3 More Fests on Tap This Weekend: S.A.V.E. the Lake Festival, Ballston Spa Short Film Festival, Black Arts & Cultural Festival

The fourth annual S.A.V.E. the Lake Festival takes place this weekend at Shepard Park in Lake George, raising funds to help protect Lake George against invasive species.

Beginning today (Friday, August 5), the three-day, rain-or-shine festival will feature a wide variety of music, as well as a beer/wine tent, food vendors, pony rides, children’s bounce houses, boat wash demonstrations and a “Ga-Ga Pit” sponsored by area Girl Scouts.

Admission is a $10 per day donation; $25 for a weekend pass. Children under age 16 are admitted free.

Here’s the schedule of bands for the 2016 S.A.V.E. the Lake Festival:

FRIDAY (AUGUST 5)
4pm: Meet the Mockers
6pm: Grand Central Station

SATURDAY (AUGUST 6)
1pm: The Stony Creek Band
3:45pm: The Bluz House Rockers
6:15pm: Groovin’: A ’60s & ’70s Musical Journey

SUNDAY (AUGUST 7)
12noon: The Jonathan Newell Band
2:30pm: The Audiostars

***

The ninth annual Ballston Spa Short Film Festival will be held this weekend at the Ballston Spa High School Auditorium at 7pm today & Saturday (August 5 & 6), and outdoors in the Old Iron Spring Park on Front Street at 9pm on both evenings. In total, 38 short films will be screened.

This free, family-friendly festival screens short films (up to 15 minutes in length) from local, national and international filmmakers. Films will be juried by a panel of judges including Larry Jackson (director of directed “Bugs Bunny Superstar” returning for his eighth year as judge), Jan Broberg Carter (fifth year as judge) and Daniel DeFabio.

Pre-screening events – refreshments, movie trivia and more – will be held in Old Iron Spring Park from 8-9pm both evenings, and after-parties will follow the screenings on both nights at the Brookside Museum. The awards ceremony will take place during Saturday evening’s after-party.

The slated to be screened at the fest come from all across America – stretching from California to New York – as well as Spain, Trinidad/Tobago, France, Iran, Switzerland, Ireland, Italy and Germany.

***

The Black Arts and Cultural Festival celebrates the traditions and cultural contributions of the black community through music, art, dance and more. In addition to an exciting line-up of talent on the main stage, the festival will feature five destination areas highlighting themes such as heritage, health & wellness, arts & ideas and empowerment; a satellite art display of the Albany Center Gallery; and a kids’ zone.

Headlining the festival will be the Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness From jazz and blues to rock & roll, R&B, gospel, spirituals, hip- hop, reggae and soul, the group colors each and every “Sound of Blackness” with uplifting messages of hope, unity, love and peace for all humankind.

Here’s the schedule of performances for the 2016 Black Arts & Cultural Festival:

2pm: Opening parade
2:15pm: Jubilee Choir
3pm: Scholastic Talent Showcase Winners
3:30pm: Wassa Pan Afrika Dance Ensemble
4:15pm: Def Poetry Jam Reunion (with Danny Simmons)
5:25pm: Young Noble Gentlemen
5:30pm: Sounds of Blackness

***

ADDITIONAL UPCOMING FESTIVALS FOR 2016:
FALCON RIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL @ Dodds Farm, Hillsdale, August 5-7
CATSKILLS BACK FORTY REVIVAL @ Catskill Brewery, Livingston Manor, August 6
SPEED OF SOUND FESTIVAL @ Dutchess County Airport, Wappingers Falls, August 7
NEW YORK STATE FOOD FESTIVAL @ Empire State Plaza, Albany, August 10, FREE
FRESHGRASS @ MASS MoCA, North Adams, September 16-18
JAZZ AT THE LAKE @ Shepard Park, Lake George, September 17 & 18, FREE
AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL FOR THE LAKE @ Charles Wood Park, Lake George, September 24 & 25