On Deck
Three local Juneteenth events, Pride Fest, a film debut and more.
Tuesday, June 18
If you’re looking for a summer job you’ll never forget, head to the 1863 Club at Saratoga Race Course today from 2-7pm for a job fair hosted by NYRA. Individuals will have the chance to learn more about track jobs including bartender, betting clerk, cashier, cook, parking attendant, ticket scanner, camera operator, usher and more. Applicants must be at least 15 years of age and have New York State Certified Working Papers.
Wednesday, June 19
The Saratoga Regional YMCA is teaming up with the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge and MLK Saratoga to present the 3rd annual Juneteenth Celebration in the outdoor pavilion at the Saratoga Springs Y from noon-4pm. The free event will feature a vibrant program of music, poetry, interpretive dance and performances followed by a cake and ice cream jubilee reception.
Another way to celebrate the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the US? Opera Saratoga’s Juneteenth Celebration with Pulitzer Prize–winning composer Anthony Davis. Featuring excerpts from Davis’ acclaimed operas including X – The Life and Times of Malcom X, Amistad, Tanya and The Central Park Five), the event will be hosted at The Sembrich in Bolton Landing n Wednesday evening at 7pm.
Thursday, June 20
Lainey Wilson is having a moment right now, and you can be a part of it. See the country singer’s Country’s Cool Again Tour at SPAC, where she’ll be joined by singer-songwriter Ian Munsick, this Thursday ay 7pm.
Friday, June 21
As of yesterday afternoon, there were still a handful of tickets left for the American Cancer Society of the Capital Region’s Red, White & Blue Party, one of the hottest events of summer. The all-American celebration will be complete with all-you-can-eat “street food specialties” by Mazzone Hospitality, live music and dancing with Big Sky Country and more. This year’s party will honor Champions of Hope Bill Miller and Sean Willcoxon, as well as Hero of Hope Matthew Tully. Skip the Uber and take the complimentary CDTA Trolley, which leaves from BurgerFi at 6:45pm and 7:15pm. Read all about last year’s event here, and don’t forget to wear red, white or blue!
If you haven’t been able to make it to one of Mostly Modern Festival’s shows this month, your last chance is this Friday, when festival’s fifth season will come to a close. The finale show, which begins at 7:30pm at Skidmore’s Arthur Zankel Music Center, will honor and celebrate maestro JoAnn Falletta, the first female conductor of a major orchestra.
Saturday, June 22
The Tang is holding off until Saturday to celebrate Juneteenth, and it’ll be well worth the wait. The teaching museum is hosting a free, family-friendly afternoon of arts and crafts, storytelling and live performances, as well as vendors from regional Black-owned businesses. Get to the Juneteenth Celebration right at noon to see a hip-hop dance performance by Prodigal B, and stick around for a neo-soul music performance, a Congolese dance and drumming workshop and a gospel performance.
While Saratoga County is made up of roughly 78,800 acres of farmland, that number is down 84 percent from where we were 100 years ago. Explore the remaining farmland, which Saratoga PLAN is seeking to protect, at this Saturday’s Saratoga Farm Showcase, a self-guided tour including more than 20 stops at farms of all types, from those selling farm-fresh veggies and dairy products to beer. Tickets for the event, which runs from 10am-4pm, are available through Thursday.
Sunday, June 23
It may be Juneteenth week, but it’s still Pride Month! Saratoga Pride has been celebrating all month long, but this Sunday marks its free, family-friendly Pride Festival, which will take over High Rock Park from 2-5pm. On the agenda: music by DJ Lovely Candella; musical performances by Trace Ellis, Cassandra Kubinski and Opera Saratoga; drag performances by Zaria Davenport and Stella Progress, food vendors, artists and much more. At 5pm, head over to Bailey’s for the official Saratoga Pride Fest after-party!
Movie buffs take note: A pair of local filmmakers are about to premier their new flick in the Capital Region. Spencer Sherry and Ryan Jenkins’ Anomaly is about a magician who performs an inexplicable trick that draws the attention of a government agent. It debuted at the Coney Island Film Festival in early May, but will be available to local audiences for the first time this Sunday at 3pm at Cohoes Music Hall, where the film was shot. Get your tickets now, and read more about the project here.
For the first time ever, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York’s annual Walk for Wishes is being held in Congress Park! Typically held at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy, this year’s event will celebrate the opening of the Dr. J Peter McPartlon Wishing Space on Congress Street, which gives children a place to properly dream up their wish (it even has a 180-degree theater!). The Walk for Wishes will start there—92 Congress Street—and parade down Congress toward the iconic carousel. There, a festive afternoon picnic, featuring music by Rick Bolton and Jeff Walton and activities by the Children’s Museum at Saratoga, will commence. Registration begins at 9am.