Notes from around town

 You know summer's around the corner when the City of Albany announces the annual Alive at 5 concert series, set to launch June 6. 8 shows over a 9 weeks period (no show on July 4 since the action will be at the Empire State Plaza).

This year's lineup:

June 6: Pride night, headlined by Let's Sing Taylor, a Taylor Swift party band making their 2nd appearance in the 518 already this year. They were at the Troy Music Hall in March.

Update, 5/30, 11:06 am.: Sydney Worthley has been added as the opening act.

June 13: Classic Rock night with Dokken & special guest Hark. 

June 20: Latin night with Tito Puente, Jr. & special guest Bronte Roman.

June 27: Pop night with Vanessa Carlton & special guest Canella.

File photo courtesy WYJB-FM.

July 11: Hip-hop night with former Boogie Down Productions leader KRS-One.

July 18: Reggae night with Third World & special guest Upstate Reggae Posse.

July 25: Rock night with The Record Company and local favorites Sirsy.

August 1: Funk night with Galactic, featuring Jelly Joseph with Hilltop.

All shows are scheduled for Jennings Landing. Rain site, as always, is the Corning Preserve boat launch. Show time is 4:30 pm each week.

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WROW morning host Ben Patten had a little egg on his face after Monday's show. As reported over at Tri-City SportsBeat, Patten was giving away tickets for a scheduled May 19 Albany Firebirds game vs. Philadelphia, but the Soul folded well before Patten did his giveaway. This morning, there were no prizes to be had for the "Almost Impossible Question".

If you haven't noticed already, Patten is reading news copy from WRGB & CBS Radio between 5 & 8:30 am weekdays after WROW discontinued airing the live CBS radio news briefs a few months back. When Patten is away, they'll go right to a feed from WRGB.

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Here at home, the annual Troy River Fest shifts to a single day event this year, taking place on Sunday, with local vet Chris Busone among the headliners. Just 1 stage, 4 acts. Something tells me organizers didn't exactly have a burgeoning budget to allow a 2nd stage. Just sayin'.