NEWSLETTER
Conceived and Directed by Acclaimed Modern Dance Company PILOBOLUS
Saturday, June 5 @ 10am-4pm
A guided journey through an immersive, outdoor celebration of live performance, poetry and art
Featuring performances by Empire State Youth Orchestra, Capital District Youth Chorale, Capital District Youth Pipe Band, Schenectady High School Dance Connection and Northeast Ballet Company
Saratoga Springs, NY (May 17, 2021) – Saratoga Performing Arts Center announces that “The 2021 Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists" will return on Saturday, June 5 for an in-person celebration of live performance, poetry and art on the SPAC grounds. The festival will feature more than 200 local student dancers, singers, musicians, poets and visual artists performing alongside acclaimed modern dance company Pilobolus.
Due to health and safety concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival has been reconfigured into a guided journey through the SPAC grounds with immersive, timed performances and scheduled arrival times for guests. The festival is free to experience, but ticket availability will be extremely limited. The general public will have the opportunity to register for tickets beginning on May 17. Visit spacfoya.org for tickets and to experience this year's student-submitted works.
“The Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists is always one of our most joyous events of the year,” said Elizabeth Sobol, president & CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “The fact that this year it marks SPAC’s true return to live performance after a year of darkened stages just lends that much more poignancy and import to the moment.”
Conceived and directed by Pilobolus, the festival will kick-off with timed entry beginning at 10 a.m. with guided tours in and around the SPAC grounds, which will be transformed into a festive celebration inspired by the theme, "Metamorphosis." Each guided experience is approximately 100 minutes and includes a one mile tour.
Highlighting the event are performances by Empire State Youth Orchestra, presenting classical works as well as a premiere of an original composition from student composer David Morelli; a special collaborative performance by Schenectady High School Dance Connection and Pilobolus around the Spa State Park reflecting pool; and additional presentations by Capital District Youth Chorale, Capital District Youth Pipe Band, and Northeast Ballet Company. The recipients of the three Outstanding Artists Awards will also be honored and awarded by SPAC and representatives from The Adirondack Trust Company.
“While brainstorming ways in which we could safely present a festival again this year, we came across an article about a socially-distanced, driving “Art Safari” that Pilobolus produced successfully in the summer of 2020, at the height of the pandemic, on the grounds of a rural farm in Connecticut. We were inspired by the company’s imaginative solution to presenting live performances safely, and instantly thought that this was our answer to our own festival here at SPAC. Under their leadership and artistic direction, we were able to build an event to once again celebrate the accomplishments and creative talents of local student artists," says Dennis Moench, Senior Director of Education at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. "It will undoubtedly be a historic event for SPAC, not only because it will be the first live, public event that we produce after more than a year of being shuttered, but because of the ingenuity and uniqueness of its design. It is unlike anything we have ever presented.”
“After more than a year of human connection being limited to televisions, phones, and computer screens, how exhilarating will it be to experience art in 360 degrees. This year’s festival aims to open up our minds and to awaken our senses, to celebrate the art and beauty all around us. Thanks to Pilobolus and the resilience of hundreds of local students, we can be elevated once again by the creativity and inspirational artistry of the next generation," added Moench.
The Adirondack Trust Festival of Young Artists is free to experience; visit spacfoya.org or spac.org for details. In the event of bad weather, the festival will be rescheduled to Sunday, June 6.
COVID-19 Protocols:
Attendees will have the opportunity to select an arrival time and will be placed into groups, limited to 75 people at a time. All attendees are required to complete a health screening questionnaire upon entry. Guests are required to practice social distancing and wear a face mask at all times, regardless of proof of vaccination or negative test. Due to the capacity limits of the festival and per NYS guidelines, proof of vaccination or a negative test will not be required. Restrooms will be available with social distancing and enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols in place in accordance with recommended guidelines. Free parking is also available onsite. Visit spacfoya.org for additional details.
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National Press Contacts:
Rebecca Davis Public Relations
Rebecca Davis 347-432-8832 (m.)
Regional Press Contact:
Kristy Godette Ventre
518-316-1435 (m.)