SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Monday night, Caffè Lena was aglow with the soft, inviting lights of center stage that helped set the scene for a night full of local talent.

There was a low hum of conversation amongst the dozens of audience members as artists tuned their instruments. The wooden tables that inhabited the cafe were peppered with refreshments and snacks as provided by Caffè Lena.

The music was a mix of acoustic and folk, with each song different from the last. Many artists chose to play original tunes, while others opted for classic covers that had the audience singing and nodding along. Artists of all ages took the stage, and the crowd was not shy to show their support after each performance.

Among the highlights were the Dust Bowl Faeries, who traveled from the Catskills to showcase some of their unique and upbeat original tunes. (The Dust Bowl Faeries will return to Caffè Lena for a show on March 6.) 

Each musician managed to pull the audience into their music, but younger artists such as Cole Davidson and Henry Phalen were particularly successful in this task. Both performed original works that can be found on Spotify and other streaming platforms. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Wednesday, May 6, the Spa City will host an up-close performance by rock guitarist Paul Gilbert, the multi-platinum founding member of the bands Mr. Big and Racer X. He’ll bring his 2026 WROC World Tour to the intimate stage of Parting Glass live.

Gilbert’s resume includes being featured on the #1 Billboard Hot 100 track “To Be With You,” working on the RIAA-certified Platinum album “Lean Into It,” and being ranked by Guitar World and GuitarOne as one of the top 5 “fastest and greatest shredders of all time.”

Gilbert will be joined by fellow guitarist Greg Koch. 

Tickets are available at fasttonyproductions.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Three-time Grammy winner Jelly Roll will perform at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on June 18, Live Nation announced Monday. 

Kashus Culpepper will open.

The announcement comes amid a successful year for Jelly Roll, who will also tour stadiums nationwide with fellow superstar Post Malone.

Jelly Roll’s sound is a unique blend of country and hip hop, with the Nashville native taking inspiration from acts as diverse as Three 6 Mafia and Johnny Cash.

General on sale begins Friday, Feb. 27 at 11 a.m. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Tang Museum was full of life on Valentine’s Day as the community came together to appreciate the work of Kathy Butterly.

The Tang Museum at Skidmore College recently debuted the exhibit “Kathy Butterly: Assume Yes,” which displays 50 of Butterly’s works. Opening night included a brief discussion between Butterly and Tang Museum Director Ian Berry. They covered a vast array of topics, ranging from Butterly’s intent and emotions when creating her art, to the inspiration she takes from the world around her. 

The brightly-colored artwork made its new home atop massive white platforms that added volume to the exhibit and brought Butterly’s talent to eye level. When asked about her goal in displaying her work in such a way, Butterly responded, “My world is right here, a few inches in front of my eyes. Most of my life is this very world. I want you to see the world that I’m in from my vantage point.”

Butterly’s work is a unique blend of emotion, life, and style that draws the viewer into her mind and heart. Butterly has used events like 9/11 and the election of Barack Obama as inspiration. These moments define the style and shape of her pieces and serve as a reflection of her emotions.

“When I’m making work, I don’t have this in my head,” Butterly said. “I’m just kind of filtering how I’m feeling and what’s going on in the world.”

“Kathy Butterly: Assume Yes” is on view at the Tang until July 26.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) recently announced that its 2026 New York City Ballet (NYCB) residency will run from July 8 to 11. 

The residency will feature the full-length story ballet “A Midsummer’s Night Dream,” which was the first performance presented on the SPAC stage at the venue’s grand opening in 1966; George Balanchine’s “Serenade”; Jerome Robbins’ “Opus 19/The Dreamer,” set to Prokofiev’s feverish concerto; and a new work by NYCB Principal Dancer Tiler Peck, which will have its world premiere as part of NYCB’s 2026 Spring Gala. 

The New York City Ballet will bring its roster of more than 90 dancers under the direction of Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan, accompanied by the New York City Ballet Orchestra, led by Music Director Andrew Litton.

“As SPAC celebrates its 60th anniversary season, our historic partnership with New York City Ballet feels more meaningful than ever,” said Elizabeth Sobol, CEO of SPAC. “The return of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’—the very first performance presented on the SPAC stage in 1966—brings us beautifully full circle, honoring the legacy that has shaped this venue for six decades.”

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is Balanchine’s full-length adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most cherished comedies. Inspired by the music of Mendelssohn, Balanchine captures the play’s infinite colors: the bumbling comedy of the Rude Mechanicals, the feisty feuding between Titania and Oberon, the romantic confusion of the young lovers chasing each other through the Athenian forest, and of course the mischief-making Puck. Featuring a large cast of children from the Capital Region, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” was the first wholly original full-length ballet Balanchine created in America and is one of the most popular ballets in NYCB’s repertoire.

“We love returning to our summer home every year, and for this 60th anniversary season, the performances feel especially significant,” said New York City Ballet Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan. “‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is one of our most treasured ballets, and with its deep connection to SPAC, we are happy to be able to bring it to Saratoga audiences for this milestone year. Performing the ballet in Saratoga, surrounded by the beautiful park and in the open air, is always a special treat for the entire Company, and we are thrilled, once again, to have dozens of young students from the local area join us onstage for these special performances.”

Highlighting the season are two performances dedicated to works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and NYCB Principal Dancer Tiler Peck. The program opens with “Serenade,” the first original ballet George Balanchine created in America, and one of New York City Ballet’s signature works. Returning to SPAC for the first time since 2008 is Jerome Robbins’ “Opus 19/ The Dreamer.” Originally choreographed in 1979 for Mikhail Baryshnikov and Patricia McBride, the ballet for 14 dancers is set to Prokofiev’s “Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major,” which has become one of the most beloved works for violin in the classical repertoire.

Closing the program is the SPAC premiere of a new work by NYCB Principal Dancer Tiler Peck, her second commission for New York City Ballet, which will have its world premiere at the Company’s Spring Gala in May 2026. The work will be set to Édouard Lalo’s score “Symphonie Espagnole in D Minor,” with costumes designed by Robert Perdziola, and lighting designed by Brandon Stirling Baker. 

Widely recognized as one of the most versatile artists of her generation, Peck made her choreographic debut at the Vail Dance Festival in 2018 and choreographed her first piece for NYCB Concerto for “Two Pianos” during the 2024 Winter Season. She choreographed for the feature film “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” and has choreographed and appeared in the TV series “Tiny Pretty Things” and “Ray Donovan.” She also curated the program BalletNOW for the Los Angeles Music Center, which is captured in the feature documentary film “Ballet Now,” and is the subject of PBS’s Great Performances documentary, “Suspending Time.” 

In an effort to increase access to these performances, SPAC will again offer special promotional ticket programs exclusive to the New York City Ballet residency. As part of this initiative, SPAC will continue its “$40 under 40” ticket offer, inviting individuals up to 40 years old to enjoy $40 tickets inside the amphitheater. To make access to world-class performance more affordable for families, SPAC will continue two special promotions including a $99 Family Four Pack, which includes four amphitheater seats, and an expansion of its “Kids in Free” program. The program, which currently allows children 12 and under free access on the lawn with an accompanying adult and 50% off amphitheater tickets, will extend to kids ages 16 and under for New York City Ballet performances. Visit the Ways to Save page on spac.org for all offers, discounts and exclusions.

Tickets will be available on Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. for the general public. Visit spac.org for details.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The “Smooth” Santana and the “Takin’ it to the Streets” Doobie Brothers will join forces for a Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) show on July 1. Tickets go on sale to the public on Feb. 20 at 10 a.m.

The Doobies are frequent visitors to the Spa City, having played at SPAC 20 times, according to Setlist.fm. This places them within the top-five most frequent SPAC performers (Dave Matthews Band, Chicago, Phish, and the Allman Brothers Band round out the rest). The Doobies also played at SPAC last summer alongside their opener, Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. The group is known for its yacht rock vibes and classic tunes “What a Fool Believes,” “Listen to the Music,” “Jesus is Just Alright,” and “China Grove,” among others. 

Santana is no SPAC slacker either, having played here 14 times, most recently in 2019. Since then, the group has released two new studio albums: “Sentient” in 2025 and “Blessings and Miracles” in 2021. Santana’s signature Latin rock, jazz, and psychedelic-infused sound first reached national consciousness after a legendary performance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. The band expanded its fame into the late 90s and early 2000s thanks to the album “Supernatural,” a massive commercial success that included the hits “Smooth” and “Maria Maria.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Schaefer, author of the recently-released horror novel “Trad Wife,” will host the writing workshop “How to Kill Your Darlings (And Then Resurrect Them)” at Botanica Books on March 8.

Attendees can learn how to look at their writing with an objective, critical eye so that they can determine what prose, characters, and subplots are working (and which aren’t).

The workshop will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Registration is required. To save a spot, visit www.botanicabooks.com/workshops-events.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Comedian John Mulaney will perform at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SAPC) on July 31 as part of his stand-up tour, “John Mulaney: Mister Whatever.”

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, Feb. 20 at 10 a.m.

Mulaney is a four-time Emmy Award, Critics Choice Award, and WGA award-winning writer, comedian, and actor. Most recently, Mulaney can be seen as the host, writer, and executive producer of his Netflix talk show “Everybody’s Live.” He can next be seen in the feature film “Madden,” an upcoming biographical sports drama about John Madden directed by David O. Russell.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Sunday, March 15 at 10 a.m., New York City Ballet Children’s Repertory Director Dena Abergel will audition local children to dance with New York City Ballet during its Saratoga season, which runs from July 8 to 11. 

Auditions are for 24 children roles in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” George Balanchine’s full-length adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most cherished comedies.

Casting includes roles for twenty-four girls who are 9 to 13 years old and no more than five feet inches tall at the time of the audition. At least three years of ballet training is encouraged for all of the roles. Understudies will also be cast.

Advance registration is required by Thursday, March 12 and applicants must audition in person to be considered.

Auditions on March 15 will commence at 10 a.m. (check-in no earlier than 9 a.m.) at the SPAC School of the Arts (located behind the National Museum of Dance School) at 99 South Broadway. Visit spac.org for more details. 

The New York City Ballet will perform its full-length production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at SPAC on July 8, 9, and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and on July 11 at 2:00 p.m.