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In-person shows in Lena’s historic listening room in Saratoga Springs
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The Drive has Arrived! This Wednesday brings the official start of the 2023 Annual Fund Drive for Caffe Lena. Want to be an early donor? Click the photo!
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Greetings – This time of year is always a nailbiter, and a spirit-lifter. We have a lot of money to raise before the end of the year ($55K) in order to keep all the programs going: the shows, the School of Music, Caffe Lena On the Road. So, that’s the nailbiter part. The spirit-lifter part is that every donation that arrives is proof that this place is in the hands of a generous, engaged community that believes in the value of everything happening here. I hope you will pitch in as generously as you can to keep the music flowing into the world.

Here are three more spirit-lifters for you:
1. We always have a guitar in the lobby downstairs. It’s been there for a couple years, with the door unlocked and nobody watching. We hear people wander in and play it, and then they put it back.
2. The Little Liberty Library of banned books by our front door was, sadly, emptied out a couple weeks ago in the night. Here’s a news story about it. But then things really turned around. A teacher showed our response to her middle-schoolers as a great example of how to deal with potentially incendiary conflicts. Then a book club in East Greenbush got us a dozen new books for the box. Other readers started sending us books and our collection is now reconstituted and ready to share. (More books are always welcome!)
3. We have some really wonderful shows for you this weekend. Not a lot of tickets left, so don’t wait to sample those songs and pick the one that will put a smile on your face!

See you at the show,
Sarah

=WEEK AT A GLANCE=
=HIGHLIGHTS=
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 | 7 PM – SOLD OUT
Sample Song Watch on Caffe Lena TV

Lamb has been a member of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet since 2002. He is an exciting, emotive pianist and prolific composer of jazz, fusion, classical and world music. Havana-born pianist Jorge Gómez, now living in Saratoga, is keyboard player for Grammy-nominated Tiempo Libre. Tonight they celebrate the release of their debut collaborative album, Take 2, produced by Joel Moss. Saratoga singer-songwriter Ria Curley opens the show with her piano-pop originals.

Sample Song |  In-person tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TV

These two stellar players are the heart and soul of the outrageously talented bluegrass band, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen. Virtuosic mandolinist, singer & songwriter Frank Solivan is a multi-Grammy nominee, multi-IBMA award recipient, who combines the pure, hard drive of classic bluegrass with contemporary 21st century acoustic music. Guitarist Luquette, Solivan’s Dirty Kitchen sideman for 11 years, has toured with Molly Tuttle, Billy Strings and other greats.

Sample Song |  In-person tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TV

Celebrated for their exquisite harmonies & passion for good ballads, Rogers and Schmidt have been weaving their voices, dulcimers, and guitars together for decades. Their bright minds, deep friendship and fine musicianship support a wide and whimsical array of original and traditional songs. Our own youth stringband, The Rolling Pebbles, opens the show.

The Folk Heritage Series is made possible by the Charlie Pickett & Kathleen Rehl Endowment Fund.

Sample Song |  In-person tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TV

With 15 albums and seven #1 hits, her songs have been recorded by Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, the Indigo Girls, and Keb Mo’. She was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame in 2016. Her poetic lyrics and heartfelt compositions have touched the hearts of millions around the world.

Sample Song |  In-person tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TV

Her lyrics are rooted in wisdom, joy, sorrow, simplicity, and love. She uses her platform for positive change, stressing the importance of environmental advocacy, social justice, creative empowerment, and community-building. One fan commented about Erlewine’s “Grateful” – “I think this song just saved my life.”

MEMBERS’ CORNER
TrueSongs 2023 drew a packed house on Saturday night to hear the kind of good news that doesn’t make headlines. Thanks for helping us shine a light on the true story of our community, which is one of resilience, kindness and dedication. There’s nothing like a good song to make us listen and care about each other.

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

 NOVEMBER DECEMBER