SARATOGA SPRINGS — You may know Jeff Brisbin in any number of ways. 

He is a one-man Welcome Party at the Spa City’s daytime cafes; He is a night-time traveler on a never-ending tour of regional performance stages, trusty guitar cradled in his arms. Maybe you first came upon him as the songwriter who struck those solemn tones in the wake of the sad passing of local resident Nancy Pitts, capturing in the process a city’s emotions in his touching ballad “Homeless Heart.”

Brisbin – the godson of Sage of Saratoga Frank Sullivan, first began writing songs at the age of 13, tumbling along the frayed edges of understanding tone and transcending meaning as his literary godfather looked over his shoulder. 

“Frank would come over to the house and say, ‘Hey, show me the lyrics.’ It would be something silly thing like, ‘Poor Amy Drew, what happened to you?’ and he would give me constructive criticism: ‘What’s this about? What are you trying to say here?’” recalls Brisbin, who has just released a new album “Blame It On Love,” featuring 10 original songs that track the landscape of communally shared human themes, offering blessings for what is, yearning for what may be, and holding love tight to the chest, at its heart center. 

Musically, the 10-tune journey is accompanied by dips into a ying-yang of harmonies – a solid foundation of guitar-bass-and-drums augmented by tasteful teases via a bevy of instrumentalists; There are pianos and there are mandolins. There are cellos and saxophones. There are organs and accordions and even a tin whistle to accent the varied collection of ballads, up-tempo celebrations, and addictive sing-a-longs. 

One stand-out track, “New Year’s Day,” kicks off with the pulled tension of Oona Grady’s violin – morphing gypsy and Celtic styles, tempered by the percussive paddles of Brian Melick’s multiple drum tracks. 

Grady and Melick are among the nearly two dozen players on “Blame It On Love,” which features some of the region’s most recognizable names: George Fletcher and Joel Brown, Chuck Lamb and Jim Mastrianni, among them.   

“When you pick these people, it’s like casting a movie, and we got the best,” says Brisbin, who credits producer Dave Maswick for his genius in style, and whom he refers to as “My George Martin.”  The album is Brisbin’s third, and his follow-up to “Foreverly,” released in 2017 and also produced by Maswick – whose Ballston Spa studio is where the tracks for “Blame It On Love,” first began coming together, in late summer 2018. 

The album’s title track holds special significance.     

“The first song, the title song ‘Blame It On Love,’ is about Forrest Jenkins.  Forrest and I were dear buddies when he was in town,” Brisbin recalls of Jenkins, who was known as a singer-songwriter and guitar player when he lived in Saratoga Springs. 

“After he moved away, we would talk every 10 days or so. When I released ‘Foreverly’ he called me up on a Thursday morning and said, ‘Hey go look at my Facebook page. I just reviewed ‘Foreverly,’ I love it.’ So, the weekend comes and goes and it’s like Tuesday when I get a call from his mother. She says: ‘Jeff Brisbin. I’ve got to tell you, when Forrest was home this weekend he talked about you so much I thought I knew you personally. He loved you.’ Forrest went home, got his mail from his neighbor, and then collapsed right there. A heart attack.” Jenkins was 50 years old. 

“I immediately went and found a video of Forrest at Caffe Lena,” Brisbin recalled. “In one of the songs, one of the lines was: You gotta blame it on love. I hit the pause, got out my legal pad and my guitar and in 10 minutes I had the song ‘Blame It On Love.’  The song itself is universal, but it’s about Forrest, my love for him, and what happens to us in life.”   

“Blame It On Love” is available as a CD available at Celtic Treasures in Saratoga Springs, and via download at a variety of streaming services, including Spotify, Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes, and Pandora, and others. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Jewish Community Arts presents a Zoom panel discussion of Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6. 

Born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler in Vienna to Jewish parents in 1914, the late screen siren, known as Hedy Lamarr, immigrated to the United States and Hollywood where she appeared in such sexually charged films as White Cargo and Samson and Delilah. However, less known is that she helped to invent a secure, radio-controlled torpedo guidance system (sonar), known as “frequency-hopping,” that would form the basis of WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and cellphone technologies.

In addition to her sex appeal, six marriages, and multiple boyfriends, Lamarr’s gifts included obvious intellect and a quality of self-deprecating goofiness. Although she had no formal training and was primarily self-taught, she worked in her spare time on various hobbies and inventions, which included an improved traffic stoplight and a tablet that would dissolve in water to create a carbonated drink. 

Lamarr was in her 80s and at the end of her life when one of the pioneers of Wi-Fi, upon realizing that Lamarr had never been recognized for her contribution to communications, called her up. “Well, it’s about time,” came her response. 

“Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story” rights a grievous wrong in the life, career, reputation, and memory of a superstar,” said Saratoga Jewish Community Arts Coordinator, Phyllis Wang. “It fascinates both as film history and as a sobering reminder of how little credit a woman like Lamarr received, even at the peak of her popularity.” 

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story is available for rental or viewing on most major video platforms and will be discussed at 7 p.m. Dec. 6. Registration is required at email address: sjca.sjcf@gmail.com for the Zoom link. Follow www.saratogajewishculturalfestival.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Patricia Volk and Benjamin Taylor lead an adventurous conversation on the love of books, the art of memoir—and the secret life of literary titan Philip Roth. 

“Philip Roth Revealed” a virtual cocktail hour takes place Wednesday, Nov. 18 and is part of Yaddo Variations, the artists’ colony national benefit series. 

Benjamin Taylor’s widely acclaimed books include the collected letters of Saul Bellow, an award-winning biography of Marcel Proust, and Here We Are: My Friendship with Philip Roth. 

Patricia Volk is the bestselling author of six volumes of fiction and nonfiction. Naming it a Best Book of the Year, NPR praised Shocked: My Mother, Schiaparelli and Me as “a brilliant and boisterous memoir that breaks new ground.” 

To receive your Zoom invite, register via yaddo.org. Space is limited. Tickets are $25. 

LAKE GEORGE — The Lake George Arts Project’s Courthouse Gallery presents “A Bellyful Of Sawdust,” a solo exhibition of recent work by Steven Rosenzweig. 

The exhibition will be installed in the gallery, and available for the public to view.  In place of an on-site gallery reception, LGAP will host a Live Talk with Steve Rosenzweig at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14. Zoom link to join the discussion:  Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/85774397697, or visit www.lakegeorgearts.org.

Rosenzweig’s materials include metal, wood, canvas, plastic, and paint. Working spontaneously, these materials are cut, bolted, burned, stretched, melted, or poured into works that are developed with no blueprint or specific plan. The pieces evolve as they are being constructed. Rosenzweig’s process relies in improvisation, essential for invention and discovery, as well as deliberation and precision, needed for constructing 3-D works on and off the wall.

The Courthouse Gallery is located at the side entrance of the Old County Courthouse, corner of Canada and Lower Amherst Streets, Lake George.  Hours during exhibitions are Wednesday through Friday 12 – 5 p.m., Saturday 12 – 4 p.m., and all other times by appointment. Note: Regular Gallery hours may change due to the COVID-19 health emergency.  For updates call 518-668-2616, or email laura@lakegeorgarts.org, or visit www.lakegeorgearts.org

LOS ANGELES — For the first time in 20 years, Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) will not be able to tour during the holiday season. 

To keep its rock holiday tradition alive, TSO will bring a performance into fans’ homes with the world premiere of its first-ever livestream event, “Christmas Eve and Other Stories Live In Concert,” on Fri., Dec. 18.

TSO will be performing an all-new staging of its beloved album “Christmas Eve and Other Stories,” offered as a family-friendly $30 all-in ticket. For fans unable to view the livestream’s debut on Fri., Dec. 18, TSO will make the performance available for streaming on demand through midnight on Sun., Dec. 20. 

In addition to purchasing the stream, fans will have the option to purchase gift packages, including T-shirts, ornaments, and masks, plus livestream tickets can be sent digitally to friends and family as presents. For more details and to purchase tickets and packages, visit www.trans-siberian.com.   

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued the following information regarding steps to take when trick or treating.

Make trick-or-treating safer:

• Avoid direct contact withtrick-or-treaters.
• Give out treats outdoors, if possible.
• Set up a station with individuallybagged treats for kids to take.
• Wash hands before handling treats.
• Wear a mask.

These lower risk activities can be safe alternatives: Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them; Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends; Decorating your house, apartment, or living space; Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance; Having a virtual Halloween costume contest; Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with; Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house-to-house. 

Moderate risk activities: Participating in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard); If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing the bags; Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart; Attending a costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than 6 feet apart; Going to an open-air, one-way, walk-through haunted forest where appropriate mask use is enforced, and people can remain more than 6 feet apart; If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus; Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing; Having an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends with people spaced at least 6 feet apart; If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus; Lower your risk by following CDC’s recommendations on hosting gatherings or cook-outs.

Higher risk activities. Avoid these higher risk activities to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19: Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door-to-door; Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots; Attending crowded costume parties held indoors; Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming; Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household; Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors; Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19. 

Note: A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face. Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.

For more information, go to: CDC.gov. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The seats at Caffe Lena have been empty since March 14. But the venue’s stage has been busy nearly every night as bands play shows for three robotic cameras that stream live to audiences around the world. 

The Sarah B. Foulke Charitable Fund, set up to honor Saratoga Springs attorney and café volunteer Sarah Foulke, supports Saratogians and others by investing in causes she believed in. 

Sarah B. Foulke Fund advisor Suzan Nolan explains, “This is a double-your-gift challenge grant to help Caffè Lena survive the shutdown.  Caffè Lena is a landmark venue. We want to help them evolve their online platform and we’re rooting for them to raise the full $50,000 this month so that we can donate $50,000. Unique cultural institutions such as Caffè Lena make our region special and deserve our help. We hope others who love Caffè Lena and Saratoga Springs will join our effort.”

Caffè Lena is seeking donations from individuals, businesses and musicians. The venue is offering underwriting and sponsorship slots for higher level donors who want their philanthropy recognized. 

“If this pandemic has taught us anything,” emphasized Sarah Craig, Executive Director of Caffe Lena, “it’s that every expression of care, whether it’s a $5 tip, or a $500 donation, or a special comment, they all add up to helping live music survive and grow during this time of extreme challenge.”   

To make a donation to help Caffe Lena reach its $50,000 goal by Oct. 31, visit www.caffelena.org and click on the Sarah B. Foulke Donation Challenge link.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Oct. 12, the venue 9 Maple celebrated its 30th anniversary, albeit it in somewhat muted style due to pandemic precautions. Still, the group expressed its exuberance in virtual fashion with a social media post: 

“To our 9 Maple family: Today we celebrate 30 years of being in business! It is beyond words to try to express the heartache of being closed during this very special day. The concern for the safety of our staff and customers alike, as well as the size of our bar, make for a frustrating combination of reasons that keep our doors closed during the pandemic. 9 Maple has been a safe and comfortable spot for many, for 30(!?!!!) years now; we intend to continue to offer that comfortable, safe place, and when we can assure that it is, we will definitely celebrate these 30 years! Missing all of you very much! Happy Anniversary 9 Maple! We hope to see everyone soon as possible!!”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Arts Board of Directors has announced that Louise Kerr will serve as the new Executive Director of Saratoga Arts. 

Founded in 1986 by and for artists and audiences, Saratoga Arts’ mission is to enrich the region by cultivating a vibrant arts community and by ensuring that the arts are accessible to all. In its 30-plus years, Saratoga Arts has brought the arts to over 1,000,000 people through its programs and provided performing and visual artists opportunities to earn over $3,000,000 in art sales and performance fees. Saratoga Arts is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization that relies on the support of our members, friends and community.

Kerr is working currently with the staff on the first exhibit under her new role, which will take place late Fall. “As the new Executive Director of Saratoga Arts, this is a wonderful opportunity for me to return to what I love best – connecting and nurturing artists across all genres, at all points of their careers and working collaboratively on a local and regional level to promote and sustain the meaningful impact a public arts center can have serving the community,” said Kerr, in a statement. 

Born and raised in Scotland, Kerr comes to Saratoga Arts from The Olana Partnership, The Historic New York State Park and Home of Frederic Church, the famed Hudson River School painter, where she served as the Director of Engagement and Visitor Operations. Prior, she was the Operations Manager for The Betty Cuningham Gallery in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. She brings more than 20 years of diverse business management experience, both in New York and California, to her new post. 

Saratoga Arts is located at 320 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. For more information go to: www.saratoga-arts.org.

LOS ANGELES — The new series of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp will kick off with exclusive events with Alice Cooper – to benefit his charity Solid Rock, and Rock the Socks – at 8 p.m. on Halloween Oct. 31. Roger Daltrey, of The Who (Nov. 14), Joe Elliot of Def Leppard (Nov. 28), and Styx (Dec. 12) will follow.  The sessions, conducted over Zoom, connect with fans with the musicians in a meaningful way, raising funds for a variety of organizations. 

The RRFC – a longtime rock ‘n’ roll institution where students learn from real-life rock stars – presents the new ‘Front Row Live’ series in partnership with Southern California’s Rock Station, 95.5 KLOS-FM. In addition to the interactive tickets where fans can directly speak to the stars, the event may be viewed by fans to watch and submit online questions for $25 dollars. 

With no live music due to COVID-19, RRFC launched an interactive, online Masterclass Series in June, allowing musicians and music enthusiasts alike to learn from and speak with artists from the comfort of their own homes. Unlike typical meet and greets, attendees are able to hang for 60-90 minutes with their favorite stars, hearing intimate stories and asking at least one question directly to the artist. Since its launch, there have been over 100 classes. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster or at: www.rockcamp.com.