10/17/13: Today’s Tips: Thursday

THEATER: 
Bread & Puppet Theater @ the Sanctuary for Independent Media, Troy. Peter Schumann’s acclaimed B&P Theater presents a series of short shows (including “Dead Man Rises,” “President and Chair,” “The Foot,” “A Man Says Goodbye to His Mother”) in celebration of Bread & Puppet Theater’s 50th anniversary. 7pm. $10 suggested donation; $5 student/low income. GO HERE to win FREE tickets…

TALK: Anne Rice @ the Saratoga Hilton, Saratoga Springs. The acclaimed gothic author discusses her new book, “The Wolves of Midwinter,” in conversation with Joe Donahue of WAMC-FM. With special guest and best-selling author Christopher Rice. Doors at 6pm; talk at 7pm. $30 (1 ticket & 1 copy of the book); $37.50 (2 tickets & 1 copy of the book); tickets available here.

TALK: “Caffe Lena: America’s Coffeehouse” @ Saratoga Springs Public Library, Saratoga Springs. Stories and insights into the extraordinary history of Caffè Lena and Lena Spencer with Caffè Lena historian Jocelyn Arem, George Ward (musician and Caffè Lena Board member) and Al McKenney, a close friend of Lena Spencer with deep connections to the wider folk world. Followed by a book signing for the new book and CD box set. 12noon. FREE.

FILM: “CBGB” @ the Spectrum 8 Theatres, Albany. One screening only of the film starring Alan Rickman as Hilly Kristal. 7pm. $9.50; $7.75 seniors; $6.75 children.Also at the Bearsville Theater, Woodstock at 8pm. $10. GO HERE for more info…

PERFORMANCE: Derrick Brown @ Proctors, Schenectady. The award-winning performance poet will mesmerize with the strange comedy and dark romance of spoken word. With Nippertown’s own poet-queen Mary Panza. 7:30pm. $20.

MUSIC: SHEL @ Club Helsinki, Hudson. The Holbrook sisters from Fort Collins, Colorado return to Hudson with their eclectic folk, chamber-pop and four-part harmonies. SHEL got their name from the four sisters: Sarah (violin, bass), Hannah (piano, keyboards), Eva (mandolin, cello) and Liza (drums). With the Sea the Sea. 8pm. $15.

THEATER: “Venus in Fur” @ Capital Repertory Theatre, Albany. It’s the regional premiere of David Ives’ sexy, funny, Tony Award-winning dramedy, directed by Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill. 7:30pm. Tickets range from $20 to $60. Through October 20. GO HERE for more info…

DANCE: “Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty: A Gothic Romance” @ Proctors, Schenectady. With a distinctive theatrical vision, Bourne has won Tony Awards as both choreographer and director, and he puts both skill sets to good use with a transformative production of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet. The haunting new scenario is a gothic tale for all ages; the traditional tale of good vs. evil and rebirth is turned upside-down, creating a supernatural love story that features ravishing stage sets, enthralling puppetry and, yes, vampires, too. 1:30 & 8pm. $20, $30, $40, $50 & $60. Through October 20. GO HERE for more info…

THEATER: “American Collisions” @ Skidmore College’s Tang Museum, Saratoga Springs. Directed by Carolyn Anderson, based on the museum’s exhibit, “Classless Society.” 7 & 9pm. FREE. Through October 18.

THEATER ON FILM: “Macbeth” @ Time + Space Limited, Hudson. The National Theatre of London’s production of William Shakespeare’s classic tale of the corruption of power starring Kenneth Branagh and directed by Rob Ashford. 7pm. $22; $15 children under age 12. Also at 1pm on Saturday. Also at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington at 7pm. $25; students $18. Also at the Clark Art Institute, Williamstown at 2pm. $18.

MUSIC: Conspirator @ Putnam Den, Saratoga Springs. Disco Biscuits spin-off band featuring keyboardist Aron Mag­ner and bassist Marc Brown­stein. With Jeff Bujak. 9pm. $17; +$5 if under 21.

MUSIC/FUNDRAISER: “Jazz in the Woods” @ the Wood Theater, Glens Falls. A benefit for the Double H Ranch featuring Jeanne O’Connor and Nancy Donnelly singing some jazz classics, duets and originals with pianist Peg Delaney, bassist Mike DelPrete and drummer Sam Zucchini. 6-8pm. $30; $15 children; ticket includes chili and soup bar presented by local restaurants. Tickets available here.

MUSIC: Ben KN @ Valentine’s Music Hall, Albany. With Barkeater. 8pm.

THEATER: “Irish Nudes Live in the Cafe: An Evening of One-Act Plays” @ the Sand Lake Center for the Arts, Averill Park. A collection of short plays by Adam O’Connor, Eric Washburn, Val Kavanaugh, Sue Frost, Deborah Dorman, Joe Starzyk and Sandra Hutchnson. 8pm. $16; $10 under age 18. Through October 20.

MUSIC: Thelonious Sphere Monk Birthday Celebration @ the Falcon Arts Center, Marlboro. An all-Monk evening featuring vocalists Judi Silvano and Teri Roiger with baritone saxophonist Claire Daly, pianist James Weidman, bassist John Menegon and drummer Steve Williams. 7pm. $20 suggested donation.

ARTS WALK: Third Thursday @ various locations, Pittsfield. With music by Michael Bellar & the AS-IS Ensemble, Berkshire Bateria, Bossa Triba and more. 5-8pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Kris Allen @ Williams College’s Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall, Williamstown. The jazz saxophonist plays “The Music of Mulgrew Miller,” with bassist Avery Sharpe, drummer Conor Meehan and pianist Jen Allen. 8pm. FREE.

READING: Third Thursday Poetry Reading @ the Social Justice Center, Albany. Hosted by Dan Wilcox with Woodstock poet Andy Clausen as the featured reader. Open mic sign-up at 7; reading at 7:30pm. $3 suggested donation.

MUSIC: Paul Mastriani & Linda Ellen Brown @ the Stockade Inn, Schenectady. 7pm. FREE.