Photos by Kacey O'Brien
Here's a way to kick the weekend off early, with a Thursday evening jam-packed with entertainment. Grab something good to eat at the Thursday Market & Food Truck Corral, and then head over to the Lawrence Street Tavern for some drinks and blues tunes played by talented musicians. The Shirt Factory and the Lawrence Street Tavern are both cornerstone businesses in the historic “East End” of downtown Glens Falls, and attending both of their events is a great way to experience the Lake George Area’s cuisine, as well as the music scene. You’ll be singing the blues as soon as the night ends, and until the next Thursday extravaganza you partake in.
Tip for Parking: Parking for these events might be difficult, as they are very popular. You will have to park on one of the streets nearby, which could require a short walk. All parking is free, but some streets are residential, so please remember to not block any driveways.
Join foodies who flock to the Thursday Market & Food Truck Corral at The Shirt Factory to sample a variety of the best flavors from around the region. With a rotating list of food trucks and artisanal food and beverages, there is surely something for everyone’s taste buds. From 4:30 to 8 p.m., vendors will be set up in four sections of The Shirt Factory complex – the lawn at the intersection of Cooper and Lawrence Street, the parking lot off Cooper Street, the parking lot of Curran Lane, and at The Shirt Factory Annex off Curran Lane in front of the Rock Hill Bakehouse & Café. The lines do move fast, so you’ll have the chance to fill up on BBQ from the Chick Magnet, mac & cheese from The Mac Factor, Giovanni Fresco’s pasta bar, authentic Mexican from Tres Mijas, and more! Wash it all down with a refreshing lemonade, bubble tea, or an iced coffee from Fiend Coffeeworks. Don’t forget dessert! Sweet tooth cravings will be satisfied by Instagram-worthy treats from Darling Doughnuts, The KOKO Chariot’s beignets and funnel cakes, or a delicious cheesecake from Grandma Apple’s. Craft beverage booths like Adirondack Winery, Mean Max Brew Works, and Slyboro Ciderhouse offer sips of their spirits to “try before you buy”. There are so many more options that we simply don’t have room to list them all, so you’ll have to just taste test them for yourself. Although vendors are subject to change, you definitely won’t leave hungry!
Clockwise From Top Left: Buffalo Mac from The Mac Factor, Raspberry Lemonade from Freddy's Rock and Lemonade, a Coffee Doughnut from Darling Doughnuts, and an Iced Caramel Coffee from Fiend Coffeeworks.
Scattered outside among the food vendors are tents of handmade and carefully curated household goods, clothing, and more from local boutiques. The doors of The Shirt Factory are also open during the event for you to shop from other boutiques inside.
The Thursday Market & Food Truck Corral is absolutely a family-friendly event featuring children’s activities like a petting zoo and pony rides. There is also entertainment for the adults, like live music on two separate stages and Adirondack Axe’s Mobile Unit for you to try your hand at axe throwing.
And, keep an eye out for the progress being made on Muralgarten, as Muralthon is currently underway. Local artists are hard at work painting murals that will add to the emerging art scene in downtown Glens Falls. The public art being created around The Shirt Factory aims to bring vivid color, scenery, and expression to a more industrial part of the city.
Once you’ve had your fill and the food trucks begin to pack up, the Lawrence Street Tavern will already be jumping with a lively audience and the sweet sounds of the blues.
Join the throng of people walking over to the tavern, where the Thursday night fun is in full swing and acoustic melodies are being played on their beautiful wrap-around porch before the real jam session begins. However, the atmosphere of a Thursday Night Blues Jam is best and fully experienced from inside the building with a view of the stage and a drink in your hand.
Every Thursday night, musicians of all skill levels from upstate New York and beyond travel to the Lawrence Street Tavern to play in front of the eager crowd that begins to gather around 7 p.m. They rotate every three songs to give all performers a fair chance to show off their talent and rock out to all the electric blues hits. If you’re a musician and want to make a name for yourself, or your skills are a little rusty but you want to start performing again, this is a great opportunity to jam with kindred musicians and play in front of an audience full of friendly faces that are encouraging to all. Vocalists are welcome to grab the mic and belt out some soulful notes. And, you don’t want to miss the handful of songs performed by the dynamic “Bluesman”. Full PA, amps, keyboard, and drums are provided, but if you play another instrument like the bass guitar, saxophone, or trumpet, please bring it with you and just show on up!
Of course, you can’t have the blues without rhythm. Dance like no one is watching to as wide-range of covers from classic hits likes like Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock”, to more recent tracks like Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey”. You have just enough time between sets to head to the bar and quench the thirst you’ve worked up by showing off those moves. You don’t have to be a blue fans to attend, but we can guarantee you'll be a blues fan after!
