Happenings This Weekend: January 14 – 16, 2011

After all the snow of the past few days, everyone is starting to feel a little cabin-fever setting in. The forecast for the weekend looks clear so why not dig yourself out, bundle up and check out some of our area’s local events.

Friday, January 14

Linda Worster at New Lebanon Library
Local singer/songwriter Linda Worster will perform as part of the Library’s Coffee House Night performances series. Tonight’s event is billed as an evening of “wonderful music that proclaims the joy and explores the struggle of inner discovery.”
The Library is located at 550 State Route 20 in New Lebanon, New York. The time for this event is 6 to 8pm.

Folk Jam Sessions at The Malden Bridge Community Center
Ampersand holds a jam session on the second Friday of each month and they are open to the public. The session runs from 7:30 to 10:00pm at the Malden Bridge Community Center, located in the hamlet of Malden Bridge on the northern edge of Columbia County, NY.

The Music of ABBA with ARRIVAL From Sweden at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Arrival From Sweden, the largest touring ABBA show in the world, faithfully recreates ABBA’s greatest hits, with a full backing band that includes original ABBA musician Mike Watson on bass. They tell stories about ABBA and everyone performs in copies of the original costumes.
The performance starts at 8pm and tickets range in price from $15 to $35. Click here for more information.

Saturday, January 15

The Wonderful World of Wordless Picture Books at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library
Kids ages 3 to 8, are invited (with their parents) to join this library event from 10am to 11am.  The Roeliff Jansen Community Library is located at 9091 Rte 22 in Copake, NY. For more information, call 518-325-4101.

“Here Comes Another Lesson” at Hudson Opera House
Author, Stephen O’Connor, reads from his latest collection of short stories, Here Comes Another Lesson (Free Press).
The reading begins at 2pm.

Winter Afternoon Discoveries Series at The Kinderhook Memorial Library
Families are invited to take part in this twist on Family Feud that pits kids (ages 2 to 5) against parents in a trivia-based contest.
The fun gets going at 4:30pm and is part of a monthly series of programs held at the library.

Albany Devils vs. Springfield Falcons at Times Union Center
The Albany Devils face off against the Springfield Falcons – a developmental professional ice hockey team in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the American Hockey League (AHL), based out of Springfield, MA.
The game starts at 7pm and tickets are $18.

Sunday, January 16

Learn-To-Skate at Albany Academy Field House
The Albany Figure Skating Club’s Learn-to-Skate program is designed for beginning skaters of all ages and abilities, from preschool to adult. Recreational, figure skaters, and hockey skaters are welcome, and more advanced beginner figure skating instruction and a beginner synchronized skating program are available.
Sunday’s event will be held from 12:30 to 2:30pm at the Albany Academy Field House, 117 Hackett Blvd., Albany, NY. Click here for more information.

Do you have or know of an event that you would like included in a future post? Leave it in the comments or email me at jeff@columbiacountycurrent.com.
Please note, event information is gathered from a number of sources both online and in print.

This Weekend at Club Helsinki in Hudson

Have you been to Club Helsinki in Hudson yet? It’s a great space to see a live performance, have a drink (or six) and grab a bite to eat in the newly opened restaurant. The performance space, bar and restaurant are all housed in a beautifully restored 1860’s industrial complex that also includes an upstairs ballroom and private events hall. You don’t need an excuse to check out this amazing location but here are a few that might motivate you.

Appearing Friday, January 7 (2011): A double bill featuring Johnny Society with The Mommy Heads

From HelsinkiHudson.com:

Multi-instrumentalist Kenny Siegal fronts indie rock fave Johnny Society and its talented ever revolving line up. The latest incarnation as a power trio continues to connect strands of ’60s and ’70s pop/rock into impressive bluesy, poppy, indie rock songs.

The Mommyheads craft a witty blend of brilliant sonic arrangements, beautiful vocal harmonies and killer chops often referred to as “perfect pop.”

Doors open at 6:00pm and the show starts at 9:00pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online by clicking here. 21 and over.

Appearing Saturday, January 8 (2011): Tao Seeger & George Kilby Jr. with Members of Railroad Earth and Hot Tuna

From HelsinkiHudson.com:

An all-star revue that re-defines Folk, Blues and Jam Band Music.

Featuring: Tao Seeger, George Kilby, Jr., Barry Mitterhoff (Hot Tuna), Andy Goessling (Railroad Earth), Johnny Grubb (Railroad Earth) and Special Guest Andrew McConathy

Doors open at 6:00pm and the show starts at 9:00pm. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased online by clicking here. 21 and over.

Club Helsinki is located at 405 Columbia Street in Hudson, New York 12534
For more information:
click: HelsinkiHudson.com,
email: info@helsinkihudson.com
call: 518.828.4800.

Kef Wireless Speakers

I’m constantly rearranging the rooms of my home. Usually that just means moving furniture and the stuff hanging on my walls, which is fun. Unfortunately, whenever I move the TV, I also have to rewire the surround sound speaker system, which is tedious, frustrating and usually limiting as I have to find a layout that cleverly conceals the wires.

With one of these new Kef Wireless Speaker Kits (KIT 120 and KIT 140), I could move my TV and speakers without ever having to worry about whether or not the new layout will leave wires running all over the room.


Offered in a matt silver or high gloss black paint the entire package includes two main loudspeakers, a subwoofer with an incorporated high performance amplifier and an identical DVD/CD player. Unfortunately with a starting price of $2480, I won’t be adding these to my home theater set-up any time soon. But don’t let that stop you – click here for more info.