Caffè Lena

Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
2026-02-26 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots

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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: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$23.86

General
$27.11

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

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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 Celtic 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.

﻿

Doors Open
Doors Open: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$23.86

General
$27.11

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

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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
American Roots Bluegrass Blues Rock

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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.

Price

Member
$21.69

General
$23.86

Child or Student
$11.93

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

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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 Celtic 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: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$23.86

General
$27.11

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

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

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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!

﻿

Price

Member
$21.69

General
$23.86

Child or Student
$11.93

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

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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 Celtic Folk

Share:

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: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$23.86

General
$27.11

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

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May 7 • 7 PM

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

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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.

Price

Member
$21.69

General
$23.86

Child or Student
$11.93

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

Similar Events

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Peak Jazz Series: Charlie Ballantine

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May 3 • 7 PM

Playwright's Jam
2026-03-01 13:30 - 16:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Celtic 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: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$23.86

General
$27.11

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

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ONLINE: Songwriting Intensive with Gretchen Peters
2026-03-01 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Online, Streaming On Zoom
American Roots Bluegrass Blues Rock

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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

Price

Member
$21.69

General
$23.86

Child or Student
$11.93

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

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Sister Sadie
2026-03-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Celtic 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: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$23.86

General
$27.11

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

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View All

Caffè Lena

Peak Jazz Series: Charlie Ballantine

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May 7 • 7 PM

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

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OPEN MIC NIGHT
DOORS 6:00PM // SIGN UP 6:30PM // SHOW STARTS 7:00PM

Play your song on the Caffe’s famous stage! During the past three decades, Lena’s open mic has been recognized with “Best Of” awards from Metroland Magazine, The Alt Weekly, The Saratogian Reader’s Poll and Saratoga’s Fab Five. Just like at our weekend shows, all attention is focused on the stage.

OUR HOSTS

First Monday – Rick Bolton

Second Monday – Carolyn Shapiro

Third Monday – Ray Pashoukos

Fourth Monday – Kate Blain

HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT:

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

CONTACT US

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

Price

Member
$21.69

General
$23.86

Child or Student
$11.93

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

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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 Celtic 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: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$23.86

General
$27.11

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

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View All

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Peak Jazz Series: Charlie Ballantine

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May 7 • 7 PM

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

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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.

Price

Member
$21.69

General
$23.86

Child or Student
$11.93

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

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View All

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Peak Jazz Series: Charlie Ballantine

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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 Celtic 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.

#youthclass

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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
American Roots Bluegrass Blues Rock

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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

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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 Celtic 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

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May 7 • 7 PM

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

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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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Téada
2026-03-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Celtic 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: 6:30 pm

Price

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Music With Miss Deb
2026-03-06 09:30 - 10:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Blues Rock

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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

Price

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Dust Bowl Faeries
2026-03-06 20:00 - 22:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Celtic Folk

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THIS SHOW WAS RESCHEDULED FROM SUNDAY, JANUARY 25TH DUE TO THE STORM.

Dust Bowl Faeries perform a faerie-tale of dark cabaret and macabre polka music, infused with a dose of witchcraft and a dusting of woodland magic. Hailing from the haunted villages of the NY Hudson Valley, the Faeries perform original songs peppered with nuances of tango, flamenco, Klezmer, Balkan and Romani swing music. Singing saw, piano accordion, lap-steel, bass, acoustic guitar and percussion combine to create the Dust Bowl Faeries otherworldly sound.

The Dust Bowl Faeries ensemble has toured internationally and has released several albums including Magic & Mayhem (2024) featuring Melora Creager/Rasputina on cello, Carnival Dust (2023) featuring harpist Mikaela Davis, and a debut album featuring Tommy Stinson of The Replacements/Guns N' Roses.

SAMPLE SONG

Americana by way of pagan cabaret – Bay Area Reporter

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

Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above fave 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: 6:30 pm

Price

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$23.86

General
$27.11

Child or Student
$13.56

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May 7 • 7 PM

Little Folks Series: Peter Davis
2026-03-07 15:00 - 16:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Blues Rock

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Little Folks audiences are in for a joyful, music filled morning with Peter Davis.

A true musical shapeshifter, Peter plays an astonishing range of instruments (including clarinet, alto sax, 5-string & tenor banjos, piano, tenor and 6-string guitar, whistle and hulu-si) and brings an intuitive, playful approach to traditional folk, blues, jazz, vintage pop, and more. His performances are warm, interactive, and full of surprises, inviting kids and grownups alike to sing along, move, and join the fun.

Peter has shared music with families across the country through school residencies, festivals, and community programs, spreading the joy of traditional music and dancing for decades. With deep roots in both performance and education, he creates an atmosphere where curiosity, laughter, and participation are always welcome.

He has performed nationally, and internationally, with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, The Prairie Home Companion House Band, Papa John Phillips, Annie and the Hedonists, the Whippersnappers, the Clayfoot Strutters and others, For 12 years, Peter was the Program Director of The Flurry Festival of Traditional Music and Dancing. He is known to Capital District audiences as a member of the WAMC Dancing on the Air Orchestra, and Reggie's Red Hot Feetwarmers, the house band at Saratoga Race Course each summer. Since 1989, Peter has been on staff at Ashokan Western and Swing Week, where he teaches chord theory, improvisation, and leads dynamic group singing sessions.

Expect lively songs, engaging stories, and plenty of chances to sing along at this Little Folks favorite, designed especially for young listeners and their caregivers.

This Little Folks Show is FREE, as always, but we ask you to please sign up so we know how many people to expect!

The Little Folks Series is made possible by the generous support of Kevin & Claudia Bright.

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

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

﻿

Price

Member
$21.69

General
$23.86

Child or Student
$11.93

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

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Peak Jazz Series: Charlie Ballantine

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More Music Less Violence Presents: Girls Need Lov3
2026-03-07 20:00 - 22:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Celtic Folk

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More Music Less Violence Presents: Girls Need Lov3. An Independent Artist Experience, in collaboration with the award-winning Capital Region nonprofit More Music Less Violence, we highlight female artists in honor of International Women’s Day. Nine different women from the Capital Region will bring their talents to the Caffe Lena stage for a night of empowering and uplifting women’s voices.

Doors at 7, show at 8

This is the third installment of Girls Need Lov3 since its launch in 2020, created and assembled by DJ HollyW8D to highlight women in music in honor of international women's day.

Each program has been an unforgettable and empowering experience so you are in for a treat!

This is a very unique all-women music showcase celebrating the month of March, community and local artistry. See you there!

Live music

Live violin

Live painting

& More

Live Performances by:

RIA CURLEY

SHEHXNA

AMANDA CASE

IVELIAH

LACE

SHAYN JEANETTE

VIOLINA-VIOLINIST

AILA CHIAR

V3X

Live Painting by: Spice

(Painting will be auctioned off post show)

This isn’t just a concert.

This is a curated experience designed to uplift women creatives within the capital district while giving the community a space to discover and support them all at once.

Advance tickets recommended.

Space is limited at Caffe Lena.

Secure your spot now and be part of the movement.

﻿Www.MoreMusicLessViolence.Org

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: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$23.86

General
$27.11

Child or Student
$13.56

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May 7 • 7 PM

Tim O'Brien with Jan Fabricius
2026-03-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Celtic Folk

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Tim O’Brien and his wife Jan Fabricius have performed together nationally and internationally since 2015. The original songs on their 2025 release Paper Flowers offer tangible proof of a deep collaboration and serve as a narrative of the couple’s life together. Both live and in the studio, they present an acoustic music roots repertoire that’s at once both original and traditional.

Tim O’Brien might operate a bit under music business radar, but he’s been an essential part of the fabric of the folk, bluegrass, and Americana scenes for the past fifty years. Since his emergence as singer, instrumentalist, and songwriter with the iconic 1980’s bluegrass group Hot Rize, the West Virginia native has continued down a diverse and constantly evolving musical pathway. In the process he’s written songs for people like Garth Brooks and the Dixie Chicks, released rootsy classics like Red on Blonde and The Crossing, and earned a few Grammy awards.

A registered nurse from Kansas, Fabricius started dating O’Brien in 2011. After moving to Nashville in 2013, she took a crash course in the music business as tour manager. O’Brien describes their musical evolution: “Jan started adding harmony vocals and mandolin to shows and recordings soon after we became a couple. We would play music around the house, and she would learn new songs as I wrote them. Then soon enough we started writing together.”

When Cathy Fink and Jon Weisberger approached O’Brien in 2023 to contribute to what became 2024’s Bluegrass Sings Paxton, Tim and Jan wrote the song “You Took Me In” with the man himself. Encouraged by the results, the three scheduled weekly Zoom co-writing sessions and the songs kept coming. Paper Flowers includes twelve of those songs as well as three more originals.

SAMPLE SONG

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $8 – 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: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$23.86

General
$27.11

Child or Student
$13.56

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Peak Jazz Series: Charlie Ballantine

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Mandolin Vitamins - Tunes, Techniques and Ensemble Music
2026-03-09 10:00 - 11:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Blues Rock

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Attention Mandolin, Octave Mandolin, Mandola and Mandocello Players – This class is intended for advanced beginner and up mandolin family players and is limited to 10 students.

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.

﻿

Price

Member
$21.69

General
$23.86

Child or Student
$11.93

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

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Caffè Lena

Peak Jazz Series: Charlie Ballantine

American Roots Folk Jazz

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Apr 30 • 7 PM

Caffè Lena

Roy Book Binder Tribute / Live Stream

American Roots Blues Country Folk

event

May 1 • 8 PM

Caffè Lena

Drank the Gold and Benny Bleu

American Roots Celtic Folk

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May 3 • 7 PM

Open Mic
2026-03-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Celtic 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

Doors Open
Doors Open: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$23.86

General
$27.11

Child or Student
$13.56

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Caffè Lena

Peak Jazz Series: Charlie Ballantine

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May 7 • 7 PM

JAZZ at Caffe Lena : The Chuck Lamb Trio with Special Guest Greg Abate
2026-03-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass Blues Rock

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Join us for another extraordinary evening of jazz as Caffè Lena’s monthly jazz series returns with resident host and pianist Chuck Lamb at the helm. A pillar of Caffè Lena’s jazz programming, Lamb brings fresh energy, deep musicality, and an open-hearted spirit to every performance.

This March, the Chuck Lamb Trio welcomes a very special guest: acclaimed saxophonist Greg Abate, a lifelong champion of straight-ahead jazz whose vibrant tone and masterful improvisation have captivated audiences around the world. A Berklee College of Music graduate and former member of both the Ray Charles Orchestra and the Artie Shaw band, Abate brings decades of experience — and an unmistakable musical voice — to every performance.

A prolific recording artist and Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame inductee, Abate is celebrated for keeping the spirit of bebop alive while infusing it with fresh energy. His appearance with the trio promises an evening of inspired interplay, bold creativity, and the thrilling spontaneity that only happens when great jazz musicians share the stage.

Chuck Lamb has been the pianist with the renowned Brubeck Brothers Quartet since 2002 and is known for his passionate, expressive style. In addition to his jazz credentials, he’s a prolific composer whose work spans jazz, fusion, classical, and world music. His performances are electrifying—moving seamlessly between lyricism and explosive improvisation.

Started by Chuck with support from late GRAMMY and Oscar-winning producer Joel Moss, the Jazz at Caffè Lena series continues to grow as a regional destination for lovers of innovative, boundary-pushing jazz.

Whether you’re a longtime jazz aficionado or a newcomer to the scene, this night of music will surprise, delight, and leave you wanting more. We’re thrilled to welcome Greg Abate as a special guest with Chuck Lamb for an evening of deep musical conversation, fearless improvisation, and world-class jazz artistry.

SAMPLE SONG

Don’t miss your chance to witness spontaneous magic—live and in the moment.

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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Price

Member
$21.69

General
$23.86

Child or Student
$11.93

inclusive of fees

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Folk Club Kids
2026-03-11 10:30 - 11:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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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: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$23.86

General
$27.11

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

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After School Folk Ensemble with James Gascoyne and Oona Grady
2026-03-11 14:30 - 17:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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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

Price

Member
$21.69

General
$23.86

Child or Student
$11.93

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

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Clawhammer Banjo with Carolyn Shapiro
2026-03-11 17:45 - 18:45 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Celtic Folk

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Learn the basics of clawhammer banjo with award winning banjo player Carolyn Shapiro. This four week workshop will introduce you to everything you need to get started on your banjo journey. You will learn the clawhammer technique, how to tune your instrument, basic chord shapes, alternate tunings, and a few songs that will help you get familiar with your instrument. This is a beginner level workshop and is perfect for anyone who is brand new to music or brand new to this style of banjo.

Carolyn is an old-time banjo player and songwriter from Glens Falls who has been picking and singing around the Capital Region for over ten years. She got her start as a performer working at Caffe Lena and is now a regular host of the Monday open mic. Blending sultry flavor with a deep-rooted traditional style, Carolyn's music pushes the boundaries of the banjo with a catalog of songs that takes listeners on an intimate journey through the complexities of being human. As a performer, Carolyn brings a joy and vulnerability to the stage, leaving audiences feeling genuinely restored and inspired. Her 2022 debut album earned her the title of Folk Artist of the Year at the Capital Region Music Rewards. Her sophomore release, Take it Easy (2024) was recorded live with her band and captures the warmth, spontaneity, and camaraderie that define her sound.

Doors Open
Doors Open: 6:30 pm

Price

Member
$23.86

General
$27.11

Child or Student
$13.56

inclusive of fees

Get Tickets

Streaming

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Peak Jazz Series: Charlie Ballantine

American Roots Folk Jazz

event

Apr 30 • 7 PM

Caffè Lena

Roy Book Binder Tribute / Live Stream

American Roots Blues Country Folk

event

May 1 • 8 PM

Caffè Lena

Bright Series: Cristina Vane

American Roots Bluegrass Blues Rock

event

May 7 • 7 PM
