Caffè Lena

Guitar Workshop Level 1 with Bruce Thompson
2025-10-30 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Registration closed for session, feel free to drop in for $25 per class. Guitar I – Beginner 11:15 am – 12:10 pm 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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School of Music Slow Jam
2025-10-30 13:00 - 15:00
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!

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.

Price

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$90.00

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Hot Club of Saratoga Featuring Baltimore’s Sam Farthing
2025-10-30 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Country Folk Workshop

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Step into the vibrant atmosphere of 1930’s Paris with Upstate New York’s premier gypsy swing ensemble, Hot Club of Saratoga! Specializing in the timeless sounds of Django Reinhardt, this dynamic group blends virtuosic musicianship, intricate rhythms, and heartfelt passion to create an unforgettable evening of music. Their music brings the magic of hot swing to life.

Joining them for this special performance is Baltimore’s Sam Farthing — a 22-year-old guitarist and songwriter specializing in jazz manouche and gypsy music. Inspired by his hero Django Reinhardt, Sam began playing guitar at age ten and quickly immersed himself in the rich tradition of gypsy jazz. His career has already taken him to stages around the world, including performances at Festival Django Reinhardt in France, Djangofest Northwest in Washington, Django sur Lennon in Ireland, Django à Gogo events across the USA, and the Charm City Django Jazz Fest in his hometown of Baltimore. Known for both his authenticity and artistry, Sam has established himself as a rising voice in the genre. Beyond the stage, he is a dedicated teacher, sharing his passion and knowledge with musicians of all styles.

Meet the Artists:

Chuck Kish (Rhythm Guitar): Chuck brings the signature “la pompe” rhythm style to life, providing both chordal backup and percussive drive. Self-taught and a dabbling luthier, Chuck even plays a guitar he built himself!

Dylan Perrillo (String Bass): A conservatory-trained bassist, Dylan has toured with legends like Stéphane Wrembel and Aurore Voilqué, holding the ensemble together with his inventive and versatile playing.

Jonathan Greene (Woodwinds): With lyrical phrasing and a mastery of multiple styles, Jonathan has shared stages with the likes of Jay Leno and Marcus Roberts, headlined DjangoFest NW, and performed at Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival.

This ensemble’s collective experience and talent shine through in every note, whether you’re an avid fan of gypsy jazz or experiencing this timeless genre for the first time. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the lively and elegant world of Hot Club of Saratoga featuring Sam Farthing.

SAMPLE SONG

SAMPLE SONG Sam Farthing

Let the music transport you—straight to the heart of 1930s Paris!

Can’t make it in person? Stream the show live on CaffeLenaTV and enjoy two weeks of access with your ticket.

﻿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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Music With Miss Deb
2025-10-31 09:30 - 10:30
Bluegrass Instructional

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

Sign up HERE

9:45am – 10:30am $125 9/19 – 11/21

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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Captain Fun Lunchtime Listening Hour
2025-10-31 12:00 - 13:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Country Folk Workshop

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Bring your lunch & listen to a playlist curated by a Caffe Lena Community member. For the October edition of the Captain Fun Lunchtime Listening Hour, our playlist curator will be none other than our Caffè Lena member, Ed Borzon! Ed's theme is "Folk In The World of Rock." 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 is comprised 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.

The Captain Fun Lunchtime Listening Hour will be taking a break for November and December, but back in full swing in January! If you want to create a playlist and host a session, please email Laura Sterling at lsterling834@gmail.com, or let us know when you are at next at Lena’s!

﻿

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Deadgrass
2025-10-31 18:30 - 20:30
Bluegrass Instructional

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Get ready to embark on a musical journey like no other with Deadgrass, the band that flawlessly fuses bluegrass and the timeless tunes of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead into an irresistible concoction of foot-stomping rhythms, blazing solos, and infectious harmonies that will leave you dancing like nobody’s watching. This string band takes you on an adventure through Garcia’s musical world, celebrating and interpreting decades of songs, drawing from Old & In the Way, JGB, Jerry’s Jug Band days and The Grateful Dead.

The group was formed when Matt Turk and C Lanzbom joined forces a little over six years ago. Bassist Dave Richards, banjo player Boo Reiners and fiddler Kensuke Shoji complete this fine group of seasoned pros exploring the life works of Jerry Garcia on the instruments that first inspired him. NYS Music describes the band as “improv-laden … phenomenal chops … capturing the vocal harmonies and intonations led by Garcia … refreshing and fun,” and Cindy O. Herman of the Daily Item says, “Anyone who loves The Dead and appreciates a well detailed, thoughtful and respectful group of superb musicians artistically intercepting the music will have a spectacular night.”

SAMPLE SONG

So grab your dancing shoes, embrace the tie-dye spirit, and join Deadgrass on a wild ride through a musical landscape where bluegrass meets psychedelic jamming, creating an unforgettable experience that will have you craving more long after the last note fades away.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy one week of access with your live stream ticket.

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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Deadgrass
2025-10-31 21:00 - 23:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Country Folk Workshop

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Get ready to embark on a musical journey like no other with Deadgrass, the band that flawlessly fuses bluegrass and the timeless tunes of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead into an irresistible concoction of foot-stomping rhythms, blazing solos, and infectious harmonies that will leave you dancing like nobody’s watching.

This string band takes you on an adventure through Garcia’s musical world, celebrating and interpreting decades of songs, drawing from Old & In the Way, JGB, Jerry’s Jug Band days and The Grateful Dead.

The group was formed when Matt Turk and C. Lanzbom joined forces a little over six years ago. Bassist Dave Richards, banjo player Boo Reiners and fiddler Kensuke Shoji complete this fine group of seasoned pros exploring the life works of Jerry Garcia on the instruments that first inspired him. NYS Music describes the band as “improv-laden … phenomenal chops … capturing the vocal harmonies and intonations led by Garcia … refreshing and fun,” and Cindy O. Herman of the Daily Item says, “Anyone who loves The Dead and appreciates a well detailed, thoughtful and respectful group of superb musicians artistically intercepting the music will have a spectacular night.”

SAMPLE SONG

So grab your dancing shoes, embrace the tie-dye spirit, and join Deadgrass on a wild ride through a musical landscape where bluegrass meets psychedelic jamming, creating an unforgettable experience that will have you craving more long after the last note fades away.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy one week of access with your live stream ticket.

﻿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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Little Folks: Kate Taylor
2025-11-01 15:00 - 16:00
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Singer-songwriter Kate Taylor may have stepped away from the spotlight decades ago, but her journey has always been filled with music, creativity, and joy. After the release of her debut album Sister Kate in 1971, she traded the rock & roll life for Martha’s Vineyard, where she and her family spent summers living in a teepee, making jewelry from quahog shells, and digging scallops to earn a living. Through it all, music remained her constant companion, shaped by a life lived close to the earth and full of imagination.

Now, Kate is back on stage—and for this show she’s bringing her stories and songs to a young audience. With her bluesy, heartfelt voice and playful spirit, she’ll share music that celebrates joy, creativity, and togetherness. Kids will get to experience the fun of live performance from an artist who’s seen it all, stepped away, and returned with renewed energy.

This special family-friendly concert invites the next generation to sing, laugh, and be inspired by a true original.

SAMPLE SONG

Made possible by a generous gift from Kevin and Claudia Bright.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

﻿﻿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 Kate Taylor
2025-11-01 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Country Folk Workshop

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If you haven’t heard much from Kate Taylor, of the renowned Martha’s Vineyard via North Carolina musical clan that includes brothers James, Livingston, Alex and Hugh, in the last half century, it’s because she gave up the rock life nearly as quickly as she started it, moving to Martha’s Vineyard where she married and raised her two children. They spent summers living in a tepee, later made jewelry from quahog shells and dug for scallops to earn a living, and lived a life out of the public eye.

A spark for a new album was ignited at Kate’s 70th birthday party when her agent brought up the fact that the key players who appeared on 1971’s Sister Kate, including music veteran Peter Asher, are still around and very active. Asher liked the idea and Kate was instantly on board, writing the title track and assembling a group of songs complemented by her bluesy, lived-in voice. Brother James commented: “For Kate to be doing this with Peter, and that both of them have this life experience that brings them back together, it’s really a moving thing. I think it’s so great that Kate will have this next iteration, you know, this next chance for people to hear her and pick up on her.”

Kate Taylor’s return from a long hiatus of making music and touring “basks in a radiant glow that finds Taylor as effusive and excited as a teen releasing a first record” according to American Songwriter. The opening track of her latest release Why Wait! – years after debut Sister Kate – is a funkified take on the Beatles’ “Good Day Sunshine,” a fitting decree for a new era of making music.

SAMPLE SONG

She shouts out “Good morning, world!” which seems both a re-awakening, and a luminous proclamation that Taylor has returned. Rolling Stone notes: “Fifty years ago, James Taylor’s sister released her debut album, then promptly vanished from the scene. Now, decades after she traded rock stardom for life in a teepee, Kate Taylor is back.”

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Live stream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for two week access to the recording.

﻿

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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Playwright's Jam
2025-11-02 13:30 - 16:00
Bluegrass Instructional

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Looking for an opportunity to connect with local writers, actors, and directors? Want to share a theater piece you’re writing?

Join us for the 1st Sunday monthly Playwright’s Jams!

A monthly meetup hosted by Caffe Lena for local writers, actors & directors

The First Sunday of the Month 1:30pm- 4:00pm

Doors open at 1:00; Casting begins at 1:15pm and Readings start at 1:30pm!

Bring your great ideas, your new scripts, your edits and your friends for an inspiring afternoon fo theater in the making.

Playwrights should bring a highlighted script for each of their actors and one extra for stage directions
Bring a short scene (7-8 minutes). Cast your actors from the audience, including your fellow playwrights. Give them brief directions and then put them on stage to read your script. We’ll go around the room after the reading and let everyone give a “popcorn” reaction (one word!).
Each meeting will include 6 or 7 scenes selected at random from those submitted. After the readings we’ll have time to hang out and get acquainted.
This event will be co-hosted by Michael Wells-Oakes and Vivian Nesbitt
Playwright 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.

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Pierre Bensusan
2025-11-02 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Country Folk Workshop

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French-Algerian acoustic guitar virtuoso, vocalist, and composer Pierre Bensusan—affectionately nicknamed “Mister DADGAD”—has been captivating audiences around the world for five decades with his deeply personal sound and breathtaking technique.

Winner of the Independent Music Award for his triple live album Encore and voted Best World Music Guitarist by Guitar Player Magazine readers, Pierre is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of our time.

When Michael Hedges titles one of his compositions “Bensusan”, you know that the inspiration behind it must be special and Pierre Bensusan certainly is. Guitarists from Leo Kottke to Larry Corryel, to Tuck Andress, Tommy Emmanuel, Mark Knopfler, Andrew York, Andy Timmons, to Steve Lukather… have sung his praises, and Steve Vai released three Bensusan albums on his label Favored Nations. And it's not just guitarists who are so inspired by Pierre's music, as a recent studio collaboration with him on Donny Osmond’s latest album “Start Again” goes to show.

Self-taught on guitar after beginning as a pianist, Pierre pioneered a singular approach to the DADGAD tuning, fusing traditional, contemporary, jazz, classical, and world music into something unmistakably his own. His live performances are both intimate and orchestral, weaving intricate counterpoint, dazzling harmony, and soulful improvisation into an experience that is at once virtuosic and profoundly moving.

Since his debut in 1974, Pierre has sold over half a million albums and played thousands of concerts across the globe, earning honors such as the Rose d’Or at the Montreux Festival and the Grand Prix of the Independent Music Awards. His music, described as “almost sacred,” invites listeners on a journey that stirs the heart, challenges the mind, and leaves the spirit renewed.

“For me, Pierre can only justly be compared to someone of the stature of Keith Jarrett; so total is his mastery of the solo instrument, his dazzling harmony, his many innovations, and his deft command of counterpoint, the jazz idiom, folk expression, and all genres between and beyond. An entire history unfolds as he plays. But really, like Jarrett, the emotional depth – and this is where true artistry often likes to live – of many of his songs and compositions is all, well, breathtaking. With only his steel-string-acoustic guitar – and sometimes his rich, affecting voice – Mr Bensusan can disassemble your heart and hand it back to you restored and renewed. As he did to mine tonight. A true giant.”

James Volpe Rotondi (editor at Guitar Player Magazine)

SAMPLE SONG

Can't make it to the show in person? Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Live stream 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

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Mandolin Vitamins - Tunes, Techniques and Ensemble Music
2025-11-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-11-10 10:00 - 11:00
Bluegrass Instructional

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Attention Mandolin, Octave Mandolin, Mandola and Mandocello Players – The purpose of this is 4 week, in person, class is for everyone to improve their mandolin skills. Each week we will spend time on right and left hand techniques, learn some new tunes and play Mandolin Ensemble pieces. This class is intended for advanced beginner and up mandolin family players and is limited to 12 students. The class will run from 10:00 till 11:15 on November 3, 10, 17 24.

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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$90.00

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Bluegrass Duet Class with Alan Epstein and Bruce Thompson
2025-11-03 11:30 - 14:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Country Folk Workshop

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The purpose of this class is to allow acoustic musicians to work on Bluegrass Duet repertoire with a musical partner. Early groups such as the Blue Sky Boys, the Monroe Brothers, the Louvin Brothers, and the Delmore Brothers helped develop the roots of the sound that we know as bluegrass. Each week we will listen to recorded examples of these and other duet and bluegrass artists and will work on singing and playing some of their best known songs.

This class is NOT intended for beginning musicians looking to learn the basics of their instruments. Rather, it is aimed at those who can play their acoustic instrument, (guitar, banjo, bass, fiddle, mandolin, dobro) and are interested in exploring the music's roots to help them fine tune their sound with a duet partner.

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Open Mic
2025-11-03 19:00 - 21:00
Bluegrass Instructional

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OPEN MIC NIGHT
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.
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.
Full table service (see menu). 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

﻿

Price

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$90.00

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Storytelling Open Mic Featuring Lâle Davidson
2025-11-04 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Country Folk Workshop

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“There is nothing so desolate as a farm that lies fallow.” So begins the story Lâle will be telling about returning to her family's abandoned farm on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, PA, and encountering the spirits who linger there."

Lâle Davidson learned storytelling at her mother’s knee as they traversed continents in a Dodge camping van. While pursuing her doctorate at The University at Albany, she met Barbara Chepaitis and Cindy Parrish, and they formed The Snickering Witches, a collaborative storytelling group featuring folktales about strong women. Together they toured the Capital Region for ten years. Now she co-hosts the Caffè Lena Storytelling Open Mic with Jeannine Laverty.

A professor of fiction writing and public speaking at SUNY ADK for 33 years, she has published four books: a collection of short stories called Strange Appetites and her three novels, Blue Woman Burning, Against the Grain, and Beyond Sight (a ghost story based in Saratoga Springs). All are available everywhere books are sold. For more information, visit laledavidson.com

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to World Central Kitchen Chefs for Gaza.

Can't make it in person? Can't make it in person? Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

Price

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Folk Club Kids
2025-11-05 10:30 - 11:00
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/

Stream live and free on Facebook and Youtube!

Join Dan Berggren and Drank the Gold’s Oona Grady and James Gascoyne 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 the generous support of Kevin & Claudia Bright.

#youthclass

Price

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$90.00

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Poetry Open Mic Featuring Georgia A. Popoff
2025-11-05 19:00 - 21:00
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Carol A. Popoff is a writer, editor, arts-in-edication specialist, and a program coordinator for the YMCA for Central NY's Writers Voice, where she teaches poetry and creative nonfiction. Her fourth collection of poetry, Psychometry (Tiger Bark Press, 2019) was a finalist for Utica College's Eugene Nassar Poetry Prize and the CNY Book Award for Poetry. Her fifth collection, Living with Saints, was published by Tiger Bark Press in 2024. In 2022, Georgia was named Poet Laureate of Onondaga County for a 3-year term of service. She is the series editor for the University of Michigan Press Under Discussion book series on contemporary poets. For more information and for links to. purchase books, visit www.georgiapopoff.com. You can also follow her Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Twitter: @gappoet.

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Can't make it in person? Can't make it in person? Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

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Guitar Workshop Level 1 with Bruce Thompson
2025-11-06 09:00 - 10:00
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Registration closed for session, feel free to drop in for $25 per class.

Guitar I – Beginner 9:15 am – 10:10 am

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

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Playing and performing with other musicians

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Guitar Workshop Level 2 with Bruce Thompson
2025-11-06 10:00 - 11:00
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Registration closed for session, feel free to drop in for $25 per class.

Guitar Workshop Intermediate guitar players 11:15 am – 12:10 pm

This class will focus on learning additional skills in order to play more advanced songs and arrangements 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:

Open position chords and how they are related to each other, including more advanced voicings

Chord extensions (6, 7, 9, 13), inversions and advanced voicings

Rhythm and strumming techniques, including syncopated rhythms, crosspicking and finger style rhythm playing

Single note play: utilizing various scales and phrasing to map out breaks/solos

Movable chord shapes and voicings

Learning and arranging new songs

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Guitar Workshop Level 1 with Bruce Thompson
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Registration closed for session, feel free to drop in for $25 per class.

Guitar I – Beginner 11:15 am – 12:10 pm

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.

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Open position chords and how they are related to each other

Moving from chord to chord smoothly and in time

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School of Music Slow Jam
2025-11-06 13:00 - 15:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Country 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!

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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The Lovestruck Balladeers
2025-11-06 19:00 - 21:00
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"What an amazing band, I think they’re the finest I’ve ever heard – the level of artistry, taste, and musicianship is off the charts!" Joel Paterson

The Lovestruck Balladeers enchant audiences with their masterful performances and inspired repertoire of ragtime, jazz and beautiful songs from around the world. Born out of New York’s vibrant classic jazz and traditional music scene, The Lovestruck Balladeers formed during a series of recording sessions for Jalopy Records’ 2018 release, Estrellas de Radio. Since their debut at The Brooklyn Folk Festival that same year, the versatile quintet has made a name for itself as a compelling new act highlighting musical excellence, fresh arrangements, original songs and a tightly crafted stage show.

The Lovestruck Balladeers are Jake Sanders, Dennis Lichtman, Sean Cronin and Dalton Ridenhour. Featuring special guest Mike Davis.

SAMPLE SONG

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Live stream 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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Music With Miss Deb
2025-11-07 09:30 - 10:30
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Country Folk Workshop

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

Sign up HERE

9:45am – 10:30am $125 9/19 – 11/21

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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Bright Series: The Cody Sisters
2025-11-07 20:00 - 22:00
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The Cody Sisters are at the heart of today’s acoustic folk and bluegrass scene, bringing a sound that is as fresh and original as it is deeply rooted in tradition. Led by sisters Megan (guitar, mandolin, vocals) and Maddie (guitar, banjo, vocals), joined by bassist Will Pavilonis, the trio blends propulsive instrumental solos with warm, seamless harmonies that captivate audiences wherever they play. They truly have forged a new sound that has no equivalent match in the acoustic world today.

With the release of their self-titled EP in 2023, The Cody Sisters stepped boldly into a new era of artistry. No longer simply known as a “family band,” Megan and Maddie now stand as mature songwriters and musicians, crafting music that reflects both their bluegrass roots and a fearless exploration of new styles. Their original songs and arrangements invite listeners to connect, feel, and journey alongside them.

Their latest project, Archipelago, continues that evolution—refining a sound that is dynamic, heartfelt, and still entirely their own. With performances across the U.S. and the U.K., The Cody Sisters have earned a reputation for shows that are equal parts virtuosic, adventurous, and deeply moving.

SAMPLE SONG

Expect an evening of soaring harmonies, dazzling picking, and music that honors the past, while carving out an exhilarating future.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Live stream 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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Dan Navarro with opener Jesse Lynn Madera
2025-11-08 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Country Folk Workshop

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With a career spanning decades, Dan Navarro is perhaps best known as songwriter for artists as diverse as Jackson Browne, Keb’ Mo’ and Pat Benatar (Grammy-nominated classic “We Belong”). A multi-talented performer, Dan is a singer, a songwriter and a voice actor in major motion pictures, TV, & commercials...including last year's hit Disney Film ENCANTO. Dan’s songs are rich with insight and life experience, delivered straight-up, with honesty, grace and heart, in his moving and expressive baritone voice. Having released a dozen albums (solo & as Lowen & Navarro,) Dan released his first solo album “Shed My Skin” in 2019. Horizon Line, his most recent album, was produced by multiple Grammy®-winner Jim Scott (Tom Petty, Wilco, Dixie Chicks, as well as the first five Lowen & Navarro albums.)

A dedicated teacher, he also leads workshops in songwriting, creativity, and sustaining a career in music—sharing the same generosity and insight that fuel his performances.

“Dan Navarro shares life lessons well worth heeding, underscoring the music with an added embellishment. In effect, Navarro creates his own musical mantra, one that focuses on maintaining a positive perspective and overriding optimism. It leaves an indelible impression and elevates the emotional imprint overall.” – Lee Zimmerman, American Songwriter

SAMPLE SONG

Opening the night is Jesse Lynn Madera, a genre-blending singer-songwriter praised for her passionate, piano-driven songs and evocative lyrics. With a sound compared to Kate Bush and Tori Amos, Madera has earned acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic, topped international charts, and toured alongside artists like The Zombies, Maddie Poppe, Mary Fahl, and Dan Navarro himself. Her latest album, Speed of Sound, produced with Navarro and Grammy-winning collaborators, marks her most compelling work yet.

“Madera’s lyrical and piano-driven songs are passionate and alluring, with a dramatic, ethereal, and almost other-worldly tone.” ~ American Songwriter

SAMPLE SONG

With Navarro’s seasoned storytelling and Madera’s rising, ethereal voice, it’s an evening of song that spans generations and speaks to the soul.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

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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$345.00

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2025-11-09 13:00 - 15:00
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Songwriting and the Creative Muse. A three hour workshop with Dan Navarro, covering the foundations of creativity through songwriting, including song structures, storytelling and thematic arc, complexity vs simplicity and other useful concepts to hone and enhance your creativity. Critiques provided upon request. For all levels.

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Flamy Grant
2025-11-09 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Country Folk Workshop

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“Catchy, rabble-rousing folk of the Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie variety.”

–Nick Spacek, The Pitch Kansas City

Award-winning and Billboard-charting artist Flamy Grant is a shame-slaying, hip-swaying, singing-songwriting drag queen whose music is turning heads and opening hearts around the world. With a powerhouse voice and fearless songwriting, Flamy blends the evocative art of drag with country, gospel, folk, and roots traditions—inviting audiences into a space that is equal parts dazzling cabaret and soul-stirring concert.

Her 2022 debut album Bible Belt Baby reached #1 on iTunes’ Christian chart (where it stayed for nine days!) and was named one of Rainbow Rodeo Magazine’s Top Ten Queer Country Albums of 2023. Her breakout single “Good Day” hit #20 on Billboard’s Christian Digital Sales Chart, making her the first drag performer to ever appear on the Christian music charts. In 2024, her sophomore release CHURCH debuted at #8 on the iTunes Country Chart.

Flamy’s meteoric rise has earned her recognition as a 2025 International Folk Music Awards Artist of the Year nominee, winner of the 2023 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Competition, and fan-favorite at the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival. She’s been featured in Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, People, Billboard, and more. She’s played may Festivals, too, including Kerrville Folk Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival (UK), Greenbelt Festival (UK), Graceland Festival (Netherlands), Wild Goose Festival, Motor City Pride, and San Diego Pride’s SheFest. She also made national headlines as headliner of Blount County Pride in Tennessee, where she stood her ground against attempts to enforce the state’s drag ban—and won.

With a bold lip, a big lash, and a blistering voice, Flamy Grant invites audiences into an unforgettable evening of resilience, joy, and transformation. Her shows are more than concerts—they’re gatherings of community and celebration, where every song becomes an anthem of survival and hope.

SAMPLE SONG

Join us at Caffè Lena as Flamy Grant turns the stage into a church of her own making—where everyone belongs, the music heals, and the spirit soars.

Can't make it to the show in person? Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Live stream 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.

﻿

Price

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Mandolin Vitamins - Tunes, Techniques and Ensemble Music
2025-11-10 10:00 - 11:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Country Folk Workshop

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Attention Mandolin, Octave Mandolin, Mandola and Mandocello Players – The purpose of this is 4 week, in person, class is for everyone to improve their mandolin skills. Each week we will spend time on right and left hand techniques, learn some new tunes and play Mandolin Ensemble pieces. This class is intended for advanced beginner and up mandolin family players and is limited to 12 students. The class will run from 10:00 till 11:15 on November 3, 10, 17 24.

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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Bluegrass Duet Class with Alan Epstein and Bruce Thompson
2025-11-10 11:30 - 14:00
Bluegrass Instructional

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The purpose of this class is to allow acoustic musicians to work on Bluegrass Duet repertoire with a musical partner. Early groups such as the Blue Sky Boys, the Monroe Brothers, the Louvin Brothers, and the Delmore Brothers helped develop the roots of the sound that we know as bluegrass. Each week we will listen to recorded examples of these and other duet and bluegrass artists and will work on singing and playing some of their best known songs.

This class is NOT intended for beginning musicians looking to learn the basics of their instruments. Rather, it is aimed at those who can play their acoustic instrument, (guitar, banjo, bass, fiddle, mandolin, dobro) and are interested in exploring the music's roots to help them fine tune their sound with a duet partner.

Price

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