Oh my gosh, you guys. I just have to stop. We have a perfect storm of events that’s preventing me from completing today’s post. First, not to whine, but I’m tired. So. much. laundry. (Luckily it was a good drying day!) And the grocery. And just the utter post-vacation shambles. Second, everybody’s all excited about summer. Dang it. I’d go to a site that might usually have 0 or 1 thing going on, and there’d be 4 or 5 events. There’s a lot of enthusiasm. This particular evening, I don’t share it. But seriously, there’s something that just clicks over after July 4th, and everybody’s tripping over each other to schedule activities. And then, one of my old reliable, the NY State Parks page, is having technical difficulties. You know what? I was glad, glad, GLAD, I tell you! This gives me an excuse. I’m quitting for now. Tomorrow I’ll include updates. But this should get you started, at least.
Meanwhile, I also added some regularly scheduled events for summer only on the What About TODAY?? page. There will probably be some duplicates between the weekly posts and this page. Sometimes that’s because things vary a bit (ie., always a concert or a movie, but who or what is playing?) and partly because it’s a lot to keep track of and I fear that by the time I get a good handle on everything, we’ll be working on Back to School posts! So I figure better to tell you twice than to skip it. . . . right? Right?
Here’s some of what’s going on this week:
All Week, and other Misc. Notes:
- It’s Family Fun Week at Lake George, including legos, sandcastle building, fireworks, and discounted admission at various destinations.
- The New York Buzz kick off their 2010 season of tennis, including Serena Williams on Friday night. I found their website a little confusing, actually, but hey, if you’re interested, it’s worth checking out and giving them a call.
- It’s the Tioga County Fair July 6th to 10th.
- I meant to remind you last week that the free tennis lessons from 15 Love were starting, but I was too busy packing to be thorough. W and I have done this and it’s fun. Try it out this week, maybe?
- Don’t forget that William K. Sanford Library in Colonie has so many programs I gave up on listing them. Follow the link and scroll down to the colorful table for a summary.
- Annie Get Your Gun begins at the Park Playhouse on Tuesday the 6th at 8 pm. This year’s more kid-oriented production will be The Wiz. That will be playing at 5:30 pm in August. If you haven’t taken advantage of this free summer theater at the lakehouse in Albany’s Washington Park, you should totally do this. This was our first evening outing with teensy baby M. Last year, we brought along a lovely picnic and the girls were super-excited for High School Musical when moments before start time the wind picked up and lightning started cracking all over the sky. W had to bring them back a day or two later.
- The Albany Institute of History & Art has some more involved sessions on Wednesday & Thursday afternoons for ages 6-15. They cost $20 per afternoon, so I’m not going to list them regularly, because I’m too cheap. But if it’s something you/your child might be interested in, it’s worth clicking over to take a look, and you can register online. If anyone does/has done these sessions, can you share with us whether you think it was worth dropping the coin? Thanks.
- If you haven’t registered for summer camp and wish that you had, keep in mind that those that aren’t filled might be giving extra discounts at this point. Yee-haw! Municipalities won’t be cutting deals, but they might be more likely to have room.
- The Albany Public Library now has their Summer Program Guide online. I started putting these into the schedule and then I became overwhelmed again.
- From July 7th to 11th, the Family Players of North-Eastern New York will be showing Seussical the Musical at 7:30 pm at Tawasentha Park in Guilderland.
Monday, July 5th
- Ages 5 and up can make a recycled flower pot and plant seeds at the Delaware Branch Library. Registration required.
- Hair of the Dog is playing at 5 pm for Troy’s Rockin’ on the River.
- If you missed the fireworks and are mourning, there will be fireworks at the Tri-City Valley Cats game tonight.
Tuesday, July 6th
- 10 am movies at Regal Cinemas: it’s Rugrats the Movie at Crossgates and Charlotte’s Web at Clifton Park.
- 10 am movie at Bowtie in Schenectady: Shorts.
- At 11 am there’s a Pre-KÂ Movie for kids up to age 6 at Bethlehem Public Library.
- It’s Summertime Tots at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga:Â outdoor activities for the youngest.
- At 2 pm, kids 6-11 are invited to learn about H2O Science at Niskayuna Library. No registration required.
- The Storycrafters will be performing at 2 pm at the Guilderland Public Library. Tickets are required for this performance.
- At 2 pm, kids 5 and up can join a Fairy Frolic at East Greenbush Library. Call first, though–registration was early and it might be filled up.
- At 2:30 pm, families can learn about Fire and Ice at the Woodlawn Library. No registration required.
- At 2:30 pm, families can enjoy some magic at Rotterdam Library. No registration required.
- Drop in for crafts at Hamilton Hill Library at 3 pm. No registration required.
- At 3 pm, kids 8 and up can learn about and then build Bridges at the Children’s Museum of Science & Technology. Pre-registration is required, and it’s $2/non-member.
Wednesday, July 7th
- 10 am movies at Regal Cinemas: it’s Kung Fu Panda at Crossgates and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron at Clifton Park.
- 10 am movie at Bowtie in Schenectady: Shorts.
- There’s a Magic Show at Duanesburg Community Center at 10 am. No registration required.
- At 10 am there’s a Preschool Program at Thacher Park.
- At 10 am the Spoon Man brings musical comedy to the East Greenbush Library. Call first, though–registration was early and it might be filled up.
- From 10-11:30 am at the Albany Institute of History & Art, there’s ‘Tute for Tots: Fishy Drawings. It’s for ages 3-5, and it’s $5/non-member. You can register online.
- Do some Super Summer Science at 11 am at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.
- Teens in grades 6 and up can make their own free celebrity Read poster at Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library at 1:30 pm.
- 1st & 2nd graders can imagine what it would be like to have a Pirate Mom at the Guilderland Public Library at 2 pm. Registration is required.
- At 2 pm, kids aged 6-11 can learn about Pond Organisms at Mont Pleasant Library. No registration required.
- At 2:30 pm at Crandall Public Library it’s Music & Movement with Grama Tippy Toes for infants and toddlers up to 2. Registration is required.
- It’s Junior Ballerina Night at SPAC. Young dancers are encouraged to arrive in costume to dance on the apron and meet dancers from the New York City Ballet before the show beginning at 6 pm.
- At 6:30 pm, 2nd & 3rd graders can meet to talk Geronimo Stilton at the Guilderland Public Library. Registration is required.
- At 7 pm, the Lustre Kings will be playing on the Green at Bethlehem Public Library.
- At 7 pm, there’s a Magic Show at the downtown Schenectady Library.
- At 7 pm there’s a free concert by the Peaceful Country Band at the East Greenbush Library. Call to reserve a seat.
- They’re playing Bagpipes at 7 pm at Freedom Park in Scotia.
Thursday, July 8th
- Take a Walk in the Woods at 9 am at Thacher Park.
- At 9:30 am there’s a Parent-Child Workshop for kids 16 mos. to under age 4 at the Crandall Public Library. This is a drop-in program.
- 10 am movie at Regal Cinemas at Crossgates.
- From 10 am to noon, the Dyken Pond Junior Naturalist program will be talking plants. $3/child or $6/family.
- Drop in for Baby Bookworms (0-36 months) at the East Greenbush Library at 10 am.
- Ages 4 and up can learn about Dinosaurs at 10:30 am at the Children’s Museum of Science & Technology. Pre-registration is required, and it’s $2/non-member.
- At 11 am there’s a Flip Flop Flippers craft at Bethlehem Public Library. Sign-up is required, and it’s for grade 1 and up.
- From noon to 1:30 pm, it’s Jazz on Jay in downtown Schenectady.
- At 1 pm, kids can learn about Birds of Prey at the Crandall Public Library. Registration is required.
- From 2-4 pm, students in grades 5, 6, & 7 can meet to discuss a book about a 13-year-old girl in contemporary India at the Guilderland Public Library. Registration is required.
- Get Artrageous at 2 pm at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga. Recommended for k-4th grade.
- There’s a Live Animal Show at 2 pm at the Duane Branch Library. No registration required.
- Drop in for crafts at Hamilton Hill Library at 3 pm. No registration required.
- At 2:30 pm, there’s a Summer Songs program at Bethlehem Public Library.
- It’s Irish Night at Alive at Five in downtown Albany.
- At 6 pm, teens can learn about Mythology at Crandall Public Library.
- The Zucchini Brothers are playing at 6 pm at Wiswall Park in Ballston Spa. They’re a favorite local band for many kids and adults.
- Andy the Music Man will be playing at 6 pm at the Malta Community Center. Another local kid favorite! Even if you’re not going, if you’re near Malta and haven’t seen their program brochure, it’s worth a look. For details on the concert, see page 9.
- The George Wonders Orchestra is playing at 6:30 pm at the Crossings at Colonie.
- There’s a family Drumming program at 6:30 pm at the Rotterdam Branch Library. No registration required.
- Drop in for a Teen Craft at the East Greenbush Library at 7 pm. Bring a t-shirt.
- At 7 pm, 5th graders and older kids can learn about shell crafts at the Guilderland Public Library.
- The Scotia-Glenville Community Band is playing at 7 pm at Freedom Park in Scotia.
- Rose Kent and Eric Luper will be signing their new young adult novels at 7 pm at the Colonie Center Barnes & Noble.
- There’s a Yankee Doodle Band Concert at 7 pm at Crailo Historic Site in Rensselaer (State Parks site is still down; this is their FB site).
Friday, July 9th
- From 10-11:30 am, little ones can Wiggle and Giggle at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.
- At 10:30 am, older preschoolers and young elementary school kids can learn about Wiggly Water Creatures at the Guilderland Public Library. Registration is required.
- The Princess and the Frog is playing at 10:30 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm at the Crandall Public Library. Pick up free tickets in person ahead of time.
- There’s a family Magic Show at 10:30 am at Scotia Library.
- At 11 am, kids can bring their Pokemon cards to Bethlehem Public Library.
- 4th through 7th graders are invited to bring their Bionicles to play at Guilderland Public Library at 2 pm. Registration is required.
- Drop in to watch Finding Nemo at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library at 2 pm.
- At 2:30 pm, the Princess and the Frog is playing at Bethlehem Public Library.
- Kids 8 and up can take a Yoyo class from a champion at the downtown Albany Public Library. Registration required.
- From 5-10 pm, it’s Schenectady County SummerNight in Downtown Schenectady:Â music, activities, and fireworks.
- It’s Family Night at SPAC. Before the NYC Ballet’s performance there will be activities for kids beginning at 6 pm.
- At 6:30 pm, there’s a drop-in Chess Club at Guilderland Public Library.
- At 7 pm, they’re showing Pollyanna at Guilderland Public Library.  And yes, there will be popcorn.
- They’ll be showing Monsters vs. Aliens at Tawasentha Park in Guilderland at 8 pm.
