1. art and entertainment

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
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S P R I N G S ,
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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
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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
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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
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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!
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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)
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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