Rock & Run Kicks Off the 2013 SPAC Season

Spring has officially sprung, which means that it’s time to shake off those hibernation blues, get outdoors and get moving. And if you need some musical encouragement along the way, well, then the fourth annual SPAC Rock & Run at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center sounds like the place to be on Sunday morning, May 19.

In addition to the 5K race (starting at 9:30am) and the 1K kids race (starting at 9am) that have been sponsored in the past, this year SPAC is raising the stakes with the addition of a 10K race (starting at 10:30am). The race routes go through the beautiful Spa State Park, and all along the race course, there will be live music performed by more than 20 of the Local 518’s top bands, from country-rockers the Lazy Suns to sublime singer-songwriter M.R. Poulopoulos to the jug band blues of Ramblin Jug Stompers.

And following the races, SPAC will host a free party with refreshments, children’s activities and live music featuring the sounds of the Acoustic Brotherhood, led by Soul Session’s Garland Nelson and Audiostar front man, Jay Yager.

New bands performing along the race route this year include Hard Soul, Bridgette Guerrette, Drew Jacobs, Molly Durnin, Summer of Doug, Above the Flood, Rob Jonas, Erin Harkes, Zan Strumfield, Immune Friction, Pony in the Pancake and CRUSH (winners of last year’s SPAC Battle of the Bands).

Back by popular demand will be Black Mountain Symphony, the Dirt Cheap Band, Tamer Lane, KIDDJ and Greg Irwin, who will play bagpipes at the start of the race.

Advance online registration for the races is available, and all proceeds will benefit SPAC’s Vivienne Anderson program which hosts under-served children at classical performances.

The general public is invited to view the race, enjoy the music or attend the post-race party, all free of charge.