May 2. Neither Laurie Anderson nor Pauline Oliveros are strangers to EMPAC; both of these monumentally adventurous composers have previously performed at the cutting-edge arts center, and Oliveros has long served as a professor of practice in the arts department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, EMPAC's parent college. But a program that brings the two of them together? Wow. "The Films of Laurie Anderson" is a two-part event that begins with a screening of several of Anderson's film and video works and concludes with her and Oliveros, who turns 81 in May, performing live to the screening of a silent film. Certainly not anything you should miss. (Ryoichi Kurokawa's audiovisual work "syn_" appears May 3; the Albany Symphony Orchestra headlines the American Music Festival from May 30 to June 2.) 5pm. Check website for ticket prices. Troy.
