BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa High School will present its spring musical, “The Addams Family,” on March 26, 27, and 28.

In the musical comedy, Wednesday Addams has fallen in love with a young man from a respectable, “normal” family. When the Addams host a dinner to meet the boyfriend and his parents, secrets are revealed, relationships are tested, and chaos ensues.

The cast is led by Roman Mangino as Gomez Addams and Libby Stavers as Morticia Addams. Maeve deFrancqueville takes on the role of Wednesday Addams, with Elena Lotto as her mischievous brother, Pugsley. Lillian “Lux” Hammer portrays Uncle Fester, Anna Wilson appears as the feisty Grandma, and Lucas Guest embodies the towering and loyal Lurch. 

Isaac Prescott plays Wednesday’s love interest, Lucas Beineke, alongside Ella Haughton as his hopeful mother, Alice Beineke, and Matt Adams as his traditional father, Mal Beineke. 

In total, more than 100 Ballston Spa High School students are involved in the production, contributing their talents on stage, behind the scenes, and in the orchestra pit.

Performances will take place at Ballston Spa High School at 7 p.m., with a matinee on March 28 at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students. Tickets are available online (ballstonspa.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200511498) and at the door.

BOLTON LANDING — The Sembrich recently announced the lineup of its 2026 summer festival, Brava! Celebrating Women in Music.

Set against the scenic backdrop of Lake George, Brava! pays tribute not only to female performers, but also to women composers, patrons, educators, and cultural leaders. Through a curated series of concerts, lectures, and exhibitions, the 2026 festival will explore themes of artistic empowerment, mentorship, and creative legacy—from the Gilded Age to today’s international stage.

Highlights of the 2026 festival include:

• When Marian Sang: A Tribute to Music, History, and Liberty (Friday, June 19 at 7 p.m.): This special Juneteenth program reveals the life of world-renowned singer Marian Anderson, whose voice served as a beacon of hope during the Civil Rights Movement.

• Rooted with soprano Vedrana Kalas (Saturday, July 18 at 7 p.m.): Coloratura soprano Vedrana Kalas combines folk-inspired songs by Ravel and Dvořák with music from former Yugoslav composers and selections from Marcella Sembrich’s vast repertoire.

• Ladies of the Lake: Studio Talk & Tea (Thursday, July 23 at 2 p.m.): This special benefit event celebrates the lives of nine notable ladies of accomplishment, each with a unique tie to Lake George.

• The Overlook Quartet (Saturday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m.): This New York–based string quartet is dedicated to amplifying living composers and making contemporary chamber music both accessible and electrifying.

• The String Queens (Thursday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m.): Praised for their soulful sound, this Washington, D.C.–based trio blends classical, jazz, and contemporary hits.

• Medusa (Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 2 p.m.): Medusa is a genre-defying folk quartet combining ancient string traditions with contemporary storytelling.

For a full festival schedule, detailed program information, and ticket options, visit www.TheSembrich.org or contact The Sembrich at office@thesembrich.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Although the leafy grounds of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) were shrouded by knee-deep snow, summer concert plans were nonetheless underway at a press conference hosted by Live Nation last Thursday afternoon.

The entertainment conglomerate announced that Albany Med Health System had become its new presenting partner for SPAC’s upcoming 60th season.

A press release from Albany Med stated that new fan benefits will be rolled out this summer, including free admission for kids at select shows, fast lane access for nurses, and a designated driver program that promotes safe travel to and from the venue.

“We are especially grateful to Albany Med for all you do to support the physical health of the Capital Region community, and also for recognizing the role live music plays in health and wellness,” said SPAC CEO Elizabeth Sobol. “Your support of Live Nation’s concert lineup helps make these shared experiences possible for so many people, not only here in our region, but very far beyond. And thank you to our terrific partners at Live Nation, bringing major touring artists to our beloved venue every single year and continuing to invest in specs, campus, and infrastructure. All of this keeps our region on the global stage, while strengthening our local economy. We are so incredibly thankful to be part of a community where organizations come together to support live music, connection, and the overall vitality of our region and communities. We are excited for summer 2026 and the seasons of collaboration to come.”

Shortly after the announcement, Live Nation’s SPAC social media accounts and concert announcements began featuring the Albany Med Health System name and logo.

CHARLTON — Main Street Studio is hosting the new art exhibition “Metanoia: Art and Recovery” from Feb. 28 until April 11. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Through his collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures, artist Clarke Hingeford aims to shed light on the challenges many face with substance addiction and share his personal journey of how his creative practice has been a vital part of his own recovery process.

For Hingeford, creative practice and recovery are deeply intertwined. After completing a month-long recovery program in the summer of 2025, Hingeford gained a renewed understanding of the essential role art plays in his personal healing. Painting and drawing are part of his daily routine, serving as grounding practices that help him navigate the emotional and psychological complexities of recovery. 

Hingeford has been painting for more than 30 years and holds an M.A. in Fine Art from the University at Albany. His art is heavily inspired by music, poetry, literature, and contemporary painters. 

Visitors to the show can expect an immersive experience, surrounded by vibrant colors and movement. A portion of art sales will benefit Healing Springs Recovery Center, a program of the Prevention Council of Saratoga.

Main Street Studio is a member-supported community studio located in a re-purposed fire station at 786 Charlton Road in the historic hamlet of Charlton (west of Ballston Spa). The studio is equipped with tools, materials, and inspiration for woodworking, ceramics, fiber art, and natural dyeing, painting, and printmaking. The studio hosts gallery shows, workshops and community events throughout the year. Gallery hours are Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. 

For more information, visit Main Street Studio’s website at www.mainstreetcharlton.com or contact info@mainstreetchartlon.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Monday night, Caffè Lena was aglow with the soft, inviting lights of center stage that helped set the scene for a night full of local talent.

There was a low hum of conversation amongst the dozens of audience members as artists tuned their instruments. The wooden tables that inhabited the cafe were peppered with refreshments and snacks as provided by Caffè Lena.

The music was a mix of acoustic and folk, with each song different from the last. Many artists chose to play original tunes, while others opted for classic covers that had the audience singing and nodding along. Artists of all ages took the stage, and the crowd was not shy to show their support after each performance.

Among the highlights were the Dust Bowl Faeries, who traveled from the Catskills to showcase some of their unique and upbeat original tunes. (The Dust Bowl Faeries will return to Caffè Lena for a show on March 6.) 

Each musician managed to pull the audience into their music, but younger artists such as Cole Davidson and Henry Phalen were particularly successful in this task. Both performed original works that can be found on Spotify and other streaming platforms. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Wednesday, May 6, the Spa City will host an up-close performance by rock guitarist Paul Gilbert, the multi-platinum founding member of the bands Mr. Big and Racer X. He’ll bring his 2026 WROC World Tour to the intimate stage of Parting Glass live.

Gilbert’s resume includes being featured on the #1 Billboard Hot 100 track “To Be With You,” working on the RIAA-certified Platinum album “Lean Into It,” and being ranked by Guitar World and GuitarOne as one of the top 5 “fastest and greatest shredders of all time.”

Gilbert will be joined by fellow guitarist Greg Koch. 

Tickets are available at fasttonyproductions.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Three-time Grammy winner Jelly Roll will perform at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on June 18, Live Nation announced Monday. 

Kashus Culpepper will open.

The announcement comes amid a successful year for Jelly Roll, who will also tour stadiums nationwide with fellow superstar Post Malone.

Jelly Roll’s sound is a unique blend of country and hip hop, with the Nashville native taking inspiration from acts as diverse as Three 6 Mafia and Johnny Cash.

General on sale begins Friday, Feb. 27 at 11 a.m. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Tang Museum was full of life on Valentine’s Day as the community came together to appreciate the work of Kathy Butterly.

The Tang Museum at Skidmore College recently debuted the exhibit “Kathy Butterly: Assume Yes,” which displays 50 of Butterly’s works. Opening night included a brief discussion between Butterly and Tang Museum Director Ian Berry. They covered a vast array of topics, ranging from Butterly’s intent and emotions when creating her art, to the inspiration she takes from the world around her. 

The brightly-colored artwork made its new home atop massive white platforms that added volume to the exhibit and brought Butterly’s talent to eye level. When asked about her goal in displaying her work in such a way, Butterly responded, “My world is right here, a few inches in front of my eyes. Most of my life is this very world. I want you to see the world that I’m in from my vantage point.”

Butterly’s work is a unique blend of emotion, life, and style that draws the viewer into her mind and heart. Butterly has used events like 9/11 and the election of Barack Obama as inspiration. These moments define the style and shape of her pieces and serve as a reflection of her emotions.

“When I’m making work, I don’t have this in my head,” Butterly said. “I’m just kind of filtering how I’m feeling and what’s going on in the world.”

“Kathy Butterly: Assume Yes” is on view at the Tang until July 26.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) recently announced that its 2026 New York City Ballet (NYCB) residency will run from July 8 to 11. 

The residency will feature the full-length story ballet “A Midsummer’s Night Dream,” which was the first performance presented on the SPAC stage at the venue’s grand opening in 1966; George Balanchine’s “Serenade”; Jerome Robbins’ “Opus 19/The Dreamer,” set to Prokofiev’s feverish concerto; and a new work by NYCB Principal Dancer Tiler Peck, which will have its world premiere as part of NYCB’s 2026 Spring Gala. 

The New York City Ballet will bring its roster of more than 90 dancers under the direction of Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan, accompanied by the New York City Ballet Orchestra, led by Music Director Andrew Litton.

“As SPAC celebrates its 60th anniversary season, our historic partnership with New York City Ballet feels more meaningful than ever,” said Elizabeth Sobol, CEO of SPAC. “The return of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’—the very first performance presented on the SPAC stage in 1966—brings us beautifully full circle, honoring the legacy that has shaped this venue for six decades.”

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is Balanchine’s full-length adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most cherished comedies. Inspired by the music of Mendelssohn, Balanchine captures the play’s infinite colors: the bumbling comedy of the Rude Mechanicals, the feisty feuding between Titania and Oberon, the romantic confusion of the young lovers chasing each other through the Athenian forest, and of course the mischief-making Puck. Featuring a large cast of children from the Capital Region, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” was the first wholly original full-length ballet Balanchine created in America and is one of the most popular ballets in NYCB’s repertoire.

“We love returning to our summer home every year, and for this 60th anniversary season, the performances feel especially significant,” said New York City Ballet Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan. “‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is one of our most treasured ballets, and with its deep connection to SPAC, we are happy to be able to bring it to Saratoga audiences for this milestone year. Performing the ballet in Saratoga, surrounded by the beautiful park and in the open air, is always a special treat for the entire Company, and we are thrilled, once again, to have dozens of young students from the local area join us onstage for these special performances.”

Highlighting the season are two performances dedicated to works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and NYCB Principal Dancer Tiler Peck. The program opens with “Serenade,” the first original ballet George Balanchine created in America, and one of New York City Ballet’s signature works. Returning to SPAC for the first time since 2008 is Jerome Robbins’ “Opus 19/ The Dreamer.” Originally choreographed in 1979 for Mikhail Baryshnikov and Patricia McBride, the ballet for 14 dancers is set to Prokofiev’s “Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major,” which has become one of the most beloved works for violin in the classical repertoire.

Closing the program is the SPAC premiere of a new work by NYCB Principal Dancer Tiler Peck, her second commission for New York City Ballet, which will have its world premiere at the Company’s Spring Gala in May 2026. The work will be set to Édouard Lalo’s score “Symphonie Espagnole in D Minor,” with costumes designed by Robert Perdziola, and lighting designed by Brandon Stirling Baker. 

Widely recognized as one of the most versatile artists of her generation, Peck made her choreographic debut at the Vail Dance Festival in 2018 and choreographed her first piece for NYCB Concerto for “Two Pianos” during the 2024 Winter Season. She choreographed for the feature film “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” and has choreographed and appeared in the TV series “Tiny Pretty Things” and “Ray Donovan.” She also curated the program BalletNOW for the Los Angeles Music Center, which is captured in the feature documentary film “Ballet Now,” and is the subject of PBS’s Great Performances documentary, “Suspending Time.” 

In an effort to increase access to these performances, SPAC will again offer special promotional ticket programs exclusive to the New York City Ballet residency. As part of this initiative, SPAC will continue its “$40 under 40” ticket offer, inviting individuals up to 40 years old to enjoy $40 tickets inside the amphitheater. To make access to world-class performance more affordable for families, SPAC will continue two special promotions including a $99 Family Four Pack, which includes four amphitheater seats, and an expansion of its “Kids in Free” program. The program, which currently allows children 12 and under free access on the lawn with an accompanying adult and 50% off amphitheater tickets, will extend to kids ages 16 and under for New York City Ballet performances. Visit the Ways to Save page on spac.org for all offers, discounts and exclusions.

Tickets will be available on Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. for the general public. Visit spac.org for details.