The New York City Ballet has returned to its summer home this week for its 43rd season at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, complete with new initiatives to draw different crowds.

Themed nights will offer patrons preshow activities such as beer tasting, American Girl theme tea parties with giveaways from the American Girl company, Tango lessons, soccer demonstrations, polo demonstrations and a newcomer’s night, which will feature a lecture about ballet on the lawn before the performance.

“We have a very exciting program this season and along with the new promotions, I feel that families will have a good opportunity to have a ‘stay-cation’ at SPAC this summer,” SPAC President Marcia White said.

Also new this season, students of all ages are able to receive $10 lawn seats and discounted amphitheater seats up to 25 percent off the ticketed price, and children under the age of 12 can sit on the lawn for free.

Finally with the help of the Downtown Business Association, SPAC has launched a classical dance and music video series which will play in downtown shops, hotels and restaurants. The series consists of 45 different videos featuring upcoming ballets and performances by the Philadelphia Orchestra and were designed to allow the public to become more familiar with the classical arts, particularly younger audiences.

“We are excited and proud to launch SPAC’s new classical video series in downtown Saratoga. We view the series as an innovative way to make the arts approachable for a generation that is drawn to entertainment presented through new channels of technology,” White said. “In the summer, virtually everyone who visits or lives in the area spends time strolling Saratoga’s charming downtown. It’s truly the center of activity for the entire region. Introducing our video screens there is an ideal way to inform people about the spectacular classical programming available a few minutes down the road.”

These new promotions are being initiated to keep ticket sales up and appeal to wider audiences, White added. So far, ticket sales are down from last year, but White said she hopes walk up sales will increase with the help of the video series and special promotions to draw in underrepresented audiences.

“We want husbands, boyfriends and sons of ballet-goers to come see what the New York City Ballet has to offer and have an enjoyable evening,” she added.

The 2008 season opened Tuesday evening with a celebration of famed choreographer Jerome Robbins, who passed away 10 years ago at the age of 80. From Broadway to ballet, Robbins was known as a versatile and talented, yet tough choreographer who choreographed numerous ballets and plays, including West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I and Peter Pan.

The focal point of the 2008 season is the annual Ballet Gala on July 19, in which the New York City Ballet will present West Side Story, the only ballet in which dancers also sing. Rita Moreno, who played ‘Anita’ in the film adaptation of West Side Story will be the honorary chairperson of the event and will join the ballerinas onstage to present a special tribute to Jerome Robbins.

Robbins’ works will be featured throughout the season, including favorites like I’m Old Fashioned and postmodern works like Glass Pieces.

“We have a very exciting program this year and are very hopeful that families will take advantage of our new promotions and stay close to home to enjoy the magic of SPAC,” White said.