TROY — The Troy Hidden Garden Tour will be held in-person next week, after going virtual in 2020 out of caution during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The tour, a fundraiser benefiting the Friends of Prospect Park, will be held rain or shine on Thursday, June 10 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tourgoers will be expected to observe the New York State COVID protocols in effect in the Capital Region at the time. 

There are 42 private and semi-private gardens on the self-guided walking tour this year, located throughout the Washington Park, Historic Sage and adjoining neighborhoods of downtown Troy. Tourgoers may check in any time after 4 p.m. in the Russell Sage College parking lot on First Street to receive the tour map. 

The gardens may be visited in any order, though tourgoers may be steered toward certain gardens first to alleviate crowding. Since visiting all gardens on the tour during the event hours is unlikely, there are four suggested garden cluster tour routes between .5 miles and .8 miles walking distance. 

The Washington Park neighborhood is one of the filming locations for HBO’s “The Gilded Age” and signs of production may be visible on the day of the tour.  Tourgoers are encouraged to visit a real-life TV set at Monument Square during or after the garden tour, as it is also part of an elaborate backdrop for the series, a Victorian-era period drama from the creators of Downton Abbey.

The one-day Hidden Garden Tour, now in its 22nd year, has attracted more than 1,000 tourgoers in a single day in previous years.

Free event parking is provided at the Russell Sage College lot, located at First and Division streets. Additional free parking is available in lots farther south on First Street.

Tickets: $15 in advance and $20 at check-in. Advance tickets are available online at: www.hiddengardentour.com/tickets. Tickets will be cash only on the day of at the check-in table at the Russell Sage College Parking lot on First Street in downtown Troy. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga musical group comprised of guitar/vocalist Seth Warden, viola/violinist Doug Moody, and percussionist Brian Melick have launched a Kickstarter Campaign to fund a new recording, radio campaign and marketing initiative.

As “Seth and the Moody Melix,” they write and perform family and children’s music. Under the name “Warden and Co.” they create an adult-friendly sound, and first released music under the name “Warden and Co.” in 2019 with the EP “Songs for Everyone” – produced by Jim Mastrianni. 

The group has set a goal to raise $15,000 and the Kickstarter Campaign runs from June 1 to June 30. Multiple investment tiers have been established to help fund the project and bring the next album to life. Warden and Co. anticipates releasing the new album next February. 

For more information about the band go to: wardenandcompany.com/home. And for information specifically related to their Kickstarter Campaign, go to: www.kickstarter.com/projects/wardenandco/mirror-the-message-help-us-bring-our-next-album-to-life?ref=ksr_email_creator_launch. 

HUDSON FALLS — Tony Levin has showcased his bass skills on Peter Gabriel’s “Big Time,” Alice Cooper’s “Welcome To My Nightmare,” Lou Reed’s “Berlin” album song ‘The Kids’ – arguably eight minutes of the most skin-crawling sonic overture committed to vinyl – and kerjillions of other tunes that have spanned several decades. 

On Thursday, June 17, Tony Levin will stage his upright bass and cello alongside Pete Levin’s keyboards, Jeff Ciampa’s guitar and Jeff Siegel’s drums at The Strand Theatre for a 7:30 p.m. performance. 

Levin Brothers was founded by Pete and Tony Levin in 2013 after five decades of playing with a virtually who’s who in multiple genres of music. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2014, and the follow up live album ’Special Delivery’ in 2017. The band has toured all over the USA, and has performed internationally in Mexico, El Salvador, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Japan.

The Strand Theatre is located at 210 Main St., Hudson Falls. $30 General Admission. For tickets call 518-832-3484 or online at www.BrownPaperTickets.com

For more information, e call 518-832-3484 or go to www.mystrandtheater.org. The Hudson River Music Hall, Productions, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit.

ALBANY — The Psychedelic Furs have announced plans for a North American headline tour. 

The “Made Of Rain Tour” – titled after their most recent release – kicks off Sept. 15 in Indianapolis and continues through late November. 

Highlights include shows at historic venues such as Chicago’s Vic Theatre, New Orleans’ Tipitina’s, and New York City’s legendary Apollo Theatre. 

The tour’s last date – Nov. 20, is slated to take place in Albany. The venue is listed as: Empire Live. 

Made of Rain is preceded by seven studio albums, including The Psychedelic Furs (1980), Talk Talk Talk (1981), Forever Now (1982), Mirror Moves (1984), Midnight To Midnight (1987), Book Of Days (1989) and World Outside (1991). Among their many singles are such enduring classics as “Sister Europe,” “Love My Way,” “The Ghost In You,” “Pretty In Pink,” “Heaven,” and “Heartbreak Beat.” 

Special guests throughout the tour will include Royston Langston, lead singer and songwriter of Spacehog. Tickets for all announced dates are on sale June 4; for complete details and ticket information, visit: thepsychedelicfurs.com 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Outside yoga classes return to the Saratoga Spa State Park on Monday, June 7 and continue through Sept 6.  Daily classes will be held under the Brick Arches behind the Spa Little Theater, across from the tennis courts.  Yoga classes are donation based. Just bring your yoga mat and props and let nature be your soundtrack.

All levels are welcome to enjoy these 60- and 75-minute classes, taught by 500 Hour Registered Yoga Teachers, Amy DeLuca, Judy Pawlick, Julie Coluccio and Julie Bell. 

Created in 2013, Yoga in Spa State Park brings students out of the classic studio and into the beauty of nature.  During the 2020 Pandemic, many yoga studios closed and as a result, many teachers continued to reach their students with streamline classes on Zoom. 

Pre-registration is required, please email a teacher directly to sign up. Those email addresses are: Julie Coluccio juliecoluccio@yahoo.com; Judy Pawlick: sweetyogaforyou@gmail.com; Julie Bell: Jbell68@gmail.com, and Amy DeLuca: acddesigner@gmail.com. 

Classes will be held under the Brick Arches behind the Spa Little Theatre across from Tennis courts. Workshop will be rescheduled in case of inclement weather.

BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet has announced its First Pre-Professional Summer Intensive Program, which will run July 12- Aug. 13. 

The program consists of four classes per day with renowned guest faculty. Each day begins with Ballet and Pointe. The afternoon will consist of Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Acting, Gyrokinesis, Pilates, and Seminars.

Programs take place Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., for dancers ages 11 & up. Ballet class for placement required. 

Weekly Faculty: SSYB’s Co- Directors and Founders: Joan Kilgore Anderson & Cristiane Santos. SSYB’s instructor Lisa Ianacitto McBride. Guest Faculty – Week 1: Vanessa Smith- Ballet & Modern; Week 2: Jessica Batten- Ballet & Contemporary; Week 3: Anny DeGange Holgate- Acting; Week 4: Rosita Wright- Contemporary & Modern Jazz; Week 5: Penelope Armstead Williams- Urban Jazz & Choreography.

Cost: Five weeks $2,550; four weeks $2,310; three weeks $1,710; two weeks $1,200; one week $600. Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet is located at 418 Geyser Rd., Suite 5, Ballston Spa.

For more information, call 518-306-4037 or email info@saratogaspringsyouthballet.org. For registration, go to: www.saratogaspringsyouthballet.org

Saratoga SPRINGS — Garbage will be joined by Alanis Morissette, and Liz Phair on a cross-country tour that kicks off in Austin, TX on Aug. 12 and lands at Saratoga Performing Arts Center Sunday, Sept. 5. 

ALBANY — Two-time Grammy award-winning Albany Symphony launches its annual American Music Festival celebrating cutting-edge composers and musicians, starting Thursday, June 10 through Sunday, June 13 at the Palace Theatre. The event is preceded by a Special Ability Panel Discussion. 

At 11 a.m. on Thusday, June 10, composers Molly Joyce and Nina Shekar will sit down for an honest talk about creativity, resilience, and embracing differences with Maureen O’Brien, President and CEO at New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID) and Greg Sorrentino, President and CEO at Center for Disability Services. To register for this event visit: forms.gle/tDq39Tu6JYyFQmUt5. 

The American Music Festival four-day event will feature William Kanengiser and Scott Tennant of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet as well as composers Clarice Assad, Molly Joyce, Christopher Theofanidis, Alexis Lamb, Nina Shekhar, and other outstanding musicians. The Festival also includes a performance by the popular Dogs of Desire; the First Draughts reading session, which give the public a glimpse into the weeklong Composer Workshop for emerging creators; outdoor neighborhood performances and family activities. 

To access the American Music Festival concert live-streams or to make a gift in support of the Albany Symphony, visit: albanysymphony.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Tango Fusion Dance Company is starting in-person classes again in an outdoor setting. 

Starting Monday, June 7, Tango Fusion instructors Diane Lachtrupp, Johnny Martinez and Jen Cornell will be offering classes at the large, covered YMCA pavilion on West Avenue in Saratoga Springs. 

They will be offering beginner swing and intermediate/ advanced swing at 7 p.m. and beginner and intermediate/advanced waltz at 7:45. New students may try one class for free and do not need a partner or experience. 

Interested students should call 518-932-6447 or email info@tangofusiondance.com to reserve a free spot and register. 

“Even though we are having outdoor classes, we are proceeding with caution,” said Lachtrupp, in a statement. “We are asking non-vaccinated students to wear a mask and vaccinated students may choose to wear one or not.”

In addition to having classes on Monday nights, Tango Fusion will be holding monthly dances on Friday nights. The next one will be held June 11 and will include a class followed by dancing. Advanced registration is required for the dance. For more info, go to www.tangofusiondance.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mostly Modern Projects presents J.S Bach’s “Coffee Cantata” & Robert Paterson’s “Cocoa Cantata” June 17 and 18 at Universal Preservation Hall. Social distance protocols will be in place for attendees. 

American Modern Ensemble performs the world premiere production of “Cocoa Cantata,” music by Saratoga Springs resident Robert Paterson (and libretto by Time Out New York’s David Cote). This is paired with J.S. Bach’s “Coffee Cantata;” both feature Cree Carrico, soprano, Steven Stull, baritone, and David Neal, bass-baritone. “Cocoa Cantata” is a mini-drama with sparkling roles for soprano, baritone, and bass-baritone, exploring power and ethics in the multi-billion-dollar chocolate industry, using Bach’s instrumentation. 

“Cocoa Cantata” is delicious to anyone who loves chocolate—or tries to control their craving for it! Also on the program is a contemporary adaptation of J.S. Bach’s “Coffee Cantata” (c. 1734). More than just an English version of the German libretto by Christian Friedrich Henrici, this new work aims for a “fresh-brewed” vision of the father-daughter conflict over java. Cote’s new libretto retains the essential plot: a frustrated father tries to convince his coffee-chugging daughter to forsake the bean. When the father dangles marriage as a bargaining tool, they reach a decaffeinated détente. For more information, go to: universalpreservationhall.org.