Week of January 31 – February 6, 2025
This Week’s Events:
6 jan. 31 – feb. 6
Friday,
January 31
Matilda the Musical
Maple Avenue Middle School, 515 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs | 7 – 9:30 p.m.
The Maple Avenue Musical Club proudly announces its production of Matilda! Featuring 73 talented middle school students, this heartwarming show promises to captivate audiences of all ages with its inspiring story, vibrant music, and lively performances. Additional performances: Saturday, February 1: 1 & 7 p.m., Friday, February 7: 7 p.m. and Saturday, February 8: 1 & 7 p.m. Adults $10, Students and children $5. Purchase tickets online or at the door.
Saturday, February 1
Basic Ham Radio
Galway Public Library, 2112 East Street, Galway | 12 – 2 p.m. The library will host Basic Ham Radio to introduce using a Ham Radio. On Saturday, February 15 from 10-12 p.m., the tech license exam will be administered at a separate location. Additional instruction will be provided via Zoom between the two sessions. The manual can be purchased on Amazon for $30 (information is available at the library). The exam costs $15 ($5 under 18). There is a $20 suggested donation for the class. Call 518-882-6385 for details and registration. Presented by the Eastern Fulmont Amateur Radio Club.
Writing the Revolution
Galway Public Library, 2112 East Street, Galway | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. A program for youth and their families, “Writing the Revolution,” presented by the Saratoga County Historian’s Office. Discover the importance of the written word and printing during the years leading up to the American Revolution. View replicas of period items, and try some of the games and tools of writing used in the 18th century. Children under 6 should be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited; call to register at 518-882-6385.
12th Saratoga Clay Arts Chili Bowl Fundraiser
Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Area clay artists are busy making 2000+ bowls for the event. Buy the Bowl, eat the chili, keep the bowl! This is a fun, family event. Five “Celebrity Chefs” will compete along with the center, “To Life!” and the Wilton Food Pantry will benefit from the proceeds. Participating restaurants include Kindred (last year’s winner), THORN & ROOTS, Dizzy Chicken, Franklin Square Market & LAGO by DRUTHER’S. Music by SED and Friends. Buy your tickets early! This event sells out quickly. Pre-purchase your bowl and ticket at www.saratogaclayarts.org.
Waldorf School Open Houses
2 Locations | 9 – 11 a.m. Preschool and Kindergarten – Forest Kindergarten, 45 Kaydeross Ave. W. Saratoga Springs and Early Childhood Center, 212 Lake Ave. Saratoga Springs. For more information, visit www.waldorfsaratoga.org.
“Countdown to the Triple Crown” Fundraising Event
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, 191 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs | 5 – 7:30 p.m. This winter fundraiser will feature over 150 silent auction items and an online auction of unique items and experience packages to benefit the museum. Guests can attend in person or bid on special packages online. The early-bird event at the museum will feature beer, wine, light refreshments, a 50/50 raffle and a showing of Mill Reef: A Legacy of Heart in the Hall of Fame. The cost to attend the event is $20 for museum members and $35 for non-members. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. The auction items will be displayed throughout the museum galleries during the event. To purchase tickets to the event at the Museum, visit: https://1049a.blackbaudhosting.com/1049a/Countdown-to-the-Triple-Crown or call (518) 584-0400.
Sunday,
February 2
The Saratoga Winterfest 5K Snowshoe Run/Walk
Saratoga Spa State Park, 19 Roosevelt Dr., Saratoga Springs |11 a.m. Opposite Administration Building. Snowshoe Hikers and Runners Welcome. Register online: www.runsignup.com
Traveler’s Prayer
Performed Live on Zoom | 2 p.m. A new work of true stories full of surprise and transformation. As the children of Israel travel from home and scatter throughout the world, they still bring their Jewishness with them in these recollections: Explore heartfelt reflections of a Jewish writer seeing Hiroshima after visiting the sites in Israel of the Oct. 7 attacks. Laugh along as a young author journeys to a Michigan farm only to encounter a very unexpected crop growing there. Feel the thrill as an activist escapes persecution in South Africa. Be captivated as an encounter with an ancient Roman mikvah leads a “wandering Jew” to feelings of pride and connection, even in times of fearsome antisemitism. Additional performance on February 6 at 7 p.m. To register, go to https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/9HjgRFz/SJCAHomePage
Monday, February 3
Galway Preservation Society Program
Galway Town Hall, 5910 Sacandaga Road, Galway | 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Alan Maddaus author of Wright Peak Elegy: A Story of Cold War, Nuclear Deterrence and Ultimate Sacrifice will speak about his book detailing the story of a US Air Force B-47 jet bomber that crashed into Wright Peak in the Adirondacks in January 1962. Open to the public, free of charge. If you choose, annual family or household memberships are available for $10 per year. Please join us for some fun and to learn more about Galway’s history.
Tuesday, February 4
Virtual Author Talk with Sabrina Sholts
Zoom Presentation | 2 p.m. Smithsonian curator Sabrina Sholts will talk about her book The Human Disease: How We Create Pandemics, From Our Bodies to Our Beliefs, in which she travels through history and around the globe to examine how and why pandemics are an inescapable threat of our own making. Registration required. Contact Clifton Park Halfmoon Public Library at 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org
Windshipped
Skidmore College Gannet Auditorium, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 5:30 p.m. Jon Bowermaster’s Film Screening, Windshipped. Charismatic Captain Sam Merrett sails his sail-freight “Schooner Apollonia” up and down the Hudson River, delivering goods to a dozen ports sans fossil fuels, powered only by the wind and the sun. https://sustainablesaratoga.org/event/jon-bowermaster-film-screening/
Catholic Daughters of the Americas Monthly Meeting
Knights of Columbus, 50 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs | 5:45 p.m. Court McLaughlin #422 will hold its monthly meeting. Members gather for a recitation of the Rosary, followed by refreshments until the start of meeting at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend and if you have any questions, please contact our Regent Dawn Weber at CDA422Saratoga@gmail.com or by phone 518-226-5641.
Winter Arts Workshop Series
Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, 80 Scout Rd., Gansevoort | 6 – 8 p..m.
Looking to channel your inner artist? Each month, on Tuesdays, we’ll have a different nature themed-art project where staff will help you explore different art mediums while relating it back to the Saratoga Sand Plains. February – Botanical Drawing. To register, visit https://www.wiltonpreserve.org/education/public-programs
Wednesday, February 5
Academy for Lifelong Learning Winter Storyteller Series
Prestwick Chase at Saratoga, 100 Saratoga Boulevard, Saratoga Springs |12 noon – 1 p.m. Free and open to the public. No reservations required. Sponsored by Prestwick Chase. Storyteller Margaret French presents As Time Goes By. Different storytellers will offer their tales every Wednesday through February 12. If Saratoga Springs city schools are closed due to weather, that presentation will be postponed until February 19. For more information on the Academy for Lifelong Learning or for a complete lineup of storytellers, visit www.allsaratoga.org or contact Academy Executive Director, Jeff Shinaman at jeff@allsaratoga.org or call 518-290-6988.
Salisbury Steak Dinner
Saratoga Wilton Elks Lodge, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6 p.m. Take out only. Call Monday or Tuesday between 10 a.m. – noon to place an order at 518-584-2585. Menu: Salisbury Steak, mushroom burgundy gravy, mashed potatoes, vegetable, salad, roll dinner, $15 (cash only).
Poetry Reading
Caffè Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs | 7 p.m. Caffè Lena will present a poetry reading by Adonis Richards. An open mic poetry reading will follow. Doors open for sign-ups at 6:30 p.m. The host for the event will be Carol Graser and the cost is $5 general, free for students. The featured reading will also be livestreamed. You can find a link for the livestream at caffelena.org, 518-583-0022.
Thursday, February 6
Hooked on Nature
Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, 80 Scout Rd., Gansevoort | 6 – 7:30 p.m. Do you love crafting? Do you love being outdoors? Why not put them together! This biweekly fiber arts meetup is a great chance to bring your WIPs and meet some new nature-loving friends! Materials will not be provided, but an educator with crochet experience will be available to help. (We will be gathering indoors for the winter season.)
Beetlejuice JR.
Ballston Spa High School Auditorium, 220 Ballston Avenue, Ballston Spa | 7 p.m. Ballston Spa Middle School’s drama club, Launching Pad Productions, performs Beetlejuice JR. on February 6, 7, and 8 at 7:00 p.m. with matinees on February 7 and 8 at Noon. Based on the blockbuster motion picture turned Broadway musical, Beetlejuice JR. The performance is sure to leave audience members laughing and singing those catchy tunes for hours after they leave the theater. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors and $10 for adults. Tickets will be sold up to one hour before each performance at the main entrance of the high school.
Upcoming Events
Waldorf School Open House
Lower and MIddle School – Friday, February 7, 62 York Avenue, Saratoga Springs | 4 – 5:15 p.m. For more information, visit www.waldorfsaratoga.org.
10th Annual Chocolate Fest
Treat yourself to an evening of chocolate delights, hosted by the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association (BSBPA)! This event will take place on Friday, February 7, from 5 – 9 p.m. throughout the Village of Ballston Spa. Participants will prepare small, sample-sized offerings for festivalgoers to taste and vote on as they explore the village. Whether you’re a restaurant, bakery, or culinary artist, this is your chance to showcase your chocolate-inspired creations in one of three delectable categories: Dessert (Sweet), Savory, and Chocolate Beverage. Entries from local chefs, bakers, chocolatiers, and businesses to be part of this year’s event are invited to participate. For more information, check us out at our website www.ballston.org.
Carnegie Hall Ensemble Connect Residency Performance
Ensemble Connect, a group of the finest young professional classical musicians based out of Carnegie Hall, celebrates its 18th year at Skidmore at Helen Filene Ladd Concert Hall, Arthur Zankel Music Center. Friday, February 7, 7:30 p.m. performance. Concert Program: SCHUBERT |”Quartettsatz” in C Minor, D. 703, KATHERINE BALCH | musica spolia (arr. for chamber ensemble; NY Premiere, commissioned by Carnegie Hall), KATHERINE BALCH | musica nuvola (NY premiere, commissioned by Carnegie Hall), LUCIANO BERIO | Ricorrenze for Wind Quintet, BEETHOVEN | Septet in E-flat Major, Op. 20. Visit the Arthur Zankel Music Center website for ticket details.
Book Fair
St. Paul’s Christian Childhood center is holding an early childhood book fair, from I55 Book Fairs. Come shop a large selection of popular titles for the youngest book lovers. Proceeds from the fair go directly towards books for our classrooms. There will be a Used Book Sale running simultaneous, hosted by St. Paul’s Missions Team. Shop a large selection of donated books for adults and students alike. Proceeds from the Used Book Sale will benefit efforts to assist local service organizations. Both events will be held on Saturday February 8 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 10 a.m. -4 p.m. 149 Lake Ave. Saratoga Springs.
Camp Saratoga 8k Snowshoe Race
Saturday, February 8 at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park at 10:30 a.m. If there is no snow, and is at all possible, we may have a trail race instead. Go to www.saratogastryders.org to download an application or link to online registration at www.runsignup.com. A limited supply of Dion Snowshoes will be available at a $5 rental charge. Email Laura Clark at laura@saratogastryders.org to reserve a pair or phone 518-581-1278. For information about the entire Dion Snowshoe Series and for snow updates visit www.dionwmacsnowshoe.com or on Facebook Dion WMAC Snowshoe Series
Winter Concert Series: Lark Strings
Led by Distinguished Artist-in-Residence at Skidmore College, Michael Emery, and including Jessica Belflower, Stephani Emery and André Laurent O’Neil. Lark Strings plays composers like Bach, Vivaldi and Mozart alongside the rock musicians they influenced. Each member excels in their own careers as musicians, from professionally training students to performing at world-renowned venues. They will be performing in the Long Room at The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum on Saturday, February 8 at 3 p.m. Open to the public and free, though donations are appreciated, either online or at the event. Registration is strongly encouraged as we anticipate a high attendance rate for this event and seating is limited. www.brooksidemuseum.org
Big Game Party
Join us on February 9 at Gurtler Bros. VFW Post 420 for the 59th Championship Game between the AFC and NFC football conferences! The fun starts at 3PM and features, potluck dishes, drink specials and more. Brink a dish to share. We are located at 190 Excelsior Ave, Saratoga Springs. For more information, call VFW Post 420 at 518-584-9686, Bertha at 347-661-1251 or Louise at 518-796-4066.
Windows into Waldorf
Wednesday, February 12, 9 – 10 a.m. at the Lower and Middle Grade School, located at 62 York Ave., Saratoga Springs. Learn about the unique Waldorf approach from a seasoned teacher, see student presentations, and tour our school.
February Break Drama Camp
Join Elyse Young for Drama Camp at the Malta Community Center, located at 1 Bayberry Rd., Malta. For ages 10-15. Activities include acting exercises, theater games, improvisation, vocal techniques, creative movement & dance, character analysis and arts projects! Campers will also rehearse and perform, complete with costumes and set pieces, on the last day of camp. Tuesday – Friday, February 18 – February 21; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. www.maltaparksrec.com or Malta Park & Recreation 518-899-4411.
Art in Public Places
Various Locations in Saratoga County | Art in Public Places is a Member-Exclusive program featuring art exhibitions online and in various locations around the Capital Region. This program gives local and regional artists an opportunity to showcase and sell their work while exhibiting in publicly accessible spaces. Visit these locations to throughout the area: Friends of the Saratoga Springs Library Café, Saratoga Springs Visitor Center, Saratoga Springs Public Library, Town of Ballston Community Library, Clifton Park Halfmoon Library, Saratoga Springs Train Station, and Country Corner Café. To view online visit www.saratoga-arts.org/Art-in-Public-Places All artworks are for sale and can be purchased online or over the phone at 518-584-4132.
