After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-10-14 14:30 - 17:30, 2026-10-21 14:30 - 17:30, 2026-10-28 14:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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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
2026-10-15 09:00 - 12:30, 2026-10-29 09:00 - 12:30
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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
2026-10-15 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-22 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-29 13:00 - 15:00
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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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Howley
2026-10-15 19:00 - 21:00
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For more than a decade, brothers David and Martin Howley helped introduce audiences around the world to a fresh take on Irish traditional music as founding members of We Banjo 3. Blending the sounds of Ireland with bluegrass, Americana, and contemporary folk, they built an international following through remarkable musicianship, rich harmonies, and the unmistakable chemistry that only siblings can share. Now, they begin a new chapter with Howley. Joined by acclaimed fiddler and vocalist Kiana June (Gaelic Storm, Come From Away) and multi-instrumentalist Caitlin Leahy, the quartet brings together Irish tradition, American roots music, and original songwriting in a sound shaped by tradition but never confined by it. Martin's award-winning banjo and mandolin playing, David's expressive vocals and guitar, Kiana's soaring fiddle, and Caitlin's inventive percussion and harmonies create performances filled with energy, warmth, and joyful collaboration. A seven-time All-Ireland champion, Martin Howley became the first Irish banjo player to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. David has earned a reputation as both a compelling songwriter and captivating performer, while Kiana and Caitlin bring years of experience performing with some of the most respected artists in Celtic and folk music. SAMPLE SONG Whether you've followed the brothers since their We Banjo 3 days or are hearing them for the first time, Howley offers an evening of spirited musicianship, heartfelt songs, and the infectious fun of four exceptional musicians making music together. 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
2026-10-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-30 10:00 - 11:00
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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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Marty Wendell & Laura Leigh Band
2026-10-16 20:00 - 22:00
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Marty Wendell grew up listening to an old Philco radio, absorbing everything from rockabilly, country and folk to blues, gospel and pop. The music coming out of Sun Records particularly caught his ear, setting him on a path that would eventually take him from Greenwich Village coffeehouses to the stage with some of the artists he'd first heard on the radio. One of those artists was Johnny Cash. Marty first met Cash backstage in the early 1960s, when Cash handed him a 12-string guitar and asked him to play one of his songs. A few years later, after Marty's first record, "Hey Hey Mama," sold more than 10,000 copies, he was booked to open for Cash on dates following the release of At Folsom Prison, alongside a touring company that included the Carter Family, Carl Perkins and the Statler Brothers. More than six decades later, Marty is still writing, recording and performing. A Rockabilly Hall of Famer with 18 albums to his name, his music carries the rockabilly, country, blues, gospel and folk sounds that have surrounded him throughout his life. Sample Song Laura Leigh draws from some of those same traditions while taking them in her own direction. A multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, she moves between old-time country, folk and rock & roll with songs that pair driving rhythms and strong melodies with lyrics that can be thoughtful, funny and wonderfully direct. Laura won the 2026 Eddie for Americana Artist of The Year. Sample Song For this Caffè Lena performance, Marty and Laura will each perform individually before joining one another onstage. It is a chance to hear where their musical paths differ, where they cross, and what happens when they play together. 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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Jake Blount Band
2026-10-17 20:00 - 22:00
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Jake Blount is one of the most original and thought-provoking voices in contemporary folk music. An award-winning musician, scholar, and educator, Blount explores the deep roots of Black American folk traditions while creating music that feels entirely new. Armed with banjo, fiddle, guitar, and electronics, he brings together centuries-old songs, original compositions, and modern influences into performances that are both deeply rooted and boldly imaginative. Blount first gained national recognition as an exceptional string band musician, but his artistic vision has continued to expand. His acclaimed albums The New Faith and symbiont reimagine traditional music through an Afrofuturist lens, connecting the past, present, and future in ways that are at once powerful, haunting, and joyful. His newest release, arriving in 2026, returns to the traditional string band music that first inspired him while continuing to explore the living legacy of Black folk culture. His work has earned widespread acclaim from Rolling Stone, NPR, The New Yorker, The Guardian, and Bandcamp, while appearances at Carnegie Hall, the Newport Folk Festival, NPR's Tiny Desk, and the Library of Congress have established him as one of the leading artists of his generation. Along the way, he has collaborated with Kronos Quartet, Adia Victoria, and Rhiannon Giddens, served as a music consultant for Ryan Coogler's Academy Award-winning film Sinners, and contributed music to Ken Burns' The American Revolution. Whether performing solo or with a full ensemble, as he will at Caffè Lena, Jake Blount creates concerts that are as intellectually engaging as they are emotionally moving. His performances blur the boundaries between history and innovation, inviting audiences to hear familiar traditions with fresh ears while discovering stories that have too often gone unheard. This is folk music that honors the past, embraces the future, and reminds us that tradition is a living, evolving art. SAMPLE SONG Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive. Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted. ﻿

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Momentum Series: Bandits On the Run
2026-10-18 19:00 - 21:00
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Bandits On the Run aren't just a band. They're storytellers, collaborators, buskers, theater-makers, and musical adventurers who have built a devoted following by turning unexpected places into unforgettable performances. The trio of Adrian Blake Enscoe, Sydney Shepherd, and Regina Strayhorn first came together through a chance encounter busking in the New York City subway system. Since then, they've developed a sound all their own, blending indie folk, harmony-driven Americana, theatrical storytelling, and inventive arrangements featuring acoustic and electric guitars, cello, accordion, suitcase percussion, bass, and whatever other instruments help bring a song to life. Their three-part harmonies have filled concert halls, festival stages, and sold-out clubs across North America and beyond. They've opened for The Wood Brothers, appeared at major festivals including Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, Blissfest, Americanafest, Cambridge Folk Festival, and Summerfest, and have been featured by NPR Tiny Desk, The Moth Story Slam, Netflix's Ask the StoryBots, and the feature film The Same Storm. Yet despite all their success, Bandits On the Run still carry the spirit of street performers who know how to capture a crowd with nothing more than a great song and genuine connection. Their latest album, Rough Magic, celebrates friendship, creativity, and the beautiful unpredictability of making art together. Recorded between Brooklyn studios and a converted church in the Catskill Mountains, the album blends lush arrangements, intimate performances, field recordings, and rich vocal harmonies into a collection of songs that feels both timeless and fresh. The band describes Rough Magic as "the goal and the method". It is an embrace of imperfection, community, and the belief that something extraordinary can emerge from a simple human connection. That spirit extends beyond their music. Bandits On the Run are also accomplished theater creators currently developing new musicals, including a stage adaptation of What's Eating Gilbert Grape in collaboration with Academy Award-nominated writer Peter Hedges. Their work has been supported by leading theater development programs including Berkeley Rep Ground Floor, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, and Goodspeed Musicals. SAMPLE SONG Whether performing on a festival stage, in a theater, or in an intimate listening room, Bandits on the Run create shows that feel spontaneous, joyful, and deeply human. Expect dazzling harmonies, inventive instrumentation, compelling stories, and the rare feeling that anything might happen next. ﻿﻿This show is part of our Momentum Series, ﻿made possible by the generous support of Joseph & Luann Conlon, in honor of Thom O'Neil. Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive. Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted. ﻿

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Mandolin Vitamins - Tunes, Techniques and Ensemble Music
2026-10-19 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-26 10:00 - 11:30
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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
2026-10-19 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-10-26 12:00 - 14:00
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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
2026-10-19 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-10-26 19:00 - 21:00
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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
2026-10-21 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-10-28 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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Bob & Sarah Amos
2026-10-22 19:00 - 21:00
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Father and daughter Bob & Sarah Amos bring together two extraordinary voices, decades of songwriting, and the kind of musical connection that can’t be manufactured. An award-winning songwriter, guitarist and producer based in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Bob Amos has spent more than 30 years writing and recording music that moves easily through bluegrass, folk, Americana, blues and Celtic traditions. His songs have been recorded by some of bluegrass music’s most respected artists, including Hot Rize, Junior Sisk, Special Consensus, Danny Paisley and Audie Blaylock. Bob first became widely known as the lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter for acclaimed Sugar Hill recording artists Front Range. During the band’s 15-year run, they toured throughout the United States and Europe and released seven albums. Their One Beautiful Day, featuring primarily Bob’s original songs, earned the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Gospel Recorded Event of the Year award. For the past 12 years, Bob has been making music with his daughter Sarah, a vocalist whose powerful, expressive singing brings a new dimension to his songs. Together, their voices meet in beautifully matched harmonies, backed by Bob’s formidable acoustic guitar playing. Their duo concerts also give Bob and Sarah room to wander beyond their usual bluegrass setting. Drawing from Bob’s extensive catalog of more than 100 original songs, they move through folk, bluegrass, blues, Celtic and Americana, adding a few favorite traditional songs along the way. And audiences are listening. Their song “Hills That I Call Home” reached #1 on the Folk Alliance International chart, while their album Ever Onward climbed to #1 on the national Folk DJ chart. At the heart of it all, though, is something much simpler: a father and daughter, two voices, a guitar and a lifetime of music shared between them. SAMPLE SONG Come hear Bob & Sarah Amos in the intimate setting of Caffè Lena. 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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Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band
2026-10-23 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-10-24 20:00 - 22:00
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Cutting his teeth as house manager and co-hosting our monthly songwriting club right here at Caffè Lena, Reese Fulmer has emerged as one of the Capital Region's most compelling songwriters and bandleaders. Described as writing "with a poet's sensibility rich with great storytelling and a healthy dose of irony" (Viv Nesbitt, Art of the Song), Fulmer has built a devoted following through fearless songwriting, memorable performances, and an unwavering commitment to musical exploration. Named Americana Artist of the Year at the Thomas Edison Music Awards in 2023, 2024, and again in 2026, Reese and The Carriage House Band have quickly become one of the fastest-rising roots music groups in Upstate New York. They have been performing all over the East Coast and their following is growing with every performance. Their expansive albums capture what audiences already know: no two shows are ever quite the same. In that spirit, for their 5th annual appearance on Caffe Lena’s stage (and their second year headlining two consecutive shows), night one will feature the “full band” lineup, with drums, keyboard, and saxophone, and will lean into the uptempo and gritty side of the Carriage House Band catalog, with free flowing solos and irresistible grooves. Night two will highlight the more introspective side of Reese’s songwriting, favoring smooth textures, bowed bass, and rich harmonies. With a rotating cast of talented musicians and a sound that freely draws from folk, Americana, jazz, rock, and bluegrass, the band embraces spontaneity and discovery. One moment tender and reflective, the next exuberant and unpredictable, their performances thrive in the space between genres. As NYSMusic wrote, their sound features "smart, emotionally tuned arrangements and a stage presence that balances earnestness with unpredictability." They are truly in the moment. SAMPLE SONG For longtime Caffè Lena audiences, Reese's yearly return to the stage feels a bit like welcoming family home. For first-time listeners, it's an invitation to experience a band that's redefining what modern Americana can be: joyful, adventurous, genre-fluid, and unmistakably their own. Come see why local fans return again and again. With Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band, every show is a new journey. 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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Poetry Open Mic Featuring Chris McNally
2026-10-27 19:00 - 21:00
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Chris McNally is the author of two poetry collections; Fragments of America Volume 1 and Fragments of America Volume 2 (Eye of the Falcon Press, 2016 & 2026). These poems explore personal trials, spiritual awakenings, and the search for integrity, moving from political critique to intimate reflections on love, loss, and what remains. With this second volume, he chronicles the life of the worker across a landscape of American politics that lays bare personal grief alongside a public manifesto. McNally received an MFA from New York University and worked professionally with renowned theater directors Joseph Papp, Paul Lazar, Daniel Sullivan and others. He is currently raising two sons and running a construction project management firm for fine homes. He lives outside Hudson, NY with his wife Tamara. Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive. ﻿

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Captain Fun Lunchtime Listening Hour
2026-10-30 12:00 - 13:00
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Bring your lunch & listen to a playlist curated by a Caffe Lena Community member. For the September edition of the Captain Fun Lunchtime Listening Hour, our playlist curator will be community member, Franklyn Whitney! The D.J. spinning those records will be the Rochmon himself – Chuck “Rochmon” Vosganian. All are welcome to gather at Lena’s from Noon to 1 PM on the last Friday of each month to enjoy musical memories and new discoveries. The playlist is selected by a different community member each month from the Captain Fun Listening Library of vinyl records in Lena’s lobby. Bring a brown bag lunch. Coffee and tea are provided. The Captain Fun Listening Library occupying the north wall in the Caffè Lena lobby consists of 1,516 vinyl albums and several hundred CDs selected from Al “Captain Fun” McKenney’s expertly curated collection. This treasure trove of folk, blues and jazz was left us in 2015 and we share it through our monthly listening hour, as Al wished. Enjoy the memories these records bring back, and dig deep into American roots music. If you want to create a playlist and host a session, please contact Laura Sterling or let us know when you are next at Lena’s! ﻿

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Michael Jerling
2026-10-30 20:00 - 22:00
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Michael Jerling’s bluesy country/roots songscapes cover romance, whimsy, drama, death & celebration of the mundane, through keen observation. Born and raised in Illinois, songwriter Michael Jerling became involved with music while helping to run the campus coffeehouse at the University of Wisconsin. Now settled in Saratoga Springs, Jerling has been a noted artist on the club, college and festival circuits of North America. His butterscotch baritone voice is backed up with first-rate lyrical sense, impressive musicianship, borrowing from blues, rock, country and R&B, with consummate skill on six & twelve string guitars, harmonica and mandolin, all buoyed by his dry sense of humor. A keen student of the good and ghastly in American life, Michael weaves themes like a novelist, evoking our shortcomings and dreams without yielding to cynicism or sentimentality. Often praised as a “songwriter’s songwriter” who composes in styles influenced by the wealth of American music, he has been characterized as an artist who performs extraordinary songs with the uncommon ability to deliver them to an audience with power and grace. The press raves: “Stronger than new rope … especially recommended to fans of Gorka, Greg Brown, Dave Alvin or any other real smart people who make real good music” (Icon, Iowa City). Request magazine writes “He’s got the literate humor and eclectic taste of Lyle Lovett … yet a skewed vision all his own.” And from The Boston Globe: “With a subtle but encyclopedic command of American styles and rhythms, a captivating melodic sense, and incisive, clever lyrics, he is as supple a song craftsman as any riding the folk boards today.” Jerling was a winner of the prestigious New Folk competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. His song “Long Black Wall” is included on the Smithsonian Folkways CD celebrating twenty years of Fast Folk. 2014’s Music Here Tonight was recorded live at Caffè Lena. SAMPLE SONG Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive. ﻿Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted. ﻿

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Deadgrass
2026-10-31 17:00 - 19:00
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It’s becoming a Caffè Lena Halloween tradition! Deadgrass return for their 3rd Annual Halloween shows, bringing the music of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead into the hands of five seriously accomplished bluegrass musicians. Deadgrass isn't a traditional tribute band. This string band digs deep into Jerry Garcia’s musical world, drawing from the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia Band, Old & In the Way and even Garcia’s early jug band days. Banjo, fiddle, guitar, bass and soaring vocal harmonies meet improvisation and extended jams, revealing just how naturally Garcia’s music connects back to the acoustic traditions that first inspired him. The group began when Matt Turk and C. Lanzbom joined forces more than six years ago and now features bassist Dave Richards, banjo player Scott Hopkins and fiddler Kensuke Shoji. This lineup of seasoned musicians has the chops to stretch these songs in new directions while staying connected to what made them beloved in the first place. NYS Music praised the band’s “phenomenal chops” and Garcia-inspired vocal harmonies, calling the result “refreshing and fun.” Cindy O. Herman of the Daily Item recommends them to anyone who loves the Dead and wants to hear the music interpreted by “a thoughtful and respectful group of superb musicians.” SAMPLE SONG If you know every note of “Scarlet Begonias,” this one's for you. If you came to Jerry Garcia through bluegrass and Old & In the Way, it's for you, too. And if you've never quite understood what Deadheads have been carrying on about all these years, come find out. And because it’s Halloween at Lena’s, costumes are VERY welcome. Our staff and volunteers will be getting into the spirit, too. Deadgrass + Halloween + Caffè Lena. Year three. Let's do it again. 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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