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 For fans of British Isles and American traditional music, three-part harmony and wholesome fun, the Jamcrackers will be just what you're looking for. Named for the river-drivers who broke up logjams and ";got things rolling again,” the band features the extraordinary voice and soulful songs of Peggy Lynn, the rich baritone and original songs of Dan Berggren, and national champion hammered dulcimer player Dan Duggan.
This will be a night of sweet, old-fashioned sounding new folk songs that celebrate the people and culture of the Adirondacks. |
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 These high spirited fellas have become something akin to a house band at Caffè Lena since first treating us to their music in 2006. There’s simply nothing that clears away the cobwebs like four happy guys jamming on washboard, jug, dobro, guitar, kazoo, cracking crazy jokes and singing in four-part harmony. It’s an ear-to-ear smile party every time.
You’ll recognize Bowtie, Cousin Clyde, Mr. Eck, and Wild Bill from current and former starring roles with Blotto, The Star Spangled Washboard Band, Rumdummies, Stomplistics, and the list goes on....
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 They began as a bluegrass band and settled into something on the country-jazz-noir side of western swing and Billie Holliday. To make matters even worse for compulsive music labelers and critics, NYC jazz singer Julia has been known to sing in Spanish, the Boys frequently belt out unison singing in Yiddish and German, and their named influences stretch as far as ‘20s swing to ‘80s underground pop.
Sit back and smile, as the show swings from loud, raucous and rowdy to sweet, smooth and sultry. The core line-up features Teddy Tetlow Weber (Hunger Mtn. Boys, WIYOS), Jim Crewson (Jim & Jennie and the Pinetops), Matt “Sweet Lips” Downing (Hunger Mtn Boys), Sauerkraut S. Travins and Lukas Schwartz.
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| Wednesday, August 6 • 7 PM |
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Poetry Open Mic |
| $3 |
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With featured reader Steven Huff |
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 Steven Huff is a poet and fiction writer. He teaches creative writing at RIT and the Eastman School of Music. Steve’s new book of poems, More Daring Escapes, is due out this fall from Red Hen Press, as is his new book of stories, A Pig in Paris from Lake Affect Publishers.
His previous books include The Water We Came From, published in 2003 by FootHills, and Proof, which was named Editor’s Choice in the 2004 Two Rivers Review Chapbook Competition.
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 “Rey is one of the greatest modern players of the metal-bodied resonator guitar.” –Acoustic Guitar Magazine
“Trailer trash with a library card and 43 years of doing nothing but play guitar.” –Del Rey
Seattle blueswoman Del Rey combines country blues, stride piano, classic jazz and hillbilly boogie with a whole bunch of complex guitar grooves and sly humor. She travels worldwide playing guitar and uke and lecturing on American women musicians from the first half of the last century.
Since 2004 she has been collaborating with Maria Muldaur on tributes to Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Johnny Cash. Credentials aside, Del is just about the funniest, most exciting and colorful storyteller and player we’ve encountered in recent years. |
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 Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman have spent a lifetime making music together. Their first four albums, full of sweet singing and timely lyrics, were staples of progressive FM and college radio and helped to bring the music of the 1960s into the '70s.
Today they continue to impress audiences with intelligent songwriting, dazzling acoustic lead guitar, and inspiring "James Taylor meets Simon & Garfunkel" harmonies. Their latest work, as reflected on Days of Horses, reflects their musical growth with touches of blues and country added to their familiar pop sound.
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 This concert continues a long tradition of members of Philadelphia Orchestra (in residence at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center during August) shedding their tuxes and showing the world their non-classical chops on the historic Caffè Lena stage.
Angie and Dave Nelson on percussion and bass join with Bob Beach on harmonica, flute and vocals to make unique, off beat blues and R&B.
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 Bill Staines’ gentle folk songs and funny stories have become a tradition in the music world, having been recorded by Nanci Griffith, Jerry Jeff Walker, Grandpa Jones, and others.
Sometimes humorous, sometimes deeply moving, always melodic and memorable, Bill’s songs remind listeners of what’s important in life—family, friends and love. Once you discover his brand of entertainment, you’ll return year after year.
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 Boston artist Laura Vecchione’s music is soulful, sophisticated and defies genre. It’s a convergence of gospel, blues, country, and rock. And when she sings heartbreak, she sings for the heartbreak of humanity with a sincerity that offers a message of hope, and a celebration of resilience.
She’s a magnetic live performer who looks you in the eye with compassion and playfulness. “If Natalie Maines ever leaves the Dixie Chicks, Laura Vecchione should be her replacement.” –Michael Toland, Austin City Limits |
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 The four members of Peach Pie have been making music together for thirty years, playing original compositions, Tin Pan Alley, Swing, Celtic, and Sixties Classics, with an emphasis on down home humor and spontaneity.
They’ve got something for everyone: gutbucket blues, hilarious accordion comedy, introspective bossa nova mystery, passionate swing violin, tongue-in-cheek philosophy, beautiful original waltz and reels, and enduring ballads.
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 Sonny & Perley are planning a bold departure from the Brazillian jazz and American Songbook classics they’re famed for. Tonight they’ll apply their piano prowess and smoky vocals to songs from “their era,” the ‘60s and ‘70s, when they fell in love with the hits of the day and decided to take their first steps on a musical journey that has continued for decades.
You’ll love their fresh jazzy take on favorites from the Beatles to Carol King. Binding the songs together is the captivating spontaneity, warmth, and musical honesty that has made this duo one of the Capital District’s most highly regarded musical treasures.
Special guests include their daughter, Desiree “Rain,” and world percussionist Brian Mellick.
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 This exuberant young "mountain pop" band from Ballston Spa made their Caffè Lena debut in our Emerging Artists Breakout. They’ve got strong chops, rootsy yet contemporary melodies, inventive and thoughtful and sometimes humorously edgy lyrics, and boundless positive energy.
Happy Balky features "Odie Morningstar" on guitar and vocals, "Glenn Bacon" on banjo and vocals, "The Stranger" on mandolin and harmonica (and some other stuff, too), and "Stagger Lee" handles the low end.
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 Nashville songwriter Kieran Kane heads north to spend summers in the Adirondacks and it has become an annual tradition to have him over to Caffè Lena while he’s in the neighborhood.
Kieran has spent a lifetime in music, slowly evolving a style that is adult in the truest sense of the word. His explorations of mature love, friends' struggles with personal difficulties, and the meaning of life make for songs that are both philosophical and darn good music.
Though he has penned top ten singles for some of country's biggest stars (Alan Jackson, Emmylou Harris, Kathy Mattea, The Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Travis, Trisha Yearwood) his own songs are more austere and folk-based. His most recent work features a traditional Appalachian mountain music sound while still sounding current.
His son, Lucas Kane, will sit in on percussion.
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 Whoever said that high school romance couldn’t last didn't fall for the same temptress as childhood friends Lowell Stringer and Nate Stengrevics.
She had a guitar riff for a mind, a bass line for a backbone, a drumbeat for a heart, and her name was 28N. Music and the desolate, winding North Country road by the same name are the only escape from the tiny mountain town where it all began. A dwindling population near 500, a school that graduates an average class of five, and an intensely beautiful seclusion are the defining traits of Newcomb, New York.
Lowell and Nate work magic on stage, employing electronics to expand their drum and guitar duo into a near orchestral soundscape on songs that are original, rock-based and mesmerizing.
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| Saturday, August 30 • 8 PM |
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Comedy Showcase |
| $12/10 |
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Check back for details. |
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| Sunday, August 31 • 7 PM |
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Workers Sound Off! |
| $5 |
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A Community Celebration of Labor Day |
Union songs, poems, stories, protest, commemoration, anger, hope and humor. Join your fellow laborers in paying tribute to the working heroes of today and yesterday, the underclass, the top dogs, and everyone in between.
Come as a participant or listener. All points of view and styles of presentation are welcome, but please make it art-based and suitable for an all-ages audience.
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