SPAC Announces “In Conversation” Event with Julie Scelfo

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) recently announced that its popular fundraising event, “SPAC in Conversation,” will return on Wednesday, Oct. 22 with a refreshed event format in the historic Hall of Springs, featuring award-winning journalist, former New York Times staff writer, and media ecologist Julie Scelfo. Founder and executive director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA), Scelfo will lead a discussion on “fighting back against runaway tech to protect our kids’ childhoods.”

A veteran journalist and mother of three, Scelfo founded MAMA after witnessing how screen addiction, exploitative algorithms, and a lack of regulation have created an increasingly unhealthy and unsafe media environment for children.

“At SPAC, we believe that the arts and our natural surroundings provide a vital refuge and a path to connection,” said Elizabeth Sobol, CEO of SPAC, in a news release. “Julie’s work resonates deeply with that vision, reminding us of the urgency to protect real human experience in a world increasingly shaped by digital forces. We are honored to welcome her voice to our community.”

The afternoon will feature a plated luncheon, boutique shopping, and a keynote presentation by Scelfo, who will share insights into the latest research, the legislative landscape, and practical tools for parents and caregivers. New for this year, the complete event will take place in the Hall of Springs while the Spa Little Theater undergoes renovation.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to return to SPAC and the Saratoga Springs community for a conversation about how parents, educators, caregivers and policymakers are standing up to what may be the biggest public health challenge of our time — a crisis fueled by corporate greed and negligence,” said Scelfo. “I look forward to sharing the inspiring stories of people whose frustration with social media giants and AI companies putting profits before children’s safety led them to take action, and to exploring how we can work together to protect childhood by making changes in our homes, our communities and across the nation.”

Scelfo is returning by popular demand following her “SPAC in Conversation” debut in 2023, discussing her book The Women Who Made New York, an acclaimed collection that uncovers the untold stories of trailblazing women—from activists like Zora Neale Hurston and Audre Lorde to icons like Grace Jones—who shaped New York City’s cultural identity.

For more information or tickets, visit spac.org/events/2025-spac-in-conversation-julie-scelfo/.