Welcome to this weekend’s Dish, a lighter “weekend vibes” version of the newsier weekday Daily Dispatches…

There’s simply nothing better than when a cinematic snowstorm falls on a non-work/school day and you can hunker down — or go out and play — stress-free.

If you get any stunning shots today and want to share with the Dispatchers (more than 4,000 of us as of yesterday!), send them to me!

Simply reply to this email with your photo/photo credit (better) and/or Instagram link (Stories don’t work, only grid posts).

Stay warm, have fun,

—Abby

We hope that by now you’ve run any and all errands you needed to do for the next two days. If not, you’ve got about an hour or two. This post from the Broadway Deli says it all — they’re open this morning until they close, with no intention of re-opening until Tuesday. So stock up now, Dispatchers.

[Click on the above embed to read it in its entirety.]

This past Thursday through Saturday were so jam-packed, almost as if local party-planners were preparing ahead of time for today’s shutdown.

Thursday: After some serious singer shuffling (“rethinking next year,” one organizer told me, “flu season and live opera don’t play well together”), Opera Saratoga pulled a large crowd to the stunning Union Gables for the company’s monthly “Sip & Sing” happy hour.

Friday: This weekend’s Saratoga Film Showcase kicked off with its “After Dark” series of short films. After some words from the film fest’s founder Spencer Sherry and Discover Saratoga’s MacKenzie Zarzycki, seven “boundary-pushing” short stories played out on Putnam Place’s big screen. Think: a woman who hits the park to act like a dog after being shamed during dangerous sex involving a tight dog collar, and a mysterious Kombucha that makes worms come out of your nose — but hey, you also get a lot of work done.

My favorites were the very disturbing Baby Fat, which sucked the air out of the room during a very film fest-y moment, and Affirmation, which turned “wellness culture” on its head in a way only the most innovative creators can. “Nailed it,” agreed artist Daniel Fairley, who “likes the weird” and thus has a better critical eye than I do for programs such as this one. “Film is such a visual medium, so I want to see the story. That one didn’t have many words and was…powerful.” Overall, he applauded all of the filmmakers and the “twists and turns” that each delivered to the eager, artsy crowd.

Saturday: Oh boy. Just after Phila Street hotspot Standard Fare announced that it’s now open for weekend brunch, it closed yesterday for co-owner Zac Denham and friends to party like it was 2001. With the birthday boy dressed up as Justin Timberlake at the AMAs, to match a cardboard cutout of Britney Spears the year they matched in head-to-toe denim. The cut-out was a gift from husband/co-owner Clark Gale. (“He guessed right away,” he told me, laughing. “I was so mad. One of us is too predictable, but I don’t know which one.”)

There were girls serving serious Britney looks, a delicious-looking King Cake that fell splat to the floor, and an impressive mid-dance party disco nap (yes, I have the receipts). Afterwards, we blew out into the cold as if we had partied until sunrise.

It was actually about 4 p.m. and still light out.

So I headed straight to Keuka Spring’s new Spring Street tasting room, which opened while I was out of town. The wines were incredible, everyone was friendly and fun, and I am committed to being a regular. They have the best wine club, too, and my new friend Amanda and I are making plans for a trip out to the Finger Lakes to see the stunning winery. Who’s in?

📰 IN BRIEF

Anytime the DMV makes upgrades, we should perk up. In this case, it’s going to take them five days, so don’t procrastinate if you need something in February. “At 2 PM on Friday, 2/13, all DMV offices will close,” reads a warning on the department’s website. “Phone and online services will also be unavailable while we upgrade our systems. Offices will reopen and online services will resume on Wednesday, 2/18.” The same page has constantly-updating info about closings due to Winter Storm Fern.

🏈 SPORTSBALL

I have a feeling a lot of you will be happily stuck inside watching football today… Anyone else also watching the current Dolphins’ defensive coordinator, Anthony Weaver, making the rounds?

Loyal Dispatch readers (and fans who get their news from outlets who don’t call their sports section “sportsball”) know that this native Saratogian is in serious play to be an NFL head coach. Yesterday, he interviewed with the Bills; for more info see Adam Shinder’s report in the Times Union. While he has some stiff competition there, he is next off to meet with the Cardinals and has other options as well.

ESPN’s Peter Schrager Tweeted (see above) about yesterday, and the moment got high marks from super-fan Del Reid — yes, the guy who coined the phrase “Bills Mafia.” He commented, “Hoping for an offensive minded hire but [not gonna lie] the clip of him speaking at the podium talking about the violence of football... dude is 100% head coach material.” Anthony, your hometown is watching.

📌 ICYMI…