Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Sales ( 860) 227-8199 advertising@518mag.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Carol St.Sauveur Ferris, Karen Richman, Rona Mann
Chandler Stevens, Lawrence White, Susan Brink,
Crystal Cobert Giddens, Chef Armand Vanderstigchel, Alan B. Richer, Kirsten Ferguson
COVER Artist Clarke Hingeford
May has finally arrived! The harsh, monochrome winter finally fades, re placed by the vibrant palette of spring. Green erupts, flowers bloom and the warmer weather excites us to venture outside!
In this issue, we take you to downtown Ballston Spa where we highly re commend experiencing the speak easy atmosphere of the Front Street Social Club. They have a perfect balance of craft cocktails and unforgettable food. Also within 5 minute walking distance you will find The National Bottle Museum. This charming museum has more antique bottles than you can imagine AND the second floor holds the JRM Artists' Space. An art gallery for artists of varied mediums that showcase and promote their art. We are so honored to profile an amazing artist, Lisa Fasulo. Her work is an homage to animals, birds, and especially the grace and delicate beauty of the butterfly. Are you looking for live music? Flip to page 32. The Mostly Modern Festival! An international music festival that celebrates modern music in all its diversity - music by living composers from across the globe
As always, we’re grateful to our beautiful group of advertisers, to our read ers for their curiosity, and to the creative community for your co ntinued embrace of 518 Profiles.
Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher
The Front Street Social Club
A speakeasy-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar pg. 6
Beyond Fascinating Bottles Hangs
Fabulous Art - The National Bottle Museum® and JRM Artists’ Space
pg. 14
“So Strange It Seemed Normal” From Skin to Canvas: The Many Chapters of Lisa Fasulo pg. 24 518 PROFILES 1624
They’ve Turned the Music World Upside Down! And Joyously Raised the “Dead” to a Live Music Culture
pg. 32
The Front Street Social Club
A speakeasy-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar
by Armand Vanderstigchel
The Front Street Social Club in Ballston Spa is a unique speakeasy -style cocktail bar and restaurant located inside the historic 222year-old Medbery Inn on Front Street. The location is considered the new hot spot in the revival of Ballston Spa, as a successful congregation of exciting new hos pitality entities grows by leaps and bounds, with more en trepreneurs signing on, recognizing that Ballston Spa is the new place to start a business.
In past issues, we have underscored Glens Falls as an example
of revitalization. Now, the “Revitalize Ballston Spa” is a planning effort to at tract investment and funding by de veloping a comprehensive vision for the village’s future.
Owner/Executive Chef Jamie Fronk and his wife, Jessica, are visionaries w ho understood early December 2018 that seizing the opportunity, starting construction, and opening shop in the community in October 2019 was the right move.
In interviewing Jamie from a chef- to-chef perspective, one can conclude that he belongs to the category of “the Last of the Mohi cans”- a moniker I like to use for dedicated career chefs who have climbed the ladder from working all possible scenarios to eventually reaching the milestone
Chili-Lime Shrimp Caesar Salad
Jessica and Jamie Fronk
of ownership. Born and raised in Glenville, New York, he moved to Southern California, where he met his wife Jessica at a personal and professional growth seminar. His current knowledge of Mexican Cuisine was inspired and adapted by Jessica and her parents, who originate from Mexico and introduced him to authentic regional cooking.
Locally, he started his culinary journey at the school of hard knocks, working as a chef and then in California as a front-of-thehouse manager for a Greek restaurateur. Anybody in the restaurant business knows that Greek restaurateurs are hardworking operators who demand high expectations from their employees, reflecting the work ethic they exemplify. Jamie earned the owner's respect, and soon he was treated like family, garnering his help and support in opening his own restaurant in Bellflower, California, which focused on American Cui sine and spectacular burger offerings complemented by 20 craft beers, local wines, and craft cocktails.
Upon hearing the news that Jamie’s father was having health issues, he decided that it was time for his family to move back to the 518 region and start a new adventure. A move that was also fueled by his discontent with the regulations and the hostile smallbusiness environment in California, which can be extremely hard on restaurateurs op erating on slim margins, contrary to what folks might perceive. Those who be lieve in destiny will find that the move was a gift for Jamie and his family.
While antique shopping in Ballston Spa with Jessica, the statuesque Medbery Inn caught their attention — a wave of ideas washed over him as a dilettante in many trades: construction, artistry, web design, and restaurant operation. He contacted the building's owner and laid out his vision for
the space. The landlord was supportive of seeing a restaurant/bar return to the Medbery Inn. He proceeded to take James to the attic to seek out beautiful antique, valuable building materials to implement in the construction, bringing the space back to its old glory, resulting in a 200year-old pressed tin ceiling and 200-yearold wood, beams, and planks to finalize the bar/dining area with strong emphasis on retaining the historic feel and speakeasy character. Jamie's experience as a former hospitality operator supported a smooth, financially comprehensive opening transition.
His hard work and vision resulted in BSBPA of Ballston Spa awarding Jamie “the Beautification Award” in recognition of the restoration and renovation by busi nesses in the enhancement of the Ballston Spa area. History buffs will note that the Medbery Inn was constructed in
Beginning stages of the vintage bar top using 214 year old wood scraps from the attic
Finished vintage bar with glass top epoxy
photo by Stephanie Sittnick
Hibiscus Cosmopolitan, Mint Condition and Blueberry Bourbon Sour
Deep Fried Beignets (Cafe du Monde-style) served with house-made Salted Caramel Sauce
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Seared New York Strip with Bacon & Onion Marmalade
Cilantro-Lime Olive Tapenade with Soft Pretzels
Crispy Baja Fish Tacos
Boozy Affogado
Chili-Lime Mango Salmon with Warm Apple-Zucchini Slaw
stages between 1804 and 1847. The Village Hotel was advertised as a "temperance house" and retitled for its new owner, Stephen B. Medbery.
Hollywood recognized its historic value in 1972, filming scenes in front of the building for "The Way We Were," starring Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand. After being vacant for many years, the Medbery's new owners renovated it as an inn and full-service day spa with Jamie adding the final touch of hospitality.
In previous issues, we have always lauded culinary destinations that achieve the perfect “trifecta,” as found here: a restaurant/bar/inn and spa under one roof. The spa here at the Medbery Inn features the treasured sulphury mineral water, as featured at the Roosevelt Bath & Spa in Saratoga Springs! In terms of cuisine at the Front Street Social Club, Chef Jamie has ingeniously crafted both his past culinary ventures of American & Latin fusion.
On a recent visit, we had the opportunity to sample Chef Jamie's menu offerings. Upon en tering the cozy bar area, where we were greeted by the hospitable bartender, I noticed the diverse beer selection on tap, featuring lo cals such as Common Roots and Fiddlehead, as well as international must-haves like Guin ness and, most importantly, Modelo, underscoring the Latin flavor. As an artistically diverse chef, Jamie creates great cocktails such as the delicious-sounding “The Hayride”spiced Rum Sour, house-made Winterspice Simple, topped with Champagne and Egg White Foam Brulee, delivered with a flamed Cinnamon Stick! A local Adirondack Peanut Butter Porter was featured on the rotating tap schedule.
The soup special, Shrimp and Crab chowder, was delicious: a light broth with chunks of Crab and Shrimp and a nice herb bouquet. Chef Jamie understands the magic of constructing a
great burger, lining up ingredients that trigger the musthave signals!
Enter the “Fronkenburger”- a luscious build of hand-battered onion rings, Maple Bacon, Smoked Cheddar, caramelized Onion, Chipotle Ranch, and home-made seasoned fries (not the usual commercial fries). The Fronkenburger is simply a burger I cannot get out of my mind lately! Another winner is the Front Street Chicken Club- a lovely union of Blackened Chicken, Maple Bacon, Red pepper Jam, Homemade Mayo, subbed by recommendation with hand-cut gluten-free Jewel Yam French Fries, seasoned with homemade Sea-Salt Maple Seasoning. Bravo!
A unique twist on a common salad is the Roasted Pepita Caesar Salad mixed with Pepitas, Romaine, Peasant Bread croutons, and classic house-made Caesar dressing, refreshing!
A combo of Baja Fish Tacos, grilled Chicken Tacos, and Carnita Tacos followed, underscoring the Mexican influence and expertise. An enjoyable, similar twist on salmon is the preparation ChileLime Avocado style. The salmon is grilled and topped with ChileLime Butter, accompanied by Av ocado crema and Pico de Gallo, on a bed of Mexican street Corn. Speaking of Tacos, Chef Jamie, Jessica, and partner Sean McKenna also operate “The Taco Shop” in Burnt Hills, NY. Opened in October 2023, it was voted “Best of the Best Tacos” by the Daily Gazette!
A fascinating extension of Chef Jamie’s creativity is the fabrication
of his beautifully bottled house-made bar condiments, such as the organic spiced Cock tail Syrup, “Winterspice,” and even an Aromatic Bitters infused with Cardamon.
For dessert, we enjoyed the Salted Caramel Beignets, “Café du Monde style”- crispy yet pillowy on the inside with salted Caramel dipping sauce-yummy!
In review, the 518 area can embrace the return of Chef Jamie, a native son who is making many local foodies happy at the Front Street Social Club, and his contribution to the beautification of downtown Ballston Spa.
The Front Street Social Club is located at 52 Front St, Ballston Spa, NY (518) 309-3245 www.frontstreetsocialclub.com
"The Way We Were" starring Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand
by Stephanie Sittnick
photo
Beyond Fascinating Bottles Hangs Fabulous Art
The National Bottle Museum® and JRM Artists’ Space
By Carol St.Sauveur Ferris
Bottles have been a staple in everyday life since 3500 BC. They were typically made of clay and used to store a family’s water, wine, oils, and perfumes. Glass bottles were later developed in Egypt, dating ba ck to 1500 BC. Today, glass bottles are becoming less common as plastic bottles continue to replace them.
In 1978, a museum devoted to the origin and evolution of all types of bottles was founded in Ballston Spa, New York. The museum, known as The National Bottle Museum®, is a wonderful destination to view
an d learn the f as cinating story behind them. The museum offers changing exhibits drawn from its extensive collection of more than 5000 bottles, which can be seen on the first and second floors of its 3- story, historic brick building. So far in 2026, the museum has added four new exhibits and improved two.
Visitors to the museum can also view the art gallery on the second floor. Originally called “The Artists’ Space”, it was renamed the Jan Rutland Memorial Artists’ Space or
the JRM in honor of Jan Rutland, who was appointed the museum’s president in 1986 but sadly passed away in 2010.
Years before Jan’s passing, the wife of artist and commercial pho tographer Fred Neudoerffer and her friend were casually walking down Milton Avenue after lunch in town when they discovered the museum. While peering through the windows, a museum volunteer noticed the two women and invited
by Stephanie Sittnick
photo
Mary Gregory style barber bottle.
them in to see the current bottle exhibits. That volunteer was Jan Rut land, who shared the museum’s background and its amazing col lection with the visitors. Very impressed with what she saw, Fred’s wi fe mentioned that her commercial photographer husband was looking for new clients. Jan immediately expressed interest in his work.
Despite learning that they had very limited funds to allocate to such an ex pense, Fred’s wife later shared her impressions of the museum with him and the details of her meeting. She sug gested that Fred check it out for himself, which he did, and so began a long and fruitful relationship between Fred and The National Bottle Museum.
But long before this, Fred Neudoerffer was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and came to the United States with his family as an infant. They settled in New Rochelle, New York. Though he never took any art classes in school be yond what was required, and only attended community college for a brief time, Fred found his calling in commercial photography as a teenager.
“I just happened to meet a guy who was a master black and white printer in photography. He taught classes, so I attended one, and later became an apprentice in his program. That’s the only training I ever had in photography. The rest was self-taught.”
Fred’s eye for detail and talent with a camera led him to build a very successful career photographing for major brands such as Saab, Lord & Taylor, Comfortex Window Shades, Pez Candy, and many others. In fact, he did all types of commercial photography, including corporate, business, industrial, architectural, lifestyle, and product photography. When digital cameras debuted in 1993, Fred was among the first to successfully use this new technology in his commercial work.
While working with Jan at the museum and photographing the bottle collections, he began to take a serious interest in the museum itself, especially in Artists’ Space. It wasn’t terribly sophisticated at the time, according to Fred.
“There was a very large space up on the second floor with a huge, very long, brick wall. And across the whole length of that wall, someone had randomly bent and attached chicken wire to it. Unframed art was clipped to the chicken wire, and that was how it was displayed. I said
photo by Stephanie Sittnick
photo by Stephanie Sittnick
photo by Stephanie Sittnick
to myself, “I can do much better than that, and that’s how it all started.”
Initially, Fred volunteered, primarily focused on dis plays, but later became the official Director of the Jan Rutland Me morial Artists’ Space while still a volunteer. He was a natural at hanging art, which was no surprise. As a photographer, painstaking attention to detail is paramount, so Fred developed quite the eye and learned how to place products to bring out their best features or to complement their surroundings. He also learned how to hang art after seeing his own digital art and the art of others exhibited in many shows. Fred now offers art-hanging services in addition to his commercial photography.
Today, he thoroughly enjoys his position at the museum and is a committed volunteer. Fred creates five to seven unique shows annually. Some are themed, while others are open call. They are not juried shows but do
have certain requirements, including providing art that is in keeping with the show’s theme, if there is one, and delivering the art to the museum “gallery-ready.”
As you might expect, submittals have been very interesting at times. A talented woodcarver once submitted an impressive collection of wooden totem poles that ranged in height from seven to nine feet! Another submission was a very unusual metal piece created by a sculptor using a 1950’s metal car door! Without a doubt, it’s always fascinating to see the variety of work artists create.
Another show that stands out was held just after the pandemic ended and the museum reopened. The show was called March to March, and the theme was actually a question: How did the pandemic affect you? It required the artists to describe how COVID affected their work along with their submissions. Amazingly, 140 works of art were submitted to the gallery with a variety of interesting explanations. Fred also sub mitted a digital piece of art he created, accompanied by a simple explanation that resonated with many.
“I made a photo, a framed piece, with some text. The text said, ‘I can’t finish anythin…’. A lot of artists told me they were struggling to finish pieces during that time. It turned out to be a great show.”
When Fred first looks at all the artwork submitted for any show, he examines them individually and then as a group. His goal is to find that one piece that speaks to him to start the show. He then builds the exhibit from there. Sometimes he needs two or three pieces since there are several walls for exhibiting, but Fred always hangs the artwork so that each complements the one next to it, and each grouping hangs well together. On occasion, floor or pedestal art displays receive the same attention and consideration as the hanging works. And there are no limits to size or medium. The artwork must simply comply with the show’s theme, unless, of course, it’s an open call.
Fred chooses not to hang “salon style,” which was popularized by Paris Salons in the 17th century. The goal at that time was to hang as much art as possible on every square inch of available wall space, mixing styles and sizes. This method of displaying artwork creates a dense mosaic that can be overwhelming for viewers. Because Fred does not want a single piece to diminish the one hanging next to it, that style does not appeal to him. At the end of the day, he wants all the art to work well together.
As you can imagine, reviewing sometimes 100+ works of art and sculpture can take a very long time. Then there’s the daunting task of hanging each piece as well. According to Fred, he spends the equivalent of a 40-hour week putting the shows together and hanging them. In addition, he is tasked with promoting the shows both digitally and manually, posting information on the museum’s website
and displaying signs in storefront windows and public spaces. Luckily, it’s a job he loves and derives tremendous satisfaction from completing each task.
Today, the Jan Rutland Memorial Artists’ Space is officially a regional art gallery drawing more artists and collectors. Their recent show, titled Winter Open Call Gallery Showcase, featured 108 works of art by 41 artists. In the interest of keeping it fair and simple, each piece was priced by the individual artist, with the gallery earning a standard 25% commission. This approach remains a successful formula for both galleries and artists today.
“The goal is anything that helps the museum and will do well is the first priority. The second priority is to use the art gallery to raise awareness of the museum, and then the museum raises awareness of the gallery. It’s a win-win.”
It all makes perfect sense, and no doubt the museum, gallery, and artists will continue to benefit.
To learn more about upcoming gallery shows at the Jan Rutland Me morial Artists’ Space, plus The National Bottle Museum’s ® scheduled exhibits and hours, visit them online at https://nationalbottlemuseum.org. You will find it fascinating, in formative, and a pleasure.
“So Strange It Seemed Normal” From Skin to Canvas: The Many Chapters of Lisa Fasulo
by Rona Mann
You’ve heard of the “starving artist,” the “de pressed” artists, the artists who can barely make a living from their art and must subsi dize it with side gigs. Then there is Lisa Fasulo. There is little, if anything, about her story that is sad, repentant, depressing, or predictable because, well, this is Lisa Fasulo.
Artist Lisa Fasulo has always marched to her own beat, slightly out of rhythm, to music that
was a bit discordant, and still, she kept laughing the whole length of the parade that has been her very full and satisfying life. Best of all, she has lived and loved that life as an artist, only once veering off the creative path for a year and a half to take a sales job, which she hated. Then it was right back to the world of art, where, according to her, “How many artists can make a very good living doing art? I did. I do. And I absolutely love it.”
Speak with Fasulo for just a few minutes, and you realize you are engaging with lightning in a bottle. She jumps into every sentence with total glee, taking the listener through more than 50 years of excitement, growth, fun, and absolutely no regrets whatsoever. Lisa calls it “My Story,” and we assure you, the chapters are many and varied. She was born and raised in Albany, but began painting full-time at age 10 after her mother discovered the Hamptons.
“Not the snooty Hamptons,” Lisa says, giving a course correction, “but Southampton. She just loved it, so in 1972, and every summer thereafter, she rented a house and took all six of us kids there. It wasn’t snooty at all. It was filled with artists, most of them strange and won derful. So strange seemed normal to me. It shaped my career, I made my whole life out of this.”
According to Lisa, “It was the Golden Age of Art in the Hamptons, and everyone was there.” During that time, she met Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, and “Get this. We lived right next door to Gloria Vanderbilt. She did art too.”
At age 13, the budding teenager had her first show at the venerable Parrish Art Museum in Southampton (an iconic 19th-century museum that later moved to Water Mill). “It was pretty basic acrylics. Mostly driftwood and shells, but the community liked it and bought my work.” Lisa also bought a bunch of wicker baskets in different sizes, painted them white, and then added colored hy drangeas. “I sold half of them right off the bat. Shoulda made more!”
The next chapter took Fasulo from acrylics to oils, a medium she embraces to this day. College years were spent at the State University of New York at Cortland, where she majored in and received her degree in Art History, loving every minute. I would do it again if I could.” The time perfecting her art also included a semester in Siena, Italy, where she lived with a family, and later, upon returning, she soaked up some of the world's great art in one of the greatest places in the world for art.
It was at a craft show just before graduation from SUNY that the artist decided to paint on sweatshirts, and sales went to a fever pitch. “I sold half of them and realized I had something here, so I spent the next 22 years painting on clothing, going to shows big and small throughout the Capital District and into New England, and made a great living.”
Monarch on Milkweed
36” x 36”
During this same time, Lisa married, had chil dren, and was able to paint from home, raise her kids, and pay the mortgage doing this. Strange, but normal.
But after 22 years, “I had had it painting flowers and cute stuff on shirts,” so she made what for other people would have been a total 180. For Lisa Fasulo, it was a perfectly normal transition, though to others it was probably a bit strange. She became a tattoo artist.
Lisa had gone to a tattoo parlor and was closely watching the designer ink her skin when she thought, “I could do this. I gotta learn this. It lit me up!”
A noble thought, but learning was something else. “No one helps you learn how to do the needles. I had the artistic ability. I could design, but it was trial and error on my own.” Still, Lisa Fasulo is not one to give up, so therefore, “I got a bunch of people to donate their skin to me, to trust me, and I just got better and better working out of a converted garage studio. But I did it legally and with all the paperwork the State required.”
Fasulo got so much better that the next chapter was an easy transition. In 2005, she would start a tattoo school and teach others to do what she had learned. Strange, but for Lisa,
quite normal. She began with just two stu dents, and in a short time, wound up with four schools in New York, Florida, San Diego, and Port Angeles, Washington. At the time, there were only two tattoo artists who ran schools in the United States, “Me and someone in Louisiana. It was hard work, and I was good. I actually had people flying in to see me from all over the world. I was in 50 magazines, made the cover of a few of them, and in 2011, I had my own TV show on TLC.” But after 15 years, it was time to pivot once again.
Lisa showing her custom painted jackets
“I really missed painting, so I sold all the schools and went from skin to canvas. I want to paint what I want, and that’s no longer sweatshirts or skin. It’s oils. I live and work in a barndominium in Schuylerville.”
A barndominium is an open-plan home that looks like a barn and has plenty of living space in addition to so much extra room it could also house a horse or two or perhaps a crazy, wonderful artist who has lived a life that is indeed strange to many, but completely normal to Lisa Fasulo.
Her work is an homage to animals, birds, and especially the grace and delicate beauty of the butterfly, and the oils she creates are massive and colorful. She also recreates your favorite pet’s portrait on canvas or on a bag tag. Her colors are as vibrant as her personality, and she values and respects those who purchase her work with a bonus of free shipping. Best of all, this artist has never lost her inspiration for life, for people, for animals, or for where art could take her.
“I got my inspiration from artistic geniuses like Warhol, Capote, and others whom I met as a teenager at Bob Keene’s Bookstore in Southampton. I babysat for David Maysles’ kids (he, along with his brother, Albert, were documentary filmmakers best known for direct ing ‘Gimme Shelter’ and ‘Grey Gardens’). Gloria Vanderbilt was our neighbor, Jackson Pollock lived in the next town, so I didn’t think these people were different. I just observed their talent and soaked it all up.”
So that is how the little girl from Albany fell in love with art and learned to make it. Through a curious nature, a lot of observation, a strong will to jump right into things and fully invest herself, without ever fearing failure, and with an undying spirit and sense of humor that served as the framework for the chapters of her life story; and along the way, it didn’t hurt one bit to have met and drawn so much inspiration from so many strange and talented people. “I was lucky. I was blessed,” she affirms.
With a sprinkling of crazy wonderful on top.
Visit Lisa online and see what she’s doing on canvas, both big and small. www.lisafasulo.com (518) 428-4271
Majestic Monarch 48” x 60"
“Butterfly Dreams” 48” x 60”
T hey’ve Turned the Music World Upside Down! And Joyously Raised the “Dead” to a Live Music Culture
by Rona Mann
If you feel a yawn coming on while listening to classical music, you’re not alone. Classical music does have that effect on many but chances are, you‘ve just never been to a Mostly Modern program or festival.
Mostly Modern, the folks who have raised eyebrows, raised the level of great music and fun...yes, FUN, in the Capital Region; and in some ways, raised the dead. That’s because 21 years ago, a supremely talented married cou ple said to each other, “We should do something different.” They had a vision, they had a mission, and they had a dedication that gave way to what is gloriously known now not just in Saratoga Springs and the Capital Re gion, but has worked its way around the globe, drawing visitors not only just to this one region, but to the Netherlands as well for Mostly Modern Projects, a delicious form of entertainment with widespread appeal.
Along the way, Mostly Modern Projects has not only created a mission to promote
the music of living composers but also to bring it to audiences who have never heard of them before. “We’ve heard the traditional Beethoven, Bach, Chopin stuff all our lives,” begins com poser Robert Paterson. “Do we really need to hear it again? I think what audiences seek is changing.”
The other half of the team is Victoria Paterson, a premier violinist with chops from the symphony hall to Broadway to city streets, who adds, “Classical music is stuck in the old ways. People today are always looking for new popular music, even if it’s a re-imagining of Leonard Bernstein or Gershwin; and here in the Saratoga area, we are immersed in contemporary com posers, so it was a great place for us to land and build something new and refreshing.”
Mostly Modern began in 2005, and along the way, the Patersons built a new genre of music, attracting a whole new audience, blowing the dust off the classics, introducing living
Bradley Korngold
Robert and Victoria Paterson-
composers, and giving this modern approach vibrancy and accessibility. The Patersons cre ated a way for emerging musicians to col laborate with established artists and com posers, bringing them together educationally and in performance. Thus, composers, conductors, and performers could come to gether not just in a formal concert hall, but in community outreach, in educational pro grams, in recording studios, and in the great wide world of musical enjoyment. Un like many music festivals that focus solely on performances, the Mostly Modern Festival marries concerts with intensive training pro grams, hosting musicians and composers who actively participate in workshops, rehearsals, and collaborative performances, and look forward to meeting audience members after each show. Composers, conductors, and per formers put down their instruments and engage in the community in every way.
Rela tionships are further cultivated through open rehearsals, lectures, and discussions, so ticket holders don’t just witness a performance; they are part of the creative process behind this contemporary music. If the Patersons are going to flip
David Amado-music director conductor
Danilow Jaqui
The Fab 5
JoAnn Falletta - conducting photo by David Adam Beloff
classical music on its head, they want you there to hold it by the ankles as it somersaults over! That process breeds understanding, clears the air of that stuffiness, and makes your shared journey with composers and musicians just plain fun!
The Patersons are perhaps best known for their Mostly Modern Festival, which they created in 2018. This June, they are proudly presenting their 7th Festival, a series of 10 concerts over a three-week period, everything from full orchestral music to ensembles,chamber music with a twist, a
brass quintet, Peter and the Wolf, a brand new rendering of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Bell, a star from one of Broadway’s biggest hits, and so much more.….it’s a music festival for every age, every taste, and even for those tastes you didn’t know you had! It’s Mostly Modern on steroids! (Check the sidebar that accompanies this story for the full schedule and buy your tickets now)!
Not only did Robert and Victoria Paterson turn classical music upside down on its head, but along the way they’ve amassed a number of
fans...here in the Saratoga area, throughout the Capital Region, around the country, and in the Netherlands. They’ve taken music out of the dusty concert halls and darkened salons and joyously brought it into the streets, livened up train stations, brought smiles to those in hospitals and congregate living, and wiped away the cobwebs from the memories of those suffering cognitive impairment. It is an incomparable pairing of diverse music brought to a diverse audience, where the setting never matters. It is all about the music.
Just a bit about this power couple. You can read more on their website and see more when you become part of this wonderful gift of music they’ve given. Artistic Director of Mostly Modern, Robert is a native of
Buffalo. From a young age, he was drawn to music. He became a com poser at age 13 when his adolescent band ran out of ideas, and he said, “I’ll try writing something.” The “something” was a hit, and the writing never stopped. Robert went on to compose unique and unusual pieces and was presented with the Composer of the Year award by the Classical Recording Foundation at Carnegie Hall. Additionally, he has won a Grammy for Best Producer of the Year, and orchestras throughout the United States and worldwide are honored to bring his compositions to life, filled with energy, wit, meticulous craftsmanship, and a sense of surprise.
Victoria, who originally hails from Vermont, was 4 years old when she decided to play the violin. Her older sisters, 10 and 12, had both taken up the instrument, so of course, the youngest child wanted to do the same. She actually wanted to play the cello, but they couldn’t find one small enough for her. “I was a late bloomer,” she laughed. “I didn’t major in music; I majored in philosophy in college, which had my parents concerned about me being able to make a living.” They didn’t have to worry because Robert gave her the confidence she needed, and this first violinist not only became a member of the Vermont Symphony while still in her 20s, but played first violin for 20 years in Broadway shows like Sunset Boule vard, West Side Story, The Addams Family, Wicked, and My Fair Lady. The FAB5, which incorporates pop music played on classical instruments, is her baby, and the group is consistently booked year-round.
From the beautiful Zankel Music Center on the campus of Skidmore College with its spot-on acoustics, to the streets of New York City, to the conventional and the unconventional, there’s no place they’d rather make music, and no place that isn’t bowled over by what they offer.
No matter whether you hear the FAB5 on a street corner, the orchestra or ensemble at the Zankel Music Center, or merely observe a rehearsal, once you experience the world of Mostly Modern Projects and learn what is being done in a very different way to bring not just the music, but the joy and the understanding of the music to you, you will realize that these musicians don’t play at their audience, they collaborate with their audience. The result is a freshness, an aliveness,and a different way of hearing both old and new music.
It just may turn YOU upside down!
There was no way we could tell you everything in this space, given our word count limits, but you can easily find out more. Visit their website
at mostlymodernprojects.org, You’ll find detailed information on this wonderful couple, Robert and Victoria, where they began their unique and diverse journey, and how they built and continue to power Mostly Modern. For festival ticket information, it’s mostlymodernfestival.org/current-season. C’mon out and play with Mostly Modern!
MOSTLY MODERN FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
The 7th Season • June 4th - 20th Arthur Zankel Music Center, Saratoga Springs
June 4th - 7th Season Opener Mostly Modern Kickoff 7:30 PM
***NOTE: This will be held at Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St, Saratoga Springs
All Remaining Shows Will Be at ZANKEL MUSIC CENTER
June 5th - Albany Pro Musica Choir & Mostly Modern Orchestra 7:30 PM
June 6th – Mostly Modern Ensemble 7:30 PM
June 7th – The FAB5 4PM...note: Matinee performance!
June 11th – Mostly Modern Brass 7:30 PM
June 12th – Mostly Modern Ensemble 7:30 PM
***June 13th – Peter & The Wolf and The Bell - 4PM Special Matinee ! starring Daniel Reichard of the Original Broadway Cast of Jersey Boys A perfect family show!
June 14th – Mostly Modern Orchestra & Ravel’s La Valse note: 4PM Matinee performance!
June 18th – Euclid Spring Quartet 7:30 PM
June 20th – SEASON FINALE! Mostly Modern Orchestra & Gershwin’s American in Paris 7:30 PM
MMF-MMO with Peter Bay
Credit-Mark+Bolles
The Sweet Simplicity of Mother’s Day
by Karen Richman
Maybe it was because I was a child and just not aware of what else was going on in the rest of the world, but Mother’s Day when I was little was simple, inexpensive, and just sweet.
The first thing I remember is the secrecy. Children are not particularly skilled at keeping secrets, but for one week every May, I summoned up whatever self-control I had with heroic de termination. In school, our teacher would pass out sheets of colored paper, blunt scissors, and little bottles of paste that smelled faintly like vinegar. A hush came over our classroom almost immediately, which soon became a bevy of young artists at work. We all made cards, of course, and they weren’t very original
When we finished, the cards were slipped into envelopes and hidden away in our school desks (remember the ones where you lifted the top of the desk all the way up). The Friday before Mother’s Day, the teacher reminded us to remove the cards and carefully hide them in our books without bending them (no one had a backpack in those years unless you were a mountain climber or a sherpa). Transporting that card home felt like we were in charge of a rare treasure because the childish sentiments within were way more delicate than the actual card.
or witty, humorous, or snarky like the $6-$10. ones found today in the supermarkets and card and gift stores. Every card we made had flowers on the front, though most looked like explosions of colored blobs rather than blossoms. Mine always had a heart that leaned slightly to one side as I did while creating it. Inside, we wrote messages that we carefully copied from the blackboard where our teacher had suggested prompts; un original, bland sentiments like Happy Mother’s Day to the Best Mom in the World. Each word took forever to write because we were trying so darned hard not to smudge anything. It had to be perfect!
“Well, what’s all this?” she’d ask in feigned surprise. “Breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day!” I squealed in delight.”
The real excitement began first thing Sunday morning. I was awake and anxious early, long before my mother stirred. I’d put on my robe, wash my face, brush my teeth, and tiptoe down to the kitchen to make her breakfast in bed!
Face it, breakfast in bed made by children is an act of love that requires a parent who, as the recipient of same, must possess a bounty of pa tience, and a forgiving manner as well as a forgiving appetite. My breakfast-in-bed specialty was toast, though I never really got the hang of the toaster, so the multiple slices I plated and delivered ranged in color from an ungodly pale shade to charcoal briquette. I always accompanied the toast with pats of butter and dollops of jelly, un ceremoniously dropping both on the plate as well as the kitchen counter.
I didn’t know how to make coffee, so I poured some orange juice into my prized Howdy Doody glass and added that to the tray. I always wanted flowers, but not having any money, I went out to the backyard, picked a bright yellow dandelion, and placed it right in the orange juice. I thought it quite elegant.
Balancing the tray while carefully climbing the stairs was a yeoman’s job as I tried very hard not to spill any juice since I was giggling with anticipation. When I reached my mother’s bed, she was just pretending to wake up, although I am quite certain she had heard the commotion in the kitchen and the clumping up the stairs.
She read the card slowly, then read it again. Then came a big hug and kiss, the best of all. She drank the orange juice down, never chid ing me for sticking the dandelion in the same glass. admiring it as though it had come from the most expensive florist in town. Then she ate every bite of what could have doubled for roofing shingles, saying, “I really like the variety of toast you made.” Then she hugged me again.
Mothers possess a certain kind of hug, one that seems to gather up the whole room along with the hug-ee, and suddenly everyone feels warm and loved.
My father was in charge of events for the rest of the day, which usually culminated in dinner out, followed by a trip to my mother’s favorite ice cream parlor for a sugar cone of coffee ice cream.
Looking back now, it’s clear to me that my mother understood something I didn’t about the day. The toast didn’t matter, the dandelion in the orange juice didn’t matter. What mat tered was the effort of childish sincerity, showing love the only way I knew how. Every May, I still reflect on that simple Mother’s Day morning ritual, enormous with love, the kind that makes for a lifetime memory long after the dandelion has faded.
May doesn’t ask for your attention. It changes the air and waits for you to notice.
One morning, it’s softer, warmer, carrying the faintest sweetness. The trees begin to haze green, sidewalks scatter with petals, and without announcement, the season shifts from muted to vivid.
Even if life hasn’t slowed down, something in it in vites you to. You linger a little longer in the sun. You breathe more deeply without thinking about it. You begin to remember what it feels like to belong to a living landscape instead of just moving through it.
May is the first month that feels fully alive here, not the promise of spring but its embodiment.
The Turning Point
Long before modern calendars, the beginning of May marked a threshold.
Beltane
Observed on May 1st, it sits halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice and was considered the true beginning of summer, when life moved from potential into expression.
Traditionally, Beltane was a fire festival. Communities lit bonfires not for warmth but for vitality, for clarity, for movement. People passed between the flames or carried embers home, small rituals meant to invite protection and forward momentum into the coming season.
It wasn’t about waiting for change. It marked the moment change had already begun. You can still feel that shift here. In the sudden rush of green along the Northway, in the first warm evening where no one wants to go inside, in the way lilac moves through the air, and in that quiet realization, just before dusk, that you don’t need a jacket anymore.
It’s a seasonal “yes”. The world opening without asking permission.
The Shift We Feel May carries a specific emotional tone, hopeful without being naïve and soft without slipping into passivity.
After months of gray skies and inward days, there’s a quiet re-entry into the world. Not rushed, not performative, just a gradual return to noticing. Light feels different. Color registers again. Conversations linger a little longer. You feel yourself coming back online in small, almost imperceptible ways.
May reminds us that renewal doesn’t require perfect conditions. It asks only for warmth, a little light, and a willingness to soften. Healing, in this season, isn’t dramatic. It’s rhythmic.
Returning to Yourself
Wellness in May isn’t about reinvention or ambitious routines. It’s about reconnection, with your environment, your senses, and the parts of yourself winter asked to go quiet.
Energy returns gradually, building in small, steady increments rather than all at once. There’s something
grounding in letting your pace match that rhythm instead of pushing against it. There’s also a natural softening this time of year. Morning light moving across your walls. A walk through Congress Park. The scent of lilacs carried on a breeze. Fresh air mov ing through your home after months of closed windows.
These aren’t luxuries. They’re recalibrations. Co nnection begins to feel easier again. A conversation on a porch. Coffee with a friend. A walk with someone you haven’t seen in months. Nothing elaborate, just human. Even your senses begin to wake up. Color feels brighter, air feels warmer, fragrance lingers longer, and your body responds to being outside again in a way that feels both familiar and new.This is how you come back to yourself. Not all at once, but piece by piece.
The Landscape in Motion
May unfolds through color, scent, and movement. Tulips stretch through the city during the Albany Tulip Festival, while lilacs bloom in Washington Park, filling the air with something almost impossible to ignore.
Across the region, apple blossoms open alongside dogwood, magnolia, azalea, and viburnum, layering the landscape in texture and tone. Even the dandelion, often overlooked, plays a role as one of the first food sources for pollinators. And they return too. Bees move steadily from bloom to bloom, butterflies drift without urgency, and hummingbirds reappear like small, jeweled reminders that life continues, even after long pauses.
There’s something grounding in that, a quiet reminder that much of what sustains the world happens without spectacle. Late May begins to hint at strawberries, not quite here, but close enough to anticipate. That sense of almost is part of the season’s language. Everything is on the verge of becoming.
The Threshold
May sits between worlds, between the softness of spring and the intensity of summer, between s tillness and momentum. It doesn’t rush you forward. It simply opens the door. And there’s something deeply hopeful in that.
Not the loud kind of hope, not the kind that demands transformation overnight, but something steadier, something grounded.The kind that grows slowly, the way blossoms do. The way warmth returns. The way the body remembers what it’s capable of holding. May doesn’t ask you to bloom. It asks you to thaw, to soften, to notice, to reconnect, and to trust that renewal isn’t something you have to chase.
It’s something that happens, naturally, when you allow yourself to meet the season where you are. And May will meet you there.
Crystal Cobert is a writer and founder of FACES NewYork, based in Saratoga Springs. She approaches skin as something to understand, not constantly correct, seeing it as a reflection of environment, rhythm, and how we live.
There is so much to report and this is my third column featuring the city where America began. In this feature, I am integrating a little history tour so you have a guidebook for visiting while eating deliciousness along the way.
Traveling, it is always fun to exit the highway and quickly seek out some new culinary discoveries. While heading East on I-90 towards Boston, we exited on 91 south towards West Springfield, Ma in search for Victory International Supermarket.
In our European community of friends, this is a sought - after destination as an international Supermarket offering high-quality foods from northern Europe such as beautiful baked Rye Breads, smoked Fish and Meats, and Dairy products imported. The store eliminates making the long-trek to Brooklyn to find treasured products for those from Eastern European decent. We purchased delicious (still-warm) Dark Sunflower-Seed Swedish Rye Bread, Farm Butter from Belarus, Eggplant Caviar from
Forest Honey of Siberia from a “wall” of European Honey selections.
Right up the road is a White Hut, located at 280 Memorial Ave-a historic Burger joint established in 1939, famously serving classic, thin-patty Hamburgers with Onions. Despite a brief closure in 2020, it was acquired by local investors - including the owners
of Peter Pan Bus Lines—and reopened, preserving a 1930s-style dining experience known for its "White Hut way"—thin, griddled patties topped with a signature pile of fried Onions— earning national recognition from the Wall Street Journal, Readers Digest and Thrillist. We had to indulge in one of these Burgers as a road-side treat-totally juicy and delicious reminiscent of the “In-and-Out Burger of California!”
Upon arrival in Boston, we descended back on the harbor-front to start our historic tour. The Boston Tea Party Museum is a unique historical interactive museum providing visitors with a glimpse into one of the most significant events that sparked the American Revolution—the Boston Tea Party of 1773, in which American colonists, frustrated with British taxation without representation, protested by dumping Tea into Boston Harbor. You can enjoy downstairs for at Abagail’s Tearoom, a sam pling of the 5-teas thrown overboard during the Boston Tea Party.
Directly across the bridge is Boston’s Children’s Museum - the most significant children’s museums in the world. It was founded in 1913 by the Science Teachers’ Bureau, a group of visionary educationalists. Standing 40 feet tall, a giant HOOD Milk bottle sits next to the Boston Children’s Museum. In 1930, Arthur Gagner built the Milk bottle next to his store to sell homemade Ice Cream. It stood empty and neglected for a decade when H.P. Hood and Sons, Inc. a dairy company, was convinced to buy it and give it to Boston Children's Museum in 1977. A popular summer spot for Ice-cream, selfies, and landmark. While walking back
toward the Seaport there are interesting stops such as the Boston Fire Museum on Congress Street. Stop next-door in Caffé Nero, a charming spot, located in a beau tifully restored old industrial warehouse, featuring comfortable sofas by a fireplace featuring pastries and high level freshly roasted Coffee.
For a late lunch we stopped at Lanner Noodle bar on pier 4 Blvd to indulge in aromatic bowls filled with handcrafted on-site Noodles in slowly simmered fragrant bone broths. The braised Beef Noodle Soup was enjoyed
in addition to the Beef Rib Noodles in Chili Oil-yummy and warming. The garlic Chicken skewers marinated in garlic and herbs seasoned with cumin was a great starter. Lanner Noodles is a unique experience for those trying something exciting. More excitement was generated by re- visiting Lakon Paris Patisserie for the most amazing French Pas tries. The Crème Brulee Kouign Amann filled with Pastry Crème is beyond amazing!
We enjoyed another stay at the conveniently located Battery Wharf HotelBoston Waterfront, walking distance of the historic North-end. The restaurant Battery Wharf Grille becomes a waterfront restaurant in the summer with views of the Harbor-excellent food.
In lieu of our historic tour we visited nearby evocative Bunker Hill Monument Park and USS Constitution Museum with its beautiful ship in the Charlestown Navy Yard.
For dinner we ascended on the historic North-end after admiring the beautiful Paul Revere statue off Hanover Street. Upon recommendation we enjoyed appetizers at Mare Oyster Bar on Hanover Street, a lively restaurant with fresh Oysters and Seafood towers. Grilled Oc topus Positano with Eggplant Funghetti, Burrata and Pesto is beautifully pre sented. The Zucchini Blossoms filled with Ricotta and Lobster was another inimitable pick and on point.
For dinner another recommendation - the highly rated Mamma Maria on 3 North Square adjacent the Paul Revere House. This AAA Four Diamond award romantic restaurant serves a unique twist on Italian cuisine inte grating local New England ingredients. After a beautiful Bread/Olive presentation, entrees were selected of Black Bass with Morel Mushrooms with creamy Parsnips and a Cornish Hen with shaved Black Truffles, Brussels sprouts, and Black Lentils-excellent.
Indeed-Boston is a great alternative to NYC-try and you will see why!
Veal Porterhouse, Broccoli Rabe and homemade Creamed Spinach Gnocchi
Braised Beef Noodle Soup Mamma Maria
Mare Oyster Bar
“I have advertised with 518 Profiles since its inception. I am extremely happy with the lush colorful layouts and positioning of ads. The magazine has my best interest in mind; offering advice to make visual improvements when necessary. Customer service is exquisite. I highly recommend advertising with this magazine.”
Tom Myott, Artist - www.tmyottart.com
“Doing business with 518 profiles has been an absolute pleasure. Stephanie is extremely professional in designing and ex ecuting our print ads exactly as we envi sioned. She makes the process smooth and easy leaving my time free to focus on our employees and guests”
Michael J. Fortin, Owner/Executive Chef
MJF
Restaurant Group LLC, Cohoes
“Working with Stephanie at 518 PROFILES magazine is truly a pleasure. The magazine is so well written and designed. I feel I have gotten great coverage with my ads and featured article. The digital version reaches a wide readership as well. Stephanie is a true journalistic professional. I highly recommend this magazine to highlight and advertise your business.”
Ann Larsen, Larsen Studio
I am a longtime fan of 518 Profiles and con tinue to be impressed by content and presentation. I also appreciate that the magazine gives the small art entrepreneur exposure to a wide audience and provides a beautiful venue to showcase the galleries and shops of the Saratoga Springs Art Dis trict.I am proud to be among the artists and businesses included an d sincerely appreciate Stephanie Sittnick's support of the art community.
Susan Rivers, Greentree Fiber Arts
“Working with Stephanie and 518 Profiles has been a consistently exceptionally profes sional and positive experience. They are very easy to work with and have an un usual attention to detail that is ap pre ciated! The award-winning publication i s beautiful... an d my cu stomers look forward to picking up the new issue each month. We are proud to be among their advertisers!”
Amanda Magnetta Bear and Bird Boutique + Gallery, Schenectady
518 Profiles is a beautifully created magazine that people actually keep and read. The staff helps clients design ads which makes advertising painless. North Country Arts has chosen to advertise another year to reach the distinct audience that the magazine attracts.
Jacquiline Touba, Ph.D. Treasurer, NCA
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Saratoga Saddlery & International Boutique, Saratoga Springs
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Palma and I have been in the fashion and entertainment business for over 40 years. We have dealt with premier corporations and magazines and what Stephanie pub lishes monthly is their equal in quality, content, and style. She is a consummate professional and a joy to deal with.
Palma Kolansky & Joe Troiano, Lakeside General Store, Cossayuna
“We enjoy and take great pride in advertising with 518 Profiles magazine. It is a pleasure as a local business to be associated with a magazine that focuses on local talent, arti sanals, craftsmen and unique businesses who paint a beautiful broad brush enhancing the uniqueness of our region, giving visitors and local alike,a reason to be excited and proud to live and shop here in the 518 area. As an artisanal restaurant serving unique European cuisine, beers and wine, we feel that 518 Magazine targets the correct audience for those with a refined palate and the placement and distribution of the magazines are carefully curated by targeting the correct audience. We have had great feedback and really like the beautiful ads the designers create for us!
Chef Armand Vanderstigchel Brasserie Benelux, Saratoga Springs
“The Magic Moon is a small business that has grown with the community over the last 26 years, and as such, we ap preciate the efforts of 518 Profiles, a publication that consistently turns its spotlight on the lesser-known niche businesses in and around Saratoga Springs. From an ad vertiser's point of view, we're more than pleased with the personal attention we've received from the publisher, as well as the eye-catching presentation of the printed product each month.”
The Magic Moon, Saratoga Springs
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“Expressions” May 9-June 20, Annual Juried Show featuring all media art by regional artists Reception & Awards Sat. May 9, 5-7pm. Juror is Bryn Schockmel, Ph.D., Curator of the Permanent Collection at The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls. #120, The Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence St., Glens Falls (Gallery open Thurs.-Sat. 12-5)
• NCA's 2nd Fl. Gallery: "Portals" mixed media art by Heather VanDyke, continues to June 26th at City Hall, 42 Ridge St, Glens Falls (Gallery Hours Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30)
• NCA Mezzanine Gallery: “Spring Show” Members art exhibition continues to June 26th at THE QUEENSBURY HOTEL, 88 Ridge St. Glens Falls (Open Daily)
For more Info about events visit: northcountryarts.org
May 1 - July 26 Glens Falls
Richard Deon: Lincoln’s Campaign to Defeat The Hudson River School. These six monumental woodcuts by Richard Deon, styled like nineteenth-century pe riodical illustrations, are witty, surreal, and convincingly “historical”even though they are anything but. An additional large-scale painting, al most 40 feet wide, by Deon will be on view in The Hyde’s Rotunda Gallery. Feb 14, 2026 - Jul 26, 2026. The Hyde Collection, 161 Warren Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801
May 1 - August 13 Ballston Spa
“How Now Brown Cow?” Dairy Bottles from Saratoga County and Beyond. Our latest exhibit traces the history of dairy farming in Saratoga County through bottles and “go-withs” created to carry products to the local populace. We’ll trace the evolution of regional milk bottles, the types of milk supplying cows found locally, follow the de velopment of Stewart’s Shops through the farms, bottles and glasses related to its creation, and remember the days when the milkman brought products directly from the farm to you. January 24 - August 13. The National Bottle Mu seum, 76 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. 518-885-7589
May 1 - June 13 Clifton Park
Natural Order. The Blooming Artist Gallery & Instruction invites you to experience Natural Order. This exhibit features works that lean into the invisible architecture that governs the natural order of our world. Ex pect a variety of subjects, mediums, and styles by various local artists. Please join us for our public Opening Art Reception on Friday, May 01st between 6-8pm. Live music and light provisions will be provided! The Blooming Artist Gallery | Studio | Gathering Space, 675 Grooms Rd, Clifton Park, NY 12065. (518) 280-4928 www.thebloomingartist.gallery
MAY EVENTS
May 9 Charlton
May 2 – June 7 Schuylerville
Curious Worlds featured artists: David Eddy & John van Orsouw. Curious Worlds brings to gether new paintings by David Eddy and John Van Orsouw, presenting two distinct yet complementary approaches to image-making. May 2, 2026 to June 7, 2026. Opening Reception: May 2, 2026 @ 5:00pm The Laffer Gallery, 96 Broad Street, Schuylerville, NY 12817.
Rebecca Peters Watercolor PaintingTrees. Celebrating Trees! Join us for a relaxing afternoon of watercolor painting practice with painter and art educator, Rebecca Peters. Rebecca will lead the class through creating foreground and background compositions, masking techniques to create tree shapes, and pen and ink embellishing tricks that will re ally bring your landscapes to life. Saturday, May 9 3pm – 5pm. Time: 3pm – 5pm. Workshop Cost: $42 non-members, *$37.80 members. All materials included, no add’l materials fee at Main Street Studio. 786 Charlton Road, Charlton 12019. Register at www.mainstreetcharlton.com
May 9 Saratoga Springs
Joe Jencks with opener Artur Wachala. Few artists embody the heart and humanity of folk music quite like Joe Jencks. A 25-year veteran of the international folk circuit, Jencks is an award-winning songwriter, celebrated vocalist, and master storyteller whose performances blend musical beauty, social consciousness, and spiritual depth. With a voice often described as deep, warm, and timeless, Joe creates concerts that feel less like performances and more like shared experiences — moments of connection that follow you home. Saturday, May 9 Time: 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY
May 9 Glens Falls
Knorrwood "Over the Shire & Far Away" is a powerful rock n' roll tribute to the Lord of the Rings & Led Zeppelin. A truly unique storytelling experience that takes listeners on a timeless journey through Middle Earth, Knor rwood's extraordinary musical adventure seamlessly blends epic themes from the masterful Lord of the Rings trilogy with mystical ballads by Led Zeppelin. The one-of-a-kind cinematic rock show features a live narrator, full costumes, and custom visual projections that aid in the oneof-a-kind imaginative quest. This is much more than a musical performance, it is a transformative experience into a world of poetic sound and vision. One band to rule them all. May 09, 2026 Doors: 7:00 PM - Show: 8:00 PM. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian. The Park Theater, 14 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY,
MAY EVENTS
May 15 - June 13 Saratoga Springs
Artist Talk: Main Gallery: Illuminate - Victoria Palermo and Adam Tinkle and Atrium Gallery: Entangled-Page Darrow: Solo Exhibition. Saturday, May 30th 3:00-5:00 PM featuring all three exhibiting artists, moderated by Ian Berry, Dayton Director at the Tang Teaching Museum followed by short films by Adam Tinkle at 6:00 PM. Free and open to the public. May 16th-June 13th, 2026. Opening Reception: Friday, May 15th 6:00-8:00 PM. Free and open to the public. Saratoga Arts, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 p. 518.584.4132
May 15 Schuylerville
Clay Night Out at Saratoga Clay Arts Center. The evening will start at 6pm with a wheel throwing demonstration, followed by an opportunity for you to learn how to throw on the potter’s wheel. You'll create your very own bowl(s) which we will glaze and fire for you to pick up at a later date. We promise you'll have a blast and it will be a different experience for you. Bring a friend, and enjoy the evening. Short fingernails recommended. The fee is $60 per person, with all materials included. Friday, May 15, 2026. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Saratoga Clay Arts Center, 167 Hayes Road Schuylerville, NY, NY 12871
May 15 Glens Falls
Strange Souls: The Doors
Reimagined breathes new life into the catalog of one of rock’s most influential bands. The tribute act captures the essence of The Doors groundbreaking blend of rock, blues, jazz, and experimental sounds that defined the psychedelic rock genre. Since their debut in 2021, Strange Souls has quickly gained a strong following, particularly in the DMV area (Dis trict of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia). Their performances are characterized by their blend of faithful homage and creative flair, captur ing the unpredictable, chaotic energy The Doors were known for. May 15, 2026 Doors: 7:00 PM - Show: 8:00 PM. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian. The Park Theater, 14 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY
May 16 Saratoga Springs
2026 Spring Art in the Park. Join us for a full day of artist vendors and community booths in Saratoga Springs' beautiful and historic Con gress Park from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Art in the Park will feature a variety of art and crafted work from local artists. The event will also feature live music, artist demos, and more! The event strives to bring awareness and raise funds for the non- profit Community Arts Center at Saratoga Arts while also engaging with the community and bringing art outside to a space that is accessible to all. This event is free and open to the public! Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Congress Park, 268 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY
May 23 Glens Falls
Georgia O'Keeffe: The Brightness of Light. Join us for a unique collaborative event celebrating art, film, and music. This special afternoon fea tures a screening of the acclaimed film Georgia O’Keeffe:The Brightness of Light, followed by an audio presentation of the very first commission from the Lake George Music Festival back in 2013—Brendan Faegre’s pow erful work of the same title. As part of this presentation, we are de lighted to offer a live video-conference conversation with: Ellen Casey Wagner and Paul Wagner, filmmakers of The Brightness of Light. Brendan Faegre, composer of the 2013 commissioned piece The Brightness of Light. Saturday, May 23, 2026 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM. The Hyde Collection, 161 Warren Street Glens Falls
May 30 Hudson Falls
Acrobat: The U2 Tribute. ACROBAT models its repertoire and performances after the best of U2's live concerts over the past 40 years - playing the top charted hits and rarities that satisfy both casual and hardcore fans alike. Each member is an avid fan who strongly believes that it is the live concert experience that has endeared U2 to it's fans most. The full ACROBAT experience features a costumed show augmented by stunning multimedia visuals as a backdrop. Saturday, May 30, 2026. $25 Purchase tickets at The Strand box office or online 8:00 PM 10:00 PM. Strand Theatre, 210 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY
May 16 Hudson Falls
The Ultimate Journey Experience By LEGEND - The Ultimate Journey Experience by LEGEND promises to take you on a musical journey filled with some of the greatest hits from Journey's extensive catalog. Get ready to sing along to classics like "Don't Stop Be lievin'", "Anyway You Want It", "With Open Arms", and "Who's Crying Now". This tribute band will transport you back in time with their authentic sound. It's going to be an amazing night of Journey music! Saturday, May 16, 2026. 8:00 PM 9:30 PM. Tickets $25 to $45. Tickets available at the Strand Box Office or online Strand Theatre, 210 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY
May 31 Saratoga Springs Super 400. Super 400 has been making music together for nearly three decades, and you can hear that history in the way they play. Formed in Troy in 1996, the band, Kenny Hohman (guitar, vocals), Lori Friday (bass, keyboards), and Joe Daley (drums), built their following the long way: touring, recording, and earning a reputation as a powerful live band. Early on, their music traveled hand to hand through recordings and word of mouth, leading to sold-out shows overseas before many audiences had even seen them in person. Sunday, May 31 Time 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Doors Open: 6:30 pm Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY
