4/12/12: Today’s Tips: Thursday

FILM: “Red Tails” @ Proctors, Schenectady. The Pentagon brass calls on the untested African-American pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program to help win World War II. With a special presentation by Mr. Ralph Boyd (“366 infantry” Northern Italy), a surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen – prior to the 7:30pm screening 1:45pm, 4:15pm & 7:30pm. $5; free admission for military families with proper military identification.

MUSIC: Clutch @ Northern Lights, Clifton Park. Surrealist metal-hardcore-funk-jam band. With Kyng and MonstrO. 8pm. $22.

MUSIC: Chubby Checker @ Vapor, Saratoga Springs. Let’s twist again, like we did a half-century ago… 8pm. $30.

TALK: Zbigniew Oksiuta @ EMPAC at RPI, Troy. In the context of his research on living biological habitats, Professor Oksiuta will present work developed by Rensselaer Architecture students in his Human Habitat as Biological Living System design studio course. 12noon. FREE.

MUSIC: Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds @ the Garage at the Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield. With Tory Hanna. 9pm. $12.

FILM: “Putin’s Kiss” @ Time + Space Limited, Hudson. Director Lise Birk Pedersen’s film about the dark and tyrannical side of life in contemporary Russia. 5:30pm. $7; students $5.

MUSIC: Lez Zeppelin @ Jillian’s, Albany. Yeah, it’s an all-woman tribute band, but the songs remain the same… With Ten Year Vamp. 7pm. $12.

DISCUSSION: “EMPAC: A Public Exchange” @ EMPAC at RPI, Troy. An open discussion between EMPAC director Johannes Goebel and the audience regarding what EMPAC is, should be and could be. 5:30pm. FREE.

FILM: “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” @ Time + Space Limited, Hudson. Director David Gelbs examines the story of 85-year-old Jiro Ono, considered by many to be the world’s greatest sushi chef, who operates Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station. 7:30pm. $7; students $5.

MUSIC: Magpie @ Crandall Library, Glens Falls. The husband-and-wife folk duo of Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino. 7pm. FREE.

PERFORMANCE: SUE-C + AGF’s “Infinite Jest” @ EMPAC at RPI, Troy. A live handmade film and electronic music event inspired late author David Foster Wallace’s remarkable novel of the same name. 7:30pm. $18.

MUSIC: The Farewell Drifters @ the Bearsville Theater, Woodstock. The Nashville-based alt-folk-country quartet brings their smart psych-pop and exquisite harmonies to town in support of their latest album, “Echo Boom.” With Greg Van Houten. 8pm. $15.

MUSIC: The Al Haugen Trio @ Stockade Inn, Schenectady. Accordion jazz. 7pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Krowe @ Valentine’s Music Hall, Albany. With the Chase Bastards and M.R. Poulopoulos. 8:30pm.