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PUBLISHER / FOUNDER
Stephanie Sittnick
COPY EDITOR
Elisabeth Allen
WEBMASTER
Tony Rivera
ADVERTISING SALES
Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Sales ( 860) 227-8199 advertising@518mag.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Carol St.Sauveur Ferris, Karen Richman, Rona Mann
Chandler Stevens, Lawrence White, Kirsten Ferguson, Alan Richer, Crystal Cobert Giddens, Nellie Ackerman-Vellano, Kristina Watrobski
COVER
Lisa David “The Chase” Oil on Canvas 16 x 20
Summer is finally here! For as far back as I can remember, I spent ev ery summer at a beach cottage in Indian Town, Old Saybrook, Ct. On our cover this month is a painting called “The Chase” by Lisa David. When I met Lisa at her studio I saw this painting. I said “Wow reminds me of Indian Town.” Lisa said “it actually is Indian Town!” I remember chasing that same Ice Cream truck and the woman that owned the truck did sell everything for $1.00. I just fell in love with this piece and now I have it hanging in my home.
Welcome to our June issue! We have another exciting group of local talent in store for you! Artist Jessica Leonard and Musician Jon Pou sette-Dart grace our pages with the love of their arts. Mostly Modern Festival is a must read and they also will be per forming throughout the month of June and a must see! Did you know June 3rd is Na tional Donut Day? After you read our story on 518 Donuts, you will definitely be visiting them over and over and over again!
As always, our goal at 518 PROFILES, is always to focus on the g ood, the beautiful and the positive by publishing stories with heart and soul. We strive each month to deliver authentic and un ique content about creative people and interesting destinations . Please find a comfy, warm, sunny spot to relax and enjoy the issue!
Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher
518 PROFILES 587 Grand Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
The Triumph of The "Middle Child"
Jessica Leonard Art: In the Winners Circle Every Time
pg. 4
ENCORE
A Musical Artist in His Own Time
Jon Pousette-Dart
pg. 12
Mostly Modern Festival (MMF) “Bringing mostly modern music to Saratoga Springs and beyond.”
pg. 22
"We Rolled the Dice and Opened Our Second Store First"
The Success of 518 Donuts? They Don't Taste Like Anybody Else!
pg. 30
The Laffer Gallery
Featuring: Mark Del Guidice & Tracy Helgeson
Opening Reception: June 18, 5pm - 8pm
Celebrating 10 Years: June 22nd marks the 10-year anniversary of The Laffer Gallery. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for the support of so many and the humility I feel for the trust of the artist I represent. It has truly been a journey of growth, discovery, and friendship - and it has taken me places I never imagined.
Ten years after first opening our doors, The Laffer Gallery represents more than 100 artists. We have had nearly 80 exhibitions. The community support has been amazing, and the work of our artists has been well received. Even during the pandemic, we thrived. The gallery’s success - made possible by all of you - is a dream realized. Again, thanks to all. It’s been a great 10 years. Here’s to another 10…and more!! With gratitude, Erik
The Triumph of The "Middle Child"
Jessica Leonard Art: In the Winners Circle Every Time
by Rona Mann
We just love to label people and things, don't we? We put people in little boxes and then at tribute certain qualities and characteristics to those whom we label.
Witness the "middle child syndrome" where being second born of three siblings leaves you cleaving attention all your life, insecure, and always chasing and competing, playing second fiddle to the oldest and the "baby" in the family. Not so with this one!
Jessica Leonard was born the "middle child." Her father worked for the airline industry, "so we lived all over. I was born in Colorado, then we moved to Rome, NY, then Pittsburgh, and finally to South Glens Falls when I was in the 7th grade. Since that time I've always been here."
As that curious child in the middle, she looked to her older brother "who was the brain in the family." And she looked to her younger sister, "the athlete," all the while wondering what she would be, what she would do. She drew a rose one day, and although she does not remember being particularly interested in art as a child, she liked the way it looked. Then came a school
rendering, but they
"That did it," laughed Leonard. "It lit a
Although she took art classes all through high school and even won a second-place award at an art show at Glens Falls' noted Hyde Museum, the practical, realistic side of the young woman told her she should declare another major when
she went off to SUNY Plattsburgh. "So I majored in Environmental Science, but I was bad, really bad at it. My first semester was a disaster, so I dropped environmental science and took art classes, majoring in drawing."
Because Jessica was a realist herself and looked at the world that way, she was naturally drawn to what in the art world is known as contemporary realism. It is not a made-up title
assignment to draw some Indian corn. Not only was the school impressed with Leonard's
bought her art for $25.
fire in me."
nor a trendy movement, but it is a style that cl early celebrates representational, welle xecuted paintings created with high technical skill. Con temporary realism appeals to those artists like Jessica Leonard who have been trained in traditional methods and composition and use their art to serve as a narrative of their subjects.
Leonard offers, "Outside of college is where I learned the most about realism," and although appreciative when people frequently exclaim, "you're so talented!" she believes that, "being a fine artist has to be learned. Not everyone has that in-bred talent, you still have to hone your skills and work at it."
Leonard's growth has been as multi-layered as the style in which she used to paint. "I believe you have to learn how to see color. I used to paint in an indirect painting style (which is a method in which the artist applies layers of glaze onto a drawing to subtly alter the colors and tones) because I was afraid of color. I just couldn't get it right."
“Tiz the Law” 24x36 oil on canvas
“Daybreak” 24x48 oil on canvas
"Favored" 24x30 oil on canvas
Again, the realist in Leonard dictated that she should start over right from the beginning and only work in primary colors. "I only used red, yellow, blue, white, and burnt amber mixed by hand, and I learned." Along the way she learned, "Snow is not really white. It has tones of light blue or lavender. I've learned to see color, and now I trust the process."
Above all else, Jessica's "bread and butter" is equine art. "As I tell young ar tists, paint what you love, or else when it's done, you will tell that you really didn't love it." Using oils, she paints on aluminum panels as well as canvas, and her work is much sought after for her realism and color. Spa Fine Art on Broadway in Saratoga proudly showcases her equine art, a popular dr aw for locals and tourists alike during the s ummer racing season, and a
compendium of her work is available on the website: jessicaleonardart.com
It gratifies her to know that Jessica's family is extremely proud and supportive of what she does. Her husband, Bob, who is a physical ed ucation teacher "has supported me all along the way or I wouldn't be able to do this," she adds appreciatively. Both of Jessica's daughters, nine-year-old Penny and eleven-year-old Raelin
“Unconditional” 24x24 oil on canvas
"American Pharoah" 36x36 oil on canvas
"Now Rest" oil on canvas
enjoy crafting and Penny "can draw for hours." Wisely, Leonard takes her own advice. "Penny loves 'Star Wars,' so when she gets frustrated or comes up empty, I have taught her how to draw 'Star Wars' characters." Once again, the artist is taking some of that same advice she passes on to young artists.
While Jessica admits, "I can paint and draw," the realist in her also confesses, "but I do not take good photos. I bought a very expensive camera at one point and took it to the track. All I got were a bunch of blurry pictures." So she works with professional photographers, using the best she can find, then paints from those photos. "My favorite photographers are Alex Evers from California, Alex Zhang from Saratoga, and Jason Moran and Janet Molloy Garaguso who are both New York-based."
What catapulted Jessica Leonard into prominence six years ago was her alliance with Captain Community Human Services of Clifton Park. This well-loved area organ ization exists to provide support services, summer meals, and empowers people of all ages to reach their own personal goals of growth and self-sufficiency.
For the last six years, Jessica has honored a legendary horse every year by donating one of her paintings of a famous thoroughbred and having it auctioned off at the Captain Community gala known as "Unbridled Affair." "The first year I painted "American Pharoah," Triple Crown Winner and Winner of the Breeder's Cup. Last year as the gala's
signature artist she painted "Bricks & Mortar," the 2019 Thoroughbred of the Year, and her work went for $25,000 on the auction block...that's a whole lot of Indian corn.
Not bad for a middle child, eh?
To see the process Jessica Leonard uses and the dramatic final "reveal" shown each year at the Charity event, click on the link below It is a fascinating look into this artist's talent, process, and exquisite end product.
http://www.jessicaleonardart.com/videos
Jessica with trainer Chad Brown. Chad had the winning bid on the painting of Lady Eli a horse that he trained. "Brotherhood
"The Yearlings" 24x48 oil on canvas
A Musical Artist in His Own Time
Jon Pousette-Dart
By Lawrence White
Thoughts of yesterday are late for today, so let them fall behind. and living in the past is backing up too fast, so keep in your own time
Jon Pousette-Dart, "Woman in My Dreams"
It is fascinating to observe legendary musician Jon Pousette-Dart and multi-talented accompanist Jim Chapdelaine working on new harmonies during soundcheck prior to their performance at Caffe Lena on March 4. Jon and Jim have made music together for many years so they can read each other instantly.
At one point Jim said, “I don’t think we are get ting it.” Jon replies, “Right, okay, so let’s try ag ain.” The two musicians then skillfully employ vocal and microphone techniques that
completely control the quality of their sound and turn the harmony into a sweet marriage of tones. As they complete the soundcheck, Jon leans into the microphone and declares, “Ok, that’s great. We are good.”
Caffe Lena sound person Joseph Duel sp onta neously shouts out, “You sure are!” At the same time, venue Executive Director, Sarah Craig breaks into enthusiastic applause. “It is heartening to be able to present music before a live audience again, particularly with two such talented performers and authentically real people,” she exclaims.
To fully grasp what Sarah means and what Jon is saying musically, it is important to un derstand Jon’s artistic heritage and his mu sical history.
Jon’s grandfather, Nathaniel Pousette-Dart was born in 1886 and went on to become a highly regarded artist, editor, art director, writer, and owner of an advertising art business. He mar ried Flora Louise Dart in 1913. Flora was a forward-thinking poet, author, and feminist who wrote two books, Poems, and I Saw Time Open. The couple believed marriage should be on an equal basis and chose to combine their names to Pousette-Dart. They soon bought a home in Valhalla, New York where they raised
three children with a focus on art, pacifism, and philosophy.
Their son, Richard began creating artwork at eight years of age. The New York Times printed a photograph showing Richard and his father sketching each other's portraits. In his teens Richard wrote, "The greater the work of art, the more abstract and impersonal it is, the more it embodies the universal experience and the fewer specific personality traits it reveals." After a single semester at Bard College, he left for NYC to become a fine artist and never looked back.
Over the years, Richard's artwork has become highly recognized in the disciplines of painting,
Nathaniel and Flora Louise Pousette-Dart
Richard Pousette-Dart
collage, photography (Vogue, Harpers, etc.), and sculpture. These motifs are unified by Richard's expressions of textures, shapes, and hues. His work has been the subject of solo exhibitions at the Whitney Museum of American Art (1963, 1974, 1998), Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Richard married writer/ poet Evelyn Gracey in New York City in 1946 and the couple had two chil dren, Joanna, who is a fine artist and Jonathon, who became a musician.
Joanna’s wonderfully unique artwork is repre sented by the Lisson Gallery in NYC. She
has been granted a Guggenheim Fellowship and awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the National Endowment for the Arts. Her work is in the collections of MoMA, and the Solomon Guggenheim Mu seum. She has also taught art at Yale, Hunter College, and Ramapo College.
I question Jon as to whether he and Joanna were allowed to discover their own personal muse and travel their own path, and Jon tells me, “Yes, my sister and I were left to our devices. My parents did not try to direct us to one thing or another. At that time there were a lot of other artists and actors hanging out who were friends, so we grew personally and creatively in the world of the arts. “
Let music fall upon my anguished heart
Like shadows from high clouds upon the hills,
Flora Pousette-Dart, "I Saw Time Open"
I ask Jon about his earliest performances, and he recollects, “When I was in my teens my best friend was Burgess Meredith’s son, Jonathan. He asked me to play bass in a band called Tony & the Tigers that was started by Soupy Sales kids. We had a chance to be on the TV shows To Tell the Truth and Hullabaloo. It gave us a chance to hang out with The Rascals, The We Five, Lesley Gore, Peter & Gordon, and even Lana Turner. We had a lot of fun."
Years later while playing a solo gig at the Chicken Shack in Nantucket, Jon was noticed by B oston basted promoter Don Law who
Richard and Evelyn Pousette-Dart
Joanna Pousette Dart “Plateau”, 2019, acrylic on canvas on shaped wood panels, 66" x 139"
Richard Pousette-Dart “Icarus” oil on linen
convinced Jon to relocate to Boston where he began the basis for the Pousette-Dart Band with musicians John Troy and John Curtis.
The Pousette-Dart Band became one the busiest touring bands of the 1970’s sharing the bill with classic rock acts such as Little Feat, Billy Joel, James Taylor, The J. Geils Band, Peter Frampton, The Byrds, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Brown, and many more. It was not long before Jon was writing and creating music in Nashville with highly re spected producer, Norbert Putnam. As a result, the band recorded three albums there.
Jon individually, and with the Pousette-Dart Band collectively, enjoys near-universal respect in the music business. “When the band was grinding it out on the road, we always had good crowd response. I loved that part of it. But the re sponse that meant most was the respect the band got from the other musicians we came into contact with. That professional recognition was tremendously gratifying.”
The Pousette-Dart Band song "For Love" reached #83 on the Billboard singles chart in 1979, but that does not tell the whole story. Jon is a true musical independent. It has al ways been his goal to express what he experiences in life,
Backstage at The Bottom Line, NYC, 1977
blues, and folk meet in the American di chotomy of music is an amazing place. It is still my first love and where I most want to be.”
Yet, there were some tough years for Jon, and the group disbanded. “Our last tour was entirely self-funded. Capitol went through a big change in personnel and direction, so suddenly, we did not have the funds we needed to promote our album. We believed in our music, so we funded the tour ourselves. Unfortunately, in the end, there was only enough to pay expenses but nothing for the band members, so in a real sense, that was the end.”
not creating commercial hits. With that as his motivation, Jon has released 10 albums, including solo albums and those with the Pousette-Dart Band. Through the years many of his songs have been in regular FM and college radio airplay.
“I cannot write hits,” Jon states earnestly. “When I try, they suck. I just write what I feel, and then the rest happens. Trying to write a hit is kind of a meaningless thing. The only way you can tell if a song works is to play it in front of people and see the reactions when they hear it. That is when you know you have a song that has something to it. The goal is to write a song of substance that brings people into your world so they can feel the emotion and make the music their own.”
Jon explains his musical inspiration this way: “Where country, rock, rhythm and
Then, as the disco-music era hit i n the mid-eighties, Jon shifted gears and for the first time started to col laborate with other musicians to write jingles in Nashville. Excitedly, Jon recalls, "They loved to have rock and rollers come in and sing. Patti Austin was there. Dara Sedaka, Neil Sedaka’s daughter, was a killer singer. Peppy Castro of The Blues Magoos, Lynn Ahrens, Frankie Vinci. All the different houses were competing against each other for spots so there was a lot of work.”
And it’s ice, it's ice that's boiling over. and it's nice, it's nice to feel a bit older.
Jon Pousette-Dart, "Say Nothing"
Now Jon is touring again and enjoying performing before live audiences. In the backstage room before the March 4th, Caffe Lena gig, I ask accompanist (fourtime Emmy-winning composer, recording engineer, and guitarist) Jim Chapdelaine if he could explain his kinship with Jon’s music. “It is all about playing together,
“he says with an emphasis on the word together. “Sometimes a guitarist will ask to sit in, and then they go crazy playing so many notes so fast you could never even count them. Well, count me out. Give me a sweet melody and an interesting composition, and let me play along. That is the community of music I am part of.”
As Jon hits the stage with Jim leading the way, the audience is immediately struck by the easy bounce in Jon’s step. He confidently takes his place on stage and goes to work using his skillful guitar picking and slide playing as an accent to the layered textures of his voice and the messages in his songs.
Anyone who thinks that somehow the passage of time diminishes artistic drive would be amazed to see the creative juices flowing as these two sea soned professionals connected with the audience in Caffe Lena. Even though Jon has been performing on stage for decades, he has a youthful intensity and fresh clear-eyed presence that is both stimulating and comforting for an audience of any age.
After the show, I ask Jon about the state of the music business today, and he explains, “I don’t think I will ever make another album. Things have changed, and most listeners only choose one tune at a time, but I am cool with it. In fact, I just released a new song and video, “Say Nothing” that in cludes vocal harmonies with my wife, Dawn Young." (Noted author, en vironmentalist, actress, filmmaker, producer)
As we end our conversation, I ask Jon if he has an overall message for the younger generation that is just getting started. Without hesitation, he replies, “Sometimes it is best to know what you don’t want to be and to be vividly clear in your mind about it. There will be a lot of voices telling you what to do but listen to your own heart and go where it tells you to go. There is no other way to do it.”
Jon Pousette-Dart - https://www.pousette-dart.com
Richard Pousette-Dart Foundation - https://www.pousette-dartfoundation.org
Jim Chapdelaine & Jon Pousette-Dart on stage at Caffe Lena
Back stage at Caffe Lena
Mostly Modern Festival (MMF)
“Bringing mostly modern music to Saratoga Springs and beyond.”
by Carol St.Sauveur Ferris
The Athenian philosopher, Plato believed that “music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything." For Victoria and Robert Paterson, it is every bit of that and more.
Victoria Paterson was born in London, England. Her father was a philosopher and on sabbatical at the time, and her mother was a social worker whose focus was on raising their three daughters.
When the sabbatical ended, her family returned stateside and settled in Rochester, New York. By the age of four, Victoria began to play the violin and has not put the bow down since. She became a classically trained violinist and went on to earn her undergraduate degree from the Eastman School and the University of Rochester.
Robert Paterson was born and raised in Buffalo, just 75 miles west. His father was an accomplished sculptor, and his mother was a successful painter however, Robert’s interest was in the musical arts which they fully supported. He was especially drawn to percussion and played in a rock band. He also composed his first piece by the age of thirteen. Robert’s incredible talent led him to pursue music in college. He earned BM from the Eastman School of Music, his MM from Indiana University, and later earned his DMA from Cornell University.
Victoria and Robert met at Eastman and married at age 26. It was a match made in music heaven.
Dedicated, supportive, and immensely passionate about their work, they soon found their way to New York City and quickly made their mark in the world of music.
Victoria enjoyed a full-time position as first chair in many Broadway productions including West Side Story, My Fair Lady, The Addams Family, Heathers, and Sunset Boulevard. She performed at Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, and Birdland as well. In addition, TV credits include The Today Show and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Victoria has also been dedicated to bringing music to those unable to attend concerts in person by performing in hospitals, hospices, retirement communities, and other special loca tions under the auspices of Sing for Hope and Music That Heals.
Robert became a prolific and award-winning composer at an early age. The New York Times called him a “modern day master and the highlight of the program." In 2011, he was named the Classical Composer of the Year and over the
Victoria Paterson & Robert Paterson
years has been selected for National Public Radio’s Best Music of the Year. And his work has been performed by over 100 ensembles worldwide. Robert has also written pieces performed and recorded by choirs including Musica Sacra and Maestro Kent Tritle, which was released in 2015.
Though the absolute origin of classical music is subject to interpretation, there seems to be widespread agreement that there were a number of genres over the centuries. The genres within classical music date back to 1150 AD and can be broken down as follows: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern, and Post-Modern. Within these genres are well-known composers and musicians such as Beethoven, Dvorak, Bach, and Strauss. And while most of us are quite familiar with Jazz, Rock and Roll, Motown, Rap, and more, Classical Music has always been seen as a bit intimidating and difficult to understand. The Patersons have made it part of their life’s work to change that perception.
In 2005 they founded a non-profit called Mostly Modern Projects (MMP) which includes two record labels, American Modern Recordings and Lumiere Records. The Patersons founded American Modern Ensemble (AME) as well. The focus is on contemporary classical music, and the goal is to bring it to the general population to appreciate and enjoy.
Their most recent project is the Mostly Modern Festival (MMF) which was launched in 2018. Unfortunately, with two summer seasons under their belt, the pandemic shut down the festival for the next two years. It was an impossibly long time for Victoria to go without music, so she played the violin for a few hours every day at the Javits Center where Covid vaccinations were being ad ministered. Her music helped calm the panic that was so prevalent at the time. Thankfully, restrictions have been relaxed, and the MMF will be happening this June at the Arthur Zankel Music Center on the campus of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Above/Below - Atlanta Brass Quintet
The location came about when the idea for a festival was taking shape. The Patersons heard through friends and colleagues about the vibrant Saratoga Springs arts community and the dedicated support from local businesses, residents, and tourists. It was a very easy decision for them to launch the festival in Saratoga Springs with Skidmore College agreeing to host the participants and concerts, it all fell into place.
It is called the Mostly Modern Festival (MMF) because the works to be performed are primarily those of living composers. The twelve-concert series, performed over a three-week period, is designed to present a rich an d diverse modern classical music experience for participants and attendees. The concerts will include current and new compositions per formed by a diverse lineup of composers, ensembles, vocalists, or chestras, and instru mentalists participating in the Mostly Modern Fes tival Institute’s (MMFI) program. Concerts will be conducted by emerging and known conductors of our time as well.
Students and musicians, ages 18 and older, are encouraged to apply for the immersive opportunity at MMFI which accepts up to 120 applicants at all stages of their careers. There will be forty faculty members, eight guest speakers, three guest ensembles, the Mostly Modern Orchestra, and the American Modern Ensemble. It is an impressive learning atmosphere and of course, a place to network with all participants and faculty.
Neave Trio
Daron Hagen - Composer
David Cote - Librettist
Vivian Fung - Composer
Peter Bay - Conductor Austin Symphony
David Ludwig - Composer
Scott Terrell - Conductor
JoAnn Falletta - Conductor
The Patersons shared that there will be free, pop-up concerts in and around Saratoga Springs as a way to introduce the general public to what MMF is all about. These one hour mini-concerts will include a viola, brass quintet, strings, and a harp. Confirmed locations for the pop-up series are The Saratoga Saddlery, the Saratoga Arts Center, Congress Park, Northshire Bookstore, and Discover Saratoga’s Visitor Center. It is their hope that people will be encouraged to attend the MMF and experience the worldclass hall at the Zankel Center which they believe is equal to Carnegie Hall.
Because people are often intimidated by classical music and think of the environment as uptight and fancy, the Patersons are working hard to dispel that notion by creating a more relaxed and fun atmosphere. To that end, there will be refreshments available prior to each concert and during intermission, including beer and wine, which have never been offered before because Skidmore’s primary population is underage. The pre-concert and intermission socials will last thirty minutes and offer festival merchandise for purchase as well.
Once inside the hall and prior to the start of each piece, the conductor or composer will speak directly to the audience and explain the story behind each piece to be performed. According to Robert, "there are people who think that all composers are dead, so the fact that living composers will be presenting their own work, some of which have never been heard before, is pretty incredible." And Victoria jokingly adds that when people ask her what her husband does, and she says he is a classical composer, “they literally think he’s walking around in a white wig and automatically think of Mozart." Nothing could be further from the truth.
Planning the MMF has been a labor of love but not without its challenges. The pan demic notwithstanding, according to the Patersons, it is like planning twelve weddings that must take place all within a three-week timeframe - intense and exciting for sure. However, it is not as challenging as planning an event in New York City where moving a piano or harp is a major feat and double and triple parking is the norm. They’re so grateful for the accessible parking and the availability of a harp and piano onsite at the Zankel.
After their inaugural festival in 2018, the Patersons bought a house in Saratoga Springs. They now divide their time between the City and the Springs. According to Robert, “Victoria always has a smile on her face when we’re in Saratoga,” so the plan is to make it their forever home once their son finishes high school in New York City.
In the meantime, and lucky for us, the Patersons will continue to play, compose, and bring modern music to life in Saratoga Springs, New York and beyond.
Please visit www.mostlymodernfestival.org for additional information about the upcoming MMF and more.
2022 CONCERT SERIES
June 8, 2022 - MOSTLY MODERN KICKOFF EVENT @ CAFFÈ LENA - Participants and faculty come together to celebrate the opening of the 2022 season!
June 9, 2022 - EXPONENTIAL ENSEMBLE - This program features our Mostly Modern composers, as well as a mix of their repertoire from the 20th century to what is happening right now. World premieres abound at Mostly Modern and tonight is no exception.
June 10, 2022 -AMERICAN MODERN ENSEMBLEFestival composers and faculty from all over the United States and abroad, come together for a night of brand-new works and premieres, featuring the beloved American Modern Ensemble.
June 11, 2022 - NEW CLASSICS: AN EVENING OF MODERN SONG - Join us for a spectacular line-up of 20th & 21st century arias, art songs and song cycles. 10 top vocalists from across the United States will be showcasing what is happening now, from the avant-garde to post-modern romance.
June 12, 2022 - MOSTLY MODERN ORCHESTRA WITH PETER BAY - There will be an afternoon concert featuring the Mostly Modern Orchestra conducted by Peter Bay, Music Director and Conductor of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and formerly Principal Guest Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
June 16, 2022 - ATLANTIC BRASS QUINTET - This program features our Mostly Modern composers, as well as a mix of Atlantic’s repertoire from the 20th century to what is happening right now. World premieres abound at Mostly Modern and tonight is no exception!
June 17, 2022 - AMERICAN MODERN ENSEMBLEFestival composers and faculty from all over the United States and abroad, come together for a night of brand-new works and premieres, featuring the beloved American Modern Ensemble.
June 18, 2022 - THE COMPANION & MOSTLY MODERN ARIAS - featuring beloved and cherished arias of the 20th/21st century will comprise the first half of the program. The second half will feature Robert Paterson’s comic opera called The Companion. The opera is set in the future and tells the story of Maya and her romance with Joe, her robot boyfriend.
June 19, 2022 - MOSTLY MODERN ORCHESTRA WITH SCOTT TERRELL - Featuring the Mostly Modern Orchestra, with guest conductor Scott Terrell. A wide palette of musical styles that defines us and is entirely ‘mostly modern’- not to be missed!
June 22, 2022 - NEAVE TRIO - This program features our Mostly Modern composers, as well as a mix of their repertoire from the 20th century to what is happening right now. World premieres abound at Mostly Modern and tonight is no exception!
June 23, 2022 - AN EVENING OF SONGS AND ARIASJoin us for a spectacular line-up of 20th & 21st century arias, art songs and song cycles. 10 top vocalists from across the United States will be showcasing what is happening now, from the avant-garde to post-modern romance.
June 24, 2022 – MOSTLY MODERN ORCHESTRA WITH JOANN FALLETTA - of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and including the Rouse Flute Concerto with Henrik Heide as soloist, and Robert Paterson’s Dark Mountains which was inspired by his drives through the mountains of Vermont.
MMF performing at The Saratoga Saddlery on Broadway
"We Rolled the Dice and Opened Our Second Store First" The Success of 518 Donuts? They Don't Taste Like Anybody Else!
by Rona Mann
So how do you write a whole story about donuts? Easy. For this is not so much a piece about delicious donuts and fried chicken and a unique
concept as it is about three men who on the surface appeared to just jump into the food business, but in actuality are three smart entre preneurs who put a good deal of research, marketing, and faith in each other and their product well before they stepped off the springboard to take that plunge. Now, little more than a half year later, and having fought a pandemic shutdown, ongoing supply chain problems, staffing shortages, and out-of-control inflation, they're doing just fine, thank you. The problems have not gone away, but Glenn Babineau, Jo e Carl, and Sam Clifford know a thing or two about balance. As a result, their business, 518 Donuts is soaring in the Capital Region because of that calculated balance.
To begin at the beginning. Sam Clifford grew up in northern Virginia but came to Troy to pursue his education in
en gineering at RPI. "Although my main pro fession was engineering, I've always been an entrepreneur at heart," he adds. Clifford loved Troy and the entire area for that matter, so he never left to go back home...he made this area home. Glenn Babineau was born and raised in Troy with strong ties to the city and a great appreciation for the massive renaissance now going on; and Joe Carl, although not born in Troy, grew up on Green Island and shares the strong pull that the other men have to the area. Glenn, who according to Sam, is "the marketing brainchild who planted the seed," did a good bit of research and reported to his two friends that there was "no cool donut shop in this area, no neat concepts." So a partnership was formed based not only on deep friendship but because each of them had expertise in a different area. Together it could work. It would work. And, it did work.
Clifford added, "It's also all about our extensive network. Each of us knows people who are
Owners - Glenn Babineau, Sam Clifford and Joe Carl
experts in what they do, so we were able right from the start to hone
518
and then put them all together to ensure success." They then committed in late 2019 to opening a donut shop and set their sights on downtown Troy in a "perfect building" that formerly housed The Troy Record newspaper for more than a century. The building had since been repurposed into 110 living units, but the first floor was set aside strictly for re tail. Between the apartments overhead and the proximity to the RPI student body, the men thought this a slam dunk for their new venture so they made the commitment. But then the pandemic hit with a vengeance, and during the shutdown, all work was stopped.
During this time, the partners decided fried chicken might make a unique and tasty addition to their donut business and opened a test kitchen to experiment with chicken recipes. They finally found the right combination integrating a fresh, healthy product and good taste with gluten-free chicken. It's chicken th at's never frozen, is non-GMO, and 100% glutenfree. U sing a process called dry brining, salt and seasonings penetrate into the meat without being submerged in water for 24 hours. In this way, when the chicken is fried twice as it always is at
it is extra crispy and delicious. Clifford points out that,
Donuts,
The word caught on once they opened, and customers with Celiac dis ease came from as far away as Vermont for this exceptional product. They've now been reported to
have the best gluten-free fried chicken in the Albany area paired with gluten-free toppings and accompanied b y their special dipper fries. A "happy accident" according to Clifford has led to a fan favorite" chicken fried dough,
Chicken Fried Dough
Chicken Nuggets with Gourmet Dipper Fries
“The Mac” Chicken Sandwich
“The Federal” Chicken Sandwich
which incorporates gourmet chicken tenders wrapped in donut batter, topped with powdered sugar and served with homemade creamy maple-cinnamon dipping sauce.
Although the plan had always been to open in Troy first, a space became available in Clifton Park that the commercial realtor in their network of experts said was perfect. "This is your spot, and it won't last," so Sam laughs, "we rolled the dice and opened our second store first on December 4, 2021.
From the very first day, customers flooded the store enjoy ing the difference between 518 Donuts and everyone else. "What makes us different," Clifford says with enviable pride, "is our gourmet cake batter that is the base of all our donuts. The donut chains and other shops all have the same base and then vary their toppings, but we can make all different cake batters for the base like vanilla cake, chocolate cake, carrot, strawberry, orange juice cake, and more. That's what sets us apart."When it comes to creative toppings, there's no topping these partners and their very talented bakers. From the popular chocolate frosted and cinnamon sugar to the adventurous and delicious maple bacon, strawberry shortcake, orange creamsicle, cereal killer, campfire s'mores, and more, it's no wonder the lines are long and the smiles are broad when you bite into a 518 creation. Always, there is a wide variety of gluten-free donuts as well and weekend brunch is a favorite time at the shop. "Our orange cake pairs well with a mimosa," says Sam, "and the maple bacon donut is great with a Bloody Mary."
A wildly popular and growing part of the business now is weddings. More and more brides and grooms don't want to pay thousands of dollars for a wedding cake few will eat, so 518 Donuts offers the couple a private tasting to show them how their donuts may be customized by flavor, color, and theme. On the day of the wedding, 518 Donuts can provide a 5-tier tabletop donut display or install a donut wall with individual pegs that can hold up to 150 donuts so guests can go over and pull off their donut of choice. They also offer this service for other birthday and anniversary parties, meetings, and events.
As 518 Profiles goes to press, 518 Donuts has just opened its second store in Troy in The News Building, and no
doubt there will be more venues in their future as the unique and fun concept the men were looking for grows in popularity throughout the Capital Region.
So, how do you write a story about donuts? You write about friendship and commitment and doing things right. You write about investing in the communities you love. You talk about investing in people by using the best ingredients to create the finest end product and being 100% grateful to an ever-growing and loyal customer base. Sure, people go into business to make money, and of course, these three partners are no exception, but they're doing it the right way.
Sometimes when you roll the dice, you're lucky. But the best way to minimize risk in business and in life is with education, re search, and if you're lucky, some solid friends. You know the kind, the ones you just want to sit down and have a donut with.
Visit 518 Donuts at 7 Southside Drive in Clifton Park or 501 Broadway in Troy at The News Apartments (518) 93-DONUT www.518donuts.com
Cultivating Exquisite Vegetarian Cuisine in Downtown Albany
Michael and Dora Philip met during their freshman year at UAlbany. Michael was from Saratoga, and Dora was a Long Island native. They attended the same university and happened to choose the same major. Five years after dating, and a few months after 9/11, the cou ple got engaged in 2001. While living in Manhattan, Mike ac cepted a job offer in 2008, and the couple relocated back to the Capital Region to begin a new chapter of their life together.
By the summer of 2012, they had procured a building, and The Hollow was born on April 26, 2013.The co-owners, husband and wife team of The Hollow Bar + Kitchen was unsure of which direction to take; however, with Dora being a vegetarian, they were sure of one thing. Their menu needed to be vegetarian-friendly. With few vegetarian options in the region at that time, she wanted, "satiating, full-on satisfying, kick-butt vegetarian food that would woo the most stubborn, no-way-in-hell-would-I-gonear-that carnivore. No boring bowls of lettuce allowed, not on my menu." Dora stated.
My husband and I dined at The Hollow on date night not long ago. As a non-vegetarian meat-eater, every amazing vegetarian and vegan menu item that we had here, made me want to share about this venue with you even more.
While their customer base was made up predominantly of meat-eaters, the owners wanted some vegetarian fare to have a seat at the table as well. "We have always had the reputation of being the spot where a vegetarian and die-hard meat-eater can break bread at the same table and both be satiated," said Dora. "Almost all of our meat-based selections now have a plant-based counterpart. Our kitchen team is not classically trained in plant-based cuisine. It's a skillset unto itself. We collaborate, test recipes, and discuss plating."
When I asked Dora about her staff and if she wanted to share information about them, she expressed, "Now I'm going to cry! I can't say enough about our team. How we work together as a team is we show up for each other. Whether it's on the floor when we're slammed or attending a baby shower. We show up. I always say there are many hands that have built The Hollow. It is a collective to which we all belong. Special acknowledgment to Ben Pickering, bar manager; Christina Zontini, host; Timothy 'Boss' Carter, dishwasher; Gabrielle Hurley, former server; to name a few. These people will have my loyalty and love for the ages."
Head Chef, Adam Shumway joined the Hollow family in 2017. He said that he's always enjoyed cooking and
watching people cook. "One instance that was a turning point was a family member's wedding where there was a snafu with the caterer and under the direction of my uncle, who was a culinary arts instructor, we prepared the food. It was my first glimpse into the world of professional kitchens," Chef Adam shared. "My first job was as a busser, and whenever I had to go into the kitchen, I knew that’s where I wanted to be. I bugged and pestered all the cooks, asked them questions, and if I could do whatever task they were working on."
You can experience his passion for cooking in every dish he sends out of his kitchen.The Pan-Seared Brussels Sprouts with maple sambal glaze and chorizo or soyrizo (soy-base meat alternative that tastes like Mexican chorizo) are an incredible and flavorful starter. I had no idea I wasn't eating meat, until I was told I wasn't eating meat. The texture and taste are great. (*v, gf)
The Corn Salsa is a nice starter for the whole table, made with corn, black beans, avocado, red onion, lime juice, cilantro, and served with tortilla chips. (v, gf)
The Arugula Salad w/grilled peaches, citrus saffron mascarpone or vegan mascarpone, fresh mint, toasted sunflower seeds is sure to satisfy all eaters. (*v, gf)
The Fried Mozzarella Bites are wonderful and can be served with traditional mozzarella or with their very own *Halo Food Co. vegan mozzarella that I truly enjoyed in the bites. They are deep-fried, served with marinara or spicy raspberry jam. (*v, vg)
The Ahi Tuna is a lovely filet encrusted with coriander and fennel seed, dill-charred scallion chimichurri, creme fraiche, and roasted garlic farro. This is another creative dish with great flavors.
The Maple Salmon is pan-seared in a maple-glaze over a sweet pea and mint risotto, roasted cherry tomato coulis, and pineapple chutney - just perfect for any salmon lover.(gf)
The Hollow Burger is made with Pineland beef, an Esbenshade farms cage-free fried egg, and house habanero ketchup.
I truly enjoyed the Vegan 'Chicken' Saltimbocca and would order this again. This pan-seared vegan chicken with house-made vegan prosciutto, fried sage, and vegan lemon beurre blanc has me thinking about adding more vegetarian/vegan meals into my world. (v)
I really believe that any type of eater will enjoy The Hollow Kitchen & Bar.
Located at 79 N Pearl St in downtown Albany. Phone for reservations: (518) 426-8550
Happy Eating!
Nellie Ackerman-Vellano, Feed Me 518® Instagram: @FeedMe518
The longest hour in the entire year was always that one.
It was the one in late June just before the bell rang signaling the end of the school day, except in this case, the end of this school day was also the end of the school year. It meant it was summer vacation. It meant we were FREE!
But just like clockwork, just as the bell rang, and we scrambled to our feet ready to make a clean break for it, the teacher would put up her hand to stop us so she could get in her one last reminder. "Just remember boys and girls, while you are enjoying your swimming, playing with friends, summer camp, and vacations, you have an assignment to read three books over the summer and write a book report on each of them. They will be due the first day of school. Have a nice summer!"
Well, there it was. Just when all of us were filled with heady thoughts and plans she stuck a pin in our balloon. Read books? Phooey! What kind of summer vacation was that? It wasn't enough to pick up a book, skim through it quickly, and pronounce it read; oh no, we had to write a report on it. Which pretty much meant we had to read it all the way through. What a lousy way to ruin summer vacation.
I had plans. Big plans. I was going to go to day camp for a few weeks, then go shopping with my mother, which always meant lunch at a few fun places, especially The Hamburger Express where Lionel trains ran a track around the counter and stopped at your place with your order. My wealthy uncle was the first in the family to get a barbecue with all the tools, so we'd be spending some time there with my cousins, and there'd be hamburgers and hot dogs and plenty of goodies. My friend, Elaine and I were planning on having a lemonade stand to make a few bucks, and Daddy always took us for ice cream on hot summer evenings. But now that was ruined because I was going to have to read books and write book reports and to make it worse, the teacher sent all our parents a note saying what a "pleasure" it was to have us in class that year and reminding them that we had an important assignment for the upcoming year, "so please make sure your child gets on it early enough in the summer so it doesn't all pile up at the end."
this summer? May I help you pick out some?" My first thought was to tell her to pick out 10-page picture books, but I thought better of it. I did n't want to jeopardize those trips to The Hamburger Express. So I listened to her daily go from subtle, gentle suggestions to downright harassing! Finally, I gave in and agreed to make a trip to our local library.
My mother made the introduction to the Youth Librarian, Mrs. Taylor who smelled of floral perfume and wore glasses on a ribbon that hung around her neck. "Ah, you are one of the smart ones," Mrs. Taylor said, "You're starting early." My mother beamed proudly, I fumed inside but muttered some sort of half-polite response.
"What kind of books are you looking for?" the perfumed one asked. "I dunno," I said with just the hint of a whine in my voice. "Well, what summer things do you like to do?" That was an easy ask. I perked right up with a litany of, "I like day camp and barbecues and going for ice cream and having a lemonade stand." The glasses came down and perched on her nose as Mrs. Taylor said, "Then I have just the thing for you!"
She disappeared for a few min utes and came back with three books: one was about making new friends while swimming, doing crafts, and having campfires at a day camp; another was about a farm with a cow named Elsie whose milk h elped to make delicious ice cr eam for everyone; and the la st one was a children's "business book" about how to have a successful lemonade stand. Now I was on board!
I took the books home, and for the first time in my young life, it wasn't an "assignment." It was fun! And And I loved them all. The summer flew, and by the time Labor Day rolled around and we had bought new shoes and had an eye exam and done all those things you do before starting a new grade, my reports were finished! More than that, I enjoyed reading and enjoyed summer like never before. I got my own library card from Mrs. Taylor so I didn't have to keep using Mom's, and in between The Hamburger Express and ice cream runs, I now begged to be taken to the library.
Summer torture became a lifelong habit thanks to a teacher's assignment, some persistent motherly nagging, and Mrs. Taylor.
My mother was nothing but a good soldier. She was going to follow orders and make sure I did the same, so I had barely changed into my shorts and sneakers then she started, "What books are you going to read
Photo supplied by
City of Saratoga Springs supplied by of Saratoga Springs
Saratoga’s Healing Waters
Crystal Cobert-Giddens, LE
Lo ve taking baths? Balneotherapy is a therapy used to treat medical conditions by bathing in naturally oc curring heated mineral water. It is an ancient prac tice that has been used throughout history for the treatment of many diseases.
Here is a list of some of the most beneficial minerals, found in Saratoga’s mineral springs that can help heal, soothe and balance our bodies.
Sulfur has been effective in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, acne, folliculitis (infected hair follicles) and warts. Sul fur contributes to the formation of the proteins that make up our con nective tissues, skin, nails and hair. The pain-relieving properties of sulfur may come from its ability to slow the conduction of pain signals through the nervous system.
Silica has been shown to contribute to certain enzyme activities that are necessary for normal collagen formation. Collagen is the most abundant human protein and is found in skin, ligaments, and tendons. Proper col lagen formation is essential for maintaining tight, wrinkle-free skin, so silica can also be beneficial for slowing down the signs of skin aging.
Sulfates play an important role in the formation of brain tissue, joint pro teins and the proteins that line the walls of the digestive tract. They stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and are thought to help detoxify the body of medicines and environmental contaminants.
Calcium, the most abundant mineral in your body, is required for developing and maintaining strong bones and teeth. About 99 percent of the calcium in your body is stored in your bones and teeth.
Magnesium helps build bones, enables proper nerve and muscle function, and is essential to the production of energy from food. Magnesium is also necessary for proper enzymatic function. Magnesium has been shown to have therapeutic value in treating conditions such as headaches, chronic pain, asthma, leg cramping and sleep disorders.
Chloride is an electrolyte that works with sodium, potassium and carbon dioxide to maintain the acid-base balance in your body and to keep the proper balance of body fluids.
Phosphorus, the second most abundant mineral in your body, helps build strong teeth and bones, filters out waste in the kidneys and helps your body store and use energy. Phosphorus plays an active role in tissue and cell growth and repair.
Potassium is active in muscle-nerve communications and in moving nu trients into cells while moving wastes out of the cells.
Sodium is essential for your body to maintain the proper fluid balance, transmit nerve impulses and assist in muscle contraction and relaxation.
By the 19th century, wealthy and health seeking people traveled far and wide to try the health boosting effects of the Saratoga mineral baths. Soon, Saratoga was known as the QUEEN of SPAS. Travelers would come to town to “take the cure” and relax for weeks, sometimes months. Their prescription included drinking a prescribed amount of mineral waters, taking baths and walking in the fresh air.
Theodore Roosevelt was an ardent promoter of exercise. While he was Vice President, he wrote a book entitled The Strenuous Life. Health en thusiasts began to seek waters that would promote health both inter nally and externally.
While drinking the waters was known to help with gastrointestinal prob lems, bathing was thought to treat heart disease and arthritis. Scien tists believed that the bubbles in the mineral water dilated blood vessels and improved a patient's circulation. In the 1940s, a three-week stay at the Spa was considered the norm and included 21 mineral baths, accessory treatments, regulated diet, plenty of rest, exercise, and recreation.
The combined effects of hot springs minerals on the skin, glands and blood vessels is the likely explanation for the numerous subtle benefits that are reported by those utilizing the minerals as part of their healthy lifestyle.
Geyser Spring was known to increase appetite, aid digestion and replenish salts lost in the body. Geyser had a strong laxative effect, but also relieved sinus congestion when inhaled. Orenda Spring was used as a laxative and an antacid. Orenda also has one of the highest potassium iodide contents of the Saratoga waters. Each spring has its own distinct mineral composition resulting in a distinctive taste and color. State Seal Spring was known for its clear, pure taste.
By the 20th century, Saratoga's waters and spa were celebrated throughout the nation. Everyone was trying to pursue a healthy lifestyle that included a proper diet, plenty of exercise and rest. The search for a drinking water that was pure and ideal for salt-free diets, led to the discovery of State Seal Water in the State Reservation at Saratoga Springs. Due to the springs pop ularity, Geyser, Coesa, Hathorn and State Seal were bottled at the bottling plant until 1970. The bottling plant was renovated in 2000 and is now the Saratoga Automobile Museum.
Although contemporary medicine hasn’t formally established the scientific basis for the benefits of submersion in mineral-rich hot springs water, OR cold therapeutic baths, a long history of use strongly suggests practical benefits. It is widely recognized that a tranquil hot springs soak provides relief from the pain of achy muscles and stiff joints.
Bathing in the mineral springs is a practice still enjoyed by many locals, and travelers. You can enjoy a 40 minute bath or a massage with a 20 minute bath at the historic Roosevelt Bathhouse in the park.
Crystal Cobert Giddens
FACES of Saratoga
489 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY (518)396-7403 facesofsaratoga.com
INSTINCTIVELY DIFFERENT>>
June 1 - 17 Troy
"About Face" - Darcie Abbatiello & John Hampshire. About Face explores the works of two painters that use the portrait as a vehicle for reflection to tell stories both autobiographical and those that surround them. The Clemen Art Gallery, 201 Broadway Troy, NY 518-272-6811
June 1 - 11 Glens Falls
June
1-3
Clifton Park
The Blooming Artist welcomes you to view our "Let it Grow" Exhibition (May 24-July 2nd). This exhibit is a tribute to the wonderful Spring season and features the works of over a dozen local artists and artisans. We invite you to celebrate our artists and their artwork with us on Friday, June 3rd from 6-8pm at our reception. As always, please expect live music and light provisions. We hope you can join us! The Blooming Artist Gallery & Instruction, 675 Grooms Rd, Clifton Park, NY 12065 www.thebloomingartist.gallery
Expressions 2022. A Juried Art Exhibition. Open Thursday to Saturday, 12-5. This is an open call opportunity; media may include sculpture, photography, painting, printmaking, pastel, digital art, pottery, mixed media, etc. Maximum Frame Dimensions: 48 inches on longest side Sculpture: 48 inches on longest side. Work must be ready to hang or display. Works not ready to hang will not be included. Original artwork only. NCA Gallery at the Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence St #120, Glens Falls, NY
June 2 Saratoga Springs
Lindsey Webster is a gifted vocalist and songwriter who performs in a va riety of styles from straight-ahead jazz and traditional pop to soulful smooth jazz and crossover R&B. With a honey-toned voice and enviable range, Webster has made a name for herself in a largely male dominated genre and she is quickly becoming a favorite on the charts and international touring circuit. Thu, June 2, 2022, 7:00 PM. Doors at 6:30 PM. Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY
June 3-5 Saratoga Springs
Alexei Butirskiy Live Artist Demonstration at Spa Fine Art. Please join us, Friday through Sunday June 3rd - 5th 2022, for a weekend long live artist demonstration featuring the works of fine artist Alexei Butirskiy. Meet the artist, view Alexei Bu tirskiy painting live in gallery, and browse a collection of originals and giclee’s available for purchase. Alexei Butirskiy is a classically trained painter, who received his MFA in 1998 from the Ilya Glazunov Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, one of the most prestigious art uni versities in the world. Fri, June 3, 12:00 PM Sun, June 5, 6:00 PM. Spa Fine Art, 376 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 518-587-2411
JUNE EVENTS
June 4 Ballston Spa
Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet Spring Concert. Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet presents a Spring Concert at Ballston Spa High School at 70 Malta Ave. Ballston Spa, NY. The performance features over 100 local students ages 3 through 17 with original choreography from Joan Kilgore Anderson, Cristiane Santos, Leslie Kettlewell and excerpts from La Sylphide restaged by Santos. Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that is committed to providing quality professional dance training to pre-professional students throughout the Greater Saratoga region. Students achieve their potential as dancers and artists while learning in a collabo rative environment. A focus is put on building self-confidence and maturity in a nurturing atmosphere with an emphasis on performance and positive reinforcement. Dancers learn the value of hard work and garner an appreciation and love for the arts. 2pm Performance. Tickets at Eventbrite.com $20 Adults, $16 Seniors, Free for children under 3 www.saratogaspringsyouthballet.org
June 4 Schenectady 2 022 Schenectady Kids Arts Fes ti val. The 28th annual Kids Arts Festival features 50 hands-on art activities and four hours of entertainment. Celebrate Summer is the theme of this year's festival where imaginations of kids of all ages will soar on the wings of the Electric City Rainbow Eagle or with a butterfly mural. Alex Torres & his Latin Orchestra will perform and after teaching kids how to play percussion, invite kids on stage. Google Kids Arts Festival Schenectady to find out more about the activities and per f ormers. Saturday, Jun 4, 2022 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Outside Schenectady City Hall, 105 Jay Street Schenectady, NY 12305
June 5 Saratoga Springs 2022 Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists. Hosted By: Saratoga Performing Arts Center. With performances by Capital District Youth Chorale, Cap ital District Youth Pipe Band, Empire State Youth Orchestra, Northeast Ballet Com pany, Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet, and students from the new SPAC School of the Arts, as well as performing ensembles, poets, and visual artists from numerous area high schools. The Festival of Young Artists is a free community event that is presented annually at SPAC to celebrate the collaborative creativity of more than 500 of the Capital Region’s brightest young actors, dancers, musicians, singers, poets, and visual artists. At 2pm, SPAC’s grounds are transformed into a festival of student pop-up per formances, fine art dis plays, food stands, poetry slams, immersive workshops, and activities. At 4:30pm, hundreds of young artists gather to present a showstopping concert on SPAC’s main stage, featuring largescale productions that combine music, song, poetry, visual art, and dance. Sunday, Jun 5, 2022 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Saratoga Performing Arts Center, 108 Avenue of the Pines Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
JUNE EVENTS
June 5 Ballston Spa
42nd Annual Saratoga Antique Bottle Show & Sale. Sunday, Jun 5, 2022 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM. The Bottle Show is the Museums chief annual fundraiser and features all types of antique bottles and related items including early New England glass, flasks, bitters, medicinal bottles, canning jars, milk bottles, ephemera and stoneware. Also to be found are bottles made to hold the mineral waters of Saratoga and the surrounding springs. Educational displays will be available and attendees are encouraged to bring in their empty old bottles for identification. Saratoga County Fairgrounds, 162 Prospect Street Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Cost: Adult $5, under 12 free
June 11 Albany
2022 Art On Lark. Art on Lark is an annual summer street festival that celebrates local art and arti sans in Albany, NY. One day each year, the city’s historic Lark Street is shut down to traffic and transformed by artists' displays including painters, photographers, jewelers, sculptors, ceramicists, live performances, and music. Shoppers can enjoy all the regular businesses Lark Street has to offer including cafés, restaurants, gift shops, and bars, as well as over 50 local artists popping up for the day with their individual booths. Attendees can also enjoy food, drinks, live music, and the best of Lark Street! Saturday, Jun 11, 2022 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Lark Street Albany, NY 12210
June 11 Schuylerville
Tr ailblaze NY! Fine Art Show and Sale at Hudson Crossing Park. Join the Albany Symphony Orchestra and Hudson Crossing Park for a day full of activities for all ages for Trailblaze: NY, a free community concert and part of the 2022 American Music Festival series. 3pm - 7pm. There will be activities in and around Hudson Crossing Park and the greater Schuylerville and Greenwich area throughout the day culminating with a FREE performance at 7pm by the Albany Symphony Orchestra. The full-day event features food and beverage vendors, an art exhibition and sale, and more in the park field in the evening. Co Rd 42, Schuylerville, NY 12871
June 12 Saratoga Springs
Tom Paxton and the Don Juans. Tom Paxton is one of the greats of American Folk Music. When asked to speak about Paxton, Pete Seeger compared him to Woody Guthrie for his ability to capture the contemporary American spirit over the course of a song. Through his lyrics, Tom Paxton tackles issues of injustice and humanity, absurdities of contemporary culture, and stories from his own life, which are sometimes somber, sometimes hilarious, and often both at once. Sun, June 12, 2022, 7:00 PM EDT. Doors at 6:30 PM. Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY
June 14 - July 15 Albany
Albany Center Gallery (ACG) presents Mirror, featuring the work of 7 regional artists: Susan Berger, Raina Briggs, Paula Frazell, Jason Blue Lake Medicine Eagle Martinez, Theresa McTague, Kate Minford, and Casey Simonds. An Artists’ Reception will be held on Friday, June 17, 2022, from 5 - 8 p.m. Mirror is free and open to the public Tuesday – Saturday, Noon – 5 p.m. Mask-wearing is optional. Please visit albanycentergallery.org for full details on COVID19 safety restrictions. 488 Broadway, Suite 107, Albany, NY 12207. Tuesday - Saturday Noon - 5pm, Or by appointment
June 18 - July 31 Schuylerville
Intuitive Structure. Featuring: Mark Del Guidice & Tracy Helgeson Opening Reception: June 18, 5pm - 8pm. Celebrating 10 Years: June 22nd marks the 10-year anniversary of The Laffer Gallery. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for the support of so many and the humility I feel for the trust of the artist I represent. It has truly been a journey of growth, discovery, and friendship - and it has taken me places I never imagined.
Saratoga Clay Arts Center’s Schacht Gallery presents Thee Architects, an exhibition guest curated by Gerald Brown highlighting works by seven artists analyzing the meta/physical implications architecture has on its inhabitants. Showcasing an expansive definition of this design process and its diverse manifestations, each artist uses ceramics to depict different forms of architecture. Thee Architects will run June 18 – July 16, 2022 with an opening reception on Saturday, June 18, 5-7pm. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free. The Schacht Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 11am – 4pm and by appointment. We are located at 167 Hayes Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871. Visit www.saratogaclayarts.org call 518-581-2529
June 18 Ballston Spa
Shop a wide variety of locally handcrafted collectibles, antiques, and farm products. This is a terrific opportunity for New Yorkers to sample and appreciate the best of upstate artisans, farmers, and culinarians. This is an in-person event that will take place rain or shine at Brookside Museum 10am-3pm. This in-person event will take place at Brookside Museum, located at 6 Charlton Street in Ballston Spa, NY 12020.
June 24th - August 13 Troy
Paul Kolnik - The Heart of Stone. Paul Kolnik is best known for his photographs of live performances of the New City Ballet and other dance companies, as well as dozens of Broadway shows. During his extensive travels throughout Europe and North America he has also created a substantial body of contemplative personal work, from which we have selected images for “The Heart of Stone”. June 24th - August 13th. Artist Reception Sunday, July 17th 1-3pm. Pause Gallery, 501 Broadway #106, Troy, NY 12180
