Festival weekend shows summer fun not over
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Labor Day has come and gone.
The track has closed, the kids are back in school, those free outdoor summer music concerts are finished and pumpkin-everything is lined up on store shelves.
But not to worry, summer fun isn’t over.
There are at least four major outdoor festivals taking place in the area this weekend. One centers on music; two celebrate ethnic cultures through food and music. The fourth honors the noble blue-collar sailing vessel – the sturdy tugboat.
Arguably, the single biggest event of the weekend is the Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival at Jenning’s Landing in the Corning Preserve. From noon to eight there will be non-stop music – all free of charge. It’s the kind of event that twists the mind of anyone who has ever tried to define jazz.
The headliner (6:30 -8:30 p.m.) is The Bad Plus, a boundary breaking trio with a flair for redefining the traditional idea of comfort zone jazz. Playing just ahead of them is the Dizzy Gillespie All Stars (4:30-6 pm.) who feature the jazz sounds of the 1940s and 50s. Black Brass (3-4 p.m.) is a horn-driven jazz/funk ensemble and Skip Parsons and the Riverboat Jazz Band, (1:30-2:30) are local legends who, with their classic sound, make every event a party.
Guitarist Charlie Apicella kicks things off at noon. The festivities close with a major fireworks display.
If you like the diversity of jazz and want to honor the past and experience the future of the art form, Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival is the place to be on Saturday.
Certainly the Albany Jazz Festival is the big ticket item for music, but Schenectady is offering competition for your time. A few blocks apart from each other are the St. George Orthodox Church Greek Festival and the Jay Street Italian Festival. Filled with music, dance, vendors and amazing food the two are celebrations of proud cultures.
Separating the two is the decision whether you prefer Greek Moussaka or Italian Lasagna? The Italian Zeppole or Greek Loukoumades? Either is a good answer.
Fortunately, you don’t have to choose one over the other. You can do both in a single day - or enjoy on separate days. The Italian Festival is one day only - Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. , but the Greek Festival runs for three days – 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, noon – 5 p.m. on Sunday. You can do both. The Italian Festival is a typical street fair. It’s on Jay Street just off Union Avenue, which happens to be the home of several of the best Italian restaurants in the area. Establishments like Perreca’s, Civitello’s and Cornell’s will be open for business.
Better yet, they and other fine restaurants have outdoor stations in front of their buildings selling some signature food items.
It’s not just food and drink that will be available. There are craft and specialty vendors lining the street as well.
And there is constant music on two stages. The main stage performers go from noon to 9 p.m., featuring popular local groups like Grand Central Station, Happy Daze and 2096.
The Greek Festival takes place inside both the Hellenic Center and in a huge tent at the rear of the building. There are tables which make it easy to consume Greek specialties like Moussaka, Chicken Souvlaki, Lamb Shanks Youvetsi or Dolmades. As for desserts, there’ll be pastries such as Baklava and Souvlaki.
At St. George’s you will be able to appreciate the music of Prometheus and enjoy the dancing of the St. George Youth Dancers. Take-out is available.
Another three-day event taking place this weekend is the Tugboat Roundup in Waterford. There will be plenty of vendors to offer food and drink, as well as near-constant music and family entertainment.
However, in Waterford the emphasis is on the powerful boats that come from all over the state (and beyond) to participate in this Tug Round-up.
At the Tug Fest gawking is not only permitted, it’s encouraged. You will be able to go aboard the boats to explore and learn facts from the crew.
The 30 or so tugs arrive on Friday, gathering at the Corning Preserve in Albany. They parade up river to Waterford about 3:30 p.m. Most boats arrive at the dock by the Waterford Visitors Center by 5:30 p.m., where the party begins. The music continues until 9 pm.
There will be festivities, family games, talks and food vendors available.
Things start again at 10 on Saturday. There’ll be tugboat tours, excursions (for a fee), kids’ activities, pony rides and face painting. Inside the visitors center there will be talks about the history of tugs and their connection to the history of the region. There will also be seamen contests – like rope throwing. And of course, there is music throughout the day.
It all continues until the fireworks display at 8:30 p.m.
Sunday the festivities begin again at 10 a.m. In the afternoon there are award ceremonies, music and games. It wraps up about 3p.m.
Labor Day is gone, but the outdoor fun continues.