SARATOGA SPRINGS – Once, there was a thing called rock and roll, a phrase either derived from 17^th century mariners atop a shaky ship, or early 20^th century actors engaged in acts of carnality – depending upon whom you believe.

The music, and the lifestyle ushered in with it, inspired the kids to dance with abandon and smile with glee, and caused some of the elder statesmen of the time to claim it an art sent to humanity by none other than the devil himself. 

Before the bean-counters and the money-hoarders got a hold of it some decades later, effectively causing its demise, there were some who believed the amplified output streaming from its electrified guitars and rhythmic drums could change the world. John Fogerty, lead singer, lead guitarist, and principal songwriter of the band Creedence Clearwater Revival, was of the generation that believed it could be so.

On June 12, Fogerty came to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center where he performed a slew of tunes he created during an especially prolific burst of songwriting, mostly in the 1960’s. 

He kicked off his 18-song or-so set with the lyrically ominous “Bad Moon Rising,” and continued the CCR re-imaginings with “Lookin’ Out My Back Door,” “Down On The Corner” and “Up Around the Bend,” “Who’ll Stop The Rain” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”, “Fortunate Son,” “Born on the Bayou,” and “Proud Mary” – the latter invoking his cajunistic dialectical inventions (“Big wheel keep on toy-nin,” he sang, “Proud Mary keep on boy-nin).”

From more recent work (the 1980’s at least) the double-denim draped songwriter led his six-piece ensemble in performances of “Centerfield” (written about centerfield at Yankee Stadium, don ’t cha know), and “The Old Man Down The Road.”

Fogerty was amiably assisted (in the dance-til-you-drop part) by George Thorogood & the Destroyers, who provided opening support.

Dressed in basic black – shirt, shoes, pants with dripped-sequined sides, and sporting dark shades to shield his eyes, Thorogood led his five-piece band through a 60-minute set that explored the Bo Diddley-infused rock ‘n’ roll-isms of “Who Do You Love?” as well as Destroyer staples “Bad to the Bone,” the wildly popular “I Drink Alone” (which inspired a bevy of lager consumers to stand tall and raise their brewski’s high above their heads) and of course, “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer.”

Overall, for this night, Fogerty and Thorogood combined to deliver a thoughtful reminder of a music that once had inspired the kids to dance with abandon and smile with glee, sometimes think about the conditions of the world-at-large and figuring out ways to make it all a better place.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Launching its 12th season, the Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival will offer a series of programs open to the public to run from June through September.

“We are very excited to bring you a new season of our popular summer programming,” said festival coordinator Phyllis Wang. “This season’s 14 programs have an even more diverse array of topics and experiences both live and on Zoom. We look forward to sharing these experiences with those near and far.” 

Offerings include concerts, plays, lectures, films, discussions, and outdoor family events. 

The summer schedule includes the Annual Jewish Women’s Gala, Clifton Park Chabad, Malta, at 10:30 a.m. now through June 16 featuring a kosher brunch, raffle auction, prayers for Israel, and singer Amalia Rubin.

Rubin currently lives in Nepal, and specializes in Jewish and Tibetan folk music as well as Jewish musical parodies. RSVP and purchase raffle tickets at www.cliftonparkchabad.com. $25 per person. 

For a complete list of summer programs and events, go to: www.saratogajewishculturalfestival.org or contact sjca.sjcf@gmail.

BALLSTON SPA — A large trove of rare and out-of-print Saratoga history books will be on sale at Brookside Museum, Ballston Spa, on Saturday, June 22, during the annual Craft and Antique Fair.

The books, which are either library duplicates or were donated for sale, include many of the most sought-after titles that cannot be found in bookstores.

Among the highlights are multiple copies of Sylvester’s History of Saratoga County (1877) and Grose’s History of Ballston Spa (1907), both of which remain reliable sources today, as well as Waller’s Saratoga: Saga of an Impious Era (1966) with its many illustrations and entertaining perspective.

Many other Saratoga County sources are represented in the sale, including the large format Saratoga County Communities: An Historical Perspective (1980) with its town-by-town landmark maps. There are many individual town and village histories.

Other subjects include horseracing, historical fiction, genealogical methods, and history for young readers. A special feature of the sale is a group of town and village maps from the 1866 county atlas, suitable for framing, as are reproductions on canvas of Jesse S. Wooley photographs.

The sale will take place rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the museum’s broad front porch at the west end of Front Street. For more information call the museum during afternoon hours at 885-4000.

WILTON — A New York State Parks Centennial Community Day Celebration will take place 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at Ulysses S. Grant State Historic Site. 

The family fun day, which is free to attend, includes pony rides, face painting, music, reenactors, and more. No registration necessary. 

Ulysses S. Grant State Historic Site is located at 1000 Mount McGregor Road, Wilton. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Opera Saratoga kicked off its 62nd season with a gathering and press event May 31 on Broadway at Saratoga Arts.

General and Artistic Director Mary Birnbaum discussed highlights of the season, her first as curator, director and producer, and performers entertained the crowd with a live abbreviated showcase of the upcoming season’s staging of “Guys and Dolls,” and “Cosi fan tutte.” 

Saratoga Springs Finance Commissioner Minita Sanghvi was in attendance representing the city and presented Opera Saratoga with a $15,000 check, which community members authorized by a public vote in the city’s Participatory Budgeting process. 

Opera Saratoga 2024 season will feature three new productions this summer at Universal Preservation Hall. These are:

-Guys And Dolls, June 29, July 2,3,5,6,7. Guys and Dolls features Mikaela Bennett (City Center Encores’ The Golden Apple, West Side Story at Glimmerglass), as Sarah Brown. The gambling musical features direction by Mary Birnbaum, choreography by Caili Quan, and musical direction by Andy Einhorn (Broadway’s Carousel and Hello, Dolly!), with scenic design by Kristen Robinson, lighting design by Anshuman Bhatia and costume design by Oana Botez. In addition to those already announced, the cast of Guys and Dolls will feature William Socolof as Nathan Detroit, Ariadne Greif as Miss Adelaide, Shavon Lloyd as Sky Masterson, Maximillian Jansen as Nicely Nicely Johnson, and Aubrey Allicock as Arvide Abernathy.

-Così Fan Tutte, June 28 & 30, July 3,6. Mozart’s opera Così Fan Tutte features Grammy nominated bass-baritone Aubrey Allicock as the cynical Don Alfonso. The opera also features Nicoletta Berry as Despina, Julia Stuart as Fiordiligi, Anna Kelley as Dorabella, Maximillian Jansen as Ferrando, and Michael Hawk as Guglielmo. Directed by Gisela Cardenas (Princess Grace Fellow) and conducted by Ryan McAdams (Crash Ensemble, Opernhaus Zürich).

{loadmoduleid 268}

-Inti Figgis-Vizueta World Premiere Opera, June 30 & July 5. A world premiere opera, devised and composed during the summer season by Composer-in-Residence Inti Figgis-Vizueta. 

Additionally, Listen To This: Voices From The Future – will take place at Universal Preservation Hall June 4, June 11, and June 18. The three-part concert series hands the mic to cutting-edge creators who break through boundaries of what opera can be through the lens of access and healing. 

Tuesday, June 4: The Other Side Of Silence will feature work by RPI Director of Institute Ensembles Robert Whalen; Tuesday, June 11: Winterreise, Director George Miller, Bass-Baritone William Socolof and Pianist Chris Reynolds collaborate on the workshop of a contemporary staging of Schubert’s seminal song cycle Winterreise;  Tuesday, June 18: i woke up in the sky, composer-performer Catherine Brookman shares her album i woke up in the sky with Opera Saratoga’s audiences. 

“This season pays homage to Saratoga Springs’ history as a pleasure-seeker’s paradise and betting destination while looking to the future by pushing the definition of what opera can be – and how it can be made – forward,” Birnbaum said. “We hope to tempt risk-takers to the festival by dazzling them with reinventions of two classics in addition to a totally unique creation that they can only see in Saratoga.”

For tickets and more information, go to: operasaratoga.org. 

BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE — Adirondack Experience has opened for the 2024 season, inspiring visitors to learn and connect with all things Adirondack, past and present. In addition to its expansive list of ongoing daily offerings, several new works of art – including Cosmic Portal, a complex sculptural piece that measures 9’ by 6’ – will be on display in Artists & Inspiration in the Wild, which debuted in July 2023. 

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Northville-Placid Trail (NPT), a 138-mile route that transverses Adirondack Park. To honor this milestone, the museum will launch its newest special exhibition, Trail Makers: 100 Years of the Northville-Placid Trail and offer daily programming and opportunities to connect hikers, history buffs, and those who simply treasure the region to come together to mark this anniversary in a personal way. 

ADKX will also introduce Tuesday Trail Talks & Tours, a new monthly series to learn about the people who hike, maintain, and work to preserve the Northville-Placid Trail today. 

Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake (ADKX), shares the history and culture of the Adirondack region through interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and culturally rich collections in more than 24 historic and contemporary buildings on a 121-acre campus in the heart of the Adirondacks. 

ADKX will be open every day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Oct. 14. For information about programs, events and updates, visit www.theadkx.org.