On May 31, Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) hosted its ninth annual Festival of Young Artists (FOYA) inviting artists from around the Capital District to showcase their talents. SPAC’s education initiative is “rooted in the belief that the arts support wellbeing and strengthen connection. Our work is designed to foster creativity, confidence, and a true sense of belonging for individuals and families across our region.” FOYA gives students invested in the arts a chance to perform and connect with students across school districts.

This year’s FOYA theme was “Seasons,” students were given the prompt: “Nature moves through cycles of growth, transformation, reflection, and renewal, and so do we. Each season brings its own mood and meaning, shaping both the world around us and the landscapes within us.” Students were invited to submit visual, literary, and performing arts relating to the cycles of the seasons. 

SPAC highlighted students across three disciplines of the arts with “outstanding awards.” Victoria Jones, Saratoga Springs High School, won the outstanding award for visual arts for her painting, “Cornfield” (pictured below). Fatemeh Sima Amiri, Shaker High School, won the outstanding award for literary art for her poem, “The Fifth Season.” The Capital District Arts Initiative won the outstanding award for performing arts for their dance “Epilogue.” To view the long list of submissions across all disciplines, go to spacfoya.org.

Student performances took place on the amphitheater stage and across tents set up across SPAC’s grounds. An art show exhibited digital, painted, and photography submissions. The festival culminated in a final performance on the amphitheater stage combining the Empire State Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Capital District Youth Chorale, Shenendehowa High School Choraliers. The performance featured a choreographed dance performance from the Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet. It was a beautiful display of the arts by students across the Capital Region.

SPAC School of the Arts offers opportunities for people of all ages to have access to the arts. Visit spac.org/education/school-of-the-arts/ for more information and to register for classes.

A fundraising concert will be held at Bethesda Church on Thursday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m. Violinist Luellen Abdoo and Pianist Christopher Oldfather will be performing music of Mozart, Brahims, and Philp Glass. Proceeds will go towards the NYC Ballet Musicians & Friends chamber music concert on July 9, 2026. 

A donation of 30 dollars for one, or 50 dollars for two people will be accepted at the door. Light refreshments will be provided starting at 6:30 p.m. before an hour-long musical performance. 

This fundraising performance for the friends of the NYC ballet has been ongoing for the past 25 years. The NYC Ballet is celebrating 60 years at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center July 8-11. 

In an effort to showcase its vibrant downtown scene, Saratoga Springs has been hosting free concerts to kick off the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Dubbed Belmont on Broadway, the events have been featured on Netflix’s “Race for the Crown” and have included headliners such as Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms.

For the third and final year that the Belmont Stakes will be run at the Saratoga Race Course, the Spa City has aimed to put on a grand finale that includes two notable music acts and one of the most famous stand-up comedians on the planet.

Belmont on Broadway 2026 will take place on Wednesday, June 3. Saratoga’s thoroughfare will close at 5 a.m., creating a block party-like atmosphere where revelers can stroll (and/or dance) in the streets.

The festivities will begin this year with something new: a ticketed VIP experience at Universal Preservation Hall, located just steps away from Broadway on Washington Street. Beginning at 2 p.m., VIP-ers can strut their stuff on a green carpet (to match Belmont’s distinct color), get their photo taken, receive a keepsake lanyard and commemorative poster, watch the day’s races on TVs inside, and then get seated for comedian Chelsea Handler’s stand-up show at 4 p.m.

Handler has been a big name in the comedy world for decades, hosting her own late-night talk show on E! from 2007 to 2014 before hosting a Netflix show from 2016 to 2017. In addition to touring across the globe, she’s also written six books that have hit #1 on The New York Times bestseller list.

Once Handler wraps up her set, VIP-ers can saunter over to Broadway, where they’ll have access to a special tent in Ellsworth Jones Plaza near the main stage. VIP-ers can also access a private indoor hospitality lounge on the second floor of the Saratoga Springs City Center.

7 p.m. is when the free fun begins. Vertical Horizon, an alt-rock band that scored a massive hit in 1999 with “Everything You Want,” will first take the stage. The band has released seven albums, including Everything You Want, which sold more than two million copies. The title track hit the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 and Adult Top 40 charts and went on to become the most-played single of 2000.

Next up will be the headliner: Fitz and the Tantrums. They’re an indie pop group best known for their hit singles “HandClap” (if you’ve ever attended a baseball game, you’ve probably heard this song), “Out of My League” (which has more than one billion plays on Spotify), and “The Walker.” Their latest release, 2025’s “Man on the Moon,” has been described as the group’s most daring album yet.

The concert will finish around 10 p.m.

Tickets for the Chelsea Handler performance and VIP experience can be purchased at atuph.org or chelseahandler.com. The Belmont on Broadway concert is free to attend.

More information about Belmont on Broadway is available at www.discoversaratoga.org/belmontonbroadway.

Belmont on Broadway 2026

• When: Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The VIP experience begins at 2 p.m., comedian Chelsea Handler performs at 4 p.m., and the free concert featuring Vertical Horizon and Fitz and the Tantrums goes from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Where: The VIP experience and Chelsea Handler performance will be at the Universal Preservation Hall (25 Washington Street in Saratoga Springs). The free concert will occur outside on Broadway near the Saratoga Springs City Center (522 Broadway).

• Parking: Parking will be available at the Saratoga Springs City Center garage, as well as other public parking facilities downtown, such as 21 Putnam Street, 34 Woodlawn Avenue, and 37 Walton Street.

• Rules and Policies: The event organizers ask that attendees not bring coolers, backpacks, large bags, strollers, pets, glass bottles, alcohol, or weapons of any kind. Attendees should use the sidewalks solely for walking. Individuals who require a seat are asked to bring a folding chair that is not inside of a bag. Organizers also ask that those inside the event space refrain from smoking. Leaving a bar or restaurant with alcohol is not permitted.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Friday Night Art Markets are back on Beekman Street in the Saratoga Springs Arts District, offering a way to spend summer evenings surrounded by art, music, and community.

Held on the third Friday of each month from May through September, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., this family-friendly series invites visitors to experience the neighborhood at its most vibrant. 

“The Summer Friday Art Markets help the Beekman Street Arts district by bringing in steady crowds that support local shops, galleries, and restaurants,” said Caroline Haladjian, owner of The Beekman Atelier. “They give new artists an affordable way to show their work and gain fans without needing their own expensive studio. This regular teamwork builds a strong reputation for the area, making it known as the go-to spot for art and creativity in Saratoga.”

Participants can stroll along Beekman Street and explore 25 visiting artists presenting a range of handmade goods and original artwork. Galleries and shops throughout the district will be open late. Refreshments from the Sundry Coffee Camper will be available while local musicians fill the streets with live music.

Future Friday Night Art Markets will take place on June 19, July 17, Aug. 21, and Sept. 18. Rain dates will be on Saturday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — This past Sunday was alive with the sounds of music and laughter as the streets of Saratoga were replete with makeshift stages in order to host Caffe Lena’s fifth annual Sing in the Streets Music Festival.

The weather was blue skies and sunny. Lots of people were out mingling, with kids running by with ice cream dripping from sugar and waffle cones. The event provided an opportunity for shops and restaurants to rein in more customers.

The main stage was located at the intersection of Phila and Henry Streets, and the performances began with Tops of Trees, a funk group from Saratoga Springs. They got the crowd dancing and moving early on. The main stage was surrounded by local vendors and neighboring restaurants where attendees could watch the performance from their tables. People stuck their heads out of their balconies from the apartments above to watch as the crowd gathered.

Another stage located on Broadway began with a folk-punk duo by the name of High Tea. They had raw and original vocals, with their lyrics holding a deep sense of connection and emotion. People stopped by to listen as they passed along on Broadway.

The children’s stage was set up at Ben and Jerry’s, and provided a more family-friendly environment for the festival. Kids were able to sit and play with each other in the front row as their parents held their strollers and ice creams behind them. 

Finally, Kevin McKrell performed at The Parting Glass, where the entire room was filled with viewers taking a break from the hot sun. McKrell’s catchy and upbeat music felt right at home in the Irish tavern.

All in all, the festival was a success and a phenomenal way to spotlight performers via a shared joy of music and dance.