On Deck
The Capital Region's events calendar is picking back up. These are this week's can't-miss events in Saratoga Springs and beyond.
Tuesday, January 23
Tonight, the Friends of the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage will be joined by author Jon Clinch at Northshire Bookstore for a talk on Clinch’s new book: The General and Julia. In the novel, Grant reflects on the crucial moments of his life as a husband, father, general and president while working on his memoirs at a cottage in Wilton. The event begins at 6pm.
Wednesday, January 24
Michael Mills’ magnificent magic show, Fool Me Once, returns to Caffè Lena at 7pm. Read our review of the show here.
Thursday, January 25
Step back in time with Saratoga County Historian Lauren Roberts, who on Thursday at 7pm will present “Saratoga’s Role in the American Revolution” on Zoom. The talk comes ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga, which the region will celebrate in 2027, and will touch on Roberts’ involvement in the PBS television series Travels With Darley - Revolutionary Road Trips, which filmed in the area last year. The virtual event is being put on by the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. Register here.
Head down to the Capital City to eat and drink your way through the Mayor’s Opening Reception, part of the three-day Albany Chefs’ Wine & Dine for the Arts. The 15th annual event will kick off with an elegant cocktail reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and wine at City Hall from 5:30-7pm. The rest of the weekend will feature the much anticipated Slider Slam, Grand Tastings and Seminars, and the Grand Gala Reception finale.
Friday, January 26
Two new Saratoga businesses are teaming up to put on one awesome girls night out. Broadway Boutique Bobbles & Lace will host Grit & Grace North for Beauty & Bubbles, an afternoon of styling, shopping, Botox and bubbles from 3-6pm.
Be transported to South Carolina of the 1970s at Universal Preservation Hall, which on Friday will present southern rockers The Marshall Tucker Band (“Can’t You See,” “Heard It in a Love Song,” “Fire on the Mountain”) at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $39.50.
Have you given up on Dry January yet? If so, head to Ballston Lake’s Galway Winery for Winter Fest, a free event featuring an ice luge, outdoor fire and games on the patio all weekend long. And if you’re still on the Dry January bandwagon, you’re invited too—mocktails will be available in the tasting room.
Saturday, January 27
Calling all soup-lovers: Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation will host the 8th annual Schenectady Soup Stroll, at which participating restaurants serve soup samples for just $1 a pop. More than 30 Electric City restaurants, serving up everything from Italian wedding soup to Reuben chowder, will be participating.
Closer to home, a beloved annual event is returning to the Spa City. Hattie’s Mardi Gras is back in a new venue: the Saratoga Springs City Center. The evening—which will feature food by Hattie’s, music by Garland Nelson and Soul Session, a silent auction, and special guest Dorinda Medley—will raise money for The SEAT Center Culinary Lab, an organization that connects young people to meaningful work, often in the culinary and hospitality industries.