7/2/10: Today’s Tips: Friday

MUSIC: Boston Pops Orchestra @ Tanglewood, Lenox. With special guests: singer Idina Menzel, trumpeter Doc Severinson and pianist Michael Chertock. Expect the Tony Award-winning Menzel to include some tunes from her hit Broadway shows “Rent” and “Wicked.” 8:30pm. $21-$115.

FILM: “Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo” @ Time + Space Limited, Hudson. No, it’s not a new variation on Godzilla or Mothra or Megalon. It’s all about bugs. Really. Bugs. Also at various dates, times through Saturday, July 10. 5:30pm. $7; students $5.

MUSIC: Fairview Avenue @ the Moon & River Cafe, Schenectady. The hot bluegrass quartet has just released their self-titled debut album (read our review here). Now see ’em live. With Whoa Nelly! 7pm. Free.

ARTS WALK: First Friday @ various location, Albany. Art, music, fun. You know the drill. Be there. 5-9pm. Free.

ARTS WALK: Ballston Spa First Friday @ various locations, Ballston Spa. Same drill, a little further north, followed by a free showing of the film “Monsters vs. Aliens” in Wiswall Park starting at dusk. Be there. 6-9pm. Free.

MUSIC: Richie Havens @ MASS MoCA, North Adams. Let’s hope that he’s better than he was at the Eighth Step back in March. 8pm. $25, $32.

PARTICIPATORY DANCE/MUSIC: First Friday Capital Swing Dance @ the Albany Elks Lodge, Albany. Jazz piano queen Peg Delaney fires up her quartet – drummer Earl Davis, saxman Paul Couch and bassist Bill Delaney – and keeps the dancefloor hopping. Beginner swing-dance lessons at 7:30pm. Music at 8:30pm. $15; students/seniors $10.

MORE FREE MUSIC:
Stoned on Bluegrass does some back-porch picking at Canal Square in Cohoes at 6:30pm.
The Hillbilly Horns fire up some horn-fueled country music at Freedom Park in Scotia at 7pm.
Saxman Brian Patneaude leads his quartet up on the roof of Skidmore College’s Tang Museum in Saratoga Springs for an evening of jazz at 7pm.