Good Karma Studio brings aerial arts to new heights

Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Today, we’re taking you to Good Karma Studio, an aerial and circus arts facility where fitness is fun and high flying—up to 30 feet in the air if you dare! Plus, get ready for a splendid summer weekend packed with all of the best things in life—food, music and art.

Let’s dive in.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Good Karma Studio is Albany’s aerial playground 🎪 

If you’ve ever seen a Cirque du Soleil production, you know it’s a jaw-dropping spectacle of aerial and circus arts, dance, and storytelling.

But do you ever think—you know, I could do that!

Jessica Lubin is here to tell you that it’s not as far-fetched as you might think.

In 2011, she founded Good Karma Studio, the only certified circus arts program in the Capital Region. Here, it’s all about “fun fitness”—a place where anyone, regardless of age or ability, can try something new.

“You don’t have to be flexible or strong to start. You just have to show up,” says Jessica, who discovered aerial arts while living in New York City. 

Her 8,000+ sf studio in Albany offers an impressive lineup of classes, many designed for first timers, including aerial yoga, Lyra hoop (the large metal hoops), silk hammock, pole dancing, and circus arts. There are circus classes and programs just for kids, as well as “regular” mat yoga classes. 

After a recent expansion, Good Karma now houses three studios under one roof—including a 30-foot-high warehouse space—and a roster of 22 certified instructors. At the Kayak Shak in Saratoga, Good Karma even offers aerial yoga classes outdoors, overlooking Saratoga Lake. 

“A lot of people come in a little nervous,” Jessica says, “but by the end of class, they’re glowing—amazed by what they can do.”

Along with novices, Good Karma attracts people who are looking to become or are already professional performers. Looking to spice up your wedding or cocktail event? Good Karma can bring the heat with fire spinners, burlesque performers, belly dancers, and a variety of aerialists (including some who can serve drinks while in the air).  

If you’re not so keen on suspending yourself from a silk rope, you can watch from the comfort of your seat. This Saturday, Good Karma is putting on its first-ever large-scale production at The Egg. 

The two-part show kicks off with the family-friendly Rising Stars at 4 pm, highlighting up-and-coming aerialists and musicians, in collaboration with Peak Music Studios. That’s followed by Aerial Dance of the Zodiac, an 18+ only performance at 7 pm featuring a “high-flying journey through the 12 astrological signs.” Watch a preview of the show here.

Pro tip: Use promo code ZODIAC50 for a full 50% off tix to Aerial Dance of the Zodiac. And use promo code STARS50 for half-off tix for Rising Stars.

The deets: Good Karma Studio, 12 Walker Way, Albany. Check out their classes and staff. New students can take introductory classes for $25-$52.

🗳️ The Times Union has the full results from Tuesday’s primary elections. In the Democratic race for Albany mayor, Dorcey Applyrs dominated Dan Cerutti (53.1% to 28.6%), making it very likely that she will become the city’s first Black mayor after the general election. Her victory was part of a big sweep for the Working Families Party across New York State. Sam Fein also clinched the primary win for Albany city auditor.

🏊️ Albany’s historic Lincoln Park Pool is ready for primetime. After two years of renovations to fix leakage issues and completely rebuild the pool, the new facility will welcome city residents on July 5, just in time for the busy holiday weekend (but a day shy of the planned July 4th opening). The new pool features a 10-lane lap pool, a 6,000-square-foot splash pad, water slides painted in bright city colors, and in-water spray features. [Times Union]

🚨FYI, the speed cameras in front of Albany’s school zones are switching to summer hours. At The 518 HQ, we recently received a warning letter from the city about going too fast in a school zone 😬 Slow your roll, folks!

📍And the results of Monday’s reader poll are in… The majority of you (58.6%) told us that Chatham is just too far away to be part of the Capital Region, but some of you really want to call it one of our own…

“I live on the east border of the Capital Region and endorse stretching that to Chatham!” one reader wrote in. Liz Richards said it shouldn’t be included, but it’s “so cute! I miss the Blue Plate!” If you do get out to this charming village, be sure to drop into the Old Chatham Country Store.

A word from our partner

Zone518 is the Capital Region’s first immersive holographic theater. Step into Everworld, a mind-bending augmented reality experience with mysteries and riddles to solve. Or try one of the private VR team adventures or escape rooms. Exclusively for The 518 subscribers: Use promo code READTHE518 for 10% off any ticket!

Regular hours: Fri, 2-10p; Sat, 10a-10p; Sun, 10a-7p. Read the rave reviews on Google.

⭐️ Inspired by the film and musical “Once,” theREP is putting on Buskers & Brews—an afternoon of street music, drinks, and downtown charm. Start your adventure at the Capital Repertory Theatre with a complimentary drink, then stroll to McGeary’s Irish Pub, Common Roots Albany Outpost and the Irish American Heritage Museum. At each stop, talented street performers will delight you with music. Sat, noon–3p, $20. This event is capped at 100 people, so you might wanna get tix early.

⭐️ Love wine, good eats, and people watching? Get up to Lake George this weekend for the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival. Happening Sat and Sun, this annual foodie extravaganza features more than 120 vendors, including more than 60 wineries and distilleries. Get tix here. Also, the TAP New York Craft Brew Festival is in East Durham on Sat & Sun.

⭐️ More of a documentary film buff? 🎬️ The 70th annual Flaherty Film Seminar kicks off Friday at the Tang Museum, with screenings and discussion at Picture Lock One’s bank vault location in Troy, finishing up on Sunday at the Sanctuary for Independent Media. Fri-Sun, various times, all events free & open to the public.

⭐️ The public reception for Renée Bouchard: Anonymous Citizens at Kiddie Pool Project Space is one of only two events planned for 2025 in this unique residential gallery, located in The 518’s historic Italianate row house at 128 Grand St, Albany. Consider this your speakeasy-style invitation to join us for an evening of contemporary art viewing and warm conversation. Sat, 6-9p, free.

⭐️ On Saturday, Washington Park hosts the Filipino Day Grand Parade. Come for the parade, stay for the festival featuring all kinds of yummy Filipino foods. We love a good food fest and Filipino Day never disappoints. With the warm weather, here’s hoping we find some good halo-halo 🍧 Sat, 9a-4p, free.

Honorable mention this week:

🍺🏓 When Girls Upstate puts on a co-ed party, you know it’s gonna be a fun time. This Saturday, get to City Beer Hall in Albany for their Summer Patio Party, featuring a live DJ, private bar and games designed for intentional socializing. Details and tix here. Sat, 6-9p, $20.

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

🖼️ Early scoop! The Albany Institute of History & Art will be free for children 12 and under, plus one adult, for all of July and August, thanks to support from the Carl E. Touhey Foundation. This is an excellent opportunity to see the Americans Who Tell the Truth exhibition in its closing weeks.

🎷 The sprawling Saratoga Jazz Festival takes over SPAC this weekend. WAMC’s Joe Donahue gives a preview of the jazz extravaganza with festival producer Danny Melnick.

🎭️ It’s a Disney World with two Disney musicals playing almost concurrently in the Capital Region. The Little Mermaid runs through August 17 at the Cohoes Music Hall, while Beauty and the Beast plays at Proctors through July 3.

TODAY

🎸 So much music happening tonight… It’s Emo Night at Alive at Five, featuring Boys Like Girls with The Story Boys. Local 11 headlines Schenectady’s Bands on Broadway. Skeeter Creek performs at Rock the Block in Cohoes. And the village of Kinderhook is putting on its Summerjam Block Party—Soul Provider is back by popular demand to play their signature blend of soul, jazz and classic oldies.

FRIDAY

🪕 The Old Songs Festival at the Altamont Fairgrounds is a family-friendly festival of folk, traditional, Celtic and world music and dance. There are up to 100 workshops and concerts over three days, starting Friday.

🎤 Femininomenon Live Sing-a-Long is back at Albany’s Lost & Found with a stacked lineup and a new setlist.

🎬️ Movies Under the Stars screens “Princess and the Frog” at Black Lives Matter Park in Albany.

🎸 Freedom Days concert series in Scotia is back for the summer with its crowd favorite water ski and fireworks show at Jumpin’ Jacks. Classic rockers Union Depot headlines.

🍺 The Pub is open from 5-9:30p at Hilltown Commons in Rensselaerville. Come on down for some elevated bar fare and check out the bucolic grounds of this serene retreat.

SATURDAY

🖼️ Meet the artists-in-residence at the OMI Artists Open Studios.

👩‍🌾 The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market is getting some competition. A new farmers market called the 4th Street Farmers Market is debuting this Saturday at 139 4th Street in Troy.

SUNDAY

💀 The Upstate Punk Rock Flea Market is back at Albany’s Empire Live.

🍷 The Bocage Champagne Bar invites you to their Seaside Sips Wine Tasting, celebrating the crisp, breezy wines of Portugal.

🐐 Sadly, the June Farms Cake Picnic on Saturday is sold out, but you can still join the Goat Yoga class.

🥕 The Waterford Harbor Market is every Sunday through October.

🏳️‍🌈 The NYS Museum celebrates its Pride Day with the opening of a new exhibit, New York Pride: The Fight for Marriage Equality. 

🏡 Soroptimist International of Saratoga Co. is putting on its 30th annual Secret Garden Tour.

A word from our partner

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