3/9/11: Today’s Tips: Wednesday

MUSIC: The Bobs @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. Smart, witty and delightfully unpredictable, the voices-only quartet has taken on such decidedly non-traditional a cappella selections as “Psycho Killer,” “The Wind Cries Mary” and “Helter Skelter,” not to mention such thoroughly off-center originals as “I Was a Teenage Brain Surgeon,” “Fluffy’s Master Plan for World Domination” and “There’s a Nose Ring in My Soup.” 7pm. $22 in advance; $24 at the door.

MUSIC: Sgt. Dunbar & the Hobo Banned @ Valentine’s Music Hall, Albany. With BEWARE! The Other Head of Science and Ashley Pond. It’s the Sgt.’s hometown send-off show, as they head out on their month-long, coast-to-coast national tour. 7pm. $5.

THEATER: “Crowns” @ Capital Repertory Theatre, Albany. It’s opening night for Regina Taylor’s gospel-infused musical that tells the story of one young woman’s return to the South and the role that hats play in expressing cultural identity. 7:30pm. $16-$43.

MUSIC: The Leipzig String Quartet @ the College of Saint Rose’s Massry Center, Albany. For this special Ash Wednesday performance of Haydn’s “The Seven Last Words of Christ,” the foursome will be joined by alto saxophonist Steve Wilson and pianist Pete Malinverni, playing jazz interludes. 7:30pm. $20.

MUSIC: Larry Polansky @ RPI’s West Hall, Troy. Guitarist-computer music pioneer Polansky will be joined by flutist Margaret Lancaster, percussionist Devin Maxell and pianist Amy Beal to perform “Ensembles of Note” from his latest CD, “The World’s Longest Melody,” which was named one of the 50 Best CDs of the Year by British music mag The Wire. Also on the program are his pieces “freeHorn,” “cinderella” and “34 Chords.” 7:30pm. FREE.

FILM/DISCUSSION: “Regretters” @ Siena College’s Roger Bacon Hall, Loudonville. Swedish director Marcus Lindeen screens and discusses his award-winning documentary that tells the story of two biological males in their 60s who underwent sex-change operations and now wish to undo them. 6pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Breaking News @ Savannah’s, Albany. Ralph Renna hosts the weekly Wednesday night Capital Underground showcase. With 14-year-old guitar phenom Jared Alpern and Rob Skane. 8pm. FREE.

MUSIC: The Arch Stanton Quartet @ Figure 10 Lounge, Albany. Jazz returns to downtown. 7pm.

PARTICIPATORY MUSIC: Drone-A-Long @ the Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy. Whether you’re an experienced sound artist or an open-minded newbie, grab the soundmaker of your choice and join a community of those who make hypnotic and meditative sonic art. Those who just want to listen are welcome too! Co-presented by the Albany Sonic Arts Collective. 7pm. FREE.