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Fridge Calendar
(138 KB) Jun-Aug |
All ticket sales are handled by our box office service, Brown Paper Tickets.
Tickets are available online, or through a 24/7 call-in box office.
See our Ticket Info page. |
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| Sunday, Feb. 1 |
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Closed - SuperBowl |
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| Wednesday, Feb. 4 • 7 PM |
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Poetry Open Mic |
| $3 |
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Edward Tick, Ph.D. is a holistic psychotherapist, writer, educator, journey guide, activist and veterans' advocate. He has dedicated much of his life and work to veterans and survivors of war, violence and trauma since the late 1970s.
Dr. Tick's book of poetry and prose, The Golden Tortoise: Journeys in Viet Nam (Red Hen Press 2005), documents his annual practice for healing and reconciliation from war that began in 2000 when he began leading journeys for veterans to Viet Nam in order to find peace |
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 “American roots music for people who want to think as well as party.”
— Tom Nelligan, Sing Out!
A performance by Boise-born, Boston-based Eilen Jewell is a journey through American roots music styles. Drawing on the sounds of the past, Eilen's lyrics are rooted in today. "There are moments onstage when she visits the 1920s to resurrect the spirit of Bessie Smith and face hard times with cool toughness, and in the next song she jumps forward ten or twenty years to party with Bob Wills. She stops for a drink with Hank Williams and Patsy Cline, kicks back and dances with the rockabilly stars of the 1950s, and borrows songs from the 1960s folk revival."
Backed by a first-class country/rockabilly trio, Eilen (rhymes with feelin') "alternates between the roles of honky-tonk party girl and vulnerable waif, restless seeker and swing-style crooner." -Tom Nelligan, Sing Out! |
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 “He's one of the most arresting new talents I've ever heard. When I hear him I get the feeling I got the first time I heard Bob Dylan and Arlo Guthrie.”
—Dave Van Ronk
Jeremy Wallace's sharp combination of finely crafted stories, tongue-in-cheek humor, heartbreaking details and blatant honesty has earned him a reputation as one of the finest songwriters on the blues circuit.
Eschewing all that is formulaic or predictable, Jeremy's art is a throwback to the gruff-voiced, irony laced "three minute novels" of his top influences: Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Tom Waits and Leon Redbone. The songs are tales of woe and ultimate hope told after hours to the bartender after last call. A little folk, a tinge of rock, some country and lots of down home, gritty blues.
His latest record, Suicide Suitcase, is his third. |
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 The music that comes from Gordon Stone's imagination is simply uplifting--a blend of jazz flavored, groove-driven funk, and buoyant bluegrass. Rolling Stone wrote, "The best pedal steel we've heard in a rock context since Jeff Baxter's work with Steely Dan."
Gordon has been at the forefront of the jam band scene since the beginning, recording and playing with Phish and Strangefolk and collaborating with Max Creek, moe, and many others. He played as one of the "World's True Masters of Bluegrass" at Gathering of the Vibes last Summer, along with Peter Rowan, Vassar Clements and Sam Bush.
His Vermont-based, world-travelling trio combines Gordon on pedal steel and banjo, backed by mandolin, drums and bass. You'll hear everything from mesmerizing banjo exotica to kick-up-your-boots barn dance numbers, to genre bending audio alchemy, with each new piece sweeter than the last.
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| Wednesday, Feb. 11 • 7 PM |
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Emerging Artist Breakout Series |
| $3 |
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Ethan Waldman and Friends |
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 The Steep Canyon Rangers' deep dedication to bluegrass is heard in every note they play. Hailing from North Carolina, this young and dedicated ensemble has built a reputation for powerful, engaging performances honed by constant touring. Determined to generate new bluegrass fans, they've taken their show to rock clubs, jam band festivals and other non-traditional venues, winning new converts at every turn.
In 2006 the International Bluegrass Music Association voted Steep Canyon Rangers the Emerging Artist of the Year. The past year also saw their song 'One Dime at a Time' rise to #1 on Bluegrass Unlimited's National Bluegrass Survey, and they had their Grand Ole Opry debut in October. This will be the band¹s first appearance at Caffè Lena. |
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 “Incredibly talented and classy.” —Village Voice
Her father was Louis Armstrong's music director and a noted bandleader in his own right; her mother was a member of the iconic International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
Critic Nat Hentoff says that pedigree and her own unmistakable chops make Cat Russell "the real thing." Inspired by the likes of Chick Webb, Hoagy Carmichael and Louis Armstrong, Russell harks back to tales of lusty, big-hearted women who knew what was what and spoke out accordingly.
Whether she's shimmying through a barrel-house stomper, channeling fifties R&B, dragging her weary heart through a torchy juke joint number, or kicking up her heels honky tonk style, Ms. Russell can stand comparison to her greatest forebearers. She has performed and/or recorded with Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne, Madonna, Jackson Browne, Rosanne Cash, and David Bowie, among others, and participated in several gold-and-platinum selling recordings.
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Saturday, Feb. 14
• Noon to Midnight |
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The Dance Flurry’s Folk Oasis |
| Free with Dance Flurry wristband, $10 per show without |
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All Day Food and Music for Dancers and Non-Dancers Alike |
| www.danceflurry.org |
Caffè Lena teams up with Dance Flurry organizers to provide a foot rest and refueling spot for tired dancers. The public at large is welcome, too. We'll have hot meals, delicious desserts, and loads of great music.
| Noon: |
Maria Zemantauski & La Nina
w/ Brian Melick |
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6:00 |
Annie & the Hedonists |
| 1:30 |
Ramblin' Jug Stompers |
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7:30 |
Mike & Ruthy |
| 3:00 |
Only the Message Mattered:
A Song Cycle & Narrative Honoring
Susan B. Anthony by Bob Warren |
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9:00 |
Andrew & Noah VanNorstrand of the Great Bear Trio |
| 4:30 |
Doo Wop Concert |
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 “The Horse Flies have figured out how to hold a hoedown in a physics lab.”
—Jon Pareles, New York Times
“. . . swirling, addictive songs, blending tradition with invention.”
— Eliza Wing, Rolling Stone
The Horseflies of Ithaca, NY bring truly inventive ideas and energy to traditional American fiddle music. Artful original songs, a wild groove-oriented approach to fiddle music, esteemed instrumental skills, and emotive singing come together as old-time fiddle music meets alternative rock, minimalism, modern songwriting and world percussion.
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| Wednesday, Feb. 18 • 7 PM |
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Emerging Artist Breakout Series |
| $5 |
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School's Out Concert Night |
Eternal 21st; Par 6; Marshall Yesterday; PNC; Carry the Tradition; Brother Aside
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 Everytime this Brooklyn roots-rock, vintage country band has played Caffè Lena during the last few years they've gotten better and better, and now they're getting some serious traction: a new album at #16 on the Americana Music Association charts; a nomination for Artist of the Year from the Roots Music Association; and they're on the ballot for the 2009 Grammy Awards!
The bandleader and songwriter is Schenectady native Blake Christiana, supported by Trevor MacArthur on guitar, Rick Bugel on bass, and Jay Frederick on drums. Though they make their home in Brooklyn their sound is pure country-Texas roadhouse, backwoods Kentucky.
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 “…smart as a whip, cute as a button, and clever to boot. Why, she puts the gal in galvanizing…” —Christine Lavin
Camille West is back, with many new songs to share! You¹ll want to be part of her audience tonight as she records her all-new show for a live CD. 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," Camille is inventive, warm and witty. After several years as a regional solo artist, Camille gained national stature as a member of the Four Bitchin¹ Babes. In the last few years her songs have been featured in Broadway musicals and frequently on the Dr. Demento Show. The best medicine for the stress of modern life is laughter. Thankfully, Camille West can fill the prescription. |
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 True giants of the Celtic music world, this dynamic quintet plays Scottish traditional music at its best. The band's potent mixture of traditional ballads and fiery instrumentals leaves audiences spellbound. As tight and versatile as any band in the Celtic music scene, they can summon rock-n-roll intensity or haunting introspection.
The line-up is Roy Gullane on guitar and vocals, John Martin on fiddle, Phil Smillie on flutes and bodhran, Les Wilson on bouzouki and keyboards, and Colin Melville on Highland pipes.
"Over the years the Tannies have been trailblazers for Scottish music, and their tight harmonies and powerful, inventive arrangements have won them fans from all over the world. The band is one of a kind." -The Desert Shamrack, Scottsdale, AZ |
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 David Wilcox is a consistently unconventional acoustic guitarist and singer-songwriter whose music is intelligent, humorous, insightful and melodic. With a pleasant, clear voice and crisp guitar style, he is often compared to James Taylor and John Martyn.
His latest album, Airstream, makes its distinctive musical and lyrical points in a range of contemporary styles, from folk balladry to acoustic soul and reggae. David Wilcox digs deep into his heart both in the recording studio and on stage, making lasting connections with listeners, and earning himself a devoted fanbase coast to coast.
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 This versatile young Boston songwriter is known for having a great voice and clever way with lyrics. He's also known for having one of the most varied repertoires in modern roots music. He has done a political album (Hope & Other Casualties), a western swing album (Hillbilly Pilgrim), and plenty of gentle, New England folk ballads.
His songs are affecting and personal without straying into diary entries, with common themes ranging from love, politics, family, resignation, redemption and just plain fun.
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| Saturday, Feb. 28 • 8 PM |
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Frank Jaklitsch & Friends |
$15
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With Opening Act Gospel Train |
| www.frankjak.com |
 Benefit for Shaker Vet Save-a-Pet Fund
Folk/Celtic artist Frank Jaklitsch always turns his concerts at Caffè Lena into something more than entertainment. This time the evening's proceeds will be donated to the Shaker Veterinary Hospital's Save-A-Pet fund, which treats hundreds of sick and injured strays each year at the hospital's expense.
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| Gospel Train |
Come support the cause and enjoy a night of upbeat music played and sung by Frank on guitar, Steve Butler on bodhran, Steve Gray on lead guitar, Tom Lindsay on bass and harmony vocals, Greg Haymes on harmonica, and Michael Eck on mandolin.
Special guest The Gospel Train will open.
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