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Skidmore College Orchestra to Perform World Premiere Saturday
Skidmore College Orchestra. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Skidmore College Orchestra will stage the world premiere performance of Loris Chobanian’s “Variations on an Israeli Theme for Two Guitars and Orchestra,” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Zankel Music Center. Composer Chobanian will conduct the world premiere performance, which features guitar soloists Bryan Reichert
and Chris Ellicott. Also featured on the program will be Skidmore ArtistIn-Residence soprano Sylvia Stoner-Hawkins, who will sing “Songs My Mother Taught Me” and “Rusalka’s Song to The Moon,” by Antonin Dvorak. Dvorak’s songs will be followed by a performance of two movements of Dvorak’s “New World Symphony”, conducted by Anthony Holland, founding
Music Director and Conductor of the Skidmore College Orchestra. Now in its 35th year, the college orchestra is a semiprofessional ensemble of college students, professionals and community members, all dedicated to bringing live orchestral music performances to Saratoga and the surrounding communities. Tickets are $8 general admission, $5 seniors; students and children admitted free.
HMT to Stage A Charlie Brown Christmas SARATOGA SPRINGS — Home Made Theater celebrates the holiday season with the staging of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” from Dec. 9 to Dec. 17 at the Spa Little Theater in Saratoga Spa State Park. The performance of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” by Charles M. Schulz, is based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson, stage adaptation by Eric Schaeffer, and by special arrangement with Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Persson. The show, with underwriting support by Saratoga TODAY, is suitable for the whole family and runs weekends Dec. 9 through Dec. 18 at the Spa Little Theater in Saratoga Spa State Park. The classic television special comes to life in this faithful adaptation where the Peanuts gang grapples with the real meaning of Christmas. When Charlie Brown complains about overwhelming commercialism during the holiday season, Lucy suggests that he direct the school Christmas pageant. He accepts, but this proves to be a frustrating endeavor. When an attempt to restore holiday
Week of December 9 – December 15, 2016
Saratoga Soroptimists Announce Keynote Speaker for Cabin Fever 2017 SARATOGA SPRINGS — Author, motivational speaker, and U.S. Congressional advisor Kasey Mathews will be the keynote speaker for Soroptimist International of Saratoga County premier fundraiser, Cabin Fever. Mathews will showcase her memoir, “Preemie: Lessons in Love, Life and Motherhood,” on Jan. 21, 2017 at the Saratoga National Golf Club. Tickets are $75 and event proceeds are used to improve the lives of women and children locally, nationally and internationally. “Our Cabin Fever event is one
of two fundraisers we hold each year that raise thousands of dollars, almost all of which is passed on to local and global organizations working to improve the lives of women and children,” said Charlotte Gilet, SISC President. “We are thrilled that Cabin Fever attracts a sellout crowd of more than 200 attendees each year, which enables our local Soroptimist Club to provide critical funding to not-for-profit organizations across our region and world.” Tickets are available via the SISC website: http://soroptimistsaratoga. org/events/cabin-fever.
Ballston Spa Community Band Celebrates Stage Holiday Concert BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Community Band will offer a public performance of new and old holiday music 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Ballston Spa High School. The free concert will offer a broad array of musical styles, including traditional carols such as Silent Night
and Greensleeves, selections from show tunes such as Polar Express, plus Festival Sounds of Hanukah, Little Drummer Boy, Christmas Eve/ Sarajevo, Runaway Sleigh and others. The group is made up of community members and students from Saratoga County and the surrounding region.
Staging of The Nutcracker at Maple Ave. Middle School SARATOGA SPRINGS — The School of the Arts at the National Museum of Dance will present two performances of The Nutcracker – at 1 p.m. and at 7 p.m. - on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Maple Avenue Middle School’s Trombley Auditorium. Tickets are $17 per person. Dancers ranging
in age from 7 to 17 will perform the classic Nutcracker roles. The performance will feature Second Act variations in the Kingdom of the Sweets. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: http:// www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/2706375.
Saratoga City Ballet Presents Annual Nutcracker spirit with a forlorn little tree fails, he needs Linus’ help to learn the real meaning of Christmas. The cast of A Charlie Brown Christmas includes Francesca Gardner as Woodstock, Laura Graver as Violet, Kristine Hanlon as Snoopy, Shannon Horan as Marcie, Aaron M. Lambert as Charlie Brown, Olivia Larson Frieda, David Mann as Schroeder, Amanda Martini-Hughes as Sally, Katie McClure as Heather, Patti Mullin as Peppermint Patty, Frank Perilli as Linus, Rebeca Rodriguez as Lucy, Emily Stewart as Eudora, and Robin Wissler as Pig Pen.
The design team includes Director Laurie Larson, Scenic Designer Mary Fran Hughes, Lighting Designer Matthew T. Teichner, Costume Designer Sherry Recinella, Properties Designer Wende Smith and Sound Designer Barry Streifert. Performances are 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 16, 1 p.m. on Dec. 10, 11 and 18, and 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 17. General admission tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for children age 12 and under. For reservations or more info visit www.homemadetheater.org or call HMT at 518-587-4427.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga City Ballet presents its annual Nutcracker Act II “The Land of the Sweets,” at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18. at the Saratoga Springs High School Loewenberg Auditorium. This is Saratoga City Ballet’s 23rd production of the Nutcracker and will feature dancers from 4-18 years old. The production begins with Angels leading Clara into the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her court. The story of the daring battle against the mice is retold and the whole kingdom rewards Clara with a celebration
of dances from around the world. Sweets from faraway lands entertain Clara, and the Sugar Plum Fairy performs a special dance in her honor. Tickets for both performances are available at www. brownpapertickets.com and are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. There will also be a cash raffle. First prize will be $300, and the second prize $150. The drawing will be held at the Sunday performance - you don’t need to be present to win. For information or to purchase tickets for the cash raffle only, contact info@saratogacityballet.com or call 518-584-1895.