Above: “In Place of Now” at Opalka Gallery at Sage College of Albany. Photo provided by Amy Griffin.

This weekend is full of dance, comedy, music and theatre. Take advantage of the events and be sure to check out a few of the arts opportunities we’ve seen floating around lately. If you have a call for art, audition or other opportunity you would like to be seen in The Collaborative, email information to dking@proctors.org or kcusack@proctors.org.

FRIDAY

Heels & Feels: A Weekend Workshop Experience

Work on your balance and choreography skills this Friday night with a heels and chairlesque class and come back Saturday to explore storytelling through movement through “a variety of thoughtfully curated exercises to enhance your movement vocabulary, strengthen your decision making and problem solving, and further your connection to music” with TDF’s improv and contemporary class.
@ Troy Dance Factory | Feb. 22, 6 PM and Feb. 23, 12:15 PM | $15/class

Electro-symphonic Piano: Sophia Subbayya Vastek with David Ibbett

Pianist Sophia Subbayya Vastek and electronic artist David Ibbett will bridge classical chamber music with electronic beats through their scientifically-focused “cosmic jazz” performance based on their interdisciplinary concert series project, Music of Reality.
@ The Linda WAMC’s Performing Arts Center, Albany | 8 PM | $18

Soul Night

Enjoy a “super soul” band of local musicians and a lineup of singer-songwriters–Tara Merritt, Kiessence Polk and Girl Blue–celebrating women in soul.
@ Lost & Found, Albany | 9 PM | $10

“In Place of Now” Reception

Take in the work of amazing artists who have dared to reimagine “otherness,” the past and the future.DJ Trumastr will be spinning
@ Opalka Gallery, Albany | 6 PM | Free

The Bright Series: Jontavius Willis

This prodigal bluesman has won the attention of the genres greats. He’ll bring his guitar, harmonica, banjo, and cigar box to Caffe Lena tonight.
@Caffe Lena, Saratoga | 8 PM | $20

SATURDAY

DWTN LUSH Fashion Show

DWTN LUSH’s first annual fashion show will celebrate upstate designers and benefit its new cause “The 12 Dancing Princesses,” in which the luxury shoe rental company will provide 12 shoes for high school girls in the community for prom this upcoming season.
@ Levels Banquet Hall, Albany | 6 PM | $25-$40

Orange is the New Bluegrass!

A double bill of “in-your-face” comedy from Brian Barganier and Sean Hennessey of the Bullpen Therapy Podcast and a stomping bluegrass set from Brain Medicine, the rockabilly pickings of Clinton Hoffman.
@ Park Theatre, Glens Falls | 7:30 PM | $15

Artist Talk: Photojournalist Tom Brenner

Albany Documentary Works will host its first event featuring Tom Brenner, a former Times Union intern turned full-time freelance photojournalist in Washington D.C. Brenner will show his work and share stories about navigating the politics and working world of D.C. as well as his travels on Air Force One. WAMC’s Lucas Willard will lead a Q&A following his presentation.
@ The Linda WAMC’s Performing Arts Center, Albany | 8 PM | $5 suggested donation

Skeletons In The Piano Tribute Show

Surviving members of this provocative Saratoga band will come together to pay tribute to Eli Hargrave. Local artists will be creating live alongside the performance. Dirt Church and Fine Grain will open. @Putnam Place, Saratoga | 8 PM | Free

SUNDAY

Black Diamond Group presents ‘Reality Trippin’’

A collection of poetry, drama, music and dance by Black Diamond Group founder Penny Meacham, “Reality Trippin’” is intended to honor the challenges and triumphs of black lives. The performance will include tributes to Aretha Franklin, Tupac, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Lucille Clifton by Donald “The Soul Man” Hyman and other local artists.
@ MOPCO Improv Theatre, Schenectady | 5 PM potluck, 6 PM show | $15, includes potluck

Lost Nation: A Journey in Time

This multidisciplinary production will showcase Capital Region artists of color in a performance through African-American history using music, dance and vignettes to uncover their lost history.
@ Palace Theatre, Albany | 6 PM | Free

A Celebration of Johnny Cash

Rockabilly Hall of Famer Marty Wendell, who toured as Johnny Cash’s opening act following the release of Folsom Prison, will celebrate the 87th anniversary of Cash’s birth with a bluegrass set featuring The Bluebillies. The evening will also be a celebration of Wendell’s recent album Rock and Roll Days, which features a bonus track featuring an interview between Wendell & Cash in 1968.
@ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs | 7 PM | $22

TAKE NOTE:

Call for art: Arlene’s Artist Materials Makers Market

The Albany craft store is holding its first juried makers market on May 11 and will be taking submissions of original artwork through Feb. 28. Eight applicants will be chosen with the help of an advisory committee. Read the submissions guidelines, apply and submit photos of recent work here.

Collar Works taking submissions for its Elizabeth Murray Artist Residency program.

Designed to provide emerging and established artists an immersive, supportive, productive and communal atmosphere for art making and dialogue on a bucolic 77-acre farm in Washington County. The summer residency is offered for 5 weeks, with 2 and 4 week residencies for individual artists and 1 week residencies for families.

The program encourages “artists to take risks and develop new contemporary works across many art forms, primarily visual and literary arts, while engaging in meaningful dialogue with fellow residents and arts professionals.”

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 8, 2019
Application Fee: $25
For additional details and the Residency FAQ, visit collarworks.org/murrayresidency

Albany Civic Theater taking submissions for the annual Playwright’s Showcase

Submissions should include a brief synopsis and a hard copy or online version of an original work, character breakdown and any special production needs. One-act plays or one act of a longer play are accepted and more than one original work may be featured in the showcase.

Put your submission in a clean, 8 ½ x 11 inch manila envelope with the words Playwright’s Showcase clearly printed on it and mail a copy of the script of each submission for up to two selections to:
Albany Civic Theater
attn: Katie Weinberg – Artistic Director
235 Second Avenue
Albany, NY  12209

  • Include your name, address, email address and phone number on your synopsis.
  • Enter your submissions by Friday, March 29. You can deliver them in person to the theater or email your submissions, as well as any questions you may have, to kathrynweinberg1404@gmail.com