60th Annual New York City Ballet Residency at SPAC

SARATOGA SPRINGS— The New York City Ballet (NYCB) returns to Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on July 8–11 for its landmark 60th anniversary season in Saratoga. The residency features six performances, artist conversations, workshops, family programming, special anniversary events and community activities honoring six decades of one of the nation’s most celebrated artistic partnerships.

The anniversary season includes the return of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the first ballet ever performed on the SPAC stage, on July 9, 1966. The “Innovators & Icons” program features Jerome Robbins’ “Opus 19/The Dreamer,” George Balanchine’s “Serenade,” and the SPAC premiere of Tiler Peck’s “Symphonie Espagnole.”

Joining the Ballet for the four performances of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” are 26 children from the Capital Region, who have been rehearsing with the NYCB in preparation for the show. 

Thursday, July 9 is SPAC’s Anniversary Night. At 5:30 p.m. celebrate SPAC’s 60th birthday before the performance with complimentary beer, wine and sparkling beverage tastings, sweet treats, commemorative photo opportunities, and “The I Love You Kiosk,” a 10-foot interactive multimedia installation exploring human connection through sound, video and community-created art. The first 400 guests through the gates will receive a complimentary 2005 NYCB “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” poster from the SPAC archives. Guests can also visit the 99.5 The River tent to enter to win a seat upgrade. 

Friday, July 10 is SPAC’s Family Night. At 5:30 p.m. families are invited to arrive early for lawn games, arts and crafts, face painting, complimentary Stewart’s ice cream (including SPAC’s Fireworks on the Lawn flavor) and other family-friendly activities. Guests can also experience “The I Love You Kiosk” interactive installation.

All events before the show are free for all ticket holders. For more information on the NYCB’s performances go to www.spac.org for more information.