The Egg, Albany (must see)

The Egg stands as a unique and iconic performing arts venue in Albany, New York, renowned for its distinctive architectural design resembling, as its name suggests, an egg. Designed by Harrison & Abramovitz as part of the Empire State Plaza project, construction of The Egg spanned from 1966 to 1978, and it occupies the northeast corner of the Plaza. Its unusual shape and central location have made it an emblematic landmark of New York's Capital District.

The Egg's design incorporates a slight inclination and a small pedestal on which it appears to rest. However, the building is ingeniously supported by a stem that extends six stories into the Plaza, with a concrete girdle encircling it to maintain its shape and distribute its weight to the pedestal. Despite its unconventional structure, The Egg houses two functional amphitheaters: the intimate 450-seat Lewis A. Swyer Theatre and the larger 982-seat Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre.

The Egg's versatile facilities attract a diverse array of performing acts, ranging from music and dance to traditional stage presentations. Its calendar boasts performances by acclaimed artists and groups such as Henry Rollins, New York City Ballet, Emmylou Harris, and They Might Be Giants, among many others. This vibrant venue serves as a cultural hub, bringing together audiences and performers from various genres and backgrounds to celebrate the arts in the heart of Albany.