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The RESET, an ImmersiveSound Bath Experience, Coming toUniversal Preservation Hall 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.


The Reset, coming to UPH in May. Photo: heresetsoundexperience.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In May, Universal Preservation Hall will activate its space in an innovative way, presenting an immersive take on a “sound bath” – The RESET – created and performed by renowned singer and sound healing artist Davin Youngs. 

Audiences are invited to bring yoga mats, pillows, and blankets to cozy in and enjoy what is anticipated a profound experience.

Created and performed by Davin Youngs, The RESET transforms iconic venues into sanctuaries of stillness and sound, elevating the mind, body, and spirit. 

Using improvisational singing, looping devices, crystal-singing bowls, tuning forks, and electronic beats, Youngs weaves a sonic tapestry that reflects the unique beauty of the inner landscape. The RESET has been enthusiastically received at iconic venues like The Kennedy Center, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, and The Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville and the roof of Ace Hotel. 

The event takes place 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Tickets are on sale through the Box Office at Proctors in person, via phone at 518-346-6204 Tuesday- Saturday 12-6 p.m. or online by visiting atuph.org. Groups of 10 or more can get the group discount by calling 518-382-3884 x 139. 

Live at UPH: Saratoga Springs Show Brings Crowd To its Feet 

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in Entertainment.


Moonlight Benjamin performing at UPH in Saratoga Springs on
March 29, 2025. Multi exposure iPhone: Thomas Dimopoulos. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — “When was the last time we had a Haitian voodoo priestess in town?” Proctors Collaborative Passport Series curator Mona Golub asked the crowd, introducing Moonlight Benjamin to the stage at Universal Preservation Hall on March 29. 

Infused with the guttural boogie of two guitars, bass and drums, Moonlight Benjamin spilled Haitian Creole syllables backed by a catchy beat during a rollicking 90-minute performance with multiple encores in Saratoga Springs on Saturday night.  

The lyrics fused French and African languages with a dash of Spanish, here, Portuguese and Aramaic, there. The music: a pastiche revelry merging garage blues with searing guitar runs. The audience expressed their love for every minute of it.  

High marks to Universal Preservation Hall and Proctors Collaborative for bringing the seldom-heard-in-these-parts sounds to town and for providing audiences the opportunity to engage in the shared joy of music as being the ultimate coalescence of all souls.

SPAC Announces Appointment of New Senior Vice President of Development Jana Gordon 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Performing Arts Center announces that it has appointed Jana Gordon as its new Senior Vice President of Development. 

This new role is part of SPAC’s continued growth and efforts to expand its donor base, build relationships with the community, and support the long-term sustainability of the organization. Gordon will help to raise the visibility of SPAC as a non-profit organization, overseeing all philanthropic activities in alignment with SPAC’s ambitious goals for the future. 

“Jana brings with her a wealth of knowledge and fundraising expertise from her past roles at organizations such as the Stratford Festival in Canada, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the English National Opera. We look forward to introducing her to our community,” said Elizabeth Sobol, President & CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center, in a statement.

Gordon’s previous roles include Senior Director of Advancement at the Stratford Festival; Executive Director, King’s University College Foundation and Executive Director, Alumni and Development at King’s University College at Western University; Assistant Vice-President, Development & Campaign Director at Wilfrid Laurier University; Director of Development & Donor Relations at the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony; Director of Development at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra; and Corporate Giving Sales Manager with English National Opera, among others. 

Capital Repertory Theatre Announces Miriam Weisfeld Its New Producing Artistic Director

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

ALBANY — Capital Repertory Theatre has announced that starting Sept. 1, 2025, Miriam Weisfeld will be its new Producing Artistic Director. Weisfeld will succeed Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill who served in the role since 1995. 

Weisfeld will continue to serve as Consulting Artistic Producer for the remainder of the 2024-2025 Season and she and Cahill will collaborate through the end of 2025 to ensure a smooth transition of operations for the nearly 50-year-old theatre company. 

Weisfeld will also continue her leadership as Producing Artistic Director of the Adirondack Theatre Festival (ATF) in Glens Falls, a position she has held since 2021. This development builds upon an ongoing relationship between ATF and Proctors Collaborative which was announced in October.

A creative producer and dramaturg, Weisfeld served as Director of Artistic Development for the Tony-winning Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis prior to her appointment at ATF, where she was the dramaturg of the world premiere of “An American Tail” and helped to develop Generation Now, a national partnership to commission new multigenerational plays by artists of color. 

In her role at theREP, Weisfeld will oversee the artistic production of the theatre’s entire season, managing teams of designers, technicians and directors. The 2025-2026 subscription season at theREP was selected by Weisfeld in consultation with leadership at Proctors Collaborative. 

Capital Repertory Theatre is an affiliate of Proctors Collaborative and is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. 

Home Made Theater Celebrates 40 Years with Gala This Month 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — From its humble beginnings at Caffè Lena with a production of Wait Until Dark, to their most recent production of Hamlet at the Saratoga Music Hall, Home Made Theater – which was founded in 1985, has striven to bring quality community theater to the Saratoga region. 

To celebrate the milestone the company will be hosting a 40th Season Celebration. Join members of the HMT family on either Friday, April 25, or on Saturday, April 26 at The Mansion of Saratoga on Route 29 in Rock City Falls.

The evening will start at 6 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. There will be a silent auction, raffle baskets, and a musical preview of the company’s next production, Oklahoma!. A three-course dinner will follow at 7. 

The highlight of the evening will be a murder mystery performance, ’Til Death Do Us Part: A Marital Murder Mystery to Die For. This interactive theatrical experience will feature prizes for solving the mystery of “whodunit.” The mystery will have a different solution each evening to avoid “spoilers.”

Tickets for Celebration Guests are $100. Honorary Guest tickets are $140 and include a $40 donation to Home Made Theater in honor of 40 years. Full tables of eight are available at a discounted price. To purchase tickets, visit Home Made Theater’s website at www.HomeMadeTheater.org by April 23.

UPH Hosts Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs hosted the seventh class of inductees into the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame on Monday, March 24. 

The Class of 2025 inductees include Charlene Shortsleeve – nightlife curator of Albany’s 288 Lark, and founder of the legendary downtown Albany QE2 Club; percussionist Brian Melick; folk artist Dan Berggren, SIRSY duo Melanie Krahmer and Rich Libutti; and the groups Emerald City, Stony Creek Band, The Clay People, and The Sharks. 

“I just want to thank all the bands, poets, actors, the drag queens and vampires and all the sordid people,” Charlene Shortsleeve said from the stage during her acceptance speech.

The Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame honors local individuals who have made outstanding contributions to, or significant impact on the evolution, development, and perpetuation of the music industry. UPH in Saratoga Springs is the permanent location of the Hall of Fame.  

“A Piece For You” – Peter Pashoukos Live, Local and with a New Release 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.


Peter Pashoukos has released a new album, A Piece for You.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Longtime area musician and performer Peter Adam (Pashoukos) has released a new album, titled “A Piece for You.” 

“As a musician, I have poured my heart into this project, exploring themes of belief systems, personal growth, and the dualities of life,” he writes. “This album is a departure from my previous works as an instrumentalist with bands such as Soul Session and The McKrells. It reflects a journey of healing and self-discovery, both through the music and the message it carries.”

Digital downloads can be purchased by single or album format through https://peterlovely.sellfy.store/. CD’s are available at performances, or by reaching out via social media at:  https://www.facebook.com/ppashoukos?. 

He will be performing live at The Inn at Saratoga on April 11.  

‘What If We’re Beautiful’ Brian Lawson and Aaron Loux Perform Choreography April 5 at The Tang 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces What If We’re Beautiful, a celebration of queer joy and community through chamber music and dance, staging at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. The event is the second performance in the Adirondack Trust New Works Series at the Tang Museum.

The performance features new choreography and dance by Brian Lawson and Aaron Loux that is set to a five-part composition by Daniel Thomas Davis, performed live by Hub New Music, with its distinctive instrumentation of flute, clarinet, violin, and cello. The event marks Hub New Music’s first live performance with Lawson and Loux’s dance. 

The performance, which is followed by a reception, is part of a two-day gathering that celebrates a field of bloom and hum and includes artist talks and screenings of experimental films. 

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Tang Visitors Services Desk at 518-580-8080 or visit https://tang.skidmore.edu. The Adirondack Trust New Works Series at the Tang Museum is supported by a generous gift to Skidmore College from the Adirondack Trust Company. This annual series presents a world premiere commission in art, music, dance, or poetry. Events will be open to the public.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center Announces 3rd Annual Summer SPACtacular

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Performing Arts Center hosts its third annual Summer SPACtacular on Friday, May 30. The event benefits SPAC’s mission to serve the Capital Region and beyond through artistic excellence, educational programming and community outreach. 

The season kick-off fundraiser will feature an expansive celebration across the SPAC grounds that includes live music, a multi-course gourmet dinner, culinary tastings, cocktails and mocktails, tarot card readings, fireworks, and a dance party on SPAC’s historic stage. 

Tickets are currently available for two different ticketing options: 

Premium Pass, 6-11:30p.m. Tickets: $350. Begin the evening with an intimate dining experience in an enchanting setting on the SPAC grounds. The full bar, appetizer station, and multi-course dinner will be produced by Mazzone Hospitality. An exciting paddle raise emceed by News 10 ABC’s Lydia Kulbida will benefit SPAC’s mission and educational programming.  

Cap off the meal with post-dinner digestifs and sweet treats on The Pines Terrace. Join the “Party Pass” revelers in the “Pavilion Lounge” for mocktails and tarot card readings or visit the tasting tent with live music by Road Soda Pop. 

Party Pass, 7 – 11:30p.m. Tickets: $175. Experience SPAC like never before with tastings from local restaurants, distilleries, breweries, and wineries, accompanied by live music from Capital Region party band Road Soda Pop – all in an expansive tent on SPAC’s grounds. “Party Pass” attendees also have access to the “Pavilion Lounge” featuring mocktails by Bars without Boundaries, and palm and tarot card readings. 

The evening will culminate with a dazzling fireworks display and a DJ dance party on SPAC’s historic stage. 

Tickets to the Summer SPACtacular are available online at spac.org. Honorary and sponsorship opportunities are also available, visit spac.org or call 518-584-9330 ext. 142 for details. 

Live at Universal Preservation Hall: Steve Earle to Perform in Saratoga Springs 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Singer-songwriter Steve Earle will stage his Alone Again Tour – Solo & Acoustic, at Universal Preservation Hall on Thursday, June 5. 

Earle is one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation. A protege of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, Earle quickly became a master storyteller in his own right, with his songs recorded by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, The Pretenders, and countless others. 

The release of his record, Guitar Town in 1986 shot to number one on the country charts and is now regarded as a classic of the Americana genre. Most recently, Earle’s 1988 hit “Copperhead Road” was made an official state song of Tennessee in 2023. 

Subsequent releases included the award winning The Revolution Starts…Now (2004), Washington Square Serenade (2007), and TOWNES (2009). His most recent album, Jerry Jeff (2022) consisted of Earle’s versions of songs written by Jerry Jeff Walker, one of his mentors. 

Earle has published both a novel I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2011) and Dog House Roses, a collection of short stories (Houghton Mifflin 2003). As an actor, Earle has appeared in several films and had recurring roles in the HBO series The Wire and Tremé.  Earle’s 15-song album “Alone Again (Live) was released last summer. 

Tickets are on sale through the Box Office at Proctors in-person, via phone at (518) 346-6204 Tuesday-Saturday 12-6 p.m. or online by visiting atuph.org. Groups of 10 or more can get tickets by calling (518) 382-3884 x 139.

UPH will also be welcoming back its beloved In the Round Series, a one-of-a-kind concert experience where artists share both music and personal stories in an intimate, stripped-down setting. Kicking off the 2025 season is blues-folk master Eric Bibb Thursday, April 18, followed by the spellbinding vocals of Lady Blackbird Thursday, May 1.