Saratoga Arts Fest

Saratoga Springs is one of those towns that seems to wake spontaneously from its slumber every year and suddenly turn into the summer destination for dining, shopping, and all things equestrian. This weekend, it wipes the last little bit of sleep from its eyes with the Saratoga Arts Fest, a four-day arts extravaganza featuring nearly 100 events.

At venues all over the city, you’ll have the opportunity to catch classical performances by the Saratoga Chamber Players, Carnegie Hall Premieres and the Albany Symphony Brass Quintet, jazz shows by Eric Alexander and Jason Domnarski, dance performances from the Paul Taylor Dance Company and Company Stefanie Batten Bland, a theatrical performance by the SITI Company (pictured), a reading from William Kennedy, and more art exhibits than you can shake an easel at.

Saratoga Arts Fest begins today (Thursday, June 11) and runs through Sunday (June 14) at venues all over Saratoga Springs. An ARTSPASS will get you into all the events, and the cost ranges from $5 (youth) to $30 (adult). Call 682-2397 for more info or visit saratogaartsfest.org.

Fields Sculpture Park 2009 Summer Exhibition

The Fields Sculpture Park at the Omi International Arts Center is a wonderland for both the sculpture enthusiast and the open-minded daytripper. Situated across 400 acres of rolling hills, wooded knolls and wetlands, the place was described by Metroland art critic Meisha Rosenberg as “one of the best-kept art lover’s secrets in the Capital Region.”

The truly wonderous part is that, every summer, the park gets a little bit bigger. This year’s additions include work by Heather and Ivan Morison, Julian Opie, Margeaux Walter, Orly Genger, and Richard Nonas (Smoke, pictured). On Saturday (June 13) from 1 to 5 PM, there will be an opening reception to unveil the summer exhibition at the Fields Sculpture Park at the Omi International Arts Center (County Road 22, Ghent). Admission is free. Call 392-4747 for more info.

New Kids on the Block

You had the lunchbox. The trading cards. The poster, beach blanket, sleeping bag, trapper keeper, T-shirt, comic book, dishware, parachute pants, and snap bracelet. Why? Because they totally had the right stuff.

The first time was a great time. It was the late ’80s, the New Kids on the Block were neck-deep in their overalls, and the world was hungry for boy bands. The second time was a blast, even though it was the mid ’90s, the band had changed their name to NKOTB, and groups like ’N Sync had TRL on lockdown. The third time we fell in love, because Jonathan, Joey, Jordan, Danny and Donnie got back together in 2008, and now we hope it lasts—at least until Tuesday—when they bring their sweet, merchandizable hustle to town.

The New Kids on the Block come to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs) on Tuesday (June 16) at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $16-$65. Call 587-3330 for more info.