SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra (SSSO) will bring its 2025–26 season to a close with “Poetic Echoes,” presented across two Capital Region stages: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18 at Universal Preservation Hall (UPH) and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 19 at Proctors. The orchestra will also unveil its highly anticipated 2026–27 season at the conclusion of each performance.

For its season finale, the SSSO will be joined by Saratoga Voices and soloists Brittany Palmer and Ann Marie Adamick for a celebration of music and poetry. Florence Price’s “Four Songs from the Weary Blues” brings the words of Langston Hughes to life, while Vaughan Williams’ “Towards the Unknown Region” sets Walt Whitman’s poetry to sweeping music. The program closes with Mendelssohn’s enchanting “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” capturing Shakespeare’s timeless tale of magic, love, and mischief.

Each performance includes a pre-show talk with Artistic Director/Conductor Glen Cortese, 6 p.m. Saturday, April 18 at UPH and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19 at Proctors. Patrons under 18 are free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

On May 10 at 7:30 p.m., UPH will welcome Professor Greg Jackson, creator of the popular podcast “History That Doesn’t Suck!” Jackson’s touring show combines storytelling, multimedia, and live music to take audiences on a journey through the first 100 years of American history in 100 minutes. The show will be in town for one night only.

UPH’s summer lineup will kick off with Corinne Bailey Rae and Tom Papa, who are each headlining their own night of live entertainment. Bailey Rae will bring an evening of genre-defying music to the Great Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5. Papa will deliver a night of comedy at 8 p.m. on Friday, July 17.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of “Corinne Bailey Rae,” the Grammy Award-winning singer’s debut album that introduced the world to Bailey Rae’s soulful, sun-soaked sound. Originally released in Feb. 2006, the record produced hits like “Put Your Records On” and “Like a Star,” earning critical praise, multi-platinum sales, and Grammy nominations.

With more than 30 years of experience as a stand-up comedian, Tom Papa has found success as an actor, host, and author. Papa’s “The Grateful Bread Tour” plays off the title of his weekly podcast “Breaking Bread with Tom Papa,” which features Tom and his guest eating, drinking, and celebrating the true meaning of breaking bread with conversations. He has released six stand-up specials, including his latest Netflix hit, “Home Free” (2024).

Tickets for all UPH shows can be purchased at atuph.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Harvey’s Restaurant and Bar will host iTheatre Saratoga’s free play reading of “All I Had,” written by Ellen Clarkson, on both April 25 & 26 at 5 p.m.

The play is about the American Dream of fame, fortune, and status as defined by seventy-year-old Morris Mondschein, until he gets sick and the accolades stop coming. When a Haitian home health aide enters his life, Morris conceives of a venture to make both their dreams come true.

The event is pay-what-you-will to support iTheatre Saratoga’s continued pub theatre tradition. A $5 reservation guarantees attendees a seat in the intimate setting.

Reservations can be made here: itheatresaratoga.ticketspice.com/all-i-had-a-pub-theatre-play-reading.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Billboard-charting singer-songwriter Cassandra Kubinski, a fixture of the local arts scene (as a performer and Caffe Lena board member) is teaming up with Abby Lee Miller, star of Lifetime’s hit reality TV series “Dance Moms,” for two local events on May 2 and 3.

Thirteen of Cassandra’s original songs served as the musical backdrop for “Dance Moms” dances performed by Maddie Ziegler, Brooke Hyland, Ava Michelle, Kendall Vertes, and others across eight seasons of the show. While Kubinski and Miller never collaborated directly during the filming of “Dance Moms,” they connected through social media and are now bringing the music and choreography together with a unique concert/talk concept and dance/acro class with live accompaniment.

“Dance Moms changed my life,” Kubinski said in a news release. “I connected with people around the globe thanks to my songs being on the show, and it’s an honor and joy to work with Abby Lee Miller to give both dancers and fans a chance to go deeper into the stories behind the show, the drama and fun, and the songs.”

Part concert, part tell-all, Kubinski will perform her “Dance Moms” songs live, and Miller will discuss the real stories behind the show’s most memorable moments: the dances, the drama, the moms, and some of her own checkered journey.

EVENT 1: Abby + Cassandra Spill the Tea (and the Music) 

Saturday, May 2 at Saratoga Arts 

Doors: 6 p.m., Show: 7–9 p.m. 

TICKETS: https://found.ee/AbbyCassandraMay2

EVENT 2: Abby Lee Miller Live Dance + Acro Class 

Sunday, May 3 at APEX Cheerleading

Event: 2–7 p.m. 

TICKETS: https://found.ee/LiveClassMay3

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Opera Saratoga recently launched its $25 newcomer tickets, a special initiative designed for people attending their first opera performance.

The newcomer ticket program offers first-time opera-goers the opportunity to attend select performances during Opera Saratoga’s season, inviting more people to discover the artistry of live opera.

The initiative is part of Opera Saratoga’s ongoing commitment to expanding access and building new audiences for the art form.

Patrons who have never attended an Opera Saratoga performance are eligible to purchase newcomer tickets to “The Elixir of Love,” “My Fair Lady,” and “Happy End” for $25, available while supplies last. The tickets can be purchased online at atuph.org with the code NEWCOMER.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Yaddo recently announced a slate of events celebrating the famed artists’ community’s 2026 centennial season.

The season will kick off with The Artists’ Table, a tequila-inspired chef dinner on May 14. The evening offers a salon-style culinary experience inside the Yaddo Mansion, limited to 50 guests. 

On June 2, Yaddo will host the 4th Annual Golf Invitational at The Country Club of Troy, a day of camaraderie and community in support of Yaddo’s residency program.

The Summer Benefit lights up June 25. This year’s party will serve as a Saratoga farewell to Yaddo President Elaina Richardson, who announced in December that she would be stepping down from her post. More than 500 guests are expected at the benefit (450 attended last year). Past performers have included Natalie Merchant, Suzanne Vega, and Gabriel Kahane.

The Gardens at Yaddo will open to the public on June 8, offering several opportunities for the community to experience the grounds. Throughout the summer season, Yaddo will present a series of free and low-cost community events, including Wine & Roses (a concert series in the rose garden), The Nature of Art (artist-led conversations), and Art of Wellness (Sunday morning yoga).

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SAPC) summer calendar is rapidly filling up, and two recently-announced events will bring a Grammy-winning rock group and a much-lauded dance floor to the amphitheater stage. 

The arts center’s Summer SPACtacular fundraising event will return for its fourth iteration on Friday, May 29 from 5 to 11:30 p.m. The celebration, spread across the SPAC grounds, includes live music, a multi-course gourmet dinner, culinary tastings in the Party Tent, cocktails and zero-proof beverages, fireworks, and a culminating dance party with DJ Trumastr. This dance party, recently heralded as the “best dance floor” in Saratoga, presents a unique opportunity to not only be up on the main stage, but also get a glimpse behind the scenes of a storied music venue.

“As we mark SPAC’s 60th anniversary and my 10th year with this extraordinary organization, this evening feels especially meaningful, honoring a remarkable legacy while looking ahead to the future, and inviting guests to experience the energy, creativity, and connection that define SPAC at its best,” said SPAC CEO Elizabeth Sobol.

Tickets to the Summer SPACtacular are available online at spac.org.

A couple months later, on July 24, Grammy-winning English rockers Muse will hit the SPAC stage, perhaps for a dance party of their own. The show will be preceded by the release of Muse’s tenth studio album, “The Wow! Signal,” on June 26. Opening for Muse in the Spa City will be Bloc Party, English rockers who incorporate electronica and house music into their sound, and Aussie rock group The Temper Track.

Tickets for Muse’s concert are available here: spac.org/events/muse.