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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Looking for Something to do on a Friday Night? Check This Out: SPAC and The Tang Present Free Live Performance Sept. 23

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

So Percussion. A free performance in Saratoga Springs. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A special performance by Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw and Grammy Award winning Sō Percussion – featuring their acclaimed collaboration “Let the Soil Play Its Simple Part,” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 at the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College. 

The event is free and open to the public and is part of an on-going series of collaborations between Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Skidmore College. 

“Let the Soil Play Its Simple Part,” released in 2021 by Nonesuch Records, features the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, violinist, and singer making her debut as a solo vocal artist with the acclaimed experimental percussion quartet Sō Percussion. 

Watch Caroline Shaw & Sō Percussion perform ABBA’s “Lay All Your Love on Me,” from the album at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0BI0NyUiNU. 

For more information, contact the Tang Visitor Services Desk at 518-580-8080 or tang@skidmore.edu, or visit the Tang website at https://tang.skidmore.edu. 

New WW II Exhibit Showcases Wilton and Its Residents 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.


Handmade WW II Air Raid whistle. 

WILTON — A new exhibit at Wilton Town Hall showcases the area’s response to WW II. 

The display of images and artifacts, culled from the private collections of Wilton residents, include items that help describe air raid drills and rationing, enemy aircraft observation and the scrap metal drive during the 1940s. 

The exhibition is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., free of charge Monday through Friday at Wilton Town Hall, located at 22 Traver Road. 

The Wilton Town Hall WWII Exhibit will be displayed until Dec. 6, marking the 80th anniversary of the dedication of the original WWII Military Honor Roll.

Meetings This Week

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Monday, Sept. 19

Participatory Budgeting Committee Meeting

5:30 p.m. | 2nd Floor Conference Room,
City Hall, Saratoga Springs

Community members are invited to attend and decide how to spend part of the city’s public budget. Participatory Budgeting Saratoga Springs Guidebook is here: https://www.saratoga-springs.org/DocumentCenter/View/13962/PB-Saratoga-Springs-Guidebook-D12-040522?bidId=.

Tuesday, Sept. 20

Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting

7 p.m. | City Hall

The last council meeting clocked in at 4 hours, 1 minute. What’s the over/under this time around? Attend in person or watch online at: http://www.saratoga-springs.org/. 

Thursday, Sept. 22

Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Meeting

4 p.m. | County Complex, 40 McMaster Street, Ballston Spa

With a 2022 annual budget of $381 million, the county will spend on average, more than $1 million every day of the year, including weekends and holidays. The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors meets monthly to decide where it will spend those funds. This is that meeting for this month. Attend in person, or watch online, at: https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/.      

Strand Theatre Presents: Maswick and Brown with Brian Melick

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

HUDSON FALLS — On Friday, Sept. 23, the Strand Theatre welcomes acoustic duo Dave Maswick and Joel Brown with special guest percussionist Brian Melick.

Renowned Saratoga guitarist Joel Brown has been featured with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, at Tanglewood with the Boston Pops, and on stages around the globe. Dave Maswick was in the early MTV hit band Blotto and has long played bass for The Stony Creek Band, a progressive country-bluegrass outfit. 

As a classical guitarist, Joel Brown has traveled worldwide. His varied talents aren’t limited to classical music though. Brown is also a member of the touring group Triple Play, a border-crossing trio blending jazz with blues and folk, including members Chris Brubeck and harmonica legend Peter Madcat Ruth. Between tour dates he can be found at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs as an Artist-in-Residence.

$15 general admission/$10 seniors/$5 students. Tickets are available at the Strand Box Office; cash or check only. For more information or to make reservations, please call the Strand Box Office @ 518-832-3484. The Strand Theatre is located at 210 Main St, Hudson Falls.
www.mystrandtheatre.org.

Saratoga Marks National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 20 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS— As part of National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept. 20, the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County will register voters at the following locations:

8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saratoga Hospital, 211 Church St., Saratoga Springs.

8 a.m. – 3 p.m. YMCA of Saratoga, 290 West Ave., Saratoga Springs.

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saratoga Springs Housing Authority, corner of Vanderbilt Ave and Worth St., Saratoga Springs.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fingerpaint, 395 Broadway, Saratoga Springs; ACC Wilton Campus, 696 Rt 9, Gansevoort; Stewarts’ Shop, 402 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs. 

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Stewarts’ Shop, 225Ballard Road, Gansevoort. 

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Stewart’s Shop, 208 Broad St., Schuylerville; Stewart’s Shop, 2532 Rt. 9, Greenfield,

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.Stewart’s Shop, 3 Saratoga Ave, South Glens Falls.

11 a.m. – 6 p.m.Stewart’s Shop, 15 Round Lake Road, Ballston Lake. 

Noon – 5 p.m. Stewarts’ Shop, 214 Guideboard Rd, Halfmoon.

3 – 6 p.m. Stewart’s Shop, 165 Northline Road, Ballston Spa.

Founded in 2012, National Voter Registration Day is designed to create an annual moment when the entire nation focuses on registering Americans to exercise their most basic right – the right to vote. More than two million Americans have registered to vote on this day since the inaugural National Voter Registration Day.

People will be welcome to complete the voter registration forms and return them to the LWV volunteers to take to the Board of Elections, or they may take the registration forms home and mail  to the Board of Elections themselves. 

LWV Ice Cream Social on SEPTEMBER 21

The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County is hosting an ice cream social from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21. The informational meeting is open to the public and will provide attendees with details about voter registration events, candidate forums and redistricting. 

The event will be held in the Adirondack Trust Mabee Office Building Community Room, Saratoga Springs (enter through the top floor of the parking garage on the corner of Woodlawn and Walton Streets).

Nominations Open for Inaugural Poet Laureate of Saratoga Springs

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The city of Saratoga Springs, New York has begun the process of identifying and naming an outstanding poet as its inaugural Poet Laureate. This honorary designation will celebrate a local poet who can engage new audiences, create new opportunities for poetry to be shared, and encourage the creation of poetry and other literary works. The Poet Laureate will serve a term beginning Jan. 1, 2023. 

The Poet Laureate will build awareness and appreciation of poetry through public readings, workshops and presentations in neighborhoods, schools, libraries, and other public settings in diverse areas of Saratoga Springs. 

The selection of the Poet Laureate is based on submissions of the completed nomination forms, which will be reviewed by the Poet Laureate Committee, comprised of local arts and literature experts. Their selection of a nominee will be recommended to the Mayor of Saratoga Springs, who will announce the inaugural Poet Laureate in December 2022.

Poets may be self-nominated, or nominated by a colleague, organization, library, or writers’ group. Those interested in submitting a nomination for the position must meet the following criteria: Reside in Saratoga Springs for at least 12 months prior to the submission deadline; Be at least 21 years of age at the time of submission; Be actively writing, publishing, and presenting poetry; Have original poetry published in established (not self-published) poetry journals, magazines, or websites.

For the specified two-year period, the individual must be willing and able to promote poetry, design and implement a community service project, lead workshops and readings, and participate in other literary activities around Saratoga Springs and the region.

A link to the nomination/application form and guidelines may be found under “Boards and Commissions” on the City of Saratoga Springs website (Saratoga-springs.org) or by request to poetlaureatessp@gmail.com. Questions can be directed to poetlaureatessp@gmail.com

Saratoga Recycles Day is Oct. 1 and Paint Collection Day on Oct. 2

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

Photo provided. Photo by Scott Bergmann Photography.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Sustainable Saratoga will hold their 6th annual Saratoga Recycles Day on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. – noon, in the SPAC overflow parking lot on the west side of Route 50. And, for the first time, there will also be a separate Paint Collection Day in the same location on Oct. 2, from 12 noon – 3 p.m. 

Anyone can participate: There are no residency requirements for this event. Cost is $5 per household vehicle fee, plus $30 per TV or monitor. Cash or check accepted.

On Recycles Day, Sustainable Saratoga will accept clothing & textiles (any condition), scrap metal, eyeglasses, hearing aids, adult bikes, 20 and 24-inch mountain bikes, musical instruments, backpacks, cell phones with chargers, camping gear, and more. eLot will collect appliances and electronics (including TVs). There will be an additional $30 fee per TV or monitor.  And Youth2 will give out bamboo reusable towels to the first 100 cars. Paint will not be accepted on Oct. 1. 

On Paint Collection Day, Sustainable Saratoga and our partner, Green Sheen, will accept interior and exterior household paint, deck coatings, stains, shellacs, sealers, urethanes, waterproofing sealers, metal coatings, field, and lawn paints. No aerosols. Containers should not be empty or leaking. No other items will be accepted on Oct. 2.

8th Annual Giant Pumpkinfest Returns to Saratoga Springs

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

The Annual Giant Pumpkinfest in Saratoga Springs takes place Saturday, Sept. 24. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 8th Annual Giant Pumpkinfest will take place on Saturday, Sept. 24, in downtown Saratoga Springs. 

Growers from across New York State and the Northeast will gather to compete for the title of “Biggest Pumpkin of Year” along with additional categories and prizes. 

The event, held at the Saratoga Springs City Center parking garage, kicks off with the official weigh off beginning at 10 a.m. 

Presented by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce,  a new addition to Pumpkinfest this year features a Pumpkin Drop. Beginning at 12:30 p.m., the public will have a chance to watch as large pumpkins are dropped from four stories off of the side of the City Center parking garage onto a concrete sidewalk.

For more information about Pumpkinfest, visit: https://bit.ly/3cUReCY

New Festival Planned For First Night Saratoga

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The well-known First Night celebration, which historically packs downtown Saratoga Springs, is being replaced by a new, New Year’s Festival!

“We are thrilled to be creating a celebration for New Year’s Eve once again after a two-year hiatus!” said Darryl Leggieri, Discover Saratoga President. “The event will be reimagined and new, but still ensure an unforgettable night of celebration for everyone! 

Along with fireworks to ring in 2023, the festival will feature more than a dozen musical acts throughout the city. The festival, which will take place over 2 days (New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day) will include a 5K Road Race and a Sunday Fun Day for adults on Jan. 1.

Ryan McMahon, Executive Director of the Saratoga Springs City Center added “A New Year’s Eve celebration has long been part of the fabric of Saratoga Springs. It is a testament to Saratoga Springs that local organizations and the City Council are able to collaborate to bring this event back to the community. I am proud that the Saratoga Springs City Center is able to contribute and to be the anchor venue for this event once again.”

Unlike the traditional Saratoga Springs First Night celebration, alcohol will be available at some venues this year.

An official announcement with the musical line-up is expected next week.

Zoom discussion for Saratoga Jewish Community Arts Fall Premiere Set for Sept. 8

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga Jewish Community Arts opens its fall season with a Zoom panel discussion of the film “Gentleman’s Agreement.” The program will be on Zoom at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18.

“Gentleman’ Agreement,” the 1947 film directed by Elia Kazan and starring Gregory Peck, for the first time made anti-Semitism the focus in prosperous postwar America and exposes the insidious way that Jews were excluded from social clubs, vacation resorts, and jobs.

The movie is adapted by Moss Hart from the bestseller of the same name by Laura Z. Hobson. The film is remarkable as much for what it chooses not to depict as what it does. It is a hard-hitting movie about anti-Semitism, unafraid of specificity in its choice of targets that nonetheless depicts anti-Jewish sentiment as being primarily confined to the types of people and places a well-heeled Manhattan journalist might encounter.

Registration required for zoom panel discussion is at sjca.sjcf@gmail.com. For more information, go to:    www.saratogasinai.org, or www.saratogajewishculturalfestival.org.