Haste the Day

All Haste the Day songs start the same way. There is that initial ’80s-metal triumphant intro—dah, dah, dah, dah—followed by the holding pattern, chugga chugga, and pierced by that singular guitar squeal trumpeting the Southern-fried breakdown that tells the meatheads it’s time to get the funk down. Haste the Day don’t really bring the chaos to their chaos-core label.

In fact, some folks would call this Indianapolis fivesome formulaic—at the risk of being smitten down by the hand of god himself. Haste the Day have a formula that works for them. You know who else works for Haste the Day? The J.C., and we’re not talking Jimmy Carter.

Yes, underneath that intimidating demon growl and beedy metal are a bevy of god-centric lyrics that promote clean Christian living and faith-based rockitudinal commitment to the man with the plan.

Sharing the headlining slot will be Medford, N.Y.’s From Autumn to Ashes, who label themselves “post-hardcore.” Ashley, a poster on 365.com, had this to say about them: “From Autumn To Ashes (FATA) is the best EMO band ever and if you think they suck you have issues. They relate to many of my boundaries in life and what i think about. I CANT WAIT TO SEE THEM IN CONCERT!!”

Haste the Day will bring blessings down upon their followers at Northern Lights (1208 Route 146, North Country Commons, Clifton Park), tomorrow (Thursday, April 26). From Autumn to Ashes will open the 9 PM show. Admission is $15. For more information, call 371-0012 or visit www.northernlightslive.com.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

A classic play comes to the Cohoes Music Hall stage this week under the guidance of local director Tralen Doler. The famed musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, is based on an ancient story by Roman playwright Plautus about a story of a slave named Pseudolis who tries to win his freedom by helping his master, Hero, seduce a courtesan. The idiosyncrasies of the play make it fun and funny to watch, with cases of mistaken identity, puns, and more.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will be performed at the Cohoes Music Hall (48 Remsen St., Cohoes) beginning tomorrow (Friday, April 27) and running through May 12. The performances will be held at 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 PM on Sundays. Additional performances will be held on May 10 at 8 PM, and on May 12 at 3 PM. Tickets for this show are $30, $25 children and seniors. For more information, call the box office at 237-5858 or visit cohoesmusichall.com.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will bring their current show to Schenectady this week as part of their North American tour. Formed almost 50 years ago by Alvin Ailey (who died in 1989), this company got their start with a now legendary March 1958 performance at Manhattan’s famed 92nd Street Y. (The company are now led by artistic director Judith Jamison, whom Ailey requested to succeed him.)

Internationally respected, they have dance camps for underserved youth, educational and community programs, a dance school and a touring troupe, all supported by the umbrella organization the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation. The AAADT are widely considered the most important modern-dance troupe of our time.

The company will perform different works on each of the two nights they will be at Proctor’s. The first night’s show (Tuesday) will consist of Shining Star, Solo, Love Stories, and Revelations. The second night’s works will be Night Creature, Urban Folk Dance, The River and Revelations.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform at Proctor’s Theatre Tuesday (May 1) and Wednesday (May 2) at 8 PM both evenings. Tickets for these shows are $24.75 to $42.75; $19.75 for Cloud Club members; and $10 off regular prices for kids 17 and under (excluding Cloud Club members). For more information or to order tickets, call Proctor’s box office at 346-6204, or visit proctors.org.