4/21/11: Today’s Tips: Thursday

MUSIC: Sensemaya @ Hudson Valley Community College’s Maureen Stapleton Theater, Troy. Keyboardist David Gleason leads the stellar Latin jazz band in concert. 12noon. FREE.

MUSIC: Lee MacDougall @ Valentine’s Music Hall, Albany. The British singer-songwriter-guitarist is the latest artist to emerge from London’s burgeoning acoustic movement, and he’s bringing his first U.S. tour to town for a mid-week early show in support of his new album, “If Walls Could Talk.” 6pm.

TELEVISION: Phantogram @ “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on WTEN-TV (ABC). 12midnight.

READING/MUSIC: “Celebrating 50 Years as Bard’s Bard” at Bard College’s Olin Hall, Annandale-On-Hudson. A tribute to poet Robert Kelly, who is celebrating his half century of teaching and writing at Bard. In addition to readings by Kelly, the evening will also feature the music of César Franck and Olivier Messiaen performed by pianist Robin Freund-Epstein and violinist Shawn Moore. Poet Ann Lauterbach will deliver the introduction, and the program will be followed by a reception in Olin Atrium. 7pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Vinnie & Carmine Appice’s Drum Wars @ the Water’s Edge Banquet Hall, Scotia. Yes, two brothers and legendary drummers – Vinnie (Derringer, Black Sabbath, Dio, Heaven and Hell) and Carmine (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus and Beck, Bogert & Appice) – face off in the Big Battle of the Beat, sponsored by Drome Sound. 7pm. $10.

MUSIC: James Wesley @ Proctors, Schenectady. The up-and-coming country singer performs the third and final concert of WGNA-FM’s Rising Star country music series. 7:30pm. $17.

FILM: “Bill Cunningham New York” @ Time + Space Limited, Hudson. Director Richard Press documents the award-winning work of New York Times fashion and society photographer. 5:30pm. $7; students $5. Through April 30.

MUSIC: The Realside @ LT’s Grill, Niskayuna. The pop-rock solo project of Terry McClain. 6pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Future Rock @ Red Square, Albany. The Chicago-based live-instrument dance music trio of keyboardist Mickey Kellerman, bassist Felix Moreno and drummer Darren Heitz wield synthesizers, live loops and samples. With Jeff Bujak. 9pm. $10 in advance; $12 at the door.

FILM/MUSIC: “Race to Nowhere” @ The Linda, Albany. This documentary about the current American educational system is a call to mobilize families, reachers and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens. Film at 6pm. Music by Jack Empire & Friends at 7pm. $6.

MUSIC: Patti Melita & Nat Phipps @ the Stockade Inn, Schenectady. Jazz vocals and piano. 7pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Pesky J. Nixon @ the Crandall Library, Glens Falls. Acoustic Americana and folk trio from Boston. 7pm. FREE.

READING/OPEN MIC: Third Thursday Poetry Reading @ the Social Justice Center, Albany. The Wreckless Rhymers – a group of students in Daniel Nester’s class at the College of St. Rose – are the featured readers. Hosted by Dan Wilcox. Sign-up at 7pm; readings at 7:30pm. $3 suggested donation.

MUSIC: Chinatown Lights @ Jillian’s, Albany. Funk, reggae ‘n’ more… 8pm.

MUSIC: Collette & the Mudcats @ Bailey’s Cafe, Saratoga Springs. Blues that rock… 8:30pm.