Caffè Lena

Summer Camp: Youth Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-07-07 09:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

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Youth Folk Ensemble Summer Camp with Oona and James and special guest Deb Cavanaugh. Music is a gift best shared with friends! Here is an exciting opportunity for youth 7-14 to learn music by playing together. Building on the format of the weekly After School Youth Folk Ensembles offered during the school year at Caffe Lena, this summer camp is a Monday through Friday day camp meeting July 6 – 10, 2025. 9:30am – 3:30pm (Friday 9:30am – 12:30pm) Three hours each morning and midday 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. Each day will finish with extracurricular activities including lunch in congress park! At the end of the final day there will be a recital/sharing session for family and friends. 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 Scholarships are available as well as instrument loans. #youthclass

Price

General
$125.00

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Storytelling Open Mic Featuring Tom Porter
2026-07-07 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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In this one-hour special feature, we are honored by the presence of Tom Porter, Sakokwenionkwas, (Sago gway noon gwas), “The One Who Wins.” He is the spokesperson and spiritual leader of the Mohawk Community of Kanatsiohareke (Ga na jo ha lay gay) in the Mohawk Valley near Fonda, New York.

He is a member of the Bear Clan of the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne, and he held the position of sub-chief for 21 years. He was also the director of and a teacher at the Akwesasne Freedom School where he taught Mohawk language, philosophy and history. He organized and lectured for the “White Roots of Peace,” a traveling multi-media campaign to revitalize Native traditions and beliefs in North America. Author of eleven books and pamphlets on Mohawk traditions, he also has four honorary doctorates from Keene State College in New Hampshire, Syracuse University, Trent University in Canada, and SUNY Cobleskill.

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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FREE

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Summer Camp: Youth Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-07-08 09:30 - 15:30, 2026-07-09 09:30 - 15:30
American Roots Bluegrass Instructional

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Youth Folk Ensemble Summer Camp with Oona and James

and special guest Deb Cavanaugh.

Music is a gift best shared with friends! Here is an exciting opportunity for youth 7-14 to learn music by playing together. Building on the format of the weekly After School Youth Folk Ensembles offered during the school year at Caffe Lena, this summer camp is a Monday through Friday day camp meeting July 6 – 10, 2025. 9:30am – 3:30pm (Friday 9:30am – 12:30pm)

Three hours each morning and midday 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. Each day will finish with extracurricular activities including lunch in congress park! At the end of the final day there will be a recital/sharing session for family and friends.

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

Scholarships are available as well as instrument loans.

#youthclass

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Folk Club Kids
2026-07-08 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-07-22 10:30 - 11:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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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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School of Music Slow Jam
2026-07-09 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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Darlingside
2026-07-09 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Instructional

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Caffè Lena has been pivotal to Darlingside’s journey since 2013 when the band first performed as part of our Emerging Artist Breakout series. Annual shows here helped them gain national attention, with NPR describing their indie rock as “exquisitely arranged, literary minded, baroque folk-pop.” Their elegant compositions and unified voices have earned praise from Rolling Stone and The New Yorker, fostering a worldwide following.

Their fourth LP, Everything Is Alive, brings fresh new sounds. Exploring themes of personal and universal change, the album delves into big life decisions, emphasizing loss and redemption. Produced and recorded by the band and mixed by Tucker Martine (My Morning Jacket, Sufjan Stevens, Iron and Wine), it showcases Darlingside’s evolution while retaining signature harmonies and melodic sophistication.

SAMPLE SONG

Join us at Caffè Lena for a luminous evening of music as Darlingside shares their most personal work yet—songs that meet life’s tender complexities head-on, and invite us all to find what’s still alive and beautiful.

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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Summer Camp: Youth Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-07-10 09:30 - 12:30
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

Share:

Youth Folk Ensemble Summer Camp with Oona and James

and special guest Deb Cavanaugh.

Music is a gift best shared with friends! Here is an exciting opportunity for youth 7-14 to learn music by playing together. Building on the format of the weekly After School Youth Folk Ensembles offered during the school year at Caffe Lena, this summer camp is a Monday through Friday day camp meeting July 6 – 10, 2025. 9:30am – 3:30pm (Friday 9:30am – 12:30pm)

Three hours each morning and midday 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. Each day will finish with extracurricular activities including lunch in congress park! At the end of the final day there will be a recital/sharing session for family and friends.

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

Scholarships are available as well as instrument loans.

#youthclass

Price

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FREE

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Jim Gaudet and The Railroad Boys
2026-07-10 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Instructional

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“There is no other band that can sound so modern and yet so classic and nostalgic." – Mel Guarino of The Bluebillies

If you’ve never attended a performance by Jim Gaudet and The Railroad Boys, you’re missing out on one of the Capital Region’s true musical treasures. Since 2006, The Railroad Boys, comprised of singer/songwriter Jim Gaudet on guitar, Bobby Buckley on bass and backing vocals, Sten Isachsen on mandolin and backing vocals, Sara Milonovich or Tucker Callander on fiddle, and ‘Upstate’ Richie Pagano on piano, have been playing festivals and venues, big and small, all over the country.

Jim Gaudet writes nearly all The Railroad Boys songs, but pinning down the band’s genre can be tricky. Although it started out as bluegrass, its style has morphed over time into what Gaudet calls “hillbilly rock ‘n roll.” Still, limiting this band to just one label seems a disservice because, in his songwriting, Gaudet does it all: Americana-roots, classic and outlaw country, Southern rock, honky-tonk, blues, Cajun. You name it, he’s probably done it. In fact, last April at the 4th annual Capital Region Thomas Edison (aka Eddies) Music Awards ceremony at Proctors Mainstage, Jim Gaudet and The Railroad Boys were honored to win Country/Bluegrass Artist of the Year for the third time, 2024, 2023 and 2022. Along with this outstanding honor Jim was selected as performer of the year 2024 by RadioRadio X for the "Listen Up" awards in the Folk/Bluegrass category.

Gaudet has a uniquely animated, conversational style of singing, his tone every bit as original as the songs he writes. Clear diction, an abundance of good humor, and vocal inflections that follow each song’s emotional arc make you feel like you’re talking with a good friend over the back fence. Gaudet can growl, yowl, even yodel with the best of them, and when he belts out a snappy “Hey!” between verses, you can feel the room’s energy surge.

SAMPLE SONG

“We’ll be bringing the Ruckus! It ain’t nothing but Hillbilly Rock n Roll.” Jim Gaudet

Stream this show live at CaffeLenaTV. 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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Songwriting Club
2026-07-11 10:00 - 12:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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I'm happy to announce that Songwriting Club is back at Caffè Lena with a more structured time slot. "Second Saturday Songwriting Club" will meet (you guessed it) every second Saturday! Starting January 10th 10am – 12pm. Hosted by Reese Fulmer and Girl Blue! The club will meet monthly with special guests being a more "special" event. Bring your pens, pencils, instruments, thinking caps, favorite songs.

January 10th

10am – 12pm

$5 donation

cookies and coffee by donation

Price

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FREE

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Jun 22 • 10 AM

Peak Jazz Series: John Pizzarelli Presents “Dear Mr. Bennett"
2026-07-11 17:00 - 19:00
American Roots Bluegrass Instructional

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For world-renowned guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli, Tony Bennett was more than simply an influence. Pizzarelli’s late father, the revered guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, was a frequent sideman for the legendary singer, appearing on albums including 1960’s To My Wonderful One and 1969’s I’ve Gotta Be Me. John got his own opportunity to accompany Bennett for a radio broadcast that also featured pianist Ralph Sharon and bassist Jay Leonhart.

The admiration was mutual – Bennett could be found in the audience for a number of Pizzarelli’s performances, and sketched his likeness on two occasions. The charming artwork that graces the cover of Pizzarelli’s heartfelt new tribute album, Dear Mr. Bennett, was rendered during an engagement at Feinstein’s nightclub at New York’s Loews Regency hotel.

Dear Mr. Bennett, released on March 3, 2026 via Green Hill Music, is on the one hand a loving farewell to a profoundly influential musician who meant so much to so many. At the same time, it’s a spirited celebration, arriving just in time for Bennett’s landmark August 3rd centennial. A five-song EP will follow on August 7th to coincide with the occasion. Both releases feature songs made famous by Bennett over the course of his remarkable seven-decade career, rendered with lively warmth, soulful balladry and embracing swing by Pizzarelli and his trio featuring bassist Mike Karn and pianist Isaiah J. Thompson.

Few performers in any genre or medium can tout the kind of longevity and universal admiration that Bennett enjoyed. As Pizzarelli marvels, “Tony’s artistry was just so magnificent. And he was able to continually reinvent himself.”

Pizzarelli’s trio has established a brilliant chemistry over the last six years. Dear Mr. Bennett finds them in dazzling form, equally adept at scintillating jazz, breathtaking beauty and radiant pop. They will be touring the world to perform this repertoire throughout 2026 and into 2027.

Pizzarelli had long wanted to record an album dedicated to Bennett, adding the tribute to the list of great songwriters and musicians that he’s honored in the past: Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Sir Paul McCartney, Richard Rodgers, and Duke Ellington among them. In Bennett, he has a subject who was not only one of the greatest singers of the last century, but a friendly and accessible presence who might be encountered on the streets of New York City as easily as on a concert stage.

“In Manhattan, you’d run into him on the street,” Pizzarelli recalls with a chuckle. “He was such a New Yorker, and he was just a very open and kind person.”

Listen To "Dear Mr, Bennett" HERE

﻿﻿The Peak Jazz Series is made possible by the generous support of Joseph & Luann Conlon in memory of Joel Moss.

﻿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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Peak Jazz Series: John Pizzarelli Presents “Dear Mr. Bennett"
2026-07-11 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

Share:

For world-renowned guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli, Tony Bennett was more than simply an influence. Pizzarelli’s late father, the revered guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, was a frequent sideman for the legendary singer, appearing on albums including 1960’s To My Wonderful One and 1969’s I’ve Gotta Be Me. John got his own opportunity to accompany Bennett for a radio broadcast that also featured pianist Ralph Sharon and bassist Jay Leonhart.

The admiration was mutual – Bennett could be found in the audience for a number of Pizzarelli’s performances, and sketched his likeness on two occasions. The charming artwork that graces the cover of Pizzarelli’s heartfelt new tribute album, Dear Mr. Bennett, was rendered during an engagement at Feinstein’s nightclub at New York’s Loews Regency hotel.

Dear Mr. Bennett, released on March 3, 2026 via Green Hill Music, is on the one hand a loving farewell to a profoundly influential musician who meant so much to so many. At the same time, it’s a spirited celebration, arriving just in time for Bennett’s landmark August 3rd centennial. A five-song EP will follow on August 7th to coincide with the occasion. Both releases feature songs made famous by Bennett over the course of his remarkable seven-decade career, rendered with lively warmth, soulful balladry and embracing swing by Pizzarelli and his trio featuring bassist Mike Karn and pianist Isaiah J. Thompson.

Few performers in any genre or medium can tout the kind of longevity and universal admiration that Bennett enjoyed. As Pizzarelli marvels, “Tony’s artistry was just so magnificent. And he was able to continually reinvent himself.”

Pizzarelli’s trio has established a brilliant chemistry over the last six years. Dear Mr. Bennett finds them in dazzling form, equally adept at scintillating jazz, breathtaking beauty and radiant pop. They will be touring the world to perform this repertoire throughout 2026 and into 2027.

Pizzarelli had long wanted to record an album dedicated to Bennett, adding the tribute to the list of great songwriters and musicians that he’s honored in the past: Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Sir Paul McCartney, Richard Rodgers, and Duke Ellington among them. In Bennett, he has a subject who was not only one of the greatest singers of the last century, but a friendly and accessible presence who might be encountered on the streets of New York City as easily as on a concert stage.

“In Manhattan, you’d run into him on the street,” Pizzarelli recalls with a chuckle. “He was such a New Yorker, and he was just a very open and kind person.”

Listen To "Dear Mr, Bennett" HERE

﻿﻿The Peak Jazz Series is made possible by the generous support of Joseph & Luann Conlon in memory of Joel Moss.

﻿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

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Jun 22 • 10 AM

Bright Series: Hunter Root
2026-07-12 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Instructional

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Hunter Root is an artist driven by instinct, independence, and a deep commitment to his craft.

Based in Pennsylvania, Root has built his sound from the ground up, shaped by early influences in classic rock, years of live performance, and a fearless approach to blending genres. From acoustic rock and folk to grunge with a 60’s psychedelic and surf rock flair and beyond, his music resists easy labels, instead creating immersive soundscapes that feel both raw and intentional.

A founding member of the psychedelic rock band Medusa’s Disco, Root developed his voice onstage before stepping fully into his solo work. Today, he writes, records, mixes, and produces his albums entirely on his own, crafting songs that balance emotional weight with a strong sense of atmosphere and musical depth.

His 2023 release Arkansas marked a turning point. It is an intensely personal album shaped by loss, memory, and reflection. Created in tribute to his late brother, the record draws from formative years spent in Arkansas, weaving together stories that feel lived-in because they were.

That honesty has resonated widely. Songs like “Town Rat Heathen” and “Quicksand Sinking” found viral audiences on social platforms, leading to millions of streams and a rapidly growing fanbase. But behind the momentum is years of dedication, touring relentlessly with his band, refining his sound, and staying true to his vision.

Join us for an intimate evening with Hunter Root and his band, where genre-blending songwriting meets unfiltered storytelling and the kind of connection that only happens live.

“A spirit of imagination untouched by the cruelty of the world. A musical genius unbothered by trends.” – B.R.E.

SAMPLE SONG

At Caffè Lena, you’ll hear what sets Hunter Root apart: a songwriter unafraid to experiment, and tell the truth as he sees it. He’s an artist on the rise. He’s doing it all his own way, and inviting you along for the ride.

﻿The Bright Series is made possible by a generous gift from Kevin & Claudia Bright.

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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2026-07-13 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-20 10:00 - 12:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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June 8th and 22nd

10 am – 12 pm

$60

Attention Mandolin, Octave Mandolin, Mandola and Mandocello Players – This class is intended for advanced beginner and up mandolin family players and is limited to 10 students. The class will run from 10:00 till 12.

Alan Epstein has been playing mandolin for the past 54 years and has been teaching others to play mandolin for 30 years. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pa, he has lived in the Capital District since 2008 and is currently living in Glens falls, NY. Alan has preformed in bluegrass bands in Colorado, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York. In 2002 Alan was the founder of the modern day Pittsburgh Mandolin Orchestra. and has been a Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam instructor since 2012.

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FREE

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Jun 22 • 10 AM

Open Mic
2026-07-13 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-07-20 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Instructional

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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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JAZZ at Caffe Lena: Chuck Lamb & Jeff Lederer Quartet (w/ H. Sorgen & P. Mack)
2026-07-14 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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Join us for another extraordinary evening of jazz as Caffè Lena’s monthly jazz series returns with resident host and pianist Chuck Lamb at the helm. A pillar of Caffè Lena’s jazz programming, Lamb brings fresh energy, deep musicality, and an open-hearted spirit to every performance.

For July's JAZZ at Caffè Lena, host Chuck Lamb welcomes acclaimed saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, educator, and bandleader Jeff Lederer and Jeff Lederer Quartet (with Harvey Sorgen & Peter Mack). A fixture in the DownBeat Critics' and Readers' Polls since 2014, Lederer is known for bringing together deep jazz tradition, adventurous improvisation, and a spirit of musical discovery. His work spans everything from small-group jazz to orchestral commissions, including his acclaimed salsa reimagining of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. As leader of ensembles such as Sunwatcher Quartet, Shakers n' Bakers, and Brooklyn Blowhards, and as a collaborator with artists including Matt Wilson, Allison Miller, Bobby Sanabria, and Jimmy Bosch, Lederer has earned a reputation as one of the most inventive voices in contemporary jazz. Joining Chuck Lamb with his quartet (with Harvey Sorgen & Peter Mack), he promises an evening of inspired interplay, bold improvisation, and world-class musicianship.

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Chuck Lamb has been the pianist with the renowned Brubeck Brothers Quartet since 2002 and is known for his passionate, expressive style. In addition to his jazz credentials, he’s a prolific composer whose work spans jazz, fusion, classical, and world music. His performances are electrifying—moving seamlessly between lyricism and explosive improvisation. You can see Chuck with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet on Sunday, August 23rd at 4 or 7PM.

Founded with the vision and support of the late GRAMMY and Oscar-winning producer Joel Moss, Jazz at Caffè Lena has grown into a regional destination for adventurous, forward-thinking jazz.

Whether you’re a longtime jazz aficionado or a newcomer to the scene, this night of music will surprise, delight, and leave you wanting more.

Don’t miss your chance to witness spontaneous magic—live and in the moment.

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
2026-07-15 10:30 - 11:00
American Roots Bluegrass Instructional

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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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Jun 24 • 10:30 AM

Bluegrass Jam
2026-07-15 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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Jun 22 • 10 AM

School of Music Slow Jam
2026-07-16 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-07-23 13:00 - 15:00
American Roots Bluegrass Instructional

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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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Jun 24 • 10:30 AM

New York State Writers Institute Fiction and Poetry Reading
2026-07-16 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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Ishion Hutchinson was born in Port Antonio, Jamaica, and is author of the poetry collections School of Instructions: a Poem, House of Lords and Commons and Far District and the book of essays, Fugitive Tilts. Among his recognitions are the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry, a Guggenheim Fellowship, Joseph Brodsky Rome Prize, the Whiting Writers Award, the PEN/Joyce Osterweil Award, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature. Hutchinson is the W.E.B. Du Bois Professor in the Humanities at Cornell University.

Jim Shepard has written eight novels, and six story collections. Of his most recent novel, Phase Six, The New York Times Book Review writes that “Shepard has managed to make art out of our crisis with a thought-provoking work of fiction that sustains our emotions.” As “one of this country’s greatest fiction writers” (NPR), Shepard’s short stories have been chosen for Best American Short Stories, the PEN/O, Henry Prize Stories, and for The Pushcart Prize, and his collection Like You’d Understand, Anyway was a finalist for the National Book Award and Story Prize winner. He lives in Williamstown, Massachusetts, with his wife, three children, and three beagles.

The authors are in residence at Skidmore College for the New York State Summer Writers Institute, sponsored by the Office of Special Programs.

​​Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. 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.

﻿

Price

General
FREE

Streaming

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Jun 22 • 10 AM

Margo Macero
2026-07-17 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Instructional

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A powerhouse vocalist with a voice that stops you in your tracks, Margo Macero brings a rare combination of raw talent, performance polish, and deep musical roots to the stage.

Following in the footsteps of her late uncle, the legendary Teo Macero, producer for Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington, Margo carries forward a family legacy of innovation and excellence in music. With a voice as bold as her presence, she’s forging her own path in the industry, one unforgettable performance at a time.

A standout on NBC’s The Voice and ABC’s American Idol, Margo has commanded the attention of Jennifer Hudson, Adam Levine, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie.

Offstage, she’s contributed to major film and television projects, including The Punisher, The Pretenders, and Big Time Adolescence, but music remains her soul’s calling.

With a sound that draws from pop, soul, jazz, and rock, Margo blends vocal fire with emotional depth. Her performances are electric, heartfelt, and entirely her own.

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Don’t miss your chance to experience this rising star. Last time she played Lena's she blew the roof off! She's coming back with her full band.

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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Jun 24 • 10:30 AM

Fingerstyle Guitar with Ron Gordon
2026-07-18 10:00 - 12:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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Join us July 18th from 10 am – 12 pm for a workshop with Ron Gordon on fingerstyle guitar. Steeped in the traditions of early American and jug band music, Ron is a local master with a remarkable depth of knowledge and a passion for sharing it.

$35

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Jun 22 • 10 AM

The Wildwoods
2026-07-18 16:00 - 18:00
American Roots Bluegrass Instructional

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Step into the heart of American roots music with The Wildwoods, a dynamic folk/Americana trio hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska. Comprised of husband-and-wife duo Noah and Chloe Gose and their long-time friend Andrew Vaggalis, The Wildwoods craft an intricate sound that blends folk, bluegrass, and indie sensibilities in lush violin, warm guitar tones, and a steady bass foundation. Their music is filled with nature imagery, layered harmonies, and an emotional sincerity that captures the quiet beauty of their Midwestern roots.

Their music draws inspiration from artists like Nickel Creek, Watchhouse, and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, yet their sound remains distinctly their own. It is a rich tapestry of personal storytelling. Over the years, they’ve shared stages with Mighty Poplar, Sierra Ferrell, Aiofe O’Donovan, Melissa Carper, Jaime Wyatt, and Joe Nichols, and performed at renowned festivals like Summerfest, FreshGrass and the Oyster Ridge Music Festival.

With accolades including a finalist spot at the FreshGrass Music Festival Band Competition and recognition as "Best Band" by the Lincoln Journal Star, The Wildwoods are quickly solidifying their place in the modern folk landscape.

Their newest release, Dear Meadowlark (2025), is a love letter to the land that raised them. Inspired by seasons of touring, homesickness, and rediscovery, the album weaves chamber-folk arrangements with poetic lyricism, highlighting their signature harmonies and acoustic instrumentation. Their music is lush with nature imagery, layered harmonies, and an emotional sincerity that captures the quiet beauty of their Midwestern roots.

SAMPLE SONG

“The Wildwoods I think inhabit their own unique shapeshifting genre. Their timeless Western sound somehow strikes a special musical place within a lot of us folks. That kind of music connects us through time & space.”

— Cole Mitchek (Smallsongs), Americana Highways

​​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.

More Information

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Bluegrass Jam

American Roots Bluegrass

class

Jun 17 • 7 PM

Caffè Lena

School of Music Slow Jam

American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

class

Jun 18 • 1 PM

Caffè Lena

Folk Club Kids

American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

class

Jun 24 • 10:30 AM

The Wildwoods
2026-07-18 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

Share:

Step into the heart of American roots music with The Wildwoods, a dynamic folk/Americana trio hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska. Comprised of husband-and-wife duo Noah and Chloe Gose and their long-time friend Andrew Vaggalis, The Wildwoods craft an intricate sound that blends folk, bluegrass, and indie sensibilities in lush violin, warm guitar tones, and a steady bass foundation. Their music is filled with nature imagery, layered harmonies, and an emotional sincerity that captures the quiet beauty of their Midwestern roots.

Their music draws inspiration from artists like Nickel Creek, Watchhouse, and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, yet their sound remains distinctly their own. It is a rich tapestry of personal storytelling. Over the years, they’ve shared stages with Mighty Poplar, Sierra Ferrell, Aiofe O’Donovan, Melissa Carper, Jaime Wyatt, and Joe Nichols, and performed at renowned festivals like Summerfest, FreshGrass and the Oyster Ridge Music Festival.

With accolades including a finalist spot at the FreshGrass Music Festival Band Competition and recognition as "Best Band" by the Lincoln Journal Star, The Wildwoods are quickly solidifying their place in the modern folk landscape.

Their newest release, Dear Meadowlark (2025), is a love letter to the land that raised them. Inspired by seasons of touring, homesickness, and rediscovery, the album weaves chamber-folk arrangements with poetic lyricism, highlighting their signature harmonies and acoustic instrumentation. Their music is lush with nature imagery, layered harmonies, and an emotional sincerity that captures the quiet beauty of their Midwestern roots.

SAMPLE SONG

“The Wildwoods I think inhabit their own unique shapeshifting genre. Their timeless Western sound somehow strikes a special musical place within a lot of us folks. That kind of music connects us through time & space.”

— Cole Mitchek (Smallsongs), Americana Highways

​​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.

﻿

Price

General
FREE

Streaming

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Bluegrass Jam

American Roots Bluegrass

class

Jun 17 • 7 PM

Caffè Lena

School of Music Slow Jam

American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

class

Jun 18 • 1 PM

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Mandolin Vitamins with Alan Epstein

American Roots Bluegrass Instructional

class

Jun 22 • 10 AM

Shawn Mullins with Special Guest Cat Ridgeway
2026-07-19 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Instructional

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Shawn Mullins has spent decades crafting thoughtful, memorable songs that move comfortably between folk, rock, Americana, and Southern storytelling traditions. Best known for the Grammy-nominated No. 1 hit “Lullaby” from his 1998 breakthrough album Soul’s Core, Mullins has built a long and varied career rooted in strong songwriting and an unmistakable voice.

His catalog includes songs like “Beautiful Wreck,” “Shimmer,” and “All in My Head,” along with songwriting credits on Zac Brown Band’s “Toes.” He also collaborated with Matthew Sweet and Pete Droge in the group The Thorns, whose song “No Blue Sky” remains a favorite among many longtime fans of roots and songwriter-based music.

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In recent years, Mullins revisited Soul’s Core with Soul’s Core Revival, recording entirely new versions of the album’s songs in both stripped-down solo arrangements and full-band performances with Soul Carnival. The project reflects the lasting strength of songs that continue to evolve over time.

Opening the evening is Orlando singer-songwriter Cat Ridgeway. Recently voted Orlando’s Best Rock Act and Best Singer/Songwriter three years in a row, Ridgeway brings a blend of indie rock, folk, and thoughtful songwriting shaped by years of touring and independent recording.

Her latest album, Sprinter, was co-produced with Mike Savino (Tall Tall Trees) and features contributions from musicians connected to Sylvan Esso, Ween, WHY?, and Lucius. She has shared stages with artists including Amanda Shires, Brett Dennen, Houndmouth, and Hozier, and was selected by Tegan & Sara as the winner of their worldwide cover contest.

SAMPLE SONG

Together, Shawn Mullins and Cat Ridgeway offer an evening centered on strong songs, distinctive voices, and the kind of live performances that feel grounded in the craft of songwriting.

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.

﻿

More Information

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Bluegrass Jam

American Roots Bluegrass

class

Jun 17 • 7 PM

Caffè Lena

School of Music Slow Jam

American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

class

Jun 18 • 1 PM

Caffè Lena

Folk Club Kids

American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

class

Jun 24 • 10:30 AM

William Tyler
2026-07-23 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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Few instrumental guitarists of the last two decades have expanded the possibilities of American roots music quite like William Tyler. Drawing from folk, ambient music, country, experimental composition, and the wide-open landscapes of the American imagination, Tyler creates instrumental music that feels cinematic, searching, and deeply human.

After early years performing with influential bands including Silver Jews and Lambchop, Tyler emerged as a singular solo artist with a series of acclaimed albums that blended fingerstyle guitar traditions with field recordings, layered textures, tape loops, and subtle electronic experimentation. His music carries traces of Nashville, Appalachia, classical minimalism, cosmic country, and ambient drift all at once. It is rooted in tradition while continually pushing outward.

His newest album, Time Indefinite, is perhaps his most personal and immersive work to date. Created during the uncertainty and isolation of the pandemic years, the record combines intimate home recordings, found sounds, tape experiments, and moments of extraordinary melodic beauty into a deeply reflective listening experience. Tyler has described it as music about “trying to come back." These are songs shaped by anxiety, grief, resilience, and the fragile hope that persists through difficult times.

Throughout the album, fragments of voices, fading textures, and ghostly ambient sounds drift alongside Tyler’s luminous guitar work, creating music that feels both grounded and dreamlike. Yet even in its most experimental moments, there is warmth and humanity at the center of the work. Tyler’s gift has always been his ability to balance atmosphere with melody, abstraction with emotional clarity.

Live, William Tyler creates an atmosphere unlike almost anyone else working in contemporary instrumental music. It is intimate, exploratory, meditative, and emotionally resonant.

SAMPLE SONG

PITCHFORK ALBUM REVIEW

Yet for all its complexity, Tyler’s music never feels distant or academic. His compositions invite listeners inward. Gentle acoustic passages unfold into immersive soundscapes; moments of tension dissolve into warmth and grace. If it sounds unique, he does create an atmosphere unlike almost anyone else working in contemporary instrumental music.

We invite you to experience this powerful evening as William Tyler's intricate guitar work, atmospheric textures, and fearless sense of exploration fill our listening room.

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.

Price

General
FREE

Streaming

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Bluegrass Jam

American Roots Bluegrass

class

Jun 17 • 7 PM

Caffè Lena

School of Music Slow Jam

American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

class

Jun 18 • 1 PM

Caffè Lena

Mandolin Vitamins with Alan Epstein

American Roots Bluegrass Instructional

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Jun 22 • 10 AM
