Peak Jazz Series: Ben Wolfe Trio
2026-02-19 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Singer Songwriter

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New York bassist, composer, and bandleader Ben Wolfe has been hailed as one of the most distinctive creative voices in modern jazz. His music—described by The New York Times’ Ben Ratliff as “Mingus and Miles Davis meet Bartók and Bernard Herrmann—balances elegance and propulsion, accessibility and edge, with a clarity that rewards repeated listening.” Wolfe’s 2024 release, The Understated, is his eleventh album as a leader and features all original compositions. A follow-up to his critically acclaimed record Unjust, the album showcases Wolfe’s signature: melodic ensemble writing, expressive subtlety, and a chamber-like approach to jazz. DownBeat calls the record “a beauty.” A first-call bassist for decades, Wolfe has toured and recorded internationally with Wynton Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, Branford Marsalis, Eric Reed, Benny Green, and many others. His early credits include Grammy-winning, platinum-selling albums like When Harry Met Sally and Krall’s When I Look in Your Eyes. He also performed with the Wynton Marsalis Septet and was a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, sharing stages with legends such as Joe Henderson, Doc Cheatham, Jon Hendricks, and Billy Higgins. As an award-winning composer, Wolfe is a two-time recipient of Chamber Music America’s New Works grant from the Doris Duke Foundation, creating extended works such as “Contradiction: Music for Sextet” and “Nonet,” both slated for release. His portfolio includes over 100 original compositions across 11 leader albums, along with film scoring work praised by The New York Sun as “a standout music score.” Ben leads several distinctive ensembles, featuring top jazz veterans, and upcoming young talents, presented in a range of formats, from Quartet to Sextet, featuring trumpet, saxophone, and vibraphone. At our show, Ben will perform with Chris Lewis (sax) and Aaron Kimmel (drums). Today, alongside his international performing career, Wolfe is on the faculty at The Juilliard School, mentoring the next generation of jazz innovators. SAMPLE SONG As Wynton Marsalis puts it: “Ben Wolfe swings with authority!” ﻿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. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive. ﻿Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.﻿

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Doors Open: 7:30 pm

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Music With Miss Deb
2026-02-20 09:30 - 10:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Folk Singer Songwriter

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

We will sing songs, move around, play with colorful props and play percussion instruments while enjoying and learning about music in an organic learning environment.

Songs from other cultures will be included along with traditional folk songs.

Fun for the whole family!

#youthclass

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Doors Open: 6:30 pm

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Heather Maloney with opener High Tea
2026-02-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Folk Singer Songwriter Storytelling

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Massachusetts-based “writer song-singer” Heather Maloney creates music shaped by deep introspection, spiritual curiosity, and an unwavering devotion to storytelling. Before she was a touring musician, Maloney spent three years living and studying at a meditation center, days steeped in silence and the teachings of poets and seekers. That stillness shaped her artistic voice—one that combines the emotional depth of Joni Mitchell with the inward-looking precision of Rilke and the narrative resonance of Zen parables.

Today, with over 1,000 performances across the U.S. and Europe and eight studio albums to her name, Maloney stands on the edge of releasing her most personal record to date.

Written in the wake of her father’s death, Exploding Star began as a private act of grief—songs Heather never planned to record. But the people who knew her best heard something extraordinary in them. So she stepped back into her abandoned childhood home and tracked the first two days of the record there, playing her father’s guitar and capturing the sounds, memories, and ghosts that shaped her earliest years.

What emerged is a collection of 12 songs that are both celebratory and devastating, moving through emotional landscapes that range from lush to spare, urgent to quietly trembling. Produced by Don Mitchell of Darlingside, with arrangements by High Tea’s Isabella DeHerdt and Isaac Eliot, the album is a sweeping, intimate journey—woven with bold lyricism, surprising lightness, and Maloney’s fearless willingness to look grief directly in the face.

Her past work has drawn major acclaim:

PopMatters praised her “radical ability to channel emotion” on Soil in the Sky

Her duet with Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes) and a feature by Rachael Price (Lake Street Dive) showcase her wide-reaching musical community

Folk legend Jay Ungar appears on “Oklahoma Lullaby”

The Bluegrass Situation called Making Me Break “an intoxicating blend” of indie rock, folk humanity, and Rumi-like spirituality

Her collaboration with Darlingside on Woodstock earned praise from The New York Times and Graham Nash.

Her songs have been featured on NPR, eTown, AudioTree, and in the CBS series Elementary, and she has toured with Lake Street Dive, Gary Clark Jr., Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dar Williams, Colin Hay, Shakey Graves, and many more.

In addition to her music, Maloney is also a gifted illustrator and linocut artist, carving visual interpretations of her songs that mirror the emotional landscapes of her work.

SAMPLE SONG

Heather Maloney’s music doesn’t just tell a story—it invites you inside it. This is a night of truth, tenderness, and transcendent songwriting you won’t want to miss.

Opening for and playing with Heather, is High Tea, the folk-punk duo hailing from Massachusetts. High Tea is the explosive creation of a story-spinning blues guitarist and a harmony-obsessed punk. Isabella DeHerdt and Isaac Eliot have come together to fill spaces with homegrown storytelling and raucous, booming vocals. Their songs are ripe with existential angst, weaving tales of growing up, going wild, and always coming back to the ones you love.

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

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

Doors Open
Doors Open: 1:30 pm

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$13.56

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Steady Bass Blues Guitar with Ron Gordon
2026-02-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Blues Folk Singer Songwriter

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Steady Bass Blues Guitar with Ron Gordon
Feb 21, 10 am – 12 pm
$35
The guitar workshop will introduce a steady bass technique often heard in classic Delta
Blues. This gives a driving, steady rhythm that’s a foundation for chords, riffs, and
syncopation. We’ll learn a classic blues in standard tuning, and an open G tuning blues
that works well with slide: bring or purchase a slide ahead of time if you want to give
this a try. We’ll learn about controlling and cleaning up slide sounds along the way.

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Mary Fahl - Formerly of October Project
2026-02-21 20:00 - 22:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Blues

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With “a voice for the gods that can transport listeners to other realms” (Boston Globe), Mary Fahl is an expressive, emotional singer/songwriter who first achieved fame as lead singer and co-founder of the mid-1990s NYC- based chamber-pop group October Project, a band known for their lush harmonies, sweeping melodies and Fahl’s unique and powerful vocals. After two records on Epic, the band disbanded, but Fahl had more freedom to pursue her own muse, whether that meant writing and recording songs for movies (including the theme for the Civil War epic Gods and Generals), singing arias and medieval Spanish songs for Sony Classical or releasing a unique album-length take on Dark Side of the Moon…
Fahl’s earthy, viscerally powerful contralto bridges the generational gap between Fairport Convention’s Sandy Denny and London Grammar’s Hannah Reid. She makes music that feels timeless, esoteric and ecumenical. Her elegant, cinematic songs have a hauntingly gothic romanticism that inspired renowned writer Anne Rice to portray Mary’s voice emanating from a dead woman’s room in her 2013 novel The Wolves of Midwinter…
Over the past few years, Fahl has been touring and recording on her own label, Rimar Records, and her recent releases have garnered awards including an Indie Acoustic Award for Best Live Album for Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House (filmed for PBS) and a 2020 Independent Music Award for her recent holiday album, Winter Songs and Carols. Her Blu-ray 5.1 surround DVD, From the Dark Side of the Moon, brilliantly mixed by Bob Clearmountain, won the 2021 Immersive Album Audio Listener’s Choice award and was named “Immersive Album of the Year” by Life in Surround.
Now she returns with “Can’t Get It Out of My Head.” In an effort to find some light and comfort during these challenging times, singer/songwriter Fahl looks back to some of the essential music that has brought her sustenance and clarity by reinterpreting songs from her greatest inspirations … Pink Floyd, George Harrison, Moody Blues, ELO, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young and others. For Mary, this is a tribute to the music that defined her as an artist.
SAMPLE SONG
Step into a world of beauty, mystery, and song—an unforgettable evening with Mary Fahl awaits.
﻿This show is made possible by the generous support of Harry Moran and Sustainable Wealth Advisors.
Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.
﻿Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 4:30 pm

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$37.96

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Sober Salon
2026-02-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Blues Folk

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We're excited to announce a brand new program for 2026: Sober Salon! This quarterly event gives people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction the opportunity to share their creative work in a happy, drug-and-alcohol-free setting with the support of Caffe Lena's professional sound, lights and stage. Sober Salon is specifically for people in recovery. It welcomes any and all art, crafts, and performances. Bring a sweater you knitted, a painting, a magic trick, a comedy routine, and certainly feel welcome to bring music and poetry! Truly, any artistic work is welcome. Art helps all of us express difficult emotions, and sharing it on stage helps us build trust in others. We hope that Sober Salon will help you move forward in your recovery and connect with a new, healthy circle of friends. We can't wait to welcome you for the first Sober Salon on February 22!
Things to Know:
Our host is Erin Harkes, singer, songwriter, comedian, publisher of Metroland Now and 16 years sober.
Doors will open at 6:30PM and sign up will be on a first come first serve basis.
Presentations will be five minutes max.
The kitchen will be open for service.
We have a piano and a variety of instruments, including guitars you can use.
We will not offer a screen for displaying photos, but we will enable people to play backing tracks to sing with.

We can't wait to welcome you!
Admission is free thanks to the support of the Victor and Helen Geisel Foundation.
﻿

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Mandolin Vitamins - Tunes, Techniques and Ensemble Music
2026-02-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Blues

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Attention Mandolin, Octave Mandolin, Mandola and Mandocello Players – This class is intended for advanced beginner and up mandolin family players and is limited to 20 students. The class will run from 10:00 till 11:30 on February 2 , 9, 16 and 23rd.
Alan Epstein has been playing mandolin for the past 54 years and has been teaching others to play mandolin for 30 years. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pa, he has lived in the Capital District since 2008 and is currently living in Glens falls, NY. Alan has preformed in bluegrass bands in Colorado, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York. In 2002 Alan was the founder of the modern day Pittsburgh Mandolin Orchestra. and has been a Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam instructor since 2012.

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Open Mic
2026-02-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Blues Folk

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OPEN MIC NIGHT
DOORS 6:00PM // SIGN UP 6:30PM // SHOW STARTS 7:00PM
Play your song on the Caffe’s famous stage! During the past three decades, Lena’s open mic has been recognized with “Best Of” awards from Metroland Magazine, The Alt Weekly, The Saratogian Reader’s Poll and Saratoga’s Fab Five. Just like at our weekend shows, all attention is focused on the stage.
OUR HOSTS
First Monday – Rick Bolton
Second Monday – Carolyn Shapiro
Third Monday – Ray Pashoukos
Fourth Monday – Kate Blain
HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT:

Every Monday. All ages, all styles. Originals encouraged but not required.
Please leave a $3-$5 donation for our non-profit organization if you’re able to.
Doors open at 6:00 PM. Sign-up is 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM / Show at 7:00 / 2 songs or 10 minutes /
Sign up is first come first serve
You are welcome to use our Yamaha studio upright acoustic piano or acoustic Martin guitar. We can play your MP3 backing track through our sound system. You are welcome to bring amps and drums BUT set up and break down is part of your 10 minutes.
Coffee & Cookies are available for purchase in the Lobby. No alcohol! We like to keep our Monday nights family friendly.
Play Nice! We foster a diverse community that has a great time making art and helping one another get better. Excessive profanity, explicit sexual themes, and “humor” that unkindly targets a specific group undermines this goal. It is up to the discretion of the host to enforce the house standards.

CONTACT US
If you have any questions you can give us a call at 518-583-0022 or email our Monday House Manager: artur@caffelena.org

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Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

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$27.11

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$30.37

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$13.56

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Poetry Open Mic Featuring Maggie Greaves
2026-02-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Blues

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Maggie Greaves is the author of the scholarly book Lyric Poetry and Space Exploration from Einstein to the Present (Oxford University Press, 2023), as well as articles on modern and contemporary poetry published in Genre, Contemporary Literature, the Journal of Modern Literature, and elsewhere. Her poems have appeared in The Missouri Review, The Seneca Review, Literary Matters, and North American Review, among other venues. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Maggie now lives in Greenfield, NY and is associate professor of poetry and poetics at Skidmore College.
﻿

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$41.21

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$20.61

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Folk Club Kids
2026-02-25 10:30 - 11:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Blues Folk

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Folk Club Kids: Stories, Songs, and Sing-a-longs
Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
https://www.caffelena.org/folk-club-kids/
Join Dan Berggren, Arielle Woodul and Connor Armbruster for Folk Club Kids: a free weekly interactive concert series for preschoolers and their caregivers. Children are treated to 30 minutes of live music in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Inspire a love of music, community, and togetherness each week, learn, play, make friends and have fun!
This program is made possible by Andy and Bill Spence.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

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$27.11

General
$30.37

Child or Student
$13.56

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After School Folk Ensemble with James Gascoyne and Oona Grady
2026-02-25 14:30 - 17:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Blues

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After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
17 weeks starting January 28th
Use these links to sign up:
2:45, 3:40, 4:35
Music is a gift best shared with friends! Here is an exciting opportunity for youth 7-14 to learn music by playing together.
Weekly 45 minute classes will be focused on making music, including singing, exploring various string instruments, music theory basics, rhythm exercises, how to learn songs/tunes from scratch, confidence in performance practice, and more. At the end of the final class of the session there will be a recital/sharing session for family and friends (with Lena's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies, of course!).
Youth Folk Ensemble is–
Mixed ages and abilities: Open to any level of experience with music; Learn through listening and participation.
Focus on repertoire: Learn classic tunes and songs from the American folk tradition as well as some favorite contemporary songs.
Explore string instruments and singing, learning basic skills: Opportunities to focus on guitar, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, bass, and violin/fiddle*; (*for students interested in violin/fiddle it is recommended that they also be enrolled in private or school lessons).
Learn music fundamentals: Develop strong and steady sense of rhythm; Learn how to listen and hear musically; Explore singing finding one's own unique voice.
Learning valuable life skills: Working in a group setting; Creative contribution and compromise; Being part of a team and playing your part; Building friendships.
Need help with tuition or an instrument? Let us know how we can help by filling out this application for the Matt McCabe Scholarship Fund or email: musicschool@caffelena.org
After School Youth Folk Ensemble classes meet on Wednesdays at Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
The three time slots are 2:45-3:30 pm; 3:40-4:25 pm; & 4:35-5:20 pm. Sign up for one or all!
Session 3 Dates: Jan 28 – Jun 3 (17 weeks) [off 2/18, 4/8]
(Summer day camps are offered as well – 2026 details TBA)
End of session recitals are on the final day of class: 6/3 from 5:30-6pm
Students are encouraged to sign up for all three sessions – the more time we spend learning and practicing music together, the tighter our ensemble will be! Discounts of 10% when purchasing more than 1 class at a time.
Meet the instructors:
James Gascoyne is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and teacher based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Originally from Louisville, KY, James has been an active participant in the NYS Capital Region arts community since 2004. He has toured nationally with a variety of groups, at times performing on bass, guitar, drums, and vocals, all the while maintaining an active local performing and recording schedule as well as teaching privately when time allows. James regularly performs with Oona Grady as their duo, Drank The Gold, specializing in traditional Irish and American fiddle tunes and folk songs, as well as original compositions and arrangements, plus newly formed bluegrass quintet The Millstone Rounders. With a passion for sharing his musical experience with others, he’s led various workshops at times on guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and bass for the Caffe Lena School of Music, Dance Flurry Festival, GrassRoots Culture Camp, and Winter Village Music Camp.
Oona Grady is a musician and educator living in Saratoga Springs, New York. She performs with the duo Drank The Gold, a band specializing in creative arrangements of traditional Irish and American fiddle music, folk songs, and original compositions, as well as with other projects including The Grady Girls, Folk Club Kids, Carolyn Shapiro, and newest project The Millstone Rounders. Oona grew up in Ithaca, NY, nurtured by a family and community with a deep love of music. After receiving a grounding in Suzuki violin and Irish fiddle, she began performing with her family band as a teenager, and moved to Ireland at age eighteen to continue her music studies at University College Cork, graduating with a B.Mus. in 2008. Oona works as a recording artist (credits include strings on What a Night'll Do, Dr. Dog), manages a private music teaching studio, and is a founding teacher at the Caffe Lena School of Music. She also works as a guest instructor for weekend workshops and summer programs, including GrassRoots Culture Camp, the Flurry Festival, Winter Village Music Camp, and the Ithaca Suzuki Institute.
#youthclass

Doors Open
Doors Open: 4:30 pm

Price

Member
$37.96

General
$41.21

Child or Student
$20.61

inclusive of fees

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Introduction to Gypsy Jazz Rhythm with Chuck Kish
2026-02-25 17:45 - 18:45 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Blues Folk

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Introduction to Gypsy Jazz: Gypsy Rhythm, Gypsy Picking
with Chuck Kish ( Hot Club of Saratoga )
4 weeks: Feb 4th, 18th, 25th and Mar 4th
5:45 pm – 6:45 pm
$120
Learn the basics of Gypsy Jazz style.
Gypsy Swing music has been passed down through the generations through families and generally as a folk process: watch, listen, imitate, learn. When Django Reinhardt "fathered" Gypsy Jazz along with Stephane Grappelli and The Quintet of The Hot Club of France in the 1930's it was just called jazz. It is now a genre known for soulful ballads and driving swing, with fiery solos
This class is an introduction to the basic elements that distinguish Gypsy Jazz from other genres. We will focus mainly on the unique Gypsy Rhythm known as la pompe, the foundation of the entire genre as commonly known today. We will explore various ways to play and styles of rhythm, common chords used, and lastly a very brief intro to soloing in the style.
To get the most out of this class participants should be comfortable playing typical guitar chords and strumming. Some experience with picking melodies, and barre chords is helpful but not necessary. This class will focus on playing, the how more than the why, though the why will often be mentioned. Any acoustic guitar will be fine for this class.
4 weeks
Week 1: Gypsy Jazz Style, La Pompe, Power Chord of GJ
la pompe: downstroke style
powerchord of gypsy jazz #1
minor swing
Week 2: La Pompe styles, Another
la pompe: upstroke style
powerchord of gypsy jazz #2
Dark Eyes
Week 3: Other Gypsy Rhythm Styles
Varying la pompe
A few more chords
Gypsy Bossa, Rumba
Swing Gitane played as swing, bossa, and rumba
Bossa Dorado if time permits
Week 4: Other Chord Forms, Intro To Gypsy Picking and Soloing
rest stroke picking
stylistic basics in the genre
some basic triads and tetrads on which to bass soloing
wrapup

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$27.11

General
$30.37

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
2026-02-26 09:00 - 12:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Blues

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
Thursdays January 8th – March 12th (excluding Feb 19th)
Level 1 11:15am-12:10pm Beginner / Intermediate
Level 2 9:15am-10:10am Intermediate
Level 3 10:15am-11:10am Intermediate / Advanced
Cost $195 for all 10 sessions. Drop ins $25/per session if space allows
Classes limited to 8 students per class

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Doors Open: 4:30 pm

Price

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$37.96

General
$41.21

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$20.61

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School of Music Slow Jam
2026-02-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Blues Folk

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

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Ryan Montbleau (Solo) with opener Lyle Brewer
2026-02-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Blues

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A relentless road warrior and masterful wordsmith, Ryan Montbleau has spent the better part of thirty years cultivating a devoted audience on the strength of his ecstatic live shows and exhilarating sonic versatility. He’s collaborated with artists as diverse as Trombone Shorty, Galactic, Steel Pulse, Tall Heights, Martin Sexton, Anders Osborne, and George Porter, Jr; shared bills with the likes of Tedeschi Trucks Band, Ani DiFranco, Todd Snider, The Wood Brothers, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and Mavis Staples; and racked up more than 150 million streams on Spotify alone. NPR’s Mountain Stage compared his “eloquent, soulful songwriting” to Bill Withers and James Taylor, while Relix celebrated his “poetic Americana,” and The Boston Herald raved that “he’s made a career of confident, danceable positivity.”
Montbleau’s freewheeling new album finds him exploring the full spectrum of his influences like never before, touching on folk, rock, funk, soul, hip-hop, and reggae, all with a preternatural ease that belies the intensely focused craftsmanship behind it. The songs are sprawling and unpredictable, grappling with a modern world perpetually teetering on the edge of chaos, but the performances are relentlessly optimistic, insisting on hope and joy in the face of it all. The result is Montbleau’s most vulnerable and cathartic work yet, an album that acknowledges the inevitability of doubt and pain while at the same time celebrating our limitless capacity for growth and love.
SAMPLE SONG
Opening for Ryan is Lyle Brewer. Lyle Brewer is a guitarist and songwriter from Massachusetts. He has released several instrumental guitar albums and has performed all over the country with such artists as Neighbor, Ryan Montbleau and Lori McKenna. For the last decade Brewer has been a professor of guitar at The Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has released three transcription books and maintains a hearty teaching schedule through his Patreon site.
SAMPLE SONG
​​Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.
﻿Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 4:30 pm

Price

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General
$41.21

Child or Student
$20.61

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Music With Miss Deb
2026-02-27 09:30 - 10:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Blues Folk

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Experience this interactive and fun exploration of music with Miss Deb! Birth – 4 years old
We will sing songs, move around, play with colorful props and play percussion instruments while enjoying and learning about music in an organic learning environment.
Songs from other cultures will be included along with traditional folk songs.
Fun for the whole family!
#youthclass

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

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$13.56

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Apr 18 • 5 PM

Captain Fun Lunchtime Listening Hour
2026-02-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Blues

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Bring your lunch & listen to a playlist curated by a Caffe Lena Community member. For the February edition of the Captain Fun Lunchtime Listening Hour, our playlist curator will be none other than our Caffè Lena School of Music Director, Matt Griffin! The D.J. spinning those records will be the Rochmon himself – Chuck “Rochmon” 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. Bring a brown bag lunch. Coffee and tea are provided.
The Captain Fun Listening Library occupying the north wall in the Caffè Lena lobby consists 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.
If you want to create a playlist and host a session, please email Laura Sterling at lsterling834@gmail.com, or let us know when you are next at Lena’s!
﻿

Doors Open
Doors Open: 4:30 pm

Price

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$37.96

General
$41.21

Child or Student
$20.61

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Ryan Montbleau (Solo) with opener Lyle Brewer
2026-02-27 20:00 - 22:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Blues Folk

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A relentless road warrior and masterful wordsmith, Ryan Montbleau has spent the better part of thirty years cultivating a devoted audience on the strength of his ecstatic live shows and exhilarating sonic versatility. He’s collaborated with artists as diverse as Trombone Shorty, Galactic, Steel Pulse, Tall Heights, Martin Sexton, Anders Osborne, and George Porter, Jr; shared bills with the likes of Tedeschi Trucks Band, Ani DiFranco, Todd Snider, The Wood Brothers, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and Mavis Staples; and racked up more than 150 million streams on Spotify alone. NPR’s Mountain Stage compared his “eloquent, soulful songwriting” to Bill Withers and James Taylor, while Relix celebrated his “poetic Americana,” and The Boston Herald raved that “he’s made a career of confident, danceable positivity.”
Montbleau’s freewheeling new album finds him exploring the full spectrum of his influences like never before, touching on folk, rock, funk, soul, hip-hop, and reggae, all with a preternatural ease that belies the intensely focused craftsmanship behind it. The songs are sprawling and unpredictable, grappling with a modern world perpetually teetering on the edge of chaos, but the performances are relentlessly optimistic, insisting on hope and joy in the face of it all. The result is Montbleau’s most vulnerable and cathartic work yet, an album that acknowledges the inevitability of doubt and pain while at the same time celebrating our limitless capacity for growth and love.
SAMPLE SONG
Opening for Ryan is Lyle Brewer. Lyle Brewer is a guitarist and songwriter from Massachusetts. He has released several instrumental guitar albums and has performed all over the country with such artists as Neighbor, Ryan Montbleau and Lori McKenna. For the last decade Brewer has been a professor of guitar at The Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has released three transcription books and maintains a hearty teaching schedule through his Patreon site.
SAMPLE SONG
​​Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.
﻿Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

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$27.11

General
$30.37

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

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Momentum Series: The Mallett Brothers Trio
2026-02-28 20:00 - 22:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Blues

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The Mallett Brothers Band of brothers excels on the live stage, bringing high-energy and an authenticity that fans love. They typically play this area with their full five-piece rock band. Tonight, as Luke and Will Mallett take the Caffe Lena stage in the footsteps of their father, long-time folk favorite David Mallett, they're leaving the drums back home and creating a special, intimate acoustic trio for our venue – The Mallett Brothers Trio.
In the spirit of folk music, Mallett Brothers songs are filled with vivid imagery that captures the rugged spirit of the beautiful Maine landscape where they make their home. They "punch it into high gear" with rock and country instrumentation, creating "gutsy country rock" (Americana UK) that has been celebrated in the pages of Relix, No Depression and Americana Highways.
SAMPLE SONG
This show is part of our Momentum Series, made possible by Joe & Luann Conlon. This series features high energy music–solo or band. These are typically more shows that infuse the room with crackling energy rather than featuring solo acoustic performers.
Stream this show live at CaffeLenaTV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.
Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 4:30 pm

Price

Member
$37.96

General
$41.21

Child or Student
$20.61

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

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Caffè Lena

Roomful of Blues

Blues

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Apr 18 • 8 PM

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Alice Howe & Freebo

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Apr 24 • 8 PM

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May 1 • 8 PM

Playwright's Jam
2026-03-01 13:30 - 16:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Blues Folk

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Looking for an opportunity to connect with local writers, actors, and directors? Want to share a theater piece you’re writing?
Join us for the 1st Sunday monthly Playwright’s Jams!
A monthly meetup hosted by Caffe Lena for local writers, actors & directors
The First Sunday of the Month 1:30pm- 4:00pm
Doors open at 1:00; Casting begins at 1:15pm and Readings start at 1:30pm!
Bring your great ideas, your new scripts, your edits and your friends for an inspiring afternoon fo theater in the making.

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

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

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General
$30.37

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ONLINE: Songwriting Intensive with Gretchen Peters
2026-03-01 14:00 - 16:00 | Online, Streaming On Zoom
Blues

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A two-part online songwriting intensive with Gretchen Peters
For over two decades, Gretchen Peters has been one of Nashville's most beloved and respected artists. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014 by singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell, who called her "both a songwriter and a poet,” Peters has accumulated accolades as a songwriter for artists as diverse as Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, The Neville Brothers, Patty Loveless, George Strait, Bryan Adams and Faith Hill. Her song “Independence Day” won a CMA Song of the Year award in 1995. She has been nominated for 2 Grammys, a Golden Globe, and numerous other awards.
Part One: Sundays March 1 – 22, 2025
Part Two: Sundays April 12 – May 3, 2025
On ZOOM 2pm ET / 1pm CT / 12pm MT / 11am PT
( the two week break between is time for implementing what you learned in preparation for part two)
Each class will run approximately 2 hours. All sessions are recorded and will be made available for review within 48 hours.
One of the oldest phrases in any language is ‘tell me a story.’ Songwriting is storytelling, and telling your story in a compelling way is all about authenticity and detail. It’s about what you say, and what you don’t say. It’s about the truth, but not necessarily the facts.
In this workshop, we’ll explore the process of songwriting—the art and the craft, and the delicate balance between the two. We’ll learn how to keep a sense of creative play and when (and how) to welcome your inner critic into the room. We’ll find ways to work through “writer’s block.” We’ll learn that only through the specific do you achieve the universal—and that’s the holy grail in songwriting and all writing. We write to find out who we are, and in the process we find out we are not alone. – Gretchen
Class Description
This 2 month intensive workshop with Gretchen will be divided into two parts.
In Part One, we’ll focus on:

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

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

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

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

Doors Open
Doors Open: 4:30 pm

Price

Member
$37.96

General
$41.21

Child or Student
$20.61

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Roomful of Blues

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May 1 • 8 PM

Sister Sadie
2026-03-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Blues Folk

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There was never a master plan. No label pitch. No brand blueprint. Just a spontaneous jam at Nashville’s Station Inn between a few friends—seasoned players, all women, making a little noise on a weeknight. The room lit up, the crowd roared, and by the end of the night Sister Sadie was born.
What started as an accidental band became a force: GRAMMY-nominated, IBMA-decorated, and Opry-validated. For all the accolades, Sister Sadie has never been about labels—they’ve always been about the music. The fire. The truth.
With the release of All Will Be Well, they’ve burned the old rulebook. The album blends bluegrass roots with fearless layers of country grit, Americana muscle, gospel soul, and raw emotional storytelling. Songs like Prodigal Daughter (sung by IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year Jaelee Roberts), the defiant Do What You Want, and the aching If I Don’t Have You show a band that’s not playing roles—they’re telling you exactly who they are.
On stage, the lineup is formidable: Gena Britt’s road-tested banjo, Deanie Richardson’s fiery fiddle, Jaelee Roberts’ powerhouse vocals, Dani Flowers’ acclaimed songwriting, Rainy Miatke’s sharp mandolin, and Katie Blomarz-Kimball’s driving bass. Together, they are bold, bonded, and braver than ever.
SAMPLE SONG
Sister Sadie is not asking for space—they’re taking it. And they’re just getting started.
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.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$27.11

General
$30.37

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Midnight Choir

American Roots Bluegrass

event

Apr 16 • 7 PM

Caffè Lena

Garnet Rogers

American Roots Singer Songwriter

event

Apr 17 • 8 PM

Caffè Lena

Roomful of Blues

Blues

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Apr 18 • 5 PM

Open Mic
2026-03-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Blues

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OPEN MIC NIGHT
DOORS 6:00PM // SIGN UP 6:30PM // SHOW STARTS 7:00PM
Play your song on the Caffe’s famous stage! During the past three decades, Lena’s open mic has been recognized with “Best Of” awards from Metroland Magazine, The Alt Weekly, The Saratogian Reader’s Poll and Saratoga’s Fab Five. Just like at our weekend shows, all attention is focused on the stage.
OUR HOSTS
First Monday – Rick Bolton
Second Monday – Carolyn Shapiro
Third Monday – Ray Pashoukos
Fourth Monday – Kate Blain
HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT:

Every Monday. All ages, all styles. Originals encouraged but not required.
Please leave a $3-$5 donation for our non-profit organization if you’re able to.
Doors open at 6:00 PM. Sign-up is 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM / Show at 7:00 / 2 songs or 10 minutes /
Sign up is first come first serve
You are welcome to use our Yamaha studio upright acoustic piano or acoustic Martin guitar. We can play your MP3 backing track through our sound system. You are welcome to bring amps and drums BUT set up and break down is part of your 10 minutes.
Coffee & Cookies are available for purchase in the Lobby. No alcohol! We like to keep our Monday nights family friendly.
Play Nice! We foster a diverse community that has a great time making art and helping one another get better. Excessive profanity, explicit sexual themes, and “humor” that unkindly targets a specific group undermines this goal. It is up to the discretion of the host to enforce the house standards.

CONTACT US
If you have any questions you can give us a call at 518-583-0022 or email our Monday House Manager: artur@caffelena.org

Doors Open
Doors Open: 4:30 pm

Price

Member
$37.96

General
$41.21

Child or Student
$20.61

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Caffè Lena

Roomful of Blues

Blues

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Apr 18 • 8 PM

Caffè Lena

Alice Howe & Freebo

American Roots Blues Folk Singer Songwriter

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Apr 24 • 8 PM

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Roy Book Binder – CANCELLED

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May 1 • 8 PM

Storytelling Open Mic Featuring Margaret French
2026-03-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Blues Folk

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Margaret French tells personal and family stories with their roots in Canada, the land where she grew up, and in upstate New York, Saratoga, where she now lives. Her stories are unexpected, often humorous, sometimes touching tales about our all-too-human condition. Margaret also leads popular storytelling workshops, many at Crandall Library in Glens Falls. Read many of her stories in her blog at www.margaretfrench.com.
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.
﻿

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$27.11

General
$30.37

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

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Similar Events

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Caffè Lena

Midnight Choir

American Roots Bluegrass

event

Apr 16 • 7 PM

Caffè Lena

Garnet Rogers

American Roots Singer Songwriter

event

Apr 17 • 8 PM

Caffè Lena

Roomful of Blues

Blues

event

Apr 18 • 5 PM

Folk Club Kids
2026-03-04 10:30 - 11:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Blues

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Folk Club Kids: Stories, Songs, and Sing-a-longs
Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
https://www.caffelena.org/folk-club-kids/
Join Dan Berggren, Arielle Woodul and Connor Armbruster for Folk Club Kids: a free weekly interactive concert series for preschoolers and their caregivers. Children are treated to 30 minutes of live music in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Inspire a love of music, community, and togetherness each week, learn, play, make friends and have fun!
This program is made possible by Andy and Bill Spence.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 4:30 pm

Price

Member
$37.96

General
$41.21

Child or Student
$20.61

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Roomful of Blues

Blues

event

Apr 18 • 8 PM

Caffè Lena

Alice Howe & Freebo

American Roots Blues Folk Singer Songwriter

event

Apr 24 • 8 PM

Caffè Lena

Roy Book Binder – CANCELLED

American Roots Blues Folk

event

May 1 • 8 PM

After School Folk Ensemble with James Gascoyne and Oona Grady
2026-03-04 14:30 - 17:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Blues Folk

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After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
17 weeks starting January 28th
Use these links to sign up:
2:45, 3:40, 4:35
Music is a gift best shared with friends! Here is an exciting opportunity for youth 7-14 to learn music by playing together.
Weekly 45 minute classes will be focused on making music, including singing, exploring various string instruments, music theory basics, rhythm exercises, how to learn songs/tunes from scratch, confidence in performance practice, and more. At the end of the final class of the session there will be a recital/sharing session for family and friends (with Lena's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies, of course!).
Youth Folk Ensemble is–
Mixed ages and abilities: Open to any level of experience with music; Learn through listening and participation.
Focus on repertoire: Learn classic tunes and songs from the American folk tradition as well as some favorite contemporary songs.
Explore string instruments and singing, learning basic skills: Opportunities to focus on guitar, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, bass, and violin/fiddle*; (*for students interested in violin/fiddle it is recommended that they also be enrolled in private or school lessons).
Learn music fundamentals: Develop strong and steady sense of rhythm; Learn how to listen and hear musically; Explore singing finding one's own unique voice.
Learning valuable life skills: Working in a group setting; Creative contribution and compromise; Being part of a team and playing your part; Building friendships.
Need help with tuition or an instrument? Let us know how we can help by filling out this application for the Matt McCabe Scholarship Fund or email: musicschool@caffelena.org
After School Youth Folk Ensemble classes meet on Wednesdays at Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
The three time slots are 2:45-3:30 pm; 3:40-4:25 pm; & 4:35-5:20 pm. Sign up for one or all!
Session 3 Dates: Jan 28 – Jun 3 (17 weeks) [off 2/18, 4/8]
(Summer day camps are offered as well – 2026 details TBA)
End of session recitals are on the final day of class: 6/3 from 5:30-6pm
Students are encouraged to sign up for all three sessions – the more time we spend learning and practicing music together, the tighter our ensemble will be! Discounts of 10% when purchasing more than 1 class at a time.
Meet the instructors:
James Gascoyne is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and teacher based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Originally from Louisville, KY, James has been an active participant in the NYS Capital Region arts community since 2004. He has toured nationally with a variety of groups, at times performing on bass, guitar, drums, and vocals, all the while maintaining an active local performing and recording schedule as well as teaching privately when time allows. James regularly performs with Oona Grady as their duo, Drank The Gold, specializing in traditional Irish and American fiddle tunes and folk songs, as well as original compositions and arrangements, plus newly formed bluegrass quintet The Millstone Rounders. With a passion for sharing his musical experience with others, he’s led various workshops at times on guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and bass for the Caffe Lena School of Music, Dance Flurry Festival, GrassRoots Culture Camp, and Winter Village Music Camp.
Oona Grady is a musician and educator living in Saratoga Springs, New York. She performs with the duo Drank The Gold, a band specializing in creative arrangements of traditional Irish and American fiddle music, folk songs, and original compositions, as well as with other projects including The Grady Girls, Folk Club Kids, Carolyn Shapiro, and newest project The Millstone Rounders. Oona grew up in Ithaca, NY, nurtured by a family and community with a deep love of music. After receiving a grounding in Suzuki violin and Irish fiddle, she began performing with her family band as a teenager, and moved to Ireland at age eighteen to continue her music studies at University College Cork, graduating with a B.Mus. in 2008. Oona works as a recording artist (credits include strings on What a Night'll Do, Dr. Dog), manages a private music teaching studio, and is a founding teacher at the Caffe Lena School of Music. She also works as a guest instructor for weekend workshops and summer programs, including GrassRoots Culture Camp, the Flurry Festival, Winter Village Music Camp, and the Ithaca Suzuki Institute.
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Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

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$27.11

General
$30.37

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

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Introduction to Gypsy Jazz Rhythm with Chuck Kish
2026-03-04 17:45 - 18:45 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Blues

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Introduction to Gypsy Jazz: Gypsy Rhythm, Gypsy Picking
with Chuck Kish ( Hot Club of Saratoga )
4 weeks: Feb 4th, 18th, 25th and Mar 4th
5:45 pm – 6:45 pm
$120
Learn the basics of Gypsy Jazz style.
Gypsy Swing music has been passed down through the generations through families and generally as a folk process: watch, listen, imitate, learn. When Django Reinhardt "fathered" Gypsy Jazz along with Stephane Grappelli and The Quintet of The Hot Club of France in the 1930's it was just called jazz. It is now a genre known for soulful ballads and driving swing, with fiery solos
This class is an introduction to the basic elements that distinguish Gypsy Jazz from other genres. We will focus mainly on the unique Gypsy Rhythm known as la pompe, the foundation of the entire genre as commonly known today. We will explore various ways to play and styles of rhythm, common chords used, and lastly a very brief intro to soloing in the style.
To get the most out of this class participants should be comfortable playing typical guitar chords and strumming. Some experience with picking melodies, and barre chords is helpful but not necessary. This class will focus on playing, the how more than the why, though the why will often be mentioned. Any acoustic guitar will be fine for this class.
4 weeks
Week 1: Gypsy Jazz Style, La Pompe, Power Chord of GJ
la pompe: downstroke style
powerchord of gypsy jazz #1
minor swing
Week 2: La Pompe styles, Another
la pompe: upstroke style
powerchord of gypsy jazz #2
Dark Eyes
Week 3: Other Gypsy Rhythm Styles
Varying la pompe
A few more chords
Gypsy Bossa, Rumba
Swing Gitane played as swing, bossa, and rumba
Bossa Dorado if time permits
Week 4: Other Chord Forms, Intro To Gypsy Picking and Soloing
rest stroke picking
stylistic basics in the genre
some basic triads and tetrads on which to bass soloing
wrapup

Doors Open
Doors Open: 4:30 pm

Price

Member
$37.96

General
$41.21

Child or Student
$20.61

inclusive of fees

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
2026-03-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Blues Folk

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
Thursdays January 8th – March 12th (excluding Feb 19th)
Level 1 11:15am-12:10pm Beginner / Intermediate
Level 2 9:15am-10:10am Intermediate
Level 3 10:15am-11:10am Intermediate / Advanced
Cost $195 for all 10 sessions. Drop ins $25/per session if space allows
Classes limited to 8 students per class

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$27.11

General
$30.37

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

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School of Music Slow Jam
2026-03-05 13:00 - 15:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Blues

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

Doors Open
Doors Open: 4:30 pm

Price

Member
$37.96

General
$41.21

Child or Student
$20.61

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

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Téada
2026-03-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Blues Folk

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For more than two decades, Téada has been one of the leading voices in Irish traditional music—dynamic, deeply rooted, and internationally celebrated. As the band approaches 25 years on the road this year, 2026, Téada continues to bring the heart and soul of Ireland’s musical heritage to audiences around the globe.
Known for their driving rhythms, expressive melodies, and electrifying live performances, Téada has headlined major festivals across North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Their remarkable career includes landmark appearances such as a 30,000-person concert in Brittany, performances at the Edmonton Folk Festival, Penang World Music Festival (Malaysia), Harare International Festival of the Arts (Zimbabwe), and the Rainforest World Music Festival (Borneo), as well as a seven-week tour of Japan and Taiwan that drew more than 40,000 attendees.
Since first touring the United States in 2001, Téada has maintained a strong and beloved presence with American audiences, earning a reputation for performances that are both exhilarating and deeply authentic. The band has also collaborated with orchestras, including Germany’s Württembergische Philharmonie, further showcasing the versatility and richness of Ireland’s traditional music.
Their most recent release on Gael Linn features special guest appearances by actor and singer John C. Reilly and the late Séamus Begley, one of Ireland’s most cherished traditional singers and accordionists. Recent appearances at the Dublin Irish Festival, Savannah Music Festival, Montana Folk Festival, Festival Interceltique de Lorient (France), and the Irish Festival of Oulu (Finland) underscore Téada’s role as true ambassadors of Irish culture.
Rooted in tradition yet alive with energy and invention, Téada’s music is made to be shared—felt in the feet, the heart, and the spirit. We’re thrilled to welcome them back to the Caffè Lena stage for an unforgettable evening of world-class Irish music.
SAMPLE SONG
Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.
Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 7:30 pm

Price

Member
$27.11

General
$30.37

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Midnight Choir

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Apr 16 • 7 PM

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