On Deck: First Week of Spring Edition
NYRA dish, two opening parties, cookie decorating and more
Tuesday, March 19
Welcome in spring surrounded by nature, on an evening Spring Equinox Walk at the Wilton Wildlife Preservation Preserve & Park. The hour-long, twice-yearly walk—on the two days a year when there are equal hours of daylight and nighttime—discusses how the celestial movements impact the environment.
Wednesday, March 20
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Saratoga Springs Public Library is hosting a 3pm discussion that will include recommendations based on library staff's favorite female protagonists, real and fictional. This program is inspired by the 2024 Saratoga Reads selection, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.
Hear from NYRA president/CEO David O’Rourke at a Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce breakfast event. Promising to be a “highlight for racing aficionados and anyone intrigued by the magic of the track,” he’ll talk about the opportunities that the local business community will soon experience as a benefit of our town’s historic hosting of The Belmont Stakes. Arrive at UPH by 7:45am for registration; the hour-long program starts at 8am.
Thursday, March 21
Create Easter crafts over a craft beer or two from 7-9pm at Artisanal Brew Works. Upstate Arts and Crafts will be teaching the art of needle felting, providing a box of materials and the instructions to make your own spring chick and/or bunny. Food will be available for sale.
Friday, March 22
The Bunker golf simulator and bar has at long last opened to the public—and they’re celebrating with a grand opening bash. Expect tons of drinks, darts and (naturally) golf. Full menu until 8pm; complimentary apps get going at 8, when DJ Tomb arrives to get the party music pumping until midnight.
If “I’m basically a detective” speaks to you, the 6th annual Clue Murder Mystery Night (“And All That Jazz”) will be right up your alley. Tables are filling up fast, so get your tickets now for what always is a fun night for a great cause: fostering the bright young talent at the Saratoga Children’s Theatre.
Hip up Putnam Place to catch Dopapod with Strange Machines from 9pm to 1am. The quartet Dopapod’s hypnotic hybrid of funk, rock, jazz, bluegrass and electronica has packed houses across the country, and Boston-born Strange Machines’ original songs are a “melting pot of musical fusion with sounds catering to a multitude of genres.” Sounds like a fun night!
Saturday, March 23
Opera Saratoga Presents Katie: The Strongest of the Strong, by Faye Chiao and Anton Dudley, during a free performance at the Children’s Museum of Saratoga at 11am. Geared at kids grades K-6th, the 45-minute story celebrates women’s strength and confidence through the theatrical true story of Katie Sandwina, a circus strongwoman who defied cultural expectations and then became instrumental in the U.S. suffrage movement. The opera is a wild, funny, musical way for students and families to learn about the importance of equal rights.
Get in the spring spirit with your littles (ages 2-4) with a “Little Cookie Picassos” cookie decorating class at Ladylily’s Place at 1pm. Foster your toddler’s creative spirit via edible glitter, rainbow sprinkles and icing in itty-bitty paint palettes for swirling and dabbing.
The Arts District’s newest business, The Beekman Atelier, celebrates its grand opening. Half-boutique and half creative space for sustainable fashion, sewing and the creation of owner Caroline Haladjian’s own clothing line, the new place will welcome new visitors from 11am to 6pm.
TISRA: Zakir Hussain with Debopriya Chatterjee and Sabir Kahn hits the Spa Little Theatre for a lively 7pm show. The pre-eminent classical tabla virtuoso of our time, Zakir Hussain is appreciated both in the field of percussion and in the music world at large as an international phenomenon—and is a highlight of SPAC’s second year-round season, using the Spa Little Theatre.
Sunday, March 24
The harness track is going all in for a festive pre-Easter Sunday! The free kids Eggstravaganza Easter egg hunt (3,000 eggs!) will go off halfway through the race card, plus coloring and face painting all day long.