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The Egg's Last Hurrah is a giant arcade party 🕹️🥳

The Egg's Last Hurrah is a giant arcade party 🕹️🥳

June 12, 2025

Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Today, we’re taking you behind-the-scenes of The Egg’s major makeover and Last Hurrah Open House. It’s gonna be a big ol’ party before the wrecking crew comes in. (Don’t worry, they’re just spiffing up the interior.)

We’re humbled by the feedback from Monday’s Reader Poll. The vast majority of you are loving the newsletter. A couple of folks (by which, we mean exactly 2) didn’t care for our coverage of New Scotland Spirits’ Jesse Sommer. We understand he’s not everyone’s bottle of bourbon, but the man has ideas, that’s for sure.

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Thanks to each and every one of our subscribers! 🙌 Have a lovely Father’s Day weekend, y’all.

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Today in The 518:

The Egg morphs into a giant arcade before its big makeover
Beware of Speed Week, and the 518 Local Music Report is out
Check out our extra special Home of the Week(end)
Dad Fest, Renaissance Fest, Juneteenth and more this weekend!

The Egg preps for its big glowup (but first, one last party)

The Egg is about to crack open a bold new era (sorry, had to do it) but not before throwing one last, unforgettable party.

On Saturday, June 21, Albany’s iconic Brutalist performing arts venue will host its Last Hurrah Open House, a free bash featuring retro arcade games, pinball machines, giant board games, Rock Band on the main stage, and a huge, 16-player foosball table, among other surprises.

“Spill your wine, drop your popcorn—it’s fine. We’re ripping the carpet up the next day,” says Diane Eber, who’s coming up on two years as The Egg’s executive director.

The Egg will shut down in July through early 2026, the longest closure in its history, to make way for a massive $19.5 million renovation. The state-owned facility is long overdue for structural fixes, an ADA accessibility overhaul, and a full interior revamp.

A new fully automated LED lighting system will make major performances easier to pull off. Concert goers will definitely notice the new mid-century mod-inspired furniture.

“We’re going back to the true mod aesthetic—tulip chairs, womb chairs, the whole vibe,” Diane tells us. “We want people to walk in and say, ‘whoa!’ There’s no way we were going to reopen and look exactly the same.”

For inspiration, Diane points to the TWA Lounge at JFK, which was recently renovated in a style that celebrates its 1960s retro roots. “We were the original TWA lounge,” she says.

Beyond the physical upgrades, Diane and her small team (just nine full-timers) are using the down time to rebrand, dream bigger, and reposition The Egg as more than just a Capital Region gem.

“We want The Egg to be destination-worthy,” she says. “Not just a place Albany loves—but something people drive to from across the state.”

Programming has already started shifting, with more national acts and event experimentation. The open house itself—turning the venue into a giant arcade complete with Rock Band on the main stage with full lights and fog machines—is designed to showcase a different side of the venue.

“People are excited to engage with The Egg in a new way,” Diane says. “This isn’t just about seats and lights—it’s about redefining what a performing arts center can be.”

The deets: Last Hurrah Open House at The Egg. June 21, from 2 to 6 pm. The party is free (with a suggested $15 donation) but RSVPs are highly encouraged. Pro tip: Arrive early, wear comfy shoes, and get ready to rock.

“We’re a freaking piece of art. It’s time we acted like it.”

—Diane Eber, Executive Director, The Egg

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🎖️ Fort Johnson, which was named after Albany war hero and World War I Sgt. Henry Johnson, is going back to its original designation—Fort Polk. It’s all part of the Trump administration’s efforts to reinstate military base names that were changed under Biden. Polk was a Confederate general. Sgt. Johnson was a Black Medal of Honor recipient. As the kids say: What the helly?? [Spectrum News]

🚨It’s a good time to slow your roll as Speed Week is under way, through Sunday. Last year, the annual campaign resulted in 22,476 traffic tickets, with 11,175 issued for speeding and 592 for Move Over law violations. Be especially alert for troopers in unmarked cars. Of course, not speeding is an excellent way to avoid getting a ticket 😁 [CBS6]

🎸 For more than a decade, WEXT Radio's award winning Local 518 Show host Andy Gregory has compiled and produced a comprehensive quarterly list of songs, albums and videos released by local artists. The 518 Local Music Report is used by The Eddies Music Awards nominating judges to help identify original works released during the year by local artists. Get your free copy here.

🦕 It’s a delivery millions of years in the making. On Wednesday, technicians at the Albany Medical Center performed a CT scan of a dinosaur egg that was turned over to the NYS Museum. The fossil had been sitting on someone’s mantel for years. Why did they scan the egg? To find out what’s inside, of course. The results were inconclusive. [News10]

45 State Street, Valley Falls, NY 12185

This special edition of Home of the Week(end) comes to us from reader Zan of the Winter Folk. They reached out to connect us with their friend Brian, who is selling this thoughtfully updated home in Valley Falls, just about 30 minutes from Albany, Saratoga, and the mountains of Vermont.

Brian’s charming farmhouse has 4 spacious bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, with original wood floors and a warm, welcoming vibe throughout. There’s plenty of bonus space, including a large finished attic, generous front porch, and a versatile barn/garage with a tool area and an upstairs game room. The kitchen has been fully modernized, and the clawfoot tub is a beauty in the updated bath.

The deets: 4 bd, 2 ba, 2850 sf. Asking: $350,000. Days on market: 5. See the full listing here.

⭐️ 👨🏽 Sunday is Father’s Day! Get your Pop to Dad Fest in Albany’s Washington Park for a classic car show, plenty of good eats and good music (tributes to Grateful Dead, KISS and Bon Jovi). Sun, 12:30–6pm, free. Dad might also like the Malta Flea Market happening Sunday. If you’re looking for a sit-down meal, Brown’s Brewing Co. in Troy is pulling out all the stops, including ribs, lobster rolls and crab cakes, for its Father’s Day special.

⭐️ 🎭️ There’s so much good theater happening all the time, but not nearly enough patrons in the seats. The inaugural Capital Region Festival of Theatre aims to get more people out to the shows and supporting local venues. The four-day festival kicks off tonight at the Cue Theatre with a huge lineup of local performers. The TU has the back story on the festival.

⭐️ 🗡️ Catch music, magic & wonder at the annual NY Capital District Renaissance Festival. The four-day event is set in the bucolic fields and orchards of Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont. This year, the fest happens over two weekends, so it’s double the fun! Sat-Sun, $5–$80. Also June 21-22.

⭐️ 🧗‍♂️ If you’ve never been to the Albany Indoor Rock Gym, this should be a raucous introduction to one of the Capital Region’s hidden gems. AIR has both climbing walls and dark caves to explore. Queerfest II: Cirque de Queer features live bands, aerial hoop performances, clowns and face painting. Sat, 6–11p, $15–$20.

⭐️ 📜 Juneteenth Celebrations: All weekend, the Capital Region is celebrating the 160th anniversary of the historic emancipation of enslaved people. Tonight, Historic Cherry Hill presents “Music of the Black Experience During the Gilded Age: An Evening Serenade.” On Saturday, the Capital Region African Heritage Parade will kick off at 11a on Lincoln Park Road, near Delaware and Morton, in Albany. There are numerous events planned through June 19th. Get the full guide here.

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

TODAY

Wow, there’s so much music happening tonight!

🎸 It’s Funk & Pride Night at Albany’s Alive at Five, featuring Neal Francis with TV Doctors. The jam session continues at Ophelia’s for the after-party. (Remember that Alive at Five goes down at its new location at Tricentennial Park on Broadway.)

🎺 Cohoes kicks off its Rock the Block Concert Series with the horn-fueled party band, The Refrigerators.

🎵 Schenectady’s summer block party / concert series Bands on Broadway kicks off its season tonight with The Schmooze.

🎙️ Playhouse Stage Company raises the curtain on The Waiting: A New Musical, at the Cohoes Music Hall (Thurs-Sun).

🪕 Acoustic bluegrass band Willowby Station plays at Niskayuna Town Hall

🎺 Historic Cherry Hill presents Music of the Black Experience During the Gilded Age: An Evening Serenade. Also, Cherry Hill is offering Summer Tours every Friday & Saturday.

FRIDAY

🎬️ Movies Under the Stars will screen “Moana 2” at Lincoln Park. Looks like it will stay dry for Friday, but we’re getting yet another wet weekend 🙃 ☔️

🪴 Are Plants People? Join this intriguing conversation on Friday, hosted by Capital Region Public Philosophy and Collard City Growers. Come for the talk, then stay to help out in the Sanctuary for Independent Media’s garden. Please RSVP for pizza!

📸 Youth FX presents “Framing Our Futures,” a digital photography popup show at Albany Center Gallery.

🎈The Art Thing is hosting “Positive Space,” an immersive art installation where you’re encouraged to move balloons and other big objects around. Step inside, take up space, and be a part of the art! In Little Falls, NY, Fri-Sun.

💘 Single and ready to mingle? Join the Micropolitan Matchmakers for their Summer Bash at the Valley Cats. On Saturday, there’s the monthly coffee meetup.

🤝 Dinner with Friends: Albany is meant to encourage folks to get out and meet new friends.

SATURDAY

🍺 The first annual Illium Brewing Company’s Crawfish Boil should be a finger lickin’ good time.

🐕️ Curtis Lumber hosts its annual pet adoption Petapalooza in Ballston Spa. Walk away with the next love of your life 🤎

💀 Albany Twilight Market returns to Albany’s Quackenbush Square. Then head on over to the Larkin Hi-Fi for the official afterparty.

🏃 The Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences hosts the RMHC 5K Family Fun Day.

🌲 DEC facilities and state parks will be celebrating Get Outdoors and Get Together Day.

🛍️ Hit the sidewalk sale at Stuyvesant Plaza’s Summer Market, and stay for the live music (Caity Gallagher) and other festivities!

SUNDAY

🦐 The Lake George Restaurant Week kicks off today! Get 3 courses for $35.

🎸 Blues revivalist Jontavious Willis brings his soulful vocals, killer guitar, and his original take on traditional blues to Caffè Lena.