This weekend in Albany, NY

A leading martial arts tournament for the Capital Region that pairs competitive events with an exhibition of skills.

Help complete a 7,000 piece jigsaw, Six Portals by Rose Khan, at Honest Weight Food Co-op. Stop in for a short visit or spend the weekend contributing pieces while having fun and building community. Free to attend with registration.

The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market transforms Monument Square and the surrounding streets into a bustling open air marketplace, stretching across several city blocks with farmers, fresh food vendors, and makers. Shoppers can explore local produce, meats, seafood, prepared foods, and handmade goods, then settle into expanded seating areas or gather at community tables. This season brings new vendors and the Makers Market returns, alongside live music and plenty of ready to eat options. Well behaved dogs are welcome within the market area. Held outdoors, rain or shine, the market draws visitors from across the Capital Region for a lively street festival atmosphere, and many stick around to socialize and discover nearby shops and eateries. Regularly celebrated in regional polls and recognized nationally, it remains a beloved community destination.

Learn how to finish mitered hems through a live demonstration paired with an online video. Participation is available in person or online. Please bring a $2 donation for the church. To attend virtually, use Meeting ID 884 9290 1686 with code 025902 and email learaysilvia99@gmail.com if you plan to join online. If no one makes contact in advance for the online option, the meeting will take place only in person.

This installment of the Second Saturday summer series at BARE Blends Latham offers a lively mix of community, movement, shopping, and music. Enjoy an outdoor setting with yard games, a rotating selection of local vendors, and special deals inside the shop. Savor a favorite bowl or smoothie, listen to live music from Robert Forman Music, and take part in a fitness session led by Sophia from So Phit Fitness. Whether you plan to browse, break a sweat, or relax and enjoy the atmosphere, there is plenty to experience while supporting local businesses.

Add a touch of rustic charm by crafting a farmhouse-inspired sunflower made from repurposed canning rings and scrap fabric. This hands-on workshop shows how to transform simple, everyday items into bright, textured blooms that work beautifully as home décor or thoughtful gifts. Instructors offer clear, step-by-step guidance, so no prior experience is required, just an interest in making and a curiosity for upcycling. All materials are included, with an emphasis on salvaged supplies. Enjoy a relaxed setting, get creative, and head home with a sunflower that reflects your personal style.

Connect with fellow new parents, guardians, and caregivers in a space for conversation, venting, and community building. The meetup focuses on newer parental figures of all genders who care for children under four, while participation is open to caregivers of any kind. Little ones are welcome, and an open heart is encouraged. RSVP is not required.

As part of the Lansingburgh Historical Society’s celebration of Herman Melville’s 207th birthday, local historian Michael Barrett will present a talk at the Herman Melville House on Melville’s maternal grandfather, Peter Gansevoort, known as the Hero of Fort Stanwix. After the presentation, tours of the 1786 home will be available. Admission is $10 at the door, and the venue is air conditioned.

The Mercantile marks the shift to autumn with a fresh release of fall decor, warm candlelit ambiance, and seasonal pumpkin treats. A cold brew bar will be open, and there will be giveaways along with special doorbuster deals. It is a welcoming chance to explore new seasonal accents, enjoy a chilled coffee, and start planning for a cozy season.

This community kirtan and chanting gathering offers an uplifting mix of music, connection, and positive energy in a relaxed, welcoming setting focused on inner peace, well-being, and togetherness. The evening begins with a casual meet and greet, then moves into group chanting, singing, and shared music held in a respectful and supportive atmosphere. Participants are encouraged to bring a cushion, yoga mat, or blanket for comfortable seating, wear comfortable clothing, and, if they wish, bring instruments such as drums, harmonium, guitar, or shakers. Everyone is invited to arrive with authenticity, an open heart, and kindness to help foster a peaceful space for all. Weather permitting, some sessions may take place outdoors in a park. All experience levels are welcome to chant, sing, unwind, connect, and share in the uplifting energy.

The Albany Twilight Market presents the Capital Region's first alternative market, a curated showcase of creators from across the Northeast. Explore an eclectic selection that includes taxidermy, dark arts, oddities, carefully chosen antiques, macabre jewelry, witchcraft and apothecary, gothic apparel, spooky home decor, tarot readings, vegan food, and more at Quackenbush Sq.

Part of the Summer Square Concert Series, this free outdoor concert takes place outside the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Singer songwriters from Latham, New York who attend Berklee College of Music in Boston will share a mix of original songs and covers from a range of styles.

The lobby of The Landing Hotel sets the scene for live music from Rob and Courtney. Their blended vocals and inventive interpretations of jazz and contemporary standards offer a mix of familiar songs with a modern touch. Cocktails are available at the bar to complement the performance.

A welcoming workshop created for couples who want to feel comfortable and confident dancing together on their wedding day. Arrive to check in and meet other participants, then take a guided lesson that covers simple patterns you can use right away, stylish turns and twirls, and a photogenic dip to finish. Instructors share practical lead and follow technique so partners move together with ease, and a short routine is taught that can be used for a first dance. The session includes practice time and a brief one-on-one with the teaching team to answer questions and offer personalized pointers. Partners stay together throughout the class, and registration is for pairs only. This experience also works well for fathers and daughters or mothers and sons preparing for parent dances. Tuition options include a Basic Package at $125 per couple with entry for two dancers and a practice video to continue at home, a Personalized Package at $200 per couple that adds a custom practice video set to your song along with tailored practice guidance and wedding day tips, and a Private Lesson Package at $250 per couple that includes all of the above plus a 60 minute private session to refine technique, connection, musicality, and add extra moments to your dance. Private instruction is also available for customized choreography and specific styles such as rumba, waltz, foxtrot, tango, cha cha, hustle, swing, salsa, and more. This popular class tends to fill quickly, and registration is open.

Magic: The Gathering takes center stage with a focus on Pauper and Commander. The $10 entry includes a pack and a small tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.

Stella Rose is back at The Eleven at Lark Hall for a live celebration of Jerry Garcia’s legacy. Expect a performance that channels the Jerry Garcia Band and Grateful Dead sound, featuring a full lineup with guitar and vocals, fiddle, and driving percussion. It starts in the early evening and includes a free show.

The Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra presents a Broadway-themed program at Music Haven, led by Maestro Glen Cortese. Guest artists soprano Lisa Layman and tenor Brent Weber perform favorite show tunes with full orchestral accompaniment in an outdoor setting. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic and arrive early to claim space on the lawn. If weather becomes an issue, the performance will move to Proctors. This concert is presented with support from Fenimore Asset Management, New Schenectady, the Schenectady County Arts & Culture Grant, and WMHT Classical.

Catch THE BRIEFS, the legendary Seattle punk band, live with The Sleeveens. This is an in-person punk show lasting about 4 hours.

Expect high energy in the front bar with dance music, and a karaoke scene in the back bar. Late night cravings are covered with $5 Dirty Shirley specials and $3 pizza slices. Guests can dance, take the mic, or unwind with friends for a laid back night out.

Yoga and meditation sessions at Mohawk Harbor are sponsored by MVP Health Care, making them free for the community. Each session starts with meditation and continues with yoga, led by a rotating group of teachers.

Enjoy a free outdoor yoga session at Riverfront Park in Downtown Troy. This summer series welcomes all experience levels for a relaxing and uplifting practice. Please bring a yoga mat, water, and any personal essentials such as a towel or sunscreen. Classes are led by Maitri Yoga, with support from CDPHP and Callanan Industries.

At Albany UU, Maryland-based singer songwriter Eli Lev shares indie folk and Americana shaped by story-centered writing that emphasizes service, presence, and a sense of shared humanity. His warm, earthy shows foster reflection and often invite singing together. Before touring full time, he taught eighth grade English on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona for three years. Lessons from that time inspired the Four Directions Project, a four-album journey informed by Navajo teachings in which each direction carries its own qualities and insights. Each installment explores a distinct musical terrain while connecting ancestry and tradition with contemporary songwriting. His creative path continued with the Three Worlds Project, a trilogy that considers how past, present, and future converge in the present moment. The album Past Lives weaves family history and belonging into close-knit songs that incorporate archival recordings, earning widespread recognition and multiple songwriting and regional music awards, including honors from the Washington Area Music Association and national competitions. A seasoned performer across the United States, Europe, and the UK, he has played hundreds of shows and cultivated a dedicated community through heartfelt performances, steady touring, and close audience connection. From festivals to listening rooms to cultural landmarks, his live set aims for uplift, grounded feeling, and emotional resonance.

Explore a curated marketplace featuring makers, artists, designers, and more on the Jay Street Marketplace. Held alongside the Schenectady Green Market and Farmers Market, it brings together creative goods and market finds in one lively setting. Browse the offerings, meet the people behind the work, and enjoy the friendly street market atmosphere.

The Community Table at Schenectady Greenmarket offers an outdoor encounter with avian education ambassadors outside Schenectady City Hall. Visitors can greet the birds before or after browsing goods from local producers. This appearance takes place on selected Sundays at the market, and the market shares updates on its schedule.

Casual Commander open play welcomes players to keep gaming until closing. The entry fee is $8, and each participant receives one set booster. Win a pod and you will earn a random set of cards to distribute among the players. This takes place every Sunday. For details on scheduling and other happenings, check the Magic Companion app and the Wizards Event Locator.

Enjoy a calm, creative workshop centered on wrapping a pendant stone with wire. Explore a freestyle approach that lets you highlight your selected stone in a way that suits your style. All supplies are included, and registration comes with a beverage of your choice.

Catch The Bunny The Bear and friends for a night of heavy, high-energy metalcore, post-hardcore, and rock at Empire Underground in Albany. The show starts at 6:30 PM local venue time.

Music Haven's popular Blues BBQ returns with a headlining set from Chicago guitar master Ronnie Baker Brooks, the Blues Music Awards' 2025 Contemporary Blues Artist of the Year. The program offers an extended evening of blues and barbecue, with special guests Misty Blues and Mulebone completing the lineup. This is often one of the season's biggest nights, so arriving early is recommended. In case of rain, the event relocates to Proctors. Presented with support from Frog Alley Brewing Co., Homestead Funding and WEXT 97.7/106.1FM.