Martha Graham Dance Company

Never mind about the legal unpleasantness that kept the Martha Graham Dance Company off stages for a few years at the end of the last century; the company hasn’t performed in Saratoga Springs since 1945, a couple of decades before the Saratoga Performing Arts Center was even a gleam in Nelson Rockefeller’s eyes.

Currently in residence at Skidmore College, the company brings a program for tomorrow (Friday) evening’s performance at SPAC that will include Errand Into the Maze, Maple Leaf Rag and Embattled Garden (pictured).

Martha Graham Dance Company will perform tomorrow (Friday, June 13) at 8 PM at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs). Tickets are $25. For more info, call 584-9330.

Juneteenth

The annual Juneteenth celebration in Schenectady has grown in size and popularity over the last few years, and this weekend’s festival looks to continue the trend.

Celebrating African-American culture in general, and commemorating the anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States in particular, events will range from concerts and competitions to religious services, awards and exhibits.

Highlights include a concert tomorrow (Friday) at 7:15 PM at the Music Haven Stage in Central Park featuring Azzaam Hameed and Colaborayshen; the Black Cowboys (from Brooklyn) and a Black Dimensions in Art exhibit all day Saturday in Central Park; lectures and music on the Music Haven stage from 2-7 PM Saturday; and a variety of religious services, workshops and kids’ activity all day Sunday.

The Juneteenth celebration will be held tomorrow (Friday, June 13) through Sunday (June 15) in Central Park and other locations around Schenectady. Friday events are from 4-8:15 PM; Saturday events are from 10 AM to 7 PM; Sunday events are from 11:30 AM to 5 PM. For more info, call the Hamilton Hill Arts Center at 346-1261 or visit hamiltonhillartscenter.org.

Gordon Lightfoot

Gordon Lightfoot’s award-winning recording career spans more than 40 years—Gordie released his first single a few months before JFK announced that the United States would land a man on the moon by the end of the decade—and his unmistakable baritone has aged like a fine wine.

The Canadian singer-songwriter has risen to the ranks of folk music legends. He has produced more than 200 recordings. He has received 15 Juno Awards (think Canadian Grammy), and been nominated for five of the American equivalent. His iconic songs have been covered by the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. And Dylan himself named Gordie one of his favorite songwriters.

The litany of contemporary artists still performing his songs is testament to their timelessness. And we’ve been humming “Don Quixote,” “Rainy Day People,” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” for days.

Gordon Lightfoot brings his signature acoustic sound to Proctors Theatre (432 State St, Schenectady) on Wednesday (June 18) at 8 PM. Tickets are $20-$48. For more info, or to order tickets, call the Proctors box office at 346-6204.