Bringing the first holographic theater to the 518

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Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Today, we’re taking you to Zone 518, the Capital Region’s immersive holographic theater created by our friend and former colleague, Anna-Christina Douglas and her husband. Plus, we’ve got a super packed weekend of cool events for ya.

Let’s dive in, shall we?

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

We’ve never been to Burning Man, but judging from the incredible images, it’s a visually stunning, otherworldly experience.

So it’s not surprising to learn that the couple creating the Capital Region’s first immersive holographic theater actually met at Burning Man.

Anna-Christina Douglas and her husband, John Blackburn, now want to bring a bit of the playa’s desert fairy dust to their futuristic playland in Albany.

The team have the right background for launching something like this. She’s a Silicon Valley tech vet (coincidentally, she and Phat both worked at Yahoo at the same time back in 2013). He’s an RPI grad who’s a successful real estate developer.

“We love the art and technology and the celebratory vibe of Burning Man,” says Anna-Christina, who goes by the nickname, “Ace.” “So we’ve been wanting to bring something to Albany that’s fun, techy, and interactive, but doesn’t take itself too seriously.”

Called Zone 518, their venture launches on Memorial Day weekend. There are two ways to experience it:

• Verse Albany, which allows a group of participants using AR headsets to enter into the same immersive adventures with names like “Everworld” and “The Unreal Garden.” The content comes from a company called Verse Immersive, which is already in a number of major cities.
  

• VR Team Challenges, which are more like escape rooms with a techy twist—think ninja missions, dragon rides, and puzzles in surreal landscapes.

“You see your friends, you move around, you talk to magical bunnies—it’s like a holographic silent disco,” Anna-Christina says. “It’s cool, it’s weird, and it’s absolutely something Albany needs.”

Each session runs 30–60 minutes, with ticket prices expected to range from $35 to $50. Zone 518 will be located in Albany’s Warehouse District, out of two gym spaces subleased from PWR, or Performance Wellness Recovery, at Slip 12. For now, it will be open on weekends and holidays only.

Catch you in Everworld 🎧️ 🧝‍♂️ 🌳 

The deets: Zone 518, 25 Erie Blvd, Albany. $35 to $50 per adventure. Pro tip: The experience is really designed for groups of friends to go through the adventures together, so make it a social thing. And look out for upcoming discounts exclusively for The 518 subscribers.

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🐔 First the Costco in Guilderland, now a new Chick-fil-A approved for Latham. We’re moving up, folks. After several years of delays and concerns over traffic, Chick-fil-A has gotten site plan approval from the Town of Colonie Planning Board to move forward in Latham. The hugely popular eatery will occupy the former Brick House Tavern + Tap site at 579 Troy Schenectady Road. [News10]

🍺 The former Yonder Farms property on Route 155 is getting a new life, reborn as a brewery and restaurant called Broken Loop Brewing Co. Expected to open this summer, Broken Loop is the passion project of Guilderland resident Jonathan Golon, who taught himself about homebrewing and apprenticed at Active Ingredient Brewing in Malta. [Times Union]

🍄 Foraged NY is an annual celebration of locally foraged, wild, and in-season produce, hosted by Collar City Mushrooms at Indian Ladder Farms and a number of local restaurants. Although the event isn’t until early May, tickets for some dinners and events are already selling out. Exclusively for The 518 subscribers, get 25% off the Foraged NY performance with Sean Rowe on May 10th (does not include the dinner). Use promo code: readthe518foraged 🥳 

⭐️ Troy Night Out is Troy’s monthly celebration of the city’s historic downtown nexus. Take a stroll as the street’s come alive at dusk with vendors, street musicians, small businesses and sweet spots to eat. Already a fan? Consider an Earth Day contribution to Downtown Troy BID’s Beautification Fundraiser ($25—$200). While you’re there, pop into the Connection in Context show at Context Collective. Fri, 6—9pm, free to stroll.

⭐️ Glens Falls Wing Fest is back—and you’re the judge! Taste wings from area wing masters battling it out for Best Wings, Best Visitor, Best Rookie, and Best Meatless Entrée. Snack for 3 hours, catch the fiery Inferno Wing Eating Contest, then see who rules the roost at the City Park bandstand awards. Sat, 12—3pm, admission is free but wing prices vary.

⭐️ New York Folklore presents: Arab American Heritage Month Concert  | The Linda features performances by the Middle Eastern Music Ensemble at Cornell, and Paul Hage and Hicham Mihab, followed by a short bilingual presentation on Arab art and culture by New York Folklore Fieldworker Nada Odeh. Sun, 3—4:30pm, $10

⭐️ 🏠️ Dreaming of a home to call your own? Get real at the Capital Region Homebuyer Fair for a free credit check and no obligation pre-qualification report. There will be lenders, home inspectors, attorneys, realtors, grant programs and certified housing advisors on site to help first-time homebuyers. Sat, 10am—1pm, Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Ave, free.

⭐️ 🦸 The Stillwater NY Comic Con calls all superheroes, wizards, villains, comic fans, and art lovers! Dive into a world of vendors, Ghostbusters, a Mario Kart tournament, Rebel Legion, Magic: The Gathering, and more epic fun! Sat, 10am—1pm, free.

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

🌳 Schenectady County is giving away 1,600 FREE saplings. Choose from native trees, including Elderberry, Redbud, Dogwood, and more. Giveaway began last Mon and ends on Sat. Visit any of the 9 Schenectady County Public Library branches during regular hours to participate.

🧹 🪄 Yearning for more contemporary art in Albany proper? Then roll your sleeves up and pick up a paintbrush as Kiddie Pool’s raw (but not yet fresh) Project Space sweeps into being.

TONIGHT

🌊 Climate and travel writer Porter Fox talks about his new book, “Category Five: Superstorms and the Warming Oceans That Feed Them.” More info here.

🍽️ 22nd Dining Out for Life gives a portion of proceeds from every meal or drink toward helping support people with HIV/AIDS. See participating restaurants here.

🎬 Watch a movie in a bank vault (!) this evening as Picture Lock 1 with Collar Works screens the picturesque film IL BUCO. Details here.

FRIDAY

🍺 The 12th Annual Night at the Brewseum features craft brews, spirits and good food, at the Canfield Casino.

SATURDAY

📷️ Get your contemporary photo fix as the Green Lodge in Chatham opens Agitation, a photo show featuring Owen Barensfield, Tara Holmes and Allison DeBritz.

🎶 Smile and sing along as the Albany Gay Men’s Chorus gets vocal with a vibrant mix of choral classics, Broadway hits, pop favorites, and playful novelty tunes.

🪴 Food Not Bombs 4th Annual Plant Sale blooms in Townsend Park! Shop flowers, succulents, veggies, herbs, and more to make your garden shine. Raining much? Head to the Albany Social Justice Center for the indoor location.

🐯 Let your little heathens go wild with bounce houses, service animals, kids cooking classes and more at Healthy Kids Day at the Southern Saratoga YMCA in Clifton Park.

SUNDAY

🏳️‍🌈 A Big Gay Market returns to Washington Park with 120 queer & allied makers, food trucks, a kids zone, community space, and wellness area with yoga, massage & more!

🌎️ The Huyck Preserve celebrates Earth Day with an event geared for adults who are looking to make a difference by volunteering.

🥁 Albany Record Riot! is a massive pop-up record store packed with LPs, 45s, and CDs from music dealers from near and far.

💗 Heart & Hustle A Women’s Wellness Experience is where strength meets soul. Join an inspiring day of movement, motivation, and connection—created by women, for women.

🧘🏻‍♀️🍺 Yoga with a Pint is where you can kick off the perfect spring Sunday with a heady brew of zen and fun.

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Weekly deadline: Sundays at 2pm

🦫 GET IN TOUCH!

Got an awesome business, event or personality we should feature? Let us know! Contact: phat@the518.com