Show Detective – Weekend Shows – 2/14 – 2/16

Show Detective.

Friday, February 14^th

Oscar Nominated Shorts: Animation, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady

For the 20th consecutive year, ShortsTV presents “Oscar-Nominated Short Films.” With all three categories offered – Animated, Live Action and Documentary – this is your annual chance to predict the winners! A perennial hit with audiences around the country and the world, don’t miss this year’s selection of shorts. The Academy Awards take place Sunday, March 2.

Killers of Kill Tony, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady

Regulars and fan favorites from “Kill Tony”, the #1 live podcast in the world, bring their standup show on the road with “Killers of Kill Tony”, coming to Proctors on Feb. 14. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, September 27, at 10:00AM.

Lauren Mayberry Vicious Creature Tour, Empire Live, Albany, 8pm

Gimme Gimme Disco, Empire Underground, Albany, 9pm

Rock ‘N’ Roll Women Of The 80s, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 7:30pm-10pm

Best Shot is a dynamic live tribute to one of the most influential female rock vocalists of all time, the great Pat Benatar. The band recreates a classic Benatar concert featuring note-for-note renditions by stellar lead vocalist Melissa Lotardo. Melissa impeccably recreates Pat Benetar’s classic look and sound from her 80s heyday. Audiences will thrill to Melissa’s renditions of Pat Benetar’s greatest hits including Shadows of the Night, Heartbreaker, Love is a Battlefield, and all the rest. Best Shot will keep their Promises in the Dark!

Hey Blondie! Blondie Tribute is as close as it gets to embodying the magic of Debbie Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie. This Boston based band featuring Mike G and Linda Twiss will rock your socks off so hard you’ll need a new pair. They bring the attitude and style of this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band to the stage. One Way or Another, Hey Blondie! will blow the roof and pack the dance floor with a truly Atomic set.

Moonboot Lover, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 8pm-11pm

Join us for a Valentines Day love fest with Moon Boot Lover! They are out of this world- Space Funk!

Happy Hour at The Eleven with Monkey and The Crowbar Duo, Lark Hall, Albany, 6pm-8pm

Monkey and the Crowbar have been playing for years in the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region. Their acoustic vibe of originals and Grateful Dead adjacent tunes makes for a hoot of a time. Fronted by Todd Herringshaw(guitar, vocals), band members Tree Casullo(percussion, vocals), Joe Sinchak(fiddle, mandolin, vocals) and Sharon Charles(bass) give an old-timey spin to tunes we all know and love. For a special show, Todd and Tree will perform as acoustic Monkey-duo.

Lark Hall presents Gratefully Yours, Lark Hall, Albany, 8pm

Gratefully Yours is a Grateful Dead inspired band, based out of New Paltz, NY. The band was conceived and founded in 2012 by keyboardist Alex Mazur, who is also the founder of The Deadbeats; one of the longest running Grateful Dead coverbands in existence.

However, “cover band” is an extremely misleading term when it comes to the music of Gratefully Yours. Their willingness and ability to improvise, and their openness to spontaneity and the energy of the moment lie at the core of their performances and truly sets them apart. In the very best tradition of The Grateful Dead, it is this openness that allows the crowd to become a part of the creative process and results in a synergy between the band and the crowd that is unique and truly special. It is that magic that Gratefully Yours truly aims to “cover” and pay tribute to.

Heather Maloney with opener High Tea, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 8pm-10pm

Stitched together from personal and universal ecstasy, loss both intimate and ancient, Maloney’s tremulous folk, existential ballads, and assertive rock encompass the whole of life. There’s been a spiritual thread running through her work ever since she began writing songs while living at a Zen monastery. Her wise art shows us the infinite in the details of daily life, family love, nature, pursuit of identity, and romantic commitment.

“Her penchant for vibrant storytelling is reminiscent of the Indigo Girls or even the singer Melanie. Maloney’s ability to create a palpable intimacy between audience and performer is reflective of Dar Williams’ quiet roar.” – PopMatters​​

Valentine’s Cover Show, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm

From “Bar People.”

2/14 5:00 PM Tracy & Friends- Prime at Saratoga Nationa

2/14 5:30 PM Rob Aronstein- Wishing Well

2/14 6:00 PM Dan Dekalb & Hannah Amigo- 677 Prime

2/14 6:00 PM Eric Kufs- Thirsty Owl

2/14 6:00 PM Mike Thomas- Spa City Tap & Barrel

2/14 6:00 PM Monkey & The Crowbar- Eleven at Lark Hall

2/14 6:00 PM Nick Horace Duo- Carsons Woodside Tavern

2/14 6:00 PM Pat Decker- The Scarlet Knife

2/14 6:00 PM Peter Pashoukos- Inn at Saratoga

2/14 6:00 PM Seth Warden & Lovella- Saratoga Winery

2/14 6:00 PM Shaun McCarthy Trio- Van Slycks at Rivers Casino

2/14 6:30 PM Bennett Brothers- Dock Browns Tavern

2/14 6:30 PM On Tap Duo- Diamond Club at Embassy Suites

2/14 6:30 PM Yankee Holler- Artisanal Brew Works

2/14 7:00 PM 18 Strings Of Trouble- Kraverie

2/14 7:00 PM Dave Brennan- Bunker Saratoga

2/14 7:00 PM Jeff Walton- Principessa Elena

2/14 7:00 PM Liquid Courage- Cherry Plain Square #17

2/14 8:00 PM DJ Nvision- Misfit

2/14 8:00 PM Gratefully Yours- Lark Hall

2/14 8:00 PM Heather Maloney wsg High Tea- Caffe Lena

2/14 8:00 PM Matt Farrar & The House Rockers- Van Slycks at Rivers Casino

2/14 8:00 PM Michael Benedict Jazz Vibes- Nine Maple

2/14 8:00 PM Rustic Spirit- Holy Moses Tavern

2/14 8:30 PM Skeeter Creek- Frog Alley Brewing

2/14 9:00 PM ILL Funk Ensemble- Vapor

2/14 9:30 PM Wide Awake- Spa City Tap & Barrel

Saturday, February 15^th

Loren Loiacono + Rachmaninoff’s Paganini Rhapsody, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, 7:30pm

David Alan Miller, conductor

Harmony Zhu, piano

Randall Thompson: A Trip to Nahant

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

Loren Loiacono: Sleep Furiously

Robert Schumann: Symphony No. 1, “Spring”

ADRENALIZE – The Ultimate Def Leppard Experience, The Egg, Albany, 8pm

Drawing their name from Def Leppard’s fifth studio album (which debuted at No. 1 on both the UK Albums Chart and the U.S. Billboard 200), ADRENALIZE – The Ultimate Def Leppard Experience recreates the chart-topping, chest-thumping anthems that made Def Leppard the iconic and dominant force in arena rock of the ‘80s and beyond.

You’ll hear the hook-laden radio and MTV mega-hits like “Foolin’”, “Rock of Ages,” “Photograph,” “Hysteria,” “Rocket,” “Animal,” “Armageddon It,” “Love Bites,” and “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” along with deep cuts like “Wasted,” “High ‘n’ Dry,” and “Switch 625!”

Def Leppard, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, is one of the world’s best-selling music artists, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide. They also hold the honor of being the top UK hard rock touring act, grossing $514 million worth of tickets since July 1980. This places them as the highest UK rock band earner in the last 42 years ahead of Iron Maiden.

A Friend of a Friend: Tales of the Underground Railroad, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady

Embark on a journey along the Underground Railroad through the captivating narrative of individuals from the Capital Region, including Solomon Northup and his family, alongside Albany’s courageous Harriet and Stephen Myers. These figures grapple with profound moral dilemmas, from Northup’s harrowing enslavement to the Myers’ daring activism in publishing an anti-slavery newspaper and aiding fugitives as conductors on the Underground Railroad. Crafted by theREP, this original docu-play draws upon New York State archival records, vividly illustrating the reverberations of the Fugitive Slave Act within the Capital Region’s historical landscape.

New York Cat Film Festival 2025, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady

The NY Cat Film Festival™ is a film exploration of the fascinating felines who share our lives. These are not random internet “cat videos” – these are films made with an intention, concept or story conveying something essential about cats. Cats have a unique and indescribable bond with people – even when living independently as community cats. For far too long, felines have been the “invisible” part of the human-animal bond. We wish to shine the spotlight on these magnificent creatures and the humans devoted to them. Please note that a portion of every ticket goes to a local animal welfare non-profit, bringing community awareness and support for the needs of local kitties. This screening will help support the Animal Protective Foundation. Not rated, but all of the films are family-friendly and can be enjoyed by humans of all ages. 90 minutes.

Pink Pony Club: a Chappell Roan Dance Party, Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs

It’s a Feminomenon, full of Red Wine Supernovas and Guilty Pleasures! It’s gonna be a sellout, so get your ticket or Good Luck, Babe! We’ll see you Super Graphic Ultra Modern girls there!

The Pink Pony Club is open and H-O-T-T-O-G-O! Costumes are encouraged!

Charli Parti, Empire Underground, Albany, 9pm

Best Friends Girl: America’s Favorite Cars Experience, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 7:30pm-9:30pm

Best Friends Girl recreate the timeless hits of The Cars spanning a 35-year career, with over 23 million albums sold and having more than 22 songs on the Billboard top 100.  The Cars undoubtedly left their mark in popular culture with notable hits like “Best Friends Girl,” “Shake It Up,” “Magic,” “Lets Go” and of course, “Moving in Stereo” which gained notoriety from its placement in the movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”  Best Friends Girl are comprised of lifelong, top-notch, professional musicians whose goal is to keep the music of The Cars alive with every performance!

Brian Kane and The Beginning, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 8pm-11pm

Brian Kane and The Beginning, a local favorite Rock the Barn! If you want to have an epic night, come join the party!

Mixed Roots at The Eleven at Lark Hall (FREE event), Lark Hall, Albany, 6pm-8pm

Featuring a combination of distinct backgrounds and musical experiences, Mixed Roots is based in Albany, New York. They perform across the capital region featuring music from different cultural roots.

Weird Phishes: Radiohead and Phish Reimagined, Lark Hall, Albany, 8pm

After their previous Lark Hall album performances of “Ok Computer” and “In Rainbows,” Weird Phishes is excited to take listeners on a new sonic journey exploring the careers of both bands, all completely rearranged and mashed up with funk-driven improvisational jams throughout.—Weird Phishes is exactly what it sounds like – the iconic melancholy rock songs of Radiohead completely reborn as danceable, crunchy jams. With full-album performances, unexpected mashups, and gluey funk-driven improvisation, their jam-heavy take on alt-rock classics has sparked an unexpected energy in audiences across the northeast. Cleverly avoiding the “tribute” trope, Weird Phishes continues to push the envelope of what a mashup band can be, delivering performances that need to be experienced in order to believe.

Ladies Night ft: King Bully & Sly Fox, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 10:30pm-2am

Come get down on the biggest dance floor in Saratoga with King Bully and Sly Fox.

King Bully blurs the lines between Dancehall, Afrobeat, Hip-Hop, and Latin into what is a refreshing departure from anything else you’ve heard. The Troy NY native not only dominates the Capital Region club circuit, he also boasts an impressive list of concerts, which includes acts like Dababy, Lil Baby, Cardi B, Fabolous, DMX, Ja Rule, Ashanti and more. Always sure to get the crowd hype and the club packed, DJ King Bully is the sound that keeps any party going strong.

Guitarist Sly Fox is best knows as the front man for blues-rock outfit Sly Fox and The Hustlers.

65th Anniversary Folk Heritage Series: Tom Chapin, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 8pm-10pm

In a career that spans six decades, 27 albums and three Grammy awards, Hudson Valley troubadour Tom Chapin has covered a lot of creative ground. He began performing as a teenager in the early 1960s, playing in Greenwich Village folk clubs alongside his siblings Harry and Steve as The Chapin Brothers. Over the decades his music career has encompassed both songs for adults and pioneering work for children. He has performed on Broadway as the lead in Pump Boys and Dinettes and served as host of TV’s National Geographic Explorer.

Drag Show, Lost and Found, Albany, 10pm

From “Bar People.”

2/15 2:00 PM Lucia & Levi- Albany Public Library

2/15 3:00 PM Geo Doody- Helderberg Mountain Brewing

2/15 5:00 PM Hannah Kosiba- Prime at Saratoga National

2/15 5:00 PM Jeff Hill Gang- S&S farm Brewery

2/15 5:00 PM Steve Candlen- Artisanal Brew Works

2/15 5:00 PM Will Pedicone- Frog Alley Brewing

2/15 5:30 PM Carmen Lookshire Duo- The Scarlet Knife

2/15 5:30 PM Rob Aronstein- Wishing Well

2/15 6:00 PM Dan Mellon- Spa City Tap & Barrel

2/15 6:00 PM Franklin Micare- 677 Prime

2/15 6:00 PM Had The Radish- Thirsty Owl

2/15 6:00 PM Jeff Brisbin- Tinney’s Tavern

2/15 6:00 PM Jeff Walton- Carsons Woodside Tavern

2/15 6:00 PM New Whiskey River Band- The View at Bookhaven Golf Course

2/15 6:00 PM Seth Warden- Inn at Saratoga

2/15 6:30 PM Joey Blue Reed- Dock Browns Tavern

2/15 6:30 PM Pat Decker- Diamond Club at Embassy Suites

2/15 7:00 PM Kate Stano Duo- Quarters

2/15 7:00 PM Lifeline- Hometown Pub & Grub

2/15 7:00 PM Ragged Company- Kraverie

2/15 7:30 PM Chappell Roan Dance Party- Universal Preservation Hall

2/15 8:00 PM Chasing Neon- Van Slycks at Rivers Casino

2/15 8:00 PM DJ Vision- Misfit

2/15 8:00 PM Joe Barna Quartet- Nine Maple

2/15 8:00 PM The Flannel Kings- Nanola

2/15 8:00 PM Tom Chapin- Caffe Lena

2/15 8:00 PM Weird Phishes- Lark Hall

2/15 9:00 PM DJ NPG- Vapor

2/15 9:30 AM Far Eye Soundsystem- Saratoga Farmers Market Wilton Mall

2/15 9:30 PM Open Bar Band- Spa City Tap & Barrel

Sunday, February 16^th

Loren Loiacono + Rachmaninoff’s Paganini Rhapsody | Matinee, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, 3pm

David Alan Miller, conductor

Harmony Zhu, piano

Randall Thompson: A Trip to Nahant

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

Loren Loiacono: Sleep Furiously

Robert Schumann: Symphony No. 1, “Spring”

Grand Kyiv Ballet Presents: Swan Lake, The Egg, Albany, 4pm

Swan Lake is a ballet masterpiece that tells the story of a prince who falls in love with a beautiful swan princess under a spell. The ballet is renowned for its stunning choreography, intricate set design, and Tchaikovsky’s captivating music. Its themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption continue to resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds, making it a timeless classic that has endured for more than a century.

Bilmuri, Empire Live, Albany, 8pm

ABBA Revisited, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 5pm

An intimate evening with ABBA REVISITED featuring all the hits of Sweden’s number one export, ABBA. ABBA REVISITED has been delighting audiences since 2001, selling out theatres worldwide. ABBA REVISITED recreates the magic of ABBA with authentic costumes, spectacular harmonies and note-perfect musicianship taking the audience on a musical journey back in time. THIS SHOW IS A MUST SEE!

Third Sunday Bluegrass Jam, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 5:30pm-9pm

Bluegrass Jams are for making new friends, sharing songs, playing and listening to blue grass and new-grass. All skin levels are welcome.

Bright Series: Jennifer Knapp with opener Flamy Grant, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 2:30pm-4:30pm

We were already booked, but there was no way we could pass up the chance to bring these two trailblazers to our audience so we made room for a matinee. Knapp is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, author, speaker, and advocate. Her career includes the remarkable achievement of selling over one million albums with her first three releases: the Gold-certified “Kansas” (1998), “Lay It Down” (2000), and “The Way I Am” (2001). Alongside this commercial success, Knapp has been honored with four Dove Awards and garnered two Grammy nominations. She is the first major artist in the Christian music realm to openly discuss LGBTQ+ identity. Her courageous stance sparked national dialogue and led to appearances on Larry King Live and the TEDx stage. She founded the non-profit organization Inside Out Faith, dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights within faith communities.

Momentum Series: Henhouse Prowlers, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 7pm-9pm

Founded two decades ago with the simple desire to play original and powerful bluegrass, this Chicago-bred quartet now finds themselves at the intersection of performance, diplomacy, and education.

Onstage, the group’s enthralling performances give audiences a sense of how much they love what they do. On record, including their latest offering, 2023’s Lead and Iron, released via Dark Shadow Recording – the band explores their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate instrumentation. While bluegrass is the undeniable foundation of the Prowlers’ music, the band bends and squeezes the traditional form into a keenly developed sound all their own.

No Fun Dance Series Vol. 2 – Line Dancing Night w/ DJ Tex / Billy and the Great Western Postal Service and Instructor Mike, No Fun, Troy, 6pm-11pm

From “Bar People.”

2/16 2:00 PM As Iz- Lark Tavern

2/16 2:30 PM Jenifer Knapp wsg Flamy Grant- Caffe Lena

2/16 3:00 PM Pat Decker- Franklin Square Market

2/16 3:00 PM Triple Trouble Wsg Mark & Jill Sing The Blues- Artisanal Brew Works

2/16 5:00 PM Bobbie Van Detta- Charlton Tavern

2/16 5:00 PM DJ Romantics & DJ Tswag- The Mill

2/16 5:00 PM Warden & Company- Carsons Woodside Tavern

2/16 6:00 PM Open Mic with Erin Powers- Inn at Saratoga

2/16 7:00 PM Henhouse Prowlers- Caffe Lena

2/16 7:00 PM Latin Noght with Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra- Van Slycks at Rivers Casino