The Saratoga Summer Concert Series returns to Congress Park for the 2022 season, kicking off on Sunday, July 10 with Proudest Monkeys Band. Gather your friends and family, bring your blankets and chairs, find a spot on the lawn, and enjoy some of the area’s favorite performers. This free, family-friendly concert series is a program of the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center in partnership with Discover Saratoga and the City of Saratoga Springs.

“We’re thrilled to once again bring you the Summer Concert Series,” said Darryl Leggieri, president of Discover Saratoga. “We have an eclectic mix of great local bands this year. The concerts are family-friendly and welcoming to all, showcasing the amazing artistic talent we are so lucky to have in Saratoga Springs!”

The Saratoga Summer Concert Series will take place Sundays in July and Tuesdays in August. Shows will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the War Memorial in Congress Park and each concert will be approximately 90 minutes. The Heritage Area Visitor Center, located at 297 Broadway, will be the concert rain location. 2022 dates and performers are as follows:

July 10 – Proudest Monkeys Band Presented by Crafters Gallery

Proudest Monkeys Band, a Dave Matthews Band cover jam band formed in 2017 here in the Capital Region, opens up this summer’s Congress Park Concert season with crowd pleasing favorites like Ants Marching and Two Step among other classics. The band features members Jonathan Newell on lead vocals and guitar, Adam York on Saxophone, Tommy Ryzuk on Bass Guitar, Rye Wylie on Drums and Tania Susi on Violin.

July 17 – Mostly Modern Festival Presented by Kayak Shak

Mostly Modern Festival (MMF) returns to Saratoga Springs after two years of COVID-19 pandemic delays, from June 8th to 24th, 2022, with 12 orchestral, vocal and chamber concerts at the Arthur Zankel Music Center, on the campus of Skidmore College. Founded by husband and wife team, composer Robert Paterson and violinist Victoria Paterson, the music festival emphasizes contemporary classical music while revisiting standard repertoire from the 20th century.

July 24 - Skippy and the Pistons Presented by Universal Preservation Foundation

Here is how it all began, in 1975 Skip, myself, our cousin Jim Adinolfi, and Brad Babcock got together to play a benefit concert at St. Clements. Skip and I had just finished up with another band we had called the Back Pages. This was only to be a one-time thing and the band was to be called Frank the Crank & the Pistons. Well, as things go, we had some artistic differences and I left about three weeks before the show. About a week later Skip talked me into returning, but during my absence they changed the name to Skippy & the Pistons. We played the show, got several bookings from it, and decided to stay together. Skip stayed with the band for over twenty years until he was elected Supervisor for the City of Saratoga. When he left, we decided to continue with the band and the name. So, there you have a brief history of The Legendary Skippy & the Piston Band.

*Note: As a tribute to the late Anthony “Skip” Scirocco, the band will start their performance at 6:00 p.m. this evening.

July 31 – MPThree Presented by The Saratoga Hilton

Mark Pierre and Riley Williams have been doing Acoustic Country Shows together throughout the Capital Region over the past several years. Both are accomplished song writers and have enjoyed opening for many top National Country Acts, with Mark Playing “Country Fest,”opening for Eric Church, “Live at Five” in Albany with Country Artist Raelynn, and opening at Vapor Nightclub in Saratoga Springs,  for several National acts.

August 9 – Hot Club of Saratoga Presented by DZ Restaurants

Hot Club of Saratoga, upstate New York's premier gypsy swing ensemble, plays a repertoire that reflects the spirit and style originated by Django Reinhardt and The Quintet of the Hot Club of France most prominent in the 1930’s and kept alive through a long line of gypsy jazz artists. The driving rhythms under dynamic soloing give the music a life and vibrancy sure to bring a smile and often an irresistible desire to move.

August 16 – Betsy and the ByeGons Presented by Stewarts Shops

Betsy and the ByeGons is a Capital District based 60s/70s band with an emphasis on the female performers of that era. Songs by The Ronettes, The Chiffons, The Angels, The Marvelettes, The Supremes, plus tunes by solo artists like Dusty Springfield, Leslie Gore and Linda Ronstadt are all featured in the show. Oh, and the guys in the group sing too!  A Betsy and the ByeGons show is a great collection of one-hit-wonders and classic 60s/70s pop. Fun for all ages!

August 23 – Garland Nelson and Soul Session Presented by Saratoga Automobile Museum

A Soul Session, a high energy musical ensemble that will make you dance, scream, and jump around all night long with entertaining command. Led by “Soulist” Garland Nelson, 2019 Proctor’s Eddies Award Winner “Best R&B Vocalist,” Soul Session’s emotive style across all genres earned them the distinction of 2019 Eddies Award Winner “Best Band in Capital Region NY!” Founded on the belief that soul music is God’s multicultural lifeline, Soul Session elevates their performances by making the audience the center of attention through call and response, outstanding song arrangements, and Love. Consequently, every show is creative, organic, and uniquely original. 

August 30 – Fenimore Blues Presented by The Bread Basket Bakery

Fenimore Blues, based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., performs an eclectic mix of blues, R&B, and rock. The powerful vocals of Sherian Nolan are backed by musicians on guitar, keyboards, saxophone, bass, and drums, with one band member doubling on accordion. This combination enables the group to perform a range of styles and a varied repertoire, drawing on music notables from Bonnie Raitt to Aretha Franklin, the Neville Brothers to the Allman Brothers, Linda Ronstadt to Etta James, Santana to Tedeschi Trucks.

The Saratoga Summer Concert Series is made possible through the sponsorships of the following community business. Special thanks to:

Performance Title Sponsors

Holiday Inn, Saratoga Springs and Humana

Performance Supporter Sponsors

The Saratoga Hilton, Stewart’s Shops, Death Wish Coffee Company, The Bread Basket Bakery, Saratoga Automobile Museum, DZ Restaurants, Kayak Shak, and Crafters Gallery

Music Under the Stars Sponsors

Solevo Kitchen + Social, Nani’s Indian Kitchen, KaffeeHouse, Scallions, Saratoga Builders Association, Adirondack Trust Company, 30 Lake, Downtown Business Association, Cudney’s Cleaners, Clements Insurance, Spa City Motor Lodge, and Ben & Jerry’s

Evening in the Park Sponsors

Universal Preservation Foundation, PJ’s BAR-B-QSA, Toga Heritage, Impressions of Saratoga, and Embassy Suites

For more information, please visit https://www.discoversaratoga.org/events/summer-concert-series/.

About Discover Saratoga

Discover Saratoga, known as the Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau, is a key economic development engine for this community; our mission is to contribute a positive impact on the local economy by promoting and marketing Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County as a world-class destination for meetings, conventions, and groups. For more information about Discover Saratoga, please visit discoversaratoga.org.