7/1/10: Today’s Tips: Thursday

MUSIC: Gin Blossoms @ Alive at Five in Riverfront Park in Corning Preserve, Albany. The Arizona power-popsters hit the charts in the mid-’90s with nuggets like “Hey Jealousy,” “Found Out About You” and “Follow You Down.” Local faves Ten Year Vamp open the show. 5pm. Free.

MUSIC: Joe Barna & Sketches of Influence @ Jazz on Jay at Jay Street, Schenectady. Catch a blast of lunchtime jazz from drummer Barna and his high-powered band, who are set to release their debut disc of Barna’s compositions later this year. 12noon. Free.

READING: Charles Simic and Lydia Davis @ Skidmore College’s Davis Auditorium at Palamountain Hall, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs. The NYS Summer Writers Institute presents readings by former U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Simic and the stunning short story writer Davis. 8pm. Free.

MUSIC: Gary Wager @ the Moon & River Cafe, Schenectady. Splitting the bill with singer-songwriter Rebecca Angel, Wager celebrates the release of his new album, “Age of an Aquarian,” an impressive collection of acoustic guitar instrumentals. 8pm. Free.

THEATER ON FILM: “London Assurance” @ Time & Space Limited, Hudson. In this live simulcast from the National Theatre of London, Dion Boucicault’s classic comic romp stars the great Fiona Shaw in the role of Lady Gay Spanker. 7pm.

MUSIC: The Skidmore Jazz Institute Sextet @ Skidmore’s Zankel Music Center, Saratoga Springs. Jazz veterans – and faculty members at Skidmore’s Jazz Institute – join forces to strut their stuff. The band features bassist Todd Coolman, saxophonist Pat LaBarbera, pianist Bill Cunliffe, drummer Dennis Mackrel, trumpeter Bobby Shew and trombonist Curtis Fuller. 8pm. Free.

STILL MORE FREE MUSIC:
Hard-working alt-country songster Jack Grace and his band churn out some real gems from their new album, “Drinking Songs for Lovers” at the Piggy Bank in Beacon at 6pm.
The Ballston Spa Community Band strikes it up at Wiswall Park in Ballston Spa at 6pm.
The Belaires cruise into the Schaghticoke Town Hall Gazebo in Melrose at 6:30pm.
The Greyhounds rev it up at Dutchman’s Landing Park in Catskill at 7pm.
The Tommy Verrigni Trio jazzes up the Stockade Inn in Schenectady at 7pm.
The New York Players land at the Guilderland Performing Arts Center in Guilderland’s Tawasentha Park at 7:30pm.