Balloons, Chopin, Stewarts Ice Cream and Shirley Temples at SPAC
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Mandy’s young ladies – McKenzie (9) and Julia (11) – are veterans of attending SPAC at a young age, having experienced both the NYC Ballet and this year’s Summer Jam. They kindly agreed to accompany me to a performance of The Philadelphia Orchestra, on Friday, August 18, with their journalist/chaperone…
The purpose was two-fold: To experience a first-timers’ perspective and chronicle the experiences; and to just have a relaxing, yet fun evening – for me, a diversion from the tumult of covering gala after gala, processing pictures, writing, covering this, that and the other….taking more pics, processing more pics, writing. Rinse and repeat.
We were just past halfway to Labor Day in our season, and I was already approaching the red zone. In which the Mayor of Burnout-ville was standing at the border, waiting for me with a proclamation of welcome, the key to the city, and my own custom-fitted straight jacket.
I need an oasis. A break – and my superhero friends gave it to me here tonight. With Pizazz!
We arrived in time to experience the last half-hour of CDPHP Family Night activities, which included FREE Stewart’s ice cream, Albany Medical Center Workshops on the Lawn, an Instrument Petting Zoo, balloon animals and photo booths. New this year is the Young Performers Circle offering drumming lessons, dance classes and more.
This is highly recommended for kids of all ages.
As we had only a half-hour before the gongs would summon us to our seats, we opted for the always popular ice cream and balloon combo plate. The Stewarts line was long, but folks- they cranked – serving up mega-portions of several popular choices such as pistachio, and ‘philly van’ as we in the know say.
Kudos to this guy and his team – I marveled at their speed. They were going so fast I didn’t have the heart to ask their names.
((Aside to Gary Dake: Merit badges all around for these guys…))
Before that, the ladies had adorned themselves properly, to enjoy both waiting on line for ice cream and/or instrument petting, with the latest in balloon fashions. Again, Mr. Balloon Man was as popular as Big Papi will be at SPAC’s Saratoga Wine and Food Festival on September 8 and 9. (Yup, I might have the night off, but my VP of Promo Partnerships is ALWAYS on the job!)
Anyway….
Mr. Balloon Guy managed to both take his time with each patron, demonstrating incredible verve and skill and banter, yet keeping the line moving. He was versitile too. He had a very long shopping list of choices which people could peruse while in queue.
When it was her turn, Ms. Julia opted for the Statue of Liberty/Warrior Princess headgear, which was made to match her lime tank top and accent her tall persona, as well as leading to a night of “Sorry’s” as she inadvertently bopped anyone who came within bopping distance of her now-considerably-widened space. I marvel at what you women do for fashion’s sake, but it does look good!
McKenzie, a future Chef, was starting to forgive me for taking Mom/chaperone Mandy to the Pitney Farm Fire Feast instead of her (see: A Feast for all my Senses). She noted that Mandy was pretty good with the zap box in the kitchen that goes beep-beep-beep and was decent with fish sticks, but i digress…. Meanwhile, Mr. Balloon Man was advising all that they could choose from his list, or “say surprise me.” This did not escape the attention of the observant future CIA graduate McKenzie, who opted for said surprise. And here’s what she got:
It was French Festival night at the Philadelphia Orchestra, so McKenzie was natch given a platter containing a water balloon with an amphibian delicacy that all self-respecting French gourmands can adore! We decided to pardon this frog so that he might enjoy some American musical culture.
Mandy opted for an elegant corsage, with the obligatory photo-mom-bombing supplied by the Warrior Princess…
Thus adorned, we proceeded to our seats for the Orchestra’s performance.
The ladies all agreed that the Orchestra, led by Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, was impressive, and particularly enjoyed Louis Lortie, who was, as advertised, masterful on Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1, a work that was last performed at SPAC in 1969, (before ALL the females in my party were born – gulp!) by Van Cliburn with Eugene Ormandy conducting.
Being big girlz, the night was still young, and so we proceeded to the Jazz Bar at the Hall of Springs…
The Warrior Princess and Future Chef were able to meet and greet Mayor Yepsen and a few other VIP’s, and then we sat down for some Shirley Temples and discussed the great events of the day.
Let me sum it up: I got the oasis I needed. The energy and enthusiasm, the wonder and delight of the young women – including their chaperone – recharged me to the extent that I can now look the rest of the ‘season’ in the eye and say: ‘Bring It!’ Thank you Julia, McKenzie, and Mandy – and thank you most of all to SPAC, for providing so much entertainment in one evening – please note that this performance, like many are “Kids (age 12 and under) in Free!” and mark it down to attend often.
Bring It!
Arthur Gonick
August 24, 2017
