‘Stranger Things’ actor. Events calendar!
PLUS: Inside scoop on two local celebs joining forces for a yummy new hotspot opening sooner than you think.
We feel seen
On Monday, we told you about a Saratogian who’s catching screen time on the newest drop of the last season (sob) of Netflix’s mega-hit Stranger Things. Thank you to our reader who sent him the piece! He reached out and loved it — and our “mission. He even had a great story idea at the ready. Stay tuned!
Keep reading!
Weekend events calendar: activated
10 can’t-miss events to plan for right now.
Thursday, Dec. 4
“A Winter’s Evening with Ryanhood” at Caffè Lena
Get in the holiday spirit with Ryanhood, a high-energy duo that lands at Caffè Lena tomorrow night. “They started in Boston as a busking act in Faneuil Marketplace,” says the venue’s executive director, Sarah Craig. “And they really blew up, drawing these huge crowds that would come out. They had these perfect Simon Garfunkel-like harmonies and the ability to make this big soundscape with just a couple of guitars.” Now based in Arizona, Ryan David Green and Cameron Hood are touring a show based on their record On Christmas. “They have a big repertoire now of contemporary-sounding folk rock originals.” Craig says. “It’s a band that’s a lot closer to rock and pop than what most people would think of as folk. For their holiday show, they do smart, beautiful holiday songs that are seasonal but not syrupy or too familiar.” Maybe that’s why Zocolo magazine called the twosome “just the right blend of lyrical reverence, good cheer, and their usual superior musicianship.”
For more info and to snag your tickets, visit caffeelena.org.
Joshua Redman at UPH
UPH keeps selling out its shows (Pink Martini, Béla Fleck and Chris Botti, for starters), so I’m giving you some extra time to grab your tickets for the great saxophonist Joshua Redman, who arrives Dec. 4 to celebrate his new album, Words Fall Short. “I’m really excited for Joshua Redman,” says UPH director Teddy Foster. “That man was made for the saxophone. He is an amazing artist, an amazing performer — jazzy, funk, blues. It’s going to be a spectacular show.” He returns to Saratoga with a new quartet, too: pianist Paul Cornish, bassist Philip Norris, and drummer Nazir Ebo—”three rising stars who bring both sensitivity and fire to his latest set of original compositions.”
For more info and to grab your ticket, visit atuph.org.
CulinaryArts@SPAC presents: Potluck Desserts
Dessert for dinner? See you there! Plus, a sit-down with the author for a future broadcast of WAMC’s The Roundtable.
For more info on satisfying your sweet tooth and to buy your tickets, visit spac.org.
Victorian Street Walk
If you love Saratoga, you love this yearly event. For the inside scoop on what’s happening this year, read our FULL STORY HERE
Friday, Dec. 5
Merry on the Mountain
If you’re looking to crank up the cozy holiday spirit, West Mountain’s annual “Merry on the Mountain” celebration is the perfect way to do it. The popular ski spot near Saratoga Springs transforms its Main Lodge into a festive wonderland on Friday, Dec. 5 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. — and it’s designed for all ages. Guests can dig into a soup and sandwich bites bar, decorate cookies, craft ornaments, snap selfies with Santa, and warm up by the bonfire with s’mores kits. There’s also a chance to build your own bundle of greens, plus holiday music and a cash bar featuring the hotspot’s signature Jingle Juice. The night wraps around a glowing tree lighting ceremony at 8:15 p.m., followed by more “mingling and jingling.”
Tickets must be purchased in advance (there’s discounted admission for current season passholders and free entry for kids 6 and under); visit shop.westmountain.com.
Pour One Out for Puccini!
The Dispatch’s first get-together! Pre-game for La bohème with us at Bocage Champagne Bar. Come meet us, get your picture taken for an upcoming Dispatch, and head to UPH together with us in one merry group to catch our hometown opera in its first-ever holiday production.
Spots left: 8.
La bohème at UPH
If you loved Rent, you’ll love La bohème — just swap out coffee-fueled East Villagers for rouge vin-swilling artistes in 1880s Paris. The show takes place on Christmas Eve, too, so what are you waiting for?
And to join 500+ people who already bought their tickets, visit atuph.com.
Saturday, Dec. 6
“Together at Christmas: A Holiday Princess Show”
Let’s be honest — the holidays can be stressful for families, with so much to juggle and so little time to breathe. That’s why the Holiday Inn Resort on Lake George is offering families a chance to slow down, unwind, and even enjoy an overnight stay away from all the stress at home.
Enter the Together at Christmas holiday princess show, which will have two performances (2:30 and 4:15 p.m.) Dec. 6 and feature four beloved princesses: the Snow Sisters, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. (Pre-show “coronation upgrades” are also available.) And for families hoping to extend the magic, the resort has created packed-with-activities overnight stays available on Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6. The $375 package for up to four guests includes hotel accommodations, a visit with Santa, hot cocoa and crafts with the princesses, breakfast with Snow White, and a private holiday show. (Each additional guest is $50.)
For overnight reservations, call 518-668-5781 or visit holidayinnlakegeorge.com (enter group code POE). For general admission and VIP show tickets, visit Together at Christmas: A Holiday Princess Show.
“Poinsettia Pops” with the Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra at UPH
UPH kicks off its festive holiday shows with the Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra’s Poinsettia Pops, which has two showings: Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. “We decorate this hall so beautifully with poinsettias, and it’s become such a joyful local favorite,” says UPH’s director, Teddy Foster. “They sing Christmas carols and show gorgeous winter scenes on a big screen. It’s so wonderful.” Expect festive faves such “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Let it Snow,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” and of course songs from The Nutcracker. Joining them this year? The Kimberly Hawkey, who’s from right here in the Capital Region. I’m told she’s “sweet, jazzy, beautiful, the best, and always had the lead in the school play” in Schenectady. Homegrown talent, our local symphony, a sea of poinsettias, and carols? Mind: blown.
For more info and to buy your tickets, visit atuph.org.
Dec. 7
A Big Gay Youth Market
“A Big Gay Youth Market” is exactly what it sounds like: a vibrant, community-powered pop-up that spotlights LGBTQ+ makers, artists, and small businesses. Their next event (Dec. 7 at the Washington Park Lake House in Albany from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) is going to feature more than 50 vendors — including Saratogians such as Fashion A-Fare. Shoppers can ease into the day with a KN95 mask-mandated hour from 10 to 11 a.m., then browse the full market while WRPI keeps the holiday tunes flowing. Feeling festive? Snag gift wrapping for a small donation at the station run by Made by Saturne — Cozy Craft Cripple. If you can’t make this one, don’t stress—there are two more markets coming before the year wraps.
For a vendor list and map, visit the market on Instagram at @abiggaymarket.
Inside scoop
Yup, it’s true — Ed from Eddie F’s and Mario from West Ave. Pizza are joining forces for a new brand of yummy. Both establishments in Saratoga, however, will remain the same. It’s the Clifton Park locale that has changes coming. I’m sworn to secrecy on the rest. Stay tuned!
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ICYMI…
SSHS’ Olivia Mancini kicks her way to football history — first girl to rep us at state?
Inside scoop on a delicious Dispatch exclusive (involving Stewart’s ice cream and a DeCrescente)
Got a business to promote, story to tell or event to share? Respond to this email or reach Abby at abby@saratogadispatch.com.
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Love the weekend schedule and the inside scoop. Don’t forget Knox Fest for next weekend