The Saratoga Performing Arts Center, or SPAC, is in a class by itself. From June to September, this is the place to be in Saratoga Springs (after you've already been to the Race Course, of course) to see the amazing roster of high-culture talent that takes up summer residence, including the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra. SPAC is also the host of the Saratoga Chamber Music Festival, Freihofer's Jazz Festival in late June (with top-flight jazz talent, 26 years and counting), the Lake George Opera, and the 3-day Saratoga Wine & Food Festival. Set within the Saratoga Spa State Park grounds, perfect for walks and picnics, the center has a sheltered amphitheater and an intimate Spa Little Theatre. The box office opens May 11, but preseason discounts are available (up to 50% off ticket prices). Other discounts are SPACWIRE Internet specials and season lawn passes. Call tel. 518/587-3330 or check the website, www.spac.org, for schedules and tickets.
Lake George Opera is celebrating a decade of performances, including "The Barber of Seville" and "La Bohème" in the Spa Little Theatre in the Saratoga Performing Arts Complex, 480 Broadway, Suite 336. For current schedule information, visit their website at www.lakegeorgeopera.org or call tel. 518/584-6018 for tickets.
Caffé Lena, 47 Phila St. (tel. 518/583-0022), is a legendary upstairs folk-music coffeehouse that's a little tattered but still reeks of all the folkies that have played here since 1960. There's mostly live acoustic music (and some blues, jazz, and poetry) Thursday to Sunday nights, and some relatively big names, like Tish Hinojosa, still drop by. Reservations are recommended; covers are generally $10 to $15. 9 Maple Avenue, named for its address (tel. 518/583-CLUB), features live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as a huge selection of single-malt scotches and a martini menu. The Tin & Lint, 2 Caroline St. (tel. 518/587-5897), is a pub popular with Skidmore students; it's where Don McLean, a former waiter, wrote the '70s pop anthem "American Pie" on a cocktail napkin. Luna Lounge, 17 Maple Ave. (tel. 518/583-6955), is a flashy late-night lounge and dance club with an industrial look of brushed-steel and copper walls, owned by the proprietor of the more sedate Chianti Il Ristorante. It's open 10pm to 4am on Friday and Saturday nights. The Wine Bar, 417 Broadway (tel. 518/584-8777), has a cigar lounge, an upstairs bar, loads of wine by the glass, and live piano music on weekends. The local movie theater, Saratoga Film Forum, 320 Broadway (tel. 518/584-FILM), shows first-run films. For a romantic end to the evening (or a nice afternoon activity), Saratoga Horse & Carriage Company (tel. 518/584-8820) provides horse-drawn carriage rides through Saratoga Springs. For contracted private rides, they'll pick you up at your hotel or inn in Saratoga.
