Saratoga Fundraisers

What: Old Bags Luncheon – Silent auction of new, gently used, vintage, and designer handbags and more
When: August 3, 11am
Where: Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa
Ticket price: $150
Proceeds benefit: National Museum of Dance, Saratoga
Contact: 212.521.5305

What: Saratoga Historical Society Antique Show & Sale
When: August 10-12, 5pm
Where: Canfield Casino in Congress Park
Ticket price: $7 per person
Proceeds benefit: Historical Society of Saratoga Springs
Contact: 584.6900

What: Dare to Dream Gala – Honoring Hall of Fame Jockey Jerry Bailey with honorary chairpersons Mary Lou Whitney and John Hendrickson. Featuringlive music, dancing
When: August 13, 7pm-11pm
Where: The Saratoga Polo Club, Greenfield Center
Ticket price: $75 per person; $600 for table of 8.
Proceeds benefit: The Prevention Council
Contact: 581.1230 ext. 12

What: NYS Troopers vs. the Saratoga Jockeys in a softball game
When: August 13, 6pm
Where: Eastside Recreational Field, Saratoga
Ticket price: Adults $5; $3 for children under 12
Proceeds benefit: Catie Hoch Foundation and the fight against childhood cancer
Contact: 877.7539

What: Epiphany’s Broadway Belters and Bidders
When: August 13, 7pm
Where: Epiphany Theater Company, Saratoga Springs
Ticket price: $125 (a limited number of $50 are available for Epiphany fans under age 35).
Proceeds benefit: Epiphany Theater Company
Contact: 691.9780; www.epiphanytheater.org

What: Garden Party Fundraiser – Lunch, wine, pampering service providers, bachelor auction, silent auction
When: August 21, 1pm-4pm
Where: Union Gables B & B, Saratoga
Ticket price: $55
Proceeds benefit: Shelters of Saratoga, Inc.
Contact: 581.1097

What: Belmont Child Care Association Benefit – Dinner and auction fundraiser honoring Gretchen and Roy Jackson, owners of Barbaro
When: August 22, 7pm
Where: The Gideon Putnam Hotel in the Spa State Park
Ticket price: $200 per person
Proceeds benefit: Belmont Child Care Association
Contact: 516.488.2130

What: Travers Celebration Gala – Featuring fine dining, dancing and silent auctions
When: August 23, 6pm
Where: Saratoga Race Course
Proceeds benefit: Double H Ranch and Backstretch Employees Service Team.
Contact: 383.6183

What: Battle of the Brews – Age 21 and older. Taste micro brews from local businesses and cast your vote for your favorite beer
When: August 24, 12pm-4:30pm
Where: The Saratoga Race Course
Proceeds benefit: The American Red Cross
Contact: 792.6545

What: The 10th Anniversary of Heroes & Hope Dinner, dancing, the music of TS Ensemble, a complimentary open bar spectacular live and silent auctions
When: August 24, 6:30-10:30pm
Where: The Canfield Casino, Saratoga Springs.
Proceeds benefits: The Upstate New York/Vermont Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Ticket prices: $135 for 35 and older; $100 for under 35; admission at the door is $150.
Contact: 438.3583; 866.255.3583

What: Travers Wine Tasting – Featuring more than 200 wines from around the globe, gourmet cuisine from the finest local restaurants.Live & silent auction, live jazz and fabulous desserts
When: August 24, 7pm-11pm
Where: National Museum of Racing, Saratoga Springs
Ticket price: $125 per person
Proceeds benefit: Senior Services of Albany’s Meal on Wheels and other senior programs.
Contact: 463.4381

What: Adirondack Spectacular – A 5K, 6 or 12-mile cycle/run/walk event. Raises Hemophilia and Organ Donation awareness
When: August 25, 10am
Where: Mayfield Fairgrounds, Mayfield
Ticket price: Adults $25, children $10, family $60
Proceeds benefit: The Lawrence Madeiros Memorial Scholarship fund.
Contact: 661.6005

What: 7th Annual Wine & Food Festival – pairing dinners, music and grand tasting
When: September 6, 7, 8
Where: SPAC, times vary
Ticket price: Varies
Proceeds benefit: SPAC
Contact: 584.9330

What: 3rd Annual“Feast of the Fields” – A Culinary Extravaganza pairing award-winning celebrity chefs with fresh local farm produce
When: September 20, 6pm-9pm
Where: Saratoga Polo, Saratoga
Ticket price: $150 per person
Proceeds benefit: Saratoga P.L.A.N (Preserving Land And Nature)
Contact: 587.5554

What: Catiebug Gala – Live jazz, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, carving stations and a live auction
When: September 29
Where: Saratoga Automobile Museum, Spa State Park
Ticket price: $100 per person
Proceeds benefit: The Catie Hoch Foundation and the fight against childhood cancer.
Contact: 877.7539

What: Catiebug for a Cure – 5k, 2-mile walk and Kids’ Fun Run
When: September 30
Where: Clifton Commons in Clifton Park, 12pm
Proceeds benefit: The Catie Hoch Foundation and the fight against childhood cancer.
Contact: 877.7539

Beekman Street Art District

Described as “quiet but never dull” the Beekman Street Art District is a charming cultural center of Saratoga Springs. This rejuvenated part of Saratoga, just three blocks off Broadway, is sure to enrich the artistic senses of any visitor.

This creative environment – lined with galleries, restaurants, shops and local artists – has allowed art to flourish. And, with more support from the town and visitors alike, it will only continue to keep developing.

Prior to its revitalization, this district was previously designated as an area of deterioration. But, in 2003 the city decided to clean it up and designated it as an art district. Funding was provided, incentives were given to artists and renovations began.

Sidewalks and streetlights were installed, and artist galleries and studios opened up in previously abandoned warehouses.

Thriving with life and entertainment, the Art District is the ideal place to go for a summertime stroll. Take a peek inside one of the many galleries – the Crimson Gallery offers up jazz art as well as equine art done created by the owners, Frankie and Lisa Flores. The Beekman Street Co-op offers sculpture, ceramics, beads and painters and visitors can even witness works in progress.

Grab a hot cup of coffee between gallery hopping at Gotchya’s Trading Post. This little café boasts the “best coffee in town.” For a relaxing dining experience, try the Beekman Street Bistro for dinner. This restaurant’s specialty is preparing fresh meals with local and organic foods.

A visit to the quaint Beekman Street Art District is sure to be enjoyable and could possibly be the beginning of a summer tradition for Saratoga visitors.
For more information visit www.beekmanstart.com .
– Jill Vallecorsa

Horses

Saratoga Style 2007

A Saratoga summer wouldn’t be complete without horses, which is why “Horses, Saratoga Style” is the perfect addition to the summer scene.

The show previously debuted in 2002 with 24 beautifully hand-painted fiber-glass horses by local artists placed throughout the Saratoga region.

The popularity of the show prompted the Saratoga County Arts Council (SCAC) to revive the exhibit this year. It was originally planned as a one time show, but sales of the “Horses, Saratoga Style” calendar from the SCAC, along with constant inquiries about the horses, prompted the council to resurrect the exhibit, this time adding an additional 10 horses, bringing the total to 34. Artists from the Capital Region, Western New York, Vermont and Massachusetts were selected by a panel of jurors.

The overwhelming amount of submissions by artists and sponsors clamoring to either create or display a horse forced the SCAC to develop an outreach program to neighboring towns to host as many horses as possible. The Village of Schuylerville eagerly agreed.

The vibrant horses can be found outside local establishments, some of which are ones that sponsored the exhibit by purchasing a horse. The SCAC and the Saratoga Visitors Center both have maps available of all sculpture locations or you can download it at www.saratoga-arts.org .

The track season will also bring about something new. Riverfront Studios, located on Broad Street in Schuylerville, will host many events that spotlight the racing season. The first is an exhibit entitled “Uncorrupted Horses” that will feature area artists such as Rita Dee, Jean Haines, Dahl Taylor and Lloyd Kelly. This display of equine art will bring together paintings, ceramics and prints inspired by the beauty of this graceful animal. “Uncorrupted Horses” will be on display at Riverfront Studios until August 31.

Riverfront Studios will also be hosting musical performances by Denise McDonald and Elizabeth Woodbury on August 4th in conjunction with the Turning Point River Festival. The Turning Point Parade is held August 5th with an appearance by the Schuylerville horse sculptures.

They will also be showing several sculptures by artist Rita Dee at the Saratoga National Golf Course and at The Saratoga Hotel. The sculptures will be on display through Labor Day.
For more information on “Horses, Saratoga Style” call 584.4132 or visit www.saratoga-arts.org .
– Jill Vallecorsa