Vibe Check: The White Party
Horsepower and highballs were in high supply. PLUS: NYRA announces giveaway days, the Victoria Pool opens and Single in Saratoga returns.
After playing all day in the Great Saratoga Block Party, a charity volleyball tournament that took over the East Side Rec football field last Saturday, I found myself in a tough position. My team had made it to semifinals, but I had somewhere else to be.
Now, there aren’t many things I would leave a volleyball tournament I’m playing in for. The White Party is one of them.
After taking the world’s quickest shower (yes, it did cross my mind to not shower, but my friend Molly convinced me otherwise) and trading my sweaty T-shirt for my new Kathleen Maeve dress, Molly and I were in an Uber bound for the 1863 Club, the new location for Saratoga Bridges’ annual fundraising gala. Outside the venue, classic cars were lined up—the theme of this year’s event was “Horsepower and Highballs,” a concept conceived of by event chairs Leigh and Kim McConchie—and inside we were handed mini bottles of Champagne with straws in them. We took the elevator up to the second-floor cocktail hour, and took an obligatory photo overlooking Saratoga Race Course, just as most of the 323 other finely dressed guests did.
Back downstairs, we had a short time to chat with the people at our table, including SPAC Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships Heather Varney, and her mother, both of whom used to work at Saratoga Bridges. They were especially moved by a video that showed many of the people they served during their time with the organization, which provides support services to individuals with disabilities, and bid on a piece of art made by some of those individuals in the live auction. Other auction items included an Aguilla Getaway and JetBlue tickets, which went for $14,000—$1,500 over their value. “That’s going to be one wild week,” emcee Chris Onarato said to the winner. “I don’t know if anyone’s surviving.”
But while a Caribbean vacation is certainly something to get excited about, it was evident that supporting Saratoga Bridges was attendees’ main objective. “The generosity that people had that evening was contagious,” says Saratoga Bridges Development and Foundation Director Pamela Polacsek, who was moved to tears by that generosity. “Having two people that night step up and offer additional auction items was really quite overwhelming for us because we’ve never had that kind of generosity before.” Indeed, mid-auction, a gentleman from Platinum Properties decided to donate a patio for the auction, and others offered up his box at the track for Alabama Day.
In total, Saratoga Bridges raised more than $225,000—close to $50,000 more than the organization’s previous White Party record. That money will be used to fund programs that aren’t financially supported by the state, like arts programs and other social and recreational opportunities.
Right after the auction, Gravity took the stage and white-clad guests took to the dance floor. Pamela summed up the evening perfectly: “It was just a magical night.”
—Natalie
Quote of the Week
“We both go on bread but we’re not the same.”
—Overheard at Pint Sized
Victoria Laps
It’s finally happening, pool people: The Victoria Pool opens for the summer today at 10am. Need a refresher on the most refreshing spot in the Spa State Park? Read up on The Unwritten Rules of the Victoria Pool, Saratoga Living After Hours’ most read story of all time.
Best of the Fests
Today also marks the start of Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, a two-day, two-stage bonanza at SPAC. Twenty one artists will perform throughout the weekend, which also includes a craft tent where artisans will be selling locally made goods and diverse food offerings including an oyster and seafood bar and barbecue.
Merch Mania
This week, NYRA released the schedule for the popular giveaway days at Saratoga Race Course. So mark your calendars, Saratoga: Here’s what to get, when.
Scroll to the bottom of this story to read about the giveaway day tradition and meet a few die-hard swag collectors.
Cheers to 25 Years
If you didn’t pick up on it from our most recent issue, Saratoga Living turns 25 this year. But it’s not the only locally owned business celebrating its silver anniversary in 2023—Chianti, Saratoga Arms, Saratoga Candy Co and Savory Pantry are too!
Save the Date
That's right, Saratoga singles: Saratoga Living is teaming up with Opera Saratoga to present a first-of-its-kind singles night at the opera!
Whether you're flying solo or with a group of friends (wingmen and women are welcome!), show up at UPH at 6pm for a social hour (and a half) featuring wine by Friexenet, tequila cocktail tastings by One With Life Tequila, charcuterie by Saratoga Grazing Company and fun, singles night–themed games.
Then, at 7:30pm, we'll all head into the theater for Opera Saratoga's presentation of Don Pasquale, a comic opera about an uncle meddling in his nephew's young love affair (a "rom-com" opera with a dose of catfishing!). Ticket includes the price of admission to the show (an insane deal!) and can be purchased here.
Ruck and Roll
There’s a new holiday in town, thanks to a big win by the Calvary, Saratoga’s resident rugby club. “In the ’70s and ’80s the Albany Knicks and the old Schenectady team that doesn’t exist anymore played for the Mayor’s Cup Trophy,” Saratoga Rugby player Warren Prince says. “The Knicks wanted to revive it, played us, and got their asses kicked. So the trophy belongs to Saratoga for a year.” The winning team attended this week’s town hall meeting, where Mayor Ron Kim officially proclaimed May 20, the day of the Cup, Saratoga Rugby Club Day. The afterparty? Beers at Bailey’s, of course.
From the Mag
Saratoga Living sits down with Mary Birnbaum, Opera Saratoga’s new general and artistic director ahead of the 2023 season, going on now.
Sports editor Brien Bouyea compiles a list of the 25 greatest moments from the last 25 years at Saratoga Race Course.
Mario Cardenas of West Ave Pizza and West Ave Chicken wants to cater your Saratoga summer.
This Week in Saratoga Living After Hours