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| Sunday, May 1 @ 7 PM | IRREGULAR OPPOSITION | $10/5 |
 Performed by Humorist Dirck Toll
Innovative humorist Dirck Toll has been described as "a cross between George Carlin and Salvador Dali", and the Albany Times Union has said "all of Toll's material is marked with weird insights, social satire, and laugh-out-loud punchlines". This performance in the Black Box Theater is the world premiere of his new one-person stage show, IRREGULAR OPPOSITION. In the 45-minute show, Dirck acts out a satirical story involving, among other things, an unusual business problem, an eccentric support group, and a bizarre civic festival. Rumors are rampant that Dirck may also appear as his own opening act, but you can only find out for sure by coming to the show, which you really ought to anyway. IRREGULAR OPPOSITION – it's exactly what the world doesn't know it's been waiting for! |
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| Tuesday, May 3 @ 7 PM | DAVE LIPPMAN | $10 |
 Veteran satirical songster Dave Lippman, fired up about weapons of mass
distraction, SUVs, and wars to defend SUVs, takes to the road for his second
millennium of gut-busting political comedy tours. Get ready for high-end
pop parodies and some very wise cracks from the world's only known singing
CIA agent, George Shrub, in this Counter-Intelligence Cabaret. Lippman's
most recent CD is "Shrub and Lippman Live in Manhattan." A relatively
serious illustrated song cycle on Palestine and Israel rounds out the show. www.davelippman.com |
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| Friday, May 6 @ 8 PM | WOODY MANN | $18/16 |
 Guitar fans take note: we finally got Woody! This famed finger-style guitarist, who began his training with Rev. Gary Davis as a teenager, combines jazz, blues, classical and world music to create powerful musical stories told through blazing guitar improvisations and personal, thought-provoking songs. He has performed with John Fahey, Son House, Bukka White, and many greats of the jazz world. His numerous guitar books and DVDs have influenced a generation of guitar students. The Times of London said it well: " Don't miss a chance to see him; you are unlikely to hear anything or anyone better." www.woodymann.com |
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| Saturday, May 7 @ 8 PM | ALIEN FOLKLIFE | $12/10 |
 All mothers get in for the member rate!!!
Recent finalists in the South Florida Folk & Acoustic Music Festival's singer-songwriter competition, the Aliens return to Caffe Lena with their quirky blend of "wrist-slitters and side-splitters." On the funny side, this duo of Joan Kosby and Paul Mercer writes about cats, dogs, soap operas, telephones, and termites. On the flip side, their repertoire includes moving songs of loss, love, hope and healing. Down to Earth, their latest CD, was produced by award-winning Canadian producer Paul Mills (best known for his work with legendary songwriter Stan Rogers), and features a guest appearance by Tracy Grammer. Greg Haymes of Albany's Times Union called Alien Folklife's song, Brand New Strings, "a terrific tribute to Lena Spencer and the Caffe that bears her name." www.alienfolklife.com |
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| Sunday, May 8 @ 7 PM | MOTHER'S DAY SHOW FEATURING ADDIE & OLIN | $12/10 |
 Roses are red, violets are blue, come bring your mother . . . and, ok, your Dad, too! Celebrate Mother’s Day with songs that were hits before your Mother was born featuring hipster jazz vocals from the ’20s through ’40s, funky folk and crazy Klezmer highlighted by original, madcap performance art that is unleashed, unbridled, uncut and unglued! “Prolific players on a multitude of musical instruments, their energy level knows no bounds” (Leader Herald) on “cool, comic vaudeville swing jazz that is supremely excellent” (Woodstock Times). A "mix of heartfelt singing, polished guitar work, lively sax playing and riotous stage banter" (Metroland). Hippie moms, domestic divas and rockin’ ’n' rollin’ grandmas unite! |
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| Friday, May 13 @ 8 PM | PIERCE PETTIS | $14/10 |
“Pierce Pettis doesn’t write mere songs, he writes literature... End to end the songwriting is brilliant... Great Big World is easily one of 2004’s best albums." Sing Out! (Winter 2005)
 Pierce Pettis, adored by both critics and public alike, has two main themes: alienation and grace. He writes songs that create unity by reminding us of the deep truths that we already know. Pierce is a native of Alabama who was influenced both by the social struggles of his youth, and the folk and rock sounds of the '60s. Over the years he has developed a pliable sound that draws from rock, folk, country, and R&B, informed by a soulful, spiritual yearning and a poet’s eye for detail. His latest album, Great Big World, is considered his best yet. In addition to his national touring schedule Pierce has been a songwriter for Muscle Shoals, Polygram and Universal in Nashville. He has received numerous awards, including a 1999 Country Music Award from ASCAP for You Move Me -- recorded by Garth Brooks. www.piercepettis.com |
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| Saturday, May 14 | DARRELL SCOTT Postponed! | |
| Darrell Scott has cancelled his tour |
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| Saturday, May 14 @ 8 PM | ROSIE FLORES | $15/12 |
 With Special Guests: The Laws
Rosie's reputation as a high-octane jump and rockabilly star is well established. Critical raves from the Los Angeles Times to Guitar Player magazine leave no doubt about her talent for packing honky-tonks from Boston to Bakersfield, and lighting up the airwaves on programs such as Austin City Limits, Late Night with Conan O'Brian, and A Prairie Home Companion. That said, Rosie's latest work shows a different side of this world-class guitarist and entertainer. Accompanied only by her guitar and a couple of special guests, she rolls out a collection of poignant, well-crafted songs that reveal her experience with the intricacies of love, the loneliness of the road and pleasures of honky tonk life. Don't miss this exciting evening with one of the leading stars of the Texas music scene! www.rosieflores.com |
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| Sunday, May 15 @ 7 PM | VOICES FROM THE VIETNAM WAR | $12/10 Free for Vets! |
An Evening of Stories with Jeannine Laverty and Susan Fantl Spivack
 These two highly regarded storytellers, longtime favorites at Caffè Lena, will bring to life the stories of men who served in Vietnam. They draw their material from actual memoirs, diaries, letters home, fiction, poetry and oral history interviews. Songs from "In Country: Folk Songs of Americans in the Vietnam War," a Flying Fish recording written and sung by soldiers who served in Vietnam, will accompany the stories. First performed at the New York State Vietnam Memorial in May 1992, "Voices from the Vietnam War" explores the range and diversity of experience the American war in Vietnam brought to Americans and Vietnamese, and the long-lasting effects on that war's survivors. We are waiving the admission fee for vets. |
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| Friday, May 20 @ 8 PM | CAMILLE WEST | $15/12 |
 Camille is an inventive, outrageous, warm and just plain fun comic songwriter. Her performances are characterized by impeccable timing, boundless energy, and, according to Metroland Magazine, "a manic zest fired by two of the most arresting eyes in show business." Her songs have achieved national recognition, including Dr. Demento's top award for her classic side-splitter "Viagra in the Waters." Her song "BOB (Battery Operated Boyfriend)" was featured in the Broadway musical Sex. Now that she has retired from several years of touring with the Four Bitchin' Babes, she is back to writing new songs and focusing on her solo career. We can't wait to hear what she has in store for us! www.camille-west.com |
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| Saturday, May 21 @ 8 PM | HILLTOWN RAMBLERS | $12/10 |
 Bringing you their own "Northern brand" of acoustic bluegrass music from high in the beautiful Helderberg Mountains of Upstate New York, it's the Hilltown Ramblers! The fine vocal harmonies of Chuck Batcher on the stand-up bass, Moe Safford on the 5-string banjo, and Dick Stock on the mandolin are driven along by the guitar of George Geel. They cover the classics of bluegrass, folk and gospel music, with a special tip of the hat to Bill Monroe, but they're especially proud of the reception their original music has received. Songs like "I Met Her in the Mountains", "Everytime the Train Went By" , and "Rainbow in the River" stand up well among the standards. Add some "up home" humor and an occasional magic trick, and you've got some great family entertainment! www.hilltownramblers.com |
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| Sunday, May 22 @ 7 PM | ALL SHE WROTE | $12/10 |
 Proceeds to benefit Caffe Lena!!!
Gloria Jean is the songwriter and lead singer for this new ensemble of seasoned folkies that features three-part harmonies and the fine acoustic guitar playing of David LaPlante & Stephen Pounds, and the incomparable acoustic bass of Dick Kniss (of Peter, Paul & Mary and John Denver fame). These Capital District musicians have appeared numerous times on Lena's stage in other configurations, but All She Wrote is an exciting new presentation of their excellent songs and playing. Their debut CD of country-folk originals is receiving national and international airplay. www.all-she-wrote.com |
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| Thursday, May 26 @ 7 PM | MATT HAIMOVITZ & THE PITTSBURGH COLLECTIVE | $15 |
 A Benefit for Caffe Lena Honoring the Memory of Arthur Wolfe
America's cello star, Matt Haimovitz, will be joined by the Pittsburgh Collective for an amazing benefit concert in honor of the late Arthur Wolfe, a longtime member and supporter of Caffe Lena. Haimovitz, who has drawn international acclaim for his "Listening Room Tour," and more recently for his cutting edge album "Anthem", will serve as the featured soloist in this performance of David Sanford's "Big Band Cello Concerto." The twenty-member Pittsburgh Collective takes the typical instrumentation of a big band and extends its range to incorporate the sounds and rhythms of modern classical music merged with rhythm and blues, bop, punk and even the tango. Their influences are as diverse as Stravinsky and Luciano Berio, Duke Ellington and Stan Kenton, and even Parliament/ Funkadelic and King Crimson.
www.oxingale.com / www.pittsburghcollective.com
THIS CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT THE FILENE RECITAL HALL AT SKIDMORE COLLEGE. PLEASE CALL CAFFE LENA TO PURCHASE TICKETS. |
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| Friday, May 27 @ 8 PM | SLOAN WAINWRIGHT | $12/10 |
With Special Guest: Nadine Goellner
 "Discovering her music is like finding a treasure." -The Boston Globe
"Her lyrics are not tough stances on a woman's experience, but rather sensitive explorations of childhood and the poetry of life." -The New York Times
Born into a musical family that includes big brother Loudon and nephew Rufus, Sloan was destined for a life of song. Her captivating contralto would be enough to get her on stage, but mix that with a cache of unguarded, emotional lyrics, and a warm and soulful stage presence, and you've got a woman with a die-hard following who enjoys regular tours at the country's best folk clubs. She has been seen far too infrequently at Lena's and we're very pleased to welcome her back for a night of original music that mixes the best of folk, rock, jazz, blues and an occasional tincture of funk. See: All Music Guide / www.sloanwainwright.com |
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| Saturday, May 28 @ 7:30 PM | SHARE YOUR VOICE ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND | FREE |
| On Memorial Day Weekend we are opening our stage to any member of our community who has something to say or sing about war and peace, about a loved one in service, about anything connected with this weekend when our nation reflects on its soldiers and their missions. Special guest musicians, poets and speakers will alternate with periods of open mic, so either come sit and listen or bring your voice to share. All styles and points of view are welcome, but please be aware that Caffe Lena requires that performances be suitable for audiences of all ages. No advance reservations are required. Time limits will be determined by the number of participants. |
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| Sunday, May 29 @ 7:00 PM | THE MATHEMATICIANS | $5 |
 "Calculating the equation of the rhythm plus the melody equals bringing the pulse to the people." This friendly Glens Falls trio aims to please with highly danceable grooves played by bassist Pete Pythagoras, synth technician Dewi Decimal, drummer Al Gorithm, and the helpful support of a laptop full of complex samples. They blend their electronic music with the live performance values of rock and roll and the eccentric humor of post modern theater. It's an unforgettably fun show, and just wait 'til you see their suits! themathematicians.net |
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