6/25/10: Today’s Tips: Friday

FESTIVAL/MUSIC/DANCE: The Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance @ the Altamont Fairgrounds, Altamont. The old Songs Fest gets underway today, but it keeps going all weekend long. There are classes this afternoon – mountain dulcimer, blues harmonica, jug band, choral harmony, contradance calling and more. And tonight, George Ward emcees the evening concert (7pm) featuring Sally Rogers & Howie Bursen, James Keelaghan, the Tennesse Mafia Jug Band, Madcat & Kane and more. Through Sunday.

RALLY: Marijuana Legalization Rally @ the Capitol Building, Albany. The Freedom First Party is organizing a rally in support of the legalization of marijuana and the end of cannabis prohibition. Along with such speakers as Joe Barton, Rob Robinson and Warren Redlich, the rally will also feature the music of the Dharma Bums, the Legendary RT & Freinds and more. 12noon-9pm. Free.

MUSIC: James Cotton and Johnny Winter @ The Egg, Albany. Blues, blues and more blues. Cotton celebrates his 75th birthday next week, and he still breathes fire into his harmonica. And from his early days in Texas to his fabled performance at Woodstock to his battle with drug addiction, guitarslinger Winter knows a thing or two about the blues, too. 7:30pm. $29.50.

PARTY/MUSIC: “All Love, All Woodstock Party” @ the Bearsville Theater, Woodstock. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer (and author of the fabulously titled autobiography “Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, or My Life as a Fabulous Ronette”) Ronnie Spector headlines an all-star benefit party for lesbian teen Constance McMillen. With Sara Lee, Laura Cantrell, Daniel Cartier, Hank & Cupcakes, more. 7pm. $50; students $25.

ARTS WALK: Troy Night Out @ various locations, Troy. Lots of visual art, music and even some theater is available for the sampling this evening, and it’s all for free. A great way to kick off the first weekend of summer in Nippertown. 5pm. Free.

MUSIC: Yarn @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. Nippertown native Blake Christiana leads his sparkling alt-country combo into the famed Saratoga coffeehouse in support of their brand-spankin’ new album, “Come On In,” before heading down to Beacon Riverfest on Saturday. 8pm. $18.

MUSIC: Sean Rowe @ the Bread & Jam Cafe, Cohoes. The “Magic” singer-songwriter with the big, soulful voice and intimate songs is back home again after another European tour, so catch him while you can. 8pm. $5.