5/29/15: Today’s Top Tips: Friday

MUSIC: Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. The queen of blue-eyed rock n’ soul grew up loving the sweetness of a Memphis horn line and the raunch of an electric guitar riff. She teased her blonde hair into a beehive in honor of Ronnie Spector, landed a gig as the singer with the “Saturday Night Live” Band and never looked back. She’ll be joined by her bandmates – guitarist Cliff Goodwin, bassist Michael Colbath and drummer Larry Donahue. 8pm. $27.

MUSIC/THEATER: Tommy Sands’ “Ballad of a Songman” @ the Eighth Step at Proctors, Schenectady. Northern Ireland’s acclaimed singer, songwriter, award-winning radio host and social activist brings his new show – directed by Martin Lynch – to the Electric City the night before it premieres at the Donaghy Theatre in NYC, weaving together a tapestry of song, music, poetry, prose, pictures and philosophy, with plenty of Irish humor laced throughout. 7:30pm. $28 & $35.

MUSIC: Daddy Long Legs @ the Half Moon, Hudson. Led by harp-blowing, blues-bellowing front man Brian Hurd, the NYC blues-punk trio and Norton Records recording artists roar into Hudson. With the Schoemer Formation. 9pm doors. $5.

ARTS WALK: Troy Night Out @ various locations, Troy. Lots of visual art exhibits, music, food, fun, people-watching and the debut of TroyBot – in person. 5-9pm. FREE.

MUSIC: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion @ the Bearsville Theater, Woodstock. Another near-lethal blast of NYC-based blues-punk. With Shark Muffin. 9pm. $20.

THEATER: “Pippin” @ Proctors, Schenectady. With a sparkling score by Tony nominee Stephen Schwartz (“Godspell,” “Wicked”), the classic musical tells the story of a young prince on a death-defying journey to find meaning in his existence. Will he choose a happy but simple life? Or will he risk everything for a singular flash of glory? This captivating new production is directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus and stars Adrienne Barbeau, Sam Lips, John Rubinstein, Sasha Allen and others. 8pm. $20-$80. Through Sunday. GO HERE to read review…

MUSIC: The Holly & Evan Band @ the On Tap Patio at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Latham. It’s another blues blast! 5:30pm.

MUSIC: The Lustre Kings @ Brunswick BBQ & Brew, Troy. Rockabilly and swing from Mark Gamsjager and the boys. 8pm.

FESTIVAL/MUSIC: LakeGeorge.com Elvis Festival @ the Lake George Forum and various other locations, Lake George. It’s the 10th annual fest for the King at Vacantionland, USA… GO HERE for more info and complete schedule…

MUSIC: Shawn Mendes @ Upstate Concert Hall, Clifton Park. Teen popster on the rise. With Jacquie Lee. 8pm. UPDATE: This show is now officially sold out.

THEATER/MUSIC: “The First Five Years” @ Schenectady Light Opera, Schenectady. SLOC celebrates their fifth anniversary in their current theater with an allstar, gala revue of songs from the 24 dozen musicals they’ve presented there. 8pm. $20. Also at 8pm on Saturday. GO HERE for more info…

MUSIC: The Carltones @ the Black Bear Inn, Watervliet. With special guest Ritz Carlton. 9pm.

THEATER: “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” @ Curtain Call Theatre, Latham. Christopher Durang’s smash-hit Broadway comedy and winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play is a wacky nod to Chekhov. Directed by Chris Foster, the Nippertown premiere production stars Kris Anderson, Roseann Cane, Ryan Davis, Mary Darcy, Cori Irwin and Christina Reeves. 8pm. $24. Through Saturday, June 27. GO HERE for more info…

MUSIC: Charmboy @ the Low Beat, Albany. With Thirty Silver and Henry’s Rifle. 9pm.

MUSIC: Amy Helm’s Friday Nights at The Barn @ Levon Helm’s Barn, Woodstock. A special show honoring the 75th birthday of Levon Helm. 8pm. UPDATE: This show is now officially sold out.

MUSIC: The Chronicles @ Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Troy. Funkin’ it up… 9pm. FREE.

THEATER: “Butler” @ Barrington Stage Co.’s St. Germain Stage, Pittsfield. It’s the New England premiere of the uproariously funny, witty and very moving play based on actual events that changed the lives of over 10,000 slaves during the Civil War. 7:30pm. Through Saturday, June 13.

FESTIVAL/FILM: Berkshire International Film Festival @ various locations, Great Barrington and Pittsfield. More than 20 films will be screened throughout the day, including “Drunk Stoned Brilliant,” “End of the Tour,” “The Man Who Saved the World,” “Romeo Is Bleeding”… GO HERE for more info…

MUSIC: 13 Hands @ One Big Roof, Saratoga Springs. A yoga & sound meditation program with the two-time Grammy nominee, multi-instrumentalist, professor of yoga and sound therapist. 7pm. $40.

THEATER: “Driving Miss Daisy” @ the Sand Lake Center for the Arts, Averill Park. Written by Alfred Uhry and directed by CarolLynn Langley, the warm and inviting play explores the universal issues of prejudice, aging and the sometimes surprising course that true friendship can take over the course of 25 years. 8pm. $16.

TALK: Chris Hedges @ the Sanctuary for Independent Media, Troy. The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist-author explores the moral imperative of revolt in his new book, “Wages of Rebellion: The Moral Imperative of Revolt,” examining recent revolutionary movements worldwide and tracing them back to their origins in historical, philosophical, and literary traditions. 7pm. $10 suggested, $5 student/low income. ALSO: A fundraising dinner with Chris Hedges. 5pm. $75.

MUSIC: Catherine Calls the Cops @ the Low Beat, Albany. It’s a happy hour happening. 6pm.

MUSIC: Big Eyed Phish @ the Parish Public House, Albany. Dave Matthews Band tribute band. 9pm. $10.

MUSIC: Gratefully Yours @ the Hollow Bar + Kitchen, Albany. Grateful Dead tribute band. 10pm. $12.

FILM: “The Room” @ Proctors’ GE Theatre, Schenectady. This film is the proudly self-proclaimed worst movie ever. Enter at your own risk… 7pm. $9; $6 students.