A Saratoga Arts/ Ndakinna Education Center collaboration opens June 1.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga Arts and Ndakinna Education Center have collaborated to create an interdisciplinary exhibition experience in the Dee Sarno Theater that will inspire questions about how history and stories are recorded, and learning about history through all different genres of art affects the way in which we communicate with each other.
Opening Night is 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 1 at the theater, located at Saratoga Arts, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Exhibition Dates: June 2 – Aug. 24.
To accurately reflect the diversity of our regional indigenous cultures, this exhibition includes both historical and contemporary work made with traditional Abenaki methods incorporating sound, language and storytelling.
The works on display showcase Ndakinna’s commitment to keeping Indigenous history alive, as well as how the things we make create relevancy and meaning regarding identity, inspire new narratives and bring into sharp focus the under-told or sometimes inaccurate stories of native and indigenous peoples of the northeastern United States.
Summer exhibitions are created primarily to inform our programmatic work for K-12 summer camps, adult classes, special events and collaborative programming with other organizations like Ndakinna Education Center.
SCHUYLERVILLE — Amateur Photographers are invited to submit photos to the Photography Exhibit at the Schuylerville Garden Club’s Annual Standard Flower Show.
The show entitled “Road Trip, New York” will be held on July 22 and July 23 at the Town Hall in Schuylerville.
All photos should be the work of the exhibitor and be scenes of New York State in keeping with the flower show theme. The photography section is entitled “Oh, What a View.”
The classes are as follows:
Class 1 “Make Memories” –My favorite place to visit in NYS
Class 2 “Discovering Nature” – Showing a natural wonder in NYS
Class 3 “Inside Looking Out” – Seen through the window in NYS
Photos should be 8 x 10 inches with a white 11×14 inch mat. Photos must be pre-registered. For details and an entry form, visit www.schuylervillegardenclub.org or call Nancy Derway, Photography Consultant at 518-796-4797 campderway@yahoo.com.
SALEM — The Historic Courthouse Gallery in Salem hosts Susie Kane-Kettlewell in her solo show, Evolution: Retrospective and New Art.
Her non-representational images, now described as Late Modern, are the product of many years of observation, trial, error and experimentation since leaving the University of Ulster at Belfast, Northern Ireland where she studied Fine Art and received a Bachelor of Honors degree. Prior to her studies at University, she was a watercolorist and finds that Alcohol Inks have a similar quality of translucency allowing for constant toning of paint and expressionist depth creating an aura of tension and dynamism. Her new works are priced to sell.
The show opens Friday, May 26 with an Opening Reception from 5 – 7 p.m. and closes June 25. Located at 58 East Broadway, Salem. Go to: salemcourthouse.org
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College is joining museums in the Capital Region and around the country in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently-serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer.
The 2023 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, and end on Labor Day. Find the list of participating museums at www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.
Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums across America.
The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.
The Tang Museum is open to the public on Thursday from 12 to 9 p.m. and Friday – Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. tang.skidmore.edu
SCHENECTADY — The first national tour of “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life And Times Of The Temptations,” the new Broadway smash hit musical will play Proctors in Schenectady Tuesday, May 23 through Sunday, May 28.
Ain’t Too Proud… follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey that began on the streets of Detroit. With signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one and being voted the greatest R&B group of all time by Billboard Magazine in 2017.
The rest is history — how they met, the groundbreaking heights they hit, and how personal and political conflicts threatened to tear the group apart as the United States fell into civil unrest. This story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal is set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and many more.
Tickets are available through the Box Office at Proctors in-person, via phone at 518-346-6204 Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or online at proctors.org. Groups of 10 or more can get their tickets by calling 518-382-3884 ext. 139.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Celebrating Fred Astaire’s birthday, who would have been 124 years of age, Fred Astaire Dance Studios (FADS) in Saratoga Springs commemorates Astaire’s legacy by announcing the success of some of their students who participated in the 2023 Fred Astaire Cross Country Dance Championship in Boston, MA last month.
“Our students come from many different backgrounds but are all amazing dancers once their feet hit the floor,” said Grey and Elizabeth Masko, Co-Owners, FADS Saratoga Springs. “We’re so proud to see them earn these rankings on the national level after working so hard in our studio; they performed with such passion.”
Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Saratoga Springs will be celebrating their sixth anniversary of opening with an open house party from 1 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 21. Located at 3257 Route 9.
The party will kick off with a champagne toast, followed by general dancing and student/teacher performances. The event will close with a professional show featuring FADS Saratoga Springs Professional Dancers.
The event is free and open to the public. The studio can be reached at 518-587-0300. For more information about Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Saratoga Springs, visit fredastaire.com/saratoga-springs.
ALBANY — The Egg has announced a series of performances and shows to mark its 2023 concert series.
Details of the performances are as follows:
An Evening with Judy Collins – Saturday, July 15. $49.50, $59.50. Over the last half a century, the legendary Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretive folk songs and contemporary themes – a modern day Renaissance woman who continues to create music of hope and healing that lights up the world. Collins returns to The Egg to perform her greatest hits.
Gaelic Storm – Friday, June 16. $39.50, $34.50. Since their performance in the 1997 feature film “Titanic” catapulted Gaelic Storm to international acclaim, the band has remained one of the world’s foremost Celtic fusion bands.
Aimee Mann – Monday, July 24. $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $34.50. From her work in the 80’s with MTV favorite Til Tuesday and her acclaimed solo discs in the 90s to her Grammy award winning soundtrack to Magnolia in the 2000s, Aimee Mann is one of the most celebrated and insightful singer/songwriters of her generation – not mired in the traditional business of strictly writing love songs, but more prone toward diving into the vast majority of human interactions that almost never get a song written about them. Singer/songwriter Jonathan Coulton opens the show.
Steve Hackett – Tuesday, Oct. 10. $69.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50. Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett reignites the passion, drama and sheer musical mastery of the band’s classic lineup. This year, Hackett revisits the classic Genesis album Foxtrot which, in 1972, was pivotal in establishing the band as a major force in British rock – as well performing works from his solo career.
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives – Thursday, Nov. 16. $49.50, $59.50, VIP: $200. Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, and musician Marty Stuart is living, breathing country music history. One of the most eclectic country artists to rise to stardom in the ‘80s – and remaining there to this day,
Tickets are on sale online at www.theegg.org or by telephone at 518-473-1845, or in person at The Egg Box Office Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
On display at Saratoga Arts exhibition space – Leslie Yolen, “Wise Woman,” 2023. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Community Arts Center is moving forward with a revitalization project to further provide a visually vibrant and sonically enhanced experience for creatives of all kinds in the region.
“We have set a robust plan of renovation and revitalization to bring this building and the services offered to meet the demands for top-notch arts and culture in a central hub,” said Saratoga Arts Executive Director Louise Kerr.
During the past three years, the organization engaged in talks with the Department of Public Works and the Office of the Mayor that have resulted in “friendly, and sometimes … spirited discussions,” Kerr said, with a laugh, adding that both city offices have been “incredible partners.”
In 1996, Saratoga Arts signed its first lease with the city for 320 Broadway. Located at the edge of Congress Park, the building had served as the former home of the Saratoga Springs Public Library. By 2000, the organization raised more than a half-million dollars through a capital campaign and invested in the building.
“Dee Sarno transformed the old library into an interdisciplinary arts center,” Kerr said. The funding allowed the specialization of spaces conducive to creating and presenting art across all genres.
Last year, the organization embarked on a fundraising campaign to stabilize and upgrade the entire building with an eye to energy conservation and efficiency. It would replace old redundant ineffective systems, install energy-efficient windows, and address numerous drainage and roofing issues as well as upgrade power and internal wiring systems.
“In November, when we announced that we needed to raise $2 million, Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Family Foundation immediately stepped up,” Kerr said. Earlier this month, Saratoga Arts announced it was awarded a grant totaling $766,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to help support the Saratoga Community Arts Center Revitalization.
“We’re thrilled to have received this grant from the New York Council on the Arts. It helps us get close to closing that gap in funding needed for the major structural, technological and desperately overdue rejuvenation of the community arts center,” Kerr said. “We do have a little bit of a gap still, but incredibly it’s much smaller than I anticipated it to be at this juncture. We’re looking to raise an additional $266,000. But that means that this Phase One of this project will be fully funded.”
Plans call for the reconfigure of classroom spaces at the arts center to provide indoor/outdoor access, specializing some spaces and creating flexibility in others to better serve artists of all genres and skill levels; renovating the gallery spaces to be energy efficient; upgrading the 100+ capacity black box theater to enable a flexible space for performing artists of all levels, film, music, exhibitions, artist talks and lectures.
The action plan for moving into the future includes the potential addition of an exterior patio space adjacent to Congress Park to be used for performances and classes, and the modification of interior classrooms to include a digital creative lab, print shop, rehearsal studio and a recording studio – open to all and providing musicians access to the space on a secure, 24/7 basis.
Currently, Saratoga Arts welcomes more than 30,000 visitors and appreciators of art annually. It hires local artists and teachers who engage over 500 students in all levels of arts education, and hosts over 70 exhibitions and special events allowing more than 700 artists to showcase and sell their work. As a regrant site, it also distributes over $140,000 dollars in direct funding from the New York Council on the Arts to Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties.
In all, Saratoga Arts has brought the arts to over 1 million people through its programs and provided performing and visual artists opportunities to earn more than $3 million in art sales and performance fees.
“A round of applause to Saratoga Arts, your transformative project will ensure that our vibrant arts and cultural anchors continue to grow and thrive.” NYSCA Chair Katherine Nicholls said, in a statement. “These capital project grants are an investment from the people of New York to the people of New York and will have positive impact on our communities for many years to come. I congratulate Saratoga Arts and look forward to seeing all that will flourish from this project.”
For more information about Saratoga Arts, visit saratoga-arts.org
A new series is coming to UPH with “Women Aren’t Funny Featuring Erin Harkes.” The first performance is headlined by Erin Harkes herself on June 7, followed by Karen Rontowski on July 12 and Jaye McBride on Aug. 2. All beginning 7:30 p.m
Local former television news anchor Jerry Gretzinger will be taking on the classics of Frank Sinatra in “The Man, the Myth and the Music” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Joined on a few numbers by his singer-wife, Erin, the performance will paint an intimate musical portrait of a performer who was bigger than life.
Live out your teenage dreams in the nostalgic Rainbow Prom 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. The Great Hall will be transformed into a fun-filled dance hall where anyone can feel proud to express who they are in a safe space. Dress code can vary from a tux to a ballroom dress or casual in a t-shirt or jeans. Age 16+.
UPH is located on Washington Street in Saratoga Springs. Tickets are available through the Box Office at Proctors in-person, via phone at 518-346-6204 Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or online at universalpreservationhall.org. Groups of 10 or more can get their tickets by calling 518-382-3884 ext. 139.
