Calendar

Thursday, Dec. 6 CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP: A caregivers’ support group with Pierre Zimmerman, MS, meets on the first Thursday of each month at Saratoga Hospital. The group is free and open to all, but preregistration is required. For more information and directions to the meeting space, call Pierre at 413-992-7012. Presented by One Roof Center for Holistic Practices. CLIFTON PARK SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER: Chorus concert, 1 p.m. 6 Clifton Common Court, Clifton Park. Free and open to the public. DUDLEY OBSERVATORY: Every Thursday, rain or shine, join miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, for “Evenings at the Dudley Observatory”. Educators from the Dudley Observatory at miSci will operate their14-inch telescope inside the roll-top roof observatory, allowing visitors to see stars, planets, galaxies, and more each night. In the event of poor weather, there will be hands-on activities indoors. The observatory at 15 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, will be open from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. through March 7, 2019. miSci galleries will be open continuously from 9a.m. until the observatory closes. Access to the observatory or activities is free with museum admission ($12 Adult, $10 Senior, $8 Child, free for miSci members). GOVERNOR’S MANSION/

FESTIVAL OF TREES: The Saratoga Senior Center takes part in a guided tour of the holiday-decorated Governor’s Mansion. After lunch at the Albany Pump Station, the tour will continue at the Schenectady Festival of Trees. Bus leaves the Center, 5 Williams Street, Saratoga Springs, at 9:45 a.m. Pay $10 at sign-up and please bring $6 for admission to the Festival of Trees, as well as additional money for lunch and shopping. Please bring your photo ID.

GREEN DRINKS: Green Drinks is a “green gathering” for those who work, volunteer, or have a passion for promoting the environment, conservation, and sustainability. Drop in at Harvey’s in the Library Room at 14 Phila Street on the first Thursday of every month between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to meet new people, learn about local green initiatives, and share what you’ve been working on. Happy Hour runs until 6:30 p.m. with 1⁄2 priced drafts, wines, and cocktails. Non-alcoholic drinks and food may also be ordered. KWVA CHRISTMAS PARTY: The Christmas Luncheon for Ch. 60, Korean War Veterans’ Association, will be held on Thursday, December 6, at the Log Jam Restaurant, located on the right at the end of the Outlets in Queensbury. Gene and Patti Slavin will be the hosts for the event, which will include entertainment and a large raffle. Please make reservations with the Slavins by December 4 by calling 518-793-2358. Veterans who served anywhere during the Korean War, or in Korea at any time, as well as spouses, widows, friends and relatives are invited to attend. SARATOGA FILM FORUM: “Wildlife,” a film that has nothing to do with animals, starring Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal. 7:30 p.m., Springs Street Gallery, 110 Spring Street, Saratoga Springs. General admission $10, students with ID and Film Forum members $8. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. For more information and advance ticket sales visit www.SaratogaFilmForum.

SKIDMORE COLLEGE: Opening reception for “Pattern,” featuring selected student work from the Fall 2018 Art Department. 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Schick Art Gallery, Saisselin Art Building. The exhibit continues through December 14. For more information call 518-580-5030. Concert by Skidmore Guitar Ensemble, 7 p.m., Zankel Music Center. For more information call 518-580-5321 or visit www. skidmore.edu/zankel.

TANG MUSEUM: The Severely Brothers are a band fronted by Tim Davis, whose exhibition “Tim Davis – When We Are Dancing (I Get Ideas)” is on view at the Tang Museum. The band sings songs about photography written concurrently with the making of photographs. A slide show of Davis’s work accompanies the 7 p.m. performance. For reservations or more information, call 518-580-8080. Friday, Dec. 7 BALLSTON SPA HOLIDAY PARADE: The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association’s annual Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting takes place, Friday, December 7. The step off time is 6:30 pm, proceeding on Milton Avenue and ending in Wiswall Park on Front Street with Santa lighting the Christmas tree. After lighting the village Christmas tree, Santa Claus heads to Ballston Spa National Bank on Front Street where he visits with kids of all ages. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to

Toys For Tots along the parade route. The parade headlines a holiday-themed “First Friday”, Ballston Spa’s signature monthly event. Ballston Spa High School singers and musicians and Union Fire Company band members perform carols on the street corners. For more information, visit www. ballston.org. CHRISTMAS IN CAMBRIDGE WEEKEND: Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 7, for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in Memorial Park in Cambridge. Local shops will have extended hours as sales in many locations and eggnog, cookies and treats in selected shops. For more information visit cambridgenychamber.com or email cambridgechamber@gmail.com. CLIFTON PARK SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER: The Center’s Diabetes Support Group meets on the first Friday of each month, facilitated by Saratoga County Public Health Services. This month’s meeting features Shannon Lawler from the Alzheimer’s Association. 11 a.m. – noon, 6 Clifton Common Court, Clifton Park. Call 518-383-1343 for more information. EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA JAZZ CONCERT: Hear the ESYO Youth Jazz Orchestra and the ESYO Repertory Jazz Orchestra in concert on Friday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Guilderland High School, 8 School Road, Guilderland Center. Adults $10, students/seniors $5. To purchase tickets, please visit: https://esyo.org/programs/ concerts-events. GAVIN PARK TREE LIGHT

ING: Enjoy the magical lighting of a Colorado Blue Spruce tree in Gavin Park, Wilton, on Friday, December 7. A variety of holiday decorations will adorn the park, and the fire department will bring Santa so he can visit the children and provide a holiday surprise (while supplies last). The whole family will enjoy costumed characters like Frosty, Rudolph and magical elves, as well as live holiday music, movies, crafts, light refreshments and more. 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., 10 Lewis Drive, Wilton. For more information call 518-584-9455. HISTORY MUSEUM GALA: The Saratoga Springs History Museum’s 13th annual Holiday Gala, with honorary chairpersons Michael and Marci Phinney, takes place on Friday, December 7, from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. at the Historic Canfield Casino. Longfellow’s Restaurant provides sumptuous dinner station and a

silent auction makes holiday giving a breeze. Advance tickets $75, $80 at the door, junior/member tickets $65. For more information visit http://www.saratogahistory.org/holiday-gala-atthe-lakehouse. JAMES HOWARD KUNSTLER: Popular blogger, author and speaker James Howard Kunstler, a Greenwich resident for the past six years, is the featured speaker at the Battenkill Conservancy’s Winter Holiday Fundraiser, “Our Downtowns – Our Battenkill,” on Friday, December 7. Kunstler’s talk, ”A River Runs Through It,” is an ode to Battenkill Conservancy’s mission and its annual river festival. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Gather, 103 Main Street, Greenwich. Space is limited. For more information, call 518-6772545 or email bkc@battenkillconservancy.org. SANTA’S PLAYLAND: Quick Response Restoration hosts its annual Santa’s Playland Open House on December 7 and December 8 from 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. at 2077 Route 9, Round Lake. Guests can visit with Santa, take a ride on horse drawn wagon or hop aboard a tractor drawn train ride. Refreshments of hot chocolate, coffee and cookies are served. The event is completely free to the public. SARATOGA FILM FORUM: “Wildlife,” a film that has nothing to do with animals, starring Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal. 7:30 p.m., Springs Street Gallery, 110 Spring Street, Saratoga Springs. General admission $10, students with ID and Film Forum members $8. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. For more information and advance ticket sales visit www.SaratogaFilmForum. WINTER DANCE CONCERT: Skidmore College’s Winter Dance Concert features the Skidmore premier of Paul Taylor’s “Runes,” the culmination of a three-week residency with members of Taylor2, a six-dancer ensemble established by the late Paul Taylor. 8 p.m., Skidmore Dance Theater. Adults $12, seniors $9, students $5. For more information call 518-580-5383. Saturday, Dec. 8 BIKE GIVEAWAY: Bikeatoga holds its annual Holiday Kids Bike Giveaway on Saturday, December 8, at the Bikeatoga workshop in Saratoga Springs. Approximately 60 bikes will be given away to children through age 17. Parents or guardians of children who are in need of a free bicycle must call the Bikeatoga phone line at 518-290-0065 and leave a voicemail. You will receive a return call with an appointment for Saturday, December 8, and directions to the Bikeatoga Workshop. The Giveaway is by appointment only, and a parent or guardian must be present. BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association presents their annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 8, from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. in the gymnasium of St. Mary’s School, 40 Thompson Street in the Village of Ballston Spa. Pancake breakfast will be provided courtesy of the Eagle Matt Lee and Union Fire Companies. Children and families will enjoy activities, live performances and a chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. $5 per person; no reservations necessary. More information can be found at www.ballston.org. CAMBRIDGE FINE ART TOUR: Travel to the Village of Cambridge on “Christmas in Cambridge” weekend and visit six local artists in five locations on the Cambridge Valley Fine Art Tour from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. While in Cambridge visit the numerous restaurants, shops and galleries and take part in Christmas in Cambridge events around the village. For more information about the artists and a map to their locations, visit www. cambridgevalleyart.org. CHRISTMAS AT THE FORT: The Fort Plain Museum’s annual Christmas at the Fort will be held on Saturday, December 8, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Events include the debut of museum chairman Norm Bollen’s new book, “George Washington and the Mohawk Frontier,” a local author book fair, colonial Christmas music by the Liaisons Plaisantes, from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. and much more. The museum is located at 389 Canal Street, Fort Plain. CHRISTMAS IN CAMBRIDGE: December 8 is a very full day of holiday events in Cambridge, starting with the annual Holiday Breakfast at Hubbard Hall, with seatings at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Cambridge United Presbyterian Church hosts a Christmas Goodies Holiday Bazaar, while Cambridge Central School hosts the Christmas in Cambridge Craft Fair from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. A lighted Holiday Parade and Ugly Sweater contest starts at 7 p.m. at 129 East Main Street and ends at Cambridge Railroad Park on Broad Street near the Argyle Brewery. For more information visit cambridgenychamber.com. D-DAY 75TH ANNIVERSARY TRIP: Saratoga Arts will celebrate the 75th anniversary of D-Day in 2019 with a “Vive La France” tour to Normandy and Paris from May 22-31. You’re invited to a trip overview presentation on Saturday, December 8, at 11:30 a.m. at 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. For a detailed itinerary, email goedventures@gmail.com or call 607-387-3322. ESYO HOLIDAY BOOK FAIR: Small ensembles from the Empire State Youth Orchestra will perform at the Colonie Center Barnes & Noble for the holiday spirit from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 8, while members gift-wrap your presents and raise awareness for their organization. A percentage of purchases made at the Colonie Center Barnes & Noble will benefit ESYO at no additional cost to you. Simply tell your cashier that you wish to support ESYO. HYDE HALL POP-UP STORE: Featuring books and gift items from the Museum Bookstore, quilts, pottery, candles and more, with hot mulled cider donated by Fly Creek Cider Mill. 10 a.m. – 2:20 p.m., Kent Center, Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown. Please enter via Glimmerglass State Park. For more information call 607-5475098 or visit HydeHall.org. NACRE DANCE: “Christmas Oratorio” is based on modern dance pioneer Charles Weidman’s later version from 1961, which remains a much-loved classic work of modern dance. Performances at 1p.m. and 4 p.m., with tea between performances, at Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Avenue. Individual tickets $20, family tickets $35. Get tickets online at https://christmasoratorio.brownpapertickets.com/.