GLENS FALLS — The Hyde Collection, Chapman Museum, and World Awareness Children’s Museum celebrate International Museum Day on Thursday, May 18. This day is meant to celebrate the importance of museums as they preserve the worlds natural and cultural heritage.

Each museum will offer free admission and extended hours. At each location, visitors can pick up their passport to International Museum Day. Collect a stamp in your passport by visiting each location. Once all stamps have been collected, you can enter to win a free Family Membership to one of these three organizations.

At the Chapman Museum, visitors can explore the exhibits and build their own family trees. The Chapman will be open for extended hours until 7 p.m. 

At The Hyde, visitors can play Gallery Games. There will be a number of prompts that lead visitors throughout the museum and engage with art and each other. 

At the World Awareness Children’s Museum, visitors can curate their own gallery with art from the Museum. Admission to the Museum will be free from 3-8 p.m. Note, free admission does not include registration to events and classes. CAMBRIDGE CAMBRIDGE — Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts and Education has won $279,000 in NY State Council on the Arts funding in support of artist housing and updated sound equipment. 

The funds come from NYSCA and Governor Kathy Hochul’s $42 Million investment in Small and Mid-Sized Capital Projects for Arts and Cultural Organizations.

“Strengthening our creative sector increases tourism, boosts our economy, and enhances the rich heritage and cultural life of New York State,” Gov. Hochul said, in a statement. “These record grants will support a wide range of diverse and innovative projects at our arts and cultural organizations across the state, helping ensure all who visit will continue to have wonderful experiences for years to come.”

“In the last two years, with NYSCA’s extraordinary support, we have completed several facilities projects that have greatly improved patrons’ experiences, including new HVAC systems in three of our buildings and new restrooms in Hubbard Hall,” said Executive & Artistic Director David Snider, in a statement. “The addition of artist housing and new sound equipment are critical steps in our growth in serving our community and the field at large. We are so grateful for the Governor’s leadership and NYSCA’s amazing support on these projects. We could not do any of this without them or without the support of our local community. These additions will continue to make Cambridge a destination for artists and audiences.” 

The Lovejoy building on the Hubbard Hall campus will be restored and renovated to provide artist housing, while new sound equipment on the main stage will better support artists and audiences for years to come. The $279,000 will be matched by Hubbard Hall existing funds as well as an additional $100K yet to be raised over a three-year period. The hope is to complete the artist housing portion of the project by July 2024, with new sound equipment to be implemented later this year. New artist housing will strengthen Hubbard Hall’s ability to support artist residencies, develop new work, and bring world-class artists to Cambridge, for a variety of presentations and productions. 

Hubbard Hall plans to begin work on the artist housing in July. The architect on the project is Geoff Metcalfe of Keefe and Wesner, with engineering provided by Engineering Services of Vermont, LLC.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Indie-folk, husband/wife duo The Ballroom Thieves will perform at Caffe Lena on May 18, in advance of their forthcoming EP, “Undone,” due later this month. 

The Ballroom Thieves is Calin Peters and Martin Earley. For the last decade the band has focused on an energetic and dynamic live show that features a powerful quartet.  Presently, they’re scaling things back to expose the bones of some of their most well-loved songs on an intimate duo tour.

“This run of more personal shows is built around the conversational nature of songwriting as a way of telling a story,” Earley explains. 

The pair both emphasize that they’ve learned to navigate complicated situations, including their struggles with depression, which often colors their songs. If they can impart anything to listeners, it’s that talking about mental health is not a weakness—and that sharing any of life’s trials can be a source of strength.

For more information and tickets, go to: caffelena.org. 

ALBANY — The Bacon Brothers have announced their annual summer tour will feature a stop in Albany on Thursday, June 22 at the Hart Theatre at The Egg.

The Bacon Brothers, featuring Michael & Kevin Bacon, started over 25-five years ago and have released 10 albums and an E.P. to date, most recently the 2022 release, “Erato.”  

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com/event/00005E92B4FBE596. 

SCHENECTADY — The Schenectady Symphony Orchestra (SSO) performs a special Mother’s Day concert on the MainStage at Proctors 3 p.m. Sunday, May 14, featuring Florence Price’s “Ethiopia’s Shadow in America” and the majestic Mahler “Symphony No. 4” with guest soprano Brittany Palmer. 

There will be a pre-concert talk with Palmer and Artistic Director/Conductor Glen Cortese 2 p.m. in the Fenimore Gallery before the concert. All are invited to attend. 

The performance of the Mahler “Symphony No. 4” is in memory of long-time music director, music director emeritus and conductor of the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra Charles Schneider. Schneider served the symphony for 35 seasons beginning in 1983 and concluded with his farewell performance in October of 2018. This Mahler symphony was one of his favorites which is why it was decided to perform it in his honor. 

Tickets are available through the Box Office at Proctors, in person or via phone at 518-346-6204 Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or online at proctors.org. Groups of 10 or more can get their tickets by calling 518-382-3884, ext. 139. Tickets are $15-22 and children under 18 are free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. 

GLENS FALLS — The Park Theater Foundation has announced the following shows in May as part of their 2022/23 season.

‘The Park Presents:’ Jeremy Garrett ft. ShadowGrass (May 11): ‘The Park Presents’ featuring innovative fiddle player, expressive singer, and songwriter in the Grammy award-winning band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Jeremy Garrett, with opening bluegrass band, ShadowGrass. Tickets: Early Bird – $22 | Day Of Show – $25. Doors: 6:30 p.m. | Showtime: 7 p.m.

‘The Park Presents:’ Corner House (May 19):  ‘The Park Presents’ featuring Corner House. Currently based out of the Portland, ME area, with roots at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, Corner House has created a singular sound that incorporates old time, Scottish, progressive bluegrass and folk. Tickets: Early Bird – $18 | Day Of Show – $20. Doors: 6:30 p.m. | Showtime: 7 p.m.

May 18: ‘Third Thursday Jazz’ with The Matt Niedbalski Trio featuring pianist, Ian MacDonald. Tickets: $10. Doors: 7 p.m. | Showtime: 7:30 p.m. 

May 25: ‘Live & Local: Songwriters’ Showcase’ – an intimate evening featuring some of the Capital Region’s favorite songwriters. Hosted by performer, producer and engineer, Josh Morris, these ‘artist-in-the-round’ performances will give audiences the opportunity to hear local musicians’ songs and the stories behind them. The third Songwriters’ Showcase features Josh Morris, Kyla Silk, Sydney Worthley and more. Tickets: Early Bird – $10 | Day Of Show – $15. Doors: 6:30 p.m. | Showtime: 7 p.m.

May 26: ‘Comedy After Dark’ featuring highly-acclaimed New York City based independent animator, writer and stand-up comedian, Jim Tews. He has performed at several notable comedy festivals including San Francisco Sketchfest and Just For Laughs Montreal, and has appeared on NBC, FX, and more. Tickets: Early Bird – $22 | Day Of Show – $25. Doors: 7:30 p.m. | Showtime: 8 p.m.

May 31: Rochmon Record Club. Hosted by Chuck Vosganian, this listening party will focus on The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Greatest Hits Collection “Smash Hits” (1968). Tickets: $12. Doors: 6:30 p.m. | Showtime: 7 p.m.

For the full performance listing or to purchase tickets, visit www.parktheatergf.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Folk/Americana duo Magpie, comprised of Greg Artzner & Terry Leonino, are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year with an appearance at Caffe Lena on Saturday, May 13. 

The duo first began singing together in Kent, Ohio in 1973, and in the 50 years since have performed on international stages – from major folk festivals to intimate folk clubs, school auditoriums to demonstrations and rallies. 

Their recordings include collections and song cycles on special themes, as well as tracks on notable anthologies – songs of Civil Rights and tributes to Pete Seeger, Utah Phillips, Jean Ritchie, and Phil Ochs, among them.  

Magpie has been a part of Caffe Lena since the 1970s, performing at the venue in the days when Lena Spencer held court. 

Magpie will be joined by Rolly Brown on guitar and Charlie Pilzer on string bass. For more information and tickets, go to: caffelena.org. 

Upcoming at Caffe Lena: 

Open Mic Night for Music – Monday, May 1. Sign-up at 6:30 p.m. Show at 7. Originals encouraged, 2 songs or 10 minutes. Host: Rick Bolton. 

Storytelling Open Mic – Tuesday, May 2. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. stories at 7. Storytellers of all styles and levels of experience welcome. Featured: Kelvin Keraga – actor, storyteller and writer.   

Poetry Open Mic – Wednesday, May 3. Sign-up at 6:30. Readings at 7. Host: Carol Graser. Two short poems, or one longer poem, five minutes limit. Featured: Andrea Carter Brown – author most recently of  September 12, winner of the 2022 IPPY Silver Medal in Poetry from the Independent Publishers Association. The collection was finished during a residency at Yaddo. 

Playwright’s Jam – Sunday, May 7. Doors open 1:30 p.m., Casting begins at 1:45. Event: 2-4 p.m. Meetup for local Writers, Actors, & Directors. Co-hosted by Michael Wells-Oakes and Vivian Nesbitt