Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Now under the direction of Judith Jamison, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are celebrating their 50th anniversary of “bringing African-American cultural expression and the American modern dance tradition to the world’s stages” this year.

The evening will open with a retrospective short film, followed by a complete performance of the company’s signature ballet, Revelations.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform Tuesday (May 12) at 7:30 PM at the Palace Theatre (19 Clinton Ave., Albany). Tickets are $55 to $100. For more info about the performance, call 465-3334; for more info about the post-performance gala, call 465-3335 ext. 118.

Lamb of God

Ah, spring. The sun is shining. Flowers are blooming. It’s the time of year to tell your loved ones exactly how you feel.

As for your enemies: It’s time to put a pike through their bowels and feed them to the jackels.

Fresh off the release of Wrath, “pure American metal” band Lamb of God will bring their semi-truck full of double-kicking, sweep-picking, Satan-walking growl to the Armory (where else?) for a little post-Tulip Fest palette cleanser. In tow are heavy-metal brethren As I Lay Dying, Children of Bodom, Municipal Waste, and God Forbid.

Color of the season: black.

Lamb of God will play the Armory (195 Washington Ave., Albany) on Wednesday (May 13) at 7 PM. Tickets are $35. Call 694-7160 for more info.

Albany Symphony Orchestra

Our bad: We said the most recent performance of the Albany Symphony Orchestra was their season finale, and we were wrong. This concert, titled 100 Voices, pairs a world premiere symphony with a mainstay of the repertoire, and is really really really the last of their season.

The world premiere, to be unveiled by David Alan Miller and the ASO, joined by David Griggs-Janower and Albany Pro Musica, is Daron Hagen’s Symphony No. 4: River Music. It is promised that Hagen’s work “weaves a rich musical tapestry that tells the story of the Hudson River and Valley.” It is also part of the yearlong (and regionwide) Hudson River Quadricentennial Celebration.

The other half of the program will be Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 1.

The Albany Symphony Orchestra and Albany Pro Musica will perform Saturday (May 9) at 7:30 PM at the Palace Theatre (19 Clinton Ave., Albany). Tickets are $15-$49. For more info, call 465-4663.