As part of the Erie Canal bicentennial commemoration, the Albany Symphony, the NYS Canal Corporation, and Hudson Crossing Park are presenting a festival day celebrating the rich, multifaceted history of Washington and Saratoga Counties, with an emphasis on the experiences of Black Americans, culminating in a free orchestra concert that will feature a thrilling world-premiere composition by DBR (Daniel Bernard Roumain) inspired by the legacy and life of Solomon Northup.

Northup was a free-born Black man, professional fiddler, and farmer from Schuylerville and Saratoga Springs, who was kidnapped into slavery in 1841. Upon his rescue in 1853, he wrote a remarkable memoir, Twelve Years a Slave, describing his ordeal in extraordinary detail. He became a noted abolitionist speaker in the years following his return to New York State.

DBR, an accomplished violinist himself and a leading American composer, will create a uniquely collaborative work for the Albany Symphony and audience of massed violins, in which community members are all invited to pick up a violin and join in, even those who have never played before. In addition, the day’s events will celebrate the rich culture of the Schuylerville region, the historic Erie Canal and Hudson River, and the central role the region played during the Revolutionary War during the Battle of Saratoga, the turning point of the Revolution.

Violinists and country fiddlers and singers of all kinds will be featured during the day, along with visual artists, history and walking tours, and accessible recreational activities. Artisanal foods and beverages from the region will also be featured.

UREC will be hosting a Song Circle at 4pm in the Pavilion. Join us in singing, commemorating and celebrating the courage and fortitude of our communal forebears.

Complete details for the day’s activities are accessible by clicking HERE