Get out to First Friday Albany!

Happy Halloween, Capital District! Today, we’re getting you pumped for First Friday Albany. Plus, get your guide to a super-packed Halloween weekend 🎃 💃 🍸️ 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Get out to First Friday Albany!

First Friday Albany brings the city’s arts and culture scene to life on the first Friday of each month—that’s tomorrow!—creating a vibrant evening where community, creativity, and local talent take center stage.

As the proud media sponsor for First Friday, we’re excited to tell you about this month’s events—all happening on one night!

• Browse and bid on more than 200 architecturally-themed art works at the Historic Albany Foundation’s annual art show. Albany Armory, 5:30-8:30p.

• Monkey and the Crowbar bring their Grateful Dead vibes to a free show at The Eleven at Lark Hall, 6-8p.

• The Albany Institute of History & Art opens late for a special reception with Nell Stokes, the subject of its newest exhibition, “Nell Stokes: Stories of an Education Advocate.” 5-7p.

• Russell Sage College puts on its 9th Annual Fire & Light Night, featuring ceramic firing techniques, sculpture burnings, and 3-story animations outside the Opalka Gallery (which is also showing its newest exhibition, “Voracious Eye”). 5:30-7:30p.

• So much art, so little time! Pop-up art shows are happening at Urban Aftermath, Arlene's Artist Materials R Gallery, Common Roots Albany Outpost, the City Hall Rotunda, and the Elks Lodge. 5-9p.

• First Presbyterian Church of Albany hosts a night of jazz with two artists exhibiting. 5:30-8p.

• The Underground Railroad Education Center puts on “Pan-African Friday Folklore: Stories Under The Stars,” a captivating hour of dynamic storytelling that will transport you across time and place. 6-7p.

For the full schedule of times and locations, visit First Friday Albany. All events are free. Let’s celebrate the best of the city tomorrow night—see you there! 👋

👻 WEATHER WATCH

A word from our sponsor

StoryCraft is a boutique marketing agency located in the heart of Albany. We help local businesses grow by improving their digital presence and brand storytelling. Work with us to capture more customers with better content, better websites and better ads.

🔬Albany Nanotech is getting a whopping $825 million through the nonprofit NY CREATES to establish a top-notch computer chip research center on the NanoTech campus on Fuller Road. The Albany research center is set to become the federal hub for chip research, which will surely bring more funding and jobs to our area. [Times Union]

🐕 A good boy gets the bad guy. On Wednesday, a bank bandit thought he’d make a quick getaway after flashing a note and what looked like a gun to a bank teller at Trustco Bank in Colonie. Cash in hand, he bolted... but didn’t make it too far. K-9 Eddie sprang into action and followed his nose to the suspect’s wooded hideout, leading to a quick arrest. Colonie police shared details in a Facebook post, and the Times Union picked up the story.

🎸 Phish turned up the jam and the generosity with their 3-night MVP residency, raising a whopping $4 million for Divided Sky, a Vermont nonprofit supporting addiction recovery. 100% of profits went to the nonprofit, plus the jam-band extravaganza kicked off an additional $10 million campaign to support Divided Sky's new residential program, founded by guitarist Trey Anastasio. [Times Union]

⭐️ = 518 Staff Picks

⭐️ First Friday Albany | 5—9p, Fri, free. Celebrate the best that Albany has to offer, all on one night!

⭐️ Troy Glow Block Party | Sun w/ guided tours 5—7p, free. On Franklin Alley between River and Broadway, enjoy this family-friendly celebration with food and beverage vendors, live entertainment, activities, and walk throughs of the Glow installations. Free tours begin at the corner of Broadway and Franklin. Troy Glow kicks off Friday and goes through Nov. 10th, with art installations lighting up nightly.

⭐️ Adirondack Sports Winter Expo | Sat & Sun, free. Get ready for the snow and check out the latest gear.

⭐️ Albany Center Gallery's All Hallow E'en Art Path | Self-guided tour during business hours, free. 10+ local artists have created dynamic window displays along a lovely downtown walking route. Pick up a map at Albany Center Gallery/Discover Albany or pull up a digital Google Map w/ location pins here. Happy exploring!

⭐️ 9th Annual Albany Lantern Parade | 4:40—6:15p, Sun, free. This magical Washington Park tradition features children parading their handmade lanterns around the picturesque lake. With the Albany High School Marching Falcons and Jazz Ensemble setting a festive tone, the park comes alive with glowing lanterns and enchantment.

🎃 MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

TODAY

🍭 If you’re not scaring up some treats in your favorite neighborhood, creep on over to one of these organized events: Malloween at Crossgates Mall and Trunk or Treat at Colonie Center are perfect for the little ones. Head downtown and get your treats at the Palace Theatre from 4-7 pm. Albany Law will also be handing out the goods from 5-7 pm.

FRIDAY

💃 Masquerade Ball: Dress to impress for a night of glamour and mystery at the elegant Coat Room in Saratoga.

🪘 Day of the Deadbeats: The Capital Region’s favorite tribute band celebrates 30 years of playing the music of the Grateful Dead, Phish and other jam favorites.

🚘️ Albany Auto Show: Check out the latest and greatest from dozens of car companies, through Sunday.

SATURDAY

🎃 Freaknik at the Fuze Box: You know the Fuze Box is gonna throw one of the best Halloween parties this weekend. Plus, there’s a $500 costume contest! Also check out the Halloween dance party at City Beer Hall.

🪩 Built: The Disco Ball: The Historic Albany Foundation’s BUILT weekend features a 1974 disco-themed cocktail party & fundraiser. 6—11p, $125-$150. On Sunday, come to the HAF for an open house, 12-4p.

🪵 Halloween at Deer Mountain Inn: A David Lynch-inspired Halloween party! Think Twin Peaks, Elephant Man & Eraserhead.

☠️ Day of the Dead Celebration & Market: Dressed in your best Day of the Dead attire to honor our ancestors. Readings, talks, fashion show and vendors, in Altamont.

🎸 Super 400: Troy’s homegrown favorites plays a rockin’ show at The Hangar on the Hudson. Need something heavier? GWAR plays at Empire Live on Saturday. Tix here.

🇷🇺 Taste of Russia Festival: We love a good food fest and this one promises to feature plenty of Russian delights and dancing.

SUNDAY

🎻 Mayhem & Madness: Step into the dark allure of the 18th and 19th centuries as the Musicians of Ma’alwyck’s perform a haunting show at the historic Schuyler Mansion. Tix: $40. (There’s also a Friday performance at Bethesda Episcopal in Saratoga Springs).

🍽️ Glens Falls Restaurant Week: Take advantage of great dining deals with restaurants offering 3-course dinner menus at 3 different price points: $25/$35/$45. Kicks off Sunday, through Nov. 9th.

🕑️ Remember to set your clocks to “fall back” an hour on Sunday at 2 am!

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

💌 GET IN TOUCH

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