Totally authentic St. Pat's show, but that's not all!

In-person shows in Lena’s historic listening room in Saratoga Springs
& streamed live to living rooms around the world!

Niki Jacobs is one of Europe’s most celebrated Yiddish singers. She’s here on Friday from the Netherlands with a gorgeous program of Jewish music. (click photo)

Greetings – How do you describe a week of shows that ranges from exquisite polyphonic vocal music to a brilliant string band raised in the heart of rural Ireland; from the swing-your-glass and cry-in-your-beer ballads of Kevin McKrell, to an epic blues blast from San Francisco?

And in the midst of all that is Niki Jacobs, the celebrated Yiddish singer who is bringing an all-star quartet from the Netherlands to play Jewish music that manages to find beauty and celebration in one of the most terrifying chapters of modern history. The focal piece of their performance is the Ballad of Mauthausen, which I encourage you to read about below.

What do all these wildly different shows have in common? Humanity. Through this music we’re telling our story, showing what we care about, and connecting with each other. What a blessing to have this enduring little venue where we can gather to be fully human–together.

See you at the show,
Sarah

=MID-WEEK SHOWS=

Monday, March 14 / 7 PM – Donation Jar
OPEN MIC NIGHT

Tuesday, March 15 / 10:30 – 11 AM – Free
FOLK CLUB KIDS
Dan Berggren, Oona Grady, James Gascoyne

Tuesday, March 15 / 8 PM
“Live From Caffe Lena” Radio Show: CAROLYN SHAPIRO
Listen on WEXT 97.7 or 106.1 FM

Wednesday, March 16, 7 PM & 12 AM, Sunday, March 20, 1 PM
“Live From Caffe Lena” Radio Show: MIKE BLOCK TRIO
Listen on Folk Music Notebook Internet Folk Radio

Please Note: Our Monthly Bluegrass Jam has been postponed to
Weds, March 30 because of St. Pat’s

Available This Week Only
On CaffeLena.tvIn Case You Missed It, Watch Now!
No subscription needed. $5 per show.

Jim Gaudet & The Railroad Boys
Nite Train with Thomasina Winslow
Chuck Lamb Trio with Joe Magnarelli
Bright Series: TALISK

$5 for one show, or $15/month basic unlimited
View subscription options.

[CLICK PHOTO FOR A SNAPSHOT OF ROCHMON]
Tuesday, March 15 / 7 PM / $10

Rochmon Record Club
Neil Young’s Harvest
In-person ticket
Watch on Caffe Lena TVYou may think you know this iconic album well, but tonight’s show will give you a deeper appreciation than ever before. Chuck “Rochmon” Vosganian walks us through the back story, the context and the little known details behind each cut, and then we listen together on Lena’s fabulous sound system. Trust us: every Rochmon meet-up is pure magic.

Wednesday, March 15 / 5:30 – 6 PM / Free

School of Music Recital

A couple dozen kids meet up at Caffe Lena weekly to play folk music. Along with the fundamentals of playing guitar, fiddle, uke, mandolin, bass and banjo, they work on listening and compromising, playing their part in the group, and building friendships. We’d love to have you stop by and hear what they’ve accomplished.

[CLICK PHOTO FOR SAMPLE SONG]
Wednesday, March 17 / 8 PM / $22

Kevin McKrell
In-person tickets
Watch on Caffe Lena TVMcKrell is a masterful Irish music entertainer who is one of Saratoga’s best known exports. He has played festival stages, clubs and concert halls around the globe, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. His originals have become folk staples throughout the English speaking world, and his wicked sense of humor is nearly as legendary as his songs.

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[CLICK PHOTO FOR SAMPLE SONG]
Thursday, March 17 / 7 PM / $24

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Téada
In-person tickets
Watch on Caffe Lena TVFounded by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, Téada formed in 2001 through a shared passion for truly authentic traditional Irish music. With deep roots in the Irish countryside, Téada has a truly worldwide reach, from Europe, to Japan, to South and North America. Celebrate St. Pat’s with the real deal!

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[CLICK PHOTO FOR SAMPLE SONG]
Friday, March 18 / 8 PM / $20

Nordlys Global Voices
Niki Jacobs Sings Theodorakis’ Mauthausen Cycle
In-person tickets
Watch on Caffe Lena TVOriginally planned for the summer of 2020 to mark 75 years of freedom and liberation following the Holocaust, this Dutch quintet is finally able to bring their extraordinary performance to the USA. Led by classically-trained vocalist Niki Jacobs, the centerpiece is the Ballad of Mauthausen, one of the most gorgeous musical pieces ever to be written about the Second World War. The ensemble consists of trumpet, viola, cello, accordion, and voice.

Made Possible By a Generous Gift from Nordlys Foundation

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Saturday, March 19 / 10 PM / $10 (child) & $20 (over 12)

PANCAKES & BLUEGRASS!
Raise Funds to Buy a Bass for the School of Music!
Buy ticketsBring an instrument and your appetite to our first ever pancake breakfast! Live bluegrass courtesy of Red Spruce. Red Spruce will play while you eat, and all are welcome to join a post-pancake jam. Your ticket will help us buy a 1/2 size upright acoustic bass for the after-school music program for kids ages 7 – 12.

[CLICK PHOTO FOR SAMPLE SONG]
Saturday, March 19 / 8 PM / $20

Windborne
In-person tickets
Watch on Caffe Lena TVA truly extraordinary a capella quartet celebrated for their unrivaled mastery of polyphonic music. Their songs span many countries and styles, with a particular specialty in European folk music and songs of America’s labor and civil rights movements. The four members educate as they entertain, telling stories about the music and explaining the characteristics of each tradition.

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[CLICK PHOTO FOR SAMPLE SONG]
Sunday, March 20 / 7 PM / $42

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers 30th Anniversary Tour
In-person ticket
Watch on Caffe Lena TVSince his solo debut in 1994, Castro has made 16 albums, ranging from horn-fueled R&B to piping hot blues to fiery, stripped-down rock ‘n’ roll. Each release stands on Castro’s unshakable musical foundation—1960s guitar-fueled blues, testifying Memphis blue-eyed soul, and Latin East San Jose funk, all driven by Castro’s grab-you-by-the-collar vocals and passionate guitar.

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MEMBERS’ CORNER
This video is a great example of the folk community that you all are keeping healthy with your Membership donations. This was posted by comic songwriter Christine Lavin, who got her start at Caffe Lena back in the ’70s. She’s telling a story and singing a song in honor of her friend Janis Ian‘s upcoming Farewell Tour. In Christine’s inimitable style, it’s both funny and poignant. Be sure to reserve your seats for both Janis (April 13-18) and Christine (April 22)!

Caffe Lena has nearly 1,000 active members. These folks are planting songs and growing community with their annual donations. They also get the best seats in the house, early access to special shows and some neat swag. Learn More

PLAYLIST OF
UPCOMING SHOWS
M ARCH
A PRIL
MAY

Totally authentic St. Pat’s show, but that’s not all!

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