CLIFTON PARK — Saratoga Springs artist Chuck Brouillette’s superhero pop art exhibit will appear at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library this month. The exhibit is supported by the Saratoga Arts “Art in Public Places” initiative.
Brouillette’s pop art canvases capture the iconic heroes and villains of America Comic Art Mythology who’ve sprung from the 80+ year history of sequential art storytelling. Brilliant colors and clean design highlight the power of the art form by focusing on the stories that images tell without words.
“I connected with sequential art as a compelling storytelling medium as far back as I can recall,” Brouillette said. “But it wasn’t until I graduated to Super-Hero Comics that I was hooked. The mythology, the brightly colored costumes, the good guy ethics; it all combined to engage me and introduce me to an art form and literary canon that still compel me 50 years on.”
The exhibit will be on display at the library (located at 475 Moe Road in Clifton Park) from now until Jan. 29.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Grammy-winning goth-rock group Evanescence unveiled their 2026 world tour plans on Monday, and they’ll stop at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on June 23 alongside Spiritbox and Nova Twins.
Evanescence’s 2003 record “Fallen” is ranked the sixth bestselling album of the 21st century (just behind Lady Gaga’s “The Fame” and ahead of Coldplay’s “A Rush of Blood to the Head”). The album’s hit singles, including “Bring Me to Life,” broke the Top 10 in more than 15 countries and topped Billboard’s Mainstream Top 40 and Alternative Airplay charts. “My Immortal” was a Top 10 hit in over ten countries, including the US, UK, and Australia.
Evanescence joins a rapidly growing 2026 lineup for SPAC. Last week, Motley Crue and Guns N’ Roses were added to the mix.
Photo of the Calidore String Quartet provided by the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) will welcome the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) back to the Spa City for a 2026 summer residency from July 12 to 26.
Curated by Artistic Directors David Finckel and Wu Han, the season features five programs that traverse a spectrum of chamber music that includes works by Mozart, Marsalis, Dvořák, Beethoven, Barber, Villa-Lobos, and more.
“We are delighted to bring the finest chamber music programs specifically designed for our cherished SPAC audiences performed by some of the greatest musicians from around the world,” said CMS Artistic Directors Finckel and Han. “With music ranging from Mozart to Marsalis, and in celebration of this summer’s 250th anniversary of American independence and musical identity, we are deeply grateful for our enduring partnership with SPAC. We look forward to sharing this remarkable summer with you.”
Guest artists for the 2026 summer residency include Stella Chen, Danbi Um, Matthew Lipman, Sterling Elliott, Evren Ozel, Michael Stephen Brown, Sahun Sam Hong, Orion Weiss, Aaron Boyd, Sean Lee, Lawrence Dutton, Milena Pájaro-Van De Stadt, Mihai Marica, Juho Pohjonen, Demarre McGill, James Austin Smith, Romie De Guise-Langlois, Marc Goldberg, Nathaniel Silberschlag, and the Calidore String Quartet.
All 2026 CMS events will take place in the Helen Filene Ladd Concert Hall in Arthur Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College while the Spa Little Theater undergoes renovation. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit spac.org.
JULY 12 | Dvořák’s Quintet in A Major
Wu Han, piano
Evren Ozel, piano
Stella Chen, violin
Danbi Um, violin
Matthew Lipman, viola
Sterling Elliott, cello
Mozart: Trio in E major for Piano, Violin, and Cello, K. 542
Ravel: Sonata for Violin and Piano
Gershwin: Three Preludes for Violin and Piano (arr. Heifetz)
Dvořák: Quintet in A major for Piano, Two Violins, Viola, and Cello, Op. 5
JULY 15 | From Haydn to Copland
Michael Stephen Brown, piano
Sahun Sam Hong, piano
Lun Li, violin
James Thompson, viola
Nicholas Canellakis, cello
Ian David Rosenbaum, percussion
Haydn: Trio in C major for Piano, Violin, and Cello, Hob. XV:27
Mendelssohn: Quartet in C minor for Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello, Op. 1
Brahms: Selected Hungarian Dances for Piano, Four Hands
Bernstein: Three Meditations from Mass for Cello and Piano (1971, arr. 1977)
Copland: El Salón México for Piano and Percussion (arr. Bernstein)
JULY 19 | Burleigh, Dvořák and Beethoven
Orion Weiss, piano
Aaron Boyd, violin
Sean Lee, violin
Lawrence Dutton, viola
Milena Pájaro-Van De Stadt, viola
Mihai Marica, cello
Burleigh: Southland Sketches for Violin and Piano
Dvořák: Trio in G minor for Piano, Violin, and Cello, Op. 26
Beethoven: Quintet in C major for Two Violins, Two Violas, and Cello, Op. 29
JULY 22 | Winds Around the World
Juho Pohjonen, piano
DeMarre McGill, flute
James Austin Smith, oboe
Romie De Guise-Langlois, clarinet
Marc Goldberg, bassoon
Nathaniel Silberschlag, horn
Beethoven: Sonata in F major for Horn and Piano, Op. 17
Barber: Summer Music for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Horn, Op. 31
Villa-Lobos: Trio for Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon
Taktakishvili: Sonata for Flute and Piano
Jongen: Rhapsody in D minor for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, and Piano, Op. 70
JULY 26 | Calidore String Quartet
Franklin: Quartet No. 2 in F major for Three Violins and Cello
Haydn: Quartet in E-flat major for Strings, Hob. III:38, Op. 33, No. 2, “The Joke”
Mozart: Quartet in B-flat major for Strings, K. 589, “Prussian”
Wolf: Italian Serenade for String Quartet
Marsalis: At the Octoroon Balls for String Quartet
The Saratoga Springs Participatory Budgeting Committee announced Cycle 4 voting will be held December 6-12.
City residents aged 18 and over may vote online using the program portal at https://pbstanford.org/2025-saratoga-ny or using this QR code. The program, which was introduced to Saratoga Springs by Commissioner of Finance Minita Sanghvi, has received an overwhelmingly positive response over the four years it has operated.
“I am thrilled with the project proposals we received this year. Our theme for 2025 projects is the Year of the Child, and the response has been amazing,” Sanghvi said, “Saratoga Springs is fortunate to have such creative energy around providing services and opportunities for young people.”
Participatory Budgeting Committee Chair, Jeff Altamari, stated that the Committee volunteers put in many hours this year to make ’The Year of the Child’ theme successful. He noted they took great satisfaction in their work.
The Cycle 4 ballot includes nine projects:
Caffe Lena Folk Club Kids Concert Series ($12,700) A free and weekly concert series for preschoolers and their caregivers at Caffe Lena. A professional folk trio performs interactive songs to support early childhood development, social skills, and a love of music. The program is drop-in with no barriers to participation.
Children’s Museum Revolutionary War Education ($8,050) The Children’s Museum at Saratoga will create and present educational programs about the lives of children during the American Revolution. Programs will be offered at the museum, in Saratoga Springs classrooms, and at public spaces like the farmers’ market. It connects local history to the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Division Street Elementary Paint and Sip Art Night ($800) A “Paint and Sip” art night for students and their families at Division Street Elementary School. Led by the school’s art teacher, families will create paintings together in a fun, guided setting. The event aims to build community and connection between families and the school.
Division Street Elementary New Art Room Kiln ($5,900) A new kiln will be purchased for the Division Street Elementary School art room to replace the aged and inefficient kiln currently in use. The new kiln will allow as many as 3,000 students to enjoy pottery projects over the next ten years.
National Museum of Racing Field Trips ($7,726) Funds field trips for hundreds of local students from Saratoga Springs and the Public Library’s Afterschool Program. The money will cover the cost of bus transportation and any related expenses. This removes financial barriers, allowing students to experience the museum’s history and art collections.
Pitney Meadows Exploration Garden Expansion ($30,000) This project will expand the children’s Exploration Garden at Pitney Meadows Community Farm into Saratoga’s first public natural play landscape. It will feature interactive zones for music, gardening, and sensory exploration, all built with natural materials. The space is designed for child-led, unstructured outdoor play and learning.
Saratoga Arts Young Writers Poetry Workshop ($8,450) A free, six-week poetry workshop for youth ages 10-18, led by the Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate, Jay Rogoff. Participants will learn writing skills and explore different poetic styles, culminating in an optional public reading at Caffe Lena. The program aims to foster creative expression and literacy in a supportive environment.
Saratoga Farmers’ Market Kids Club & Nutrition Education ($29,993)
This project expands the Farmers’ Market Kids Club to run year-round and partners with Cornell Cooperative Extension to provide nutrition education at the market and in four local elementary schools. Children can earn “produce coins” at the market to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. The goal is to increase access to healthy, local food and teach lifelong healthy habits.
Saratoga Springs Housing Authority – Jefferson Terrace Playground ($31,500) A new playground will be installed at the Jefferson Terrace housing complex. It will provide a safe and dedicated space for children living there to play, socialize, and be active. The playground is intended to foster community and support child development.
The Participatory Budgeting Committee along with Finance, Public Works, and Recreation reviewed all proposals, considered cost, public benefit, feasibility, and need. The final step in the process is for the City Council to decide which projects receive funding – an item on the agenda for the council’s December 16 meeting.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga-Wilton B.P.O. Elks #161 will conduct their annual memorial service on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. at the lodge on 1 Elks Lane in Saratoga Springs.
The ceremony will honor thirteen members that have died over this past year. The event is open to the public.
Following the service, a light reception will be hosted in the lounge. No reservations are necessary.
Further information may be obtained by calling the Memorial Chairman Mark Phillips at 518-584-7464.
Image provided by the Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet will present its 5th annual production of “The Nutcracker”—featuring over 125 local dancers ages 5 to 18—on Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 at the University at Albany Performing Arts Center.
The show will feature new costumes, props, and choreography. Special guests include Sarah MacGregor and Jethro Paine (courtesy of Boulder Ballet) and Andre Malo Robles as Herr Drosselmeyer.
Tickets are now available at www.ticketleap.events/events/ssyballet/the-nutcracker-2025-1945883007.
All ticket proceeds directly support the Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet, a nonprofit dedicated to providing quality professional dance training to pre-professional students throughout the Saratoga region.
Polly was dumped outside of someone’s house which was caught on camera. She was still a nursing mother at the time, so we don’t know what happened to her kittens. She is as sweet as can be and wants all of the love and attention. We are not sure how she feels about other cats yet, but we will determine that with time. We do know that she is absolutely amazing and she definitely did not deserve to be thrown out like a piece of garbage. It is her time to be pampered and spoiled! For some reason many people have shown interest in Polly but she seems to get overlooked time and time again.
The HOPE Pet Adoption Center is located in Wilton Mall and is open to the public Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 11-4 or by appointment. Online adoption applications can be found online at www.hopeanimalrescue.org.
518 ElevatED (formerly Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar) announces today that it has received a transformative $10,000 gift from Arrow Bank. This contribution will establish an educational scholarship for a college-bound Schenectady High School student in the Class of 2028.
Arrow Bank selected 518 ElevatED as part of its initiative to support ten Capital Region nonprofits that deliver essential afterschool programming and youth mentorship. Arrow Financial’s President and CEO David DeMarco and Vice President and Community Engagement Manager Kate Otis presented the gift during 518 ElevatED’s weekly program session at Schenectady High School on Monday.
Since its founding in 1997, 518 ElevatED has supported more than 500 Capital Region student alumni through comprehensive pre-college and pre-employment programming. The nonprofit provides students with college campus visits, career-readiness workshops, and opportunities. Each participant is paired with an adult mentor for individualized guidance throughout high school, and eligible students may receive scholarships to pursue post-secondary education.
The scholarship made possible by Arrow Bank’s generosity will help ensure long-term support for a Schenectady scholar as they pursue their educational goals. Peter Gabak, Executive Director of 518 ElevatED, said, “518 Elevated raises over half a million dollars each year through mission-driven charitable giving from individuals, private foundations, and corporate supporters like Arrow Bank. This profoundly generous commitment is unique as the banking landscape changes. Arrow Bank is headquartered in Glens Falls, and their geography fuels their commitment to support nonprofits in the Greater Capital Region.”
About 518 ElevatED
Currently, 518 ElevatED supports more than eighty high school students through its weekly in-school and after-school programs across Albany, Schenectady, and Troy High Schools. The organization also maintains a cohort of 130 active college scholars who are enrolled at 92 institutions of higher education in 17 states. Notably, 80% of students in the program identify as first-generation college-bound, highlighting 518ElevatED’s critical role in expanding educational opportunity and access.
GREENFIELD CENTER – Dorothy E. Kritz passed away December 1, 2025. Calling hours will be December 8, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at Compassionate Funeral Care in Saratoga Springs. A funeral service will follow at 1:30 pm, followed by a graveside service in Greenfield Cemetery, Greenfield Center, NY. Online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Martin Schober passed away on November 28, 2025. Calling hours will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
