Looking For Something Fun to Do?! 2025 (and Birthday) Edition
Around Town With Amy Modesti's Weekly Events from May 5-May 11,2025
Happy Taurus Season! My birthday week has arrived! Two more days to go until I turn 36 on Friday! Where did this past year go?! Happy Mother’s Day weekend to all the mothers, mother-like figures, and fathers who are present for their family and loved ones! May you have a nice weekend ahead!
It’s been a while since I’ve made any weekly/bi-weekly event updates as life has been keeping me busy. Be sure to check out this week’s listing and help plan out your week!! If you have an event that needs to be added onto the list that I might have missed, please feel free to send it to me. If you’re also interested in being featured in an “Around Town” story or have me work with you on your creative needs, please contact me for serious inquiries! Thank you so much!
-Amy (5/7/2025)
Around Town With Amy Modesti Event Happenings: Week of May 5-11,2025
Arts News
Make Your Own Wedding Ring Workshop (TROY, NY): Wedding season is soon upon us now that the Spring solstice has finally arrived. To all couples who want to learn how to make a handcrafted wedding band, be sure to sign up for a one-day private studio session at Sawtooth Jewelry Studio (located at 193 River Street, Troy, NY). Couples will work with an instructor to create a pair of wedding bands in a metal and a design of their choice. To learn more information on the class, stop by the Sawtooth Jewelry Studio to speak to store owner, Maria Levin, or email Emily at her email address, emily@sawtoothjewelry.com. You can also check out a teaser of the wedding ring workshop at the video link: Sawtooth Jewelry Wedding Workshop Promo on Vimeo.
Staging Area: A Barn Raising in Two Parts (Part One), (GHENT, NY): Art Omi presents Staging Area: A Barn Raising in Two Parts (Part One). The exhibit, located inside the Newmark Gallery, features the work of designer, Erin Besler. Beaker’s work focuses on the communal and active dimensions of a barn raising, an event which reveals the social possibilities embedded on a construction site. For this exhibit, Besler invites her audience to consider the exchange, skill sharing, and building practices that foster systems of reciprocity and community over individualism and profit. The exhibit opened March 15 and will run through Summer 2025 when Part Two will be situated inside the Sculpture and Architecture Park as a barn frame. For additional information on the exhibit, go to Art Omi’s website at Staging Area: A Barn Raising in Two Parts - Art Omi.
Save The Date to Attend Art Omi NYC Benefit (New York, NY): Do you want to help keep Art Omi running in Columbia County? Save the date to attend the Francis J. Greenburger Art Omi NYC Benefit, June 4,2025, 4:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. The benefit event will be held at the Bryant Park Grill at Bryant Park in New York City. At 7:30 p.m. guests are welcome to watch a Broadway production of Gypsy, starring Audra McDonald, or watch the new musical, Buena Vista Social Club. Proceeds from the NYC event will benefit Art Omi. To purchase sponsorships or tickets, and for additional information, contact Lux Krueger, senior development manager at lkrueger@artomi.org, or by calling (518)-392-4747. Click on the link for the upcoming benefit here: Art Omi NYC Benefit 2025 - Art Omi.
Poster and illustration by Ottavia Huang
“Sketching Joy: The Heart of Everyday Moments” Opening Reception at Saratoga Uncommon Grounds (SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY): Illustrator, Ottavia Huang’s current exhibition, “Sketching Joy: The Heart of Everyday Moments”, opened to the public Sunday, April 27. Coming up on Thursday, May 8, visitors will be able to check out Huang’s 50 plus illustrations, including works from a new art series that Huang has been working on. The reception will be held from 5-7pm at the Saratoga Springs Uncommon Grounds, located at 1402 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. Guests are encouraged to bring their sketchbooks and join Huang in some sketching, coffee, and light refreshments. The opening is free to the public. The exhibition will remain on view through June 1,2025.
Poster Courtesy of Albany Center Gallery
Capital Walls Art in Public Places Walking Tour (ALBANY, NY): Albany Center Gallery and the #CapitalWalls team will be putting on a FREE walking mural tour, held rain or shine, in Downtown Albany, NY, Thursday, May 8,2025, 5:30-7pm. Visitors can see 12 plus art pieces that are part of the Capital Walls Program and learn about the ins and outs of how a mural comes to life. TrashKID Art (Jade Warrick), a #CapitalWalls muralists will join the tour and talk about their mural, “Escape to Nature: Where Peace Awaits”. There is limited availability for the tour, and it is a first come, first serve basis, so registration is required. Meet up time is at 5:30pm at Albany Center Gallery (located at 488 Broadway, Suite 107, Albany, NY 12207). Register now at the link: Register for the May 8 Capital Walls Walking Tour.
Poster courtesy of Albany Center Gallery
“Sketching Joy: The Heart of Everyday Moments” Opening Reception at Saratoga Uncommon Grounds (SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY): Illustrator, Ottavia Huang’s current exhibition, “Sketching Joy: The Heart of Everyday Moments”, opened to the public Sunday, April 27. Coming up on Thursday, May 8, visitors will be able to check out Huang’s 50 plus illustrations, including works from a new art series that Huang has been working on. The reception will be held from 5-7pm at the Saratoga Springs Uncommon Grounds, located at 1402 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. Guests are encouraged to bring their sketchbooks and join Huang in some sketching, coffee, and light refreshments. The opening is free to the public. The exhibition will remain on view through June 1,2025.
Spring Market 2025 At Arlene’s (COLONIE, NY): Do you want to support your local artists and purchase some art for your mother this weekend? Go and attend the Spring Market 2025 held on the grounds of Arlene’s Artist Materials (located at 57 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12205), Saturday, May 10,2025, 11am-4pm. This event is free and open to the public.
Spring Sip & Shop at Hildene (MANCHESTER, VT): Friends and members of Hildene The Lincoln Family Home are invited to go to Hildene’s Museum Store Friday, May 9,2025, for an evening of sips, snacks, and shopping. Shopping time will take place from 5-7pm. Guests will be able to meet the director of retail operations and guest services, Sarah Blair, and meet Shawn Braley (painter and illustrator) and Nick Arakawa (woodcrafter). Shoppers can get 20% off their purchase at the gift shop, just in time for Mother’s Day. Hildene is located at 1005 Hildene Rd, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
Community Events
John Wiswell Celebrates Someone You Can Build a Nest In (COLONIE, NY): Award-winning author, John Wiswell, will be making a visit to Barnes & Noble at Colonie Center, Saturday, May 10,2025 to celebrate the release of his new paperback book, Someone You Can Build a Nest With, beginning at 1pm. The book is “a modern monster story with a tender heart that is emotionally intelligent and engages in reality and the humanity of its characters”, according to the Barnes & Noble website. Readers who wish to have their book signed by the author must purchase a book prior to attending the signing. At the request of Wiswell, masks are strongly encouraged for this event. Visit the Barnes & Noble website for more information at the link: John Wiswell celebrates SOMEONE YOU CAN BUILD A NEST IN.
2024 Canstruction design of the Crayola Crayons on display inside Crossgates Mall, Friday, May 17,2024. Photo taken by Amy L. Modesti of ALM Fine Art & Photography/Around Town With Amy Modesti
Canstruction returns to Crossgates Mall with its theme, “Lights, Canmera, Action” (ALBANY, NY): The cans have returned to Crossgates Mall Tuesday, May 5, and it’s all for an amazing cause! Canstruction is an annual exhibit and design competition which connects talented architects, designers, contractors, and students to imagine and create colossal structures that are made from canned food goods. The can structures will be on view for two weeks and help raise awareness of food insecurity in the Capital Region while highlighting the local talent of design firms. All of the canned goods, after the exhibit, will be donated to The Food Pantries for the Capital District to help feed families in the Capital Region. The exhibit will run from May 5-May 19,2025. The exhibit is free and open to the public during Crossgates Mall’s hours of operation.
Courage & Cancer, An Evening of Stories (TROY, NY): The NYOH Community Cancer Foundation is hosting the third annual Courage & Cancer: An Evening of Stories Fundraiser, Wednesday, May 7,2025 at the Hilton Garden Inn (located at 235 Hoosick St., Troy, NY,12180), 5:30-8:00pm. Cancer survivors come up to the stage to share their personal stories. The program will include a light buffet dinner, cash bar, raffle prizes, and a storytelling program. General admission price for a ticket is $60 and can be purchased online. More information on the event and organization can be found here: Evening of Stories - NYOH Community Cancer Foundation.
Opening Day with Tri City Valley Cats Begins May 9 (TROY, NY): It’s time to “Play Ball”!! Baseball season has arrived, and the Tri City Valley Cats are ready to open up the 2025 season at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium! Go and see the Tri City Valley Cats against the Brockton Sox, Friday, May 9,2025, beginning at 6:30pm. There will be post-game fireworks and complimentary magnet schedules. Tickets for the game can be purchased online at www.tcvalleycats.com. Joseph L. Bruno Stadium is located at 80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180.
Dance Events
Wednesday Night Swing and Blues with The Tyler Wescott Trio at The Linda - WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio (ALBANY, NY): Come learn how to East Coast Swing and listen to the Tyler Wescott Trio perform live for the first time as part of the Wednesday Night Swing and Blues event held Wednesday, May 7,2025 at The Linda - WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio (located at 326 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206), 7:00-9:30 pm. A free East Coast Swing dance lesson will be instructed by Jason Fenton (7-7:30pm). DJed music in between live music sets will be provided and include the Shim Sham Shimmy, the Disco Bus Stop, and The Electric Slide line dances led by the dancers. The cost to attend the music and dance event is $20. Tickets can be purchased online at www.thelinda.org, at the door, or by calling The Linda at (518)-465-5233. For more information about the event and future events, contact Albany Swing Dancing on Facebook.
Music Events
The Queers at Empire Underground (ALBANY, NY): In the mood to hear some live, local music in Albany?! Go and see The Queers, Trauma School Dropouts, Uncle Frank Says No, and The Unintelligents inside Empire Underground, Wednesday, May 7,2025. Pre-sale tickets for the show are $20, and tickets are $25 on the day of the show. The doors for the show open at 6pm, with the show beginning at 7pm. The show is for patrons ages 16-years-old and over with a valid ID. Empire Underground is located at 93 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY. Learn more about the event on the Uncle Frank Says No, Upstate Black N Blue, Empire Live Albany, and The Queers Facebook pages.
Mark Hummel and Ansom Fundergurgh at The Hangar on the Hudson (TROY, NY): The Hangar on the Hudson and the Capital Region Blues Network are proud to present Mark Hummel and guitarist, Ansom Funderburgh to the City of Troy, NY Thursday, May 8,2025 at The Hangar on The Hudson (located at 675 River Street, Troy, NY 12180). Grammy-nominated, Blues Award-winning harp blower, singer, author, and producer, Mark Hummel, is known in the blues scene for his concise harmonica playing while Funderburgh is known for his guitar playing. Tickets for this show are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the show. The concert will be held from 8-11pm. For more information on how to obtain tickets, check out the event page via EventBrite: Mark Hummel & Anson Funderburgh Tickets, Thu, May 8, 2025, at 8:00 PM | Eventbrite.
Ain’t No Strangers Live at The Greatful Den (GLENS FALLS, NY): Looking for some music to listen to in the City of Glens Falls, NY?! Go and see the band, Ain’t No Strangers perform live, Friday, May 9,2025 at The Greatful Den (located at 56 Hudson Ave, Glens Falls, NY) from 8-11 p.m. For more information about the band’s show, go to The Greatful Den’s Facebook page.
“Matty D’s Birthday Bash with special guest 5x5” at Nanola (MALTA, NY): Matty Desrochers’ birthday is on Saturday, May 10, and to celebrate his upcoming birthday a day in advance, he will be putting on a birthday rock n’ roll birthday party with live music from his band, Hinger Geezus and 5x5 opening up the show. Join in on the birthday fun Friday, May 9,2025, 7pm-11:45 pm at Nanola (located at 2639 State Route 9, Ballston Spa, NY 12020). For more information on the show, head over to the Ginger Geezus, 5ive x 5ive, and the Matty D Facebook event page.
“A Brothers Revival - The Music of The Allman Brothers” (HUDSON FALLS, NY): Are you a fan of the music of The Allman Brothers Band? Come over to the Strand Theatre (located at 210 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839) Friday, May 9,2025 to listen to former bassist of the Allman Brothers, David “Rook” Goldflies perform alongside his band members, Mike Kach, Jack Judge, Eric Cohen, Dan Goldberg, and Luke Mattessich. The show is from 8:00-10:30 pm. Tickets are $35 for the orchestra section (the first three rows), $30 floor seats, and $25 for balcony seating. Tickets can be purchased for the event on Brown Paper Tickets: A Brothers Revival - The Music of The Allman Brothers. More information on the event can be found on The Strand Theatre Hudson Falls Facebook page.
Chris Sanders solo at Rustic Barn Pub (TROY, NY): Wynantskill resident, Chris Sanders, is a talented singer-songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist who’s known for his dynamic acoustic performances. Sanders blends heartfelt original music with a mix of country, rock, and metal covers. Go and see Chris Sanders perform for free at Rustic Barn Pub (located at 150 Speigletown Rd, Troy, NY 12182), Friday, May 9,2025, 7-10pm. For more information, go to the Rustic Barn Pub and Chris Sanders Facebook pages.
Brian Kane Solo at Hill Creek Tavern (TROY, NY): Guitarist and vocalist Brian Kane will be making a solo appearance performing cover tunes inside the Hill Creek Tavern (formerly the Brunswick BBQ & Brew) Friday, May 9,2025, beginning at 6:00pm. Hill Creek Tavern is located at 3925 Rt-2, Troy, NY 12180. For more information, check out Brian Kane and The Beginning on Facebook.
Lake George DJ Takeover Music & Arts Festival Friday, May 9-Saturday, May 10,2025 Festival Commons/Wood Park, 17 West Brook Road, Lake George, NY 12845, (LAKE GEORGE, NY): This year’s Lake George DJ Takeover Music & Arts Festival is a two-day main stage and electronic dance music festival with multiple music areas that will showcase headlining DJs from all over the East Coast in many genres of EDM. Friday evening’s entertainment will be provided by Disco Fries, Gina Turner, JunglePunk, and Ming (4-10 p.m.). Saturday’s entertainment will be provided by Ronnie Rave, Chris Allen, DJ Prophet, DJ Agent Orange, Joeski, Sydney Blu, and Shane Sitel (12-10 p.m.). This event is a US Veteran owned, mega music event. For additional information, go to www.lgdjfest.com.
“Doc, Liz, and Tom” to Perform at Stump City Brewing LLC (GLOVERSVILLE, NY): Do you have plans to take your mother to hear some music during Mother’s Day weekend? Go and watch Doc, Liz, and Tom Metallo perform live at Stump City Brewing LLC, a place that offers rotating NYS beer, cider, and spirits on nine taps, Saturday, May 10,2025, 5-8pm. Stump City Brewing LLC is located at 521 W Fulton St Ext, Gloversville, NY. For more information on the show and event, go to Facebook.
Hammer & Nail at Helderberg Mountain Brewing Company (EAST BERNE, NY): Saturday, May 10 is percussionist and drummer Bob Resnick’s birthday. Come and watch Bob and his Americana band, Hammer and Nail, perform under the pavilion at the Helderberg Mountain Brewing Company (located at 83 Main Street, East Berne, NY 12059), 4-7pm. The band, also featuring Peter Bearup and Gene Lemme, will perform some obscure tunes and other Americana music. This free show will also include a food truck and birthday cake. To learn more about the show, go to Hammer and Nails Facebook page.
Mother’s Day Festivities
Mother’s Day Buffet at Brunswick Elks Lodge (TROY, NY): Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, mother-like figures, and fathers who are raising their children on this holiday. Come and celebrate your loved one on Mother’s Day at the Brunswick Elks Lodge #2556 (located at 665 Brunswick Rd, Troy, NY 12180), Sunday, May 11,2025. The buffet will be in a breakfast style with eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs, omelets, pancakes, French toast, home fries, sausage, bacon, fresh fruit, pastries, toast, coffee, tea, juices, and cereal boxes for children. Reservations are required to attend the buffet. Please call Mike at (518)-286-1645 or message the Brunswick Elks Lodge Facebook page. The buffet is $20 for adults, $10 for children under 12-years-old, and children under 5-years-old are free. Proceeds from the event will benefit local charities.
CCCC Mother’s Day Concert at The Strand Theatre (HUDSON FALLS, NY): The Cooper’s Cave Composer Consortium (CCCC) will have its 4th Annual concert on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, beginning at 3pm inside the Strand Theatre (located at 210 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839). This specific program will showcase a program of original compositions, including several world premieres and performances from new members. This event will feature quartets with music written for four instruments. Featured music composers include Lucas Garrett, John Benware, J.P. Hubbs, Eddie Jowels, Jonathan Newell, Anthime Miller, and Cathrine Reid. Since 2022, the organization, founded by Anthime Reid and Catherine Reid, the collaborative of composers from the Glens Falls area come together to enrich the local music scene by performing new, innovative works. Tickets for the show will be available at the door and online. A $20 suggested donation is encouraged, but no concert goers will be turned away for lack of funds.