Jazz festival at SPAC this weekend
Expanded jazz festival returns to SPAC this weekend
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » It’s expected to be an extra-jazzy weekend in the Spa City with the return of the newly expanded Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival.
Before everyone heads to Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Saturday and Sunday, festivities will start on Friday this year with the first- ever Freihofer’s Jazz Fest Friday set to take place in the evening at different venues throughout Saratoga Springs and beyond. Free live jazz will be featured at a number of shops, restaurants, hotels and other hotspots to welcome event-goers into the city as they arrive for the weekend, while offering locals a unique opportunity to go out on the town as well.
Businesses like The Adelphi Hotel, The Local, Racing City Brewery, G. Willikers and famous venue Caffe Lena, along with many more, will be part of the Jazz Festival weekend kickoff, created in collaboration with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to these jazz-inspired festivities scheduled for Jazz Fest Friday, SPAC’s Action Council will present the featured event, A Night on Bourbon Street, at the Canfield Casino in Congress Park. Bourbon Street- inspired revelry will begin at 7:30pm, with the main live music event at 9 p.m. Guests are encouraged to don their flapper best as they enjoy tunes from bold jazz trumpeter and smoky vocalist Bria Skonberg, New Orleans inspired fare by Lily and the Rose gourmet catering, and sumptuous cocktails at the open bar befitting of a festive “Big Easy” fête.
“Our new A Night on Bourbon Street event was created to invite our jazz festival attendees downtown to celebrate Saratoga’s rich history as a ‘ jazz city,’” said Elizabeth Sobol, president and CEO of SPAC, in a press release. “Featuring a sultry speakeasy vibe, a phenomenal performance by Bria Skonberg, delectable food, and bathtub gin - it is a sensational way to kick- off our Freihofer’s Jazz Festival weekend.”
Keeley DeSalvo, event cochair and Owner of the Savory Pantry added, “A Night on Bourbon Street gives new meaning to ‘ Let the Good Times Roll!’ From jazz and classic cocktails to sumptuous New Orleans cuisine and a turn at the gaming tables, this is a not-to-be-missed evening.”
The next two days, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center grounds will be bustling with jazz fans for the 41st annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival. A total of nearly two dozen acts will perform between the main amphitheater stage and the newly dedicated Charles R. Wood “Jazz Discovery” Stage throughout the weekend. Headlining artists and jazz luminaries include Chris Botti, Herbie Hancock, Joey Alexander, Jon Batiste with The Dap-Kings and Gregory Porter as well as gospel and R&B legend Mavis Staples - with a special DJ session featuring classic jazz hits by 2018 NEA Jazz Master recipient Todd Barkan each day.
Additionally, emerging artists making their Saratoga Springs debuts on the Discovery Stage include Lakecia Benjamin and SoulSquad, Scott Sharrard & The Brickyard Band, Jazzmeia Horn and Keyon Harrold.
“For the first time, we are kicking- off our legendary Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival a day early with our new Freihofer’s Jazz Fest Friday initiative, in partnership with the Saratoga County Chamber. Longtime festival attendees who have never been to downtown Saratoga will have the opportunity to explore our vibrant city with scores of free jazz events — and Saratogians who have never been to the festival will be able to sample a taste of jazz at their favorite restaurants, bars and hotels,” Sobol said in the days before the festival. “We can’t think of a more festive and celebratory way to start the weekend festival, headlined by international icons Chris Botti, Jon Batiste, Mavis Staples, Gregory Porter
and Esperanza Spalding, to name a few.”
Tickets for A Night on Bourbon Street start at $150 and are available at spac.org. Proceeds are in support of SPAC’s educational programs.