The state’s premier outdoor concert venue is celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer as Saratoga Performing Arts Center kicks off its golden anniversary concert season with the fourth running of the SPAC Rock and Run, which offers 5k, 10k and half marathon distances, on May 15. Albany-area siblings Jocelyn and Chris Arndt, who were breakout artists at last fall’s Utica Music and Arts Festival, will perform as part of the SPAC Rock and Run Races.
Once the music takes over, highlights this season include a three-night run from Phish July 1 to 3 and a double bill of Dave Matthews Band July 15 and 16. Dead and Company pay a visit to SPAC June 21 with John Mayer laying down Jerry’s licks, and Mumford and Sons bring their electric brand of folk to a sold-out show on June 15.
The annual Freihofers Saratoga Jazz Festival, featuring headliner Smokey Robinson in addition to three 2016 Grammy Award winners, Jon Cleary, Christian McBride, and Eliane Elias, takes place June 25 and 26.
SPAC’s long-time resident the Philadelphia Orchestra takes up its annual residency beginning Aug. 3, and the New York City Ballet brings 16 ballet performances throughout July.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center 2016 Pop/Rock Schedule:
June 11 – Dixie Chicks
June 15 – Mumford and Sons
June 21 – Dead and Company
July 1 – Phish
July 2 – Phish
July 3 – Phish
July 5 – Journey, The Doobie Brothers, Dave Mason
July 10 – Steely Dan with Steve Winwood
July 12 – Disturbed and Breaking Benjamin with Alter Bridge and Saint Asonia
July 13 – Tedeschi Trucks Band with Los Lobos and North Mississippi Allstars
July 15 – Dave Matthews Band
July 16 – Dave Matthews Band
July 24 – Slipknot with Marilyn Manson and Of Mice and Men
July 25 – Josh Groban with Sarah McLachlan
July 26 – Janet Jackson
Sept. 3 – Zac Brown Band with Drake White and the Big Fire
Sept. 8 – Heart with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Cheap Trick
https://youtu.be/pJ9Hmy3fPK8
Joining the boys from England for the extensive tour will be REO Speedwagon and Tesla. STYX will appear on select dates near the beginning of the tour, replacing REO Speedwagon on some dates.


This week, the Luetticke-Archbells are entertaining a shortlist of potential acts: Charlie Daniels Band, Kenny Rogers, Oak Ridge Boys or Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Released in July 2014, Mandatory Fun marked Weird Al’s first number one album. He also took home a Grammy Award in the Best Comedy Album category for it. The album was well received by critics, and the virality of its music videos helped place it atop the Billboard Top 200 shortly after it was released. As NYS Music’s Michael Hallisey said, “Mandatory Fun is Al’s 14th release, and by far his masterpiece. Like Warner Brothers through Looney Tunes, Yankovic is able to tie in current events with references to the past, allowing listeners from multiple generations to enjoy.” Mandatory Fun is likely Yankovic’s last normal length album as he shifts to releasing songs through EPs and singles over the internet.