Bluegrass Duet Class with Alan Epstein and Bruce Thompson
2025-11-17 11:30 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Family Folk

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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.

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Nov 13 • 10 AM

Open Mic
2025-11-17 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-24 19:00 - 21:00
Folk Instructional Workshop

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OPEN MIC NIGHT
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.
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.
Full table service (see menu). 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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Price

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$195.00

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Rochmon Record Club Listening Party: Paul Simon's "There Goes Rhymin' Simon"
2025-11-18 19:00 - 21:00
Bluegrass Folk Instructional Workshop

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On Tuesday, November 18, Rochmon Record Club will converge at Caffe’ Lena 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, to listen to, and learn about Paul Simon’s third solo album – “There Goes Rhymin’ Simon”. Doors open at 6:30, and the show begins at 7 pm with a live audio & video presentation by Chuck Vosganian aka “Rochmon”.

Paul Simon. Damn. What an awesome example of a serious songwriter and musician. Problematic for the people around him, Paul’s definition of perfection never wavered. We, the fans benefit, “There Goes Rhymin’ Simon” is a great listen from beginning to end as Paul and the very best jazz and rock musicians in the world, lay down tracks with epic grooves. Songs include “Kodachrome”, “Take Me to the Mardi Gras”, “American Tune”, “Loves Me Like a Rock” and 6 more. As always Rochmon will have some surprises in store! For Rochmaniacs at a distance, Rochmon Record Club will also be streaming live on Caffe’ Lena TV. Streaming tickets at caffelena.tv Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

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A Rochmon Record Club Listening Party is meant to inform and deepen our understanding of the history of the individual performers, songs, and stories that went into the making of this classic album. By listening together, we hear the music again for the first time. Rochmon Record Club takes place on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at Caffe’ Lena in Saratoga Springs.

﻿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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Folk Club Kids
2025-11-19 10:30 - 11:00
Folk 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/

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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$195.00

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7 week After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2025-11-19 14:30 - 17:30
Bluegrass Folk Instructional Workshop

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After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne

This is a special 7 week session of the After School Folk Ensemble!

11/19 – 1/21 (excluding 11/26, 12/24 and 12/31)

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 focussed 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

2025-2026 School Year Schedule:

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 1 Dates: Sept 10 – Nov 12 (10 weeks)

Session 2 Dates: Nov 19 – Jan 21 (7 weeks) [off 11/26, 12/24, 12/31]

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: 11/12, 1/21, 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.

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Bluegrass Jam
2025-11-19 19:00 - 21:00
Folk Instructional Workshop

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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!!

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School of Music Slow Jam
2025-11-20 13:00 - 15:00
Bluegrass Folk 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!

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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Peter Mulvey
2025-11-20 19:00 - 21:00
Folk Instructional Workshop

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Peter Mulvey has spent more than three decades carving out a singular place in the American folk landscape—as a songwriter, storyteller, and tireless traveler whose work brims with curiosity and heart. What began in 1989 with a year of busking on the streets of Dublin and hitchhiking to whatever gig he could find has grown into a remarkable career spanning 20 albums, thousands of performances, and collaborations with some of folk’s most respected voices.

From his early days in Midwest bars and Boston coffeehouses to national stages opening for Ani DiFranco, Emmylou Harris, Greg Brown, and Chuck Prophet, Mulvey has always followed his instinct for the eclectic and the essential. Along the way, he has given a TEDx talk, published an illustrated book, and become a beloved fixture at festivals, on NPR, and at the National Youth Science Camp, where he’s shared music with generations of young minds.

Mulvey’s annual autumn bicycle tour epitomizes his creative spirit—merging music, community, and sustainability—while his long-running Lamplighter Sessions bring together artists in Boston and Wisconsin for nights of collaboration and discovery. With each new project, he deepens his reputation as a songwriter of rare insight and a performer who connects instantly with audiences.

SAMPLE SONG

At Caffè Lena, expect an evening of songs and stories that travel effortlessly from wry and whimsical to deeply moving—always carried by Mulvey’s warmth, wit, and remarkable craft.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

﻿

﻿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
2025-11-21 09:30 - 10:30
Bluegrass Folk Instructional Workshop

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

Sign up HERE

9:45am – 10:30am $125 9/19 – 11/21

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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Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem
2025-11-21 20:00 - 22:00
Folk Instructional Workshop

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For over 25 years, Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem have uplifted audiences across the country with their joyful, genre-blurring blend of American roots music. With rafter-shaking harmonies, grooves that nod to New Orleans, and an inventive mix of fiddle, guitars, and “junk percussion,” their sound is both soulful and celebratory—what Acoustic Guitar calls “tight, with stylish, unexpected choices.”

Based in New England, this quartet has graced stages from the Newport Folk Festival to the California World Music Festival and beyond. At the helm, Rani Arbo brings her unforgettable voice—light and sultry with a touch of smoke—while anchoring the band with fiddle and guitar. Alongside her are Andrew Kinsey (bass, banjo, ukulele), Anand Nayak (electric and acoustic guitars), and Scott Kessel, whose homemade percussion kit of boxes, cans, and rattles creates an irresistible rhythmic drive. Together, their harmonies can hush a room or bring it to its feet.

In the lineage of great American string bands, Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem stand out for their fearless eclecticism. From bluegrass barnstormers to bluesy folk-rock, gospel to sultry swing, originals sit seamlessly beside reimagined songs by Hank Williams, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen, and the Georgia Sea Islands tradition.

As The Hartford Courant wrote: “They dig deep into their collective souls, finding joy in the moment, peace in the harmonies, and rapture in the rhythmic drive.”

SAMPLE SONG

Expect an evening of music that will leave you humming, hopeful, and reminded of the joy found in community and song.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

﻿﻿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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Guitar Workshop with Ron Gordon: Fingerstyle Guitar
2025-11-22 13:00 - 15:00
Bluegrass Folk Instructional Workshop

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Join Ron Gordon for a deep dive into fingerstyle guitar, exploring the flowing patterns of Mississippi John Hurt and the driving syncopation of Merle Travis. This workshop will teach you the fundamentals of Travis picking and classic fingerpicking techniques that bring American roots music to life.

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Annie & The Hedonists
2025-11-22 20:00 - 22:00
Folk Instructional Workshop

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Beloved by Caffè Lena audiences, Annie & the Hedonists light up the stage with their spirited blend of vintage jazz, swing, blues, and roots Americana. With Annie Rosen’s captivating vocals leading the way, the Hedonists channel the soul of the great female blues artists of the 1920s–40s—Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Memphis Minnie, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ella Fitzgerald, and more—while adding their own joyful stamp.

This Saratoga-based band has become a regional treasure, winning Capital Region Thomas Edison Blues Artist of the Year(2020 & 2025) and delighting audiences at festivals and concert halls across the Northeast and beyond. Each member brings deep artistry and versatility:

Annie Rosen – Lead vocals
Jonny Rosen – Guitar, vocals
Peter Davis – Clarinet, tenor guitar, piano, vocals
Don Young – Upright bass, vocals
Jerry Marotta – Drums & percussion (Peter Gabriel, Indigo Girls)

Whether they’re reimagining jazz age classics, dipping into western swing, or weaving rootsy folk and Americana, Annie & the Hedonists create performances filled with warmth, groove, and timeless style. Their music has been described as “a sly, groovy throwback to the Jazz Age” (Sarah Craig, Caffè Lena) and “an intoxicating listen” (Joel Moss, 7-time Grammy winner).

SAMPLE SONG

Come experience a night of toe-tapping rhythms, soulful storytelling, and musical camaraderie from a band that knows how to make every note feel like a celebration.

Can't make the show in person? Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

﻿

﻿﻿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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65th Anniversary Folk Heritage Series: Lucy Kaplansky
2025-11-23 19:00 - 21:00
Bluegrass Folk Instructional Workshop

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Lucy Kaplansky is an acclaimed singer-songwriter of rare talent, “a truly gifted performer with a bag full of enchanting songs” (The New Yorker) and “the troubadour laureate of modern city folk” (The Boston Globe). She has released nine critically acclaimed albums, two of which were awarded Best Pop Album of the year by the Association for Independent Music. But where she shines brightest is on the live stage.

Maybe it's her background as a clinical psychologist, because there's nobody who helps us unwind, let our guard down, and open our hearts like Lucy Kaplansky. She makes every audience feel like a circle of old friends catching up and reconnecting. Kaplansky is also part of folk supergroup Cry Cry Cry with Dar Williams and Richard Shindell.

Her recording of Roxy Music’s “More Than This” has over 12 million streams on Spotify, and she has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, and Morning Edition as well as BBC Radio, and CBS Sunday Morning, and has sung harmony on albums by Suzanne Vega, Bryan Ferry, Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin.

Her latest release, The Lucy Story (2025), is a retrospective of unreleased tracks, demos, and live recordings spanning her remarkable journey—from teenage bedroom tapes to international tours and studio collaborations with some of folk music’s finest. NPR’s Scott Simon has called her music “utterly beautiful and affecting,” a fitting tribute to an artist whose songs capture the human experience with honesty, warmth, and grace.

SAMPLE SONG

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

﻿

﻿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
2025-11-24 10:00 - 11:00
Folk Instructional Workshop

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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 10:00 till 11:15 on November 3, 10, 17 24.

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 and Bruce Thompson
2025-11-24 11:30 - 14:00
Bluegrass Folk Instructional Workshop

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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.

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Devan Tracy Album Release 2025
2025-11-25 19:00 - 21:00
Bluegrass Folk Instructional Workshop

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Devan Tracy is a singer-songwriter whose music blends acoustic folk and pop influences. Originally from Saratoga Springs, NY, her musical journey spans over two decades and began with classical piano. Since then, she has explored a wide range of styles and instruments, including classical percussion, jazz drum set, hand drumming, and marching tenor drums. Her songwriting features rich vocal harmonies layered with keyboard, ukulele, and guitar. Devan has recently performed with the Washington, D.C.-based alternative hip-hop band allthebestkids and the Dartmouth College Gospel Choir. She will showcase her latest album, “Human Doing”, at Caffe Lena, joined by her brother Shane Tracy and other local musicians.

Can't make the show in person? Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

﻿

﻿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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Lena Go Round-Songwriters Showcase Hosted by Erin Harkes
2025-11-26 19:30 - 21:30
Folk Instructional Workshop

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For 65 years, Caffè Lena has been a place where great artists get their start—a stage where music is more than just sound; it’s stories, community, and discovery. The Lena Go Round continues that tradition, offering a monthly showcase of rising songwriting talent, curated and hosted by powerhouse musician, comedian, entrepreneur, and all around powerhouse, Erin Harkes.

What makes Lena Go Round special?

It is a curated lineup of the best up-and-coming songwriters—handpicked to deliver unforgettable performances
It is a true “in the round” experience—where songwriters take turns sharing their music and stories, creating an intimate and inspiring atmosphere
It is a direct link to Caffè Lena’s legacy—this stage launched careers, and Lena Go Round continues to nurture the next generation of folk, Americana, and indie artists

The lineup changes every month, but one thing is constant: you will always hear something fresh, moving, and unforgettable. Whether you're a lifelong folk fan or just love discovering the next big thing, Lena Go Round is the place to be. Come be part of a Capital District must-see event, where the best of the best take the stage before the world catches on.

SAMPLE SONG

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Live stream 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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CLOSED
2025-11-27 00:00 - 02:00
Bluegrass Folk Instructional Workshop

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Overit Home Grown Sessions: The Millstone Rounders
2025-11-28 20:00 - 22:00
Folk Instructional Workshop

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The Millstone Rounders play and sing classic country, bluegrass, blues, and more in timeless style – completely acoustic around a single mic. Easy on the ears, food for the soul!

James Gascoyne and Oona Grady have been collaborating with like minded friends playing folk styles and acoustic genres since the early days of their duo, Drank The Gold. Growing out of their desire to expand their sound beyond Irish and old time roots music, they began playing classic country, bluegrass, and blues with fellow instructor at the Caffe Lena School of Music, Matt Griffin (of the well known groups Blue Ranger and Let’s Be Leonard). This performance at Caffe Lena will feature Scott Hopkins (The McKrells, The Upstate Bluegrass Band, and renowned Wernick Method instructor) on banjo and Dylan Perrillo (Dylan Perrillo Orchestra and The Hot Club of Saratoga) on bass.

The sound that The Millstone Rounders seek to create harkens back to a not-so-distant musical past where musicians played acoustically, standing close to one another balancing their voices and instruments using their ears and technique. Until the widespread use of amplification, this would have been the norm everywhere. Furthermore, prior to the advent of the recording industry the idea of musical genres was much less of a thing than it is today. When groups of performers from different regions got together it was truly an event. Because music wasn’t widely disseminated through recordings or the internet, folks from divergent backgrounds would bring together songs and tunes from a wide variety of traditions. Perhaps a gospel hymn might be followed by an old English ballad, a jug band breakdown, an Irish pub song, some country blues, and then a rollicking Scottish fiddle tune.

The Millstone Rounders were born in 2017 at a recording session with Chris Carey (Millstone Studios), when gathered around a single microphone, James exclaimed, “Hey, we’re The Millstone Rounders!”

SAMPLE SONG

Everything good comes back ‘round again and again!

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy one week of access with your live stream ticket.

﻿Overit Home Grown Sessions is made possible by a generous gift from Overit – a full-service marketing and creative agency based in Upstate New York.

﻿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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Nov 13 • 11 AM

Peak Jazz Series: Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo
2025-11-29 20:00 - 22:00
Bluegrass Folk Instructional Workshop

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Two world-class guitarists—one unforgettable night.

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

SAMPLE SONG Frank Vignola

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

SAMPLE SONG Vinny Raniolo

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

Don’t miss this Peak Jazz Series evening at Caffè Lena, where two master musicians transform six strings into pure magic.

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

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Live stream 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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Nov 13 • 10 AM

“A Joyful Noise!” Gospel Dinner with Soulist Garland Nelson & Friends
2025-11-30 17:00 - 19:00
Folk Instructional Workshop

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A Joyful Noise! Gospel Dinner with Soulist Garland Nelson & Friends is more than a concert—it’s a full-sensory celebration of community, comfort, and spirit. This one-of-a-kind evening blends the rich, uplifting power of live gospel music with a lovingly prepared Caribbean dinner by Vashti's Kitchen Delights, creating an atmosphere that nourishes both body and soul. Led by the incomparable Garland Nelson, whose voice radiates warmth and joy, each gathering becomes a heartfelt experience of connection and praise. Surrounded by friends, familiar songs, and the clink of shared plates, guests don’t just attend—they belong. Join us for an evening where the music moves you, the meal fills you, and the spirit of togetherness leaves you glowing.

Sample Song

Can't make it in person? Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

This event is made possible by the generous support of Dottie Pepper and David Normoyle.

﻿

﻿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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$195.00

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Nov 13 • 11 AM

Open Mic
2025-12-01 19:00 - 21:00
Bluegrass Folk Instructional Workshop

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OPEN MIC NIGHT
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.
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.
Full table service (see menu). 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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Storytelling Open Mic Featuring Tim Combs
2025-12-02 19:00 - 21:00
Folk Instructional Workshop

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Tim Coombs is a pastor and a storyteller… or is that a storyteller and a pastor? Either way, storytelling is important in his ministry at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Scotia. Tim tells the Gospel of Mark as well as many other biblical stories from both Testaments. He has served on the Board of the Network of Biblical Storytellers, International, an ecumenical organization that “encourages everyone to learn and tell biblical stories.” He has led workshops in Israel, the Gambia, Cameroon, Guatemala, and Haiti. He earned his Doctorate of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in the field of Biblical Storytelling in Digital Culture. Currently, he is telling Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” as an oral and multi-media event.

Tim will share stories of the holiday season as well as a taste of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

Stream this show live at CaffeLenaTV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

﻿

Price

General
$195.00

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Nov 13 • 11 AM

Folk Club Kids
2025-12-03 10:30 - 11:00
Bluegrass Folk 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/

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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7 week After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2025-12-03 14:30 - 17:30
Folk Instructional Workshop

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After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne

This is a special 7 week session of the After School Folk Ensemble!

11/19 – 1/21 (excluding 11/26, 12/24 and 12/31)

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 focussed 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

2025-2026 School Year Schedule:

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 1 Dates: Sept 10 – Nov 12 (10 weeks)

Session 2 Dates: Nov 19 – Jan 21 (7 weeks) [off 11/26, 12/24, 12/31]

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: 11/12, 1/21, 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.

Price

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$195.00

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Poetry Open Mic Featuring Carol Graser
2025-12-03 19:00 - 21:00
Bluegrass Folk Instructional Workshop

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Carol Graser is the author of the poetry collections, Prayer for the Sorrowful Brain (Kelsay Books, 20205) and The Wild Twist of Their Stems (Foothills Publishing 2007) She hosts the first Wednesday of the month poetry reading at Caffè Lena, a series that she initiated in 2003. Her work has been published in many literary journals, including Apricity Magazine, The Berkeley Poetry Review, Evening Street Review, Hollins Critic, I-70 Review, The MacGuffin, Midwifery Today, So to Speak, Southern Poetry Review, and Midwest Quarterly. She lives with her husband in the Adirondacks of upstate New York, where they raised three children, countless chickens, and a few cats. carolgraser.com

Stream this show live at CaffeLenaTV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

﻿

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School of Music Slow Jam
2025-12-04 13:00 - 15:00
Folk 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!

THERE ARE NO PRE-SHOW RESERVATIONS FOR THE JAMS!

SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR. $5.00 per person

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

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

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

What is a Slow Jam?

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

Price

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$195.00

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Nov 13 • 11 AM

A Winter’s Evening with Ryanhood
2025-12-04 19:00 - 21:00
Bluegrass Folk Instructional Workshop

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“Just the right blend of lyrical reverence, good cheer, and their usual superior musicianship.”

—Zocolo Magazine

An evening of songs and storytelling, heartstrings and laughter, A Winter’s Evening with Ryanhood is a live holiday touring show based on the duo’s record, On Christmas, that showcases the high-energy, big-harmony, dueling acoustic guitar approach that Ryanhood fans across the country have come to expect.

Featuring a blend of original holiday compositions, wintry covers, and reworked classics woven together with holiday stories and memories, Ryan David Green and Cameron Hood invite audiences to experience the joy, depth, intimacy, and excitement of the holiday season by sharing A Winter’s Evening with Ryanhood.

SAMPLE SONG

Don’t miss your chance to see why audiences across the country have fallen in love with Ryanhood’s radiant harmonies, engaging storytelling, undeniable musical chemistry—and their joyful holiday spirit.

Stream this show live at CaffeLenaTV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

﻿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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SIRSY
2025-12-05 20:00 - 22:00
Folk Instructional Workshop

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They’re back! After bringing down the house last year, SIRSY returns to Caffè Lena for three nights of powerhouse music and fun! Don’t miss your chance to experience the “little band with the big sound” (Boston Globe) in an intimate setting that lets their heart, humor, and hooks shine.

Winners of the 2024 Thomas Edison Music Awards for Rock-Pop Artist of the Year and Record of the Year, and inducted into the Eddies Music Hall of Fame (2025), SIRSY is more than a band—it’s an experience. With Melanie Krahmer’s arresting vocals, drums, bass pads, piano, and even flute solos, paired with Rich Libutti’s soaring guitar work and harmonies, the duo sounds like an arena-ready band all on their own. Add in their storytelling, playful banter, and songs full of empowerment and resilience (plus some Star Wars jokes!), and you’ve got a show that heals the spirit as much as it rocks the room.

Their songs have been featured on HBO, MTV, PBS, the NFL, and the hit TV show Shameless, and they’ve shared stages with Brandi Carlile, Grace Potter, Joan Jett, Maroon 5, Blues Traveler, and many more. Produced by Grammy-winner Paul Q. Kolderie, their records have earned critical acclaim, but it’s the live shows that make fans for life.

Three nights. One unforgettable duo.

“SIRSY is your favorite band, you just don’t know it yet.” – Rochester City Newspaper

SAMPLE SONG

Come for one show, or better yet, experience all three nights of SIRSY and join the celebration! We have a special price for fans who'd like to attend all three shows. To receive the special price, please order those tickets on the Friday, December 5th ticket page.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Live stream 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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