Did you know this Saturday marks National Independent Record Store Day?

What is that you ask?

Why, it's a day of appreciation for record stores across the country that have toiled away in relative obscurity, losing customers to the big bad national chains, in an effort to keep the locals in hip tunes and vintage vinyl, not to mention help support local music scenes. So if you like music -- and who doesn’t? -- get yourself and the kids out to support the little guy at the corner spin shop.

THE BEAT GOES ON ...
THE RIVER STREET BEAT SHOP, 197 River Street, Troy, will celebrate Record Store Day on Saturday with performances by Furman’s Basement at 3 p.m. and Rambling Jug Stompers 4:30 p.m. The concert will be a fundraiser for The Regional Food Bank. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items. Cash donations are appreciated. For more information, call 470-3023.

TWICE AS NICE ...
LAST VESTIGE MUSIC STORE -- with two locations, 173 Quail Street, Albany (432-7736) and at 437 Broadway Saratoga Springs (226-0811) -- will have in-store specials and give-aways on Sturday, and at 2 p.m. will host appearances by the Rambling Jug Stompers in Albany and Sarah Pedinotti & the Railbirds at its Saratoga store.

DOING IT EVERY DAY ...
BLUE NOTE RECORD SHOP, 156 Central Ave., in Albany, isn't doing anything special on Saturday, but they are independent and they have been THE place to go for hard to find albums for decades.

TO FIND OUT MORE about record store happenings across the country, visit THE NATIONAL WEB SITE

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LITERALLY FUN
Also Saturday, at 2 p.m., the Sand Lake Center for the Arts & Poestenkill Youth Department are working in partnership to offer Shakespeare’s Clowns Performing LITERARY LUNACY. Sean Fagan (The Famous Seano of Circus Theatrics) and Eric Shova (actor and teacher) will recite poetry, sing songs and generally clown around as they represent the stock characters of a fool and a scholar. Tickets are $5 per person $15 per family. Poestenkill residents are free of charge. Call 674-2007 for more information.

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COMING UP …
THE PINE BUSH CELEBRATES EARTH DAY April 25th at Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Participants will gather at 9 a.m. at the Discovery Center at 195 New Karner Road in Albany to work on a variety of conservation projects. Registration is required. To sign up, please visit www.albanypinebush.org and click on "Calendar Events" or call 456-0655.

*DROPPING BIG OLD HINT*
MOTHER'S DAY PICNIC AND PLANT SALE
Sun. May 10 from noon to 2 p.m. at Olana.
This Mother’s Day bring a picnic blanket and your favorite lunch down to the Farm Complex at Olana; supplies provided for kids to paint a landscape painting gift for Mom. Visit the Wagon House Education Center to pick up art supplies and learn a little about horticulture/the art of designing garden borders for sun and shade from Bob Hyland, co-owner and principal of Loomis Creek Nursery, Hudson. A great selection of plants to jumpstart your spring gardens and containers will be offered for sale from this fantastic local nursery and gardening resource. Free. Call 828-1872 for information.