9 things to do 💃, St. Paddy's City Council
Anyone can make an events calendar. But is it enough?
🔥 My phone has been on fire since I announced the first Dispatch Dinner Club! You guys are getting me seriously pumped.
How it works:
Take a quick quiz about your food preferences, interests, etc.
Get matched with 5 other Dispatchers. (Yes, you can buddy system with a Plus 1.)
Receive your invite the morning of the dinner and discover which Saratoga restaurant you’ll be eating at/supporting with a slow night reservation (made by me; you do nothing).
Dinner time: 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 8. Giggle about the experience and have a nightcap (I’ll be there!) at Coat Room after.
🫶 Love the Dispatch? Help spread the word by forwarding to a friend.
👉 “Column Like I See ‘Em” is BACK! Saratoga Report’s Dan De Federicis’ “thoughts, opinions and a joke or two” column has made its triumphant return — and in a piece-y style I aspire to. Hyper-local and opinionated, he good-naturedly riffs on local grocery store bathrooms, the most annoying street in Saratoga and more. Column Like I See ‘Em
🍝 Pasta & Puccini’s sign-up (event is next Thursday, March 26) cuts off tomorrow. Your ticket helps the Capital Region’s only professional opera company, Opera Saratoga — and includes dinner, pop culture/opera trivia (no previous opera knowledge necessary), and live performances. It’s a really fun night to ease back into socializing season. Just come. (I’ll be there!) operasaratoga.org
Keep reading!
What do the Olympics, ‘Pretty Woman’ and Saratoga have in common?
🎟️ ‘Lean in’ to the serene work of Andrea Von Kampen at Caffè Lena
Andrea von Kampen’s lyrical guitar work has been compared to “cult hero” Nick Drake’s. Now her trio is headed to Caffè Lena Saturday night (marking her Saratoga debut) as part of the iconic venue’s Bright Series.
“Caffè Lena is known far and wide as a place to discover new voices that are making waves in the national music scene,” says its executive director, Sarah Craig. “This month’s feature is singer-songwriter Andrea Von Kampen, whose lean-in, serene work reflects a spiritual faith tied to the earth.
“So many of us live in this area because of the mountains, the water and the fresh air. These songs will make you feel like you reached the top of the trail and you’re looking out at a breathtaking vista.
“And don’t we all just need some of that right now?”
To grab your ticket, visit caffelena.org.
👏 Content for the ‘gram and mandatory screen-less fun? Caffè Lena’s cell phone policy deserves a big ‘bravo’
Have you ever attended a concert, just to have your view blocked by someone holding up their cell phone to record a 10-minute TikTok Live video? That won’t happen at Caffè Lena, where you’re welcome to film for the first two songs only.
“For a small venue like ours, word of mouth is our main marketing tool,” Craig explains. “That goes for our independent musicians, as well.” But then, kindly put away your phone. The “No Blue Glow--put away your phone after the first 2 songs” has been in effect for over 15 years.
“The worst distraction is when someone watches the show through their screen instead of fully experiencing it in the moment,” she says. “That’s kind of heartbreaking, because they’re missing the point of live music.”
Of course, sometimes 2026 calls. “When it’s the performer’s phone that rings,” Craig says, “that becomes a big laugh for the whole room!”
☘️ St. Patrick’s Day City Council meeting: ‘no camping’ and affordability discussions
Lori Dawson, president of the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County, kicked off the public comment period with a continuation of last meeting’s hot topic regarding the amount of supervisors at the county level. She asked that the city retain “two or more supervisors” and said that we are underrepresented in county committees.
A significant portion — including five consecutive speakers in a coordinated presentation — of the hour-long period focused on speaking out against the city’s “no camping” ordinance passed in July 2025.
Residents — including a high school student — also discussed affordability concerns that are changing the city’s character.
Another high school student took the floor to discuss a dangerous left turn on his way to school. (Love these civic-minded teenagers!)
The Council approved the creation of a new DPW Field Manager position…
…and the multi-use, mile-long Crescent Avenue Connector trail between Route 9 and Nelson Avenue.
For a deeper dive, visit Saratoga Civic Pulse for an AI-powered summary, or watch the free video of the meeting.
Joan Lunden is coming to town
Panza’s is throwing a luncheon to remember — salad, entrée and dessert with Joan Lunden, who will talk about her memoir, Life Beyond the Script. The Good Morning America icon comes to town April 29; to break bread with the famous journalist, call 518-584-6882 to book your $75 ticket before they sell out.
A night to rave about
Dance your way into spring at Bloomin’ — Saturday night’s rave at UPH. “It’s celebrating the spring equinox,” UPH’s director, Teddy Foster, says. “This is our third or fourth rave here, and we love them. The people are great, and everybody has a good time.” You have to be 18 or older to go, and 21 to drink. Electronic music courtesy of Signes, Jungle Punk b2b DJ Wave, and Stone Van Brooken. Visit atuph.org for tickets.
Feeding the hungry
Comfort Food Community’s Farm 2 Library program — which provides no barrier access to free, nutritious food for anyone in need — has expanded to three Saratoga County libraries including Saratoga Springs. Refrigerators and shelves have been stuffed with veggies, fruits, yoghurt, proteins and grains. Food is available during library hours.
📰 IN BRIEF
The previous site occupied by Chow Bella dog care on West Avenue has sold and will become a VP Supply kitchen, bath and lighting showroom, reports the Albany Business Review. Mike Brandi has stepped down from his post as Saratoga Springs GOP Chairman after four years, writes Melanie Snyder in the Daily Gazette. The city’s attorney, appointed by the mayor, quit after just two months, says the Times Union.
🧸 KIDS CORNER
They Built America
11 a.m. March 21, UPH
Heart and history rolled into one! Follow fearless Kelly McPhearson on her quest to find her brother (her only fam in the USA), who’s working on the Erie Canal. Along the way, your little ones will learn the history of the real people — a major melting pot — who built it. “The live music is fantastic, and it’s curriculum approved,” says UPH director Teddy Foster. “It’s a cool story, because it’s hard to overstate how much the Erie Canal shaped our country.” Grab your tickets (approx. $10-$12) at uph.org.
Opera Saratoga presents: Stone Soup
11 a.m. March 21, Albany Institute of History & Art
More than 500 kids (!) are expected to show up to tomorrow’s show in Troy; opt instead for Saturday in Albany, your last chance for your littles to see what all the fuss is about. Stone Soup imparts a timeless message: we all have something to contribute, and sharing makes things better for everyone. Fun and interactive — and performed by professional singers — the show has been described as an “absolute joy.” As one of Saratoga’s nicest humans, Adam Hostetter, told me, “If seeing little kids yelling ‘bravo’ doesn’t warm your heart…” For more info, visit operasaratoga.org.
💃 FIELD TRIP
Full circle ballet
Ballet Hispánico performs at (the newly-renovated) The Egg Friday night, featuring Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s CARMEN.maquia, a reimagining of the great opera. “The figure of Carmen — rebellious, enigmatic, and impossible to contain — has long fascinated composers and choreographers,” writes Michael Hallisey in Ish. The moment is full circle: The renowned company “helped inaugurate The Egg during its opening weekend in 1978,” he reports. Visit theegg.org for tickets.
How sweet it is
Support local with Taste of NY’s “From Sap to Syrup” maple celebration Friday (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at the Adirondacks Welcome Center (between exits 17 and 18). Pick up a maple bingo card, sample treats such as — yup — syrup and maple hot cocoa, and shop. A gift basket of local must-haves, including pancake mix and syrup from Saratoga Maple, will be available for sale.
📌 ICYMI…
The biggest 👀 invite in Saratoga (city-wide dinner party alert!)
🫙 TIP JAR
Anyone can compile a list of things to do, but is that enough to make us feel connected? Join us at a city-wide dinner party on April 8 — meet your neighbors and help support one of our treasured local restaurants on they’re slowest night.
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— Abby
