Caffè Lena

Summer Camp: Troubadour in Training
2025-07-24 09:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Family Folk Instructional Storytelling

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Troubadours in Training Summer Camp with Oona and James Music is a gift best shared with friends! Here is an exciting opportunity for youth 12-17 (or by instructor permission) to learn music in a dynamic group setting. This camp is for students who already have some experience singing songs and playing string instruments (familiar with the keys of D, G, and C). In Troubadours in Training camp we will explore: -How to find and build a repertoire of songs and tunes -Expanding vocabulary on one's instrument -Group and harmony singing -Vocal technique -Developing a sense of rhythm and groove -Playing on stage and performance practice -Songwriting and arranging This summer camp is a Monday through Friday day camp meeting July 21 – 25, 2025. 9:30am-3:30pm. In this music intensive week we will learn so much after five days together! At the end of the final day there will be a recital/sharing session for family and friends. 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 focused 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

Price

General
$125.00

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Summer Camp: Troubadour in Training
2025-07-25 09:30 - 15:30
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

Share:

Troubadours in Training Summer Camp with Oona and James

Music is a gift best shared with friends! Here is an exciting opportunity for youth 12-17 (or by instructor permission) to learn music in a dynamic group setting. This camp is for students who already have some experience singing songs and playing string instruments (familiar with the keys of D, G, and C).

In Troubadours in Training camp we will explore:

-How to find and build a repertoire of songs and tunes

-Expanding vocabulary on one's instrument

-Group and harmony singing

-Vocal technique

-Developing a sense of rhythm and groove

-Playing on stage and performance practice

-Songwriting and arranging

This summer camp is a Monday through Friday day camp meeting July 21 – 25, 2025. 9:30am-3:30pm. In this music intensive week we will learn so much after five days together! At the end of the final day there will be a recital/sharing session for family and friends.

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 focused 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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School of Music Slow Jam
2025-07-31 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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Share:

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

THERE ARE NO PRE-SHOW RESERVATIONS FOR THE JAMS!

SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR. $5.00 per person

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

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

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

What is a Slow Jam?

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

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Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

Share:

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

THERE ARE NO PRE-SHOW RESERVATIONS FOR THE JAMS!

SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR. $5.00 per person

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

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

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

What is a Slow Jam?

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

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Bright Series: Eddie 9V
2025-08-17 19:00 - 21:00
Singer Songwriter Workshop

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From the moment he first flipped through vinyl records as a kid, Eddie 9V knew Capricorn Studios was calling. Drawn to the raw magic that birthed records by the Allman Brothers and other Southern greats, he chased that sound through Georgia clubs, steeped himself in blues legends like Muddy Waters and Freddie King, and honed his own fearless, deeply personal voice.

Now, with his acclaimed third album Capricorn, recorded at the fabled Macon studio, Eddie 9V brings his electrifying, unfiltered take on Southern roots and soul to Caffè Lena. Backed by an all-star crew of Southern players, the album channels the spirit of Muscle Shoals, gritty blues, swampy funk, and gospel-drenched soul—all while staying true to Eddie’s warts-and-all approach.

Celebrated for records like Left My Soul in Memphis and Little Black Flies, Eddie 9V (aka Brooks Mason) has earned acclaim for crafting music that feels as spontaneous and real as a late-night jam session. Songs like "Beg, Steal and Borrow" and "Yella Alligator" pulse with energy and attitude, while deeper cuts reveal raw reflections on life, love, and struggle—often recorded in single takes, complete with laughter and squeaky drum pedals.

Live, Eddie 9V promises a night as honest and vibrant as his recordings. Expect fiery guitar, a tight band steeped in Southern soul, and a frontman whose charisma and authenticity light up every room.

SAMPLE SONG

Join us for a night that bridges past and present, honoring the golden age of Southern music while forging something unmistakably his own.

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

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Enjoy one week 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.

Price

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$450.00

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Share:

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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Playwright's Jam
2025-09-07 13:00 - 16:00
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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This session will be at the Saratoga Library, Susman Room!

Playwrights, bring a short scene (7 pages/minutes).

Cast your actors from the audience,

including your fellow playwrights.

Give them brief directions, put them on Caffe Lena’s stage to read your script!

Actors, bring your imagination, talent, energy and heart!

Be a part of a thriving theatrical community!

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10 Week After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2025-09-10 14:30 - 17:30
Singer Songwriter Workshop

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After School Youth Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne

Sign up by clicking a class time below:

2:45 pm 3:40 pm 4:35 pm (each class is 45 min)

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.

#youthclass

Price

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$450.00

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Old No. 1 at 50 – Celebrating the Spirit of Guy Clark
2025-09-13 20:00 - 22:00
Singer Songwriter Workshop

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On November 7, 1975, the day after his 34th birthday, RCA Records released Old No. 1, legendary songwriter Guy Clark’s debut album. While not a commercial success by any stretch, the album was highly praised by the press and “L.A. Freeway,” “Desperados Waiting for a Train,” “Rita Ballou” “Texas 1947” “Let Him Roll” and “That Old Time Feeling” soon became instant classics. No one could have known then that Old No. 1 would inspire generations of American songwriters, troubadours and music fans.

The Guy Clark Family Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting songwriters, is celebrating the 50thanniversary of Old No. 1 with a series of concerts around the country to bring awareness to the organization, and to boost songwriters who work in the spirit of Guy Clark. Songwriters will perform songs from Old No. 1, followed by a set of their own original material.

Ticket sales will benefit The Guy Clark Family Foundation.

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

About the performers:

Meghan Cary:

Meghan delivers award-winning original songs with powerful vocals and unshakable stage presence. Hailed a “storytelling troubadour” by Billboard Magazine, Cary inspires connection and community with music that’s earned comparisons to Melissa Etheridge and Brandi Carlile. Her anthem “Sing Louder” and 2025 single “Raise Your Voice” rally audiences to hope and action. A favorite at festivals like Falcon Ridge and Philadelphia Folk Fest, she’s shared stages with Joan Osborne, Chris Smither, and more. Whether performing, teaching, or speaking, Cary empowers others to embrace their stories with humor and heart. “If you can get to a Meghan Cary show—run, don’t walk.”

Stephen Clair:

Known for his wry humor and guitar stylings, Beacon, NY’s Stephen Clair has been a fixture on the Folk and Americana scenes since, well, Napster. He came to prominence when the late Rita Houston added "Jen in Her Underwear" to rotation on WFUV, putting Clair on the map and the road. Eventually he would tour with folks like Robert Earl Keen, James McMurtry, and Joe Ely. Then he would make an album (he's made 11) in Austin with REK's band. There’s the rub. Clair's got one foot in some kind of folksy heartland and the other firmly planted in New York. Seth Rogovoy (Rogovoy Report) picks up on that undercurrent when he says Clair has "the grit of Bruce Springsteen and the sardonic poetry of Lou Reed." The grit may be gritty but it's vulnerable too, as Stephen Clair always wears his heart on his sleeve.

Michael Eck:

Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame inductee Michael Eck was nominated in 2025 as Songwriter of the Year and for Album of the Year with his sixth release, “fermata.” Covered by multiple artists, Eck, who performed in January at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, is also a roots scholar, multi-instrumentalist and serial band member. He saw Guy Clark onstage uncountable times and opened for him in the early 2000s.

Adam Monaco:

“Adam Monaco lives what he writes and writes what he lives, allowing him to deeply connect with those he plays for and alongside of.” – Trevor Gordon Hall

These words will ring true for anyone who has experienced folk/Americana artist Adam Monaco’s thoughtful songwriting and poignant presence firsthand. Adam’s music is lush, colorful, melodic, and takes deep root in the complex, beautiful stories that connect humanity. His lyrics resonate like a conversation with an old friend: personal, profound, engaged, and thought-provoking. His authentic performances showcase his ability to evoke the full range and complexity of human emotions; in one musical moment, he can bring audiences to tears, then lift them back up with witty banter and a relatable anecdote.

Buddy Mondlock:

Buddy Mondlock met Guy Clark on top of a hill at the Kerrville Folk Festival in 1986. It was a moment that changed his life. Guy liked the song he heard and started passing around tapes of the young Chicago songwriter’s songs to people he knew in Nashville. When Guy Clark gives you a tape, you listen. Soon Buddy was headed south to a publishing deal and a manager. Since then his songs have been recorded by Nancy Griﬃth, Joan Baez, David Wilcox, Janis Ian, Peter, Paul & Mary, Garth Brooks and a host of other artists. In 2001 he co-wrote and recorded a trio album with Art Garfunkel and Maia Sharp called “Everything Waits To Be Noticed.” Guy Clark’s album “The Dark” is bookended with songs Clark and Mondlock wrote together – “Mud” and the title song, “The Dark,” which was their ﬁrst co-write.

Jack Murray:

Besides sharing a hometown with Dolly Parton and having a few Haggards in the family tree, Jack Murray’s musical identity was forged by meeting Son House, Jerry Lee Lewis and Bill Monroe. He even got a guitar lesson from Mississippi John Hurt himself. His distinctive writing and guitar work have made him a popular headlining act -and as an opener for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Commander Cody, Joe Ely, Butch Hancock and others.

Nashville songwriting legend David Olney had adopted one of Jack’s songs “Bluebonnet Girl” in his last months among us. Almost unbelievably, it was the last song he ever sang. The collection “Blue Tuxedo” (which includes “Bluebonnet Girl”) was recorded in Nashville, with Thomm Jutz. It will be released in the summer of 2025.

Rees Shad:

Rees met Guy for the first time at a recording session in Nashville, where Guy lent his vocal talents to a track on Shad’s debut album. Guy’s kindness led to manty more people paying attention to the album than would have otherwise, and to pay it forward, Shad has been the organizer of this and other shows in the Northeast to benefit the Foundation.

Over the course of a prolific 40+ year career, 32 releases and 17 solo albums, Shad has crafted music that is both poignant and profound. He is dedicated to crafting short story songs that cross genre lines to serve the spirit of each tale he weaves and engage his audiences in deep and meaningful ways.

Shad’s latest release Porcelain Angel has spent the last few months near the top of the Folk charts being and has lauded for its “grace and elegance” (Americana UK), “all-knowing tonality” (Americana Highways), and for “pushing the boundaries of musical storytelling” (The Rogovoy Report).

About the Guy Clark Family Foundation

The Guy Clark Family Foundation was established in 2024 by Guy’s only grandchildren, Dylan and Ellie. The Foundation’s mission is to honor Guy’s memory and continue his love and support for songwriters. “Songwriting is not a competitive sport,” Guy often said. He opened his home and heart to songwriters from all over the world. The Guy Clark Family Foundation will do the same. We will offer songwriters who work in the spirit of Guy Clark the opportunity to learn, write, collaborate, record, perform, and share their work with a global audience while we continue to honor Guy’s legacy.

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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$450.00

More Information

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Bluegrass Jam
2025-10-15 19:00 - 21:00
Singer Songwriter 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!!

Price

General
$450.00

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7 week After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2025-11-19 14:30 - 17:30, 2025-12-03 14:30 - 17:30
Singer Songwriter 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

General
$450.00

More Information

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Songwriting Club

Singer Songwriter Workshop

class

Apr 11 • 10 AM

Caffè Lena

After School Folk Ensemble with James Gascoyne and Oona Grady

American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Country Folk Workshop

class

Apr 15 • 2:30 PM

Caffè Lena

Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

class

Apr 16 • 9 AM

Overit Home Grown Sessions: The Millstone Rounders
2025-11-28 20:00 - 22:00
Bluegrass 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. 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.

﻿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

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$195.00

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