You wouldn’t know it was (nearly) summer in upstate NY. It is, we just don’t have the weather to show for it. Not yet – hopefully that will come soon. I’ve decided not to look at the weather forecast, don’t want to jinx it.

This past week has been rainy and ugly, overall – those days where you just want to stay inside, curl up and read or watch an old black and white movie. (Or is that just me?)

Today – Friday, that is – is a great day for the Lake. Why? Go out to Old Forge (really – do it!) and enjoy the Paddlefest happening all this weekend. Demo kayaks and so much more water sports gear, and come back to Lake George ready for the weather to turn – maybe if we all gear up for summer the weather will cave and change to our favor.  Not only that, but here in Lake George the Queen’s Great Boating and Custom Car Weekend is happening – maybe the Lake will get the hint with all the water-related events happening and get summer-ready!

And today is Friday – a night to wind down from a hectic week.  As always, the Capital region has some great musicians in store, with a great deal of venues down south. If you really want to be inundated, I’d say head down to Albany or Northern Lights in Clifton Park, but more locally there are shows as well. Saratoga has a pretty large concentration of venues – from Vapor to Irish Times, Parting Glass, Baileys, the Saratoga Winery, and Putnam Den – they all tend to regularly have performances at least Friday and Saturday night.  If you feel like heading down that way but are looking for something a little more…low key, the Saratoga Winery always has some great mellow bands Friday nights with wine and food in the evenings – why not check it out?

Paddlefest 2011 is happening May 20-22. Photo: Adirondack Paddlefest

All the way from New York (City) are the Soul Steps – a dance troupe performing in Long Lake tonight – some really great things have been said about them.

For those who prefer ‘thrill’ to ‘chill’ (that would be me) Great Escape is opening for the season tomorrow. Have a screamingly good time – maybe we’ll bump into each other. And for those whose definition of ‘thrill’ involves reaching new heights and discovering a gorgeous summit, the Black Fly Affair – ‘black tie optional, hiking boots necessary’ – happens in Queensbury tomorrow evening as well.

This weekend is commencement weekend for Skidmore, so Saratoga will likely be mobbed. Though, on that note, if you’re a Dylan fan, you might have to head over to Caffe Lena to celebrate his 70^th birthday and help raise money for the legendary musician’s haven in Saratoga.

The day after pomp and circumstance, SPAC will be dealing with a lot of sweat – the second annual Rock & Run is happening Sunday. You won’t be seeing me there – great cause – but…running? I’m not a runner. Nope.

Some interesting things are happening this week in the area – Cooper’s Cave Coin Club is having a spring show on the 22^nd – I collected coins as a kid…maybe if I can find where they all are, I’d be able to make some money…? Anyway. For those who enjoy the sport of Tiger(s) – golf – there is an event on the 25^th at Sagamore Golf Course – ‘Golf For Tourism.’ Improv Records is having a free Friday concert next weekend at the Shepard Park amphitheater – the toe-tapping Rev Tour band is playing. For entertainment of another kind, next Friday marks the beginning of the nightly ghost tour walks at Fort William Henry.

And, of course – next weekend is Memorial Day weekend, so be prepared for every town, every hamlet – to have a Memorial Day parade. If you want to avoid that, though, there is the arts and crafts festival in Bolton Landing or the flea market in Lake George. Take the time to relax over the weekend, whatever that may entail.