Mandolin Vitamins - Tunes, Techniques and Ensemble Music
2026-03-30 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass

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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 12:00. March 30th, June 6 and 13th 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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Open Mic
2026-03-30 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-06 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional 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

Price

General
$195.00

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Skidmore Jazz Ensembles Community Concert
2026-03-31 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Enjoy an evening of dynamic jazz as the Skidmore Jazz Combos take the stage! The event features multiple ensembles, each presenting an engaging program of jazz standards and contemporary works.

﻿This free community concert offers Saratoga audiences an opportunity to experience the creativity and dedication at the heart of Skidmore College’s renowned Music Department.

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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Folk Club Kids
2026-04-01 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-04-08 10:30 - 11:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Folk Club Kids: Stories, Songs, and Sing-a-longs

Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

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

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

This program is made possible by Andy and Bill Spence.

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After School Folk Ensemble with James Gascoyne and Oona Grady
2026-04-01 14:30 - 17:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne

17 weeks starting January 28th

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. At the end of the final class of the session there will be a recital/sharing session for family and friends (with Lena's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies, of course!).

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!

Session 3 Dates: Jan 28 – Jun 3 (17 weeks) [off 2/18, 4/8]

(Summer day camps are offered as well – 2026 details TBA)

End of session recitals are on the final day of class: 6/3 from 5:30-6pm

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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2026-04-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Wednesday Night with Caffè Lena School of Music –

March 11, 25 and April 1, 8. 7pm – 8pm

$120

This course covers the basics of music theory for those who play music regularly but have limited or no knowledge of music theory. A basic understanding of music theory can help musicians at all levels learn faster, be more creative and communicate better with other musicians. Each week we will discuss a different aspect of music theory (i.e. rhythm, melody and harmony) and real world examples of how these concepts are applied.

Experience level: All levels

Instructor: Bruce Thompson

Topics:

Rhythm Concepts

Intervals

Major and Minor Scales

Chords & Chord Progressions (Constructions and types)

Notation and Musical forms

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2026-04-02 09:00 - 12:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Cost $195 for all 10 sessions. Drop ins $25/per session if space allows

10 Thursdays starting April 2

Click a time below to sign up:

Beginner 9:15 am – 10:10 am

Intermediate 10:15 am – 11:10 am

Intermediate / Advanced 11:15 am – 12:10 pm

Not sure what class might work best for you email: matt@caffelena.org

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School of Music Slow Jam
2026-04-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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

This weekly program is made possible by the generous support of PHLY Foundation!

THERE ARE NO PRE-SHOW RESERVATIONS FOR THE JAMS!

SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR. $5.00 per person

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

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

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

What is a Slow Jam?

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

﻿

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Nordlys Global Voices: Alash
2026-04-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Alash are masters of Tuvan throat singing (xöömei), a remarkable technique for singing multiple pitches at the same time. What distinguishes this gifted trio from earlier generations of Tuvan throat singers is the subtle infusion of modern influences into their traditional music. One can find complex harmonies, western instruments, and contemporary song forms in Alash’s music, but its overall sound and spirit remain decidedly Tuvan. They are also masters of traditional Tuvan instruments.

Trained in traditional Tuvan music since childhood, the Alash musicians studied at Kyzyl Arts College just as Tuva was beginning to open up to the West. They formed a traditional ensemble and won multiple awards for traditional throat singing in international xöömei competitions, both as an ensemble and as individuals.

Alash first toured the U.S. under the sponsorship of the Open World Leadership program of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Arts. Since then they have returned many times, to the delight of American audiences. The Washington Post described their music as “utterly stunning,” quipping that after the performance “audience members picked their jaws up off the floor.”

Alash enjoys collaborating with musicians of all stripes. Since their early partnership with the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra, they have joined forces with musicians across the spectrum—from country to classical to jazz to beatboxing. Alash appeared as guest artists on Béla Fleck & the Flecktones’ Grammy-winning holiday CD Jingle All the Way (2008). They joined Chicago’s innovative Fifth House Ensemble in a groundbreaking concert series called Sonic Meditations, and later were part of a "global jam band" which recorded the soundtrack for the video game The Pathless. Most recently, Bady-Dorzhu Ondar teamed up with beatboxer Shodekeh in a live recording of original Tuvan songs filtered through the creative artistry of hip hop musicians.

SAMPLE SONG

Beyond performing, Alash has a passion for teaching and promoting understanding between cultures. Their tours often include workshops in which they introduce Tuvan music to students in primary, middle and high schools, colleges, universities, and music conservatories. Children as young as 8 and 9 have learned to throat-sing. One inspired student exclaimed, “Alash opened my eyes to a whole new world!”

Made possible by The Nordlys Foundation.

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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Ladysmith Black Mambazo
2026-04-03 17:00 - 19:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Ladysmith Black Mambazo, South Africa's Grammy award-winning choral group melds indigenous Zulu songs and dances with South African isicathamiya. Considered to be an inspiring cultural force by Nelson Mandela, Black Mambazo was first introduced to the world via Paul Simon's Graceland. Since then, they've sold millions of albums worldwide, collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, and Emmylou Harris, and performed for the Queen of England and Pope John Paul II. It is a tremendous honor and joy to give our audience this rare opportunity to see this ensemble in such an intimate setting!

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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Ladysmith Black Mambazo
2026-04-03 20:00 - 22:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Ladysmith Black Mambazo, South Africa's Grammy award-winning choral group melds indigenous Zulu songs and dances with South African isicathamiya. Considered to be an inspiring cultural force by Nelson Mandela, Black Mambazo was first introduced to the world via Paul Simon's Graceland. Since then, they've sold millions of albums worldwide, collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, and Emmylou Harris, and performed for the Queen of England and Pope John Paul II. It is a tremendous honor and joy to give our audience this rare opportunity to see this ensemble in such an intimate setting!

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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Apr 9 • 9 AM

Little Folks: City Birds
2026-04-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Joyful songs. Big harmonies. Music for kids — and the grownups who love them.

What happens when two seasoned touring musicians with over 20 years of songwriting experience join forces to create music for families? You get City Birds — a vibrant, heart-filled children’s duo bringing fresh energy to the world of Americana and folk-inspired music for young listeners.

Created by celebrated artists Tamar Eisenman and Sagit Shir, City Birds is a bold musical project that honors childhood wonder while embracing the beautifully diverse ways families come together. With rich harmonies, playful storytelling, humor, and emotional depth, their debut album offers songs children can grow up with — and parents will genuinely enjoy hearing again and again.

Favorites like “Sing with Me,” “Rainbow,” “Raven,” and “The Family Song” invite participation while celebrating inclusion, belonging, and connection. As The Georgia Straight notes, “The Family Song” thoughtfully highlights many kinds of families — from single caregivers to grandparents to households with two moms or two dads — helping children see themselves reflected while nurturing empathy and understanding.

City Birds’ mission is simple and beautiful:

To weave a musical tapestry that sparks imagination in children while resonating deeply with parents and siblings — creating stories where every child can find comfort, joy, and inclusion.

Both artists bring remarkable musical backgrounds to the stage:

Sagit Shir, co-founder of the indie rock duo Hank & Cupcakes, earned recognition from MTV, Vogue, the New York Post, and Rolling Stone. Today she shares her passion through songwriting and early childhood music education while raising her two daughters.

Tamar Eisenman, an Emmy-nominated musician known for her electrifying guitar work and genre-blending “Hip-Rock” style, has toured internationally and collaborates with innovative artists including Kaki King. Her music bridges rock, folk, and global influences with warmth and authenticity.

Together, they create a live experience that is interactive, welcoming, and full of heart — perfect for little ones and the grownups who sing along with them.

SAMPLE SONG

Bring the family, clap along, and discover music that celebrates every story.

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.

Helpful for parents

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

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

﻿

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Bright Series: Olive Klug
2026-04-04 20:00 - 22:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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While it’s been only a short time since Olive Klug fully embraced the nontraditional life of a touring, van-dwelling musician, they’ve already emerged as one of the most compelling storytellers in contemporary folk.

Klug’s sophomore album, Lost Dog, is a fearless and deeply personal exploration of love, loss, freedom, and what it means to keep choosing adventure—even when the road leads through uncertainty. With fingerpicked guitar, warm vocals, and vivid lyrical imagery, Klug writes with striking emotional honesty, addressing everything from unrequited love and modern breakups to neurodivergence, identity, and the quiet loneliness that can accompany independence.

Across the album, listeners are invited into Klug’s inner world: the joy and confidence of “What to Make of Me,” the wry self-awareness of “Cold War,” the wordy, whimsical chaos of “Train of Thought,” and the fast-paced folk-punk release of “Opposite Action.” The title track, “Lost Dog,” slows things down, reflecting on the tension between freedom and stability—watching peers settle into more traditional lives while continuing to wander a different path.

At the heart of Olive Klug’s music is connection. Their songs resonate because they tell the truth—about being young, about aging differently, about longing, resilience, and the beauty of fleeting moments. That connection comes fully alive in performance, where audience voices often join in, turning songs into shared experiences.

Produced by Isaiah Beard (Jobi Riccio) and recorded in Nashville, Lost Dog has quickly become a standout release—and hearing these songs live is something special.

SAMPLE SONG

Join us for an intimate evening with an artist whose music feels like a conversation, a confession, and a warm hand on your shoulder all at once.

﻿﻿The Bright Series is made possible by a generous gift from Kevin & Claudia Bright.

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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Playwright's Jam
2026-04-05 13:30 - 16:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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

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

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

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

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

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

Playwrights should bring a highlighted script for each of their actors and one extra for stage directions
Bring a short scene (7-8 minutes). Cast your actors from the audience, including your fellow playwrights. Give them brief directions and then put them on stage to read your script. We’ll go around the room after the reading and let everyone give a “popcorn” reaction (one word!).
Each meeting will include 6 or 7 scenes selected at random from those submitted. After the readings we’ll have time to hang out and get acquainted.
This event will be co-hosted by Michael Wells-Oakes and Vivian Nesbitt
Playwright Nice! We foster a diverse community that has a great time making art and helping one another get better. Excessive profanity, explicit sexual themes and “humor” that unkindly targets a specific group undermines this goal. It is up to the discretion of the host to enforce the house standards.

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Mandolin Vitamins - Tunes, Techniques and Ensemble Music
2026-04-06 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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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 12:00. March 30th, June 6 and 13th

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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Apr 9 • 9 AM

Storytelling Open Mic Featuring Kelvin Keraga
2026-04-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Kelvin Keraga is an actor, storyteller and writer living in Greenwich, New York. For the last fifteen years he has produced Whispering Bones, an evening of ghost stories, which he performs along with a talented cast of local storytellers. (whisperingbones.com.). The show will be touring local venues again this October with a new mix of stories. Favorite acting roles include Bruce in Marie and Bruce, Charlie in Alaska Fire, Basil in The Diviners, and the Fool in King Lear. He helped rescue Erica’s baby on All My Children (who unfortunately grew up to be a rather difficult son) and was murdered in the subway in a low-budget horror movie, Underground Terror. He has performed as a storyteller in a variety of local venues, as well as the National Storytelling Network. He is author of two plays: The Stone Angel, performed at the Capital Region Festival last year, and Echoes, which was performed at Hubbard Hall. His story, “A Light Snow Falling” was a finalist in the Tiferet Journal Fiction Writing Contest. He is currently compiling his stories for publication.

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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Music Theory for Jammers with Bruce Thompson
2026-04-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Wednesday Night with Caffè Lena School of Music –

March 11, 25 and April 1, 8. 7pm – 8pm

$120

This course covers the basics of music theory for those who play music regularly but have limited or no knowledge of music theory. A basic understanding of music theory can help musicians at all levels learn faster, be more creative and communicate better with other musicians. Each week we will discuss a different aspect of music theory (i.e. rhythm, melody and harmony) and real world examples of how these concepts are applied.

Experience level: All levels

Instructor: Bruce Thompson

Topics:

Rhythm Concepts

Intervals

Major and Minor Scales

Chords & Chord Progressions (Constructions and types)

Notation and Musical forms

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
2026-04-09 09:00 - 12:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Cost $195 for all 10 sessions. Drop ins $25/per session if space allows

10 Thursdays starting April 2

Click a time below to sign up:

Beginner 9:15 am – 10:10 am

Intermediate 10:15 am – 11:10 am

Intermediate / Advanced 11:15 am – 12:10 pm

Not sure what class might work best for you email: matt@caffelena.org

Price

General
$195.00

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School of Music Slow Jam

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Apr 9 • 1 PM

School of Music Slow Jam
2026-04-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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

This weekly program is made possible by the generous support of PHLY Foundation!

THERE ARE NO PRE-SHOW RESERVATIONS FOR THE JAMS!

SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR. $5.00 per person

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

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

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

What is a Slow Jam?

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

﻿

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Apr 9 • 9 AM

Momentum Series: Ellen Pieroni & The Encyclopedia of Soul
2026-04-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Ellen Pieroni is a soul jazz saxophone player and multi-instrumentalist from Buffalo, NY. She has been playing the saxophone since she was 8 years old, and has been a side woman in a multitude of bands (including Folkfaces and Buffalo Afrobeat Orchestra) for over a decade.

Pieroni’s smooth-infused soul jazz band Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul, or EoS, was featured on NPR’s All Things Considered as one of three “jazz stand outs” for the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest, where Felix Contreras said that “soul jazz is alive and well with…Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul.” Although the group is inspired by artists such as Grover Washington Jr., King Curtis, and the Crusaders, EoS puts an emphasis on new original music. The sound is driven by Pieroni’s captivating and soulful melodies, supported by thoughtful improvisation from all members over deep pocket grooves.

“When [Ellen] takes her solo, it really warms my heart because I hear the same soulfulness of Cannonball, or any of the sax players who played with Ray Charles back in the 50s, or the more contemporary alto saxophonist David Sanborn.”

– Felix Contreras, NPR’s All Things Considered

The band features Adam Bronstein (guitar), Isaiah Gethers (drums), Jacob Nicholson (keys), and Dominic Missana (bass).

SAMPLE SONG

This show is part of our Momentum Series, ﻿made possible by the generous support of Joseph & Luann Conlon, in honor of Thom O'Neil.

﻿This series features high energy music–solo or band. These are typically more shows that infuse the room with crackling energy rather than featuring solo acoustic performers.

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

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

﻿

Price

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Music With Miss Deb
2026-04-10 09:30 - 10:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Experience this interactive and fun exploration of music with Miss Deb! Birth – 4 years old

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!

#youthclass

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Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini
2026-04-10 20:00 - 22:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Describing Natalie Cressman and Ian Faquini as a duo is accurate—but incomplete. Together, they create a richly expressive musical world that blends jazz, Brazilian song, impressionistic harmony, and sophisticated pop songwriting into something truly singular.

Cressman is a world class trombonist and vocalist whose career began early. At eighteen, she moved to New York City to attend the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Luis Bonilla, Garry Dial, Laurie Frink, and Wycliffe Gordon.

In 2010, she was recruited by Trey Anastasio for his touring band, he called her “the rarest of musicians.”

She has since performed with artists and ensembles spanning jazz, rock, and funk, including Carlos Santana, Phish, Nicholas Payton, Phil Lesh, Oteil Burbridge, Big Gigantic, The Motet, Dumpstaphunk, Lettuce, and Umphrey’s McGee, and has appeared at venues such as the Apollo Theater.

Faquini, a composer, guitarist, and singer from Brasília, draws deeply from the Brazilian songbook and MPB (popular Brazilian music) tradition, informed by jazz and classical influences. A protégé of Guinga, he is known for his exquisite harmonic sense and lyrical guitar work. Together, Cressman and Faquini perform original material in Portuguese, French, and English, featuring luminous two part vocal harmonies that feel far larger than a duo while remaining intimate and deeply connected.

Their latest album, Revolução, released on GroundUP Music, captures the closeness and emotional clarity of their live performances, reflecting on love, loss, and the small rituals that shape everyday life.

SAMPLE SONG

Caffè Lena is proud to welcome this extraordinary partnership for an evening of beautifully crafted songs, deep listening, and musical connection.

Stream this show live at CaffeLenaTV. 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
2026-04-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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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Folk Heritage Series: Jay Ungar & Molly Mason
2026-04-11 20:00 - 22:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Their story began with a chance meeting in the late 1970s at the Towne Crier, where two musicians—each traveling a very different path—recognized something rare in one another. What followed became one of the most enduring and celebrated partnerships in American acoustic music.

He was a Bronx kid, shaped by ’40s and ’50s pop and traditional music found in Greenwich Village and the back roads of the South. She grew up in Washington State, drawn to fiddle traditions, Swing Era jazz, and classic American songs. Together, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason forged a sound that is warm, lyrical, deeply rooted, and unmistakably their own.

In the early 1980s, their collaboration expanded into the influential band Fiddle Fever, whose recordings are now considered classics. Around the same time, Jay founded the Ashokan Music & Dance Camps, now a world-renowned gathering place for traditional music and dance—programs that Molly would later help shape and lead.

A pivotal moment came when filmmaker Ken Burns discovered Jay’s composition Ashokan Farewell, which became the iconic theme of The Civil War. The piece earned an Emmy nomination for Jay, helped the soundtrack win a Grammy, and has since become an American folk classic—performed around the world by musicians across genres.

Beyond that singular work, Jay & Molly’s music spans romantic fiddle tunes, film scores, Stephen Foster songs, and dance music drawing from Appalachian, Scandinavian, Celtic, Klezmer, swing, and blues traditions. Their performances—heard everywhere from A Prairie Home Companion to concert halls worldwide—are intimate, masterful, and deeply human.

SAMPLE SONG

To hear Jay Ungar & Molly Mason live is to experience American music as a living, breathing tradition—shared with grace, humility, and joy.

Stream this show live at. 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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ONLINE: Songwriting Intensive with Gretchen Peters
2026-04-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Online, Streaming On Zoom
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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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 March 1 – 22, 2025

Part Two: Sundays April 12 – May 3, 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

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Matt Griffin Album Release with opener Jimi Woodul
2026-04-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Griff is a project led by Matt Griffin that weaves together the porous edges of DIY indie, folk, country, jazz, and improvised music into a single, searching practice. Rooted in collaboration and experimentation the project treats genre as a shared language, one shaped as much by process and place as by sound.

The self-released album Effortless Motion was recorded at home using a hybrid of digital and analog, resulting in recordings that feel intimate without leaning fully into lo-fi aesthetics or over-polished pop. The project lingers on the texture of everyday life in the United States: work, aging, restlessness, the slow effort of moving forward and the uplifting joy of being a new father.

Based in Saratoga, Griffin performs in many area bands, including Blue Ranger, Armbruster, Russel the Leaf, and The Millstone Rounders, and continues to situate Griff within a deeply local, community-driven music ecology.

Matt continues to practice out of a home studio and works as the Director of Caffè Lena’s School of Music, facilitating programs for all ages and abilities, fostering a vibrant community of music lovers.

Jimi Woodl is in his own words, “a singer songwriter who's profound lyricism, dynamic guitar playing and smooth soulful voice make him one of the most exciting internationally ignored musicians of all time. Combining influences from James Taylor and John Prine to craft songs that are so good you'll ask yourself, who the f@%* is this guy and why have I never heard of him?” and it is true! He’s played with and produced albums by Kate McConnell, Girl Blue and a slew of other artists.

Other projects include his bands One Red Martian and The Blind Pilots (both with his brothers Dan and Joe and childhood friend Daniel DeKalb) and Dark Honey. Their sound was indie/alternative vibes and atmospheric vocals reminiscent of Wolf Alice, Big Thief and Waxahatchee. Jimi’s lyrics are introspective, poetic, and sometimes sadly ruminating, but they’re also sweet, complementing his tender and raw vocals.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on

CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.

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

﻿

Price

General
$195.00

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