On Deck
Calling all weekend warriors! The first weekend in February brings with it winter-weather fun, from a chocolate festival in Ballston Spa to a chili cook-off at the Saratoga City Center.
Friday, February 2
For 25 years, Yonder Mountain String Band has been proving it’s possible for a bluegrass band to excel in the world of rock n’ roll. See the high-energy group perform at UPH this Friday at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $39.50.
It’s time for a girls’ night out at Samantha Nass Floral Design Shoppe! The celebrated local florist is teaming up with Bocage Champagne Bar and Lola Saratoga to offer Bracelets, Bubbly & Bouquets, a ticketed event at which attendees will learn how to create a hand-tied bouquet while sipping on unlimited bubbly! Forever bracelets from Lola will be available for purchase. The event runs from 5-7pm and costs $75 to attend.
If you have a sweet tooth, there’s only one place you’ll want to be this Friday evening. Ballston Spa will be hosting its 9th annual Chocolate Fest, a village-wide celebration of all things chocolate that will run from 4-8pm. Sample all sorts of chocolatey goodies for $1 at 22 participating businesses; think: sourdough brownies from Night Work Bread, chocolate-coated liege waffles from Iron Roost and Peanut Butter Cup Stout from Speckled Pig Brewing Co.
Saturday, February 3
Those more in the mood for something savory should check out Saratoga Clay Arts Center’s 11th Chili Bowl Fundraiser, going on at the Saratoga City Center on Saturday from 11am-2pm. Tickets are $25, and include your own handmade bowl plus samples of chili from participating restaurants including Cardona’s Market, Walt and Whitman, Fat Paulie’s, Rhea and Kindred. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local cancer nonprofit To Life as well as the Wilton Food Pantry.
But wait! More tasty treats can be found this Saturday at Artisanal Brew Works, which is hosting its first-ever Brews and Bites: Belgian Edition from noon-9pm. Stop by anytime for a four-course Belgian-inspired winter meal, complete with Boursin endive cups, Flemish stew, Brussels Stoemp and Belgian-style truffles, plus your choice of Belgian-style beer.
Let the countdown to the Kentucky Derby begin! This Saturday at 5pm, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will host its 2nd annual Countdown to the Triple Crown event, featuring a silent auction, live entertainment, light fare and drinks. Tickets are $15 for museum members and $30 for nonmembers.
Sunday, February 4
Kick off Black History Month with Frederick Allen Elks Lodge and Mary A. Carter Temple, two of the oldest Black civic organizations in Saratoga. On Sunday, the two organizations will host Black & Banned: Refusing to Let Our History be Whitewashed, a free event that will spotlight banned books by and about Black Americans including I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Beloved, The Hate U Give and To Kill a Mockingbird. Black & Banned will be held at Frederick Allen Elks Lodge on Beekman Street from 2-4pm.