Author Archives:
Monday, May 14- Thursday, May 17
As always, feel free to post events you know of coming up/ read more events posted to my:
FACEBOOK PAGE — https://www.facebook.com/518BitesNSights
TWITTER – http://twitter.com/#!/518bitesnsights
Or send them to my EMAIL — 518BitesNSights@gmail.com
MONDAY, MAY 14
- ALBANY at the Palace Theater at 7:00PM is GREASE Sing-A-Long
- ALBANY at the Egg at 8:00PM is Ingrid Michaelson SOLD OUT
- MALTA at DiDonna’s South Shore Restaurant at 6:00PM is May Motor-In Monday’s
- ALBANY at the Albany Institute of History and Art at 6:00PM-8:00PM for contributing members ONLY is Fleece to Fashion
TUESDAY, MAY 15
- CLIFTON PARK at Northern Lights at 6:30PM is White Chapel with Miss May I, After the Burial, and The Plot in You & Within the Ruins ($17 adv / $19 day of show)
- ALBANY at the Egg at 7:00PM is New Yorkers Against Fracking hosted by Mark Ruffalo & Melissa Leo; AN URGENT CALL TO ACTION, AN ALL STAR CONCERT EVENT FEATURING Medeski, Martin & Wood, Natalie Merchant, Citizen Cope, The Felice Brothers, Joan Osborne, Tracy Bonham, Toshi Reagon, Dan Zanes, Ida, The Horse Flies, Tamar-Kali, Carl Hancock-Rux, Meshell Ndegeocello, Marc Anthony Thompson, John Sebastian, The Ahkwesasne Women Singers http://www.theegg.org/events/1048
- SCHENECTADY at the Glenville Family Chiropractic at 11:00AM-12:00PM is their Ribbon Cutting with the Chamber of Schenectady County
- QUEENSBURY at the SUNY Adirondack Gym at 4:00PM-7:00PM is Spring Business Expo, Showcasing Washington County for FREE
- SCHENECTADY at the Van Dyck at 5:00PM-8:00PM is Meet Lawrence the Indian Statue for $20 includes light refreshments and a photo with Lawrence
- ALBANY at Crossgates Mall at 7:00PM-8:30PM is Wine Class (wine Allen doesn’t like) for $5 a person and 10% discount on wine after class
- SCOTIA at DeMarco’s Route 5 Pizza at 4:00PM-5:00PM is a ribbon cutting for the Grand Opening
WEDNESDAY, MAY 16
- LATHAM at The Pasta Factory all day, 10% of all sales will go to Relay for Life thanks to the “WK Albany All Stars” and there will be ACS Raffle Tickets for sale prizes including Yankees/Red Sox tickets, etc.
- LATHAM at the Century House 6:00PM-8:30pm is Price Chopper’s Gluten-Free Food Festival for $10 to benefit the Celiac Disease Resource Inc.
THURSDAY, MAY 17
- SARATOGA at Vapor Nightclub at 9:00PM is The Spin Doctors
- QUEENSBURY at SUNY Adirondack at 7:30AM-9:00AM is Adirondack Business Development Partnership Seminar for FREE
- LAKE GEORGE at the Lake George Chamber of Commerce at 11:00AM is The Circus is Coming to Town: Press Conference & Information Session
- ALBANY at the Albany Public Library Pine Hills Branch at 3:30PM is FOCUS GROUP- GE Presents: The Mystery of the Albany Mummies
- CLIFTON PARK at the Clifton Park Executive Education Center at 6:00PM-7:30PM is UAlbany School of Business Weekend MBA Program Information Session for FREE
- SCOTIA at Glen Sanders starting with cocktails at 6:00PM is Tails by Twilight to support and Animal Protective Foundation’s Community Spay/Neuter Clinic for $95/ pp or $25 per pet; Emceed by Liz Bishop and music by Grand Central Station
- ALBANY at St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church from 5:00PM-9:00PM is a NEW NIGHT for FREE just Tent Only
ONGOING
- SCHENECTADY (May 15-20) at Proctors is Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
- ALBANY (May 17-20) at St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church from 5:00PM-9:00PM is St. Sophia Greek Festival
- BETHLEHEM (May 14-20) is BETHLEHEM RESTAURANT WEEK, 3 course meal for $20.12
Friday, May 11- Saturday, May 13
FRIDAY, MAY 11
- ALBANY TULIP FESTIVAL around Washington Square Park at 11:30AM-12:00PM is Carillon Concert, then at 12:00PM is Street Scrubbing on State and Lodge Streets beginning with a Mayoral Proclamation, the Albany Police Pipes & Drums, a Dutch Settlers Society and the 2012 Tulip Queen Finalists hosted by B95.5 and at 12:30PM is the Tulip Festival Luncheon at the Hotel Albany, a farewell to 2011 Tulip Queen Karen Colhour and her court, tickets are required by calling 518-275-6813 or emailing tulipluncheon@gmail.com
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors is Clifford the Big Red Dog at 7:00PM
- CLIFTON PARK at Northern Lights is The Maine with Lydia and The Arkells
- ALBANY at Jillian’s at 8:00PM is The Felice Brothers
- TROY at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall at 8:00PM is Red Molly
- ALBANY at the Palace Theater at 8:00PM is Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx
SATURDAY, MAY 12
- ALBANY TULIP FESTIVAL at Wolferts Roost Country Club at 6:30PM is the Royal Tulip Ball is to honor the new Tulip Queen and Court, proceeds benefit the Albany Police and Fire Foundation, tickets are required; call 518-388-9240
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors at 7:30PM is An Evening with Story Musgrave, NASA
- ALBANY at the Palace Theater is D.L. Hughley
- SCHENECTADY, Downtown at 4:00PM-10:00PM is Spring Fling Pub Crawl & Poker Walk for $15
- SCHENECTADY at Café Nola at 6:30PM is The Dependents
- SARATOGA at The Comedy Works at 7:30PM is Eddie Clark & Brian Beaudoin
- CLIFTON PARK at Northern Lights at 9:00PM is Santigold with DJ Playground
- ALBANY at the Bistro Bar at 74 State at 8:00PM is Lee Shaw Trio
- GUILDERLAND at the Helderberg Reformed Church at 7:30AM-1:00PM is Helderberg Reformed Church 16th Annual Blood Drive
- ALBANY at the Crossings at 9:00AM-12:00PM is the Capital Region Heart Walk
- LATHAM at the Community Resource Federal Credit Union at 9:00AM-12:00PM is Bottle Drive for Mohawk Hudson Humane Society for FREE
- LAKE GEORGE at the Adirondack Winery Tasting Room at 11:00AM-6:00PM is TREAT YOUR MOM! Free Mothers Day Wine Tasting
- HUDSON FALLS at the Hudson River Music Hall at 7:30PM-10:30PM is James Cawley as Elvis and Great American Longboards Surf Rock Show for $10-15
- SARATOGA at Vapor Night Club at 9:00PM is DJ Playground hosted by J.Will from JAMZ96.3
- SARATOGA at The Waldorf School at 9:00AM is the 1st Annual Emma Foundation 5K & Kids Fun Run
- CLIFTON PARK at East Line Books at 10:00AM-12:30PM is How to Write about Food & Travel for $50
SUNDAY, MAY 13- HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
- TROY at EMPAC at 6:00PM is musicFabrik
- ALBANY at the Albany Institute of History & Art at 2:00PM-5:00PM is FAMILY FESTIVAL, free with museum admission
- SARATOGA at the Saratoga Springs Public Library at 2:00PM-4:00PM is Llamas in the Library for FREE
- HUDSON FALLS at the Hudson River Music Hall at 6:00PM-9:00PM is Skye- The Great American Songbook for $8/12
- CLIFTON PARK at 7:30PM is The Used with Dead Sara and Stars in Stereo
ONGOING
- BOLTON LANDING (May 11-13) at the Sagamore Resort is Girlfriends Getaway
- ALBANY (May 12-13) at the Washington Park is the 64th Annual Tulip Festival
- ALBANY (Until May 11) at the Legislative Building; The Well at 8:00AM is Through the Lens of Autism- Photography Exhibition for FREE
- ALTAMONT (May 12-13) at 12:00PM-5:00PM at the Altamont Vineyard is the Season Opener for $5 tastings, $15 tours and MOTHERS taste for FREE!
- SARATOGA (Until May 12) at the Saratoga Springs Knights of Columbus Hall is the Capital Region Guitar Show for $7.00
- ALBANY (May 11-12) at The Comedy Works at 9:00PM is Eddie Clark & Brian Beaudoin
- CLIFTON PARK (Until May 12) at the Clifton Park- Halfmoon Library at 9:00AM is “Books for Babies”- National Children’s Book Week; If you are a Library District parent or grandparent of a newborn please stop at the Circulation Desk of the CPH Library at 475 Moe Rd, Clifton Park during the week of May 6-12 to receive a special free gift packet complements of Friends of the CPH Library containing among other materials, a children’s board book, library card application, nutritional information and tips on reading.
“I’m an old-fashioned guy… I want to be an old man with a beer belly sitting on a porch, looking at a lake or something.”
Johnny Depp
With the Summer season fast approaching, my visits to Lake George are becoming more frequent. Tuesday’s Tables today is going to be about The Boathouse (3210 Lake Shore Drive, Lake George). This wasn’t my first time going to The Boathouse. Since it has lake access, this is one of the few restaurants that first come to mind when we’re on the boat so I’m familiar with the menu. Before writing this blog, I found myself getting the same foods from some of my favorite restaurants because that’s the meal I equate the restaurant with and at The Boathouse it’s the burgers. This time, I decided to change it up a bit and stick with seafood. I ordered a cup of the Seafood Bisque ($6) and Crab Cakes with dill remoulade ($10).
Though I did look at the burgers on the menu yearning for the juicy flavor, I decided to try something new and hope it went as well. The brought over fresh, warm bread that was delicious. 
I had to keep my crab cakes in mind in order to not eat the whole basket. We happened to come during Happy Hour where they offer buy one, get one glasses of wine and buy one, get one mixed drink or one double for the price of a single. I told the bartender I wanted something fruity and he did not disappoint. I’m still not really sure what he made but it was pretty and delicious.
Finally lunch came. Now, I don’t mean finally as in that it took awhile because it didn’t, it was very timely. I meant finally as in that I was very excited to try something new and I couldn’t wait! I started with the seafood bisque. There are a lot of bisques I’ve tried that end up tasting more like cream than seafood and this was not the case. As you can see in the picture, the bisque is chunky and full of crab and other bits of seafood. I honestly really enjoyed it and it went well with the crab cake. The crab cake was flaky and delicious. Dill isn’t one of my favorite herbs so I was hesitant to have the dill remoulade but it wasn’t overpowering and I eventually didn’t even think that it was dill. My only problem with the crab cakes was the amount of green dressing on my plate. I understand the purpose for it is to decorate the plate but it didn’t have any flavor and just ended up getting in my way.
Overall, I really enjoy The Boathouse. If you’re coming from the street, expect to walk down a pretty steep hill/flight of stairs but if I remember correctly, they offer golf carts for help if it’s too much of a problem. If you’re going to eat on Lake George, other than great food I assume you’re looking to enjoy a great view as well and The Boathouse has it. It’s a really great place and if you’re not into trying the seafood meal I had that day, I recommend the burgers!
Monday, May 7 – Thursday, May 10
As always, feel free to post events you know of coming up/ read more events posted to my:
FACEBOOK PAGE — https://www.facebook.com/518BitesNSights
TWITTER – http://twitter.com/#!/518bitesnsights
Or send them to my EMAIL — 518BitesNSights@gmail.com
MONDAY, MAY 7
- SCHENECTADY at the Parker Inn at 7:00PM-9:00PM is Comedy Open Mic Night
- SCHENECTADY at Aperitivo Bistro is Vocalist Chris Dollard
- MALTA at DiDonna’s South Shore Restaurant at 6:00PM is May Motor-In Mondays for FREE
- ALBANY in Washington Square Park at 1:00PM is a Tulip Tour in Washington Park guided by City Gardener Jessica Morgan, begins at the Moses Statue; $5 and reservations are requested, call the Albany Visitors Center at 518-434-0405
TUESDAY, MAY 8
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors at 2:00PM & 8:00PM is Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two Woman Show
- ALBANY at The Reel Seafood Restaurant at 11:30AM-1:00PM is Negotiation Skills for $40
- SCHENECTADY at Apertivo Bistro at 5:30PM-7:00PM is Cultivating Green Sustainable Series for $25 pre-reg or $30 at the door
- BALLSTON SPA at Loca Luna Grille at 11:00AM-1:00PM is The Capital District Small Business (CDSBN) Network May Meet Up for $15 http://cdsbn-eanreclxb.eventbrite.com/?utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=attnews&utm_term=attlink
WEDNESDAY, MAY 9
- SCHENECTADY at Aperitivo Bistro is Teri Roiger & John Menegon
- GLENS FALLS at the Crandall Library Community Room at 7:00PM is “On the Edge”- a documentary about homelessness for FREE
- ALBANY at Time Warner Cable at 10:00AM-6:00PM is Time Warner Cable Inbound Sales Job Fair for FREE
- COLONIE at the Fuller Road Fire Department at 4:30PM-8:00PM is First Aid/CPR/AED Training; $100 for full course
- TROY Downtown at 8:00AM-12:00PM is Downtown Troy’s ‘For Rent’ Event for FREE http://forrentevent-eanreclxb.eventbrite.com/?utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=attnews&utm_term=attlink
THURSDAY, MAY 10
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors Theater at 8:00PM is Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors Theatre at 8:00PM is Beauty and the Beast
- TROY at EMPAC at 7:30PM is Pauline Oliveros
- ALBANY at the Henry Hudson Planetarium at 5:30PM-7:30PM is 2012 Evening Under the Stars for $40
- ALBANY at Washington Park at 5:30PM-9:00PM is Champagne in the Park for $60/pp and $100/ per couple
- SARATOGA at Hampton Inn, Saratoga Springs at 6:00PM is Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Capital Region Chef Challenge, Saratoga vs. Albany- $50/pp to benefit Big Brothers, Big Sisters
- MALTA at Welcome Relief Massage Therapy at 6:30PM-8:00PM is Create a Healthy Medicine Cabinet for FREE
- ALBANY at the Polish Community Center at 7:00PM-9:00PM is Black Light Zumba for $14 advance and $19 at the door
ONGOING
- ALBANY (Until May 11) at the Legislative Building; The Well at 8:00AM is Through the Lens of Autism- Photography Exhibition for FREE
- CLIFTON PARK (Until May 12) at the Clifton Park- Halfmoon Library at 9:00AM is “Books for Babies”- National Children’s Book Week; If you are a Library District parent or grandparent of a newborn please stop at the Circulation Desk of the CPH Library at 475 Moe Rd, Clifton Park during the week of May 6-12 to receive a special free gift packet complements of Friends of the CPH Library containing among other materials, a children’s board book, library card application, nutritional information and tips on reading.
Friday, May 04- Sunday, May 06
FRIDAY, MAY 4
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors Theatre at 8:00PM is Gladys Knight
- ALBANY at Steamer 10 Theater at 8:00PM is Rosary Beard, Winterpills
- ALBANY at the Egg at 8:00PM is Big Head Todd & the Monsters
- ALBANY at Valentines at 8:00PM is the Jim Keller Band
- CLIFTON PARK at Clifton Park Center at 2:00PM-7:00PM is a Skin Fitness Event with Mama Mio Skincare for FREE with RSVP; call 518-373-9200 for details
- CLIFTON PARK at Historic Grooms Tavern at 7:00PM is Keeping Your Mind Young
- ALBANY Downtown at 5:00PM-9:00PM is the Blues Music Competition for FREE http://www.downtownalbany.org/events/downtown-albany-blues-music-contest
- SARATOGA at Vapor Night Club at Saratoga Casino and Raceway at 9:00PM is The Audiostars for FREE
- HUDSON FALLS at Hudson Falls High School at 7:00PM-10:00PM is Kingsbury 250th Birthday Party for FREE
- ALBANY at the Tri-City BMX Track at 5:30PM is the Tri-City BMX Race
- SARATOGA at the Saratoga Winery and Tasting Room at 6:00PM-9:00PM is Live Music, Wine and Wod Fired Pizza for FREE
- COLONIE at the Crossings of Colonie at 5:00PM-8:15PM is the 5K Run/1Mile Fun Walk to Support VBF
- NORTH CREEK at Ski Bowl Park at 4:00PM-7:00PM is a Ham Dinner to benefit the Johnsburg Food Pantry
- SCHENECTADY at Katie O’ Byrnes at 10:00PM is Funk Evolution
- SCHENECTADY at Clinton’s Ditch at 8:00PM is a tent party with Grand Central Station
- SCHENECTADY at Aperitivo Bistro is Jeanine Marie Quartet
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors Theatre at 8:00PM is Story Musgrave
SATURDAY, MAY 5
- ALBANY at the Palace Theater at 7:30PM is ASO “Simply Sinatra” Pops Special!
- ALBANY at the Bistro Bar at 74 State at 8:00PM is New Jazz Trio
- ALBANY at The Egg at 7:30PM is The Priests
- CLIFTON PARK at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Ambulance Corps at 8:30AM-11:30AM is American Heart Association CPR/AED Training Course for FREE
- CLIFTON PARK at Northern Lights at 8:30PM is Slaughterhouse LIVE for $25 day of show
- WILTON at the Wilton Mall at 12:00PM-4:00PM is Mom & Kids Day for FREE
- SARATOGA at Vapor at Saratoga Casino and Raceway at 2:00PM is Kentucky Derby Day for FREE
- SARATOGA at the Saratoga Springs Public Library at 12:00PM-1:00PM is Carnival of the Animals Story Hour for FREE
- WILTON at 11:00AM-6:00PM at the Comic Depot in Wilton Mall is Comic Depot FREE COMIC BOOK DAY for FREE
- SCHENECTADY at Rotterdam Square Mall at 11:00AM-9:00PM is the Rotterdam Square Mall Farmer Market
- COLONIE at the Colonie Cnetral High School AND Hannaford at 10:00AM-2:00PM is Stuff the Bus for Schoharie County for FREE; they need non-perishable food items, baby food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, paper towels
- RENSSELAER at 10:00AM-3:00PM at 470 N Greenbush Road is Big Brew Day for FREE https://www.beerbrew.com/
- SCHENECTADY at Katie O’Byrnes at 10:00PM is Morning Line Favorite
- SCHENECTADY at Clinton’s Ditch at 8:00PM is Cinco de Mayo
- CLIFTON PARK at Northern Lights at 8:30PM is Slaughterhouse with Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce Da 5’9”
- TROY at the Troy Savings Bank Hall at 8:00PM is Lea Salonga
SUNDAY, MAY 6
- CLIFTON PARK at Northern Lights at 8:00PM is Christina Perri with Sleeping at Last
- SCHENECTADY Downtown is the SCHENECTADY GREENMARKET OUTSIDE!
- QUEENSBURY at Adirondack Community College at 9:00AM-12:00PM is Adirondack March for Babies
- SARATOGA at Parting Glass Pub at 12:00PM-9:00PM is WILDWOODstock 2012 $5 presale/$10 door
- SARATOGA at the Saratoga Winery and Tasting Room at 1:00PM-5:00PM is a Relay for Life Wine Tasting Fundraiser for $25 includes Wine tasting and appatizers
- ALBANY at SUNY Albany Uptown Campus at 2:00PM is SUNY Albany Suicide Prevention Walk
- LAKE GEORGE at the Great Escape/Splashwater Kingdom at 9:00AM-2:00PM is the 2012 Glens Falls Walk/5K for Kidneys
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors at 3:00PM is the USAF Band of Liberty, FREE but must pick up tickets at the Gazette
ONGOING
- ALBANY (May 2-6) at the Times Union Center is Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Fully Charged
- NORTH CREEK (May 4-6) is the Adirondack Festival
- ALBANY (May 5-6) at the Holiday Inn on Wolf Rd 12:00PM-5:00PM is The NY Great Escape
- GLENS FALLS (May 4-6) at Charles R. Wood Theater is The Diary of Anne Frank
- NORTH CREEK (Until May 6) at the Riverfront Park at 9:00AM-4:00PM is Adirondack Adventure Festival
- NORTH CREEK (May 5-6) is the 55th Annual Hudson River Whitewater Derby; registration at 9:00AM and race at 11:00AM
“Bistro cooking is good, traditional food, earnestly made and honestly displayed. It is earthy, provincial, or bourgeois; as befits that kind of food, it is served in ample portions.”
David Liederman
As some of you in the Schenectady area may have noticed, between Orienda Yoga and the yet to be opened Bier Abbey is the new Marotta’s Bar-Ristro (611 Union Street, Schenectady). 
The Bar-Risto opened about a week ago and from what I’ve heard when I was there, everyone enjoyed it. It’s a cute little place on Lower Union Street with patio access and a wood fire oven to eat delicious pizza. I sat at the bar, enjoyed a not very eventful but winning Yankee game and ordered food. Though I may be biased, I recommend seeing if Tamara is working because not only is she a great bartender, she’s my cousin, so tip well 
Each table has an iPad so that not only can you see what the options are for your meal like a regular menu but there are also pictures so you can see what you’re about to order looks like. They also have the option of a regular menu if you don’t know how to maneuver around. If you’d like to sit at the bar, there’s also an iPad at the bar and instead of a cash register, the bartender and waitresses use an iPad. Is this the future of restaurants?
At first, I ordered the Italian Cobb Salad that comes with eggs, roasted red peppers, provolone, ham, chicken and artichoke hearts with a drizzle of balsamic and it comes with two different dressings. (I apologize for the pictures, I had to take it on my phone so the glare is a little strong). It was a big enough salad for me to be able to take about half home and I intend on eating it for lunch today, I’m pretty excited about it. Everything on the menu is really reasonably priced. I can’t find a copy of the menu online so I recommended that they add a copy to the Facebook or create a website. Before I go out and eat somewhere new, I usually like to check out the menu online to ease the process of ordering and not have to take a long time but because it’s so new, I assume, the menu is yet to be found online.
My second course I shared a pizza with my mother. We decided on a delicious wood fired fresh pizza with artichoke hearts, caramelized onions and a balsamic drizzle. 
It looked a little burnt on top which made us nervous but it was cooked perfectly throughout. The caramelized onions were my favorite part, paired with the balsamic drizzle- I can’t wait to have another one! They have so many flavor options for pizzas. Each pizza has 6 slices which was perfect for two people, that with half of the salad was a perfect meal and I didn’t feel too full. On top of pizzas, they also have different options for pasta, fish and quite a few different salads.
Even if you’re not looking for food, this a great place to come out to just have a drink with some friends. I went out on a Monday night but I assume, though smaller than most of the bars in the area, this would be packed on the weekends. It’s got a great relaxed feel to it and with the summer months coming, it’s a perfect location to sit outside with friends and have some drinks especially after work. If you’re looking for a freshly made pizza with a great atmosphere, check out Marotta’s!
2012 64th Annual Tulip Festival
SATURDAY
11:00AM-11:30AM the Mendelssohn Club performs a full international range of male chorus literature, AMP STAGE
11:30AM-12:00PM the Tulip Queen Coronation, Sweet Adelines, AMP STAGE
11:45AM the Tulip Queen Procession by the Formal Tulip Beds by Moses Statue, AMP STAGE
12:00PM the Tulip Queen Coronation, the 64th Tulip Queen Coronation, AMP STAGE
12:00PM Seth & the Moody Melix, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
12:45PM Domino the Great, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
1:00PM-1:45PM the Lateshift, AMP STAGE
1:00PM-2:00PM Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun, MAIN STAGE
1:30PM Circus Theatricks, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
2:15PM-3:00PM Barkeater, AMP STAGE
2:15PM Seth & the Moody Melix, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
2:30PM-3:30PM Walk the Moon, MAIN STAGE
3:00PM Domino the Great, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
3:30PM-4:15PM The City Never Sleeps, AMP STAGE
3:45PM Circus Theatricks, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
4:00PM-5:30PM Fountains of Wayne, MAIN STAGE
4:30PM Seth & the Moody Melix, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
4:45PM-5:30PM Conehead Buddha, AMP STAGE
5:15PM Domino the Great, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
SUNDAY
12:00PM-12:45PM the 14th Annual Mother of the Year Award, AMP STAGE
12:00PM Seth & the Moody Melix, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
12:30PM-1:15PM Zumba! With Instructor Carla Schlist, MAIN STAGE
12:45PM Domino the Great, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
1:30PM-3:00PM Higher Ground: A Tribute to Stevie Wonder, MAIN STAGE
1:00PM-1:45PM the Jenson Rhodes Band, AMP STAGE
1:30PM Circus Theatricks, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
2:15PM-3:00PM John Brodeur, AMP STAGE
2:15PM Seth & the Moody Melix, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
3:00PM Domino the Great, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
3:30PM-5:00PM Mr. Dynamite: The Explosive James Brown Show, MAIN STAGE
3:30PM-4:15PM Milestone, AMP STAGE
3:45PM Circus Theatricks, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
4:30PM Seth & the Moody Melix, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
4:45PM-5:30PM the Chronicles, AMP STAGE
5:15PM Domino the Great, PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE
Monday, April 30- Thursday, May 3
MONDAY, APRIL 30
- ALBANY at the Palace Theatre at 7:00PM is “Dr. No” – Movie Event
- SARATOGA at Skidmore at 8:00PM is Guitarist David Russell
- SCHENECTADY at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons at 7:00PM is their Mass of Remembrance
- SCHENECTADY at Aperitivo Bistro is Vocalist Chris Dollard
TUESDAY, MAY 1
- GLENS FALLS at the Glens Falls Civic Center at 7:30PM is the Riverdance FAREWELL TOUR
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors at 8:00PM is Human Nature
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors Theater at 10:00AM-3:30PM is a Law Day Celebration for FREE
- ALBANY at the Colonie Town Library at 6:00PM-8:00PM is Lung Cancer Alliance Meet and Greet for FREE
- SCHENECTADY at Pasqualina’s Restaurant at 4:00PM is their Restaurant Ribbon Cutting with the Chamber of Schenectady County
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors at 7:30PM is 8th Step- Dougie MacLean
WEDNESDAY, MAY 2
- ALBANY at the Times Union Center is Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Fully Charged
- ALBANY at the Egg at 8:00PM is Mike Birbiglia
- SCHENECTADY on Lower Union Street at 5:00PM-7:00PM is Business after Hours BLOCK PARTY! For $15 for non-members with the Chamber of Schenectady County
- SARATOGA at the Saratoga Senior Center at 10:00AM-2:00PM is the 5th Annual Health & Wellness Fair for FREE
- ALBANY at the Empire State Plaza at 10:00AM-2:00PM is New York COPD Capitol Awareness Day for FREE
- ALBANY and Graney’s Stout at 5:30PM-7:30PM is a Fundraising Event for Habitat for Humanity for $25 advance tickets, $30 at the door
- SCOTIA at the Glen Sanders Mansion at 6:30PM is their Annual American Italian Cooking Show for $40
- TROY at EMPAC at 6:00PM is Lisa Cartwright + Christina Lammer: Empathography: The Art of Clinical Intimacy for FREE
- SCHENECTADY at Café Nola at 6:00PM is Big Creek
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors Theatre is Lee Shaw Trio
THURSDAY, MAY 3
- ALBANY at the Egg at 8:00PM is the Trailer Park Boys
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors Theatre at 5:30PM-8:30PM is A Little Bit of Jazz & More http://518bitesandsights.com/2012/04/26/sdnjazz/
- ALBANY at the NYS Museum at 6:00PM is A Taste of Albany for $60 gen. admission and $50 for 30 and under
- SCOTIA at the Glen Sanders Mansion at 5:30PM is the 75th Anniversary Dinner and Auction $60-75
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors Theatre at 10:00AM is MOPCO’s Chortle Kombat for $9
- ALBANY at UAlbany Performing Arts Center at 10:00AM is the Upstate New York Film Initiative for FREE
- ALBANY at the Albany Public Library at 4:00PM is GE Presents: The Mystery of the Albany Mummies for FREE
ONGOING
- GLENS FALLS ( Until Apr 30) at Crandall Library at 10:00AM is an All- Country Show for FREE; An exhibit of award-winning art from the World Awareness Children’s Museum’s International Youth Art Exchange
- ALBANY (May 2-6) at the Times Union Center is Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Fully Charged
- SCHENECTADY (May 2-3) at Proctors Theatre is A Dangerous Method
“A museum is a place where one should lose one’s head.”
Renzo Piano
When I was younger, one of the places we always went to on field trips was the New York State Museum and now that I’ve gotten older, I feel like I take the fact that I live in the CAPITAL of New York for granted. I went to the New York Museum in the first place, to check out the CANstruction exhibit sponsored in part by Price Chopper to benefit the Food Pantries of New York. Since I was already there and it’s been awhile since I’ve wandered through the museum, I figured I’d take a look and I forgot how many interesting things are right in the middle of the Capital District.
I started out at the carousel on the 4th floor.
I can’t even remember the last time I was up here and I don’t actually know if I’d ever been on this carousel but at that time it was closed so this sadly wasn’t going to be my first time. What was really interesting was the information about where the carousel came from. I had no idea that this carousel was carved by the New York Carousel Manufacturing Company in 1895 but was stationary originally, they didn’t move up and down until 1915. From 1916-1929, the Stadel Brothers Amusement Company set up this carousel in Allegany County and then traveled it around Southern New York and Pennsylvania. In 1933, this carousel found a more permanent home in Olivecrest Park in Allegany County until it closed in1972. Since then, the museum has refurbished the carousel and it now runs as it did at the end of the 19th century.
My first stop in the museum was the September 11th exhibit. 
I think the last time I went to the museum was right after they started this exhibit and it’s such an emotional area, not something that should be missed. Among the piece of one of the twin towers and one of the fire trucks that was there as the towers went down was this drawing done by students in Japan of a peace tree. Sometimes I forget that even though this event obviously affected our country, it also affected other countries shown by their hopes and well wishes for us.
In connection to that exhibit was a room full of firetrucks throughout history which were very cool to look at that led into other forms of transportation. One of my favorites was the old New York City subway car. Some of the car was sectioned off to show what people would have been wearing during that time but part of it was open so you can imagine yourself back in time riding down 8th Ave on the A train. My favorite exhibit ever since I was a kid was Sesame Street. We have the actual set from Sesame Street in the museum and with it are clips from the famous TV show. Even if your kid is too young to remember this classic show first hand, take a minute and live a childhood dream I know I had and pretend you’re right there with Big Bird!
What I love about the museum is that it lets you learn not only about NYC in its golden age, Sesame Street or the Holocaust but it also has a half of the museum sectioned off so you can learn about the state that you live in. 
There are exhibits on NYS rocks, gems and quartz where you can see firsthand what kinds of things are found here and where. Something a little more interesting for the kids is the focus on the animals like a stuffed moose, mammoth and deer, or my favorite, the bones of a giant whale. Where else are you going to see something like that locally? There’s also an opportunity to learn about the people who lived here before us and and chance to go into a model of a house they built out of nature and a chance to sit on a replica of a bed to make you appreciate your mattress, if anything. This is a great place and it’s completely kid friendly.
If you’re looking for a summer camp for the kids, look no further than the museum. The NYS Museum offers their Time Tunnel Summer Camp; session 1 is July 2, 3, 5 & 6 and July 9-13 is Where Are They Now? Extinct & De-Funked, session 2 is July 16-27 is The Glory of Stories and session three is July 30-August 10 is The Best of Time Tunnel’s 25 Years. The camp is open to kids entering 1st grade through 8thgrade and meets weekdays from 9am-4pm. Each session is $400 per child (if postmarked by May 4th) and $450 if postmarked by June 1st or there is the option to purchase all three sessions are $1100 per child (by May 4th) and $1350 (by June 1st).
Instead of spending another day walking around the mall and buying things we know we don’t need, take your kid to the NYS museum! There’s great opportunities when children to learn about things they otherwise may not have know about or, if you’re like me and haven’t been here since middle school, give it another look through and relive some childhood memories and learn things you didn’t know about- perfect for a rainy day!
Friday, April 27- Sunday, April 29
FRIDAY, APRIL 27
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors is Vox Lumiere-Metropolis at 8:00PM
- CLIFTON PARK at Northern Lights at 8:00PM is FUN. ($15 adv/ $17 day of show) SOLD OUT!
- ALBANY and the Palace at 8:00PM is Darrell Hammond
- SCHENECTADY at Aperitivo Bistro is Jeanine Marine Quartet
- SCHENECTADY at The Happy Cappuccino is Happy Comedy Night
- TROY at EMPAC at 8:00PM is Jem Cohen
- SCHENECTADY at the Stockade Inn is Azzaam Harmeed Duo
- SARATOGA at Vapor at Saratoga Casino and Raceway at 8:00PM is The Refrigerators
- ALBANY at the Washington Ave Armory at 8:00PM is MASQUE Rave for $10-15
- BALLSTON SPA at Lazy Dog Cookie Co. (101 Ford Street) at 5:00PM-8:00PM is the GRAND OPENING for sPAW CITY Social Club Indoor Dog Park for FREE
- MALTA at DiDonna’s South Shore Restaurants at 8:00PM-10:00PM is Laughter is the Best Medicine Comedy Night for $15/pp
- ALBANY at the Washington Park Lake House at 6:0PM-10:00PM is the 11th Annual Hopscotch & Slide for $95 http://setonhealth.org/foundation/subpage.cfm?id=32
- SCHENECTADY at Pinhead Susan’s at 9:00PM is Band of Gold
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors Theatre at 8:00PM is MOPCO Underground
- COLONIE branch of the Bershire Bank at 12:00PM-1:15PM is Constant Contact Training “3 Keys of Email Marketing” for FREE
- ALBANY at Valentines at 8:00PM is The Spampinato Brothers
- ALBANY at Bogie’s at 6:00PM is Sabaton, Armor Column, How the World Ends, Hand of Reckoning & The American Nightmare
SATURDAY, APRIL 28
- ALBANY at Bogie’s at 7:00PM is Brick by Brick & Diecast
- ALBANY at Valentine’s at 8:00PM is Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby
- SARATOGA at the Public Safety Building at 10:00AM-2:00PM is Prescription Drug Take Back Day for FREE
- ALBANY at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center at 1:00PM-2:00PM is Arbor Day Tree Program (Almost)
- ALBANY at the Bistro Bar at 74 State at 8:00PM is Lee Shaw Trio
- ALBANY at the Blessed Sacrament School Gym at 11:00AM-3:00PM is a Ronald McDonald House Benefit for Xavier Martin for $10
- TROY at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall at 8:00PM is Riders in the Sky
- ALBANY at the Albany Academies Girls Campus at 10:00AM-4:00PM is the Albany Children’s Book Festival for FREE
- SCHENECTADY at the TriCity BMX Track at 9:00AM-3:00PM is the TriCity Annual Open House for FREE
- SCHENECTADY at Pinhead Susan’s at 9:00PM is The Heaters
- SCHENECTADY at Rotterdam Square Mall at 11:00AM is the Farmer’s Market
- SCHENECTADY at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium at 11:00AM-5:00PM is National Astronomy Day
- ALBANY at the Albany Riverfront Park Amphitheatre at 10:00AM-1:00PM is the Frank Adams Jewelers Diamond Dash for FREE
- SCHENECTADY at Moon & River Café at 8:00PM is M.R. Poulopoulos, Deborah T and Heather M
- POESTENKILL at Creekside Kennel at 10am-11am is Doghouse Adoptions’ volunteer orientation; ever want to be a rescue volunteer? Join them for the volunteer orientation and see how you can help!
- LATHAM at the Ramada Inn at 10:00AM-3:30PM is the 16th Annual Albany Area Doll Extravaganza for $4.50
- SARATOGA at 368 Broadway at 9:00AM-8:00PM is 8th Annual Dog Days for FREE
- LAKE GEORGE at the Adirondack Winery Tasting Room at 11:00AM-5:00PM is their FREE 4th Anniversary Tasting Event!
- ALBANY at the Washington Avenue Armory at 7:00PM is Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band
- ALBANY at Albany Academy for Girls at 10:00AM-4:00PM is the 4th Annual Albany Children’s Book Festival
- CLIFTON PARK at Northern Lights at 8:30PM is Rakim
- ALBANY at The Linda at 7:30PM is RISK! True Stories Boldly Told Live for $17
- SARATOGA at Putnam Den at 9:00PM is the American Cancer Society Benefit Show for $10 donation at the door
- SLINGERLANDS at the Bethlehem Children’s School at 10:00AM-5:00PM is Greenfest/Greenhouse Grand Opening for FREE
- SARANAC LAKE at Harrietstown Town Hall at 9:30AM-2:00PM is the 10th Annual North Country Spelling Bee for FREE
- GLENS FALLS at the Adirondack Theatre Festival at 9:00AM-11:00AM is Volunteer Open House
- SCHENECTADY at Café Nola at 7:00PM is Big Creek
- SARATOGA at the Saratoga Cycling Studio at 3:00PM-6:00PM is an OPEN HOUSE for Free
- ALBANY at the New York State Museum at 1:00PM-4:00PM is Dinosaur Train: Nature Trackers Event with hands-on museum activities; bring one clean aluminum can or plastic bottle for the recycle bin; get a FREE nature tracker booklet and poster, watch Dinosaur Train in Huxley Theater and enter to win DVDs, books and museum gift certificates all for FREE! Register at 518-474-0076
SUNDAY, APRIL 29
- LAKE GEORGE at Fort William Henry is the Lake George Half Marathon- 5K- Fun Run; Half-marathon at 8AM, 5K at 8:15AM and Fun Run at 9:45AM
- SARATOGA at the Gideon Putnam at 4:00PM-8:00PM is North Country Wild Care’s Annual Spring Fundraiser
- CLIFTON PARK at the Clifton Park Center Mall by JCPenney at 1:00PM-3:00PM is Town Paper Shredding Day
- SCHENECTADY AT Proctors Theatre at 10:00AM-2:00PM is the LAST GREENMARKET INSIDE! OUTSIDE NEXT WEEK!
- SCHENECTADY at Proctors Theatre at 10:00AM is a Behind the Scenes Walking Tour of Proctors
- LAKE GEORGE at the Adirondack Winery Tasting Room at 11:00AM-5:00PM is their FREE 4th Anniversary Tasting Event!
- ALBANY at the Palace at 7:30PM is Daughtry
- ALBANY at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center at 1:00PM-2:00PM is The Buzz of the Pine Bush Trees
- ALBANY at the Albany JCC at 10:30AM-2:30PM is Sidney Albert Albany JCC Health & Services Fair for Adults and Senior Adults
ONGOING
- SCHENECTADY (Apr 27- May 27) at Proctors is God of Carnage
- ALBANY (Until Apr 28) is 2012 DOWNTOWN ALBANY RESTAURANT WEEK
- SCHENECTADY (April 25-30) at Proctors Theatre is QFEST
- SARATOGA (Apr 28-29) at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds at 10:00AM-5:00PM is Saratoga National Expo and Car Show
- SARATOGA (Apr 29-20) at Hillcrest Foods at 9:00AM-4:00PM is Hillcrest Foods Inc. Food Show for FREE
- GLENS FALLS ( Until Apr 30) at Crandall Library at 10:00AM is an All- Country Show for FREE; An exhibit of award-winning art from the World Awareness Children’s Museum’s International Youth Art Exchange
- SCHENECTADY (Apr 28-29) is Menopause the Musical!
- HUNTER (Apr 28-29) on the base of Hunter Mountain on SAT 1:00P-5:00P and SUN 12P-4P is the TAP New York Craft Beer Festival http://www.tap-ny.com/
- LAKE LUZERNE (Until Apr 29) along Rockwell St, Hadley and Main St. at 4:00PM is Maple in April Festival
- COLONIE (Until Apr 28) is a Journey Through the Body
- SARANAC LAKE (Until Apr 29) is the Daffest Daffodil Festival for FREE (Also May 4-5 and May 11-12)
- GLENS FALLS (Until Apr 28) at Glens Falls Civic Center at 7:30PM is AMP Tour Thunderslwm
- SCHENECTADY (Apr 20-22 & Apr 26-29) at the Fenimore Gallery at Proctors is the Classic Theatre Guild Presents: The Man Who Came to Dinner
