This weekend, and in upcoming weeks, there are many opportunities to explore, celebrate, promote, and support the revitalization of Albany and Troy. A few examples include:
- Downtown Albany's Restaurant Week - Today and tomorrow are the last days of Downtown Albany's Restaurant Week (April 9-14). Twenty downtown restaurants -- fine dining, great pubs, Cajun to classic French -- are offering 3-course meals for 1 low price ($16.09 in honor of Henry Hudson of course; meals valued at $30, tax, alcohol, and gratuity not included). Participating restaurants include: Albany Mansion Inn, Albany Pump Statio, Amo La Bella, Bayou Cafe, Cafe Capriccio, The Comedy Works, Franklin's Tower, Hudson Harbor Steak & Seafood, Jack's Oyster House, Kelsey's Irish Pub, La Serre, Marche, McGeary's, Nicole's Bistro, Pagliacci Ristorante, Pearl Restaurant & Lounge, Savannah's, V&R, Victory Cafe, Webster's Corner.
- Jackie Baldwin's Tapas Night - Voted "Best Tapas" -- Metroland '06. Sunday, April 15, 5-8 p.m. $40/person including sangria. Daisy Baker's, 32 2nd Street, Troy, 266-9200. Enjoy an exotic array of authentic Spanish tapas prepared by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's executive chef (and Pottery District neighbor and friend) Jackie Baldwin. We can attest that this will be great. This popular event began, and quickly outgrew its original venue at Carmen's Cafe in South Troy.
- Reception to benefit St. Joseph's Church restoration at Albany Women's Club, Sunday, April 15th, 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact 626-0931. This is a project of the Historic Albany Foundation.
- Albany's Dining Out for Life - Dine out and fight AIDS. When you dine out on Thursday, April 26 for breakfast, lunch or dinner numerous fine restaurants will donate 25% of your food bill to the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York. Restaurants from Albany, Clifton Park, Cohoes, Guilderland, Hudson, Latham, Plattsburgh, Saratoga Springs, and Troy are participating; Troy's participants include Flavour Cafe, River Street Cafe, and Tosca.
- Gotta Get FUNded: A Masquerade Extravaganza - music, dancing, and delightful food; music by Annie and the Hedonists. This event will benefit the WCA's Building Restoration Fund and the Pick'n 'n Sing'n Gatherin's Performer Selection for the Gotta Get Gone Festival. For tickets and information, please call the Women's Club at 465-3626 or email womansclub [AT] hotmail [DOT] com. Reservations are encouraged. The building is not yet handicapped accessible.
- Celebrate Albany and Restore St. Peter's Church - Historic St. Peter's Church cordially invites you to a reception and auction to benefit Lighting Restoration and Music Enhancement on Sunday, April 29, 4-8 p.m. at The State Room, The Dewitt Clinton Hotel, State and Eagle Streets, Albany. $75 per person/$125 per couple. For ticket information, call 434-3502, x. 5. There will be a cocktail buffet ("savor the taste of historic Albany menus"), live auction ("Win an exclusive tour of an Albany cultural treasure. Experience the Dudley Observatory, Washington Park gardens, Olana and other gems from the inside out--attic to cellar"), and silent auction ("Take home the sounds and tastes of Albany as well as antiques and ephemera of Albany's past and present").
- Historic Albany Foundation's Walkabout Wednesdays. Want to learn more about the buildings and people of Albany's historic neighborhoods? The join Historic Albany Foundation as local historian and tour guide extraordinaire Tony Opalka takes you back in time. Each tour begins with a brief lecture and slide show. April 18th - "The Pastures" Tour; May 22nd - South End Tour; June 20th and July 18th TBA tours; August 15th - Ten Broeck Triangle tour; Fee is $5 for HAF members, $10 for non-members. Space is limited. To make reservations, please call HAF at 465-0876, x. 10 or email climniatis [AT] historic-albany [DOT] org.
Check Metroland's advertisements for more ideas, and don't blame us if you're bored!
