4/29/16: Today’s Top Tips: Friday

MUSIC: Nellie McKay @ the Van Dyck, Schenectady. Quirky doesn’t even begin to describe the uke-strummin’ singer-songwriter. This time around, her show is titled “Follow the Money: An Election-Themed Show.” 6:30 & 8:30pm. $26. GO HERE to read a concert review…

MUSIC: Caffe Lena’s Folkathon @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. The 42-hour musical marathon kicks off tonight with Joseph Bruchac, Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen, Anne Hills, Stony Creek Band, Danielle Miraglia & Scott Ainslie and Broken String Band. 6pm. $25 or $10 per band. Also 11pm Irish session and open mic at 12midnight. FREE. GO HERE for more info and the complete schedule…

MUSIC: Dan Johnson @ the Low Beat, Albany. CD release party for the Vermont Americana singer-songwriter’s new album, Magic Guitar, featuring original tunes and a couple of traditional songs, too. 6pm.

DANCE: Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company @ The Egg, Albany. ESDC’s annual home base concert in The Egg’s Hart Theatre is a spectacular celebration of the dance company’s 25th anniversary. 8pm.

MUSIC: Fatoumata Diawara @ the Sanctuary for Independent Media, Troy. The energetic Malian singer-songwriter brings her infectious Afro-pop sound to the Sanctuary. An unforgettable live performer who brings the music to fever pitch before exploding into the Malian didadi dance, Fatou sings of love, politics and empowerment. 8pm. $25.

MUSIC: Big BOOM Bash @ the Whitney Center for the Arts, Pittsfield. The Berkshire Organization for Original Music (BOOM) presents its kick-off event, featuring music by Jeb Barry & the Pawn Shop Saints, 8 Foot River, Robin O’Herin, Leap the Dips,tThe Matchstick Architects, Sherry Steiner, Christine Bile, the Chain Letter, Keep Her Warm and Long Journey. 4pm reception; 5pm concert. FREE. GO HERE for more info…

MUSIC: Jim Gaudet & the Railroad Boys @ the Cock ‘N Bull, Galway. Catch a preview of their upcoming new album, slated for release next month. 8:30pm.

MUSIC: Jill Hughes & the High Rollers @ Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Troy. The sizzling soul/jazz singer takes on the blues with a red-hot band led by guitarist Matt Mirabile. 9pm. FREE.

COMEDY: Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Two Man Group @ Proctors, Schenectady. The stars of “Who’s Line Is It Anyway?” show off their improv skills. 8pm. $29.75-$39.75.

MUSIC: Lucky Jukebox Brigade @ Superior Merchandise Company, Troy. With Nick Shattell. 8pm.

MUSIC: Young Noble Gentlemen @ the Albany Housing Authority Atrium, Albany. Homegrown teen hip-hop duo. 12noon. FREE.

MUSIC: Hey Jude… The Tribute @ the Madison Theater, Albany. Beatles tribute band. 7pm. $20.

THEATER: “An Evening with Aunt Nona” @ Bridge Street Theatre, Catskill. Written and performed by Anna Carol; directed by Joshua Chase Gold, it’s a solo theater performance combining stand-up comedy, improv and storytelling. 7:30pm. $15; $10 students. Through Sunday. GO HERE for more info…

ARTS WALK: Troy Night Out @ various locations, Troy. The last-Friday-of-the-month arts walk takes on an “Earth Day” theme. 5-9pm. FREE.

COMEDY: Comedy Centre @ Centre Street Pub, Schenectady. Stand-up comedy from Billy Procida (from The Manwhore Podcast) along with Alison Klemp (host of the Naked Comedy Show), Ethan Ullman, Nick Yost and Joe Greene. 7:30pm. $15.

THEATER: “A Trip to Bountiful” @ Capital Repertory Theatre, Albany. Join the inspiring pilgrimage to the small town of Bountiful, Texas with Carrie Watts, the charming, aging widow who escapes her controlling daughter-in-law and son’s three-room Houston apartment to visit her childhood home one last time. 8pm. $20-$55. Through Sunday, May 15.

READING: Colm Tóibín @ UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s Recital Hall, Albany. One of Ireland’s foremost living novelists and journalists reads from his latest novel, “Nora Webster.” 4:15pm. FREE.

FILM: “Brooklyn” @ UAlbany’s Page Hall, Albany. The 2015 hit independent film based on Colm Tóibín’s 2009 novel tells the tale of a young Irish woman who emigrates to Brooklyn, where she must choose between two countries and her life in each. With commentary by Tóibín. 7pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Lord Electro @ Parish Public House, Albany. 10pm.

MUSIC: Nixon’s Spirit @ the Low Beat, Albany. With Society High, the Ameros and Val Weston. 8pm.

MUSIC: Angels On the Fourth @ Putnam Den, Saratoga Springs. With Mirk, Candy Ambulance and Red Shift. 9:30pm. $5 before 9:30pm; $10 thereafter.

MUSIC: Gratefully Yours @ the Hollow Bar + Kitchen, Albany. With Floodwood. 9:30pm. $15.

MUSIC: The Wheel @ Smith’s, Cohoes. Acoustic. 8pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Williams Jazz Ensemble @ Williams College’s Chapin Hall, Williamstown. Under the direction of Kris Allen, the ensemble offers an exciting evening of big band music, including “Black Nile,” “There Is No Greater Love” and Charlie Parker’s “Confirmation,” as well as selections by Williams alums, Charlie Dougherty, Art Lande and Stephen Sondheim. 8pm. FREE.

THEATER: “Kaspar” @ Skidmore College’s Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater, Saratoga Springs. Directed by Aaron Ardisson, Peter Handke’s play dissects the role of language in the human experience, specifically the role of language as torturer. 8pm. Through Sunday (May 1).

MUSIC: One Night Stand @ the Towne Tavern, Averill Park.