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Caffe Lena
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July 1 – 7

In-person shows in Lena’s historic listening room in Saratoga Springs
& streamed live to living rooms around the world!
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Livingston Taylor is a consummate entertainer. He taps a vast catalog of songs, stories and insights to create a show that’s “taylor-made” for the folks in the seats.
Click photo for sample. (Orchestra not included 😉
Join us at 5 PM or 8 PM on Saturday!
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Greetings – There’s a beautiful magazine in our area called 518 Profiles. This month they ran a piece about the Caffe that I think you’ll enjoy. There are loads of photos from then and now. It’s wonderful that people keep taking an interest in the story of this venue. Every time a new writer puts pen to paper, the questions are a little different and fresh stories are discovered.

And every time a really good performer gets on stage, the show is a little different and fresh approaches to the songs are discovered. An audience that really listens makes all the difference. You allow the artist to go deeper into the song, and to take a chance on sharing something they might not risk with a less caring audience. So often a band will say, “We’re going to try this new song for the very first time tonight. You guys will be good to us, even if it doesn’t go perfectly.” Yes, we will be. We’ll cheer for your new song, and feel honored that you trusted us with it.

Thanks for being part of creating this space for music and courage and creativity. I hope you enjoy exploring this week’s shows. We have the wonderful Liv Taylor, Robert Pinsky the former USA Poet Laureate, and some of the next jazz greats. What could be better.

See you at the show,
Sarah

– WEEK AT A GLANCE –
– HIGHLIGHTS –
In-Person Info | Watch on Caffe Lena TVFeatured storyteller Linda McKenney kicks off the night with historical and humorous stories. She’s well known in the area as an actress, storyteller, and writer of creative non-fiction. Open Mic follows, with each teller getting 10 minutes on stage.
Tell your story with no notes, please.
In-Person Info | Watch on YouTube

Roger Mitchell is the author of thirteen books of poetry, most recently As Water Moves, (Dos Madres Press, 2023). His new and selected poems, Lemon Peeled the Moment Before, was published by Ausable Press in 2008 and won the Adirondack Center for Writing’s “Readers’ Choice Award.’ The University of Akron Press published his two previous books, Half/Mask, in 2007 and Delicate Bait, which Charles Simic chose for the Akron Prize, in 2003. Other recognition for his writing includes the Midland Poetry Award, the John Ben Snow Award for Clear Pond, a work of nonfiction, plus fellowships from the Indiana Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York Foundation for the Arts. Currently, he is writing a biography of the poet, Jean Garrigue. He and his wife, the fiction writer, Dorian Gossy, live in Jay, New York.
Sample Song |  Watch on Caffe Lena TVFormer U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky joins Grammy-winning musicians Todd Coolman (bass) and Bill Cunliffe (piano) with special guest JUNO Award-winner Pat LaBarbera (tenor saxophone). This unique collaboration is part of Skidmore College’s Summer Writers and Jazz Institutes.
Sample Song | In-Person Registration (FREE!) | Watch on YouTube

Enjoy a fun hour of music with your kids! Zak Hampton, aka Mr. Moose, leads his band with tenor sax and entertaining antics for a fun hour of music for kids and adults. The band plays an eclectic mix, from the Beatles, to Miles Davis, to Dua Lipa.
Sample Song | In-Person Tickets | Stream 5 PM Caffe Lena TV | Stream 8 PM

Taylor, equal parts Mark Twain and musical icon, has written hits for his brother James and performed with Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt & numerous others. He charms with brilliant stagecraft and a repertoire spanning folk, pop, gospel, and jazz. Pete Muller opens with original songs that foster optimism and joy.
In-Person Tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TV

An extraordinary showcase of emerging talent featuring promising young musicians from across the country. This annual concert, the culmination of the Skidmore Jazz Institute, highlights the student’s deep understanding of jazz traditions and eagerness to innovate within the genre. Past students include Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Richie Barshay, Jonathan Batiste, Courtney Bryan, Sullivan Fortner, James Francies, Brandon Lee, Noah Preminger, Christian Scott, Kendrick Scott, Walter Smith, Burniss Earl Travis and Myron Walden, among other luminaries.
YOUTH CLASSES  |  ADULT CLASSES & ACTIVITIES
Miss a show from last weekend? Watch HERE.
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