Caffè Lena

Summer Camp: Youth Folk Ensemble
2025-07-09 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-07-08 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-07-07 09:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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Youth Folk Ensemble Summer Camp with Oona and James Music is a gift best shared with friends! Here is an exciting opportunity for youth 7-14 to learn music by playing together. Building on the format of the weekly After School Youth Folk Ensembles offered during the school year at Caffe Lena, this summer camp is a Monday through Friday day camp meeting July 7 – 11, 2025. 9:30am – 3:30pm Three hours each morning and midday 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. Each day will finish with extracurricular activities including lunch in congress park! At the end of the final day there will be a recital/sharing session for family and friends. 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 based scholarships are available as well as instrument loans. 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 other projects including The Grady Girls, Folk Club Kids 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 foundation 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 manages a private music studio focussed on teaching and recording 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, and Winter Village Music Camp. #youthclasses

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Nordlys Global Voices Series: É.T.É.
2025-07-08 19:00 - 21:00
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The trio É.T.É. brings a fresh, dynamic voice to the world of traditional Québécois music. Fusing passion, precision, and playfulness, this award-winning ensemble reimagines centuries-old sounds for a new generation—featuring stunning vocal harmonies, inventive arrangements, and contagious rhythms. Co-founded in 2015, É.T.É. Stands for the first initials of the first names of its three members and is also the French word for summer. Featured in É.T.É. are: Élisabeth Moquin grew up in Saint-Majorique-de-Grantham, where she discovered both the violin and the vibrant tradition of Québécois step dancing. She studied traditional music at CÉGEP de Joliette and co-founded the trio É.T.É in 2015, recording three acclaimed albums and touring internationally. A dynamic performer and self-taught jig dancer, she integrates both music and dance in her work with É.T.É and her new ensemble, SAMEDI. Deeply committed to the preservation and evolution of Québec’s folk traditions, Élisabeth continues to travel the province researching tunes and steps to keep the living culture thriving. Thierry Clouette holds a musicology degree from the University of Montreal and studied Irish bouzouki and Québec trad at Cégep de Joliette. A co-founder of É.T.É, he’s an active multi-instrumentalist involved in projects like Saligaude, blending scholarship and creativity in traditional music. Élisabeth Giroux graduated with top honors from the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal and toured globally with La La La Human Steps. A versatile cellist, she performs with orchestras across Quebec, teaches, and has recorded on more than twenty albums across diverse genres. É.T.É ignites the stage with a sound that’s steeped in tradition and charged with contemporary energy. Their infectious rhythms, masterful string work, and exhilarating bursts of spontaneity turn every performance into a celebration—inviting the audience to move, clap, and lose themselves in the music. SAMPLE SONG Don’t miss this vibrant trio that’s redefining folk music in Québec—and beyond! Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy one week of access with your live stream ticket. Made possible by The Nordlys Foundation. ﻿

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Open Mic
2025-07-07 19:00 - 21:00
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OPEN MIC NIGHTSIGN UP 6:30PM // SHOW STARTS 7:00PMPlay 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 HOSTSFirst 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 serveYou 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 USIf you have any questions you can give us a call at 518-583-0022 or email our Monday House Manager: Reese@caffelena.org

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Skidmore Jazz Institute Community Concert
2025-07-06 19:00 - 21:00
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Aspiring young musicians from across the country showcase their talent mid-way through their attendance at the Skidmore Summer Jazz Institute. Enjoy an evening of diverse jazz styles and inspiring talent as the Skidmore Summer Jazz Institute Students take the stage. They never fail to put on a truly engaging show. Sponsored by the New York State Council on the Arts and Stewart’s Shops/Dake Family. Can't make the show in person? Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy one week of access with your live stream ticket. ﻿

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Playwright's Jam
2025-07-06 13:30 - 16:00
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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 directionsBring 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 NesbittPlaywright 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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Kieran Kane & Rayna Gellert
2025-07-05 20:00 - 22:00
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Two celebrated Americana singer/songwriters unite as kindred spirits in roots-oriented folk songs, gorgeous melodies and vocal harmonies. Kane and Gellert first met, fittingly, at San Francisco’s celebrated Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, which led to their co-writing songs for Kane’s solo album Unguarded Moments. They joined forces again for Gellert’s Workin’s Too Hard, which they also co-produced. Then in 2018, they released their first duo album, The Ledges, and followed up quickly with When the Sun Goes Down in 2019. In 2022, this “unlikely musical couple” released The Flowers That Bloom in Spring, which found them digging deeper into their exploration of minimalist writing and recording.Their fourth album just came out, entitled Volume 4. Like all of their other duo albums, they recorded it themselves, live at home and even mixed it there. Kieran’s son Lucas played on a few tracks and Kieran did the painting on the cover. Rayna’s brother Jonah did the package design. Kieran Kane’s seminal work in The O’Kanes and Kane Welch Kaplin, as well as co-founding the independent label Dead Reckoning Records, laid the foundation for the contemporary world of Americana music. A successful solo artist, collaborator, and songwriter (with songs recorded by Alan Jackson, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, and many more), Kieran is a musician’s musician: his playing is always understated, always groove-oriented, and always serving the song. Rayna Gellert is a preternaturally gifted songwriter. She’s seen farther into the old songs than most. Growing up in a musical family, she turned to Appalachian old-time music at a young age, becoming a prodigious fiddler and leading a new revival of American stringband music through her work with the acclaimed roots band Uncle Earl. An in-demand collaborator, she has toured and recorded with artists such as Scott Miller, Abigail Washburn, Toubab Krewe, and Robyn Hitchcock. Fans of either artist will recognize the musical kindred-spiritedness in their restrained and roots-oriented approach to both songs and arrangements. Folk Alley describes them this way: “…together the two have found an interesting common ground that’s one part Woody Guthrie-esque ruminations on the modern world and one part transcendent stringband roots … New songs, old songs, fiddle tunes, it’s all tossed together here in an overarching quest to find an authentic expression from two traditional masters brought together.” One fan proclaims: “Mind numbingly good. That harmony floored me from the start!” SAMPLE SONG Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy one week of access with your live stream ticket. ﻿

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Closed
2025-07-04 00:00 - 02:00, 2025-06-24 00:00 - 02:00
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NYS Writers Institute Presents a Fiction & Poetry Reading
2025-07-03 20:00 - 22:00
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Join us for a captivating evening of literature and conversation at Caffè Lena, featuring Vinson Cunningham and April Bernard, two celebrated voices in contemporary writing. Both authors are currently in residence at the New York State Summer Writers Institute at Skidmore College. Vinson Cunningham is a staff writer and theatre critic for The New Yorker, a former White House aide, and a faculty member in the MFA Writing program at Sarah Lawrence College. His debut novel, Great Expectations, has been hailed by Colum McCann as “brilliantly written, piercingly smart, quietly subversive.” April Bernard, a Professor of English and Creative Writing at Skidmore College, has just released her sixth poetry collection, The World Behind the World (W.W. Norton). Her work spans poetry, fiction, and critical essays, with frequent contributions to The New York Review of Books and other major journals. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from two dynamic literary voices shaping the future of American letters. ﻿

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School of Music Slow Jam
2025-07-03 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-26 13:00 - 15:00
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All are Welcome! WE LOVE TO MEET NEW PICKERS, AND WE LOVE PUTTING ON A GOOD SHOW FOR LISTENERS!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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Poetry Open Mic Featuring Matthew Klane
2025-07-02 19:00 - 21:00
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Matthew Klane's books of poetry include Of the Day (Publication Studio 2025), Hist (w/ James Belflower, Calamari 2022), Canyons (w/ James Belflower, Flimb Press 2016), Che (Stockport Flats 2013), and B (Stockport Flats 2008). An e-book My is online at FENCE. He lives and writes in Albany, NY and is currently co-curator of the poetry and performance series Salon Salvage. Stream this show live at CaffeLenaTV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket. ﻿

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Folk Club Kids
2025-07-02 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-06-25 10:30 - 11:00
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Folk Club Kids: Stories, Songs, and Sing-a-longs Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. https://www.caffelena.org/folk-club-kids/ Stream live and free on Facebook and Youtube! Join Dan Berggren and Drank the Gold’s Oona Grady and James Gascoyne for Folk Club Kids: a free weekly interactive concert series for preschoolers and their caregivers. Children are treated to 30 minutes of live music in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Inspire a love of music, community, and togetherness each week, learn, play, make friends and have fun! This program is made possible by the generous support of Kevin & Claudia Bright. #youthclass

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Storytelling Open Mic Featuring Jeff Simonds
2025-07-01 19:00 - 21:00
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Jeff Simonds just loves telling stories—whether through his decade at upstate storytelling events, his fiction and essay writing, or just to bore his students before class. Jeff is a writing teacher at Siena College, and his short story collection, You Are Not Allowed To Come Back After, was printed through Pinewood Books. He lives in Rotterdam with his wife, young son, and two ill-mannered pets. You can find more of his writing in PIF Magazine, 100 Word Story, or by stealing his laptop. Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

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Open Mic
2025-06-30 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-23 19:00 - 21:00
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OPEN MIC NIGHTSIGN UP 6:30PM // SHOW STARTS 7:00PMPlay 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 HOSTSFirst 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 serveYou 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 USIf you have any questions you can give us a call at 518-583-0022 or email our Monday House Manager: Reese @caffelena.org

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Mandolin Vitamins - Tunes, Techniques and Ensemble Music
2025-06-30 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-06-23 10:00 - 11:30
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Attention Mandolin, Octave Mandolin, Mandola and Mandocello Players – The purpose of this is 4 week, in person, class is for everyone to improve their mandolin skills. Each week we will spend time on right and left hand techniques, learn some new tunes and play Mandolin Ensemble pieces. This class is intended for advanced beginner and up mandolin family players and is limited to 12 students. The class will run from 10:00 till 11:15 on June 9, 16, 23, 30. Alan Epstein has been playing mandolin for the past 54 years and has been teaching others to play mandolin for 30 years. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pa, he has lived in the Capital District since 2008 and is currently living in Glens falls, NY. Alan has preformed in bluegrass bands in Colorado, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York. In 2002 Alan was the founder of the modern day Pittsburgh Mandolin Orchestra. and has been a Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam instructor since 2012. ﻿

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Online School of Music: Gretchen Peters Songwriting Intensive
2025-06-29 14:00 - 16:00
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A two-part online songwriting intensive with Gretchen Peters For over two decades, Gretchen Peters has been one of Nashville's most beloved and respected artists. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014 by singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell, who called her "both a songwriter and a poet,” Peters has accumulated accolades as a songwriter for artists as diverse as Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, The Neville Brothers, Patty Loveless, George Strait, Bryan Adams and Faith Hill. Her song “Independence Day” won a CMA Song of the Year award in 1995. She has been nominated for 2 Grammys, a Golden Globe, and numerous other awards. Part One: Sundays April 27 – May 18, 2025 Part Two: Sundays June 8, 15, 22, 29, 2025 On ZOOM 2pm ET / 1pm CT / 12pm MT / 11am PT ( the two week break between is time for implementing what you learned in preparation for part two) Each class will run approximately 2 hours. All sessions are recorded and will be made available for review within 48 hours. One of the oldest phrases in any language is ‘tell me a story.’ Songwriting is storytelling, and telling your story in a compelling way is all about authenticity and detail. It’s about what you say, and what you don’t say. It’s about the truth, but not necessarily the facts. In this workshop, we’ll explore the process of songwriting—the art and the craft, and the delicate balance between the two. We’ll learn how to keep a sense of creative play and when (and how) to welcome your inner critic into the room. We’ll find ways to work through “writer’s block.” We’ll learn that only through the specific do you achieve the universal—and that’s the holy grail in songwriting and all writing. We write to find out who we are, and in the process we find out we are not alone. – Gretchen Class Description This 2 month intensive workshop with Gretchen will be divided into two parts. In Part One, we’ll focus on: Writing authentically: how to build the back story for your charactersUsing detail and imagery in your lyricsUsing your subconscious as your compassHow to keep your sense of creative play alive and when to “invite the editor” into the writing roomFinding and fine-tuning your melody and chordsStructure: song forms and rhyme schemesIn 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 filmicallyHow to access your subconscious during the writing processHow verse order can change everythingWhy 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 processWhat to do when you’re stuckSongwriting promptsThe care and feeding of your creative selfBring 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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Erin Harkes NEW Album Release Party! w/ opener Lulu Grey (an Overit HG Session)
2025-06-28 20:00 - 22:00
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Erin Harkes is one of the Capital Region’s most beloved performers—and a true force of nature. With a big voice, a bold spirit, and an unshakable connection to her roots, Erin brings raw emotion, quick wit, and commanding stage presence to every show. Her songs, often drawn from life’s challenges, are filled with humor, resilience, and soul. A longtime favorite at Caffè Lena, Erin is also the host of our Lena Go Round songwriter showcase, where she champions rising talent with the same generosity she brings to her own performances. Voted Best Singer/Songwriter, Solo Musician,and Comedian many times over, Erin also took home the Thomas Edison Award for Best Solo/Duo Artist in 2020. In 2024, she revived the spirit of the iconic Metroland as the creator of Metroland Now—a modern, independent arts and culture publication that quickly struck a chord. In 2025, Metroland Now was honored with a Thomas Edison Music Award for its cultural impact on the Capital Region. She’s sung with Beth Hart and Pat Benatar. She’s been a surprise hit on The Tonight Show. But it’s here, on the Caffè Lena stage, that Erin’s magic truly shines. Come see why she’s not just a fan favorite—she’s family. Opening the night is Lulu Gray, a young songwriter who quietly stole the show at last October’s Lena Go Round. Discovered by Erin at a kids’ open mic just a few months before that, Lulu’s thoughtful lyrics and natural presence reveal a surprising depth for someone just 9 years old. We’re so happy to welcome them to the Caffè Lena stage. SAMPLE SONG Join us for an unforgettable night with an artist who gives it all, every time and come on time to hear Lulu Gray, a young songwriter whose quiet talent is already turning heads. Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket. ﻿Overit Home Grown Sessions is made possible by a generous gift from Overit – a full-servie creative and consulting agency based in Albany, NY.

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Songwriting Club with Russel the Leaf
2025-06-28 11:00 - 13:30
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Join the Club! Hear a seasoned songwriters perspective / processDiscuss songwriting tips and strategiesWork on a promptWith hosts Reese Fulmer and Girl BlueWith special guest Russel the Leaf (Evan Marre) Evan is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Troy, NY and has recorded over 24 albums and ep's as Russel the Leaf. He has also produced and engineered countless albums for indie rockers and songwriters from Philly to Troy for over a decade now. $5 at the door ﻿

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Jim Gaudet & the Railroad Boys
2025-06-27 20:00 - 22:00
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If you’ve never attended a performance by Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys, you’re missing out on one of the Capital Region’s true musical treasures. Since 2006, The Railroad Boys—comprised of singer/songwriter Jim Gaudet on guitar, Bobby Buckley on bass and backing vocals, Sten Isachsen on mandolin and backing vocals, Sara Milonovich or Tucker Callander on fiddle, and ‘Upstate’ Richie Pagano on piano—have been playing festivals and venues, big and small, all over the country. Their original music, driving energy, and camaraderie have attracted many a guest artist over the years, and in January 2023, the group welcomed bassist Bob Buckley into the fold. Jim Gaudet writes nearly all The Railroad Boys songs, but pinning down the band’s genre can be tricky. Although it started out bluegrass, its style has morphed over time into what Gaudet calls “hillbilly rock ‘n roll.” Still, limiting this band to just one label seems a disservice because, in his songwriting, Gaudet does it all: Americana-roots, classic and outlaw country, Southern rock, honky-tonk, blues, Cajun. You name it, he’s probably done it. In fact, last April at the 4th annual Capital Region Thomas Edison (aka Eddies) Music Awards ceremony at Proctors Mainstage, Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys were honored to win Country/Bluegrass Artist of the Year for the third time, 2024, 2023 and 2022. Along with this outstanding honor Jim was selected as performer of the year 2024 by RadioRadio X for the "Listen Up" awards in the Folk/Bluegrass category. Gaudet has a uniquely animated, conversational style of singing, his tone every bit as original as the songs he writes. Clear diction, an abundance of good humor, and vocal inflections that follow each song’s emotional arc make you feel like you’re talking with a good friend over the back fence. Gaudet can growl, yowl, even yodel with the best of them, and when he belts out a snappy “Hey!” between verses, you can feel the room’s energy surge. SAMPLE SONG Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy one week of access with your live stream ticket.

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Captain Fun Lunchtime Listening Hour
2025-06-27 12:00 - 13:00
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Bring your lunch & listen to a playlist curated by a Caffe Lena Community member. For June’s Captain Fun Lunchtime Listening Hour, longtime sound engineer and resident photographer Joe Deuel takes the reins. Drawing on five decades behind the board and behind the lens at Caffè Lena, Joe will share a playlist of favorite artists along with personal stories and unforgettable moments from his unique vantage point. The D.J. spinning those records will be the Rochmon himself –Chuck Vosganian! All are welcome to gather at Lena’s from Noon to 1 PM on the last Friday of each month to enjoy musical memories and new discoveries. The playlist is selected by a different community member each month from the Captain Fun Listening Library of vinyl records in Lena’s lobby. Chuck “Rochmon” Vosganian usually spins the records and gets the conversation flowing. Bring a brown bag lunch. Coffee and tea are provided. The Captain Fun Listening Library occupying the north wall in the Caffè Lena lobby is comprised of 1,516 vinyl albums and several hundred CDs selected from Al “Captain Fun” McKenney’s expertly curated collection. This treasure trove of folk, blues and jazz was left us in 2015 and we share it through our monthly listening hour, as Al wished. Enjoy the memories these records bring back, and dig deep into American roots music. ﻿

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Peak Jazz Series: Royal Bopsters
2025-06-26 19:00 - 21:00
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As part of our Peak Jazz Series, we bring you The Royal Bopsters who pay tribute to their jazz heroes through intricate harmonies and energetic delivery, bringing jazz classics and bebop style to the next generation and beyond. The Bopsters delve deeply into vocal improvisation; Vocalese, the art of penning lyrics to instrumental jazz solos; and their original songs and arrangements further the tradition of modern jazz, bebop, and the blues. Formed in New York City in 2012, the group—Amy London, Jeanne O’Connor, Tomas Cruz, and Dylan Pramuk—honors bebop tradition while pushing it into the present with exhilarating precision and creativity. Described by The New Yorker as “expert practitioners of vocalese,” The Royal Bopsters bring jazz standards to life with electrifying four-part harmony and a fearless embrace of improvisation. Their performances are as intellectually rich as they are soulful and swinging—balancing tribute and innovation in every arrangement. Their critically acclaimed debut, The Royal Bopsters Project, featured collaborations with vocal jazz giants including Mark Murphy, Jon Hendricks, and Sheila Jordan, and was named a top release by DownBeat, JazzTimes, and The New York Times. Their follow-up, Party of Four, continues their mission with dazzling group chemistry and original arrangements that have captivated audiences from top jazz clubs to international festivals. All four members are also renowned jazz educators at institutions like The New School, NYU, William Paterson, and Montclair State—bringing their vast knowledge of jazz history and vocal technique to the stage in every performance. SAMPLE SONG Don’t miss this rare chance to experience four master vocalists lighting up the room with bebop brilliance, boundless joy, and the timeless magic of voices united in harmony. Can’t make the show in person? Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy one week of access with your live stream ticket. The Peak Jazz Series focuses on ensembles that lean toward cool jazz, fusion, and funk, offering audiences a dynamic and diverse jazz experience. The Peak Jazz Series is made possible by the generous support of Joseph & Luann Conlon in memory of Corrine Simonds.

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Lena Go Round-Songwriters Showcase Hosted by Erin Harkes
2025-06-25 19:30 - 21:30
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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 performancesIt is a true “in the round” experience—where songwriters take turns sharing their music and stories, creating an intimate and inspiring atmosphereIt 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 artistsThe lineup changes every month, but one thing is constant: you will always hear something fresh, moving, and unforgettable. The lineup for June is Carolyn Shapiro, Cassandra Kubinski, Rich Ortiz and of course — Erin! 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. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket. BIOS Erin Harkes Local favorite Erin Harkes has been called the busiest woman in show biz (NYS Music). She is regularly voted Best Singer/Songwriter, Solo Musician and Comedian in the Capital Region by the Times Union Reader’s Poll and The Alt. She took home the 2020 Thomas Edison Award for Best Solo/Duo Artist of the Year. Adding to her entertainment portfolio in 2012, Harkes decided to try her hand at standup comedy. Since then she’s performed in nearly every major club in NYC, Toronto and Montreal, as well as being a regular at Funny Bone Comedy Clubs across the country. She likes to say that music is her spouse and comedy is her mistress. She tries to give them equal amounts of love and attention. Whether singing songs or telling jokes, Harkes commands attention every time she steps foot on stage. Erin began writing her own songs at age 19 and has released four albums of original material since then. Her first CD was aptly titled “Bar Napkins and Magic Markers” due to the crude way the lyrics were jotted down during her college years. Her music comes from triumphs over tragedy. Though sometimes somber there’s always a resounding theme of resilience. The power of her voice and the emotion that comes through her lyrics make you want to sit and listen to every word. Erin’s lyrics tell stories of her life, sung through a big voice that’s often compared to Janis Joplin. Hearing Erin sing is a powerful experience that grabs anyone within earshot. Erin’s spontaneity and willingness to perform won her a spot on “Battle of the Instant Bands” on the Jimmy Fallon show in April of 2010. Having only 20 minutes to prepare with an impromptu band made up of complete strangers, Erin won over both Jimmy Fallon and the studio audience by naming the band (“Fallon Angels”) and the song (“Free Jimmy”) – the band performed the song with Erin on vocals to an explosive audience response and easily won the contest. Erin is regularly voted Best Singer/Songwriter, Solo Musician and Comedian in the Capital Region by the Times Union Reader’s Poll, The Alt and the Metroland. She has been the subject of several cover stories by all of those newspapers. She is definitely a local favorite. Erin has had the privilege to have shared the stage with national acts such as 10,000 Maniacs, Spin Doctors, Pat Benatar and one of her musical idols, Beth Hart. In comedy she has worked with Jeff Dye, Judy Gold, Demetri Martin, Craig Robinson and Mark Normand. Carolyn Shapiro Carolyn Shapiro is an old-time banjo player and songwriter from Glens Falls whose music nourishes the spirit like a hearty, home-cooked meal. Blending sultry nuance with deep-rooted traditional style, her songwriting pushes the boundaries of the banjo, creating a catalog of songs that feel both timeless and entirely her own. With a rich tapestry of folk influences and lyrics that balance wit with emotional depth, Carolyn invites listeners into an intimate journey through the complexities of being human. Her commanding voice and resonant banjo tone bring a joyous vulnerability to the stage—leaving audiences not just entertained, but genuinely restored and inspired. Cassandra Kubinski Billboard-charting singer/songwriter Cassandra Kubinski has performed from stadiums to living rooms, from Romania to LA, sharing stages with the likes of the Goo Goo Dolls, 10,000 Maniacs, Sawyer Fredericks, Anna Nalick and others. Known for her piano-forward, cutting songwriting that takes listeners from vulnerable canyons to witty sharp peaks, her songs have been heard on Sirius XM, Lifetime’s “Dance Moms” and dozens of other TV shows, NBC promos and more. She's also a tireless artist and womxn in arts advocate, holding board positions at Caffe Lena and Women in Music (emeritus), and regularly leading artist-upleveling workshops and retreats for the likes of the Mechanical Licensing Collective, Mayor’s Office of NY, and Guitar Center. Billy Joel says: "Cassandra Kubinski is very similar to the singer/songwriters of the late 70's…proves that the genre (singer/songwriter) can still be transcendent.” Rich Ortiz Rich Ortiz's style is truly his own and his music is his soul. Ortiz, never a wallflower, believes he is the product of his family's cultural diversity and strengths. Since the age of seventeen he's focused all of his talents and time on his acoustic solo act, if you can call it that. Rich plays guitar, harmonica, and peddle bass (with his feet), and he turns heads with his vocals! He has opened shows for CHICAGO, REO Speedwagon, STYX, Ted Nugent, Ludacris, Hoobastank, KC and the Sunshine Band, Jeffrey Gaines, Ryan Montbleau Band, The Wood Brothers, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Tea Leaf Green, Zach Deputy, Kracker, Merl Saunders, Melvin Seals, Jim Weider and the Drifters. Inspired by artists like Jim Croce, James Taylor, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder and Willie Nelson, he says "I feel I have to change every gig around in order to grow as a musician." He plays six and twelve string acoustic guitar and chooses not to cultivate a target audience. He thinks "ideally the feeling of people who leave the room or listen to your CD should be one of making someone's day. What comes out of your tongue says a lot about your soul." In 2006, Ortiz released his long awaited debut album, "Let It Be Life". Recorded with the help of Grammy winning producer, John Seymour, the album features live, unedited studio recordings of all original works. Soon after its release, "Let It Be Life" was listed as one of the Top-40 selling Funk/Blues albums on CD Baby, the #1 online record store for independent music. In 2010, Ortiz released his sophomore album, "Face of a Lion", which features guest musician Kofi Burbridge (Derek Trucks Band). As his passion for life grows stronger, so does the energy in his music. Rich is a truly rare, authentic talent. ﻿

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Sue Foley
2025-06-22 19:00
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Grammy®nominated guitarist & singer brings her spellbinding One Guitar Woman show to life, a solo acoustic tribute to female guitar pioneers. Prepare for a captivating musical journey with One Guitar Woman, from Sue Foley’s Grammy® nominated solo acoustic tribute to female pioneers of guitar. Foley’s much-anticipated album on Stony Plain Records was released on March 29, 2024. “The kind of album that will live forever.“ — Americana Highways One Guitar Woman is more than a tribute show. Foley doesn’t merely cover these artists’ songs; she absorbs their style and inhabits the soul of the music. Her guitar work is so deep and natural that it seems to rise from the same roots that gave birth to the originals, while her vibrant vocals bring new life to the lyrics and make the songs her own. Esteemed music writer Hal Horowitz notes in Rock & Blues Muse, “The often spellbinding One Guitar Woman … is an enlightening look into her remarkable talents, filtered through the lens of a more intimate expression of the blues.” Sue Foley is an acclaimed guitarist, singer/songwriter and writer who began her professional career in her teens. She’s released thirteen albums and has garnered several awards, including Traditional Female Artist of the Year at The Blues Music Awards in Memphis four consecutive times. (2020/22/23/24). Sample Song Stream this show live at CaffeLenaTV. Enjoy two weeks of access with your live stream ticket.

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Sue Foley VIP Upgrade
2025-06-22 18:00 - 18:30
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You’ve Got Tickets—Now Take the Experience Further! Here's a special opportunity being offered by Sue and her team. They're offering a limited VIP upgrade that includes: A pre-show meet & greet with Sue FoleyAn official signed tour posterVIP laminate & stickerA stylish tote bagMember-level seating access through Caffè LenaThis enhanced experience with one of the most electrifying guitarists in modern blues is perfect for fans—and we can’t wait to welcome you for an unforgettable night. *Please to be sure to arrive at Caffè Lena at 5:30 PM as the Meet & Greet starts promptly at 6:00 PM. ﻿

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