🚣 Albany's downtown canal dream making waves

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Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Today, we’ve got an update on a dream 30+ years in the making. While Albany hasn’t had a real canal downtown since horses were doing the hauling, a local group is attracting attention—and money—for their vision of a Venice-style canal winding its way down Broadway.

🪐 For our final Thursday issue (we’re now publishing on Tuesdays only), we’re opening the door to our first Curious Table event! We told you that we wanted to put on more events IRL and we meant it.

Join us for a remarkable dinner with Dudley Observatory astronomer Dr. Mindy Townsend, who will take us on a deep dive into how light pollution is affecting our ability to view the heavens. Our 3-course dinner with wine & cocktails will be followed by star gazing and a fireside conversation at the historic Hilltown Commons retreat overlooking the Catskills. By the end of the evening, you may never look at a street light in the same way.

Reserve your spot now—seating is very limited. And be sure to follow Curious Table for more events like this.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Making waves: Mo’ momentum for Albany’s canal project 🚣

For decades, a group of locals have floated what sounds like an outrageous idea: What if Albany had a canal again?

Not just a decorative pond or a historic marker, but an actual waterway, Venice-style—winding through downtown, connecting the city back to the Hudson River and its Erie Canal roots.

The idea is picking up steam. (We first wrote about the Albany canal project last August.) Recent columns in the Times Union have advocated for the project, including one that called for moving ahead with the canal rather than spending billions to dismantle I-787.

(Side note: Actually, we do think the 787 needs to go. There’s wide consensus that Albany needs to unwind the decades of damage that this urban planning nightmare has done.)

To bring their dream to life, a group called Albany WaterWay Inc. was formed in 2022. On Saturday, Nov. 1, they’re hosting a public symposium at the New York State Museum to show just how far their vision has come, and where it could go next.

The core concept is audacious, but not unrealistic: Uncover Lock One of the Erie Canal, run a canal down Broadway, and build a boat basin at the foot of the SUNY Plaza. It’s a big vision, but it’s rooted in history, and modeled on cities that have already pulled off something similar.

“Just look at what Syracuse did,” BJ Costello, chair of Albany WaterWay, tells us. “They transformed the Inner Harbor area with water access and Erie Canal history.”

He also points to the one-mile Bricktown Canal in Oklahoma City, which was built in 1999 for less than $25 million and massively transformed the downtown area. One study found that it generates over $1.4 billion in economic impact annually.

“There's no reason Albany can't do the same,” Costello says.

Other cities, including Buffalo and Providence, have seen dramatic returns by reconnecting water with the urban core. Albany, with its deep canal roots and river access, may be uniquely positioned to follow suit.

The momentum is real. Earlier this year, the Advance Albany County Alliance funded a $85,000 feasibility study. It concluded that the project was viable, both from a financial and engineering perspective, according to Costello. 

Just this week, the team met with the office of Albany County Executive Dan McCoy to explore next steps and a long-term partnership. Now, it’s the public’s turn to weigh in.

The Albany Canal Symposium on Nov. 1 will feature a short film by filmmaker Nick Raposo, a visual presentation by artist Len Tantillo, and a panel discussion with an architect, archaeologist, engineer, and others to explore the canal’s technical path forward.

“If you want to see what the future could look like,” says Costello, “this is where it starts. If you’ve ever said Albany should be doing something big, this is your chance to be part of it.”

Albany Canal Annual Symposium:

📅 Saturday, Nov. 1
 📍 New York State Museum, 222 Madison Ave, Albany
🕘 9a–3p
🎟️ Register now—space is limited!

Homespun Occasions makes your event even more memorable with festive live music from our talented band and dance calling to get your crowd on their feet! We bring the musicians and the experienced dance instructor, you bring a group ready for an awesome time, whether they’re school kids or wedding guests.

We have years of experience leading groups through a variety of dances, including square, contra, and international folk dancing. Our programs can be personalized to fit your event, and make it exactly what you want for your special day.

Get in touch today to raise the barn—with or without a real barn! Rediscover the time-honored tradition of community dancing.

👩‍🎓 Enrollment at Siena University has plummeted by more than 14% this year, with undergraduate numbers at its lowest level since before the pandemic. This has forced the university to offer buyouts and immediately cut some staff. “This is a pivotal moment for all of academia,” says Siena President Chuck Seifert. [Times Union]

🍺 SingleCut announced that it would closing down its SingleCut North taproom in Clifton Park on Dec. 14. The space is needed for an expansion of its manufacturing facility, but the brewery is seeking a location to bring back the taproom elsewhere in the Capital Region. [News10]

👨‍🌾 June Farms is now a reality show. The new Amazon Prime series will debut on Nov. 17. “June Farms is more than a backdrop here; it’s positioned as a character. “The show leans hard on the venue’s visual identity: green fields rolling like soft shoulders, slate-gray barns that look pulled from a Scandinavian mood board, horses grazing like they negotiated screen time,” says Chronogram.

Longtime Albany resident and 518 subscriber Paul Rosenberg alerted us to the damage suffered recently by the historic Weeping Beech Tree near the Moses fountain in Washington Park. A huge limb fell off the tree onto the wrought-iron fence that surrounded it. The 100+ year old tree has been struggling for awhile, and it seems like a recent storm finally brought down a part of the tree. Here’s a picture of what it looked like in healthier times.

Word is that the Parks Department has hauled the limb over to the new Washington Park Playground under construction right now, and will incorporate it into the playground’s design, which seems like an excellent way to ‘upcycle’ this treasured piece of Albany history. Thanks for letting us know, Paul!

⭐️ 🖼️ PGNY 2025 Print Fair from The Print Makers Guild of New York brings over 50 printmakers from across the Northeast to Troy for a weekend of art, demos, and community. Explore hands-on printmaking activities, meet the artists, and support local artists by shopping original hand-pulled prints and books at prices that are 6 ft under. It’s a perfect chance to learn more about printmaking techniques, connect with the regional artists, and find something new for your art collection. Sat, 10a–4p, Sun, 11a–2p, free.

⭐️ 🎨 The Albany Institute of History and Art stays open late with free admission for the Fall Exhibition Open Reception, including the magnificent retrospective on Black Dimensions in Art, “For Liberation and For Life.” The show highlights 90+ artists and 100+ works that will blow your mind. There’s also an exhibition of prints by Jacob Lawrence, and as aways, the super cool mummies in the Ancient Egypt gallery. Do not miss this gathering. Sat, 6–8p, free.

⭐️ 🎃 The Saratoga Fall Festival transforms downtown Saratoga into a Halloween playground with live music and magic tricks, face painting, and roaming performances from Mr. Twisty and Sparkles the Juggler. Kids can trick-or-treat at local shops while grownups can catch book signings and dance performances—including the annual Witch Walk to support local animal shelters. Btw, don’t miss this chance to meet Upset, Saratoga’s miniature horse, at the Dark Horse Mercantile. Sat, 12—3p, free.

⭐️ 👟 Get your sneakers ready for Albany’s Trick or Trot Pumpkin 5K Run. Runners in costume make their way through Washington Park, with prizes for top finishers and costumes. Come early for the free family pre-party with pumpkins, candy, vendors, and a DJ, then run, walk, or cheer your way through one of Albany’s most treasured fall traditions. Sat, pre-party begins at noon, race at 3:45p. $25 to register, free to attend.

⭐️ 🛻🔥 Get lit with Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire—because what could be more cathartic than watching a bunch of monster trucks crunch each other’s guts out while dressed in day-glo drag and on fire? Your spooky season climax awaits. Sat and Sun, 1p, $38–$81.

🎟️ MORE WEEKEND EVENTS

✏️ Archtober is a month-long celebration of architecture and design in Troy, led locally by TAP Inc. and inspired by NYC’s own architecture festival.

Get tickets to the closing party at the new Collar Works location here.

TODAY

🦉 Today or tomorrow, prowl with the owls at an Owl Prowl at the Wilton Reserve. Suitable for ages 5+ (with a caregiver).

🍽️ Colonie Restaurant Week goes through Sunday.

FRIDAY

🍸️ Confetti Stage invites you to Cauldrons and Cocktails at Albany’s Washington Tavern for food, drinks, singers, burlesque acts, belly dancing and more!

☠️ On Fri-Sat, swoop into The Dark Expo at Empire Live for vendors, food, horror and sci-fi.

👻 Get spooked and have some cider at Radix Urban Ecological Center’s Haunted Farm.

🎷 Explore anger (un)management with We Will Not Be Composed at EMPAC. This multimedia performance, created in collaboration with saxophonist and composer Stevie Manning, author and activist Soraya Chemaly, and projection artist Xuan, challenges gendered perceptions of anger in America. Our friend & violoncellist Ha-Yang Kim plays in this ensemble!

📚️ Pop into the The Book Hive Grown Up Book Sale at Wolf Hollow Brewing Co.

🌽 Get lost at Samascott Orchards while sipping cider at the Nine Pin Cider Maze event.

SATURDAY

🎃 Join the Amplify Albany Sweet Treats Halloween Block Party for a morning full of music, games, sweets, and family fun!

🦪 OysterFest at Indian Ladder Farms is a beautiful thing for bivalve lovers.

👻 Knickerbocker Mansion's Knick at Night Souper Supper Ghostly Mansion Tours is your chance to prowl the mansion in search of Colonial ghosts.

🦇 Join Ranger Rachel for Creepy" Critters of the Preserve Hyuck for a close encounter with bats, snakes, and spiders.

👻 Watch out for the ghosts of history at the Family Scavenger Hunt at the Ten Broeck Mansion.

🍸️ Vamp it up at the All Access Albany Halloween Bar Crawl.

🎃 Prepare for trick-or-treating guests with a Pumpkin Painting at the Delmar Farmer’s Market.

🐎 Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga invites you to Hallo Wellness 2025, a free community day with costumed fun, farm activities, and dressed-up ponies.

🍁 Get to Stillwater for its annual Fall Festival along Hudson Avenue.

👻 The Trunk or Treat at Halfmoon Town Park is a safe way for kids to get into the Halloween spirit.

🍺 Artisanal Brew Works in Saratoga celebrates its 9th year and Halloween with an Anniversary Party & Night of the Jack-o-Lanterns, featuring a full day of activities for kids & beer lovers.

SUNDAY

🪰 Bring something to print on and fly away with a hand-pulled a Cronenbergian screenprint of THE FLY. Circus Printing in downtown Albany, 12–3p.

🍺 Blow along with the The Trojan Horns at Wolf Hollow Brewing Co., or join their Halloween Brunch & Scavenger Hunt.

👗 Browse vintage finds with the Last Lap Market at Putnum Place in Saratoga.

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