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2008 Albany Jazz Festival

Updated: September 5th, 2008

2008 Albany Jazz Festival

The Albany Jazz Festival has been moved from Riverfront Park to the Palace Theatre for tomorrow, Saturday, September 6, 2008 due to the threat of poor weather conditions.

Fireworks for Jazz Festival have been cancelled!

Please join the city of Albany and Mayor Jerry Jennings celebrate Jazz Fest’s 7th year of highly acclaimed musical performances!

The event starts at noon and continues to 8pm. Admission to Jazz Fest is free!

The Albany Jazz Festival Music Schedule:

Keith Pray’s Big Soul Ensemble plays from 12:30pm – 1:15pm.
The Brubeck Brothers Quartet plays from 1:45pm– 2:45pm.
Ernestine Anderson plays from 3:15pm – 4:15pm.
Doc Gibbs & Picante plays from 4:45pm – 5:45pm.
The David Sanborn Group plays from 6:15pm – 7:30pm.

The Albany Jazz Fest artists include:

The David Sanborn Group: one of the top saxophone players of all time. He helped to define modern saxophone sound and is winner of multiple Grammy awards.

Doc Gibbs & Picante: A top music industry percussionist with an assortment of funk rhythms and unusual instruments.

Ernestine Anderson: With a five decade career, over 30 albums, and being a four time nominee for the Grammy awards, this swing and blues artist is a legend of jazz.

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet: Integrating funk, blues, and world music into their jazz, these improvising musicians capture the pure essence of jazz. Dan and Chris Brubeck come from one the most accomplished musical families in America.

Keith Pray’s Big Soul Ensemble: Big band, big soul, awesome jazz music. More than twelve of the NY Capital Region’s finest jazz musicians make up this local hit. See them play every first Tuesday of the month at The Lark Tavern.

See you at the Palace Theatre tomorrow for Albany Jazz Festival 2008!

2008 Albany Veterans Day Parade!

Updated: November 8th, 2008

November 11, 2008
11:00 am

On November 11, 2008 the City of Albany Presents the Annual City of Albany Veterans Day Parade sponsored by the Tri-County Council of Viet Nam Era Veterans.  The Chapter has been an official contingent in the parade for about 10 years.  Parade steps off at 11AM at Central Ave and Partridge Street and proceeds east on Central to Washington Ave, ending by the State Capitol.

Albany’s Columbus Day Celebration and Italian Festival!

Updated: October 9th, 2008

Albany Columbus Day Celebration

Albany’s 17th Annual Columbus Parade & Italian Festival is one of the largest celebrations of its kind in Upstate New York, recognizing the contributions and the heritage of Italian-Americans, in conjunction with the national holiday celebrating the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.

The Parade steps of at 1pm on Saturday, October 11, from Ontario Street and Western Ave.  It will then continue down Western over Robin Street and into Washington Park.  Leading this year’s parade as Honorary Grand Marshal is Albany’s Fire Chief Robert C. Forezzi, Sr.  After the parade, an authentic Italian Festival is underway by the Washington Park Lake House with food, music, dancing, crafters, cultural displays and even a gondola in Washington Park Lake.  The festival will feature a new Zona Bambini — a Kids Zone — where children will be able to make masks, sing Italian songs, color, learn how to play Italian card games. There will be bocce and soccer demonstrations, pony rides, Roman Riding demonstrations and a fire dance!

The 2008 festival features a special tribute to Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, under the direction of Albany’s Park PlayhouseSweet Dreams” concert.  There will be a special performance of the all-new Henry Hudson and Friends Puppet Show, from the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Sponsors of Albany’s 17th Annual Columbus Parade & Italian Festival include the Lia Auto Group, HSBC, Times Union, the City of Albany, Albany’s Italian American Community Center, West Albany Italian Benevolent Society and Roma Intangible Lodge #215 Order of Sons of Italy in America, with the support of many businesses and community organizations in the Capital Region.


This event posting is sponsored by Alive Entertainment.

Alive Entertainment Aspiring Model Portfolios

Larkfest 2008 on Lark Street in Albany, NY!

Updated: September 15th, 2008


Albany Larkfest 2008

This Saturday September 20, 2008, from 10:00am - 5:30pm, Albany’s “village in the city” continues to present the biggest and best street festival in the region Larkfest 2008!  This festival features 5 stages showcasing live music and entertainment, an expanded family activity area, and a wide variety of vendors and food from our local restaurants.

Closing off the entire Lark Street, this is one of Albany’s largest and most anticipated events with 70,000 people expected to attend this year!  There will be free entertainment and fun activities for the entire family. Visual arts, music, poetry, magic acts, dancing and great food were just a few of the many highlights of last year’s Larkfest in Albany, NY.

PARKING is available at the East Garage on Madison Street and Eagle Street.

There will be FIVE Stages of live performances!

The Main Stage at Madison and Lark presented by WEQX:
12:00 Maggie Mayday
1:15 Aficionado
2:30 Val Emmich
4:00 Oppenheimer

The Washington Stage:
12:15 Saving Atlantis
1:30 Sense Offenders
2:45 Eric Hutchinson
4:15 Tom Morello - The Nightwatchman

The Townsend Park Stage presented by The Albany Barn & Central Ave BID:
11:00 Rich Ortiz
12:15 Broadcast Live
1:15 Cirque de la Nocturne
2:00 Taina Asili y La Bande Rebelde
3:15 Erin Harkes & The Rebound

The Hometown Stage presented by Mother Judge:
11:30 Jazzhands
12:15 Albany Poets & House Band of the Apocalypse
12:50 Discard Avant Garb
1:15 Mother Judge & Mitch Elrod
2:00 Cristo Lewis
2:45 Big Nixon
3:45 Knot Working
4:45 Heavenly Echoes

The Family Stage presented by EBA Arts Center
11:00 and 1:30 Mike McCrea - Juggler
11:30 and 2:30 Sassy Sapphires - Dance
12:00 and 3:30 Cirque de la Nocturne
12:30 and 2:00 OKS - Acoustic Music
1:00 and 3:00 Merdwin - Magic

Come early and stay all day for this fun-filled packed extravaganza!

Restaurant Week in Downtown Albany Returns, September 2008!

Updated: September 22nd, 2008

Restaurant Week Fall 2008

Downtown Albany’s Restaurant Week is back!

Looking to go out to a nice place with friends or someone special, but think about the prices of meals?  Well here is a chance to dine out and not worry about spending a whole lot.

The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) is pleased to bring back the Capital District’s first - and still the best - Restaurant Week from Monday, September 22 through Saturday September 27!  In celebration of the upcoming Quadricentennial and the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson´s historic voyage, Restaurant Week gives patrons a chance to experience three-course meals at some of the region’s greatest dining establishments. 19 downtown restaurants will offer fixed-price, three-course dinner menus valued at $35 for the low price of $20.09.

Participating in September’s Restaurant Week are Albany Mansion Hill Inn, Albany Pump Station, Bayou Café, Café Capriccio, Envy Lounge, Franklin’s Tower, Hudson Harbor Steak & Seafood, Jack’s Oyster House, Jillian’s of Albany, Kelsey’s Irish Pub, La Serre, Marche at 74 State, Nicole’s Bistro, Pearl Restaurant & Lounge, Pearl Street Public House (formerly Pagliacci’s), Savannah’s, V&R, Victory Café and Webster’s Corner.

Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made by calling individual restaurants outside the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

For your convenience here are the fall 2008 restaurant week menus, and contact information for participating restaurants:

Albany Mansion Hill Inn Menu
115 Philip St
Albany, NY 12202
(518) 465-2038

Albany Pump Station Menu
19 Quackenbush Sq
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 447-9000

Bayou Café Menu
79 N Pearl St
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 426-8550

Café Capriccio Menu
49 Grand St
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 465-0439

Envy Lounge Menu
55 N. Pearl St.
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 694-3689

Franklin’s Tower Menu
414 Broadway
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 431-1920

Hudson Harbor Steak and Seafood Menu
351 Broadway
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 426-5000

Jack’s Oyster House Menu
42 State St
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 465-8854

Jillian’s of Albany Menu
59 N Pearl St
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 432-1997

Kelsey’s Irish Pub Menu
30 Lodge St
Albany, NY
(518) 462-8192

La Serre Menu
14 Green St
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 463-6056

Marche at 74 State Menu
74 State Street
Albany, NY
(518) 434-7410

Nicole’s Bistro Menu
25 Quackenbush Sq # 1
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 465-1111

Pearl Restaurant and Lounge Menu
1 Steuben Pl
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 433-0011

Pearl Street Public House Menu
44 South Pearl Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 447-4625

Savannah’s Menu
1 S Pearl St
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 426-9647

V&R Italian Restaurant Menu
136 Madison Ave
Albany, NY 12202
(518) 626-0001

Victory Café Menu
10 Sheridan Ave
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 463-9113

Webster’s Corner Menu
30 Lodge St
Albany, NY
(518) 462-8192

So explore Downtown Albany - the perfect place to wine and dine! Award-winning restaurants, casual pubs, sidewalk cafes and lunchtime eateries offer many delicious options for all tastes and occasions.

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Veterans Day Parade in Albany!

Updated: November 11th, 2008

Veterans Day Albany NY 2008

Veterans Day 2008

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the men and women who in defense of our freedom have bravely worn the uniform of the United States.

From the fields and forests of war-torn Europe to the jungles of Southeast Asia, from the deserts of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan, brave patriots have protected our Nation’s ideals, rescued millions from tyranny, and helped spread freedom around the globe. America’s veterans answered the call when asked to protect our Nation from some of the most brutal and ruthless tyrants, terrorists, and militaries the world has ever known. They stood tall in the face of grave danger and enabled our Nation to become the greatest force for freedom in human history. Members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard have answered a high calling to serve and have helped secure America at every turn.

Our country is forever indebted to our veterans for their quiet courage and exemplary service. We also remember and honor those who laid down their lives in freedom’s defense. These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for our benefit. On Veterans Day, we remember these heroes for their valor, their loyalty, and their dedication. Their selfless sacrifices continue to inspire us today as we work to advance peace and extend freedom around the world.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service members have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor America’s veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2008, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 9 through November 15, 2008, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I encourage all Americans to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

-GEORGE W. BUSH-

On November 11, 2008 the City of Albany Presents the Annual City of Albany Veterans Day Parade sponsored by the Tri-County Council of Viet Nam Era Veterans.  The Chapter has been an official contingent in the parade for about 10 years.  Parade steps off at 11AM at Central Ave and Partridge Street and proceeds east on Central to Washington Ave, ending by the State Capitol.