This week's weekend roundup is brought to you by Spontaneous Broadway, the all-improvised musical comedy sensation at Mopco! Get tickets for this limited run before they sell out!
⭐️ = 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.
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.