Hello and TGIF.

I usually try to get the Weekend column up and running by Thursday, but with the short week it seems I've fallen behind a day. Forgive the tardiness of this post and hopefully this third installment of the Weekend Insider Roundup proves helpful if you're looking for something fun to do tonight or over the next few days. It looks like it's going to be a perfect summer weekend - sunny and beautiful - so enjoy and thanks for your patience.

Cheers,

SKL



FRIDAY, JULY 8.


Celebrate Putnam Den’s second birthday

• Putnam Den’s second anniversary featuring Sister Sparrow, Folkadelics & Black Mountain Symphony. Celebrate the Den’s second birthday with a top-notch line up this Friday night. Arleigh Kincheloe (Sister Sparrow) is back by popular demand accompanied by The Dirty Birds, her 8-man backup group to play their signature contemporary soul sound. Also playing is the Folkadelics, a reggae funk fusion group that played at the Den’s first anniversary last year. Black Mountain Symphony also returns for the second year with their eclectic, one-of-a-kind sound that samples from classic rock, jazz, bluegrass and blues. Putnam Den, 63A Putnam Street, Saratoga Springs. Friday, July 8. Doors at 8 p.m. (584-8066 www.putnamden.com). $10, $15 for 18 +.

Dance on the roof with Melick, Moody and McKrell

• UpBeat on the Roof Concert Series — Melick, Moody and McKrell. Now in its 11th season, UpBeat on the Roof - Skidmore's TANGMuseum free rooftop concert series welcomes local favorites Melick, Moody and McKrell on Friday evening for an energetic performance on the roof. Melick, Moody and McKrell have a folky jazz sound with a tinge of Celtic and Americana influence and always put on a great show. Check them out this Friday at the TANG’s scenic rooftop venue. Tang Museum, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway. Friday, July 8. 7 p.m.  (580-8080 www.tang.skidmore.edu). FREE.

SATURDAY, JULY 9.

Enjoy Wilton's 2011 Park Fest

• Wilton’s Community Day Park Fest 2011. This family fun-filled event runs all day on Saturday at Gavin Park in Saratoga. Some of the highlights include a unique craft fair, 5-k run, amusement park rides, food & drink vendors, contests, and prizes. In case you missed last week’s fireworks on the Fourth of July, the park fest will wrap up with a colorful fireworks display at dusk. Gavin Park, Saratoga Springs. Saturday, July 9. 11 a.m.—9 p.m. (www.townofwilton.com). FREE.

Catch an afternoon ballet at SPAC

•  The New York City Ballet. Saturday afternoon is the NYCB’s mixed repertory featuring Valse-Fantaisie, Square Dance, Fearful Symmetries and the Magic Flute. Pack a picnic and sprawl out on the green to watch one of the world’s best ballet companies at the scenic outdoor Saratoga Performing Arts Center. This is a world class experience  you won’t want to miss before the NYCB packs up and leaves Saratoga next week. SPAC, 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs. Saturday, July 9. 2 p.m. (584-9330 www.spac.org). $20—$72.50

 Go back in time at SPAC's Gatsby themed gala

• SPAC's Gala Lawn Party. Every year, to help bring the New York City Ballet back to SPAC, Saratoga Performing Arts Center's Action Council and Junior Committee puts on a gala that is always one of the best parties of the summer. Step back to the 1920s as you celebrate all things Great Gatsby at this year's gala, which features a cocktail hour at the Mionetto Prosecco Reception complete with a bathtub gin bar. After a few g & t's you can head to the roaring twenties gourmet dinner buffet, which will be followed by the NYCB performing Peter Martins' Thou Swell, Susan Stroman's For the Love of Duke and Benjamin Millepied's Plainspoken at 8 p.m. After the performance stick around for the swank after party featuring live music by Soul Session, dancing and a grand fireworks display. There will also be a prize for the best 1920s themed costume so dress to impress. SPAC, 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs. Saturday, July 9. 5:30 p.m. (584-9330 www.spac.org). $50—$55.

Check out live music at the Paddock Lounge

• Super 8 Six at the Paddock. See Super 8 Six perform their alt-rock originals and covers live at the Paddock Lounge on Saturday night. If you like Incubus, Velvet Revolver, etc. you'll love these local rockers. Paddock Bar & Lounge, 6 Caroline Street, Saratoga Springs. Saturday, July 9. 9:30 p.m. (www.paddockloungesaratoga.com). FREE.

SUNDAY, JULY 10. 

Celebrate the grand opening of One Yoga Saratoga

• One Yoga Saratoga: Grand Opening Weekend. Click here for the weekend's full schedule of events and free classes and to learn more about Saratoga's newest yoga studio check out last week's in-the-biz article. On Sunday, the day kicks off early with a free Ashtanga class from 9—10 a.m. followed by a yoga blast class, which starts at 10:30 a.m. After working up a sweat at one of the two morning yoga classes, join the One Yoga Saratoga staff at the complimentary mimosa and light fare brunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. One Yoga Saratoga, 75 Woodlawn Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Sunday, July 10. 9 a.m.—1 p.m. (581-9642 www.oneyogasaratoga.com). FREE.

Try family bonding with peaceful family yoga

• Family Yoga. It's an inner-peace Sunday with yet another great yoga event taking place at the Saratoga Tai Chi Center. Family yoga will not only help you relax in preparation for Monday, but will allow families to develop deeper bonds as they work together to try some new partner postures and spend time enjoying music and games. The Tai Chi Center, 36 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs. Sunday, July 10. 12:30 p.m. (583-9315 www.the-taichi-center.com). $15.

Enjoy your weekend and namaste.