All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

Coming soon to a garden near you.

Dear Mother Nature,

First, thank you for the taste of spring. We realize that you may not be done with the snow and cold and general grayness that looms over the Capital Region for five or six months each year, but we would like to register our vote for a full and immediate return to tulip season.

Respectfully,
The Editors

Until the above request is processed and filled, we're just going to have to make the best of a rainy cold weekend. To that end, here's the list of stuff to do for this weekend. As always, chime in and let us know what we missed.

And have fun!

Roller Derby
*The women of the Albany All Stars are back at the Washington Avenue Armory on Saturday night. Albany's Department of Public Hurts takes on Utica. Doors open at 6 and the bout starts at 7. Music by Fluid Motion. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. $4 for kids under 12. Part of the proceeds from the bout will benefit the Brain Injury Association of New York State.

Music
Pajamazon is a Valentine's tonight with Division Theory and Of The Wild And The Tame.

Vicious Jimmy is at Valentines with Mirk and the New Familiars are at Valentine's on Saturday at 9.

Singer/Songwriter Katy Cole is at Brown's on Saturday.

Alta Mira is at the Troy City Tavern on Saturday night.

The Grateful Dead/Phish inspired jam group, The Deadbeats, are at Red Square on Saturday night at 9.

On Sunday Valentine's hosts The Brother Kite, The Charlie Watts Riots & Matthew Carefully.

The Massry Center for the Arts at St. Rose is hosting a classical concert on Saturday night, featuring the music of women composers. Saint Rose faculty Yvonne Chavez Hansbrough, David Bebe and Young Kim will perform with special guest Jamecyn Morey

Dance
There's another Ballroom, Swing and Latin Dance Party out at the Crooked Lake House in Averill Park tonight. It starts with a free lesson at 7:15. $10.

Parade Day
Albany celebrates St. Patrick's Day this weekend. The 60th annual Albany St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off on Saturday at 2PM from Central and Quail. Find a good breakfast before you go and a good party after -- it won't be hard. If you want to see the parade, here's the route. In case you don't like parades... umm.. here's the route.

Film
Two new films open at "The Spectrum" tonight:
"New York, I Love You," is a series of short stories set in The Big Apple by the makers of "Paris, Je T'amie." Matt Damon's newest, "Green Zone" teams him up with the makers of the "Bourne" flicks in an anti-war action movie about the search for "weapons of mass destruction."

The New York State Writers Institute's Classic Film Series continues tonight with "La Nouba Des Femmes Du Mont Chenoua" [THE SONG OF THE WOMEN OF MOUNT CHENOUA]. Assia Djebar's experimental directorial debut tells the story of a woman's return to her childhood town after the 15 year violent War of Independence. It's told in the five-part structure of a traditional song. Arabic with English subtitles. UAlbany's Page Hall. 7:30. Free.

Wander a museum
Weather-wise, this looks like a great weekend to be indoors. You can stay dry, have some fun and pick up some culture at one of the local museums. This is the last weekend to catch the Farm Security Administration show, "This Great Nation Will Endure," at the NYS Museum. While you're there, check out the George Eastman exhibit, "Seeing Ourselves." You could also stop by and visit the mummies at The Albany Institute of History and Art or check out the Giovanni Boldini, Impressionist in Paris show at The Clark.

Texas Hold 'em
Got a good poker face? The Averill Park/Sand Lake Fire Department is hosting a Texas Hold 'em Tournament at the Firehouse on Saturday afternoon at 1.

Improv
The Mop and Bucket Company will be making up funny stuff at Bread and Jam in Cohoes on Saturday night. 8PM $5

Theater
+*"To Kill a Mockingbird" continues at Capital Rep. You can see it tonight at 8, Saturday at 3 & 7:30, Sunday at 2:30. $15-$39

+Schenectady Light Opera continues their productions of "Side by Side by Sondheim." tonight. The review of some of Stephen Sondheim's best work can be seen tonight and Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2. $12 / $22

If you want to take a kid to their first play, Annie is a pretty sure bet. The touring company comes to Proctor's with shows on Saturday at 4:30 and 8 and Sunday at 2. $20 -$55

Omi
There doesn't seem to be much hope for this one, but if the weather clears, there's a star gazing event at Omi International Arts Center Saturday with members of the Dudley Observatory.

Fictional Documentary-- Sort of
Ever thought back too late on things to see how they could have been changed. The Sanctuary for Independent Media is screening the film "The Age of Stupid," on Saturday night. It's a fictional film where archivist in a post-climate change world looks back on the lives of seven real people to see how their actions helped influence the situation. A pre-show reception starts at 7. $10 donation suggested. Students/Seniors/Low income $5.

Ice Cream!
Seasonal ice cream stands have started opening. Get your fix of spring at The Snowman in Troy or Tastee Freeze in Delmar.

*Yep, Capital Rep and The Albany All Stars are AOA advertisers. They've also got stuff to do going on that we thought you'd like to know about.

Photo:flicker user barockschloss