In advance of its closing for several months for construction at Saratoga Arts, a “Pre-Construction Sale”of items will take place 10 am – 2 p.m. Sept. 28.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Architectural plans have been finalized and construction scheduled to begin at Saratoga Arts by the end of the year. As a result of the work, Saratoga Arts gallery and office location will close Nov. 15. Reopening is anticipated by summer 2025.
Renovations will upgrade the gallery, the theater, some lower level spaces and significantly update the mechanical/HVAC and other systems within the building.
Classes and events after Nov. 15 will be off-site, with the staff working remotely and meeting as needed in person to assure the organization stays on track and ready to re-open in our newly renovated space.
A “Pre-Construction Sale” of some existing items will take place 10 am – 2 p.m. Sept. 28 at the center on Broadway. The sale will include various First Night Items, art supplies, art, and more.
For more information about Saratoga Arts, programs, and the upcoming construction go to: https://www.saratoga-arts.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —“SPAC in Conversation,” will return with Florence Fabricant, renowned New York Times food and wine columnist and prolific cookbook author.
Moderated by SPAC President & CEO Elizabeth Sobol, the discussion will explore how Fabricant forged a career in food writing, her earliest food memories, her latest recipe discoveries, and her insights into New York’s most iconic dining rooms and bars.
The event will take place Wednesday, Oct. 16 at the Spa Little Theater and the Hall of Springs. The event is also highlighted by a plated lunch and boutique shopping and conversation with the legendary New York Times food and wine writer.
“When I first moved to New York City from North Carolina, Florence Fabricant quickly became my wise guide to navigating the vast and sometimes overwhelming food scene in the city. And now, after following her columns for decades and continuing to grow our own CulinaryArts@SPAC program, it is a great thrill to bring such a legendary and influential culinary figure to Saratoga,” Sobol said in a statement.
The schedule of events is as follows: 10 a.m. – Conversation with Florence Fabricant, Spa Little Theater; 11:30 a.m. – Boutique shopping, Hall of Springs; 12:30 p.m. – Luncheon, Hall of Springs; 1:30 p.m. – Book signing and raffle drawing, Hall of Springs.
Cost to attend the fundraiser is $100 and includes admission to the discussion, Hall of Springs luncheon and boutique shopping. Tickets may be purchased at spac.org, or by calling at 518-584-9330, ext. 142.
Yoga Mandali presents Kirtan Bliss – Mantra Music & Heart Song Experience with Gershone and Gina. Photo : gershonemusic.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Gina Minyard and Gershone Hendelberg will lead the night of Kirtan Bliss – Mantra Music & Heart Song Experience, at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at Yoga Mandali, located on the second floor of the Downstreet Marketplace in Saratoga Springs.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Minyard and Hendelberg – who has performed at Red Rocks, Bonnaroo, and High Sierra Music Fest, share more than four decades of practice, teaching, and experience between them in yogic arts and bhakti bliss. They began collaborating in 2022.
In their offerings of yoga, music, meditation, kirtan, and satsang, they invite others into the grounding, elevating, and ever-expanding process of tuning their own divine instruments, and to come together in transformational alchemy, joyful communion, sacred embodiment, and ecstatic celebration.
Registration is $25. Go to: https://www.yogamandali.com/.
GLENS FALLS— The Glens Falls Symphony opens its 2024-25 season with a performance by Tony DeSare and his Band called “Sinatra and Beyond.” It will feature songs such as “Come Fly with Me”, “I Get a Kick Out of You”, and “I’ve Got the World on a String” as well as a few originals.
Desare, a singer/songwriter/pianist and Hudson Falls native, has been entertaining audiences around the world for the past 30 years, made his first public performance at 17 on the piano at The Queensbury Hotel. He has four top ten Billboard jazz albums under his belt.
“Sinatra and Beyond” Concert and Related Events:
• Wednesday, September 25 at 2:30pm: “Sound+Film” series, featuring a free screening of a related film at the Queensbury Senior Center, 742 Bay Road, Queensbury.
• Sunday, October 6 at 3pm: Pre-Concert Talk: Music Director Charles Peltz discusses the concert, the music, and the guest artists in a free talk at 3 pm, in the Glens Falls High School Auditorium. Free with purchase of concert ticket.
• Sunday, October 6 at 4pm: “Sinatra and Beyond”, featuring Tony DeSare and his band. Glens Falls High School Auditorium. TICKETS: Adult: $69/$53/$39. Student Ticket: $12. Location: Glens Falls High School Auditorium, 10 Quade St, Glens Falls.
• Sunday, October 6 after the concert: “Opening Night After-Party”. Post-concert celebration of the season opening night, sponsored by the Queensbury Hotel. Tickets $75 per person include a “Meet and Greet’ with Tony DeSare and his band, hors d’oeuvres, CD signing, red-carpet backdrop for photos with Tony, and drink ticket to the bar. The Queen’s Ballroom at the Queensbury Hotel. 6:15-7:45pm.
2024-25 Season Tickets for all concerts, visit www.theglensfallssymphony.org or call 518-793-1348.
Michael VanWinkle, “We connect after dinner…” (acrylic on canvas, 2024), at the Schick Art Gallery.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Schick Art Gallery presents “BIG MIX,” an exhibition of work in printmaking, painting, ceramics, photography, drawing, graphic design, and video by members of the 2024 Skidmore art faculty.
The exhibition will run through Oct. 6 in Schick Art Gallery, on the second floor of Saisselin Art Building, at Skidmore College. The exhibition, free and open to the public, features art from 16 full- and part-time faculty.
Schick Art Gallery viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Performing Arts Center announces its innovative CulinaryArts@SPAC initiative will continue with two special events this fall and winter at The Pines at SPAC. K
Kicking off the series on Oct. 25 is Bourbon Land with James Beard Award-winning Chef Edward Lee, featuring specialty bourbon pourings by First Fill Spirits, a bourbon cocktail, and dishes from Lee’s new cookbook Bourbon Land, alongside conversation led by WAMC’s Joe Donahue.
Following, on January 25 is Bayou Kitchen with James Beard Award-winning author Melissa Martin featuring cocktails and mocktails, South Louisiana tastings inspired by her upcoming cookbook, and conversation hosted by WAMC.
Bourbon Land with Chef Edward Lee will be held 6 – 9 p.m., Oct. 25. Upon arrival, guests can enjoy bourbon tastings by First Fill Spirits, a specialty cocktail and appetizers, followed by tastes of dishes from Lee’s cookbook Bourbon Land including Braised Beef Shanks in Bourbon Sauce and Roasted Sweet Potato with Bourbon Miso Butter, served family-style at communal tables. Wine, beer and non-alcoholic refreshments will also be served.
Tickets to attend are $130. Attendees can also purchase a copy of Bourbon Land and have it signed by the author. Seating is on a first come basis. Bayou Kitchen with Melissa Martin will take place 6 – 9.m. on Jan. 25, 2025 with tickets for this event to go on sale on Oct. 22. Visit spac.org for tickets and more details.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Dozens of authors, a literary marketplace and a Kid Zone will participate in this year’s Saratoga Book Festival Oct. 4-7 in venues throughout downtown Saratoga Springs.
“We try to appeal to many ages and interests,” festival founder and co-chair Ellen Beal said in a statement. “At this year’s multi-day event, we’ll present more than 30 sessions, 50 featured authors, and the popular Saturday KidZone and Literary Marketplace that showcases more than 90 local authors and organizations. Our goal is to encourage people of all ages to read more books.”
Among this year’s lineup are headliners Liz Moore (The God of the Woods), Brenda Wineapple (Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial That Riveted a Nation), Paul Tremblay (Horror Movie: A Novel), and Kelly Link (The Book of Love); acclaimed authors Roxana Robinson (Leaving), Garth Risk Hallberg (The Second Coming: A Novel), Corey Brettschneider (The Presidents and the People: Five Leaders Who Threatened Democracy and the Citizens Who Fought to Defend It), Amitava Kumar (My Beloved Life), and bestsellers Mai Corland (Five Broken Blades), Daniel Kraus (Pay the Piper), and Karen McManus (Such Charming Liars).
Saratoga Book Festival is a presentation of the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library,
New this year are three “Beyond the Book” special ticketed events that merge books with other forms of art and entertainment. They include:
-Comedy Night with Sally Chaffin Brooks and Beck Krefting. Come for a night of stand-up comedy with Sally Chaffin Brooks – author of the new memoir “Going to Maine: All the Ways to Fall on the Appalachian Trail,” and Beck Krefting, a Skidmore professor, humor expert, and comedian. Books can be purchased at the venue. A book chat and signing follows. Friday, Oct. 4 at 6:30 pm, at Putnam Place.
-Warren Zanes Celebrates Springsteen’s Nebraska in Song & Stories. Universal Preservation Hall partners with the Saratoga Book Festival to present Warren Zanes, one of the founding members of the American 1980s garage-style rock band The Del Fuegos, in a night of music and stories inspired by his latest book, “Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska’.” Saturday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. at Universal Preservation Hall.
Gossip Girl Brunch, a meet-and-greet in and book chat with Cecily von Ziegesar, creator of the Gossip Girls books that launched two hit TV series with the Palette Community’s CEO Marcella Hammer. Sunday, Oct. 6 at 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Universal Preservation Hall.
The headline event with Liz Moore in conversation with Joe Donahue, will be held 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6 at Universal Preservation Hall.
For ticket information, and the entire list of authors and sessions, go to: SaratogaBookFestival.org.
Phish performs three nights in Albany to benefit the Divided Sky Residential Recovery Program.
ALBANY— Phish will perform a special three-night stand at MVP Arena in Albany Oct. 25, 26, and 27, with all proceeds benefiting the Divided Sky Residential Recovery Program and its newly opened facility in Ludlow, Vermont.
These will be Phish’s only shows this fall. Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 20 through Ticketmaster.
A Divided Sky Foundation pre-show event hosted by The WaterWheel Foundation will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26, and purchases may be made with tickets during the general on sale.
100% of net proceeds from all concert and merchandise sales will be directed to the Divided Sky Foundation, a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to addiction recovery, and the Divided Sky Residential Recovery Program. Conceived of and founded by Trey Anastasio and program director Melanie Gulde, The Divided Sky Residential Recovery program gives hope to those struggling with addiction by providing a safe, nurturing environment to begin their recovery journey. For more information about Divided Sky Foundation, please visit https://dividedsky.org/
Peter Anspach, the keyboard player for the jam band Goose, watches a Phish concert from the SPAC lawn in 2013. Ten years later, he appears on the SPAC stage with Goose. Photos via Anspach’s Instagram account.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The jam band Goose played two nights at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SAPC) last weekend, marking the high point of a journey that took the band from the SPAC lawn to the SPAC stage.
In 2013, Goose keyboardist Peter Anspach attended a Phish concert at SPAC, camping out on the lawn with thousands of fellow fans. In a three-night run from July 5 to 7, Phish debuted their original song “Yarmouth Road” and presented rousing renditions of their hits “Tweezer” and “Character Zero.”
A decade later, when Goose took the SPAC stage for the first time, Anspach couldn’t help but celebrate the occasion.
“We’re so excited to be here,” Anspach said. “This place means a lot to us.” Later, when performing an encore, he added, “some of us have seen a lot of shows on that lawn right there and I’ll tell you what, it feels great to be on the stage. So thank you so much for making it happen. Hopefully we come back for multiple nights some time.”
His hopes came true last weekend, when Goose’s two-night stay included a blissful version of “Hungersite” and the second-ever performance of “Big Modern!,” a new original song.
Prior to the shows, several members of the band stopped by the Saratoga Spa Golf Course for “Goose on the Green,” a sold-out charity event that raised funds for Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga. The event was another indication of how much Saratoga has meant to the group.
“The band has a different kind of energy when they’re playing a venue like SPAC, which means so much to them personally,” said Ryan Storm, host of the Goose-focused podcast “Almost Always There.”
In 2018, more than a year before their breakthrough set at the Peach Music Festival, Goose opened for the Ryan Montbleau Band at Putnam Place in downtown Saratoga. At that show, they played songs such as “Elizabeth” (which was the opener for their SPAC show on September 6) and “Arcadia” (which is now one of their most popular tunes).
Five years later, after playing SPAC for the first time, Anspach wrote in a social media post that the venue “definitely lived up to the hype. Such a surreal experience playing with my best friends in one of the most influential venues I’ve ever been to.”
Goose has become one of many jam bands to make SPAC a regular stop on their summer and fall tours. The Dave Matthews Band has played SPAC 49 times. Phish has played there 24 times, most recently in August of last year. In 1985, the Grateful Dead famously drew the largest-ever SPAC crowd of more than 40,000 Deadheads.
In 2023, Goose’s first SPAC show was, at the time, the band’s largest-ever headlining performance. Hopefully, they’ll have many more opportunities to break the record.
A special show with proceeds to benefit the Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children program.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Five local bands play with no amplification whatsoever in Lena’s intimate listening room. The extraordinary show, which will take place 7-11 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22, was organized by local artist Lawrence White and will create a new experience at Caffe Lena.
The line-up of talent includes: Annie & The Hedonists, Rick Bolton & Friends, Garland Nelson, Jeff Brisbin, and White’s own band, The Beat Generation.
The artists will perform in the center of the room, and the tables and seats will surround them on all sides, with seating even available on stage.
This event is a night of unity and artistry during Saratoga Peace Week, with neighbors taking care of neighbors here at home.
All proceeds will benefit SNACPack, the Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children program, which fills backpacks with nutritious food for local kids who need food support at home on weekends.
For tickets and more information, go to: caffelena.org.
