Caffè Lena

Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
2025-05-08 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Folk Global Instrumental Singer Songwriter

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Guitar Workshop Level 1 and 2 Cost $195 for all 10 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 Bruce Thompson teaches guitar workshops and private lessons at the Caffe. Bruce started playing music in elementary school, first on violin and later on guitar and dobro. Influenced by acoustic folk and bluegrass and a love for improvisation, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Composition at the Berklee College of Music and played various music styles in the Boston area for ten years. After moving to Saratoga County, NY he raised a family and made music at community, family, and school events. He currently plays in the band Uken Brew and is a fixture in the capital district bluegrass community. ﻿

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$21.69

General
$23.86

Child or Student
$11.93

inclusive of fees

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Through our after school program, children aged 7 – 14 can study fiddle, guitar, ukulele, banjo, tin whistle, mandolin, bass, percussion and more. Each session consists of 10 weekly 45 minute lessons. Teachers Oona Grady and James Gascoyne will be leading the students in an ensemble format. Ensemble instills the camaraderie that is at the center of the Folk tradition. Ensemble encourages learning to hear and listen musically, and enables students to experience the interdependence of each note and strum within the group.

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#youthclass

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Folk Club Kids
2025-05-07 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/
Stream live and free on Facebook and Youtube!
Join Dan Berggren and Drank the Gold’s Oona Grady and James Gascoyne for Folk Club Kids: a free weekly interactive concert series for preschoolers and their caregivers. Children are treated to 30 minutes of live music in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Inspire a love of music, community, and togetherness each week, learn, play, make friends and have fun!
This program is made possible by the generous support of Kevin & Claudia Bright.
#youthclass

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Doors Open: 6:30 pm

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Mandolin Vitamins - Tunes, Techniques and Ensemble Music
2025-05-05 13:00 - 14:30
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Attention Mandolin, Octave Mandolin, Mandola and Mandocello Players – The purpose of this is 4 week, in person, class is for everyone to improve their mandolin skills. Each week we will spend time on right and left hand techniques, learn some new tunes and play Mandolin Ensemble pieces. This class is intended for advanced beginner and up mandolin family players and is limited to 12 students. The class will run from 1:00 till 2:30 on May 5, 12, 19 and June 2.

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.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 6:30 pm

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Bluegrass Duets with Alan Epstein and Bruce Thompson
2025-05-05 10:00 - 12:30
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The purpose of this class is to allow acoustic musicians to work on Bluegrass Duet repertoire with a musical partner. Early groups such as the Blue Sky Boys, the Monroe Brothers, the Louvin Brothers, and the Delmore Brothers helped develop the roots of the sound that we know as bluegrass. Each week we will listen to recorded examples of these and other duet and bluegrass artists and will work on singing and playing some of their best known songs.

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

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

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Online School of Music: Gretchen Peters Songwriting Intensive
2025-05-04 14:00 - 16:00
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A two-part online songwriting intensive with Gretchen Peters
For over two decades, Gretchen Peters has been one of Nashville's most beloved and respected artists. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014 by singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell, who called her "both a songwriter and a poet,” Peters has accumulated accolades as a songwriter for artists as diverse as Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, The Neville Brothers, Patty Loveless, George Strait, Bryan Adams and Faith Hill. Her song “Independence Day” won a CMA Song of the Year award in 1995. She has been nominated for 2 Grammys, a Golden Globe, and numerous other awards.
Part One: Sundays April 27 – May 18, 2025
Part Two: Sundays June 8, 15, 22, 29, 2025
On ZOOM 2pm ET / 1pm CT / 12pm MT / 11am PT
( the two week break between is time for implementing what you learned in preparation for part two)
Each class will run approximately 2 hours. All sessions are recorded and will be made available for review within 48 hours.
One of the oldest phrases in any language is ‘tell me a story.’ Songwriting is storytelling, and telling your story in a compelling way is all about authenticity and detail. It’s about what you say, and what you don’t say. It’s about the truth, but not necessarily the facts.
In this workshop, we’ll explore the process of songwriting—the art and the craft, and the delicate balance between the two. We’ll learn how to keep a sense of creative play and when (and how) to welcome your inner critic into the room. We’ll find ways to work through “writer’s block.” We’ll learn that only through the specific do you achieve the universal—and that’s the holy grail in songwriting and all writing. We write to find out who we are, and in the process we find out we are not alone. – Gretchen
Class Description
This 2 month intensive workshop with Gretchen will be divided into two parts.
In Part One, we’ll focus on:

Writing authentically: how to build the back story for your characters
Using detail and imagery in your lyrics
Using your subconscious as your compass
How to keep your sense of creative play alive and when to “invite the editor” into the writing room
Finding and fine-tuning your melody and chords
Structure: song forms and rhyme schemes

In Part Two, you will bring your songs to play for Gretchen and the class each week, and we’ll use these feedback sessions as “teachable moments” for the whole class. This is where a lot of the lessons of the previous four weeks really sink in – seeing the concepts we’ve talked about actually put into practice. You will “graduate” with many more tools for your songwriting toolkit, including:

Focusing your song’s POV – thinking of songs filmically
How to access your subconscious during the writing process
How verse order can change everything
Why it’s better to let the song tell you “what it’s about”
How to edit your song, and what to look out for in the editing process
What to do when you’re stuck
Songwriting prompts
The care and feeding of your creative self

Bring to our first class
Pen & paper or your preferred way of taking notes
An open heart and mind
How to prepare:
In addition, please do Morning Pages for at least one week leading up to the class. Click here for a description of Morning Pages. It is ESSENTIAL that you do this exercise first thing in the morning – before coffee, before breakfast, before anything. Do not edit, cross out, analyze or otherwise “judge” your three pages – don’t think, just write. This is meant to be stream of consciousness writing – it doesn’t need to have form, rhyme, or shape. You will not be required to show your Morning Pages to the class; it’s for your eyes only

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$24.94

General
$28.20

Child or Student
$14.10

inclusive of fees

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School of Music Slow Jam
2025-05-01 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-03 13:00 - 15:00
American Roots Bluegrass

Share:

All are Welcome!
WE LOVE TO MEET NEW PICKERS,
AND WE LOVE PUTTING ON A GOOD SHOW FOR LISTENERS!

THERE ARE NO PRE-SHOW RESERVATIONS FOR THE JAMS!

SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR. $5.00 per person

Our jams are all about sharing songs, making new friends, and enjoying a relaxing and casual evening of irresistible string band music.

ALL are welcome to join the circle for an afternoon or evening playing and listening to classic grass, new grass and folk favorites. We sometimes refer to our genre as eclectic acoustic.

Red Spruce and Adirondack Song Dogs will kick off each session with a few tunes then open the floor for musicians to lead their favorite bluegrass tunes and folk music, backed up by the other pickers in the gathering. Simple tunes are always popular! So sharpen up your axe, come prepared with your song, and let us hear some good old fast, high and lonesome, some slow and low, or a good old favorite. All are welcome!

What is a Slow Jam?

It is a group of string instrument players and singers who get together to have fun making music. The “slow” modifier indicates that it is targeted to the following musicians: people who have been playing solo and want to get used to playing in a group setting: people who have just learned how to play and want to play with others; people who have instruments that have been gathering dust for a “few” years; experienced players who are trying out playing instruments other than their primary instrument; people who are comfortable playing their instrument but want to become more comfortable singing/leading a song.. The tunes are played at 80 to 110 BPM and usually in basic keys such a G, A, D, C major, but it always sounds great to play in some minor keys such as “a”, “e”, and “g”. We will try to avoid “jam busters.” It is our hope that after this experience you will feel more comfortable playing at the many open jams and open mics that can be found in our area.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$26.03

General
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Child or Student
$14.64

inclusive of fees

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
2025-05-01 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-03 09:00 - 12:00
American Roots

Share:

Guitar Workshop
Level 1 and 2
Cost $195 for all 10 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
Bruce Thompson teaches guitar workshops and private lessons at the Caffe. Bruce started playing music in elementary school, first on violin and later on guitar and dobro. Influenced by acoustic folk and bluegrass and a love for improvisation, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Composition at the Berklee College of Music and played various music styles in the Boston area for ten years. After moving to Saratoga County, NY he raised a family and made music at community, family, and school events. He currently plays in the band Uken Brew and is a fixture in the capital district bluegrass community.
﻿

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$24.94

General
$28.20

Child or Student
$14.10

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

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Caffè Lena

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event

Jul 10 • 8 PM

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event

Jul 12 • 7 PM

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Jul 19 • 7 PM

10 Week Spring After School Folk Ensembles
2025-04-30 14:30 - 17:30
American Roots Singer Songwriter

Share:

Through our after school program, children aged 7 – 14 can study fiddle, guitar, ukulele, banjo, tin whistle, mandolin, bass, percussion and more. Each session consists of 10 weekly 45 minute lessons. Teachers Oona Grady and James Gascoyne will be leading the students in an ensemble format. Ensemble instills the camaraderie that is at the center of the Folk tradition. Ensemble encourages learning to hear and listen musically, and enables students to experience the interdependence of each note and strum within the group.
Classes start 2:45pm, 3:40pm and 4:25pm.
#youthclass

Doors Open
Doors Open: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$39.04

General
$43.38

Child or Student
$21.69

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

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Caffè Lena

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Sold Out

Jun 27 • 8 PM

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Online School of Music: Gretchen Peters Songwriting Intensive
2025-04-27 14:00 - 16:00
American Roots Bluegrass

Share:

A two-part online songwriting intensive with Gretchen Peters

For over two decades, Gretchen Peters has been one of Nashville's most beloved and respected artists. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014 by singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell, who called her "both a songwriter and a poet,” Peters has accumulated accolades as a songwriter for artists as diverse as Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, The Neville Brothers, Patty Loveless, George Strait, Bryan Adams and Faith Hill. Her song “Independence Day” won a CMA Song of the Year award in 1995. She has been nominated for 2 Grammys, a Golden Globe, and numerous other awards.

Part One: Sundays April 27 – May 18, 2025

Part Two: Sundays June 8, 15, 22, 29, 2025

On ZOOM 2pm ET / 1pm CT / 12pm MT / 11am PT

( the two week break between is time for implementing what you learned in preparation for part two)

Each class will run approximately 2 hours. All sessions are recorded and will be made available for review within 48 hours.

One of the oldest phrases in any language is ‘tell me a story.’ Songwriting is storytelling, and telling your story in a compelling way is all about authenticity and detail. It’s about what you say, and what you don’t say. It’s about the truth, but not necessarily the facts.

In this workshop, we’ll explore the process of songwriting—the art and the craft, and the delicate balance between the two. We’ll learn how to keep a sense of creative play and when (and how) to welcome your inner critic into the room. We’ll find ways to work through “writer’s block.” We’ll learn that only through the specific do you achieve the universal—and that’s the holy grail in songwriting and all writing. We write to find out who we are, and in the process we find out we are not alone. – Gretchen

Class Description

This 2 month intensive workshop with Gretchen will be divided into two parts.

In Part One, we’ll focus on:

Writing authentically: how to build the back story for your characters
Using detail and imagery in your lyrics
Using your subconscious as your compass
How to keep your sense of creative play alive and when to “invite the editor” into the writing room
Finding and fine-tuning your melody and chords
Structure: song forms and rhyme schemes

In Part Two, you will bring your songs to play for Gretchen and the class each week, and we’ll use these feedback sessions as “teachable moments” for the whole class. This is where a lot of the lessons of the previous four weeks really sink in – seeing the concepts we’ve talked about actually put into practice. You will “graduate” with many more tools for your songwriting toolkit, including:

Focusing your song’s POV – thinking of songs filmically
How to access your subconscious during the writing process
How verse order can change everything
Why it’s better to let the song tell you “what it’s about”
How to edit your song, and what to look out for in the editing process
What to do when you’re stuck
Songwriting prompts
The care and feeding of your creative self

Bring to our first class

Pen & paper or your preferred way of taking notes

An open heart and mind

How to prepare:

In addition, please do Morning Pages for at least one week leading up to the class. Click here for a description of Morning Pages. It is ESSENTIAL that you do this exercise first thing in the morning – before coffee, before breakfast, before anything. Do not edit, cross out, analyze or otherwise “judge” your three pages – don’t think, just write. This is meant to be stream of consciousness writing – it doesn’t need to have form, rhyme, or shape. You will not be required to show your Morning Pages to the class; it’s for your eyes only

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$26.03

General
$29.28

Child or Student
$14.64

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

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Jul 17 • 8 PM

School of Music Slow Jam
2025-04-24 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-10 13:00 - 15:00
American Roots

Share:

All are Welcome!
WE LOVE TO MEET NEW PICKERS,
AND WE LOVE PUTTING ON A GOOD SHOW FOR LISTENERS!
THERE ARE NO PRE-SHOW RESERVATIONS FOR THE JAMS!
SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR. $5.00 per person
Our jams are all about sharing songs, making new friends, and enjoying a relaxing and casual evening of irresistible string band music.
ALL are welcome to join the circle for an afternoon or evening playing and listening to classic grass, new grass and folk favorites. We sometimes refer to our genre as eclectic acoustic.
Red Spruce and Adirondack Song Dogs will kick off each session with a few tunes then open the floor for musicians to lead their favorite bluegrass tunes and folk music, backed up by the other pickers in the gathering. Simple tunes are always popular! So sharpen up your axe, come prepared with your song, and let us hear some good old fast, high and lonesome, some slow and low, or a good old favorite. All are welcome!
What is a Slow Jam?
It is a group of string instrument players and singers who get together to have fun making music. The “slow” modifier indicates that it is targeted to the following musicians: people who have been playing solo and want to get used to playing in a group setting: people who have just learned how to play and want to play with others; people who have instruments that have been gathering dust for a “few” years; experienced players who are trying out playing instruments other than their primary instrument; people who are comfortable playing their instrument but want to become more comfortable singing/leading a song.. The tunes are played at 80 to 110 BPM and usually in basic keys such a G, A, D, C major, but it always sounds great to play in some minor keys such as “a”, “e”, and “g”. We will try to avoid “jam busters.” It is our hope that after this experience you will feel more comfortable playing at the many open jams and open mics that can be found in our area.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$24.94

General
$28.20

Child or Student
$14.10

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

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event

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Jul 19 • 7 PM

Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
2025-04-24 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-10 09:00 - 12:00
American Roots Singer Songwriter

Share:

Guitar Workshop
Level 1 and 2
Cost $195 for all 10 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
Bruce Thompson teaches guitar workshops and private lessons at the Caffe. Bruce started playing music in elementary school, first on violin and later on guitar and dobro. Influenced by acoustic folk and bluegrass and a love for improvisation, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Composition at the Berklee College of Music and played various music styles in the Boston area for ten years. After moving to Saratoga County, NY he raised a family and made music at community, family, and school events. He currently plays in the band Uken Brew and is a fixture in the capital district bluegrass community.
﻿

Doors Open
Doors Open: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$39.04

General
$43.38

Child or Student
$21.69

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

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View All

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event

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American Roots Bluegrass

event

Jul 10 • 8 PM

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2025-04-23 14:30 - 17:30, 2025-04-09 14:30 - 17:30
American Roots Bluegrass

Share:

Through our after school program, children aged 7 – 14 can study fiddle, guitar, ukulele, banjo, tin whistle, mandolin, bass, percussion and more. Each session consists of 10 weekly 45 minute lessons. Teachers Oona Grady and James Gascoyne will be leading the students in an ensemble format. Ensemble instills the camaraderie that is at the center of the Folk tradition. Ensemble encourages learning to hear and listen musically, and enables students to experience the interdependence of each note and strum within the group.

Classes start 2:45pm, 3:40pm and 4:25pm.

#youthclass

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$26.03

General
$29.28

Child or Student
$14.64

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

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Folk Club Kids
2025-04-23 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-04-09 10:30 - 11:00
American Roots

Share:

Folk Club Kids: Stories, Songs, and Sing-a-longs
Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
https://www.caffelena.org/folk-club-kids/
Stream live and free on Facebook and Youtube!
Join Dan Berggren and Drank the Gold’s Oona Grady and James Gascoyne for Folk Club Kids: a free weekly interactive concert series for preschoolers and their caregivers. Children are treated to 30 minutes of live music in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Inspire a love of music, community, and togetherness each week, learn, play, make friends and have fun!
This program is made possible by the generous support of Kevin & Claudia Bright.
#youthclass

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$24.94

General
$28.20

Child or Student
$14.10

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

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School of Music Slow Jam
2025-04-17 13:00 - 15:00
American Roots Singer Songwriter

Share:

All are Welcome!
WE LOVE TO MEET NEW PICKERS,
AND WE LOVE PUTTING ON A GOOD SHOW FOR LISTENERS!
THERE ARE NO PRE-SHOW RESERVATIONS FOR THE JAMS!
SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR. $5.00 per person
Our jams are all about sharing songs, making new friends, and enjoying a relaxing and casual evening of irresistible string band music.
ALL are welcome to join the circle for an afternoon or evening playing and listening to classic grass, new grass and folk favorites. We sometimes refer to our genre as eclectic acoustic.
Red Spruce and Adirondack Song Dogs will kick off each session with a few tunes then open the floor for musicians to lead their favorite bluegrass tunes and folk music, backed up by the other pickers in the gathering. Simple tunes are always popular! So sharpen up your axe, come prepared with your song, and let us hear some good old fast, high and lonesome, some slow and low, or a good old favorite. All are welcome!
What is a Slow Jam?
It is a group of string instrument players and singers who get together to have fun making music. The “slow” modifier indicates that it is targeted to the following musicians: people who have been playing solo and want to get used to playing in a group setting: people who have just learned how to play and want to play with others; people who have instruments that have been gathering dust for a “few” years; experienced players who are trying out playing instruments other than their primary instrument; people who are comfortable playing their instrument but want to become more comfortable singing/leading a song.. The tunes are played at 80 to 110 BPM and usually in basic keys such a G, A, D, C major, but it always sounds great to play in some minor keys such as “a”, “e”, and “g”. We will try to avoid “jam busters.” It is our hope that after this experience you will feel more comfortable playing at the many open jams and open mics that can be found in our area.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$39.04

General
$43.38

Child or Student
$21.69

inclusive of fees

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
2025-04-17 09:00 - 12:00
American Roots Bluegrass

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Guitar Workshop

Level 1 and 2

Cost $195 for all 10 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

Bruce Thompson teaches guitar workshops and private lessons at the Caffe. Bruce started playing music in elementary school, first on violin and later on guitar and dobro. Influenced by acoustic folk and bluegrass and a love for improvisation, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Composition at the Berklee College of Music and played various music styles in the Boston area for ten years. After moving to Saratoga County, NY he raised a family and made music at community, family, and school events. He currently plays in the band Uken Brew and is a fixture in the capital district bluegrass community.

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Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$26.03

General
$29.28

Child or Student
$14.64

inclusive of fees

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Bluegrass Jam
2025-04-16 19:00 - 21:00
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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!!

Doors Open
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Price

Member
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Child or Student
$14.10

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Jul 19 • 7 PM

Bluegrass Mandolin Solos with Alan Epstein
2025-04-14 11:30 - 13:00, 2025-04-07 11:30 - 13:00
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In this 6 week class we will learn how to create mandolin solos by ear for 12 bluegrass songs from the JAM Songbook. The JAM Songbook, created by Pete Wernick and Liam Purcell is used in the Junior Appalachian Musician’s after school roots music program that runs in various Southeastern states in the US. All registered students will receive a copy of the JAM songbook at the first class. Course Objectives At the end of this course, students will be able to: • Pick out the melody based break on a Bluegrass song by ear. • Begin to understand how to ornament a melody based break on a Bluegrass song. • Gain confidence playing in a bluegrass jam session. • Gain knowledge of the mandolin fretboard.
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 and currently living in Glens falls, NY. Alan has preformed in bluegrass bands in Colorado, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York. A former contributing writer for the now defunct Mandolin Magazine, in 2002 Alan was the founder of the modern day Pittsburgh Mandolin Orchestra and has been a Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam instructor since 2012. During all this time he has made it a priority to take mandolin lessons and workshops from the top players in the world and share what he has learned when he teach others to play. Alan teaches by ear and specialize in Bluegrass and Old Time music. In Alan’s own words, “IMHO the world needs more mandolin players and I'm here to help make that happen”.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$39.04

General
$43.38

Child or Student
$21.69

inclusive of fees

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So You Want to Play Mandolin with Alan Epstein
2025-04-14 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-04-07 10:00 - 11:30
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This class is designed for the beginner; those folks who are interested in playing the mandolin but don't know where to start. We will cover the basics of holding, tuning and playing your first notes and chords on the mandolin, left and right hand technique and also learn to play a few songs. My goal is to get you started and provide you with the skills needed to play this great little instrument going forward. We will take things slowly, with a focus on producing clear tone, developing muscle memory in your fingers and most importantly having fun. Each week we will review all the things we’ve covered in previous classes. We will learn mostly by ear, but a few handouts will be provided. The only prerequisite is that you have a mandolin, a few picks, an extra set of mandolin strings, an electronic tuner and, most importantly, a desire to play the mandolin. Class size is limited to 10 so reserve your spot now!

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 and currently living in Glens falls, NY. Alan has preformed in bluegrass bands in Colorado, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York. A former contributing writer for the now defunct Mandolin Magazine, in 2002 Alan was the founder of the modern day Pittsburgh Mandolin Orchestra and has been a Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam instructor since 2012. During all this time he has made it a priority to take mandolin lessons and workshops from the top players in the world and share what he has learned when he teach others to play. Alan teaches by ear and specializes in Bluegrass and Old Time music. In Alan’s own words, “IMHO the world needs more mandolin players and I'm here to help make that happen”.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$26.03

General
$29.28

Child or Student
$14.64

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

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Playwright's Jam
2025-04-06 13:30 - 16:00
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Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$24.94

General
$28.20

Child or Student
$14.10

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

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Songwriting Club with Rachel Sumner
2025-04-06 10:00 - 12:00
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Hear a seasoned songwriters perspective / process
Discuss songwriting tips and strategies
Work on a prompt
With hosts Reese Fulmer and Girl Blue

Doors Open
Doors Open: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$39.04

General
$43.38

Child or Student
$21.69

inclusive of fees

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