Ben Folds has been announced as the headlining act of the Saratoga New Year’s Eve celebration. The two-day event will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 31, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, at different venues around the city’s center.
Ben Folds is a singer-songwriter-composer who has created an enormous body of genre-bending music including pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records. He will cap off the evening at Saratoga Springs City Center.
The celebration will kick off with a free outdoor concert by local funk band Tops of Trees on Ellsworth Jones Place, located just outside of the Saratoga Springs City Center. Fireworks, launched from the top level of the City Center’s parking garage, will accompany this performance from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Mystic Bowie’s Talking Dreads will perform at the historic Universal Preservation Hall. Jamaican-born frontman Mystic Bowie reimagines and infuses fresh life into the Talking Heads’ classic catalog with his mix of roots reggae and ska. Since 2015, the charismatic singer and performer has electrified audiences at hundreds of shows across North America – spinning the heads of initially skeptical Talking Heads fans, and getting everyone else grooving along to the infectious, joyous rhythms and jubilant spirit of his native island. This and other performances by Los Sugar Kings, Dogs in a Pile, and Lindsey Kraft will be held throughout the day.
The festivities will conclude on New Year’s Day with the Saratoga First Day 5K, a fun and healthy tradition for runners and anyone looking to start 2025 off right.
Tickets and limited VIP packages are on sale now. Purchase and learn more about Ben Folds in Saratoga Springs here.
Caffe Lena has announced the return of blues-roots fan-favorite Professor Louie & The Crowmatix on October 26.
Professor Louie & The Crowmatix from Woodstock have been consistently returning to Caffe Lena. They have been expanding the borders of the Americana, Roots & Blues genres since the early 2000’s with Professor Louie’s stories, keyboard playing, singing and accordion. Their repertoire continually expands with Crowmatix songs from their 17 albums of originals, blues and Americana music.
Their connection with audiences at shows helps create a family rapport. Prof. Louie (keyboards vocals-accordion) is joined onstage by band mates Miss Marie (vocals, percussion and piano) Frank Campbell (bass, vocals) guitar-slinging skills of Todd Mihan and drummer Dan Hickey. Professor Louie & The Crowmatix create a show that is constantly evolving with songs consisting of elements of Rock n Roll, Blues, Folk & Gospel Music with a dose of Jam framed in solid songwriting.
Professor Louie is known for his production work with the famous rock group The Band. His performance style and songwriting has been known to captivate audiences in both The Crowmatix and his solo work. Caffe Lena is proud to host the multi-talented group yet again this October 26 from 8:00PM to 10:00PM.
Tickets to see the group play at Caffe Lena start at $15 and can be purchased online here. To learn more about the Crowmatix, click here.
Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs has announced the return of their free annual pop-up health and wellness clinic on October 20.
Medical professionals from Saratoga Hospital and community organizations will provide testing, evaluation, health & wellness education, as well as assistance obtaining access to ongoing care during a one-day pop-up health clinic. These services are available free of charge to anyone in the creative community, including artists, musicians, designers, photographers, filmmakers, writers, and all others who work in a creative capacity and live in the Saratoga region.
The clinic was brought to life three years ago through the vision of Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center nurse and musician Jill Burnham RN, BCEN of “Mark and Jill Sing the Blues”. This year’s event is made possible by the generous support of the Rotary Club of Saratoga, with additional support from Caffè Lena, Sight and Sound Vision Care for the Music Industry, and Saratoga Hospital.
Available services will include:
Vision Screenings and Free Eyewear/Sight and Sound Vision Care
Insurance Navigation Services
Connection to Primary Care Services/Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center
Narcan Training & Distribution
Blood Pressure Screenings
Nutrition Services
Cancer Screening Program
Hearing Screenings
To learn more about Caffe Lena’s pop-up health and wellness clinic on October 20 visit their website by clicking here.
A group of the finest young professional classical musicians based out of Carnegie Hall, Ensemble Connect, have announced their return to Skidmore College for their 18th year.
The Ensemble Connect performance takes place in Helen Filene Ladd Concert Hall, Arthur Zankel Music Center, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. This event is free and open to the public; no tickets are required. Their Oct. 25 performance at Skidmore occurs at the end of the five-day residency and spotlights the music of South Africa. The performance includes a South African Kwela celebration in collaboration with Skidmore students.
The concert will be bookended by a pair of stunning piano quintets: Bongani Ndodana-Breen’s Safika: Three Tales on African Migration and Dvořák’s Piano Quintet No. 2, and will also feature Andile Khumalo’s Cry Out, a notable work for viola, oboe, marimba, and piano. Together, these pieces suggest echoes of lives, songs, dances, and connections to a land that endure despite the forces of time and change.
Arthur Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College
The fall residency will take place Oct. 22-26 at Skidmore College. While in residence, the fellows of Ensemble Connect engage with Skidmore College students and the broader Saratoga Springs community offering master classes, lessons, class demonstrations, and interactive performances.
Ensemble Connect is a two-year fellowship program that prepares extraordinary young professional classical musicians for careers that combine musical excellence with teaching, community engagement, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
The fellowship includes a series of concerts where the musicians explore classical music in all its iterations, performing the timeless alongside new works. Since 2007, these concerts have included Skidmore College, where Ensemble Connect participates in residencies each year in October and February, allowing many members of the Skidmore and surrounding communities to experience the unique artform that is classical music.
Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect in 2023
For more information on the upcoming Ensemble Connect performances at Skidmore College, click here.
On September 5, Upstate folk artist Kate McDonnell releases her sixth album, Trapeze. To celebrate, McDonnell returns to Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs for the album release party on September 20.
This is the latest release from McDonnell since her last album, Ballad of a Bad Girl, released in 2021. The album explored heavy themes of female gender identity and the relationships that stem from it. This time, the complex, introspective political themes are back in full force and more prominent than ever.
In this album, McDonnell covers a wide range of topics, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the tragic shootings occurring in the United States. But while these political issues are a central focus of the album, they are by no means the only issues McDonnell sings about. Struggles between family members, personal mental health, the death of a loved one, and leaving your home to pursue an independent life are all abundantly clear themes.
The opening track, “Pretty Good Day,” begins the album with a deceptively positive note. No matter what the struggles of life mean to her, it’s going to be a pretty good day when she spends time with those who provide a sense of security in the wake of such an isolating time like the pandemic. However, tracks like “All On My Own” and “Madeline” depict those feelings of loneliness, sadness, and depression as clear as day. The album’s finisher, “You Won’t Blow Away,” however, reminds us that even if things do not go our way, or if bad things happen, it is not the end of the world.
McDonnell’s political tinges don’t end there. The track “Step Right Up” dedicates itself to those who lost their lives to gun violence throughout the United States. As a firm advocate for gun safety laws and ending gun violence, McDonnell pays a wonderful tribute to the children whose lives were lost to gun violence throughout the country.
On September 20, Kate McDonnell hosts a release party for Trapeze at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. Trapeze is out now on all streaming platforms. For more information, visit Kate McDonnell’s website.
Dogs In A Pile have announced a four-day run at Saratoga Springs’ Putnam Place from December 28-31 to ring in the New Year. These shows come in the aftermath of the band’s cross-country fall 2024 tour.
Art by Joe Winograd
Dogs In A Pile began in Asbury Park, at the heart of the Jersey Shore. Guitarist Jimmy Law and drummer Joe Babick teamed up with Berklee graduates Sam Lucid (bass), Jeremy Kaplan (keyboard), and Brian Murray (guitar). Together, the quintet has made a name for itself for their eclectic mix of funk, rock, and psychedelia. With live shows that build improvised psychedelic soundscapes, the band has amassed a large cult following, known as the Dog Pound.
2024 marks a monumental year for Dogs In A Pile. Throughout the Summer, the quintet has headlined multiple shows and concerts in Colorado, and toured with Andy Frasco & The U.N. and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. Following up these shows, the band announced a cross-country fall tour. The tour begins on October 25th in Philadelphia, before looping around the country for a November 22nd show in Atlanta.
To cap off this busy year of touring, Dogs In A Pile will play four nights at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs. Located in Downtown Saratoga Springs, the 400+ person venue is a staple of Upstate New York tours. Over the years, the venue has hosted everyone from Ghostface Killah to Blues Traveler. Among Putnam Place’s many shows was a NYE 2023 show by Dogs In A Pile. The show was a display of the band’s musical ability, debuting four new songs, and playing a number of improvised psychedelic jams.
Dogs In A Pile at Putnam Place on December 31st, 2023. Photo by Nick Codina
Now, Dogs In A Pile will return to Putnam Place from December 28th to 31st. These shows will put their improvisational prowess to the test, and offer audiences the chance to see original tunes and fresh takes on loved covers. Ticket presale begins on Wednesday, August 14th at 12pm ET. General public sale will follow on Friday, August 16th at 12pm ET. In addition, concert-goers can purchase a 4-day pass including access to all shows. For more information, visit the Dogs In A Pile website here.
Dogs In A Pile Fall 2024 Dates
10/25 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia 10/26 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia 10/29 – St. Louis, MO – Atomic Cowboy 10/31 – Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall 11/1 – Dallas, TX – Deep Ellum Art Co. 11/2 – Dallas, TX – Deep Ellum Art Co. 11/6 – Buena Vista, CO – Surf Hotel 11/8 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre 11/9 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre
11/12 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown 11/13 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line 11/15 – Milwaukee, WI – Vivarium 11/16 – Chicago, IL – Chop Shop 11/17 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache 11/19 – Asheville, NC – Salvage Station 11/21 – Nashville, TN – Basement East 11/22 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West 12/28 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Place 12/29 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Place 12/30 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Place 12/31 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Place
The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, located in Ballston Spa, NY, has announced its summer concert series, “Concerts in the Park.” Events and performances will take place weekly on Thursdays from 6-8 pm in Lions Music Park at the historic Iron Spring Park on Front Street. Attendees can enjoy performances from a wide variety of performers, including community symphonic bands and local rock groups.
Formed in 1983, the BSBPA is committed to making Ballston Spa a thriving, prosperous community that is great for both business and everyday life. Since its inception, they have promoted local vendors, merchants, and businesses alongside artists and musicians in and surrounding the area. The Concerts in the Park series is one of their many events promoting the extensive talent in the thriving neighborhood.
From chamber ensembles to indie rock bands, the Ballston Spa Concerts in the Park series celebrates musicians of all kinds. Listed below is the full list of those performing for Concerts in the Park.
The Ballston Spa Community Band makes their return to the concert series just in time for the opening performance. Since 2005, the volunteer musicians that make up the band have bonded over their love of music. About a dozen times each year, the Ballston Spa Community Band performs in schools, parks, and theaters in the area. Join them for a sensational opening performance on June 27.
For the last 15 years, HEARD has brought captivating fusions of jazz, improvisational, and world music to festivals and concerts all over the country. Their vibrant sound incorporates influences from West Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, and beyond.
Based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Fenimore Blues performs an eclectic mix of blues, R&B, and rock. The blend of genres comes from multiple inspirations, including Bonnie Raitt, Aretha Franklin, the Neville Brothers, the Allman Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, Etta James, Santana, and even Tedeschi Trucks. Their unique stage presence stems from its instrumentation – Sherian Nolan’s powerful vocals are backed by guitar, keyboards, saxophone, bass, and drums, and one band member doubling on accordion.
Concerts in the Park once again welcomes the Union Fire Company Band with an ice cream social, accompanied by a performance from the Union Fire Company Band. Support the Ballston Spa local fire department on August 1st.
Hailing from Upstate NY, Sirsy is a sassy pop-rock duo with an amazing musical ability. Drummer Melanie Krahmer, who also plays keyboards, is joined by her husband John (guitar), these multi-instrumentalists manage to sound like a full band. Sirsy is known for their passionate, honest, heartfelt live performances. The Boston Globe calls SIRSY the “little band with the big sound.”
For the last 30 years, Lustre Kings have cemented themselves as focused, driven, and passionate musicians returning to their roots. Their reverb-driven sounds of early rock lean on touchstones of country, blues, and R&B.
The Protones are a group of well-seasoned musicians bringing back the classic sounds of 70s rock to venues and festivals all over the state. Join them as they close out the Concerts in the Park series on August 22!
The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announced the list of events they will be hosting during the summer season. Events include Frances Day, Family Saturdays, Crafts on the Grass, and the inaugural Skidmore College Juneteenth Celebration.
The most anticipated of these events is the 2024 rendition of its summer concert series, “Upbeat on the Roof,” located in Saratoga Springs, NY. The series will run each Thursday from July 11 through August 15. All events are free and open to the public. Art-making activities are geared toward children 5 and older, with an adult companion.
A wide variety of performers will attend the concert series, including both revisiting and new performers. This year, a new collaboration with The Orchard Project and a theater and performance incubator in residence at Skidmore are among the newcomers.
The Tang Teaching Museum – Official website
For 23 years, the Tang Teaching Museum has brought the summer concert series to Saratoga Springs. However, the concert series is not just for musicians, as the aforementioned arts and crafts events, as well as the debuting of art for the museum’s gallery, take place after the performances. Showcasing a diverse set of performers and artists, and spanning across several genres, Upbeat on the Roof brings the best of what Skidmore College has to offer.
The Tang Teaching Museum located at Skidmore College is a monumental feat in the world of education. With exhibition programs that bring together visual and performing arts with interdisciplinary ideas from history, economics, biology, dance, and physics, the Tang inspires learning on a higher level adapted to our modern times. The Tang has one of the most rigorous faculty engagement initiatives in the nation, as well as a robust publication and touring exhibition program that brings the Tang all around the world.
Staff at Upbeat on the Roof are dedicated to providing a family-friendly, fun space for their upcoming concert series. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, camping chairs, food, and drink to picnic on the lawn. Craft kits will be available at 5:30 pm; concerts begin at 6 pm.
Below is the full schedule of summer events hosted by the Tang, including the lineup of the 2024 rendition of Upbeat on the Roof.
Skidmore College’s Juneteenth Celebration – Saturday, June 22, noon to 3 pm
Celebrate Juneteenth at Skidmore College’s annual celebration. The event features Juneteenth-themed arts and crafts, storytelling, food, and performances, with ongoing activities and timed events inside and outside the Museum. Black-owned businesses will have items for sale, including clothing, hand-crafted products, flowers, baked goods, and more. Live musical performances are scheduled for the event, as well. It’s a great opportunity to support local Black artists!
Musical performances will be:
Noon-12:15 pm: Welcome and hip-hop dance performance by Prodigal B
12:15-1:15 pm: Neo-soul music performance by Adrian Emanuel
1:15-2 pm: Congolese dance and drumming workshop by Nkoula Badila and Angel Lau
2-3 pm: Gospel performance by The Heavenly Echoes Gospel Band
Family Saturdays – Saturdays, July 6, August 3, August 17, 2 to 3:30 pm
Our popular Family Saturdays foster multigenerational creative cooperation through looking at artwork, discussing it, and engaging in a hands-on art-making activity. The programs, which are free and open to the public, run from 2 to 3:30 pm. They are suitable for children ages 5 and older, accompanied by their adult companions. No registration required; supplies provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Led by Njeri Jennings, the Laurie M. Tisch Educator for K-12 and Community Programs at the Tang Teaching Museum, the programs are inspired by current exhibitions and art from the Tang collection. Details for each Family Saturday will be announced later.
Crafts on the Grass – Thursdays, July 11 to August 15, 5:30 pm
Before each Upbeat on the Roof concert, Tang museum educators will offer Crafts on the Grass, art-making kits for kids starting at 5:30 pm. A different kit with a craft project will be available each week. All projects are suitable for children aged 5 and up, with adult supervision. Materials will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Frances Day – Saturday, July 20, 2 to 6:30 pm
The Tang Teaching Museum’s annual open house features contemporary art exhibitions, art-making activities, tours, food, music, and more in honor of the museum’s namesake, Frances Young Tang. Details of Frances Day—including tours, art-making activities, and musical guests—will be announced soon and listed on the Tang website.
Visitors of all ages engage in art-making activities during the 2023 Frances Day community open at the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College. This year’s Frances Day is July 20. Photo by Megan Mumford.
Upbeat on the Roof Summer Concert Series
July 11 – Future of Broadway
The Orchard Project is a preeminent artistic development laboratory and accelerator for creators of performance and dramatic stories, in residence each summer in Saratoga Springs. This special Upbeat on the Roof performance features selections from project-in-residence Safety Not Guaranteed, a theatrical version of the 2012 feature film, with music by Guster’s Ryan Miller and Nick Blaemire, that will have a major New York City production this fall; and from composers-in-residence Jesse J. Sanchez, Anna DeNoia, and others
July 18: Great Mutations
Great Mutations is a Troy, New York-based rock band that brings melodic, intricate songs about love, work, and death to their performances. Since their formation in 2012, they have released four studio albums, including their most recent LP, Gifted Kids, in April. Band members are singer and guitarist Matthew Thouin, bassist Mitchell Masterson, drummer Ian White, and guitarist Tommy Krebs. Join them for the 2024 Upbeat on The Roof on July 18!
Great Mutations – Bandcamp
July 25: Dust Bowl Faeries
Celebrating their tenth year in 2024, Dust Bowl Faeries perform a faerie-tale medley of dark cabaret and gothic polka music, infused with a dose of witchcraft and a dusting of woodland magic. Hailing from the New York Hudson Valley, the band draws inspiration from circus music, murder ballads, and Eastern European folk songs. Instruments like the accordion, lap-steel, electric bass, percussion, and acoustic guitar combine to create the Dust Bowl Faeries’ mystic sound. Founded by Ryder Cooley (“faerie queen”), Dust Bowl Faeries includes Jon B. Woodin (“rocket faerie”), Jude Roberts (“hobbit faerie”), Rubie LaRue (“feisty faerie”), and Andrew Stein (“time faerie”).
Dust Bowl Faeries, photo by Stephen Spera
August 1: Drank the Gold
Drank the Gold is made up of two members: fiddler Oona Grady and multi-instrumentalist James Gascoyne. In 2023, the band was named the Folk/Traditional Artist of the Year at the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards. The duo plays North Atlantic dance tunes and traditional folk songs with their own original twist, bringing a new face to the folk scene. See them perform at Upbeat on the Roof on August 1.
Drank the Gold, photo by Elizabeth Pedinotti Haynes
August 8: Dan Carr and the Cure for Asthma
The band, in their own words: “Deep within the piney hills of Albany, New York, lurks a gaggle of obnoxious strummers, bangers, and sangers on an epic plot to take over all of Albany. Their music is so incredibly catchy it will brainwash and destroy all the evil-doers in Albany AND Troy. Rock, Country, distortion, they have it all. Tori, Juliana, Gabe, Joe, Sam, and Dan won’t stop ever.” Join them for a rock’n’roll night at Upbeat on the Roof on August 8.
August 15: Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band
The 2023 and 2024 Americana Artist of the Year at the Thomas Edison Music Awards, Reese Fulmer and his band are among the fastest-rising groups in the Capital Region. The Carriage House Band has appeared in duo, trio, quartet, 5- and 6-piece formats, and has featured artists including Chris Carey, James Gascoyne, Andy Arnold, Connor Dunn, Dustin DeLuke, Julia Alsarraf, JP Hubbs, Orion Kribs, Bobby Kendall, Chris Bloniarz, Matt Griffin, Connor Armbruster, Paul Guay, Sara Milonovich, Jimi Woodul, Katie Weissman, and Joe Woodul. Join them on August 15 as they close out Upbeat on the Roof!
Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band – Official Facebook
Performances will take place every Thursday from July 11 through August 15. Tickets and more information are available here.
The premier New York summer event for Deadheads and jam band enthusiasts is back. The Circus of the Dead Festival will be returning to Lee’s Campground in Saratoga Springs on June 21 and 22 for a literally jam-packed weekend of performances celebrating the spirit of the Grateful Dead.
2024 marks the second year of Saratoga Springs’ spin on their annual Circus of Life Festival, Circus of the Dead, which stemmed from a visit by Dead and Company in 2023 while they were on their final tour. While the Grateful Dead will sadly not be touring in Saratoga Springs this year, or anywhere for that matter, this year’s festival is still set to deliver an experience for Deadheads of all ages.
Highlights among the bands set to perform include high-octane new-funk electrofusion and dance band Kung Fu, never-before-heard supergroup Uncle Vin’s Band, featuring Vinnie Amico, Nate Wilson, and Al Schnier from moe.., Marc Brownstein of The Disco Biscuits, and Max Verna of The Ominous Seapods. This extraordinary supergroup promises a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration that will blow your mind and leave you craving more. Plus don’t miss genre-bending one-man band Keller Williams, who’s playing a must-see Dead Infusion set. Multiple performances will also include light shows and other visual effects. 16 other bands are billed to play during the densely packed two-day festival.
Beyond the performing artists, a variety of activities and attractions for guests will be available during the weekend. Art installations and workshops, food and merchandise vendors, circus acts and performances and LED walls, lasers and light shows will all be present to enhance everyone’s experience.
General admission tickets cover both days of the weekend and also include the ability to tent or car camp. Tickets for no-camp single days are also available, as well as early arrival and RV passes. General admission tickets are $176.88, and single-day tickets are $74.64.
Saratoga Springs music venue Caffe Lena has announced their top picks for the month of May. From May 1 to 31 Caffe Lena sees a massive lineup of shows and performers for the community to enjoy.
Caffe Lena is a well-known host of talent for the Upstate New York community. Various walks of life see the stage at this venue through a wide range of genre and background. The venueâs mission is to keep a diverse set of programs and artists, regardless of fame, to present to the community. Caffe Lena is where musical discovery begins on all fronts. All shows held in-person in Lenaâs historic listening room are also streamed live to living rooms around the world.
In May, the venue showcases a lengthy, talent-packed lineup of shows including musical performances, poetry open mic nights, and more. Genres like folk, bluegrass, jazz and roots are showcased this May along with songwriting workshops, poetry nights, and kids club concerts. There’s something for all members of the community this month.
Caffe Lena’s Top Shows for May
May 1 – 7 PM Poetry Open Mic Night feat Darcy Smith
May 2 – 7 PM Kruger Brothers
May 3 – 8 PM Dan Navarro
May 7 – 7 PM Live Stream: Storytelling Night feat Miki Conn
May 11 – 8 PM Bandits on the Run
May 12 – 7 PM Peter Rowan
May 17 – 8 PM Ana Egge
May 22 – 7:30 PM Willi Carlisle
May 30 – 7 PM Abigail Lapell
For more information on Caffe Lena’s upcoming dates and performers, click here.
