Kate McDonnell & Her Right Hand Men will play songs from their brand new album, Trapeze, this Friday night. Kate’s powerful words and beautiful melodies are ably supported by Sam Zucchini on drums and James Gascoyne on bass. Click photo for sample. Direct Link to Tickets
Greetings – Happy Sept-Member! That’s our ridiculous name (okay, my ridiculous name) for a celebration that really couldn’t be more important or heartfelt. Caffe Lena’s membership hovers around 900 households. Collectively, these folks will generate more than $100,000 for Caffe Lena this year. Their donations enable us to offer truly world-class concerts all year long in a beautiful, well-maintained venue at a price that is a fraction of what you’d pay at some of the big venues. Members also allow us to offer nearly half of our events and activites for under $5. We need to make sure that our performers are able to meet rising costs, so tickets for weekend shows have gone up a little. But, we don’t want anyone to lose access to Caffe Lena because they can’t afford to come. Members enable us to keep Caffe Lena accessible and welcoming to young families, people on fixed incomes, and people with very low incomes. That what a folk music venue should be like, and your generosity makes it possible. So, Happy Sept-Member! Be sure to reserve your spot at our first-ever Members Only Trivia Night coming up on Tuesday, September 24.
What a fun week we have ahead of us. Two album release concerts, a fast-rising young bluegrass band from South Korea, and an extraordinary fundraising concert for an important local cause. Enjoy sampling the music!
In early 1982, Bruce Springsteen, a prolific songwriter, was full of stories. Bruce’s 70-plus songs resulted in 2 albums, the solo-acoustic Nebraska, and Born In The U.S.A. The 12 songs on Born In The U.S.A., one of the best-selling albums of all time, include the title track, “Cover Me”, “I’m On Fire”, “No Surrender”, “Bobby Jean“, “Glory Days”, “Dancing In The Dark”, “My Hometown” and 4 more.
A Rochmon Record Club Listening Party deepens our understanding of the history of the individual performers, songs, and stories that went into the making of this classic album. By listening together, we hear the music again for the first time.
16-year-old Saratoga singer-songwriter Lovella celebrates the release of Outgrown, her debut all-original album. The expansive, emotional pop songs feature lyrics by her and music by her father, Caffe Lena headliner Seth Warden, whose band will be backing her for this special night.
Supported by sidemen James Gascoyne and Sam Zucchini, McDonnell is a muscular guitarist with a clear vibrato. The unflinching ballads on her 6th album, Trapeze, features characters who have misstepped, feared, hoped and loved. She has played Newport Folk Festival, Mountain Stage, Kennedy Center, and countless other stages big and small, near and far.
Bluegrass from South Korea! Introduced to USA audiences by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2023, this exquisite quintet plays original bluegrass with a Korean twist, singing in both English and Korean. They’re gaining a worldwide following via social media and have now played festivals in Europe, Asia & America.
UNPLUG CHILDHOOD HUNGER! Local Musicians Play Unplugged to Feed Local Kids In-Person Tickets
Local bands play with no amplification whatsoever in an extraordinary fundraiser organized by local artist Lawrence White. The artists will perform in the center of our room, and the tables and seats will surround them on all sides, with seating even available on stage! Annie & The Hedonists, Rick Bolton & Friends, Garland Nelson, Jeff Brisbin, and White’s own band, The Beat Generation. Proceeds for SNACPack will fill backpacks with nutritious food for local kids who need it at home on weekends. This event is presented as part of Saratoga Peace Week.
