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| Tuesday, May 2 @ 7 PM |
FOLK UKE
Late Addition! |
$10 |
 www.folkuke.com
Folk Uke is the musical collaboration of Cathy Guthrie, daughter of Arlo Guthrie, and Amy Nelson, daughter of Willie Nelson.
In case you didn't guess from the name of this daring duo, their lyrics are more than a little "off color"--so come prepared to be shocked, entertained, enlightened, and left breathless with laughter. They paint the air blue with their bawdy lyrics delivered in deceptively sweet, old-fashioned harmonies inspired by many of the agreeable greats of the Folk, Country, and Americana genres.
Frankly, we're darn pleased to get in on the ground floor of what is sure to become a fascinating musical journey. |
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| Wednesday, May 3 @ 7 PM |
POETRY OPEN MIC
With Featured Reader Norm Davis |
$3 |
 Poetry Open Mic takes place on the first Wednesday of every month. Our host is poet Carol Graser. Each participant will read two short poems or one longer poem. The featured reader will perform for about twenty minutes.
This month's feature, Norm Davis, a retired school psychologist, is the publisher and editor of HazMat Review (www.hazmatlitreview.org), Rochester's premier literary journal. He is also the co-host of Writers & Books' Wide Open Mike and the Pure Kona Poetry Series. Norm's poetry and other writings have appeared in many local and national publications and he is the author of one chapbook, Rome Gothic. |
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| Friday, May 5 @ 8 PM |
BUDDY MONDLOCK
With Special Guest Stephen Clair |
$12/10 |
  www.buddymondlock.com
Buddy Mondlock, one of contempory music's finest songwriters, returns to Lena's stage. His quietly passionate delivery places the songs right into the hands of the listeners.
He creates a musical world where a single snowflake follows the trajectory of a relationship, where you get your pocket picked by a Roman cat, where morning tumbles into noon, and where dreams that don't come true still count.
His songs have been recorded by Guy Clark, Nanci Griffith and Janis Ian, to name just a few. In 2002 collaborated with Art Garfunkel and Maia Sharp to write, record and tour internationally with an album called "Everything Waits To Be Noticed."
"Stephen Clair is a citified troubadour . . . [who] allows the noise and the
gray of New York to seep into the sun-drenched hominess of his songs."
-Performing Songwriter. www.stephenclair.com
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| Saturday, May 6 @ 8 PM |
DON AND VICTORIA ARMSTRONG |
$12/10 |
 These Caffè favorites perform sweet, joyful, original songs flavored by the sounds and images of their home in the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico. Victoria has one of the richest, loveliest voices imaginable and supports the band on keyboards and guitar. Husband Don joins in with vocal harmonies and leads with driving Latin guitar. Old friends Tony Markellis on bass and Ed Lowman on fiddle round out the sound.
In addition to a busy touring schedule, the Armstrongs are highly aclaimed songwriters whose work has been recorded by Judy Collins, John Denver, Bill Staines and many others. |
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| Sunday, May 7 @ 7 PM |
PIERCE PETTIS |
$15/12 |
 www.piercepettis.com
Pierce Pettis, adored by critics and public alike, has two main themes: alienation and grace. He writes songs that foster unity by reminding us of the deep truths that we already know.
Pierce is a native of Alabama who has been influenced by the social struggles of his youth, and the folk and rock sounds of the '60s. Over the years he has developed a sound that draws from rock, folk, country and R&B, informed by soulful, spiritual yearning and a poet's eye for detail. |
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| Friday, May 12 @ 8 PM |
PETER MULVEY
With Special Guest Jon Shain |
$14/10 for members and students |
 www.petermulvey.com
Peter Mulvey injects a contemporary edginess into his writing, distilling funk, folk, rock and now old jazz and swing into songs that are lyrical and ethereal. With a novel guitar style utilizing unique, bass-heavy tunings, a husky voice, and a good sense of lyricism, Peter stands out among contemporary folk songwriters.
"Kitchen Radio," Mulvey's third album for Signature Sounds, is a collection of original music performed with grit and abandon. Images of travel and longing weave through the collection--a longing for meaning, for love, for home, for a peaceful world, for peace of mind.
Opener Jon Shain is a veteran singer-songwriter who’s been turning heads for years with his words, his fiery acoustic guitar work, and his evolved musical style.
"A solo set by a fine North Carolina singer-songer with hella guitar chops marinated in swing, ragtime, and piedmont blues. The former rocker mixes rustic tales of the new South ("Scratch Card Sally") and old ("Joe Turner Ridin' Down Main Street") with beateous evergreens like "Pretty Peggy-O"."
--Richard Gehr, The Village Voice, NY, NY (Nov. 2005) www.jonshain.com |
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| Saturday, May 13 @ 8 PM |
MATHEMATICIANS |
$10 |
 www.themathematicians.net/themathematicians/mathematicians.html
Their Motto: "Calculating the equation of the rhythm plus melody equals bringing the pulse to the people." This totally unique Capital District trio of geek rockers features Pete Pythagoras on guitar, Dewi Decimal on synthesizer, and Al Gorithm on drums, with all three sharing the singing, spazzy moves, and polyester suits.
Their musical celebrations of nerd-dom are electronic, danceable (yes, we'll make room), and explosively, liberatingly fun. |
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| Sunday, May 14 @ 7 PM |
ALIEN FOLKLIFE
Mother's Day Show |
$12/10 |
 www.alienfolklife.com
Alien Folklife presents a quirky blend of offbeat humorous pieces and heart-rending story songs. On the funny side, this duo of Joan Kosby and Paul Mercer writes songs about cats, dogs, soap operas, termites and telephones. On the flip side, their repertoire includes moving stories of loss, love, hope and healing.
A few "normal" songs help keep things in balance. Wherever Alien Folklife is on the emotional spectrum, you'll find intelligent but accessible lyrics, creative arrangements, stellar vocal harmonies and heartfelt emotion. |
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| Friday, May 19 @ 8 PM |
MICHAEL ECK
With Special Guest Milton |
$12/10 |
 www.michaeleck.com
Albany's beloved punker gone acoustic singer/songwriter returns to Lena's stage to share an evening of song with musical friends and you. Michael plays original roots-rock that traces the bloodline from Blind Lemon Jefferson to Hank Williams, and from Tim Hardin to Tom Waits.
 "Even when sung in the first person, Eck's songs feel less confessional than novelistic. It's the musical equivalent of an Edward Hopper painting, with Eck the unseen eye peering in the windows of farmhouses, driver's-side windows and greasy spoons." -John Rodat, Metroland
Milton is an New York City based singer/songwriter. His songs feature a strong literary craft, raspy soulful singing and a style that draws heavily on old rhythm and blues, country and folk music. His debut CD on Raleigh, NC's Moon Caravan records is a local hit on NYC's WFUV radio. www.miltonmusic.com
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| Saturday, May 20 @ 8 PM |
AL GALLODORO |
$15/12 |
 www.algallodoro.com
It certainly adds interest to Al's concerts that he is 92-years-old and has had a 70+ year career as a professional musician, including stints with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra and the NBC Orchestra under the direction of Arturo Toscanini.
But most impressive of all is his playing, which remains as strong and confident now as it was then. Back at Lena's for his seventh year in a row, Gallodoro's performances of jazz standards, Latin, Dixie and blues tunes have wowed audiencs and critics.
After a night in the presence of his charming personality and sweet, romantic playing you will agree that he is undoubtably one of the greatest saxophone and clarinet virtuosos in history. Al will be joined by long-time collaborator JoAnn Chmielowski on piano. |
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| Sunday, May 21 @ 7 PM |
TOM MITCHELL |
$12/10 |
 Tom Mitchell "writes beautiful songs, sings them as well as they can be sung, and plays the guitar like he invented it." -U. Utah Phillips
www.tommitchellmusic.com
Sing Out! magazine called Tom "one of contemporary folk music's best singer-songwriters" after the release of his latest album, several songs from which have become firm favorites on Americana radio stations. His music is gentle and affable country-folk, characteristic of his adopted hometown of Nashville.
He sings in the sort of smooth baritone that wins instant fans. Tom is part of Lena's core roster, having grown up in Saratoga hanging out with Caffe legends such as Loudon Wainwright III, Utah Phillips and Rosalie Sorrels. He founded, owned and operated the guitar store downstairs before moving south. It's a pleasure to have him back on his home stage. |
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| Friday, May 26 @ 8 PM |
JACQUI McDONALD |
$12/10 |
 You loved her as half of the famed Liverpool folk duo Jacqui & Bridie, and you've loved her as she has kept the torch burning brightly as a solo performer.
One of the greats of the folk circuit since her debut with the legendary Spinners in the 1960s, Jacqui is known around the world for her beautiful soprano voice and her dry British wit.
With traditional and contemporary songs and tales that will have you in stitches, she's the perfect performer to take you back to the finest days of the folk revival. |
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| Saturday, May 27 @ 8 PM |
THE BAREFOOT BOYS |
$12/10 |
 www.richbala.com/BarefootBoys.htm
Rich Bala, Tom White and Rick Hill are bearded, bespectacled, balding, and barefoot, but these manly men make mayhem with their mean mountain music!
You'll relish their rollicking renditions of regional folk songs and instrumental medleys on guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, concertina, bass, and mountain and hammered dulcimers.
Taconic Press says "You'll find yourself tapping your feet and singing along ... timeless stories and songs played with expertise, feeling, and a sense of humor." These guys have been a hit at Saratoga's First Night celebrations and have proven themselves popular with all ages. |
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| Sunday, May 28 @ 1 to 3 PM |
KID'S OPEN MIC |
$3 |
 Our first open mic just for kids aged twelve and under! Come play your instrument, sing a song, tell joke, dance, do a magic trick, put on a skit--whatever you like to do to make people laugh, clap, or simply sit in stunned amazement at YOUR unique talent! Each performer gets up to five minutes on stage to do their thing. Sign up is from 12:30 to 1 PM.
Our host this month will be Elizabeth Woodbury. |
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| Sunday, May 28 @ 7 PM |
SHARE YOUR VOICE:
2nd Annual Memorial Day Open Mic |
FREE |
On the eve of Memorial Day we open 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 it's soldiers and their mission.
All styles and points of view are welcome, but please be aware that Caffè Lena requires that material be suitable for an audience of all ages. No advance reservations will be accepted. Come sign up from 7 to 7:30. Performances will get underway at 7:30. Time limits will be determined by the number of participants.
Co-sponsored by Saratoga Peace Alliance. |
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