuff to do. Here are some of our picks:
The carousel in Saratoga
It has it's ups and downs.
The thoroughbreds aren't in town for another month, but if you've got a hankering for the horses check out the hand carved beauties on the carousel in Saratoga's Congress Park. The nearly 100 year old carousel was carved in Coney Island by the renowned artist Marcus Illions and has been bouncing around Saratoga County ever since. In 2002 it found a home in Congress Park and as of mid June it's open every day but Monday (weather permitting) throughout the summer. Yes, big kids (adults who just want to ride the carousel) are allowed, and It's only 50 cents a ride. Even a bet at the flat track will cost you a buck.
Thurston Moore in town tonight
Thurston Moore (you know, from Sonic Youth) will be playing an Albany Sonic Arts Collective show tonight at the Upstate Artists Guild on Lark Street. A few other acts are also playing, including A-Town's Century Plants. The show starts at 8 pm. It's a $10 suggested donation.
It's a short trip for Moore. He lives in Northampton.
(Thanks, Jessica!)
photo: Flickr user gaelenh, used under a CC license
Last Vestige- Saratoga
It's a more-hit-than-miss kind of beat-up musical boutique thing that makes Last Vestige in Saratoga an essential weekly stop. Every trip is different because most of the stock is a rotating bundle of used media. So while you might not find the season three DVD of Weeds this week, there's a likely chance you'll stumble on a coveted Black Flag album or even a Tommy James and The Shondells cassette.
Still, in the age of Amazon, why bother with a vintage record shop?
Tea Time on Lark
Tea time
Tea lovers, you can rejoice. Albany's now got a place just for you. You'll no longer have to settle for the coffee house scene, because the Good Leaf Tea Company has opened a real, honest-to-goodness tea house on Lark Street.
The folks of Good Leaf already run a shop and café at the At the Warehouse, not to mention an online store, but now they've expanded the business with another shop and cafe in Center Square. The cafe, which opened just over a week and a half ago, occupies the space that once housed Lark Tattoo at 274 Lark.
Stuff to do this weekend
There's a ton of good stuff going on around here this weekend. Pick what you love and go with it. Here's what looks good to us.
Kathy Griffin
Tickets are still available for the D-list diva's one woman show tonight at The Palace.
Schenectady Art Night
It's the third Friday of the month, which means it's Art Night in downtown Schenectady. Expect a bit more of a celtic feel than usual. Tonight's events are being held in conjunction with Schenectady's Celtic Faire.
Collar City CD Release Party
Collar City Records celebrates the release of four new albums and introduces the June Bundle tonight at Amrose & Sable Gallery. Princess Mabel, Ben Karis-Nix and Ike Snopes will perform. Things get going at 7:30 $5
Art on Lark
There's art and music all day Saturday at this annual Lark Street arts fest. Hundreds of artists will display and sell their work. There's also a sidewalk chalk competition and the Project LARKway fashion show.
The Saratoga Springs Comic Con
Saratoga's comic book and art convention this Saturday at The City Center. Check out the comics, artwork and the original 1966 Batmobile.
Sundae on the Farm
Celebrate agriculture in Saratoga County with farm tours, wagon rides, music, a barbecue, cooking demonstrations and activities for the kids. And oh yeah-- ice cream (with our new favorite hot fudge sauce).
So? What are you doing this weekend?
Testing video games at 1st Playable
Here's something cool for your kids to do now that school's letting out. 1st Playable, a video game developer in Troy that specializes in games for devices such as the Nintendo DS, is looking for kids to try out its games. Not only do the kids get to play the games before they come out, they also get their names in the credits.
The only downside: you have to be 15 or younger, which edges out the AOA editors by, um, just a few years.
More details after the jump...
The 2008 At The Plaza schedule
The schedule of concerts and festivals this summer at the ESP came out today. The full schedule, with a bunch of links, is after the jump. Here are a few things that caught our eye:
Swing Night with the Count Basie Orchestra and Royal Crown Revue
July 30
This should be fun -- the CBO will kick it old-school and RCR will bring something a little more modern.
The Temptations Revue and Grand Master Flash
African American Family Day - August 2
OK, it's not the real Temptations but they sound pretty close. And Grandmaster Flash is a walking, mixing piece of hip hop history.
KT Tunstall and Martha Wainwright
At The Plaza Food Festival - August 6
Yep, Tunstall is the one who sings that "Suddenly I See" song that's been played on something like half of all TV shows and film trailers over the last year. And Martha Wainwright is Rufus' sister and Loudon's daughter.
Here's the full schedule...
The Mathematicians
Who says math geeks never get the girl?
Update: Their appearance has been canceled due to illness. But it looks like they'll be playing Glens Falls (for free!) on July 5.
Move over Schoolhouse Rock, The Mathematicians are taking "math rock" to a whole new level.
Yes, we said it. Math rock. It's coming to Art on Lark. And we promise it's far cooler than it sounds.
Saratoga Folk Festival
Bob Dylan and a bunch of other great folk/folk-rock acts (Conor Oberst, Gillian Welch, Steve Earle and others) will be playing SPAC on August 17. Matthew Loiacono's take: this show's a "doozy."
And check it out, you can buy a pack of four lawn tickets for $120.
photo: LiveNation
The Queen Bee at Oh Bar
No one was the same after a recent adult spelling bee in Massachusetts
How do you spell fun?
How about an adult spelling bee?
Stuff to do this weekend
It's damn near perfect outside, so step away from your computer and get out and do something. Go. Now. We'll be here when you get back.
Need some ideas?
Troy's River Street Festival
Crafts, food, antiques, music and stuff for the kids from 10-6 Saturday in downtown Troy.
Meet Mame and the girls
The Saturday screenings of "Sittin' on a Million" the documentary about Mame Faye, the infamous Madam of Troy sold out quickly, but you can still get a seat for the Sunday matinee at The Sanctuary for Independent Media. A $10 donation is suggested. $5 dollars for seniors and low income.
Saratoga Arts Fest
The weekend-long celebration of the arts includes dance, theater, film, music, visual arts and readings.
Go to Hudson
It's a quick trip to a cool place. Check out the shops, look for the gallery dog at The Stair, tour the opera house and try the duck confit panino at Swoon.
Check out Crisan
Everybody's talking about this fabulous new bakery on Lark Street. And hey, you can get gelato for a buck.
So, what's your plan?
Rev Records live album release show
Remember when local record label The Rev Records put on a show during which they recorded a live album?
Well, that album is finally ready and it's being released this Saturday at Valentines. The show is $8 to get in, but that includes a copy of the CD.
The compilation features 12 local artists performing one song each, including singer-songwriter Laura Boggs and Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned. Boggs will be performing, along with We are Jeneric, The Woodstove and Bessam Sam. The show's scheduled to start around 8 or so.
All proceeds will go toward local arts collective the Capital District Federation of Ideas.
Looking for a pool?
So yesterday's post about the to-do over Saratoga's public pools opening so late in the season prompted some A-towners to say, "Hey, what about us". We did a little checking and here's what we found.
Stuff to do this weekend
Hey, it could be worse--it could be snowing. Break out your galoshes and umbrella and go do something fun this weekend. Here are a few suggestions.
1st Friday
Things are clearing up a bit just in time for 1st Friday in Albany. While you're there,
check out the edible art at Crisan. Don't forget UAG's After 1st Friday Film Series. $5 suggested donation.
The Boss in Barcelona
Proctor's is screening a Springsteen concert recorded live in Barcelona tonight at 8. It's the next best thing to being there and at $10 it costs a lot less.
Kid Friendly
Proctor's is also sponsoring a kids art festival on Jay and State Streets and inside City Hall. Saturday from noon to 4. Free.
Summer of Love
Albany Center Galleries celebrates the 60's with hundreds of pieces of 5x5 art. Tonight from 5 -10 $25 gets you into a "bash" that includes music, hors d'oeuvres, a "trippy light show" and a look at the art. It also gets you one piece to take home. 60's attire is encouraged. On Saturday from noon-5 there's an "art in" with activities for kids an adults where you can see the art for free.
Lobsterpalooza
Lobster, steak and microbrews in Washington Park. Sounds good to us. You can save a few bucks if you order your tickets today.
Pridefest
Of course there's always Tiffany's big comeback show at The Waterworks on Saturday night, but the Pride Week festivities continue into Sunday with a free concert in Washington Park. Performances by Sirsy, Charmed and Dangerous and others.
Margan and The Red Lions
We recently discovered this Albany/NYC based group and highly recommend you check them out. They'll be at Valentine's Sunday night at 8.
So, what are you up to this weekend?
TvFilm short film screening
So you couldn't make it to Cannes or Sundance this year (scheduling conflicts, of course), but you have a hankering for fresh new independent film. Then you might want to check out TvFilm. WMHT's newest program will showcase films produced by filmmakers here in the Capital District.
The series kicks off on Thursday June 12, but if you're the looking for that Riviera on the Hudson experience (what's Monaco got on Defreestville? -- don't answer that), there's a preview screening this Saturday at 1 pm at the WMHT Studios in the Rensselaer Tech Park. The filmmakers will be there if you'd like to do the meet and greet thing. (The screening is free, but you have to reserve a spot.)
As for what you'll see, it looks pretty eclectic. The 15 films include: a documentary about an infamous Troy madam, a thriller about karma and the human psyche in the age of technology, an artistic exploration of the human form, and a look at growing up from a parent's point of view.
The TV Film blog has all the details. A few trailers are embedded after the jump.
David Sedaris at the Palace
David Sedaris, he of the humorously embellished personal story, will be at the Palace Theater September 28.
OK, so why bring this up now? Well, based on his past appearances in the Capital Region, Sedaris has a huge following here. His last reading at the Palace (more than a year ago) was absolutely jammed. So if you'd like to catch him this time around, start planning. Tickets go on sale June 21. They're $36.50.
After the jump, embedded video of David Sedaris on the Daily Show this week.
Pay What You Will night at Cap Rep
Tomorrow is "Pay What You Will" night for Capital Rep's production of the Pulitzer prizewinning drama Doubt. Pay what you will works just like it sounds. You pick your own ticket price. Make a little time to stand in line, though. It's understandably a pretty popular event. Tickets go on sale at 5PM Thursday at noon and it's first come first serve. Curtain is at 7:30.
Nothing says pride like a Tiffany concert
Remember Tiffany, the-sweet faced 80's pop star whose cover of "I Think We're Alone Now" spent weeks on the Billboard top 100? Tiffany who sold millions of albums and concert tickets and vied for our attention with Debbie Gibson? Tiffany who introduced us to The New Kids on The Block when she gave them their big break as her opening act? Yeah... umm...she's playing at The Waterworks this weekend. Yep, the gay bar on Central Avenue.
Stuff to do this weekend
Hey, it's the weekend. Quick, get out and do something before it rains. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Troy Night Out
There's lots of cools stuff going on in the collar city for Troy Night Out tonight. Check out the Spectres of Liberty exhibit at 8:30, the Trashion show at Revolution Hall at 9 followed by The Official Unofficial After Party at 11.
Albany Public Library Garage Band Series
The APL garage band series kicks off tonight with Alta Mira and The Sense Offenders. The show is in the Elk Street garage behind the main APL branch on Washington Avenue. Free
Suzanne Vega
SPAC's concert series at The Spa Little Theater continues with singer/songwriter Susanne Vega. Saturday 8pm.$25
Saratoga Film Forum
This weekend The Film Forum presents the dark comedy "Married Life". Pierce Brosnan stars in this story of a man who decides to kill his wife because he loves her too much to make her suffer when he leaves her. Want to know more? Check out metacritic.com
Friday at 8pm, Sunday at 7pm. $6
Eat Outside!
There might be a few opportunities to dine al fresco in between the showers this weekend. Check out the outdoor dining map and decide where to go.
Spectres of Liberty
If you're heading to Troy Night Out, check out the inflatable ghost church. Yes, we said inflatable-ghost-church. The site specific exhibit called Spectres of Liberty recreates a church that burned down in 1941 with the use of inflatable sculpture and video.
The Hudson Opera House
If you stop by the Hudson Opera House, they'll let you take a tour of the place -- and it's pretty cool, in a history-bleeds-from-the-walls kind of way. The org that runs the building is hoping to have it restored in five years.
The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
Professional wrestling has a hall of fame? Sure, why not? But guess where it is: Amsterdam, NY. Yes, just thirty short miles from The National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs (ah the artistic diversity of the Capital Region) you can find tributes to pro-wrestling faves from Gorgeous George to Rowdy Roddy Piper.
From trash to trashion
Pieces from the M.T. Maiello's trashion collection.
This Friday night models will strut down a catwalk at Revolution Hall wearing outfits made of stuff other people threw away -- in the garbage. Designers have been working for months on the trash couture that will be showcased at the annual Trashion show. No, you won't find people wearing this stuff off the runway -- but what these designers can do with trash is pretty amazing.
So how does trash become trashion?
Safety Last at Proctors
If you're looking for something kind of cool and a little different to do tonight, Proctors in Schenectady is screening the classic Harold Lloyd silent Safety Last. The cool part is that Proctor's is showing it old school, with live pipe organ accompaniment by Don Thompson. Tickets are only $3 and you can catch it at 2:15, 4:45 or 7:30.
Stuff to do this weekend
If $4 a gallon gas prices are keeping you close to home for the holiday weekend, there's still fun to be had. Even if parades aren't your thing. Here are a few options we found right in our own backyard.
Listen up
A couple of good local bands are playing tonight at Tess' Lark Tavern tonight: Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned and Scientific Maps. 10 pm / $5
He's Bach
This week The Saratoga Film Forum hosts the regional premiere of The Silence Before Bach, an artistic look at the influence of the composer that takes you to surprising places. Or so says the NY Times. Friday 8pm, Sunday 7pm. $6
Happy Birthday Bob
Dylan fans can celebrate the songwriters 67th birthday at Proctor's in Schenectady Saturday night. The GE theater is screening the Dylan documentary The Other Side of the Mirror: Bob Dylan Live at the Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965 (clips | review) Shows are at 7:45 and 10. $6
Indy at the multiplex
If you haven't checked out the new Regal Cinema multiplex at Colonie Center, the return of Indiana Jones is a good excuse.
Grill something
It's Memorial Day weekend, you have a patriotic duty to fire up the grill. It's hard to go wrong with a Bilinski's chicken sausage.
So, what are you doing this weekend?
Jaws at The Palace
(Cue ominous music)
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to The Palace, the biggest, scariest movie star of 1975 is back. No, not Jack Nicholson -- the giant shark from Jaws.
Tonight at 7 the classic film series at Albany's Palace Theater winds up its season with the 1976 Academy Award winning film that scared the bejesus out of beach lovers everywhere. (And launched the idea of the blockbuster summer movie.) We're not sure how the special effects will hold up after 30 years, but it's #46 on AFI's list of the 100 best movies of all time, and it's a chance to see what Spielberg did before he was "SPIELBERG." That alone makes it well worth the $5 price of admission.
Stuff to do this weekend
No, there's no festival this weekend, but the tulips are still around if you'd like to pay them a visit. Been there, done that? Here are a few other ideas.
Schenectady Art Night
Schenectady's Art Night Celebrates its first anniversary tonight from 5 - 9 pm.
Hudson, plugged in
Plugged In Hudson is a mile long exhibit of new media works from artists throughout the Hudson Valley. It opens with a reception on Saturday, but you can see it everywhere from shop windows to the sides of buildings through the end of the month.
Craft Derby
Local vendors will display their crafts at The Capital District Federation of Ideas Craft Derby. Saturday from noon to 6 pm at Point Five on Madison Ave.
Experimental Music
The Albany Sonic Arts Collective is hosting an experimental music show Saturday night at the Upstate Artists Guild. Guests include Chris Cooper, Bill Nace and Mike and Linda Aubry Bullock.
Take Control
Control, a look back at the the life of the late Joy Division signer Ian Curtis, opens at The Spectrum this weekend. It's gotten pretty good reviews, but it's only in town for a week, so if you want to see it in the theater, don't wait.
Saratoga Film Forum
If old time screwball comedies appeal to you, the Saratoga Film Forum is screening "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day", which stars Frances McDormand and Amy Adams. The NY Times thought it was fun. Friday and Saturday at 8PM. Sunday at 7PM. $6
Plugged In Hudson
It sounds like Hudson has something pretty cool cooking over the next two weeks. Here's how Plugged In Hudson describes itself:
PLUGGED IN will be exhibited in and along the mile-long Warren Street, the main business district, in Hudson, New York. From May 17 through May 31, artists will utilize everything from storefront windows to the sides of buildings, to the street itself to exhibit their site specific work. Over the course of the past year we have been working with each artist to find a space which will be both engaging and challenging for their work.
The kick-off party is tomorrow night. Video mashup artists Electic Method will be setting the scene from 6-10 pm in the Parc Foundation building at 330 Warren St. Also in the mix: artist Mike Long will be painting a 10 foot mural all night. And there will be music courtest of Lukomski/Majer/Lail and DJs ESE and Mikey Palms.
The overarching Plugged In exhibition runs from May 17 to May 31.
Albany Sonic Arts Collective
And now for something completely different. Noise, avante garde and other so-called "weird" music have found a home in A-Town with a new experimental music org.
Preview the new theater at Colonie Center
For $2, there's probably something you'll like.
You know that movie theater they've been building on the roof of Colonie Center for seemingly forever? Well, it's finally ready.
The official opening is this Friday, but the theater's having a sort of dress rehearsal the next few days, which means you can check it out for cheap. Really cheap. Admission is $2 to showings of not-exactly-new-anymore movies. Popcorn and drinks are also two bucks.
The preview lineup is kind of a mixed bag. For every Atonement there seems to be a 10,000 BC. But it's hard to go wrong for $2. And given that the place is brand new, your feet might not even stick to the floor.
Stuff to do this weekend
Ready. Set. Start your weekend. Looks like there's lots to do this weekend. And hey, the weather may not suck so much after all. Here are a few things you might want to try.
Tip-toe near the tulips
Albany's 60th Annual Tulip Festival kicks off tonight and continues through Sunday. And thanks to city gardener Judy Stacey, you'll have plenty to talk about at the event.
If you're feeling nostalgic the weekend music slate includes a show by The Spin Doctors (yes, we were surprised they're still together, too). And don't forget, tonight's your big chance to see "Night Fire", A-Town's floating, burning tulip.
Saratoga Film Forum
This week the film forum is screening "Caramel".
Billed as a smarter than the average chick flick, this film revolves around the lives of 5 Lebanese women who work in, or patronize, a Beirut beauty shop. Friday at 8pm and Sunday at 7 pm. $6
The Rev Records Following Friday Concert Series
Tonight Rev Records presents "Human Mix Tapes" at Point 5 in Albany at 7 pm. Bring a favorite song (and copies to distribute to the crowd if you can) and be prepared to share. Everybody sings tonight.
Pangea Day
On Saturday at 2 pm Proctor's Theater in Schenectady is showing Pangea Day, a live global film "event" from sites in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai and Rio de Janeiro. There are speakers, music and 24 short films. Sure, you can watch it on TV, online or on your mobile phone, but you can see it on the big screen at Proctors for free.
Eric Margan and The Red Lions
The Albany/NYC based group is playing downstairs at Valentine's Saturday night (8 pm). If you haven't heard them yet, you really should check them out. Ben Karis Nix and The Dig are also playing. $7
So what are you up to this weekend?
Edwood film camp
If what you really want to do is direct , here's your big chance.
Inspired by the iconic campy film director Ed Wood, the folks from the Edwood Film Fest are back at work on their 11th local independent film festival. This year organizer Peter Barnett has added a new twist for wannabe filmmakers.
Lawrence of Arabia at The Palace
The Palace Theater's classic film series continues tonight with #5 on the AFI list of greatest movies of all time,
The rest of the cast is a who's who of the finest film actors of the day: Jose Ferrer, Alec Guinness, Claude Rains, Omar Sharif -- and we're just getting started.
Thanks in part to the award-winning art direction -- and in part to Peter O'Toole (sigh) -- this film is gorgeous to look at. And it's widely viewed as the most influential on the film making industry. It won seven academy awards in 1963, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Score. We like it for Peter O'Toole (sigh).
As always, curtain is at 7 and admission is only $5.
Stuff to do this weekend
This weekend you could just pine over your digital photos of fun in the sun from last weekend. Or you could try to make your own sunshine. Here are a few things that might help take the blah out of a rainy weekend.
1st Friday
We know it's hard to believe, but it's 1st Friday in Albany already.
Writer's Institute Classic Film Series
This week at Page Hall, the low budget Japanese horror classic "The Face of Another".
Saratoga Film Forum
This week The Film Forum is showing The Bank Job.
Sgt Dunbar & The Hobo Banned
One of our new local favorites is playing downstairs at Valentines on Saturday night. Also playing will be Wye Oak from Baltimore. Want to check them out first? You can stream their new album "If Children" at mergerecords.com. $5
Learn about wine
The first in a series of May wine workshops with expert Kathleen Lisson. Tonight's class focuses on ordering wine in a restaurant. $5
Albany History Fair
The fair includes history tours, exhibits, music and hands on stuff for kids. Noon to 4 at the Albany Heritage Area Visitor's Center in Quakenbush Square. The walking tour with Albany's city historian looks interesting.
Saratoga Farmers Market
The Saratoga Farmers Market moves outdoors this week. Bring a sweater.
What are you doing this weekend?
It's Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's
Nothing takes the gloom out of a soggy spring day like free ice cream. And you can get some today at Ben and Jerry's. Yep, it's Free Cone Day. Once again the creators of of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Cherry Garcia are celebrating their birthday by giving you free ice cream. And all the local Ben and Jerry's are taking part. Yep, Lark Street, Lake George, Saratoga-- even the super-secret Ben and Jerry's in the basement of The Union at RPI. So? Grab your umbrella and get in line.
Stuff to do this weekend
Yes, we're looking at a little rain this weekend. No, it doesn't bother us. There's plenty to do between storms. Here's a sampling of Spring fun we've managed to unearth.
Troy Night Out
The festivities get underway at 6PM. Also, the Green Island Bridge will be closed for a few hours so people can check out the new Hedley Park lighting display. And don't forget the "Official Unofficial After Party" at Revolution Hall. That starts at 10.
Roller Derby
The Empire Skate Troopers face off against Syracuse's Assault City Roller girls at the Washington Avenue Armory Saturday night. It's the last bout of the season for the Albany All Stars women's roller derby league. Music starts at six, and the bout gets underway at 7.
Art
The Sanctuary for Independent Media re-opens its place in Troy Saturday evening with a traveling art exhibit called "An Atlas of Radical Cartography," which features "a collection of maps and essays about social issues from globalization to garbage; surveillance to extraordinary rendition; statelessness to visibility; deportation to migration." Doors (re)open at 6pm, with The Fay Victor Ensemble playing at 8. The art exhibit is free, the jazz is $10.
New Plays Festival
This month long festival continues at Proctor's Theater. Featured this week: "General Desdemona" by Egan Rich and Nahal Navidar's "110 Flights".
The Riverview Storytelling Festival
A weekend of events celebrating the art of storytelling. It includes concerts, workshops and a storytelling swap.
Saratoga Film Forum
With one week to go before the 134th running of The Kentucky Derby, The Saratoga Film Forum presents the upstate premiere of The First Saturday in May. The award winning documentary is a behind the scenes look at the lives and work of six trainers leading up to the 2006 run for the roses.
Mardis Gras Festival
Yes, it's the end of April and Mardis Gras was in February. But The Giving Circle Inc. is hosting a Mardis Gras Festival in Saratoga Springs on Sunday, complete with music, a Cajun food festival and a parade.
The Riverway Storytelling Festival story swap
If you love a good story, then this is your weekend. The Albany Public Library has teamed up with the Upper Hudson Library System to present the sixth annual Riverway Storytelling Festival. If you like to listen, there are a host of showcases and concerts for kids and adults. And if you're more of a yarn spinner, check out the story swap from 1 to 1:45 at the main branch of The Albany Public Library or take part in a story telling workshop.
The event brings together both nationally-acclaimed and local storytellers. A full day of events will be presented at the Albany Public Library's Main branch at 161 Washington Ave Saturday, including the lunchtime Story Swap. Anyone is invited to tell - not read - a story, which should be under seven minutes. A night of comic tales about being an adult will also be presented Saturday night at Russell Sage College. The festival wraps up Sunday at the Bethlehem Public Library with stories by Leeny Del Seamonds, Norah Dooley, Baba Jamal Koram, Jon Porcino, and Gayle Ross.
The festival's site has a full listing of events.
Boarded Up: art on Grand Street
A sampling of the art on Grand Street.
If you've driven by Albany's mansion neighborhood lately, you may have noticed that the former St. Anthony's Church is looking a little more colorful. Grand Street Community Arts has undertaken a neighborhood beautification project by using the exterior walls of the former church they're renovating on Madison Ave and Grand Street to display pieces by local artists.
Boarded Up! began in March and will continue through May. Each month, local artists will produce works on 3x5 pieces of plywood that are then displayed in each of the nine boarded up basement windows of the church's Madison Ave side. Mediums include paint and collage, and any other technique that can be applied to the plywood board.
GCSA plans to hold a closing event this summer in which all of the displayed pieces will be auctioned off to raise money for their future programs and to continue renovating St. Anthony's.
There's more info -- including details about how to submit a piece -- at the GCSA site.
Spartacus at The Palace
The eyes, the hair, the dimple... the sheer charisma of Kirk Douglas -- on the big screen.
They're reason enough to see Stanley Kubrick's 1960 classic "Spartacus" at Albany's Palace Theater tonight. This story of a slave turned gladiator who leads a revolt against the Roman Empire won four Oscars back in the day. It also stars Olivier, Peter Ustinov
and, of course, Tony "I love you Spartacus" Curtis.
And you gotta love the tag line: "They trained him to kill for pleasure... but they trained him a little too well." Schwarzenegger only wishes he'd played such a badass. The show starts at 7PM, and tickets are just $5.
Stuff to do this weekend
Unbelievable! It's a weekend, it's Spring -- and it's actually going to act like it!
Shhhh... don't temp the wrath of the whatever...just enjoy it. Here are a few things you might want to try:
Schenectady Art Night:
You couldn't ask for a nicer evening to stroll Jay Street and other Electric City hot spots.
Classic Film at Page Hall
The Writer's institute presents Jean Renoire's classic, "La Bete Humaine."
Saratoga Film Forum
This weekend The Film Forum presents, "The Band's Visit." It's the true story of a small Egyptian police band abandoned in the Israeli Desert. Here's the NY Times review
A Weekend of Words
The Albany Poet's Wordfest is a two day party (or at least, it seems like a party) "featuring the poetry, spoken word, and music of upstate New York."
The USS Slater
The WWII destroyer escort The USS Slater has dropped anchor in Albany once again. The ship is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 10-4.
Albany Symphony at The Palace
A little Ravel, a little Gershwin. It's called "Inspired by Jazz."
They Might Be Giants at The Egg
TMBG is playing two shows at The Egg. The 3 pm show is "family friendly" and the 8 pm show is for grown-ups.
What's with the country music theater?
If you like country music and theater, you're in luck this weekend. Hank Williams: Lost Highway at Capital Rep
and Ring of Fire," a show about Johnny Cash, at Proctors.
Schnitzelfest
For real. It's a night of German music, dancing and food including -- say it with us -- schnitzel. It's Saturday night at The German-American Club of Albany -- $20 dinner and dancing, $6 just to dance. Reservations 489-0831.
They Might Be Giants at The Egg: The Swearabration and the other show
TMBG will be playing not one, but two shows at L'Oeuf on Saturday. But check your program-- these shows are very different.
Teenage Skeleton Night
Growing up means learning to laugh at yourself, right? Well, tonight, The Capital District Federation of Ideas gives you a chance to reach back to your Breakfast Club days and break your high school diary for a night of embarrassment and hilarity with Teenage Skeleton Night.
It's billed as a night to "bring your diary, journal, old home videos, or outfit from your school days and let's laugh ourselves." Past shared items included old band videos, dance videos to the tunes of the Spice Girls, and accounts of days at Jesus camp.
Apparently this sort of entertainment has become kind of a thing. Check out Mortified, a national group that puts on performances in which people share their embarrassing high school memories through diary entries, old love letters and photos.
Here are the details for tonight's cringe-worthy fun:
Point 5
383.5 Madison Ave in Albany
8 p.m.
Suggested donation of $2
Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned
They're a local 9-member indie band. We don't really know how to describe Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned. Alt-folk? Neo-gypsie? Indie-busker-rock? Whatever you call their sound, it's great. (One music blog compared them to Beirut -- OK, sure, we can hear that.)
Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned are playing a trio of local shows over the next month that are definitely worth checking out: April 19 at Valentine's, April 28 at UAlbany, and then back at Valentine's on May 3. They're also playing a live set on WAMC later this morning at 11:30.