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| Friday, Jan. 6 @ 8 PM |
MICHAEL JERLING |
$12/10 |
 michaeljerling.com
One of our favorite local sons, Michael Jerling, is a nationally touring songwriter who happens to live here in Saratoga and who has played annually at Lena's for decades.
His dry wit, poignant insights and broad taste in American roots music drive a repertoire that is alternately comic, touching, and rocking.
He has a delightfully melodic sound accented by Teresina Huxtable on reed organ and accordion, and Tony Markellis on bass. |
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| Saturday, Jan. 7 @ 8 PM |
CINDY MANGSEN & STEVE GILLETTE |
$15/12 |
 www.compassrosemusic.com
Steve's originals, including "Darcy Farrow," "Happy Hour" and "Back on the Street Again" have been recorded by the likes of Tammy Wynette, Ian & Sylvia, Gordon Lightfoot and Garth Brooks.
A superb guitarist, Steve's performances have long inspired glowing reviews and loyal fans. Cindy plays dulcimer, guitar, banjo and concertina and sings with a smooth, silky voice utterly lacking in affectation.
In concert, these long-time Caffè Lena favorites cover a variety of country and folk styles, blending world-class professionalism with down-home, informal charm.
Photo: Irene Young |
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| Sunday, Jan. 8 @ 7 PM |
SKEETER CREEK BAND |
$10/8 |
 www.skeetercreek.com
This little stringband band suits us to a T! They play mostly their own Americana/Bluegrass songs and love to share their stories of the road.
The band's line-up features Adirondack native Joe Kulewicz on guitar, Tim Seabolt of West Virginia on mandolin and lead vocal, Pat Attanasio on fiddle, banjo and dobro, and the host of WAMC's popular "Bluegrass Time," Nick Barr, on bass and high tenor vocals.
Skeeter Creek has built up an enthusiastic regional following during the past three years with regular appearances at country fairs, Saratoga First Night, and TV and radio shows. This will be their first appearance at Caffè Lena.
Photograph: Jennifer Young, Forever Young Photography. |
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| Friday, Jan. 13 @ 8 PM |
MOP AND BUCKET COMPANY
Improv Comedy Troupe! |
$12/10 |
 www.mopco.org
This is the best improv you'll see this year, and we're not making this up! The Mop & Bucket Co. returns to Caffè Lena with an all-new show (all right, they're all all-new shows) titled "Come Back, Shame" that takes audience suggestions and fashions them into a wild ride through the apocalyptic imaginations of a hilarious, malcontented bunch. Plus, they're offering a free impeachment with every show for some lucky President! |
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| Saturday, Jan. 14 @ 8 PM |
DANNY KALB |
$15/12 |
 members.aol.com/silvastr/danny/danny.htm
As a protege of the late Dave Van Ronk Danny Kalb established himself on New York's seminal folk and blues scene in the 1960s. In 1965 he founded The Blues Project. Even today, this important group flourishes with numerous album reissues and compilations on MCA, Polygram, and Rhino.
After taking a break from music for several years, Danny Kalb's story is once again unfolding as he brings his luminous guitar talents to a new generation. His latest album, All Together, Now, was envisioned as a healing response to 9/11 and features folk, blues and jazz standards, Christmas tunes and originals -- including a heartfelt tribute to Van Ronk.
Kalb is an important player who keeps alive the lore and sounds of the Folk Revival for those missed it, or miss it. We welcome him back to our stage for the first time in many years. |
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| Sunday, Jan. 15 @ 7 PM |
PHIL HENRY |
$10/8 |
 www.philhenryband.com
Phil Henry made his regional debut at Caffè Lena about five years ago. Since then his funky, folk-rock, Paul Simon-esque originals have become a staple of the Saratoga music scene.
Following a first place win in the 2005 SolarFest Singer-Songwriter Competition, and an appearance in the highly-competitive Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist Showcase, Phil has released his second CD, No Place Like Here. It's a heartfelt collection of twelve musical short stories of love, reunion, escape artists, fear, corporate downsizing, regret, hope, and The Wizard of Oz.
If you're looking to discover a new favorite, take a chance on Phil Henry! |
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| Monday, Jan. 16 @ 4 & 7 PM |
TIM O'BRIEN
A Martin Luther King Day Special! |
$22 |
 "If you dig Alison Krauss but you don't know what other bluegrass is cool...
If you started as a Dylan fan and have gotten interested in his exploration of country and folk roots . . . If you like a taste of The Chieftains or the hip almost-country vibe of Lyle Lovett. . . .Then you owe it to yourself to get to know Tim O'Brien." -Will Layman, Pop Matters
www.timobrien.net
We're greatly honored to present this modern bluegrass great accompanied by his band.
A child of West Virginia and the WWVA Jamboree, Tim O'Brien has never stopped mining the music canon for great material, especially that of the American South and Ireland. Tim is a master of many stringed instruments, most especially the fiddle, banjo, guitar and mandolin.
In 2005 he released two new albums on the Sugar Hill Label: Fiddler's Green and Cornbread Nation.
Note: the Storytelling Open Mic originally scheduled for this date has been rescheduled for January 30.
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| Friday, Jan. 20 @ 8 PM |
FRANK JAKLITSCH
With Michael Eck, John Cromie and Steve Butler |
$12 |
 www.frankjak.com
Frank Jacklitsch has a knack for turning an ordinary concert into an extra special occasion. He gives his music as a gift to his community, and in this case he'll be giving the songs to all of us in the audience, and the proceeds to Katherine Henriques, a former resident of New Orleans whose family is sorely in need of a helping hand in the wake of hurricane Katrina.
Frank will be joined by several luminaries of the Capital District music scene who will back him on a blend of traditional and contemporary folk and insightful originals. Special attention will be given to the sounds of the Big Easy, and our own native New Orleans chef, Lizzie Mehrtens, will be serving up authentic Red Beans and Rice! |
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| Saturday, Jan. 21 @ 8 PM |
DIRCK TOLL
"Before and After Intermission" |
$12/8 students & seniors |
 Innovative humorist Dirck Toll returns to Caffè Lena with another riotous one-person stage show. In Before And After Intermission, Dirck acts out a series of imaginatively unusual stories as multiple characters. The fast-paced 65-minute show includes a deviously inept songwriting scam, the vegetable clothing craze, and a spokesperson who won't shut up. A review of Dirck's last show here concluded, "If another opportunity to see Dirck Toll arises, I encourage you to go." That show sold out in advance, so make your reservations for this one right now, then just take it easy 'til showtime! |
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| Sunday, Jan. 22 @ 3 PM |
MONDAY MUSICAL CLUB OF ALBANY |
$10 |
This organization of classical music enthusiasts is celebrating is 102nd season! Monday Musical Club artists William Simcoe (guitar), Rosanne Hargrave (voice), Honey Templeton (voice) and Frederic Hellwitz (guitar) will be joined by guest artist Elisabeth Williams (flute) in solo, duet, and ensemble chamber music performances.
This will be a lovely, informal way to enjoy excellent classical music and audience members of all ages are warmly welcomed. |
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| Sunday, Jan. 22 @ 7 PM |
SHTREIML |
$12/10 |
 www.shtreiml.com/shtreiml.php
We were very excited to discover this delightful young band from Montreal. Founded by harmonica innovator Jason Rosenblatt and named for the traditional fur hat worn by Chassidic Jews, Shtreiml blends elements of klezmer, gypsy music and jazz to create a vibrant and immediately engaging sound.
Shtreiml showcases Rosenblatt's briliant and unique approach to 10-hole diatonic harmonica. One of a handful of people in the world who can play the instrument chromatically, Rosenblatt roles gorgeous Eastern European riffs out his blues harp, creating a jazzy klemzer that is smooth and flowing.
Other group members include trombonist Rachel Lemisch, one of the leading figures in klezmer brass revival, founding member Thierry Arsenault on drums, and Montreal jam band mainstay Adam Stotland on bass. The group performs at festivals, concerts, and clubs from Cleveland to Krakow, and we're thrilled to welcome them to Saratoga for the first time. |
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| Friday, Jan. 27 @ 8 PM |
SCOTT AINSLIE |
$12/10 |
 cattailmusic.com
Vermont-based guitarist Scott Ainslie takes a uniquely soulful and scholarly approach to the blues, both speaking and playing with compelling passion and authority.
For the better part of two decades he has immersed himself in the music of Robert Johnson, recording three solo CDs and writing the bestselling Robert Johnson/At the Crossroads, transcriptions of the blues legend's recordings. He is also the video teacher for "Robert Johnson's Guitar Techniques." For this work he was granted a Living Heritage Award at the National Slide Guitar Festival.
In addition to his mastery of blues classics, Ainslie is a compelling songwriter whose work addresses themes of social justice, love and redemption. |
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| Saturday, Jan. 28 @ 8 PM |
BILL STAINES |
$15/12 |
 "A craftsman who has cobbled together evocative details, pithy aphorisms and singalong melodies into a trunkful of unassuming, marvelous songs." - The Washington Post
www.acousticmusic.com/staines
For nearly 40 years Bill Staines has played Caffè Lena in July and January, packing the house every single time. His gentle folk songs and funny stories have become a family tradition for many, passing from parent to child and on down the line. They've also become a tradition in the music world, having been recorded by Nanci Griffith, Jerry Jeff Walker, Grandpa Jones, and others.
Once you discover his brand of entertainment, you too will return year after year. |
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| Sunday, Jan. 29 @ 7 PM |
AN EVENING OF PERCUSSION |
$12/10 |
Bringing together traditional drumming from two continents, this very special concert will feature "Gballoi," a Ghanaian drum troupe based in Schenectady, and "The Berkshire Bateria," the Great Barrington-based Brazilian Rio-style drum corps. This promises to be a night of super-charged rhythmic vibration, just when you need it in the throes of winter!
WORKSHOP WITH THE BERKSHIRE BATERIA:
"The Joy of Samba-Poly Rhythm"
3 to 4 PM, $10
Participants will explore the magic of traditional Batucada, the street samba of carnival in Brazil. Samba is an Afro/Brazilian rhythm that can be exciting or soothing, with sections of different percussion instruments weaving an irresistible tapestry of sound. Listen to the experts and try out traditional Brazilian instruments including pandeiru, ganza, surdo, agogo, tamborim, cuica and berimbau. |
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| Monday, Jan. 30 @ 7 PM |
STORYTELLING OPEN MIC |
$3 |
| A reschedule of
our regular 3rd Monday Storytelling Open Mic. |
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