Fun in Saratoga

Lapse in posts

Hey folks I have some serious things going on in my work life so I will likely be taking a number of days off here.  Please check back later next week and I intend to resume my postings then.  Thank you.

Blog postings

Very quickly, I just wanted to give you folks a heads up that the (Dis)Utopia of Saratoga Blog is back in action, and I felt there was a very interesting entry on the I-Saratoga Blog, which had reference to The Saratogian.  After you read the entry, check out the comments at the end, then check out I-Saratoga's follow-up entry he posted in reply to one of the comments in the original posting, as well as the comments on the follow up - one of which I posted.  I just felt it was interesting reading, so I thought I'd share it with you.  Take care and enjoy the weekend. I probably won't post until Monday - I am going to be outside and you should be too!

Arts and entertainment in Saratoga

Ok Saratoga Springs is a great arts town and here is what is going on this weekend: 

First of all the Saratoga Diamond Dance will be this Saturday evening at the Saratoga Music Hall next to City Hall on Broadway. 

Saratoga Music Hall

This is a swing dance with a little bit of other ballroom and latin thrown in so if you can swing or jitterbug then this is the dance for you.  If that weren't enough, a fantastic band - Doc Scanlon - will be performing.  It is so fun dancing to great live music and it is for all ages from teenagers to senior citizens -you can refer to my previous two postings on the Diamond Dance here and here to find out more.  Don't know how to swing?  Well you're not off the hook because there is a beginners lesson there at 7:30pm - the band will start probably at 8 or a little after.  See you there.

Doc Scanlon

Before the Diamond Dance two friends of mine will be playing at Borders at 7pm - I will simply post their email here because it says it all.  They are excellent so stop on by. 

Come on out, have a cup of coffee in the cafe, and relax to some smooth
tango music.  Saturday, April 21, 2007, 7 PM, Borders Books & Music, 395 Broadway,
Saratoga Springs

Beth Williams (flute) and Bill Simcoe (guitar), known as Spiral Tango,
will perform music from their CD "Mis Suenos de Tango" (My Dreams of
Tango). Enjoy music by Jose Luis Merlin, Marcos Vinicius, Astor
Piazzolla, Diego Collatti, Roberto Di Marino, and more.

Shifting gears, but staying in the arts scene, I use the RSS function on Technorati searches so I get feeds of many blogs that mention Saratoga.  I was fed this information below off a Myspace page and am passing it along FYI.

The Saratoga Shakespeare Company offers College Students a unique

                    Summer Internship Opportunity!

                2007 Season Production of Much Ado About Nothing

            Perform onstage with experienced, professional actors!

            Learn more through professional workshops & classes!

           Experience professional skills in costuming, set construction & crew opportunities as the

                backbone of the company!

            Earn  EMC credits toward Equity Membership!  College credit opportunities also available!

                        Intern dates: June 25 - July 31, 2007

                        Contact: [email protected]

www.saratogashakespeare.com

Finally, continuing with my Technorati feeds, I  saw a posting from the Saratoga Comedy Club and I checked out their web site - it's a pretty cool site and they offer RSS feeds.  If you don't know about RSS feeds, then check out my two posts on them here and here.  Have fun this weekend!

Saratoga in the springtime and other thoughts

OK I have some random thoughts I'd like to share here:

1. I am glad we are getting some warmer weather this weekend.  Both Saturday and Sunday will be well into the 60s - and that will really make Saratoga Springs come alive with people walking on the sidewalks, through the park etc.  That will be really enjoyable and uplifting.
2. The Saratogian did a decent job giving a few local angles in their reporting about the awful tragedy at Virginia Tech.  They didn't do anything more than a decent newspaper should do, and maybe they've lowered my expectations, but I was mildly impressed.  I'm not looking for the New York Times, or the New York Sun for that matter.  Hey, it's a small town newspaper - I get that.  All that I ask is that they put out a quality product in a timely manner. 
3. Stay away from the West Side YMCA late Saturday mornings and into the afternoon.  It was beyond crowded when I went there a few weeks ago.  Usually I can adjust my workout if someone is on the machine or using the weights I want - but when I was there even my second and third choices were occupied.  Even the stretching contraption - that I was convinced I was the only one using - was tied up when I tried getting on.  I think I better get there earlier or later - but not at 11:30am.
4. Speaking of staying away from busy areas, don't go to the Stewarts Shop at Circular and Broadway on weekday mornings.  The lot was jammed, and it was a pain to exit the lot either via Broadway or Circular.  That was a lot of hassle for a newspaper.

1. I tried calling Skidmore College the other day for something.  Oh My God is their automated phone system the worst I've ever dealt with.  Give it a call and try it and you'll see what I mean 518-580-5000.  You'd have an easier time reaching Jesus than getting hold of someone there - and the staff agrees with you when you tell them that - they are embarrassed about it.

Welcome Back!

Glad to see both Blogmaster G and Andrew Acomb were able to get back to blogging.  I recently posted on their absence, as well as that of the (Dis)Utopia of Saratoga blog.  Great to have you two back - and damn it one of these days I'm going to invite all you bloggers for coffee at Comptons or something so we can meet and plot against The Saratogian - errrr I mean so we can meet and talk about local blogging.   

Philadelphia

Just got back from a great music festival outside of Philadelphia. Oh God it was so awesome I had such a great time. I saw two of my favorite artists - Charlie Gracie and Bill Kirchen. If you want to find out more about them, check out my blog entries on them - the entry on Chalie Gracie is on this blog and the other posting on Bill Kirchen is from my other dance/music blog. I just had such a great time!

Saratoga Springs should consider such a festival.  Now I realize they do the Arts and Blues festival in June, and that's great, but perhaps they should do what Media, PA (self proclaimed as "Everybody's hometown") did and have an indoor one during the colder months.  This was basically a bunch of music acts in different bars doing "roots music"  - which meant there was some blues, zydeco, rockabilly, and other purely American sounds.  Gracie and Kirchen were the headliners, which brought people in from outside the region. Saratoga Chamber listen up - six of us traveled down there from the Capital distict for this - in April.  It doesn't have to be roots music - although that would be my choice - any worthwhile music style would work for a good festival.  Food for thought.

PJ's is open!!!!

A sure sign that spring is here and that summer and track season aren't far behind is when PJ's BAR-B-Q opens. Guess what? It's open starting today!!!! You heard it here first!!!  Awesome!!!

Local Bands

So I saw Mark Emanation and Folding Sky tonight at Dozer's on Friday night like I mentioned in a previous post.  They were great, and the bar was fun.  Get this - the average age in that bar was probably 45 - and I saw a few 60 year olds.  What's the ____genarian word for 60 year olds?  I mention the ages because you shouldn't feel you can't go to a bar just because you aren't 23 years old.  Get away from the TV set and go out in and around Saratoga and have some fun. 

Then I went down to downtown Saratoga Springs and stopped through Gaffneys and saw a band, but even though they were good they were a little too folksy for me.  They had some good songs but a lot of the songs were kind of too soft and ended up being downers.  I saw a great band over at City Tavern - The Sizemore Band.  I asked them if they had a web site, and like too many bands, their response was "Uhhh, we're working on that".  Good musicians tend to be not so good at running the business end of things.  Anyway they were really entertaining - kind of classic rock to rock -n- boogie.  They had a harmonica player and a trumpet player, I believe.  Fun band, I will keep an eye on them and let you know if and when they are playing. 

If you would like to know about local bands playing - check out the web site Saratogabands.com - it's sort of limited now but it may take off.  The best site I know of for checking on local bands is the Times Union entertainment site - it's very comprehensive.  OK gotta go to sleep but I love live local music so they need as much support as possible so please go out and see these bands. 

Saratoga this weekend

There's a couple of good musical events going on in the area this weekend.  The band Folding Sky (led by Mark Emantion) will be at Dozer's Bar and Grill at 8pm just out Geyser Road in the Town of Milton (Ballston Spa mailing address).  I saw this band at the Lake George Blues fest last fall and they were absolutely fantastic - go see them.

 

Mark Emanation of Folding Sky

Then Saturday night at 7pm Commander Cody will be at Northern Lights in Clifton Park.  What a cool band - you remember their great cover of Hot Rod Lincoln, don't you?  "My Pappy said son you're gonna drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop driving that hot rod Lincoln."  What a great song!!  Check them out.  I may be at Dozer's Friday but will not be able to see the Commander Saturday.  Damn!

SPAC info

I copied SPAC's schedule below, however if you want to use the links, then click your way directly to the site here. 

Saratoga Performing Arts Center 108 Avenue of the Pines Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Welcome to Saratoga Performing Arts Center. We hope to see you at a Live Nation event soon!

Saratoga Performing Arts Center Wednesday, 5/30/07 Honda Civic Tour with Fall Out Boy and special guests Plus 44, The Academy Is..., Paul Wall, & Cobra Starship Saturday, 6/30/07 Rush Sunday, 7/15/07 John Mayer with special guests Ben Folds & Brett Dennen Tuesday, 7/24/07 Goo Goo Dolls with special guest Lifehouse On Sale Sat, 4/14 at 10:00 am EDT Add to Outlook Saturday, 7/28/07 An Evening with The Moody Blues On Sale Sat, 4/14 at 12:00 pm EDT Add to Outlook Tuesday, 8/14/07 Dave Matthews Band On Sale Sat, 4/21 at 10:00 am EDT Add to Outlook

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Venue Info:  Saratoga Performing Arts Center  Venue Info Ticket Info Where To Stay Promotions What Can I Bring Job Openings Parking Info: The main parking lot is located off Route 50 and opens three hours before show time.  Gates open one and a half hours before show time.  There is additional parking available in the Saratoga Spa State Park. Public Transportation: Bus: CDTA Customer Info Center 518.482.8822 or www.cdta.org Taxi: Saratoga Taxi 518.584.2700 or J.J.''s Taxi 518.581.1582 Family Zone: For most events, the venue provides a Family Zone area on the lawn for guests who prefer to sit in areas that are free from alcohol and smoking. Box Office Hours: Monday through Friday from Noon to 6 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM and closed Sunday unless there is an event (open 2 PM if performance).  On days of scheduled events, the Box Office remains open until intermission.  The Hall of Springs Box Office opens two hours prior to performance.  For additional information please contact the Box Office at 518.587.3330. Types of Payment Accepted: Cash, Checks, American Express, MasterCard and Visa Box Office Service Charge: $4.00 per ticket Will Call: Will Call is located at the main Box Office off the Route 50 parking lot ONLY.  We suggest you arrive at Will Call one to two hours prior to the show to avoid long lines.  Please bring a valid photo ID and your confirmation number. Accessible Seating: ADA seating is available for purchase at all Ticketmaster Outlets, Charge by Phone 518.476.100 and at the SPAC Box Office by calling 518.587.3330. If someone has a medical condition that requires syringes or special medical attention, they should alert the SPAC staff on arrival who will notify SPAC Medical to discuss their needs. Due to crowd size, handicap carts are not available during Live Nation events. Tickets for Children: Children ages two or younger are admitted free to all events.  For our patrons with reserved seating and children ages two or younger, one child per lap please. Children ages 2-12, with a paid adult ticket, are admitted onto the lawn for select events.  For more information please visit the Promotions tab. Group Tickets: Ticket purchases of 15 or more is categorized as a group.  Group tickets are for advance purchase only and not available day of show or at the SPAC Box Office. Organizations wishing to purchase group tickets must do so as one transaction through the Group Sales office. Group discounts apply to ticket purchases for the same performance date/time. For more information, please e-mail [email protected] or call 518. 583.3045 ext. 17 Our Official Hotel is Courtyard by Marriott - Saratoga Springs.  The hotel is less than three miles to SPAC and is a short walk to downtown.  For reservations, call 518.226.0538, toll free at 866.426.8789 or visit www.courtyardsaratoga.com. For more information on other places to stay while in Saratoga, including information on campgrounds, please visit the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce website at www.saratoga.org. GE''s Kids in Free Concert Program: Thanks to GE for another successful Kids in Free Concert Program.  Please check back in the Spring for information on the 2007 program. The program is made possible by GE - Imagination at Work. www.ge.com Guests are welcome to bring the following items: Food (in a clear, 1 gallon plastic bag) Factory sealed water bottles up to 1 gallon Blankets Strollers Binoculars Backpacks Purses Small lawn chairs For your safety and enjoyment, please leave the following items at home: Coolers Animals/pets Laser pens Cooking equipment Bikes Rollerblades Skateboards Illegal substances Glass of any kind Weapons Knives Fireworks Guest Service Representatives: Persons will be responsible for offering a wide range of services to guests attending concert events at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: handling guest feedback, offering comforts to guests and dealing with issues that might arise during the course of the concert event. Guest Service Representatives will be working outdoors with a large number of guests in a concert environment. All applicants should be 18+ years of age, have reliable transportation and extremely friendly and outgoing personalities. For more information about this position please call 518.583.3045 x23 or e-mail at [email protected]. Parking Attendants: Persons will be responsible for directing concert traffic and parking vehicles in the parking lots at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center . Responsibilities include but are not limited to: managing flow of traffic, directing vehicles to parking spaces and ensuring the safety of guests while entering the venue. Parking Attendants will be working outdoors in venue?s parking lots. All applicants should be 18+ years of age, have a positive attitude and reliable transportation.  For more information about this position please call 518.583.3045 x23 or e-mail at [email protected]. Production / Operations Internship: Internship available to persons seeking college credit. Internship offers valuable experience in the concert promotion industry focusing on the production and operations departments. Intern will be expected to perform a wide variety of duties in the office and at the venue including but not limited to: working with office programs, corresponding with venue staff, setting up offices for touring and local personnel and working during concert events as additional help for the production and operations departments. Applicants should have reliable transportation, great work ethic and strong organizational skills. Duration of internship is from late May to early September; time frame can be negotiable. For more information about this opportunity please call 518.583.3045 x 23 or e-mail at [email protected].