SARATOGA SPRINGS — This winter, Nacre offers an innovative educational experience for dance students and adults 14 years of age and older. Nacre’s Choreography Lab will be held virtually starting Jan. 3.

The workshop consists of six sessions focused on providing the fundamental tools used to create movement. Students will receive individual instruction from professional choreographers as well as collaborate with other dance students.  The workshop is perfect for dance students looking to prepare a choreography piece for college, build a portfolio, or prepare extracurricular programming submissions. 

“Students have become accustomed to learning virtually. We have designed a program that will allow them to express themselves creatively while continuing to learn the fundamentals of choreography,” said Beth Fecteau, Artistic Director of Nacre Dance Group, in
a statement.” 

The virtual lab will use Zoom to provide large group, small group, and one-on-one instruction. 

Registration for the Virtual Choreography Lab is open, and sessions begin Jan. 3 and run through Feb. 7, on Sundays, once a week. For more information and to register, visit nacredance.org or email info@nacredance.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Bow-Tie Cinemas on Dec. 18 reopened its Criterion Cinemas 11 & BTX on Railroad Place. In conjunction with its reopening, the theater has announced the following safety measures: 

• Remain home if you are sick: We will ask that if you have experienced any symptoms of illness of any kind in the 14 days prior to your visit, that you please refrain from entering the theater. If you have purchased tickets or concession items in advance but don’t feel that you should enter the theater for this or any other reason, we will gladly issue a full no questions asked refund through our touchless process. Just email your refund request to safecinema@bowtiecinemas.com and we will process it electronically.

• Wear proper protective equipment: Bow Tie Cinemas employees will be wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing.

• Face masks: Face coverings will be mandatory for all guests in all parts of the theater unless eating and drinking in your auditorium seat.

• Box Office: Plexiglass partitions will be in use at all box office, concession and bar stations.

• Touchless Cash Exchange: We have enhanced our touchless ordering capabilities on the Bow Tie Cinemas Mobile App: Purchase tickets and order your favorite concessions with the touch of a button at no additional cost. Cash and credit/debit cards will still be accepted at our registers, but we encourage the use of our mobile app or lobby kiosks for a contact-free experience.

• Reserved Seating: All seating will now be 100% reserved and advanced ticketing fees will be temporarily waived through our site and on the Bow Tie Cinemas Mobile App.

• Limited Capacity: 50%+ of the seats in each auditorium will be left unsold to allow for ample social distancing and seats will be sold in an alternating pattern so that each patron will have an empty seat on either side.

• Safe social distancing: Social distancing markers and directional signage will remind you to maintain an appropriate distance from others, and restroom capacities will be limited.

• Disinfect high-touch surfaces: Frequent touch points will be cleaned and sanitized by a dedicated staff member throughout the day.

• Increased cleanings: Show times will be spaced farther apart to facilitate enhanced cleaning of auditoriums between shows.

• Professional sanitization: Our regular nightly professional theater cleaning will be enhanced with additional sanitizing measures and attention to frequent touch points.

GLENS FALLS — The new feature documentary, My Native Air: Charles Evans Hughes and the Adirondacks, is premiering on-demand in a limited run from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15.

The 43-minute documentary tells the story of the life and career of Glens Falls native Charles Evans Hughes, his role in Adirondack forest land conservation and preservation of the springs at Saratoga Springs, and his connections with cultural attractions in the district such as The Hyde Collection art museum and Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls, Fort Ticonderoga, Silver Bay Association in Hague, scenic Lake George, and Lady Tree Lodge at Upper Saranac Lake.

Co-produced by MDT Publishing and Snarky Aardvark Films, the film’s premiere is a major fundraiser to benefit the Arts District of Glens Falls and the Charles R. Wood Theater. Advance tickets are on sale at woodtheater.org for $15. 

The film, two years in the making, is the creative effort of filmmaker Caitlin Stedman, sound engineer Tom Appler, and history writer, author, and former longtime Post-Star reporter Maury Thompson.

“We are not taking any revenue from the virtual screenings in order to assist the art community during this difficult economic time,” says Maury Thompson. “The Wood Theater will use funds to continue and expand initiatives launched with recent state funding through the Glens Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative.”

Singer-songwriter Ray Agnew, who composed and recorded original theme music for the documentary, will be releasing a soundtrack album which will also benefit the Charles R. Wood Theater.

The Charles R. Wood Theater’s mission is to promote cultural and artistic endeavors, thereby fostering the economic development and improving the quality of life within the greater Glens Falls, New York, area. The 300-seat theater is located at 207 Glen Street in Glens Falls. For more information, visit woodtheater.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — “Just over seven months ago, SPAC took the unprecedented measure of cancelling its whole Summer season in the face of the worsening coronavirus pandemic. Taking that step felt literally like walking off a cliff,” SPAC President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol explained, as the Board of Directors for the Saratoga Performing Arts Center gathered virtually Dec. 10 for its winter board meeting.

Like many cultural institutions around the world, 2020 at SPAC was remarkably different than initially planned.

As a result of the cancellation of SPAC’s classical season, the organization’s earned income dropped by $6 million, or 60% of its budget.  SPAC had projected a potential shortfall of over $1 Million, “a breathtaking gap that brought our very survival into question,” said Sobol.

At the meeting, Sobol extended gratitude for the extraordinary generosity of the community, with which  the potential deficit was eliminated leaving SPAC ending the year in the black. 

The 2020 recalibration led to over 50 hours of online programming including: Freihofer’s Jazz Fest Stay Home Sessions in partnership with Caffè Lena; the SPAC Reimagined series of locally-shot dance videos that paid tribute to the 2020 classical season; the world premiere of Testament – a radio play about Beethoven written by Damian Lanigan and co-produced with Saratoga Shakespeare Company, as well as exclusive performances by Joshua Bell and Time for Three filmed in Saratoga and at SPAC, and a GPS-enabled work of public art in the Saratoga Spa State Park that used music to illuminate the natural environment created by Ellen Reid. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the venue was unable to celebrate the completion and opening of its transformational new construction project, The Pines @ SPAC. Nonetheless, The Pines and its various indoor/outdoor spaces allowed SPAC to open its gates for over 200 events.  Over 8,000 attendees came through the doors from July to December, just 50 people at a time, abiding by strict COVID-19 protocols. 

Fall of 2020 brought the launch of CulinaryArts@SPAC showcasing innovative chefs and restaurants in the region with safe, intimate dining events, and throughout the summer and fall, audiences attended wellness, art, dance and drumming classes; screenings of classic films, chamber music, orchestral music and dance; meetings and gatherings that could not have happened safely in their usual indoor locations.  All proceeds from the culinary, wellness, dance, drumming and art classes went back to chefs, farmers, teachers and practitioners.

Given the uncertainties of what 2021 may bring with regard to the pandemic, SPAC is currently planning a number of potential scenarios to present a season that will be ready to meet whatever the prevailing conditions are this Spring and Summer.

“What we know is this,” said Sobol, “one way or another, there will be a SPAC season – and one way or the other, we are committed to ensuring a Saratoga presence by our beloved resident companies.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — This was the original plan: Santa and the elves, up on the big stage, in a theater filled with people. Then came the pandemic – What to do, What to do? 

Santa’s head elf had an idea. It would take the convincing of the whole North Pole, but what if this year’s merriment would continue holiday tradition by adopting the modern tools of technology? All seems virtually fine with going virtual – until a conflict over the annual naughty and nice list threatens to eradicate the entire gift-sharing season. Can Santa save Christmas?   

The story is told in a brand new 40-minute production called “The Nice List,” offered free during the month of December on YouTube, for family holiday enjoyment.

“After the pandemic happened, the story evolved to be about Santa and the elves having to work by Zoom or video conferences,” says Elliott Masie, who along with wife Cathy operate Masie Productions – a boutique company that creates or co-produce shows that combines theater, engagement, technology and learning. They have been involved in 29 shows that have been on Broadway. The Saratoga Springs couple are producers of the new family video musical. 

“Alan Muraoka, who has played Alan on Sesame Street for I think 20 years, is the director. He came to Cathy and me, along with our friend Telly Leung, who has been Aladdin on Broadway, and said: Hey, we’ve got this great show and maybe we can film it on green screen for people at home,” Masie says. “After that, one thing led to another.  We found seven wonderful actors – filming themselves locally on their PC’s or their phone. The actors and musicians all worked virtually, and it was all put together. Two of our actors found the audio quality of their apartments were horrible, but their closets were excellent!” 

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Muraoka directed the production which was written by Phoebe Kreutz.  Gary Adler – who served as the music director/arranger for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular – was in charge of the music, and Michael Mindlin the choreography. 

“Everybody just had a blast. We have James (James Monroe Iglehart AKA Santa) – who’s the Tony Award winning Genie in ‘Aladdin,’ Telly Leung and some of the people from (the Tony Award-winning musical) Avenue Q, and Sesame Street in there. Cathy and I are just delighted, it’s one of the most fun things we’ve done as producers,” Masie says. 

“You know every day I probably get 12 invitations to see something where you pay online.  I said: Let’s not do that, let’s just give it away. It was something we did in eight weeks with about $65,000. We were able to pay actors and it’s out there for people around the world to watching it for free,” Masie says. 

“The point that’s interesting to me is watching the elves and Santa learn how to work virtually. Right now people are navigating the world and working remotely, so in some ways it’s a story about this moment – video conferencing and the like,” Masie says. “We think this is the right story to do right now. And the world needs a little uplift. Our only objective is that a lot of people see it.” 

To watch “The Nice List: an original holiday family musical,” and learn more about the cast, crew and people involved, go to: www.nicelistmusical.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — With just a click from the comfort and safety of your home you can view and purchase the work of talented local artists and support the Saratoga Springs art community.   

This holiday season, the Saratoga Springs Art District (SSADI) presents the Beekman Street Arts District Online Holiday Marketplace. The 8th Annual Beekman Street Art Fair, a yearly event celebrating the local arts community and showcasing the art of regional artists, was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Pivoting in these challenging times, the Online Holiday Marketplace provides the opportunity to browse and buy a variety of fine art and crafts created by the artists of Beekman Street and beyond.

The new website features work of a group of unique and accomplished artists, and includes: jewelry, painting, wearables, ceramics, pottery, and home decor. Local pick up is offered along with direct shipping. The Marketplace is accessible through the Beekman Street Art District website at SaratogaArtDistrict.com

ALBANY — The Albany Symphony and WNYT NewsChannel 13 present The Magic of Christmas 2020, featuring holiday music performed by The Albany Symphony Brass Choir and Symphony Percussionists, Capital Region youth and performing arts groups, and special guests. 

The television special will air 7-8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19 on WNYT, Channel 13, and 4-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20 on WNYA, My4. The show will be hosted by Albany Symphony Music Director David Alan Miller and NewsChannel 13 Anchor Benita Zahn. 

Featured performers include: Albany Symphony Brass Choir and Percussionists  – performing at the Palace Theatre, The Music Studio, Empire State Youth Orchestra Jazz and Percussion Ensembles, The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, Northeast Ballet Company, and students from the City School District of Albany. 

“During these challenging times, the members of the Albany Symphony and I are so delighted to partner with our friends at WNYT and Benita Zahn to bring the magic of the holidays to our entire Capital region community,” Miller said, in a prepared statement. “We are thrilled to feature so many talented young people from throughout our region and the wonderful organizations that nurture them year-round. We hope the whole community will join us in celebrating the beauty of the season.” 

The television show was inspired by the Symphony’s popular live Magic of Christmas performances held annually at the Palace Theatre. Due to COVID-19, The Magic of Christmas has been reimagined this year as a virtual celebration featuring holiday favorites, including “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Sleigh Bells,” a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and selections from “The Nutcracker.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Congregation Shaara Tfille and The Jewish Community Center of Saratoga Springs will live stream the documentary “Aulcie” by Israeli twice academy-award winning filmmaker Dani Menkin from Dec. 20 – 22.  Aulcie Perry, an African American basketball player from the Newark ghetto, does not make it to the NBA, but he comes to international glory in the holy land by changing the country and himself forever.

In 1976, Aulcie Perry was playing basketball in Harlem when scouts from Maccabi Tel Aviv spotted and signed him. Aulcie moved to Israel, led the team to their first European Championship with an upset win and had what one Sports Illustrated writer described as “the most extraordinary season in its remarkable history.” A year later, he converted to Judaism, changed his name to Elisha Ben Abraham and became an Israeli citizen. Aulcie began dating Israeli supermodel Tami Ben Ami, further establishing him as Israel’s biggest star and the country’s power couple.  His rise to fame was precipitous, and his relationship with supermodel Tami Ben Ami became the subject of relentless media attention, solidifying his status as one of Israel’s biggest stars. 

Yet, behind the scenes, he had a growing drug addiction which culminated in his arrest and imprisonment for narcotics smuggling.  His charmed life came to a dramatic halt. While imprisoned, Aulcie was not only forced to confront his own demons but suffered the loss of long-time girlfriend Tami to cancer.

Open to the entire community, email likebertrand518@gmail.com to obtain the live streaming link. 

SARATOGA SPORINGS — Billed as “the ultimate social distancing concert – in motion,” local musician Garland Nelson and the Soul Session band will perform live music atop of a slow-moving flatbed truck Saturday. The event takes place noon to 1 p.m., and again 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, down Broadway,  onto Lake Ave., then onto Circular, and back again. 

ALBANY — Todd Rundgren – recording artist, producer, songwriter and tech pioneer, has announced his 2021 Clearly Human virtual tour, featuring 25 performances, each of which, organizers say, will be “geo-fenced and tailored” to a different US city. 

The 25 performance “tour” kicks off Feb. 14 with a Buffalo, N.Y. show, and continues Feb. 16 with a show tailored for Albany, eventually concluding March 22 with a Seattle date.    

Each performance will emanate from a Chicago venue and each of the shows will be “localized” to give both the band and the fans a sense of place. That is, local landmarks will appear on the video wall, catering for the band and crew will feature dishes associated with each city, etc. 

Single-ticket purchases in the U.S. will be limited to fans with zip codes corresponding to that show’s greater metropolitan area. 

Each show will feature Rundgren and an expanded 10-piece band performing songs from his 50-year-plus catalog, as well as his entire 1989 album ‘Nearly Human’, which will also be re-releasied on CD and colored vinyl. 

Remote meet-and-greets with Rundgren will be available at every show, as will options to select viewing from multiple camera angles and to be featured on several rows of video screens that will serve as the real-time “virtual audience” for the evening. 

The band for the Clearly Human Tour: Kasim Sulton (Bass), Prairie Prince (Drums), Eliot Lewis (Keys), Gil Assayas (Synth), Bruce McDaniel (Guitar), Bobby Strickland (Sax), Steven Stanley (Trombone), plus the erstwhile “Global Girls”: Michele Rundgren, Grace Yoo, and Ashle Worrick (Background Vocals).

Single tickets are priced at $35, with an array of premium add-ons and multi-date bundles available. The virtual box office is now open: ToddRundgren.NoCapShows.com