Dead & Co

When today's large rock bands, with elaborate stage shows and video backgrounds that synchronize with the music, they have to find a place to work out the kinks before playing in front of sell-out crowds. Albany's MVP Arena seems to be just the place for one of the music industries hottest artists. On Thursday, John Mayer kicked off his "Sob Rock" tour in downtown Albany but Mayer and his massive stage crew showed up four days early to get things right.

Dead & Company is the latest rendition of the Grateful Dead put together by surviving member, Bob Weir. In years past accomplished musicians such as Jimmy Herring, Warren Haynes and Trey Anastasio sat in place of the late lead guitarist for the band Jerry Garcia. But following what were supposed to be the final 50th Anniversary Grateful Dead shows in 2015 with the surviving members, Weir, Mickey Hart, Billy Kreutzmann and Phil Lesch, Weir put together Dead & Co.

If you love summer fun, well then Saratoga is certainly the place to be. When you want to live a Saratoga weekend to the fullest, well this is the weekend for you! This weekend the SPA City will feature a dozen of the best horse racing stakes races in the world at Saratoga Race Course on Friday and Saturday, while SPAC will feature two legendary rock bands, or versions thereof, with Dead & Co. Friday night and Lynard Skynard on Saturday night. It should be fun.