Two regional destinations are offering plenty to jump around on the horizon!
Expect to see cars bouncing and people hopping, because the bass is back. Crowds are going to be bouncing past the Armory The Washington Armory presents "Stuff Your Face with Bass , a showcase of 24 Capital Region DJ's in three rooms on at 8pm on Saturday, Jan. 27. "Tickets are going fast," says Armory staffer Gabbi O'Brien. "They might sell out." Hear that? Don't wait.
Or for those football fans out there--hit up the Capital Region's biggest Superbowl Party at the Clubhouse Race Book. Party features great deals on Bud and Bud Light, half-price apps, drawings, and King-cut Prime Rib. Oooh--oooo. Taking place on Sunday feb 5, 2012 at 711 Central.
The
Lark Street BID is offering a free business forum for small business owners and
managers tonight, January 24th at Trinity Church, 235 Lark Street,
from 5:30 to 6:30pm.The "Lark U" Big
Answers for Small Businesses is an ongoing program designed to assist smaller
businesses in getting valuable information regarding a wide range of business
topics such as legal issues, tenant leases, marketing, and more.Join
us, and a panel of local business professionals, for this informative session on
general business topics.There will be
time for questions and networking at the conclusion of the presentation.
Emma Torncello, or "Torn Soul" as she's known on YouTube, has made a name for herself performing her own unique brand of blues and soul music at local coffeehouses and night clubs. Now, she's taking her music bigtime, launching a brand new CD "I'm Lucky" that showcases her special gift for songwriting and performance.
"I'm Lucky" offers a blend of beautiful covers and original songs, all recorded on keyboard. Torncello, originally from Watervliet, knew she wanted to be a musician even as a child. Her talents were cultivated by Tony Perrino, who also introduced her to her instrument of choice, the Hammond B-3 organ.
She recorded her album at Silvertone Studios in Wilton, and will present her CD to the general public for the first time Saturday, January 21, at the Linda at 7:30. Tickets are $12. Expect to hear some staples from Bonnie Raitt and Sippie Wallace, and look forward to some great new music by Torncello and her opening band, Sly Fox and the Hustlers, another Capital Region original.
The Linda is located at 339 Central Avenue, Albany. Show starts January 21 at 7:30. Tix are $12.
This
Saturday, the 3rd Annual Gore Mountain Bus Ski Trip will depart from
Albany in search of some snow and mountain fun!If you've been to either of the last ones, you already know how much fun
this day-trip is, and if you haven't yet been, well-you should!The bus leaves early (7:30am) to get to Gore
around 8:30, right when the lifts open.Reserve your seat today by calling the Pearl Street Pub.$80 includes the bus trip, lift ticket, and
t-shirt.Gore has gotten close to ten
inches of fresh snow this week, so there will be plenty for some fun on the
mountain!
Next
Saturday, January 28th is Exit Dome 5 at the WMHT/WEXT Studios in
Troy. EXIT 97.7fm's homage to the "Local 518 music scene" will feature six
local bands including area favorites and B3nson darlings, Sgt Dunbar & the
Hobo Banned, MaryLeigh & the Fauves, who were the winners of SPAC's 2011
Battle of the Bands competition, The City Never Sleeps, Mother Judge, Rosary
Beard, and M.R. Poulopoulos, who graced a Lark Street Stage at Art on Lark this
past June.From their inception, EXIT
97.7 has been a huge supporter of local talent, highlighting 518 music every
hour throughout the day, as well as dedicating a weekly show that features
performances and interviews with local artists.This is a chance to support a station that supports local music while
seeing an awesome line-up of music!
The
start of a new year also saw the return of what had previously been two of the area's
favorite spots: The Lark Tavern on Madison Ave and Ice Skating at the Empire
State Plaza. Both have been on hiatus for more than a year with a devastating fire
closing the Tavern in 2010 and budget restrictions forcing closure of the Plaza
Ice Rink in 2008.New Year's weekend
welcomed a resurrection of both.The Plaza
Ice Skating Rink is open daily, now until March, from 11am until 8pm with maintenance
scheduled from 3 to 4pm.It is free to
skate and rentals are only $3 and $4 for kids and adults, respectively.
The
Lark Tavern, under new ownership, opened after extensive renovations and an
expansion of the building to include additional kitchen space.Also included in the new space is a piano alcove next
to the front bar (complete with a piano), and a small stage in the back room for
live music and performances.It is not a
reopening of Tess' Lark Tavern, but a redesign of a building with a rich history
of uses including a silent movie theatre and a firehouse.
Football fans watching games at the race book? Capital OTB President and CEO John Signor says the new Central Avenue race book will cater to both crowds, and in that way, grow the sport.
The new 25,000 square foot betting parlor and sports grill is built to appeal to serious horseplayers and casual fans alike. "We need to grow the number of racing fans we have in the Capital Region," Signor says. He hopes the state-of-the-art facility, complete with 240 flat screens, 140 carrels, teller windows, as well as a full-service sports grill, will turn casual fans into racing fans.
He gestures to the sunny pub around him, full of framed sports photos and mementos. "A family can go out to eat and sit next to an avid horseracing fan, and they can coexist," Signor says. He also hopes that the new location--the Clubhouse will be right next door to a brand-new ShopRite on Central--will be good for business. Thousands of shoppers will come to the plaza to do their shopping, and when they do, they will see this facility as well, he says.
Already, the facility has been mobbed, and the new crowds are different. "We've seen more women in this place over the last week than in the old building in a year," he says.
Modeled on Vegas-style casinos and successful sports grills, the brand new Clubhouse Race Book offers racing and sports action. The new building boasts an upscale look and feel, including a beautiful 50 feet mahogany and granite bar--the largest bar in the area, tuxedo-vested tellers, and artwork and silks donated by prominent racing families. The facility also offers a conference room and business offices.
The old OTB Tele-theater, which has stood on Central Avenue for 30 years, closed on New Year's Eve, and 12 hours later, 550 people attended the new facility's grand opening. The old location will be demolished in February. Signor expressed no sadness about the overhaul, only satisfaction. "It's antiquated. It's got old equipment, tube TVs. It's far past its prime," says Signor. Signor used to go to the old Teletheater when he was in college, and he's proud to be able to bring the race book to a new generation of fans.
"Back then, that was the place to go, and now, this is the place to go," says Signor.
January 8, Giants fans wearing Giants gear get in free. The play-off game will be shown on the big screens.
January 14, NYRA calendars will be given away to the first 200 admissions.
January 20, The Clubhouse will host Rock 'n' Racing, turning the lights down and music up for a night of sports action and racing fun.
The Clubhouse Race Book is located at 711 Central Avenue, behind the old OTB Teletheater. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for individuals over 55.
Exciting Entertainment. World-Class Dining. Exquisite Art and Culture. Luxury Residential Opportunities. Since 1996, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) has worked in Albany's central business district making a direct impact through three core initiatives: business development, marketing and quality of life. From assisting developers to realize unique residential spaces to working one-on-one with business owners on their marketing plans, the BID is on the street day-in and day-out, ensuring that downtown Albany is the premier Capital Region destination for businesses, employees, residents, and visitors. Learn more about the BID at downtownalbany.org or
.
Lark Street Business Improvement District
Cark Street is the vibrant heart of Albany, and known as "the village in the city" offering a one-of-a-kind experience for residents and visitors alike. From shopping to dining to nightlife to the arts, Lark Street has it all for a Live-Work-Play lifestyle. The cobblestone streets and beautiful brownstones evoke the feel of neighborhoods in New York City and the many events such as Art on Lark and LarkFEST draw thousands of visitors to this unique community and keep them coming back.
Downtown Albany Business Improvement District 
Lark Street Business Improvement District