3/3/10: Today’s Tips: Wednesday

MUSIC: The Williams College Department of Music’s MIDWEEKMUSIC @ Williams College’s Chapin Hall, Williamstown. Student and faculty performers offer a free lunchtime recital. But here’s the line from the press release that caught our attention: “This program will include music by Heitor Villa-Lobos and Benjamin Britten complete with handmade puppets.” Say no more… 12:15pm. Free.

FILM: “The Rape of Europa” @ the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Mass. Based on the book by Lynn Nicholas, this documentary tells the epic story of the systematic theft, deliberate destruction and miraculous survival of Europe’s art treasures by the Third Reich during World War II. Joan Allen narrates. 1pm. Free.

THEATER: “To Kill a Mockingbird” @ Capital Repertory Theater, Albany. It’s opening night for the classic tale of integrity in the face of prejudice based on Lee Harper‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Followed by a champagne reception with the cast. Runs through Sunday, March 28. 7:30pm. $32-$44.

MUSIC: Blacklisted, Aficionado @ Valentine’s Music Hall, Albany. Philly’s Blacklisted headlines, but this is also the last hometown show before the wild ‘n’ woolly musical circus that is Aficionado hits the road for a tour that will take them down to Austin for the SXSW extravaganza. With Columbia. 7pm.

ART/MUSIC: “White Light” by the White Light Ensemble @ RPI’s West Hall Gallery 111, Troy. A 20-minute performance of light and sound on an interactive installation by Peter Edwards of CasperLand. Followed by a reception and refreshments. 6pm. Free.

ART/MUSIC: Blair Neal’s “Overflow” @ the Gasholder Building, Troy. An hour-long performance of music and multiple visual projections. Musicians featured are Lisa Rogers, Will Rogers, Jesse French, Ryan Jenkins, Kyle McDonald, David Rhoderick, Caitlin Morris and Jason Rankins. Please bring a flashlight and dress warmly; the building is not heated. 7pm. Free.

MUSIC: Celtic Woman @ Proctors, Schenectady. Kicking off the Celtic cavalcade of shows that every March brings to the Capital Region, PBS-TV favorites Celtic Woman bring their “Songs from the Heart” show to the Electric City for the first of a two-night stand. 8pm. $40.75-$70.75. Also on Thursday.