Why You Shouldn't Wait for Summer to Hit SPAC
PLUS: Belmont sells out, a yummy venue swap, an inspiring new local podcast and more.
We finally got a little bit of snow this week, and suddenly (at least for me) summer feels farther away. If shows at SPAC are part of that set-aside, warm-weather daydream, why don’t you just go to a show now? These musicians are so pumped to be coming to Saratoga (keep reading for my buddy Josh’s exuberant sentiments)—courtesy of Spa Little Theater, which has allowed SPAC to again do a non-summer season. Shows rev up again in just a few short weeks, so start thinking about what non-loungewear outfit you might dust off to wear to tip-toe back into the exciting world of live performances. If Josh’s energy has anything to do with his (amazing) music, seeing these live shows is good for the soul.
“Josh,” by the way, is Josh Gindele, cellist for the esteemed Miró Quartet, who will be joining red-hot, Billboard chart-topping pianist Lara Downes on April 21. He promises that the Sunday afternoon performance will be nothing short of “electrifying.” “Remember the hushed anticipation, the shared breaths between notes, the music resonating in every corner?” he says. “That's the kind of magic we're conjuring up again—amplified because Lara Downes is joining us. We've been collaborating on a thrilling new project, and sharing it with the discerning Saratoga audience is something we can't wait for. Mark your calendars, because the Spa Little Theatre is about to become a sonic playground on April 21st!”
How can you say no to that? There’s also The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (next up on March 9 and returning in May), and Zakir Hussain and his ensemble of India’s finest musicians. (Plus: Live Nation brings Hozier with Allison Russell, Parker McCollum, The Beach Boys, Khraungbin—all before the summer kick-off. And did we mention the spring CulinaryArts events?)
And then there’s the genre-fluid (hip-hop en pointe!) BalletX, just one month away.
If you like contemporary dance, or hip-hop, or ballet, or getting to see brand-new works before almost everyone else, see you March 16 and 17 for BalletX. Philadelphia Orchestra fans will remember the company’s SPAC debut two years ago when they performed as guest artists. Now the fellow Philadelphians are back—and co-founder and Artistic & Executive Director Christina Cox is just as excited as Josh is.
We’re so excited to see some familiar faces on stage—not only are you returning to SPAC for a second time, but you’ll be bringing some Skidmore students with you on stage.
I am sending out our associate artistic director, Tara Keating, to work for a week with the Skidmore College Dance Department to learn a piece called Credo by Matthew Neenan. They will perform a portion of this dance, not the whole thing—it's a 28-minute piece.
Plus you’ll be performing Scenes View 2, by Boston Ballet’s resident choreographer, Jorma Elo, and the BalletX commision of Honey. Tell us about that.
Honey is choreographed by Jamar Roberts. It is inspired by the music of Don Shirley, and it is simply stunning. It's looking at three different relationships that are each at a different stage [passionate young love, the manipulative power plays of relationships, and aspirational romantic love].
Where does the hip-hop come in?
Exalt by Jennifer Archibald. She is a bi-racial, Canadian-American choreographer. She’s incredible because she has an extremely deep understanding of both classical ballet and hip-hop. She pushes ballet to be forward thinking and really challenges classical ballet. It is a really cool piece. And it does well in intimate settings.
Is it done on pointe?
It’s the only piece that night on pointe!
What is your process for creating these commissioned pieces?
It is a juggling act because so much of our work is about producing these world premiere ballets—but then our goal is to take it around the country, the world. Because of this, artists are now coming here to Philadelphia, to our home, from all parts of the world—Germany, New Zealand, Australia, China. We commission between six and nine world premieres a year. We have built an incubator here in Philadelphia just to make new works, so we spend weeks and months preparing these new ballets to go to the stage. And then we tour a very good amount.
What does creating new ballets mean in 20024?
We look to explore what makes a great ballet…what does creativity look like in 2024? How can ballet move forward and be inclusive and thought provoking and fun and creative all at once?
Sounds fantastic—see you March 16.
—Abby
Quote of the Week
"Tequila pineapple is good for the nutrients."
—Overheard at The Rathskeller, which surprise-soft-opened for Chowderfest and will grand open March 1
Sold Out
Although at press time some four-day festival tickets were still for sale, all general admission and reserved seating for Saratoga’s first Belmont Stakes are officially and completely sold out. (As is Friday reserved seating.) Still want to be a part of the historic festival? Grab the last of the tickets for Thursday, Friday and Saturday while supplies last.
Shop Swap
Savory Middle Eastern food has at last returned to downtown—think falafel, hummus and tahini dips, sambuskas, shawarma and baklawa. Yup, farmers’ market favorite Sara’s Kitchen is coming to Broadway, to soon take over Whole Harvest’s now-former locale. And the Wilton Mall spot that Sara is leaving behind? You guessed it—Whole Harvest is moving on in. “From the moment I knew about this place to the moment I signed the lease was two weeks,” says Sara Ali, ahead of moving her Wilton Mall restaurant to Broadway. “I signed the lease a week before my birthday. No one can up this birthday gift—best birthday gift of my life.”
Wine Not
Bocage Champagne Bar Presents has announced its spring "Wine Journeys With The Masters" events, which each has a 2pm and 6pm seating. These in-depth classes include a deep dive on a wine theme, as guests enjoy a “sumptuous five-course feast.” The three classes are: Women In Wine (March 17), Wine From Where?! (April 21), New York Naturals (May 19).
Raven-ous No More
The Baltimore Ravens are having a bit of a tough time holding onto their talent. The latest to leave? The team’s former assistant coach, Anthony Weaver, who will now be defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. Something he’ll always be? A Saratoga Springs High School graduate. Good luck in the Sunshine State, Anthony!
A Heaven-ly Partnership
The story of little Jake Straughter has touched the lives of so many people across the Capital Region, and inspired his loving parents to create the powerhouse nonprofit Jake’s Help From Heaven in his honor. Now Brian and Heather Straughter have partnered with Bright Sighted Podcasting to embark on a new podcast called “A Place of Yes: Using Grief for Good.” With these two compassionate, hardworking and unstoppable individuals, we’re expecting some powerful stuff to come out. (Think heaping portions of courage and determination.)