Friday, April 1
Launch Party for April Bernard - Brawl & Jag
Northshire Bookstore, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 7 p.m.
Join us for a launch party & reading with poet – and Skidmore College faculty member - April Bernard. In Brawl & Jag, her most personal and accessible collection to date, with poems that are by turns playful, sorrowful and sharp-edged, Bernard explores subjects ranging from a museum of skulls to the Western movie genre. For more information, visit www.northshire.com.
Creative Place International’s Pop! Shakespeare Reading
National Museum of Dance - Riggi Theater, 99 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 7:30 p.m.
Join our resident professional theatre company The Creative Place International as they present POP Shakespeare - a free play reading event. Don’t miss this Shakespearian/Pop Culture mash-up! Free admission. For more information, visit www.dancemuseum.org.
Opera: Xerxes
Arthur Zankel Music Center, Skidmore College, 8 p.m.
Set in present day, this seriocomic opera opens with King Xerxes nobly attempting to launch a sustainability campaign (Vai Verde!), but gets distracted when he falls for his brother’s lover. Power struggles ensue and emotions escalate, aided by Handel’s brilliant score. Featuring guest countertenor Chad Payton in the role of Xerxes and Skidmore faculty baritone Dennis Blackwell with the Skidmore String Orchestra led by guest conductor, Scott Schoonover. $10 adults, $7 seniors & Skidmore community, free for students and children. You can reach the Zankel Box Office at (518) 580-5321.
Saturday, April 2
Defensive Driving Class
First Baptist Church, 45 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
New York State approved. Save 10 percent on your base auto insurance for the next three years and receive up to 4 points off your driving record according to New York State Department of Motor Vehicle guidelines. Fee $35 Bring a friend and fee is $30 each. A portion of the fee goes to First Baptist Church. Registration required and can be made by calling Ray Frankoski at (518) 286-3788.
Maple Weekend
Every spring, the members of the New York State Maple Producers Association and the Upper Hudson Maple Producers invite the community into their sugar houses to experience the world of pure NY maple syrup. Maple Weekend offers a delicious, fun-filled outing that has a little something for all maple-lovers to taste and experience. For more information and participating farms visit www.mapleweekend.com or www.upperhudsonmaple.com.
Northeast Woodworkers Association
Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, Saturday and Sunday, 10 – 5 p.m.
25th Anniversary Showcase Presentation featuring over 600 exhibits of hand-made fine furniture, turnings, carvings, scroll work, toys and accessories judged for awards. Free lectures and demonstrations and over 75 vendors offering woodworking products. Entry fee is $10; children under 12 are free.
Concert: Filene Music Scholarship Competition
Arthur Zankel Music Center, Skidmore College, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Free and open to the public. For more information, call (518) 580-5321 or go to www.skidmore.edu/zankel.
Sunday, April 3
Breakfast Buffet
Saratoga-Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Rt. 9, Saratoga Springs, 8:30 – 11 a.m.
Fruit cocktail, French toast, pancakes, potatoes, breakfast sausage and ham, corned beef hash, scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, juice, coffee and tea. Donation Requested: Adults $8, Seniors and Military (Active/Retired with ID Card) $7, Children 5—12 $6, Under 5 Free, Take-outs $8. Call (518) 584-2585 for more information.
Old World Meets New World
Saratoga National Historical Park, Route 32 and 4, Stillwater, 2 – 3 p.m.
Join Historian Dr. Robert Selig for his presentation. Dr. Selig will discuss the mutual preconceptions of Germans, French and Americans, and how they were changed or re-enforced through actual contact. For more information on this or other programs at Saratoga National Historical Park, call the visitor center at (518) 670-2985 or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/sara follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SaratogaNHP.
Cooking Class
Four Seasons, 120 Henry St., Saratoga, 4 – 6 p.m.
Spain - saffron chickpea paella, patatas bravas, red onion olive salad. Learn the core fundamental techniques of international vegetarian cooking. Using the freshest, healthiest seasonal ingredients, this class includes a discussion and demonstration of several essential culinary techniques and generous tastes of dishes prepared. Cost is $35 for each class and will be taught by Intaba Liff-Anderson, one of the “seasoned” chefs at Four Seasons Cafe. For questions or to register, call (518) 587-4670 ext. 2 and speak to Rich or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Monday, April 4
Saratoga Springs Retired Teachers Association Meeting
Longfellows Restaurant, 500 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs, Noon
Membership is open to retired educators who taught in or now live in Saratoga County. For membership information, call (518) 587-5356.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 234 Meeting
23 Pleasant St., Ballston Spa, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 5
Annual Meeting of The Catholic Daughters of the Americas
Knights of Columbus Hall, 50 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs. 6 p.m.
The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court McLaughlin #422, will hold their April meeting. Arrive at 6 p.m. for refreshments and social time and meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. The April meeting will include honoring past Regents/10 year plus anniversaries. New members are always welcome to come and see what the Catholic Daughters are all about. For any questions or further information, contact Regent Aileen Thomas at (518) 583-2905.
9 Miles East Farm and Pizza Night
Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry St., Schuylerville, 6:30 p.m.
Meet Gordon Sacks, owner of 9 Miles East Farm and Pizza. Learn about the food, how to order, and best of all how it all tastes. Join us for a tasty informational night. For more information, call (518) 695-6641.
Wednesday, April 6
Olde Saratoga Seniors Meeting
Town Hall, 30 Ferry St., Schuylerville, Noon
It will be a casserole luncheon. Please bring a dish to share. New members are always welcome. Call Pat (518) 331-2978.
Guided Mindful Meditation
Saratoga Springs Public Library, Susman Room, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Take a break from the daily grind and clear your mind with guided Mindful Meditation led by professionals from One Roof Holistic Health Center. Sessions are free and open to the public, and will be held on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call (518) 584-7860 ext. 205.
Poetry Open Mic
Caffè Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 7 p.m.
Caffè Lena will present poetry readings by Lisa Wiley and Peter Marcus. An open reading will follow. Doors open for sign-ups at 7p.m. and the readings will start at 7:30 p.m.. The host for the event will be Carol Graser and the cost is $5. For more information, call (518) 583-0022, www.caffelena.org
Thursday, April 7
Music of 1930s with Annie and the Hedonists
Saratoga Springs Public Library, H. Dutcher Community Room, Noon – 1 p.m.
Come hear the best band in the Capital District deliver songs from the 1930s. You’ve read “Boys in the Boat,” now come hear what people were listening to at the time. For more information, visit http://www.annieandthehedonists.com.
Saratoga Torch Club Meeting
Augie’s Family Style Italian Restaurant, 17 Low St., Ballston Spa. 5:30 pm
President Norine Haas of the International Association of Torch Clubs, Inc.,will present a Charter to President Gerald Stulc. The Saratoga Torch Club will then be formally one of the some 70 Torch Clubs in the United States and Canada. The presentation this month will be “Energy for the World Now … Energy in the Future … An Exploration of Alternate Technologies”, by Louis Schick, Chief Technical Officer and Partner of the New World Capital Group based in Manhattan. Reservations are requested and welcomed. Contact Leo Kellogg at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (518) 279-5401. The meeting in May will be at Skidmore College and in June at the Wishing Well Restaurant.
Recovery Advocacy in Saratoga
Saratoga Springs Public Library, Dutcher Community Room, 7 p.m.
Join RAIS (Recovery Advocacy in Saratoga) in welcoming Andrew McKenna, local author. The event is free to the public. Local author, attorney Andrew McKenna tells his story of achievement, addiction, personal recovery and service to others. He offers insight from his experience as Federal Prosecutor to Federal Prisoner. He is an engaging and motivating speaker. Book signing will follow talk.
