Universal Preservation Hall to reopen with Rosanne Cash

A few years after closing its doors for reconstruction, Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs will re-open on Saturday, Feb. 29.

UPH announced a starting lineup of more than 15 shows on Wednesday, kicking off with Grammy-winning artist Rosanne Cash, who is the eldest daughter of Johnny Cash.

“All of our years of fundraising and hard work have been leading up to our Grand Opening Night on February 29.” said UPH’s Campaign Director Teddy Foster in a statement. “We are thrilled to pull back the curtain and introduce our first slate of programming right in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs.”

The venue, located at 25 Washington St., was built in 1871 as a Methodist Church in the High Victorian style. It has hosted such speakers as William Howard Taft, Frederick Douglass, William Jennings Bryan and other historical figures.

When it was in danger of being demolished in 2003, the community came together to save the structure. However, while the venue hosted musical performances and events, the restoration remained a work-in-progress in the ensuing years. In 2015, a few years after Foster became the volunteer director of UPH, Proctors took UPH on as a subsidiary.

Foster worked with Proctors CEO Philip Morris on a multi-million dollar capital campaign to fund the venue’s restoration. Construction, which involved adding an elevator and glass atrium as well as heating and electrical work to make it a year-round performance space, began last year.

The first few weeks of performances includes folk music, jazz artists, children’s theater and more. Tickets are on sale now. Here’s a look at the line-up:

Rosanne Cash
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29. The Great Hall at UPH, $65 – $150.

Sounds of the Hall
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Mar. 4. The Great Hall at UPH, $20.

An Evening with Chris Botti
7:30 p.m. Friday, Mar. 6. The Great Hall at UPH, $79.50 – $179.50.

The Marvelous Marquise Family Circus
2 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 8. The Great Hall at UPH, $10.

Megan Hilty
7:30 p.m. Friday, Mar. 13. The Great Hall at UPH, $32.50 – $109.50.

Howard Jones Acoustic Trio
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 14. The Great Hall at UPH, $29.50 – $69.50.

Irish Hooley with the Screaming Orphans
7:30 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 15. The Great Hall at UPH, $25.

Rochmon Record Club presents: Paul Simon’s “Graceland”
7 p.m. Tuesday, Mar. 17. The Great Hall at UPH, $10.

One Night in Memphis
7:30 p.m. Friday, Mar. 20. The Great Hall at UPH, $30 – $65.

Journeyman
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 21. The Great Hall at UPH, $19.50 – $39.50.

Joey Alexander
7:30 p.m. Friday, Mar. 27. The Great Hall at UPH, $39.50 – $89.50.

PB&J Café: The Stinky Cheese Man
11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Apr. 4, The Great Hall at UPH, $15.

The Hit Men…Legendary Rock Supergroup & Musicians Hall of Fame
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Apr. 9. The Great Hall at UPH, $30 – $65.

Bakithi Kumalo & The Graceland Experience
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Apr. 23. The Great Hall at UPH, $19.50 – $39.50.

The Okee Dokee Brothers
6:00 p.m. Friday, Apr. 24. The Great Hall at UPH, $15 for students with ID, $25 for adults.

The Steep Canyon Rangers
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Apr. 29. The Great Hall at UPH, $20 – $79.50.

Top of the World – A Carpenters Tribute
7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9. The Great Hall at UPH, $25.50 – $59.50.

Yogapalooza with Bari Koral Quartet
2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 16. The Great Hall at UPH, $10 for students with ID, $20 Adults

Bee Gees Gold
7:30 p.m. Friday, May 22. The Great Hall at UPH, $20 – $55.50.