Move your body, meet your people at the Winners Circle

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Hey, 518 readers! Last week’s torrential rains did a number on the Capital Region and Hudson Valley. It also forced us to cancel our 518 Dinner Club gathering. That means you have a second chance at getting a seat to this month’s dinner! We’re keeping it in downtown Troy because we love it so much. It’s also where you’ll find our generous dinner sponsor, EMRY’s Garden & The Berlin Lounge. Two terrific hotspots in one location.

🎟️ Save your spot for The 518 Dinner Club—the most delicious, low-key way to make friends in the 518.

🏐 Speaking of making friends, today we’re introducing you to the Winners Circle, a new social club that’s all about meeting new people—with a healthy dose of fitness thrown in. Check them out!

Move your body, meet your people. Welcome to the Winners Circle.

The pickleball courts at the Hockey Hut in Clifton Park were packed with fit and healthy 20-and-30 somethings.

Music blasted from a DJ deck. The Meat Stick Chick brought her mobile cart and was serving up gourmet hot dogs. Two girls wore matching pink t-shirts that read: “Pickle my balls.”

Everyone looked like they were having a great time.

Welcome to the Winners Circle, a new social club out of Saratoga whose motto is: “Fitness, but social.”

The group was created by longtime friends Alec Lind, Gordy Adams and Chris Serafini, who all met at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School and played lacrosse together. 

After talking about the idea for years, they launched it this spring with a casual run around Saratoga. Their first official event drew about 15 people. Less than a year later, more than 600 have joined the club’s group chat, with roughly 100 or so regulars.

Their fast growth says something about what young adults are looking for right now.

For many people in their 20s and 30s, going out no longer automatically means spending a night at a crowded bar. But they still want to meet people, have fun and feel part of something.

“A big reason why a lot of our members show up to our events is because they want other ways to socialize and meet people that doesn't involve drinking,” says Alec, 25, during a break in the friendly pickleball contest.

The social club leans heavily into fitness events: standup paddle boarding and kayaking outings, beach volleyball games, lakeside parties, “rave saunas” at KOS, hikes and runs.

There’s something else going on, too. Call it a vibe. You can see it on their Instagram. Everyone looks genuinely friendly and thrilled to be doing something active, together. Many friendships have been sparked.

Alec says the one word to describe Winners Circle is “authentic.”

“Everything you see on our Instagram page is exactly what we're all about—just spreading positivity. Everyone's welcome. We just want to meet new people, have a good time.”

Jenna Clark, who started up the Casa Volley beach volleyball club in Milton / Ballston Spa, has been coming to Winners Circle events and recently hosted a volleyball tourney with them. (Btw, we profiled Jenna back in early 2025 as she was thinking about launching Casa Volley 🏐)

“I think anybody bringing people together to move their bodies, be active, is just a very special thing. It's what we need,” she says.

Another member, Ciara Cullen, 27, added: “With so many different types of events they have going on, there’s an entry point for everybody. It's good people, and we're all just here to have a good time.”

You can join the Winners Circle (the name is a homage to the winners circle in horse racing) by filling out this form. It’s free to join! Be sure to follow them on Insta.

There’s a group event almost every week. And stay tuned for some exciting news about events that will keep the social club going through the winter months when beach volleyball isn’t an option.

A word from our sponsor

The 518 is proud to be the media partner for the new season of Mopco’s Theatresports, on Saturday nights this summer. If you’ve never experienced the thrill of Theatresports, here’s what to expect:

Two teams of top-notch improvisers go head-to-head in a fast-paced showdown, battling for points, bragging rights, and your laughs.

It’s fast, fearless, and completely unscripted. No two shows are ever the same!

⚓️ A new seasonal bar called the Hudson Shore Tavern is opening on the waterfront in Watervliet, near the former Rusty Anchor barge. The owners also operate ROCKS and Just a Bar in Albany. The grand opening is scheduled for Thursday at 4:30 pm. [News10]

🌶️ If you’re heading to Watervliet, you might check out Ben Thanh Vietnamese Bistro. The restaurant got a nice writeup in the TU this past weekend. [Times Union]

📚️ The lineup for the 9th annual Albany Book Festival on Sept. 26 has been announced. Among the speakers will be Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Kolbert and famed restaurateur Keith McNally. And guess who will be moderating a panel at the book fest? That’s right, our very own Phat! [Times Union]

🍦 Say it ain’t so… The ice cream trucks of your childhood are being threatened by soaring insurance premiums 👎️ [Albany Business Review]

This comfy family home in Voorheesville opens with an impressive porch that looks out over a peaceful woodland setting. The lofted living room feels bright and open, while a wood stove and lots of little nooks throughout the house keep it cozy. Admittedly, the interior could use a bit of a glowup. Tucked into the surrounding forest are several outbuildings, including a heated studio/garage. Bonus: It’s also in a top-notch school district.

The deets: 4 bd, 3 ba, 1,940 sq. ft, 1.7 acres. Asking: $414,000. Days on market: 5. See the full listing here.

TOP 5 PICKS

⭐️ 🏮 TroyAsia Night Market | It’s back by popular demand! And boy, is it popular! If you didn’t heed our advice last time to get there EARLY, you probably missed out on some of the best vendors—or waited in super long lines. The early bird gets the inihaw baboy (Filipino grilled pork) and a variety of Asian treats. Vietnamese bakery Chateau Homemade will be there! Sat, 5-9p, free.

⭐️ 🖼️ First Friday Albany | The city’s monthly arts and music showcase is back this Friday with a solid lineup of events. There will be a fun block party in front of Fort Orange General Store, with an afterparty at Ophelia’s—Femininomenon Fest. More highlights: Half Cousin at New Scotland Spirits Tasting Room; a free show at Dive; Press Rewind at Circus, and free admission at the Albany Institute of History & Art. Fri, 6-11:30p, free.

⭐️ 🥕 The Markets at Round Lake | This year’s event features 3 separate markets: a food market, a maker’s market, and a book market. Our friend, Lidia’s Empanadas, will be among the excellent food vendors. At the book market, you can make your own tiny book or print screen your own library tote bag. Sat & Sun, kicks off at 10a.

⭐️ 🎆 Tchaikovsky Spectacular | Guest conductor Marin Alsop returns to SPAC for an all-Tchaikovsky program with The Philadelphia Orchestra. The evening features Symphony No. 5, the dramatic Romeo and Juliet, and a grand finale of the 1812 Overture accompanied by fireworks and actual live cannon fire! 💣️ Come early to picnic and fun family activities. Wed, 7:30p, $26.66 for lawn tix.

⭐️ 🎸 Femininomenon Fest: Live Band Sing-a-Long | This is part of First Friday, but it’s worth calling out on its own: A bunch of Capital Region faves like Sydney Worthley, Shannon Tehya, Caity Gallagher, Nocturnne and Julia Alsarraf will be belting out covers of Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan and more! Fri, 8:30-11:30p, free.

Honorable mentions:

⭐️ 🖼️ 3rd Annual Capital Region Activated Artist Fest | Experience a full day of live art demonstrations, interactive workshops, and unique pieces from various artists. At the Art Center of the Capital Region in Troy. Sun, 11a-6p, free.

⭐️ 🛒 The much, much anticipated Costco in Guilderland is finally opening on Wednesday morning, following a 7:30 am ribbon cutting ceremony. Some 14,000 memberships have been sold ahead of the opening—a record for the Northeast. So, there might be a little traffic, just saying. If you really want to brave opening day, head to 1701 Western Ave, Albany (Guilderland). Doors open at 8 am.

🎭️ AT THE THEATER

• Bridge Street Theatre raises the curtain on Terrence McNally's "The Lisbon Traviata,” which explores friendship, obsession, and unrequited love during the height of the AIDS crisis. Through Aug. 16.

• The hit movie comes to the stage with Footloose: The Musical at Cohoes Music Hall. Through Aug. 15.

• Prepare for a blast of 80s nostalgia at theREP’s “Mystic Pizza.”

• Theater at Troy’s No Fun? Yup. The No Fun Fringe: Play Showcase features not one, but two plays!

• Elton John tribute, The Rocket Man Show is coming to Proctors for one night only (Sept. 12).

SUMMER FUN

🖼️ The Albany Institute of History & Art invites children ages 9–12 and 6–8 to Artful Morning, for three and one-day sessions at the museum.

WEDNESDAY

🤣 Cloud City Comedy is bringing the laughs with a clean (and free!) Comedy Open Mic Night at Nine Pin. Remember that 518 readers get 10% off all cider pours by mentioning “The 518 Crew.”

🍜 Join Chef Saso at Capital Cooks as he guides you through cult classics straight from the hit show, “Midnight Diner.”

THURSDAY

🎸 Electric City Summer Fest closes out the season with Tommy V Live, a Capital Region fan favorite bringing 80s hard rock and metal to the stage.

🖼️ The Tang Museum’s free concert series Upbeat on the Roof welcomes Little Saints. Get there early for some fun crafting!

🏃‍♂️The Bad Blood 5K Run returns to Siena University to benefit Wicklund Warriors' mission of helping local families facing blood cancer.

🍸️ Rescheduled due to last week’s downpour, the Golden Hour Garden Party at Good Friends Ecological Garden is your chance to tour this wonderful suburban oasis.

FRIDAY

🖼️ In honor of Andy Warhol’s birthday, come learn how to paint your own version of his iconic Campbell’s Soup Cans.

SATURDAY

🕷️ The Twilight Market is back at Quackenbush Square in Albany. Explore a curated collection of oddities, dark art, taxidermy, gothic fashion, and more!

💃 Lark Before Dark is a dance party for people with stuff to do the next day 😂 featuring DJ Rvmba on the decks.

🖼️ At Albany Center Gallery’s Moveable Mural Workshop, participants collaborate to create movable murals using recycled materials.

👩‍🎨 Meet artists Jahniah Kum and Jess Stapf as they open up their spaces during the Collar Works Open Studios.

📚️🍺 The Book Hive brings its book popup to Albany’s Broken Loop Brewing Co. If you haven’t dropped into this brewery, it’s worth checking out!

SUNDAY

👗 The Second Sunday vintage market will setting up shop in Saratoga’s Congress Park.

🧘‍♂️ Grit & Grace Salon and Boutique is hosting Reset Session #3, the third in a series of events that includes light yoga and meditation.

👂️ Albany Community Acupuncture invites you to learn about the healing powers of Ear Seed therapy at the Sanctuary for Independent Media. It’s not as strange as it, um, sounds.

ART ON VIEW

Our music listings are now published separately on The 518 website. Click here.

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