This month's First Friday Albany is a female-powered showcase

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Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Today, we’re celebrating art by and about women for First Friday Albany. Plus, it’s an especially packed weekend of cool events. See if you can spot the free ticket giveaway in our Top 5 Weekend Picks 👇️ 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

This month’s First Friday Albany is a female-powered showcase 💪 

First Friday Albany returns this month with popup exhibits showcasing creative works by women, about women, and for women—and people who love them.

We’re especially captivated by Aly Parrot’s wildly imaginative and vibrant watercolor illustrations of goddesses, celestial bodies, and woodland animals. Imagine if Georgia O’Keeffe did Dungeons & Dragons.

Aly’s works have been shown at numerous galleries around the Capital District, including Albany Barn, Bear & Bird Gallery, and Arlene’s. On Friday, you can view her illustrations in the Albany City Hall Rotunda.

At Albany Elks Lodge, you’ll find the colorful, mixed media collages of Melissa Mansfield and the fiber art of Lori Kochanski. At Nine Pin, view the Gothic art of Sabrina Dier. Meanwhile, Alacrity Frame Shop on Lark Street is showcasing the pencil drawings of Merrcow (aka Mercedes Soriano).

Speaking of Albany Barn, it’s hosting the First Friday opening reception for “Our Story: Unsealed Voices and Spirits,” featuring artists’ contemplations during this difficult time in the world. This is the 5th Annual Black Art Exhibition presented by Black Dimensions in Art, in partnership with Albany Barn.

Also happening: Gilded Age Tours of the Cathedral of All Saints; free admission to the Albany Institute of History & Art; and tours of the NYS Capitol Building. Oh, did we mention 2-for-1 margaritas at El Loco Mexican Cafe?

Check out the full schedule of events at First Friday Albany!

By the way: First Friday is a volunteer-led initiative, curated by Leanne Richuitti with The 518 as the proud media sponsor. 

Are you an artist or performer based in the Capital Region? Want to share your stuff during First Friday in 2025? Sign up for a pop-up exhibit at one of our partner locations. 🌟

Are you an Albany business or organization with an event (or special offer) for First Friday? Tell us about it, and we’ll add you to our event page👇

😎 WEATHER WATCH

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💦 We sure love our pools in the Capital Region. Fresh new facilities are on the horizon as several renovations kick into high gear:

• The grand re-opening of Albany’s Lincoln Park Pool is scheduled for July 4, 2025 🤞

• The Saratoga Peerless Pool in Saratoga Spa State Park is due for a $3.6 million renovation—its first major makeover in over 30 years ago!

• Construction on Troy’s Knickerbacker Aquatic Center, a $7.2 million project, is set to begin this spring.

🎼 Renowned conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya is coming home to lead the Albany Symphony on Saturday at Proctors, a full-circle moment for the Guilderland High grad. An immigrant from Russia, Lidiya credits Guilderland High’s excellent music program and early exposure to the Albany Symphony for her success. [Times Union]

🍾 Housed in a humble two-story building on Milton Avenue, the National Bottle Museum uncorks the history of glass bottle production—one of America’s earliest industries—while highlighting Ballston Spa’s significant role in it. The museum’s diverse collection is highlighted by a floor-to-ceiling display of more than 3,000 bottles from around the world. [WAMC]

⭐️ = The 518 Staff Picks

⭐️ 🖼️ First Friday Albany returns this week with popup exhibits showcasing creative works by women, about women, for women (and the people that love them). Don’t miss this month’s female-powered celebration of arts and culture! 5-9p, Fri, most events free.

⭐️💅 With 150 exhibitors, the New York Women’s Expo 2025 this weekend is bound to be a bonanza of new products and services to check out.

🚨We have a free expo pass to give to the first person who responds to this newsletter! Otherwise, use promo code EXPO2025 to get $2 off your ticket.

⭐️☠️ Upstate Punk Rock Flea Market. Get to Albany’s Empire Live for all kinds of punk-inspired oddities, jewelry, apparel and art. 11a-5p, Sun, free.

⭐️🎙️ The Albany Institute of History & Art brings opera to the little ones with “Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Niña in El Mundo,” a show especially geared for children ages 5-11. Presented by Opera Saratoga, the performance is free with admission! 11a-noon, Sat.

⭐️ 🍀 The Lionheart Leprechaun Dash is a fun and festive 0.4-mile race with a mid-run beverage stop. Luckily, you don’t need to run or dress up to drink 😂 1-4p, Sat, $23.18.

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

🍸️ Serata at Cafe Madison is now offering $5 martinis from 4-6p, Thu-Sun.

🎭️ UAlbany theater program’s version of the cult classic, “The Rocky Horror Show” runs through the weekend. Wonder if they’ll let you bring 🧻🧤🍞?

🏆️ The Delaware Albany has received the Albany Business Review BRED Award for Best Interior Design. Can you say date night?

🍽️ There’s still a couple of days left for the Glens Falls Restaurant Week.

TONIGHT

🤣 Get to the Tang Museum for Queerly Beloved: A Night of Comedy. And it’s free!

FRIDAY

🥁 Umana Yana in Albany presents Afro Jazz Night, featuring Caribbean-inspired curry dishes, cocktails, and the spicy beats of DJ Foxyt. This event is part of First Friday!

🕹️ Bard and Baker in Troy hosts Retro Video Game night, with games selected by the crowd.

🎨 Most paint & sip event are pretty tame affairs. Not this one. Paint & Spice in Saratoga is adults only. If they don’t bring out a nude model, we’re turning tables.

SATURDAY

🎺 Get in loser, we’re going to an E minor Jam Session. Bring an instrument and join in at No Fun as Pony in the Pancake plays the most melancholy chord of all.

🎹 Dueling Pianos at The Fairways of Halfmoon promises to be a piano-pounding showdown!

🏃‍♂️ The 5th Annual Electric City 10K kicks off the Capital District's 2025 road race season.

💜 Hattie’s Mardi Gras party, held for the first time in Albany at the NYS Museum, doubles as a benefit for two amazing local charities.

❄️ Stump City Brewing in Gloversville invites you on a Guided Snowshoe Adventure with an expert guide to show the way.

SUNDAY

🐩 Return Brewing hosts a Dog Fashion Show, with a super sweet prize basket for the best dressed pup and their stylist.

💃 This weekend, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, considered the most prominent flamenco dance company in America, makes their SPAC debut.

🪩 UAlbany hosts the 2nd annual Vibes Over Violence Concert, a benefit for immigrant solidarity.

🎵 Albany Pro Musica will present the Capital Region premiere of “Considering Matthew Shepard,” an evocative choral drama by Craig Hella Johnson.

🕑️ Don’t forget to “spring forward” for Daylight Savings Time!

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Sundays are the deadline to be included in the coming week’s list!

🦫 GET IN TOUCH!

Got an awesome business, event or personality we should feature? Let us know! Contact: [email protected]