Looking For Something Fun to Do?! Birthday Edition
Around Town With Amy Modesti Weekly Events from May 6-May 12 and Beyond
Welcome back to another edition of Around Town With Amy Modesti!! This edition of “Looking for Something Fun to Do?!” is a special one since less than 24 hours, it will be my 35th trip around the sun, if you catch my drift!!
Thank you to those who have sent over their early birthday greetings so far! And a special thank you to the McLaughlin family for treating their son, Brendan & I to our birthday dinner, dessert, and gifts last Wednesday! It was certainly a special moment to remember and not forget!!
Please help make my birthday wish become true by helping to spread the word about Around Town With Amy Modesti! Subscribe on SubStack and follow its business pages on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. Thank you so much!
-Amy (5/8/2024)
Pet First Aid at Mohawk Hudson Humane Society (MENANDS, NY) - Do you know how to take care of your pet in case there is an emergency? Pet owners can learn the first steps to care for an animal in case of a pet emergency by offering basic pet first aid at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society (MHHS), Thursday, May 9, 6:00-7:30 p.m. inside the Lisa Mitzen Animal Care Center. The program will be presented by Dr. Tara Estra, the owner and medical director of Canterbury Animal Hospital, located in Delmar. Registration is required to take the class and the cost is $10 per person. Registration for the class can be paid for online. For this particular class, please leave your pets at home. For more information and to register, go to www.mohawkhumane.org/seminar-series or by calling (518)-434-8128, ext. 350.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at SLOC (SCHENECTADY, NY) - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has been delighting the theater audience for decades on Broadway and now, the Broadway play, which tells the story of Joseph from the Bible’s Book of Genesis, will be performed at the Schenectady Light Opera Company (SLOC), located at 427 Franklin Street, Schenectady, starting Friday, May 10 and running through Sunday, May 19. The local production, directed by Suzanne Rayome, will feature Ryan Nolan (Joseph), Kelly Blitz, Hannah DeStefano, Heather Ferlo, and Meghan DiMeglio (Narrators), and former WNYT-13 reporter Jerry Gretzinger as Pharaoh. The play will begin at 8 p.m. on May 10-11, 16-18, and begin at 3 p.m. on May 12 and May 19. An ASL interpreter will be present for the May 17 performance. Ticket prices range from $25-$32 and tickets can be purchased by calling (518)-730-7370 or visiting www.sloctheater.org.
Jerry Gretzinger as Pharaoh. (Photos Provided by Audrey Carlton, PR for SLOC)
Gallery 5 Schenectady Call for Art for “Art for The Win” (SCHENECTADY, NY) - Gallery 5 Schenectady is continuing their call for art for their third pop-up art exhibition show, “Art for The Win”, to be held at the Mohawk Harbor. The exhibit is open to all traditional visual arts, both two-Dimensional and three-dimensional art, as well as painting, sculpture, drawing, fiber art, glasswork, printmaking, illustration, digital art, and mixed media. All artists must be 18 years old and older to participate. The title of the exhibit, “Art for The Win”, is in reference to the horse racing season of Upstate New York. Artists are also encouraged to submit a horse themed artwork if they wish. Three to five images of artwork will be accepted, and the artworks need to be able to fit through a 7’H x 3’W door. Photos of the artwork must be emailed to Gallery5schenectady@gmail.com before Friday, May 10. For more information, email Craig at the email listed above.
Call For Art for Bottle Art at National Bottle Museum (BALLSTON SPA, NY) - The National Bottle Museum, who is sponsoring the Saratoga Bottle Show, is putting out a call for art for the National Bottle Museum’s annual Art of the Bottle Show. The art submitted for the future show must include or depict bottles or parts of bottles. All mediums of display art are welcome for entry. The entry deadline for the exhibit is May 25, 4 p.m. Email Fred Neudoerffer at fred@neustudios.com for more information.
Call For Art: Monochrome - Creating in Black and White (COHOES, NY) - Paint Cohoes is putting out a call for art for artists who have created artwork that is made with just the black and white colors. This particular exhibit will allow artists and art lovers alike to view the artwork with the absence of color in just a black and white landscape which in turn, conveys a timeless quality that transcends the limitations of literal representation. There is no fee to enter the art for the show and all submissions need to be submitted via Google Docs before June 17 at midnight. For additional questions, email paintcohoes@gmail.com and go to the Google Docs link to submit the art here: CALL FOR ART “Monochrome: Creating in Black and White” (google.com)
Event Poster Courtesy of Paint Cohoes
Request for Proposals: Electric Boxes- Downtown Troy (TROY, NY) - The Arts Center of the Capital Region will be curating and installing brand-new art vinyl-wraps on 20 traffic control cabinets, also known as “Electric Boxes,” in downtown Troy, N.Y. to help enhance its streetscape and pedestrian experience. Commissions for the digital artwork will be awarded by the Arts Center of the Capital Region for the installation in summer 2024. Art proposals are due before Friday, May 10 at 11:59 p.m. To apply and learn more about the proposals, go to REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - TROY, NY ELECTRIC BOXES (google.com).
Colonie Senior Services Center Offer Outing to Seneca Falls (COLONIE, NY) - Planning a day trip to head to Seneca Falls? Colonie Senior Services Center seniors’ members and not-yet-members are invited to go to Seneca Falls on Tuesday, June 18 for a day outing of history, farmers market, and wine. Seniors will have the opportunity to visit several historic locations including the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, the Seneca Museum of Waterways and Industry, walk through the area’s historic downtown, go for a wine tasting at the Montezuma Winery, and shop at the Seneca Farmers Market. A chartered bus will leave the Beltrone Center at 7:30 a.m. for the trip and will return to Colonie at 7:00 p.m. The cost for members is $110 and $120 for not-yet members. For questions or to make a reservation, contact the senior center at (518)-459-2857 ext. 340.
Call for Art For 3”x3” Show (COLONIE, NY) - Arlene’s Artist Materials is bringing back the 3”x3” at Arlene’s, an exhibit that will showcase artwork made by local artists and creatives while raising funds for local charitable initiatives. This year’s charity that Arlene’s will be raising funds for is CREATE Community Studios. Artists are encouraged to donate their three inches square/cubed work, with the artist’s name printed on the back, along with an artist entry form to Arlene’s during hours of operation before June 15 at 5 p.m. Artwork submissions are free. Any questions, contact curator Andrew Ochal at arlenesartist@gmail.com.
Photo Courtesy of Arlene’s Artist Materials
Art Omi seeking Artists and Curators for 2025 Season (GHENT, NY) - Do you want to work on location at Art Omi in 2025? Art Omi is currently seeking art critics and curators-in-residence to take part in a residency at Art Omi from June 19-July 14,2025. Critics and Curators who have been selected will be provided with a $1,500 honorarium and a travel grant. The application deadline is due by May 15, at 11:59 p.m. EST. For more information and to apply, go to Art Omi Application Manager (submittable.com).
Closing Thoughts Honoring Saint Rose to End May 18 (ALBANY, NY) - The College of Saint Rose will hold its final ever arts exhibition show, Closing Thoughts Honoring Saint Rose inside the Esther Massry Gallery, Massry Center for the Arts, starting Thursday, May 9 and closing on Saturday, May 18. The exhibit, co-curated and installed by founding director, Jeanne Flanagan, brought together The College of Saint Rose community together to share in its story of its distinguished history while providing the proper closure to the college itself. Memories, people, programs, and events will be highlighted in the exhibit, as well as individualized narratives that reflect on their own personal experiences. Gallery hours from May 15-17: 1-5 p.m. and May 18: 12:00-5:30 p.m.
The 35th Trip Around the Sun Events
Lady Beehive Hosts Bar Bingo (WEST SAND LAKE, NY): Join Joanna Peterson Palladino Resnick, aka. Lady Beehive, as she hosts bar bingo inside Crossroads American Grille, located at #5 43 Mall, routes 43 and 150, West Sand Lake, Thursday, May 9 starting at 6 p.m.-8p.m. There will be drink and food specials, and the bingo cards are $2.00. She will be filling in for host Ritz Carlton. More information can be found on the Off The Record Trio Facebook page.
Lady Beehive will host bar bingo on May 9 at Crossroads American Grille. Photo of Lady Beehive by Amy L. Modesti.
Open Mic Night at Rustic Barn Pub Starring Johnny Clifford (TROY, NY): Every Thursday night at the Rustic Barn Pub (located at 150 Speigletown Road, Troy) is their open mic night. Voted one of the best Open Mics in the Capital District, all open mic jams begin Thursday, May 9 at 6 p.m. and will last throughout the night. Each band or musician gets to perform at least three songs and the sound tech, Danny Watson, will have a sign-up sheet on hand for musicians to sign up to perform. This week’s open mic will be hosted by guitarist, Johnny Clifford and his friends, Frank Affinito, James “Jimmy” Cappello, and Jim Robinson. Open mic is free to the public.
Pre-Tulip Fest Patio Party @ The Local 217 Taproom (ALBANY, NY) - Capital region band Nickopotamus, will be performing their pre-tulip fest concert indoors at The Local 217, Thursday, May 9, from 6-10 p.m. It is also their bass player, Andy Flemming’s birthday as well so go and wish Andy a Happy Birthday! The Local 217 is located at 12 Delaware Ave, Albany.
Beatles Vs. Stones A Musical Showdown at The Cohoes Music Hall (COHOES, NY): The Beatles and The Rolling Stones are two of the United Kingdom’s greatest rock bands to come out of the 1960’s and their musical tribute acts, Abbey Road (a Top Beatles Tribute act) and Satisfaction (The International Rolling Stones Show) will be performing at The Cohoes Music Hall Thursday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. These nationally touring acts recently concluded a three-month residency at the Harrah’s Reno showroom and a two-month residency at Harrah’s Laughlin showroom. Ticket information can be found on the Cohoes Music Hall website: Beatles vs Stones: A Musical Showdown — Cohoes Music Hall (thecohoesmusichall.org)
Caity Gallagher Live at Albany Distilling Company (ALBANY, NY) - Come see indie folk singer and songwriter Caity Gallagher perform live at the Albany Distilling Company, located at 75 Livingston Ave, Albany), from 6-8 p.m. The show is free and open to the public. Like and follow Caity Gallagher Music on Facebook.
Michael Benedict’s Jazz Vibes at Turf Tavern (SCOTIA, NY): The Turf Tavern latest band in its Thursday Night Jazz Series is Michael Benedict’s Jazz Vibes. The band will perform on Thursday, May 9, 6-8 p.m. Although there is no cover charge, reservations are required to obtain a seat since Thursday is a popular night to dine and enjoy some live music. Turf Tavern is located at 40 Mohawk Ave, Scotia.
Michael Benedict Jazz Vibes at HVCC - September 2023. Photo Credit: Amy L. Modesti
“Sweet Spring” Show Opening at Alias Coffee (TROY, NY): Alias Coffee has a brand-new art exhibition in town, and it is opening up on Thursday, May 9 from 7-9 p.m. This exhibition will feature art made by Oh hi, I’m Marisa, and other local artists. The exhibit was curated by juliebrownart. Alias Coffee is located at 219 4th Street, Troy. The opening is free and open to the public. Follow Oh hi, I’m Marisa on Facebook for more information.
Songwriter Open Mic w/Steve Candlen at Twisted Fiddler (TROY, NY): Singer, songwriter, drummer, and guitarist Steve Candlen hosts an original music, songwriter open mic night event every Thursday evening at the Twisted Fiddler in Troy from 7-10 p.m. Come bring an instrument and your songwriting skills to the stage. Twisted Fiddler is located at 9 1st St., Troy.
Steve Candlen, host of Songwriter Circle at Twisted Fiddler and drummer of Family Tree. Photo by Amy L. Modesti.
The Tradition at Klub House Kafe (TROY, NY): Looking for some live music to listen? Go and watch the local band, The Tradition, an acoustic duo featuring guitarists and vocalists Ralph Renna and Arya Chowdhury perform at the Klub House Cafe (Rte. Fore Golf Course), located at 391 North Greenbush Road, Troy, Thursday, May 9, 6-8 p.m. The show is free to the public. Follow @thetraditionny on social media for gig updates.