5 things we're digging in the Capital District right now

Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Today, we’re introducing a new feature—5 things we’re digging. We think you’ll dig them too. Plus, our TOP FIVE event picks set you up for an excellent winter weekend ❄️🧊⛄️ 

P.s. Be sure to take our reader poll at the end 👇️ 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Launching today: 5 things we’re digging in the Capital District

Inspired by this lively “Albany really is a beautiful city” Reddit thread, we’re launching a new regular feature today: 5 things we’re digging in the Capital District.

Because enough already with the doom-and-gloom and constant negativity. Enough with the yapping about “boring Albany.” Let’s focus on what’s good and great!

Actually, there’s so much to celebrate about the Capital District, it’s hard to narrow it down. But let’s start with these five:

🍕 Pizza Michelina (376 Delaware Ave, Albany): Lately, this has been our go-to pizza joint when we want a fantastic wood-fired pie for a stay-at-home date night. Just read their reviews, like this one: “I really didn’t want to give this review because soon everyone is gonna know how awesome this place is, and I wish it could be a secret.” Now, you’re in the know 😉 

🥃 The Berlin Lounge (2 King St, Troy): Upstairs from Emry’s Garden, this cozy cocktail bar is an intimate spot to meet friends for a drink or three. Inspired by the jazz scene of the 1930s, the decor is dark and the vibes are 10/10. Burlesque at the Berlin (3/14) is a great way to experience this sexy lounge.

🪓 Ballston Supply Co.: We’re suckers for a homegrown brand that’s doing awesome things, like our friends at Upstate of Mind. If you love those guys, check out Ballston Supply, online purveyors of “quality goods made for the water and woods.” We especially dig their hats. Plus, 1% of their sales support local charities, parks and nonprofits.

📚️ The Book Hive: Our friend and partner Henry the Tourism Gnome put us on to this one… Remember those book fairs in grade school? That’s kind of the idea behind The Book Hive, which hosts popup book markets in bars and restaurants. This Friday, they’re setting up shop at Wolf Hollow Brewing Co.

🦌 NYS DEC Instagram: Whoever is in charge of this IG account for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation deserves a raise. The dry humor is spot on, and you’ll actually learn a thing or two. Check out these hilarious Valentine’s Day cards.

What would be on your Top 5 list right now? Tell us!

❄️ WEATHER WATCH

🧂 Free salt! Responding to a regional shortage, the city of Albany is making rock salt available to all residents today (8a-6p). See pickup locations here. First-come, first-serve basis with proof of residency and your own container. Please no cardboard boxes! Buckets or bags work best. But is the city giving away salt so they can fine you for not salting your sidewalks?? 🤔 

🎟️ Live Nation is ending its popular Lawnie Pass program, which offered seasonal access to lawn seating at most Live Nation concerts at SPAC, plus early entry privileges. This move follows the ban on BYO chairs in lieu of $15 rentals. This is a good reminder that Live Nation is currently facing an antitrust lawsuit by the Justice Department. [Times Union]

😲 Have you been shocked by your National Grid bill lately? You’re not alone. The company says upstate New York was 24% colder this month than last year, and supply costs were previously projected to rise 15-20% in 2025. Need help with your bill? There are resources available, including HEAP and the Hope & Warmth Energy Fund. [News10]

🤖 Troy is getting a new tech incubator with the help of RPI and an $8 million investment from Rensselaer County. The investment is intended to further energize Troy’s historic downtown and give local tech startups room to grow. Construction will break ground soon, although the completion date has not been announced. [WAMC]

⭐️ = The 518 Staff Picks

⭐️ 🐅 You have until Sunday to catch Life of Pi at Proctors. The Tony Award-winning play based on the bestselling book by Yann Martel has critics raving about its “visually splendid” production. A contemporary parable about faith and surviving trauma through the power of imagination is imbued with even more magic thanks to life-like puppets by London duo Finn Caldwell and Nick Parker. Midday and 8p showings, through Sunday. Tix: $35—$114.

⭐️ 🍻 The Saratoga Beer Summit 2025 is your chance to sample over 100 craft beers, seltzers, ciders and malt beverages. Some of upstate NY’s best breweries will be pouring at the event, although Fidens Brewing—one of the top-rated craft breweries in the entire country—is curiously NOT on the list. Sat, 12—8p, divided into two different tasting sessions, $57.33 or $76.53.

⭐️ ❄️ Albany County's Annual Winter Festival takes over Lawson Lake County Park with snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing, sled dogs, bon fires, and an ice rescue demo by the Albany County Sheriff’s Office. Sat, free.

⭐️ 🪨 Rock & Fossil Fun Fair at NYS Museum is your ticket to a hands-on fossil hunt! Unearth the kids from winter hibernation to dig for minerals and fossils. Be sure to check out the “river replica” (and let us know what a “river replica” is). Also, don’t forget to bring your favorite rock or fossil for expert identification. Giveaways and prizes make it even more fun. Sat-Sun, 10a—1p, free.

⭐️ 🖼️ Art Night in Schenectady keeps it popping with art exhibitions throughout downtown, including the Schenectady County Office Building, Bear & Bird, the Armory Studio and many more. All venues are within a 10-minute walk of each other, so grab a scarf and go soak up some art!

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

THURSDAY

🥃 Tonight, enjoy a global spirits tasting featuring Black-owned, made, and affiliated brands from the US and Caribbean at the Pickle.

🧪 The New York State Museum hosts Science Cafe at the Hollow Bar + Kitchen. Dr. Jeremy J. Kirchman promises to blow your mind 🤯 with this talk on everything from Darwin’s groundbreaking ideas to modern genomics. Free.

FRIDAY

🎺 Trumpet player and composer Peter Evans leads the Being & Becoming Quartet, featuring some of the most forward-thinking young musicians in jazz and contemporary music. At EMPAC.

🎸 T.V. Doctors puts on a free show at the Eleven at Lark Hall, with a mission “to cure musical boredom wherever it exists, with surgical precision.”

🍸️ Sex & the City – a Super Unauthorized Musical Parody follows our favorite single gals looking for love in the big city. At Proctors.

🎭️ Keep it catty with Heathers: The Musical” at Cohoes Music Hall, through March 9.

☠️ Lost & Found Bar + Kitchen invites you to an Emo Live Band Sing-a-Long with The Story Boys and DJ Fearless.

SATURDAY

🐩 Bounce to Proctors for the New York Dog Film Festival 2025, with short films of all stripes—including animated, documentary and narrative—about the greatest love of all, the love of a dog. Also screening this weekend: Oscar Nominated Shorts: Live Action and Oscar Nominated Shorts: Documentary.

🧊 Bailey’s Ice Bar in Saratoga features ice and sand sculptures, ice shots and drink specials. Plus, a portion of proceeds benefit the Saratoga Center for the Family. Also happening: Scarlet Knife Ice Bar in Latham and Lagoon Ice Bar in Lake George. Sat-Sun, free.

✍️ Salon Salvage #29 presents Miriam Atkin (poetry), Tyler Barton (multimedia), Alex Chang (harp), and Betsy Fagin (poetry). Dive into this popular event at their new(ish) location, the Upstairs Arts Collective at 403 Fulton Street in Troy.

🎨 Bring the kids for this all-ages art workshop led by Russell Sage MAT Education students. Free, but space is limited.

SUNDAY

🎵 Browse through some 15,000 vinyl records at the Saratoga Record Riot!

🏀 It’s the Siena Saints vs. Canisius University men's basketball team at the MVP.

📚️ Frederick Allen Elks Lodge #609 in Saratoga Springs hosts “Black and Banned: Refusing to Let Our History be Whitewashed.” Readers will share passages from banned books dealing with the Black experience in America.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Sundays are the deadline to be included in the coming week’s list!

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