ALBANY — The Albany Symphony unveiled its reimagined 2020-2021 season, which will include world premieres and concertos with brilliant soloists, as well as iconic masterworks. 

Curated by conductor David Alan Miller, the season brings to life an array of new and recent works by a panoply of living composers forging new ways to create art reflecting our time and place, with major masterpieces by Beethoven, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, and others, and dazzling solo performances by artists including Inon Barnatan, Melissa White, Karen Hosmer and Grace Shryock.

 The newly reimagined season will be presented virtually.  As restrictions are lifted, live audiences will be invited back into the concert hall.  All concerts will be performed live, in real time, on Capital Region stages, by Albany Symphony musicians conducted by Music Director, David Alan Miller. 

“When we developed our original 2020/2021 season, we planned a season that celebrated composers whose artistry reflected their triumph over adversity,” Music Director David Alan Miller said, in a statement. ”Our newly reimagined season continues along those lines and is an affirmation of creativity.  We will continue to trace heroic journeys by great composers of the past and by a very diverse group of the most exciting composers of our own time.  I’m particularly thrilled by the many gorgeous new and recent works we’ll be introducing this season.”

The season kicks off Oct. 24, with a program featuring Michael Daugherty’s This Land Sings: Inspired by the Life and Times of Woody Guthrie. 

The 2020-2021 season features a collection of new works, including seven world premieres, by an assortment of extraordinary composers, including Andre Myers, Viet Cuong, Jessie Montgomery, Caroline Shaw, Tyson Davis, Tanner Porter, Michael Torke, George Tsontakis, Carlos Bandera, Nina Shekhar, Clarice Assad, Molly Joyce, Chris Theofanidis, and Alexis Lamb. 

 The season also features iconic works by great composers of the past. Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 will feature soloist Inon Barnatan. The orchestra will perform symphonies by Haydn and Schubert, and Brahms’ Serenade No. 1 in its exquisite, seldom-heard original version.  Debussy’s Afternoon of a Faun and Mahler’s Symphony No.4 will be presented in beautiful chamber orchestra versions.

 The 2020-2021 season runs from October through the American Music Festival in June. An Albany Symphony subscription includes all streamed events and in-person concerts once they can safely resume. Because of social distancing, seating will be available only to subscribers.   Purchasing a subscription will guarantee tickets for in-person concerts. Subscriptions are available by calling the Albany Symphony Box Office at 518-694-3300. For more information about the Albany Symphony and the 2020-2021 Season Reimagined, visitwww.albanysymphony.com.

2020-2021 REIMAGINED SEASON PROGRAMS

Oct. 24: Michael Daugherty, This Land Sings: Inspired by the Life and Times of Woody Guthrie

Nov. 14: Claude Debussy, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun; Andre Myers, New Commission; Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 4 (chamber orchestra version). 

Dec. 12: Ludwig Van Beethoven, Creatures of Prometheus, Overture and Finale; Michael Torke, Ash; Viet Cuong, Extra(ordinarily) Fancy – Double Oboe Concerto; Karen Hosmer, Grace Shryock, oboes; Ludwig Van Beethoven, Symphony No. 1. Additional performances run through June 2021. Go to: www.albanysymphony.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces a series of public events — including pre-date primers, artist talks, and family programs — held conjunction with the election-year exhibition Never Done: 100 Years of Women in Politics and Beyond.

Never Done: 100 Years of Women in Politics and Beyond, co-curated by Rachel Seligman, Tang Museum Malloy Curator, and Minita Sanghvi, Assistant Professor of Management, Marketing, and Business, Skidmore College, is a celebration, conversation, and critique of the journey women have taken and have yet to take in the struggle for equality and representation in the U.S.

The exhibition online features images of 100 artworks by women and non-binary artists along with statements by each artist that reflect on their work in relation to women’s rights, representation, justice, and the legacy of the suffrage movement. These images will be presented alongside new curatorial writing, student reflections, a list of feminist readings and online resources, and more.

All events will take place online via Zoom and are free and open to the public. For information on how to access the events, please visit the Tang website at http://tang.skidmore.edu. For questions, please call the Visitor Services Desk at 518-580-8080 or email tang@skidmore.edu.

Coming up in October: 

Vice Presidential Debate Pre-Debate Primer: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m.: Minita Sanghvi, Assistant Professor of Management, Marketing, and Business, and Lucia Hulsether, Assistant Professor of Religion, both of Skidmore College, will discuss gender and race in politics in a primer ahead of the debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate. Presented by the Tang Teaching Museum and the Political Science Department.

Never Done Artist Talk with Sonya Clark: Friday, Oct. 16, noon: Sonya Clark is a textile and social practice artist known for using hair, combs, beads, and other everyday materials to explore history, race, culture, and class. In conversation with Rachel Seligman and Minita Sanghvi, Never Done exhibition co-curators. 

Never Done Curators’ Tour: Friday, Oct. 30 at noon: Rachel Seligman and Minita Sanghvi lead an online tour.

SCHUYLERVILLE — Saratoga Clay Arts Center’s Schacht Gallery presents CLAYFEST, a national invitational exhibition celebrating the holiday season with a compilation of incredible functional pots and decorative works by twenty-one established clay artists from across the country. 

The exhibition opens on Saturday, Nov. 21 with a VIP Members-only preview from 5-6 p.m. followed by a public opening from 6-8 p.m. and runs through Jan. 16, 2021. Details for the exhibition can be found online at www.saratogaclayarts.org. 

The exhibition is a diverse exhibition of functional and decorative pottery – cups, mugs, bowls, teapots, pitchers, vases – as well as some fabulous ceramic jewelry and holiday ornaments. Participating artists include Jen Allen, Nolan Baumgartner, Hayne Bayless, Ted Camp, Adam Chau, Bethany Cohen, Dawn Dishaw, Alexandra Fitzgerald, Kenyon Hansen, Steven Hill, Bryan  Hopkins, Cheyenne Mallo, Jessica Palmer, Doug Peltzman, Darren Prodger, Don Reynolds, Zoey Scheler, Melanie Sherman, Wayne Smith, Mike Stumbras and Jon Townley.

Founded in 2011 by clay artist and educator Jill Kovachick, Saratoga Clay Arts Center is a ceramic art center located at 167 Hayes Road, Schuylerville. 

Visit www.saratogaclayarts.org  call 518-581-2529 or email info@saratogaclayarts.org for more information.

In celebration of her just-released, career-spanning album, “An Evening of New York Songs and Stories,” Suzanne Vega will play two globally livestreamed concerts from New York City’s iconic Blue Note Jazz Club in Greenwich Village. 

The first will go live on Oct. 7 at 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time for North American fans and the second will go live on Oct.  at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, to accommodate U.K. and European audiences. 

In a gesture of support for the independent live music industry, currently facing the existential threat of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Vega has partnered on the shows with more than 80 independent venues and promoters in the United States and additional promoters and major festivals in Europe

The full-band set will feature the album’s New York-centric repertoire, honoring Vega’s long musical relationship with her hometown. She will be joined on the Blue Note stage by longtime guitarist Gerry Leonard, bassist Jeff Allen and keyboardist Jason Hart. For tickets and more information, go to: bochcenter.org.

GLENS FALLS — The Glens Falls Collaborative announced a Halloween House Contest will be held during the month of October. 

City residents are asked to decorate their homes for the Halloween season. Friends and neighbors will vote for their favorite display at:  glensfallscollaborative.com.     

The competition is limited to houses in Glens Falls. The Collaborative asks that the displays be “PG-13” and suitable for most audiences. Judging will only include the portion of a yard or house that is visible from the driveway or street. 

The display and voting period runs through Oct. 30. The winner will be announced on a Facebook Live stream on the Downtown Glens Falls Page at 10 a.m. on Halloween morning. The event is a follow-up to the success of last year’s holiday window display competition in December. 

Visit glensfallscollaborative.com to register for the contest and to vote.    

ZOMBIE EXTRAS WANTED
All ages needed. Zombie Extras $30 production fee includes: Makeup and Costume Class (zoom). October 1 at 5-6 p.m. Movement class (zoom) October 2 at 5-6 p.m. filming in person, October 3 and Professional Zombie photo taken on location. The show will be pre-recorded and streamed. No live audience performance. The streaming link available to purchase for $10. Register at saratogachildrenstheatre.org/shop/#!/Zombie-Extra-Night-of-the-Living-Dead/p/233503032/category=0

HOLLOWED HARVEST
The Hollowed Harvest will be held at the Altamont Fairgrounds, located at 129A Grand St., Altamont. It features 7,000 incredible Jack O’Lanterns creating stunning landscapes and larger-than-life displays, some towering as tall as 3 stories, and spanning more than 60 feet in length! From dinosaurs to zombies, sea creatures to medieval castles, all made from Jack-O’-Lanterns. Thursday through Sunday of each week through the beginning of November with additional dates added the week of Halloween. Show dates, times and ticket information are available HollowedHarvest.com.

PUMPKIN GLOW & LIGHT SHOW DRIVE THRU
An enchanting Halloween experience at Ellms Family Farm, located at 448 Charlton Rd., Ballston Spa that features a pumpkin wonderland with thousands of hand carved illuminated Jack O’Lanterns. Please join us on the farm to be immersed in the magic from the safety and comfort of your own vehicle. From single pumpkin carvings to larger than life dazzling light displays, our master carvers are bringing all the Halloween spirit to life. In addition to marveling at the masterpieces created by our talented artists, you will also be able to select and pre-pay for tasty fall themed treats, food & beverages to be enjoyed from your vehicle. Providing everyone with fall fun while maintaining social distance protocols and CDC guidelines. Pumpkin Glow & Light Show Drive-Thru is a great event for families, couples, and young adults alike. There is something for everyone to enjoy at this truly magnificent fall spectacular – perfect for all ages! To purchase tickets, visit.ellmsfarms.com. 

ZOMBIE ZIPS
Mountain Ridge Adventure, 300 Weatherwax Rd., Schenectady This tour is not for the faint of heart. Your nightmare begins with a corpse-guided tour along a serial killer infested forest to then be hauled into the trees among complete, utter horror. Once in the trees you will be launched in complete darkness … alone, afraid, and vulnerable … along a screaming steel cable hundreds of feet along Mountain Ridge Adventure’s awesome Zip Line Park. The terror occurs every Friday and Saturday night in the month of October from 7 – 10 p.m. WARNING: This is not for kids or the faint of heart. If you have been to those silly Disney-esque kiddy haunted hayrides and found them even remotely scary then we caution you – Mountain Ridge Adventure’s ZOMBIE ZIPS will stop your heart. For more information visit our Facebook page. 

NIGHTMARES AT LIBERTY RIDGE FARM
At Nightmares at Liberty Ridge Farm, you will find a variety of haunted attractions, all full of the scariest monsters and creepiest creatures you can dream up. Each attraction is scarier than the one before, and they’re sure to leave everyone who enters trembling with fear. Featuring: Farmers’ Haunted House, Field of Screams, Underground Tunnel, 3D McCobb Manor, and the Forest of Fear. Nightmares is open 7 -10 p.m. on October 3, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, and 30. Get your tickets at the gate. Liberty Ridge Farm is located at 29 Bevis Rd., Schaghticoke. 

FIELD OF HORRORS
Field of Horrors, located at 100 Farrell Rd., Troy, offers several different attractions for the price of one! Check out Return of the Mummy’s Curse, Death Trap, Insanity, Condemed Manor and Dr. Morbid’s Haunted House. Every Friday and Saturday through October 31 and two Sundays, October 11 and 25. Not recommended for children under 10. Strobe lights are in use throughout the premises. All fog machine liquid is water based. This is not a handicap accessible facility. General admission is $28. For times, and more information and frequently asked questions  visit fieldofhorrors.com.

DEAD END ROAD DRIVE-THRU EXPERIENCE
Double M’s Dead-End Road is a contactless haunted theatrical experience. Remaining in your vehicle in our controlled environment allows for social distancing while still enjoying the laughs, thrills and chills of the Halloween season and snacking on cider and donuts! Open Thursday through Sunday nights in October at 7 p.m. Tickets must be purchased online in advance; we will not be selling tickets at the gate. Limited space available each night. We will be taking all necessary precautions to keep our customers and staff safe. We will be following specific guidelines set forth by New York State. Double M is located at 678 Route 67 in Ballston Spa. 

GHOST TOURS OF CANFIELD CASINO
The Canfield Casino is one of Saratoga Springs’ most historic and haunted buildings. The Casino was featured on the SYFY Network’s television show Ghost Hunters in 2010, and in 2019 was named number 4 in the top 10 of America’s Most Terrifying Places on the Travel Channel.  Tours are scheduled for October 15-17, 22-24 and 29-31. Tours last about 1 hour and will be led by actual eyewitnesses to paranormal events that have been recorded in the last few years at the Historic Canfield Casino. Come learn the stories, the legends, and the lore of this great building in a small, intimate group. Tickets are $20. Time slots begin at 6 p.m. and tours run every 20 minutes with the last tour stepping off at 7:40 p.m. each evening. Reservations are required as each tour is limited to 6 people. Reservations can be made online at saratogahistory.org. Face masks and social distancing are required.

VIRTUAL GREAT PUMPKIN CHALLENGE
Due to the limited number of people who can congregate, we decided to sadly have our 20th Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge virtually. This popular community event features 5K and 10K with proceeds benefitting Saratoga Bridges’ essential programs and services. By being virtual, the 5K and 10K you can run or walk at your convenience between October 17-31.  As we will not have an official course this year, choose your own or stay on ours in the Saratoga State Park.  Mile markers will be posted in the Park during our 2-week event.  Otherwise, we recommend www.mapmyride.com to locate an option in your area and encourage you to drive the route first to check on a safe course with good shoulders and sight lines. During your run/walk, please continue to follow social distancing policies and requirements. Once you have finished your race, please report your time.  These need to be submitted by October 31.  Our $25 registration fee garners you a long-sleeve moisture wicking shirt. Register at zippyreg.com/online_reg/?e=1448

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Force into virtual reality due to the ongoing pandemic, MDOCS Stoytellers’ Institute presents an online exhibition featuring the 2020 MDOCS Storytellers’ Institute Fellows and live conversations with artists.

The current theme, titled SHIFT, shows how a small group of documentarians adapted and created despite and because of the global challenges of 2020 in first-ever virtual MDOCS Stoytellers’ Institute. 

The exhibit includes works of more than one dozen artists. Included are a Quarantine Self Portrait photo series by Gioncarlo Valentine, Kadijatou Diallo’s animated untold story of life under Guinean President Sékou Touré’s regime, and 25-minutes of footage comprised of videos taken over a one-year span by Keshawn Truesdale, that includes portions of protests and rallies in Saratoga Springs during recent months.

Founded in 2014, the annual Storytellers’ Institute sponsored by the John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative (MDOCS) is a five-week residency hosted at Skidmore College. The institute brings together a handful of professional documentary practitioners, 8 to 10 Skidmore College students and some faculty/staff members to work on personal projects and engage with the year’s theme.

Instagram live conversations with artists will take place @mdocs.skidmore at 6 p.m. on the following dates: Oct. 1 – Courtney Surmanek and Steven T. Licardi; Oct. 8 – Kadijatou Diallo and Shana Kleiner; Oct. 15 – Shalon Buskirk, Haley Hnatuk, and Drew Swedberg; Oct. 22 – Cooperativa Cultural 19 de enero – Fernanda Espinosa and Raul Ayala. To view the online virtual presentation of SHIFT, go to: mdocs.skidmore.edu/storytellers/shift. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Yaddo President Elaina Richardson virtually welcomes online visitors to Yaddo, featuring a rare look at many of the estate’s storied rooms – Patricia Highsmith’s study at West House – where notable poets Sylvia Plath and William Carlos Williams also created works –  to Katrina Trask’s bedroom in the historic Mansion, famously depicted in a WW II era edition of Life Magazine featuring then-new writer Truman Capote. 

The presentation is part of the Yaddo Virtual Fall Benefit 2020, which takes place Oct. 8. The event also features Yaddo artists and local supporters revealing what Yaddo means to them and will be highlighted by a performance by the musical duo, The Lazours.

For ticket information, go to: Yaddo.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In the face of unprecedented challenges this year, the company’s world premiere of Damian Lanigan’s Testament was presented as an audio performance, available to listeners free of charge. The organization announced it is concluding its fiscal year Sept. 30. 

“We need the arts now more than ever, so please make a tax-deductible gift by Sept. 30 to support Saratoga Shakespeare Company as our fiscal year comes to a close,” the company announced in a statement. “A gift today will help us continue to produce quality online programming while social distancing guidelines are still in place, and ensure that we will be ready to produce live theatre again when it is safe to do so.”

To make a donation or for more information, go to: saratogashakespeare.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces the fall 2020 Tang at Home Studio series. This series will be conducted online to ensure the health and safety of our audiences and our staff. The Museum building is closed to the public for now, but we are open online to bring the Tang experience into your home. 

Tang at Home Studio gives kids the chance to explore their creativity, make new things, and share their artwork with peers online. 

Each session, which occurs every other Friday at 5 p.m. from Sept. 25 to Nov. 20, includes an at-home looking and exploration of an artwork, instructions for project preparation and a real-time online gathering, led by Sunny Ra.

How does it work?

On Monday morning of each week there is a session, and an opening up of registrations on the Tang Teaching Museum website. Then on Friday gather online via Zoom to discuss ideas about the artwork, engage in an art-making activity, and share creations. To ensure a fun sharing environment, registration is required. The live Friday sessions are best suited for kids ages 5-12 and a parent or guardian, but everyone is welcome.

Tang At Home Studio Schedule:
Session 1: September 25 Landscape of Discovery 
Session 2: Oct. 9 Self-Portrait Remix
Session 3: Oct. 23 Get Up and Move!
Session 4: Nov. 6 Art in Action. 
Session 5: Nov. 20 Future Visions.

The Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College is closed to the public, due to the coronavirus, but is open online. For updates, visit tang.skidmore.edu. 

For questions about this program, contact Tang Museum Educator Sunny Ra via email at sra@skidmore.edu.