You made it to the weekend, CivMixers! And what a weekend it’s shaping up to be. Sunny! Warm! Dry! It will a perfect rendition of an upstate summer experience.
A few headlines you might have missed…
President Donald Trump apparently believes Mars is part of the Moon.
The West Point cadet killed when a military vehicle overturned at the New York military academy was identified as a 22-year-old man from West Orange, New Jersey.
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art Director Joe Thompson will face a motor vehicle homicide charge in connection with a crash that killed a motorcyclist last year, according to sources close to the investigation.
The push continues for “Erin’s Law,” which would change education about child sexual abuse in New York State.
Lucky Strike Social, the bowling alley and music and food venue that opened at Crossgates Mall in 2016, is closing in little more than a week. It will be replaced by Apex Entertainment.
Eventually, when we get fully up and running with our super tricked-out, bells-and-whistles version of CivMix, there will be a full listing of events occurring all across the region. For now, though, we’ll just highlight a smattering of all the very cool happenings that are available to you this fine early summer weekend.
Remember: This is a highly selective list of stuff that looked interesting to this particular CM facilitator. It is NOT EVEN CLOSE to an exhaustive list of things to do over the next several days in the Capital Region. If you would like to add your own two cents on this topic, please feel free to do so in the comments section.
If you don’t already have plans tonight, check out the Albany First Friday Swing Dance with The Grand Boubousse, AKA “Big Blowout” – a New Orleans style early jazz band. Sponsored by the Dance Flurry Organization. From 7 to 11 p.m. at Albany Elks, 25 S. Allen St., Albany.
Also tonight: Samaritan Hospital will present the movie “The Greatest Showman” at the fourth annual Park and Play Movie Night on the lawn at its St. Mary’s Campus, 1300 Massachusetts Ave., Troy.
And, when you get thirsty, head on over to the Red, White & Brew Festival, from 5 to 9 p.m. tonight at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady, 432 State St.
The 17th Annual Polish Fest kicked off today and is running through Sunday, June 8. It’s a “celebration of Polish heritage – the food, music, art, language, customs and the culture of the Polish people…held on the grounds of Blessed Virgin Mary of Czestochowa Church conveniently located at 250 Old Maxwell Rd., Latham.”
Another option is the Albany Symphony Sing Out/American Music Festival. These happenings are taking place in Albany (tonight), Schenectady (tomorrow), and Hudson. The whole shebang is FREE! Click here for more information.
Saturday is the annual Art on Lark street fair, presented by the Lark Street Bid. It runs from Madison Avenue to State Street and starts at 11 a.m.
There are a number of events to celebrate PRIDE taking place Saturday, starting with the Rainbow 5K, which kicks off at 8 a.m. from Jennings Landing. At noon, the Say It Loud, Black and Latino Gay Pride celebration will be at Washington Park.
Also on Saturday, the 3rd Annual Fit, Strength, & Conditioning Challenge presented by SEFCU is going down at the Casey Stadium, University at Albany, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany.
Perhaps you need to pick up some more stuff? Head over to Ballston Spa’s garage sale weekend, taking place both Saturday and Sunday.
Strawberry season is upon us! Get your fix at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church’s annual Strawberry Festival, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 104 S. Reynolds St., Scotia.
Sustainable Saratoga and the Saratoga Springs Public Library are hosting their fourth Repair Café Saturday, June 8 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.
On Broadway on Saratoga Springs on Saturday, the Wilton Elks Lodge hosts its 52nd Annual Flag Day Parade, which steps off at noon. The event honors all active members and retired veterans from all branches of the Military Service – Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines and Coast Guard. I
Americade continues through Saturday in Lake George.
Part I of the eight-part “Spirit of the Suffragettes” music series and community resource fair showcasing women and gender non-conforming musicians, from international to local, featuring free music, arts activities and food takes place on Saturday at 3 p.m. with Fay Victor, Freedom Square, 39 5th Ave., Troy. (FREE).
Schenectady is hosting the inaugural Kick Off to Summer event from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday in Central Park, hosted by Discover Schenectady and Music Haven Concert Series.
Sunday brings the 2019 Capital PRIDE Parade sponsored by Hannaford. It kicks off at noon, and runs from State Street to Lark Street to Madison Avenue and ends at Washington Park, where the 2019 Capital PRIDE Festival, featuring MYA, will be taking place.
Have you ever wanted to check out a Renaissance Festival, but didn’t want to travel? Well, now’s your chance. “A weekend of kings, queens, minstrels and knights is returning to the Capital District. From 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on June 8-9 the sleepy Indian Ladder Farms orchards in Altamont will be transformed into a Renaissance village.” Indian Ladder Farms, 342 Altamont Rd,, Altamont.
Celebrate the Karner Blue Butterfly at “Bluegrass for Karner Blues,” a free concert Sunday at Camp Saratoga, featuring the Schroon River String Band. There’s a pre-concert butterfly walk at 1 p.m., and the concert starts at 2 p.m.
The Tri-City India Association is holding a Spring Festival celebration at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Photo credit: Fred Coffey.
