All Over Albany

Saratoga Arts Fest Fridays

A promo image for the Beekman Street Vintage Fest. SAF is pitching it as "part street fair, part street performance, the event offers an energetic mix of period music, costumed performers, antique cars, and great ethnic food."

Organizers of the annual Saratoga Arts Fest -- in past years an event at multiple locations around the city in June -- reformulated the idea this year as a series of single-location events on Fridays this fall.

And the schedule is now out -- it includes a street fest, a multi-genre music and dance event, a vaudeville circus, and a backstage look...

All events are free admission. Blurbage via Saratoga Arts Fest

September 4: Vintage Beekman Street Fest
"The series debuts with a celebration of the city's Beekman Street and its colorful and diverse ethnic and cultural history. Vintage Beekman Street is designed to transport visitors back to a time when change was in the air and the neighborhood was alive with an evolving and diverse tapestry of Irish, Italian and African American communities. Part street fair, part street performance, the event offers an energetic mix of period music, costumed performers, antique cars, and great ethnic food served up by Beekman Street restaurants. Arts partners include: Saratoga Auto Museum, Saratoga Springs History Museum, Handmade Theater, Hubbard Hall, Saratoga Film Forum, Spring Street Gallery and the Beekman Street Arts District." Friday, September 4, 5-8 pm

October 2: Universal Preservation Hall Goes Avant Garde
"This eclectic, all-ages, multi-genre event kicks off in the Chapel with a set by the Heavenly Echoes Gospel Singers, and is followed by a collaborative performance between composer/instrumentalist Carl Landa, DJ/electronic music producer/singer Jennifer Maher, and modern dancers choreographed by Skidmore professor Deb Fernandez. The electrifying evening closes with an uplifting DJ set, sending revelers off in a party mood, to the arts-rich streets of Saratoga Springs." Friday, October 2, 5 pm

November 6: Vaudeville Circus at Tang Teaching Museum
"The festivities feature a very special and delightfully unusual performance by Suitcase Junket, a nationally-touring, slide-guitar-playing, throat-singing one man band. Circus performers and tap dancers mingle with visitors while they tour the Tang's 'Affinity Atlas' and Mark Allen visual art exhibits." Friday, November 6, 5-7:30 pm

December 4: Behind the Scenes at Homemade Theater
"Arts Fest Friday brings you 'backstage' to the magical process of theatrical production with the Home Made Theater at Saratoga Spa State Park. Experience the thrill of auditions, costumes, set-building, rehearsing and more, and tour the wonderful back stages -- and perhaps even meet the legendary ghosts -- of Home Made Theater." Friday, December 4, 5-7:30 pm