Whassup in the 518? Weekend Shows
By Staff on November 13, 2025
Whassup in the 518?
Friday, November 14th
WWE SmackDown, MVP Arena, Albany, 7:30pm
WWE Friday Night SmackDown returns to Albany on November 14!
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, The Street Profits, WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill, and Solo Sikoa!
Plus, from Monday Night RAW, Jey Uso vs Bron Breakker! IYO SKY vs Roxanne Perez w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
Magic Rocks! Illusionist Leon Etienne, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady
You’ve seen him on America’s Got Talent, Jimmy Fallon, Masters of Illusion, and Penn & Teller: Fool Us! Illusionist Leon Etienne’s jaw-dropping, critically acclaimed hit show is NOT TO BE MISSED! Witness this family friendly spectacular featuring the world’s best illusions, award-winning sleight of hand, and hilarious comedy. This show is an immersive experience that brings joy, laughter, and wonder when the world needs it most!
John McCutcheon, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady
Master instrumentalist, powerful singer-songwriter-storyteller and multiple Grammy nominee, John McCutcheon surprises and delights with an ear for a good story, deft pen, and insights using the most ordinary experiences that resonate with universal meaning. His live performances, marked by wit, charm, and the ability to connect with listeners, are described as “breathtaking” and “like a conversation with an old friend.”
John Waite, Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga
John Waite will perform his catalog of hits from a 40-year career as a solo artist and as the lead singer of The Baby’s and Bad English. His chart-topping discography includes some of the most beloved songs of the ’80s and ’90s — the worldwide number one hit “Missing You,” The Baby’s “Isn’t It Time,” and Bad English’s “When I See You Smile” remain fan favorites and continue to receive regular airplay. Other highlights include “Tears,” “Change,” and “These Times Are Hard for Lovers.” “Every Step of the Way” and “If Anybody Had a Heart” appeared on the soundtrack for the 1986 Demi Moore film “About Last Night,” while “Deal for Life,” written by Martin Page and Bernie Taupin, was featured in the “Days of Thunder” soundtrack.
Metal Mike, Empire Underground, Albany, 7pm
The Weight Band: feat: former members of THE BAND & Levon Helm Band, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 7:30pm-9:30pm
The Bear Bones Project, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 8pm-11pm
Gypsy Jam, blend of R & B, Jazz, and traditional multi-dimensional collaboration will take you on a heartfelt musical journey.
Sweet Leaf (Black Sabbath Tribute) w/ Stones Alive (Rolling Stones Tribute), Putnam Place, Saratoga
Join us at Putnam Place for a night of Black Sabbath and The Rolling Stones featuring Sweet Leaf and Stones Alive.
Vinny Dawson – Aka Ozzy, has been a pioneer in the tribute circuit having done AC/DC and most notably, the founder and the Gene and Ace in local tribute powerhouse KISSTORY. For Sweet Leaf, he is the founding member and front man…The prince of darkness.
Mike Hughes – Aka Tony, has been the lead guitar player in Brother Tadpole and just finished a 9-year run with local southern rock staples, Beatin’ the Odds. In his prior life he was in a Santana Tribute. “Is a wall of Marshalls too much for this room?”
John Caulkins – Aka Geezer, is an Albany music scene veteran of some 30 years. He’s fronted horn bands, Downtown Horns and Vehicle, Played with Terrible Chester and Kinetic Punch and also Dead cover band Slipknot. John has also played with Still at Large, Failure to adapt and Fat Mojo. He brings that potpourri of experience to the AMAZING playing of Geezer Butler!
OJ Barr = Aka Bill, brings the beats and was the kit master in local metal icons CHINA WHITE. OJ also was with Beatin the Odds and other local acts.
Hayley Reardon with opener Emily Barnes, Caffe Lena, Saratoga, 8pm-10pm
Hayley Reardon is a critically acclaimed folk-pop singer-songwriter and a storyteller in the truest sense. Her music feels like a collection of postcards—snapshots from a life lived bravely on the road less traveled.
Launching her career at just 15, Reardon has spent more than a decade writing, recording, and performing across the globe. With 4 studio albums, 7 EPs, a live album, and over 85 original songs, her body of work has earned millions of streams and critical praise for its lyrical depth and soulful delivery.
Her songs have been described as “brilliantly moving folk/pop with a lyrical depth and soul” (Performer Magazine) and “a melancholy little masterpiece” (American Songwriter). No Depression calls her “truly a treasure.”
Precious Metals | The Sugar Hold | Grosh, Hangar on the Hudson, Troy, 7:30pm-10:30pm
No One You Know 1 Year Anniversary Party, Lost and Found, Albany, 9pm
Daddy Long Legs / Brule County Bad Boys, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm
From “Bar People.”
11/14 4:00 PM Richard Clements- Unified Beer Works
11/14 5:30 PM Dan Sherwin- Bootleggers
11/14 6:00 PM Dan Dekalb- 677 Prime
11/14 6:00 PM Eric Peter- Powers Pub
11/14 6:00 PM Matt Cosgrove- The Scarlet Knife
11/14 6:30 PM Coverups Duo- Peddlers Bar & Bistro
11/14 6:30 PM Dave Render- Cherry Plain Square #17
11/14 6:30 PM The Wingers- Other One Brewery
11/14 7:00 PM Earlybirds- Hometown Pub & Grub
11/14 7:00 PM Matty Finn- Dukes Chophouse At Rivers Casino
11/14 7:00 PM One Heart- O’Slattery’s
11/14 7:00 PM POGO- Bunker Clifton Park
11/14 8:00 PM Bear Bones Project- Rustic Barn Pub
11/14 8:00 PM Ghosts Of Jupiter- Ophelia’s Restaurant
11/14 8:30 PM Refrigerators- Frog Alley Brewing
Saturday, November 15th
Dark Star Orchestra, The Palace Theatre, Albany, 7:30pm
Performing to critical acclaim for nearly 30 years and over 3300 shows, Dark Star Orchestra continues the Grateful Dead live concert experience. The seven-piece band performs shows based on actual Grateful Dead set lists from their 30 years of touring, or creates unique sets from the Dead’s extensive catalog. This approach allows fans both young and old to share in the experience while offering a continually evolving artistic outlet within this musical canon.
Dark Star Orchestra offers much more than just the sound of the Grateful Dead—they truly encapsulate the energy and experience. It’s about that sense of familiarity and contagious energy that creates the complete concert experience fans expect.
Chop Chop: Cooking the Food of Nigeria with Ozoz Sokoh, SPAC, Saratoga
CulinaryArts@SPAC presents an immersive evening of West African culture with Nigerian-born culinary anthropologist and author Ozoz Sokoh, in conversation with WAMC’s Sarah LaDuke. Sokoh will share stories from her highly praised new book Chop Chop: Cooking the Food of Nigeria, a definitive guide to Nigerian cuisine featuring 100 recipes that honor and preserve the nation’s rich culinary traditions. In the tradition of Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking and Madhur Jaffrey’s An Invitation to Indian Cooking, Chop Chop offers both a cultural history and a hands-on introduction to the flavors of Nigeria.
Sixties Spectacular, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady
Five great acts will bring countless hit songs from the 60s to the Proctors stage November 15, 2025 at 7:00 pm.
Elite Fighting Promotions Presents: The Sound and The Fury -Muay Thai, Empire Live, Albany, 5:30pm
The BrokenHearted w/s/g Fortunate Sons, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 7:30pm-10:30pm
The Big Happy w/s/g ShortWave Radio, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 8pm-11pm
The Big Happy hails from Long Island, NY. Known for their high energy performance, mixing up the perfect recipe for a good time!
TrueSongs 2025: Stories of Courage, Resilience & Community, Caffe Lena, Saratoga, 7pm-9pm
At its heart, TrueSongs shines a light on the work of local nonprofits that help create a healthier, more compassionate community. The event pairs six local individuals—each supported by a local nonprofit that helped them overcome a major life challenge—with professional songwriters and storytellers who guide them in transforming their experience into an original true story and song performed on stage.
Rock the Pantry, Hangar on the Hudson, Troy, 7pm-11pm
Espresso and Coffee, Sabrina and Chappel Tribute Night with Lucid Street, Lost and Found, Albany, 7pm
J Mascis with special guest Gold Dust, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm
From “Bar People.”
11/15 1:00 PM Brian Kane- Lakeview on Crystlal Lake
11/15 5:00 PM Josh Clevenstine- Back Barn Brewery
11/15 6:00 PM Bailee Jordayn & Phillip Shaver- Sofia’s Restaurant
11/15 6:00 PM Jeff Walton- Powers Pub
11/15 6:00 PM Linda Brown Jazz Project- Stella’s Pasta Bar at The Van Dyck
11/15 6:00 PM Pat Decker- The Scarlet Knife
11/15 6:00 PM Tyler Giroux- 677 Prime
11/15 6:30 PM Bootlegger Duo- Peddlers Bar & Bistro
11/15 7:00 PM Harmonic Duo- American Legion Wynanskill
11/15 7:00 PM Joe Adee & The Lug Nuts- Cherry Plain Square #17
11/15 7:00 PM Matty Finn- Seven Bistro
11/15 7:00 PM Vagabond- O’Slattery’s
11/15 7:30 PM The Brokenhearted- Cohoes Music Hall
11/15 8:00 PM Ginger Geezus- Albany Elks Club #49
11/15 8:00 PM Legacy Rhythm & Blues- Ophelia’s Restaurant
11/15 8:00 PM Ryan Matter Band- Forty -One Sports Bar
11/15 8:00 PM The Big Happy & Shortwave Radio- Rustic Barn Pub
11/15 9:00 PM Hit n Run- Van Slycks at Rivers Casino
Sunday, November 16th
Warren Miller’s “Sno-ciety” Proctors Theatre, Schenectady
Bring on winter with Warren Miller! From big mountain lines and race gates to urban ski hills and unexpected destinations, come along as we carve turns and find our crew—from California, Colorado, and New Hampshire to Austria, British Columbia, Finland, and Scotland.
Drop in with Olympians, urban riders, and local legends on the big screen this fall, including Daron Rahlves, Britta Winans, Judd Henkes, Sarka Panacochova, Breezy Johnson, Chris Rubens, Juho Kilkki, and more.
Creed Fisher, Empire Underground, Albany, 8pm
Jim Messina & The Road Runners, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 7pm-9:30pm
Brunch with Stella Rose at The Eleven, Lark Hall, Albany, 12pm-2pm
The Last Miller / Hidden Drive / The Glow, No Fun, Troy, 6pm-10pm
From “Bar People.”
11/16 1:00 PM Matty Finn- Other One Brewery
11/16 2:30 PM Off The Record- Lark Tavern
11/16 3:00 PM John Nolan- O’Slattery’s
RadioRadioX