Events Calendar

» CRL’s guide to staying busy while social distancing « BY NATALIE MOORE

In lieu of our traditional arts and entertainment calendar, we’re offering you a slew of opportunities to pass the time while you’re stuck at home.

TAKE UP A HOBBY Stuck at home on the weekend with nothing to do because of the outbreak? It’s the perfect time to learn a new skill or return to an old hobby. A great place to start would be contributor Judi Stone’s recent story, “Got Paint? Breathe New Life Into Your Tired Furniture,” which published in CAPITAL REGION LIVING ’s February 2020 issue. Go to crlmag.com to give it a read. Or try any number of the options below.

ALBANY COUNTY Paint and sip from the comfort of your own home. The Latham Painting With A Twist studio is now offering “Twist at Home” kits, available for roadside pickup at the New Loudon Road location. Each kit comes with everything you need to make a beautiful piece of art—a canvas, paint, brushes, an apron and printed instructions—as well as a $5 gift certificate for use on another class. For more info, visit paintingwithatwist.com.

RENSSELAER COUNTY Just because you can’t leave your house, doesn’t mean you can’t look your best (or, at least learn how to look your best). Troy-based makeup artist Natalie Dekermendijian is offering a variety of makeup lessons, from full glamour sessions and one-on-one consultations to “Get Ready In 10”

tutorials and topic-specific mini sessions, all via live chat. Find her on Instagram at @dekedout_makeup or email her at dekedoutmakeup@gmail.com for more info.

SARATOGA COUNTY Learn to bake from a true master of the craft. Jennifer Gates, executive pastry chef, manager and cake designer at Clifton Park’s Dolce and Biscotti, is going live on Facebook every Wednesday at 10am for as long as kids are out of school, to offer free cupcake-baking demonstrations. She posts a list of ingredients and supplies needed before each class, and all classes remain on Facebook, so that you can play them whenever you want to. For more info, search “Kids Live Cupcake Class—Every Wednesday at 10am” on Facebook.

OTSEGO COUNTY Many libraries across the region are calling attention to their e-book offerings in light of their closing, and the Village Library of Cooperstown is no exception. The library’s Download Zone is available 24/7 for library card holders and offers e-books and audiobooks downloadable to any smart device. For more info, visit libraries.4cls.org/cooperstown.

GET OUTSIDE On March 20, just before press time, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered residents to stay home as much as possible, with the exception of “solitary exercise” outside. Here are a few ways to enjoy the great outdoors around the region.

FULTON COUNTY Located just south of the Adirondack Park line in the town of Johnstown is Peck Hill State Forest, a nearly 3000- acre property spanning miles of wetland. The 1.5-mile Willie Marsh Nature Trail is its main attraction, as its boardwalks traverse marshes and open water, and its viewing platform offers unparalleled views of a section of nature that would otherwise remain unseen by human eyes. For more info, visit dec.ny.gov.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY What better way to pass the time, by your lonesome, than fishing? Montgomery County is home to countless bountiful fishing spots, made more accessible

by development around the Erie Canal. Check out the stretch of river from Lock 13 to Lock 16 for carp, perch and bass fishing, and Schoharie Creek above Lock 12 for bass and walleye fishing. For more info, visit montgomerycountyny.com.

THE BERKSHIRES Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is 1000-plus acres of forest, meadow and wetland located in Lenox, MA. Home to many beavers, whose dams, dens and lodges are visible from seven miles of walking trails, Pleasant Valley’s offerings include the 30- to 40-minute Pike’s Pond Trail Loop, the one-hour Beaver Lodge Trails Loop and the strenuous, twohour Trail of the Ledges Loop. While all Pleasant Valley buildings and programs are cancelled, visitors are still invited to walk the trails, as long as they keep a distance of at least six feet from others. For more info, visit massaudubon.org.

ORDER FOOD Many local restaurants are struggling after being forced to close their doors. Help support them by picking up takeout. Some might even deliver your food straight to your front door or gate. Be sure to tip.

WWW.MACHAYDNTHEATRE.ORG FOR INFORMATION & TICKETS

(518) 392-9292 1925 ROUTE 203, CHATHAM, NY

MAY 21–31 JUNE 4–14

JUNE 18–28 JULY 2–19

JULY 23–AUGUST 2 AUGUST 6–16

AUGUST 20–SEPTEMBER 6 SEPTEMBER 5, 12:00 PM

SCHENECTADY COUNTY The Town of Glenville celebrated its first “Take Out Week” from March 22-29, with many local restaurants offering meals for $18.20 (in honor of the year the town was founded). But just because Take Out Week is over, doesn’t mean the restaurants don’t still need your support. Order takeout from restaurants including Glenville Queen Diner, TJ’s Flightline, Marcella’s Restaurant, Carm’s Restaurant, Pizza Works and many more. For more info, visit townofglenville.org.

COLUMBIA COUNTY While most regularly scheduled events throughout the region have been cancelled or postponed, the Hudson Flag Day Bar-B-Que is still on for Saturday, April 4. A $12 ticket, which must be purchased in advance, will get you half a chicken, a baked potato, corn, coleslaw and a roll, and dinners can be picked up at the Hudson Elks Lodge at 201 Harry Howard Ave. For more info, visit hudsonflagdayparade.org.

SEE A SHOW That’s right: Just because concert and performance venues are closed, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the art and culture coming to the region—or that’s already here.

SARATOGA COUNTY Saratoga Springs’ Caffè Lena already had a live digital feed for its regular programming schedule. So, it was an easy transition to streaming in the era of COVID-19. The historic venue is now offering “Stay Home Sessions,” or livestreamed shows on its YouTube channel. At press time, Stay Home Sessions, with performers such as Warden & Co. and Let’s Be Leonard, were scheduled through March 27, with more show announcements on the way. For more info, visit caffelena.org.

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Stay Home Session: The Useless Cans

SCHENECTADY COUNTY Schenectady’s Mopco Improv Theatre, often voted the Capital Region’s best comedy venue, is another hot spot making use of the web during the COVID-19 pandemic. While all intheater shows at the Jay Street space are cancelled, Mopco’s Owner/Artistic Director Michael Burns is hosting regular streaming shows on his YouTube Channel, Michael Burns Mopco. For more info, visit mopco.org.

TAKE AN ONLINE FITNESS CLASS All gyms have been shuttered due to COVID-19, so many are offering digital means to stay mentally and physically healthy. Here are a few online classes you can take at home, offered by Capital Region fitness businesses.

ALBANY COUNTY Colonie-based fitness instructor Liz Filippone of The Mindfully Fit Ninja is taking her classes, which include yoga, BarreFlow and cardio/strength and conditioning, digital. Those interested can pay $15 via Venmo for 30 days of classes and will be added to a Facebook group where Filippone will be live streaming one to two classes per day. All you need is Wi-Fi, a smart device and yoga mat. For more info, visit lizsfilippone.com.

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RENSSELAER COUNTY Troy Dance Factory, a dance school located on River Street, has begun to live stream all its classes in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally,it launched a Social Distance Dance Series that beginner to expert dancers from all over the world can participate in, featuring improv dance classes accompanied by local musicians. Such acoustic improv classes are only $5, but attendees are encouraged to donate more, as 75 percent of donations go directly to the performers, many of whom have recently found themselves out of work. Visit troydancefactory.com for more info.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Other area gyms, including Vent Fitness (Clifton Park/Guilderland/Latham/ Niskayuna), Metabolic Meltdown (Green Island/Colonie/Clifton Park), the YMCA (multiple locations), anatomie (Troy), Schenectady Crossfit (Schenectady), Anytime Fitness (various locations) and many more are also offering online classes or workout plans to members. Visit your gym’s website to learn more about its e-workout offerings.