Opera Saratoga based out of Saratoga Springs has announced their 64th Summer Season which runs from May 20 – June 29.
Offenbach, Meilhac & Halévy’s sparkling, witty, and electric La Vie Parisienne takes us to the heart of the demi-monde in 1860s Paris where two bachelors play tour guide to a Swedish Baron and Baroness. They showcase the Paris of their imagination, complete with visits to dives that they claim are fancy palaces and meetings with friends who are disguised as aristocrats. La Vie Parisienne is social critique at its most hilarious. You will leave the theater humming catchy patter songs and raucous party numbers. This show includes four performances at Universal Preservation Hall on June 20, 26 & 28 at 7:30 pm and June 22 at 2:00 pm.
Offenbach’s romp runs in repertory with Bock, Harnick & Masteroff’s jewel-box musical She Loves Me. Famous for tunes like “Vanilla Ice Cream”, “She Loves Me”, and “It’s Been Grand Knowing You”, this sweet story focuses on two employees in a Budapest parfumerie who are sworn enemies during the day but unsuspecting lonely hearts penpals at night. This show consists of five performances at Universal Preservation Hall June 21, 25, 27 at 7:30 pm and June 28 & 29 at 2:00 pm.
Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs
Earlier in the month, the company will produce a site-specific installation version of In a Grove composed by Chris Cerrone with libretto by Stephanie Fleischmann. This operatic adaptation of Akutagawa’s classic short story “In a Grove” which inspired the plot of Kurosawa’s renowned film Rashomon, offers a searing investigation into the impossibility and elusiveness of truth. This show takes flight with four performances at the Ferndell Pavilion in Saratoga Spa State Park on May 28 at 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm, and May 29 at 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm.
Saratoga Spa State Park
Finally, the company will present a work-in-progress showing of composer Emma O’Halloran and librettist Naomi O’Connell’s A Mass for Women in Bathrooms. This opera-theater work for three singers, an actress and electronic sound design by Alex Dowling reframes the structure of the Irish Catholic Mass to tell an intimate family story of three sisters and their mother. A story born from personal experience, A Mass for Women in Bathrooms examines themes of infertility, reproductive rights, and dementia, while reclaiming bodily autonomy for women in a historically violent space. This project is funded in part by the Arts Council of Ireland. This show airs with two work-in-progress performances at Universal Preservation Hall on June 22 at 7:30 pm and June 27 at 2:00 pm.
For more information on the Opera Saratoga Summer Series and to purchase tickets click here.
This summer, The Homer Center for the Arts on 72 S, Main Street, in Homer is teaming up with So Good! Ice Cream to present a diverse line-up of music for the late summer.
With incredible ice cream, homemade cotton candy, unique sundaes, killer sunsets, and home of the So Good Music Series, each summer the ice cream site hosts the series. Plus, So Good! features “Adult Only” specialty ice cream for those 21+, with shows beginning at 7:00 pm.
On August 8th Colleen Kattau and Kyle Michio will be taking the stage, showcasing their talents and enhancing each other’s performance. Colleen Kattau is an award-winning blingual singer-songwriter, known for her blend of folk and latin music, her soulful voice brings the lyrics to life. As a beloved figure in the folk world, Kattau connects with the audience through her composition full of nature, social movements, and Latin American nueva canción.
Micho is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Syracuse with a large span of genres from folk, jazz, to classical music. His blend of sounds are both innovative and contains traditional music.
On August 22nd, Second Spring and Mr Gâs Homie Discount will be performing. Second Spring is a local Ithaca indie rock band that brings contemporary music to life. The band currently consists of members Isabella Gold, Erin Wagner, Isaiah Berger, Carys Banford and Aron Kaplan-Hall. With energetic an heartfelt performances, Second Spring has a loyal following.
Mr G’s Homie Discount blends funk, soul, and hip-hop. With a groovy and magnetic stage presence, the band has an infectious energy, making the crowd dance.
On August 1, The Black Ties delivered a blast from the past performance at the Fort Wadsworth Outlook in Staten Island, entertaining an audience with their dynamic blend of rock, soul, folk, and even a few Black Ties original songs while the sun sets right in front of the Manhattan skyline.
The evening was getting underway with breathtaking views of the Manhattan HighLine, leaving the crowd in a serene setting. The Black Ties opened their act with a medley of classic rock hits that got them up and dancing right off the bat. With seamless transitions between rock to soul anthems like “Band On The Run” by Paul McCartney to “My Girl” by The Temptations, the energy never dipped from its top.
The Black Ties kept the audience guessing all through the night with their freeform style. With no setlist, it was a breeze from song to song, well-loved classics blended with their own material. Among the highlights were timeless hits done and some from their own catalog. The enthusiasm of the crowd was in the air with cheers and applause that went ringing across the Outlook.
The energy peaked as the show came to a close with a spontaneous “one more song” chant from the audience. The Black Ties responded in kind, driven by a strong and sincere performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” effectively closing the evening patriotically and emotionally. The audience joined in to create one of those really special moments of unity and shared experience.
Tag’s Summer Stage, located in Big Flats, NY, is set for three more concerts in their summer series.
The large Southern Tier venue has hosted an impressive line-up featuring Billy Currington, Rip Moore, Larry Fleet, Brantley Gilbert and more. The rest of the season will feature Primus, Coheed & Cambria, The Australian Pink Floyd Show, and Flo Rida, bringing in a diverse genre of music from country to hip-hop, something for everyone to dance to.
August 10th, 7:00PM – Primus, Coheed and Cambria with Puddles Pity Party
The Mich Ultra Summer Stage at Tag’s welcomes cutting-edge rock superstars, PRIMUS with special guests’ progressive rock, & science fiction comic band Coheed and Cambria & America Got Talent Puddles Pity Party. Joining together for a night of unforgettable entertainment
September 8th, 7:30PM – Australian Pink Floyd Show
Selling over 4 million tickets worldwide and described by The Times as “The Gold Standard” and The Daily Mirror as “The Kings of the Genre”, The Australian Pink Floyd Show Performing the music of Pink Floyd with a note for note perfection, this critically acclaimed show has been astonishing audiences worldwide for more than three decades.
Always striving to reproduce the complete Pink Floyd experience and bring the music to new audiences, the show continues to include a stunning light and laser show, video animations, state-of-the-art, high-resolution LED screen technology, and other special effects. In addition, and in true Pink Floyd fashion, there are several huge inflatables including a giant pig and their own unique Pink Kangaroo.
September 14th, 8:00PM – Flo Rida
Grammy-nominated hip-hop superstar known for his party anthems, Flo Rida, brings his high-energy party to Tag’s Summer Stage Series for one electric night on, Saturday, September 14th. Joining Flo Rida is the #1 US Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper, with over 100 million records sold worldwide, is MIMS. To get the party started off right a world-class DJ will spin the tunes to keep you dancing the night away. It promises to be one unforgettable evening. We can’t wait to see you all party at “My House”, as we all have a “Good Feeling”, it’s going to be one of the “Wild Ones.”
Jamestown’s Pearl City Hops announced the return of their Summer Music On the Patio Series, with an exciting lineup of local artists, hosting a wide variety of acts every Monday, from May to September.
Whether you’re an acoustic, soul, or upbeat pop fan, Pearl City Hops’ lineup has something for you to enjoy.
Pearl City Hops Restaurant & Tavern opened in 2018, and has been serving American comfort food with a Southern twist ever since. Located at the center of Jamestown and offering convenient access to live music, the upscale feel makes the establishment a perfect environment to enjoy a laid back concert.
The Summer Music Series is a great way to connect with the community and enjoy the summer weather. Mark your calendars for the exciting lineup below!
Pearl City Hops Summer Music Series
Monday May 27th- Adam Mckillip
Monday June 3rd – Mandy Majtan
Monday June 10th – Adam Gould
Monday June 17th – Jade Giambrone
Monday June 24th – Charity Nuse
Monday July 1st – Jai Callpepper
Monday July 8th – Assembly Trio (Drew & Lena)
Monday July 15th – SON
Monday July 22nd – Gavin Paterniti
Monday July 29th – Amber & Josh
Monday August 5th – Justin Wheeler
Monday August 12th – Jamie Smith
Monday August 19th – Sixpence
Monday August 26th – Shamus
Monday September 2nd – Miranda Wilcox
A tour of the restaurant and tavern is available below, and the menu is available at the following link.
The annual Stewart’s Signature Series at Skidmore College is back for 2024, with an exciting list of public summer events, starting June 24 and running until July 16. Events will take place between four different venues, which include Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the Arthur Zankel Music Center.
The series will kick off on Monday, June 24, with a reading by novelist Cristina Garcia and poet Megan Fernandes. The event will begin at 8 p.m. in Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor, on Skidmore’s campus. Additional highlights include a performance by Grammy Award-winning Panamanian pianist, Danilo Pérez and a reading given by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Paul Harding. Events will be held on the Skidmore College campus, or locally at Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Caffe Lena.
“Stewart’s and the Dake family are proud to support Skidmore’s contribution to Saratoga’s arts community,” said Bill Dake, chairman of the board of Stewart’s Shops. “Saratoga’s eclectic mix of live events, from the excitement of horse racing to the enchantment of theater, dance, and music, encapsulates the essence of our city’s charm. The Stewart’s Signature Series plays an important part in the Saratoga summer experience, and we strongly encourage everyone — local residents and visitors — to seize the opportunity to attend these unique events at Skidmore.”
Stewart’s Signature Series has been an essential part of the Saratoga Springs summer cultural scene since 2017.
“Skidmore is excited to present the 2024 Stewart’s Signature Series,” said Auden Thomas, director of Skidmore’s Special Programs and Summer Academic Programs. “We are thrilled to play a part in bringing these amazing artists to our community during the vibrant summer months.”
Presented by the New York State Summer Writers Institute, novelist and Guggenheim Fellow Cristina Garcia, author of eight novels including “Dreaming in Cuban,” a finalist for the National Book Award, will read with poet Megan Fernandes, associate professor of English and writer-in-residence at Lafayette College.
A Conversation with New York Times Columnist John McWhorter
Friday, June 28, 8PM
Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor
John McWhorter is the author of 20 books and a regular columnist for The New York Times. His most recent book, “Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America,” critiques the way antiracism is often viewed and enacted in the leftist cultural sphere. McWhorter is in residence with the New York State Summer Writers Institute and will be joined by Institute Director Robert Boyers, professor of English at Skidmore College and editor of Salmagundi Magazine.
Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars
Sunday, June 30, 11:30 AM
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
In collaboration with Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, Skidmore Jazz Institute faculty members Clay Jenkins (trumpet), Steve Wilson (saxophone), Steve Davis (trombone), Mike Moreno (guitar), Bill Cunliffe (piano), Todd Coolman (bass), and Dennis Mackrel (drums) will be performing.
Danilo Pérez Trio
Tuesday, July 2, 7:30 PM
Arthur Zankel Music Center
Danilo Pérez
Danilo Pérez, a Grammy Award-winning Panamanian pianist and composer, is considered a paragon of creativity in contemporary music, blending influences from his Panamanian roots with Latin American folk music, West African rhythms, and European impressionism. In this concert, presented by the Skidmore Jazz Institute, he leads a trio featuring talented performers Ian Ashby (bass) and Adam Cruz (drums).
Jenny Offill and April Bernard
Thursday, July 4, 8 PM
Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor
Novelist Jenny Offill will join April Bernard for a reading of fiction and poetry. Offill’s second novel, “Department of Speculation,” was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2014 by the New York Times. Bernard is a poet and professor at Skidmore College and a past recipient of the Walt Whitman Award from the Academy of American Poets. The event is presented by the New York State Summer Writers Institute.
Poetry & Jazz: An Evening with Robert Pinsky, Todd Coolman, and Bill Cunliffe, with special guest Pat LaBarbera
Friday, July 5, 8PM
Caffe Lena
A collaboration between the Skidmore Jazz Institute and the New York State Summer Writers Institute yields an evening with former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, Grammy Award-winning musicians Todd Coolman (bass) and Bill Cunliffe (piano), and special guest Pat LaBarbera.
Alexa Tarantino Quartet
Tuesday, July 9, 7:30 PM
Arthur Zankel Music Center
Alexa Tarantino
The Skidmore Jazz Institute presents Alexa Tarantino, a rising alto saxophone star, educator, and composer, who will be performing alongside Grammy Award-winning musician Steven Feifke (piano) and Mark Whitfield Jr. (drums) and sought-after jazz player Raviv Markovitz (bass).
Paul Harding and Karan Mahajan
Tuesday, July 16, 8 PM
Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor
Paul Harding
Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Tinkers,” Paul Harding, will read with novelist Karan Mahajan. Mahajan’s 2016 novel, “The Association of Small Bombs,” was a finalist for the National Book Awards. The event is presented by the New York State Summer Writers Institute.
Visit here for more information and to purchase tickets for the signature series.
