8/8/15: Today’s Top Tips: Saturday

MUSIC: CRBN’s Blues Band Showdown @ The Linda, Albany. Local 518 blues bands Fade to Blues, Silver Chain, the Amy Ryan Band, High and Dry and the Holly & Evan Band compete in a battle of the bands for a chance to win prizes and the opportunity to represent Nippertown’s blues scene at the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January. 7pm. $12. GO HERE for more info…

MUSIC: Roosevelt Dime @ Riverlink Park, Amsterdam. The Brooklyn-based band takes listeners on a journey through the whole of American roots music from Americana and Memphis soul to the Crescent City Mardi Gras. 7pm. FREE. GO HERE for more info and the complete concert schedule…

MUSIC/ART: “Harmonium Mountain” @ MASS MoCA’s Courtyard D, North Adams. The artist Clifford Ross teams up with NYC-based chamber ensemble Orchestra of St. Luke’s to bring us a massive, site-specific, multi-screen installation with a varied and transportive suite of live music. With Brooklyn-based band Oneida and special guest Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth. 8:30pm. $26 & $36; $20 students.

FESTIVAL/MUSIC: The Queen of the Lakes Music Festival @ Wood Park, Lake George. Day One features performances by Rich Ortiz, the Stony Creek Band, Bluz House Rockers and the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra. 12noon. $20; FREE for hildren under age 12. GO HERE for more info and the complete schedule of bands…

MUSIC: The Jack Grace Band @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. His thinking man’s country rock has been compared to everything from Frank Zappa to early Johnny Cash or “Cole Porter meets Gene Autry” as The New York Times once declared.7pm. $20.

MUSIC: Don McLean @ the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington. One of America’s most enduring singer-songwriters is forever remembered for his classic hits, “American Pie” and “Vincent (Starry Starry Night).” Since first hitting the charts in 1971, he has amassed over 40 gold and platinum records and has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 8pm. $39, $59 & $84.

MUSIC: The Philadelphia Orchestra @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs. Performing “Pixar in Concert.” 8pm.

MUSIC: The Cutaways @ McGeary’s Pub, Albany. 8pm. FREE.

FESTIVAL/FILM: The Ballston Spa Film Festival. 7pm at Ballston Spa High School; 9pm at Old Iron Spring Park; 10pm awards presentation and after-party at Brookside Museum.

MUSIC: Mohawk Valley Collective Fest @ Haslett Park, Fort Plain. Featuring Cosby Gibson & Tom Staudle, Stone Soup, Spike & the Boys, Rumpus and Jocelyn Arndt. 12noon. Donations appreciated.

MUSIC: Emerald City @ Powers Park, Troy. 6pm. FREE. GO HERE for more info and the complete concert schedule…

MUSIC: Michael Benedict Jazz Vibes @ the Palmer House Cafe, Rensselaerville. 7pm. $10 (including a Jazz Vibes CD).

MUSIC: The Strings & Voices Fest: An Acoustic Gathering @ the Low Beat and Pauly’s Hotel, Albany. Featuring Acoustiguts, Dizzy D, Eric Lewis, Evan Scott Harker, 518 Mobb, Forever Autumn, Goblin Hovel, Goregasm, Heart of Gold, Jay Ching, Jay Frost, more. 6pm. $12 admission to both venues.

MUSIC: Get the Led Out @ Mountain Park, Holyoke. With Rush tribute band Lotus Land and Who Are You. 5pm. $25 & $35.

THEATER: “Rent” @ Saratoga Arts, Saratoga Springs. The Local Actors Guild of Saratoga presents Jonathan Larson’s hit musical. 8pm. $20. Through August 16.

MUSIC: The Seth Yacovone Band @ Putnam Den, Saratoga Springs. 9:30pm. Pay what you like.

THEATER: “I Saw My Neighbor On the Train and I Didn’t Even Smile” @ the Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge. It’s the world premiere of Suzanne Heathcote’s play, starring Keira Naughton as a hum-drum bookkeeper whose life is is forever altered by the arrival of her troubled niece. 2 & 8pm. $50. Through Saturday, August 15.

MUSIC: Kristin Hersh @ the Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton. Since founding her influential art-punk band Throwing Muses at the age of 14, Kristin Hersh has spent over two decades confounding expectations and breaking rules – both hers and others. Tonight she’ll be playing a solo acoustic show. With Dave Houghton of Fancy Trash opening. 7pm. $18.

MUSIC: C.B. Smith & the Lucky Devils @ Catskill Mountain Pizza Company, Woodstock. 9pm.

THEATER: “The Club” @ the Garage, Pittsfield. A musical excursion into the world of a private Edwardian men’s club, where men can be men and drink, play, smoke and talk about what’s always on their mind: women! Directed by Rocco Sisto and featuring Annette Miller and Maureen O’Flynn. 8pm. $30. Through Sunday, August 9.

MUSIC: Music Omi Concert in The Fields @ The Fields Sculpture Park at Omi, Ghent. The culmination of the Music Omi program showcases experimental and collaborative work conceived during the residency. This year’s fellows include a remarkable assortment of musicians, from a Nigerian opera vocalist to a Mexican improvising bassoonist. 5pm. FREE.

THEATER: “Murder for Two” @ Capital Repertory Theatre, Albany. Scott Schwartz directs the new musical murder mystery-comedy. 3 & 8pm. Through August 9.

MUSIC: New York Free Quartet @ the Bridge Street Theatre, Catskill. Jazz concert featuring reedman Michael Moss, pianist Steve Cohn, bassist Larry Roland and drummer Chuck Fertal. 7:30pm. $15; $10 students and seniors.

THEATER: “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” @ the Fitzpatrick Main Stage, Stockbridge. The bewildering journey of finding love in the modern world sets the premise for Terrence McNally’s bittersweet comedy. Directed by Karen Allen. 2 & 8pm. $62. Through Saturday, August 22.

MUSIC: Pat McGee @ Newberry Music Hall, Saratoga Springs. 9pm. $10.

DANCE: Brian Sanders’ JUNK @ PS21, Chatham. Known for their ingenious use of found objects and clever inventions, this Philadelphia-based company bridges the gap between dance and physical theater. 8pm. $30; $18 students.

MUSIC/READING: Michael Hearst @ Time + Space Limited, Hudson. The author and musician – he’s a founding member of One Ring Zero – celebrates the publication of his new book, “Extraordinary People” (Chronicle), with a talk, performance and and book signing. 2pm. FREE.

THEATER: “Dracula’s Grandmother: A Musical Fable” @ Fort Salem Theater, Salem. Jay Kerr and company present the premiere of a new musical. 8pm. $30; $27 seniors; FREE ages 12 & under. Through August 16.

MUSIC: Mullett @ King Neptune’s Pub, Lake George. 10pm.