wednesday , december 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
Transcription
wednesday , december 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
W E D N E S D A Y , D O W N T O W N D E C E M B E R S A R A T O G A 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 S P R I N G S , w w w . s a r a t o g a - a r t s . o r g N Y Table of Contents FIRST NIGHT FACTS ................................................. 3 BUTTON OUTLETS .................................................... 4 GE KIDS IN FREE .......................................................4 VENUES & PARKING ................................................. 5 THANK YOUS & SPONSORS ............................... 5,18 FIREWORKS .............................................................. 6 5K RUN ....................................................................... 6 FREE CDTA BUS SERVICE ....................................... 6 HEADLINERS ............................................................. 7 PERFORMERS/EVENTS ...................................... 8-17 PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE ............................ 20-21 BUS ROUTES & MAP ................................................19 VENUE MAP ..............................................................19 SARATOGA ARTS INFO ...................................... 22-23 First Night Facts WHAT: A family-oriented New Year’s Eve celebration of the arts. First Night Saratoga is made possible by volunteers, sponsors, city departments, property owners, media organizations, and presented by Saratoga Arts. WHEN: Wednesday, December 31, 2014 from 6pm to midnight. First Night 2015 Presented By: ALCOHOL AND SMOKING POLICY: No smoking or alcoholic beverages of any kind will be allowed inside any location. BE FLEXIBLE! Some performances may reach capacity, and for safety’s sake, we must limit attendance to the stated occupancy. If you cannot immediately be seated in a selected venue, wait a few minutes, move on to your next choice, or enjoy some of the street side performers. There is plenty of entertainment for everyone! Some capacity crowds may be asked to vacate the venue following a performance prior to the next set. To fairly accommodate all who wish to attend performances, please comply with this request if necessary. WHO: Children and adults alike. The evening offers something for everyone! BUTTON AND WEATHER POLICY: Buttons for First Night Saratoga are nonrefundable. New Year’s Eve will happen no matter what the weather, and so will First Night Saratoga! Please dress for the weather - you will spend a lot of time inside and out. ADMISSION: The price of a non-refundable button is $15. Children 12 and under are free with the GE KIDS IN FREE coupon that can be redeemed for an event wristband. FIRST AID & EMERGENCIES: In the event of illness or emergency at a performance venue, notify one of the First Night volunteers immediately and call 911. WHERE: Downtown Saratoga Springs. Over 30 venues! FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 3 Buttons are Your Ticket! A First Night Saratoga button is your ticket to see over 70 musical and performing arts acts in over 30 venues throughout downtown Saratoga Springs! By purchasing a First Night Saratoga button, not only will you have access to the largest New Year’s Eve event between NYC and Montreal, you will also be supporting hundreds of artists and performers and helping Saratoga Arts present not only First Night, but over 20 other programs that reach 100,000 people of all ages annually! Purchasing Your Button Prior to the Event You may purchase buttons from the following businesses and organizations: Adirondack Trust (all locations) Courtyard by Marriott (11 Excelsior Ave., Saratoga) Crafters Gallery (427 Broadway, Saratoga) Doug Neil Insurance Agency (Clifton Park and Latham) Price Chopper Supermarkets (all Saratoga County, Glens Falls, Glenville, Granville, Lake George & select Albany markets) Marriott Residence Inn (295 Excelsior Ave., Saratoga) Saratoga Arts (320 Broadway, Saratoga) Saratoga Guitar (492 Broadway, Saratoga) The Saratoga Hilton (534 Broadway, Saratoga) Stewart’s Shops (select Saratoga County locations) Saratoga Regional YMCA (Saratoga Springs, Wilton) You can also purchase buttons online at Saratoga Arts’ website: www.saratoga-arts.org Purchasing Your Button on December 31st Saratoga Arts (320 Broadway, Saratoga) Saratoga City Center (522 Broadway, Saratoga) Lake Avenue School (126 Lake Ave., Saratoga) between 6-9pm 4 GE Kids in Free! One child aged 12 and under will be admitted free with each paid adult. Both Saratoga Arts and General Electric share the goal of providing a variety of outstanding, family-oriented community events. Since First Night Saratoga is an alcohol-free, family-friendly event, it is a natural fit with GE’s Kids In Free program which offers free admission for kids 12 and under with a paying adult at special events across the Capital Region. How it works Detach the coupon on your buttoncard and redeem it on New Year’s Eve at one of the following locations: Saratoga Arts (320 Broadway, Saratoga) Saratoga City Center (522 Broadway, Saratoga) Lake Avenue School (126 Lake Ave., Saratoga) between 6-9pm Participants receive a wristband that will allow one admission of a child 12 years old and under to all First Night venues. GE has been sponsoring GE Kids in Free Days at venues across the Capital Region for nearly a decade. Last year, over 7,000 Capital Region youngsters attended a wide array of cultural, educational and sports events free-ofcharge, courtesy of GE. These events are just a part of GE’s major Capital Region community sponsorship program. Details on GE Kids in Free Days can be found at GEKidsinFreeDays.com. FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 Venues & Parking A Special Thank You... Largest Venues & Easiest Seating To Our Venues... First Baptist Church - 45 Washington Street Saratoga City Center - 522 Broadway Lake Avenue Elementary School - 126 Lake Avenue NYS Military Museum - 61 Lake Avenue St. Peter’s Church - 241 Broadway Venues that participate in First Night extend their hours and open their doors just for the event. First Night owes it all to their community spirit! Easier access because of off-Broadway location: St. Paul’s Church - 149 Lake Avenue Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church - 24 Circular Street Parking The best parking is on the street near your desired performance site. There are three parking garages downtown: on Woodlawn between Division and Church Streets; on Walton at Church; and at the corner of Spring and Putnam Streets. Surface lots on High Rock Ave just off Lake Avenue, and on Broadway between the Algonquin and Collamer buildings, provide additional options. Visit the parking map at saratoga-arts.org/firstnight/ busroutes. Vendors Alpacas of Breezy Hill Ranch: Hats, gloves, mittens (NBT Bank Parking Lot, #14) Benefit for Church Youth Programming: Ziti meal with bread, salad, a beverage and dessert for $8 adult, $4 youth and $.50 child. (Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church, #11: 4pm-8pm) Cider Man: Hot drinks, (Saratoga Arts, #16) Forever Flowers: A gift for the New Year, (City Center #1) Adirondack Trust Bank, 473 Broadway Caffè Lena, 47 Phila St. Children’s Museum, 69 Caroline St. The Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway Empire State College, 2 Union Ave. First Baptist Church, 45 Washington St. Hampton Inn Suites, 25 Lake Ave. Lake Avenue School, 126 Lake Ave. Lifestyles of Saratoga, 436 Broadway NBT Bank, 295 Broadway NYS Military Museum, 61 Lake Ave Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church, 24 Circular St. Saratoga Hilton, 534 Broadway Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway Saratoga Springs Post Office, 475 Broadway Saratoga Springs Visitor Center, 296 Broadway St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 149 Lake Ave. Temple Sinai, 509 Broadway To Our Volunteers First Night is made possible by the generosity and dedication of over 250 volunteers each year. Combined, our volunteers contribute over 800 hours of their time to ensure visitors enjoy First Night safely, and without their commitment to Saratoga Arts this wonderful event would not be the exciting, family friendly holiday tradition it is today. Kent’s Crazy Horse: Coffee, hotdogs, hamburgers, (Saratoga Springs Visitor Center, #15) Reggie’s Veggies: A quick snack, (Adirondack Trust, #5) FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 5 Fireworks! Free CDTA Bus Service Ring in the New Year and the 100th anniversary of Saratoga Spring’s incorporation as a city with the First Night Saratoga fireworks display. At midnight, after a few words from Mayor of Saratoga Springs, Joanne Yepsen, Alonzo Fireworks will present a dazzling display in Congress Park. Congress Park cannot be entered during the fireworks, but Saratoga Arts provides a perfect viewing area by arranging for the streets to be closed at the intersection of Spring and Putnam Streets, near the carousel. Buy a First Night button and ride CDTA for FREE on First Night! CDTA offers special Saratoga First Night transportation service on New Year’s Eve. Attendees who show First Night buttons ride for free on all regular Saratoga bus routes and the two special shuttle routes from 4pm through 1am (see page 19 for a map of First Night venues and bus routes). The First Night Saratoga fireworks display is presented by Saratoga Arts with support from the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau and Gaffney’s Restaurant. First Night Saratoga 5K When First Night Saratoga was in its infancy, the 5K run was initiated, and 250 brave runners made their way around the Skidmore Campus following a huge snowstorm that had left upwards of a foot of snow on the Spa City. Last New Year’s Eve we had 1,500 runners from 21 different states, making it a family affair, as many of these folks are home for the holidays. Equally important to the success of the race has been the dedicated volunteers who have been a part of this race for the past seven years. A very special thank you to Jeffrey Allen and his wife Naomi, who were two of the founders of the inaugural First Night 5K seventeen years ago, and continue to volunteer their time to ensure the First Night Saratoga 5K is a great success! 6 FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 Mark Gamsjager and the Lustre Kings play rock & roll the right way. The powerhouse Albany, New York combo has wowed crowds at Manhattan’s Rodeo Bar, Seattle’s Tractor Tavern and all points in-between; and they’ve done it with uncommon fervor, commitment and flair. The Lustre Kings have a devoted international fan base and they continue to tear up the road every year. In addition to their own dates, the Lustre Kings have accompanied Wanda Jackson, the Queen of Rockabilly, for over five years, and frequently work with seasoned artists like Bill Kirchen, Eddie Angel and Robert Gordon. The group is versed in classic pop standards and light jazz as well as their trademark American roots rock music. The new, appropriately-titled long-player “Way Out There” (Wild Boar Records) is their fourth and finest effort. In his liner notes for the album, six-string wizard Deke Dickerson says, “Like a fine wine, the Lustre Kings just get better with each passing year, and this new album has the seasoned bouquet and nutty aftertastes that won’t leave you disappointed.” lustrekings.com, (Saratoga Springs City Center Main Hall, #1: 6pm, 8pm & 10pm) H E A D L I N E R S The Tartan Terrors are their own Celtic Invasion, mixing rock’s energy with traditional folklore, dance, and humor. With an arsenal featuring classic pipes and fiddle, driving drum tones, and signature guitar styles, standing-room only audiences understand why Dig This Magazine declares The Terrors “one act to keep an eye on!”. The Terrors use their Sonic blitz to bring on board award winning Step and Highland Dancers and internationally recognized comedic performers alike. Managers agree that “their sold out evening performances are a testament to their popularity.” Members of the Tartan Terrors have performed on four different continents in some of the most prestigious Festivals, Highland Games and Theatres of North America including Lone Tree Center for the Arts, CO; Strand Capitol, PA; Oshkosh Opera House, WI; Dublin Irish Festival, OH; Newport Irish Festival, RI; and on Good Morning America. Join the phenomenon of the Tartan Terrors and see why Celtic Beat Magazine hails them as “the heirs apparent to the [Celtic] mayhem.” tartanterrors.com, (Saratoga Springs City Center Main Hall, #1: 7pm, 9pm & 11pm) FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 7 2014 Performers 18 Strings of Trouble delivers an authentic, polished, classic rock sound. The band formed with the goal of entertaining audiences of all ages playing everything from the Rolling Stones to Bruce Springsteen to Kings Of Leon to original music. Founded by Herb Carter with his 20 plus years of musical experience and Justin Donohoe who has been involved with local bands for many years, 18 Strings Of Trouble engages the best of the local musician pool to provide a performance that will be remembered. 18stringsoftrouble. com, (Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church, #11: 10pm & 11pm) Airborne Comedians are a sure bet to make you laugh, whether balanced atop seven foot unicycles or frantically flinging objects at each other. Over the past 15 years, this duo has entertained audiences of all ages and backgrounds. They juggle a cornucopia of objects including (but not limited to) baseball bats, lawn chairs, children, hats, clubs, balls, rings, electric guitars, machetes, fruits and random objects from the crowd. treetopartists.com, (Lake Avenue School Gym 2, #8: 6pm, 8pm & 10pm) 2Lonesome singer and guitarist JoAnn Sifo got hooked on bluegrass after seeing a Bill Monroe performance. Her rhythm guitar style pushes 2Lonesome’s beat into overdrive and her versatile vocals deliver gritty Jimmie Rogers’ tunes, sweet ballads and distinctive harmonies. Sifo’s singing has been described as “a coal dust gritty alto” and a “dusky drawl.” Her 2Lonesome partner is Nashville recording artist Bob Bates, who appeared on the Grand Ole Opry with Charlie Louvin of The Louvin Brothers for many years. He is a classically trained bassist. Bate’s high-tenor vocals and fiddle style add richness to the duo’s sound. dyerswitch. com/2_lonesome.html, (Saratoga Springs Post Office, #4: 9pm & 11pm) Al and Kathy Bain with Gary Blodgett play traditional country, bluegrass and gospel music. They are known for their outstanding vocals and harmonies, with Kathy on upright bass and Al playing a Travis-style guitar and 5-string banjo. They have released many recordings since 1979, hosted well-known TV and radio shows in Glens Falls, and won numerous awards from the Northeast Country Music Association, including Song of the Year, Pioneer of the Year, Entertainers of the Year, Best Male and Female Vocalist and have been inducted into the New York State Country Music Hall of Fame. (New York State Military Museum, #7: 7pm & 9pm) Alpacas of Breezy Hill Ranch of Salem, A World For You sports Brandon James of Saratoga Springs as the talented multiinstrumentalist behind A World for You. James composes all of the music and plays all of the instruments himself in an intriguing form of mellow and melodic independent blues-rock. facebook. com/aworldforyou, (Saratoga Arts Gallery, #16: 6pm & 9pm) 8 NY, will bring two docile alpacas to First Night to pet and feed. Owners Lisa and David Proulx will be demonstrating dry felting throughout the night and will have alpaca products to buy such as hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and socks and will explain fiber processing from shearing to retail products. Alpacas are very gentle creatures and they hope you’ll stop by to wish them a happy New Year during the evening! alpacasofbreezyhillranch. com, (NBT Bank Parking Lot, #14: 6pm - midnight) Annie and the Hedonists cover an eclectic mix of acoustic blues, vintage jazz FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 and swing, and folk roots Americana. As Sarah Craig, director of Caffè Lena has said, the group “transports us back to an age when heartache, boozing, and all sorts of romantic mayhem seems like one big stylish adventure…Annie struts right to the heart of each sassy, nostalgic song and gives us a piece of her mind in a voice that sits comfortably alongside the greats of the American jazz tradition.” annieandthehedonists.com, (Empire State College Rotunda, #10: 7pm, 9pm & 11pm) Ashley Sofia, recently named “the future of folk rock,” is a young artist making waves. Born and raised in the heart of the Adirondacks, Sofia grew up playing music and writing. When she was just 11 years old, she picked up her father’s guitar and learned everything he could show her. Today, over 60 songs later, she plays, sings, and writes all of her own music. Her debut album, “Love and Fury”, was released in 2014. Sofia says her songs are “poems set to music.” As Sarah Craig of Caffè Lena has said, “we believe that soon Ashley Sofia will become a household name.” ashleysofia.com, (Caffè Lena, #18: 10pm & 11pm) Ballston Spa Film Festival, Inc.(BSFF) is an independent non-profit whose mission is to promote an appreciation of films and filmmaking in the Ballston Spa and Greater Capital District communities. Since 2008, they have offered a free monthly classic film series to the public and have presented an annual short-film festival the first week in August in which established, emerging and student film-makers display their works. This year at First Night, they will present “Best of the Fest”, a selection of the best short films from this year’s BSFF featuring animated and live action films from one to fifteen minutes in length from around the world... and neighborhood. bspafilm.org, (Saratoga Arts Dee Sarno Theater, #16: 6pm - 8pm) Beaked Whale formed in late 2012 when Paul Coleman answered a Craigslist ad posted by Hyun Rutkowski. United by common influences and a love for melding noise with melody topped off by judicious experimentation, the two quickly began writing songs together. The project officially became a band in 2013 with the addition of a drummer. Beaked Whale’s first gig was at the 2013 Restoration Festival in Troy. The band has since continued to write and record new music as well as perform throughout the Albany/Saratoga area. beaked-whale.com, (Saratoga Springs City Center Meeting Room 2, WEXT FEST, #1: 7pm) Bear Grass attracts listeners with the quirky songs of Katie Hammon. Her sultry pipes leave you devastated, but the band’s blend of folk, rock and homespun trip-hop soothes your wounds. Drawing on influences like Laura Veirs and Wye Oak, the music is sometimes subtly dark but always thoroughly captivating and melodic. beargrass.bandcamp.com, (Saratoga Springs City Center Meeting Room 2, WEXT FEST, #1: 9pm) Betsy and the ByeGons takes you back to the 60s whether you lived then yourself or just dig that classic sound: there’s no better way to spend some time than with Betsy and the ByeGons. Betsy and her three backup guys are a Saratoga Springs-based band who give you an all-ages appropriate authentic rendition of the girlgroup sound—bringing back those happy days when the Ronettes, the Chiffons, the Shirelles, the Shangri-Las and so many other girl groups lit up stages and screens around the world. betsyandthebyegons.com, (Hampton Inn, #6: 6pm, 8pm & 10pm) Big Fez and The Surfmatics are a four-man group performing classic surf and beach music from the early 1960s. They claim to have first hit the scene in 1960, broke up in 1966, and re-formed to bring the sound of the surf into the 21st century. The band includes Johnny Fez (who purports to be from the “Big Island” and is an indirect descendent of Hawaiian pop artist, Don Ho), Donny Fez (former car wash attendant and waxing specialist who hails from the “Long Island”), JB Fez (marine surfing instructor from “Paris Island”) and Mikey Fez (airplane pilot from “Fantasy Island”). bigfezmusic.com, (Hampton Inn, #6: 7pm, 9pm & 11pm) Brass and Blues fuses Dixieland jazz with delta blues in this trio featuring Mark Tolstrup on vocals, slide guitar and tenor banjo, Ernie Belanger on tuba and Woody Strobeck on trombone. Tolstrup has been performing his passionate interpretation of delta blues in the Saratoga Springs area for many years solo and with acoustic and electric bands. Both Belanger and Strobeck have many decades of experience playing Dixieland Jazz throughout the region. FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 9 Together they produce a sound from the roots of American music moaning low with the blues and rollicking with the joy of traditional jazz of New Orleans. marktolstrup.com, (Empire State College 105, #10: 6pm, 8pm & 10pm) Brenda Fisher and Ron Whitford come from different musical backgrounds that combine to create an original sound. Fisher is a 25-year veteran bassist from the former regional touring band Begonia. Here, she returns to her original instrument, the acoustic guitar, and shares her country blues simply and soaked with emotion. Whitford started playing banjo and guitar more than 40 years ago. He has been a member of oldtime string bands for 20 years. The pair released their first album Good Time Jugband in 2014. Whitford has also been busy writing music that fits into several different genres, including children’s music. The duo’s shows are always lively and fun. brendafisher.weebly.com, (Saratoga Arts Gallery, #16: 7pm & 10pm) Bryan Thomas has two new releases: “Smash to Pieces,” a five-song EP produced with his band the Buggy Jive, and “Basement Live,” a series of music videos recorded live in his home studio with a band that includes multiple versions of himself. Seriously. The Albany Times Union named this local soul rocker Best Male Singer-Songwriter shortly after he released his acoustic hip-hop debut “Radio Plastic Jennifer” in 1999. The follow-up soul rock epic “Ones and Zeros” was Metroland Magazine’s Album of the Year in 2002. bryanthomas.com, (Saratoga Springs City Center Meeting Room 1, #1: 6pm & 9pm) Buckaroo Bindlestiff’s Wild West Jamboree is an action packed Wild West extravaganza featuring classic frontier skills like fancy lasso tricks, target bullwhip cracking and a comedy knife throwing act. The show also includes a “pony” race for youthful audience volunteers, a delightful cowboy sing-along, juggling, a six-gun spinning safety talk and a comedic look at America’s Old West. Come get your Yee-Haw on. Great for the entire 10 family. Cowboy Keith (Keith Nelson) and Miss Philly (Stephanie Monseu) are co-founders of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and since 1994 they have toured 38 of the lower 48 United States and brought the unique Bindlestiff hybrid of circus, sideshow and vaudvillanous variety to Europe, Asia, South America and the Caribbean. Over 350 of the world’s finest circus and variety artists have worked under the Bindlestiff banner! Based in Brooklyn and Hudson, NY, the Cirkus presents dozens of performances each year, produces private celebrations, and also teaches circus arts to youth in various programs in the Hudson Valley and in NYC. bindlestiff.org (Lake Avenue School Auditorium, #8: 6pm - 9pm) C.C. Vagabonds have come to represent jazz and gypsy music in sense and style. With scorching riffs and smooth melodies, the Vagabonds have developed their own unique blend of traditional Django Reinhardt style music, with modern takes on classics and jazz standards. Comprised of local working musicians with over 40 years of musical experience and training, the Vagabonds will grab the attention of any crowd and show them why this music is still alive and vibrant today! ccvagabonds. com, (Empire State College Rotunda, #10: 6pm, 8pm & 10pm) Deena Chappell was born on Long Island to a pair of silly-in-love young musicians and grew up listening to the Beatles, Doo-wop, Bill Monroe, Billie Holiday, folkies like Tom Paxton, Leonard Cohen, Peter, Paul and Mary and that’s just when she was hanging out with Mom. When she was with her dad, she was getting experienced with Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, the Doors, Janis Joplin and the Rolling Stones. She started performing at local watering holes when she was 14. She’s performed with some of the best musicians in the Northeast playing bluegrass, rock & roll, swing, folk, kirtan and blues. Chappell’s captivating voice, unique song writing prowess and charming stage presence make her performances intimate and engaging. deenachappell.com, (Saratoga Springs Post Office, #4: 7pm & 10pm) Don White has no one word description for his work. For 20 years, he has brought his audiences to laughter and tears in his live performances, studio recordings and on the printed page. He is a storyteller-comedian-author-troubadour-songwriter. FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 White’s arc as a writer and performer has taken him from his industrial hometown of Lynn, MA, across the country as hitchhiker, through Boston’s comedy clubs and coffeehouses, and onto the stage with greats like Arlo Guthrie, Ritchie Havens, Patty Larkin and Louden Wainright III. donwhite. net, (Caffè Lena, #18: 6pm & 7pm) an emerging legend in his own right as the leader of the Graham Tichy Trio and also as a guitarist in Doc Scanlon’s Rhythm Boys. Tichy specializes in the musical styles of the mid-20th Century- rock & roll, rockabilly, British Invasion, swing, honky tonk, rhythm and blues. grahamtichy.com, (Saratoga Hilton, Saratoga Ballroom, #2: 9pm & 11pm) The Doug Irving Project’s leading man Great Mutations have been making rock The Dry Town Drifters are a classic Gusto, a punk trio, burst onto the Capital is a singer/songwriter who composes in many styles and is equally comfortable on guitar and keyboards. He spent eight years mixing it up in Nashville, garnering 34 independent cuts. He recorded his sixth, seventh and eighth albums while living there and has co-written with several celebrities. He moved back home to the Northeast in 2006 and is a member of NSAI and coordinator of the Upstate Adirondack chapter. reverbnation. com/dougirving, (Empire State College 103, #10: 7pm, 9pm & 11pm) & roll songs at Swordpaw Studio in Troy, NY since 2012. The trio of Matthew Thouin, Mitchell Masterson and Ian White released their debut album “Cheap Stuff” in July 2014. In addition to mastering the album, honorary Mutation Frank Moscowitz also adds second guitar and keys in live shows. “It’s rock like it’s supposed to be, like it used to be,” said the Albany Times Union of the band’s “earthy, raw, retro” sound. greatmutations. com, (Saratoga Springs City Center Meeting Room 2, WEXT FEST, #1: 8pm) cowboy country and western band playing a mix of original western music as well as classics from the 60s, 70s and earlier. Band leader Aaron Hahn’s influences come from his days as a rodeo bareback bronco rider. He loves playing the music of Gene Autry, Willie Nelson, Buck Owens and countless others. On lead guitar, Jeff Gonzales, who has played with Livingston Taylor, David Grissman and Peter Paul & Mary, adds his highly entertaining brand of finger picking. On the doghouse (upright bass) is Steve Ellwanger. cdbaby.com/cd/thedrytowndrifters, (NBT Bank, #14: 6pm, 8pm & 10pm) Region scene in October of 2013 with their debut album “Packin’ Heat”, which was recorded by producer Jason Brown who has worked with local artists Party Boat, Circus Life and Maryleigh Roohan. After a constant slew of local and out-oftown shows and an ever growing fan base, Gusto is at work on their sophomore album. Joseph Beck from Mayday Media said it best: “Imagine if Kurt Cobain was the lead singer for Blink 182 and that band then had a week long affair with Green Day.” gustoband.com, (Church of St. Peter Parish Center, INDIE FEST, #13: 8pm & 11pm) Good Fiction is a three-piece alternative rock Johnny Cash. No doubt, Johnny Cash is one of the most iconic music artists of all time. Join us as we pay homage to “The Man in Black.” From the early days at Sun Records to the final recordings with Rick Rubin, the broad spectrum of Cash’s hits is presented with integrity. Ford’s performance as a Johnny Cash Tribute Artist is exceptional. His striking resemblance to Mr. Cash in appearance, persona, band from Albany, New York. Their lineup consists of members Patrick Grace (vocals, drums), Alex Wollyung (guitar), and Taylor Abbitt (bass). After forming in March 2014, the three longtime friends immediately began work on writing, recording and playing shows locally. Word of mouth spread quickly due to their catchy blues infused rock tunes as well as their electric live act. Their first EP, “American Gun”, is out now. reverbnation. com/goodfiction, (St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, TEEN FEST, #9: 7pm & 10pm) Graham Tichy has lit up stages across the U.S. and Europe for such rockabilly legends as Wanda Jackson and Robert Gordon. He now is Harold Ford presents The Spirit: A Tribute to FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 11 and voice elevates him to a class of his own. Laura Lucy as June Carter embodies June’s playful nature, as the endearing harmonies of Johnny and June come alive. facebook.com/HaroldFordMusic, (First Baptist Church, #17: 6pm, 8pm & 10pm) The Hawkeye Band was first conceived in 2009 by current members Alec Gaspary (bass) and Hunter Hawkeye (guitar/vocals). Gaspary is returning from a semester abroad spent in Morocco. Hawkeye spends most of his time in the practice rooms at the Crane School of Music and Katy Stringer (sax/vocals) attends Ithaca College. The band plays a wonderful potpourri of popular music repertoire combined with original compositions. (St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, TEEN FEST, #9: 6pm & 9pm) HEARD features the world influences of Africa, Brazil and beyond, in an upbeat, energetic and positively inspiring musical experience. The group’s two master percussionists, Zorkie Nelson (originally from Ghana) and Brian Melick create a rich tapestry of rhythmic grooves that ground their sound and set the stage for the jazz and world stylings of woodwinds player Jonathan Greene, keyboardist Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius and bass player Bobby Kendall. HEARD’s original repertoire features lyrics in Ga (a language of Ghana) and English and incorporates traditional world rhythms from West Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. heardmusic.net/heard, (Saratoga Arts, Dee Sarno Theater, #16: 10pm & 11pm) everywhere! reverbnation.com/hollyandevan, (Saratoga Arts Gallery, #16: 8pm & 11pm) Holly Beltran has entertained audiences of all ages with her unique combination of song, dance and props for over 15 years. Her main genres of music are Broadway, jazz, country and children’s music. She has performed at many venues, including Fort Salem Theater and the Troy Victorian Stroll, and has participated in many local musicals, including her own coproduced show “A Touch of Jazz and Broadway.” beltranentertainment.com, (Lifestyles of Saratoga, #20: 7pm, 9pm & 11pm) Hot Club of Saratoga, a Saratoga/Capital Region gypsy swing ensemble, plays a repertoire that reflects the spirit and style originated by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli in The Quintet of the Hot Club of France, most prominent in the 1930s and kept alive through a long line of gypsy jazz artists since that time. The driving rhythms under dynamic soloing give the music a life and vibrancy sure to bring a smile and often an irresistible desire to move. hotclubofsaratoga.com, (Temple Sinai, #3: 6pm, 7pm & 8pm) Heavenly Echoes is a gospel group that was started fifty years ago by the late James Edmonds. Based in Albany, New York, the nine singers and musicians perform traditional and contemporary songs in a style reminiscent of the soul music of the sixties. (Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church, #11: 6pm, 7pm & 8pm) Holly & Evan epitomize the blues. Both with long, rich musical backgrounds, Holly Taormina and Evan Conway have updated the Barrelhouse tradition with their unique style. Together, they showcase a wide range of original and cover material from blues to jazz, and soul. These originals, which are often featured on WRPI 91.5, WVCR 88.3, WEXT 97.7, WEQX 102.7, and the Crumbs Café radio show, are catchy with a lot of personality, and will appeal to audiences 12 J.V. & The Cutters plays original music that fuses elements of rock, funk, soul, gospel and jazz with the power and directness of electric blues. He calls this music “the new urban blues.” J.V. started playing bass guitar after hearing the bluesy swing and shuffle of Bill Wyman from the early days of the Rolling Stones. A few years later, the music of Albert King inspired him to pick up the guitar. J.V. writes music rooted in the styles of masters such as T. Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters. The lyrics, however, reflect contemporary issues and modern life. jvcutterblues.com, (Saratoga Springs City Center Meeting Room 1, #1: 7pm & 10pm) FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 Jack Grace the entertaining country-rock The Lee Shaw Trio has been a moving Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys MaryLeigh Roohan first began playing New York City performer, has been compared to everything from Frank Zappa to early Johnny Cash—or “Cole Porter meets Gene Autry” as the New York Times once wrote. A consummate live performer, lyricist, singer and guitarist, Grace plays kick-the-can with a variety of different musical genres—from country and classic rock to mariachi music—while infusing his songs with intelligence and humor. As Alan Young of the New York Press once raved, what sets Grace’s songs “apart from the rest of the country or alt-country scene is his laugh-out-loud, absurdist wit.” jackgrace.com, (Temple Sinai, #3: 9pm, 10pm & 11pm) play an entertaining Cajun flavored bluegrass with often wickedly funny lyrics. They have played four International Bluegrass Music Association festivals this year and were selected to fill a coveted spot in IBMA’s Bluegrass Ramble in Raleigh, NC. The band also recently performed live on WAMU’s Katy Daley Show in Washington, DC, arguably the most sought after radio show in the U.S. Their performance so impressed the NPR station’s producers that it was rebroadcast on the popular show, Editor’s Picks. jimgaudet.com, (Saratoga Hilton, Saratoga Ballroom, #2: 7pm & 10pm) Joan Scannell Tarot and Numerology gives a glimpse of what 2015 holds for you with a free five-minute tarot and numerology reading. Insightful, intuitive and compassionately direct, Scannell is a local resident who has been giving readings in the area for many years. Through the use of numerology and tarot, Joan can tell you about your purpose in this lifetime and how to use 2015 to reach your deepest personal goals. joanscannell.com, (Empire State College 104, #10: 6pm - 10pm) Jojo’s Fabulous Faces is fun for both children and adults. With plenty of experience we are able to quickly create beautiful, unique designs using professional quality paint and glitter that is safe on the skin. Locally owned and operated, quality is guaranteed. jojosfacepainting.com, (Lake Avenue School Cafeteria, #8: 6pm-11pm) force in the world of jazz for over 40 years, as her performances at top jazz fests throughout North America and Europe have proven! From the Kennedy Center to Vienna to Ottawa and the Lake George Jazz Festival, Shaw’s talents have earned her a steady following as well as an induction into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. She has shared billing with the likes of Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, and Anita O’Day. Enjoy Lee Shaw’s repertoire of show tunes, standards, Latin melodies, jazz, and blues! sonicbids.com/ band/leeshawtrio, (Saratoga Arts Dee Sarno Theater, #16: 8pm & 9pm) guitar and writing songs at the age of 15, and honed her guitar and vocal skills during a yearlong, weekly residency at a pub in St. Andrews, Scotland. Named the Capital Region’s “Best Female Singer-Songwriter” by Metroland in 2012, Roohan’s style shifts seamlessly from sunny indie pop to sultry jazz crooning to heartfelt Americana reminiscent of Neko Case, with influences ranging from Joni Mitchell to Etta James. maryleighmusic.com, (Adirondack Trust Bank, #5: 7pm, 9pm & 11pm) McCabe, Bolton and Greene is a little trio that plays McCabe originals and a bunch of uncommon covers. Matt McCabe and Rick Bolton have been playing together for over 20 years and are joined this year for First Night once again by Arlin Greene, one of the busiest bass players around. Labels are hard to come by, but Matt has been settled into what he calls “folk jazz” with Rick’s masterful guitar work really being able to shine. McCabe and Bolton have been a staple of Saratoga’s First Night almost since the inception of the event. (New York State Military Museum, #7: 8pm & 10pm) Michael Angelini is a young singer/ songwriter who covers popular contemporary artists such as John Mayer, Dave Matthews and Jack Johnson. He has opened for bands in Saratoga in the past and is excited to get back on stage to perform at First Night this year. (Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church, #11: 9pm) FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 13 Mike Campese is an acclaimed guitarist and composer best known for being a member of the multi-platinum group Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Campese was picked over several guitarists in 2004 during the band’s fourth CD, “The Lost Christmas Eve”, and received a gold record for his work. In 2008, he released his own well-received Christmas CD, “The Meaning of Christmas”. He is an honors graduate from the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California and has been a muchrespected staple in the Capital District music scene for years. mikecampese.com, (Empire State College 103, #10: 6pm, 8pm & 10pm) Miss Tess & The Talkbacks makes grooving modern vintage music that nods to the traditions of saloon jazz, country swing, retro-rock, and New Orleans second line, yet somehow maintains a unique and personal sound. This Brooklyn-based group has just released “The Love I Have For You”, their second album, on rootsy label, Signature Sounds (Lake Street Dive, Eilen Jewell, Chris Smither, Erin McKeown). The new album was produced by Miss Tess & The Talkbacks and recorded and mixed by Devin Greenwood (Norah Jones, Anais Mitchell, Amos Lee) in Brooklyn, New York. misstessmusic.com, (First Baptist Church, #17: 7pm, 9pm & 11pm) smart, catchy song writing. The result: a unique and original sound all its own. Formed at the end of 2011, the band quickly made a name for itself on the New York City scene and in the Northeast. Band leader/songwriter Nat Osborn is a charismatic performer with a compelling voice that can croon low in a ballad, soar to falsetto heights or belt and wail like a soul legend. He leads the band front and center behind his signature Nord keyboard. natosborn.com, (Saratoga Springs City Center Meeting Room 2, WEXT FEST, #1: 11pm) The Nisky Dixie Cats are a seven-piece ensemble performing in New York’s Capital District and surrounding areas. They are dedicated to playing New Orleans, Riverboat, and Dixielandstyle jazz. They aim to have fun and sound good. Let the Cats help you tap your feet and dance to the songs of Jelly Roll Morton and other greats of America’s original jazz. niskiedixiecats.com, (Saratoga Springs Visitor Center, #15: 7pm, 9pm & 11pm) Olivia Quillio a singer/songwriter from upstate New York, is reinventing the Modern Torch song. Quillio’s songs explore the coupling of vivid folkinspired lyricism and melodic jazz texture. With a dynamic voice beyond her years, she’s known to captivate any space—be it an intimate living room or a dark bar. Quillio is currently touring the United States with her first studio album, “The Bomb”. oliviaquillio.com, (Saratoga Springs City Center Meeting Room 2, WEXT FEST, #1: 6pm) The Orange, a foursome who formed in The Mop and Bucket Company is the region’s favorite Improv Comedy Troupe. A longtime First Night Saratoga favorite, MOPCO brings to life your suggestions in story, song and games that are fun for all ages. mopco.org, (Lake Avenue School, Gym 1, #8: 6pm, 9pm & 10pm) The Nat Osborn Band melds, mashes, and stirs up styles like a chef mixing spices: a dash of funk here, a dollop of big band there, a sprinkling of reggae all around a solid base of 14 1998, burst onto the American indie rock scene playing gigs across the nation with the likes of Elliot Smith, Mara the Promise Ring, Cave-In and Coheed and Cambria. The opening track, Filibuster, from their first recording, “Big Space Mission” EP, cracked the coveted CMJ Top 200 and became a college radio anthem. The Orange disbanded in 2002 to pursue other musical projects, but in 2014, guitarist Ben Karis-Nix, guitarist Frank Moscowitz, and drummer Dan Sorensen—with new bassist Levi Jennes— reunited to release new material and offer their sweet rock nectars once again! facebook.com/ theorangealbany, (Saratoga Springs City Center Meeting Room 2, WEXT FEST, #1: 10pm) FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 Party Boat plays fun, harmony-driven pop music. Guitarist Benjamin Garrett is into playing “throwback” 60s folk and Americana and launched Party Boat three years ago, inspired by 60s rock like the Beach Boys, Beatles, Kinks, Bob Dylan and Velvet Underground. The four-piece band, including guitarist Collin Reynolds, bassist Dave Farnsworth and drummer Chris Daus, is all about 60s-inspired harmonies, reverb-drenched guitar, sunny melodies and infectious live energy. facebook.com/aquafrolics, (Church of St. Peter Parish Center, INDIE FEST, #13: 7pm & 10pm) Pat Attanasio Band is an original jazz fusion group consisting of Pat Attanasio on violin and guitar, Rich Humowitz on keyboard, Dave Ochal on bass guitar, and Rob Morrison on drums and percussion. The band can often be seen in Saratoga Springs at 9 Maple Ave. and other venues in the area. reverbnation.com/ patattanasio, (Adirondack Trust Bank, #5: 6pm, 8pm & 10pm) Pete and Chris Amusements are the northeast’s ONLY 2-man kid’s comedy magic show! They are a high-energy, frenetic duo who uses lots of kid-friendly slapstick to make sure your kids are chortling for hours after the show! Presto Pete and Incredulous Chris are two brothers from Connecticut who love to bring the fun... and magic... to you! peteandchrisamusements.blogspot.com, (Lake Avenue School Gym 2, #8: 7pm & 9pm) Phil Henry with Gary Moon is a duo not to be missed this First Night. Phil Henry is the real thing, crafting old-school story songs so rich and sweeping that you’ll wish you wrote them yourself. A formally trained musician, he builds strange, beautiful chords and a big acoustic sound, played on instruments he often makes by hand. Henry has played the big stages—Kerrville, Falcon Ridge—and won song contests like SolarFest and Susquehanna. He is joined this First Night by multi-percussionist and fellow songwriter Gary Moon. philhenryband.com, (Caffè Lena, #18: 8pm & 9pm) Racing City Chorus performs a cappella music in the barbershop style of harmony. Their repertoire includes ballads, up-tunes, patriotic, and religious numbers, and on occasion audience participation with sing-alongs on old familiar tunes. racingcitychorus.org, (Church of St. Peter, #12: 9pm & 11pm) Ramblin’ Jug Stompers consists of luminaries from the Capital District music scene, including former and current members of notable Albany bands past and present, including Blotto, The Star Spangled Washboard Band, Rumdummies, Stomplistics, Johnny Rabb’s Rockhouse, The Plague, and more. Their style nods to the great tradition of American string band music while winking directly at the classic jug bands of the sixties folk scene, including The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, The Even Dozen Jug Band, Dave Van Ronk, and The Lovin’ Spoonful. jugstompers.com, (Saratoga Hilton, Saratoga Ballroom, #2: 6pm & 8pm) Rebel Darling is the pen name for singer- songwriter M.R. Poulopoulos and the rotating stable of local and regional musicians who add unique instrumentation to his brand of American blues and roots music. Rooted primarily in M.R. Poulopoulos’ song writing, these talented musicians from diverse backgrounds improvise with the power of the heart and the beauty of the mind. Essentially, Rebel Darling is a feeling, a lifestyle and—most of all—a sound. rebeldarling.com, (Church of St. Peter Parish Center, INDIE FEST, #13: 6pm & 9pm) The Red Haired Strangers have been playing together for over 20 years, forging original music that contains hints of delta blues, country, bluegrass and Americana influences. Along the way, they’ve expanded to include not only guitar and harmonica but also fiddle, drums, dobro and pedal steel guitar. Their music consists of original words set to driving melodies complete with evocative images of wandering, trains, sin and love lost. Their repertoire also includes finger picking, slide and 12 bar blues, old fiddle tunes, bluegrass breakdowns and country stompers, as well as toe-tapping covers from the world of roots music. redhairedstrangers.com, (NBT Bank, #14: 7pm, 9pm & 11pm) FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 15 Rosary Beard has music composed of intricately intertwined acoustic guitar parts cowritten by Hunter Sagehorn and Matthew Loiacono. Each is known in the Northeast for abundantly different music—Sagehorn for angular guitar work in rock band Alta Mira and Loiacono for solo experimental mandolin and voice music as Matthew Carefully. As Rosary Beard, the duo find new synergy in composing quiet, thoughtful music together—skating a line between melancholy reflection and moments of uplifting release. rosarybeard.com, (Saratoga Springs Post Office, #4: 6pm & 8pm) Saratoga Soundtrack Chorus is an award-winning women’s a cappella group that sings everything from standards and jazz to ballads and contemporary songs, in four-part harmony. The chorus has been performing under the direction of the talented composer/arranger/ director Nancy Faddegon since 2008. Their fine musical performances are visually enhanced through characterization and choreography. saratogasoundtrack.org, (Church of St. Peter, #12: 8pm & 10pm) Saratoga Youth Symphony was founded in 2012. Under the leadership of Music Director Katie Gardner, the SYS provides an orchestral experience for talented student musicians ages 18 and under and represents more than two dozen schools throughout the Capital District. saratogayouthsymphony.com, (The Church of St. Peter, #12: 6pm & 7pm) Schuylerville Community Theater’s summer camp kids will represent the hippies and flower children of the 1960s with songs from the retrospective play they performed last July. Some ‘groove-sters’ decide to throw a free Music, Beads and Flowers Celebration. A popular singing group, the “Lemon Bugs”, donates their talent, and in no time busses start arriving at Crumb’s Apple Farm, the site of the festival. Come see if they can pull it off before they get shut down. It’s fast, funky and GROOVY! scttheater.org, (Children’s Museum Community Room, #19: 6pm, 7pm & 8pm) Seina Shirakura is a violinist, violist, fiddler and teacher, who aims to spread her love of music with others. Many have gotten to know her as the fiddler in downtown Saratoga Springs, as she spent 16 much of summer 2014 playing on the Broadway sidewalk. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, SPAC, and more. She attended the Manhattan School of Music for Precollege and currently attends the Hartt School in CT for Violin Performance. (Lifestyles of Saratoga, #20: 6pm, 8pm & 10pm) Silent Wings Raptors bring birds of prey up close courtesy of the Wildlife Institute of Eastern New York. Owls, hawks, eagles and falcons; all have remarkable adaptations and skills for survival in the wild and all are breathtakingly beautiful and fascinating to watch! Admired for their strength, speed and astounding grace, raptors are some of the most successful hunters in the animal kingdom. Their fierce independence and tenacity has been the source of admiration for countless generations. Learn about them, their unique behaviors and the conservation issues that impact them including natural selection and the human impact on species survival. silentwingsraptors.com, (Lake Avenue School Cafeteria, #8: 6pm, 8pm, 10pm) Sirsy is summed up by the Boston Globe: “Little band, big sound.” But the only thing little about Sirsy is that there are just two members. Sirsy plays rock and soul full of sing-along melodies and lots of heart. The Times Union said charismatic front woman Melanie Krahmer has “one of the most powerful and flexible voices you’ll ever hear.” Krahmer also plays a full drum kit—standing up. Guitarist Rich Libutti deploys a giant pedal board full of vintage effects and also plays bass on a keyboard with his feet. Together they create such a full sound it’s hard to believe there are only two people on stage. sirsy.com, (Saratoga Springs City Center Meeting Room 1, #1: 8pm & 11pm) Street Corner Holler features Mark Tolstrup on acoustic and electric slide guitar and vocals, Dale Haskell on drums and vocals and Tony Markellis on bass. The group performs traditional blues and original songs played like they’re out to grab you as you try to stroll by. They brew up a raw, fearless, righteous mix of swamp boogie, buzz-saw FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 blues and delta stomp that is achingly beautiful and haunting. marktolstrup.com, (Empire State College105, #10: 7pm, 9pm & 11pm) Talia Denis is a young singer-songwriter who creates music that is known for being fun and inspirational while also introducing complex chord progressions, rhythms and time-signature changes. Denis has gained notoriety for being the “real” kid musician, who tours with her own band made up of New York City musicians. From pure piano ballads to over driven rock tunes, Denis takes the craft of writing and arranging music seriously. Denis has shared the stage with The X Factor’s Fifth Harmony and the legendary Rusted Root. taliadenis.com, (St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, TEEN FEST, #9: 8pm & 11pm) Thirteen Feet of Bluegrass plays high- energy acoustic 70s and 80s country rock, blues, bluegrass and originals—all done in their own style. The band’s four seasoned musicians include vocalist and guitarist Pat Liddy; distinctive banjo stylist Bob Altschuler; bluegrass, jazz, Dixieland, rock and folk veteran Randy Jennings on bass and vocals; and Nick Viscio, whose high energy fiddling is inspired by swing, rock, bluegrass and French Canadian styles. (Saratoga Springs Visitor Center, #15: 6pm, 8pm & 10pm) The Zucchini Brothers, originally from Saratoga Springs, NY, but now living in a clubhouse in “ZucchiniLand”, are well-known for their concerts in schools, theaters and festivals throughout the country, as well as their internationally syndicated weekly radio show “The Zucchini Brothers, Live! at the Clubhouse.” Winners of the NAPPA Gold Award and the Parents’ Choice Gold Award, the Zucchini Brothers have received critical acclaim for their albums. “The Beatles of Kids’ Music” are what the Zucchini Brothers, Jack, Steve and Sam are often called. Words of wisdom set to foot-tapping music are what the Zucchini Brothers deliver. zucchinibrothers.com, (Lake Avenue School Gym 1, #8: 7pm & 8pm) Quick Guide to the Performers HEADLINERS Lustre Kings Tartan Terrors WEXT FEST Beaked Whale Bear Grass Great Mutations Nat Osborn Olivia Quillio The Orange INDIE FEST Gusto Party Boat Rebel Darling TEEN FEST Talia Denis Good Fiction Hawkeye Band OLD FAVORITES Annie & the Hedonists Graham Tichy Hot Club of Saratoga Harold Ford: The Spirit Ramblin’ Jug Stompers Sirsy A CAPPELLA / INSTRUMENTAL Racing City Chorus Rosary Beard Saratoga Soundtrack Chorus Saratoga Youth Symphony Seina Shirakura COUNTRY ROCK / FOLK / COUNTRY 18 Strings of Trouble Al & Kathy Bain w/ Gary Blodgett Ashley Sofia Phil Henry & Gary Moon Jack Grace Red Haired Strangers The Dry Town Drifters BLUES / WORLD MUSIC Heard Holly & Evan J.V. and the Cutters McCabe, Bolton & Greene Brenda Fisher & Ronald Whitford Street Corner Holler JAZZ / BLUEGRASS 2 Lonesome Brass & Blues C.C. Vagabonds Holly Beltran Jim Gaudette & The Railroad Boys Lee Shaw Trio Nisky Dixie Cats Thirteen Feet of Bluegrass FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 INSPIRED BY THE 50s, 60s & 70s Betsy and the ByeGons Big Fez and the Surfmatics Deena Chappell Heavenly Echoes MORE FUN FOR THE FAMILY Airborne Comedians Buckaroo Bindlestiff’s Wild West Jamboree Pete & Chris: Magic Show Zucchini Brothers JoJo’s Fabulous Faces Schuylerville Community Theater Silent Wing Raptors SOLO ARTISTS THEATER & MORE! A World for You Ballston Spa Film Festival Don White Joan Scannell MaryLeigh Roohan Michael Angelini Mike Campese Mop & Bucket Company Pat Attanasio The Doug Irving Project 17 Our Sponsors THANK YOU! First Night Saratoga would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors. Their devotion to the communities of the Saratoga region make it possible for the arts to reach nearly 15,000 people of all ages in the largest, most family-friendly New Year’s Eve event north of New York City! Signature Sponsor Premiere Sponsors Underwriting Sponsors Center Stage Sponsors Fireworks Sponsors 5K Sponsors Showcase Sponsors 18 Freihofer’s High Peak Sounds, Inc. Lee Investment Management Miller Printing National Grid Saratoga National Bank Saratoga Wire Windows on Broadway Sponsors Hospitality Sponsors Gaffney’s Restaurant Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau Courtyard by Marriott Cudney’s Launderers and Dry Cleaners Four Winds Residence Inn Saratoga Saratoga's Community Federal Credit Union Wells Communications The Wesley Community The Fairfield Inn by Marriott The Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs Hyatt Place Saratoga/Malta FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 19 20 FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 A R T S F I R S T Big Fez and Surfmatics Al and Kathy Bain with Gary Blodgett Buckaroo Bindlestiff's Wild West Jamboree Rosary Beard Pat Attanasio Band Betsy & the ByeGons The Mop and Bucket Company Airborne Comedians 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 8 8 8 9 Temple Sinai Saratoga Springs Post Office Adirondack Trust Bank Hampton Inn & Suites NYS Military Museum Lake Ave School (Auditorium) Lake Ave School (Gym #1) Lake Ave School (Gym #2) Lake Ave School (Cafeteria) Lake Ave School (Cafeteria) St. Paul's Lutheran Church Empire State College (Room #103) Empire State College (Room #104) Empire State College (Room #105) Silent Wings Raptors Meet the Birds Pete and Chris Amusements The Zucchini Brothers Tarot Readings and Numerology with Joan Scannell, 6-10pm Brass and Blues 10 Street Corner Holler The Doug Irving Project Mike Campese 10 Brass and Blues Mike Campese Good Fiction Talia Denis Silent Wings Raptors Airborne Comedians The Zucchini Brothers Buckaroo Bindlestiff's Wild West Jamboree Matt McCabe with Rick Bolton & Arlin Greene Betsy & the ByeGons Pat Attanasio Band Rosary Beard Hot Club of Saratoga Ramblin Jug Stompers Great Mutations The Hawkeye Band Jojos Fabulous Faces, 6-11pm Silent Wings Raptors Buckaroo Bindlestiff's Wild West Jamboree Deena Chappell Hot Club of Saratoga Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys Beaked Whale Sirsy The Lustre Kings 8:00 10 TEEN FEST MaryLeigh Roohan Hot Club of Saratoga 2 Saratoga Hilton (Saratoga Ballroom) Ramblin Jug Stompers Olivia Quillio WEXT FEST 1 Saratoga Springs City Center (Meeting Room #2) J.V. & The Cutters Bryan Thomas 1 Tartan Terrors The Lustre Kings Saratoga Springs City Center (Meeting Room #1) 7:00 6:00 Saratoga Springs City Center (Main Hall) Map Location 1 VENUE Street Corner Holler The Doug Irving Project The Hawkeye Band Silent Wings Raptors Meet the Birds Pete and Chris Amusements The Mop and Bucket Company Al and Kathy Bain with Gary Blodgett Big Fez and Surfmatics MaryLeigh Roohan 2Lonesome Jack Grace Graham Tichy Bear Grass Bryan Thomas Brass and Blues Mike Campese Good Fiction Silent Wings Raptors Airborne Comedians The Mop and Bucket Company Matt McCabe with Rick Bolton & Arlin Greene Betsy & the ByeGons Pat Attanasio Band Deena Chappell Jack Grace Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys The Orange J.V. & The Cutters Street Corner Holler The Doug Irving Project Talia Denis Big Fez and Surfmatics MaryLeigh Roohan 2Lonesome Jack Grace Graham Tichy Nat Osborn Band Sirsy Tartan Terrors 11:00 S A R A T O G A The Lustre Kings 10:00 N I G H T Tartan Terrors 9:00 IMPORTANT: Please refer to the Program Guidebook or the website www.saratoga-arts.org for the most updated information. S A R A T O G A P R E S E N T S : SARATOGA ARTS PRESENTS: FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA 2015 FN15 Buttoncard Chart_2015 10/31/14 4:25 PM Page 1 FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 21 The Dry Town Drifters Alpacas of Breezy Hill Ranch, 6pm-midnight Thirteen Feet of Bluegrass 10 10 11 12 13 14 14 15 16 16 17 18 19 20 Empire State College (Room #105) Empire State College (Rotunda) Presbyterian - New England Congregational Church Church of St. Peter Church of St. Peter Parish Center (building behind church) NBT Bank NBT Bank (parking lot) Saratoga Springs Visitors Center Saratoga Arts (Gallery) Saratoga Arts (Dee Sarno Theater) First Baptist Church Caffé Lena Childrens Museum (Community Room) Lifestyles of Saratoga Seina Shirakura Schuylerville Community Theater Don White Harold Ford – The Spirit: A Tribute to Johnny Cash Ballston Spa Film Festival A World For You Rebel Darling Saratoga Youth Symphony Heavenly Echoes C.C. Vagabonds Brass and Blues Good for ONE ADMISSION of a Child 12 and Under FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA 2015 DETACH THIS COUPON AND REDEEM IT THE NIGHT OF THE EVENT ONLY AT: Saratoga City Center - 522 Broadway, Saratoga Arts - 320 Broadway, Lake Avenue School - 126 Lake Avenue at Regent. Participants receive a wristband that will allow one admission of a child 12 years old and under. www.GEKidsinFreeDays.com The Doug Irving Project Mike Campese Talia Denis Seina Shirakura Schuylerville Community Theater Phil Henry with Gary Moon Harold Ford – The Spirit: A Tribute to Johnny Cash Lee Shaw Trio Holly & Evan Thirteen Feet of Bluegrass The Dry Town Drifters Gusto Saratoga Soundtrack Chorus Heavenly Echoes C.C. Vagabonds Brass and Blues Holly Beltran Congress Park cannot be entered during the fireworks, but Saratoga Arts provides a perfect viewing area by arranging for the streets to be closed at the intersection of Spring and Putnam Streets, near the carousel. and the 100th Anniversary of Saratoga Spring’s incorporation as a city with the First Night Saratoga fireworks display. At midnight, after a few words from Mayor of Saratoga Springs, Joanne Yepsen, Alonzo Fireworks will present a dazzling display in Congress Park. RING IN THE NEW YEAR Holly Beltran Ashley Sofia Miss Tess & the Talkbacks HEARD Holly & Evan Nisky Dixie Cats Red Haired Strangers Gusto Racing City Chorus 18 Strings of Trouble Annie and The Hedonists Street Corner Holler The Doug Irving Project Talia Denis WITH SUPPORT FROM SARATOGA ARTS PRESENTED BY Fireworks at Midnight! Seina Shirakura Ashley Sofia Harold Ford – The Spirit: A Tribute to Johnny Cash HEARD Brenda Fisher and Ron Whitford Thirteen Feet of Bluegrass The Dry Town Drifters Party Boat Saratoga Soundtrack Chorus 18 Strings of Trouble C.C. Vagabonds Brass and Blues Mike Campese Good Fiction www.saratoga-arts.org First Night schedule may be subject to slight changes. For most complete info, refer to the program guide books, or visit: A huge “THANK YOU” to the hundreds of First Night Saratoga Volunteers, without whose commitment and support, First Night Saratoga would not be possible. SARATOGA CONVENTION AND TOURISM BUREAU AND GAFFNEY’S RESTAURANT Phil Henry with Gary Moon Miss Tess & the Talkbacks Lee Shaw Trio A World For You Nisky Dixie Cats Red Haired Strangers Rebel Darling Racing City Chorus Mike Angelini Annie and The Hedonists Street Corner Holler The Doug Irving Project The Hawkeye Band Meet the Birds At 5:30pm, the annual First Night 5K run will take off from Skidmore College Athletic Complex and will wind its way around the campus, finishing back at the Athletic Complex. Weather permitting. Limited to 1,500 runners. 5K RUN INTO THE NEW YEAR Holly Beltran Schuylerville Community Theater Don White Miss Tess & the Talkbacks Brenda Fisher and Ron Whitford Nisky Dixie Cats Red Haired Strangers Party Boat Saratoga Youth Symphony Heavenly Echoes Annie and The Hedonists Street Corner Holler Tarot Readings and Numerology with Joan Scannell, 6-10pm art after dark! INDIE FEST 10 Empire State College (Room #104) Mike Campese Good Fiction 10 The Hawkeye Band Empire State College (Room #103) TEEN FEST 9 St. Paul's Lutheran Church Jojos Fabulous Faces, 6-11pm Lake Ave School (Cafeteria) Meet the Birds 8 ✃ APPRECIATE 12,000+ VISITORS 3 ON-SITE GALLERIES 6 OFF-SITE GALLERIES LOCAL, REGIONAL + NATIONAL ARTISTS EXHIBITIONS DISCOVER EDUCATION 950+ STUDENTS 100 CLASSES + WORKSHOPS 6 WEEKS OF SUMMER CAMP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS FOR ARTISTS SUPPORT ENRICHING THE REGION! BY CULTIVATING A ! VIBRANT ARTS COMMUNITY ! AND BY ENSURING THAT THE ARTS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. SPACE RENTALS FIRST NIGHT GRANTS $940,000 AWARDED SINCE 1991 $81,900 AWARDED IN 2014 TO 32 PROJECTS ARTISTS, NON-PROFITS + SCHOOLS IN SARATOGA, FULTON, AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES EXPERIENCE ART TOURS! +! SPECIAL EVENTS PARTNERS WITH EDVENTURES TRAVEL FOR OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL TOURS! PLAYS, CONCERTS, FILMS, LECTURES + MORE IN 110 SEAT THEATER CELEBRATE 10K VISITORS ON FIRST NIGHT 2014 70+ LOCAL, REGIONAL, + NATIONAL PERFORMING ACTS 30+ VENUES ENTERTAIN LOW COST RENTALS FOR INDIVIDUALS + REGIONAL GROUPS MULTI USE CLASSROOMS DISCOUNTED RATES FOR MEMBERS 22 FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 320 Broadway Saratoga Springs NY 12866 518-584-4132 The Art of First Night December 1 - January 30 19 years of First Night poster design From December 2014 -January 2015, Saratoga Arts will be displaying posters created for First Night Saratoga (between 1995-2013) in our Reception Room Gallery. Visitors can purchase any of the posters from our archive to start or add to their collections with all of the proceeds from sales directly supporting Saratoga Arts’ programming. In The Arts Center Gallery The Annual Members’ Show November 15 - December 31 150 works | 150 artists FIRST NIGHT SARATOGA • THE SARATOGIAN & COMMUNITY NEWS • DECEMBER 2014 23