12/9/09: Today’s Tips: Wednesday

MUSIC: Company of Thieves @ Revolution Hall, Troy: Singer Genevieve Schatz led the charge on the band’s album, “Ordinary Riches,” and garnered a whole big batch of new fans with their LarkFest performance in September. Now they’re back with 28N and fellow LarkFesters Lunic opening the show. 7:30pm. $10.27.

THEATER: “Wicked” @ Proctors, Schenectady: The biggest, most talked about show of Proctors’ 2009-2010 season is finally here. Yes, it’s opening night for the Tony Award-winning musical about the “Wizard of Oz” witches – the first of a 32-performance run through Sunday, January 3. 8pm. $30-$127.75.

FILM: “Guest of Cindy Sherman” @ Opalka Gallery at the Sage College of Albany: A documentary feature film offering a revealing look at romance amidst the contemporary art world. Followed by a Q&A session with director Paul H-Q and photographer Dona Ann McAdams, who appears in the film and whose exhibit, “Some Women,” is currently on view at the Opalka. 7pm. $5.

MUSIC: The Bobs @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs: No, they still ain’t got no band. The marvelous, madcap a cappella quartet serves up their own unique and somewhat demented holiday concert. Brad Yoder opens. 7PM. $24.

MUSIC: “Dancing on the Air” with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason @ The Linda, Albany: The monthly live acoustic music radio broadcast from WAMC-FM featuring special guests Matt & Shannon Heaton, Happy Traum and Jacqueline Schwab. 8pm. $12 or a canned food item & $10.

WORKSHOP: Tricks of the Trade: Branding For Artists @ Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Pittsfield, 6:30-8pm (FREE but registration required, call (413) 663-5253) UPDATE: This has been postponed and rescheduled for 6:30pm on Monday, December 14 at the Ferrin Gallery.

This is the second of a three-night series on publicity and promotion for artists. Kevin Sprague photographer, graphic designer & owner of Studio Two, will share his insights, experience and suggestions as one of the top designers for Berkshire cultural organizations. If you can’t make it tonight, there’s a third workshop tomorrow night (Thursday) @ IS183 Art School featuring Mitch and Seth Nash (Co-owners of Blue Q) with a focus on branding.