Organized Around Speakers’ Area of Expertise, Salon Series to Feature a Broad Range of Topics
SARATOGA SPRINGS – OK so listen up, you intellectuals, you self-styled Renaissance people, you perhaps future Jeopardy contestants looking to broaden your knowledge banks…. you are hereby invited to the Salon – a Series at The Inn at Saratoga (231 Broadway) launching this Tuesday – with you and your ever-expanding mind in mind. AG
The term Salon had its original heyday in the Renaissance era. ““Hotbeds of creativity and progressive ideas, salons are synonymous with the French Enlightenment… Today salons have had a renaissance, perhaps as a pushback against the decline of face-to-face human contact in our digital age. From poetry brunches to multimedia presentations in art galleries to scientific discussions in converted warehouses, these gatherings point to the universal need for personal interaction and mental exercise. They allow people to come together to increase their knowledge and hone their tastes through conversation and the exchange of ideas. Their mission is to allow debate, to stoke passion and to inspire.”
~ Toby White, Four Seasons Magazine
Here are descriptions of upcoming Salons and Speaker Bios. To reserve your spot or for more information, contact the Inn at Saratoga at 518.583.1890 or info@theinnatsaratoga.com. Their website is Here.
Each program begins with a beer, wine and cheese reception, with live entertainment following the speaker
Tuesday, March 6, 2018 – 5:30 pm
James Kennelley – “Ireland in the 21st Century: Culture or Commerce?
Professor of International Business and Management at Skidmore College, Courtney + Steven Ross Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies. Mr. Kennelly is the author of numerous books and publications about Irelands rich history, culture and rapidly changing economy.
Traditional Irish Music will follow Professor Kennelly’s talk.
Upcoming Salons:
Monday, April 23
William Burke-White – “The Ten Most Powerful People in the World”
William Burke-White, an expert on international law and global governance, served in the Obama Administration from 2009-2011 on Secretary Clinton’s Policy Planning Staff, providing the Secretary direct policy advice on multilateral diplomacy and international institutions. He was principal drafter of the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR), Secretary Clinton’s hallmark foreign policy and institutional reform effort. Burke-White has written extensively in the fields of international law and institutions, with focus on international criminal and international economic law. His work has addressed issues of post-conflict justice; the International Criminal Court; international human rights, and international arbitration. His current research explores gaps in the global governance system and the challenges of international legal regulation in a world of rising powers and divergent interests. In 2008 he received the A. Leo Levin Award and in 2007 the Robert A. Gorman award for Excellence in Teaching.
Sunday, May 6
Dan Bern -“A Songwriter Talks Songwriting. And sings!”
An American guitarist, singer, songwriter, novelist and painter – Bern’s singular songwriting has led to work on such projects as the Judd Apatow features Walk Hard—the Dewey Cox Story and Get Him to the Greek. His songs have appeared in countless TV shows and independent films, been covered by The Who’s Roger Daltrey, and lately, comprise all the songs for Amazon Prime’s The Stinky and Dirty Show, a cartoon for youngsters. In addition to the music, Dan Bern is a prolific painter, with works hanging in The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and The Bobby Feller Museum. He has published several books, the latest being a collection of poems, “encounters,” which recount his real-life encounters with, among others, Wilt Chamberlain, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Carter and Hunter S. Thompson.
Monday, May 21
Christine Kopec – “Robot Apocalypse?”
“What impact does the rapid growth of the gig economy, AI and
autonomous factories (and cars) have on the place of work in the world,
and what does this mean for all of us humans?”
A Professor at Skidmore College, Christine has extensive experience in teaching law and in the practice and administration of the law including legislation, general practice and as an ALJ.
Monday, June 25
Drew Cali – “The Simplicity of Spirituality”
Born a natural Medium, Drew Cali was no longer able to ignore his gifts after a series of life altering events in his early thirties. Finally realizing his true calling Drew was to live a spiritually centered life, he stepped away from his fast-paced “normal” endeavors with a new sense of vibrancy, focus and passion. Being relentless with his thirst for spiritual understanding and knowledge along with his desire to utilize these gifts to serve others he rediscovered his life’s path. Drew attended the prestigious Arthur Findlay College of Mediumship and Intuitive Sciences in England and continues to work with and learn from mentors, colleagues and the spirit world as well as from the people which he lovingly serves.
Monday, July 16
Samantha Bossart – “40 Years of Preservation”
Samantha joined the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation in 2008 as Executive Director. During her tenure with the Foundation has completed a condition assessment of the Gideon Putnam Cemetery; an extensive four year restoration of the nationally significant Spirit of Life and Spencer Trask Memorial in Congress Park in partnership with the City of Saratoga Springs; and extensive cultural resource survey at the Saratoga Race Course, the oldest sports venue in the United States, as well as secured the only local advisory opinion on capital improvements at the track; and advocated for best preservation practice before all the land use boards of the City of Saratoga Springs.
Before the Foundation she served as the Director of Preservation Services at Historic Albany Foundation. In 2006, Samantha completed her Master of Arts Historic Preservation Planning coursework at Cornell University. Prior to Cornell, Samantha worked at Galveston Historical Foundation, the second-largest historic preservation not-for-profit in the country. There she was the Manager of the Preservation Resource Center and oversaw the nationally recognized Paint Partnership and Paint Pals programs, low-income paint programs. Before joining the Galveston Historic Foundation, she completed an extensive rehabilitation of four houses located in the East End National Historic Landmark District in Galveston, Texas. She moved to Galveston after graduating from Indiana University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Criminal Justice.
Sunday, August 5
Maria Buccifero- “The Mob in Saratoga”
Maria McBride Bucciferro, a resident of Saratoga Springs for 38 years, is the former editor and co-owner of Saratoga Living magazine, which published her multi-year series about the mob in Saratoga.
Winner of a NYS Associated Press award for feature writing as Saratoga County reporter for the Post-Star,
she was City Hall reporter for the Troy Times Record, racing season columnist/photographer for the Times Union, and a freelance reporter for The Saratogian. Her stories about Dutch Schultz, Alfred Vanderbilt, Sonny and Marylou Whitney and others have appeared in Adirondack Life, Hudson Valley, Capital Region and Women’s Day of Australia, among other magazines.
She was an adjunct English professor at SUNY Adirondack (formerly ACC), served as president of Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library, and on several other volunteer boards. She attended Binghamton University and received BA and MA degrees from the University at Albany, where Pulitzer Prize – winning author William Kennedy was her professor. She also studied fiction writing at the NYS Writers Institute at Albany and at Skidmore.
She has given lectures at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, Saratoga Springs History Museum and the Sagamore about Saratoga’s colorful criminals, society scions, corrupt politicians and regular folks just trying to get by.
