The Saratoga Summer Concert Series returns to Congress Park for the 2023 season, kicking off on Sunday, July 9, with Fenimore Blues. 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. Inside the Heritage Area Visitor Center, located at 297 Broadway, will be the concert rain location. 2023 dates and performers are as follows:
July 9 – Fenimore Blues
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
July 23 – Skippy and the Pistons
We are an 8-piece classic rock horn band, celebrating 48 years together!
July 30 – Proudest Monkeys Band
Proudest Monkeys Band, a Dave Matthews Band cover jam band formed in 2017 here in the Capital Region, is thrilled to once again be playing in the 2023 Saratoga Summer Concert Series 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.
August 1 – MPThree
MPThree is made up of Mark Pierre and Scot Chamberlain. Both life-long Capital District residents, and local performers. While Mark has "cut his teeth" as a local Country Music favorite, opening for several National Acts, including Randy Travis, Scot, on the other hand, has been an Irish Folk singer, playing Irish pubs throughout the Capital Region. Together, they make you smile with their harmonies, and wit, as they navigate through many of your, and their favorite songs!
August 8 – Betsy and the ByeGons
Betsy and the ByeGons brings you the best of pop music from the 50s through today. From early Rock ‘n’ Roll, to ballads, to Rockin‘ Country, Betsy and the “boys” will have you “dancing in the street” and singing along as you stroll down memory lane.
August 15 – Rustic Spirit
Rustic Spirit is Pete Jones on lead guitar, Pete is a member of The Blues Hall of Fame and has shared the stage with Artimus Pyle of Lynyrd Skynyrd and has opened for Marshall Tucker, Charlie Daniels, and many others; Mike McDonough on bass guitar and vocals, Mike played with local legends The Big Smoothies, and has opened for Orleans, Steve Miller Band and many more, Vic Motta on drums, Vic is a former member of local legends Lois and the Kryptonites, and most recently Forthlin Road and brings incredible experience and energy, Darryl Lanza on Keyboards, Darryl is a former member of Southbound Renegade, and is a multi-instrumentalist playing acoustic guitar and harmonica as well, Dave Hayes on lead vocals, Dave played locally with The Houseguests in the 90’s, and played in Northern California for a number of years opening or sharing the stage with Stu Cook, Darius Rucker, Kid Rock and many more.
The music of Rustic Spirit is a heavy dose of Southern Rock Classics with a unique blend of Country and Classic Rock. Rustic Spirit is known for great vocal harmonies, classic Southern Rock guitar, and high energy.
August 22 – 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.
Saratoga Arts made this program possible through the Community Arts Regrant Program, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Of course, we also need to thank our sponsors who help fund the Saratoga Summer Concert Series:
Performance Title Sponsors
Saratoga Arts
Humana
Performance Supporter Sponsors
Adirondack Trust Company
Crafters Gallery
DZ Restaurants
Kayak Shak
Ladylily’s Place
The Saratoga Hilton
Spa City Motor Lodge
Stewart’s Shops
Music Under the Stars Sponsors
30 Lake Fine Dining
Clements Insurance
Cudney’s Launders & Dry Cleaners
PJ’s BAR-B-QSA
Rock & Oddities Con
Saratoga Builders Association
Saratoga Springs City Center
Saratogian
Saratoga’s Star Radio
The Magic Moon
The Olde Bryan Inn
Evening in the Park Sponsors
Embassy Suites by Hilton, Saratoga Springs
Mind Body Soul Expo
The Children’s Museum at Saratoga
The Wine Bar
For more information, please contact the Heritage Area Visitor Center at (518) 587-3241 or visit www.saratogaspringsvisitorcenter.com.
About Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center
The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center is housed in a stunning Beaux-Arts style building. It was originally built as a trolley station for the Hudson Valley Railway Company in 1915 and served as the most elegant station on the eastern seaboard. In 1941, the building was purchased by New York State and converted into a Drink Hall, where visitors could buy and enjoy Saratoga’s therapeutic mineral waters. In 1974, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Stocked with maps and brochures, the Heritage Area Visitor Center is an important part of any visit to Saratoga Springs! For more information, please visit saratogaspringsvisitorcenter.org.