There's nothing like a good shot of adrenaline. The adrenaline I'm talking about came from attending the press conference for  ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" event, taking place this Friday, May 18^th at The Times Union Center. But hey if you saw what I saw, you'd feel the same way.

The event marks the second time in the past three months that Star Boxing CEO Joe Deguardia has put on a boxing show at The Times Union Center. And like last time, he's giving the fans more than just a good old fashioned slugfest. Last February's event featured the filming of "The Challenger," giving fans the option to be extras in a motion picture. This time, he's bringing reality to the audience. The filming in Albany on Friday will be the pilot episode of a reality show that showcases the best promoters in the country. Deguardia's program is once again allowing fans to be part of more than just a night of hooks and jabs.

The buildup to the event has been nothing short of stellar. SMG Northeast Regional Director of Live Entertainment Bob Belber kicked things off by giving everyone some background information before stepping off the stand for Joe Deguardia. Although Deguardia did a marvelous job hyping up his event, it was the young, hungry, and charismatic boxers around him that electrified the crowd with excitement.

The card boasts a main event that features the Jr. Welterweight Champion Karim Mayfield defending his title against Raymond Serrano. Adding to the allure of an already much talked about title fight is the fact that both fighters are undefeated, meaning that in addition to the title, personal pride is at stake too. When it came time for them to address one another, everyone was entertained. The champion, Karim Mayfield took the stand thanking his team and the crowd for coming out when he suddenly began rapping, verbally painting a vivid picture of how he was going to punish his opponent. Serrano then took the stand, downplayed the sideshow antics of Mayfield, revealing that he's not one to talk much whether in person or on Facebook, and would show him what he means when they get in the ring. It looked like a scene out of a movie. The drama, excitement, and suspense spoke volumes.

The undercard consisted of young talent looking to build a name for themselves. They looked nervous but showed poise. They felt larger than life, almost like celebrities. One of the boxers, Vincent Miranda, is currently a resident of Albany. Miranda, a native of Puerto Rico, has spent the last two years living in Albany, competing in the local circuit. Miranda promised the crowd at the Times Union Center that he would put Albany on the map, resulting in a thunderous show of applause for the young man.

Another very promising fight on the card features Jason Escalera, an undefeated young man, with an accent identical to the infamous Tony Montana, aka "Scarface," taking on Nick "Machine Gun" Brinson. Both fighters spoke of their desire to give the fans the best show possible, showing humility and respect for one another, proving that boxers can and do indeed have a professional side too.

The press conference ended with each boxer and their opponent in a traditional stare-down, surrounded by flashing cameras. This is where things almost got out of hand. The opposing entourages began exchanging insults, almost resulting in a scuffle. You could see the adrenaline on the face of all of the youngsters, in fact Mayfield and Serrano looked like they were going to war. You could see beads of sweat drip down the faces of the main eventers, their hands were balled up in fists, and the tension was so intense that it could be cut with a butter knife.

It resembled stuff straight out of Hollywood but this was unfiltered, explosive, and REAL. It was that rare moment where you have no control over what could happen, perfectly setting the tone for Friday night's event.

I went to the press conference on an assignment, unfazed by the sport but when I left, I was completely sucked in and couldn't wait to see the competitors give it all they got.

Friday Night Fights takes place on Friday May 18^th, 2012 at 9:00 PM live from the Times Union Center, located at 51 South Pearl Street. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster, participating Walmart locations, and the Times Union Center box office; over the phone by calling 518.487.2000, and online by visiting www.timesunioncenter-albany.com.

-EH

Coming up with ideas for Mother's Day isn't the easiest thing in the world. Sure you can get her a card with some jewelry, flowers, dinner and all the works which is lovely - but then hasn't that been done?

You want to do something different for your mom? Or even better WITH your Mom? Take her to 17 Chapel, the site of this year's Vanguard Designer Showhouse. And as a special Mother's Day offer Vanguard is offering reduced admission.

No bones about it, Mom will appreciate a tour of the Designer Showhouse, probably more so than cliche gifts recycled over and over again year after year. With that said, here are the top 10 reasons why bringing Mom to see the Vanguard Showhouse would be a smart thing to do.

10. It shows creativity. Moms love creative things.

9. It's thoughtful. Really, where else can Moms go and mingle with other Moms about decoration?

8. It's inexpensive. Bring Mom and Vanguard will knock $3 for you and $5 for Mom off the $18 admission fee.

7. Free tips on interior design. You probably need it more than Mom does.

6. The novelty. Moms don't forget events like a tour of three majestic condos at the Vanguard Showhouse. Take her and she will remember it forever.

5. You get to meet professional local designers. These are people who volunteered their time and services for three months to put together the stunning condos. Show them appreciation, and get their contact information; you never know you might just need a good designer one day.

4. Buy her a painting, or lamp, or that end table she has glued to her eyes. How often will you get a chance to see Mom admire something so much right in front of you? She's worth it, buy it for her.

3. You may just fall in love with 17 Chapel so much you'll end up moving there, thus fulfilling the void in your life you have been looking to fill all this time.

2. It's for a good cause. Vanguard is the biggest fundraiser of Albany-Symphony Orchestra. Everything Vanguard does supports the Symphony.

1. It's in Downtown Albany. Just a few footsteps away, you can take Mom out to dinner, a live performance, even a tour aboard the Hudson with the Aqua Ducks.

There you have it, the top 10 reasons to bring Mom to the Vanguard Showhouse this Sunday. Remember, bring Mom and save on admission for yourself and even more on her. Plus, she's worth it.

-EH

Downtown Albany has always been full of soulful sounds and sweet melodies so it's only right that all the local talent comes together in one night to give fans a show to remember. That's exactly what the people expect this Friday when 13 blues acts jam throughout 13 Downtown venues except there's a catch. They will be competing against each other for the chance to play at Alive @ 5. The 13 acts that are competing are as follows

• Folding Sky performing at Taste
• Sly Fox & The Hustlers performing at The Bayou Cafe
• Nite Train performing at Legend's on Pearl
• JV & The Cutters performing at Wolf's 1-11
• Kylie & The Sympathetic Strangers performing at Franklin's Tower
• Joe Lowry & The Second Mile Blues Band performing at Blue 82
• The George Boone Blues Band performing at Pearl Street Pub
• Blues Sanctuary performing at McGeary's
• Bent Rail Blues Band performing at The Olde English Pub
• Blackboard Blues performing at Jillian's
• George Fletcher's Foldin' Money performing at 74 State
• Collette & The Mudcats performing at Figure 10
• Charlie Smith Blues Trio performing at The Merry Monk

Each act is playing at their respective venue from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM. The top 3 acts with the most votes at the end of the night will win the ultimate prize, playing in front of thousands this summer at Alive @ 5 during Local Blues Night.

However, it's not just the musicians that are full of anticipation. The downtown Albany venues, who are each hosting an act, have their own reason to be excited.

"We've had a lot of success with events like this in the past so we were really excited about the opportunity to be a hosting venue for the Blues Music Competition because it allows us to have a different type of crowd that we hope will have fun and come back," says Jason Hayes, owner of Blue 82, "We have a great time hosting local talent and try to do it as much as we can. It helps the artists with exposure while at the same time giving us a chance to show everyone a great night out in downtown Albany."

Shane Spillenger, of The Bayou Cafe and Jillian's believes it is a unique way for the venues to collaborate, "I think it's a great opportunity for all the different bars Downtown to work together and give the people a good time because in the end, we all want downtown Albany to succeed and that's what it's all about."

The Downtown Albany Blues Music Competition is this Friday May 4^th from 5:00 - 9:00 PM. There is absolutely no cover charge at any venue nor is there any kind of price of admission, the entire event and transportation by trolley is completely free. For more information, click here. To learn more about the Downtown Albany BID, visit www.downtownalbany.org

-EH

On April 29, 2012, 17 Chapel held the "Gala Preview Party" where a ribbon cutting ceremony took place officially kicking off the 2012 Vanguard Designer Showhouse Showcase "Urban Elegance." The Mayor and Maestro David Allan Miller, along with over 100 local residents came to show their support for the Albany Symphony Orchestra (ASO).

For over three months Vanguard - Albany Symphony, Inc. President Barbara Richer, her volunteer staff, and 22 of the area's finest interior designers gave their time and services to bring Vanguard's Showhouse, ASO's biggest fundraising event, to 17 Chapel. The Opening Day festivities begin Tuesday May 1^st, at 10:30 AM.

Opening Day ushers in a week jam packed with activities highlighting the Showhouse along with the best in downtown Albany's dining and entertainment (to see a cool list featuring all of the events please visit downtownalbany.org/events/2012-vanguard-showhouse-may-day-week).

Those who got a chance to get an early peek at the Gala were mesmerized by the beautifully designed spaces. Each year 3-4,000 Capital Region residents visit the Vanguard Showhouse in support of the Symphony. Everything visible to the eye from artwork to furniture will be available for purchase.

Although you have from May 1 to May 20 to visit 17 Chapel's beautiful condos, one day you certainly won't want to miss is Thursday May 3^rd. On Thursday, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) has a special offering. For just $18, the Downtown Albany Renaissance package will net you a Showhouse trip for the day along with an afternoon tour of Downtown with Georgette Steffens, Executive Director of the Downtown Albany BID and Mike Yevoli, Commissioner of Economic Development and Planning for the City of Albany and President of Capitalize Albany outlining recent and future Downtown developments. Afterwards, everyone will go to Blue 82 for Happy Hour. All are invited but please RSVP by going to albanyshowhouse.eventbrite.com and remember all proceeds benefit the ASO.

The Vanguard team has put in a lot of time and hard work at 17 Chapel supporting the Symphony. Their dedication has resulted in three beautiful condos containing amazingly designed spaces in addition to seminars offering expert advice about interior design. For over 80 years, the ASO has been an important part of the rich cultural and thriving music scene in Downtown. Let's make sure that continues - Don't miss the 2012 Vanguard Showhouse.

If you've ventured throughout downtown Albany at all this past week you may have noticed something was out of the ordinary. 

That something is Restaurant Week! 17 Downtown restaurants are offering three-course meals at just $20.12. Read that sentence to yourself one more time. Each restaurant's three-course offering is valued at $35 - so you're saving roughly $15 on a great night out. This is a rare opportunity to try a restaurant you've never been to before, take out that special someone, or go out with the family and not break the bank. Downtown Albany Restaurant Week ends Saturday, April 28, 2012.

For a quick glimpse of what's going on, watch our YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1yQDp0vbLc

Let's Eat!

- EH 

In less than two weeks the Vanguard Showhouse opens its doors but yours truly had a sneak peek at what's to come and boy oh boy is everyone in for a treat.

Before walking in, I reflected on an earlier visit I made to 17 Chapel to an empty condo and thought to myself "I can't wait to see what they'll have done with this in a few weeks." That time was now.

My visit to 17 Chapel consisted of tours in three different spaces. Each one had a different floor plan with a unique color scheme. Imagine, if you will, the most elegant, comfortable, luxurious, sleek, and unique interior design you've ever laid eyes on.

The first room I walked into was decorated and carpeted. The walls, which were once different shades of gray, were painted with designs elaborate enough to keep you staring at the wall for hours. After only seeing the painting on the wall and the fabulous kitchen you can't wait to see what furniture they select to enhance the room even more.

Often times, imagination trumps reality but walking into the next space this wasn't one of those times because the second apartment we walked into smashed my imagination into smithereens. With a color scheme I'll call "cappuccino," a feeling of warmth and comfort immediately came over me. The furniture was in perfect place and complimented the surrounding colors in a way that has to be seen to be appreciated. The bathroom was gallant. Overall, the rooms, the colors, the furnishing, everything felt majestic.

Barbara Richer, President of Vanguard and our impromptu tour guide praised the designers for their creative execution, "I've been doing these for a very long time but this year's Showhouse is truly a marvel, time and time again our incredible designers find new ways to work together and leave all of us captivated each time we walk into a room."

As we entered the third and final room of our tour, I happened to see designer Mark Stem putting the finishing touches on the study. "It's wonderful to see it all come together the way it has been," said Mark, " This is a beautiful property rich with history and I'm happy to be a part of the Vanguard effort to bring the Showhouse to 17 Chapel." Mark comes to 17 Chapel three times a week to volunteer his services.

The third room was my favorite. Without giving away too much, I'll put it like this: If you would've told me the colors and the type of decoration I should expect then I'd immediately be critical of it but when my eyes saw what was in front of them, they fell in love.

The Vanguard Showhouse Opening Day is on Tuesday May 1^st at 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM. I encourage you and everyone around you to come to 17 Chapel and see for yourselves the splendor that my colleagues and I saw.

Learn more by visiting:

http://downtownalbany.org/events/2012-vanguard-albany-symphony-inc-designer-showhouse

-EH 

The Wombats are just one of the bands headlining the upcoming MOVE festival on Saturday, April 21, 2012. And unless you are one of my fellow Alt Nation (Satellite Radio) listeners, it might be the greatest band you've never heard of. Or at least one of them.

In fact, as I'm writing this The Wombats' (Jump into the Fog) single has not only made the week's alt 18 countdown list, coming in at number 8, the cool tune beat out acts like Gotye, Fun and Jack White to claim the spot. Take a listen.

The ticket price for the entire MOVE festival is just $12 - a heck of a deal to see The Wombats. But wait a tick - you'll have access to check out over 99 other acts during that day. Plus, festival organizers are holding a trade show and educational round table sessions with industry professionals at Hotel Albany to create a place for open dialogue on the music industry for budding musicians and their bands. Visit the Move festival's website movemusicfest.com to learn more. 

On March 26, 2012 The Wombats official website posted that this British Indie band "are the latest act confirmed to join Red Hot Chili Peppers at Knebworth Park (Saturday 23 June) and Sunderland Stadium of Light (Sunday 24 June) this summer. Hoo - ho, Albany gets to host them first.

So yes, that's cool. And what better place to bring this coolness than to Downtown Albany. Here are the designated venues for the upcoming MOVE Festival:

• Bayou Cafe (Restaurant Week participant)
• Savannah's/Dublin Underground
• Legends on Pearl (Restaurant Week participant)
• Kelsey's at Hotel Albany (Restaurant Week participant)
• Red Square
• Blue82
• McGeary's
• Justin's on Lark
• Franklin's Tower (Restaurant Week participant)

Check out the full schedule at movemusicfest.com and get out and have some fun. Over and out.

-MR

In case you didn't tune in last time, we unveiled everything you needed to know about the Vanguard Designer Showhouse. Titled "Urban Elegance," the yearly event runs May 1st through the 20th, 2012 at the historic 17 Chapel condominiums in downtown Albany. And while you may have heard about the Vanguard and 17 Chapel before, this week you'll get to see how the designers came together and hear their thoughts on how Urban Elegance will impact Downtown.

The designers who came together for Urban Elegance come in all forms. Some are new to the area, some are well known local names, and some have worked closely with Vanguards for years. While it is a diverse group, it's safe to say that they all have a passion for design, so much that they are willing to extend their time and services to Vanguard for free.

Making up this exciting team are Richard Mare, Amy DeBiase, Sandi Manoogian, Lorraine Smith, Shannon McGivern, Pamela Quick, Arthur Fowler,  Barbara Bishop, Michel Patterson, Stacy Snell, Lisa Santry, Lynne Ricci, Kathy Rouche, Amy Radley, Mary Korzinki, Patti Connors, Rae Rau, Amy Donnelly, Mark Stern, Cyndi Myers, Katherine Brickley, and last but not least Jacqueline McClory.

All twenty-two team members bring something different to the table, a sentiment echoed by Master Bedroom designer Richard Mare "It's always interesting because everyone has their own vision. I'm lucky to be a part of something like this.

Mare, who operates out of Downtown Designs on Jay Street in Schenectady, described the on-site atmosphere as "something truly unique because all the design boards were on the same line which is kind of uncommon when working in bigger groups especially since I came onboard late."

One of the coolest things about 17 Chapel besides its beautiful interiors is its external surroundings - which are just as alluring as the condominiums themselves. Walk outside and within mere minutes you are surrounded by restaurants, hotels, bars, entertainment venues, and even the Hudson River! Need to get somewhere by car? Interstate 787 is just a stone's throw away allowing you to get to virtually anywhere in the Capital District in a flash. Amy Donnelly, who holds a degree in Urban Planning, describes the location as the perfect place for Vanguard and 17 Chapel to revitalize Downtown, "As an Albany native, I'm very excited to help bring new energy to the region. Vanguard is doing something that's going to be really meaningful to Downtown's development." Donnelly is helping design the boys bedroom. When she's not at 17 Chapel, she works at Trinity Rose Designs.

There you have it. Check back next time for more insight from the designers of the Vanguard Showhouse!

-EH