SARATOGA LIVINGThe City. The Culture. The Life.

The Adult & Senior Center of Saratoga’s fifth annual Music & Mingling event on May 28 at the Saratoga Polo Field kicked off the summer season in style. From a sushi and sake tasting from Sushi Yoshi and Zipang, tarot card readings from Mary Shimp, cigar tastings from James & Sons Tobacconists, dance music from Grand Central Station and catering from the Old Daley Inn, it was a tasty affair.

Equine artist Frankie Flores put finishing touches on his painting of American Pharaoh, who went on to win the Triple Crown just days later. Retired racing announcer Tom Durkin emceed the live auction, which began with “Call to the Post” by Tony Gambaro on trumpet.

Overall, $90,000 was raised for the Senior Center, which provides services, social events and trips for seniors and adults over 50. Vincent and Patty Riggi were honorary chairs. Major sponsors also included Turbine Services, Ltd.; Ron and Michele Riggi; and Prestwick Chase of Saratoga.

Saratoga area Francophiles didn’t need a plane ticket to enjoy a bit of the Cannes Film Festival in May. Saratoga Film Forum featured its own Cannes Night that same weekend, featuring South-of-France food and wine, fashion, and the new film Dior and I.

The event, held at the Saratoga Arts Center, featured fare à la paysanne from TC Paris and Putnam Market, with wine from the Rhone Valley. Guests first enjoyed a fashion show featuring local designer Kim Vanyo’s ready-to-wear line “Kimism.” Says the designer, “I’ve had a small studio, Khymanyo, on Beekman Street in Saratoga Springs since 1986. I’ve been doing demi-couture and costuming, specializing in dance.”

Vanyo’s new line is but a few years old and still evolving. At first she featured only silk-lined skirts made with natural fibers. “I’m slowly adding more tops in my line of day-to-evening separates, featuring a couple of classic blended-fabric halter-tops.”

Models were dancers on loan from the School of the Arts, trained in cat-walking by James Pentaudi of Albany Talent, and done up by Robyn Otto of Robyn Originals. The skirts on display played with a collage-like mix of metallic silk, A-line shapes, and color blocks. The looks progressed from chic office attire to a more sumptuous evening attitude.

Carol Maxwell, president of the Saratoga Film Forum, said that the evening just fell together. “Dior and I was just released, and the Cannes Film Festival began last night.” Throw in some French food and fashion, et voila! Maxwell was excited about the new lineup of movies: four of the eight were documentaries.

“We don’t usually show that many, but there are so many good ones right now. Monk with a Camera is a documentary about a monk who became a very rich man who threw away everything. It just so happens that he was the grandson of Diana Vreeland, the editor of Vogue magazine. He was brought up in a very style-infused life.

So this week we’re doing Cannes, and next week we’re doing anti-Cannes!”

The Film Forum has also partnered with Northshire Bookstore to fête the release of Harper Lee’s new/old book. On July 13, they will feature the films Hey, Boo! and To Kill a Mockingbird, along with some Southern food. At midnight (the book is released on July 14) guests will leave with a copy of Go Set a Watchman. Maxwell would also have film buffs know that Saturday nights are being added to the schedule, and that the membership policy has been revamped, offering packages for folks of all income ranges and levels of film addiction. Find out more at saratogafilmforum.org.

The Saratoga Golf and Polo Club took on the air of Jay Gatsby’s West Egg mansion in the Jazz Age for the Black & White Affair Gatsby Style gala on May 30.

“We had 324 attend and just over 350 reservations; we were thrilled with the turnout,” said Greg Dixon, executive director of The Wesley Foundation. More than $75,000 was raised for renovations to the Springs building on The Wesley Community campus.

Many guests were dressed flapper style, and a few posed in the 1932 Plymouth convertible parked out front, on loan from the Automobile Museum. Cool jazz and hot R&B from Funk Evolution kept the dance floor filled under the white tent out back. An evening shower was brief and soon forgotten.

Walt Adams from The Jockey was master of ceremonies. After a video by Story Mavericks about Wesley, the dance floor was filled once again for the Heads and Tails game. Belinda Cross Kucharski, regional manager for Saratoga National Bank, won dinner for eight at the Golf and Polo Club, where John Ireland is chef.

Joanne Kirkpatrick and Timothy Busch co-chaired the party, with help from Winnie Baden, Alicia Butler, Melissa D’Andrea, Geriann Eddy, Judy LeCain, Charlotte Mosso and Kimberlee Williams. Eddy and Michael Panza of Fine Affairs did the decorating. Chris Harmon, who chaired the first event several years earlier, praised the committee for “taking it to the next level.”

Wesley CEO Brian Nealon and CFO Shelly Amato greeted guests, who included state Sen. Kathy Marchione and Tom Lewis, her chief of staff; Assembly member Carrie Woerner; and Shauna Sutton, deputy county clerk.

Primary sponsors for the gala were The Adirondack Trust Company, as well as Angerame Architects, AOW Associates, Marshall and Sterling Insurance, Fine Affairs, The Fort Miller Group, The Saratogian, Saratoga Casino and Raceway, and Ray Martin/Crescent Hill Partners.

On June 18, JDRF hosted “Uncorking the Cure: Tapping into Hope” at the Saratoga National Golf Club. The evening featured tastings of wine from Treasury Wine Estates and Victory View Vineyard, beer from Lake Placid Brewing Co., and spirits from Springbrook Farm Distillery.

The drinks were accompanied by food from Prime at Saratoga National, including a pairing station, hors d’oeuvres, and flat bread pizza. Live and silent auctions rounded out the evening, giving attendees the opportunity to win a vast array of prizes from local businesses and donors. Live auction prizes included a Lake George family vacation, a box at Saratoga Race Course, and premium tickets to a Yankees game.

JDRF is the leading global organization helping adults and children suffering from Type 1 Diabetes, many of whom were guests at the event. The evening’s main speaker, Kristen Caponera, shared her experience living with diabetes with the crowd. All proceeds from the auctions contributed to the more than $1.9 billion JDRF has funded since its founding in 1970.

In spite of the unseasonably cold April evening this year’s Opera Saratoga Pasta and Puccini fell upon, Mediterranean food and some well chosen arias made the inside of Saratoga Golf Club feel warm and cozy indeed. This is the thirteenth year for the event, which Friends of Opera Saratoga president Ellen Riley says has become a more casual affair each year. And according to Larry Edelson, the company’s new artistic director, opera being casual and accessible is true to the roots of this art form.

Why should Saratogians get excited about opera this year? Edelson gave a few reasons. “We’ve added a third program this year; we’re giving 9 community conferences, half of them free; and our offerings have never been more diverse.” Edelson referred to mixing it up with the comic La Cenerentola (Cinderella,) the stately and elegiac Dido and Aeneas, and the world-premiere of a topical meditation a soldier’s homecoming, The Long Walk. This year’s line up also boasts world-class guest talent, including choreographer Karole Armitage who has created work for Dido with her ArmitageGone! Dance Company. Also not to be missed is the May 29^th gala and auction at Canfield Casino, Cinderella’s Ball.

Two hundred twenty opera lovers savored appetizers while bidding on such silent auction theme baskets as All things Saratoga, in which such locally produced fare as chips, chardonnay, sundae sauce and lager nestled together.

Guests then sat down to an Italian menu starting with melt-worthy butternut squash ravioli with sage cream, and winding down with lemon berry tiramisu. After dinner, a satiated audience enjoyed a taste of this summer’s offerings. Christine Suits’ character flirted as she strolled among tables, singing a piece from La Boheme. Dominic Corbacio’s electric tenor take on Federico’s Lament killed listeners softly. And a lagniappe from baritone Jesús Murillo, the faux-envious I’m Glad I’m Not A Tenor, aroused laughter while simultaneously convincing those present of just the opposite. With such nourishing food and song, guests were braced for the chilly night air.

Tiaras, broad satin bows, and yards of tulle were the order of the evening at the 3rd annual Saratoga Mom Prom. Over 270 women attended the charity event at the Holiday Inn, with proceeds going to Camp Abilities Saratoga, a one-week overnight summer sports camp for visually impaired children. As per Suzi Ingmire, an organizer, “The only men here are cardboard,” referring to the life-size paper-dolls of hunks such as Johnny Depp, The Roc, and Patrick Swayze. Ingmire said the dance invites women to “rewrite or relive your prom, depending on how you feel about it. Some people had great experiences and some didn’t.”

All ages of women negotiated frock-space on the dance floor, where a DJ spun tunes from across the decades. “The first year we had some ladies in their 90’s were here!” said Ingmire. Gail Veitch, another organizer, said the moderately priced event is about women getting together to raise money for charity. “And about having fun!” she added. Veitch quoted one attendee as saying that the prom “…is all about the sisterhood.”

On line for a photo booth, where prom-goers posed sans male escorts, was Pamela Cuccuini, who was wearing a dress she made of pink duck tape and household found objects. “I’m going for ‘Tackiest Dress!’” said Cuccuini. She was attending with three other friends who work with her at a local salon, where they learned about the prom from clients.

Guests bid on such silent auction prizes as $100 worth of lottery tickets, a gift basket for a baby girl, and four gift baskets themed for the four seasons. Light fare was enjoyed buffet style.

The evening culminated awarding three prizes: Judy DelRe, who won the dance contest, copped a chocolate shoe; Margaret Jones scored the title of “Prom Queen,” and a free ticket to next year’s dance; and – yes – Pamela Cuccuini seized the prize for Tackiest Dress!

For some of us, the high school prom is a memory marred by a bad date, bad hair or bad formal wear—something we’d prefer the keep in the distant past. Others of us would jump at the chance to relieve the prom again—at least on our own terms.

The Saratoga Mom Prom, now in its third year, is an opportunity to do just that. It’s a dance and ladies’ night out for charity on April 18 benefitting Camp Abilities Saratoga, a one-week summer sports camp for kids who are blind or visually impaired.

Women wear their old prom gowns, bridesmaid dresses or wedding gowns, and can compete in a “tackiest dress contest” or for the night’s grand prize of prom queen. It’s a chance to get crazy on the dance floor, reclaim bad fashion choices from the past and feel shame-free while doing so—all for a good cause.

This year’s Saratoga Mom Prom takes place at the Holiday Inn from 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $55 per person or $550 for a reserved table that includes admission for 10.

“Vintage Hollywood: A Black & White Winter Ball” was this year’s theme for the SPAC Junior Committee’s annual fundraiser that chases away the February blahs. While the weather outside was frightfully frigid, the inside of the Hall of Springs on Feb. 28 was aglow with  sparkling lights, bubbly champagne and globs of glamour. The New York Players kept the crowd of 500 in motion.

Though “Vintage” was a theme, the majority of partiers were decades from retirement. Titles are fun: “Mad Men,” the first ball in 2011, was followed by “Bond: Shaken Not Stirred,” then “Dallas: Everything’s Bigger in Texas,” and last year’s “A Blizzard Ball with a Russian Twist.”

Chaired by Mollie Kavanagh and Heather Varney, the Vintage Hollywood Ball on Feb. 28 raised about $35,000 for the Saratoga  Performing Arts Center. In the “Classic Hollywood” costume contest, Kate Jarosh, president of the Saratoga Springs History Museum, won Best Actress for her Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s style.

Sporting a top hat and cane, Arthur Palmer won Best Actor. Though he resembled a turn-of-thecentury titan, his firm, the M +W Group,  built Global Foundries high-tech chip plant.

Erika Browne, an attorney who is president of the Junior Committee, was “thrilled” with “the level of enthusiasm the event generated” and “how quickly the event sold out.” People came from “all over the Capital Region and as far as Boston and New York City.”

Ranging in age from 21 to 40, the Junior Committee has about 50 members working to encourage a younger demographic to support SPAC and ensure the vitality of the performing arts. Eric Snell and Ryen Van Hall are fundraising co-chairs. Mallory Baringer, Jennifer Kercull  and Sara Regan co-chair marketing; Caitlin Goetz and Kelly Grauwiler co-chair decorating.

The Vintage Hollywood Ball “generated a lot of enthusiasm for the quickly-approaching summer season and the 50th Anniversary Season,  which commences in 2016,” says Browne. “Now it is on to the Ballet Gala Lawn Party!”—their next fundraiser on July 11 at SPAC.