Prom Night (May 25-28, 2012)

Well gang it's 2012 and quite a few things have changed. Gay Marriage has been legalized in New York State, Drag Queens have their own TV show, teens in Hudson, NY voted two guys to reign over their prom, and now Bear Albany is taking it to the next level with our very own PROM NIGHT this Memorial Day Weekend! That's right, it's time to get dressed up, call up your friends, and dance with someone you're actually attracted to. But don't worry if you don't have a tuxedo or a date, because this is going to be YOUR PROM the way YOU WANT IT and there'll be plenty of hotties to dance with. Come wearing a tux, come wearing a T-shirt, or come shirtless with a bow tie, because how you look is entirely up to you. Best of all, we're all adults now so we can have a few drinks, kiss whomever we want, and don't have to be home by midnight. As always, Bear Albany events have no registration fees, and the hotel has a FREE SHUTTLE, so you don't have to drive to the bars!

HOTEL INFORMATION: Although the Host Hotel has officially sold out for this weekend, the Mariott Townplace Suites said you should try to book; if nothing's available to ask that your name be put on a waiting list if rooms become available; and they will call you back when cancellations come in. Don't forget to ask for the BEAR ALBANY DISCOUNT when calling (518-860-1500).

-- FRIDAY: Bear Albany Meet & Greet (9pm - 3am)

Your weekend party starts Friday May 25, 9pm at WaterWorks Pub (76 Central Ave) for our traditional Meat & Greet after everyone gets into town. The pub always has awesome drink specials, a great atmosphere, FREE pizza, & wings, and NO COVER for all of our BEAR ALBANY buds. We're also doing Love Song Bearaoke for those of you who want to catch a few bears with your vocal honey, or simply serenade that special someone. See who's going...

-- FRIDAY: Kendall Live (12am - 3am)

After the Friday night Meat & Greet, head across the street to ROCKS to see the infamous Kendall perform live! Kendall Kelly is a singer/songwriter/artist from Buffalo NY who is well known for his music videos like the award winning Hip Hop Dykes (best short at the Rochester Gay and Lesbian Film Festival) and Bears which was shown by MTV Neworks gay television station LOGO and on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He has appeared in many international magazines including Bear, 100% Beef, Out, and Unzipped as well as scoring a number one single (The Booty Song) on Sirius Satellite Radio. See who's going...

-- SATURDAY: Relax at the Pool (after lunch)

Saturday May 26 after lunch, head downstairs to the heated pool and relax for a few hours with your new Bear Albany friends. Let the stress of the week melt away in the hot tub with your fellow furry friends and don't forget to smile so we all remember your handsome mug. Or for those of you who are looking to get some fresh air, check out http://metroland.net and http://www.albany.com for Memorial Weekend schedules. See who's going...

-- Two Bears Provisions @ Sharon Springs Garden Party

If you're in the mood for a little adventure, go visit Two Bears Provisions at the Sharon Springs Garden Party May 26-27, 2012, in the village of Sharon Springs, NY. Two Bears Provisions will have all your favorite spices, salad dressings, BBQ sauces, and granola, as well as a pulled pork lunch, fried chicken lunch, a chickpea polenta with garlic and roast red pepper aioli on a fresh bakery roll, local egg and leek tart, rhubarb crumble, and homemade lemonade for sale! Lots of vendors, lots of American Hotel, and lots of fun. You can visit Saturday or Sunday, or both!

-- Grab a bite to eat @ McGeary's Pub

If you're looking for a great place to eat after a relaxing day of enjoying the local sites? Head over to McGeary's Pub and get 20% off your meals all weekend long. Just ask the waitress for the "Bear Albany discount" and enjoy a great meal from their deliciously diverse menu. They also have a great Happy Hour from 3pm to 7:30pm, where you'll get $2 and $3 Drafts and $3 Single Liquor well drinks. It's the perfect place to bring your buddies for dinner and drinks before heading out for the night.

-- SATURDAY: PROM NIGHT (9pm onward)

Saturday evening from 9:00pm onward, join the gang at ROCKS Bar (77 Central Ave) for PROM NIGHT and dance the night away with your friends and hopefully with someone special. Come wearing a tux, come wearing a T-shirt, or come shirtless with a bow tie, because how you look is entirely up to you. There'll be fantastic fast and slow dance songs all night long, great drink specials, and pizza around midnight. Entry is a $5 donation before 10pm, $7 afterward with proceeds benefiting the C4 AIDS Ward in Albany Medial Center. Late in the evening we'll be crowning the first Bear Albany Prom Kings (or Queens) who'll win prizes along with the prestige of being our first Bear Prom royalty. It's going to be a fantastic evening, so make sure you don't miss it. See who's going...

Decadent Duck Events, Official Bear Albany Sponsor, will again be giving away a FREE night hotel room at the Omni Royal Orleans hotel for Southern Decadence 2012. Decadent Ducks has many hotels to choose from for Southern Decaence, starting at $143 per night. Check out their hotel selection at http://www.decadentducks-neworleans.com

-- SUNDAY: Brunch with the Boys (11am - 1pm)

It's official, we're doing Brunch at Cafe 217 once again! But this instead of doing the buffet, we'll get to order off their delicious Main Menu. PLUS all of you will get a 20% discount just by telling the waitress you're with Bear Albany group! To accommodate everyone's busy schedules, Brunch will be anytime between 9am and 1pm. So if you have plans or are in a rush to eat, be sure to get there as early as possible so they can accommodate you. The restaurant will close at 2pm due to the holiday weekend. Because it's Memorial Day weekend, be sure to tell them that you're part of Bear Albany when you arrive so that they can put you in the private room. Or if you prefer you can ask to sit in the main dining area if the private room is full. See who's going...

-- SUNDAY: Bear Albany: Men In Black 3 in 3D (1:50pm showing)

After brunch, head over to Colonie Center and join the JerrBear's gang for a Sunday afternoon movie showing of Men In Black 3. The showing time will be at 1:50pm, get to the theater a little after 1, pick up tickets and get seated. If you have Fandango you can purchase your tickets early. Then afterward swing by ROCKS for drinks and their free BBQ.

-- SUNDAY: Tea Dance & BBQ (3pm - midnight)

Next let's take over the jukebox at ROCKS (77 Central Ave) for their Tea Dance BBQ. After we get a few drinks in us, we can head over to the dance floor for a few twirls before chowing down on some delicious and FREE summer BBQ food. As always, there will be great drink specials, lots of laughs, and fun performances after sunset. See who's going...

FUR RISING (March 10, 2012)

Hibernation is officially over, so if you're looking for something fun to do next weekend, come check out FUR RISING with DJ JONNY MACK at ROCKS Bar on Saturday night (77 Central Avenue, Albany).

The party starts on Saturday March 10, at 10pm and goes on until the wee hours of the evening. In addition to the very sexy Johnny Mac, FUR RISING is featuring New York City's Hottest Go-Go MEN including the BEAR Icons & Go-Go Gods TOREZ + RAMON + LOUIS + BENN! Plus you'll get to enjoy the adorable antics of the one and only BEARDONNA. It's gonna be a fantastic evening filled with flesh, fur, and fantasy! See who's going...

And if you're coming in from out of town, be sure to book your room at the Marriott Townplace Suites and ask for the Bear Albany DISCOUNT when calling (518-860-1500). Hope to see you guys there!