Caffè Lena

Open Mic
2026-07-27 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Singer Songwriter Workshop

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OPEN MIC NIGHTDOORS 6:00PM // SIGN UP 6:30PM // SHOW STARTS 7:00PMPlay 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 HOSTSFirst 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 serveYou 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 USIf 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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Folk Club Kids
2026-07-29 10:30 - 11:00
Singer Songwriter Workshop

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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!

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School of Music Slow Jam
2026-07-30 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!

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.

﻿

Price

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$345.00

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Captain Fun Lunchtime Listening Hour
2026-07-31 12:00 - 13:00
Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

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Bring your lunch & listen to a playlist curated by a Caffe Lena Community member. For the July edition of the Captain Fun Lunchtime Listening Hour, our playlist curator will be our awesome Event Operations Manager, Brittany Nassar! The D.J. spinning those records will be the Rochmon himself – Chuck “Rochmon” Vosganian.

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

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

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

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

﻿

Price

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$125.00

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May 11 • 10 AM

Rory Block
2026-07-31 20:00 - 22:00
Bluegrass Instructional

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For decades, Rory Block has lived and breathed music. Very early on, she dug her heels deep into the blues tradition and has since been recognized as one of the finest acoustic blues guitarists of the modern era. With a style similar to that of Robert Johnson’s Delta blues, she has undoubtedly become a dominant figure in the world of slide guitar, "playing the blues the way it was meant to be played." (Guitar Girl Magazine)

Seminal Blues guitarist Robert Johnson’s grandson Greg Johnson says, “When I hear Rory Block’s music, it’s as if my grandfather is here all over again.” Rolling Stone credited her with recording “some of the most singular and affecting Country Blues anyone, man or woman, black or white, old or young, has cut in recent years.”

In a career that has thus far produced 36 albums, 10 Blues Music Awards, and numerous world tours, Block’s fabled odyssey finds her at the absolute height of her talents, and at the top of the touring world, while at the same time living life as a music producer, author and ordained minister “Preaching the Blues.” You might say Block is a darling of the press with testaments such as: “If you like music steeped in tradition and genuine feeling, this is your woman” (People Magazine), “Her playing is perfect, her singing otherworldly as she wrestles with ghosts, shadows and legends.” (The New York Times), and our own Capital District’s Times Union raves, “One of America’s foremost Country Blues torchbearers, she’s a breathtaking slash-’n’-burn guitarist and a supremely soulful vocalist.” Multi Grammy-winning artist and fan, Bonnie Raitt, adds, “Rory Block has been an inspiration to me since we started out years ago. Her guitar playing, singing and songwriting are some of the most soulful in traditional and modern blues.” Or take it from Cash Box Magazine, who pegged Block as “Female sensitivity sheathed in steel.. pure thunder. She’s spellbinding!”

SAMPLE SONG

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

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

﻿

Price

General
$90.00

More Information

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Little Folks Series: Jamcrackers
2026-08-01 15:00 - 16:00
Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

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Seasoned solo performers Peggy Lynn, Dan Duggan and Dan Berggren (also one-third of Caffè Lena’s weekly “Folk Club Kids,”) have combined talents to create a dynamic trio named in honor of the river drivers who broke up log jams. They worked hard to find solutions, to get things rolling again, and it was a job that couldn't be done alone. Berggren, Lynn and Duggan feel the same way about their music. These good friends and accomplished musicians bring a rare blend of humor, history and musical spirit to their performances.

“Although the Jamcrackers … will win you over with their front porch style picking and charm, there’s much more to be appreciated from their music.” (Sing Out!)

​​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.

Helpful for parents

Little Folks shows are designed for young children and their caregivers, with a relaxed, joyful atmosphere where wiggles, dancing, and singing are always welcome.

Admission is FREE, we just ask you to please register for tickets so we know how many people to expect!

﻿The Little Folks Series is made possible by the generous support of Kevin & Claudia Bright.

﻿

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$125.00

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Jamcrackers
2026-08-01 20:00 - 22:00
Bluegrass Instructional

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Seasoned solo performers Dan Berggren, Peggy Lynn, and Dan Duggan have combined their talents to create a dynamic trio named in honor of the Adirondack river drivers who broke up log jams. They worked hard to find solutions, to get things rolling again, and it was a job that couldn’t be done alone. Dan, Peggy, and Dan feel the same way about their music. These good friends and accomplished musicians bring a rare blend of humor, history, and musical spirit to their performances.

The musical fun that Jamcrackers have on stage is genuine and contagious. The trio’s diverse blend of folk and blues, ballads, gospel, and dance tunes sparks a rare chemistry and a guaranteed good time.

Award-winning educator and songwriter Dan Berggren has deep roots in the Adirondacks. His music reflects the spirit and the hardworking people of that region. He has traveled around the world in performances from Central Africa to Transylvania.

Author and environmental activist Bill McKibben says: “Dan is a throwback to the old role of the folk singer … he’s articulating things that need to be said right now.”

Peggy Lynn writes and performs songs about women and the natural beauty of the North Country and her bluesy alto melts every audience. With Sandra Weber, she co-authored Breaking Trail: Remarkable Women of the Adirondacks. In 2005, both Peggy and Dan Berggren received the Adirondack Mountain Club’s Education Award.

National Hammered Dulcimer Champion Dan Duggan is known from Maine to California for his wizardry on the hammered dulcimer, flat-picking guitar, and keyboards. In addition to his extensive array of recordings, Dan’s dulcimer talents are spotlighted on Paul Simon’s Grammy-nominated album "You’re the One" and "The Paul Simon Collection". Many of Dan’s original tunes are published in the collection Coming Home.

“If you’re of the opinion that songs should not just sound good, they should do good, then you’ll love this harmonizing do-right trio . . . They sing of nature, strong women, healthy communities, and peace, backing their rich vocal blend with world-class hammered dulcimer, banjo, and guitar.” – Sarah Craig, Caffe Lena

“These Adirondack folk artists have played plenty separately, earning their pedigree by releasing 30-plus albums. … When together, they bring fresh arrangements and brilliant harmonies to traditional and original songs.” – Schenectady Gazette

SAMPLE SONG

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

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

﻿

Price

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$90.00

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Playwright's Jam
2026-08-02 13:30 - 16:00
Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

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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.

Price

General
$125.00

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Summer Camp: Troubadour in Training with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-08-03 09:30 - 15:30, 2026-08-04 09:30 - 15:30, 2026-08-07 09:30 - 15:30
Bluegrass Instructional

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Music is a gift best shared with friends! Here is an exciting opportunity for youth 12-17 (or by instructor permission) to learn music in a dynamic group setting. This camp is for students who already have some experience singing songs and playing string instruments (familiar with the keys of D, G, and C).

In Troubadours in Training camp we will explore:

-How to find and build a repertoire of songs and tunes

-Expanding vocabulary on one's instrument

-Group and harmony singing

-Vocal technique

-Developing a sense of rhythm and groove

-Playing on stage and performance practice

-Songwriting and arranging

This summer camp is a Monday through Friday day camp meeting 9:30am-3:30pm. In this music intensive week we will learn so much after five days together! At the end of the final day there will be a recital/sharing session for family and friends.

Scholarships are available as well as instrument loans.

Price

General
$90.00

More Information

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May 8 • 9:30 AM

Open Mic
2026-08-03 19:00 - 21:00
Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

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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

Price

General
$125.00

More Information

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Summer Camp: Troubadour in Training with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-08-05 09:30 - 15:30, 2026-08-06 09:30 - 15:30
Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

Share:

Music is a gift best shared with friends! Here is an exciting opportunity for youth 12-17 (or by instructor permission) to learn music in a dynamic group setting. This camp is for students who already have some experience singing songs and playing string instruments (familiar with the keys of D, G, and C).

In Troubadours in Training camp we will explore:

-How to find and build a repertoire of songs and tunes

-Expanding vocabulary on one's instrument

-Group and harmony singing

-Vocal technique

-Developing a sense of rhythm and groove

-Playing on stage and performance practice

-Songwriting and arranging

This summer camp is a Monday through Friday day camp meeting 9:30am-3:30pm. In this music intensive week we will learn so much after five days together! At the end of the final day there will be a recital/sharing session for family and friends.

Scholarships are available as well as instrument loans.

Price

General
$125.00

More Information

Similar Events

View All

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class

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Caffè Lena

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American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

class

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May 11 • 10 AM

Folk Club Kids
2026-08-05 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/

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.

Price

General
$90.00

More Information

Similar Events

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Caffè Lena

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Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

class

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American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

class

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Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

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May 8 • 9:30 AM

School of Music Slow Jam
2026-08-06 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-13 13:00 - 15:00
Bluegrass Instructional

Share:

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.

﻿

Price

General
$90.00

More Information

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

class

May 7 • 9 AM

Caffè Lena

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American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

class

May 7 • 1 PM

Caffè Lena

Music With Miss Deb

Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

class

May 8 • 9:30 AM

The Nields
2026-08-06 19:00 - 21:00
Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

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The Nields have been lighting up the indie circuit since 1991, originally traveling the continent as a five-piece band. Today, sisters Nerissa Nields and Katryna Nields perform as a duo often compared to Indigo Girls and The Roches. The Chicago Tribune reports, “As the work of the Everly Brothers or the McGarrigle Sisters has amply demonstrated, there are few sounds as sublime as close harmonies rendered by siblings… their inimitable vocal blend is a disarming mix of clean folk harmonies and clenched Generation-X angst.”

The Nields have been lauded for their gorgeous, lilting harmonies, their thoughtful songwriting, and the warmth and humor they bring to every performance. “A masterful mix of modern folk with an alternative edge” (Minneapolis Star Tribune), while The Austin Chronicle praises their “beautifully sweet vocal harmonies… infectious stuff.”

Their newest release, Circle of Days, their twenty-first album, finds the sisters as creative and reflective as ever. Inspired by daily walks during the pandemic and the quiet rhythm of the seasons, the album unfolds as a musical calendar with each song rooted in a particular moment in the year, capturing the emotional landscape that comes with it.

From the introspective stillness of winter to the brightness of summer, Circle of Days explores the passage of time with honesty and heart. The songs hold both hope and uncertainty, weaving together personal stories and broader reflections on change, loss, and resilience. It’s a natural extension of what The Nields have always done so well: pairing memorable melodies with lyrics that feel lived-in and true.

Join us for an evening of harmony, humor, and songs that stay with you, performed by artists who have spent decades honing not just their sound, but their connection to the audience.

SAMPLE SONG

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

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

﻿

Price

General
$125.00

More Information

Similar Events

View All

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Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

class

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class

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Bluegrass Instructional

class

May 11 • 10 AM

Songwriting Club
2026-08-08 10:00 - 12:00
Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

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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

General
$125.00

More Information

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May 11 • 10 AM

Folk Heritage Series: Robin and Linda Williams
2026-08-09 19:00 - 21:00
Bluegrass Instructional

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For more than five decades, Robin and Linda Williams have been quietly shaping the sound of American folk and roots music. Emerging in the early 1970s, the duo built their career on a deep foundation of Appalachian and Southern traditions, while developing a songwriting voice that helped define what we now call Americana. Their music blends folk, country, bluegrass, and gospel into something unadorned and deeply human. Their songs feel lived-in, honest, and timeless.

Known for their warm, effortless harmonies and narrative songwriting, Robin and Linda have a rare ability to capture the emotional texture of everyday life. Their songs don’t reach for spectacle, they invite you in, offering moments of clarity, humor, and quiet recognition.

Many listeners first discovered them through their longtime appearances on A Prairie Home Companion, where they became beloved regulars alongside Garrison Keillor. Those performances introduced their music to a national audience and cemented their reputation as master storytellers and performers.

Across more than 25 albums, their songs have been recorded by artists including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Emmylou Harris, and Tom T. Hall, a testament to the depth and enduring relevance of their writing.

Onstage, Robin and Linda keep things simple,two voices, finely tuned over decades, and songs that do the work. There’s an ease to it, but also a quiet precision: the kind that comes from years of listening closely to each other and to the music itself.

SAMPLE SONG

Their connection to places like Caffè Lena runs deep. This is music meant for a room where people come to listen, where the details matter, and where a well-told song can land exactly as it should. Join us for an evening with two artists who have spent a lifetime getting it right.

​​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
$90.00

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Mandolin Vitamins with Alan Epstein
2026-08-10 10:00 - 12:00
Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

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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.

Price

General
$125.00

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May 11 • 10 AM

Open Mic
2026-08-10 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-17 19:00 - 21:00
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

Price

General
$90.00

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May 8 • 9:30 AM

Folk Club Kids
2026-08-12 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-08-19 10:30 - 11:00
Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

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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.

Price

General
$125.00

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May 11 • 10 AM

Joan Osborne
2026-08-15 17:00 - 19:00
Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

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Few voices are as instantly recognizable or as deeply expressive, as Joan Osborne. From her multi-platinum breakthrough Relish to decades of genre-spanning work, Osborne has built a career defined by fearless songwriting and a voice that moves effortlessly between soul, folk, blues, and rock.

Her latest album, Nobody Owns You, is her most personal work to date, a collection of songs shaped by change, reflection, and hard-earned clarity. Written during a period of profound transition, the album explores family, loss, resilience, and the question at the heart of it all: what do we do with the time we have? The result is a deeply human record, rich with melody and grounded in emotional truth.

Musically, the album leans into a warm, roots-driven sound with acoustic textures, lap steel and Hammond organ framing Osborne’s powerful alto and lyrical precision. Songs range from intimate and tender to socially aware and unflinching, touching on themes of motherhood, identity, and the world we’re living in now. Whether she’s writing a quiet prayer for her mother, a message of strength to her daughter, or a reflection on life on the road, Osborne’s work remains direct, thoughtful, and deeply felt.

Listeners will recognize the musicians Joan has worked with; Cindy Cashdollar (lap steel), Jill Sobule (vocals), Dave Sherman (piano), Jack Petruzelli (baritone guitar), and backing vocals from Rachel Yamagata and Catherine Russell.

“While many artists have influences that run through their musical incarnations, what's admirable is that Joan never sounds like she’s emulating anyone. She absorbs her influences & returns it with her own indomitable style. The music speaks for itself. One of the year’s best.”

— John Apice, Americana Highways

Throughout her career, Osborne has never stayed in one lane. She’s collaborated widely, interpreted classic material with reverence and originality, and continued to evolve as both a performer and a songwriter. At the core of it all is her voice, raw, soulful, and capable of carrying both power and vulnerability in equal measure.

That kind of voice doesn’t need anything extra. Just a room, an audience ready to listen, and songs that meet you where you are.

SAMPLE SONG

Join us for an evening with one of the most compelling voices in American music.

“I was thinking about music and the power it has, and understanding that at times in my life music has been the real lifeline for me. I hope that people might experience the same thing from hearing songs I’ve put out into the world.”

—Joan Osborne

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
$125.00

More Information

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

class

May 7 • 9 AM

Caffè Lena

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American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

class

May 7 • 1 PM

Caffè Lena

Mandolin Vitamins – Tunes, Techniques and Ensemble Music

Bluegrass Instructional

class

May 11 • 10 AM

Joan Osborne
2026-08-15 20:00 - 22:00
Bluegrass Instructional

Share:

Few voices are as instantly recognizable or as deeply expressive, as Joan Osborne. From her multi-platinum breakthrough Relish to decades of genre-spanning work, Osborne has built a career defined by fearless songwriting and a voice that moves effortlessly between soul, folk, blues, and rock.

Her latest album, Nobody Owns You, is her most personal work to date, a collection of songs shaped by change, reflection, and hard-earned clarity. Written during a period of profound transition, the album explores family, loss, resilience, and the question at the heart of it all: what do we do with the time we have? The result is a deeply human record, rich with melody and grounded in emotional truth.

Musically, the album leans into a warm, roots-driven sound with acoustic textures, lap steel and Hammond organ framing Osborne’s powerful alto and lyrical precision. Songs range from intimate and tender to socially aware and unflinching, touching on themes of motherhood, identity, and the world we’re living in now. Whether she’s writing a quiet prayer for her mother, a message of strength to her daughter, or a reflection on life on the road, Osborne’s work remains direct, thoughtful, and deeply felt.

Listeners will recognize the musicians Joan has worked with; Cindy Cashdollar (lap steel), Jill Sobule (vocals), Dave Sherman (piano), Jack Petruzelli (baritone guitar), and backing vocals from Rachel Yamagata and Catherine Russell.

“While many artists have influences that run through their musical incarnations, what's admirable is that Joan never sounds like she’s emulating anyone. She absorbs her influences & returns it with her own indomitable style. The music speaks for itself. One of the year’s best.”

— John Apice, Americana Highways

Throughout her career, Osborne has never stayed in one lane. She’s collaborated widely, interpreted classic material with reverence and originality, and continued to evolve as both a performer and a songwriter. At the core of it all is her voice, raw, soulful, and capable of carrying both power and vulnerability in equal measure.

That kind of voice doesn’t need anything extra. Just a room, an audience ready to listen, and songs that meet you where you are.

SAMPLE SONG

Join us for an evening with one of the most compelling voices in American music.

“I was thinking about music and the power it has, and understanding that at times in my life music has been the real lifeline for me. I hope that people might experience the same thing from hearing songs I’ve put out into the world.”

—Joan Osborne

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
$90.00

More Information

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

class

May 7 • 9 AM

Caffè Lena

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American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

class

May 7 • 1 PM

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May 8 • 9:30 AM

Nordlys Global Voices : Partha Bose
2026-08-16 19:00 - 21:00
Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

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An evening of profound musical tradition and expressive beauty awaits with Partha Bose, an internationally acclaimed sitarist rooted in the legendary Maihar Gharana.

Bose’s musical journey began at the age of six in Kolkata, India, under the guidance of his guru, Pandit Monoj Shankar. What started as a childhood pursuit grew into a lifelong devotion, shaped by rigorous training, deep discipline, and an unwavering connection to the spiritual essence of music.

Carrying forward the legacy of the Maihar tradition, made globally renowned by masters like Ravi Shankar and Nikhil Banerjee, Bose’s performances are rich with nuance, emotion, and intricate melodic storytelling. His playing reflects both the depth of classical Indian music and a personal voice refined through decades of study and performance.

Over the course of his career, Bose has performed at major festivals across five continents, led workshops and lecture-demonstrations at universities worldwide, and mentored students across cultures and borders. His artistry has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Nikhil Banerjee Memorial Award, Sangeet Ratna, and Vadya Shiromani, distinctions he views as inspiration to continue striving toward excellence.

At its core, Bose’s music speaks to something universal. He describes it as “a language of the soul,” one that transcends boundaries and reminds us of our shared humanity.

SAMPLE SONG

Join us for an intimate and immersive performance, an opportunity to experience the meditative beauty and emotional power of the sitar, carried by a master of the tradition.

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
$125.00

More Information

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May 11 • 10 AM

Bluegrass Jam
2026-08-19 19:00 - 21:00
Bluegrass Instructional

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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!!

Price

General
$90.00

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School of Music Slow Jam
2026-08-20 13:00 - 15:00
Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

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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.

﻿

Price

General
$125.00

More Information

Similar Events

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

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class

May 7 • 9 AM

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American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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May 11 • 10 AM
