saturday

booksigning

Anita Shreve, 7 p.m., Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, Vt. Bestselling novelist presents "A Change in Altitude," her heartbreaking new novel about a newlywed couple living in Africa, and the devastating incident on Mount Kenya that threatens to shatter their marriage. (802) 362-3565.

comedy

Saratoga Comedy Club Productions, 9 p.m., Sweet Basil, Queensbury. Tickets are only $15 per person, or dinner and show is $38 per person. Different comedians every week! Reservations suggested. 792-5233.

dance

Round and Square Dance with Al and Kathy Bain, 7 p.m., St. Joseph's Catholic Church Hall, Greenwich. This social event will celebrate the church centennial and the Greenwich bicentennial. Refreshments will be available. Call for tickets and information. 692-2159.

Country Round and Square Dance, 7 p.m., American Legion, Schuylerville. Music by "Ole Time Country," everyone welcome. Tickets $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-17, under age 6 is free. Casual dress. 638-8905.

Student dance performance, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m., Skidmore College Dance Theater. Skidmore student dancers present works choreographed by the college's dance faculty and guest artists in a variety of dance forms. $5 adults, $3 students and senior citizens. 580-5392.

for the kids

Tang Museum Family Saturday, 2 p.m., Tang Museum, Skidmore College. Suitable for children ages 5 and up with a companion. Enjoy a tour of the museum and an activity. Reservations strongly suggested. 580-8080.

lecture

"Investigating the Hudson," 3 p.m., Tang Museum, Skidmore College. With artists Bob Braine and Leslie Reed; Skidmore chemistry professor Judy Halstead; and Karen Kellogg, associate professor and director of the environmental studies program at Skidmore College. 580-8080.

Guided walking tour of the French and Indian forts at Crown Point and the French lines at Fort Ticonderoga, 9 a.m., leaving from the Bolton Free Library. The tour will be led by historian Karl Crannell, accompanied by Bolton Town Historian Ted Caldwell. Box lunches will be provided at the pavilion on the top of Mount Defiance. The bus will be returning by approximately 4 p.m. Moderate walking is required. $40, call for reservations. 644-2233.

music

Bob Ray and Tom Morris, 2 to 4 p.m., Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, Vt. Every Saturday, relax and enjoy the music of two of the area's finest local bluegrass musicians as you browse the shelves. (802) 362-2200.

Student music showcase concert, 3:15 p.m., Polished performances and in-progress rehearsals by Skidmore music students will give a glimpse into the inner workings of musical training. Classical performance, jazz combos and more. 580-5320.

Faculty Sitar concert, 7:30 p.m., Filene Recital Hall, Skidmore College. Veena Chandra will perform traditional classical music of North India. 580-5320.

"I'm Flying," a performance by Kathy Beaver 8 p.m., Fort Salem Theater, Salem. A no-holds-barred, humorous, self-aware journey in and of itself of a woman who observes herself and the world around her, who is challenged and turns challenge into personal growth. The songs and stories are funny; the growth from the pain moving and maybe even instructive. Reservations are seriously recommended as seating is limited. A $20 charge includes $5 for coffee and dessert. 854-9200.

Bernice Lewis, 7 p.m., Pompanuck Farm, Cambridge. Singer/songwriter to perform, with pre-concert songwriters' circle at 5:30 p.m. Concert admission is $12 or $18 for attending both the songwriters circle and concert. Desserts, coffee and tea will be available for purchase. 677-5552.

Roadside Blues Band, 8 p.m., 111 Main St., Greenwich. 692-8016.

outdoors

Map and Compass Course, 10 a.m., Moreau Lake State Park. Come down to the nature center and lean the basics of using a compass and then try your new skill out with some fun games. Call for more details. 793-0511.

Canoe/Kayak trip on the Battenkill. They will explore New York State owned Eldridge Marsh during an easy downstream paddle. After a shuttle back to the Battenkill Valley Outdoors Lodge an optional gourmet catered lunch will be served featuring local farm products and produce. Participants can also attend just the lunch. Shuttle only - $10; kayak/canoe rental $35/$50; lunch adult/child (10 and younger) - $15/$10. Participation is limited, call to register. 955-8301.

social

Walk to strike out ALS, 9:30 a.m., Saratoga State Park. Registration is at the warming hut, located on the Avenue of the Pines near the intersection with Route 9. A raffle will follow and a youth area will be available for children. 270-9351.

Skidmore Athletics benefit dinner and Hall of Fame ceremony, 6 p.m., Sports and Recreation Center, Skidmore College. Guest speaker is Skidmore alumnus Christopher Henry, director of player development for the National Football League. 580-5670.

workshop

Ceramic Demonstration by Regis Brodie and Leslie Ferst, 1 p.m., Riverfront Studios, Schuylerville. Both ceramists are nationally and internationally known in their field and will be allowing us to share in their artistic process. Light refreshments will be served. 695-5354.

sunday

for the kids

Discovery Day: Elements of Art, 1 to 3 p.m., The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls. Tours followed by children's art-making session. Tours meet in the museum lobby. Drop-in event. Free.

The Amazing Gnip-Gnop Circus, 2 p.m., Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. A glow-in-the-dark ping pong ball spectacular. Recommended for ages 2 and up. Tickets $10 adults/$5 children. (800) 838-3006.

music

Degas' Muses: Considering Music and Poetry in the Artist's Life, 2 p.m., The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls. Lecture and a performance by the Lake George Chamber Orchestra. Call for more details. 798-8962.

theater

Auditions for "A Christmas Carol," 6 p.m., Spa Little Theater, Saratoga Springs. General auditions will also be held beginning at 7 p.m. No appointments are necessary. Those auditioning are asked to bring a current photo. For a flyer with audition details and character descriptions visit homema

detheater.org. 587-4427.

Free Play Reading, 3 p.m., Spa Little Theater, Saratoga Springs. The second play reading of Home Made Theater's 2009-10 Shuster Series is

"True West," This event is free and open to the public. 587-4427.

monday

for the kids

Parent-Child Workshops, 6:30 p.m., Crandall library, Glens Falls. Free programs, but registration required. 792-6508, Ext. 4.

lecture

"The Guiding Wisdom of Myth," 7 p.m., Crandall library, Glens Falls. Paul Pines will explore the origin and function of myth to address the perennial questions of the human condition through examples drawn from classical and indigenous cultures. Pines will also look at the purpose of symbols, sacred rituals and visions as well as the relationship of myth to dream.

Ceramic artist Kurt Weiser, 6 p.m., Tang Museum, Skidmore College. Widely recognized for teapots and jars he produces in the centuries-old tradition of china paint on porcelain, ceramicist Kurt Weiser will present the annual Rosanne Brody Raab Visiting Artist Lecture at Skidmore College. 580-5049.

social

UNIF-EYE 4 ART, 8 p.m., Pizza Jerks, Lake George. An open art collaboration event.

tuesday

film

"Unspeakable," 6:30 p.m., Crandall Library, Glens Falls. Sally Heckel's father, a well known Rochester physician, killed himself when she was 17. In a storyline that bridges past and present, Heckel, nominated for an Oscar in 1980, weaves home movies of what appears to be an idyllic post-WWII American childhood with dramatic recreations of a home life that reveal a darker side of the American family.

for the kids

Preschool Art Time, 11 a.m., Crandall library, Glens Falls. Creative, open-ended and fun art activities. We use crayons, markers, glue, clay, paint and lots of recycled materials. You must call each morning of the program to sign up. Space is limited. One sign up per week, please. Also Wednesdays at 10:45 a.m. 792-6508, Ext. 4.

Preschool Storytime, 10:15 a.m., Crandall library, Glens Falls. A different topic each week. Also at 7 p.m. (wear your pajamas) and 10 a.m. Wednesday. No sign-up necessary, for children ages 3 to 5. Songs, fingerplays, puppets, and stories. 792-6508, Ext. 4.

Story and Craft Time, 11 a.m., Barnes and Noble, Saratoga Springs. We'll share some old stories and learn some new. Also Wednesday. 583-7801.

Toddler Storytime, 9:30 a.m., Crandall Library, Glens Falls. For toddlers ages 18 months to younger than 3 and a caregiver. Please register in advance. Also Mondays. 792-6508, Ext. 4.

Tours for Tots, 2 to 4:30 p.m., Hyde Collection, Glens Falls. Every Tuesday children ages 3-6 and their families are offered a guided tour with a museum educator of historic Hyde House, the permanent collection, or current exhibitions. Afterward, children and chaperones are invited to create their own work of art in the Louis P. Brown Art Studio. A new topic each time! Register weekly by calling ahead. Free for Hyde Members; $3 for not-yet-members. 792-1761, Ext. 17.

Tuesday for Tots, 10 a.m. to noon, Children's Museum, Saratoga Springs. This is a special time for our littlest visitors. This month's thematic activities include: back to school, transportation, bugs, sharks and mermaids and puppets.

Teen Library Advisory meeting, 3:30 p.m., Saratoga Springs Public Library. The meeting's theme will be "birthday party" complete with free cake for all who attend.

outdoors

Fall Nature Hike, 1 p.m., Moreau Lake State Park. Enjoy an easy hike around the lake as we take in the changing colors of fall. The hike will be guided by a park naturalist where participants will learn about all that nature endures for before the winter months. 793-0511.

social

Mindfulness Meditation, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Saratoga Springs Public Library. Mindfulness Meditation with professionals from One Roof Holistic Health Center. Free. Saratoga Springs Public Library.

wednesday

booksigning

Dyana Furmansky, 7 p.m., Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, Vt. Dyana Furmansky presents "Rosalie Edge: Hawk of Mercy," the story of the first American woman to receive renown as a conservationist. (802) 362-3565.

dance

Beginners Line Dancing, 7 to 9:30 p.m., Wilton Volunteer Fire Dept., 270 Ballard Road, Wilton. Cost is $6 per person. 257-0704.

Country Line Dancing, 7 to 9 p.m., The Boar's Nest, Fort Ann. Country line dance lessons for beginners. Cost is $6 per person with Susie.

for the kids

ARTfull Afternoons, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Hyde Collection, Glens Falls. Drop-in program for children ages 6 to 12, with an adult. Learn about a specific artist or work of art. Free. 792-1761.

Baby Lap Time, 2:30 p.m., Crandall library, Glens Falls. For infants younger than 14 months, not yet walking, accompanied by an adult. No siblings, please. Share interactive rhymes, songs and simple board books with the baby in your life. Registration required. 792-6508, Ext. 4.

Making Music by Working with Clay, 2:30 to 4 p.m., Salem Courthouse, Salem. This class will explore making musical instruments with clay. Your child can make rain sticks, drums, maracas, shakers, and maybe even a whistle. The students work on their throwing, sculpting and hand building techniques. For children in grades 4-6, $40 for members, $50 for non-members. Call to register. 854-7053.

Parent-Child Workshops, 9:15 a.m., Crandall library, Glens Falls. Free programs, but registration required. 792-6508, Ext. 4.

Story Time, 11 a.m., Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, Vt. Erik Barnum is one of the Northshire Bookstore's most recognizable faces. Whether he's charming bookstore patrons, captivating Harry Potter fans as Dumbledore, or acting in regional theatre, Erik has already won legions of fans both young and old. (802) 362-2200.

Story-Art Hour, 1 p.m., Ticonderoga Cartoon Museum, Ticonderoga. The one-hour session with appeal to elementary school-age children will include a combination of storytelling and easy drawing lessons. Advanced sign-up for the weekly session is suggested but not required. All elementary-age children may attend; pre-school children must be accompanied by an adult. 585-7015.

lecture

Parents as Advocates, 7 p.m., Saratoga Springs Public Library. An educational/advocacy group for parents of children with developmental delays. This week's meeting will deal with bullying and harassment of students with special needs.

lecture

Schick Gallery Talk: Selected Art Faculty Exhibition, 10:30 a.m., Schick Gallery, Skidmore College. Exhibiting studio art-faculty discuss their work and processes. Artists include Patricia Lyell, Kyle Ford, Janet Sorensen, Peter Stake, and Joanne Vella. 580-5049.

"Envisioning the Other: Does the Bible Promote Intolerance?" 8 p.m., Davis Auditorium, Skidmore College. Joel S. Kaminsky, a professor at Smith College, is an internationally recognized expert on ideas of election in the Hebrew Bible. His work has been published in Judaism, Jewish Studies Quarterly, Harvard Theological Review, Interpretation, and Midstream. 580-5400.

Coping Keys, 7 p.m., Caldwell-Lake George Library. An interactive program that will help you to better understand Alzheimer's Disease or related dementia and give you tips on how to manage some common communication and behavior issues. Call to register. 668-2528.

Helping your children make the right decisions, 7 p.m., Glens Falls High School. Paul Failla, a dynamic and entertaining speaker, will take you on a "roller coaster ride" of stories, anecdotes, dramatic scenes that will keep you laughing, occasionally crying but always listening as he teaches you to understand the critical importance of helping children make the right decisions.

"The Emerald Jungle," 7 p.m., Crandall library, Glens Falls. Explore the jungles of French Guiana with biologist Howard Romack and learn about the interactions between plant and animal species and their environment. A fascinating side trip looks at local cultures, traditional practices, and threats facing jungles today. This free PowerPoint presentation will be followed by displays of native species - including live animals.

music

Thom Smith, 8 p.m., Cafe Cabaret, Glens Falls. Weekly. 744-2639.

social

Thurman Station Farmers Market, 3 to 6 p.m., Thurman Station, Thurman. A variety of locally produced goods will be for sale, including maple products, vegetables, jams, pierogies, eggs, stained glass stepping stones, jewelry, hand-sewn note cards and more. 623-9718.

workshop

"Step by Step: The College Application Process," 6 p.m., Saratoga Springs Public Library. Jill Rifkin of College Options will present a workshop where she will guide program participants step-by-step through the college application process and help students of all types present themselves in the best possible way.

thursday

booksigning

Ivy Pochoda, 7 p.m., Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, Vt. Debut novelist Ivy Pochoda presents "The Art of Disappearing," her fascinating tale of a young woman who marries a magician whose magic is real, but uncontrollable. (802) 362-3565.

dance

Country Line Dancing, 7 to 10 p.m., Boar's Nest, West Fort Ann. With Susie and DJ Brian Pincheon. $5.

Country Line Dancing-Intermediate, 7 to 9:30 p.m., Wilton Firehouse, 270 Ballard Road. Intermediate country line dancing with Tony. $6. 257-0704.

Line Dance Class, 1 p.m., Moreau Community Center, Moreau. Beginners' class will be followed by intermediates. Learn how to dance with Ginny Allen.

for the kids

Parent-Child Workshops 9:30 a.m., Crandall library, Glens Falls. Free programs, but registration required. 792-6508, Ext. 4.

Day of the Dead Celebration, 6:30 p.m., Saratoga Springs Public Library. The World Awareness Children's Museum is throwing teens a party! We'll take art in traditions including building altars honoring the departed, and making sugar skulls.

lecture

Parenting Wisely, 6 p.m., Saratoga Springs Public Library. An interactive workshop for parents of preteens and teens. This week will deal with helping around the house. Register in the children's room or by calling 584-1198.

Tall Tales and Other Stories of the Adirondacks, 7 p.m., Crandall library, Glens Falls. Live storytelling and music with North Country legends Bill Smith and Don Woodcock.

"Not Blacks, but Citizens: Racial Politics and

the Radicalization of the Cuban Revolution, 1959-1961" 7 p.m. Emerson Auditorium,

Skidmore College. Devyn Spence Benson,

assistant professor of history and Africana

Studies at Williams College, researches racial politics and discourses during the first three

years of the Cuban revolution. 580-5272.

"Transforming Institutions to Achieve Equity in Academic Performance

and Feelings of Inclusion: The Promise of Psychology Research on Stereotype Threat" 7:30 p.m., Gannett Auditorium, Skidmore College. Valerie Purdie-Vaughns of Columbia University will discuss developing research on people with threatened identities (i.e. women in the sciences; gays, lesbians, and bisexuals in American society; aging workers in technology firms; African-Americans in intellectual settings; and certain immigrants in the U.S.). Her work examines the consequences of their experiences for intergroup relations. 580-5770.

"Gender Differences for Stroke," 2 p.m., Crandall library, Glens Falls. Join the MVP health educators and learn about differences in stroke risk factors between men and women, differences in stroke outcomes, and the difference between stroke and TIA. 792-6508, Ext. 246.

music

Open Mic, 8 to 11:30 p.m., Cafe Cabaret, Glens Falls. Open to all.

Open Mic, 8 p.m., Cafe Cabaret, Glens Falls. Weekly. All musicians welcome. 744-2639.

Open Mic Night, 7 p.m., Rock Hill Bakehouse Cafe, Glens Falls. Sing, play, read or just watch and listen. Free.

Third Thursday Spoken Word, 5:30

and 6:30 p.m., Rock Hill Bake House, Glens Falls. Local writer and poet

Randy Girard will perform spoken word along with a local musician friend or two.

outdoors

Turkey Trail Hike, 1 p.m., Moreau Lake State Park. This moderate hike scales half-way up the Palmertown mountain range. Learn from the park naturalist how this trail got its name. Call for more details. 793-0511.

social

Chair Yoga for Seniors, 10:15 a.m., Greater Glens Falls Senior Center, Glens Falls. Toby Gifford of Lemon Tree Yoga is currently instructing seniors in chair yoga. For $5 a session, you can relax, stretch, meditate and stimulate your body and mind to gentle music and easy movements. Chairs are used for balance and anyone can do these easy, simple exercises. 793-2189.

DVD release party, 6:30 p.m., 111 on Main Street, Greenwich. Party for "Queen Esther of Persia." Light refreshments will be served, and a cash bar will be available in the restaurant.