Hilltown Commons brings a new vibe to an old retreat

Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Today, we’re introducing you to Hilltown Commons, a retreat center on 100 acres of rolling hills and grassy meadows in charming Rensselaerville. The scenic drive out there from downtown Albany was enough to put us in a mellow, contemplative mood, ready to take in one of their creative workshops. Highly recommend y’all check it out!

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Hilltown Commons brings a new vibe to an old retreat

Hilltown Commons, Rensselaerville’s historic 100-acre campus, is rewriting its story. 

Long a hub for influential thinkers, The Commons traces its roots back to 1924 when Laura Talmage Huyck held talks on global peace at her home in reaction to the horrors of World War I. More recently, it operated as the Carey Institute for Global Good.

Rebranded last year as Hilltown Commons, the retreat is shaking off its somewhat elitist past and opening its doors to the larger community.

“This place used to feel exclusive, even intimidating,” says Ariana Mavaddat, The Commons’ director of operations. “Now we’re making it more welcoming—like a real campus for learning, connection and creative energy.”

Gone is the Carey Institute moniker. In its place is a vibrant, hands-on nonprofit retreat campus with ambitious plans and a refreshingly laid-back attitude. The grounds are sprawling and serene, with sweeping Catskills views, historic lodges and a cozy pub. Each of the 50 rooms is quaintly decorated with vintage wallpaper and period furniture, and includes an en-suite bath (an unusual amenity for retreat centers).

It’s exactly the kind of place you would picture hosting a writer’s retreat or artists in residence—both of which are happening at The Commons. 

Unlike other regional retreat centers like Kripalu in Stockbridge and Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, The Commons offers programs rooted in real-world learning across disciplines like the arts and humanities, not just wellness.

“This place has a soul. We’re just trying to honor it while inviting others to be part of it,” says executive director Doug Parvis.

It’s not a coincidence that Doug was an early employee of Yondr, the company on a mission to create phone-free spaces, especially in schools. Here, he’s trying to tap into a similar desire for deeper connection.

“In an age of digital overwhelm and social disconnection,” he says, “we offer something vital: a place to slow down and think deeply together.”

Workshops are the heart of the programming, ranging from healing and bodywork to creative writing and art-making. All are designed in-house and offered as all-inclusive packages: lodging, meals and instruction.

This year also marks the debut of Shared AIR, the retreat’s artist-in-residence program. Four artists—a filmmaker, a photographer, and two painters—will spend the summer living and working onsite. 

A big part of the attraction is the town of Rensselaerville itself. It’s a charming hamlet with an unmistakable pull: intellectual and artistic, yet totally unpretentious. 

“We want our visitors to really experience the town,” Doug says. “Not just breeze in for a retreat and head out. This place has depth.”

The deets: Hilltown Commons, 63 Huyck Rd, Rensselaerville. Next weekend, join the Pond Hill Writers’ Retreat for its inaugural summer at The Commons. In late August, the campus will host the Little Nights, Big Weekend Creative Retreat. Exclusively for our readers: Use the promo code COMMONS518 to get $100 off any workshop!

Just wanna drop in? Every Friday, the Pub is open to the public from 5-9p, often with live music and always with elevated pub fare.

📜 Juneteenth celebrates the historic emancipation of enslaved people in America. The TU has a handy guide to all of the events planned across the Capital Region today and through the weekend.

🇮🇹 Noah’s Italian, a collab between Siro’s owner Peter Spitalny and executive chef Noah Frese, is set to open at 43 Phila Street in Saratoga in July. Occupying the space left by The District, Noah’s will offer an elevated spin on classic American-Italian dishes like chicken scarpariello and chicken parm. [News10] Check out our story on “How Saratoga’s Phila Street got its groove back.”

🧘‍♂️ The Hot Yoga Spot is putting on its inaugural Summer Block Party at Stuyvesant Plaza this Saturday. Benefiting the Alzheimer's Association, the free event (9-11a) kicks off with a fitness class and ends with an outdoor yoga session.

🫒 The TU’s Steve Barnes gives us a sneak peek of the Old World Gourmet Market opening next week in Wilton. The 7,500-square-foot grocery store is the work of a former Brooklyn couple who have been visitors to Saratoga for decades. Expect to find an expansive selection of meats, seafood, deli sandwiches and pastas.

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!

Open TODAY for Juneteenth until 6 pm. Regular hours: Fri, 2-10p; Sat, 10a-10p; Sun, 10a-7p. Read the rave reviews on Google.

⭐️ The Egg turns into a giant arcade at its Last Hurrah Open House. Play Rock Band on the main stage, revisit classic arcade games, and check out the giant foosball table! Go behind-the-scenes of The Egg’s massive makeover in our story. Sat | 2–6p | free with suggested $15 donation. RSVPs requested.

⭐️ Make Music Day is a worldwide festival held annually on the summer solstice, featuring free musical performances everywhere. Check out Make Music Albany for events citywide. Troy is also hosting free performances. Sat, various locations & times, free.

⭐️ For 50 years, the Center Square Association has hosted its House & Garden Tour and Stoop Stroll. It’s a wonderful opportunity to peek into the private gardens and homes in one of Albany’s best neighborhoods. Sat, 11a–4p. Home tours are 12–3p, $25. Suggested $10 donation for the stoop stroll, free to view.

⭐️ The first-ever Sci:Fi Schenectady Film Fest celebrates science fiction cinema with award-winning features, a curated series of international and domestic shorts, cult classics, science-inspired films, expert panel presentations, an interactive science future exhibition and out-of-this-world parties. Fri-Sun, $50 for a full festival pass. At miSci and other venues in Schenectady.

⭐️ Troy Pride Night Out is gonna be hopping with a block party and too many afterparties to shake a rainbow at! Noteworthy for the smart kids, the Steam-Powered Pop-Up Event at the THINQubator looks like a good time. Stop by the Art Center of the Capital Region and say 👋 to Karley—she’ll be manning the front desk all evening.

More Pride power: Bethlehem Pride Festival (afterparty at The Real McCoy), Saratoga Pride, Express Yourself: Capital District Latinos Pride Event, and the Dancing Grain Pride Festival in Gansevoort. All events free.

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

🍽️ The 518 Black Restaurant Week is happening now and goes through Sunday. Also happening is the Lake George Restaurant Week. Both $35 for 3 courses.

🍺 This weekend, Frog Alley Brewing Company puts on its 3rd annual Brew-B-Cue. The Shalom Food Pantry at the Albany JCC is also hosting its Battle of the BBQs on Sunday.

⚔️ The second weekend of the NY Capital District Renaissance Festival takes over Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont.

🎙️ Opera Saratoga continues this week with some excellent shows, including “She Loves Me” (a romantic musical); “La Vie Perisienne” (an irreverent French operetta); and “A Mass for Women in Bathrooms” (an edgy new electronic opera).

TODAY

IT’S JUNETEENTH, LOVE YER HUMAN SIBLINGS

🎸 This week’s Alive at Five celebrates hip hop and Juneteenth, featuring Lupe Fiasco w/ DJ TGIF & Rhakim Ali. Due to our endlessly rainy summer 🤦‍♂️ the concert has been moved to the Corning Preserve Boat Launch.

🎺 Thursday’s Jazz on Jay in Schenectady welcomes the Steve Horowitz Quartet.

🎸 Also Thursday, Against the Grayne headlines Rock the Block in Cohoes.

🎵 The Ill Funk Ensemble plays Bands on Broadway in Schenectady.

🖼️ The Albany Institute of History & Art invites you to the Truth In Action Juneteenth Festival, a day of art, activism, and community.

FRIDAY

🎙️ On Friday, The Egg welcomes living legend Dionne Warwick, the night before its Last Hurrah Open House.

🕯️Also Friday, the Albany Water Lantern Festival is a celebration of light and community.

🍺 Catch Our Other Brother at Wolf Hollow Brewing Co. for fantastic covers of classic rock and pop songs.

SATURDAY

🇧🇶 It’s Caribbean Day in the Park at Prospect Park in Troy!

🕰️ The annual Round Lake Antiques & Vintage Festival returns on Sat & Sun. Meanwhile, the Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa is hosting its own Craft & Antique Fair + Porch Book Sale.

🗽 The New York Writers Institute is taking a field trip to the big city for a literary tour of NYC in celebration of 100 years of The Great Gatsby and The New Yorker.

🐦️ The bagel birdfeeders are back at the Delmar Farmers Market.

🚘️ Get to the Saratoga Automobile Museum for Cars on Union.

SUNDAY

🐶 Find your next best friend at Woofs At The Wolf at Wolf Hollow Brewing Co.

🍓 Dig into some delish strawberry shortcake at the Olde Time Strawberry Social in Ballston Spa.

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