Above: Kelsey Grammer will be at Frog Alley Brewing in Schenectady Monday night. Photo: Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock (8975306ck)
MONDAY, JAN. 27
Kelsey Grammer’s Faith American Ale Tasting
Don’t miss this opportunity to hang out with award-winning actor Kelsey Grammer as he promotes his new brand Faith American Ale with a special tasting session.
@ Frog Alley Brewing, Schenectady | 5 PM
Capital Pride Singers Open House
See, hear and learn what Capital Pride Singers is all about. The singing group currently has open spots in all sections. Do you not consider yourself a singer (yet!) and still interested in being involved? Take advantage of opportunities in marketing, fundraising and concert organization (planning, setup, and takedown). Snacks will be provided.
@ First Congregational Church – basement, Albany | 7 PM
Poets Speak Loud! 15th Anniversary
The evening will begin with the annual “beret toss” at the Robert Burns statue in Washington Park in Tom Nattell’s memory–the local poet and community activist who passed away the same day the poetry series began, Jan. 31, 2005–at 6:30 pm. The anniversary event, hosted by Dan Wilcox, will be a classic open mic, in the style of the monthly open mics run by Nattell at the QE2 on the last Monday of each month in the ‘80s and ‘90s. While it is expected that some poets will read tribute poems to Nattell, or old favorites from past readings, poets are invited to read poems on any theme and share in the spirit of poetry.
@ McGeary’s, Albany | 7 PM
Free Casino, Mack Ray, Dead End Career Club
Super Dark Collective presents this lineup of Rochester post-rock, Toronto honky-pop and alt-indie/pop.
@ Desperate Annie’s, Saratoga | 9 PM
TUESDAY, JAN. 28
Power Breakfast #150: The Power of the Webinar
Lauren Prosper, owner of Prosper Consultants Inc., discusses how you can monetize your skills and business through webinars and introduces how to develop and structure them. As always please be prepared to share your intentions and goals for the week.
@ Albany Barn | 6:30 AM
Join the vegan food movement with this cooking class, which celebrates the versatility and flavors of meat and dairy-free cuisine. You’ll be making creamy spinach dip with artisan bread, delicious pot pie, simple kale salad with some versatile dressings (plus, learn the technique of blanching cruciferous vegetables) and avocado chocolate pudding. The meal contains nuts, cashews and almond, as well as soy.
@ The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy | 6 PM | $35-$40
Spread the Love with artist Michelle Bowen
Michelle Bowen, whose exhibit “Huelitic Code” is on display in the main gallery, will guide the creation of your very own “Love” painting. RSVP above.
@ The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy | 6:30 PM | $10
Storytelling Open Mic
Enjoy an evening of true stories, traditional tales, myths, fables, family stories and more. Featured storyteller Beth Novik performs for 30 minutes, open mic tellers have 10 minutes each. There’s just one rule: no notes!
@ Caffe Lena, Saratoga | 7 PM
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 29
The Lift Series: Ashley Bathgate
Cellist and Saratoga Springs resident Ashley Bathgate will perform an intimate concert at The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Attendees will get to experience the concert through the eyes of a performer–taking the backstage lift from Franklin Alley and finding their seats on the stage. Bathgate, a 10-year member of Bang on a Can Allstars has won praise from outlets like The Washington Post and The New York Times which praised her an “eloquent new music interpreter.”
@ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy | 6 PM | $15
Comedy Educates #SocialJustice
Skidmore professor and former stand-up comic Beck Krefting discusses the role of charged humor in the service of social justice, historically and now. Krefting also explores contemporary writings that use charged humor to educate such as Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime,” which leverages humorous incidents from his life to educate and bridge cultural divides.
@ Saratoga Springs Public Library | 7 PM
Join the high-energy, soul rock band out of Louisiana for a good time. The group released their latest record, POWER, last summer, hailed for its blend of R&B, rock, folk and tinge of ‘60s pop stylings.
@ The Hollow, Albany | 8 PM | $11
THURSDAY, JAN. 30
The Hudson Valley Jazz and Chess Society hosted by Ephraim Asili
Tables will be set out on the dance floor. Grab a glass of wine, find a partner and enjoy a game of chess while DJ Effie and guests spin choice Jazz cuts from their extensive vinyl collections for the club’s inaugural meeting. Bring your own set if you have one you like.
@ The Avalon Lounge, Catskill | 7 PM
The five-time Grammy-winning South African choral group, called the country’s “cultural ambassadors to the world” by Nelson Mandela, is bringing their uplifting songs and traditional storytelling to Troy.
@ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall 7:30 PM | $29.50-$36.50
FRIDAY, JAN. 31
Hyde Night Out: Monsters and Heroes
Enjoy themed games and refreshments inspired by the museum’s latest special exhibition, “Francisco Goya: The Caprichos Etchings and Aquatints,” as well as its permanent collection.
@ The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls | 5 PM | $15-$20
Exhibit opening: ‘The Hallway’
Local artists Arnela Mahmutovic, Lindsay Kirk, Dorothy Englander, Rebecca Flis and Jaquelyn Mendez will be displaying their work in this multidisciplinary exhibition.
@ Second Street Studios, Troy | 5 PM
Exhibit opening: Matt Chinian – ‘Did You See That’
“Chinian documents places and scenes that present fascinating color fields. He paints typically overlooked locales asking to be found. Many of his works are recorded in and around the Capital Region, maybe even in your town. Enjoy Chinian’s wandering eye through his painterly hand that depicts the beautiful to the sublime in this lovely exhibition of his works,” The Arts Center shares.
@ The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy | 6 PM
A Deer A Horse, Lemon Of Choice, Deep Slut
The relentlessly touring duo A Deer A Horse released their latest EP Everything Rots That Is Rotten last year and are currently in pre-production on their debut full length. Albany bands Lemon of Choice (“sweater rock”) and Deep Slut (“sasscore shit posers”) will open the show.
@ The Linda, Albany | 8 PM | $12
Whether you know him as the charming and vengeful Inigo Montoya of “The Princess Bride,” the thoughtful investigator Jason Gideon from “Criminal Minds” or the long list of his other roles as an actor and storyteller, take the opportunity to see Mandy Patinkin in a whole new light. “Diaries,” featuring Adam Ben-David on piano, is a concert of Patinkin’s favorite Broadway and classic tunes by artists like Randy Newman, Stephen Sondheim, Harry Chapin and Rufus Wainwright, along with a few songs of his own.
@ Proctors, Schenectady | 8 PM | $30-$80
Queen may still tour from time to time but they’re essentially a glorified cover band at this point. So why not get your Queen fix from a cover band? @ The Egg, Albany | 8PM | $29.50-$39.50
SATURDAY, FEB. 1
Taste different chowders for a $1 a cup (3 oz. serving) at participating locations.
@ Downtown Saratoga | 11 PM
Dashiki Day party with poetik selektions
Start off Black History Month celebrating the dashiki–the colorful, traditional garment worn a symbol of pride, awareness, independence and power. DJ poetik selektions will be spinning Afrobeat, house, world, Gqom, Soca and more.
@ Troy Kitchen | 2 PM
2020 Spring Opening Reception
Celebrate the Tang’s spring exhibits, “Mary Weatherford: Canyon–Daisy–Eden”, “Between the Mountains,” “Elevator Music 40: Melissa Thorne — Landslide/Solid” and “Nicole Cherubini: Shaking the Trees.” Before the reception, at 4 PM, there will be an artist talk with Mary Weatherford and the co-curators of Mary Weatherford: Canyon–Daisy–Eden, Ian Berry and Bill Arning. Both events are free and open to the public.
@ Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery, Saratoga | 5 PM
Troy’s Friends of Chamber Music welcome this “Modern, dramatic, superb, wickedly attentive” quartet “with a hint of rock ‘n roll energy.”
@ Kiggins Hall at Emma Willard School, Troy | 7:30 PM | $15-$25
As the house band at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, this harmonious indie rock band has performed behind Donald Fagen of Steely Dan as well as John Sebastian and Graham Nash.
@ Caffe Lena, Saratoga | 8 PM | $9-$18
SUNDAY, FEB. 2
44th Annual Antique Show
Explore goods from 60 dealers at this antique market sponsored by the Southern Saratoga County Woman’s Club. Refreshments will be available.
@ Shenendehowa High School – East, Clifton Park | 10 AM | $3 donation suggested
Empty Bowls 2020
Support efforts to end hunger and promote food justice. Choose a locally made soup bowl & enjoy gourmet soups, bread & baked goodies. The bowl is yours to keep as a reminder of the many empty bowls in the world. Call (518) 443-0460 for tickets.
@ Delmar Reformed Church | 12 PM | $25
Introduction to Nature Sketching & Journaling
Led by Carol Coogan– local artist, illustrator, designer, writer and creator of the Times Union’s “Backyard Naturalist” feature–explore how nature journaling can help you connect to nature and record your observations without any artistic skills necessary. Register by calling (518) 478-WILD.
@ Wildbird Junction, Delmar | 1 PM | $12
Groundhog DAY for NIGHT w Rodney Alan Greenblat & Friends
Indulge in Electronic Anti-Hibernation Music by Rodney Alan Greenblat with Stony Mat and Tea Dust. Greenblat, a colorful visual artist, has been making quirky computer assisted electronic pseudo-pop since the ‘80s. Justin Calder and Asia Sosnowsky of Stony Mat and Tea Dust create Delayed tb 303 sequences cascade over each other to form an ever changing tide of tones permeated by drum machines and synthesizers.
@ The Avalon Lounge, Catskill | 8:30 PM | $5
All Week
Directed by Evan Jones and featuring a terrific cast this play takes on this historic encounter between the brash, ambitious British newsman and the disgraced president yearning for redemption. Current relevancy is yours to unpack.
@ Schenectady Civic Playhouse, Schenectady | Through Feb.2
6th Annual Winter Salon
It’s your last chance to admire works by local artists Elizabeth Apgar Smith, Robert Bootier, Tom Clement, Karen Cummings, John Connors, George Durolf, Jon Gernon, Susan Lunow, Willie Marlowe, Robert Moylan, Susan Story, Shelley Valachovic, Gordana Vukovic, Marlene Wiedenbaum, Ken Wilson, Kristin Woodward and Leslie Yolan.
@ Clement Art Gallery, Troy | 10 AM-6 PM
