The 518 Weekender: Tulip Fest, Spontaneous Broadway, Vintage Roundup

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Hey 518 readers, it’s Tulip Festival Weekend! Of course, we’re all heading over to Washington Park to check out the gorgeous bulbs, catch local bands like Tops of Trees, and indulge in some greasy street food. But there’s plenty of other events this packed weekend. Let’s hope the rain gods hold off!

The next 518 Dinner Club is Thursday, May 21. This time, we’re headed to Albany’s hoppin’ Warehouse District.

Here’s what Swapnil, one of our inaugural guests said about our Lark Street dinner: “What a night it was—good food, great laughs, and even better company!”

Be sure to save your seat for the next one!

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

⭐️ = Top 5 Staff Picks

⭐️ 🌷 The city’s marquee event, the Albany Tulip Festival takes over Washington Park this weekend. With two music stages, a kid’s zone, a wellness stage, free yoga, tons of food and vendor booths, and more than 140,000 beautiful bulbs, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Expect hordes of crowds, a bit of wet weather, and parking hassles. Sat-Sun, various times, free.

⭐️ 🎭️ At Mopco Improv Theatre, Spontaneous Broadway turns audience-made song titles into a full musical created on the spot, complete with costumes, sets, and musical numbers. It’s smart, silly, nerve-wracking theater where the audience helps build the show and then watches the impossible come together. The limited run opens this Saturday. Read our profile of the show, and get tickets at Mopco.org. Sat, 8-10p, $19 GA and $10 discounted tix.

⭐️ 🇯🇵 We’re super excited for this one: Ebisu Life Store, the rapidly growing Japanese chain, is opening its Albany outpost at 20 B Wolf Road on Saturday morning. Think Japanese snacks, household gadgets, J-beauty, Hello Kitty, Pokémon, Kirby, so many plushies, and everything cute and Asian you’d want under one roof. Opening day will feature free prizes and special discounts! Sat, 11 am, free.

⭐️ 🕰️ The Basilica Farm & Flea Spring Market leans into the season of growth with garden plants and supplies, green cleaning products, fresh cut flowers, discount books, and all sorts of vintage finds. This would be a fun event to go with mom, and then treat her to lunch in Hudson. Sat-Sun, 10a-5p, $5 per day or $7 for both (free for kids under 12).

⭐️ 🖼️ There’s a plethora of vintage markets these days (see above), but the Vintage Roundup distinguishes itself by having a thoughtful selection of vendors. Also, it’s right here in Albany, in the Warehouse District, so you can really make a day of it. The market features more than 60 local vendors and food popups, plus live music. Sat, 11a-5p, free.

👀 Keep reading to see more notable events in “What’s Happening,” including Mother’s Day picks. 👇️

A word from our sponsor

Spontaneous Broadway: The All-Improvised Musical Comedy Sensation at Mopco!

Read our coverage of the show and get tickets for this limited run before they sell out!

🐈️ Whiskers: No-kill cat shelter seeking to build future home

Whiskers is a 100% volunteer-run, no-kill shelter for cats that’s going through a transformative stage. In 2025, after 40 years in the Capital Region, the organization raised enough money to purchase a 13,218-square-foot facility on Albany Shaker Road in Latham. It now needs another $2 million for renovations. Whiskers specializes in taking in abused and abandoned felines; last year, they rescued more than 400 cats.

Whiskers held its annual gala tonight at Albany’s Italian American Community Center. If you didn’t make it, they would appreciate any support you can offer!

Also on Saturday, there’s the Cars & Canines fundraiser in Mechanicville to benefit the Animal Protective Foundation.

FRIDAY

🎸 The Monkey and the Crowbar bring their unique blend of Americana to Wolf Hollow Brewing Company.

💜 The Albany Pine Bush Preserve invites you to Lupine Fest, a monthlong celebration of these dramatic fragrant flowers.

SATURDAY

💀 The Twilight Market is back at Quackenbush Square!

🎻 The Albany Symphony pays homepage to arguably the most famous living composer with “Star Wars & More: The Music of John Williams.”

🇵🇭 The Dishing (former TU critic Susie Davidson Powell’s new venture) is teaming up with Chee-bog to offer Sit With Us, a family-style Filipino kamayan (meaning to eat with your hands), timed as a leisurely lunch after the Troy Farmers Market.

🔨 Habitat for Humanity puts on its Hammer & Ales fundraiser in Schenectady, featuring craft brews and yummy bites.

🏡 The Saratoga Historic Homes Tour gives you an inside look at some of the city’s most architecturally significant homes.

🖼️ LIGHT EATERS, a new public art installation by Gracelee Lawrence reimagines plant life in the hardscape of Troy, NY. Opening reception at Collar Works.

🌿 The Delmar Farmers Market hosts a Mothers Day Planting.

🧳 Join Curated Travel Magazine for an immersive, come‑as‑you‑wish walkthrough of the May/June issue, The Art of Taste. At the Troy Public Library.

🎬️ The Glimmerglass Festival comes to the Clark Institute with performances of the opera, “Happy End,” a satire of big business and big religion set in a smoky speakeasy.

🖼️ The Zonta Arts, Crafts & Curiosities Faire takes over Glens Falls City Park this weekend.

🌲 It’s opening weekend at WildPlay Thacher.

SUNDAY

🎙️ Iron & Wine, one of our all-time favorite singer-songwriters, performs at The Egg.

🌺 MOTHER’S DAY PICKS

• The Albany Tulip Festival is always a festive option if mama isn’t turned off by big crowds

• Dutch Apple Cruises has several departures planned for Mother’s Day

• The folks at Albany.com have compiled a list of dining options for the big day

• Indian Ladder Farms and June Farms are both hosting Mother’s Day events

• Context Collective is hosting a Mother’s Day Pottery Brunch

• Bard & Baker brings in Typhoid Mary for a Mother’s Day Slay

• Ilium Brewing just added a Mother’s Day Brunch with mimosa pitchers

• Stuyvesant Plaza is putting on a Mother’s Day Social

• Proctor’s brings in gospel singers and soul food from Allie B’s for its Soul Food Gospel Mother’s Day Brunch.

• Allied Brewing is doing a Blooms & Brews event featuring a build-your-own-bouquet bar

• Mt. Ida Preservation Hall invites you to their Mother's Day Brunch Grand Buffet, prepared by chef Larry Schepici

• Wolf Hollow Brewing Company puts on a Mother's Day Brunch—with a complimentary first drink for mom!

• Get crafting with mom at Nine Pin’s Craft & Sip: Suncatchers. Mention “The 518 Crew” for 10% off all cider drinks!

• Mohawk Golf Club invites you to their Mother’s Day Brunch

• The Queensbury is putting out an elegant brunch buffet for mom in their lovely Adirondack Ballroom

Our music listings are now published separately on The 518 website. Click here.

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