Seen by Seen in Saratoga? Empty Pockets.
PLUS: Mario and Eddie's new joint.
Seen by Seen in Saratoga?
Dreamy, cozy candids from the Dispatch’s first event, an Opera Saratoga pre-party with Good + Tasty at Bocage.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — Oh, what a night! It was bitterly cold out — but at least we had heat, unlike the artists in the show we were all about to see. And nothing was going to stop our merry band of performing arts stans from Opera Saratoga’s first-ever holiday performance (La bohème) — and a little pre-gaming at Bocage Champagne Bar.
There was bubbly. There were flatbreads. There were homemade arancini in various sizes. And there were desserts — including the popular Fruity Pebbles cannoli.
“We did it!” said my parter in crime, Good + Tasty’s Kathleen Willcox, international wine writer extraordinaire, as we clinked glasses.
We sold out our very first event since striking out on our own. It’s a wild time for journalists, but here we remain — still standing and bringing you daily news about the city you love.
Enjoy these stunning, wintery party pics by the great Seen in Saratoga.
Keep reading!
Why I’m partnering with the Dispatch, by Seen in Saratoga
Were you seen by Seen in Saratoga at the Saratoga Book Festival?
SSHS’ run for the state title
They didn’t triumph at state, but what a ride for the Blue Streaks. Congrats to all the players! It was really fun getting to see Saratoga Springs High School’s name in lights, and on TV. We’ll get ‘em next time…
Keep reading!
SSHS football: 1st girl at state? Olivia Mancini kicks her way to football history
Holiday blues with Empty Pockets
Blues band with ‘big, theatrical energy’ is coming to Caffè Lena for a ‘Snow Day.’
Dec 08, 2025
Itching for some soulful blues music to cut through all the merry festivity?
Empty Pockets is on its way to Caffè Lena for a Dec. 10 concert that promises to mix “rootsy blues, classic rock and Midwestern folk, anchored by powerful vocals.”
“They are a very fun blues rock band from Chicago, and they have this big theatrical energy,” says the venue’s executive director, Sarah Craig. “It’s a young band, they’re incredibly hardworking, and they have already racked up two No. 1 songs on the Billboard blues charts. They’re calling this their ‘Snow Day’ tours, so you can expect some holiday spirit.”
Empty Pockets has not only played at Caffè Lena with heavyweights such as Al Stewart and Kenny Loggins before starting to headline on their own a few years ago, but the band with a big heart has also participated in the downtown venue’s On the Road program. “They’re just incredible teachers, music lovers, fun people on stage,” Craig says.
They even have a nickname: the “baseball band,” after winning over fans “one city at a time” by singing the national anthem or leading the 7th inning stretch at games across the country.
For their Snow Day stop, expect gritty blues-rock versions of holiday faves such as “Let It Snow” and “Run Run Rudolph” plus their own original songs.
For more info and to grab your ticket, visit caffelena.org.
Got a business to promote, story to tell or event to share or co-host? Respond to this email or reach Abby at abby@saratogadispatch.com.
Meeting of the minds: Saratoga foodie heavyweights Mario and Ed
Longtime family friends Mario Cardenas and Ed Fazzone have put their heads together for a new hotspot that opened today in Clifton Park — yup, the masterminds behind Saratoga’s crowd-pleasing West Ave. Pizza and Eddie F’s are now the proud owners of Eddie & Mario’s New England Seafood and Pizzeria.
And yes, there will be venue-specific items available only there — think steamed little neck clams and lobster ravioli in a lobster bisque sauce, plus unique pizzas and daily specials.
“We started talking this summer at the racetrack,” Fazzone told food journalist Nellie “Feed Me 518” Ackerman in a video she put up on her Facebook page earlier today. “[We thought, we] happen to have two nice restaurants in Saratoga, they both do very well…” Yada, yada…Eddie & Mario’s for lucky diners in Clifton Park — and Saratogians like me who think nothing of leaving home for some tasty fare.
Congrats, you two!
ICYMI…
Back-to-back SPAC and one very long and cold night: Oh, what a (2) night(s) in Saratoga