Discover Albany

Free & Frugal, March 31, 2016 - April 3, 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Molly Belmont) — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 19:11:00 +0000

Thursday
A City of Immigrants... It's all about the Music!
Thursday, March 31st | 6 p.m.
Room B-78 University at Albany
1400 Washington AvenueAlbany, NY
As the April 3rd concert "City of Immigrants" by Albany Pro Musica approaches, Artistic Director and University at Albany Conductor in Residence Jose Daniel Flores-Caraballo will present a lecture-demonstration of some of the music that will be performed at this concert.

Evenings at the Institute
Thursday, March 31st | 5- 8p.m.
Albany Institute of History & Art
Free Thursday Nights!

Reading: David Gelernter, computer scientist and author
Thursday, March 31st | 8p.m. | Free
University at Albany SUNY - Uptown Campus
David is an expert in the fields of parallel computing, "mirror worlds," artificial intelligence, and cognitive thinking. His new book is The Tides of Mind (2016), a revolutionary explanation of the phenomenon of human consciousness.

Friday
1st Friday Albany
Friday, April 1st| 5- 9p.m. | Free!
Various Locations throughout Albany
A monthly arts and culture event that takes place on the 1st Friday of every month

Film Screening: In Between Days
Friday, April 1st| 7:30p.m. | Free
University at Albany SUNY - Page Hall, Downtown
Open to the public

Story Art
Friday, April 1 | 11 a.m.
Kids' Cove | Toddlers and Preschoolers
Enjoy the Museum by listening to a story, exploring objects from the teaching collection and creating a fun art project. Themes will be announced on the day of the program. Pick up tickets at the main lobby desk.

Saturday
Community Dance
Saturday, April 2 | 7p.m. | $8, 12 & under free
Old Songs Community Art Center
37 South Main Street, Voorheesville, NY
Every first Saturday of the month, have some fun doing simple dances from the U.S. and around the world. For every age and ability.

Girl Scout Day
Saturday, April 2 | 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.
Capital Repertory Theatre
Get your troop together and join for pre-show science activities and badge work, then enjoy the show. Details here

Trash to Treasures
Saturday, April 2 | 1-3 p.m.
Classrooms 2 and 3 | Families | Free
Trash to Treasures features an art project using manufacturing mistakes and materials destined for the landfill. Museum art instructor, Peggy Steinbach invites you to spend an Earth-friendly afternoon at the Museum.

Sunday
Albany Toy Show
Sunday, April 3 | 10a.m.-5 p.m.
205 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12205 | $5
Now in it's 6th year, the Albany Toy Show features Toys, Comic Books and Collectibles of every kind including: Star Wars, GI Joe, Transformers, Mego, Horror, Movie memorabilia, Wrestling, Non Sports Cards, Barbie's, Statues, Model Kits, and much, much more!

From Garden to Table with Peter G. Rose
Sunday, April 3 | 1 p.m.
Huxley Theater | Adults | Free
This presentation is based on a 17th-century Dutch gardening and cookbook, which features a calendar for gardening activities and a cookbook that explains how to use the fruits and vegetables grown in the garden to best advantage.

Cinema Sunday: How Art Made the World
Sunday, April 3 | 2 p.m.
Location TBA | Adults | Free
A lively and provocative investigation into the far-reaching influence of art on society. Far more than a survey of art history, How Art Made the World explores the essential functions art served in early civilizations and, in some cases, still serves in modern society.

Rain or Shine.... It's Reading Time
Wednesday, April 6 | 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Meet at Kids' Cove | Preschoolers | Free
Discover a special exhibit with Miss Ann as she shares her favorite children's literature. Story time is enhanced with activities based on preschool education concepts.

During the Week
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Saturday, April 2 | 11 a.m.
Capital Repertory Theatre
$11 adults, $9 for 17 & under
Enjoy this lighthearted romantic comedy that blurs the line between fantasy and reality.

CRRC 3rd Annual Business Expo
Saturday, April 2 | 11 a.m.
Radisson Hotel Albany
205 Wolf Rd, Albany, NY 12205
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
free

Ongoing
Butterflies @ miSci
February 13-May 1, 2016
Schenectady, NY 12308
Free with museum admission
City of Immigrants
March 10, 2016 - April 29, 2016
Various Locations throughout Albany
Albany Pro Musica Organizes Special Concert and Event Series,

Earth Exposed: Discover our Planet's Hidden Secrets
June 20, 2015 to June 05, 2016
Monday - Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm; 12 - 5 pm, Sunday
Museum of Innovation and Science
Admission: Members: Free Children (3-12): $6.50 Seniors (65+): $8.00 Adults(13+): $ 9.50
15 Nott Terrace Heights
Schenectady, NY 12308

Keltie Ferris: Body Prints and Paintings
February 2-April 2, 2016
Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM
University at Albany Art Museum
1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222
Free

Nature at Your Doorstep
March 1-April 30, 2016
Monday - Friday 9 AM-3 PM (9-4 start April 1); Saturday 10 AM-3 PM; Sunday 11 AM-3 PM
Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center
25 Quackenbush Sq, Albany, NY 12207
Free

Race, Love, and Labor: New Work from the Center for Photography at Woodstock's Artist-in-Residency
February 2-April 2, 2016
Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM
University at Albany Art Museum
1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222
Free

The Blue Sky Boys
March 15, 2016 -April 03, 2016
Capital Repertory Theatre $20!
111 N. Pearl St.

The Capital Region in 50 Objects
September 19, 2015 to April 3, 2016
Wednesday 10 AM-5 PM; Thursday 10 AM-8 PM; Friday & Saturday 10 AM-5 PM; Sunday: 12-5 PM
Albany Institute of History & Art
125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210
$10 admission

Sky's the Limit for Andrew Mueller of The Rep's "The Blue-Sky Boys!"

noreply@blogger.com (Will Gallagher) — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 14:26:00 +0000

Andrew Mueller

Time for a little math and science - Capital Rep is currently featuring a fresh new show, The Blue-Sky Boys, in which several scientists must come up with the right equations to get a man into outer space. What equation makes the perfect actor to play such a role?

For starters, when you’ve performed on Broadway under the direction of the late, great Roger Ree’s in one of the most successful Broadway plays of the last decade (Peter and the Starcatcher) the only place to aim for is the stars. That’s exactly what Andrew Mueller, Capital Rep’s newest leading man, has done with his performance in The Blue-Sky Boys. He plays the leader of the science team that made landing a man on the moon possible.

Mueller actually has all the essential qualities to play a NASA Scientist in a comical play. He’s extremely talented and well versed, he’s exercised his acting chops, he’s got a musical background (essential for moving a comical play along), he has a wonderful pedigree, and he’s a little bit of a science fan to boot.

“It was a show about science and a bunch of nerds, so I guess it was right up my alley,” Mueller says with a little laugh.

When asked if he’d consider himself a science nerd he responded with: “I’m certainly a science fan. I don’t think I’m as rigorous as an actual scientist would be, but I do find physics and chemistry and all sorts of science things interesting. The thing where I fall off is math. I’m not the greatest mathematician but the ideas I love.”

On top of his love of science, Andrew also likes to play and use his imagination. Thanks to past credits, like his Broadway debut, he’s found an even more playful side.

Mueller admits that in some ways, there’s a connection between playing an imaginary pirate and playing a scientist with a stellar imagination. “A show like Peter and the Starcatcher is just so unabashingly imaginative and energetic and that sort of embracing your inner childlike qualities and taking them into, not necessarily child-like situations [makes you stronger]. Yes! There is a bit of lost boy going on in there and into The Blue-Sky boy as well,” he says.

Andrew Mueller and Cast in "Peter and the Starcatcher"
at Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago

Mueller has performed on and off since he was a child. However it was “Starcatcher” that changed his perspective in many ways. He takes a grateful sigh of relief and says, “I’m still kind of unpacking that show (in my mind). That was the biggest show I’ve been a part of so far.”

He’s since learned that with great imagination comes even greater lessons and responsibility. To preface, Roger Ree’s (Cheers, The West Wing, and TONY AWARD Winner for Nicholas Nickleby) led the group in this magical play from the director’s chair.

It’s something that has stuck with Mueller, he admits, “Working with Roger Ree’s was just, (slight pause), I don’t really have words to describe it! With his passing last year just sort of made it even more encapsulating and made me realize, that was really something I have to continue to hold on to. I love that show.”

That’s not the only reality that he’s had to face. One of the challenges with his current role in The Blue-Sky Boys is the real life situations tied into the comedic tale.

“It is very much a comedy,” he pauses. He soon continues on by saying, “there are certainly things about it that are very serious – the Apollo 1 disaster and all that came out of nowhere and really took the wind right out of their sales. That really happened. Losing those astronauts during that test. Heartbreaking.”

He goes on to add, “ In general though, the play is very, very funny.”

Andrew admits that’s not the only challenge he faces, “The biggest challenge of this role is just feeling like I’m the leader of this team. The other characters are so distinct and so funny. There are so much of their characters, their voices, their accents in the script. For me finding what to latch on to is…he’s the leader of the team but he’s also the least marked case. He doesn’t have a silly accent, he doesn’t have some of these essential pursuits [like the other two scientists in the play]. I just had to look to the text and think about what could be in there that makes this guy tick. I had to look and find out what makes the other guys on the team look up to him and trust him. Trying to become that person that people trust and look up to was probably the hardest thing. I looked to the text as much as I could and imparted the good parts of myself as well.”

Andrew Mueller in The Blue-Sky Boys at The Rep

Mueller’s credits are primarily musicals or plays with song, so navigating his way through a play is different and exciting territory.

He shares, “I wasn’t really prepared for the light-heartedness and the quirkiness and the fun that these men were having before the government oversight. That was so endearing and invigorating, the ability to sort of step into the shoes of people.” Mueller admits, it’s a little bit easier not having to recreate a specific person, “We’re not exactly playing the exact people from the space program. We’re sort of playing analogues of a couple real people”

Thought their characters may not be the names we know from our history books, their stories are real. He proudly begins, “They’re sort of thought of as crazy quacks in a dirty lab trying to do something until that’s kind of impossible and until that impossible task is suddenly what the country and the President need to do. They switch gears and go “oh look, I guess we go look to the crazy people who have been thinking about this for a while.” ”

Mueller uses his many strengths to portray an incredibly real and honest character in the show. His performance background and past credits help but so has his family. Andrew is part of an acting family. His sister Jessie won her first TONY-Award for portraying Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. In a fun turn of events his other sister, Abbie Mueller, is currently starring as Carole on the first national tour (fun fact: if you’ve received the Proctors brochure with Carole King on the front, that’s Abbie). Both of Andrew’s parents are actors based in the Chicago-area theatre scene and his brother Matt performed at Cap Rep in last season’s How Water Behaves.

As someone who has now seen all four siblings perform, I can attest that Andrew proudly holds his own but has learned from his family as well. “My siblings can do amazing things with their voices,” he adds with a laugh, “I hope I can get close to that someday.” If you see The Blue-Sky Boys, which you should, you’ll get just a taste of his beautiful voice.

After a few moments talking about his family and his career, Andrew praised the Capital Region and Capital Rep. “You have such beautiful architecture. I haven’t been inside the Capitol building yet, but that outside is amazing,” he kindly admits.

Then there’s his current home base, The Rep. When asked about Capital Rep he said proudly, “I was taken with the intimacy of the space. You’re right there with the audience and the audience is right there with you. I think it’s a great setup. On the one hand there are the gigantic Broadway houses but theatre can do that other thing where it’s just so intimate and the audience is so much closer. They can really go along with you for a quieter story than having to always belt high A’s and stuff.”

Though you won’t hear him belt high A’s, you can see an incredible story performed by a group of wonderful actors, led by the talented Mr. Andrew Mueller. We’ve given you the equation, Andrew’s told you his story, now it’s time for you to do your equation. Look at the Capital Rep website and see when you can get tickets to see The Blue-Sky Boys.

Scott Stoner and Denise Hackert-Stoner: Naturalists by Nature

noreply@blogger.com (Jen DeMaria) — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 21:15:00 +0000

Meet Scott Stoner and Denise Hackert-Stoner: two naturalists by nature. Their work, “Nature at Your Doorstep” is on exhibit now at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center.

Nature photography isn't just a passion for Stoner, it's his vocation. This water conservation expert works at the DEC, and says that even from his earliest years, he’s held a deep and abiding love of nature. When he was just 12 years old, he got his first camera, and this opened a door for him, allowing him to capture things he saw for others. Five years ago, he got his first digital SLR camera, and his work began to take on a life of its own.

Scott Stoner, with his prize-winning photograph

We caught up with Stoner the evening before his art opening at the Visitors Center, and chatted about his work, his marriage, and his enduring passion for nature.

Stoner shares his passion with his wife Denise. They are both photographers, who met in a birding class. "I was one of the instructors and she was one of the students,” Stoner says. “The best student,” he adds. The two have been hiking and shooting together ever since. “We shared an interest in birds and nature, and that quickly lead to an interest in one another,” he says. Although each has their own particular focus in their photography, they share a passion for their subject.

"We love nature. We love the beauty of nature from the tiniest spider to the largest bird to the large mammals like deer and wolves, all creatures great and small,” says Stoner. "It is nice to have that in common. We spend a lot of time out together watching and photographing.”

The shared passion has given rise to a business venture, Naturelogues, an online business that specializes in prints and cards, as well as lectures and workshops in nature photography and birding. Through Naturelogues, Stoner and Hackert-Stoner hope to share their vision with a larger audience, and in that way, to inspire greater efforts to protect these habitats.

"I think that awareness comes first. If we can get people to appreciate nature, they will be more interested in protecting it," Stoner says. Stoner and Hackert-Stoner have traveled extensively, offering their programs to bird clubs, senior groups, and school districts across the state.

But, their latest photography exhibit focuses on wildlife that you can find right in your own backyard. "We are wildlife rich, more than people realize," Stoner says. Their photos were shot at the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, Thacher Park, Albany Pine Bush, Wilton, and Ft. Edwards Grasslands, proving that there’s a wealth of ecosystems right around us.

Stoner’s favorite shot? A cardinal shaking a snowflake off his beak. Stoner likes the action captured in the shot, and the fact that capturing it was mere happenstance. "It really was luck", says Stoner. “I was down at Five Rivers, during a heavy snowstorm, shooting male cardinals at the bird feeder. It wasn’t until later, when I was looking through the pictures that I saw what I had.” Someone else spotted the photo, too, and this month, it appears in National WildlifeMagazine. “It’s our first national publication,” Stoner explains, with evident pride.

To see all the photographs, stop by the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center. The work is on exhibit now through April.

The Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center is located at 25 Quackenbush Square, off Broadway. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm, Saturday, 10am-3pm, and Sunday, 11am-3pm. For more information about Naturelogues or to purchase work, please visit their website: www.naturelogues.com

The Lion King is a Roaring Good Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Will Gallagher) — Sun, 27 Mar 2016 05:05:00 +0000

Proctors Theatre is currently filled with screaming laughter, blubbering tears, awe, shouting cheers and applause, and Disney magic. The king has returned!

Disney’s The Lion King has stampeded back to Proctors Theatre for a three week return engagement. The TONY-Award Winning show has been playing Broadway for 18 years and roaming the country for 15 years. Thankfully this wonderful show continues to feel as fresh as the antelope eaten by the pride.

The Elton John-Tim Rice tuner played to a packed house filled with audience members from age 5 to 95 and the reactions from the audience were as loud and joyous as the beautiful sounds coming from the stage. Julie Taymor’s beautiful direction, costume, mask, and puppet design are legendary and captivating. When the actor playing Scar throws his head down throwing his mask forward in the face of a scared young Simba, you’ll gasp, hold your breath, and wait for “Uncle Scar” to back down with fear in your heart.

Disney’s The Lion King is not only a visual spectacle but also a beautiful movement that speaks volumes to the audience and yet a 5 year-old can follow it as well as the 95 year old.

No matter how many times you’ve seen it, the magic of this show starts the moment the show begins. As the curtain rises and Mukelisiwe Goba (Rafiki) starts to chant at the beginning of “The Circle of Life” the audience held their breath filling the room with grins. Moments later as the animals walk down the aisles the quiet smiles turns into loud, rapturous applause.

B.J. Covington played Young Simba with booming charm and adorable humor. The four foot something young lad filled the stage and theatre with his unending energy.

Aaron Nelson plays Covington’s counterpart, Adult Simba, literally flies onto the stage. His soaring voice and charm encourage you to continue to cheer for Nelson as Simba struggles with his internal skirmishes. Nelson’s rendition of “Endless Night”, will calm you while moving you the verge of tears.

The adorable Savanna Fleisher plays Young Nala. When she walked into the theatre as a baby elephant it became incredibly hard not to let out a big “aww.” She’s delectable. When she and Convington sang “I Just Can’t Wait to be King” the audience cheered and even felt a little envious from the amount of fun the two seemed to have on stage.

The beautiful Nia Holloway, plays Adult Nala, with poise and elegance. Her beautiful movements and singing during “Shadowland” soothes the soul and captivates the eyes. It’s no wonder she and Nelson meld so well together on stage. The have the very difficult task of helping a romance to truly bloom in less than one act, but they succeed beautifully. We could feel the love that night.

Patrick R. Browne plays the deliciously vile Scar with a slow, dry, burning wit that separates the villain from the rest of the pride. His voice during “Be Prepared” was beautiful, filled with wit, anger, Sinicism, and humor. Like Scar, Browne cuts slowly to make a dark and loud statement. Patrick R. Browne is absolutely brilliant.

Gerald Ramsey plays the legendary Mufasa with confidence and dignity. He makes a large impact, quickly. He “lives in you” throughout the entire production. Ramsey imprints his talent with his deep, soulful voice. That’s why he’s Mufasa, Mufasa, Mufasa!

Drew Hirshfield, Nick Cordileone, and Ben Lipitz are the three comedians in the show as Zazu, Timon and Pumbaa, respectively. Each brings a beautiful sense of humor to their role. Zazu is annoyingly charming with Hirshfield flying around the stage. Cordileone and Lipitz are a stage team meant to be. They bring these iconic goofballs to life with fast paced wit.

The cast that’s been assembled for the tour is on par with any cast seen on Broadway. You’ll be blown away by the sights, scenes, sounds, and everything else that Disney’s The Lion King brings to Schenectady.

When the entire cast takes part in the uplifting act two reprise, “He Lives in You” will brighten your day and warm you completely. Do yourself a favor and grab tickets to see Disney’s The Lion King before the stampede heads out of town on April 17.

Free & Frugal: March 24 - 27

noreply@blogger.com (Jen DeMaria) — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 18:17:00 +0000

Your go-to list of free, cheap, and inexpensive events!

Thursday:

Evenings at the Institute

Thursday from 5-8 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free!

Open Mic Night

Thursday at 8 PM

Hudson River Coffee House

227 Quail Street, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Lincoln on the Civil War: Selected Speeches

Thursday from 6-8PM

Huxley Theater, New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free!

Friday:

Live Music At The Ginger Man!

Friday from 8-11 PM

The Ginger Man

234 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Free

THE MATTFLINNER TRIO

Friday at 8 PM

The Linda

339 Central Ave.. Albany, NY 12206

$17

Saturday:

Birding 101:Lecture and Hike

Saturday at 9-11AM

Wagon House Education Center

Olana State Historic Site

5720 Rte 9G, Hudson, NY 12534

$5/Member, $10/Non-Member

City Beer Hall's House Party

Saturday at 11 PM

City Beer Hall

42 Howard St, Albany, NY 12207

No cover

College Hockey Fest: Disney's "Miracle"

Saturday tarting at 12:00 PM

Palace Performing Arts Center

19 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12207

Adults $5; Kids 12 & under $3

Comedy PetTheatre

Saturday at 3 PM

The Egg

Empire State Plaza Albany, NY 12223

Admission: $18, Adult in free when accompanied by a child

DMA'S

Saturday at 7 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

Address: 79 North Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207

Tickets $10.27, $12 at door

Food Fantasy Art

Saturday March 26^th

New York State Museum

222 Madison Avenue Albany, NY 12230

Free!

Sunday:

Brunch with the Easter Bunny
Sunday from 11:30 AM -2 PM
Reel Seafood Company
$5 - $25

Easter Brunch at Albany Pump Station

Sunday from 10 AM-5 PM

Albany Pump Station

19 Quackenbush Square Albany, NY 12207

Adults $24/ Children (U12): $10

Sugaring Off Sundays

Sunday, 8:30 AM-1 PM (breakfast), 9 AM-2 PM (activities), (1PM Easter Egg Hunt)

The Farmers' Museum, 5775 New York 80

Cooperstown, NY 13326

$9 ages 13+, -$5 children

Multiple Days:

Activate

Thursday & Friday 10AM-5PM

Albany Barn, Inc.

56 Second St, Albany, NY 12210

Free

Art for All

Thursday - Saturday

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

10 AM - 4 PM
Admission: Free with museum admission

Challenger Adventure

Saturday & Sunday from 2-3 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

$5 children (3-12); $10 adults; $8 seniors

The Easter Bunny at Crossgates Mall

Thursday - Saturday

Location: Crossgates Mall

1 Crossgates Mall Rd, Albany, NY 12203

Cost of printed photos only

Ongoing:

6th Annual Capital Region CANstruction

March 16-30, 2016 (Recurring daily)

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free

13th Annual Nature Art Exhibit

March 5-26, 2016

John Boyd Thacher State Park

1 Hailes Cave Rd Rte 157, off Rte 85, Voorheesville, NY 12186

Free

Butterflies @ miSci

February 13 - May 1, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Free with museum admission

Earth Exposed: Discover our Planet's Hidden Secrets

Daily until June 5, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Children (3-12) $6.50; Seniors (65+) $8.00; Adults (13+) $ 9.50

Gerard & Kelly: Performance Documents

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

Keltie Ferris: Body Prints and Paintings

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

Masterworks: 225 Years of Collecting

November 21, 2015 to September 4, 2016

Wednesday 10AM–5PM; Thursday 10AM-8PM; Friday & Saturday 10AM-5PM; Sunday Noon–5PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 general admission, Free on Thursdays after 5 PM

Nature at Your Doorstep

March 1-April 30, 2016 (Recurring daily)

Monday - Friday 9 AM-3 PM (9-4 start April 1); Saturday 10 AM-3 PM; Sunday 11 AM-3 PM

Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center

25 Quackenbush Sq (Corner of Broadway & Clinton Ave.), Albany, NY 12207

Free event

Race, Love, and Labor: New Work from the Center for Photography at Woodstock’s Artist-in-Residency

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

The Capital Region in 50 Objects

September 19, 2015 to April 3, 2016

Wednesday 10 AM-5 PM; Thursday 10 AM-8 PM; Friday & Saturday 10 AM-5 PM; Sunday: 12-5 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 admission

For more things to do in Albany County, New York, go to our full events calendar here!

The Blue-Sky Boys is Funny, Charming, Smart, and Out of This World at The Rep!

noreply@blogger.com (Will Gallagher) — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 19:25:00 +0000

The Blue-Sky Boys opened at this week at Capital Rep. Frequent Rep Director Gordon Green has successfully brought another new piece of work to life. In recent years he’s created magic with The Single Girls Guide and How Water Behaves. The talented director has worked his magic once again but credit should be given EVERYWHERE, where credit is due and it starts with playwright Deborah Brevoort. Brevoort has created a tale that intertwines a true story filled with a silly, brilliant, beautiful fictional tale. Combined you have a play that will make you laugh, think, hold your breath, tear up, and laugh some more. To get to the point, The Blue-Sky Boys is a hysterically wonderful show that you should see!

Here’s how the show is billed, “How did Buck Rogers, Galileo and the Red Baron help NASA land a man on the moon? Experience this exhilarating romp through the creative minds of the maverick engineers who stopped at nothing to get a man to the moon and back! Join the first Apollo team’s outside-the-box thinking that helped America take that great step for mankind, and meet the brain trust that fueled the brilliant, preposterous, ridiculous and awe inspiring race for space that is full of surprises!”

This ensemble piece is led by the extremely talented Andrew Mueller. In many ways Mueller plays the straight man to his fellow performer’s comedic moments. Mueller plays engineer Jed Berman who leads the team to get a man on the moon. Mueller brings a beautiful complexity to his role as a leader and a person who struggles internally with his faults and failures. At one point, you even find out that Mueller has a beautiful singing voice. Here’s hoping he comes back to the Rep!

The two hilarious members that fill out Mueller’s science team are Etai Benson and Shane David who play Vencel and CJ, respectively. Benson is warm and charming. Imagine if you could understand Beeker from The Muppets. David brings to life a silly-crazy redneck engineer that you fall in love with. When these two are on stage, you’re guaranteed to laugh.

Joseph Kolinski plays Howard Haggerty, President John F. Kennedy’s Science Advisor. Kolinski is not only funny but endearing as well. His arch in the show is wonderful. Kolinski joins right in on the fun. He plays a father/boss figure but when it comes to playtime he’s one of the boys!

Last but certainly not least, I must praise three gentlemen who portray a variety of characters including (but not limited to) Buck Rogers, Galileo, the Red Baron, Apollo, Icarus, and Louis Leakey. These whacky characters are portrayed by the extremely talented trio Michael Goldstein, Orville Mendoza, and Tom Templeton. Mendoza’s portrayal of Galileo is warm, kind, and delightful. When Templeton comes out as Buck Rogers, you can’t help but to laugh at his comedic skills. Then there’s the sexy, high-energy Apollo brilliantly performed by Goldstein with a mix of comedic panache and moxie.

This show will make you laugh, guaranteed. Slowly but surely the laughs start to fly faster and faster. Eventually, The Blue-Sky Boys makes you think about events and things that you typically wouldn’t during a show. What’s surprising is the brilliant heart of the show. Shane David’s CJ and Tom Templeton’s Buck have a tender moment that brought a mix of building “awes” and tears. There’s a connection for anyone who’s ever dreamed and let their imagination soar to new heights.

Combine the heart and comedy of the show with the impeccable acting and brilliant lighting on a fun set and you can let your imagination soar to new heights! Do yourself a favor, set your eyes on the sky, and get tickets to The Blue-Sky Boys at Capital Rep through April 3.

Free & Frugal: March 17 - 20

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 16:56:00 +0000

Your go-to list of free, cheap, and inexpensive events!

Thursday

Evenings at the Institute

Thursday from 5-8 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free!

FUNERAL ADVANTAGE, BROKEN FIELD RUNNER, MODERN LIVES, THE PLASTIC FACTION @ FUZE BOX

Thursday at 7

Fuze Box

12 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Open Mic Night

Thursday at 8 PM

Hudson River Coffee House

227 Quail Street, Albany, NY 12203

Free

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner at The Restaurant at the Pointe

Thursday at 5-8 PM

The Restaurant at The Pointe

1 Bell Tower Drive, Watervliet, NY 12189

$21.95 per person, prix fix menu

The Underground Showcase at The Comedy Works

Thursday at 7:30 PM

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd., Albany, NY 12204

$5.00

Friday

Albany Shindig! with Colin McCoy & Alan Thomson and Caller, Paul Rosenberg

Friday from 7-9:45 PM

First Congregational Church

405 Quail Street, Albany, NY 12208

$7 suggested donation, $5 for DanceFlurry members, $2 for children 12 and under

Live Music At The Ginger Man!

Friday from 8-11 PM

The Ginger Man

234 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Free

The Hornitz

Saturday at 8 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

Tickets $10, $12 at door

Mopco Presents: Theatresports

Friday at 8 PM

Underground at Proctor's

432 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305

$6 children and seniors, $14 general

Post Deer Tick Party with Eastbound Jesus

Friday at 9 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207

Tickets $12; $15 at Door

Story Art

Friday from 11-11:45 AM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free, tickets required

Shawn Gillie’s Laughs From Below at The Comedy Works

Friday 8 PM

The Comedy Works – Underground Showroom

500 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204

$20 advance/$25 day-of

Saturday:

Albany Train Show

Saturday from 9 AM-3 PM

Polish Community Center

225 Washington Ave., Extension, Albany, NY 12205

Adults $5, Kids 12 and under FREE

Art for All

Saturday from 10 AM-4 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free with museum admission

Children's Star Sighting Show

Saturday at 11:00 AM

Henry Hudson Planetarium

Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, Albany, NY 12207

$3.00 all seats

City Beer Hall's House Party

Saturday at 11 PM

City Beer Hall

42 Howard St, Albany, NY 12207

No cover

Dave & Buster's Breakfast with the Easter Bunny!

Saturday from 8-10:30 AM

Dave and Buster's

1 Crossgates Mall Road, Albany, NY 12203

See package details in description

Magical John's Family Matinee at Funny Bone

Saturday at 4 PM

Albany Funny Bone

1 Crossgates Mall, Albany, NY

$7 Presale, $8 at the door

Pretty Much the Best Comedy Show: Adrienne Iapalucci

Saturday at 8 PM

Proctors

432 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305

$20

To Walk With Giants

Saturday at 7:30PM

Palace Performing Arts Center

19 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12207

$19-$60

Trash to Treasure

Saturday from 1-3 PM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free!

Warren B. Hall at The Comedy Works

Saturday at 7:30pm & 9:30pm

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204

$20 advance/$25 day-of

When Hamilton Called Albany Home

Saturday at 12, 1, and 2 PM

Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site

32 Catherine St, Albany, NY 12202

$5 adults, $4 seniors and college students, free for children 12 and under; REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Sunday:

A Declaration of Sentiments

Sunday, 2 PM pre-concert talk, 3 PM concert, 5 PM dinner

Druthers Brewing Co.

1053 Broadway, Albany, NY 12204

Concert regular seating $15 adults and $5 students; VIP seating $50, Dinner and concert regular seating $75; Dinner and Concert VIP seating $110

Celebrate Film in NY: Robot & Frank

Sunday at 2 PM

Clark Auditorium

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free

Easter Brunch at The Desmond Albany

Sunday from 7 AM-12 PM

Simpson's at the Desmond

660 Albany-Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211

$44.95*Adults, $19.95*Age 5-12, Free age 4& under

Guitar Foundation of America Concert with Ekachai Jearakul – Presented with the Classical Guitar Soc

Sunday at 7:30 PM

The Massry Center for the Arts

432 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203-1490

$20 reserved; $10 students

MAKE SCIENCE A FAMILY EVENT

Sunday at 12:30 PM

Capital Repertory Theatre

111 N. Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207

Event for Ticket holders – tickets start at $20

Sugaring Off Sundays

Sunday, 8:30 AM-1 PM (breakfast), 9 AM-2 PM (activities)

The Farmers' Museum, 5775 New York 80

Cooperstown, NY 13326

$9-$5

Sunday Art Studios: Middle Eastern Pattern Making

Sunday from 10 AM-12 PM

Wagon House Education Center, Olana State Historic Site

5720 Rte 9G, Hudson, NY 12534

Free

The Superhero Show

Sunday at 3 PM

Palace Performing Arts Center

19 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12207

$20 adults, children free

Multiple Days:

Capital District Garden & Flower Show

Friday 10 AM-8PM | Saturday 9 AM-7 PM | Sunday 10-AM 5 PM

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC)

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180

Admission: $12 at the door

Challenger Adventure

Saturday & Sunday from 2-3 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

$5 children (3-12); $10 adults; $8 seniors;

Empire Golf Expo

Friday 2-8 PM; Saturday 10 AM-6 PM; Sunday 10 AM-4 PM

Siena College

515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211

$8 in advance, $10 at the door. kids under 12 free

Ongoing:

6th Annual Capital Region CANstruction

March 16 to March 30, 2016 (Recurring Tues-Sun)

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free

13th Annual Nature Art Exhibit

March 5-26, 2016

John Boyd Thacher State Park

1 Hailes Cave Rd Rte 157, off Rte 85, Voorheesville, NY 12186

Free

ABANDONED

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Activate

February 5-March 25, 2016

Monday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM; Saturday from 12-4 PM

Albany Barn, Inc.

56 Second St, Albany, NY 12210

Free

Butterflies @ miSci

February 13 May 1, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Free with museum admission

Earth Exposed: Discover our Planet's Hidden Secrets

Daily until June 5, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Children (3-12) $6.50; Seniors (65+) $8.00; Adults (13+) $ 9.50

The Easter Bunny at Crossgates Mall

February 26-March 26, 2016

Location: Crossgates Mall

1 Crossgates Mall Rd, Albany, NY 12203

Cost of printed photos only

Exhibit by Monika Sosnowski & Carlos Loret De Mola: Photography of people, places and things

February 11-March 19, 2016

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 AM-4 PM; Wednesday 1-7 PM; Saturday 12-4 PM

The Teaching Gallery

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC)

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180

$12 at the door

Gerard & Kelly: Performance Documents

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

Keltie Ferris: Body Prints and Paintings

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

LIVING COLOR

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016 (Recurring daily)

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Masterworks: 225 Years of Collecting

November 21, 2015 to September 4, 2016

Wednesday 10AM–5PM; Thursday 10AM-8PM; Friday & Saturday 10AM-5PM; Sunday Noon–5PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 general admission, Free on Thursdays after 5 PM

Nature at Your Doorstep

March 1-April 30, 2016 (Recurring daily)

Monday - Friday 9 AM-3 PM (9-4 start April 1); Saturday 10 AM-3 PM; Sunday 11 AM-3 PM

Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center

25 Quackenbush Sq (Corner of Broadway & Clinton Ave.), Albany, NY 12207

Free event

Race, Love, and Labor: New Work from the Center for Photography at Woodstock’s Artist-in-Residency

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

The Blue Sky Boys

March 15 to April 03, 2016 (Recurring daily)

Capital Repertory Theatre

111 N. Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207

Tickets start at $20!

The Capital Region in 50 Objects

September 19, 2015 to April 3, 2016

Wednesday 10 AM-5 PM; Thursday 10 AM-8 PM; Friday & Saturday 10 AM-5 PM; Sunday: 12-5 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 admission

Whole New Ballgame Exhibit

Recurring daily

Location: National Baseball Hall of Fame

25 Main Street

Cooperstown, NY 13326

For more things to do in Albany County, New York, go to our full events calendar here!

If Walls Could Talk: Schuyler Mansion gets digitally produced wallpaper, based on historic wallpaper on exhibit at the Met

noreply@blogger.com (Molly Belmont) — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 16:40:00 +0000

By Deborah Perez

Name: Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site
Address: 32 Catherine Street, Albany, NY
Year buildings was constructed: 1761
Constructed by: Construction of the mansion was supervised by master carpenter, John Gaborial, of Boston, Massachusetts.
Original purpose: Family home of Philip and Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler
Current Owner: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Current purpose/plans: Museum and National Historic Landmark

Entrance of Schuyler Mansion awaits new wallpaper, based on
18th-Century en grisaille landscapes

Exciting restoration projects are planned in celebration of Schuyler Mansion’s 100th Anniversary as a New York State Historic Site.

The restoration of Schuyler Mansion, once the Albany, N.Y. home of Revolutionary War Major General Philip Schuyler, his wife Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler and their family, has been an ongoing effort spanning nearly ten decades. October 17, 2017 will mark the 100th anniversary of Schuyler Mansion being opened to the public as a New York State Historic Site.

Several exciting restoration projects are underway in celebration of this important anniversary. Possibly the most highly anticipated of these projects is the installation of a digitally produced reproduction of the hand painted, English, scenic wallpaper called The Ruins of Rome that originally graced the walls of the Schuyler’s elegant, 18th century, Georgian mansion.

Rare even in its own time, this scenic wallpaper had been produced in London, England in the mid-18th century. Its grand murals depicting landscapes with Roman ruins were painted en grisaille (meaning varying tones of grey) using tempera on watercolor paper. The monochromatic illustrations were based on European engravings of paintings by Giovanni Paolo Pannini; an Italian artist active in Rome in the first half of the 18th century. Greek and Roman ruins were popular subject matter for artistic expression in the mid-18th century in England and Europe reflecting contemporary fascination with architectural ruins being unearthed at the archaeological excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii.

Similar wallpaper from manor house of Stephen Van Rensselaer,
now on exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This
wallpaper was used to digitally construct new wallpaper for Schuyler
Mansion in Albany.

Only two other American houses from the colonial period are known to have had English painted scenic wallpapers similar to the ones young Philip Schuyler had purchased in 1761 for his new home. The manor house of Stephen Van Rensselaer II, built in 1765, which once stood in Albany, N.Y., was one of those homes. Before it was taken down in 1893, its painted mural papers were removed and eventually donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art where they now hang on display in a Van Rensselaer Period gallery in the museum’s American Wing. The second home is the Jerimiah Lee Mansion, which was constructed in 1766 and still stands today in Marblehead, Massachusetts with most of its original mural wallpapers intact.

The process of creating a digital reproduction of The Ruins of Rome scenic wallpaper for Schuyler Mansion is currently being undertaken by New York State Preservationist Erin Moroney and former New York State Photographer Rich Claus. Their project began with trips to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Jeremiah Lee Mansion to study and photograph the period mural papers on view at these sites. Back in their lab on Peebles Island in Waterford, New York, Erin and Rich utilized computer programs to digitally “stitch” the individual scenes together, edit out unwanted architectural elements and blend their images in order to create a uniform and historically accurate color and feel.

Ruins of Rome detail

The interior spaces of Schuyler Mansion including the main entrance hall, stair-hall, and upstairs “Saloon”, originally designed over two hundred years ago to dazzle mansion guests, await transformation to their former grandeur. Thanks to the efforts and expertise of Erin Moroney and Rich Claus, and the enthusiastic support of Friends of Schuyler Mansion and many others for this restoration project, the outstanding digital reproduction of The Ruins of Rome scenic wallpaper will be printed and installed at Schuyler Mansion prior to the site’s 100th anniversary as a public Historic House Museum.

About the Author: Deborah Perez has been a Historic Site Interpreter for Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site for the past five years and a long time Museum Teacher at Historic Cherry Hill, another wonderful 18th century Georgian home that is open to the public and is located in Albany, New York.

Schuyler Mansion is located at 32 Catherine Street in Albany, NY. Guided tours for groups and individuals are available year-round by reservation. Schuyler Mansion also hosts a full calendar of educational and cultural events. For more information, please contact (518) 434-0834 or visit the website here.

Scott Stoner and Denise Hackert-Stoner: Naturalists by Nature

noreply@blogger.com (Molly Belmont) — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 18:51:00 +0000

Scott Stoner, with his prize-winning photograph

We caught up with Stoner the evening before his art opening at the Visitors Center, and chatted about his work, his marriage, and his enduring passion for nature.

Stoner shares his passion with his wife Denise. They are both photographers, who met in a birding class. "I was one of the instructors and she was one of the students,” Stoner says. “The best student,” he adds. The two have been hiking and shooting together ever since. “We shared an interest in birds and nature, and that quickly lead to an interest in one another,” he says. Although each has their own particular focus in their photography, they share a passion for their subject.

"We love nature. We love the beauty of nature from the tiniest spider to the largest bird to the large mammals like deer and wolves, all creatures great and small,” says Stoner. "It is nice to have that in common. We spend a lot of time out together watching and photographing.”

The shared passion has given rise to a business venture, Naturelogues, an online business that specializes in prints and cards, as well as lectures and workshops in nature photography and birding. Through Naturelogues, Stoner and Hackert-Stoner hope to share their vision with a larger audience, and in that way, to inspire greater efforts to protect these habitats.

"I think that awareness comes first. If we can get people to appreciate nature, they will be more interested in protecting it," Stoner says. Stoner and Hackert-Stoner have traveled extensively, offering their programs to bird clubs, senior groups, and school districts across the state.

But, their latest photography exhibit focuses on wildlife that you can find right in your own backyard. "We are wildlife rich, more than people realize," Stoner says. Their photos were shot at the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, Thacher Park, Albany Pine Bush, Wilton, and Ft. Edwards Grasslands, proving that there’s a wealth of ecosystems right around us.

Stoner’s favorite shot? A cardinal shaking a snowflake off his beak. Stoner likes the action captured in the shot, and the fact that capturing it was mere happenstance. "It really was luck", says Stoner. “I was down at Five Rivers, during a heavy snowstorm, shooting male cardinals at the bird feeder. It wasn’t until later, when I was looking through the pictures that I saw what I had.” Someone else spotted the photo, too, and this month, it appears in National Wildlife Magazine. “It’s our first national publication,” Stoner explains, with evident pride.

To see all the photographs, stop by the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center. The work is on exhibit now through April.

The Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center is located at 25 Quackenbush Square, off Broadway. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm, Saturday, 10am-3pm, and Sunday, 11am-3pm. For more information about Naturelogues or to purchase work, please visit their website: www.naturelogues.com

Free & Frugal: March 10 - 13

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 19:35:00 +0000

Your go-to list of free, cheap, and inexpensive events!

Thursday

Evenings at the Institute

Thursday from 5-8 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free!

Nature at Your Doorstep: Opening Reception

Thursday from 5-7 PM

Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center

25 Quackenbush Sq (Corner of Broadway & Clinton Ave.), Albany, NY 12207

Free event

Open Mic Night

Thursday at 8 PM

Hudson River Coffee House

227 Quail Street, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Reading: Robert M. Dowling, Eugene O'Neill scholar and biographer

Thursday at 8 PM

Huxley Theater, New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free & Open to Public

The Underground Showcase at The Comedy Works

Thursday at 7:30 PM

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd., Albany, NY 12204

$5.00

Friday

Film Screening: Körkarlen (The Phantom Carriage)

Friday at 7:30 PM

University at Albany SUNY - Page Hall, Downtown

135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY

Free & Open to Public

Happy Traum

Friday at 8 PM

The Linda

339 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12206

Free!

Live Music At The Ginger Man!

Friday from 8-11 PM

The Ginger Man

234 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Mopco Presents: Theatresports

Friday at 8 PM

Underground at Proctor's

432 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305

$6 children and seniors, $14 general

Story Art

Friday from 11-11:45 AM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free, tickets required

Roosevelt Collier featuring members of Dopapod and Turkuaz

Friday at 8 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

Tickets $12; $15 at Door

Saturday:

Art for All

Saturday from 10 AM-4 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free with museum admission

City Beer Hall's House Party

Saturday at 11 PM

City Beer Hall

42 Howard St, Albany, NY 12207

No cover

Guided Tour of the New York State Capitol Building

Saturday at 11 AM and 1 PM

New York State Capitol

Washington Ave and State St, Albany, NY 12242

Free! Registration required.

Saint Paddy's Luck of the Irish PubCrawl

Saturday from 1-7 PM

City Beer Hall

42 Howard St, Albany, NY 12207

$10

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Saturday at 2 PM

Downtown Albany

Starts at Central Ave & Quail St., Albany, 12203

Free

Trash to Treasure

Saturday from 1-3 PM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free!

Willie Nile

Saturday at 8 PM

The Linda

339 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12206

$20

Sunday:

2nd Sunday of Each Month Ballroom Dance

Sunday from 6-7 PM

Ukrainian-American Citizens Club

1 Pulaski Street, Cohoes, NY 12047

$10 for Workshop, $10 for dance, buffet and group lesson

Albany Family Dance

Sunday from 4-5:30 PM

First Congregational Church of Albany

405 Quail Street, Albany, NY 12208

Suggested Donation: $5 adults; $1 children

National Recorder Month

Sunday from 2-3 PM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free

Sugaring Off Sundays

Sunday, 8:30 AM-1 PM (breakfast), 9 AM-2 PM (activities)

The Farmers' Museum, 5775 New York 80

Cooperstown, NY 13326

$9-$5

Multiple Days:

Challenger Adventure

Saturday & Sunday from 2-3 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

$5 children (3-12); $10 adults; $8 seniors;

Empire Golf Expo

Friday 2-8 PM; Saturday 10 AM-6 PM; Sunday 10 AM-4 PM

Siena College

515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211

$8 in advance, $10 at the door. kids under 12 free

Ray Harrington at The Comedy Works

Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm & 9:30pm

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204

$20 advance/$25 day-of

Ongoing:

13th Annual Nature Art Exhibit

March 5-26, 2016

John Boyd Thacher State Park

1 Hailes Cave Rd Rte 157, off Rte 85, Voorheesville, NY 12186

Free

ABANDONED

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Activate

February 5-March 25, 2016

Monday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM; Saturday from 12-4 PM

Albany Barn, Inc.

56 Second St, Albany, NY 12210

Free

Butterflies @ miSci

February 13 May 1, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Free with museum admission

Earth Exposed: Discover our Planet's Hidden Secrets

Daily until June 5, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Children (3-12) $6.50; Seniors (65+) $8.00; Adults (13+) $ 9.50

The Easter Bunny at Crossgates Mall

February 26-March 26, 2016

Location: Crossgates Mall

1 Crossgates Mall Rd, Albany, NY 12203

Cost of printed photos only

Exhibit by Monika Sosnowski & Carlos Loret De Mola: Photography of people, places and things

February 11-March 19, 2016

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 AM-4 PM; Wednesday 1-7 PM; Saturday 12-4 PM

The Teaching Gallery

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC)

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180

$12 at the door

Gerard & Kelly: Performance Documents

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

Keltie Ferris: Body Prints and Paintings

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

LIVING COLOR

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016 (Recurring daily)

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Masterworks: 225 Years of Collecting

November 21, 2015 to September 4, 2016

Wednesday 10AM–5PM; Thursday 10AM-8PM; Friday & Saturday 10AM-5PM; Sunday Noon–5PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 general admission, Free on Thursdays after 5 PM

Nature at Your Doorstep

March 1-April 30, 2016 (Recurring daily)

Monday - Friday 9 AM-3 PM (9-4 start April 1); Saturday 10 AM-3 PM; Sunday 11 AM-3 PM

Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center

25 Quackenbush Sq (Corner of Broadway & Clinton Ave.), Albany, NY 12207

Free event

Race, Love, and Labor: New Work from the Center for Photography at Woodstock’s Artist-in-Residency

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

The Capital Region in 50 Objects

September 19, 2015 to April 3, 2016

Wednesday 10 AM-5 PM; Thursday 10 AM-8 PM; Friday & Saturday 10 AM-5 PM; Sunday: 12-5 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 admission

UNRESTRICTED

February 2-March 12, 2016

Tuesday-Saturday 12-8 PM

Albany Center Gallery

39 Columbia St, Albany, NY 12207

FREE

Whole New Ballgame Exhibit

Recurring daily

Location: National Baseball Hall of Fame

25 Main Street

Cooperstown, NY 13326

For more things to do in Albany County, New York, go to our full events calendar here!

Free & Frugal: March 4 - 6

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 19:18:00 +0000

Your go-to list of free, cheap, and inexpensive events!

Friday

1st Friday Albany

Friday from 5-9 PM

Various Locations throughout Albany

Free!

Fan Fest - Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest

Friday from 4-6:30 PM

90 State Events

90 State Street, Albany, NY 12207

$10 at the door

Film Screening: Long Day's Journey Into Night

Friday at 7 PM

University at Albany SUNY - Page Hall, Downtown

135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY

Free & Open to Public

French Horn Rebellion with Special Guests Mystery Skulls

Friday at 8 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

Tickets $15, $18 at door

Johnny Rizzo at The Comedy Works

Friday at 7:30pm & 9:30pm

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204

$20 advance/$25 day-of

Live Music At The Ginger Man!

Friday from 8-11 PM

The Ginger Man

234 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Mopco Presents: Theatresports

Friday at 8 PM

Underground at Proctor's

432 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305

$6 children and seniors, $14 general

Story Art

Friday from 11-11:45 AM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free, tickets required

Saturday:

45th Annual Customer Appreciation-Corned Beef and Cabbage Day

Saturday at 11:30 AM

Washington Tavern

250 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Free!

Art for All

Saturday from 10 AM-4 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free with museum admission

City Beer Hall's House Party

Saturday at 11 PM

City Beer Hall

42 Howard St, Albany, NY 12207

No cover

Community Dance

Saturday at 7 PM

Old Songs Community Art Center

37 South Main Street, Voorheesville, NY 12186

$8 per person, children 12 & under are free

Fan Fest - Bounce to the Arena & Band Jam

Saturday at 10 AM

Along Pearl Street from The Palace to the Times Union Center

Admission: Free!, registration required and starts at 9:30 AM

Hannaford Kidz Expo

Saturday from 10 AM-5 PM

Empire State Plaza

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242

FREE

Paul Green’s Rock Academy w/ Ed Mann : Playing the Music of Frank Zappa

Saturday at 8 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

Tickets $12, $15 at Door

Ross Bennett at The Comedy Works

Friday at 7:30pm & 9:30pm

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204

$20 advance/$25 day-of

Trash to Treasure

Saturday from 1-3 PM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free!

Sunday:

Banners

Sunday at 8 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

Tickets $10.27, $12 at door

Crows Rule

Sunday from 1-2 PM

Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission

195 New Karner Rd, Albany, NY 12205

$3 per person/$5 per family/Children under 5 yrs free. Registration required.

Presentation: Old Albany Through the Eyes of William Kennedy's Fictional Characters

Sunday at 2 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free with Museum Admission

Sugaring Off Sundays

Sunday, 8:30 AM-1 PM (breakfast), 9 AM-2 PM (activities)

The Farmers' Museum, 5775 New York 80

Cooperstown, NY 13326

$9-$5

Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra

Sunday at 3 PM

Palace Performing Arts Center

19 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12207

Tickets start at $17.50

Multiple Days:

2016 MAAC Men's & Women's Basketball Championships

Friday-Monday, times vary

Times Union Center

51 S Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

Tickets range from $8-$50

ALBACON

Friday-Sunday from 9 AM-6 PM

Best Western Albany Airport Inn

200 Wolf Rd, Albany, NY 12205

$10-30

Challenger Adventure

Saturday & Sunday from 2-3 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

$5 children (3-12); $10 adults; $8 seniors;

Confetti Stage Theater Presents John Pielmeier’s “Agnes of God”

Friday & Saturday at 7:30 PM; Sundays at 2 PM

Albany Masonic Hall

67 Corning Place, Albany, NY 12207

$15 and $10 (with a student ID)

Open Skate at the Conway Ice Rink

Friday 12-2 PM; Saturday & Sunday 4-6:15 PM

Hudson Valley Community College

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180

$3 for adults and $2 for children under 12

Skating at the Empire State Plaza Ice Rink

Friday & Saturday, 11AM-8PM (weather permitting)

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242

Free Admission, $3 skate rentals

The Theatre Institute at Sage Presents: Number The Stars

Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday at 10 AM & 7:30 PM; Sunday at 2 PM

Russell Sage College, Sage Hall

65 First Street, Troy, NY 12180

Free

Ongoing:

13th Annual Nature Art Exhibit

March 5-26, 2016

John Boyd Thacher State Park

1 Hailes Cave Rd Rte 157, off Rte 85, Voorheesville, NY 12186

Free

ABANDONED

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Activate

February 5-March 25, 2016

Monday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM; Saturday from 12-4 PM

Albany Barn, Inc.

56 Second St, Albany, NY 12210

Free

Butterflies @ miSci

February 13 May 1, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Free with museum admission

Earth Exposed: Discover our Planet's Hidden Secrets

Daily until June 5, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Children (3-12) $6.50; Seniors (65+) $8.00; Adults (13+) $ 9.50

The Easter Bunny at Crossgates Mall

February 26-March 26, 2016

Location: Crossgates Mall

1 Crossgates Mall Rd, Albany, NY 12203

Cost of printed photos only

Exhibit by Monika Sosnowski & Carlos Loret De Mola: Photography of people, places and things

February 11-March 19, 2016

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 AM-4 PM; Wednesday 1-7 PM; Saturday 12-4 PM

The Teaching Gallery

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC)

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180

$12 at the door

Gerard & Kelly: Performance Documents

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

Keltie Ferris: Body Prints and Paintings

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

LIVING COLOR

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016 (Recurring daily)

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Masterworks: 225 Years of Collecting

November 21, 2015 to September 4, 2016

Wednesday 10AM–5PM; Thursday 10AM-8PM; Friday & Saturday 10AM-5PM; Sunday Noon–5PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 general admission, Free on Thursdays after 5 PM

Nature at Your Doorstep

March 1-April 30, 2016 (Recurring daily)

Monday - Friday 9 AM-3 PM (9-4 start April 1); Saturday 10 AM-3 PM; Sunday 11 AM-3 PM

Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center

25 Quackenbush Sq (Corner of Broadway & Clinton Ave.), Albany, NY 12207

Free event

Race, Love, and Labor: New Work from the Center for Photography at Woodstock’s Artist-in-Residency

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

The Capital Region in 50 Objects

September 19, 2015 to April 3, 2016

Wednesday 10 AM-5 PM; Thursday 10 AM-8 PM; Friday & Saturday 10 AM-5 PM; Sunday: 12-5 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 admission

UNRESTRICTED

February 2-March 12, 2016

Tuesday-Saturday 12-8 PM

Albany Center Gallery

39 Columbia St, Albany, NY 12207

FREE

Whole New Ballgame Exhibit

Recurring daily

Location: National Baseball Hall of Fame

25 Main Street

Cooperstown, NY 13326

For more things to do in Albany County, New York, go to our full events calendar here!

Free & Frugal: February 25 - 28

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 19:14:00 +0000

Your go-to list of free, cheap, and inexpensive events!

Thursday

Evenings at the Institute

Thursday from 5-8 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free!

Open Mic Night

Thursday at 8 PM

Hudson River Coffee House

227 Quail Street, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Tom Hamilton's American Babies

Thursday at 8 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207

Tickets $12, $15 at door

The Underground Showcase at The Comedy Works

Thursday at 7:30 PM

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd., Albany, NY 12204

$5.00

Friday

Book Release & Signing with David Hill at Sorelle Gallery

Friday from 5-8 PM

Sorelle Gallery

Stuyvesant Plaza, Inc.

1475 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Film Screening & Commentary by Director David Shapiro: Missing People

Friday at 7 PM

University at Albany SUNY - Page Hall, Downtown

135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY

Free & Open to Public

Gang of Thieves

Friday at 8 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

$10 Cover

Kaki King - The Neck is the Bridge to the Body

Friday at 8 PM

The Egg

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223

$25

Live Music At The Ginger Man!

Friday from 8-11 PM

The Ginger Man

234 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Mopco Presents: Theatresports

Friday at 8 PM

Underground at Proctor's

432 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305

$6 children and seniors, $14 general

Saturday:

2nd Annual Gathering of the New York Farm Cideries

Saturday from 12-3 PM & 4-7 PM

Nine Pin Ciderworks, LLC

929 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207

$10 in advance, $15 at the door

518 Songfest

Saturday at 7 PM

The Egg (Swyer Theater)

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223

$10

Art for All

Saturday from 10 AM-4 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free with museum admission

City Beer Hall's House Party

Saturday at 11 PM

City Beer Hall

42 Howard St, Albany, NY 12207

No cover

The Lucky Jukebox Brigade EP Release Party

Saturday at 8 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207

$10 Cover

Russian Winter Festival

Saturday from 12-6

Polish Community Center

225 Washington Ave Extension, Albany, NY 12205

$6 adults, $3 children (5-12), free <5

Trash to Treasure

Saturday from 1-3 PM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free!

Watchable Wildlife: Wildlife in Winter

Saturday from 2-3:30 PM

Five River Environmental Education Center

56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY 12054

Free!

Welcome the Easter Bunny to Colonie Center

Saturday from 11 AM-1 PM

Colonie Center Mall

131 Colonie Center, Albany, NY 12205

Free

Sunday:

Celebrate Film in NY: Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight

Sunday at 2 PM

Clark Auditorium

New York State Museum, Albany, NY 12230

Free

Sixty State Place Bridal Show

Sunday from 12-3 PM

Sixty State Place

60 State Street, Albany, NY 12207

$5.00 per person

Multiple Days:

Albany Civic Theater presents Ain't Misbehavin', the Fats Waller Musical Show

Fridays & Saturday at 7:30 PM, Sunday at 3 PM

Albany Civic Theatre

235 Second Ave, Albany, NY 12206

$18

CR Kids presents: 13 The Musical

Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 2 & 7:30 PM, Sunday at 2 PM

The Hart Theater at The Egg

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223

Challenger Adventure

Saturday & Sunday from 2-3 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

$5 children (3-12); $10 adults; $8 seniors;

Confetti Stage Theater Presents John Pielmeier’s “Agnes of God”

Friday & Saturday at 7:30 PM; Sundays at 2 PM

Albany Masonic Hall

67 Corning Place, Albany, NY 12207

$15 and $10 (with a student ID)

High School Wrestling Championships

Friday 7:30 AM-7 PM; Saturday 7:30 AM-6 PM

Times Union Center

51 S Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

$12 - $38

Rory Albanese at The Comedy Works

Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm & 9:30pm

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204

$20 advance/$25 day-of

The Bridge Jazz Festival

Saturday & Sunday at 7 PM

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall & The Massry Center for the Arts

$40 reserved; $30 students per night/OR $60 reserved; $40 students for both nights

The Theatre Institute at Sage Presents: Number The Stars

Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday at 10 AM & 7:30 PM; Sunday at 2 PM

Russell Sage College, Sage Hall

65 First Street, Troy, NY 12180

Free

Ongoing:

ABANDONED

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Activate

February 5-March 25, 2016

Monday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM; Saturday from 12-4 PM

Albany Barn, Inc.

56 Second St, Albany, NY 12210

Free

Butterflies @ miSci

February 13 May 1, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Free with museum admission

Earth Exposed: Discover our Planet's Hidden Secrets

Daily until June 5, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Children (3-12) $6.50; Seniors (65+) $8.00; Adults (13+) $ 9.50

The Easter Bunny at Crossgates Mall

February 26-March 26, 2016

Location: Crossgates Mall

1 Crossgates Mall Rd, Albany, NY 12203

Cost of printed photos only

Exhibit by Monika Sosnowski & Carlos Loret De Mola: Photography of people, places and things

February 11-March 19, 2016

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 AM-4 PM; Wednesday 1-7 PM; Saturday 12-4 PM

The Teaching Gallery

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC)

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180

$12 at the door

Gerard & Kelly: Performance Documents

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

Keltie Ferris: Body Prints and Paintings

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

LIVING COLOR

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016 (Recurring daily)

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Masterworks: 225 Years of Collecting

November 21, 2015 to September 4, 2016

Wednesday 10AM–5PM; Thursday 10AM-8PM; Friday & Saturday 10AM-5PM; Sunday Noon–5PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 general admission, Free on Thursdays after 5 PM

Open Skate at the Conway Ice Rink

Daily until March 06, 2016

Weekdays 12-2 PM; Weekends 4-6:15 PM

Hudson Valley Community College

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180

$3 for adults and $2 for children under 12

Race, Love, and Labor: New Work from the Center for Photography at Woodstock’s Artist-in-Residency

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

Skating at the Empire State Plaza Ice Rink

Ongoing through March 5, 2016, weather permitting

11AM-8PM

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242

Free Admission, $3 skate rentals

Swinburne Ice Skating Rink

December 4 to March 4, 2016

Albany's Swinburne Skating Rink

810 Clinton Ave, Albany, NY

Free

The Capital Region in 50 Objects

September 19, 2015 to April 3, 2016

Wednesday 10 AM-5 PM; Thursday 10 AM-8 PM; Friday & Saturday 10 AM-5 PM; Sunday: 12-5 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 admission

UNRESTRICTED

February 2-March 12, 2016

Tuesday-Saturday 12-8 PM

Albany Center Gallery

39 Columbia St, Albany, NY 12207

FREE

Whole New Ballgame Exhibit

Recurring daily

Location: National Baseball Hall of Fame

25 Main Street

Cooperstown, NY 13326

For more things to do in Albany County, New York, go to our full events calendar here!

5 Magnificent Ways to Welcome March

noreply@blogger.com (Jen DeMaria) — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 19:14:00 +0000

So we’ve heard that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, yet there’s much more to March than just watching it pass by! The weather starts warming up, days get longer, and we start adventuring once again. We soon realize that there’s more to our day besides curling up at home and drinking warm soup and hot coco. March is approaching and Albany County has you covered! Whether indoors or outdoors, there are many things to check out:

1) Watch the Beauty Unfold

March brings out the color and beauty in nature, which means good vibes all around.

Nature at Your Doorstep, Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center

Celebrate the natural beauty of Albany's own backyard at Nature at Your Doorstep, a free exhibit at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center; appreciate precious flowers, birds, landscapes & more from March 1 - April 30. Naturelogues is the work from Scott Stoner and Denise Hackert-Stoner, whose photos have appeared in many publications. Come to the opening reception on March 10th from 5-7 to discover the wonders of nature!
Get some fresh air! Get back into the groove and get ready for the 6th Annual 5K Ice Breaker Challenge along Hudson River. This 5K run gives runners the unique opportunity to race rowers from the Albany Rowing Center along the Corning Preserve Bicycle Path on March 26th.

2) Longer days and Warmer Weather

The Lion King, at Proctors Theater

Longer days mean more time for fun! Take the kids to the New York State Museum for Rain or Shine.. It's Reading Time on March 4th and let their imagination soar!
Looking for even more fun? The next day on March 5th is the Hannaford Kidz Expo at the Empire State Plaza. Come for a fun-filled day of performances and entertainment, with activities for kids and info for parents.

Warm up your soul with Disney's The Lion King. There is nothing quite like THE LION KING with unforgettable music and "awe-inspiring artistry". Sit back and experience true wonder with this familiar story, as it returns to Proctors March 22 - April 17.

3) MAAC Championships

MAAC Conference, March 3-7 2016

Feel the radiating excitement of 11 institutions with unbreakable team bonds as they compete in the 2016 MAAC Tournament right at the Times Union Center. Watch the community come together to make this an exhilarating experience March 3-7.
Visit local restaurants and hotels as they celebrate with exciting offers & promotions. Check out these MAAC special Restaurant Offers, and Hotel Packages & Promotions, that you definitely do not want to miss!
Did someone say mac-n-cheese AND craft beer? Yes! Don’t miss the ALL-NEW “Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest” on March 4th! Sample gourmet mac-n-cheese and craft beer during this pre-game event with restaurants including 677Prime, Ama Cocina, Jack's Oyster House, Parish Public House, The Hollow, AllieB's Cozy Kitchen, The Capital, and Wellington's.

4) Sweet Demonstrations

Satisfy your sweet cravings every Sunday in March at The Farmer’s Museum! Come to Sugaring Off Sundays where a full warm pancake breakfast will put you in the perfect mood to watch contemporary & historic maple sugaring demonstrations and participate in various activities. Learn to tap maple from trees, visit the Museum’s Historic Village and enjoy local maple products & more! You have to check out this tasty and engaging combo that’s fun for all!

Sugaring off Sundays, at The Farmer's Museum

5) Celebrate!

St. Patrick's Day

Join the Irish American Heritage Museum on March 12th for storytelling, dancing, pony rides, crafts & food at the St. Patrick's Parade Family Festival for an afternoon of family fun! Feel the culture of Ireland at Academy Park from 12-5pm across from Albany City Hall. Then, stop by the 66th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Downtown Albany, and celebrate faith, family and tradition, starting at 2pm from Quail Street to Pearl Street.
Kick back and celebrate with drink specials at City Beer Hall, Bombers Burrito Bar, The Olde English, Wolff's Biergarten & more for St. Paddys Luck of the Irish PubCrawl on March 12th. Take advantage of the Irish Spirit throughout the many festivities and excitement in the area!
Everyone deserves spectacular food now and again. Have a delicious St. Patrick’s Day Dinner on March 17th at Restaurant at the Pointe. Take a break and receive a mouth-watering meal.

Easter

Stop by Goold Orchards, Inc. for a tasty Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on March 19 & 20th and finally enjoy some pleasant family time!
You can also, feast at the Desmond Albany Hotel in their charming courtyard and elegant ballroom for Traditional Easter Brunch on March 20th featuring pianist Bobby Z, and an Easter egg hunt! Would you rather have an evening experience? Bring the family for Easter Dinner at Simpson's. (Click here for menu)

Simpson's, at The Desmond

Looking more for a holiday full of activity? The Easter Eggscapade 5K & 10K at the scenic Albany Corning Preserve - Jennings Landing is perfect for you. Get out, and get going! You can run, jog or walk with family and friends, and enjoy music & food on March 20th.

For more things to do regardless of the month, check out our events calendar here!

Free & Frugal: February 19 - 21

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 21:55:00 +0000

Your go-to list of free, cheap, and inexpensive events!

Friday:

Albany Shindig! with George Wilson and Selma Kaplan

Friday at 7-9:45 PM

First Congregational Church

405 Quail Street, Albany, NY 12208

$7 suggested donation, $5 for DanceFlurry members, $2 for children 12 and under

Consider the Source

Friday at 8 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207

$12, $15 at door

Film Screening: Into the Wild

Friday at 7:30 PM

University at Albany SUNY - Page Hall, Downtown

135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY

Free & Open to Public

Live Music At The Ginger Man!

Friday from 8-11 PM

The Ginger Man

234 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Mopco Presents: Theatresports

Friday at 8 PM

Underground at Proctor's

432 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305

$6 children and seniors, $14 general

Saturday:

An Evening with Jimkata

Saturday at 8 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207

Tickets $12, $15 at door

Art for All

Saturday from 10 AM-4 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free with museum admission

Empire Skate Plaza: Try Hockey For Free

Saturday from 9-11 AM

Empire State Plaza Skating Rink

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242

Free, Registration required

Family Fun Day: Bloomin' In The Museum!

Saturday from 1-4 PM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free

Trash to Treasure

Saturday from 1-3 PM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free!

Village People

Saturday at 8 PM

Proctors Theatre (the Mainstage)

432 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305

$20 - $50

When Hamilton Called Albany Home

Saturday at 12, 1 & 2 PM

Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site

32 Catherine St, Albany, NY 12202

$5 adults, $4 seniors and college students, free for children 12 and under

Sunday:

See “Multiple days” and “Ongoing” info below.

Multiple Days:

Albany Civic Theater presents Ain't Misbehavin', the Fats Waller Musical Show

Fridays & Saturday at 7:30 PM, Sunday at 3 PM

Albany Civic Theatre

235 Second Ave, Albany, NY 12206

$18

Beethoven Festival

Saturday at 7:30 PM & Sunday at 3 Pm

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

30 Second Street, Troy, NY 12180

$19-$60

Challenger Adventure

Saturday & Sunday from 2-3 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

$5 children (3-12); $10 adults; $8 seniors;

Nathan MacIntosh at The Comedy Works

Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm & 9:30pm

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204

$20 advance/$25 day-of

New York in Bloom

Friday-Sunday from 9:30 AM-5 PM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

$5 each day - Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Cash Only

Times Union Home Expo

Friday 3-8 PM; Saturday 10 AM-6 PM; Sunday 10 AM-5 PM

Times Union Center

51 S Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

Admission $5-$14; children under 14 free

Ongoing:

ABANDONED

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Activate

February 5-March 25, 2016

Monday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM; Saturday from 12-4 PM

Albany Barn, Inc.

56 Second St, Albany, NY 12210

Free

Butterflies @ miSci

February 13 May 1, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Free with museum admission

Earth Exposed: Discover our Planet's Hidden Secrets

Daily until June 5, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Children (3-12) $6.50; Seniors (65+) $8.00; Adults (13+) $ 9.50

Exhibit by Monika Sosnowski & Carlos Loret De Mola: Photography of people, places and things

February 11-March 19, 2016

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 AM-4 PM; Wednesday 1-7 PM; Saturday 12-4 PM

The Teaching Gallery

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC)

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180

$12 at the door

Gerard & Kelly: Performance Documents

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

Keltie Ferris: Body Prints and Paintings

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

LIVING COLOR

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016 (Recurring daily)

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Masterworks: 225 Years of Collecting

November 21, 2015 to September 4, 2016

Wednesday 10AM–5PM; Thursday 10AM-8PM; Friday & Saturday 10AM-5PM; Sunday Noon–5PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 general admission, Free on Thursdays after 5 PM

Open Skate at the Conway Ice Rink

Daily until March 06, 2016

Weekdays 12-2 PM; Weekends 4-6:15 PM

Hudson Valley Community College

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180

$3 for adults and $2 for children under 12

Race, Love, and Labor: New Work from the Center for Photography at Woodstock’s Artist-in-Residency

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

Skating at the Empire State Plaza Ice Rink

Ongoing through March 5, 2016, weather permitting

11AM-8PM

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242

Free Admission, $3 skate rentals

Swinburne Ice Skating Rink

December 4 to March 4, 2016

Albany's Swinburne Skating Rink

810 Clinton Ave, Albany, NY

Free

The Capital Region in 50 Objects

September 19, 2015 to April 3, 2016

Wednesday 10 AM-5 PM; Thursday 10 AM-8 PM; Friday & Saturday 10 AM-5 PM; Sunday: 12-5 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 admission

The Coast & The Sea: Marine and Maritime Art in America

Open Tuesday-Sunday until February 21, 2016

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free

UNRESTRICTED

February 2-March 12, 2016

Tuesday-Saturday 12-8 PM

Albany Center Gallery

39 Columbia St, Albany, NY 12207

FREE

Whole New Ballgame Exhibit

Recurring daily

Location: National Baseball Hall of Fame

25 Main Street

Cooperstown, NY 13326

For more things to do in Albany County, New York, go to our full events calendar here!

If Walls Could Talk: This Meeting House saw many fascinating occurrences

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 20:07:00 +0000

Name: Albany Shaker Meeting House
Address: 25 Meeting House Road
Year Constructed: 1848
Constructed by:The Shaker Community
Original purpose: Place of worship
Current owner: Albany County; leased by the Shaker Heritage Society
Current use/future plans: Currently being used as an education and interpretation center for The Society

On a warm August Sunday in 1852, the Albany Shaker Meeting House was packed to capacity. Nearly 700 people flocked to the village for a glimpse at Shaker worship, which was filled with singing and dancing and was far unlike the religious exercises of other Christian sects. The main entrance road was lined with horse-drawn carriages, and visitors filed in to the simple, but striking, white Meeting House, completed only four years before. These “world’s people,” dressed in their Sunday best and showing off their fine clothes, were a stark contrast to the Shakers who would soon enter the large meeting space in their practical and modest Sunday clothing.

The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, commonly called Shakers because of their early ecstatic form of worship, arrived in New York from England on August 6, 1774. Within five years, they had traveled up the Hudson River and settled on an inexpensive tract of swampland owned by Stephen Van Rensselaer, just outside of Albany. The group was led to the New World by their fearless leader, Mother Ann Lee, an illiterate factory worker from Manchester who envisioned a “chosen people” waiting for her arrival and prophesied a thriving Shaker community in America. The Shakers would go on to establish nearly two dozen communities from Maine to Kentucky throughout the 19th century. Although the Shakers left Albany in 1938, there is still one active community in Sabbathday Lake, Maine, where three Shakers and one novitiate live, work, and worship.

The Shakers were a communal, celibate Christian sect that espoused racial and gender equality and lived a life centered on work and worship. In the 21st century, “Shaker” has become synonymous with “craftsmanship;” their beautifully yet simply designed furniture and other material culture has become highly collectible. Their architecture followed this pattern, serving as a physical representation of many Shaker ideals. Villages were laid out thoughtfully and deliberately. Each building served a purpose, and perhaps none was more important than the Meeting House.

The Meeting House was the place of worship in every Shaker village. In the Albany community, it was located in a section called the Church Family. The 1848 Meeting House was the third built. It replaced the second Meeting House (1791) as the Shaker population grew rapidly through the first half of the 19th century. Today, it’s the only Shaker Meeting House to retain much of its original interior.

A distinctly “Shaker style” didn’t emerge until well into the 19th century. Building design was certainly influenced by the individual architects as most early architects had received their training outside of the community. Northeastern Shakers designed their buildings to reflect Yankee New England and Dutch building traditions. Southwestern communities, like those in Kentucky, tried to emulate this style – the Shaker Ministry put a heavy influence on uniformity – but there is certainly a regional difference. Warmer climates called for taller ceilings and larger hallways that allowed airflow to keep the building cool. Resources also varied, and so building materials differed by region. Symmetry, simplicity, and color played important roles in every structure.

Because of the large scale of Shaker buildings, brethren would often examine public buildings like hospitals, asylums, schools, and prisons for ideas on how to effectively use their resources. When the Shakers decided to build their new Meeting House in 1845, Freegift and Jesse Wells went into Albany to see a railroad building, “thinking to get some knowledge of information that would be useful in calculating the frame of our meeting house, now under contemplation of building.”

Jesse Wells was the architect, but the construction of the new building was a community effort. The entire timber frame was put up in one day. They were also assisted by other communities. The timber came from the Groveland Shakers in western NY, and the ministry at Mount Lebanon sent six workers to help with the roof and woodworking. Believe it or not, non-Shakers also contributed; most of the other materials were purchased from “the world,” and there were several masons and hired men who assisted with the labor. It’s a common misconception that the villages were totally contained and entirely self-sufficient, but this was not the case. The Shakers relied on the world for many things, including some material goods, but also as consumers of Shaker products and as potential converts.

The new Meeting House had three entrances on the north end of the building: the left door for sisters, the right for the brethren, and the center door for the Ministry. The separate entrances helped to enforce celibacy and prevented any accidental touching in doorways. These entrances led into two shoe rooms – again one for each gender – where Shakers could hang their outerwear and change into the light shoes they wore for meeting. They then entered the meeting room, a large, open space. A truss system in the attic held up the roof and allowed the space to be free of support columns that might hinder movement.

At the south end of the meeting room, several rows of rising seats were built for observers from the world (and, hopefully, potential converts) who attended public meeting. To many, Shaker worship was a novelty and a spectacle, and witnessing meeting was a form of entertainment for them. A gate separated the benches from the rest of the room, a physical and symbolic barrier of separation between the Shakers and the world’s people. Two doors allowed access from the outside, and a fence in the center of the interior walkway kept the male and female visitors separated; as temporary guests in the community, they were expected to follow Shaker rules.

The second floor of the Meeting House contained the Ministry’s apartments and workspaces. They did not attend public worship. Small windows opened up from the upstairs rooms onto the large meeting room, and some have speculated that these were used for observation by the community’s leaders. The third floor housed the attic, as well as a couple of other small rooms that may have been extensions of the apartments or just storage.

Color was important in Shaker architecture, and Meeting House exteriors were to be the only buildings painted white. White was a color of purity and a symbolic of heaven. The shutters and doors were green. The meeting room walls were white with blue trim.

The building was completed enough to be dedicated on March 1, 1849, the date celebrated as Mother Ann’s birthday (she was born on a Leap Day). This Meeting House saw many fascinating occurrences, including the Era of Manifestations. It was a religious revival among the Shakers that began in the late 1830s and lasted into mid-1850s. It was defined by a period of intense spiritual activity, in which Shakers – most of them young women – received visions and messages from the spirit world. Spirit visitors included George Washington and Mother Ann, as well as African, Arab, and Native American spirits. The Shakers participated in séances and, when the Spiritualist movement began to sweep through western NY around the same period, the Shakers visited with mediums. They even went to see the famous Fox Sisters, who communicated with ghosts through rapping noises.

There were many visitors over the years, some of them well-known. Harriot Hunt, an early female physician and the first woman to apply to Harvard Medical School (she was denied twice), wrote about her visit in 1851, calling the new Meeting House “the most pleasant of any in the order.” Other famous visitors included journalist Charles Nordhoff, author Charles Dudley Warner, and Amelia Murray, a maid of honor to Queen Victoria. Politicians visited often, including several governors and, in April 1852, 48 members of the state legislature. They then stayed for dinner.

By the 20th century, the population of the Albany Shaker community had begun to decline. The Church Family property was sold to Thomas Bergan in 1924 for $60,000; he sold it to Albany County the following year for $160,000. The county razed 19 buildings and altered others for their purposes. Preservation of Shaker history was not a “thing” yet, and no one batted an eye at these demolitions. The beautiful clapboard Meeting House was covered with a brick façade and used as a community center and movie theater for residents of the newly constructed Ann Lee Nursing Home on the property. Films were shown once a week to nursing home residents and the children living at the tuberculosis preventorium housed in one of the Shaker buildings on site. The Shakers living at the South Family (who would remain until 1938) and area residents were welcome to attend. Later, the building was converted into the Catholic Chapel of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and operated under the jurisdiction of the Franciscans at Siena College.

The Shaker Heritage Society was formed in 1977 in an effort to preserve the remaining Shaker buildings on the property, and in 1985 SHS received a lease from Albany County for the Meeting House at a rate of $1 a year. The county still owns the property, and the Society has negotiated new lease agreements with them. We are working together to preserve the nine remaining Shaker buildings. The Meeting House restoration was completed in 2007, with both interior and exterior suited to an adaptive reuse of the building as an education and interpretation center for the Society. Today, the Meeting House contains our exhibit room, gift shop, and large meeting room, which is used for programs, concerts, and other events. We’d love to have you visit!

Sources:
Pratt, Ned and Elizabeth Shaver. The Watervliet Shakers and their 1848 Meeting House. Albany, NY: Shaker Heritage Society, 1994.
Wergland, Glendyne R., ed. Visiting the Shakers, 1850-1899. Clinton, NY: Richard W. Couper Press, 2010.

About the Author: Samantha Hall-Saladino is the Education Director at the Shaker Heritage Society, where she develops, presents, and promotes educational programming about the history of Shakers and their influence on American culture for audiences ranging from school children to seniors living with Alzheimer’s. She also serves as the historian for Fulton County, where she lives with her husband and two cats.

About the Shaker Heritage Society: The mission of the Shaker Heritage Society is to strengthen our community through educational programs and historic preservation focused on the Shaker ideals of sustainability, equality, compassion, cooperation, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. Click here to visit their website.

To learn more about the Shaker Heritage Society, consider attending the upcoming birthday celebration for Shaker founder Mother Ann Lee, February 29^th, 5:30-7:30pm at the Shaker Heritage Society, 25 Meeting House Road, Albany, NY. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. More information can be found at www.shakerheritage.org

Free & Frugal: February 11 - 14

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 20:30:00 +0000

Your go-to list of free, cheap, and inexpensive events!

Thursday:

Evenings at the Institute

Thursday from 5-8 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free!

New York State Author and Poet Awards & Reading

Thursday at 8 PM

Location: University at Albany SUNY - Page Hall, Downtown

135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY

Free & Open to Public

OAR

Thursday at 8 PM

Palace Performing Arts Center

19 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12207

Tickets start at $29.75

Open Mic Night

Thursday at 8 PM

Hudson River Coffee House

227 Quail Street, Albany, NY 12203

Free

The Underground Showcase at The Comedy Works

Thursday at 7:30 PM

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd., Albany, NY 12204

$5.00

Friday:

Gerard & Kelly

Friday at 7 PM & 8:15 PM

The Egg

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223

$15

Get The Led Out

Friday at 8 PM

Palace Performing Arts Center

19 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12207

$29.50 in ADVANCE & $32.50 DAY OF

Film Screening: La Ronde

Friday at 7:30 PM

University at Albany SUNY - Page Hall, Downtown

135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY

Free & Open to Public

Jackie Greene

Friday at 8 PM

The Egg

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223

$29.50

Live Music At The Ginger Man!

Friday from 8-11 PM

The Ginger Man

234 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Mopco Presents: Theatresports

Friday at 8 PM

Underground at Proctor's

432 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305

$6 children and seniors, $14 general

RAQ

Friday at 8 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207

$15

Saturday:

Art for All

Saturday from 10 AM-4 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free with museum admission

DAR Antiques Show and Sale

Saturday from 10 Am-5 PM

Polish Community Center

225 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY 12205

$5.00 /$4.50 with a print out of this listing

Guided Tour of the New York State Capitol Building

Saturday at 11 AM & 1 PM

New York State Capitol

Washington Ave and State St, Albany, NY 12242

Free! Registration required

HUDSON VALLEY BALD EAGLES

Saturday at 2 PM

Peebles Island State Park

1 Delaware Ave, Albany, NY 12188

Free and open to the public. Registration required.

RnB Classics Live presents "What's Going On" An Anthology of the Music of Marvin Gaye

Friday at 8 PM

Proctors Theatre (the Mainstage)

432 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305

$20 - $35

Saint Rose Camerata

Saturday at 7:30 PM

The Massry Center for the Arts

1002 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Sebastian Maniscalco's Aren't You Embarrassed Tour

Saturday at 7 & 9:30PM

The Egg

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223

Tickets start at $39.50, FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

Sonny Landreth & Cindy Cashdollar

Saturday at 8 PM

The Egg

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223

$29.50

Tragedy : The All Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees and Beyond

Saturday at 8 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

$12, $15 at the door

Trash to Treasure

Saturday from 1-3 PM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free!

Sunday:

2nd Sunday of Each Month Ballroom Dance

Sunday from 6-7 PM

Ukrainian-American Citizens Club

1 Pulaski Street, Cohoes, NY 12047

$10 for Workshop, $10 for dance, buffet and group lesson

Birthday Celebration For Clifford The Big Red Dog

Sunday from 1-4 PM

Student Center

New York State Museum, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free!

Monty Alexander & Frank Vignola with special guest Caterina Zapponi

Sunday at 7:30 PM

The Egg (Swyer Theater)

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223

$29.50

Movie Showing: Spotlight

Sunday; Times vary, See description

Proctors

432 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305

Multiple Days:

23rd Annual James Campbell Memorial Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show and Sale

Saturday & Sunday from 10 AM-5 PM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

$5 each day. Children 12 and under are free. **Cash Only**

Albany Civic Theater presents Ain't Misbehavin', the Fats Waller Musical Show

Fridays & Saturday at 7:30 PM, Sunday at 3 PM

Albany Civic Theatre

235 Second Ave, Albany, NY 12206

$18

Challenger Adventure

Saturday & Sunday from 2-3 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

$5 children (3-12); $10 adults; $8 seniors;

Kevin Meaney at The Comedy Works

Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm & 9:30pm

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204

$20 advance/$25 day-of

Ongoing:

ABANDONED

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Activate

February 5-March 25, 2016

Monday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM; Saturday from 12-4 PM

Albany Barn, Inc.

56 Second St, Albany, NY 12210

Free

Butterflies @ miSci

February 13 May 1, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Free with museum admission

Earth Exposed: Discover our Planet's Hidden Secrets

Daily until June 5, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Children (3-12) $6.50; Seniors (65+) $8.00; Adults (13+) $ 9.50

Exhibit by Monika Sosnowski & Carlos Loret De Mola: Photography of people, places and things

February 11-March 19, 2016

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 AM-4 PM; Wednesday 1-7 PM; Saturday 12-4 PM

The Teaching Gallery

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC)

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180

$12 at the door

Gerard & Kelly: Performance Documents

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

Keltie Ferris: Body Prints and Paintings

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

LIVING COLOR

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016 (Recurring daily)

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Masterworks: 225 Years of Collecting

November 21, 2015 to September 4, 2016

Wednesday 10AM–5PM; Thursday 10AM-8PM; Friday & Saturday 10AM-5PM; Sunday Noon–5PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 general admission, Free on Thursdays after 5 PM

Naked Influence

Daily until February 14, 2016

Tuesday-Thursday 7:30 PM; Friday 8 PM; Saturday 3 & 8 PM; Sunday at 2 PM

Capital Repertory Theatre

111 N. Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

Tickets range from $20-$50

Open Skate at the Conway Ice Rink

Daily until March 06, 2016

Weekdays 12-2 PM; Weekends 4-6:15 PM

Hudson Valley Community College

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180

$3 for adults and $2 for children under 12

Race, Love, and Labor: New Work from the Center for Photography at Woodstock’s Artist-in-Residency

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

Skating at the Empire State Plaza Ice Rink

Ongoing through March 5, 2016, weather permitting

11AM-8PM

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242

Free Admission, $3 skate rentals

Swinburne Ice Skating Rink

December 4 to March 4, 2016

Albany's Swinburne Skating Rink

810 Clinton Ave, Albany, NY

Free

The Capital Region in 50 Objects

September 19, 2015 to April 3, 2016

Wednesday 10 AM-5 PM; Thursday 10 AM-8 PM; Friday & Saturday 10 AM-5 PM; Sunday: 12-5 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 admission

The Coast & The Sea: Marine and Maritime Art in America

Open Tuesday-Sunday until February 21, 2016

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free

UNRESTRICTED

February 2-March 12, 2016

Tuesday-Saturday 12-8 PM

Albany Center Gallery

39 Columbia St, Albany, NY 12207

FREE

Whole New Ballgame Exhibit

Recurring daily

Location: National Baseball Hall of Fame

25 Main Street

Cooperstown, NY 13326

For more things to do in Albany County, New York, go to our full events calendar here!

Naked Influence is a Courageous Piece at The Rep!

noreply@blogger.com (Will Gallagher) — Sun, 07 Feb 2016 22:22:00 +0000

Never in my Naked Influence, currently having its world premiere in Albany, is exactly what The Rep is trying to do.

life have I felt so drawn in and engaged by a piece of theatre that also kept me slightly uncomfortable and questioning until the final moments.

The new play which won last years Next Act! Play Festival which looks at an almost endless amount of new shows to see which ones can have a strong influence, tell a story, and continue to push the limits on new work. This is the second time (in the festivals four year plan) that playwright Suzanne Bradbeer has won. Her captivating drama, The God Game, wowed audiences in 2013. Being a very big fan of The God Game, myself, I cam in with high expectations and they were knocked to a different park altogether.

The God Game with some gut-wrenching moments was a much tamer than Naked Influence which engages you until it shoots you out and onto the bumpiest most provoking rollercoaster ride of your life, so far.

Here’s how the show is billed, “A dancer’s past. A woman’s future. The seductive and lucrative world of strip clubs sets the stage for this spellbinding tale about a charismatic exotic dancer who finds herself engulfed in a doomed relationship with a congressman. She wants to leave the club life behind for a fresh start, but is she powerful enough to untangle herself from her former life?”

This thought-inducing/question-provoking show tears right from modern day television dramas, and sadly both are inspired by today’s headlines. This is exactly what people look for in new theatre: Something courageous, something suspenseful, something that will open your mind. Naked Influence is a brave play that can be tricky to navigate; luckily it’s filled with a Grade A cast.

Amanda Sykes plays our lead, the stripper turned college student – Lucy. Sykes brings a quality of brutal honesty to a roll rapped in unraveling layers. You’ll love her character, you’ll laugh with her character, her character may annoy you with her stubbornness, you’ll worry for her character, and then during bows you’ll be blown away by how well Sykes just did her job. Remember that name, Amanda Sykes, you’ll see it bigger lights someday, and hopefully again at The Rep! In my opinion, even as someone who is not startled or offended this takes role takes a lot of courage to play and bare eight times a week. Bravo, Ms. Sykes, Bravo!

Popular Capital Rep actress Brenny Rabine will have you bowing at her feet and inviting you into her home in this show. Rabine plays the sweet and innocent sister to Sykes tough-willed Lucy. If you don’t fall in love with Rabine’s character in this show (which is hard not to do in most of her roles) you’re probably not seeing the right show. The word courageous should be given to each member of this cast. Especially to Rabine and Sykes. Their willingness to tell a more honest and less glamorous tale is important and wonderful. Rabine is in many ways the comedienne who cuts the tension between many scenes. However in duel capacity Rabine and her character are also challenged to push their limits and play heroines in their own right. You will be speechless by Rabine, please give her the standing ovation she deserves.

Emmy-Nominee Robert Newman plays Dennis, the politician. Newman has the challenge of playing a part well while leaving you questioning what’s really going on. He some how finds away to play the part well while still leaving so much mystery and many stones left unturned. When I went (spoiler) people received Mr. Newman differently during bows than everyone else. He responded with a large smile on his face. No, Robert isn’t crazy or angered; the response was his own type of ovation, letting him and the rest of the audience know he did his challenging job well.

When we met Andy Lucien’s character, Tommy, I thought we had found our hero, immediately. Little did I know what Lucien was going to bring was so much more. He’s funny, charming, handsome, and honest. We see Andy’s character come in and out over periods of time and each time a new thing has developed whether it be the plot line, a characters relationship, etc. These were all things the audience is told quickly to keep the play moving. Lucien graciously picks up the baton and fills in the gaps. He’s soulful and strong in ways you wouldn’t predict and a great addition to the cast. His moments on the bench with Sykes are more than welcomed, their what bring us back to a happy place. We all should have a friend like that and a special bench.

Finally, HATS OFF to another Cap Rep regular, Yvonne Perry. Perry was part of the three-person cast of The God Game. In Naked Influence, Perry is almost unrecognizable as Angie. It wasn’t until the second act that I even realized it was Perry. She’s that good and transformative! Perry’s Angie is funny, strong, and a real friend in the end. You’ll adore her courageous (there it is again) choices! Congrats!

This show is a new work, still finding its ways. I’m sure, like every new show, it will see little edits here and there. Let’s be honest, It’s difficult to endure, extremely challenging on the mind, melding between comedic moments and painfully honest scenes, it’s brilliant and it’s what keeping theatre alive, well, and fresh. Proctors and Cap Rep have just announced a number of new shows that will put you at ease. Do yourself a favor and challenge yourself, bring your friends, see Naked Influence, go out and talk about. That’s what theatre is supposed to do!

Well done, Cap Rep! See Naked Influence before it closes on Valentines Day!

Find Out Why It’s a Wickedly, Rotten, Beautiful Season for Proctors and Capital Rep!

noreply@blogger.com (Will Gallagher) — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 04:38:00 +0000

Proctors and Capital Rep have announced two sensational seasons coming in the next year! Not only is this one Capital Rep/Proctors best yet, it’s also the most innovative, so far.

An American in Paris

Over the last three years, Proctors has spent the second part of the summer playing home to a Broadway national tour as it techs, tours, and premiers in the Capital Region. This year Proctors will provide creative space to not one but TWO c Award-Winning Musicals as they build and tech in Schenectady!

An American in Paris will tech at Proctors in the October. When An American in Paris previews in Schenectady it’s the first time the TONY-Nominated show will be seen, outside of Paris and New York. Proctors has been an above the line producer on the show. Following technical rehearsals, An American in Paris will play a weeks engagement October 14-21, 2016.

Dirty Dancing

Here’s how the show is billed, “Acclaimed director-choreographer and 2015 Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon brings the magic and romance of Paris into perfect harmony with Tony Award-winning orchestrations of unforgettable works from George and Ira Gershwin in the four-time Tony Award-winning production that earned more awards than any other musical in the 2014-2015 season!”

Following the beautifully transcendent movie-turned-Broadway musical filled with famous Gershwin songs, audiences will have the time of their lives at Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage – November 8-13.

The hit stage rendition of this beloved movie is known as “an unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensational dancing.” Proctors audiences are invited to see the classic story of Baby and Johnny unfold as two people from different worlds come together in the midst of the wildest summer of their lives. Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage also features many of the hit songs from the movie including “Hungry Eyes,” “Do You Love Me?” and “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Almost immediately following Dirty Dancing the novel turned mesmerizing 2015 TONY-Winning Best Play, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time will play Proctors, November 23-27, 2016.

According to press notes the production tells the story of “Fifteen-year-old Christopher [who] has an extraordinary brain; he is exceptionally intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an earth-shattering discovery and a journey that will change his life forever.”

Something Rotten!

Following the holiday season, another 2015 TONY-Nominee will tech at Proctors. Making it the first season in recent history that Proctors will be the premier city for multiple productions in one season. Get ready to laugh, cry, and laugh some more when the first national tour of Something Rotten! Premiers at Proctors from January 10-15, 2017.

Here’s how the show is billed, “Something Rotten! is “Broadway’s big, fat hit!” (New York Post). Set in 1595, this hilarious smash tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom, two brothers who are desperate to write a hit play. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical! With its heart on its ruffled sleeve and sequins in its soul, Something Rotten! is “The Producers + The Book of Mormon x The Drowsy Chaperone. Squared!” (New York Magazine).”

Wicked

Last season Proctors offered two alternate options for the season with The Book of Mormon and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. This season will bring back feature another alternate option as Broadway’s Biggest Blockbuster returns once again to Proctors! Wicked will land its bubble and park its broom on the Proctors Stage Wicked, March 1-12, 2017.

Wicked is billed as,” the Broadway sensation [that] looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another girl, born with emerald-green skin—smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.””

Be sure to get your tickets to this “popular” musical that continues to defy gravity during its two-week stint next March!

Just a month after the Wicked Witch flies away the hills will be alive when The Sound of Music comes to Proctors April 4-9, 2017.

This brand new production 50^th Anniversary Production, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien [Hairspray], comes on the heels of the successful live TV production. Join the beloved Von Trapp family as they sing some of the most beloved songs known in musical theatre, including “My Favorite Things” and “The Sound of Music.”

Ladies…and Gentleman, I’m thrilled to announce that one of the most acclaimed revivals is coming to Proctors! Direct from Broadway, the acclaimed Kander and Ebb masterpiece Cabaret returns to Schenectady, May 9-14, 2017! This 2014 Revival is a recreation of the 1998 Roundabout Theatre Company revival. That’s right, they revived the revival…it’s that good! Here’s hoping the tour continues to encapsulate the heart of the story and production.

Just incase you’ve been living under a rock or are deeply deprived, here’s the press notes, “Come hear some of the most memorable songs in theatre history, including “Cabaret,” “Willkommen” and “Maybe This Time.” Leave your troubles outside—life is beautiful at Cabaret, John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff’s Tony-winning musical about following your heart while the world loses its way.”

In a unique turn Proctors and it’s partner theatre, Capital Rep announced their seasons together! The upcoming season will feature an amazing eclectic mixture. As is the norm and somehow Maggie and her team have done it once again!

The season will kick off this sum with the Broadway hit, A Night With Janis Joplin from

July 8–August 7, 2016.

Here’s how the show is billed, “A Night With Janis Joplin is a musical journey celebrating the iconic blues rock singer and her biggest musical influences—trailblazers like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith. Hailed by critics across the country, A Night With Janis Joplin has audiences leaping to their feet and dancing in the aisles to great hits like “summertime,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Cry Baby” and “Me and Bobby McGee.””

Following this musical tale is the recent Broadway-hit Outside Mullingar will play The Rep from September 23–October 16, 2016.

Outside Mullingar is described as, “a charmer of a play by John Patrick Shanley, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of Doubt, whisks you away on a delightful journey to the farmlands of Ireland. Outside Mullingar is the story of an unlikely romance between two rural, middle-aged neighbors, Anthony, an introverted farmer and Rosemary, the woman who vows to have him – at all costs!”

The season continues with another musical! Rejoice, Maggie pulls it out of the hat once again with another Broadway musical classic, Camelot, November 25–December 24, 2016!

The Lerner and Loewe classic comes to life at The Rep to tell the tale of King Arthur and his knights of the round table. See one of the most beautifully tragic productions of all time. Hear the stories of Guinevere and Lancelot and the magical crew the bring the beloved story to life.

The season continues in 2017 with the world premiere of Reluctant Wingman, January 27–February 19, 2017.

The show is billed as a, “hilarious story of Sol—a 70-something widower who’s ready to love again—and David—the still-single son he enlists to help a tech-challenged dad find true love via computer dating. Based on New York Times “Styles” columnist Bob Morris’ own memoir, this delightful comedy was the hit of our NEXT ACT 4! New Play Summit and is sure to win hearts across the Capital Region in this World Premiere production!”

Another classic will take the stage as spring appears in Albany, An Iliad

Will play The Rep from March 10–April 2, 2017.

This production is described as “an Obie-Award winning adaptation of Homer’s epic poem explodes across the stage, spinning the familiar tale of The Trojan War through the eyes of an original and immediate narrator—acclaimed actor Timothy Deenihan, seen at the REP in Venus in Fur and The Seafarer—whose knowledge cuts across time. Past and present, musically realized by cellist Kathleen Bowman, come together for a captivating theatrical experience.”

The final production of the season at Capital Rep is one of the first times that the Rep will physically capitalize on its partnership with Proctors. The final show of the Capital Rep season, the TONY-Nominated National Tour of Beautiful: The Carol King Musical will be presented by Capital Rep on the Proctors Stage, April 12-17!

There will be more TONY-Nominated productions performing on the Proctors and Capital Rep Stages, than you’ll likely see on the TONY-Awards night! Be sure and get your tickets when the sensational shows go on sale! It’s on of the best seasons in some time and both theatres have presented hit after hit. So take the hint and get your tickets!

Beautiful: The Carol King Musical

Free & Frugal: February 4 - 7

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 20:45:00 +0000

Your go-to list of free, cheap, and inexpensive events!

Thursday:

Evenings at the Institute

Thursday from 5-8 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free!

Hey Marseilles

Thursday at 8 PM

The Linda

339 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12206

$18

Open Mic Night

Thursday at 8 PM

Hudson River Coffee House

227 Quail Street, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Reading/Discussion: Jennifer Verdolin, Animal Behaviorist

Thursday at 8 PM

Campus Center, Room 375, University at Albany SUNY - Uptown Campus

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free & Open to Public

Friday:

1st Friday Albany

Friday from 5-9 PM

Various Locations throughout Albany

Free!

Albany First Friday

Friday from 6-8 PM

African American Cultural Center of the Capital District

135 South Pearl St, Albany, NY 12202

Free

Activate: Artist's Reception

Friday from 5-9 PM

Albany Barn, Inc.

56 Second St, Albany, NY 12210

Free

Buffalo Stack at the Madison Theater

Friday at 8 PM

Madison Theater

1036 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY

$16.82 in advance

Film Screening: The Killing of Chinese Bookie

Friday at 7:30 PM

University at Albany SUNY - Page Hall, Downtown

135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY

Free & Open to Public

Hockey Night!

Saturday from 2-5 PM

C H Evans Brewing Co. at the Albany Pump Station

19 Quackenbush Sq, Albany, NY 12207

$10 per ticket, call to reserve a spot

Live Music At The Ginger Man!

Friday from 8-11 PM

The Ginger Man

234 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Mopco Presents: Theatresports

Friday at 8 PM

Underground at Proctor's

432 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305

$6 children and seniors, $14 general

Morris Code

Friday at 9 PM

Parish Public House

388 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207

$10

Normal Instruments

Friday at 8 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

$12, $15 at the door

Story Art

Friday from 11-11:45 AM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free, tickets required.

Saturday:

Art for All

Saturday from 10 AM-4 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free with museum admission

Behind the Scenes Tour: State Museum Shaker Collection

Saturday from 1-2:30 PM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free, Pre-Registration Is Required.

Community Dance

Saturday at 7 PM

Old Songs Community Art Center

37 South Main St, Voorheesville, NY 12186

$8 per person, children 12 & under are free

Empire Strikes Brass

Saturday at 8 PM

Parish Public House

388 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207

$10

Harlem Nights Tournament of Championships

Saturday at 7 PM

The Linda

339 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12206

$12

How to Do It: Learn to Snowshoe

Saturday at 2 PM

Five River Environmental Education Center

56 Game Farm Rd, Delmar, NY 12054

Free!

Official Umphrey's McGee Aftershow Party with Mister F

Saturday at 10 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

$12, $15 at the door

Spirit Circle with Tri-City NY Paranormal Society

Saturday from 7-9 PM

Shaker Heritage Society

25 Meeting House Rd, Albany, NY 12211

$20 per person

Trash to Treasure

Saturday from 1-3 PM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free!

Umphrey's McGee

Saturday at 8 PM

Palace Performing Arts Center

19 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12207

$27.50

Sunday:

Freedom Train

Sunday at 2 PM

Palace Theater

19 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12207

$20 for adults, kids 12& under free

LECTURE What's Special about Albany? A Historian Assesses the City's Place in Our National Narrative

Sunday from 2-3 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free with museum admission

Multiple Days:

Challenger Adventure

Saturday & Sunday from 2-3 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

$5 children (3-12); $10 adults; $8 seniors;

CR Kids presents: West Side Story

Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 8 PM, Sunday at 2 PM

The Hart Theater at The Egg

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223

Patty Rosborough at The Comedy Works

Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm & 9:30pm

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204

$15 advance/$20 day-of

Ongoing:

ABANDONED

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Activate

February 5-March 25, 2016

Monday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM; Saturday from 12-4 PM

Albany Barn, Inc.

56 Second St, Albany, NY 12210

Free

Earth Exposed: Discover our Planet's Hidden Secrets

Daily until June 05, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Children (3-12) $6.50; Seniors (65+) $8.00; Adults (13+) $ 9.50

Gerard & Kelly: Performance Documents

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

Keltie Ferris: Body Prints and Paintings

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

LIVING COLOR

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016 (Recurring daily)

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Masterworks: 225 Years of Collecting

November 21, 2015 to September 4, 2016

Wednesday 10AM–5PM; Thursday 10AM-8PM; Friday & Saturday 10AM-5PM; Sunday Noon–5PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 general admission, Free on Thursdays after 5 PM

Naked Influence

Daily until February 14, 2016

Tuesday-Thursday 7:30 PM; Friday 8 PM; Saturday 3 & 8 PM; Sunday at 2 PM

Capital Repertory Theatre

111 N. Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

Tickets range from $20-$50

Open Skate at the Conway Ice Rink

Daily until March 06, 2016

Weekdays 12-2 PM; Weekends 4-6:15 PM

Hudson Valley Community College

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180

$3 for adults and $2 for children under 12

Race, Love, and Labor: New Work from the Center for Photography at Woodstock’s Artist-in-Residency

February 2-April 2, 2016

Tuesday 10 AM-8 PM, Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday 12-4 PM

University at Albany Art Museum

1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Free

Skating at the Empire State Plaza Ice Rink

Ongoing through March 5, 2016, weather permitting

11AM-8PM

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242

Free Admission, $3 skate rentals

Swinburne Ice Skating Rink

December 4 to March 4, 2016

Albany's Swinburne Skating Rink

810 Clinton Ave, Albany, NY

Free

The Capital Region in 50 Objects

September 19, 2015 to April 3, 2016

Wednesday 10 AM-5 PM; Thursday 10 AM-8 PM; Friday & Saturday 10 AM-5 PM; Sunday: 12-5 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 admission

The Coast & The Sea: Marine and Maritime Art in America

Open Tuesday-Sunday until February 21, 2016

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free

UNRESTRICTED

February 2-March 12, 2016

Tuesday-Saturday 12-8 PM

Albany Center Gallery

39 Columbia St, Albany, NY 12207

FREE

Whole New Ballgame Exhibit

Recurring daily

Location: National Baseball Hall of Fame

25 Main Street

Cooperstown, NY 13326

For more things to do in Albany County, New York, go to our full events calendar here!

Five Fabulous Reasons we’re Glad it’s February

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 21:35:00 +0000

1) Black History Month

Crailo State Historic Site, A Dishonorable Trade Exhibition

February is Black History Month, and the Capital Region offers a unique window into African American history. Visit the Steven and Harriet Myers Residence, a prominent stop on the Underground Railroad, or take a trip to Crailo State Historic Site and view their newest exhibition, A Dishonorable Trade, A temporary exhibit that explores the African slave trade under the Dutch in the seventeenth century. Want more? Take a tour with New York By Rail (click here for more info).

2) New Art Exhibitions Throughout the Area Including:

Activate at the Albany Barn, February 5 – March 25: an exhibition of works inspired by modern day activism and social justice movements.
Abandoned and Living Color at the Arts Center of the Capital Region, January 29 – March 19: Two exhibitions on display this month at the Arts Center. Abandoned featured works from Greg Cuda which document abandoned buildings, ruins, and rust. Living Color features works from Jenny Kemp and Richard Garrison exploring the common theme of complex color use.
Parsons Dance at PS21, photo by Jake Stockman
Dance Photographs at Joyce Goldstein Gallery, February 13 – 28: View photos taken by Jake Stockman of the Parsons Dance Company during their 2015 summer residency at PS21 Chatham.
Race, Love, and Labor at the University at Albany Art Museum, February 2 – April 2: An exhibition of photography by twenty artists who have participated in a unique residency program for artists of color at the Center for Photography at Woodstock (CPW), New York.
The Coast & The Sea: Marine and Maritime Art in America at the New York State Museum, closing February 21: Features more than 50 paintings, including many that depict New York State scenes like the Port of New York and the Hudson River.

UNRESTRICTED at the Albany Center Gallery, February 2 – March 12: A collaborative show featuring the artists of Vicarious Visions (VV). The exhibition will focus on the personal fine art creations of the talented group of commercial artists who work at VV.

3) Valentine’s Day, love (and great food) in in the air! February 13-14

Special events and menus are being served up for Valentine’s Day weekend. Make reservations at Ten Broeck Mansion, The Ginger Man, New World Bistro, and other great restaurants throughout Albany County for a special night out with your sweetheart!

4) The New York State Museum’s New York in Bloom, February 19-21

New York State Museum, New York in Bloom

The New York State Museum comes alive this month with the annual fundraiser, New York in Bloom! At this highly anticipated event, garden clubs, professional flower designers, and floral enthusiasts from around the Capital Region create floral masterpieces that interpret the museum’s permanent and temporary exhibits. Wander through the exhibitions and the beautiful arrangements or attend demonstrations about gardening and floral design all for a small fee which goes to support the educational programs the museum puts on throughout the year. Click here for more info.
Also at the New York State Museum this month is the 23^rd Annual Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show and Sale. Learn more here.

5) The Bridge Jazz Festival at the Massry Center for the Arts & Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, February 26-27

No BS! Brass, performing during the Bridge Jazz Festival

Two nights of hot jazz at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and across the bridge at the St. Rose Massry Center for the Arts. Performers include Nnenna Freelon, Pierre Bensusan, Ellis and Delfeayo Marsalis , the Tim Olsen and Eric Walentowicz Duo, and more! Get all of this for only $60, but purchase your tickets now!

For more events happening throughout the month, visit our online event calendar.

If Walls Could Talk: 48 Hudson is anything but a common, vacant building

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 21:18:00 +0000

The Van Ostrande-Radliff House, located at 48 Hudson.

Name: The Van Ostrande-Radliff House

Address: 48 Hudson Avenue

Year Constructed: 1728

Constructed by: Johannes Van Ostrande

Original purpose: Family home

Current owner: Historic Albany Foundation

Current use/future plans: Currently being preserved with eye toward adaptive re-use, stay tuned.

If walls could talk, Dutch would be the first language that the Van Ostrande-Radliff House would have spoken. The Van Ostrande-Radliff House, also know as "48 Hudson," is the oldest building in the City of Albany.

The city itself was settled in 1624 and is one of the oldest American cities - and we are still under our original charter, the Dongan Charter which was written in 1686. Unfortunately, the oldest Dutch buildings such as the Widow Sturdevant House (Pearl Street), the Lansing-Pemberton House (corner of North Pearl and Columbia Streets), the Dutch Gable House (674 Broadway) and the house at 922 Broadway, were demolished during the 20^th century, as progress made its way to the City. Thankfully, we have excellent records of those buildings which can be found in the Historic America Building Survey here.

Widow Sturdevant House, Historic American Building Survey

48 Hudson is not as old as the City of Albany, but dendrochronology dates it around 1728. The building sat just outside the English stockaded city of Beverwyck, the stockade wall placed where Hudson Green garage is today. We believe this to be true because of the canted (angled) front wall conforms to Albany’s post-medieval street pattern, outside of the stockade. Also, still extant there is a little circular “park” (which looks more like a small area of grass) which is actually the oldest, untouched and intact grazing area in the city in which we imagine the owners of 48 Hudson, the Van Ostrandes or the Radliffs, allowing their sheep to graze, but the pigs? They were allowed to run free through the streets. Imagine the dirt roads with animal droppings and sewage-ah, if the streets could talk!

From Hudson Avenue at the corner of Dallius Street, its unique characteristics are not immediately revealed to the naked eye. But I will lead you through the most amazing features of this precious, Dutch building. First, is the “molded anchor beam” located directly in the front façade, running the length of the original structure at the top of the storefront, so rare it is one of only two “in situ” in all of America! Precious, indeed.

On the west side of the current entrance, peer down the small alleyway between 48 and 50 Hudson (the former Capital City Mission) and you will see an extreme rarity: the original un-tapered weather board siding survives in much the same condition as it did when the neighboring 50 Hudson Avenue was built in the early years of the nineteenth century. The thick cut, rough-hewn clapboards were from trees felled and hewn by hand. And remember, there were no machines to cut lumber then, only cut by hand in the early 18^th century!

Before we discuss 48 Hudson’s interior features, here is just a little 287 year history of ownership and use for you that will help in better understanding the myriad of additions and alterations on the property. Because materials were precious and because of the considerable time it took to create anything in the 18^th century, we know people adapted the original building to their individual uses, and never wasted a thing. You could say recycling is a very historic discipline!

Jared Holt Wax Factory, mid-19^th century

· 1728 Johannes Van Ostrande built the simple Dutch frame house for his family’s residence;

· c. 1790 Johannes Radliff/Norton (aka Radliffe, Radley) completes the first substantial alteration to the exterior extending the roofline and added about 4 feet on the east side of the original footprint (similar to 674 Broadway);

· c. 1835, Jared Holt purchases the property for his residence and two years later, moved his “wax factory” there (see photo on right);

· c. 1838, Holt enlarges the building with a masonry wing for his manufacturing process, adding to the south side of the building;

· 1848, Albany suffers a great fire but 48 Hudson was spared and a variety of commercial tenants use the building until 1937;

· 1937, Saul’s Restaurant Supply purchases the building and owns it for the next 50+ years;

· 2006, Brian Parker purchases it and puts the building on the National, State, and City of Albany Registers of Historic Places. He shores up the building and does some immediate stabilization;

· 2013, Brian donates it to Historic Albany Foundation. Historic Albany starts fundraising for necessary repairs with an eye to new adaptive re-use;

· 2014 & 2015, HAF applies for but does not receive New York State funding for restoration. The properties adjacent to 48 Hudson and 50 or so surrounding it are ripe for redevelopment.

Additions and alterations of 48 Hudson Avenue, 1728 to 1938

Jambless fireplace, interior, HAF

Once inside, the property has been cleared of debris and non-supporting walls in order to begin reconstruction and repair. The original building’s features, plus its many 19^th century additions, reveal themselves. A modified anchor beam framing is present for the side jambless fireplace, a true Dutch feature, and is the only surviving example of this construction type in the United States. It is visible to the modern reader on their right hand side, as soon as one enters the building.

On the second level, the original Dutch roof is still obvious although it was widened in the 1790’s to accommodate Radliff’s family. The deteriorated rafter tails of the original building are also visible on the second floor, where the building had its original footprint before additions. And you can clearly see the eastern, side brick wall for 50 Hudson that now becomes the wall of 48 Hudson as well; talk about symbiosis! With redevelopment plans for either, it will be ideal to keep both buildings intact.

And what is going on around the site? Considering that as late as 1930’s, 48 Hudson was part of an intact row. After that, a pervasive culture of demolition and what people would claim as “progress” eroded the early streetscape until just the “two little buildings” were the only survivors. Personally I'd like to think that a new set of rowhouses should be developed, keeping the street pattern in its original form, having buildings forming a new “downtown”. I always think of it looking much like South Street Seaport in the early 1980s- a fine blend of original 18^th century buildings with new infill commercial, low rise buildings which gave the tourist attraction a feeling of old New York. I’d like to see “Old Albany” there with modern amenities.

Aerial view, instact rosw of buildings including 48 Hudson Avenue (Highlighted)

So the next time you walk down Hudson Ave from Broadway or from North Pearl, try to imagine life there with early 18^th century activity or 1930s intact row, but you now know, reader, that 48 Hudson is anything but a common, vacant building. Stay tuned for its next life.

Information on Authors & Historic Albany Foundation: Susan Holland, Executive Director and Cara Macri, Director of Preservation Services, lead Historic Albany Foundation in preserving and promoting the built environment in Albany, New York. Historic Albany is a nonprofit membership organization, founded in 1974, that fulfills its mission through advocacy, education and technical services and through the operation of the Architectural Parts Warehouse. Since 2013, Historic Albany has owned the Van Ostrande-Radliff House.

Historic Albany Foundation Facebook Page

Historic Albany Parts Warehouse Facebook

Historic Albany Foundation Twitter Page

Free & Frugal: January 28 - 31

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 14:58:00 +0000

Your go-to list of free, cheap, and inexpensive events!

Thursday:

Evenings at the Institute

Thursday from 5-8 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free!

Open Mic Night

Thursday at 8 PM

Hudson River Coffee House

227 Quail Street, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Restorative Youthful Skin Program

Thursday from 6-9 PM

Complexions Spa

221 Wolf Rd, Albany, NY 12205

$25

The Restaurant at the Pointe’s Wine Pairing Dinner

Thursday from 6-8 PM

The Restaurant at the Pointe

One Bell Tower Drive, Latham, NY 12189

$28 per person

The Sea The Sea

Thursday at 7 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

$11.24, $12 at door

The Underground Showcase at The Comedy Works

Thursday at 7:30 PM

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204

Friday:

APOLLO NIGHT AT THE LINDA

Friday at 7:30 PM

The Linda

339 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12206

$15

Film Screening & Discussion with director Darnell Martin: Their Eyes Were Watching God

Friday at 7 PM

University at Albany SUNY - Page Hall, Downtown

135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY

Free & Open to Public

Live Music At The Ginger Man!

Friday from 8-11 PM

The Ginger Man

234 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Mopco Presents: Theatresports

Friday at 8 PM

Underground at Proctor's

432 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305

$6 children and seniors, $14 general

102.7 WEQX presents Half Moon Run

Friday at 8 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

Free

Saturday:

Art for All

Saturday from 10 AM-4 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free with museum admission

Big Mean Sound Machine

Saturday at 9 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

$12, $15 at the door

Children's Workshop: The Folktales of Zora Neale Hurston

Saturday at 11 AM (Washington Ave. Branch) & 3:00PM (Howe Branch)

Albany Public Library (Washington Ave. & Howe Branches)

Free & Open to Public

Five Rivers - Identifying Trees in Winter

Saturday at 2 PM

Five River Environmental Education Center

56 Game Farm Rd, Delmar, NY 12054

Free!

Mad Laughs - Live Comedy

Saturday at 7:30 PM

Location: Madison Theater

Admission: $10 in advance, $12 Day of

1036 Madison Avenue

Albany, NY

Old Songs Sampler Concert

Saturday at 7:30 PM

Old Songs Community Art Center

37 South Main Street, Voorheesville, NY 12186

$20 Adult, $5 Children age 12 & under

Saints & Sinners: Post-Game at the Parish

Saturday at 9 PM

Parish Public House

388 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207

$10

Stefon Harris & Sonic Creed

Saturday at 8 PM

The Egg (Swyer Theater)

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223

$29.50

Winter Festival

Saturday from Noon-4 PM

Huyck Preserve

284 Pond Hill Rd, Rensselaerville, NY 12147

Free

Sunday:

LECTURE Finding Ankhefenmut

Sunday from 2-3 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free with museum admission

Mummy Marathon

Sunday from 12-5 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free with museum admission

Performance: American Place Theatre presents 'Zora!'

Sunday at 3 PM

Recital Hall

University at Albany Performing Arts Center

University at Albany 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Advance General Admission $15; Day-of: $20;

Advance Students/Srs./UA Faculty & Staff $10; Day-of: $15

Multiple Days:

Challenger Adventure

Saturday & Sunday from 2-3 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

$5 children (3-12); $10 adults; $8 seniors;

Big Jay Oakerson at The Comedy Works

Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm & 9:30pm

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204

$20 advance/$25 day-of

Ongoing:

ABANDONED

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Earth Exposed: Discover our Planet's Hidden Secrets

Daily until June 05, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Children (3-12) $6.50; Seniors (65+) $8.00; Adults (13+) $ 9.50

LIVING COLOR

January 29, 2016 to March 19, 2016 (Recurring daily)

Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Venue: Arts Center of the Capital Region

Admission: Free

265 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

Masterworks: 225 Years of Collecting

November 21, 2015 to September 4, 2016

Wednesday 10AM–5PM; Thursday 10AM-8PM; Friday & Saturday 10AM-5PM; Sunday Noon–5PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 general admission, Free on Thursdays after 5 PM

Naked Influence

Daily until February 14, 2016

Tuesday-Thursday 7:30 PM; Friday 8 PM; Saturday 3 & 8 PM; Sunday at 2 PM

Capital Repertory Theatre

111 N. Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

Tickets range from $20-$50

Open Skate at the Conway Ice Rink

Daily until March 06, 2016

Weekdays 12-2 PM; Weekends 4-6:15 PM

Hudson Valley Community College

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180

$3 for adults and $2 for children under 12

Skating at the Empire State Plaza Ice Rink

Ongoing through March 5, 2016, weather permitting

11AM-8PM

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242

Free Admission, $3 skate rentals

Swinburne Ice Skating Rink

December 4 to March 4, 2016

Albany's Swinburne Skating Rink

810 Clinton Ave, Albany, NY

Free

The Capital Region in 50 Objects

September 19, 2015 to April 3, 2016

Wednesday 10 AM-5 PM; Thursday 10 AM-8 PM; Friday & Saturday 10 AM-5 PM; Sunday: 12-5 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 admission

The Coast & The Sea: Marine and Maritime Art in America

Open Tuesday-Sunday until February 21, 2016

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free

Whole New Ballgame Exhibit

Recurring daily

Location: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Venue: National Baseball Hall of Fame

25 Main Street

Cooperstown, NY 13326

For more things to do in Albany County, New York, go to our full events calendar here!

Free & Frugal: January 21 - 24

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 18:47:00 +0000

Your go-to list of free, cheap, and inexpensive events!

Thursday:

Evenings at the Institute

Thursday from 5-8 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free!

Food for Thought: The Armor of Light

Thursday at 7 PM

The Linda

339 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Open Mic Night

Thursday at 8 PM

Hudson River Coffee House

227 Quail Street, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Siena Saints vs. Rider Broncos After Party

Thursday at 7 PM

Hilton Albany

40 Lodge Street, Albany, NY 12207

Free!

The Underground Showcase at The Comedy Works

Thursday at 7:30 PM

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204

Friday:

Driftwood at the Madison Theater

Friday at 8 PM

Madison Theater

1036 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY

$16.82 in advance

Live Music At The Ginger Man!

Friday from 8-11 PM

The Ginger Man

234 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Free

Mopco Presents: Theatresports

Friday at 8 PM

Underground at Proctor's

432 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305

$6 children and seniors, $14 general

Skeleton Keys featuring Alex Mazur and Steve Molitz

Friday at 9 PM

The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

79 North Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

$10, $12 at the Door

Saturday:

Arm-Of-The-Sea Theater Presents The Rejuvenary River Circus: A Story About The Life Of A River

Saturday from 2-3 PM

4th Floor Terrace, New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free

Art for All

Saturday from 10 AM-4 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free with museum admission

Bobby Previte and the Visitors

Saturday at 8 PM

Parish Public House

388 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207

$10

ENDANGERED SPECIES

Saturday at 2 PM

Five River Environmental Education Center

56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY 12054

Free!

Five Rivers - Outdoor Fun: Full Moon Snowshoe

Saturday at 7:30 PM

Five River Environmental Education Center

56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY 12054

Free!

Old Songs Sampler Concert

Saturday at 7:30 PM

Old Songs Community Art Center

37 South Main Street, Voorheesville, NY 12186

$20 Adult, $5 Children age 12 & under

Sunday:

Behind the Scenes Tour: State Museum Shaker Collection

Sunday from 1-2 PM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free! Pre-Registration Is Required

LECTURE The Evolution of a Museum: The Albany Institute Celebrates its 225th Anniversary

Sunday from 2-3 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Free with museum admission

Multiple Days:

Albany Gun Show by the New York State Arms Collectors Association

Saturday from 9 AM-5 PM & Sunday from 9 am-3 PM

Empire State Plaza Convention Center

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242

$7.00 per person, children under 12 free, seniors $5.00

Challenger Adventure

Saturday & Sunday from 2-3 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

$5 children (3-12); $10 adults; $8 seniors;

Jim Florentine at The Comedy Works

Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm & 9:30pm

The Comedy Works Comedy Club

500 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204

$20 advance/$25 day-of

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella

Thu at 1:30 & 8PM; Fri at 8 PM; Sat at 2 & 8 PM; Sun at 2 PM

Proctors

432 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305

$20-$80

Ongoing

Earth Exposed: Discover our Planet's Hidden Secrets

Daily until June 05, 2016

Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday 12-5 PM

Museum of Innovation and Science

15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Children (3-12) $6.50; Seniors (65+) $8.00; Adults (13+) $ 9.50

EMPIRE STATE PLAZA AT 50 EXHIBITION

Open Tuesday-Sunday until January 17, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free

Masterworks: 225 Years of Collecting

November 21, 2015 to September 4, 2016

Wednesday 10AM–5PM; Thursday 10AM-8PM; Friday & Saturday 10AM-5PM; Sunday Noon–5PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 general admission, Free on Thursdays after 5 PM

Naked Influence

Daily until February 14, 2016

Tuesday-Thursday 7:30 PM; Friday 8 PM; Saturday 3 & 8 PM; Sunday at 2 PM

Capital Repertory Theatre

111 N. Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

Tickets range from $20-$50

Open Skate at the Conway Ice Rink

Daily until March 06, 2016

Weekdays 12-2 PM; Weekends 4-6:15 PM

Hudson Valley Community College

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180

$3 for adults and $2 for children under 12

Skating at the Empire State Plaza Ice Rink

Ongoing through March 5, 2016, weather permitting

11AM-8PM

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242

Free Admission, $3 skate rentals

Swinburne Ice Skating Rink

December 4 to March 4, 2016

Albany's Swinburne Skating Rink

810 Clinton Ave, Albany, NY

Free

The Capital Region in 50 Objects

September 19, 2015 to April 3, 2016

Wednesday 10 AM-5 PM; Thursday 10 AM-8 PM; Friday & Saturday 10 AM-5 PM; Sunday: 12-5 PM

Albany Institute of History & Art

125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

$10 admission

The Coast & The Sea: Marine and Maritime Art in America

Open Tuesday-Sunday until February 21, 2016

New York State Museum

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230

Free

Whole New Ballgame Exhibit

Recurring daily

Location: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Venue: National Baseball Hall of Fame

25 Main Street

Cooperstown, NY 13326

For more things to do in Albany County, New York, go to our full events calendar here!

It's “Impossible” not to find Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella enchanting at Proctors!

noreply@blogger.com (Will Gallagher) — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 22:32:00 +0000

National Tour Cast, Photo by Carol Rosegg

As it says in the title, it’s truly “Impossible” not to find Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella enchanting and delightful. Consider it a wonderful two and a half hours filled with magical musical moments. The TONY-Award Nominated “revival” is now playing on the main stage at Proctors through Sunday.

The classic tale has been reworked a bit. Cinderella rolls in on her carriage with an updated story combining the original heart and soul, the legendary music, and a bit of modern flare as well. The new flare is all thanks to the comical magic of (new) book writer, TONY-Nominee Douglas Carter Bean.

National Tour Cast, Photo by Carol Rosegg

Though it’s semi-obvious how the costume changes happen, its still truly bewitching. As Cinderella transforms from a poor, soot-covered housemaid into a beautiful princess, jaws dropped, eyes glistened, and the crowd roared with feverish applause. The costumes by six-time TONY-Winner, William Ivey Long, are something familiar to the story yet ripped right from childhood dreams. Beautifully flowing gowns, form fitting suits, magical apparel and all. No wonder he won the TONY for Best Costume Design for this show.

The sets are also magical and enchanting, bringing us deep into the woods and even deeper into the imagination thanks to Multi-TONY-Nominated Designer, Anna Louizos.

Proctors audiences are delighted to see a slew of Broadways best performing one of a childhood favorite. On a side note there were just as many kings and queens in the audience wearing tiara’s, crowns, and cheering along, as there were princes and princesses enjoying the show.

Kaitlyn Davidson and Andy Huntington Jones, Photo by Carol Rosegg

Kaitlyn Davidson, playing the title role, comes from the Broadway Company. While with the New York company, Davidson understudied the role of Ella for the likes of Carly Rae Jepsen and Kiki Palmer. Davidson brings her own kind and beautiful style to the legendary role. With a soft and warm voice, that has the ability to sing to the heavens without ever sounding less than lovely, she embodies Cinderella. Davidson’s tone and demure style were perfect. Somehow she’s found a way to keep the sweet sincerity of the role while creating a slick and funny heroine thanks to the new material by Bean.

Understudy Sean Seymour played Prince Topher with charm and excitement. From about five minutes in you want Ella to save this sweet-souled prince, and you want him to save her right back. He’s handsome, daring, with a wonderful voice, and nice comedic chops. You’ll call him…charming!

Liz McCartney and Davidson, Photo by Carol Rosegg

Then there’s Broadway legend, Liz McCartney who literally flies off the stage with her magical touch. McCartney plays the Fairy Godmother the one dreams of having with grace, poise, beauty, a gorgeous voice, and a bit of sass. Ms. McCartney is funny as all being and warm as Ella’s godmother should be. You’ll be cheering from the rafters when she takes her final bow. McCartney also gets the best line in the show (that Bean has added). As the fairy-godmother reveals herself, Cinderella exclaims, “But you’re a crazy woman, what are you doing in that gown?” to which McCartney’s best line comes back, “You’d be surprised how many beautiful gowns have crazy women in them.” It’s just the perfect example of Beans writing and McCartney’s top-notch comedic timing.

Of course one would be remised without mentioning the wonderful Broadway staple, Blake Hammond. Note: Hammond has appeared on the Proctors stage before, most recently as Uncle Fester in The Addams Family. Hammond is funny, cynical, and yet forgivable with his lovable charm. As Prince Topher’s right-hand man, Hammond gets to show off his immense comedic chops, you should be grateful for that.

Blair Ross, Davidson, Aymee Garcia, and Kimberly Faure'
Photo by Carol Rosegg

No production of Cinderella would be complete without mentioning the Evil Step-Mother, known in this production as Madame, played by the wickedly wonderful Blair Ross. Ross is mean and funny. However she brings humanity and in moments when she forgets herself and shows Ella kindness your heart melts….until crazy step-mom comes back, then she’s just a fun villain again!

Of course there’s also the crazy stepsisters, played by the absolutely wonderful Aymee Garcia and Kimberly Faure’ as Charlotte and Gabrielle, respectively. Garcia is downright funny. Her spunk and loud-but-proud attitude make her the perfect evil stepsister. Faure’ is the kinder but misunderstood stepsister Charlotte is wonderfully played and one you soon cheer for. Ms. Faure’ is a delight to watch on stage. The moments between her and Ms. Davidson are wonderful.

Do yourself a favor and see Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Proctors before the clock strikes twelve and this enchanting musical moves on.

Wine & Dine for the Arts Insta-re-cap

noreply@blogger.com (Sabrina) — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 21:48:00 +0000

January 14-16 marked the 7th Annual Albany Chefs' Food & Wine Festival! With 70 Innovative Chefs, 250 Global Wine, Spirit & NYS Craft Beer companies as well as the finest culinary offerings and seminars there was plenty to see (and taste)! Here are a few of your photos to recap this fabulous event!

A few displays from #albanywinefest 2016. Can't wait for next year!

A photo posted by Hilton Albany (@hilton_albany) on Jan 18, 2016 at 1:31pm PST

After the party it's the after party. Slider Slam kicks off in 10 minutes. #sliderslam #sliderslam2016 #albanywinefest2016 @djplayground

A photo posted by Dominick Purnomo (@dominickpurnomo) on Jan 15, 2016 at 4:52pm PST

A truly outstanding #bloodymary & this year's winner at #albanywinefest2016 from @getruckedtroy

A photo posted by John Sconzo (@docsconz) on Jan 16, 2016 at 12:17pm PST

#chefricorlando #albanywinefest2016

A photo posted by Ric Orlando (@ric.orlando) on Jan 14, 2016 at 3:09pm PST

@cityofalbanymayorsheehan recognizing the incredible Albany Chefs' Food & Wine Festival board & volunteers! #AlbanyForArt #albanywinefest2016 #MayorsReception

A video posted by Albany Barn (@albanybarn) on Jan 14, 2016 at 3:24pm PST

Congrats to this fine gentleman @chefdimitrios for his victory at the #sliderslam2016

A photo posted by The City Beer Hall (@thecitybeerhall42) on Jan 16, 2016 at 10:09am PST

THE DIRTY 'CHI'! Our entry in tonight's #sliderslam at #albanywinefest! #sliderslam2016 #albanywinefest2016 #koreanbbq #SlidinDirtyTroy #slidindirty #getdirty

A photo posted by Slidin' Dirty Troy (@slidindirty) on Jan 15, 2016 at 4:26pm PST