SARATOGA SPRINGS — Harvey’s Restaurant and Bar will host iTheatre Saratoga’s free play reading of “All I Had,” written by Ellen Clarkson, on both April 25 & 26 at 5 p.m.
The play is about the American Dream of fame, fortune, and status as defined by seventy-year-old Morris Mondschein, until he gets sick and the accolades stop coming. When a Haitian home health aide enters his life, Morris conceives of a venture to make both their dreams come true.
The event is pay-what-you-will to support iTheatre Saratoga’s continued pub theatre tradition. A $5 reservation guarantees attendees a seat in the intimate setting.
Reservations can be made here: itheatresaratoga.ticketspice.com/all-i-had-a-pub-theatre-play-reading.
Photo of Cassandra Kubinski by Becky Yee/Color Wheel Studios.
Photo of Abby Lee Miller provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Billboard-charting singer-songwriter Cassandra Kubinski, a fixture of the local arts scene (as a performer and Caffe Lena board member) is teaming up with Abby Lee Miller, star of Lifetime’s hit reality TV series “Dance Moms,” for two local events on May 2 and 3.
Thirteen of Cassandra’s original songs served as the musical backdrop for “Dance Moms” dances performed by Maddie Ziegler, Brooke Hyland, Ava Michelle, Kendall Vertes, and others across eight seasons of the show. While Kubinski and Miller never collaborated directly during the filming of “Dance Moms,” they connected through social media and are now bringing the music and choreography together with a unique concert/talk concept and dance/acro class with live accompaniment.
“Dance Moms changed my life,” Kubinski said in a news release. “I connected with people around the globe thanks to my songs being on the show, and it’s an honor and joy to work with Abby Lee Miller to give both dancers and fans a chance to go deeper into the stories behind the show, the drama and fun, and the songs.”
Part concert, part tell-all, Kubinski will perform her “Dance Moms” songs live, and Miller will discuss the real stories behind the show’s most memorable moments: the dances, the drama, the moms, and some of her own checkered journey.
EVENT 1: Abby + Cassandra Spill the Tea (and the Music)
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Thirteen local poets recently selected a piece of art at the Tang Museum’s All These Growing Things exhibition and wrote a poem about it. Those poems will be unveiled on Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m. in the Tang’s upstairs Molloy Gallery.
Each poet will read their original poem next to the painting, sculpture, drawing, or photograph that inspired them. The poets and audience will travel around the gallery, moving from work to work and from poem to poem.
The event, part of the Laureate Poetry Series, is free and open to the public.
Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate Jay Rogoff will host a roster of writers, including Nicola Marae Allain, Peg Boyers, Joseph Bruchac, Catherine Clarke, David Graham, Mary Kathryn Jablonski, Susan Jefts, Marilyn McCabe, Lucyna Prostko, Krista Rivera, Mary Sanders Shartle, and Melora Wolff.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Opera Saratoga recently launched its $25 newcomer tickets, a special initiative designed for people attending their first opera performance.
The newcomer ticket program offers first-time opera-goers the opportunity to attend select performances during Opera Saratoga’s season, inviting more people to discover the artistry of live opera.
The initiative is part of Opera Saratoga’s ongoing commitment to expanding access and building new audiences for the art form.
Patrons who have never attended an Opera Saratoga performance are eligible to purchase newcomer tickets to “The Elixir of Love,” “My Fair Lady,” and “Happy End” for $25, available while supplies last. The tickets can be purchased online at atuph.org with the code NEWCOMER.
Attendees of the 2025 Yaddo Summer Benefit gather under a tent on the nonprofit retreat’s lawn for dramatic letter readings and a musical performance by singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant. Photo courtesy of Yaddo.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Yaddo recently announced a slate of events celebrating the famed artists’ community’s 2026 centennial season.
The season will kick off with The Artists’ Table, a tequila-inspired chef dinner on May 14. The evening offers a salon-style culinary experience inside the Yaddo Mansion, limited to 50 guests.
On June 2, Yaddo will host the 4th Annual Golf Invitational at The Country Club of Troy, a day of camaraderie and community in support of Yaddo’s residency program.
The Summer Benefit lights up June 25. This year’s party will serve as a Saratoga farewell to Yaddo President Elaina Richardson, who announced in December that she would be stepping down from her post. More than 500 guests are expected at the benefit (450 attended last year). Past performers have included Natalie Merchant, Suzanne Vega, and Gabriel Kahane.
The Gardens at Yaddo will open to the public on June 8, offering several opportunities for the community to experience the grounds. Throughout the summer season, Yaddo will present a series of free and low-cost community events, including Wine & Roses (a concert series in the rose garden), The Nature of Art (artist-led conversations), and Art of Wellness (Sunday morning yoga).
BALLSTON SPA, NY- Gerald R. Faber, 86, expired on April 8, 2026, in his home in Ballston Spa. Services were held on April 14, at Burke Funeral Home. Interment took place at the Ballston Spa Village Cemetery. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
GANSEVOORT – On March 20, 2026, Jim Clarke left his tired, earthly body behind and headed off on a new adventure. Celebration of Life is 2-5pm, April 26 at Pirate Canoe Club in Poughkeepsie, NY. Memorial donations to Poughkeepsie Public Schools Foundation Fund (ppsfonline.org) or a charity of one’s choice. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com.
TROY, NY- Louis Joseph Gilmore, age 90, passed away peacefully, on Monday, March 9, 2026.
Burial with Military Honors was held at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd Schuylerville, NY on April 10. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
SYRACUSE, NY – Mallory Marie Scheurer, 39, of Syracuse passed away unexpectedly on April 2, 2026.
Mallory is survived by her parents, Tamara Peltzmacher of Manlius, Dean (Barbara) Scheurer of Saratoga Springs and stepfather, Dave Peltzmacher of South Carolina. She also leaves behind her siblings, Greg (Lizy) of Liverpool, Dean Jr. (Sara) of Vero Beach, Katie (Nick) Miller of Bridgeport and Gretchen (Andy) Sliker of Knoxville; along with several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by her partner, Thomas Wickham.
Mallory graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 2005 and continued her education at OCC and LeMoyne College.
Mallory will be remembered for her love of Syracuse University sports and her deep devotion to animals.
Calling hours will be 1:00 to 3:00 pm on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Newell-Fay Manlius Chapel, 8171 Cazenovia Rd., Manlius. The service will follow.
Honoring her love of animals, contributions may be made to your favorite animal charity.
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Gary R. Meyer, born January 6, 1949, in the Bronx, passed away on April 3, 2026, at Saratoga Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Gary grew up in Pearl River NY and moved to Haverstraw as a teenager and graduated from Haverstraw high school. He was a sergeant detective in the Town of Haverstraw police department. He retired and moved to Saratoga in 2009.
Gary is best known for his shenanigans. He was always a lot of fun to be around and a little mischievous.
Gary is survived by his children Kelly Auriemmo (Christopher Page), James Meyer (Kirsty McCully), Paul Meyer (Sabrina Hall), his four beautiful granddaughters that he loved so much Caitlin, Jessica, Clara and Hazel and his girlfriend Michele Jones.
Gary is pre-deceased by his wife Margaret and his parents and brother Robert Meyer.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY, followed by a service at 1:00 p.m.
A second celebration of life will be held at a later date in Haverstraw, New York.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gary’s honor may be made to the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge, 1 Elk Lane, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, Attn: Bob Lounsbury. Please include “Father’s Day Kids Fishing Derby” in the memo line.
For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
