Caffè Lena

After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-09-30 14:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Multi-act Program Open Mic

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After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne 11 weeks starting September 30th Use these links to sign up: 2:45, 3:40, 4:35 Music is a gift best shared with friends! Here is an exciting opportunity for youth 7-14 to learn music by playing together. Weekly 45 minute classes will be focused on making music, including singing, exploring various string instruments, music theory basics, rhythm exercises, how to learn songs/tunes from scratch, confidence in performance practice, and more. Youth Folk Ensemble is– Mixed ages and abilities: Open to any level of experience with music; Learn through listening and participation. Focus on repertoire: Learn classic tunes and songs from the American folk tradition as well as some favorite contemporary songs. Explore string instruments and singing, learning basic skills: Opportunities to focus on guitar, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, bass, and violin/fiddle*; (*for students interested in violin/fiddle it is recommended that they also be enrolled in private or school lessons). Learn music fundamentals: Develop strong and steady sense of rhythm; Learn how to listen and hear musically; Explore singing finding one's own unique voice. Learning valuable life skills: Working in a group setting; Creative contribution and compromise; Being part of a team and playing your part; Building friendships. Need help with tuition or an instrument? Let us know how we can help by filling out this application for the Matt McCabe Scholarship Fund or email: musicschool@caffelena.org After School Youth Folk Ensemble classes meet on Wednesdays at Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. The three time slots are 2:45-3:30 pm; 3:40-4:25 pm; & 4:35-5:20 pm. Sign up for one or all! Students are encouraged to sign up for all three sessions – the more time we spend learning and practicing music together, the tighter our ensemble will be! Discounts of 10% when purchasing more than 1 class at a time. Meet the instructors: James Gascoyne is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and teacher based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Originally from Louisville, KY, James has been an active participant in the NYS Capital Region arts community since 2004. He has toured nationally with a variety of groups, at times performing on bass, guitar, drums, and vocals, all the while maintaining an active local performing and recording schedule as well as teaching privately when time allows. James regularly performs with Oona Grady as their duo, Drank The Gold, specializing in traditional Irish and American fiddle tunes and folk songs, as well as original compositions and arrangements, plus newly formed bluegrass quintet The Millstone Rounders. With a passion for sharing his musical experience with others, he’s led various workshops at times on guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and bass for the Caffe Lena School of Music, Dance Flurry Festival, GrassRoots Culture Camp, and Winter Village Music Camp. Oona Grady is a musician and educator living in Saratoga Springs, New York. She performs with the duo Drank The Gold, a band specializing in creative arrangements of traditional Irish and American fiddle music, folk songs, and original compositions, as well as with other projects including The Grady Girls, Folk Club Kids, Carolyn Shapiro, and newest project The Millstone Rounders. Oona grew up in Ithaca, NY, nurtured by a family and community with a deep love of music. After receiving a grounding in Suzuki violin and Irish fiddle, she began performing with her family band as a teenager, and moved to Ireland at age eighteen to continue her music studies at University College Cork, graduating with a B.Mus. in 2008. Oona works as a recording artist (credits include strings on What a Night'll Do, Dr. Dog), manages a private music teaching studio, and is a founding teacher at the Caffe Lena School of Music. She also works as a guest instructor for weekend workshops and summer programs, including GrassRoots Culture Camp, the Flurry Festival, Winter Village Music Camp, and the Ithaca Suzuki Institute. #youthclass ﻿

Doors Open
Doors Open: 6:30 pm

Price

Suggested Donation
$5.00

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Folk Club Kids: Stories, Songs, and Sing-a-longs

Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

https://www.caffelena.org/folk-club-kids/

Join Dan Berggren, Arielle Woodul and Connor Armbruster for Folk Club Kids: a free weekly interactive concert series for preschoolers and their caregivers. Children are treated to 30 minutes of live music in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Inspire a love of music, community, and togetherness each week, learn, play, make friends and have fun!

This program is made possible by Andy and Bill Spence.

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Rochmon Record Club Listening Party: Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs & Englishmen"
2026-09-29 19:00 - 21:00
Open Mic Other Storytelling Workshop

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On Tuesday, September 29th, Rochmon Record Club will converge at Caffe’ Lena 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, to listen to, and learn about Joe Cocker's epic live album, “Mad Dogs & Englishmen”.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest live bands in the history of Rock & Roll,1970’s “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” is hard to deny. Often chaotic but riveting in its precision, “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” stands out as one of the best live albums ever recorded. Joe Cocker, coming off a successful set at Woodstock, had to mount a band in 8 days for a 48-concert American tour. Enter Leon Russell. Doomed for failure “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” was a triumph of spirit receiving massive critical and commercial success. The album and subsequent movie were taken from two performances at Bill Graham’s Fillmore East. Rochmon culls down the original 79-minute album and fills the night with classic Cocker covers such as “Honky Tonk Women”, “Cry Me A River”, “Feelin’ Alright”, “The Letter”, “Delta Lady”, “A Little Help From My Friends,” and 5 more. Anchored by some of the best studio and live musicians at the time, Joe Cocker's band of Mad Dogs & Englishmen grabs your ears. Also of note, a young, uncredited recording engineer, Joel Moss, worked as an assistant on the concert recordings. A long and cherished friend of Caffé Lena, we take this opportunity to remember and thank Joel for his work in music, movies, and at Caffé Lena.

Doors open at 6:30, and the show begins at 7 pm with a live audio & video presentation by Chuck Vosganian aka “Rochmon”. As always, Rochmon will have some surprises in store! These listening parties are designed to inform, engage, and help us hear familiar music in brand-new ways.

For Rochmaniacs at a distance, Rochmon Record Club will also be streaming live on Caffe’ Lena TV.

By listening together, we experience the album not just as fans, but as curious explorers—rediscovering the art and intention behind every note. Whether you're a lifelong collector or simply love great music, you'll leave with a deeper connection to the record—and maybe a few surprises along the way.

Come curious. Leave inspired.

﻿Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

﻿

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An Evening with Josh Ritter: A Book of Gold Thrown Open
2026-09-28 19:00 - 21:00
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One of today’s most prolific voices, Josh Ritter has released twelve studio albums including 2019’s widely acclaimed, ‘Fever Breaks’, of which NPR Music praised, “He remains a hydrant of ideas while embodying an endless capacity for empathy and indignation, often within a single song.”

His twelfth studio album ‘I Believe in You, My Honeydew’ is out now. Two-plus decades into his celebrated career, Ritter has written music that has transcended generations including luminaries such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Bob Weir covering his songs.

Celebrated for his richly crafted storytelling, heartfelt lyrics, and enchanting blend of folk, rock, and Americana, Ritter’s songs are often rooted in personal experiences and historical themes. The New York Times reflects, “Harking back to Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and maybe a little Mark Knopfler, Mr. Ritter has always been a slinger of serious ideas and high-flown imagery.”

The Book of Gold Thrown Open Tour is meant to encompass the whole of Ritter’s career, versus focusing on any one studio album.

In addition to his work as a musician, Ritter is also a national best-selling author, having released two novels to date: 2021’s The Great Glorious Goddamn of It All and 2011’s Bright’s Passage. Released to critical attention, Stephen King wrote in The New York Times Book Review that Bright’s Passage “shines with a compressed lyricism that recalls Ray Bradbury in his prime … This is the work of a gifted novelist.” ​

Join us at Caffè Lena for a rare opportunity to see Josh Ritter solo in our intimate listening room and immerse yourself in the heartfelt storytelling and rich melodies that define his music.

SAMPLE SONG

“Josh Ritter remains at the top of his game two decades into a highlight-strewn career. He’d be forgiven for loosening his grip, but his hand has never felt surer.” – NPR Music

“Mysterious, melancholy, melodic…and those are only the M’s.” – Stephen King in Entertainment Weekly

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.

﻿Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

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An Evening with Josh Ritter: A Book of Gold Thrown Open
2026-09-27 19:00 - 21:00
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One of today’s most prolific voices, Josh Ritter has released twelve studio albums including 2019’s widely acclaimed, ‘Fever Breaks’, of which NPR Music praised, “He remains a hydrant of ideas while embodying an endless capacity for empathy and indignation, often within a single song.”

His twelfth studio album ‘I Believe in You, My Honeydew’ is out now. Two-plus decades into his celebrated career, Ritter has written music that has transcended generations including luminaries such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Bob Weir covering his songs.

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The Book of Gold Thrown Open Tour is meant to encompass the whole of Ritter’s career, versus focusing on any one studio album.

In addition to his work as a musician, Ritter is also a national best-selling author, having released two novels to date: 2021’s The Great Glorious Goddamn of It All and 2011’s Bright’s Passage. Released to critical attention, Stephen King wrote in The New York Times Book Review that Bright’s Passage “shines with a compressed lyricism that recalls Ray Bradbury in his prime … This is the work of a gifted novelist.” ​

Join us at Caffè Lena for a rare opportunity to see Josh Ritter solo in our intimate listening room and immerse yourself in the heartfelt storytelling and rich melodies that define his music.

SAMPLE SONG

“Josh Ritter remains at the top of his game two decades into a highlight-strewn career. He’d be forgiven for loosening his grip, but his hand has never felt surer.” – NPR Music

“Mysterious, melancholy, melodic…and those are only the M’s.” – Stephen King in Entertainment Weekly

THIS SHOW IS SOLD OUT, BUT THERE ARE SOME TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR TOMORROW, MONDAY OCTOBER 28TH AT 7PM. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.

﻿Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

﻿

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The 4th Annual Fiddles and Foliage Fundraiser for the Caffè Lena School of Music
2026-09-27 12:00 - 16:00
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Our 4th Annual Fiddles and Foliage Fundraiser for the Caffè Lena School of Music!

High Rock Park Saratoga Springs 12pm-4pm

Admission Free!

Sponsored by Morcon INC

Celebrate the Caffè Lena School of Music with our most important school fundraiser of the year!

Sept 27th at the beautiful High Rock Park in Saratoga Springs, NY

Bring the whole family for an afternoon of food, music and friendship!

Here's what to expect:

Live Music
Games, Vendors and Crafts
Food and Ice Cream
Silent Auction
Pie Auction
Band Scramble

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Folk Heritage Series: Aztec Two-Step 2.0
2026-09-26 20:00 - 22:00
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Originating from a chance meeting at a Boston open mic night in 1971, Rex Fowler & Neal Shulman went on to record four albums throughout the ‘70s on Elektra & RCA Records that left an indelible mark on the folk-rock genre. As their recording career continued, so did the critical acclaim.

In 1986, their indie album “Living in America” was named in Billboard’s year-end critic’s poll and received the New York Music Award for the Best Folk Album. In 1999 they were the subjects of “No Hit Wonder,” a documentary that aired on PBS stations across America. In June 2007, Real Simple, a popular national lifestyle magazine, named ATS’s debut album one of the all-time top five classic folk albums, along with works by Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Tom Rush and Phil Ochs. More recently, they've been inducted into the music halls of fame of New England and Long Island. Headliners in their own right, the group appeared in concert with The Band, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, Donovan, Judy Collins, Jackson Browne, America, Heart, Orleans, The Beach Boys and countless others.

Following Neal's 2018 retirement, Rex has continued their legacy with his wife Dodie Pettit and their expanded band Aztec Two-Step 2.0, adding new layers of sound to ATS fan favorites and forgotten gems.

SAMPLE SONG

"The old songs done in Rex's new lineup has brought new life to the music. This truly is a band that people need to experience!" – Ron Olesko, WFDU-FM/Folk Music Notebook

﻿​The Folk Heritage Series ​is Made possible by the ​generosity of the Charlie Pickett & Kathleen Rehl Endowment Fund​.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.

﻿Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

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Sara Milonovich & Daisycutter
2026-09-25 20:00 - 22:00
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Join Sara Milonovich & Daisycutter in celebrating the release of her new album Last Resort Motor Inn, and her only Capital District show before they head off on a UK tour!

A record about identity, persistence, and the common ground that brings us together, even when modern life threatens to pull us apart, Last Resort Motor Inn is the sound of a songwriter taking stock – not just of a changing America, but of a lifetime spent navigating its back roads, small-town communities, music scenes, and contradictions. Recorded alongside her band, Daisycutter, and longtime producer Greg Anderson, Last Resort Motor Inn unpacks those stories even further. She writes about gentrified mill towns losing their identities, farmers watching country culture become high-class fashion, resilient women surviving on the margins of society, and people searching for connection in fractured times. That resilience is the beating heart of Last Resort Motor Inn – a reminder that when you're a lifer, there's no such thing as throwing in the towel.

Raised on a working family farm in upstate New York, Milonovich grew up surrounded by bluegrass, folk, old-school country, and the earthy sounds of an agrarian area that still relied on agriculture. "This record reflects every version of me for the last 25 years, from the bluegrass fiddle player to the singer/songwriter to the rock experimentalist," says Milonovich, who's spent decades balancing her solo work with countless opportunities as a session player, instrumentalist, road warrior, and cultural ambassador. "It feels like a culmination of all the years of experience and musical adventures I’ve been on, through so many different genres and scenes. This is the first time I've just done exactly what I wanted, and stopped worrying about making everything make sense on paper."

Sara Milonovich has built her career across countless musical worlds: from Americana stages and tours to collaborations with folk and bluegrass royalty, as well as work on Broadway's Tony Award-winning Come From Away. With Last Resort Motor Inn, she funnels those worlds into a universe all her own.

SAMPLE SONG

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.

Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

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Captain Fun Lunchtime Listening Hour
2026-09-25 12:00 - 13:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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Bring your lunch & listen to a playlist curated by a Caffe Lena Community member. For the September edition of the Captain Fun Lunchtime Listening Hour, our playlist curator will be community member, Janice Van Dyke! Maybe she'll even bring her singing dog Eli! The D.J. spinning those records will be the Rochmon himself – Chuck “Rochmon” Vosganian.

All are welcome to gather at Lena’s from Noon to 1 PM on the last Friday of each month to enjoy musical memories and new discoveries. The playlist is selected by a different community member each month from the Captain Fun Listening Library of vinyl records in Lena’s lobby. Bring a brown bag lunch. Coffee and tea are provided.

The Captain Fun Listening Library occupying the north wall in the Caffè Lena lobby consists of 1,516 vinyl albums and several hundred CDs selected from Al “Captain Fun” McKenney’s expertly curated collection. This treasure trove of folk, blues and jazz was left us in 2015 and we share it through our monthly listening hour, as Al wished.

Enjoy the memories these records bring back, and dig deep into American roots music.

If you want to create a playlist and host a session, please contact Laura Sterling or let us know when you are next at Lena’s!

﻿

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Music with Miss Deb
2026-09-25 10:00 - 11:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Experience this interactive and fun exploration of music with Miss Deb!

9 sessions

10:15 am – 11 am

$120

Scholarships available just email matt@caffelena.org

We will sing songs, move around, play with colorful props and play percussion instruments while enjoying and learning about music in an organic learning environment.

Songs from other cultures will be included along with traditional folk songs.

Fun for the whole family!

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Reed Foehl Trio
2026-09-24 19:00 - 21:00
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“Reed's songs hit you in the heart, and everything else falls away." –Anais Mitchell

Reed Foehl writes songs that feel lived in.

Born into a musical family in rural New England, Foehl began his career busking on the streets of Boston before finding a national audience as a singer-songwriter whose work is rooted in honesty, quiet observation, and the landscapes of American life. His songs unfold like well-worn postcards from the long way home, exploring love, loss, resilience, and the people we become along the way.

Drawing from the traditions of American folk, Foehl combines a warm, weathered voice with thoughtful melodies and lyrics that reveal new details with every listen. His performances are understated and deeply personal, allowing the songs themselves to take center stage.

Over the course of more than a dozen recordings, Foehl has built a devoted following, with his music appearing in film and television and his songs recorded by artists including Grammy-winning country singer Lee Ann Womack. His upcoming solo album, recorded in Woodstock, New York, features collaborations with Gregory Alan Isakov, Anna Tivel, Jeffrey Martin, Rich Hinman, and Jeb Bows.

Now based in Vermont's Green Mountains, Foehl continues to tour internationally, bringing audiences songs that are intimate, beautifully crafted, and grounded in the traditions of American songwriting. Whether you're discovering his music for the first time or returning as a longtime listener, this promises to be an evening of thoughtful songs and memorable stories played by the Reed Foehl Trio.

“Reed writes songs that live and breathe, and sings them with real delicacy and power. No small thing.”– Jeffrey Foucault

SAMPLE SONG

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.

Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

﻿

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School of Music Slow Jam
2026-09-24 13:00 - 15:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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All are Welcome!
WE LOVE TO MEET NEW PICKERS,
AND WE LOVE PUTTING ON A GOOD SHOW FOR LISTENERS!

This weekly program is made possible by the generous support of PHLY Foundation!

THERE ARE NO PRE-SHOW RESERVATIONS FOR THE JAMS!

SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR. $5.00 per person

Our jams are all about sharing songs, making new friends, and enjoying a relaxing and casual evening of irresistible string band music.

ALL are welcome to join the circle for an afternoon or evening playing and listening to classic grass, new grass and folk favorites. We sometimes refer to our genre as eclectic acoustic.

Red Spruce and Adirondack Song Dogs will kick off each session with a few tunes then open the floor for musicians to lead their favorite bluegrass tunes and folk music, backed up by the other pickers in the gathering. Simple tunes are always popular! So sharpen up your axe, come prepared with your song, and let us hear some good old fast, high and lonesome, some slow and low, or a good old favorite. All are welcome!

What is a Slow Jam?

It is a group of string instrument players and singers who get together to have fun making music. The “slow” modifier indicates that it is targeted to the following musicians: people who have been playing solo and want to get used to playing in a group setting: people who have just learned how to play and want to play with others; people who have instruments that have been gathering dust for a “few” years; experienced players who are trying out playing instruments other than their primary instrument; people who are comfortable playing their instrument but want to become more comfortable singing/leading a song.. The tunes are played at 80 to 110 BPM and usually in basic keys such a G, A, D, C major, but it always sounds great to play in some minor keys such as “a”, “e”, and “g”. We will try to avoid “jam busters.” It is our hope that after this experience you will feel more comfortable playing at the many open jams and open mics that can be found in our area.

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Sep 2 • 10:30 AM

Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
2026-09-24 09:00 - 12:30
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Level 1 9:15 am – 10:10 am

Level 2 10:15 am – 11:10 am

Level 3 11:15 am – 12:10 pm

If you are unsure of which level to sign up for email: bt@kilakwa.com or matt@caffelena.org

Cost $195 for 9 sessions. Drop ins $25/per session if space allows

This class will focus on learning basic skills in order to play songs alone or with other players. Each week we will focus on learning specific skills that players can build on to gain confidence while playing. We will also work on playing different styles of music and transposing pieces into various keys. The goal is to provide players information and skills so they are comfortable in various musical environments.

Topics Include:

Open position chords and how they are related to each other

Moving from chord to chord smoothly and in time

Rhythm and strumming techniques

Single note play: Pentatonic scale, lead-ins and fills

Movable chord shapes

Learning new songs

Playing and performing with other musicians

﻿

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Drop the Mic!
2026-09-23 18:00 - 20:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Drop The Mic!

September 23

6pm -8pm $35

The first program to effectively combine public speaking and technology in one cohesive package.

Drop The Mic! was conceived when an aspiring political candidate wanted to gain more insight and confidence around public speaking. Although he didn’t win his election, he received numerous compliments – including from some of his competitors! – that his presentations were orderly, efficient and effective. By reducing the clumsiness and hesitation around handling the microphone and the microphone stand, it allowed his audience to focus on his message and not be distracted by fumbling with “the technology.” The overarching goal of Drop The Mic! is to instill confidence and awareness in anyone who uses a microphone and a sound system in a public speaking setting.

After attending this program, attendees will be able to:

1. Confidently handle a microphone and microphone stand

2. Troubleshoot the usual “technical difficulties” that arise with sound systems

3. Clearly identify “the why” in the presentation

4. Apply basic project management skills for a successful presentation

5. Elevate their public speaking skills with three key tips

If participants remember just a few of the tips from the program, their public speaking comfort level and effectiveness will far exceed what most speakers attain.

The program is designed to be fun and interactive. Students are actively engaged to pull them into the lessons as well as to develop their critical thinking about effective communications. The program covers:

1. Envisioning the type of presenter you want to be

2. Preparing and planning

3. Basic project management using who, what, where, when, why

4. Focusing on “the why”

5. Microphones

6. Microphone stands & cables

7. Awareness of filler words

8. Breathing, cadence, and pace

9. Working with event staff

10. Knowing your audience

Whether a student, teacher, entrepreneur, civic leader, guest reader, or any other type of presenter, Drop The Mic! will ensure that you take your presentation skills to the next level!

Peter has always worked at the intersection of music and technology. His first musical experience was on the acoustic piano. From there, he embraced electric keyboards and synthesizers. His time at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam continued to expand his interest in the technology around music making.

Upon entering the workforce, Peter again was at the dawn of new technology taking hold – the personal computer. Between his own efforts, traditional instruction, and software user groups, Peter moved through roles in IT, technical support, instructional design and delivery, technical marketing, project management, applications development, consulting, and ultimately product management. Peter frames most situations using his skills and experience in music. Communication, preparation, analysis, performance, story-telling, design, and engagement are all rooted in various music educational and performance experiences.

Peter has been in Saratoga for over 30 years and has accompanied, taught, and performed in a variety of settings. A core strength of Peter’s is his ability to adapt and improvise based on the situation in front of him. Beyond creating spur of the moment accompaniments or solos, Peter has also relied upon improvising in his professional work as well as when working with nonprofits.

The creation of Drop The Mic was sparked by a need to give public speakers, and those that support them, a basic understanding of working with a public address system’s technology – microphones, stands, cables, amplifiers, and speakers. An equally important need was to create an awareness, and time to explore, more effective public speaking techniques. With those two sets of tools in a speaker’s pockets, they will be far better equipped to be heard by their audiences. And isn’t that always the goal? Whether we’ve got a guitar in our hands, a trumpet at our lips, or singing from our hearts, when we communicate effectively, we engage and connect.

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2026-09-23 10:30 - 11:00
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Folk Club Kids: Stories, Songs, and Sing-a-longs

Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

https://www.caffelena.org/folk-club-kids/

Join Dan Berggren, Arielle Woodul and Connor Armbruster for Folk Club Kids: a free weekly interactive concert series for preschoolers and their caregivers. Children are treated to 30 minutes of live music in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Inspire a love of music, community, and togetherness each week, learn, play, make friends and have fun!

This program is made possible by Andy and Bill Spence.

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Poetry Open Mic Featuring Esther Cohen
2026-09-22 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Esther Cohen is a writer, teacher, bookdoctor, and labor activist. For many years she ran Bread and Roses, a national cultural program for workers. She started a program called UnseenAmerica and co-founded the Clara Lemlich Awards for women activists. Her poem/photograph series with Matthew Septimus is featured at "On Being." She is the author of six books, including Breakfast With Allen Ginsberg (poetry), Bookdoctor (fiction) and Don't Mind Me and Other Jewish Lies, illustrated by Roz Chast. Her latest poetry collection is All of Us: Stories and Poems Along Route 17 (Saddle Road Press, 2023).

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.

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Open Mic
2026-09-21 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-09-14 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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OPEN MIC NIGHT

DOORS 6:00PM // SIGN UP 6:30PM // SHOW STARTS 7:00PM

Play your song on the Caffe’s famous stage! During the past three decades, Lena’s open mic has been recognized with “Best Of” awards from Metroland Magazine, The Alt Weekly, The Saratogian Reader’s Poll and Saratoga’s Fab Five. Just like at our weekend shows, all attention is focused on the stage.

OUR HOSTS

First Monday – Rick Bolton

Second Monday – Carolyn Shapiro

Third Monday – Ray Pashoukos

Fourth Monday – Kate Blain

HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT:

Every Monday. All ages, all styles. Originals encouraged but not required.

Please leave a $3-$5 donation for our non-profit organization if you’re able to.

Doors open at 6:00 PM. Sign-up is 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM / Show at 7:00 / 2 songs or 10 minutes /

Sign up is first come first serve

You are welcome to use our Yamaha studio upright acoustic piano or acoustic Martin guitar. We can play your MP3 backing track through our sound system. You are welcome to bring amps and drums BUT set up and break down is part of your 10 minutes.

Coffee & Cookies are available for purchase in the Lobby. No alcohol! We like to keep our Monday nights family friendly.

Play Nice! We foster a diverse community that has a great time making art and helping one another get better. Excessive profanity, explicit sexual themes, and “humor” that unkindly targets a specific group undermines this goal. It is up to the discretion of the host to enforce the house standards.

CONTACT US

If you have any questions you can give us a call at 518-583-0022 or email our Monday House Manager: artur@caffelena.org

﻿

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Chris Smither
2026-09-20 15:00 - 17:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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"His finger-picked guitar lines are sleek, unhurried and insistent. And then there's the voice–equal parts gravel and molasses." – NPR

This stark, elemental sage always has a twinkle in his eye, a light touch at your elbow as he guides you along. Accompanying himself with masterful finger-picking and amplified foot percussion, his extraordinary lyrics are packed with well-developed story lines and little punches that land on your heart.

After six decades of sharpening his knife as a songwriter, Smither can at this point open damn near anything with a flick of his wrist. Politics, consciousness, renewal, family, vulnerability, surrender . . . Smither has sat with these topics like so many Zen koans for so long that every line is a pearl. His style is utterly confident and unafraid, filled with humility, humor, a knowledge of what inevitably lies ahead, yet refusing to succumb to darkness.​

In the latest news, his acting debut was in, "The Singers," which just won the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film. You can stream it on Netflix.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.

﻿Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

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The Clements Brothers
2026-09-19 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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“Pitch perfect sibling harmonies and gossamer sounds.” (Americana UK)

Identical twins George and Charles Clements first played Lena's stage with the hugely popular Lonely Heartstring Band. Their breakout 2023 duo album, Dandelion Breeze, "staked its claim as one of the year’s best debuts." (Folk Radio UK) With roots, rock, bluegrass, jazz, and classical influences, George (on guitar) and Charles (on bass) make groovy, serene music that "unassumingly and softly seeps into your soul." They are joined by drummer Mike Harmon for a show of seamless vocal harmonies, instrumental virtuosity, and a genuine love of song.

SAMPLE SONG

“The Clements Brothers have woven a tapestry of folk and Americana that tugs at the heartstrings and soothes the soul. Dandelion Breeze is a triumph for The Clements Brothers, a testament to their growth as artists and storytellers. This album is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates soul-stirring folk music that lingers in the heart and mind. With its compelling narratives and captivating melodies, it’s an album that will undoubtedly stand the test of time. – Jason Felton, Record Dept.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.

Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

﻿

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Capital Region Blues Network Solo-Duo Competition
2026-09-19 13:00 - 15:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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The road to Memphis begins at Caffè Lena!

Some of the Capital Region's finest blues musicians will compete for the opportunity to represent our region at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, in January 2027. Presented by the Capital Region Blues Network, an affiliate of The Blues Foundation, this showcase is part of one of the most respected competitions in blues music.

Performing artists will take the stage before a panel of judges, who will evaluate each act on musicianship, vocal and instrumental talent, originality, and stage presence. The winning solo or duo act will earn the honor of representing the Capital Region on the international stage, joining musicians from blues societies across the United States and around the world.

For audiences, it's a rare opportunity to experience an afternoon of outstanding live blues while cheering on local artists as they compete for a chance to perform in the birthplace of the blues.

The competing solo and duo performers will be announced prior to the event.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.

Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

﻿

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Slambovian Circus of Dreams Unplugged
2026-09-18 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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Caffè Lena presents "The Slambovian Circus of Dreams – Unplugged" in a rare trio performance by founding members of the band. Take a peek behind the "Slambovian Curtain" and experience the creative engine behind the band in this intimate performance.

The Slambovians' connection with audiences taps into a greater human-ness. Charismatic frontman, Joziah presides center-ring with vocals "Soothing and bewitching as a snake oil tonic", joined onstage by founding bandmates Tink (accordion, cello, mandolin, flute) and the guitar-slinging skills of Sharkey McEwen, creating a show that constantly evolves.

Exploring the depths of Americana one trippy tune at a time, elements of Dylan, Bowie, Incredible String Band, Syd Barrett and The Waterboys flavor the musical mix. (Waterboys co- founder Anthony Thistlethwaite is featured on A Very Unusual Head). Woodstock-tinged psychedelia, a hint of southern rock and solid songwriting elevates this version of Americana to new Heights.

SAMPLE SONG

Fans of the band include: Garth Hudson (The Band), Dar Williams, Anthony Thistlethwaite (The Waterboys), Gary Burke (Bob Dylan, Joe Jackson), Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull.)

“They take the stage by storm!” – NY Times

“A breath of fresh air in a sometimes stagnant world – especially as a live act – with varied eclectic influences and great musicianship. Plus moustaches, hats and stage presence gild their Interesting and thought- provoking lyrics for the curious adult mind.” – Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.

﻿Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

﻿

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Sober Salon
2026-09-17 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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This quarterly event gives people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction the opportunity to share their creative work in a happy, drug-and-alcohol-free setting with the support of Caffe Lena's professional sound, lights and stage. Sober Salon is specifically for people in recovery. It welcomes any and all art, crafts, and performances. Bring a sweater you knitted, a painting, a magic trick, a comedy routine, and certainly feel welcome to bring music and poetry! Truly, any artistic work is welcome. Art helps all of us express difficult emotions, and sharing it on stage helps us build trust in others. We hope that Sober Salon will help you move forward in your recovery and connect with a new, healthy circle of friends.

Things to Know:

Doors will open at 6:30PM and sign up will be on a first come first serve basis.
Presentations will be five minutes max.
The kitchen will be open for service.
We have a piano and a variety of instruments, including guitars you can use.
We will not offer a screen for displaying photos, but we will enable people to play backing tracks to sing with.

We can't wait to welcome you!

Admission is free thanks to the support of the Victor and Helen Geisel Foundation.

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School of Music Slow Jam
2026-09-17 13:00 - 15:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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All are Welcome!
WE LOVE TO MEET NEW PICKERS,
AND WE LOVE PUTTING ON A GOOD SHOW FOR LISTENERS!

This weekly program is made possible by the generous support of PHLY Foundation!

THERE ARE NO PRE-SHOW RESERVATIONS FOR THE JAMS!

SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR. $5.00 per person

Our jams are all about sharing songs, making new friends, and enjoying a relaxing and casual evening of irresistible string band music.

ALL are welcome to join the circle for an afternoon or evening playing and listening to classic grass, new grass and folk favorites. We sometimes refer to our genre as eclectic acoustic.

Red Spruce and Adirondack Song Dogs will kick off each session with a few tunes then open the floor for musicians to lead their favorite bluegrass tunes and folk music, backed up by the other pickers in the gathering. Simple tunes are always popular! So sharpen up your axe, come prepared with your song, and let us hear some good old fast, high and lonesome, some slow and low, or a good old favorite. All are welcome!

What is a Slow Jam?

It is a group of string instrument players and singers who get together to have fun making music. The “slow” modifier indicates that it is targeted to the following musicians: people who have been playing solo and want to get used to playing in a group setting: people who have just learned how to play and want to play with others; people who have instruments that have been gathering dust for a “few” years; experienced players who are trying out playing instruments other than their primary instrument; people who are comfortable playing their instrument but want to become more comfortable singing/leading a song.. The tunes are played at 80 to 110 BPM and usually in basic keys such a G, A, D, C major, but it always sounds great to play in some minor keys such as “a”, “e”, and “g”. We will try to avoid “jam busters.” It is our hope that after this experience you will feel more comfortable playing at the many open jams and open mics that can be found in our area.

﻿

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Sep 3 • 1 PM

Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
2026-09-17 09:00 - 11:30
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Level 1 9:15 am – 10:10 am

Level 2 10:15 am – 11:10 am

Level 3 11:15 am – 12:10 pm

If you are unsure of which level to sign up for email: bt@kilakwa.com or matt@caffelena.org

Cost $195 for 9 sessions. Drop ins $25/per session if space allows

This class will focus on learning basic skills in order to play songs alone or with other players. Each week we will focus on learning specific skills that players can build on to gain confidence while playing. We will also work on playing different styles of music and transposing pieces into various keys. The goal is to provide players information and skills so they are comfortable in various musical environments.

Topics Include:

Open position chords and how they are related to each other

Moving from chord to chord smoothly and in time

Rhythm and strumming techniques

Single note play: Pentatonic scale, lead-ins and fills

Movable chord shapes

Learning new songs

Playing and performing with other musicians

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Bluegrass Jam
2026-09-16 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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All are welcome to join the circle for an evening playing and listening to classic grass, new grass and folk favorites. Red Spruce will kick off each session with a few tunes then open the floor for musicians to lead their favorite bluegrass tunes and folk music, backed up by the other pickers in the gathering. Simple tunes are always popular! So sharpen up your axe, come prepared with your song, and let us hear some good old fast, high and lonesome, some slow and low, or a good old favorite. All are welcome!!

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Folk Club Kids
2026-09-16 10:30 - 11:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

Share:

Folk Club Kids: Stories, Songs, and Sing-a-longs

Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

https://www.caffelena.org/folk-club-kids/

Join Dan Berggren, Arielle Woodul and Connor Armbruster for Folk Club Kids: a free weekly interactive concert series for preschoolers and their caregivers. Children are treated to 30 minutes of live music in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Inspire a love of music, community, and togetherness each week, learn, play, make friends and have fun!

This program is made possible by Andy and Bill Spence.

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Sep 2 • 10:30 AM

An Evening with John Craigie
2026-09-15 20:30 - 22:30
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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A John Craigie show can make you laugh until your sides hurt, break your heart with the very next song, and then send you home thinking about something he said when you least expected to be paying attention.

That combination is his particular gift.

The Stranger may have captured it best, calling Craigie “…the lovechild of John Prine and Mitch Hedberg with a vagabond troubadour edge.”

Craigie moves effortlessly between side-splitting stories, razor-sharp observations about the world around us and beautifully written songs that can sneak up on you with their emotional weight. Nothing feels overly rehearsed or polished for effect. He talks to the audience, follows the energy in the room, tells stories that wander into unexpected places—and somehow always finds his way back to the song.

Then there’s that voice: warm, weathered and conversational, perfectly suited to songs about people, places, love, loss and the strange business of being alive.

His 2026 album, I Swam Here, opens another chapter. Much of it was recorded in New Orleans with musicians handpicked by Sam Doores of The Deslondes, including Doores on piano and organ, with longtime Craigie collaborator Anna Moss (recently at Caffè Lena with Sabine McCalla) appearing on nearly every song. Other tracks were recorded in Astoria, Oregon, bringing the musical pull of the Gulf Coast together with the quieter atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest.

SAMPLE SONG

OFFICIAL AUDIO OF JOHN’S NEW ALBUM

The album follows Pagan Church, Craigie’s acclaimed collaboration with TK & The Holy Know-Nothings, which spent six weeks at #1 on the Americana Albums chart. He has packed venues across the U.S., Europe and Australia, appeared at Newport Folk Festival, Pickathon and High Sierra, and shared stages with Gregory Alan Isakov, Jack Johnson, Sierra Hull and others.

But lists of festivals and famous names don't really explain John Craigie. You have to spend an evening with him.

Come prepared to laugh. Come prepared to listen. And don't be surprised if the funny guy who had the whole room roaring five minutes ago suddenly sings something that knocks the wind right out of you.

That’s a John Craigie show.

And in a room like Caffè Lena, there isn't much distance between him and you.

﻿Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

﻿

Price

General
FREE

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American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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An Evening with John Craigie
2026-09-15 18:00 - 20:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

Share:

A John Craigie show can make you laugh until your sides hurt, break your heart with the very next song, and then send you home thinking about something he said when you least expected to be paying attention.

That combination is his particular gift.

The Stranger may have captured it best, calling Craigie “…the lovechild of John Prine and Mitch Hedberg with a vagabond troubadour edge.”

Craigie moves effortlessly between side-splitting stories, razor-sharp observations about the world around us and beautifully written songs that can sneak up on you with their emotional weight. Nothing feels overly rehearsed or polished for effect. He talks to the audience, follows the energy in the room, tells stories that wander into unexpected places, and somehow always finds his way back to the song.

Then there’s that voice: warm, weathered and conversational, perfectly suited to songs about people, places, love, loss and the strange business of being alive.

His 2026 album, I Swam Here, opens another chapter. Much of it was recorded in New Orleans with musicians handpicked by Sam Doores of The Deslondes, including Doores on piano and organ, with longtime Craigie collaborator Anna Moss (recently at Caffè Lena with Sabine McCalla) appearing on nearly every song. Other tracks were recorded in Astoria, Oregon, bringing the musical pull of the Gulf Coast together with the quieter atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest.

SAMPLE SONG

OFFICIAL AUDIO OF JOHN’S NEW ALBUM

The album follows Pagan Church, Craigie’s acclaimed collaboration with TK & The Holy Know-Nothings, which spent six weeks at #1 on the Americana Albums chart. He has packed venues across the U.S., Europe and Australia, appeared at Newport Folk Festival, Pickathon and High Sierra, and shared stages with Gregory Alan Isakov, Jack Johnson, Sierra Hull and others.

But lists of festivals and famous names don't really explain John Craigie. You have to spend an evening with him.

Come prepared to laugh. Come prepared to listen. And don't be surprised if the funny guy who had the whole room roaring five minutes ago suddenly sings something that knocks the wind right out of you.

That’s a John Craigie show.

And in a room like Caffè Lena, there isn't much distance between him and you.

﻿Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

﻿

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Momentum Series: The Gothard Sisters
2026-09-13 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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“Music both fresh as sunrise and yet drenched in tradition” – Folk Words Review

The Gothard Sisters, Greta, Willow and Solana, are a trio of multi-instrumentalists, singers and songwriters who create Celtic-influenced American folk music that resonates with listeners worldwide. Raised in the Pacific Northwest, USA, they studied classical music while exploring folk traditions and imaginative play, shaping a sound that blends Celtic, folk, classical, world and new-age influences. Their performances feature violin, guitar, mandolin, bodhran, djembe, whistle and close sibling harmonies, earning praise as “vivid, inspirational and captivating.”

The Gothard Sisters have amassed 70M global streams across platforms; 13M views on YouTube; played over 2,000 shows in four countries and 48 states; reached #1 on iTunes World Music Charts; won “Best New Irish Artist” (Irish Music Awards) and captured “Album of the Year” at the Celtic Radio Awards.

SAMPLE SONG

“Blending Celtic, folk, world, classical and new age musical influences, the Gothard Sisters bring songs to life with violin, acoustic guitar, mandolin, bodhran, djembe, whistle and vocal harmonies, creating music that is “vivid, inspirational and captivating.”

— Tim Carroll, Folk Words Review 2018

﻿﻿﻿This show is part of our Momentum Series, ﻿made possible by the generous support of Joseph & Luann Conlon, in honor of Thom O'Neil.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.

﻿Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

﻿

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Folk Club Kids

American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

class

Sep 2 • 10:30 AM
