The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 30 Second Street, Troy; (518) 273-0038;
www.troymusichall.org. Albany Symphony, 19 Clinton Avenue, Albany; (518) 465-4755; www.albanysymphony.com. Proctors Theatre, 432 State Street, Schenectady; www.proctors.org. The Egg, Empire State Plaza, Albany; (518) 473-1845;
www.theegg.org.
Wrapped in Compassion
Global warming aside, winters in the Capital Region can be brutally cold. This holiday, give a gift that will warm both body and heart—a fair trade silk scarf ($39-$61) from Cambodia, on sale now at The Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady. Wild Boar Creek has been working since 1999 to improve the quality of living of a dozen Cambodian villages by importing their handcrafted items at a fair price. Most of the people who live in these villages lack power and fresh water because of their poverty, but have a long tradition of quality weaving, something that stands out in these silks. You don’t need the whole back story to appreciate the scarves for their exquisite craftsmanship: They are unbelievably soft, boldly colored, and just plain stylish. They can add color and character to any winter outfit—you’ll find yourself bragging about how great these scarves are long after the ice caps have melted away.
The Open Door Bookstore & Gift Gallery, 128 Jay Street, Schenectady;
(518) 346-2719; www.opendoor-bookstore.com.
Colorful Metal for Colorful People
Having a jewelry addict on your holiday gift list assures that every year you will find yourself sifting through piles of traditional, expensive gemstones. Save your sanity and head to the Designers Studio in Saratoga Springs, where you will find Holly Yashi’s Niobium jewelry. Niobium is a light, durable, and rare metal that takes on color as it receives an electrical charge. Since the color is a result of the metal’s own oxide (and not paint or dye), the coloring is permanent. Best of all, the Niobium earrings, bracelets, and necklaces come in a broad price range (from $15 to $200)—perfect for any holiday budget. While you’re at the Designers Studio, look for jewelry boxes and drawers by Mike Mikutowski, priced between $40 and $950. Sturdily made from exotic hardwoods such as cocobolo and bird’s-eye maple, these works will help that jewelry addict keep organized, at the very least.
Designers Studio, 492 Broadway, Saratoga Springs; (518) 584-1977;
www.designersstudiony.com.
