CLIFTON PARK­ —Through live performance and music, an evening of Jewish Storytelling will be presented at 7 p.m., Sunday, July 28 at Congregation Beth Shalom, 688 Clifton Park Center Road. 

The performance presents stories and melodies – historically part of Jewish culture and civilization – serving as a reminder of the past, a celebration of the present, and a hope for the future.

“Sharing stories often increases empathy among community members, as they recognize and share in each other’s experiences,” Phyllis Wang, Coordinator of Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival, said in a statement. Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival is presenting the program. 

A $10 donation per person is requested at the door and registration is required at: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/UK8YVX9/TraditionJuly28. The program also will be available on Zoom.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Spring Street Gallery invites the public to join an opening reception and artist talk for “Vibrant View” showcasing the artwork of Soliven Melindo and Max Litvinov from 4-6 p.m. on July 20. The exhibit will run from July 20-Sept. 13.

Both Melindo and Litvinov use bright colors in their work that can create experiences in color expression. Their bright hues of pink, blue, yellow and green, among other colors, are playful and friendly. The works’ subject matter, landscapes and still lives, will bring joyful energy into a viewers’ home and or office. 

 Spring Street Gallery will also be continuing the mail art project. This project showcases posted mail artwork created by our own community. The artwork received is displayed in our gallery hallway at 110 Spring Street in Saratoga. You do not have to be a working artist to participate. All ages are welcome. Pick up your free postcard today at the Saratoga Springs library bulletin area or at Spring Street Gallery, 110 Spring St. All artworks will be documented and placed on our website for all to see in mid-September. 

 A portion of the sales from this exhibit will benefit LifeWorks Community Action. LifeWorks Community Action – formerly Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council (EOC) – is a nonprofit established in 1965 that works to alleviate poverty at the local level in Saratoga County and the Northern Capital Region.

Gallery hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4-7 p.m. and by appointment. For more information, go to: springstreetgallerysaratoga.org. Spring Street Gallery is located at 110 Spring St., Saratoga Springs.  

SARATOGA SPRINGS —A gathering of approximately 150 people enjoyed a night of creativity titled “The Future of Broadway: A Musical Showcase of Contemporary Composers,” on the campus lawn at Skidmore College July 11. 

The event was part of The Orchard Project’s 2024 Arts Festival presented July 11-13 in Saratoga Springs. The artistic development laboratory and accelerator for creators of performance and dramatic stories presents programs in New York City and in Saratoga Springs 

The event featured Ryan Miller (founding member of Guster), Nick Blaemire, Jesse J. Sanchez, Zack Zadek, Anna Denoia & Joshua Villa. 

Miller performed songs from his upcoming musical “Safety Not Guaranteed,” that will see its premiere in a five-week run at the Brooklyn Academy of Music beginning Sept 17. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS— Folk singer Joe Pug, whose songwriting has been equally influenced by literature and poetry, will perform at Caffe Lena Thursday, Aug. 15.  

Pug has toured with Steve Earle, Josh Ritter, Old 97s, and others. His latest album, “Sketch of a Promised Departure,” was released earlier this year. 

For more information and tickets, go to: caffelena.org. 

Artisan Trails in Washington County takes place Saturday and Sunday. Photo provided.

WASHINGTON COUNTY — Explore artist studios and mini artist faires in a weekend of celebration of the talent in scenic, historic Washington County. 

The sixth annual Artisan Trails in Washington County event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 13 and 14,, with live demonstrations, plein aire painting, workshops, and, of course, plenty of art available for collectors to purchase.

New this year are vendor Hub Locations, and Artisan Partners. Hub locations are an opportunity for multiple artisans to show the passion they infuse into their craft at different locations of note within our county. Artisan Partners are breweries, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, wineries and other establishments who add to the tour experience through their quality food, beverage, and lodging options.

Visitors will be guided to each site via maps both online and paper, plus roadside signs. The tour typically includes studios of painters, textile artists, metal sculpturists, stained glass artists, photographers, potters, furniture makers, beekeepers, blacksmiths, farms, cider houses, breweries and more. The event itself is free and open to the public.

More information is available at www.artisan-trails.org

Performers on stage at Caffe Lena July 1, 2024 during the café’s Monday Night Open Mic Night, hosted by Rick Bolton. The café stages Open Mic nights every Monday at 7. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Caffè Lena announced the hiring of Joanne Brown as the venue’s new Marketing & Communications person. 

With a background in music which began with an internship at MTV, Brown’s career has included work in the publicity departments of A&M Records, Capitol Records, Milan Records, Windham Hill, Windham Hill Jazz, and High Street Records, as well as at the independent PR Firm, Kathryn Schenker Associates. She has also worked freelance on projects for artists such as the Saw Doctors, Bob Mould, and Gavin Friday. 

As co-partner of the firm Trinity Eight, she contributed to projects like The Digital Origami Tigers, and The Streets of Afghanistan, among others.