Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — John C. Hamill, 85, passed away on June 15, 2021.
Calling hours will be from 2 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, at Burke Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway. A funeral home service will follow at 4 p.m.
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — George J. “Jack” Eckert, LCDR USN (Ret.), 95, died Jan. 14, 2021. Born May 29, 1925, he was a lifelong resident of Saratoga Springs. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, June 25, 2021 at 10 a.m. Church of St. Peter. Burial with military honors 11:30 a.m. – Saratoga National Cemetery.
Visit burkefuneralhome.com
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in History.
Although no trace remains today, the Glen Paper Collar Company was a visible presence in Ballston Spa 150 years ago. It was located in the famous Blue Mill building on the north side of Milton Avenue, built as one of the area’s first grist mills. Many may have heard of the collar company, which was one of the largest of its kind in the country. But few know that the company’s owners, Horace Medbery and Henry Mann, were also prolific inventors.
Horace Medbery was the son of Stephen and Sarah Medbery, proprietors of the hotel in Ballston Spa which still bears their name. He was one of those rare individuals who was able to put his inventions to practical use in his various business ventures in Ballston Spa, Mechanicville, and elsewhere. Henry Mann was the son of Henry Mann Sr., a prominent local businessman and Saratoga County treasurer. The Mann family lived in the former Aldridge’s Hotel, now the home of Brookside Museum, just down the street from The Medbery Hotel. Horace and Henry were neighbors while growing up in the village.
During the 1870s, a peculiar clothing fad swept the country. Disposable cotton-based paper collars were introduced to the upper classes as a way of maintaining a fresh, white collar rather than attempting to clean soiled cloth collars. Some of the first paper collars in the country were manufactured two miles north of Ballston by Lindley Murray Crane, a paper mill owner and holder of three patents. Henry Mann’s father also manufactured paper collar materials in nearby Factory Village for some years under the partnership of Mann & Laflin.
Horace and Henry recognized their business opportunity even before the fad hit its peak, and rented space at the Blue Mill to establish the Glen Paper Collar Company. In their first year, the partnership produced nine million collars. Profits were poured back into the business by purchasing the glazing works of Rand & Edwards located below them in the Blue Mill. Soon they occupied the entire building, so in 1871 they were forced to build a five-story, 60 foot by 40 foot addition, reportedly constructed in twenty days. They rented the old Waverly Hall for use as a packing station and salesroom.
Shipments of collars increased year after year. At its height in 1875, the factory was producing 21 million paper collars and five million paper cuffs per year and employed 150 people.
At this time, Medbery submitted his first of many patents. He, along with Henry Mann and Simeon Drake, perfected a new steam drying wheel for use in the collar factory. The machine was developed, as the partners put it, “after much study and reflection, and expenditure of money in purchasing machinery which did not meet our wants.”
On the same day as the drying wheel patent was filed, Medbery submitted an improvement for cutting paper collars, the object of which was to rapidly cut collars from long rolls of cloth-faced paper by passing it between two rollers. One of Ballston’s more unusual inventions was developed by Henry Mann, who patented a shipping box for paper collars that could be converted into an ornamental lampshade.
The three patents listed above would be the only inventions that related to the Glen Paper Collar Company. Despite becoming one of the largest paper collar companies in the world, the fad died out in the mid-1870s, forcing the partners to shut down the collar factory. Henry Mann went on to invent and patent an envelope-making machine. Local inventor Samuel Day constructed nine of the machines which were set up in the Blue Mill. The Mann Envelope Company operated for several years before closing down for unknown reasons.
In 1879 Horace Medbery moved to Mechanicville and rented the Howland Paper Mill, operating it for three years before organizing the Hudson River Water Power & Paper Company. He erected an 800 foot-long dam across the Hudson River using an estimated 3.5 million bricks. In this endeavor, Medbery is credited with establishing a valuable new industry for the city. Other businessmen noticed the success of his project, and soon permanent brick yards were established such as the Mechanicville Brick Company and the Best Brick Company.
For the next four years, Medbery acted as secretary and general manager of the paper mill. During that time, he patented two machines for molding tubes from paper pulp. In 1891 he patented a conduit for underground trolley wire using material that he claimed was water-proof, gas-proof, and “practically indestructible.” Later that year he submitted a patent for a pail-making machine, which manufactured pails using paper pulp. There is a reference in Sylvester’s History of Saratoga County that the Glen Paper Collar Company produced and sold these pails, so this patent is very likely based on that endeavor.
Over the next few years Medbery put several more of his inventions to good use. In 1892 he established the Fiberite Company, which manufactured fiber pipes for interior conduits used to wire buildings. The technology he developed in his seamless tube patents no doubt was applied to this line of work. He also began producing fiber pails using his pail-making machine, and later developed a substitute for hard rubber and celluloid. Medbery will go down in history as possessing more 19th century patents than any other Ballston native.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Local Briefs.
Monthly Dinner
Friday, June 25 at Principessa Elena Society, located at 11-13 Oak St., Saratoga Springs, will host take out only, curbside pick-up from 5 – 7 p.m. Menu: pasta w/sauce, meatballs w/sauce, sausage w/sauce, salad, Italian bread, butter. Cost is $10. Open to the public.
Trap/Clay Shoot
Fish Creek Rod & Gun Club located at 123 NY Rt 32 Schuylerville, will host a Trap/Clay shoot on Saturday, June 26 running from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Open to the public – Great time to introduce the youth to trap shooting for Fun. Novice to Expert, only 5.00 per round.
Rummage Sale
Charlton Freehold Presbyterian Church will hold its Rummage Sale on Friday, June 25, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Saturday, June 26, 9 a.m. – noon. For those wishing to drop off items, please do so on June 22 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (no books, electronics, or large pieces of furniture, please). A percentage of the proceeds will benefit CAPTAIN and the BH-BL Area Churches Summer Lunch Program for children. Please: bring your own bags, and wear mask.
Indoor and Outdoor Yard sale
The sale will be held on Friday, June 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, June 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Malta Ridge United Methodist Church, 729 Malta Avenue Extension, Malta. On Saturday only, there will be an ala-carte lunch featuring hot dogs, chips, and a beverage, available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For additional information or directions please call the Church at 518-581-0210.
11th Annual Jane Austen Retreat
Join the Jane Austen Society North America (JASNA)-New York Capital Region at Wiawaka on Lake George, on June 25-27. Participants will join scholars and enthusiasts in exploring Austen’s world through facilitated discussions. Bring a lawn chair for a picnic tea on the grounds. In addition to planned events, enjoy the splendors of the beautiful Lake George setting by exploring the cottages and grounds, the gardens, the dock, and the lake. The cost is $25 for members and $30 for non-members and includes Saturday and Sunday lunches. To register, mail check payable to JASNA NYS Capital Region and send to: JASNA NYCR, c/o Nancy Duell, 56 Fifth Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801. Registration deadline is June 20. For additional information, contact Nancy at ardhn23@netscape.com or call 518-321-1887. Reservations for food and lodging at Wiawaka are $155/night. Day only reservations are available for $15. Visit www.wiawaka.org or call 518-668-9690 for information to make your reservation.
Sheep to Shawl
On Sunday, June 27, between 12 and 4 p.m., sheep, lambs, farmers, herders, and shearers, including the famous Fred the Shearer, will assemble on Brookside’s lush front lawn to demonstrate every facet of sheep husbandry, shearing, and weaving to produce the wool clothing that was so ubiquitous in colonial America. Sheep to Shawl is an interactive, family-friendly event. Young and the young-at-heart will have fun petting the sheep, meeting farmers, and participating in demonstrations. The event is free and open to the public – A terrific opportunity to enjoy the wonderful weather, learn a thing or two, enjoy some quality family time, and see all the exciting changes at Brookside. Brookside Museum is located at the west end of fun and fashionable Front Street in historic Ballston Spa. Admission is free, though donations are appreciated. For more information telephone (518) 885-4000, visit www.brooksidemuseum.org, or follow on social media: Twitter, @SaratogaCoHist; Instagram, SaratogaCountyHistory.
Saratoga Chamber Players Live Concert
A summer afternoon concert to honor the memory of Dr. David A. Wasser, long-time board member and supporter of the arts in general. Save the date: Sunday, June 27, 3 p.m. at Pitney Meadows Community Farm, located at 223 West Ave., Saratoga Springs. Joseph Haydn. Flute Quartet in in D Major, (Hob.II:D11) Gordon Jacob. Six Shakespearean Sketches (for flute, viola, cello) Antonín Dvorák. Quartet in Eb, Op. 51 All attendees must be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the performance. Masks will be worn during the concert and seating will be socially distanced. There will be no intermission.
Oil Painting Demonstration
Southern Saratoga Art Society is hosting a free, open to the public oil painting demonstration with artist Takeyce Walter on Monday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. To register visit: www.southernsaratogaartist.com. Takeyce is an award winning contemporary American painter focusing on the natural landscapes of the Northeast, working primarily with oil paint and soft pastels. She is especially inspired by bodies of water and there is a great sense of familiarity, tranquility, and reverence in each piece of her artwork. Saratoga Arts made this program possible with a Community Arts Grant funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
In Person VBS is Back!
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 149 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, will be hosting “Rocky Railway – Jesus’ Power Pulls Us Through” Vacation Bible School June 28 – July 2 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Give your children a week of positive, Christ-centered experiences, grow their faith, and build meaningful relationships with Christian adults, youth, and children. There are opportunities for children, youth, and adults. Go to www.spalutheran.org/vbs or call 518-584-0904 for more information and to sign up. Free and open to all. Donations are welcome. We will be following CDC/NY COVID-19 guidelines and space will be limited to meet these guidelines.
Brown Bag Lunch Workshop
The Saratoga Chapter and Jane McCrea Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution invite you to a brown bag lunch workshop on Wednesday, June 30 from 12 -1 p.m. at the Saratoga Auto Museum, located at 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs to learn about all of the exciting programs that are available for students and community leaders from the DAR and enriching partnerships with other community service groups by offering grants, scholarships and recognition of outstanding service while expanding the support of new membership.
Summer Reading Program
Prevent “brain drain” this summer with Ballston Spa Public Library’s summer reading program. Kids, grab your passport and experience Tails and Tales: Around the World. This reading and enrichment program runs from July 1-August 26. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to travel the world with engaging take-home activity packets, read to earn rewards and participate in dynamic in-person programs. To register, stop by the library, call 518-885-5022 or fill out the form on the library’s website, bspl.sals.edu. BSPL is making the summer program a family affair! Adults, tweens and teens can look forward to a revolving international themed book display. These events are free and open to the public. Call 518-885-5022 or visit bspl.sals.edu for more information. Ballston Spa Public Library is located at 21 Milton Ave.
12th Annual Adirondack Greek Festival
Take-out only, Friday, July 9 and Saturday, July 10. Gyros, Souvlaki, Greek fries, Greek burger (new), Spanakopita, Souvlaki dinners w/rice, Moussaka, salad, Baklava and assorted pastries, soda and water. St. George Church, 55 Main St., South Glens Falls. 518-792-2359. www.sgforthodox.org. Social distancing and masks optional.
Photographing the Beauty Around Me
Saratoga County Office for the Aging is excited to offer a new, free program for 55+ residents of Saratoga County, a six-week zoom course designed to teach older adults to capture digital photographs of their environments and the people they encounter on a daily basis. Participants will learn and hone basic aim-and-shoot skills. By the end of this class, students will have an appreciation for what makes a great photograph. No previous photography skills are required. The course will be held every Friday beginning on July 9 – August 13, from 2:15 – 3:45 p.m. There is a limited number of class participants for this course. It is a first come, first serve basis. Pre-registration is required. Please RSVP to Christina Krowel via phone; 518-884-4998 or email; ckrowel@saratogacountyny.gov.
Southern Saratoga Art Society Exhibit
Artists and members of SSAS are exhibiting at two venues in our area. Rita Helie and Jack Morgan will be exhibiting at the Mechanicville Library, 190 N. Main St., Mechanicville the month of June. Artists William Daisak, David Mayack and Karen Zimmers will show their work at the Gallery of the Clifton Park Senior Community Center, 6 Clifton Common Court, Clifton Park during June and July. Please try to visit these venues and support the arts in Southern Saratoga County. For further information about SSAS, visit: southernsaratogaartist.com
Hearts of the Adirondacks Festival
Join on Sunday, August 1 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Adirondack Folk School, located at 51 Main St., Lake Luzerne. The event will include make your own ice cream sundaes, hot dogs and fixings hot off the grill, demonstrations of traditional Adirondack crafts, fireside storytelling, shopping at the Adirondack Folk School Gift Shop, musical performances, plus, our annual silent auction. It is the best in the Adirondacks and features items made by Adirondack Folk School instructors and artisans from throughout the region. Auction open 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. This year’s quilt challenge will be displayed, and raffle tickets will be available for purchase. Admission is free. Charges apply for food/purchased items.
Schuylerville Alumni Banquet Cancelled
Due to the Covid-19 virus, the Schuylerville Alumni banquet which is ususally held the first week in August is cancelled for 2021. We will be sending out anniversary letters for both years next May, 2022 for the banquet to be held on August 6, 2022. Send address updates to Pat Temple at patty61349@yahoo.com or call 518-338-2329. Donations are gladly accepted also.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Calendar.
Friday, June 18
Yard Sale
Saratoga Senior Center Parking Lot
5 Williams St., Saratoga Springs | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Music by Jeff Brisbin, Concession Stand, Tie-dye station $5. Tarot Card Reading with Mary Shimp.
Saturday, June 19
How Planes Fly
The Empire State Aerosciences Museum
250 Rudy Chase Drive, Glenville | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Open Cockpit: Northrup F-5 Tiger. Will offer classes for students (ages 8-15 Years old) to learn about the history of aviation and how planes fly. Classes will be limited to 10 students, and will be conducted in the museum’s outdoor airpark and/or Community Room. Masks are required and social distancing rules will apply. The ESAM airpark contains twenty historic and spectacular military aircraft, so this is a great opportunity to learn about aviation, see something different, and have fun! Cost is $12 per student and reservations are necessary. Please call the museum at 518-377-2191 ext. 10 to register.
Strawberry Social
Round Lake United Methodist Church
34 Church St., Round Lake | 1 – 4 p.m.
Special event for all ages. Strawberry shortcake for lunch is a good thing. Event will be held outside. Rain DateL Sunday, June 20. Adults and children 6 – 9 yrs. Old $6. Children 5 yrs. and under free.
Genealogy and Local History
Heritage Hunters Zoom Program | 1 p.m.
Presented by Clifton Park Historian and author, John Sherer. Breaking Down Brick Walls Using Ancestry DNA, will be the program topic. John will explain in simple, non-technical terms, how to break down brick walls in your family tree through DNA matches and triangulation. These same tools have helped adopted children find their biological parents. John has a bachelor’s degree in History and a Master’s in Museum Studies and American Folklife. Public is welcome and can request the link by emailing the organization’s president, Dave Peck, at davepeck208@hotmail.com
Takeout Ham Dinner
Ballston Spa Elks Lodge #2619
10 Hamilton St., Ballston Spa | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
The menu will include baked sliced ham, scalloped potatoes, vegetable, roll and dessert. The cost is 2 for $25 or $15 each (cash only). Preorder strongly encouraged, place your order at 518-885-1149 by June 18 or email BPOE2619@verizon.net. Limited quantities available at the door. Proceeds support Elks Charities.
Robin Hood
Malta Community Center Stage, 1 Bayberry Drive, Malta
7 p.m. | Presented by Malta Spotlighter’s Theatre Troupe. Tickets on sale now. Limited seating due to COVID-19 guidelines; by reservation only and must be purchased in person. $15 Adults, $10 Children (under 18). There are a limited number of free children’s tickets with a paying adult, courtesy of Stewart’s Holiday Match. Suitable for the whole family. Call the Malta Community Center at 518-899-4411 for additional information, including COVID-19 protocols and ticket sales hours. Additional performance Sunday, June 20 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, June 20
Annual Father’s Day Kid’s Fishing Derby
373 Crescent Ave., Saratoga Springs (Lake Lonely)
9 a.m. – Noon | Presented by The Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Pro Firefighters Union, SSPD Saratoga Basspointers, John Huppuch Memorial Derby. FREE for All Children 14 and under accompanied by an adult. Prizes for fish caught in all age categories. Worms will be provided-you must bring your own tackle. Hot dogs, soda, chips, and fun are free for all.
Youth Fishing Tournament & Family Open House
Fish Creek Rod and Gun Club
123 Route 32, Schuylerville | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Public is welcome. There will be games for the youth along with contests to get them into the outdoors. Fish must be weighed in the Gun Club no later than 12 p.m. Drinks, hot dogs, burgers, and fries may be purchased from the club. Prizes will be awarded. For information or questions call Mike Richards, cell 518-955-5005, home 518-587-3582.
Summer Stroll: Exploring the Gut
Downtown Saratoga Springs, NW corner of Putnam and Spring Streets, Saratoga Springs
10:30 a.m. – Noon | Down in the Valley: Exploring the Gut. The tour returns after five years! Alexandra Morgan built upon the research by loyal docent, Ellen Steinberger (who passed away in 2017), to bring back this tour of the area behind Broadway known as “The Gut.” This neighborhood was home to many working class and Jewish families who provided important contributions to the community. Tours last approximately 90 minutes Sunday mornings and require walking and standing on varied terrain. Tours will be limited to 30 and tickets must be purchased in advance. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members. Members who have received complimentary Stroll passes will have those honored for their value of $10 and will be required to pay the difference of $5. Visit saratogapreservation.org or call 518-587-5030 to purchase tickets.
Sundae on the Farm
Mill Creek Farm, 1019 County Road 70, Stillwater | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This year the tour will be a Self-Driven Tour on Father’s Day. From the comfort of their vehicles, families will be provided an audio recording featuring local farm families talking about all things Saratoga County Agriculture. Families will get to see dairy cows, beef cows, meat sheep, horses, and farm equipment. They will even get to try their luck at the Golden Horseshoe Hunt! King Dairy and Stewart’s Shops are donating Ice Cream Coupons for everyone who comes out (while supplies last). This event is free, fun, and family friendly. For more information, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County 518-885-8995.
Wilton Heritage Strawberry Social
5 Parkhurst Road, Wilton | 1 – 4 p.m. (or until we run out)
Our annual Strawberry Social will again be a curbside pick-up only event on Father’s Day. Same great strawberries, homemade biscuits and fresh whipped cream delivered right to your car. Donation of $5 per person, exact change appreciated. You can pre-order multiple servings for a specific pick-up time if you like at 518-583-3645.
Monday, June 21
Saratoga County Parkinson’s Support Group Meeting and Picnic
Mr. Bills, 3 Trieble Ave. Ballston Spa | 2 p.m.
We’re hoping for a big turn-out as we begin planning for the fall and a return to our normal format of speakers and exercise tips. Bring a mask in case needed or for your comfort level. Sit at the picnic tables available or bring your own chair if you prefer social distancing. All are welcome. You can purchase items from the menu. 518-885-7888
Tuesday, June 22
Lunchtime Concert Series
Downtowner Hotel Parking Lot, 413 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
Noon | Chairs provided. Free. Donations appreciated.
After the Fire’s Monthly Meeting
Hillcrest Fire Department, 145 Pruyn Hill Rd., Mechanicville | 7 p.m.
After the Fire is a non-profit organization that helps Saratoga County Residents who have suffered a loss due to fire. Families are provided with gift cards, a night’s stay at a participating hotel/motel, Red Cross referral, informational material, emotional support. etc. Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7p.m. Volunteers needed – anyone interested in learning more about After the Fire, or becoming a member, may attend a meeting, visit us on Facebook at www.afterthefire.org, or leave a message on voicemail at 518-435-4571. Masks and social distancing required.
Wednesday, June 23
Roast Beef Dinner
Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6 p.m.
For curbside pickup only. Call Monday or Tuesday Between 10 a.m. – noon to place an order. 518-584-2585. Menu: roast beef, mashed potatoes, vegetable, salad, roll, gravy. Dinner for 2 is $25.00 cash only.
Thursday, June 24
Open Mic Night
VFW, 190 Excelsior Ave., Saratoga Springs | 7 – 10 p.m.
The public is invited. Great drink specials and food available. The Saratoga VFW is open Tuesday – Friday, 3 – 7 p.m., Saturday 2 – 7 p.m. and Sunday 12 – 7 p.m. the Pavilion and indoor banquet facilities are available for rent. For more information please call 518-584-9686.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.
ALBANY — Commemorating the events of Juneteenth, Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York (BTTUNY) will present a virtual reading of Celeste Bedford Walker’s searing historical drama, CAMP LOGAN.
The play chronicles the story of six Black U.S. soldiers and the incidents leading to the tragic 1917 racially charged riot in Houston, Texas that left dozens dead or wounded in the streets. In the aftermath of what was deemed a mutiny by the military courts martial, 19 Black soldiers were executed by hanging and 47 were sentenced to life in prison without parole. The reading will air beginning 5 p.m. June 19 and remain available for streaming through June 22.
CAMP LOGAN playwright, Celeste Bedford Walker, has written more than 40 plays and has been recognized by the U.S. Congress for her historical contribution as a producer and author of works that bring to light lost stories of African American history.
The reading will air on all of theREP’s Streaming Platforms – Proctors Collaborative YouTube channel, on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Roku – search and download the Collaborative Studios app or through the Open Stage Media On-Demand Channel. The reading is free, but there is a suggested donation of $15. All proceeds go directly to the work of Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York, a not-for-profit organization.
For more information, contact the Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate NY by calling 518-833-2621 or emailing BTTUNY518@gmail.com.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.
BOLTON LANDING — The Sembrich is launching its 2021 Free Film Festival with a lakeside screening of Crescendo (2019), on June 21.
“We are excited to resume our Free Film Festival in 2021,” says Suzanna M. Bernd, The Sembrich’s Executive Director, in a statement. “We welcome all community members – including residents and visitors – to join us for these free lakeside screenings.”
The Sembrich’s 2021 Free Film Festival will take place outdoors on the lakeshore under its performance tent. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and enjoy the park-like atmosphere of The Sembrich’s historic lakeside grounds.
Loosely inspired by Daniel Barenboim’s West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, Crescendo tells the story of a conductor striving to form an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra amid political tensions. Many brilliant scenes feature classical music, including performances of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Dvorak’s Serenade for Winds, and Ravel’s Bolero. The film premiered at the Munich International Film Festival in 2019, where it received a ten-minute standing ovation.
2021 Free Film Festival Calendar: All screenings at 7:30 p.m. on Mondays: June 21 – Crescendo (2019); July 5 – Brasslands (2013); July 19 – The Cunning Little Vixen (2003); Aug. 2 – The Maestro (2018); Aug. 16 – Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles (2019), and Aug. 30 – Blinded by the Light (2019).
Reservations can be made online but are not required. For more information on this film or the 2021 Nature & Music Summer Festival, visit TheSembrich.org/festival or call The Sembrich’s office at 518-644-2431. The Sembrich is located at 4800 Lake Shore Drive, Bolton Landing. For more information, visit www.TheSembrich.org or contact us at 518-644-2431 or Office@TheSembrich.org
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — New Bluebird Hotels property, Spa City Motor Lodge in downtown Saratoga Springs, will toast the start of the summer season with a celebration of the best shopping, dining, drinks, art, and music the city has to offer.
The Best of Saratoga Springs Festival, organized in partnership with media sponsor Discover Saratoga, will bring together local businesses and mark the beginning of the 2021 tourism season.
Locals and visitors alike are invited to experience the new downtown Saratoga property, Spa City Motor Lodge, which debuted at 413 Broadway this season from the team behind Bluebird Hotels by Lark.
Following an extensive renovation, the hotel and venue will host a free concert and food event that will include: Live performances by G. Love and local musician, Jeff Brisbin, a chance to explore Saratoga Springs’ newest hotel and venue, Spa City Motor Lodge; Food offerings from Tatu Tacos & Tequila, Whole Harvest, Pura Vida Kettle Corn and more; Beer garden and tastings from Walt & Whitman Brewing Company; Wine tastings at the ‘Barrel Bar’ from Old Tavern Farm Winery; Coffee bar from Death Wish Coffee; Flea market finds and shopping from Hatsational and The Vintage Shop; Art gallery with works for sale from Collective 131; Kids art station and take-home kits from the Children’s Museum of Saratoga; Porsche Taycan sweepstakes from the Saratoga Automobile Museum, and more.
The Best of Saratoga Springs Festival will take place 3-8 p.m. on Friday, June 25.
Jeff Brisbin performs at 3 p.m., and G. Love’s performance begins at 6:30 p.m.
Attendance is free, but guests are encouraged to register online at bestofsaratogasprings.eventbrite.com.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Opera Saratoga announced this week that AMERICA SINGS, the company’s free concert series created to amplify the voices of artists from racial groups historically underrepresented on the concert stage, will return to Caffè Lena June 19 for a Juneteenth Celebration, celebrating the end of slavery in the United States.
The program was curated by bass-baritone Carl DuPont, a distinguished alumnus of Opera Saratoga’s Young Artist Program who is now on faculty at Peabody Conservatory where he teaches voice and a survey course on Art Song by African American Composers.
Juneteenth, which is celebrated annually on June 19, commemorates the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed. The arrival of troops came two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox Court House two months earlier in Virginia, but slavery had remained relatively unaffected in Texas—until U.S. General Gordon Granger stood on Texas soil and read General Orders No. 3: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” Juneteenth honors that day – the end of slavery in the United States.
“In America we have de jure and de facto legal and government systems,” says concert curator Carl Dupont. “Juneteenth is the crystallization of that for me. Although The Emancipation Proclamation was issued two years prior to Juneteenth (de jure) the actual emancipation of those citizens in Texas (de facto) didn’t happen until two years later. This holiday is a reminder of how stubborn structural racism can be, and how indomitable the persistence of the human spirit remains.”
In putting together the concert program, DuPont has included prose and poetry – along with an extraordinary selection of music by African American composers – to create a comprehensive texture of celebrating Juneteenth.
Musical selections include songs by H. Leslie Adams, Tim Amukele, Margaret Bonds, Uzee Brown, Moses Hogan, Betty Jackson King, Rosephanye Powell, Florence Price, and Hale Smith. Spoken word selections include excerpts from The Declaration of Independence, The Emancipation Proclamation, and The General Orders which actually notified the enslaved people that they were free. The program will also include first-hand diary accounts and poetry from formerly enslaved people, as well as newspaper copy of the observation of the first Juneteenth celebrations.
The program will be performed by Festival Artists from Opera Saratoga’s Young Artist Program, who include notable emerging Black singers alongside artists who come from a wide range of other racial backgrounds, many of whom are learning more about Juneteenth through the experience of putting together this program.
“America Sings: A Juneteenth Celebration” is presented in partnership with Caffè Lena. The free concert will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 19. To access the concert, and for additional information, visit: www.operasaratoga.org/juneteenth
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.
SCHENECTADY — Touring Broadway will be on the road back to Proctors soon and in preparation, sales for season ticket packages have returned.
Proctors’ schedule of touring Broadway shows includes some titles from the shortened 2019-20 season as well six from sidelined 20-21 season. Those six – as well as a show from Capital Repertory Theatre – compose the new KeyBank “Broadway is Back” at Proctors Series: The Prom (March 1-6, 2022); My Fair Lady (May 17-22, 2022); Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird (June 14-19, 2022); Mean Girls (June 28-July 3, 2022); Hadestown (Feb. 28-March 5, 2023) ; Pretty Woman (dates to be announced).
And a choice of ANY one show from the upcoming Capital Repertory Theatre series (schedule to be announced soon).
The “Broadway is Back” at Proctors Series is now on sale; prices start at $188.50 for the seven-show subscription; subscribe at proctors.org or call the Box Office at 518-346-6204.
