At UPH: “Poinsettia Pops” and New Vice President

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra will perform selections from festive orchestral favorites during the “Poinsettia Pops” shows on Dec. 6 and 7 at the Universal Preservation Hall (UPH) in Saratoga Springs. 

The orchestra will fill the Great Hall at UPH with seasonal favorites such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Let It Snow,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” and selections from “The Nutcracker.” 

One hour before each performance, guests can enjoy a pre-concert talk with Artistic Director/Conductor Glen Cortese and special guest vocalist Kimberly Hawkey. Children under 18 are admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Tickets and details are available at sssony.org.

In other UPH news, Proctors Collaborative announced on Wednesday the appointment of Marisa Flynn as its new vice president of programming, marketing, and communications. Flynn has nearly two decades of experience in entertainment, brand leadership, and business development. She joined Proctors following her role as vice president of business development at the Oak View Group, where she led efforts to grow partnerships and uncover new revenue driving and guest experiential opportunities across arenas, performing arts centers, colleges, and cultural attractions. 

As VP, Flynn will oversee the organization’s programming strategy following Jean Leonard, who served in that capacity before becoming the president of Proctors Collaborative. Flynn will lead efforts to strengthen the Collaborative’s presence across its venues — Proctors in Schenectady, Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, and Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs — and expand its commitment to bringing performances, community engagement, and arts education to the Capital Region.