After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-11-04 14:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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

Price

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$195.00

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Level 1 9:15 am – 10:10 am

Level 2 10:15 am – 11:10 am

Level 3 11:15 am – 12:10 pm

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

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

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

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Open position chords and how they are related to each other

Moving from chord to chord smoothly and in time

Rhythm and strumming techniques

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Movable chord shapes

Learning new songs

Playing and performing with other musicians

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School of Music Slow Jam
2026-11-05 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-11-19 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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Maya de Vitry
2026-11-05 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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There is a quiet power in Maya de Vitry's music. Her songs invite listeners to slow down, pay attention, and rediscover the beauty and complexity of everyday life.

Originally from the green rolling hills of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Maya de Vitry is a Nashville-based fiddler-turned-songwriter with a voice that glides effortlessly between tenderness and strength.

A founding member of the acclaimed Americana trio The Stray Birds, with whom she toured year-round for 7 years throughout the USA, Canada, and Europe. Since then, she has released three more full-length albums—How to Break a Fall (2020), Violet Light (2022), and The Only Moment (2024); an EP, Infinite (2023); and multiple singles, all of which are testaments to her personal reinvention and creative growth.

Maya has emerged as one of today's most compelling singer-songwriters, earning praise from Rolling Stone Country, NPR Music, and No Depression. Her music blends the intimacy of folk, the soul of Americana, and the adventurous spirit of indie songwriting, offering songs that feel grounded, graceful, and full of possibility all at once.

Energized by the spontaneity of live performance and a revelatory pursuit of truth in her lyric writing, Maya de Vitry returns with her fifth full-length album, All My Faith. Prioritizing presence and grit over studio polish, she sounds joyously at home in the alt-country and indie-folk realms. Recorded and mixed by 5-time Grammy Award-winning engineer Sean Sullivan and self-produced by de Vitry, All My Faith is a buoyant gathering of songs brought to life by a cast of her closest confidantes and collaborators. All My Faith will be released on de Vitry’s own Mad Maker Studio label on July 24, 2026.

SAMPLE SONG

“I’d like my music to feel like you are invited into a lush living forest or into a remote river canyon where suddenly you are stripped of not only modern conveniences but also modern distractions. Where you can feel the essence of your own humanity and those around you. Where suddenly a stranger’s story becomes interesting, or where you might choose teamwork and problem-solving and creativity over dogma. Where reciprocity and care start to feel more natural than just about anything else,” she reflects.

Whether reflecting on unexpected encounters, moments of self-discovery, or the landscapes that shape us, Maya writes with remarkable clarity, compassion, and emotional depth.

From canyons to kitchens, from cold lakes to highway truck stops, the songs form a vibrant collage of joy, sorrow, and gut-wrenching honesty. Whether spinning an inspirational tale about hungover bachelorettes at the Nashville airport or exploring the prison of our own adaptations, de Vitry brings a grounded confidence and quiet charisma rooted in her belief in the power of song to change us.

A gifted vocalist and instrumentalist, Maya's performances are intimate without being understated. Her expressive voice, thoughtful storytelling, and graceful musicianship create the feeling of being welcomed into a conversation with an old friend.

Join us for an evening with one of Americana's brightest voices as Maya de Vitry shares songs that celebrate resilience, curiosity, and the enduring power of finding beauty in the present 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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Experience this interactive and fun exploration of music with Miss Deb!

9 sessions

10:15 am – 11 am

$120

Scholarships available just email matt@caffelena.org

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

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

Fun for the whole family!

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Mandolin Vitamins - Tunes, Techniques and Ensemble Music
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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 11:30.

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
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No partner needed to sign up! 8 students max.

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 Stanley 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
2026-11-09 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-11-23 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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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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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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After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-11-11 14:30 - 17:30
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After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne

11 weeks starting September 30th

Use these links to sign up:

2:45, 3:40, 4:35

Music is a gift best shared with friends! Here is an exciting opportunity for youth 7-14 to learn music by playing together.

Weekly 45 minute classes will be focused on making music, including singing, exploring various string instruments, music theory basics, rhythm exercises, how to learn songs/tunes from scratch, confidence in performance practice, and more.

Youth Folk Ensemble is–

Mixed ages and abilities: Open to any level of experience with music; Learn through listening and participation.

Focus on repertoire: Learn classic tunes and songs from the American folk tradition as well as some favorite contemporary songs.

Explore string instruments and singing, learning basic skills: Opportunities to focus on guitar, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, bass, and violin/fiddle*; (*for students interested in violin/fiddle it is recommended that they also be enrolled in private or school lessons).

Learn music fundamentals: Develop strong and steady sense of rhythm; Learn how to listen and hear musically; Explore singing finding one's own unique voice.

Learning valuable life skills: Working in a group setting; Creative contribution and compromise; Being part of a team and playing your part; Building friendships.

Need help with tuition or an instrument? Let us know how we can help by filling out this application for the Matt McCabe Scholarship Fund or email: musicschool@caffelena.org

After School Youth Folk Ensemble classes meet on Wednesdays at Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

The three time slots are 2:45-3:30 pm; 3:40-4:25 pm; & 4:35-5:20 pm. Sign up for one or all!

Students are encouraged to sign up for all three sessions – the more time we spend learning and practicing music together, the tighter our ensemble will be! Discounts of 10% when purchasing more than 1 class at a time.

Meet the instructors:

James Gascoyne is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and teacher based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Originally from Louisville, KY, James has been an active participant in the NYS Capital Region arts community since 2004. He has toured nationally with a variety of groups, at times performing on bass, guitar, drums, and vocals, all the while maintaining an active local performing and recording schedule as well as teaching privately when time allows. James regularly performs with Oona Grady as their duo, Drank The Gold, specializing in traditional Irish and American fiddle tunes and folk songs, as well as original compositions and arrangements, plus newly formed bluegrass quintet The Millstone Rounders. With a passion for sharing his musical experience with others, he’s led various workshops at times on guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and bass for the Caffe Lena School of Music, Dance Flurry Festival, GrassRoots Culture Camp, and Winter Village Music Camp.

Oona Grady is a musician and educator living in Saratoga Springs, New York. She performs with the duo Drank The Gold, a band specializing in creative arrangements of traditional Irish and American fiddle music, folk songs, and original compositions, as well as with other projects including The Grady Girls, Folk Club Kids, Carolyn Shapiro, and newest project The Millstone Rounders. Oona grew up in Ithaca, NY, nurtured by a family and community with a deep love of music. After receiving a grounding in Suzuki violin and Irish fiddle, she began performing with her family band as a teenager, and moved to Ireland at age eighteen to continue her music studies at University College Cork, graduating with a B.Mus. in 2008. Oona works as a recording artist (credits include strings on What a Night'll Do, Dr. Dog), manages a private music teaching studio, and is a founding teacher at the Caffe Lena School of Music. She also works as a guest instructor for weekend workshops and summer programs, including GrassRoots Culture Camp, the Flurry Festival, Winter Village Music Camp, and the Ithaca Suzuki Institute.

#youthclass

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Level 1 9:15 am – 10:10 am

Level 2 10:15 am – 11:10 am

Level 3 11:15 am – 12:10 pm

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

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

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

Topics Include:

Open position chords and how they are related to each other

Moving from chord to chord smoothly and in time

Rhythm and strumming techniques

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

Movable chord shapes

Learning new songs

Playing and performing with other musicians

﻿

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School of Music Slow Jam
2026-11-12 13:00 - 15:00
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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.

﻿

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Robbie Fulks
2026-11-12 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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Robbie Fulks has spent more than three decades following his curiosity wherever it leads.

A Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and guitarist, Fulks first came to national attention in the 1990s as one of the artists helping define what would become known as Americana. Since then, he has written and recorded music that moves comfortably between bluegrass, country, folk, jazz, and rock, always with an ear for strong songs and carefully observed characters.

His latest album, Now Then, reflects on growing older with honesty, humor, and a clear-eyed perspective. The songs explore long marriages, changing landscapes, family histories, and the passage of time, finding meaning in ordinary moments without sentimentality. Throughout, Fulks writes with the attention to detail of a novelist and the economy of a seasoned songwriter.

Before beginning his solo career, Fulks played bluegrass with Special Consensus. He has since collaborated with artists including Lucinda Williams, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Alison Brown, Sierra Hull, and Steve Martin, while his songs have been recorded by musicians including Sam Bush, Andrew Bird, John Cowan, Old 97's, and Hiss Golden Messenger.

As a performer, Fulks is as engaging between songs as he is during them. His concerts move naturally between thoughtful storytelling, understated humor, and exceptional musicianship, creating an evening that feels both relaxed and deeply considered.

SAMPLE SONG

Whether he's playing an old-time tune, a country ballad, or one of his own songs, Robbie Fulks brings the same qualities that have defined his career: curiosity, craftsmanship, and a genuine respect for the traditions that continue to shape his music.

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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Music with Miss Deb
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Share:

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

9 sessions

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Scholarships available just email matt@caffelena.org

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

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

Fun for the whole family!

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The Suitcase Junket Album Release Show
2026-11-13 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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The Suitcase Junket is the musical world created by songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and instrument builder Matt Lorenz.

Performing alone on stage, Lorenz surrounds himself with guitars, homemade percussion, found objects, and self-built instruments, creating an astonishing range of sounds that blur the line between one musician and an entire band. A suitcase becomes a bass drum. Bones become percussion. Everyday objects find new voices, all in service of the songs.

Those songs are at the heart of everything he does. Drawing from folk, blues, old-time music, and the improvisational spirit of jazz, Lorenz writes with remarkable honesty and attention to detail. His seventh album, To Go On, is his most personal work to date. Written after the loss of his sister, singer-songwriter Kate Lorenz, the record is both a meditation on grief and a celebration of enduring love. Rather than dwelling only in loss, the songs explore memory, resilience, and the ways people continue to shape our lives long after they're gone. Lorenz describes the album as finding "comfort, a little bit of surprise, a little bit of discomfort… and after all that, a sense of joy and hope."

The music reflects that emotional journey. One moment, the songs are quietly intimate; the next they're full of rhythmic energy, reminding us, as Lorenz puts it, that "you can tap your toe, or dance even, and still think about death." Throughout To Go On, moments of sorrow are balanced by humor, warmth, and a deep appreciation for the people who leave lasting marks on our lives.

SAMPLE SONG

Raised in rural Vermont, Lorenz grew up taking apart discarded electronics and bicycles to build musical instruments while learning piano, violin, saxophone, and guitar. That same curiosity still defines his work today. Every performance combines inventive musicianship with thoughtful songwriting, creating music that feels rooted in tradition while remaining entirely his own.

Whether appearing at major festivals or in intimate listening rooms, The Suitcase Junket invites audiences into a performance where craftsmanship, imagination, and deeply personal songs exist in equal measure. This tour offers an early opportunity to hear music from To Go On before its October 2026 release, presented in the close, attentive setting where these songs are meant to be heard.

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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Songwriting Club
2026-11-14 10:00 - 12:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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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

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Professor Louie & The Crowmatix
2026-11-14 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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“Roots Music Royalty" – Professor Louie & The Crowmatix

Join us for a fun & powerful evening of roots-infused rock and blues with Professor Louie & The Crowmatix, a Grammy-nominated band from Woodstock NY. Hailed as “Roots Music Royalty” by Bill Hurley of Extended Play Sessions. With deep ties to The Band and a musical style that blends rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, blues, and folk, this Woodstock, NY powerhouse brings decades of experience and soul to every performance.

Fronted by Professor Louie, keyboardist, accordionist, and longtime collaborator with The Band, the group has released 18 acclaimed albums including their 2025 release on Woodstock Records, Crowin’ Around, played on over 180 radio stations across the country.

The group continues to expand the boundaries of Americana and blues. Their dynamic shows feature crowd favorites from their original catalog, hits Louie co-produced with The Band during the 16 years and three albums he worked with them (including “Atlantic City” and “Blind Willie McTell”), and songs steeped in the rich tradition of American roots music.

The Crowmatix lineup includes the soaring vocals and percussion of Miss Marie, bassist Frank Campbell, guitarists Todd Mihan, drummer Dan Hickey. This is a seasoned ensemble with heart, groove, and tight musical chemistry. Their live performances are known for their storytelling, warmth, and a vibrant sound that brings audiences to their feet.

With recent releases on the roots and blues radio charts, and festival appearances across North America and Europe, Professor Louie & The Crowmatix are keeping the spirit of American roots music alive and evolving it.

SAMPLE SONG

Professor Louie and The Crowmatix have also been inducted in The New York State Blues Hall of Fame and hold a permanent place in The Canada South Blues Museum. Professor Louie is a recipient of The Robert H. Chambers Award for Excellence in the Traditional Arts from Common Ground on the Hill in MD.

Come experience a band with deep musical roots, unmatched live energy, and a timeless connection to the very heart of Rock and Americana.

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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Open Mic
2026-11-16 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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OPEN MIC NIGHT

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

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

OUR HOSTS

First Monday – Rick Bolton

Second Monday – Carolyn Shapiro

Third Monday – Ray Pashoukos

Fourth Monday – Kate Blain

HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT:

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

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

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

Sign up is first come first serve

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

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

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

CONTACT US

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

﻿

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Folk Club Kids
2026-11-18 10:30 - 11:00
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Folk Club Kids: Stories, Songs, and Sing-a-longs

Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

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

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

This program is made possible by Andy and Bill Spence.

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After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-11-18 14:30 - 17:30
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne

11 weeks starting September 30th

Use these links to sign up:

2:45, 3:40, 4:35

Music is a gift best shared with friends! Here is an exciting opportunity for youth 7-14 to learn music by playing together.

Weekly 45 minute classes will be focused on making music, including singing, exploring various string instruments, music theory basics, rhythm exercises, how to learn songs/tunes from scratch, confidence in performance practice, and more.

Youth Folk Ensemble is–

Mixed ages and abilities: Open to any level of experience with music; Learn through listening and participation.

Focus on repertoire: Learn classic tunes and songs from the American folk tradition as well as some favorite contemporary songs.

Explore string instruments and singing, learning basic skills: Opportunities to focus on guitar, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, bass, and violin/fiddle*; (*for students interested in violin/fiddle it is recommended that they also be enrolled in private or school lessons).

Learn music fundamentals: Develop strong and steady sense of rhythm; Learn how to listen and hear musically; Explore singing finding one's own unique voice.

Learning valuable life skills: Working in a group setting; Creative contribution and compromise; Being part of a team and playing your part; Building friendships.

Need help with tuition or an instrument? Let us know how we can help by filling out this application for the Matt McCabe Scholarship Fund or email: musicschool@caffelena.org

After School Youth Folk Ensemble classes meet on Wednesdays at Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

The three time slots are 2:45-3:30 pm; 3:40-4:25 pm; & 4:35-5:20 pm. Sign up for one or all!

Students are encouraged to sign up for all three sessions – the more time we spend learning and practicing music together, the tighter our ensemble will be! Discounts of 10% when purchasing more than 1 class at a time.

Meet the instructors:

James Gascoyne is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and teacher based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Originally from Louisville, KY, James has been an active participant in the NYS Capital Region arts community since 2004. He has toured nationally with a variety of groups, at times performing on bass, guitar, drums, and vocals, all the while maintaining an active local performing and recording schedule as well as teaching privately when time allows. James regularly performs with Oona Grady as their duo, Drank The Gold, specializing in traditional Irish and American fiddle tunes and folk songs, as well as original compositions and arrangements, plus newly formed bluegrass quintet The Millstone Rounders. With a passion for sharing his musical experience with others, he’s led various workshops at times on guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and bass for the Caffe Lena School of Music, Dance Flurry Festival, GrassRoots Culture Camp, and Winter Village Music Camp.

Oona Grady is a musician and educator living in Saratoga Springs, New York. She performs with the duo Drank The Gold, a band specializing in creative arrangements of traditional Irish and American fiddle music, folk songs, and original compositions, as well as with other projects including The Grady Girls, Folk Club Kids, Carolyn Shapiro, and newest project The Millstone Rounders. Oona grew up in Ithaca, NY, nurtured by a family and community with a deep love of music. After receiving a grounding in Suzuki violin and Irish fiddle, she began performing with her family band as a teenager, and moved to Ireland at age eighteen to continue her music studies at University College Cork, graduating with a B.Mus. in 2008. Oona works as a recording artist (credits include strings on What a Night'll Do, Dr. Dog), manages a private music teaching studio, and is a founding teacher at the Caffe Lena School of Music. She also works as a guest instructor for weekend workshops and summer programs, including GrassRoots Culture Camp, the Flurry Festival, Winter Village Music Camp, and the Ithaca Suzuki Institute.

#youthclass

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
2026-11-19 09:00 - 12:30
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Level 1 9:15 am – 10:10 am

Level 2 10:15 am – 11:10 am

Level 3 11:15 am – 12:10 pm

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

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

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

Topics Include:

Open position chords and how they are related to each other

Moving from chord to chord smoothly and in time

Rhythm and strumming techniques

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

Movable chord shapes

Learning new songs

Playing and performing with other musicians

﻿

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Peak Jazz Series: Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo
2026-11-20 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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Two world-class guitarists—one unforgettable night.

Frank Vignola is widely recognized as one of the most extraordinary guitarists performing today. With jaw-dropping virtuosity and genre-spanning creativity, he has played alongside legends including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Tommy Emmanuel, Lionel Hampton, and guitar icon Les Paul, who once named him among his “Five Most Admired Guitarists” in The Wall Street Journal. Vignola’s dazzling career has taken him to Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center, The Blue Note, and more than 21 countries worldwide. A prolific recording artist and educator, his influence reaches across generations of musicians and fans alike. Currently, he leads the celebrated weekly “Guitar Night” residency at New York City’s Birdland Jazz Club.

SAMPLE SONG Frank Vignola

Sharing the stage is his longtime collaborator, Vinny Raniolo, a rhythm guitarist in constant demand for his impeccable timing and dynamic accompaniment. Raniolo’s artistry has brought him to venues as iconic as the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, Lincoln Center in New York, and the Teatro Olimpico in Italy. Beyond the stage, he has been a familiar face on PBS, appearing in Tommy Emmanuel & Friends and Four Generations of Guitar. His recording credits include soundtracks for HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and Café Society.

SAMPLE SONG Vinny Raniolo

Together, Vignola and Raniolo create an electrifying duo, weaving jazz standards, timeless classics, and improvisational fireworks into performances that leave audiences spellbound. Their chemistry, virtuosity, and joy in playing are contagious. They remind us why the guitar holds such a powerful place in jazz.

The last time they played Lena's we couldn't get enough of them! Don’t miss this evening at Caffè Lena, where two master musicians transform six strings into pure magic.

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

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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Dan Navarro
2026-11-22 19:00 - 21:00
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Dan Navarro has spent a lifetime telling stories through song. As half of the acclaimed duo Lowen & Navarro and now as a solo artist, he's built a career on thoughtful songwriting, a rich, unmistakable baritone, and performances that combine warmth, humor, and hard-earned wisdom. His songs explore love, resilience, loss, and hope with the honesty of someone who has truly lived them.

Along the way, Navarro has written songs recorded by artists including Pat Benatar, The Bangles, Dionne Warwick, and The Temptations. His Grammy-nominated co-write "We Belong" has become one of the defining songs of its generation, while his music has found its way into films and television series including Deadpool 2, This Is Us, Mare of Easttown, The Office, and Pitch Perfect 2.

You may also know his voice without realizing it. Navarro has sung in Disney's Encanto, including the global hit "We Don't Talk About Bruno," as well as Coco, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and numerous other animated films.

But awards, recordings, and credits tell only part of the story.

On stage, Dan Navarro is a gifted storyteller whose concerts move easily between heartfelt songs, laughter, and the stories behind a remarkable career that has touched nearly every corner of the music industry. His latest recordings continue to reflect a songwriter who remains deeply engaged with the world around him, including his 2025 Folk Alliance International Song of the Year-winning recording of "$20 Bill (for George Floyd)."

SAMPLE SONG

Whether performing an old favorite or introducing a brand-new song, Navarro creates the kind of intimate, conversational evening that has long been at home on the Caffè Lena stage.

“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

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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Mandolin Vitamins - Tunes, Techniques and Ensemble Music
2026-11-23 10:00 - 11:30
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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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 11:30.

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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The Kennedys
2026-11-29 14:00 - 16:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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For more than 30 years, Pete and Maura Kennedy have been making music and traveling the world together, creating an unmistakable blend of folk-rock, Americana, ringing guitars and close harmonies. Now The Kennedys return with Smoketree, their first album of all-new original songs in three years.

Their story began in Austin, Texas, in 1992, when Pete and Maura met at the legendary Continental Club. Within days they were singing together and had written their first song. Their first date? A road trip across west Texas to visit Buddy Holly’s grave.

At the time, Pete was playing in Nanci Griffith’s Blue Moon Orchestra. Maura soon joined the band, The Kennedys began opening Griffith’s shows, and a lifelong musical road trip was underway.

Since then, the duo has released more than two dozen recordings and become a fixture of the folk and Americana worlds. Their 2023 album, Headwinds, spent a month at #1 on the national Folk DJ chart, while decades of touring have honed the joyful chemistry and musical connection that can only come from thousands of days and nights spent making music together.

Their new album, Smoketree, turns its attention to both the world around us and the world within us. Its songs explore environmental concerns, social upheaval, displacement, and the search for peace, but The Kennedys approach even difficult subjects with the hopefulness that has long defined their music. They would rather bring the light than simply curse the darkness.

With energized folk-rock, masterful musicianship, rich harmonies and an easy camaraderie with their audience, Pete and Maura Kennedy make a concert feel less like a performance between strangers and more like an evening among old friends.

SAMPLE SONG

After more than three decades, countless miles and a lifetime of songs, The Kennedys are still happily home on the road, and still finding something new to sing about.

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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