SARATOGA SPRINGS — David Amram has played the French horn in the legendary jazz bands of Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie and Lionel Hampton. He created and performed in the first ever Jazz/Poetry readings in late 1950s New York with his friend Jack Kerouac, and worked with Allen Ginsberg in the film “Pull My Daisy.” He has composed the scores for “Splendor In The Grass,” “The Manchurian Candidate” – the original film – and served as the Composer and Music Director for the Lincoln Center Theatre.  When he was named the first Composer In Residence for the New York Philharmonic, it was Leonard Bernstein who made the appointment. 

On March 8, Amram will be featured in a panel discussion about the Beat Generation, as well as a concert during which he will read selections of “Beat” poetry and present historic photography of the legendary faces and places of the mid-20th century movement which changed the face of America. 

Locals may recall Amram’s recent appearance at SPAC with Willie Nelson at Farm Aid, or his emotionally stirring performance at the Lake George Jazz Festival in September 2001, when in the immediate days following 9/11, Amram brought together the T.S. Monk Sextet and Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra for a musical collaboration in Shepard Park that marked, for many, the first public event they attended in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. 

The collaborations of his storied career have included the likes of Arthur Miller and Johnny Depp, Hunter S. Thompson and Bob Dylan. 

The events take place Sunday, March 8 at Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College, and are as follows: 

Sunday, March 8 • 3 p.m. A pre-concert panel discussion on the “Beat” generation with David Amram and Joan K. Anderson, choreographer and co-director of the School of the Arts at the National Museum of Dance, moderated by Charles Peltz. Admission to the panel discussion event is included with concert tickets. 

Sunday, March 8 • 4 p.m.  The Glens Falls Symphony’s 2020 Alfred Z. Solomon Colloquium Concert “Dance! Beats!”

The concert features tango music of legendary Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla; David Diamond’s Rounds for Orchestra; Bela Bartok’s vibrant Rumanian Dances with a special performance by ballet dancers from the School of the Arts at the National Museum of Dance, choreographed by Joan K. Anderson, co-director of the School of the Arts. 

Plus: Greenwich Village Portraits by David Amram – composer of the “Beat” generation – performed by world-renowned saxophonist Ken Radnofsky. 

Amram will read selections of “Beat” poetry and present historic photography of the legendary faces and places of the “Beat” generation.

Tickets: $30 Adults | $10 Students. Available online at www.theglensfallssymphony.org, call the Symphony office at 518-793-1348 or stop by the office upstairs in the LARAC Gallery building: 7 Lapham Place in Glens Falls. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SCHENECTADY — Proctors Collaborative leadership on Feb. 24 unveiled a series of shows that will be staged at Proctors, and at Capital Repertory Theatre (theREP) during the 2020-2021 season.   

Highlighting the list of touring Broadway productions coming to Proctors is the Schenectady premiere of Mean Girls (Feb.  2-7, 2021), as well as the celebrated Lincoln Center Theater production of the classic My Fair Lady (Nov. 10-15), Aaron Sorkin’s critically acclaimed adaptation of To Kill A Mockingbird (Dec.  29, 2020 – Jan.  3, 2021), contemporary Broadway hit The Prom (March 30 – April 4, 2021) and the dazzling production of Pretty Woman: The Musical, Dec. 2-6. 

Rounding out the subscription series, and continuing the trend of productions choosing to tech and launch tours in the Capital Region, are Hadestown (Oct.  13-18) and a new production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s award-winning Aida, March 16–21, 2021.      

This upcoming season will feature the first full year of programming hosted in theREP’s new state-of-the-art facility at 251 North Pearl St. in Albany. The series kicks off in September with a behind-the-curtain look at Albany’s Democratic political machine in The True, Sept. 25 – Oct.  18. Subscribers will enjoy an eclectic slate of shows, including a production of The Wizard of Oz featuring actor-musicians, the world premiere of 2017 ‘NEXT ACT! New Play Summit’ winner The Way North, the powerful story of the Tuskegee Airmen in Fly, and the continuation of the summer musical tradition with the toe-tapping hit, Jersey Boys. 

In addition to the shows featured on both venues’ subscription series, subscribers will have priority access to this year’s exclusive title – the highly anticipated Capital Region return of Disney’s The Lion King, April 15 – May 2, 2021. Subscriptions also include a cross-venue ticket, allowing patrons to visit their sister venue for a performance of their choice. 

Subscriptions for the 2020–2021 Key Private Bank Broadway Series at Proctors and the 2020–2021 Season at Capital Repertory Theatre are on sale at the Box Office at Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady, and by phone at 518-346-6204. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Melodic punk from Albany, syn-trash from Troy, cow-punk from Akron, art-rock from New York City. The Super Dark Collective – which has been operating at Desperate Annie’s on Caroline Street since the closing of its former staging ground at One Caroline Bistro in 2018, continues to present some of the most unique sounds in the Spa City on Monday and Thursday nights. The shows are free, start time is 9:30 p.m., and a full lineup of artists may be found at: superdarkcollective.com. 

This week’s shows feature: Ceiba, Alkemi, and Thanks on Super Dark Monday Feb. 24, and Motorbike, Belle-Skinner, and Grayling on Super Dark Thursday Feb. 27. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — D. W. Gregory’s “Radium Girls” and Clare Barron’s “Dance Nation” highlight Skidmore Theater’s 2020 Spring Season. 

“Radium Girls,” directed by Rebecca Marzalek-Kelly. Performances: Feb. 28 – March 5 at 8 p.m. (Sunday Matinee at 2 p.m.) at the Main Stage Theater, Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater on the Skidmore College Campus.

Synopsis: In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches the latest rage—until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story, Radium Girls traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. Her chief adversary is her former employer, Arthur Roeder, an idealistic man who cannot bring himself to believe that the same element that shrinks tumors could have anything to do with the terrifying rash of illnesses among his employees. As the case goes on, however, Grace finds herself battling not just with the U.S. Radium Corporation, but with her own family and friends, who fear that her campaign for justice will backfire. Skidmore Theater alum and recent Drama League Fellow Rebecca Marzalek-Kelly guest directs this production using her trademark elements of movement and magic.

“Dance Nation,” directed by Audrey Erickson. Performances: April 10 -11 and 13-18 at 8 p.m. at Black Box Theater, Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater on the Skidmore College Campus.

Synopsis: Somewhere in America, an army of pre-teen competitive dancers plots to take over the world. And if their new routine is good enough, they’ll claw their way to the top at the Boogie Down Grand Prix in Tampa Bay. But in Obie Award winning playwright Clare Barron’s raucous pageant of ambition and ferocity, these young dancers have more than choreography on their minds, because every plié and jeté is a step toward finding themselves, and a fight to unleash their power. Directed by Audrey Erickson ’20 and featuring an all-student production team, this Pulitzer Prize finalist play, will celebrate its visceral and humorous take on youth, desire, competition, and sexual awakening.

Tickets: $12 general admission and $8 for students and senior citizens. Seating is limited. To get tickets, visit: theater.skidmore.edu, email the box office at boxoffice@skidmore.edu, or call the Box Office at 518-580-5439. 

Rod Stewart’s back. The pop singer returns to SPAC July 29. He last performed at the venue in July 2017, with Cyndi Lauper.
This time around, he will be accompanied by Cheap Trick at a majority of summer concerts – although that won’t be the case at Saratoga.
An opening band is anticipated to be named in the near future. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — To date, promoter Live Nation has announced the following shows to stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center this year. Additional shows and/or support artists for these previously announced shows are expected. For a comprehensive list of performances at SPAC not presented by Live Nation – which includes NYCB, and Saratoga Jazz Festival, among others, go to: spac.org.

June 6: The Lumineers – III: The World Tour
June 7: Celtic Woman
June 13: Zac Brown Band: Roar with the Lions Tour 
June 24: KIDZ BOP Live 2020 Tour
June 30: Steely Dan with Special Guest Steve Winwood
July 2: Tedeschi Trucks Band – Wheels Of Soul 2020
July 8: Alanis Morissette w/special guest Garbage and also appearing Liz Phair
July 10, 11: Dave Matthews Band
July 12: Countryfest 2020 with Brantley Gilbert & More
July 21: Chicago with Rick Springfield
July 22: Nickelback: All The Right Reasons Tour
July 24: Matchbox Twenty 2020
July 25: The Black Crowes Present: Shake Your Money Maker
July 26: The Doobie Brothers: 50th Anniversary Tour
July 29: Rod Stewart

{loadmoduleid 268}

Aug. 1: Journey with Pretenders
Aug. 3: Dead & Company
Aug. 4: Disturbed: The Sickness 20th Anniversary Tour with Staind & Bad Wolves
Aug. 9: Foreigner: Juke Box Hero Tour 2020
Aug. 11: Incubus with 311. 
Aug. 18: Sammy Hagar & The Circle and Whitesnake with special guest Night Ranger.
Aug. 23: Goo Goo Dolls: The Miracle Pill Summer Tour.
Aug. 31: Daryl Hall & John Oates.
Sept. 6: Maroon 5. 
Sept. 6:  Meghan Trainor.
Sept. 11: Backstreet Boys: DNA World Tour.
Sept. 12: The Australian Pink Floyd Show: All That You Feel World Tour 2020.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — “Art with Heart and Hope” is an annual pop-up exhibition celebrating the healing power of art for those living with life-altering medical conditions and caregivers. This year, the show will take place on Thursday, May 21 at the Universal Preservation Hall.

If you are an artist living with or caring for someone living with a rare disease, serious illness, or disability, here is an opportunity to share your art.  Deadline is March 30

QUALIFICATIONS: 
• Artist must live in the Capital Region, New York and be at least 18-years-old.
• Artist must either live with or care for someone living with a physical illness, disease, or disability.
• Artwork must be able (and ready) to be hung on a wall.

HOW TO SUBMIT:
Submit a photo of your artwork, along with a title, dimensions, medium, and a description (approx. 100 words) of how you use art to move beyond your personal battle to art@beyondmybattle.org

Beyond My Battle (BMB) is a Saratoga-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization helping people reduce the stress of serious illness, rare disease, and disability. Through emotional support and educational resources rooted in mindfulness, awareness, and compassion, BMB works to cultivate emotional awareness and provide an engaged, resilient approach to life with health-related uncertainty. 

Visit the website beyondmybattle.org. For questions, email: art@beyondmybattle.org

GLENS FALLS — The 26th anniversary season of the Adirondack Theatre Festival (ATF) runs June 12–Aug. 7, with performances at the Charles R. Wood Theater in Downtown Glens Falls.

The summer season of fully produced new works features four Mainstage shows and four special events, including a large-scale musical celebrating 100 years of broadcast radio, a hysterical Seinfeldian comedy, a bilingual musical drama set across two continents, and a gorgeous love story about the pain of letting go. 

The 2020 Season kicks-off with Douglas Lyons and Creighton Irons musical, The Moon & The Sea, running June 12-20. ATF will present Apropos of Nothing by Greg Kalleres June 30-July 8, and the groundbreaking bilingual musical from Cheeyang Ng and Khiyon Hursey takes stage July 16-23.

The final mainstage show of ATF’s 2020 season is a Golden Era musical from the Tony-nominated and Emmy-winning writers/director of ATF’s 2018 hit, Front Page Flo.  Tuning In, by Larry Kass, Sara Kass, & George Pinney, directed by George Pinney, runs July 31-Aug. 7.

Flexible Subscription Packages ranging from three passes to seven passes are on sale now, starting at $99.  Individual tickets are on sale April 7.  Packages and tickets to individual shows may be purchased by calling 518-480-4878 or visiting the Wood Theater Box Office.  For more information on the full season, including detailed show descriptions and video trailers, visit www.ATFestival.org.

Founded in 1994, Adirondack Theatre Festival is a professional not-for-profit summer theatre located in Glens Falls. During its 26-year history, ATF has launched more than 35 world premieres and produced 25 new play workshops. Each summer ATF produces a nine-week season of theatre for an audience of more than 9,500 using professional artists from New York City and across the country. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 33rd annual Flurry Festival runs Feb. 14-16 in the Spa City. Festival headquarters are at the Saratoga Springs City Center and Saratoga Hilton Hotel, and additional performances and workshops will take place at Parting Glass Pub, Putnam Den, and Excelsior Springs. 

The Flurry winter weekend for dancers and music lovers of all ages features more than 300 performers, four venues, and over 250 events.

Alongside the traditional weekend of non-stop contra and swing, programming includes dance styles such as Tahitian, French, Balkan, African, Indian, German, Irish, Scottish, English, and more. Many styles have instruction available for beginners and up; there is no need to bring a partner to take part in the fun.  North American dances will include non-stop contra with and square dancing, Cajun and zydeco, American tap, Appalachian clogging, country line dancing, Native American and Cuban.

Tickets are available at the door all weekend long. To see a full schedule of events and learn more about the festival, visit: www.flurryfestival.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Three young girls sat equidistant around a U-shaped table, hard at work shaping clay pots in the C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studio. Instructor Jen Horn stands at the center, digging through a box of ceramics tools.

The homeschool students are here for the Homeschool Art Class that Horn runs every Wednesday. 

Heather Hutchison, Julie Lewis, and Aili Lopez — C.R.E.A.T.E. founders and three-fourths of the operations staff — sit in front of a wall saturated with local art. 

C.R.E.A.T.E. opened two spaces in 2017 — on Broadway and in Schenectady. After two years, their Saratoga office moved to 70 Beekman St. with Living Resources. 

The non-profit provides wellness activities and expressive art instruction to the public, with a focus on underserved communities and people with mental health needs. C.R.E.A.T.E. does not currently provide art therapy services, but plans to one day and has their roots there. 

Some of the classes offered on a weekly basis include Lopez’s teen group every Monday, which pulls in a consistent group of students, and Wednesday’s healing art hour — perfect for homeschool students or people on their lunch break. Other events can be found on their website.

Besides the activities and classes done on site., C.R.E.A.T.E. also holds “suitcase programs” in which they go to places like the local library, Healing Springs Recovery Community Center, or Project Lift, which provides free after school programming. 

Suitcase programs allow C.R.E.A.T.E. to reach communities that may not be able to find them on Beekman. And it is grants, from places like The Kimberly Beth Kennedy Family Foundation in Saratoga, that make this possible. 

Other outside programs included a fundraising event recently conducted in collaboration with the Beekman St. Arts District and Frederick-Douglass Lodge. According to Lewis, about 65 people went to create alongside eight artists — many from Beekman — who donated three hours of their time and even some of their materials.

Currently, a collaboration between SUNY Empire State College and CREATE Community Studios depicts an exhibit featuring more than 120 pieces on display at the college’s 113 West Ave. campus. For more information, go to: createcommunitystudios.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Caffè Lena has launched The Caffè Lena School of Music – which starts on March 10 for children ages 7 to 12-years-old.

A cornerstone of the School of Music is to ensure that children who are considtered at risk have access to a community focused musical outlet. Full scholarships, including instruments, are available for any family that qualifies for free or reduced school lunch.

Unlike more formal music lessons, lessons at Caffe Lena will be in a group setting and teach children how to play by ear and play with others. Initial offerings include group lessons on guitar, fiddle and ukulele, along with Jam Sessions for the whole family, The Caffè Lena School of Music introduces children to a lifetime of making music for fun, relaxation and social connection.

Skill Building Class Session 1: Tuesday, March 10 to May 19      (no class on April 14). Introductory Rate: $70 for 10-week session paid in full in advance or $10 per class. Doors open at 3:45 p.m. During the skill building session students will learn correct posture and how to hold the instrument, fingering patterns, chords, how to play by ear and how to follow and compliment others. Each class will focus on a well-known popular folk song. The final 15 minutes of class brings all the students and instruments together to play as a group.

Saturday Family Jam: 10:30 a.m.to noon starts March 14. Free for students and a $5 suggested donation for adults. Come with family and friends to practice what you learned!  All levels welcome.

To learn more and to register visit www.caffelena.org/events-calendar/music-school