SPAC

The New York City Ballet will be at SPAC in Saratoga Springs from July 9th -12th. We get a preview of this week’s performances from New York City Ballet Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford.

Mayor Kathy Sheehan on Monday unveiled a revitalized statue memorializing an Albany-area philanthropist and builder.

The 48th Annual Saratoga Jazz Festival will return for a full two-day and two-stage weekend experience on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29 at Saratoga Performing Arts Center.Featuring a roster of 22 musical groups and 10 festival debuts, the line-up is headlined by magnetic performers Gary Clark Jr. and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, alongside beloved jazz vocalists Gregory Porter and Cassandra Wilson, and the next generation of jazz, funk and rock stars Cory Wong, Lettuce, DJ Logic & Friends and Veronica Swift.Danny Melnick is the festival producer and President of Absolutely Live Entertainment.

SPAC President Christopher Shiley and Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Sobol join us this morning for a preview of their Summer Season including highlights from the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra.When last we met, Chris was SPAC’s Senior Vice President of Artistic Planning and now has been promoted to President. He is now overseeing SPAC’s programming and day-to-day operations in alignment with the organization’s goals for the future. And he works collaboratively with Elizabeth and, the Board of Directors.

Edward Lee is the chef/owner of 610 Magnolia in Louisville, Kentucky; and culinary director of Succotash in National Harbor, Maryland, and Penn Quarter, Washington, DC. He earned an Emmy nomination for his role in the PBS series “The Mind of a Chef.”The acclaimed restauranteur is also the author of “Smoke & Pickles,” “Buttermilk Graffiti,” and “Bourbon Land.” He participated in a CulinaryArts@SPAC event in October based around his “Bourbon Land” book - and for this event, the conversation was facilitated by a former editor at The New York Times, Tiina Loite.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center has established a new annual McCormack Jazz Series in honor of “Saratoga’s Champion of Jazz,” Don McCormack, and his family. Presented as part of SPAC’s 2024-2025 fall and spring seasons in Spa Little Theater, the inaugural series will feature a roster of international talent.

"Farm Aid" is returning to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on September 21st. The festival will highlight how family farmers are essential for a secure supply of safe, nutritious food; healthy soil and water; and strong, economically vibrant communities. Plus, it will feature performances by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Mavis Staples and many more.

EGOT winning, critically acclaimed, multi-platinum, singer, and songwriter John Legend will be in town tonight at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center preforming with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center welcomes the New York City Ballet this week. The season features four unique programs from tonight -July 13th as part of NYCB’s historic 75thanniversary and its 58th season in Saratoga. We welcome New York City Ballet Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford with a preview.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center will be filled with craft vendors and jazz enthusiasts for this weekend’s 47th annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival. Dozens of artists will play, from world-renowned performers to amateurs. This year’s headliners include Nora Jones, Laufey, and Lake Street Dive. WAMC’s Samantha Simmons spoke with Sara Caswell, who will be playing on the Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage Saturday at 11 a.m.