UPH keeps things hot with diverse lineup this winter

Dance, sing or laugh the night away at Universal Preservation Hall

SARATOGA SPRINGS—Universal Preservation Hall has a rich and storied history. Having spent most of its life as a church, it has always been a place intended to bring people together. Since reopening in 2020, the team at UPH and Proctors Collaborative has continued this tradition, bringing a diverse and eclectic calendar to life, attracting audiences from the Capital Region and beyond.

According to Assistant Programming Director Lanaea Brice, “The Great Hall is a one-of-a-kind performance space. It allows for the creation of an incredibly intimate setting that works for virtually every type of performer, giving us the chance to bring in acts that typically wouldn’t work at the other venues within Proctors Collaborative. For UPH, that means we have something for everyone–we can literally bring the Saratoga community closer together through live performance!”

“It’s wild, frankly. That’s the only way to put it,” said Nick Salvatore, production manager for UPH. “One night, we’ll host a symphony and the next it’s a Meat Loaf cover band. Then we’ll break that down and get ready for a world-class comic. You never quite know what to expect.”

For an example of the wide range of shows offered at UPH, look no further than February 2025. In the shortest month of the year, Brice, Salvatore and their teams will pack in seven shows, featuring comedy, theatre, big bands and a dance party that will be H-O-T-T-O-G-O. Take a look at what’s coming in the next few weeks and book your tickets before these shows sell out!

Feb. 1: A Friend of a Friend: Tales of the Underground Railroad
Capital Repertory Theatre’s On-the-Go! Tour stops at UPH for a matinee performance. Take a journey along the Underground Railroad through the captivating narrative of individuals from the Capital Region, including Solomon Northup and his family, alongside Albany’s courageous Harriet and Stephen Myers. This original docu-play draws upon New York State archival records, vividly illustrating the reverberations of the Fugitive Slave Act within the Capital Region’s historical landscape.  

Feb. 1: The Hot Sardines
Quality is timeless. Just ask The Hot Sardines! Fueled by the belief that classic jazz feeds the heart and soul, The Hot Sardines are on a mission to make old sounds new again and prove that joyful music can bring people together in a disconnected world.

Feb. 5: Women Aren’t Funny featuring Liz Barrett
“Women Aren’t Funny” is a monthly groundbreaking all-female comedy series, hosted by Erin Harkes, that proves just the opposite at UPH. Barrett is a New York based stand-up comedian and writer. Raised in a military family and having moved all around the world, she is deadpan, dry, engaging and offers shrewd observations about life and womanhood. You’ll remember her one-liners long after the performance.

Feb. 6: Moms Unhinged Standup Comedy Show
Join “Moms Unhinged Standup Comedy Show” for a night of laughter as they explore everything from motherhood, midlife crisis, marriage, divorce, online dating and other things that irritate them. Men are welcome to the show, too.

Feb. 7: Passport Series: Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas
Grammy nominee Nathan Williams is a zydeco legend with over three and a half decades under his hat as Southwest Louisiana’s most beloved Creole music pioneer.   
Blessed with a Grammy Awards nomination for his most recent recording Lucky Man, Nathan and his top-shelf band have more than 35 years of history as Acadiana’s top R&B, blues, and zydeco ensemble.

Feb. 13: Feelin’ Good – The Michael Bublé Experience
Anthony Bernasconi perfectly emulates the effortless class that Michael Bublé so famously exudes. He has captured the velvet voice and smooth moves that have famously reinvigorated the next generation of artists. With an easy-going disposition and a million-watt smile, Bernasconi has created an immersive experience that is sure to delight Bublé fans of all ages. This incredible show travels with an orchestra to bring authenticity to The Ultimate Michael Bublé Experience. No detail is overlooked, giving the audience the experience of a live Bublé show.

Feb. 15: Pink Pony Club: a Chappell Roan Dance Party
It’s a Feminomenon, full of Red Wine Supernovas and Guilty Pleasures! Get your ticket soon or Good Luck, Babe! We’ll see you Super Graphic Ultra Modern girls there!
The Pink Pony Club is open and H-O-T-T-O-G-O! Costumes are encouraged! This fun dance party, open to all ages, includes aGood Luck, Babe! Raffle (proceeds go to a local charity and the winner will receive a prize pack, a HOT TO GO! cup and $25 UPH gift card),Chappell Roan Costume Contest judge by Opal Essence and other fabulous local queens (the winner will be crowned “Midwest Princess” and receive a prize pack, including a $50 UPH Gift Card), a Red Wine Supernova Sangria, a Picture You photo booth, glitter barand more! 

For tickets visit the Box Office at Proctors in-person or via phone at (518) 346-6204 Tuesday-Saturday 12 p.m.-6 p.m. or visit online atuph.org.