12/16/11: Today’s Tips: Friday

MUSIC: Donna the Buffalo @ the Bearsville Theater, Woodstock. The Herd returns to town once again… With the Trapps. 9pm. $25.

MUSIC: The McLovins @ Berkshire Theatre Festival’s Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge. Jam band prodigies rock on… 9pm. $15.

MUSIC: Bear Grass @ the Moon & River Cafe, Schenectady. With Deborah T, Rick Sacchetti and Dan Johnson. 8pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Dennis D’Asaro @ Bat Shea’s, Troy. Art Fredette’s new Celtic nightspot hasn’t officially opened yet, but that hasn’t stopped him from hosting some fine music during the soft opening. 9pm. FREE.

ARTS WALK: Art Night Schenectady @ various locations, Schenectady. Visual art, music, food and shopping… 5-9pm. FREE.

MUSIC: “Melodies of Christmas” @ Proctors, Schenectady. The 32nd annual celebration of holiday music featuring the Empire State Orchestra and Youth Choral. With the McKrells, the Orlando School of Dance and more. 7pm. $15, $25. Through Sunday, December 18.

MUSIC: Toby Walker @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. Acoustic blues. 8pm. $15 in advance; $17 at the door; student rush $5.

MUSIC: Doc Scanlon’s Yuletide Pajama Party Hop @ the Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy. Slip into your PJ’s and jam in your jammies to the swingin’ sounds of Doc Scanlon. Beer, wine & light fare will be available. Dance contests and prizes for best slumber fashions. Swing dance lessons with instructor Jason Fenton at 7pm; live music and dancing at 8pm. $15 ($3 discount for those dressed in PJ’s); $10 students.

MUSIC: Sonya Kitchell @ Club Helsinki, Hudson. The acclaimed young jazz-pop singer – who’s toured as Herbie Hancock’s vocalist – makes her Hudson debut. With Elizabeth & the Catapult. 9pm. $18.

MUSIC: Michael Benedict Quartet @ 9 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Jazz featuring drummer-bandleader Benedict, saxman Keith Pray, guitarist George Muscatello and bassist Lou Smaldone. 9pm. $2.

FUNDRAISER/MUSIC: The Berkshire Ramblers @ The Linda, Albany. Founding members Joe Browdy and banjoman (and WAMC head honcho) Alan Chartock lead the band into The Linda for a WAMC benefit with a batch of special guests, including Selma Kaplan, Roselle Chartock, Jonas Chartock, Dona Federico, Susan Thompson, Michael Eck and others. 7:30pm. $50.

MUSIC: Grainbelt @ Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Troy. Howe Glassman and his band go cow-punkin’ on the east side of the river. 10pm. FREE.

MUSIC: The Charlie Watts Riots @ Valentine’s Music Hall, Albany. Be sure to ask for their new original holiday song, “The Christmas Fit.” With Rochester rockers Muler. 9pm.

MUSIC: Frank Jaklitsch & Friends @ Cafe NOLA, Schenectady. A New Orleans Christmas party and concert. 7pm.

MUSIC: The Blizterz @ Savannah’s/Dublin Underground, Albany. The Blisterz fourth annual Xmas Rock Show with special guest guitarist Gus Hais of Blackcat Elliot sitting in. With Mike Trash of the Erotics kicking off the night with an acoustic set. 8:30. $5.