It’s safe to say that we make pilgrimages to see the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus perform. Their variety act certainly earns its vaudevillanous reputation.
Ringmistress Philomena, a tattooed wonder of grace and athleticism (not to mention prominently listed on Jed’s laminated card *cough-ahem-cough*) leads a troupe of world-class entertainers from the bizarre to the prophetic.
Of course the last time we went to see their show we ended up donating a pint of blood to the mosquitoes as we spread out on a blanket on a local historic lawn. We also felt the need to leave the performance at intermission declaring the blood sucking parasites the winner of this round.

This shouldn’t be a problem on Sunday when The Bindlestiffs perform from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Arts Center of the Columbia-Greene Community College, 1.3 miles east of The Rip Van Winkle Bridge in Hudson.

In addition to Philomena’s brilliant and bawdy physical comedy (down boy, it’s toned down for family audiences) the show will also feature Magic Brian, aerialist Harvest Moon, Juggling by Paris the Harlem Wonder, and Kinko the Clown. Live music by El Mystico, Francisco Monroy is also planned.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students. I’m telling you, it’s cheap at twice the price. For Tickets and information, call: 518-828-4181 extension 3344

LARK FEST …
The hippest street in Downtown Albany closes off to traffic Saturday and opens up to the visual arts, music, poetry, magic acts, dancing and scores of flavorful food vendors. Events get underway at 10:30 and go to 5:30 p.m.
Look for eba’s "The Family Creative Zone," featuring fun craft activities for all ages on upper Hudson Ave. from noon to 4 p.m.

OMG … CHOWDER!
Troy’s third annual Chowder Fest will have River Street awash in creamy-fishy-goodnes as 30 local restaurants participate. Chowders range from Seafood to Vegetable and Manhattan to New England. Ice sculptures, live music and refreshing libations. This year Chowderfest kicks off a week of events celebrating the quadracentennial of Henry Hudson’s navigation of the Hudson River. Bou-yah-baise!

OMG … SOUVKAKI!
Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church kicks off its Souvlaki Fest 2009 on Friday. This year’s event starts on Friday with take-out lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; full service from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Menu includes chicken or pork Souvlaki & Gyro, Greek salad, Spanikopita, spinach pie, Tiropita, cheese pie, Loukoumathes (fried dough with honey), rice pudding, various Greek pastries. Phone orders accepted for pick up. Call 489-4442 for more information.

STAR GAZING
Grafton Lakes State Park will host a star watch with Albany-area astronomers Saturday evening beginning at 7:30 p.m. The tour of the night sky is free and will be held at the Deerfield Pavilion. Call 279-1193 for more information.

OTHER EVENTS THAT ARE DESTINED TO SAVE THE PLANET

Columbia County Farm Festival gets underway at Golden Harvest Farms, Route 9 in Valatie, Saturday at 10 a.m. The event features a chance to mix and mingle with local growers, as well as a good old-fashioned hoe-down with The Wickers Band and square dancing beginning at 3:30 p.m. While you’re at Golden Harvest, mosey on over to the distillery and check out how they make their chic-chic apple vodka, Core. It’s pretty interesting. $5 per car.

Not quite as sex-ay as tattooed circus stars and boutique vodka, but we all know recycling is the new black. Advanced Recycling Inc. will have its second electronics "take-back" event at the Rhinebeck Fairgrounds Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. all three days.

The first electronics recycling event collected 69,000 pounds of spent electronics from the Hudson Valley region, and organizers hope to collect 100,000 pounds at this event. Individuals can load their cars with broken TVs, computers, phones, stereos or whatever fresh batteries won’t cure. No pre-registration necessary; $10 per car. Businesses and schools will have to call ahead, however, and will have to pay based on inventory. For more information, call Laurie Rich at 845-876-6330.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Olana will host “Artlandish,” Sunday, Sept. 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. In this workshop, visitors will create art in the landscape in the way Frederic Church himself created his Hudson River School masterpieces by sketching in the landscape and finishing in the studio. Paper, pencils and clipboards will be available at the Education Center for those venturing out into the landscape, and colored pencils, oil pastels and watercolors will be available upon your return. The workshop is free, put participants should be prepared to leave a photo ID at the center until art materials are returned.