New: International dance takes residency in the Spa City. Martini sells-out!
PLUS: Track stars keep shining, and the "song and dance" of Saratoga politics (a letter).
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UPH continues run of sell-out shows with Saturday’s Pink Martini
At press time, there were only 11 tickets left for the popular Pink Martini, which performs for eager fans this Saturday at UPH.
By: Abby Tegnelia
[For a shareable link to this story alone, click here.]
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — When UPH Director Teddy Foster makes a prediction, you should probably listen — at least, if you’re wanting to go to a show she says will sell out.
“I’m predicting Pink Martini’s going to sell out,” she said with confidence back on September 25. “Tickets are flying out of here for them.”
Indeed. As of press time, there were no seats left together for Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. show — and only 11 left in the entire theater.
“They’re wonderful,” Foster says. “That’s going to be a great night for us. I’ve had so many people say that they listen to Pink Martini Radio and they can’t wait to see them in person. They just love it.”
The cross-genre band — think classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop — brought the house down in August 2023 when it hit the SPAC stage with the Philadelphia Orchestra. With lead singer China Forbes and cabaret star Meow Meow, the 12-musician “little orchestra” performs songs in 25 languages on its tour and has been a hit across Europe and the United States. They also boast album sales of more than 3 million.
UPH’s last major sell-out concert was Béla Fleck on Thursday, October 2 — the popular banjo player, Edmar Castañada and Antonio Sánchez not only sold out, but played an extra 90 minutes to an enthusiastic crowd.
To learn more, visit atuph.org.
Keep reading!
Inside SPAC’s surprise holiday series announcement
SPAC brings global spotlight to Saratoga with new flamenco residency
Checking in on the local horses expected to triumph at the Breeders’ Cup
The No. 1 and No. 2 favorites to win Halloween weekend’s Breeders’ Cup make plans for trek to SoCal from the Spa.
By: Abby Tegnelia
[For a shareable link to this story alone, click here.]
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — The field is starting to shape up for the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club — with the top two contenders putting in their final workouts here at the Oklahoma.
Favorited to win the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic main event? Sovereignty, who triumphed in Saratoga at the Belmont, Travers and Jim Dandy (plus the Kentucky Derby).
Whitney winner Sierra Leone is expected to give him a run for his money, after also clinching a win at the late-season Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Both horses are currently training at the Oklahoma but have finalized plans for their journeys to the west coast, according to a Sunday, October 12 report in Daily Racing Form. “Horse worked great, continues to train extremely well,” Sierra Leone’s trainer Chad Brown told the outlet, adding that the horse was expected to make the trek from the Spa to Cali on Oct. 26.
Sovereignty’s trainer, Bill Mott, told DRF that his star horse is expected to work out here one more time before his own travels to the west coast on Oct. 22 to complete his final workout at Del Mar.
Also expected to run Halloween weekend: Fierceness, Mindframe, Baeza and White Abarrio – who has his eye on the Grade 1 Dirt Mile.
Letter-to-the-editor
Stop the Political Theater at City Hall
As someone who was born in Saratoga Springs, I’ve watched our city government get increasingly bogged down in partisan bickering. It’s exhausting, and frankly, it’s not getting us where we could be.
That’s why I’m enthusiastically supporting One Saratoga’s balanced slate on Row E with 3 registered Democrats, 3 registered Republicans, and an independent who are working together showing a commitment to Saratoga Springs over party politics.
John Safford, for Mayor
Jessica Troisi, for Accounts
Tim Coll, for Public Safety
Chuck Marshall, for Public Works
JoAnne Kiernan, for Finance
Sarah Burger, for County Supervisor and
George Ehinger for County Supervisor
These candidates have track records of working constructively with people across the political spectrum. They’re focused on practical solutions, not scoring political points or winning a personal shouting match. In a time when so much of our national discourse is poisoned by partisanship, having local leaders who prioritize civility and collaboration is a breath of fresh air.
Our city deserves better than political theater. Vote Row E for One Saratoga candidates who will actually work together to solve problems.
Bonnie Sellers, Saratoga Springs
What To Do
SPAC brings global spotlight to Saratoga with new flamenco residency
Dancers from Spain and the world over have arrived as part of the high-stakes Flamenco Certamen USA competition.
By: Abby Tegnelia
[For a shareable link to this story alone, click here.]
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — Saratoga Springs’ arts legacy shines again — this time with flamenco dancers from Spain and all over the world, who have landed here for a five-day residency ahead of a prestigious (and career-making) competition.
The esteemed Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana arrived at SPAC yesterday to kick off a dance intensive with workshops, rehearsals with live musicians, and a masterclass open to the public. The dancers will then travel to NYC for an intense and high-stakes competition for scholarships to study in Spain and other prizes.
“The competition is for aspiring flamenco dancers who are ready to move into the professional phase of their career, but aren’t quite there yet,” says SPAC President Christopher Shiley. “They will work on their solo dances throughout the week here. And then it all culminates in this big competition in NYC with all-star flamenco judges. One winner is thrust into a more professional career through a cash prize and support for their career launch.”
Saratoga caught Vivo’s eye this past March, when the company performed at Spa Little Theater. Impressed by the SPAC School of the Arts’ facilities, proximity to NYC, and our town’s overall beautiful setting, the flamenco company moved their residency to the Spa City
.Flamenco originated in the south of Spain is a powerful and mesmerizing form of dance that tells a story through rhythm, song and music. “It’s visceral,” Shiley says. “It really draws you in with deliberate, sharp movements that create this incredible excitement and energy. There’s a rhythm component, too, where you can feel that beat and pulse.”
To involve the community, an all-ages adult masterclass will take place at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, October 14 at the School of the Arts. Students will receive instruction on using Spanish handclaps (palmas) in addition to flamenco footwork and arm movement.
“It’s part of our mission as an organization to not only present amazing artists and amazing organizations, but to be fostering art creation as well,” Shiley says. “Saratoga is a bit of a reprieve from that business of New York City life, where artists can do their best creative work. That’s all coming together here in a really beautiful way with this project.”
For more information or to register for tomorrow’s masterclass, visit spac.org.
Keep reading!
Inside SPAC’s surprise holiday series announcement
UPH continues run of sell-out shows with Saturday’s Pink Martini
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