6/2/10: Today’s Tips: Wednesday

COMEDY: “Laughs for Lark Tavern” @ The Linda, Albany. Brew Ha-Ha host Greg Aidala emcees this benefit for Tess Collins and the staff of Tess’ Lark Tavern. Featuring stand-up comedians Bernadette Pauley and Dave Cox, as well as musical comedy duo the Knuckleheads. With guest appearances by WNYT-TV’s Benita Zahn and the Channel 103.1’s Jason Keller. Doors open at 7pm; showtime 8pm. $15.

THEATER: “The Marvelous Wonderettes” @ Capital Repertory Theatre, Albany. It’s opening night for Cap Rep’s summertime staging of Roger Bean’s jukebox musical that flashes you back to the girl-group days of the ’50s and ’60s with nuggets like “Mr. Sandman,” “Stupid Cupid” and “It’s My Party.” 7:30pm. $15-$43. Through Sunday, June 27.

MUSIC: JAMZ Summer Spalsh @ the Times Union Center, Albany. Hosted by Lil Jon and featuring Ludacris and Nicki Minaj. With Lloyd Banks, New Boyz, old-schoolers Naughty by Nature, Sean Garrett and others. 7pm. $37, $47, $77.

MUSIC: Darlingside @ Red Square, Albany. Part rock band. Part string ensemble. Or, as they like to say, “a string-rock quintet.” Now based in Northampton, the band initially formed at Williams College, and the five multi-instrumentalists are ready to drop their debut CD next week. Get in on the ground floor tonight. With Alta Mira. 9pm. $5.

READING: Marsha Kroll @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. Kroll – the 2007 Bucks County Pennsylvania Poet Laureate – and Mary Kane – 2009 Cape Cod Cultural Council Regional Poetry Award winner – are the featured readers for the Caffe’s monthly poetry open mic night reading. 7pm. $3.

MUSIC: Split 2nd Alibi @ Savannah’s, Albany. It’s Capital Underground Live hosted by Ralph Renna. With Selfish Needy Creatures, J.T. Maple. 8pm. Free.