3/4/11: Today’s Tips: Friday

DANCE/MUSIC: “lions will roar, swans will fly, angels will wrestle heaven, rains will break: gukurahundi” @ Williams College’s ’62 Center, Williamstown. A multi-media performance featuring choreography by Zimbabwe’s Nora Chipaumire, large-screen projections and live music by legendary Zimbabwean musicians Thomas Mapfumo and The Blacks Unlimited. 8pm. $10. (Also Saturday)

MUSIC: Leo Kottke @ The Egg, Albany. Veteran acoustic guitar master and innovator. 8pm. $34.50. (Also Saturday)

MUSIC: Knyghts of Fuzz @ Valentine’s Music Hall, Albany. The go-for-the-throat, garage-rockin’ trio celebrates their debut release – a 7-inch slab o’ vinyl featuring their hit, “U.G.L.Y.” With special guest vocalist Jim Furlong, legendary frontman of punk-powered rockers the A.D.’s and the Trash Knights. 6pm.

ARTS WALK: First Friday @ various locations, Albany. Take a stroll and soak up some culture… or at least a free glass of wine. 5-9pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Corey Harris @ the Gypsy Joynt, Great Barrington. Powerhouse acoustic blues and roots music. 9pm. $20.

MUSIC: Mary Gauthier @ Club Helsinki Hudson, Hudson. Read our review of Gauthier’s recent show at Caffe Lena. And if that’s not enough to convince you, dig this – Sean Rowe opens the show. 9pm. $18.

COMEDY: Paula Poundstone @ Proctors, Schenectady. Stand-up comedian Poundstone is the author of “There’s Nothing in This Book That I Meant to Say” and a regular on NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me.” 7:30 & 9:30pm. $32.

MUSIC: Railbird @ Putnam Den, Saratoga Springs. It’s the hometown CD release party for the vivacious Sarah Pedinotti and her multi-talented combo as they celebrate the release of “No One” and head out on their first national tour. With the Rex Complex and Flora and Fauna. 9pm. $6.

ART OPENING: FUSION: Collected Works of Tony Iadicicco and Michael Weidrich @ The Albany Barn (Facebook link). A one-day art show and reception at Albany Barn’s headquarters and community art space located at 46-48 North Swan Street. Reception: 5-9pm. In conjunction with Albany First Friday, trolley service will be available for complimentary transportation to and from the venue. FREE.

MUSIC: Todd Nelson’s TR3 @ Franklin’s Tower, Albany. Former Units/Fear of Strangers guitarslinger leads his instrumental trio. 7pm.

THEATER: “Hortensia and the Museum of Dreams” @ Skidmore College’s Bernhard Theater, Saratoga Springs. As directed by Ilanna Saltzman, Nilo Cruz’s finds a brother and sister engulfed by their memories upon their return to Cuba. The play juxtaposes humor with drama and realism with magic. 8pm. $12; students & seniors $8. (Through Wednesday)

MUSIC: Jonell Mosser @ the Bearsville Theater, Woodstock. The Nashville super singer-songwriter showcases her new album, “Fortunes Lost, Fortunes Told.” Dean Batstone opens the show. 9pm. $20.

MUSIC: Slender Shoulders @ Valentine’s Music Hall, Albany. Fresh from their captivating performance at Exit Dome IV, Slender Shoulders bring their folk-rockin’ sound to Valentine’s. With Holly & Evan, Palatypus and El Duke UPDATE: Small Town Cinema. 8pm. $7.

MUSIC: The Jeremy Wallace Duo @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. Part Tom Waits, part Dave Van Ronk, singer-guitarist Jeremy Wallace and bassist Matt Gruenberg kick off Lena’s Acoustic Blues Festival weekend. 8pm. $18 in advance; $20 at the door.

MUSIC: Captain Squeeze & the Zydeco Moshers @ New World Home Cooking, Saugerties. It’s the big Mardi Gras weekend, and Greg “Captain Squeeze” Speck, his accordion and his band let the good times roll! 9:30pm.

PARTICIPATORY DANCE: First Friday Capital Swing Dance @ Albany Elks Lodge, Albany. Beginner swing dance lessons with Chester & Linda Freeman at 8pm; dance to the sounds of Don Young’s MIX at 8:45pm. $15; students and seniors $10. Also a pre-dance connection and musicality workshop with the Freemans at 6:30pm. $12; students and seniors $10.

MUSIC: Bobby Dick & the Sundowners @ the Van Dyck, Schenectady. One of Nippertown’s longest running combos. These guys have got serious history, having opened for the Rolling Stones at the Palace Theatre and toured with Jimi Hendrix. 9pm. $5.

MUSIC: Betsy & the ByeGons @ the Saratoga City Tavern, Saratoga Springs. It’s flashback time as Betsy and her band revive the captivating girl-group sound of the ’60s. 8pm.

DANCE: “Riverdance” @ the Palace Theatre, Albany. St. Patrick’s Day is creeping up on us, so it’s time once again for the Celtic music, step-dancing spectacular of “Riverdance.” 8pm. $34.50, $49.50, $59.50.