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Two-Day Saratoga Jazz Fest to Feature Lake Street Dive, Norah Jones, Laufey, Samara Joy, Stanley Clarke 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, News.

Stanley Clarke (Photo: Onodera Taka)

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The 47th Annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival will return for a full two-day and two-stage festival experience on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. 

The event will feature a roster of 22 musical groups and 10 festival debuts. 

The line-up is co-headlined by contemporary artists Lake Street Dive, Norah Jones, Laufey, and Samara Joy, alongside jazz and blues legends Stanley Clarke with his band N*4Ever, Terence Blanchard Sextet and Coco Montoya. 

Also highlighting the line-up is the next generation of jazz stars – Yussef Dayes, Joey Alexander, Miguel Zenon, Tia Fuller, Theo Crocker, Helen Sung and Sara Caswell, and electrifying Afro-Cuban and funk bands Cory Henry, Cimafunk, The New Orleans Groove Masters and Pedrito Martinez Group.

The annual festival is produced by Danny Melnick, president of Absolutely Live Entertainment. Founded in 1978 by jazz impresario George Wein, Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival is the fifth longest-consecutive-running jazz festival in North America. Initially founded as “the Newport Jazz Festival at Saratoga” the weekend event was renamed Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival in 1998. 

Headliner Lake Street Dive will make their festival debut on Saturday, June 29. As heard on their critically acclaimed album “Obviously,” the Boston-bred band possesses a keen talent for combining sociopolitical commentary with immediately catchy pop gems. 

Returning following her triumphant festival debut in 2023 is Samara Joy, and returning by popular demand to headline the festival on Sunday is singer and pianist Norah Jones.

“The one to watch” on Sunday’s line-up for her festival debut is Laufey, a 24-year-old Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter whose modern jazz sound has won her both a GRAMMY nomination and millions of fans on TikTok. 

 Music icons returning to the festival include jazz and blues legends Stanley Clarke with his exciting new band N*4Ever, which is a celebration of his long-time collaborator Chick Corea and their time together in Return to Forever; opera composer Terence Blanchard with his Sextet, and blues guitar virtuoso and vocalist Coco Montoya. 

Representing the next generation of jazz talent on the stage is composer and drummer Yussef Dayes, jazz pianist Joey Alexander – who will celebrate his 21st birthday at the festival, jazz pianist and composer Helen Sung, and jazz violinist Sara Caswell.  

Highlighting the weekend is also today’s most electrifying Afro-Cuban and funk bands including progressive R&B artist Cory Henry, Cimafunk, The New Orleans Groove Masters featuring Herlin Riley, Jason Marsalis & Shannon Powell, Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martinez with his band and Olatuja!, which reunites Alicia and Michael Olatuja in music. 

 In addition to two non-stop days of great music on two stages, fans can also enjoy a host of amenities including a new craft beer tasting village, in partnership with New York State Brewers Association, new and diverse food offerings, a fine arts and crafts fair, and artist CD signings. Guests are welcome to bring in their own food and beverages, as well as blankets, tents and lawn umbrellas. Parking for the event is free. Performances will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 29 and at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 30.  

2024 Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival Line-Up:

SATURDAY, JUNE 29

Amphitheater – Lake Street Dive; Samara Joy; Yussef Dayes; Joey Alexander Trio with special guest Theo Croker; Cimafunk with special guest Pedrito Martinez; The New Orleans Groove Masters featuring Herlin Riley, Jason Marsalis & Shannon Powell.

Charles R. Wood “Jazz Discovery” Stage – Tia Fuller; Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra; Theo Croker; Coco Montoya; Harold Lopez-Nussa; Sara Caswell Quartet.

SUNDAY, JUNE 30

Amphitheater – Norah Jones; Laufey; Stanley Clarke N4Ever; Terence Blanchard Sextet; Cory Henry. 

Charles R. Wood “Jazz Discovery” Stage – Pedrito Martinez Group; Miguel Zenon Quartet; Olatuja!; Helen Sung presents Quartet; Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars Centennial Celebration of Max Roach, Bud Powell & J.J. Johnson featuring Clay Jenkins, Steve Wilson, Steve Davis, Mike Moreno, Bill Cunliffe, Todd Coolman & Dennis Mackrel.  

Tickets for the festival start at $80 and will be available to SPAC members Dec. 14 (discounted depending on tiered level) and be made available to the general public online at spac.org on Jan. 5. Two-day passes are also available for a savings of $20 off per pass (offer ends June 15 and can’t be combined with other discounts). Children 12 and under receive 50% off tickets in the amphitheater and are free on the lawn. Full-time students with a school issued ID receive 25% off tickets in the amphitheater, or $28 on the lawn (student ID must be presented at will call).  

Star Radio Hosts Talk Live With Santa

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga’s Star Radio is hosting their annual Talk Live With Santa show airing December 19 and 20 starting at 6 p.m. each evening. Tune in to listen to local children and their parents broadcasted live to chat with Santa. Submissions for air time are closed.

Saratoga’s Star Radio is your local radio station. Broadcasting on 93.3FM in Saratoga Springs. 1160am across Albany & Saratoga Counties. For more info visit www.starsaratoga.com

Winter Solstice Walk at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park

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WILTON — On Sunday, Dec. 21 at 6:30 pm, Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will be holding a Winter Solstice Walk to help people celebrate the shortest day of the year. Participants will learn about how celestial movements impact the natural world. 

The walk will take place on the trails of Camp Saratoga on Scout Road in the Town of Wilton. If there is snow, the program will take place on snowshoes. Free snowshoe rentals will be available 15 minutes prior to the program provided by a grant from the Common Roots Foundation. If there is no snow, the program will be a trail walk.

Registration is required at least one business day in advance. To register, visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org. For more information, call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org. 

Walks, Bonfires, Eagle Watch & December Events at Moreau Lake State Park

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MOREAU — Follow the soft glow of the luminaries on a beautiful walk in Moreau Lake State Park at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15. The Friends of Moreau Lake State Park will be serving up hot chocolate (bring a mug) at the Warming Hut where you can gather around the bonfire and enjoy the camaraderie. BYO s’mores ingredients (and maybe extra to share) No sign-ups are necessary. There will be a $5 program fee per vehicle, payable by cash or check upon arrival. Questions? Call 518-793-0511.

Additional events at Moreau Lake State Park, 605 Old Saratoga Road. Gansevoort, through December: 

Wednesday, Dec. 20 and Dec. 27, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Eagle Watch. Join a park educator on a convoy-style journey along the Hudson River to try to spot local Bald Eagles. We will be getting in and out of vehicles at a few locations and, with a little luck, viewing the eagles through binoculars and a scope so make sure to bring your hat and gloves. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. The cost is $5 per adult (18+) and $1 per child, payable by cash or check at the office upon your arrival. To reserve your spot call 518-793-0511.

Thursday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. Winter Solstice Bonfire. Celebrate the winter solstice with a nighttime bonfire. A time to appreciate what is lost to the frost and remember what is promised by spring. Bring cups, plates, and a fork because we will be making hot chocolate and tinfoil dinners over the fire. The cost is $5 for adults and $1 for kids (cash or check) at the office upon arrival. Please register 24 hours in advance at 518-793-0511.

Monday, Dec. 25 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Christmas Day Walk. Bundle up and join an educator on an easy-going, family friendly walk next to Moreau Lake. We may hear and see birds, animal tracks, shells, feathers; there’s no telling what nature might gift us with. There is no fee for this walk. Please reserve your spot in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Friday Dec. 29 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Nature Collages. Stop by the Nature Center to join us in recycling old magazines to make nature collages; a fun way to create art out of things we may throw away. An engaging activity where we can talk about all the cool creatures that may come across the pages. The cost is $5 for adults and $1 for kids (cash or check) at the office upon arrival. You can register in advance at 518-793-0511.

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office STOP-DWI Underway for Holiday Season

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SARATOGA COUNTY —Saratoga County police agencies and STOP-DWI coordinators will participate in special efforts to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving, Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo announced this week.

“The holidays are a time for celebration,” Sheriff Zurlo said in a statement. “If you’re going to drink or use drugs, decide right now that you won’t get behind the wheel. A funeral is not the type of gathering we want your family to attend.”

The statewide STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign began Dec. 13 and will run through Jan. 1, 2024.

A downloadable mobile app – “Have a Plan” – enables citizens to be able to find a safe ride home. The app may be found at: www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp 

Initiative Launched to Bring Physicians to Rural and Underserved Areas of Upstate New York

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Washington, D.C. — The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) launched its J-1 Visa Program in collaboration with New York, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont to make quality healthcare accessible to rural America by easing the visa requirements for nondomestic physicians who trained in the U.S. if they agree to practice in underserved areas, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, announced Dec. 5.

“Following my advocacy, the Northern Border Regional Commission will launch its J-1 Visa Program to help provide rural and underserved areas across Upstate New York and the North Country with accessible, quality, and affordable healthcare helping to alleviate the physician shortage,” Stefanik said, in a statement. 

NBRC will recommend the U.S. Department of Homeland Security waive what is known as the “two-year home-country physical presence requirement” for eligible physicians seeking to work at healthcare institutions and practices within the NBRC territory. The purpose is to help alleviate a physician workforce shortage disproportionately affecting rural America.

In July 2022, Stefanik led her colleagues in a letter specifically calling on the NBRC to implement a J-1 visa waiver program that would allow nondomestic physicians trained in the U.S. to work in health professional shortage areas or medically underserved areas within the NBRC’s area of jurisdiction, according to a statement released by Stefanik. 

Saratoga County History Center Issues Call for 2024 Award Nominations

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BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum has issued a call for nominations for its third annual Saratoga County Public History Award. 

Each year the SCHC confers the award on two individuals who have made a significant contribution in preserving, interpreting, researching, publishing, promoting or otherwise extending knowledge and understanding of the history of Saratoga County.

The Public History Award is designed to recognize the long-standing efforts of those who share a passion for Saratoga County history, and to encourage others to become involved in local history projects and activities.

Nominations for 2024 winners can be submitted to the Saratoga County History Center at brooksidemuseum.org/2023/12/history-center-issues-call-for-2024-award-nominations/ by Jan. 15, 2024. Submissions should include a short biography of the nominee, a description of their contributions and references.

The Award Selection Committee will review and select winners by March 1. An award ceremony will be held in April at Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa to honor the award recipients. 

Saratoga Springs Police Department Awarded Certificate of Accreditation

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Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Springs Police Department was formally awarded its first-ever Certificate of Accreditation by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), city Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino announced on Dec. 7.  

This represents a major milestone for the Department, as it has demonstrated that it has met and maintains 111 separate rigorous State standards of excellence in recruitment, training, operations and management, Montagnino said, highlighting Chief Tyler McIntosh, Lt. Angela McGovern “and the many other members of the Department who put in enormous effort in completing this task.”  Lt. McGovern was separately awarded a Certificate of Achievement by DCJS for her work towards accreditation.

“This milestone has eluded our city for two decades. In just six months on the job, however, Chief McIntosh led his team to the successful completion of this mission,” the commissioner said. 

The City Charter of Saratoga Springs has mandated a plan to achieve State accreditation for its Police Department since January 2004. 

Accreditation is also among the 50 Points of Police Reform adopted by the City Council pursuant to former Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order in 2021. 

Public Safety Commissioner-Elect Tim Coll Appoints Deputy

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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Newly-elected Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll announced he has appointed Daniel G. Charleson as Deputy Public Safety Commissioner. Coll’s two-year term begins Jan. 1, 2024.  

Charleson has more than 29 years of experience with the New York State Police, retiring in late November as a Captain and acting Major. His most recent assignment was as Detail Commander for the Protective Services Unit (PSU) which provides protection for NYS Governor Kathy Hochul and the First Family as well as other dignitaries across New York.

Charleson has a master’s degree in public administration from Marist College and extensive experience with Inter-Agency Coordination and Special Events, Coll said in a statement. 

Charleson, a resident of Saratoga Springs, has served as a Board Member and Commissioned Officer Delegate for NYS Troopers PBA, representing more than 220 Lieutenants, Captains, and Majors across the Division of State Police. 

Spa City On Ice

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Holiday Skating Show on Webel Ave. Saturday, Dec. 16.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department presents a holiday skating show 10-11:15 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16 at the city ice skating complex on Weibel Ave.

Event details are in the attached flyer.  

Registration is going on now for winter programs at the recreation department, including basketball, boxing, curling, ice skating & figure skating lessons, and volleyball.

Visit saratogarec.com and click Programs, for complete information and a registration link. Contact the Recreation Department at 518-587-3550 ext. 2300 or email recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions.