Galerie des bons moments! A Night on Bourbon St.

Editor’s Note: Correspondent Mandy Mittler attended A Night on Bourbon St., and then went on a well-deserved mini-vacation. She has returned and the link to her post is here. You are permitted to think of this as a Double Bourbon if you like. – AG
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SARATOGA SPRINGS- Well, here we are!

Folks, in the prolific Saratoga Gala event world, this was a walk-off home run….
Or a maiden victory that smashes a track record, if you prefer.

With every imaginable detail covered…

Yes, every detail – even down to the iconic lamp post greeters upon your arrival. And so, it is important to recognize the team that put this bash-ola together. Not only are they brilliant members of The SPAC Action Council, but they put out countless volunteer hours to help create something super fun out of thin air on Friday evening, June 22:

Night on Bourbon St.Committee Members:
Keeley DeSalvo
Heidi West
Nancy Smith
Stephanie Markowich
Sequoyah Finkell
Marsha Dolinsky
Tas Steiner
Judy Aronstamm
Nicole Sheeler
Chrissy Goodness
Elaine Alfert
Katie Roque
Seth Buono

Kudos to everyone.
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STAR POWER


On a night of standout moments, nothing was more standout-er than the signature performance of Bria Skonberg and her ensemble… The photo above was taken just about the time SPAC President + CEO Elizabeth Sobol was saying in her introduction that “…there was only one choice…” for the headlining role in this, the inaugural iteration of a classic themed event. An event that now will serve to anchor down the annual Saratoga Jazz Festival going forward. Amazingly calm, but there was no missing the feeling of churning energy and enthusiasm about what she and her band mates were going to deliver.

And, deliver they did:

A perfect, powerhouse performance – and what must also be emphasized (because several attendees also commented to me about it too) is how good the sound was!

I assure you that this is no easy feat in the cavernous Canfield Casino ballroom, which of course is lovely, but, as one musician once put it, “sound goes to die.” So, whether this is due to SPAC or Bria Skonberg’s people – whoever did the sound showed exquisite attention to detail, and provided a soundtrack befitting someone who has gone well past the ‘rising star’ label already. This is a Jazz Festival headliner, ladies and gents. Years from now, you’ll be bragging that you saw Bria Skonberg in such a small setting.
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COVER STORY

Arthur Gonick
June 25, 2018