Top 5 Weekend Picks: The Egg, Saratoga Arts, Collar Works

Happy Thursday, Capital Region! We’re in that post-holiday period when there seems to be a lull in events, but we managed to find some pretty cool happenings to fill up your weekend plans. Because that’s what we do for the 518 💪 Enjoy!

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

⭐️ 🥚 The Egg, Albany’s beloved Brutalist performing arts center, is hatching from its historic $19.5 million makeover and celebrating with a free evening show and tours. RSVP now. Here’s a sneak peak at The Egg’s cool new retro digs—we’re big fans! During the open house, there will be a live DJ and an aerial performance from Albany’s own Good Karma Studio (we profiled them back in June). Thursday, 6-8 pm, free.

⭐️ 🖼️ The Egg isn’t the only institution celebrating a major makeover this week. Following a $2 million renovation, Saratoga Arts celebrates its grand reopening with a packed weekend of activities. There’s a cocktail party on Friday night, tours all day Saturday, and an opening reception for its High School All Stars exhibition in the evening. Fri-Sat, free.

⭐️ 🎄 Say goodbye to the holidays in true farm style at the annual Oh Tannen BaumFire at June Farms. Enjoy the cozy winter vibes, and indulge in adult beverages from the Pony Bar and good eats from the food truck. Sat, 11a-4p, $10 admission.

⭐️ 👑 Capital District Latinos invites you to its Three Kings Day party, a traditional celebration featuring refreshments, face painting, crafts, a photo station with the Three Wizard Kings, and a fun puppet show! All children will receive a gift from the Three Kings. Sat, 11a-2p, free.

 ⭐️🔉 Come check out some cool experimental sounds this Friday Night at Collar Works in Troy. Expect noisy electro pop, exploratory violin music, and analog + electronic improv. Sounds like a party for your ears. Fri, 7p, $5-$10 suggested donation.

THURSDAY

🛼 Think you might have what it takes to be a roller derby star? Get to Common Roots Albany Outpost for the Albany All Stars roller derby recruitment night!

🤣 Laugh it up at Ilium Brewing’s Live Stand-Up Comedy Night.

🎭️ Tony winner for Best Musical, Monty Python’s SPAMALOT runs through Sunday at Proctors.

FRIDAY

Correction: Apparently, First Friday Albany is on hiatus for the month of January. Check back next month for First Friday events!

🗣️ Brushes & Pens at MoJo’s Cafe & Gallery is an evening featuring spoken word, music, and advocacy—we gather to listen, share, and explore the stories that connect us.

🪡 Sliding scale acupuncture at The Center for Independent Media. Reservations available on Fridays throughout the month of January.

SATURDAY

🎨 Get to the Art and Craft Swap at the Albany Public Library (Washington Avenue branch) to exchange art supplies.

🎸 Celebrate the King of Rock at Hangar on the Hudson’s Elvis 91st Birthday Bash.

🏃‍♂️The Roundabout Runners Club and Fleet Feet Malta team up for the Hot Chocolate Run.

☕️ Check out Tortoise & Hare Coffee at their pop-up at River Garden Studio in Albany.

🎬️ Get to Lake Placid for the Back Country Film Festival, featuring films celebrating winter sports.

🌠 Welcome Back, Winter Sky! Join Dr. Mindy Townsend from the Dudley Observatory at Siena as she describes how our motion around the Sun changes our view of the night sky, as well as some of her favorite winter sky observing targets. Registration required.

🎬️ The Equity Center screens “Heightened Scrutiny,” a documentary about civil rights lawyer Chase Strangio’s battles at the Supreme Court for transgender adolescents’ access to gender-affirming healthcare. A panel discussion and benefit raffle will follow.

SUNDAY

🫶 Heal your heart with To Bind Anew: Creative tools for grief, memory, and mending at The Center for Independent Media. Reservations required.

MONDAY

Boulders & Bucha at the new Central Rock Gym in Troy features good eats from The Ruck’s foodtruck and kombucha from Yes Folk. Half price passes on rock climbing all day, too!

UPCOMING

1/16-18: Cathedral in Bloom
1/17: The Nightmare Expo at Proctors
1/17: Winter Festival at Grafton Lakes State Park
1/19: Martin Luther King Jr. march in Albany
1/22-24: Albany Wine & Dine Festival

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

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