Items tagged with 'stufftodo'
Pug Ball VIII
Little devil.
The annual Pug Parade and Costume Ball is coming up June 2. It's pretty much what it sounds like: a bunch of pugs parading about. In costume.
The event is organized by the Albany Capital District Pug Lovers Group and is a benefit for the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society and the Green Mountain Pug Rescue org.
We attended the Pug Ball a few years back -- it was a lot of fun. Pugs are sort of inherently funny dogs. Many of them appeared to actually enjoy parading about in costume. (Or, at least, they didn't feel like it was crushing their will to live, as some dogs have claimed.) There seemed to be a lot of happy people and dogs.
Of course, if you're a strict no-costumes-on-dogs person, this event is not for you. Because the costumed pugs will have you surrounded and outnumbered. Snort.
The Pug Ball runs from noon-4 pm on June 2 (a Saturday) at the main pavilion in Colonie's Cook Park. The pug parade is at 2 pm.
NYS Summer Writers Institute 2012
Claire MessudThe slate is up for this summer's New York State Writers Institute's summer public readings series in Saratoga.
Some of the names you might recognize: Rick Moody, Joyce Carol Oates, Jamaica Kincaid, Mary Gaitskill, Russell Banks, Claire Messud, William Kennedy (of course), and more...
Williamstown Theatre Festival 2012
Skimming through the slate for this summer's Williamstown Theatre Festival, there are a bunch of names you'll recognize: Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson, David Hyde Pierce, Lili Taylor, Susie Essman, Lewis Black, and others.
The schedule -- with a few highlights -- is after the jump. Performances start toward the end of June.
Here's a guide to buying tickets for the festival. Tickets are currently available by mail for donors. Online ticketing starts June 4.
Susan Orlean at The Mount
The Mount -- Edith Wharton's home in Lenox, Massachusetts -- has another series of talks lined up for this summer. And the name that jumped out to us: Susan Orlean.
The New Yorker staff writer will be at The Mount July 23 to talk about her recent book Rin Tin Tin: The Life and The Legend. From the blurbage:
Who doesn't remember the wonderful television show The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin? As a young girl, Susan Orlean longed for a German Shepherd of her own, a perfect dog just like Rin Tin Tin. The renowned staff writer at The New Yorker and author of the best-selling book The Orchid Thief has written the biography of the beloved dog actor. Orlean will share with us Rin Tin Tin's incredible canine journey from orphaned puppy abandoned on a WW I battlefield to movie star, Oscar nominee, and international icon.
In addition to her work for the New Yorker, Orlean has also become well-known on Twitter (she's tweeted more than 19,000 times). She lives in Columbia County.
The Susan Orlean talk, as well as the other talks at the Mount, are $20. They go on sale to non-members starting May 27. We've heard the talks fill up fast, so you might want to buy a ticket earlier rather than later.
And if you've never been: Lenox is about a one-hour drive from Albany.
photo via Susan Orlean's website
Applications open for street painting competition in Troy, and this year's Fence Show
Casey's AOA-sponsored entry in last year's competition.
The Troy River Street Festival -- one of our favorite local summer festivals -- is coming up June 16. And that means applications are now open for the annual street painting contest at the festival.
The competition includes space for 75 artists, a range of age-specific categories, to chalk designs on a panel of sidewalk along River Street. And there's $1,000 in prizes.
The entry fee is $15. And the competition does fill up -- so the earlier you apply, the better.
Fence
Speaking of arts and downtown Troy... the call for entries is now out for the annual Fence Show at the Arts Center of the Capital Region. The Fence Salon will open June 16. This year's juror, Jim Richard Wilson from the Opalka Gallery at the Sage Colleges, will select works from the salon for inclusion in the Fence Select show that opens July 27.
Yep, the Arts Center advertises on AOA.
The week ahead
A piece by Gisele Amantea at MASS MoCA, part of the soon-to-open Oh, Canada exhibit.
Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this week, from the weather (rough, then smooth), to fracking, to forking, to Michael, to Canada, to three-day weekending, to music...
Rediscovering a Capital Region childhood
One of Albany's newest residents has a lot to look forward to.
At 7:57am on Sunday, April 29, 2012, my life changed forever.
My wife, Jennifer, and I welcomed a beautiful 7lb,12oz. baby boy into the world. Mason Royal Daley. Our first child.
Words cannot do true justice to the emotions that poured over me when Mason was born. I felt bliss, fear, admiration, confusion, and excitement all at the same time. I'm coming to understand how much love I have that I didn't know I was capable of. I am so looking forward to being a part of my son's life. I'm excited to share with him all the things that I experienced growing up.
Parenthood, in some ways, is a bit of a second shot at childhood.
Mason's arrival has rejuvenated my desire to go out and explore, discovering and rediscovering wonderful things that are right here in my backyard.
Here's what's at the top of that list:
Stuff to do this weekend
ANTM finalist Laura LaFrate at tonight's Electric City Couture Show at Proctors
If all goes according to the current forecast, then by the end of this weekend you might just want to send Mother Nature a thank you card.
Don't waste it, people. If you don't have a plan yet, you'll find a few ideas after the jump. Got something else in mind? Let us know what you're up to.
And have a fantastic weekend!
New Urbanism at Albany Roundtable
The Albany Rountable's annual meeting next Wednesday (May 23) at the University Club will feature John Norquist, president and CEO of the Congress for the New Urbanism. CNU describes itself as an org "promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions."
Before heading up CNU, Norquist was mayor of Milwaukee during 90s and early 2000s. During his tenure he made a successful push to replace the city's Park East Freeway with a boulevard. He also wrote a book called The Wealth of Cities, staking out a position that doesn't necessarily fit on the standard political spectrum: safety-focused, pro school choice, fiscally conservative, urbanist, pro public transit, and anti-sprawl.
Tickets for the Albany Roundtable talk are $35, and an RSVP is required by May 18 (this Friday).
Earlier on AOA:
+ "The Life and Death of Urban Highways"
+ The University Club
photo: Flickr user Center for Neighborhood Technology
Ommegang Hop Chef
Could be fun: Brewery Ommegang is hosting a "Hop Chef" competition in Albany June 8. Basically, it's a group of local chefs competing against each other to see who can make the best dishes using Ommegang beer. From the blurbage:
[I]nnovative Capital Region chefs [will be] imaginatively preparing and pairing dishes with fine Ommegang ales. Each chef creates two dishes showcasing their skills in bringing Great Beer and Great Food to exuberant life. ...
COMPETING CHEFS INCLUDE
Brian Bowden of Creo
Elliot Cunniff of Colonie Golf & Country Club
Marcus Guiliano of Aroma Thyme Bistro
AJ Jayapal of The Mallozzi Family
Rachel Mabb of Bitches Kitchen Catering
Ric Orlando of New World Home Cooking & New World Bistro Bar
Jaime Ortiz of Mazzone Hospitality
Paul Ozimek of Taste
This is the brewery's second "Hop Chef" competition -- the first was in DC this past April (photos, recap).
The Albany event is June 8 (a Friday) at 11 North Pearl from 5:30-8:30 pm. Tickets are $55. If you buy a ticket before May 23, you'll be entered in a drawing to sit at the judges' table.
The week ahead
Natalie Merchant is one of the many acts performing at The Egg this week as part of anti-fracking concert.
Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this week, from the weather (almost summery), to singing along, to Belle, to fashion, to souvlaki, to music...
Stuff to do this weekend
There are still some tulips holding on in Washington Park.
The weekend forecast calls for a mix of sun and clouds and a chance of tulips. OK, a very, very small chance of tulips.
Most of the flowers bloomed, like, a month ago, but the celebration goes on this weekend as scheduled in Albany's Washington Park. There's also a whole bunch of other stuff going on this weekend. After the jump, a few of the options we thought you might want to know about. Got something else planned? Share it with the crowd.
And have a great weekend.
Florence + The Machine at SPAC
Not pictured: The Machine.
Updated
Florence + The Machine posted the slate for its fall tour today -- and it includes a stop at SPAC on September 16. Tickets go on sale this Friday (May 11). They start at $39.50. It's a pavilion-only show.
We're guessing this will be a rather popular show, if only because of the ubiquity of that song (you know which one).
By the way: Florence has a last name -- it's Welch.
Openers for the SPAC show: another English band, The Maccabees. (Not to be confused with the 2nd century BCE Jewish rebels of the same name.)
[via @beam_record]
photo via Florence + The Machine website
The week ahead
Santigold is at Northern Lights this week.
Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this week, from the weather (drab), to Tulip Fest, to empathy, beer, to astronauts, to music...
Alive at Five lineup 2012
Alive at Five, now with more Bacon.
The city of Albany announced the lineup for this year's Alive at Five series of free concerts at the Albany Riverfront Park amphitheater at the Corning Preserve. The concerts are on Thursday evenings and start at (surprise) 5 pm.
Here's the schedule...
Stuff to do this weekend
Rosary Beard -- tonight at Steamer 10
On your mark, get set... weekend.
After today it should be mostly sunny with temperatures hovering around 70, and there's lots
going on -- from Cinco de Mayo to stand-up to music to Derby Day.
After the jump, a few items we thought you might enjoy.
Got other plans? Share with the group.
And whatever you're up to, have a fantastic weekend.
Art on Lark 2012
Here's the music lineup, via our friends over at WEXT, for this year's Art on Lark festival, which is coming up June 9:
And, of course, Lark Street will be closed off that day for all sorts of artistic happenings and whatnot.
In other news: this is becoming the year of Babe City.
Tickets for Champagne on the Park
A few scenes from last year's event.
Drawing's closed!
The annual Champagne on the Park celebration in Albany's Washington Park is May 10. We have two tickets to give away -- maybe to you.
Because this a classy event, please answer this question in the comments:
What's something classy about the Capital Region?
We'll pick one winner at random.
Champagne on the Park is Thursday, May 10, from 5:30-9 pm. It includes free food, an open bar, a silent auction, music from the Lustre Kings, and dancing -- all set among the tulips beds.
The event is a fundraiser for the Lark Street Business Improvement District, and this year it will be recognizing The Albany Damien Center and the Albany Society of the Advancement of Philanthropy for their work in the community. Tickets are $60 for individuals, $100 for a couple.
Important: All comments must be submitted by noon on Thursday (May 3, 2012) to be entered in the drawing. One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment (seriously, we want to give you the tickets). The winner will be notified via email by 5 pm on Thursday and must respond by 5 pm on Friday (May 4, 2012).
Yep, AOA is a media a sponsor of this event.
Tickets for Rosary Beard at Steamer 10
Hunter Sagehorn and Matthew Loiacono
Drawing's closed! Winner's been emailed!
Rosary Beard -- that would be Matthew Loiacono (Matthew Carefully) and Hunter Sagehorn (of Alta Mira) -- is playing a show at the Steamer 10 Friday night to celebrate their new album, Halfmoon Fever. We have two tickets, and we're giving them away -- maybe to you.
The enter, please answer this question in the comments:
What's your favorite beard or facial hair?
This could be in general (goatee, handlebar) or specific (Santa Claus, Ron Swanson). We'll pick one winner at random.
The new Rosary Beard album is a series of acoustic instrumentals. It's good. We've enjoyed listening to it during the work day -- it sort of makes the rest of the world temporarily disappear.
Opening Friday's show: Winterpills, a chamber pop group from Northampton. It's a well-matched slate.
The show starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $13 ahead / $15 at the door.
Important: All comments must be submitted by 10 am on Wednesday (May 2, 2012) to be entered in the drawing. One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment (seriously, we want to give you the tickets). The winner will be notified via email by 3 pm on Wednesday and must respond by 10 am on Thursday (May 3, 2012).
photo: Laura Harris
Death Cab for Cutie at Ommegang, Conor Oberst at The Egg
Deathcab for Cutie
And all the (now somewhat older) indie kids went "Squee!"
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is playing at Brewery Ommegang July 21 (a Saturday). It's an outside, rain-or-shine show. Tickets go on sale May 4 (this Friday). They're $39.50.
As you know, Death Cab is a former indie fave now gone mainstream. Frontman Ben Gibbard also collaborated with Jimmy Tamborello on The Postal Service. (His collaboration with Zooey Deschanel was less successful). And Death Cab is Seth Cohen's favorite band.
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst is playing The Egg July 25 (a Wednesday). Tickets go on sale May 4. They're $35 ahead / $40 day of.
Oberst has often created music under the name Bright Eyes, along with a bunch of other collaborations. The show at The Egg will be solo and acoustic.
Death Cab photo: Danny Clinch
The week ahead
Comic monologist Mike Birbiglia is at The Egg this week.
Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this week, from the weather (May-ish), to Bond, to Birbiglia, to cooking, to extinct parrots, to what happens when we're under, to Final Cut, to all sorts of music...
Stuff to do this weekend
Vox Lumiere's take on Metropolis is at Proctors.
Welcome to the weekend.
Do you have any plans yet? Let us show you something from the back.
You'll find a whole bunch of stuff you might enjoy after the jump. Mix, match and share with your friends.
And as always, if there's something you're doing that you don't see here, share it with the rest of the group.
And whatever you choose to do, have a great weekend.
My Fair Lady at AHS
Check it out: Bhawin Suchak created this short film about Albany High School's theater production of My Fair Lady. It's a quick watch, and it's fun.
The production opens tonight (Thursday) at 7 pm. There are also performances Friday (7 pm), Saturday (7 pm), and Sunday (2 pm). Tickets are $15 adults / $5 students and seniors.
AOA Burger Lab at Central Steak
Update: This event is sold out. But you can still enter the contest below until midnight May 9.
Inventing stuff is fun.
It's better when that stuff is food.
And even better when it's mini food -- like sliders.
So, on May 17 AOA is hosting a Burger Lab at Central Steak . You'll get to invent your own sliders using a lineup of tasty toppings -- everything from pork belly to wasabi scallion aioli to caramelized fennel to cotija cheese. The event is a fundraiser for the ASAP Daisies -- a group of young philanthropists who help a host of good organizations in the Capital Region.
For $15 you get all the sliders and toppings you can eat -- plus a fun night with interesting people. Get your tickets here -- there's a limited number. Tickets are sold out. It all starts at 6 pm on May 17 (that's a Thursday).
But wait, there's more: You could win a free ticket and also get your burger creation on the Central Steak menu.
After the jump, you'll find a list of the meats, condiments, cheeses, and toppings that will be on the slider bar. Invent a combination you think will be delicious and leave it in a comment.
We'll select five burgers from the submitted ideas -- those people will get a free ticket to the event, and their burgers will be tasted by a panel of judges. The one the judges like the best will be added to the Central Steak menu. (please see the details)
Level at the Arts Center
From Everyday The Same Dream by Molleindustria.
Looks fun, interesting, and geeky: Level -- a new exhibition of independent video games -- opens this Friday at the Arts Center of the Capital Region. From the blurbage:
Level presents the games in an immersive environment that simulates a 1990s American video arcade. Each game has its own working cabinet, which allows visitors to play free of charge. The game cabinets are designed and fabricated by We Are Architects with assistance from regional game enthusiasts and friends. Collaborators include Donna Fitzgerald's class at Parson's Child and Family Center, circuit bending sound artist Peter Edwards, and regional furniture maker Leonard Bellanca.
The Friday opening is the Level Festival:
Alongside the exhibition's debut of a wide variety of video games in an immersive, arcade-style environment, Level Festival will feature a booth of vintage games and systems by local game enthusiast boutique Pastime Legends and genre bending electronic music. With support from iEAR Presents!, Level Festival features four intriguing performances by musicians that work in a range of electronic sounds, unconventional instrumentation, and take influence from games and other facets of pop culture. Level Festival performers include Evidence (Stephan Moore and Scott Smallwood), Matthew Carefully (Matthew Loiacono), Bubblyfish (Haeyoung Kim), and Extreme Animals (Jacob Ciocci and David Wightman).
The exhibition is organized by We Are Architects. The opening festival starts at 4 pm Friday and runs until 10 pm (it's free). The exhibit runs through May 25.
Speaking of Troy and video games: The annual GameFest symposium and exhibition at RPI is this weekend.
Yep, the Arts Center advertises on AOA.
... said Tim about How to move a piano?