I have been a big fan of Sarah Craig for a long time. Several years ago, I was producing an annual music series in Saratoga for Universal Preservation Hall. The second year in, I reached out to Sarah to co-create the 2015 season. (A killer Line Up: Giacomo Smith and Friends, the Howard Fishman Quartet and David Amram wsg the Dylan Parrillo Orchestra!) The idea was to have a feel good moment with some inter-institutional collaboration - a cross pollination of audience. Working with her and the Caffé Lena team up close and personal helped hone my idea of what true mission orientation is. It's in their DNA.

Being a big fan of what the O+ Festival in Kingston is doing for creatives and healthcare, I was super excited to see a similar program being promoted last month (October) at Caffé Lena. I just had to hear more about it and get a general update on the good things we see coming out of Saratoga that have Sarah's fingerprints all over them.

"My daily reminder-to-self goes like this: embrace music as an antidote to division and a path to health, as an alternative to the embattled society. I know it sounds pie-in-the-sky, but it’s honestly the lens through which I see this work. So, to answer your question about our overall goal: heal division and create health by bringing diverse people together to experience something emotional, thought-provoking and genuine." Sarah Craig

Corey Aldrich : Senior ACE! Contributor

Image: Sarah Craig | Provided

Poet, artist, performer, curator and activist D. Colin wears many hats. Over the last year she has donned a newer one to add to her collection as Curator and Program Director at the Fish Market Project in North Central Troy, a satellite of the Arts Center of the Capital Region. As she wraps up the 2023 season, we thought it would be informative to get an inside track of what it's like moving the boundaries of art and creativity outside of the city center and spreading it to areas that otherwise would not have that hyper local opportunity to participate.

"I see The Fish Market as a gathering space with the arts at its core, someplace where people can heal and grow together with creativity leading the way. When I was a young artist, I didn't have spaces like this to help in demystifying the process of being an artist or even just in learning a variety of ways to express myself. I had to look for those outlets in other ways. My hope for The Fish Market is that it continues to be that space for others, especially those who live in North Central Troy." D. Colin

Corey Aldrich : Senior ACE! Contributor

Image: D. Colin | Provided

Congrats to Anthony Rossi and the 1UpState Gaming Expo Team for pulling off a great event!

Attendee Estimate: 250 | Exhibitors: 26 | Speakers: 9 | Panelists: 9

Images: 1st Annual 1Upstate Gaming Expo in Albany, NY | Provided

This month ACE! is offering a South of the Border treat as we partner up with the Troy Music Hall to giveaway FREE TICKETS to Mariachi Herencia de México who will be performing on Wednesday, November 8th. Big thanks to Jon Elbaum and Ryan Murray for making these available. Per usual, the limit for your reservation is (2) per person.

What: Mariachi Herencia de México

When: Wednesday, November 8th at 7:30 PM

Where: Troy Savings Bank Music Hall | 30 Second Street, Troy NY 12180

Order the FREE tickets by using offer code: ACE at checkout.

The historic tradition of mariachi music has its roots of origin in cities such as Guadalajara and Mexico City. As the ever-evolving genre's influence spread, it reached Chicago and birthed the Mariachi Herencia de México. The energetic, virtuosic Latin GRAMMY-nominated group has issued chart-topping albums and performed across the North American continent. Nuestra Herencia, their 2017 debut album, topped the Latin streaming charts. 2018's Herencia de la Tierra Mía was produced by celebrated industry veteran Javier Limón and charted atop all major streaming services. 2019's Esencia topped industry charts, while a second volume, issued in 2020 performed similarly.

PLEASE NOTE:

If the code does not work, it means the tickets are already spoken for! Also, if you recently have secured free tickets please allow other folks to get a chance this go round, we like to share the love!