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Tonight: Laughs on Lark Comedy Showcase

By on May 8, 2013 in Albany, Things to do

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Tonight at Elda’s on Lark, the monthly comedy showcase, Laughs on Lark continues with stand up by Michael McLaughlin, Bill Nettles and Billy Procida. The flyer is also alluding to a theme of this weekend’s Tulip Fest, so maybe they will poke fun at all of the Professional Tulip Photographers I’ve seen out and about all week at Washington Park. Co-hosts Jaye McBride and Ethan Ullman will also premiere their new duo comedy act.

Should be a good way to deviate from your typical Wednesday night routine and you can also squeeze in a drink or dinner beforehand on Elda’s patio, now that it’s open for the summer months.

Here’s the official facebook event. See you there!

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In support of: The Neighborhood That Disappeared

By on May 6, 2013 in Albany

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Every now and then, we come across a gem on Kickstarter that passes the KAB test of “this is actually worth supporting.”

The project, titled, “The Neighborhood That Disappeared” is aiming to get funding to cover cost to produce a documentary film focusing on the disappearance of Albany’s Old Italian neighborhood, which was evicted and destroyed in 1962 in order to build the mammoth Empire State Plaza.

It’s crazy to think that the Plaza was built relatively not that long ago and during most of our parent’s lifetimes, no less. The Old Italian neighborhood was an important part of Albany’s 400 year history and while it is impossible to have a full archive of resources and materials from the neighborhood’s era due to a lack of technology, the team behind the project has collected Polaroids, old photos, 40 hours of interview footage from former residents and over 700 photos and documents scanned to help tell the story.

This important project for preserving our local history and culture has already met its goal but you can still donate. The project is estimated to be completed by May 2014.

Check out the trailer beneath the cut!

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Ticket Giveaway: The Babies, Birthdays and Party Boat at Valentine’s

By on May 1, 2013 in Albany, Music

On Friday, May 3rd, it’s Dellarocca Bookings last show in Albany, featuring The Babies, Birthdays and Party Boat.

The Babies are a band fronted by Woods bassist Kevin Morby alongside Vivan Girls‘ Cassie Ramone. The band was originally conceieved as a side-project outlet for Kevin and Cassie – along with drummer Justin Sullivan – to play the DIY venues and loft shows they used to play before their respective bands moved on to larger venues and longer tours.

Check the details on Valentine’s website and hit the jump to enter to win a pair of tickets! Or if you just want to buy a ticket, you can do so. This show is on Friday so get your entries in ASAP!

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Dellarocca Booking announces date for their last show in Albany

By on April 23, 2013 in Albany, Music

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Yesterday we got word that our friends behind Dellarocca Booking will be relocating to Brooklyn this summer and will no longer be booking shows in Albany on a regular basis (unless the Mountain Goats or Titus Andronicus or Ty Segall get in touch).

I met Nicole Dellarocca and Andrew White back when I was in college through our mutual respect and love for all things WCDB, Albany and local music related. Nicole and Andrew have been commendably working on putting shows together in Albany for over three years now, which is not the easiest commitment to maintain. During their time in Albany, they have done so much for the local music scene here, whether in the form of bringing the latest independent music of quality over the airwaves, to a house party in a basement or at Valentine’s.

Browse our photo galleries and archive for a couple minutes and you’ll find countless recaps and write-ups of shows that Dellarocca Booking has been so kind to invite us to over the past couple of years.

The best way to support the local music community is to keep going to shows and you can continue doing so by attending their last show in Albany on May 3rd, where they will host The Babies at Valentine’s, alongside BIRTHDAYS and Party Boat. Be sure to pick up a ticket and read their fond farewell to Albany.

See you on May 3rd!

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Albany High School writing assignment: explain why ‘Jews are evil’

By on April 12, 2013 in Albany

Dan Amira for New York Magazine:

An unnamed English teacher at Albany High School who wanted to “challenge” his/her students to “formulate a persuasive argument” tasked them with writing an essay about why “Jews are evil,” as if they were trying to convince a Nazi official of their loyalty. One third of the class refused, and the principal has apologized while insisting that there wasn’t any “malice or intent to cause any insensitivities to our families of Jewish faith.”

Shameful.

(Photo Erin Kohlenberg)

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KC’s Music Monday: Maggot Brain

By on April 8, 2013 in Albany, Music

Maggot Brain is a welcome change to my current local hip-hop and indie infused iTunes library. As most would agree, music is a subjective and vital thing in our day-to-day lives and I, like many others, go through phases in the genres and bands that I gravitate towards.

That being said, regardless of my habitual and preferred genres, I am always on the hunt for musicians who clearly put a lot of time and dedication into their work and Maggot Brain is a perfect local example. I’ve seen their name on show bills over the course of the past year but haven’t had the opportunity to catch them live or listen to their music prior to their most recent recording.

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Review: FLOW From the Garden

By on April 3, 2013 in Albany, Food & Beverages

This past week, I stopped into FLOW From the Garden for their Wine Wednesday Dinner. The spot caught my eye as I was walking by in early February and saw that something was ready to open, so I was happy to finally be able to check it out.

The wine class requires a reservation, and starts promptly at 7pm. Guests are asked to show up a bit early so they can get everyone’s dinner order in and start on time: a reasonable request. I got there at 6:45ish and there was a handful of people already there drinking a glass of wine before the class and chatting. I really like the idea of the long table, which seats about half of the 20 possible seats. There’s people who will want to use an outing like this as a date, but it’s also really fun to meet new friends and this atmosphere is a perfect place to do so.

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