6/10/11: Today’s Tips: Friday

MUSIC: Michael Benedict & Bopitude @ The Linda, Albany. Benedict leaves his vibes at home and slips behind the drums to lead this all-star quintet (trumpeter Chris Pasin, tenor saxophonist Brian Patneaude, bassist Mike Lawrence and pianist Bruce Barth) in celebration of the release of the new band’s new self-titled album, “Bopitude,” on the Grammy-winning Planet Arts label. Expect plenty of fiery hard bop jazz classics and some equally burning contemporary jazz instrumentals as well. 8pm. $15.

MUSIC: The Mahavishnu Project @ Bearsville Theater, Woodstock. Yup, you guessed it – a 10-piece Mahavishnu Orchestra tribute band led by drummer Gregg Bendian, performing “Visions of the Emerald Beyond” in its entirety. Guitarist Jesse Gress teams up with members of the Project for an opening set of tunes culled from the Jeff Beck-Jan Hammer catalog. 9pm. $20.

MUSIC: The Farewell Drifters @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. The high-energy alt-folk quintet celebrates the release of their brand new third album, “Echo Boom” on the Thirty Tigers label. 8pm. $15 in advance; $17 at the door; $12 with a Saratoga ArtsFest pass.

MUSIC: Elizabeth Woodbury-Kasius & Heard @ Skidmore College’s Tang Museum, Saratoga Springs. As part of the Saratoga ArtsFest, it’s the kick-off of the outdoors, up-on-the-roof concert series, this one featuring Heard’s captivating world music-meets-jazz chamber music. 7pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Tradewinds @ Valentine’s Music Hall, Albany. CD release party. With the Night Life, Restless Streets, Scarver and Our Longest Hours. 7:30pm. $10.

MUSIC: Uncle Joel’s Comb @ Bogie’s, Albany. CD release party for “That Creepy Uncle.” With the Waffle Stompers, the Beatdown, Breaking News and Coach Tunnels. 7pm. $8 in advance; $10 at the door.

DANCE: Wally Cardona & Jennifer Lacey @ EMPAC at RPI, Troy. The two dancer-choreographers present a work-in-progress performance of “Tool Is Loot,” a series of solo dances created in collaboration with non-dancers, including an astrophysicist, a sommelier, an architect, a film editor, a medical supply salesman, a kinetic sculptor, a baroque opera singer, an art critic, an acoustician and a social activist. 7pm. FREE

MUSIC: “Compositions for a Sound Dome” @ EMPAC at RPI, Troy. Hear the results of eight composers who participated in a six-day workshop led by Harvard University’s Hans Tutschuka as they studied “Composing for Large Scale Multi-Channel Loudspeaker Environments.” Performed with two dozen loudspeakers suspended in the air as a sound dome. 8:30pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas @ Club Helsinki, Hudson. Louisiana accordionist Williams and his red hot band transform Helsinki into a foot-stompin’ bayou dance hall. 9pm. $18.

MUSIC: Tom McWatters & the Philo Beddoe Band @ Valentine’s Music Hall, Albany. With Brian Patrik & the Hearing Aides and the Rob Skane 3. 8pm.

COMEDY: Comic Syndrome Showcase @ Dublin’s, Troy. Starring laughmakers Russell Davignon, Frank Gentile, Jaye McBride, Tony Jackson, Sandy Beach and Jason Smith. 8pm. $10.

MUSIC: Improv Records’ Free Fridays @ Shepard Park, Lake George. Featuring Alice in Chains tribute band Sludge Factory, as well as Black John Wayne and Frank Palangi. 7pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Bella’s Bartok @ the Guthrie Center, Stockbridge. 8pm.

MUSIC: Sirsy @ Putnam Den, Saratoga Springs. With the Stereofidelics. 9:30pm. $5 in advance; $8 at the door.

FUNDRAISER: “Sip Into Summer” @ Taste, Albany. Fine food, cocktails, raffles and a silent auction, as well as a rockin’ performance by Gravity. FLY92’s Brian Cody emcees the bash to benefit the American Cancer Society’s HopeClub. VIP admission at 6pm ($75); general admission at 7pm ($60).

MUSIC: Mark Erelli @ Gypsy Joynt, Great Barrington. 9pm. $15.

MUSIC: The Erin Harkes Band @ Savannah’s, Albany. With Is and the Jared Alpern Band. 8pm. $5.

FILM: “Tying the Knot” @ First Unitarian Society, Schenectady. Jim de Seve’s acclaimed 2004 documentary on gay marriage. 7:30pm. $5 suggested donation.

MUSIC: The Lee Shaw Trio @ the Stockade Inn, Schenectady. 7pm. FREE.