Live music in Saratoga Springs, NY

Two-time Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell returns to SPAC for the first time since 2014 to lead an American Dreams program centered on his narration of Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, a piece that reflects on unity, equality, and civic responsibility. In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, the program also honors Marian Anderson’s landmark performance of the same work at SPAC 50 years ago, linking generations in a celebration of American ideals. The evening unfolds with Broadway highlights including “Wheels of a Dream” from Ragtime, the role Mitchell originated, and “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha, alongside Iryna Aleksiychuk’s “Go Where the Wind Takes You...” dedicated to the courageous women of Ukraine. The program concludes with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, inspired by American musical traditions and the nation’s evolving identity, bringing together works that honor the past while inspiring hope for the future.

Enjoy “American Dreams” with Brian Stokes Mitchell and The Philadelphia Orchestra at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. This is a live performance taking place in the venue’s amphitheater space.

Sean Rowe, a Capital Region songwriter whose career has taken him to stages around the world, returns to Caffè Lena with the resonant voice and poetic craft that set him apart. NPR’s All Songs Considered has noted the formidable power of his baritone, and the Wall Street Journal has described a classic approach that echoes late 1960s Van Morrison and the unvarnished candor of Johnny Cash. His performances can be gentle one moment and surging with power the next. From Mountain Jam to Wilco’s Solid Sound, and on bills with Robert Plant and Alabama Shakes, his presence has connected with wide-ranging audiences. His song 'To Leave Something Behind' reached a broad new audience through the film The Accountant, and a national television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live brought his intimate delivery to viewers across the country. Rowe recently unveiled 'Burn Baby Burn,' the first single from the forthcoming album 'Good Fiction.' A devoted naturalist and forager, he writes with a strong sense of place, shaping songs that feel both raw and reflective.

King's Tavern becomes a high energy karaoke venue with bright lights and a festive vibe. Choose from a songbook of more than 56,000 titles, spanning classic ballads, current hits, and deep-cut favorites. Newcomers and seasoned singers alike are welcome to take the stage, whether you prefer a solo spotlight or a duet with friends. It is a chance to grab the mic, pick your favorite track, and enjoy an evening of big voices, cheerful crowds, and singalong fun.

Caffè Lena’s Songwriting Club offers a welcoming space for writers of any age and experience level to sharpen their craft through guided exercises, add new tools to their toolkit, and share ideas with fellow songwriters. The club is led by touring artists Reese Fulmer and Girl Blue, also known as Arielle Woodul, and is coordinated by Matt Griffin, director of the Caffè Lena School of Music. This special edition welcomes Grammy winner Janis Ian as a guest co-host. She will sit for a focused interview with the hosts, take part in member discussions, and join participants in prompt-based writing, sharing insights from her career. A limited number of observer tickets are available for those who want to sit in and participate in the exercises. Discussion of songwriting craft is reserved for active club members, but attendees may submit questions in advance to Reese@caffelena.org for possible inclusion in the interview. Bring a pen and paper. Phones and recording devices are not allowed.

Enjoy a live outdoor performance at Keuka Spring Vineyards with Nocturnne. The show is scheduled for late afternoon, giving you a chance to soak up the vineyard atmosphere before the music starts.

Catch The North & South Dakotas live for an evening of Americana music at 550 Waterfront. Doors and exact set details aren’t listed, but the show time is set for 6:00 PM.

The hunt for Horcruxes begins anew with a concert presentation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. A live symphony orchestra performs Alexandre Desplat’s score while the seventh film in the franchise is projected on a giant screen. Favorite characters, along with those less beloved, confront familiar dangers, new threats, and the power of friendship in a one-of-a-kind event. All characters and elements © and ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR.

Vienna Teng’s songs feel like quiet back-porch conversations that linger long after the last note. Her choral work “The Hymn of Acxiom” shows up in media literacy classes and drum corps performances, has surfaced on David Byrne’s blog, and has even sparked flash-mob choirs in government buildings. The restless joy of “Stray Italian Greyhound” has fueled anime music videos and sparked bridge-building political talks. “City Hall” has become a gentle queer anthem for coming-out journeys. The rallying spirit of “Level Up” has carried people through dissertations, first novels, and hard fights with illness. “Harbor” often accompanies first dances and graduations, while “Lullabye For A Stormy Night” is part of countless bedtime routines. Her warm, delicate mezzo has drawn listeners since her 2002 debut, Waking Hour, which led to appearances on NPR’s Weekend Edition and The Late Show with David Letterman and reached the top of Amazon’s charts. Across albums she keeps reinventing the world around that voice, from the string-kissed intimacy of Warm Strangers and the hushed jazz of Dreaming Through the Noise to the eclectic reach of Inland Territory and the gleaming electronica of Aims. She has also composed for the original stage musical The Fourth Messenger. You can hear the adventurous songcraft of influences like Paul Simon and Tori Amos, yet the result is unmistakably her own. Her curiosity extends beyond the studio. In the 2010s she pursued climate solutions through work with the University of Michigan’s Erb Institute, McKinsey’s sustainability practice, and the environmental nonprofit Delterra, while also becoming a parent, first within her partner’s family and later as a birth mother. Those layered experiences shaped her intricate 2024 release, We’ve Got You, two songs designed to be played simultaneously or to stand alone. That love of multi-layering now informs how she connects with listeners. She has cultivated a “music x action” community across the U.S. and internationally, helping people buy their first e-bike, launch green initiatives at work, and even change local clean energy laws. In 2025 she was named one of Grist’s 50 climate innovators to watch. On tour, her venue-based workshops are often described as transformative, energizing, and a welcome antidote to despair. The intimate conversations her music inspires are steadily growing into collective action. This evening centers on a singular songwriter whose artistry and activism meet in real time.

Part of the World Kindness Tour, this event spotlights Sugaray Rayford, a Grammy-nominated American soul blues vocalist and songwriter. With six albums to his name, he has been honored with Blues Music Awards as Soul Blues Artist of the Year in 2019 and 2020, and as B.B. King Entertainer of the Year in 2020.

Gaffney’s returns to the Saratoga Springs scene, and the Doug Villano Band marks the occasion with an energetic rock set in the garden. The night centers on the venue’s comeback, with the band igniting the stage and bringing live rock back to the garden.

Putnam Place hosts a lively Latin Night with energetic live Latin music from Rafy Cabrera Band featuring BoyBoy, creating a dance-filled atmosphere throughout the event.

DJ Prophet will be performing live at this event, with free entry. The page lists this as one of his upcoming shows in Saratoga Springs.

Enjoy an evening of American folk and roots music with Robin and Linda Williams. Before the concert, ticket holders can take part in a special pre-show conversation featuring Robin and Linda Williams and Caffe Lena Artist-in-Residence Janis Ian. The conversation begins at 5:30 PM and wraps up at 6:15 PM, followed by the performance from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Step onto a storied stage for a weekly open mic that has earned Best Of recognition from Metroland Magazine, The Alt, The Saratogian readers, and Saratoga’s Fab Five. The focus stays on the performers, creating a listening room atmosphere much like the venue’s weekend shows. Open to all ages and all styles, with original material welcome but not required. Sign up is first come, first served, and performers typically share up to two songs. Hosts rotate by week, with Rick Bolton on first Mondays, Carolyn Shapiro on second Mondays, Ray Pashoukos on third Mondays, and Kate Blain on fourth Mondays. A Yamaha studio upright piano and an acoustic Martin guitar are available, and MP3 backing tracks can be played through the sound system. You may bring amps and drums, with set up and break down counted as part of your set. Coffee and cookies are available for purchase in the lobby. No alcohol is served to keep the evening family friendly. A $3 to $5 donation is appreciated to support the nonprofit. The event fosters a supportive community where artists help one another improve. Excessive profanity, explicit sexual content, or material targeting a specific group is not allowed, and the host may enforce house standards.

Family Tree presents a free live music show at Putnam Place. The group features Steve Candlen, Kenny Hohman, Lori Friday, Chris Carey, and Chad Ploss, and each performance includes guest musicians from the regional scene.

Presented within the monthly JAZZ at Caffè Lena series, pianist and composer Chuck Lamb celebrates the release of his new album, "After Hours On Phila Street." The collection showcases his original acoustic jazz fusion, inspired by meaningful relationships and joyful moments. The recording features Joel Rosenblatt on drums, Scott Petito on bass, Mike Tucker on saxophone, Joe Locke on vibraphone, Mike DeMicco on guitar, Jorge Gomez on keys, Joe Anderies on flute, and Ria Curley (Lamb) on vocals, with partial funding from a Saratoga Arts grant. For this performance, Chuck appears with special guests Mike Tucker on saxophone, Mike DeMicco on guitar, and Jorge Gomez on keyboard, joined by Matt Vacanti on bass and Evan DuChene on drums. The evening begins with an opening set from singer songwriter Ria Curley, sharing upcoming singles with support from Chuck Lamb on piano, Sam Zucchini on percussion and background vocals, and Joanna Feuer on background vocals. Named for the Phila Street home of Caffè Lena, the album salutes Chuck’s long running jazz series at the venue and pays tribute to his co founder and close friend Joel Moss, who passed away.

Fenimore Blues performs an extended live set in the bandstand at Saratoga Racetrack.

Hear Daniele Rustioni make his SPAC debut with The Philadelphia Orchestra in a memorable program built around Musorgsky’s Pictures from an Exhibition. The evening also includes Korngold’s soaring Violin Concerto featuring violinist Bomsori Kim, plus Rossini’s exuberant Overture to Semiramide. A pre-performance talk called Setting the Stage with Daniele Rustioni is also offered before the concert for ticketed attendees.

Enjoy an indie pop set from Nice Hockey, a power pop quartet from Schenectady featuring Skidmore Psychology professors Dom Vuvan and Harrison Schmitt. Founded by Dom on vocals, keys, synths, and trumpet, and Chad on vocals, synths, and bass, the lineup also includes Harrison on drums and vocals and Eric on guitar and vocals. Their sound mixes bright hooks with heartfelt storytelling, landing somewhere between The Beths and a deep dive into John K. Samson’s catalog, keytar included. Expect songs where everyday moments meet the extraordinary, from bike rides with friends to shifting moods and finding a way through the impossible. The band is comfortable in intimate and unconventional spaces, from living rooms and porches to fraternal clubhouses and farmers markets, playing for listeners of all ages. Part of Upbeat on the Roof, this performance is included in the Tang Museum’s free outdoor summer concert series on the museum grounds, showcasing regional talent. Concerts take place on the lawn and are open to everyone at no charge. Attendees are welcome to bring blankets, camp chairs, and their own food and drinks. Crafts on the Grass adds hands-on art making for kids at every concert, with a new project each week. Activities are geared toward ages 5 and up with adult supervision recommended, and materials are available while supplies last.

Songwriter Sabine McCalla, based in New Orleans, crafts music rooted in gospel, folk, soul, blues, and Americana, delivered with candid emotion and quiet strength. Her work nods to the heritage of the Folk Revival while staying personal and current, moving with ease from tender ballads to rhythm-forward roots tunes marked by warmth, depth, and refined musicianship. Her rising profile includes appearances at Newport Jazz Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Brooklyn Folk Festival, as well as collaborations with Eli "Paperboy" Reed and her sister, Leyla McCalla. Joining her is vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Anna Moss, known as half of the duo Handmade Moments. She blends folk, jazz, Southern soul, porch jazz, Americana, and the sounds of New Orleans street music, building a loyal following through unguarded songwriting and bold, cross-genre performances. Rooted in the Ozarks and shaped by years performing in New Orleans, Moss offers raw feeling and a strong sense of humanity in songs that dwell on love, compassion, struggle, and connection. Together, these two expressive songwriters, grounded in folk traditions and Southern roots, share fearless stories that face hard truths, honor nuance, and create a sense of togetherness.

Emanuel Ax, a GRAMMY-winning pianist and Musical America’s 2026 Artist of the Year, returns to SPAC with The Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Daniele Rustioni, newly appointed Principal Guest Conductor of The Metropolitan Opera, appearing after his SPAC debut the evening before. The performance begins with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the Emperor, the composer’s final concerto and a piece closely associated with Ax. The second half features Brahms’s Symphony No. 1, influenced by Beethoven’s Ninth and featuring the composer’s own interpretation of the Ode to Joy theme.

Raise your voice at a lively karaoke night at The Saratoga City Tavern. A ready stage and vibrant lighting set an upbeat mood, supported by a catalog of more than 56,000 songs that spans classic ballads and current hits. All experience levels are welcome, whether you lean toward power anthems, smooth crooning, or rapid-fire verses. Sing solo or with friends for a high-spirited evening filled with music and spotlight moments.