On The Road Vol I: Saratoga Springs NY
“Well, I hear you went up to Saratoga, and your horse naturally won...”
Welcome back to UNHNGD, my friends! Today I'm introducing a new series, On The Road. Together we'll be taking a digital road trip to explore America's rich music culture, with a new location each week. We'll be starting with my beloved hometown, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Inside Caffe Lena
Growing up in Saratoga kindled my budding love for music in every way possible. The downtown area may be considered a "tourist town" because of the infamous horse racing every summer, but make no mistake, Saratoga Springs is a mini music hub. Nearly every restaurant has live music on the weekends, the town is flush with record shops and music stores, and is home to the beloved Caffe Lena.
Lena Spencer opened Caffe Lena in 1960, and the small venue grew to be what the Library of Congress calls "A national treasure." Widely regarded as the "longest continuously operating folk music venue in the United States," Caffe Lena has featured many incredible artists, including (but not limited to): Ani DiFranco, Arlo Guthrie, Emmylou Harris, Don McLean, and Bob Dylan. After Spencer's passing in 1989, Caffe Lena became a non-profit organization supported by concert revenue, donors, and volunteers. They pride themselves on being "a place where your faith in the power of music will be renewed. You'll see a world-class performer up close; watch every movement of fingers on frets, and feel in your heart the foot-tapping rhythm on the stage."
While Caffe Lena provides intimate music experiences year-round, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center hosts a range of large-scale concerts every summer. Officially opening in 1966, SPAC became a home for the New York City Ballet, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and touring musicians. The amphitheater's first performer was Harry Belefonte in June 1967, and SPAC quickly became a go-to place for music in the summer. Their first attendance record was set by the Grateful Dead in 1984, with 37,801 people in attendance.
Located in the heart of a 2,400-acre park preserve, SPAC aims to "harness that power from both man-made and natural sources to forge deep connections... [embracing] an ever-expanding definition of the Arts including performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, culinary arts, healing arts and beyond."
Some other notable performers from the past 50 years include (but are not limited to): Phish, Dave Matthews Band, The Doors (SPAC featured on Feast of Friends, the Doors' self-produced documentary), Santana, Rush, KISS, Snoop Dogg, Blink-182, Drake, Britney Spears, and Fleetwood Mac. I've had some of my favorite musical experiences at SPAC (including my first concert, 5 Seconds of Summer), and I hope to return for this upcoming concert season. SPAC is a unique place- there are civilized shows like Hall & Oates or the NYC Ballet, but some concerts are buck wild. For example, I attended the Lil Wayne and Blink-182 tour show. I think I speak for everyone when I say you'll leave some concerts somehow sticky, reeking of [REDACTED], ears ringing, and an incomparable adrenaline rush flowing.
Now that we've covered the big leagues, I'd like to share some local spots that hold a special place in my music-filled heart. The Northshire Bookstore is an independent bookstore located on Saratoga's main strip and has many new records to choose from. In addition, Soave Faire is an excellent spot for used/vintage records, a hidden gem arts and crafts store. Also on Broadway, the shop has a small selection of vintage records tucked in the back, all at very reasonable prices. So if you're looking for an old Glen Campbell or Joan Baez album for under $20, Soave Faire is your ticket.
Suffice to say, Saratoga Springs is near and dear to me, and I do hope if you have the chance that you'll check out some local spots, enjoy some live music, or pick up a new record on Broadway.
Until next time,
UNHNGD