12/7/13: Today’s Tips: Saturday

MUSIC: John Medeski @ the College of Saint Rose’s Massry Center, Albany. Keyboardist for jam-band jazzbos Medeski Martin & Wood serves up a solo piano concert in support of his splendid OKeh Records release, the introspective, meditative A Different Time. 7:30pm. $25; $12.50 students.

MUSIC: Phantogram @ the Upstate Concert Hall, Clifton Park. It’s the big homecoming show for Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter, and you’re invited to get you electro-pop groove on with ’em. With Until the Ribbon Breaks and Weeknight. $20. UPDATE: This show is now officially sold out…

FUNDRAISER: Center Gallery Speakeasy Gala @ 90 State Events, Albany. Marking the 80th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition, Albany Center Gallery’s annual fundraiser is a 1920s speakeasy-themed party with amazing food from Mazzone Hospitality, limited and specialized art from our regional artists, competitive auctions and raffles, buzz-worthy old-timey cocktails and live entertainment. 7-11pm. $125.

READING: Lydia Davis @ Albany Public Library, Albany. Being honored as Author of the Year. 1:30pm. FREE.

MUSIC: The Chandler Travis Three-O @ Musica, Hudson. In conjunction with Hudson’s annual holiday Winter Walk celebration. And maybe some bellydancers, too… 5-8pm.

MUSIC: The McKrells @ SPAC’s Spa Little Theater, Saratoga Springs. Kevin McKrell and his crew present their annual “A Saratoga Christmas” concert and celebration. 7:30pm. $15.

MUSIC: The Temptations @ The Egg, Albany. Original member Otis Williams and his cohorts stir up those marvelous Motown memories with such hits as “My Girl,” “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and so many more… 8pm. $34.50.

THEATER: Sundance Institute Theatre Lab @ MASS MoCA’s Club B-10, North Adams. A staged reading of five-time Tony nominee Michael John LaChiusa’s work-in-progress musical, “First Daughter Suite,” as he explores mother-daughter relationships. Directed by Kirsten Sanderson. 8pm. $16; $10 students.

MUSIC: Marco Benevento @ Red Square, Albany. The unclassifiable keyboard virtuoso leads his trio – also featuring drummer Andy Borger and Ween bassist Dave Dreiwitz – back to the Square with opening act Scott Metzger and his band Wolf. 9:30pm. $16.

MUSIC: The Spampinato Brothers @ the Bearsville Theater, Woodstock. Johnny & Joey and the rest of the band return to celebrate the release of their new six-song disc, Smiles – including a charming new Christmas song, “The Very Best Gift of All.” 9pm. $20.

DANCE: Northeast Ballet’s Annual “Nutcracker” @ Proctors, Schenectady. Under the artistic direction of Darlene Myers, New York City Ballet dancers Lauren Lovette and Gonzalo Garcia star in the annual holiday ballet classic. 7pm. $20-$50. Also at 2pm on Sunday.

MUSIC: Melissa Ferrick @ WAMC-FM’s The Linda, Albany. In support of her new album, The Truth Is. 8pm. $20.

THEATER: “A Christmas Carol” @ Capital Repertory Theatre, Albany. Michael Bush directs Broadway and Cap Rep fave Kevin McGuire star in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in Patrick Barlow’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, at once funny and poignant. 3 & 8pm. $20-$60; $16 students. Through December 22.

MUSIC: Albany Symphony Orchestra @ the Palace Theatre, Albany. The Magic of Christmas show… 7:30pm. Also at 3pm on Sunday.

FESTIVAL: Winter Walk @ various locations, Hudson. 5-8pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Wintergreen @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. Folk trio. 8pm. $17.

MUSIC: Alex Torres y su Orquesta @ the Mine, Saratoga Springs. 10:30pm.

MUSIC: An Evening of Praise Music @ Westminster Presbyterian Church, Albany. An evening of African and African-American praise music by Getty & Friends with the Nakomi Band. With the United Albany Choir of the Church of Pentecost, Ruth Cab, the Black Catholic Apostic Choir, Patric & Les Amie de Jesus and more. Doors open at 6:30pm. FREE; donations appreciated.

MUSIC: Amanda Ashley @ American Glory BBQ, Hudson. 9pm. Also the Stacks at 5:30pm.

READING: Peter Aaron @ Inquiring Mind Bookstore & Cafe, Saugerties. The author reads from and discusses his new book, “If You Like the Ramones…,” recently published by Backbeat Books. With performance poet Maggie Estep. 7pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Fay Victor @ Omi Visitor Center, Ghent. The acclaimed jazz vocalist is accompanied by guitarist Anders Nilsson for a candlelight concert. 6:30pm. $10.

MUSIC: Simi Stone @ Club Helsinki, Hudson. The Woodstock singer-songwriter brings her unique blend of pop, rock and soul – what she likes to call “Mountain Motown” – for a concert to cap off Hudson’s Winter Walk celebration. Joining Stone will be a supergroup of legendary rock talents, including Gang of Four/B-52s bassist Sara Lee; David Bowie bandmates Gail Ann Dorsey and Zack Alford; and keyboardist David Baron; as well as a two-man horn section. 9pm.

MUSIC: The Brian Patneaude Quartet @ 74 State, Albany. 8pm. FREE.

MUSIC: The Hallertau Band @ Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Troy. Where blues meets rock… 10pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Albany Pro Musica @ Carondelet Hospitality Center, Latham. A Pro Musica Christmas with guest conductor Ronald Bemrich. 7:30pm. Also at 3pm on Sunday.

MUSIC: Oobleck @ Pauly’s Hotel, Albany. With Uneven Steven. 9pm.

MUSIC: Wild Adriatic @ Gug’s, Glens Falls. With Milk Toast.

MUSIC: Mirk @ the Hollow Bar + Kitchen, Albany. 9pm. $10; or bring an unwrapped toy to donate to a needy child and get in FREE.

MUSIC: Gratefully Yours @ Putnam Den, Saratoga Springs. With the Stone Revival Band. 9:30pm.

MUSIC: The Peg Delaney Trio @ Provence Restaurant, Albany. 7pm.

DANCE: Albany Berkshire Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” @ the Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield. Choreography by Artistic Director Madeline Cantarella Culpo, with sets and scenery designed by Carl Sprague, and costumes designed by Rita Watson and Victile Donahue. 2:30 & 7:30pm. $26, $34 & $40; children $19.50, $26 & $28. Also at 1:30pm & 4:30pm on Sunday.

MUSIC: Jeanne O’Connor & Azzaam Hameed @ Panza’s Restaurant, Saratoga Lake. 6:30pm.

MUSIC: Forthlin Road @ the Parting Glass, Saratoga Springs. 9pm. $5.

THEATER: “White Christmas” @ Proctors, Schenectady. The Classic Theatre Guild’s production directed by Ed Bablin and brimming over with Irving Berlin’s classic songs. 2 & 7:30pm. $18.50; $15.50 seniors & students. Through Sunday, December 15.

THEATER: “Don’t Dress for Dinner” @ the Sand Lake Center for the Arts, Averill Park. The Circle Theatre Players present the saucy farce written by Mark Camoletti and directed by Sky Vogel. 8pm. $16; $10 students under 18. Through December 8.

MUSIC: TAPESTRYquartet @ Sam’s Seafood Steakhouse, Johnstown. 8pm.