3/26/10: Today’s Tips: Friday

MUSIC: Hamell On Trial @ Valentine’s Music Hall, Albany. It’s always a very special event whenever Ed Hamell and his guitar return to Nippertown for a visit. He’s vicious, hilarious, passionate and brutally insightful. And this time around, Alta Mira and Cris Noel will be sharing the bill. 8pm.

MUSIC: Buskin & Batteau @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. After a 13-year hiatus, folk-pop veterans David Buskin and Robin Batteau are back together again, landing in the Spa City in support of their recently released CD, “Red Shoes and Golden Hearts.” 8pm. $17.

ART OPENING: Photography Regional Salon @ the Fulton Street Gallery, Troy. The 32nd annual Photo Regional exhibit doesn’t open until Monday, April 12, but the Photo Regional Salon is more fun anyway, because you get to view all of the submissions. That way, when the Regional actually opens, you can see how your selections match up with the juror’s (this year, Hudson’s Carrie Haddad). The Salon exhibit runs through Saturday, April 10. Tonight’s opening reception 5-9pm. Free.

POETRY: “The Poet’s Gala” @ Albany Center Gallery, Albany. Baub Bidon – a Haitian-American poet-actor-beatboxer-stand-up comic from New Haven – headlines an evening of spoken-word performance. D. Colin hosts. 7pm. $10.

MUSIC: Ramblin Jug Stompers @ the Howland Cultural Center, Beacon. Funky acoustic Americana/jug band music with special guest singer-songwriter Ruth Pelham. 7:30pm. $12.

NOTE: Tonight’s concert by classical crossover artist and world champion fastest violinist David Garrett at The Egg, Albany is SOLD OUT.

THEATER: “The Man Who Planted Trees” @ Stageworks, Hudson. The Puppet State Theatre Company from Scotland presents a one-day-only performance of Jean Giono’s environmental cult classic. A unique blend of comedy, puppetry and inspiring storytelling for adults and children ages 7 and up. 2 & 8pm. $15; youth $10.

MUSIC: Diane Cluck @ Jean Deux Books & Records, Hudson. Singer-songwriter Cluck returns to weave her web of wonder all over your face. Dan Seward of the BunnyBrains opens the show with a rare acoustic set. 8pm. $10.

NOTE: Tonight’s show by Silverstein, Restless Streets, Between Now and Forever and Of the Wild and Tame @ Valentine’s Music Hall, Albany is SOLD OUT.

MUSIC: Michael Bolton @ Proctors, Schenectady. Go ahead, smirk all you want. But I dare you to name anyone else who has co-written songs with both Bob Dylan and Lady Gaga. 8pm. $20, $40, $50, $60, $90.

ARTS WALK: Troy Night Out @ various locations, Troy. Hit those streets. Seek out new and unexpected sights and sounds. Shop for one of a kind items. And participate in the Egg Hunt – more than 2,000 brightly colored plastic eggs will be hidden all around Troy! 5-9pm. Free.

MUSIC: Railbird, Verbs @ Putnam Den, Saratoga Springs. Join Sarah Pedinotti and her eclectic band as they celebrate the release of their new EP. 10pm.