SHORT THE LIST
Outdoors
Sure, you’ve seen the tulips, but have you attended the annual Lupine Fest? Fields of violet lupine flowers and fluttering Karner blue butterflies set the stage for visitors to explore and support the
Albany Pine
Bush Preserve and its partners.
Visitors can enjoy nature walks, music, games, crafts, food, vendors, information from community partners and more.
Albany Pine Bush Preserve, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Free. 518-456-0655 or albanylupinefest.org.
Music
A band playing at Old Songs, especially accompanied by the describer “Scottish folk band,” may bring something definite to mind. But perhaps what you don’t know is that the elastic outfit called Cantrip also mixes in elements of funk, metal, bluegrass, swing and, yes, even klezmer, to what is most expected in their repertoire.
Old Songs, 37 S. Main St., Voorheesville. 7:30 p.m. Friday. $10-$25. 518-765-2815 or oldsongs.org.
Reading
Ever wonder what life was like at superstar chef Mario Batali’s restaurant empire when it all came crashing down amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations? Lucky for you, Shenendehowa High School and Siena College graduate Kim Reed was there for almost 20 years and has written a book about it, “Workhorse: My Sublime and Absurd Years in New York City’s Restaurant Scene,” and wants to talk.
Northshire Bookstore, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 6 p.m. Friday. Free. 518682-4200 or northshire.com.
Family fun
If you think it’s just snakes, lizards and turtles waiting for you at The Capital District Reptile Expo, no worries, because there will also be amphibians, small mammals and invertebrates on display. And if you think you’re just going to look at them or learn about them or even touch them, know that you’ll be able to buy them and take them home, too. Vendors will supply you with all your needs, veterinarians and zoologists will be on hand to give expert advice, and FLY 92 handles the soundtrack for the day. Maybe Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda”? Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock”? “Turn Down for What” from DJ Snake?
Albany Capital Center, 55 Eagle St., Albany. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Free-$10. 518-4872155 or albanycapitalcenter.com.