Featured Saratoga Living Insider: Katie Caporta
The membership chair of the Friends of SPAC's steering committee talks all things summer at SPAC. PLUS: The end of a Caroline Street era, Shaken & Stirred returns, and more.
This post is part of a series that highlights members of the Saratoga Living Insiders Club, a group that gives members exclusive perks, unique experiences, and insider access to all things Saratoga. Sound like something you can’t believe you’ve been missing out on? Sign up now.
If ever there was someone who embodied the spirit of the Saratoga Living Insiders Club, it’d be Katie Caporta. A Delmar native who lived in New York City for more than a decade, Katie, like so many Manhattanites, moved up to Saratoga County during the pandemic, and has been taking full advantage of all the Capital Region has to offer ever since, from workout and dance classes to Cuban jazz performances at the Spa Little Theater and cello sound baths in Schenectady. She’s down to try anything once, and eager to help promote Saratoga’s arts scene however she can. That’s why she joined the Friends of SPAC, a volunteer group comprised of arts enthusiasts who support SPAC through community engagement, event planning, and fundraising efforts.
I caught up with Katie a few weeks before Summer SPACtacular, the performing arts organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, to find out more about where she comes from and where she’s helping SPAC go.
Do you have an arts background?
While I haven't worked professionally in the arts, embracing the arts has always been a huge part of my life. I grew up taking dance and piano lessons (thank you, Mom and Dad!), and various art classes in school like drawing, painting, and photography to nurture my creativity. And I’m always game for visiting art museums and attending Broadway shows or a concert. In recent years, I’ve even continued to explore my artistic side by taking adult ballet classes at the SPAC School of the Arts. We are so fortunate to live in a community where these activities exist and are encouraged for students of all ages.
Tell us about what Friends of SPAC entails and how people can get involved.
Essentially, we act as ambassadors for SPAC, fostering new relationships between the organization and the broader community. The minimum requirements to become a volunteer are:
Join as a member of SPAC at any level
Pay annual social dues (currently $30 for 2025)
Volunteer at least two hours annually
Attend one of two annual meetings per year (held in November and May)
Friends of SPAC hosts monthly “First Friday” meet-ups from September through May for current and prospective members. It’s a great opportunity to network, learn about upcoming volunteer initiatives, and hear what’s ahead in SPAC’s performance, concert, and culinary calendar. We also play active roles in the annual SPACtacular fundraiser, now in its third year. During the summer season, our volunteers most notably assist—often as greeters—during the New York City Ballet and The Philadelphia Orchestra residencies. Anyone interested in supporting the arts and getting involved can reach out to us via our Friends of SPAC page and follow @spacfriends on Instagram for updates!
SPACtacular is coming up on May 30. What can attendees expect?
SPACtacular has quickly become one of the most highly anticipated nights of the year. I strongly encourage purchasing a Party Pass—which grants you access to unlimited food and drink tastings from local businesses from 7-11pm—before tickets sell out. The evening will feature live music from Road Soda Pop, activities throughout the SPAC grounds (including tarot card readings that I’m personally looking forward to), a fireworks display, and the unforgettable experience of dancing on the legendary SPAC stage. It’s truly the perfect way to kick off the summer season.
What shows are you most looking forward to this summer at SPAC?
Well, let me start off by saying this season is stacked for both Live Nation and SPAC! So far for Live Nation shows I’ve only secured tickets to Mumford & Sons, but I’m really looking forward to attending Glass Animals, Vampire Weekend, Leon Bridges with Charley Crockett, and many more.
As for SPAC’s classical performances, I will be attending the Philadelphia Orchestra’s An Evening with Cynthia Erivo, which is sure to be an incredible and record-breaking night. I’m also very excited for the return of New York City Ballet’s Coppelia (it was the first ballet my grandparents took me to see at SPAC when I was 4 years old) and NYCB choreographer Justin Peck’s latest, Mystic Familiar. And let’s not forgot Saratoga Jazz Fest—the headliners this year include Gary Clark, Jr. and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.
Basically, if you’re wondering where I am for the entire summer, I’ll be living at SPAC!
Quote of the Week
“The forensic nurses are doing karaoke…Do you know where?”
—Overheard at the Saratoga Holiday Inn
Shakin’ It Up
We want YOU 🫵 for Shaken & Stirred 2025! If you have plans Thursday, cancel them. If you don’t have plans, you do now. Shaken & Stirred is back, and Team Saratoga Living wants to snap your photo.
🤔 WHAT IS IT?
Shaken & Stirred is an annual fundraiser for Universal Preservation Hall at Saratoga National that pits eight teams from local businesses against one another in a bartending battle to raise the most money in tips.
🎸 WHAT IS IT FOR?
All tip money is donated to Proctors Collaborative’s School of the Arts, which provides performing arts programs for children, regardless of their ability to pay.
🍸 HOW DOES IT WORK?
Each team will spend some time behind the bar, vying for your tip money and trying to upsell you on alcoholic beverages you probably don’t need. Each team will also have a themed station set up on the Prime patio with another activity that will help them raise money. In the end, the team that’s raised the most money will be crowned the winner.
💸 HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The event is free and open to the public! Just come ready to tip!
💁♀️ WHERE DOES SARATOGA LIVING FIT IN?
We’re one of the eight teams competing for the Shaken & Stirred title! Tip our team of bartenders at the event, pay to get your photo in the next issue of the print mag at our photo op station, or make a donation on our behalf here.
Foreverly Ever After
On Wednesday, the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition celebrated a milestone: the grand opening of Foreverly House. A project that’s been in the works for years, Foreverly House is a two-family home in Ballston Spa dedicated to homeless female veterans and their children, who in many cases have to be separated in order to access services. VCHC’s programs are designed to keep families together, because, as a recent VCHC Facebook post put it, “no mother should have to choose between help and her family.” As of June 1 of this year, Foreverly House will be operating at full capacity.
For the Dogs
You’ve heard of Mother’s Day brunch—heck, restaurants all over the Capital Region are hosting them tomorrow. But have you heard of Mother’s Day brunch…with puppies? Tomorrow, Henry Street Taproom will welcome adoptable puppies from Lucky Puppy Rescue to their patio from noon-2pm. Invite Mom for a glass of Chardonnay and brunch, and, who knows? Maybe she’ll leave with a new favorite child.
Closing Time
Wednesday marked the end of an era in Saratoga. D’Andrea’s Pizza, a popular late-night stop for many Caroline Street revelers for the last 18 years, officially closed the doors of its downtown location. The building, along with the neighboring auto repair shop, will be demolished to make room for an apartment building. Fans of D’Andrea’s need not despair, though: The pizza shop’s other location, at 654 Saratoga Road in Gansevoort, is still slingin’ slices.
Around Town
A beloved annual tradition is returning for the Saratoga summer. The Congress Park carousel is back in action beginning today. Stop by for a ride today or tomorrow from 11am-6pm.
Flower Power
On Thursday, Soroptimist International of Saratoga County hosted its annual Secret Gardens Tour Kickoff Party at Sunnyside Gardens. Guests perused the perennials and annuals for sale at the garden store while sipping wine, snacking on small bites, and deciding which basket to put their raffle tickets in. The kickoff party precedes the Soroptimists’ annual Secret Gardens Tour, which returns to the Spa City for the 30th year on June 29.
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