SARATOGA SPRINGS – Join The Dark Horse Mercantile (445 Broadway) on Thursday, April 18, from 5 to 8 pm in supporting their neighbors – Universal Preservation Hall (UPH) – on their journey to renovate their historic space. The night will include a wine tasting with Old Tavern Farm Winery, live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, and the launch of a limited edition UPH/Dark Horse Tee Shirt.
10 percent of all sales from the evening will be donated back to UPH as well as an additional 10 percent from each tee shirt sale. The shirts will feature a fun new look embracing both the arts and Saratoga’s love affair with horses, especially the Dark Horses. The Dark Horse partnered with T-Shirt Graphics to come up with a creative Tee Shirt design featuring Upset, The Mini Dark Horse of Saratoga, strolling in front of the beautiful Universal Preservation Hall. Shirts are available in an Adult Tri-blend Tee and a Ladies V-neck Tee. Both styles are Black and come in Small through XX-Large.
“Our company has always believed that supporting our community is a responsibility that comes along with operating a business in that community,” said Marianne Barker, co-owner of The Dark Horse Mercantile and Impressions of Saratoga “We do our best to give back when and where we can, using our skills and relationships to create products that can be marketed with funds going back to those in need. These efforts include helping to save the original Kaydeross Carousel in the 90’s and most recently the SSFD wears pink promotion.”
Entertainment will include tap dancing with Tina Fretto Baird, owner/artistic director of Saratoga Jazz Tap with performances by Stella Baird, Carolyn Richmond, and Becky Tibbatts. There will also be live music from pianist Chuck Lamb of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet. Performances will take place every half an hour in the newly renovated Dark Horse Mercantile.
The Dark Horse’s new give back campaign “Upset’s Leg Up” is a division of the brand that will focus on giving back to the community. The new campaign will feature different fundraising events throughout the year to help various organizations in Saratoga Springs. “It is a fun play on words,” stated Maddy Zanetti, co-owner of The Dark Horse Mercantile and Impressions of Saratoga. “In the horse world, giving someone a ‘leg up’ means helping them into the saddle. “Upset’s Leg Up” will be helping different organizations achieve their goals. Creating a campaign that gives back on a regular basis is a great way for us to say “thank you” to all of those who support our businesses and events.”
Universal Preservation Hall (UPH) is the performing arts, education and entertainment venue located in Downtown Saratoga Springs. Long-anticipated renovation and construction has begun on this 1871 former Methodist church. On completion in 2020, UPH will combine a 700-seat theatre-in-the-round Great Hall with a community event space, offering year-round music and entertainment. “There’s lots of exciting work happening behind the scenes at UPH,” said Teddy Foster, Director at Universal Preservation Hall. “We’re so grateful to The Dark Horse and Impressions of Saratoga for supporting us, and to their customers for proudly wearing us! These lovely T-shirts will be a great way for us to let everyone know about our ever-closer-to-reality, year-round, state of the art performing arts and community events center in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs.”
Old Tavern Farm Winery is an extension of Old Tavern Farm, a family farm focused on the breeding and sale of thoroughbreds, competing at the highest level of racing. With every bottle telling a story about life on the farm, they are working hand-in-hand with impassioned growers and winemakers to create enjoyable wines. All of their wines are vinted and bottled on their farm in Saratoga Springs.
To learn more about Upset’s Leg Up to UPH or to RSVP, follow The Dark Horse Mercantile on Facebook, or call 518.587.0666.
