SARATOGA SPRINGS —Discover Saratoga has announced that the convention and tourism bureau has been selected as a 2023 Smart Meetings Platinum Choice Awards winner.
“We are incredibly honored to receive the esteemed 2023 Smart Meetings Platinum Choice Award,” said Darryl Leggieri, Discover Saratoga president in a statement. “This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to hospitality in Saratoga County. I would like to thank our dedicated hospitality partners for their outstanding service, and everyone who contributes to making Saratoga a premier destination for meetings and events.”
Now in its 21st year, the prestigious Platinum Choice Awards have honored the hospitality industry’s top-ranked hotels, venues, and destinations every December with a list of hospitality partners that deliver the highest standards of overall excellence. These outstanding performers were nominated and voted on by meeting professionals and judged to be the best-of-the-best by the Smart Meetings editorial team and travel industry professionals.
Platinum Choice winners are featured in the December issue of Smart Meetings and will be showcased on the award-winning smartmeetings.com website.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Julie & Co. Realty announce Lillyann (Lilly) Hansen as the newest member of its brokerage in Saratoga Springs.
Born and raised in the southern region of New York, Hansen has a background in medicine and science with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology/PreMed.
Hansen has joined the Julie & Co. Realty team as a Residential Licensed Real Estate Salesperson. She is also a member of the National Association of Realtors and Greater Capital Association of Realtors.
For more on Julie & Co. Realty visit juliecorealty.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —On Dec. 17, 1923, the Saratoga Hospital Maternity Unit officially opened for patients, made possible through contributions of businesses and individuals active in the Saratoga community, including the Saratoga Racing Association, which was to become NYRA in 1955, and equipped with furniture provided by the Flower and Fruit Mission, an organization that today still actively supports women’s health services at Saratoga Hospital.
On Dec. 17, 2023 the Saratoga community is invited to join this centennial celebration, which will include remarks from Jill VanKuren, Saratoga Hospital President & CEO, Dr. Amy Knoeller, Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – OB/GYN & Midwifery, and Sarah Bunzey, Director – Women’s Health Services. Participants are encouraged to bring a box of diapers to donate to Wellspring Saratoga. Cupcakes and light refreshments provided.
The celebration will take place from 2-3 p.m. at Saratoga Hospital in the Main Lobby, 211 Church St., Saratoga Springs.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The 47th Annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival will return for a full two-day and two-stage festival experience on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
The event will feature a roster of 22 musical groups and 10 festival debuts.
The line-up is co-headlined by contemporary artists Lake Street Dive, Norah Jones, Laufey, and Samara Joy, alongside jazz and blues legends Stanley Clarke with his band N*4Ever, Terence Blanchard Sextet and Coco Montoya.
Also highlighting the line-up is the next generation of jazz stars – Yussef Dayes, Joey Alexander, Miguel Zenon, Tia Fuller, Theo Crocker, Helen Sung and Sara Caswell, and electrifying Afro-Cuban and funk bands Cory Henry, Cimafunk, The New Orleans Groove Masters and Pedrito Martinez Group.
The annual festival is produced by Danny Melnick, president of Absolutely Live Entertainment. Founded in 1978 by jazz impresario George Wein, Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival is the fifth longest-consecutive-running jazz festival in North America. Initially founded as “the Newport Jazz Festival at Saratoga” the weekend event was renamed Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival in 1998.
Headliner Lake Street Dive will make their festival debut on Saturday, June 29. As heard on their critically acclaimed album “Obviously,” the Boston-bred band possesses a keen talent for combining sociopolitical commentary with immediately catchy pop gems.
Returning following her triumphant festival debut in 2023 is Samara Joy, and returning by popular demand to headline the festival on Sunday is singer and pianist Norah Jones.
“The one to watch” on Sunday’s line-up for her festival debut is Laufey, a 24-year-old Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter whose modern jazz sound has won her both a GRAMMY nomination and millions of fans on TikTok.
Music icons returning to the festival include jazz and blues legends Stanley Clarke with his exciting new band N*4Ever, which is a celebration of his long-time collaborator Chick Corea and their time together in Return to Forever; opera composer Terence Blanchard with his Sextet, and blues guitar virtuoso and vocalist Coco Montoya.
Representing the next generation of jazz talent on the stage is composer and drummer Yussef Dayes, jazz pianist Joey Alexander – who will celebrate his 21st birthday at the festival, jazz pianist and composer Helen Sung, and jazz violinist Sara Caswell.
Highlighting the weekend is also today’s most electrifying Afro-Cuban and funk bands including progressive R&B artist Cory Henry, Cimafunk, The New Orleans Groove Masters featuring Herlin Riley, Jason Marsalis & Shannon Powell, Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martinez with his band and Olatuja!, which reunites Alicia and Michael Olatuja in music.
In addition to two non-stop days of great music on two stages, fans can also enjoy a host of amenities including a new craft beer tasting village, in partnership with New York State Brewers Association, new and diverse food offerings, a fine arts and crafts fair, and artist CD signings. Guests are welcome to bring in their own food and beverages, as well as blankets, tents and lawn umbrellas. Parking for the event is free. Performances will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 29 and at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 30.
2024 Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival Line-Up:
SATURDAY, JUNE 29
Amphitheater – Lake Street Dive; Samara Joy; Yussef Dayes; Joey Alexander Trio with special guest Theo Croker; Cimafunk with special guest Pedrito Martinez; The New Orleans Groove Masters featuring Herlin Riley, Jason Marsalis & Shannon Powell.
Charles R. Wood “Jazz Discovery” Stage – Tia Fuller; Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra; Theo Croker; Coco Montoya; Harold Lopez-Nussa; Sara Caswell Quartet.
Charles R. Wood “Jazz Discovery” Stage – Pedrito Martinez Group; Miguel Zenon Quartet; Olatuja!; Helen Sung presents Quartet; Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars Centennial Celebration of Max Roach, Bud Powell & J.J. Johnson featuring Clay Jenkins, Steve Wilson, Steve Davis, Mike Moreno, Bill Cunliffe, Todd Coolman & Dennis Mackrel.
Tickets for the festival start at $80 and will be available to SPAC members Dec. 14 (discounted depending on tiered level) and be made available to the general public online at spac.org on Jan. 5. Two-day passes are also available for a savings of $20 off per pass (offer ends June 15 and can’t be combined with other discounts). Children 12 and under receive 50% off tickets in the amphitheater and are free on the lawn. Full-time students with a school issued ID receive 25% off tickets in the amphitheater, or $28 on the lawn (student ID must be presented at will call).
Double H Ranch Adaptive Winter Sports Program, and Saratoga Springs High School Alpine Ski Team, recipients of a recent benefit event held in Saratoga Springs. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Nearly 800 people attended The Warren Miller ski movie benefit event, “All Time.” The event was held at the Trombley Auditorium at the Saratoga Springs Middle School.
Hosted by the Alpine Sport Shop, the event was staged to bring together the local ski community and raise money for worthy causes.
Double H Ranch Adaptive Winter Sports Program, and Saratoga Springs High School Alpine Ski Team each received a check from the Alpine Sport Shop for $3,643.88.
Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet presents the Nutcracker Dec. 16-17. Photo by Susan Blackburn Photography.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet presents the Nutcracker at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec 16 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec 17 at the Performing Arts Center at the University at Albany.
This year, 115 young dancers ages 5-17 will grace the stage.
General admission tickets are $35; for seniors and students cost is $28; children under 3 get in for free. All ticket proceeds directly support the Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The Performing Arts Center at the University at Albany is located at 1400 Washington Ave., Albany.
Tickets available at ssyballet.ticketleap.com/the-nutcracker/
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga’s Star Radio is hosting their annual Talk Live With Santa show airing December 19 and 20 starting at 6 p.m. each evening. Tune in to listen to local children and their parents broadcasted live to chat with Santa. Submissions for air time are closed.
Saratoga’s Star Radio is your local radio station. Broadcasting on 93.3FM in Saratoga Springs. 1160am across Albany & Saratoga Counties. For more info visit www.starsaratoga.com
WILTON — On Sunday, Dec. 21 at 6:30 pm, Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will be holding a Winter Solstice Walk to help people celebrate the shortest day of the year. Participants will learn about how celestial movements impact the natural world.
The walk will take place on the trails of Camp Saratoga on Scout Road in the Town of Wilton. If there is snow, the program will take place on snowshoes. Free snowshoe rentals will be available 15 minutes prior to the program provided by a grant from the Common Roots Foundation. If there is no snow, the program will be a trail walk.
Registration is required at least one business day in advance. To register, visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org. For more information, call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org.
MOREAU — Follow the soft glow of the luminaries on a beautiful walk in Moreau Lake State Park at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15. The Friends of Moreau Lake State Park will be serving up hot chocolate (bring a mug) at the Warming Hut where you can gather around the bonfire and enjoy the camaraderie. BYO s’mores ingredients (and maybe extra to share) No sign-ups are necessary. There will be a $5 program fee per vehicle, payable by cash or check upon arrival. Questions? Call 518-793-0511.
Additional events at Moreau Lake State Park, 605 Old Saratoga Road. Gansevoort, through December:
Wednesday, Dec. 20 and Dec. 27, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Eagle Watch. Join a park educator on a convoy-style journey along the Hudson River to try to spot local Bald Eagles. We will be getting in and out of vehicles at a few locations and, with a little luck, viewing the eagles through binoculars and a scope so make sure to bring your hat and gloves. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. The cost is $5 per adult (18+) and $1 per child, payable by cash or check at the office upon your arrival. To reserve your spot call 518-793-0511.
Thursday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. Winter Solstice Bonfire. Celebrate the winter solstice with a nighttime bonfire. A time to appreciate what is lost to the frost and remember what is promised by spring. Bring cups, plates, and a fork because we will be making hot chocolate and tinfoil dinners over the fire. The cost is $5 for adults and $1 for kids (cash or check) at the office upon arrival. Please register 24 hours in advance at 518-793-0511.
Monday, Dec. 25 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Christmas Day Walk. Bundle up and join an educator on an easy-going, family friendly walk next to Moreau Lake. We may hear and see birds, animal tracks, shells, feathers; there’s no telling what nature might gift us with. There is no fee for this walk. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling 518-793-0511.
Friday Dec. 29 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Nature Collages. Stop by the Nature Center to join us in recycling old magazines to make nature collages; a fun way to create art out of things we may throw away. An engaging activity where we can talk about all the cool creatures that may come across the pages. The cost is $5 for adults and $1 for kids (cash or check) at the office upon arrival. You can register in advance at 518-793-0511.
