Music
CLASSICAL
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Spa Little Theatre, 19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs. 3 p.m. Sunday. $51.75-$71.75. 518-584-9330 or spac.org . “Great Sonatas: Beethoven, Brahms and Mozart.”
Lake George Music Festival, The Carriage House, 48 Canada St., Lake George (unless otherwise noted). lakegeorgemusicfestival.com . Thursday. $20, unless otherwise noted. The annual two-week festival of chamber music and orchestral concerts.
- 2 p.m.: Composer’s Institute Final Performance featuring guest ensemble, the Rhythm Method, featuring 10 world premiere performances for string quartet written by the students of the Composer’s Institute. $20.
- 7 p.m.: Grand Finale Symphony Orchestra featuring guest artist, pianist Pallavi Mahindhara, performing works by Beethoven, Mendelssohn and de Falla. $30.
Mostly Modern Festival: 6 th Season Finale, Zankel Music Center, Skidmore College, 815 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Free-$48.03, unless otherwise noted. 917-941-1493 or mostlymodernfestival.org . The Mostly Modern Orchestra and conductor Andrew Crust of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra perform works by Jocelyn Morlock, Daniel Schnyder, Lili Boulanger, Robert Paterson and Alan Hovhanes.
Opera Saratoga Presents: Family Show, Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington St., Saratoga Springs. 11 a.m. Saturday, Tuesday. Free-$20. 518-346-6204 or atuph.org . This performance from Festival artists features songs from “La Vie Parisienne” and “She Loves Me.”
Opera Saratoga Presents: “La Vie Parisienne,” Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington St., Saratoga Springs. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Sunday (runs through June 28). $33.50-$127.50. 518-346-6204 or atuph.org . Offenbach, Meilhac and Halevy’s opera takes us to the heart of the demimonde in 1860s Paris, where two bachelors play tour guide to a Swedish Baron and Baroness.
Opera Saratoga Presents: “A Mass for Women in Bathrooms,” Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington St., Saratoga Springs. 7:30 p.m. Sunday (runs through June 27). $10. 518-346-6204 or atuph.org . This work-in-progress of the opera-theater work for three singers from Irish composer Emma O’Halloran and librettist Naomi O’Connell reframes the structure of the Irish Catholic mass to tell an intimate story of three sisters and their mother.
Opera Saratoga Presents: “Saratoga Sing In,” Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington St., Saratoga Springs. 7 p.m. Tuesday. $15. 518-346-6204 or atuph.org . Witness the depth and breadth of local Capital Region talent in this aria-athon featuring singers from the area, accompanied by the Opera Saratoga music staff. It all culminates in a “Pop-Up Chorus,” where all ticket buyers will be sent a choral number and be led in a group sing-along.
Opera Saratoga Presents: “She Loves Me,” Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington St., Saratoga Springs. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Wednesday (runs through June 29). $33.50-$127.50. 518-346-6204 or atuph.org . The plot revolves around Budapest shop employees Georg and Amalia, who, despite being consistently at odds with each other at work, are unaware that each is the other’s secret pen pal met through lonely-hearts ads.
A Seagle Festival Season Preview, The Sembrich, 4800 Lake Shore Drive, Bolton Landing. 2 p.m. Wednesday. $40. 518-644-2431 or thesembrich.org . Enjoy a taste of Seagle Festival’s 110th Anniversary Season with selections from “The Pirates of Penzance” by Gilbert & Sullivan, “Carmen” by Bizet, “Mayo Buckner” by Tom Cipullo and “Anything Goes” by Cole Porter.
TLI Open Workshops: Techniques of String Quartet Performance, Tanglewood, Studio E, Linde Center for Music and Learning, 3 W. Hawthorne Road, Lenox, Mass. 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. $39. 888-266-1200 or tanglewood.org .
“Top Gun: Maverick” in Concert, Tanglewood, Koussevitzky Music Shed, 297 West St., Lenox, Mass. 8 p.m. Friday. $43-$191. 888-266-1200 or tanglewood.org . The Boston Pops Orchestra with conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos performs music from the blockbuster 2022 movie sequel.
POP, ROCK, FOLK, COUNTRY AND JAZZ
Alive at Five: Lupe Fiasco, Tricentennial Park, Broadway, Albany. 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Free. 518-434-2032 or albanyevents.org . Chicago hip-hop artist and producer. With openers DJ TGIF and Rhakim Ali.
Cold Chocolate, Silver Bay YMCA, 87 Silver Bay Road, Silver Bay. 8 p.m. Saturday. Free. silverbay.org .
Sean Dagher, Irish American Heritage Museum, 21 Quackenbush Square, Albany. 7 p.m. Thursday. $33.42. 518-427-1916 or irish-us.org . An evening of sea shanties for today’s world.
Dark Sarcasm, Strand Theatre, 210 Main St., Hudson Falls. 8 p.m. Saturday. $20-$25. 518-832-3484 or mystrandtheater.org . Pink Floyd tribute.
Dave McClements & Company, Stillwater Public Library, 662 Hudson Ave., Stillwater. 6 p.m. Wednesday. Free. stillwater.sals.edu .
Disco Biscuits Camp Home Again, Bearsville Theater, 291 Tinker St., Woodstock. 5 p.m. Thursday. $76.65-$163.65. 845-684-7133 or bearsvilletheater.com . The two-day event features workshops, meditations, improv and jam sessions and multiple sets by the psychedelic jam band from Philadelphia.
Kathleen Edwards, Bearsville Theater, 291 Tinker St., Woodstock. 8 p.m. Sunday. $37.85-$69.15. 845-684-7133 or bearsvilletheater.com . Canadian alt-country singer-songwriter. With Matt Sucich.
Donny Elvis, Riverfront Park, Broadway, Rensselaer. 6 p.m. Monday. Free. rensselaerny.gov . Elvis Presley tribute artist.
Samantha Fish, Empire Live, 93 N. Pearl St., Albany. 8 p.m. Tuesday. $46-$63. 518-900-5900 or empirelivealbany.com . Blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter. Also on the bill: The Texas Headhunters.
Dom Flemons, Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs. 8 p.m. Friday. $16.27-$32.53. 518-583-0022 or caffelena.org . The banjo player (and more) plays country, blues, bluegrass, folk and early Americana.
Sue Foley, Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs. 7 p.m. Sunday. $24.40-$48.80. 518-583-0022 or caffelena.org . Canadian blues guitarist and singer-songwriter.
Futurebirds, Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock. 8 p.m. Saturday. $46-$58. 845-679-2744 or levonhelm.com . Rock 'n' roll band from Athens, Ga.
The Gold Dinar, Lark Hall, 351 Hudson Ave., Albany. 6 p.m. Thursday. Free. 518-599-5804 or larkhallalbany.com . New Orleans blues-rock duo.
Gold Dust Gypsies, Little Theater on the Farm, 27 Plum Road, Fort Edward. 3 p.m. Sunday. $9-$12. 518-480-5011 or littletheater27.org. Fleetwood Mac tribute.
Gone Grey, Schodack Town Park, Poyneer Road, Schodack. 6 p.m. Tuesday. Free. schodack.org .
Halfway to Christmas Feztacular with Big Fez & the Surfmatics, Freedom Park, 5 Schonowee Ave., Scotia. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Free. freedomparkscotia.com . Surf rockers.
The Hammerhead Horns, Cook Park, Shamrock Parkway, Colonie. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Free. colonievillage.org .
The Hip Abduction, Bearsville Theater, 291 Tinker St., Woodstock. 8 p.m. Saturday. $31.15-$69.15. 845-684-7133 or bearsvilletheater.com . Reggae band from Florida with rock roots.
Eric Hoffman, Empire State Plaza, Madison Avenue, Albany. Noon Wednesday. Free. 518-474-4759 or empirestateplaza.gov . The singer-songwriter plays classic country, rock and hip-hop.
Hudson-Mohawk American Theatre Organ Society, GE Theatre, Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady. Noon Tuesday. Free. 518-346-6204 or proctors.org . Organist, choir director, pianist, composer, recording artist, jazz, pop and classical virtuoso Malcolm Kogut closes the 2024-2025 season.
Humbird, Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs. 7 p.m. Thursday. $11.93-$23.86. 518-583-0022 or caffelena.org . The musical project of singer-songwriter Siri Undlin from the Twin Cities, with deep roots in Minnesota music and the land that surrounds her.
Jazz on Jay: Steve Horowitz Quartet, 104 Jay St., Schenectady. Noon Thursday. Free. jazzonjay.org .
Jazz Vespers, First Reformed Church of Schenectady, 8 N. Church St., Schenectady. 5 p.m. Sunday. Free. 518-377-2201 or frcschenectady.church . With Joe Gitto & Dave Lawrence.
Rickie Lee Jones, Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock. 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. $70-$81. 845-679-2744 or levonhelm.com . Downtown boho rock, R&B, pop and jazz singer-songwriter.
“A Juneteenth Celebration: William James Knapp,” The Sembrich, 4800 Lake Shore Drive, Bolton Landing. 7 p.m. Thursday. $40. 518-644-2431 or thesembrich.org . This talk and musical program will feature music from William James Knapp’s extensive personal collection of sheet music he acquired between 1865 to 1885, which includes popular, classical and parlor music from the Gilded Age. With speaker Dr. Chrisopher Brellochs and baritone LayVon Scott.
Brian Kane, Schaghticoke Town Hall, 290 Northline Drive, Melrose. 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Free. townofschaghticoke.digitaltowpath.org .
Lake George Community Band, Shepard Park, Canada Street, Lake George. 8 p.m. Thursday. Free. lakegeorge.com .
Lena Go Round, Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. $10.85-$21.69. 518-583-0022 or caffelena.org . Songwriter showcase with local musician-comedian Erin Harkes. The lineup for June is Carolyn Shapiro, Cassandra Kubinski, Rich Ortiz and Harkes.
Los Lobos, Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle St., Great Barrington, Mass. 8 p.m. Friday. $46-$76. 413-528-0100 or mahaiwe.org . The Chicano roots rockers from East L.A. have been together for more than 50 years.
Make Music Albany, Lark Hall, 351 Hudson Ave., Albany. Noon Saturday. Free. 518-599-5804 or larkhallalbany.com . An afternoon full of Albany music artists, including: Caity Gallagher, Lovella, Sabrina Trueheart, Kristian Montgomery, Josh Casano, Frankie Cavone, Shannon Tehya, Laura Leigh and Ky McClinton.
Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog, The Egg, Empire State Plaza, Albany. 8 p.m. Wednesday. $39.50-$64.50. 518-473-1845 or theegg.org . Noise rock trio.
Midnight Choir & Josh Clevenstine, Round Lake Auditorium, 2 Wesley Ave., Round Lake. 6 p.m. Wednesday. $20. 518-899-2800 or roundlakeauditorium.org . Bluegrass band and Adirondack folk singer-songwriter.
Monkey & the Rose, Lark Hall, 351 Hudson Ave., Albany. 11 a.m. Sunday. Free-$11. 518-599-5804 or larkhallalbany.com . Members of Monkey and the Crowbar join with members of Stella Rose for acoustic American roots music.
Monsters of Rock Band, Strand Theatre, 210 Main St., Hudson Falls. 8 p.m. Friday. Free-$20. 518-832-3484 or mystrandtheater.org . Tribute band to '80s hair and metal bands like Motley Crue, Poison, Def Leppard, Ozzy Osbourne, Dokken, Whitesnake, Metallica and more.
Mumford & Sons, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs. 7 p.m. Saturday. $44-$499. 800-745-3000 or spac.org . British folk-rock and bluegrass band. With Gigi Perez.
Nicotine Dolls, Empire Live, 93 N. Pearl St., Albany. 8 p.m. Friday. $25-$28. 518-900-5900 or empirelivealbany.com . Indie alt-pop band. Also on the bill: Rachel Bochner.
“PORT (AL),” PS21 Center for Contemporary Performance, 2980 Route 66, Chatham. 8 p.m. Saturday. $17.50-$35. 518-392-6121 or ps21chatham.org . An epic new work charting the Brooklyn Navy Yard and a history of women’s work in New York, co-created by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Jad Abumrad, Paola Prestini, Jessica Grindstaff, Ogemdi Ude and a chorus of more than 50 young singers.
Powersiren, Little Theater on the Farm, 27 Plum Road, Fort Edward. 7 p.m. Friday. $9-$12. 518-480-5011 or littletheater27.org .
Raising Your Voice for CASA Kids, GE Theatre, Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady. 6 p.m. Wednesday. $39.50. 518-346-6204 or proctors.org . Singing competition for people ages 11-24 to raise money for the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program which benefits children who have been abused, neglected and sexually assaulted in Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady courts.
The Refrigerators, Brunswick Community Center, 18 Keyes Lane, Troy. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Free. townofbrunswick.org . Party band.
Tammy Renee, Pine Grove Community Church, 59 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs. 6 p.m. Friday. 518-450-1254 or thegrovess.com . Gospel singer.
Rock the Block: Against the Grayne, Canal Square, 72 Remsen St., Cohoes. 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Free. ci.cohoes.ny.us . Grunge cover band.
Rockin’ on the River: Skeeter Creek, Riverfront Park, 255 Front St., Troy. 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Free. 518-212-7397 or downtowntroyny.org . Country band. With opener Chris Sanders.
Rotterdam Town Band and Jazz Band, Rotterdam Senior Center, 2639 Hamburg St., Rotterdam. 6:30 p.m. Monday. Free. rotterdamny.org .
Shawn Colvin and Rodney Crowell, Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle St., Great Barrington, Mass. 8 p.m. Saturday. $44-$79. 413-528-0100 or mahaiwe.org . The Grammy-winning veteran folk and country singer-songwriters team up on stage.
“SLOC Sings the 90s,” Schenectady Light Opera Company, 427 Franklin St., Schenectady. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $25. 518-730-7370 or sloctheater.org . Dan Galliher and his band deliver your favorite hits from the '90s, spanning multiple genres and artists.
Chris Stapleton, MVP Arena, 51 S. Pearl St., Albany. 7:30 p.m. Friday. $131-$617. 800-745-3000 or mvparena.com . Soulful country-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter. With Maggie Rose.
TV Doctors, Lark Hall, 351 Hudson Ave., Albany. 6 p.m. Friday. Free. 518-599-5804 or larkhallalbany.com . Experimental instrumental trio.
Waking the Cadaver, Empire Underground, 93 N. Pearl St., Albany. 6:30 p.m. Saturday. $20-$25. 518-900-5900 or empirelivealbany.com . Death metal from New Jersey. Also on the bill: Intrusive, Invoke Thy Wrath, Sickbay.
Dionne Warwick, The Egg, Empire State Plaza, Albany. 8 p.m. Friday. $79.50-$139.50. 518-473-1845 or theegg.org . The pop and R&B legend performs the “Last Hurrah” closing party before The Egg temporarily closes in July for renovations. Capital Region Jubilee Ensemble opens the show. A pre-show celebration toast takes place from 6 to 7 p.m.
Dance
“The Center Will Not Hold”: A Dorrance Dance Production, Jacob’s Pillow, Ted Shawn Theatre, 358 George Carter Road, Beckett, Mass. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (runs through June 29). $65-$99. 413-243-0745 or jacobspillow.org . Jacob’s Pillow fan favorites and close collaborators Michelle Dorrance and Ephrat Asherie open the first day of Festival 2025 with a lively celebration of street, club and vernacular dances, born from their many years of creating together.
Prehistoric Body Theater, Jacob’s Pillow, Henry J. Leir Stage, 358 George Carter Road, Beckett, Mass. 5:30 p.m. Wednesday (also Thursday, June 26). $35-$40. 413-243-0745 or jacobspillow.org . Festival 2025 kicks off with the experimental dance theater collective from Indonesia, channeling dinosaurs as they explore themes of mass extinction, climate crisis and evolutionary ancestry through movement.
TLI Presents: Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Tanglewood, Studio E, Linde Center for Music and Learning, 3 W. Hawthorne Road, Lenox, Mass. 1 p.m. Saturday. $49. 888-266-1200 or tanglewood.org . “Onward Still,” an original dance work by Ken Ossola.
Stage
“The Angel Next Door,” Curtain Call Theatre, 1 Jeanne Jugan Lane, Latham. 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday (runs through June 29). $33.50. 518-877-7529 or curtaincalltheatre.com . In Paul Slade Smith’s adaptation of Ferenc Molnár’s classic farce, “Play at the Castle,” we’re transported to a mansion in Newport, R.I., where the young Oliver Adams is on the brink of success. His debut novel is about to be published, or is it?
“Beauty and the Beast,” Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady. 8 p.m. Wednesday (runs through July 3). $35.50-$160.50. 518-346-6204 or proctors.org . The Tony-winning stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning animated Disney movie based on the classic French fairy tale.
“Bell” & “Lineage,” Sand Lake Center for the Arts, 2880 NY 43, Averill Park. 7 p.m. Friday. Free-$8. 518-674-2007 or slca-ctp.org . Hudson Valley Writers Guild performs radio-style performances of two short plays from local playwrights, K. A. Laity and Eric Eichorn.
“First, Do No Harm,” Harvey’s Restaurant & Bar, 14 Phila St., Saratoga Springs. 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free. 518-584-7780 or itheatresaratoga.org . iTheatre Saratoga, Our Lodge Foundation and Harvey’s Restaurant & Bar present a reading of J. Thalia Cunningham’s play for Juneteenth.
“Guys and Dolls,” Mac-Haydn Theatre, 1925 NY 203, Chatham. 2 and 8 p.m. Thursday; 7 p.m. Friday; 4 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday; 2 p.m. Wednesday (runs through July 6). $50. 518-392-9292 or machaydntheatre.org . In 1950’s New York, a gambler is challenged by his fellow high-roller to take a cold female missionary to Havana, but they fall for each other, and the bet has a hidden motive to finance a crap game, in this musical based on the Damon Runyon gangster stories set in the 1920s and 1930s.
“Kinky Boots,” Fort Salem Theater, 11 East Broadway, Salem. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday (runs through July 6). $20-$38. 518-584-9200 or fortsalem.com . Based on a true story and the 2005 movie, this Tony-winning musical follows Charlie Price, a factory owner struggling to save his family’s shoe business, and Lola, a fabulous drag queen who helps him find an unexpected solution.
“Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot,” Boyd-Quinson Theater, Barrington Stage Company, 30 Union St., Pittsfield, Mass. 7 p.m. Wednesday (runs through July 19). $35-$55. 413-236-8888 or barringtonstageco.org . The classic musical based on the legend of King Arthur, Queen Guenevere and the Knights of the Round Table.
“Mercedes, Part I,” Hubbard Hall, 25 E. Main St., Cambridge. 5 p.m. Thursday. Free. 518-677-2495 or hubbardhall.org . Conceived and created by Modesto Flako Jimenez, this reading and artist discussion of this new multidisciplinary project. It brings viewers into a poetic recreation of the Bushwick home where he was raised by his grandmother Mercedes after he arrived from the Dominican Republic.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Sand Lake Center for the Arts, 2880 NY 43, Averill Park. 7 p.m. Friday. Free. 518-674-2007 or slca-ctp.org . The Rooted Voyageurs present Shakespeare’s tale of magic, transformation and mischief.
“N/A,” St. Germain Stage, Barrington Stage Company, 36 Linden St., Pittsfield, Mass. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Saturday; 7:30 p.m. Friday; 3 p.m. Sunday. $35-$45. 413-236-8888 or barringtonstageco.org . Mario Correa’s new play about the battle of ideals behind closed doors between N, the first woman Speaker of the House, and A, the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. Inspired by real-life political leaders and events, this comedy lets you see the sparks fly when a trailblazer and a firebrand collide.
“The Victim,” Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble St., Lenox, Mass. 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Tuesday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesday (runs through July 20). $22-$68. 413-637-3353 or shakespeare.org . The season kicks off with the world premiere of Lawrence Goodman’s play featuring three interconnected monologues from: a successful New York doctor whose racial diversity training has gone horribly wrong; a health aide grappling with racism during the COVID-19 pandemic; and a Holocaust survivor facing her own horror on the way back to love and healing.
Film
“The Age of Innocence,” The Sembrich, 4800 Lake Shore Drive, Bolton Landing. 7:30 p.m. Monday. Free. 518-644-2431 or thesembrich.org . (U.S., 1993) A tale of 19 th -century New York high society in which a young lawyer falls in love with a woman separated from her husband, while he is engaged to the woman’s cousin. Based on the Edith Wharton novel and partially filmed in Troy.
Buster Keaton Shorts with Live Organ (Program #2), GE Theatre, Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady. 7 p.m. Tuesday. $7-$10. 518-346-6204 or proctors.org . Four classic comedy shorts from the silent film actor, filmmaker, stuntman and genius. With live organ accompaniment from Carl Hackert.
“Moana 2,” Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St., Saratoga Springs. 2 p.m. Saturday. Free. 518-584-7860 or sspl.org . (U.S./Canada, 2024) After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.
Movies Under the Stars: “Dog Man,” Ridgefield Park, 13 Partridge St., Albany. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Free. lovealbany.org . (U.S., 2025) After a policeman and his police dog are fused together to turn into Dog Man, he must stop the villainous Petey the Cat from cloning himself and creating an evil kitten, doubling his evil abilities.
“Paddington in Peru,” Albany Public Library — North Albany Branch, 616 N. Pearl St., Albany. 5 p.m. Wednesday. Free. 518-427-4300 or albanypubliclibrary.org . (U.K./France/Japan/U.S., 2024) Paddington returns to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru (In Spanish).
“Playtime,” Strand Theatre, 210 Main St., Hudson Falls. 7 p.m. Thursday. Free. 518-832-3484 or mystrandtheater.org . (France/Italy, 1967) Monsieur Hulot (writer-director Jacques Tati) has to contact an American official in Paris, but he gets lost in the maze of modern architecture which is filled with the latest technical gadgets. Caught in the tourist invasion, Hulot roams around Paris with a group of American tourists, causing chaos in his usual manner.
QFEST at Proctors presents: “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” GE Theatre, Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady. 7 p.m. Thursday. $7-$10. 518-346-6204 or proctors.org . (Canada/U.S., 2001) A gender-queer punk rock singer from East Berlin tours the U.S. with her band as she tells her life story and follows the former lover/bandmate who stole her songs.
SCI: FI Schenectady FilmFest, various locations in Schenectady. Friday-Sunday. $55.20. scifischenectadyfilmfest.com . The inaugural cinematic event features award-winning features, a curated series of international and domestic shorts, cult classics, science-inspired films, expert panel presentations, an interactive science future exhibition and out-of-this-world parties. Venues are: Proctors’ GE Theatre, Armory Studios NY, Scene One Cinemas Movieland and miSci Museum of Science and Innovation.
Comedy
Chortle Combat, The Mopco Improv Theatre, 10 N. Jay St., Schenectady. 8 p.m. Saturday. $9-$18. 518-577-6726 or mopco.org . Three improv giants take turns with an elite team of comedy pros in an all-out battle for laughs, glory and the ultimate title.
Eric McMahon & Guests, The Comedy Works, 388 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 8 p.m. Friday; 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday. $20-$25. 877-565-3849 or thecomedyworks.com/saratoga . Stand-up comedy.
Mopco and Chill, The Mopco Improv Theatre, 10 N. Jay St., Schenectady. 8 p.m. Friday. $8-$16. 518-577-6726 or mopco.org . And evening of favorite improv formats: Bollix Manor, Twilight Zone!, 2 on the Aisle or a game show.
Anthony Rodia, Funny Bone Comedy Club Restaurant, Crossgates Mall, Guilderland. 7 p.m. Friday; 6:30 and 9 p.m. Saturday. $37-$47. 518-313-7484 or albany.funnybone.com . Stand-up comedy.
Words & Ideas
Community Day, MASS MoCA, 1040 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, Mass. Saturday. Free. 413-662-2111 or massmoca.org . The daylong event includes: public tours, kids’ art-making activities, art talks, family story time, photography presentations, vocal workshop with Martha Redbone, arts talks and a concert by R&B, folk, soul and Native American singer Redbone ($46-$53).
Elizabeth Benedict & Binnie Kirshenbaum, New York State Summer Writers Institute, Skidmore College, Davis Auditorium, 815 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 8 p.m. Monday. Free. 518-580-5593 or skidmore.edu . Readings and discussions with fiction writers Benedict (“Slow Dancing,” “Almost”) and Kirshenbaum (“Hester Among the Ruins,” “History on a Personal Note”).
Garth Greenwell & Megan Fernandes , New York State Summer Writers Institute, Skidmore College, Davis Auditorium, 815 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 8 p.m. Tuesday. Free. 518-580-5593 or skidmore.edu . Readings and discussions with fiction writer Greenwell (“Cleanness,” “Small Rain”) and poet Fernandes (“I Do Everything I’m Told,” “Good Boys”).
Sue Halpern, Northshire Bookstore, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 6 p.m. Tuesday. $6.68 (advance tickets required). 518-682-4200 or northshire.com . The author of “Summer Hours at the Robbers Library ” will discuss her new book, “What We Leave Behind,” with Joe Donahue of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
Honor Moore & Hannah Assadi, New York State Summer Writers Institute, Skidmore College, Davis Aduitorium, 815 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 8 p.m. Wednesday. Free. 518-580-5593 or skidmore.edu . Readings and discussions with nonfiction writer Moore (“The Bishop’s Daughter: A Memoir,” “Our Revolution: A Mother and Daughter at Midcentury”) and fiction writer Assadi (“Sonara,” “The Stars Are Not Yet Bells”).
Wally Lamb, Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 6 p.m. Wednesday. $22.41-$48.25 (advance tickets required). 518-682-4200 or northshire.com . The bestselling novelist (“She’s Come Undone,” “I Know This Much Is True”) discusses his new book, “The River Is Waiting,” with Joe Donahue of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
Local Author Spotlight — Multi-Author Signing, Northshire Bookstore, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 2 p.m. Sunday. Free. 518-682-4200 or northshire.com . The attending authors are: Paula Fidalgo (“They Even Took My Shoes”); Shelly Hagen (“I Do: A Planner for Your Perfect Wedding Day”); Carol Harblin (“Grandpa Why Do We Pray?”); Chris Lewit (“The Secrets of Spanish Tennis 2.0”); and Isaac Rudansky (“Georgie Summers and the Scribes of Scatterplot”).
Severin Moro, The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, 1475 Western Ave., Albany. 5:30 p.m. Friday. Free. 518-489-4761 or bhny.com . The author signs and discusses his latest book, “Lydia.”
“A Prairie Home Companion,” Tanglewood, Koussevitzky Music Shed, 297 West St., Lenox, Mass. 7 p.m. Saturday. $35-$119. 888-266-1200 or tanglewood.org . The longtime, live public radio variety show (1974-2014) hosted by Garrison Keillor follows its 50 th anniversary tour with a return to Tanglewood.
“Saratoga’s Black Heritage,” Ulysses S. Grant Cottage, 1000 Mt. McGregor Road, Wilton. 1 p.m. Thursday. 518-584-4353 or grantcottage.org . In celebration of Juneteenth, join author and historian Field Horne of the Saratoga County History Center as he explores the stories and impact of blacks in the Saratoga area of New York over the past 300 years.
“Speed — Style — Legacy: The Corvette Story,” Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St., Saratoga Springs. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Free. 518-584-7860 or sspl.org . Representatives from the Saratoga Automobile Museum offer a special presentation about their latest exhibit.
Third Thursday Poetry Night, Albany Social Justice Center, 33 Central Ave., Albany. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. $5. 518-434-4037 or albanysocialjusticecenter.org . Featured poet: Rhonda Rosenheck.
True Crime Writers in Conversation: Dr. Jerry C. Drake, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Colonie Center. Wolf Road, Colonie. 1 p.m. Saturday. Free. 518-438-1728 or bn.com . Celebrate the publication of the author’s true crime account, “Hazel was a Good Girl: Solving the Murder that Inspired Twin Peaks . ” Drake will be joined by Ron Hughes and Leza Cantoral for a conversation about this case and more. Books will be available for purchase and a book signing will follow the authors' conversation.
“Women in Preservation: New York State Parks’ Historic Sites and the Women Who Saved Them,” Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St., Saratoga Springs. Noon Tuesday. Free. 518-584-7860 or sspl.org . Amanda Massie, Senior Curator of New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation examines the way women in New York State participated in the early preservation of historic sites at the end of the 19th century and into the early 20th century, helping to save many of our historic places.
Fairs & Festivals
10 th Annual Saratoga Pride Festival, High Rock Park, 112 High Rock Ave., Saratoga Springs. 2-5 p.m. Saturday. Free. saratogapride.com . With live music, a drag show, community vendors, family friendly activities and more.
66 th Annual Strawberry Festival, Sand Lake Baptist Church, 2960 NY-43, Averill Park. 1-5 p.m. Saturday. 518-674-3316 or sandlakebaptistchurch.org .
Albany Anime-Fest, Crowne Plaza: The Desmond Hotel, 660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Free-$20. albanyanimefest.com . Exhibitors showcasing anime candy, magazines, toys, video games, anime manga, cosplay, artwork sketches, apparel and jewelry. In addition, a roster of anime industry professionals and fandom-related celebrities will be in attendance.
Albany Water Lantern Festival, Empire State Plaza, Madison Avenue, Albany. 6 p.m. Friday. Free-$89.02. waterlanternfestival.com . An evening filled with food trucks, music, activities and thousands of lanterns lighting up the night with love, hope and happiness.
Bethlehem Pride Festival 2025, First United Methodist Church, 428 Kenwood Ave., Delmar. Noon Saturday. Free. bethlehempride.com . The festival will take place across three parking lots, with a stage, food vendors and more than 40 arts and crafts and nonprofit vendors.
NY Capital District Renaissance Festival, Indian Ladder Farms, 342 Altamont Road, Altamont. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free-$80. 518-414-5495 or nycapitaldistrictrenfest.com . The 11 th annual festival features Renaissance-style craftsman, jousting, sword fights, blacksmiths, jewelers, costume makers, food vendors, a pub crawl, children’s activities and all-day musical performances.
Albany County SummerFest & Trail Run, Lawson Lake County Park, 293 Lawson Lake Road, Feura Bush. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Free. 518-447-7000 or albanycountyny.gov . Featuring live music from several local acts, food and drink, kids and family activities, kayaking and several competitive trail runs.
Family Fun
19 th Annual Caribbean Day in the Park, Prospect Park, 65 Prospect Park Road, Troy. Noon-7 P.M. Saturday. Free. 772-708-8430 and lmrecords.biz . Hosted by L & M Records, the day features Caribbean foods, live music and entertainment, kids’ activities and games and more.
Last Hurrah Open House, The Egg, Empire State Plaza, Albany. 2 p.m. Saturday. Free with RSVP ($15 suggested donation). 518-473-1845 or theegg.org . An all-ages hangout with games, movies and music. If you can’t make it to one of our Last Hurrah ticketed shows, this is an opportunity to check out The Egg before it temporarily closes for renovations in July. For the first time ever, The Egg turns into a giant arcade. The Hart Theatre Lobby will be packed with classic arcade games, giant board games by Upstate Jamboree, 16 player foosball, sit-down racing games, pinball, air hockey and more. There are screenings of “Wreck-It Ralpn” and “Jumanji” in the Swyer Theatre, Rock Band multiplayer video game. DJ2NDCH! LD will be spinning tunes in the lobby. And the New York State Museum, New York State Library and New York State Archives will also have booths with historical content related to The Egg and Empire State Plaza, plus info on reading and education resources.
Saratoga Springs 4 th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, Saratoga Regional YMCA, 290 West Ave., Saratoga Springs. 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Free. 518-852-3859. Circle of Friends Community tabling of artists, organizations and local efforts, plus family-oriented workshops; Juneteenth Cultural Program; m usic, poetry, interpretive dance, history, performance and more.
Thursdays in the Park: Bubble Trouble with Jeff Boyer, Elm Street Park, 261 Elm Ave., Delmar. 6 p.m. Thursday. Free. 518-439-9314 or bethlehempubliclibrary.org .
Zerbini Family Circus, Warren County Field, 377 Schroon River Road, Warrensburg. 3 p.m. Sunday. $7-$15. zerbinifamilycircus.com . A traveling one-ring circus under the big top, just like in the old days.
Auditions
Schenectady Civic Players, 12 S. Church St., Schenectady. 7 p.m. Tuesday (also Thursday, June 26). Free. 518-382-2081 or civicplayers.org . Needed: actors for an October production of “The Girl on the Train,” based on the thriller novel by Paula Hawkins.
