SARATOGA SPRINGS — Set against the background of the Civil War and filled with a cast of characters that includes a formerly enslaved Black trainer and a half-blind horse, “Lexington” provides a dramatic true story of the thoroughbred from which the book is named.  

The book was released in July and its author, Kim Wickens, will be visiting Northshire Bookstore Saratoga at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24.  

Wickens, a lawyer and dressage rider who grew up in Dallas, Texas, became fascinated by the legendary horse when she learned 12 of Thoroughbred racing’s 13 Triple Crown winners descended from Lexington. 

“Lexington: The Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America’s Legendary Racehorse,” ($28.99, Ballantine Books) is a story of the champion who gained international fame in the tumultuous Civil War-era South  and became the most successful sire in American racing history.

For more information, go to: northshire.com.  

SARATOGA SPRINGS — With a body of work stretching back to 1971 and early collaborations with Emmy Lou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Jonathan Edwards, Seldom Scene are one of the most recognizable bluegrass bands on the circuit with a non-traditional approach that stretches the genre’s boundaries.

The ensemble will perform two shows at Caffe Lena – at 5 p.m. and at 8 p.m. – on Friday, Sept. 1.  

Since forming nearly 50 years ago, The Seldom Scene has brought both freewheeling joy and immaculate musicianship to their inventive take on bluegrass, offering up spirited interpretations of songs from multiple genres: country, rock, and pop with ease and deep familiarity. 

On their latest recording, “Changes,” the band sharpens its focus on songs first recorded in the 1960s and early ’70s – rooted in the archetypal storytelling of classic singer-songwriters such as Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt.

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

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery announces a new exhibition – “Forms of Awakening: Selections from the Jack Shear Collection of Himalayan Art” – will be  on view Aug. 19 through Dec. 10.

“Awakening” is a fundamental concept in Buddhist thought. It refers to the event in which one opens their consciousness to true knowledge and freedom. The word “buddha” itself is translated as “the awakened one.” For centuries, Tibetan artists have used paintings, called thangka, sculpture, divination mirrors, and initiation cards, or tsakli, as objects of veneration, guides for meditation, and tools for teaching and learning about awakening. Traditional thangka generally used established imagery, such as the mountains and valleys of Himalaya, sacred architecture, and the bodies of buddhas.

“Forms of Awakening: Selections from the Jack Shear Collection of Himalayan Art,” presents traditional Tibetan objects from the Jack Shear Collection alongside work by contemporary artists of Tibetan heritage in three sections: landscape, architecture, and the body. Together, the work reveals how such objects can transform our perceptions and awaken us to aspects of reality unnoticed in our daily lives.

“Art opens us up to new ideas and ways of thinking, and seeing an object in a new context can elicit new meanings and inspire new teaching,” said Dayton Director Ian Berry. “Placing traditional objects alongside fantastic contemporary art by Nyema Droma, Tenzin Phuntsog, and Palden Weinreb is sure to expand our understanding and lead to new paths of study and research.”

A series of public events will be held in conjunction with the exhibition. All events take place at the Tang Teaching Museum, unless otherwise specified. Friday–Saturday, Sept. 22–23: Tibetan Buddhism and Poetry Symposium; Saturday, Oct. 14: Tenzin Choegyal in Concert at the Zankel Music Center, Skidmore College; Thursday, Oct. 19: Dialogue with artist Tenzin Phuntsog; Saturday, Oct. 21: Curators’ Tour with artist Palden Weinreb and Fall Reception; Friday–Saturday, Dec. 1–2: Scholars and Artists Symposium. 

The exhibition is curated by Ben Bogin, Associate Professor and Director of the Asian Studies Program, Skidmore College, with Rachel Seligman, Malloy Curator, Tang Museum, and Ariana Maki, Associate Director of the Tibet Center and Bhutan Initiative at the University of Virginia.

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

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Spring Street Gallery, 110 Spring St. in Saratoga Springs, welcomes artist, shaman and mystic Royal Brown, with an opening reception 5-7 p.m. on Aug. 26.  

Brown shares intimate spiritual creations born from life experience, meditation, creativity, engineering and mechanical skills. His focus is to bring about a new way of seeing that is normal and projected to be perceived as supernatural in “The Evidence of Things Unseen.” 

Brown’s spiritual and creative journey will also be featured in these upcoming programs: Artist talk, Sept. 17 from 3-4 p.m.; Discussion with special guest speaker Awo Onianya Aikulola (Miki Conn), Living with Orisha: Walking the Path of African Spirituality, Sept. 30, noon – 1 p.m.; art workshop, Ships from Found Objects, provided by Black Dimensions in Art (BDA), Oct. 14, noon – 2 p.m. 

Brown is a Wiccan practitioner earning the grade of first-degree. He is a devotee of the Yoruba tradition of Ifa, quantum physics, and Kabbalah. Brown, or Ifarinmoade was initiated as a Babalawo, or priest of the shamanistic Yoruba tradition of Ifa, and holds LCSW and practices as a licensed clinical social worker. His artwork originates from these artistic, psychological and spiritual explorations. 

A portion of the sales of this exhibition will benefit Black Dimensions in Art (BDA). For more information visit: springstreetgallerysaratoga.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Caffe Lena will host a special tribute in honor of Joni Mitchell on Saturday, Nov. 4, just days before her 80th birthday. 

While Mitchell has never played Caffè Lena, organizers point to Mitchell as representing the values that have driven America’s longest-running coffeehouse since its opening night in May, 1960: strong ties to the folk tradition, a fierce independence, a close connection with humanity and a relentless musical vision of what the future can be.

Produced and hosted by Capital Region Michael Eck, “Both Sides Now: Songs of Joni Mitchell” – a benefit for Caffè Lena, features performances of  classics from all phases of the artist’s career with a stellar lineup including Sara Ayers, Buggy Jive, Kate McDonnell, Kate McKrell, Rosanne Raneri and Angelina Valente.

The event will take place 8 p.m. Saturday Nov. 4, at Caffè Lena, 47 Phila St. Tickets are $12.50-$25. Call 518-583-0022, or visit: www.caffelena.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Celebrated singer/songwriter Christie Lenée – named “Acoustic Guitarist of the Year” by the musicians’ website Music Radar – performs at Caffe Lena 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 20. 

With sound ranging from transcendental folk-pop to virtuosic instrumentals, Lenée has been described as “Dave Matthews meets Joni Mitchell and Michael Hedges,” integrating melodic pop lyricism with catchy hooks and percussive, harmonic textures. Her latest album is “Coming Alive.” For more information, go to: caffelena.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Arts has sent out its annual Open Call to all Artists across the Capital Region. 

This is open to both members of Saratoga Arts as well as non-members and gives all artists the opportunity to showcase their work in a professional setting. You must be a resident of one of the 11 counties of the Capital Region.

Entries are collected by Saratoga Arts and a jury of arts professionals from the area is put together to review all submissions and create five exhibitions per year, featuring four artists each.

Apply by September 1. Details and instructions, go to: saratoga-arts.org/Open-Calls.