More than 30 Different Things to Do This Weekend

Will the weekend be beautiful, or will the cold and gloomy weather move in early?  The suspense is killing me, I tell you!  But either way, there are so many great things to do this weekend.  I mean, it’s ridiculous.  You almost want to tell these organizers to talk to each other a bit.  I mean, seriously:  maple sugar or chocolate?  Kids Expo or Baby Palooza?  Symphony or soul?  Life is full of tough choices, people. . . .

Rumpelstiltskin is still at Steamer 10, and local high schools are showing Into the Woods and Anything Goes--check that Theater Roundup post for more information.

Friday, March 19th

• Animal-themed parties to raise money for developing a livestock and farming program for an orphanage in Uganda will be held from4 to 5 pm, 5:30 to 6:30 pm, or  7 to 8 pm at Tumbling Tykes. $10/first child, $5/additional children.  More details from the TU Parent to Parent blog.
• It’s Art Night Schenectady from 5-9 pm.
• There’s a Spring Equinox Potluck and Community Dance that’s being held at the First Unitarian Society of Albany on Washington Avenue.  The potluck will be at 6 pm and you’re encouraged to bring a vegetarian entree and your own plates/cutlery.  The dance will begin at about 7:30 pm.  Suggested donation is $5/adult, $1/child, kids 5 and under free.  It’s sponsored by Honest Weight Food Co-op.
• There’s a program on Cunning Coyotes at the Albany Pine Bush from 6:30-8 pm.  $2/person or $5/family, kids 5 and under free.
• From 7:30-9:30 pm there’s a Star Watch at Grafton Lakes State Park.

All Weekend

• This weekend is the first-ever Art Attack in Schenectady.  It’s running from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday & 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday.  I asked the organizer about what might be most appealing for kids, and he said, “there will be a chainsaw wood carver in front of city hall putting on a demo. That is fun to watch. Inside City Hall is a contraption that I think kids can sit in and make wings flap.  At the Sow’s Ear [Upper Union St.] kids can get their pictures taken with a large cardboard lightbulb.”
• It’s Maple Weekend at farms all over New York.  Details vary from farm to farm–follow the Maple Weekend link or  Grafton Lakes details here.
• It’s Family Fun Weekend at the New York State Museum, which means extra programs on Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 pm.  This weekend’s theme is Native People of New York.  Free and no pre-registration required.

Saturday, March 20th  AKA The First Day of Spring (!!!!!!!)

• It’s the Annual Northeast Family Chocolate Festival at the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany from 10 am to 5 pm. It’s $8/adult and $5/child (under 2 are free), or there’s a $20 4-pack. It’s not just chocolate: the Zucchini Brothers and other performers and activities will be there.
• They’re making Mandela Creations at the Thacher Nature Center at 10 am.  This activity is geared toward adults, so it’s for the mature only.  $20/person, call to register.
• They’re doing a Hudson River Eagle Watch at Moreau Lake State Park from 10 am to noon.  $2/person, please pre-register and bring binoculars.
• The Schenectady Museum will have Little Wonders of Science: Air is All Around You from 10:30-11:30 am. It’s designed for 3- to 5-year-olds—register ahead on-line or by calling, and you might get a free book. Free with museum admission.
• There’s a Vernal Equinox Hike from 10:30 am to noon at the Albany Pine Bush. $2/person, $5/family, kids 5 and under free.
• The First Annual Mac-n-Cheese Bowl, 11-2:30–see comments below.
• Henry Hudson Planetarium has its children’s show at 11 am. $3/person.  Kids 8 and up might enjoy the 1 pm show as well.
• They’re celebrating Elmo’s Birthday at the Mohawk Commons Barnes & Noble at 11 am. Is it just me, or has Elmo had, like, five different birthdays lately?
• Star 101 and others are hosting the Saratoga County Kids Expo at Clifton Park Center from 11 am to 3 pm.  The Easter Bunny will be there along with Andy the Music Man, Mr. Twisty, and plenty of crafts and activities.  From the Times Union’s Youth Arts blog, teen author  S. Annetje Evans will be signing her book The Sour Little Lemon Tree from 12-4 pm at Clifton Park Center, too.
• It’s Baby-Palooza at the Guilderland Public Library from 11 am to 2 pm.  They were already excited about this way back when I spoke to the librarian about Library Secrets, so if I had a baby I would be there.
• At the Rensselaer Public Library, they’re having a Mad Hatter Tea Party at 1 pm. Treats and readings from Alice in Wonderland. It’s for all ages, but bring a silly hat!
• There’s a Young Person’s Concert at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library from 2-3 pm. The Music Company Orchestra will explore line and color. This free program is for families with kids in grades 2 and up. No registration is required, and doors will open ten minutes before the performance.
• At Bethlehem Public Library, they’re having a Teen Film Fest (of films produced by teens) from 2-4 pm.  For 6th grade and up.
• At the Wood Theater in Glens Falls, the Adirondack Ballet Theater is presenting “Through a Child’s Eyes: Our Coppelia Ballet” at 2:30 pm and again at 7 pm.  Tickets are $11 and can be purchased online.

Sunday, March 21st

• The Lupus Alliance of America [I’m including the link to the organization, but when I checked, their info. on the event was not linking properly] is having a Walk Along for Lupus starting a the food court at Crossgates Mall.  Registration begins at 8:30 am and the walk begins at 9:30 am.
• There’s a Family Jam from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm at Albany’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.
• Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady is hosting a Jewish Food Fest from noon to 4 pm.  It’s $15/adult, $9/child, kids under 3 free.  There will be a lot of food, celebrity cook Joan Nathan and activities for kids.
• The Albany Institute of History & Art has a Muhhekunnetuk Family Day Festival from 1-4 pm.  That’s a Native American name for the Hudson River. They’ll have art-making activities and a 2 pm puppet performance free with museum admission.
• At most Michael’s crafts stores, there’s an Easter Egg Make It and Take It from 1-3 pm with the purchase of craft eggs.
• The Capital District Youth Chorale will be performing with the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra at Proctors at 3 pm.  Tickets are $10/adults, $6/kids, but kids under 7 are free with a paid adult.
• There’s a benefit program called Songs of Inspiration & Praise for Girls, Inc. from 4-6 pm at the First Unitarian Society of Schenectady.