Storybook magic at Book Fest's KidZone! Don't miss Yaddo's open door.
Also, a 'Not-really-a-gala, gala' for the arts.
Welcome to the Daily Dispatch, the future of Spa City news straight to your inbox.
In this edition:
Top: New KidZone at Book Fest
Mid: ‘Not-really-a-gala, gala’ and other events
Bottom: Don’t miss Yaddo’s open doors
Storybook magic: Book Fest’s (free!) KidZone claims its own event
A brand-new book fest event for the littles is jam-packed with author-led fun — from stories and magic to crafts, playtime, face painting and more.
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For the first time, kids are getting their own event at the Saratoga Book Festival, with a three-hour KidZone that boasts more than 30 authors, entertainers and exhibitors.
On Sunday, October 5, head to the Saratoga Springs Public Library between 1 and 4 p.m. for this special event starring children’s books authors of all kinds — who are gearing up for lively read-alongs and interactive activities that instill the joy of storybook magic.
Plus, the area’s best children’s entertainment stars will be under one roof for this free all-ages event.
“KidZone is separate this year, and we’re really excited for our youngest readers to have this time all to themselves,” says Saratoga Book Festival Co-chair Jennifer Allen, executive director of Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library. “Our favorite local kids authors and entertainers are coming with some really fun programming that intertwines with reading — everything from magic tricks and kiddie yoga to arts projects. It’s going to be a blast.”
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On the docket: Lucy R.T. Velandia, the youngest author at this year’s book fest, who will introduce her first debut book, Nikola The Hamster. Nikola is “an adventurous fun-loving, curious little hamster with big ideas,” and Velandia has a special arts project planned. And while Patrice Mastrianni reads from Find Me in Saratoga, David F. Globerson will bring the book alive by illustrating for the kids — right before their eyes.
There will also be kid yoga/playtime, a magic show, and even a sneak peek of the Saratoga Children’s Theatre’s upcoming production of Amelie.
“KidZone has been created to promote the magic and wonder of reading to our little dreamers,” Allen says. “With that in mind, the line-up makes sure that there’s never a dull moment — so plan to come and stay for the whole afternoon.”
KidZone Line-up of Events
1:15-1:45 Jump into a special arts project with Lucy R.T. Velandia, author of Nikola The Hamster
1:45-2:15 Kids yoga with Denise Bozza, yoga instructor and author
2:15-2:45 Magic Matt’s comedy/magic show
2:45-3:15 Live demonstration by illustrator David F. Globerson while Patrice Mastrianni reads her book, Find Me In Saratoga
3:15-3:45 Sneak peek live preview of the Saratoga Children Theatre’s upcoming production of Amelie.
All Day
No Spa City kids event is complete without Saratoga’s own miniature horse (and local celeb), Upset! Meet the mascot of the Dark Horse Mercantile, who stands only 33 inches tall and has never run in a race. He is proud to carry the name Upset and will help tell the story of Upset, The Original Dark Horse in Saratoga Springs. He even has his own mini plush horse!
Custom face-painting with the popular Miss Stacey’s Faces.
Meet Longshot the Moose with Saratoga author Vicki Addesso Dodd, creator of the popular Moose in my Stable series.
For more information, please visit friends.sspl.org.
Keep reading about the 2025 Saratoga Book Festival!
New Book Festival party taps into fall’s buzziest new aesthetic
Events
Hot ticket! Saratoga Arts’ night of art and intrigue
Reminder: Saratoga Arts’ ‘Foundation Experience’ not-really-a-gala gala is going down tomorrow night at Night Owl. Not only is the unique soirée a four-parties-in-one night to remember, but the money goes to a great cause: enriching our vibrant arts community. Foodie-lovers hotspot Farmacy is doing the food, with an open bar courtesy of the anything-can-happen party’s host, Night Owl. The progressive evening kicks off at 6 p.m. and offers different wow-factor moments in four distinct areas of the party; think circus performers and entertainers of all kinds. Tickets will be sold at the door, but like with any big party, buying in advance helps event organizers and is greatly appreciated.
Plus — and this is breaking news — the party planners have secured a second live owl for the welcoming committee. You won’t want to miss this.
Proceeds go to Saratoga Arts. To grab your tickets, visit Saratoga-arts.com.
Read the original story in its entirety…
Shh: Saratoga Arts spills big secret before surprise-packed gala
Civility Puppets Show
Sept. 24, 10:30 a.m.: Civility Puppets Show with Julie Holmberg, Saratoga Springs Public Library, Dutcher Room, Co-sponsored by the Saratoga Springs Public Library.
Peace & Pizza
Sept. 25, 6-7:30 p.m.: Peace & Pizza, Frederick Allen Lodge #609, 69 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs. Join MLK Saratoga for a special version of their monthly Social Justice Social Hour. They’ll have peace-themed crafts and activities and enjoy some good trouble together, exploring how we can make peace in our world! $5 temporary membership and valid ID required.
“Peace by Chocolate” film screening
Sept. 27, 6:45 - 8:15 p.m.: A film based on the true story of the Hadhads, a family from Syria who moved to Canada as refugees from the Syrian civil war, and establishes the Peace by Chocolate artisanal chocolate shop. Peace Chocolate will be served! United Methodist Church, 175 5th Ave., Saratoga Springs.
For the first and only time this year, Yaddo swings open its gates
Plus: how to snag your chance to win an overnight in the famously private artist retreat
By Melanie E. Snyder, Special to the Dispatch
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The tranquil 400-acre historic property tucked away at the end of Union Ave is set to liven up a bit this weekend. The famously private artist retreat Yaddo will be hosting an open house of both its grounds and — here’s where it gets interesting — the inside of its dreamy Victorian mansion on Friday and Saturday.
The internationally famous artist retreat has a storied past that spans over 100 years and has even been designated a National Historic Landmark. If those walls could only talk — the residence has been the temporary home of cultural behemoths such as Truman Capote, Sylvia Plath, David Foster Wallace, John Cheever, Leonard Bernstein, Milton Avery and Hannah Ardent, to name a handful.
While the stunning gardens of the retreat have visitors hours for the public, the inside of the mansion is very rarely open to the outside world. In fact, this weekend’s event marks the one and only time this year that guided tours of the inside of the building will take place. So if you’ve been wanting to walk through the mythic mansion’s rooms and hallways (which cover 29,000 square feet), this is a special treat not to be missed.
There are a series of tours on both Friday and Saturday that you can sign up for. The VIP tour ($250) is Friday at 5 p.m. and includes a cocktail reception and special guided tour by Yaddo President Elaina Richardson.
On Saturday, the time slots for the tours are 8:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $75 for the morning tour and $85 for the afternoon tours. Space is limited for all time slots and the VIP tour/reception. If it’s sounds exclusive, it’s because it is — tickets won’t even be sold on the day of the event, so you’ll want to jump on them ASAP.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit yaddo.org.
And if you want to stay overnight in the mysterious mansion?
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