SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs has been officially deemed one of 100 “must-see getaways across the United States” by a National Geographic book published last week.

The book’s Saratoga entry includes two photographs by Samantha Decker, a Saratogian acclaimed for her evocative captures of all things horses, including the Saratoga Race Course, Oklahoma Training Track, various breeding farms, Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, and the Saratoga Polo Association.

The coffee-table tome “Small Towns U.S.A.: 100 Must-See Getaways Across the United States” was published on May 5 and is available on Amazon. Other locales featured include Paducah, Kentucky; Broken Bow, Oklahoma; Egg Harbor, Wisconsin; and Cody, Wyoming.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Cristina Vane is Sicilian and Guatemalan; grew up in France, Italy, and England; and now plays traditional blues and country music in Nashville. 

Her song “Little Girl from Nowhere,” which she played during her Caffe Lena debut last Thursday, reflected her unique, transient upbringing.

“No roots, nothing to be holding on to,” she sang. “I’ve been in a foreign land ever since I was just a little baby. You can’t understand. Ageless spirit moves upon the water. She bade me sink or swim. I will not be fearful any longer. I am diving in.”

The spirit of fearlessness expressed by the song seems to reflect Vane’s on-stage persona and artistry at large. Although sometimes singing the blues or plucking a banjo, there’s a modern punk-rock, defiant edge to Vane that has likely spurred her rise in popularity over the last handful of years.

In 2025, Vane released the album “Hear My Call,” which is stuffed with a slew of memorable tracks, especially “You Ain’t Special,” which she also played at Lena. The tune sounds like an amiable, country-tinged bop but has an Alanis Morissette attitude.

At Lena, there tends to be a blend of audience members who are discovering a new artist and audience members who are already fans. At Vane’s show, the crowd seemed to be more of the latter.

Take a glance at Vane’s packed tour schedule and this probably isn’t a surprise. She was headed five hours south to Philadelphia the day after her stop in Saratoga. Then she was off to Virginia, then North Carolina.

Vane released her debut record just five years ago but has already attracted the attention of artists such as Bob Weir, Wynonna Judd, and Molly Tuttle (to name a few), all of whom she’s directly supported on stage.

For Vane’s upcoming tour dates, visit www.cristinavane.com.

SCHUYLERVILLE — Malta-based writer Robert C. Conner will be selling copies of his four books, including the 2026 novel The Detective and Dorothy Day at the Boozy Book Fair from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 at Old Saratoga American Legion (6 Clancy St. in Schuylerville).

Conner’s previous books include two biographies published by Casemate: General Gordon Granger: The Savior of Chickamauga and the Man Behind Juneteenth (2013) and James Montgomery: Abolitionist Warrior (2018). His previous historical novel was The Last Circle of Ulysses Grant (2018).

The Detective and Dorothy Day is historical fiction, a murder mystery set in 1975 in New York State, including as a major character, the co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement. Conner lived at what was then the main Catholic Worker Farm in Tivoli for much of 1974 and 1975 and met Dorothy Day there.

More information is available at Conner’s website: https://robertcconnerauthor.blogspot.com/.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Goose—an indie groove jam band performing at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on July 3 and 4—will have a charity golf tournament at the Saratoga Spa Golf Course on the Fourth of July.

Dubbed “Red, White & Birdies,” the event is organized by the Western Sun Foundation, a fan-run charity that raised $7,500 from Goose fans two years ago at the “Goose on the Green” event and donated it to Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga. At the time, the amount was Western Sun’s “largest gift yet.”

In 2024, when Goose last performed at SPAC, Western Sun President Sarah Blazincic told Saratoga TODAY that Goose band members had been “very supportive” of the foundation’s initiative.

“We work with them side by side to make sure that we are doing things that they want to see,” Blazincic said.

On July 3 this summer, Goose will hit the SPAC stage with The Disco Biscuits as their opener. On July 4, they’ll be joined by Moe. 

Goose’s history in Saratoga stretches back to at least 2018, when they opened for the Ryan Montbleau Band at Putnam Place. In 2013, the band’s keyboardist Peter Anspach attended a Phish concert at SPAC, camping out on the lawn with thousands of fellow fans. A decade later, when Goose hit the SPAC stage for the first time, Anspach told the crowd that “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.”

For additional information about registering or sponsoring the “Red, White & Birdies” event, visit https://app.eventcaddy.com/events/2026-goose-golf-outing.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Performing Arts Center recently announced that The Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists will return for its ninth annual event on Sunday, May 31 from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

Following the theme Seasons, this year’s event will celebrate cycles of growth, transformation, reflection, and renewal, while also commemorating 60 years of SPAC and its blossoming into a year-round organization. The festival will celebrate the collaborative creativity of more than 700 of the Capital Region’s brightest young dancers, musicians, singers, poets, and visual artists—all in support of SPAC’s mission to provide free and accessible arts programming for local youth.

Featuring students from local schools and organizations such as Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO), Capital District Youth Chorale, Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet, Capital District Arts Initiative, and the SPAC School of the Arts, the afternoon will include individual pop-up performances and art displays, culminating in a large-scale, coordinated production on SPAC’s stage. As part of the production, an original musical composition by Kingston Czajkowski (Grade 12, Cairo-Durham High School), will premiere on the SPAC stage, performed by the ESYO Symphony Orchestra and recorded for a later broadcast by media sponsor WMHT.

“This year’s Festival of Young Artists carries a special energy as we build on exciting new traditions launched last year, including our partnership with WMHT and the return of the Student Composer Contest,” said Dennis Moench, SPAC’s VP of education, in a press release. “As we approach nearly a decade of this festival, it continues to reflect a deep commitment to inclusivity—spotlighting the artistic achievements of hundreds of students from across our region and creating space for every voice, discipline, and creative perspective to be seen and celebrated.”

Kicking off at 2 p.m., SPAC’s grounds will be transformed into a festive celebration and will feature individual pop-up performances by student ensembles from the Capital Region, fine art displays, food stands, poetry slams, lawn games and immersive art activities, plus free ice cream provided by Stewart’s Shops. At 4:45 p.m., hundreds of young artists will gather to present a celebratory concert on SPAC’s main stage, featuring large-scale productions that combine music, song, poetry, visual art, and dance.

The event is free for the community. However, registration is required for admission. Visit spacfoya.org for details.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Goldtooth, a versatile band that traverses at least a handful of genres, releases its debut album “Hurt Feelings” on Friday, May 1.

Founding member and bassist/vocalist Jaymes Hendricks (aka Jimmy Hendricks) hails from none other than the Spa City.

“Hurt Feelings,” which Saratoga TODAY spun (or, technically clicked) for an early listen, veers into different directions sonically, allowing for more than a few surprises. The lead track, the cheekily named “Riffer Madness,” is catchy, angsty, and punk-ish. The second tune, “Bringing Her Down,” introduces an alt-country sound (there’s a reference to a pickup truck in the opening seconds). 

“Gold Rush” is pop-punk and “Foolin’ You” takes an unexpectedly bluesy turn before things chill out with the acoustic-driven country ballad “Rodeo.” The album enters pop-country territory with “Emily” (which also sounds a bit reminiscent of the band Staind) before wrapping up with what could be described as a country-emo track, “All I Ever Wanted.”

No one can accuse “Hurt Feelings” of being ordinary (or boring).

Goldtooth, which labels itself as an alt-country/garage rock project, was built around Hendricks and guitarist/vocalist Jon Braught, who described his group’s debut album as “a big rock record with big guitars and singable songs, featuring collaborators from across New York and New England.” The album notes also describe “Hurt Feelings” as “party rock with a hangover of real-life melancholy.”

In addition to Hendricks and Braught, the band includes guitarist/vocalist Paul Martinez and drummer Dave Maclean.

 “For the members of Goldtooth, ‘Hurt Feelings’ is the culmination of 20-plus years spent chasing songs, loading vans, and learning how much life can get in the way of a rock band—and why it is still worth fighting for,” the group said in a press release.

Goldtooth began as a long-distance project between Hendricks and Braught, who met as teenagers playing in New England. Their relationship survived Hendricks’ move to Saratoga Springs. 

“Over three years of file swaps, rehearsals, and carefully planned sessions, eleven songs emerged that sounded like the record they’d always talked about making,” said the band. “Across the track list, you can hear four veterans of countless clubs and DIY rooms finally taking the time to get the songs right, despite careers, kids, and the geographic spread that makes every rehearsal a logistics puzzle.”

To celebrate the release of their debut album, Goldtooth is planning a series of performances across the Northeast. On May 2, they’ll take the stage at Harlow’s Pub in New Hampshire. For additional show announcements, fans can follow the band’s Instagram, @goldtoothstagram.