All Over Albany

The week ahead

The Electric City Couture runway show is at Proctors Friday. This is from a recent shoot for Kristina Collins, this year's lead designer, called "Pining for Spring" taken at the Charles F. Lucas Confectionery. Photo: OEProPhoto.

Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this week, from the weather (damp), a bigger boat, cooking, Dirty Wars, hidden gardens, fashion, Saratoga, DMB, music...

(there's more)

Stuff to do this weekend

Penn and Teller are at Proctors Friday night.

This weekend looks like it could be Mother Nature's way of making up for the rain on last weekend's Tulip Festival. Lots of sunshine and spring-like temperatures.

Got plans yet? After the jump we've put together a list of a few things you might like to try. Doing something that's not on the list? Share it in the comment section.

And whatever you're up to, have a fantastic weekend.

(there's more)

Plant sales this weekend

It's plant sale season. A few coming up this weekend that might be worth a stop:

Capital District Community Gardens
The annual CDCG spring plant sale is Saturday from 9 am-1 pm at the Produce Project farm in Troy (8th Street between Eagle and Hutton). The plants are donated from local nurseries, and the proceeds benefit CDCG's programs. We've scored vegetable and landscaping plants at this sale in the past.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County
Saturday is "Garden Education Day" at the cooperative extension in Vorheesville from 9 am-1 pm -- but it's also a plant sale: annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables. Master gardeners will be there to answer questions. And there will be soil pH testing (first sample free, additional samples $3).

We've never been to this sale -- we hear the prices are good, but it gets packed, so show up early for the best selection.

Washington Park tulip bulbs
The annual Washington Park tulip dig and sale is this Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday is the dig-your-own sale in specific beds near the Moses statue starting at 9 am. As the announcement notes: "This allows people first crack at the tulips they want. We ask that for every bag they fill for themselves, they fill a bag for the sale on Sunday."

Bagged bulbs will be on sale Sunday at the lakehouse starting at 9 am. Bulbs are 25 to a bag for $5, limit 5 per person. And they go fast. Some will be labeled, some won't (surprise tulips).

Funds go to support the Washington Park Conservancy.

A sampling of cooking classes, summer 2013

From Christian Noe's very popular class on homemade sausage. (photo: Albany Jane)

We all have to eat. So we've pulled together yet another list of upcoming local cooking classes that look interesting or fun.

Here's a batch of classes for the next few months -- from "off the hook" sandwiches, to chocolate, to eggs, to sauces, to sausage, to dairy at home, to exotic ice cream, to pasta, to grilling, to new Southern, to peaches...

(there's more)

The week ahead

Comedian Aziz Ansari will be at the Palace this week.

Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this week, from the weather (chilly start), movies, comedy, interstates, magic, lots of music from then...

(there's more)

Picture book illustration class

Check it out: talented local illustrator Liz Zunon is teaching an upcoming class at the Arts Center on illustrating picture books. Class description

Are you a lover of children's storybooks, with a desire to make your own? In this class, students will plot out a story of their choosing into a 32-page format, standard for picture books. They will walk away with a "book dummy" ready to keep and share on their own, or submit to publishers.

Zunon graduated from RISD in 2006 and has already illustrated a handful of published children's books. (And designed one of the giant Dutch clog sculptures for downtown Albany.) We love her style -- the images she creates are so warm and rich.

The Arts Center class is Mondays from 6-9 pm, June 10-July 15. It's $180 + $40 materials fee.

Yep, the Arts Center advertises on AOA.

Alive at Five lineup 2013

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic will be there in June.

The lineup is out for this summer's Alive at Five, the annual free concert series in Albany's Riverfront Park amphitheater at the Corning Preserve. The concerts are Thursday evenings and start at (surprise) 5 pm. The first show is June 6.

And without further ado...

(there's more)

Stuff to do this weekend

The tulips and Moses are ready for this weekend.

Be sure and bring your umbrella to Tulip Fest on Saturday. Sunday looks like the sunnier day.

In addition to the Tulip Festival, there are lots of things going on in the Capital Region this Mother's Day weekend. You'll find a few things we thought might be interesting after the jump.

Doing something that isn't listed here? Share it with the crowd. And whatever you're up to, have a fantastic weekend.

(there's more)

The week ahead

It's tulip time.

Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this week, from the weather (eyeing the weekend), Tulip Festival, nanotechnology, design, Nixon, Khaaaan!, music...

(there's more)

Stuff to do this weekend

Slidin' Dirty will be among the trucks at the first Food Truck Festival of NY in Troy's Riverfront Park Saturday. (The farmers' market is outside that morning for the first time this season.)

Attention Capital Region: Go outside this weekend. That is all.

Oops, nope. Sorry, there's more. After the jump you'll find our list of stuff to do on this first gorgeous weekend in May.

As always, if you've got plans you don't see listed here, drop them in the comment section.

And whatever you're up to, have a fantastic weekend!

(there's more)

The week ahead

Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this week, from the weather (fantastic), classic movies about groups, columnists, the Dutch, a Fifty Shades parody, burlesque, the circus, food trucks, music...

(there's more)

Stuff to do this weekend

Ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro is at the Troy Music Hall Saturday.

The forecast this weekend: Sunny and warm with a 100% chance of stuff to do.

After the jump a list of things we thought you might like to try. Got something planned that's not listed here? Share it with the crowd, please.

And whatever you're up to, have a fantastic weekend.

(there's more)

Weekend trips in the Adirondacks?

Andrea asks via Twitter:

Thinking of a weekend in the Adirondacks for some relaxation and day hikes with the dog. Recs for trails or places to stay?

She's looking to stay overnight, but not outside. And she's also open to the Catskills.

Got a suggestion? Please share!

Earlier on AOA:
+ How to hike the High Peaks and not be That Guy
+ The Wild Center
+ "The birthplace of the American vacation"

Dining Out for Life with AOA, this Thursday

Dining Out for Life -- the annual fundraiser for the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York -- is Thursday. Here's how it works:

1. You go out to eat at a participating restaurant.

2. That restaurant donates a portion of the bill to the AIDS Council.

It's just about the easiest charitable thing you can do.

As in past years, AOA is captaining one of the restaurants. And this year out spot is the City Beer Hall in Albany. We'll be there for both lunch and dinner. Please say hi if you stop by.

We've had good times with people at dinner in previous years. So, if you'd like to eat with the AOA group -- and we hope you do -- please take a quick moment to RSVP here. It's just so we can organize a table. We're aiming to have dinner around 6 pm.

Drawing: Capital District Community Gardens' Spring Brunch

At last year's spring brunch.

Drawing's closed! Winner emailed!

The Capital District Community Gardens' 26th annual spring brunch is coming up May 5 at HVCC -- a hundred chefs and bakers will be preparing a buffet-style brunch to benefit CDCG's many community projects. We have a pair of tickets and we're giving them away.

To enter, please answer this question in the comments:

This time of year is hard for local produce -- winter crops are tapped out, and spring crops are just starting to show up. So... What local produce item -- fruit, vegetable, whatever -- are you most looking forward to having back in season?

We'll draw one winner at random.

CDCG's brunch is from 10 am-2 pm on May 5 at HVCC's Siek Campus Center. Tickets are $25 ahead / $30 at the door. There will be live music, a silent auction for Mother's Day gift, and activities for kids. Proceeds benefit CDCG's programs, including the community gardens, the Veggie Mobile, The Produce Project, The Healthy Convenience Store Initiative, and Squash Hunger.

Important: All comments must be submitted by noon on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Regular commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 5 pm on Wednesday and must respond by noon on Thursday, April 25.

Two shows at Ommegang: Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Black Crowes

Ms. Potter and company.

Updated

Two concerts announced today for Brewery Ommegang, and they're back to back:

Grace Potter
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are lined up for a show at Brewery Ommengag July 25. Tickets are $35 ahead -- they go on sale this Friday (April 26.)

The rock/blues/folk band's popularity has been rising steadily since it started in Vermont about 10 years ago as an indie. The album it released last summer debuted at #17 on the Billboard's Top 200 album. And a show at The Egg this past February sold out in just a few hours.

The Ommegang show starts at 7 pm (gates at 5 pm) on July 25. In addition to the $35 advance ticket, there's also $10 advance camping. The day of prices are $40 and $20.

The group is also set to play a show at Tanglewood August 19 with Josh Ritter.

Black Crowes

Update: This show has been moved to September 5.

The next day, July 26, The Black Crowes are set to play a show at the brewery. Tickets are $45 / $10 camping ahead ($50 and $20 day of) -- they also go on sale this Friday (April 26).

It's been 23 years since Shake Your Money Maker was released, long enough that the band decided it was time release an old-songs-but-acoustic-this time album last year.

Openers are The London Souls.

Also at Ommegang this summer: Americana band Old Crow Medicine Show is slated to be there May 26. Openers are Chuck Mead and His Grassy Knoll Boys, and Driftwood. Tickets are $35 ahead ($45 with camping).

photo: Phil Andelman

Earlier on AOA: Why Ommegang became a concert destination

Bob Dylan, Wilco, My Morning Jacket at SPAC

Updated

The Americanarama Festival of Music -- featuring Bob Dylan, Wilco, and My Morning Jacket -- is slated to make a stop at SPAC July 21. Tickets are $40 and $96 -- presale starts this Wednesday (April 24), general sale starts May 3.

This would be Dylan's first stop in the area since 2008 -- he played at SPAC in August that year.

Wilco, of course, will also be at the Solid Sound Festival at MASS MoCA June 21-23.

photo: Alberto Cabello (Flickr user Diario de un pixel) (cc)

The week ahead

Red -- about the artist Mark Rothko -- opens at Capital Rep this week.

Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this week, from the weather (average), Rothko, local climate change, Dining Out for Life, Move, tweed, music...

(there's more)

Stuff to do this weekend

The a cappella show Voca People is at Proctors Saturday. They're also apparently from another planet.

Happy Friday! You made it. Time to have some fun.

After the jump, a few things we thought you might like to try on this chilly, wet, April weekend. Got something planned that isn't on the list? Share it in the comments.

And whatever you're up to, have a fantastic weekend.

(there's more)

Neil Gaiman at Saratoga City Center

Award-winning author Neil Gaiman will be at the Saratoga City Center June 20 to read from, and talk about, his soon-to-be-released book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Tickets are $35 (one seat and one book) and $45 (two seats and one book).

Gaiman's appearance is being sponsored by the Northshire Bookstore and WAMC -- Gaiman will be talking with Joe Donahue for the public radio station's aptly named Book Show. The event starts at 6 pm on the 20th (a Thursday).

Gaiman's work tends toward fantasy and science fiction, and ranges from comic books (The Sandman) to novellas (Coraline) to novels (American Gods). He's won a bunch of awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and Newbery.

What about the Saratoga location for Northshire? The Vermont-based book store is aiming to have its new Saratoga Springs location at 422 Broadway open by the end of July. It's currently hiring for a range of positions, according to its website.

Gaiman photo: Allan Amato

The week ahead

Aimee Mann and Ted Leo are at Helsinki Hudson this week.

Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this week, from the weather (April showers), award-winning authors, comedy, words, digital media, design, music...

(there's more)

Stuff to do this weekend

Bradley Cooper in The Place Beyond the Pines.

When the rain clears out it looks like this won't be a bad early-spring weekend. But, hey, April is for Wellies and you probably want to go check out The Place Beyond the Pines this weekend anyway.

After the jump, that and a whole bunch of other stuff happening this weekend that we thought you might want to see.

Up to something that isn't listed here? Share with the group. And whatever you're up to, have a great weekend!

(there's more)

Lyle Lovett at The Egg

Lyle Lovett is lined up for a show at The Egg July 5. Tickets go on sale to the general public April 18 -- they're $58 and $68.

Lovett will performing with his "acoustic group" (as opposed to his "large band"). Here's a show from last August with Lovett and that lineup.

When not performing, Lovett takes photos -- here's a set from his visit to Albany in 2011. And recently he's been he's been designing shirts.

Previous Lyle Lovett shows at The Egg have sold out, so if you'd like to go to this one, getting tickets sooner rather than later is probably a good move.

photo: Michael Wilson

Marguerite Holloway and The Measure of Manhattan at the State Museum

Sounds interesting: Marguerite Holloway, author of The Measure of Manhattan, will be at the State Museum Thursday evening as part of the NYS Writers Institute visiting writers series.

The Measure of Manhattan is a biography of John Randel, Jr, an Albany native who laid out the street grid for Manhattan. Blurbage:

Born and raised in Albany, renowned for his brilliance, Randel was also infamous in his own day for eccentricity, egotism, and a knack for making enemies. He was a significant pioneer of the art and science of surveying, as well as an engineer who created surveying devices, designed an early elevated subway, laid out a controversial alternative route for the Erie Canal, and sounded the Hudson River from Albany to New York City in order to make maps and aid navigation. One of the many delights of Holloway's book is that it also reveals, for modern readers, the original landscape of Manhattan in its natural state before it was "tamed" by Randel's grid.

Holloway is a science journalist and heads up the science and environmental journalism program at Columbia.

The talk starts at 8 pm on Thursday (April 11) in the State Museum's Clark Auditorium. It's free.

Kendrick Lamar at the Washington Ave Armory

Rapper Kendrick Lamar is scheduled to play a show at the Washington Ave Armory May 30. Tickets start at $50 and they're on sale now.

Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d city album -- about growing up in Compton, and including contributions from Dr. Dre, Pharrell Williams, and Drake (among many others) -- scored fantastic reviews after its release last fall. He was a musical guest on SNL in January. And MTV just named him the "the hottest MC in the game."

Also on the slate for the tour stopping at the Armory: ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock.

photo: Michael Allin