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Music at the Market

Musicians Create the Beat at the Farmers’ Market

July 11, 2017 By marketeditor

T&T by Pattie Garrett

 

By Courtney Kramer

Running the River Photo by Pattie Garrett
Running the River
Photo by Pattie Garrett

On a recent Wednesday at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, Jack Powell and his three-man band the Zucchini Brothers were performing. Powell grinned as a mother and child began tapping their feet to the beats.

Then, as the child started to waddle in rhythm with the music and the mother began to video the moment on her cell phone, Powell asked for the name of the child. He received the answer, began improvising and within seconds was singing lyrics interspersed with the lilting syllables of Gi-o-van-ni.

Moments like this are part of what make making music at farmers’ markets meaningful to such performers as Powell. For him, the people keep bringing them back.

“The calendar books six months in advance,” says market director Julia Howard. “I’ve been booking bands for nearly 15 years and most musicians are all about the money – not so at the farmers’ market. They get so much more.”

Howard says that market musicians are generally not paid in cash. Their income comes from tips from customers and donations by market vendors.

Singing for one’s supper is rarely seen as a sustainable salary. Still, the musicians call playing farmers’ markets one of the best gigs around. For them, it’s about being a part of a community of healthy eaters as well as a chance to promote their art.

Take a typical Saturday morning.

As shoppers enter the summer market pavilion at High Rock Park, the sounds of fiddles and male voices harmonizing fill the air. The three-man band Running the River is performing its monthly market gig. A small crowd emerges and soon heading start bobbing, bodies start swaying, and feet start tapping to the down-home country/folk cadences.

The crowd disperses to continue shopping, but then another forms. The ritual continues till the market’s end.

About a half hour before the market’s close, interns or staff start pulling wagons through the pavilion, collecting donations. Soon, a feast surrounds the musicians: lettuce and cabbage, carrots and squash, cheeses, honey, milk and savory pastries.

“The market is all about community and music ties it together,” says Marcie Place of the Chocolate Spoon.

Adds Carl Deppe, of Row to Hoe Farm. “It lifts the spirits.”

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at High Rock Park. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

RiverJackZ: http://www.riverjackz.com
The Zucchini Brothers: http://www.zucchinibrothers.com
Running the River: http://running-the-river.webs.com


Market Beet Salad

Adapted from recipe by Mark Bittman featured in the New York Times
Serves: 4
Time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

*Ingredients currently available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market

• 1 pound beets*
• 1 large shallot*
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoons honey mustard, or to taste*
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil*
• 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar or other good strong vinegar
• Minced parsley, dill, chervil, rosemary or tarragon*

PREPARATION

1. Peel the beets and the shallot. Combine them in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, and pulse carefully until the beets are shredded; do not puree. (Or grate the beets by hand and mince the shallots; combine.) Scrape into a bowl.

2. Toss with the salt, pepper, mustard, oil and vinegar. Taste, and adjust seasoning. Toss in the herbs, and serve.

 

Filed Under: Featured Article, News Tagged With: High Rock Park Saratoga, Music at the Market, Saratoga Farmers' Market Recipes

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Get ready for a mouth-watering adventure! 🍴🌍 Get ready for a mouth-watering adventure! 🍴🌍 Join us on Saturday, March 25th from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Saratoga Farmers' Market's International Flavor Fest in the Wilton Mall food court! 🎉 Indulge in frgál cakes, julekaker, burek, curries, samosas, and more, representing cuisines from all around the world! 🌎 There will be live music, family-friendly activities, and food tastings that will take your taste buds on a journey around the globe! 🎶👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Plus, our friends at the World Awareness Children's Museum will be hosting a paper fortune cookie making session for the kiddos! Don't forget to pick up your passport for a chance to win a prize by filling it with stamps from market vendors! Let's celebrate our traditions, history, and community through the language of flavorful food! 😍🍴

 #InternationalFlavorFest #SaratogaFarmersMarket #FoodieAdventure #CommunityConnection
Join us tomorrow for our Saturday market! From 9:3 Join us tomorrow for our Saturday market! From 9:30-1:30 you can find all your favorite vendors in the Wilton Mall Food court. We’ll by joined by the Academy of Life Long Learning, AIM Services, and musician Lee Paquin. Hope you can make it!!!

Photos of: @squash.villa.farm , KOKINDA Farm, and @eurodelicaciesco by Graciela Colston

#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #farmersmarket #agriculture #shoplocal
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is seeking donation The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is seeking donations to help improve our market and keep our nonprofit organization running. Your donation will be used for essential functions of the market as well as helping us reach more of our long-term goals for the community. We are looking for additional resources to expand our community offerings such as hosting family friendly events, programs and activities.

You can help us by donating via our GiveButter account (link in bio) or in person at the market via our market manager. Thank you for your ongoing support. We couldn’t do it without you! 

#saratogafarmersmarket #supportlocalfarmers #nonprofit #communitylove #givebutter
Missing those sunny days at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market over at High Rock! ☀️❤️ Stay safe and warm during this snowy storm, friends! ❄️

Only 7 weeks left before we move back outside!

#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #thingtodoinupstateny #shoplocal #shopsmall #agriculture #daffodils #spring

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