Caffè Lena

Folk Club Kids
2026-04-08 10:30 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Workshop

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Folk Club Kids: Stories, Songs, and Sing-a-longs Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. https://www.caffelena.org/folk-club-kids/ 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

General
$120.00

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Music Theory for Jammers with Bruce Thompson
2026-04-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass

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Wednesday Night with Caffè Lena School of Music –

March 11, 25 and April 1, 8. 7pm – 8pm

$120

This course covers the basics of music theory for those who play music regularly but have limited or no knowledge of music theory. A basic understanding of music theory can help musicians at all levels learn faster, be more creative and communicate better with other musicians. Each week we will discuss a different aspect of music theory (i.e. rhythm, melody and harmony) and real world examples of how these concepts are applied.

Experience level: All levels

Instructor: Bruce Thompson

Topics:

Rhythm Concepts

Intervals

Major and Minor Scales

Chords & Chord Progressions (Constructions and types)

Notation and Musical forms

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
2026-04-09 09:00 - 12:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Cost $195 for all 10 sessions. Drop ins $25/per session if space allows

10 Thursdays starting April 2

Click a time below to sign up:

Beginner 9:15 am – 10:10 am

Intermediate 10:15 am – 11:10 am

Intermediate / Advanced 11:15 am – 12:10 pm

Not sure what class might work best for you email: matt@caffelena.org

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$195.00

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School of Music Slow Jam
2026-04-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass

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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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Apr 16 • 9 AM

Momentum Series: Ellen Pieroni & The Encyclopedia of Soul
2026-04-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Ellen Pieroni is a soul jazz saxophone player and multi-instrumentalist from Buffalo, NY. She has been playing the saxophone since she was 8 years old, and has been a side woman in a multitude of bands (including Folkfaces and Buffalo Afrobeat Orchestra) for over a decade.

Pieroni’s smooth-infused soul jazz band Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul, or EoS, was featured on NPR’s All Things Considered as one of three “jazz stand outs” for the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest, where Felix Contreras said that “soul jazz is alive and well with…Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul.” Although the group is inspired by artists such as Grover Washington Jr., King Curtis, and the Crusaders, EoS puts an emphasis on new original music. The sound is driven by Pieroni’s captivating and soulful melodies, supported by thoughtful improvisation from all members over deep pocket grooves.

“When [Ellen] takes her solo, it really warms my heart because I hear the same soulfulness of Cannonball, or any of the sax players who played with Ray Charles back in the 50s, or the more contemporary alto saxophonist David Sanborn.”

– Felix Contreras, NPR’s All Things Considered

The band features Adam Bronstein (guitar), Isaiah Gethers (drums), Jacob Nicholson (keys), and Dominic Missana (bass).

SAMPLE SONG

This show is part of our Momentum Series, ﻿made possible by the generous support of Joseph & Luann Conlon, in honor of Thom O'Neil.

﻿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 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

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$195.00

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Music With Miss Deb
2026-04-10 09:30 - 10:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass

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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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Apr 16 • 9 AM

Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini
2026-04-10 20:00 - 22:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Describing Natalie Cressman and Ian Faquini as a duo is accurate—but incomplete. Together, they create a richly expressive musical world that blends jazz, Brazilian song, impressionistic harmony, and sophisticated pop songwriting into something truly singular.

Cressman is a world class trombonist and vocalist whose career began early. At eighteen, she moved to New York City to attend the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Luis Bonilla, Garry Dial, Laurie Frink, and Wycliffe Gordon.

In 2010, she was recruited by Trey Anastasio for his touring band, he called her “the rarest of musicians.”

She has since performed with artists and ensembles spanning jazz, rock, and funk, including Carlos Santana, Phish, Nicholas Payton, Phil Lesh, Oteil Burbridge, Big Gigantic, The Motet, Dumpstaphunk, Lettuce, and Umphrey’s McGee, and has appeared at venues such as the Apollo Theater.

Faquini, a composer, guitarist, and singer from Brasília, draws deeply from the Brazilian songbook and MPB (popular Brazilian music) tradition, informed by jazz and classical influences. A protégé of Guinga, he is known for his exquisite harmonic sense and lyrical guitar work. Together, Cressman and Faquini perform original material in Portuguese, French, and English, featuring luminous two part vocal harmonies that feel far larger than a duo while remaining intimate and deeply connected.

Their latest album, Revolução, released on GroundUP Music, captures the closeness and emotional clarity of their live performances, reflecting on love, loss, and the small rituals that shape everyday life.

SAMPLE SONG

Caffè Lena is proud to welcome this extraordinary partnership for an evening of beautifully crafted songs, deep listening, and musical connection.

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

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$195.00

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Songwriting Club
2026-04-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass

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I'm happy to announce that Songwriting Club is back at Caffè Lena with a more structured time slot. "Second Saturday Songwriting Club" will meet (you guessed it) every second Saturday! Starting January 10th 10am – 12pm. Hosted by Reese Fulmer and Girl Blue! The club will meet monthly with special guests being a more "special" event. Bring your pens, pencils, instruments, thinking caps, favorite songs.

January 10th

10am – 12pm

$5 donation

cookies and coffee by donation

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Folk Heritage Series: Jay Ungar & Molly Mason
2026-04-11 20:00 - 22:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Their story began with a chance meeting in the late 1970s at the Towne Crier, where two musicians—each traveling a very different path—recognized something rare in one another. What followed became one of the most enduring and celebrated partnerships in American acoustic music.

He was a Bronx kid, shaped by ’40s and ’50s pop and traditional music found in Greenwich Village and the back roads of the South. She grew up in Washington State, drawn to fiddle traditions, Swing Era jazz, and classic American songs. Together, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason forged a sound that is warm, lyrical, deeply rooted, and unmistakably their own.

In the early 1980s, their collaboration expanded into the influential band Fiddle Fever, whose recordings are now considered classics. Around the same time, Jay founded the Ashokan Music & Dance Camps, now a world-renowned gathering place for traditional music and dance—programs that Molly would later help shape and lead.

A pivotal moment came when filmmaker Ken Burns discovered Jay’s composition Ashokan Farewell, which became the iconic theme of The Civil War. The piece earned an Emmy nomination for Jay, helped the soundtrack win a Grammy, and has since become an American folk classic—performed around the world by musicians across genres.

Beyond that singular work, Jay & Molly’s music spans romantic fiddle tunes, film scores, Stephen Foster songs, and dance music drawing from Appalachian, Scandinavian, Celtic, Klezmer, swing, and blues traditions. Their performances—heard everywhere from A Prairie Home Companion to concert halls worldwide—are intimate, masterful, and deeply human.

SAMPLE SONG

To hear Jay Ungar & Molly Mason live is to experience American music as a living, breathing tradition—shared with grace, humility, and joy.

Stream this show live at. 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

General
$195.00

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ONLINE: Songwriting Intensive with Gretchen Peters
2026-04-12 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Online, Streaming On Zoom
American Roots Bluegrass

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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

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Matt Griffin Album Release with opener Jimi Woodul
2026-04-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Griff is a project led by Matt Griffin that weaves together the porous edges of DIY indie, folk, country, jazz, and improvised music into a single, searching practice. Rooted in collaboration and experimentation the project treats genre as a shared language, one shaped as much by process and place as by sound.

The self-released album Effortless Motion was recorded at home using a hybrid of digital and analog, resulting in recordings that feel intimate without leaning fully into lo-fi aesthetics or over-polished pop. The project lingers on the texture of everyday life in the United States: work, aging, restlessness, the slow effort of moving forward and the uplifting joy of being a new father.

Based in Saratoga, Griffin performs in many area bands, including Blue Ranger, Armbruster, Russel the Leaf, and The Millstone Rounders, and continues to situate Griff within a deeply local, community-driven music ecology.

Matt continues to practice out of a home studio and works as the Director of Caffè Lena’s School of Music, facilitating programs for all ages and abilities, fostering a vibrant community of music lovers.

Jimi Woodl is in his own words, “a singer songwriter who's profound lyricism, dynamic guitar playing and smooth soulful voice make him one of the most exciting internationally ignored musicians of all time. Combining influences from James Taylor and John Prine to craft songs that are so good you'll ask yourself, who the f@%* is this guy and why have I never heard of him?” and it is true! He’s played with and produced albums by Kate McConnell, Girl Blue and a slew of other artists.

Other projects include his bands One Red Martian and The Blind Pilots (both with his brothers Dan and Joe and childhood friend Daniel DeKalb) and Dark Honey. Their sound was indie/alternative vibes and atmospheric vocals reminiscent of Wolf Alice, Big Thief and Waxahatchee. Jimi’s lyrics are introspective, poetic, and sometimes sadly ruminating, but they’re also sweet, complementing his tender and raw vocals.

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

General
$195.00

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Mandolin Vitamins - Tunes, Techniques and Ensemble Music
2026-04-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass

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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. The class will run from 10:00 till 12:00. March 30th, June 6 and 13th

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
2026-04-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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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

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$195.00

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JAZZ at Caffe Lena : The Chuck Lamb Trio with Special Guest Eric Person
2026-04-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass

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

This April, the Chuck Lamb Trio welcomes acclaimed saxophonist and composer Eric Person, celebrating the release of his thirteenth album, Extra Pressure.

Eric Person’s career spans the bold and the boundary-crossing. As both a leader and sought-after sideman, he has performed and recorded with jazz luminaries including McCoy Tyner, Dave Holland, Houston Person, and Wallace Roney, while also collaborating beyond the jazz world with artists such as Bootsy Collins, Ben Harper, Vernon Reid, and Living Colour. His sound on alto and soprano saxophone is unmistakable—John Chacona of Signal to Noise praised his “sheer beauty of sound that’s often breathtaking,” while Bill Milkowski called him “a risk-taking improviser, accomplished composer, and inveterate swinger.”

Chuck Lamb, pianist with the renowned Brubeck Brothers Quartet since 2002, is celebrated for his passionate, expressive style and dynamic range. A prolific composer whose work spans jazz, fusion, classical, and world music, Lamb moves effortlessly from lyrical elegance to explosive improvisation.

Founded with the vision and support of the late GRAMMY and Oscar-winning producer Joel Moss, Jazz at Caffè Lena has grown into a regional destination for adventurous, forward-thinking jazz.

SAMPLE SONG

In the intimate setting of Caffè Lena, this collaboration promises something special: a night of fearless improvisation, deep musical conversation, and the kind of spontaneous interplay that reminds us why live jazz matters. Whether you’re steeped in the tradition or just beginning your jazz journey, this is music meant to be experienced up close.

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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Folk Club Kids
2026-04-15 10:30 - 11:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Folk Club Kids: Stories, Songs, and Sing-a-longs

Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

https://www.caffelena.org/folk-club-kids/

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.

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After School Folk Ensemble with James Gascoyne and Oona Grady
2026-04-15 14:30 - 17:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass

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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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Bluegrass Jam
2026-04-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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All are welcome to join the circle for an evening playing and listening to classic grass, new grass and folk favorites. Red Spruce will kick off each session with a few tunes then open the floor for musicians to lead their favorite bluegrass tunes and folk music, backed up by the other pickers in the gathering. Simple tunes are always popular! So sharpen up your axe, come prepared with your song, and let us hear some good old fast, high and lonesome, some slow and low, or a good old favorite. All are welcome!!

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2026-04-16 09:00 - 12:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Cost $195 for all 10 sessions. Drop ins $25/per session if space allows

10 Thursdays starting April 2

Click a time below to sign up:

Beginner 9:15 am – 10:10 am

Intermediate 10:15 am – 11:10 am

Intermediate / Advanced 11:15 am – 12:10 pm

Not sure what class might work best for you email: matt@caffelena.org

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Apr 16 • 9 AM

School of Music Slow Jam
2026-04-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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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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Midnight Choir
2026-04-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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Bluegrass endures because of bands like Midnight Choir that see limitless possibilities in the blending of mandolin, guitar, bass and voice. The twang and tenderness of the southern mountains whispers through the melodies of original songs by upstate New York's Midnight Choir. Introducing melodic and playing techniques drawn from jazz, classical and global traditions, they create brilliantly arranged stringband music that stands out like a cool island in a sea of bluegrass that sometimes gets overheated.

Inspired by progressive players from David Grisman to David Grier, this three-man ensemble is an exciting new arrival in the Northeast roots music scene. With deep respect for each other’s playing, and a willingness to explore musical ideas together, the strong line-up features:

Jake Ali | Mandolin – Jake has been strumming bluegrass and folk music on stringed instruments for as long as he can remember. From plucking away on open-tuned instruments as a little kid at the Winterhawk Bluegrass festival to completing a double major in performance and composition at the Crane School, Jake is trained and proficient on several stringed and wind instruments. Jake is also an active member of Maggie’s Clan, playing fiddle for the Irish rock band.

Jon Doll | Bass – Founding member of Binghamton, NY’s Driftwood, Jon has been making waves in the Cincinnati, OH music scene for the past few years, earning a Best Of from CityBeat magazine, and providing music for Jerry Springer’s podcast. He’s thrilled to reconnect with the upstate music scene, working in a band “writing songs and arrangements that are awesome to listen to.”

Jeff Wasbes | Guitar / Vocals – Jeff's musical training was both formal and informal, ranging from deep listening to rock as a kid, to being emotionally blown away by the power of a church pipe organ, to getting everything he could out of an excellent public high school music program. Although he found bluegrass later in life, Jeff went on to help found Blind Crow, a progressive bluegrass quartet, and had the distinct pleasure of supporting Yonder Mountain String Band on one of their swings through the Capital Region. Today, Jeff continues to develop his guitar skills while soaking up inspiration at Grey Fox, Freshgrass, and various other well-known northeast music festivals and events.

SAMPLE SONG

Come hear a stringband unafraid to cool things down, stretch out, and let bluegrass speak in fresh, surprising ways.

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.

﻿

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Music With Miss Deb
2026-04-17 09:30 - 10:30 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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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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Garnet Rogers
2026-04-17 20:00 - 22:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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In a darkened bedroom, lit only by the amber glow from an old floor model radio, two young brothers aged 6 and 12 lay in their beds, listening to the country music broadcasts from the Grand Ol’ Opry, and practiced their harmonies. Two years later, the youngest one was playing the definitive 8-year-old’s version of “Desolation Row” on his ukulele. He soon abandoned that instrument to teach himself the flute, violin and guitar.

Within ten years, and barely out of high school, Garnet Rogers was on the road as a full-time working musician with his older brother Stan. Together they formed what has come to be accepted as one of the most influential acts in North American folk music.

Since then, Garnet Rogers has established himself as ‘One of the major talents of our time”. Hailed by the Boston Globe as a “charismatic performer and singer”, Garnet is a man with a powerful physical presence – close to six and a half feet tall – with a voice to match. With his “smooth, dark baritone” (Washington Post) , his incredible range, and thoughtful, dramatic phrasing, Garnet is widely considered by fans and critics alike to be one of the finest singers anywhere. His music, like the man himself, is literate, passionate, highly sensitive, and deeply purposeful. Cinematic in detail, his songs “give expression to the unspoken vocabulary of the heart” (Kitchener Waterloo Record). An optimist at heart, Garnet sings extraordinary songs about people who are not obvious heroes and of the small victories of the everyday. As memorable as his songs, his over-the-top humour and lightning-quick wit moves his audience from tears to laughter and back again.

“Garnet Rogers is capable of awe-inspiring and unpredictable stuff – and that includes more than just music”

SAMPLE SONG

Come be moved by a master storyteller whose songs remind us that the small victories matter, and the human heart is always worth singing about.

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.

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Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop with Ron Gordon
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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Join us for a one day workshop with Ron Gordon on Fingerstyle Guitar!

Parlor Guitar / Foundations Of American Guitar Styles

In this workshop, we'll learn and play the fingerstyle evolution of American guitar in the 19th Century and became the foundation of accompaniment to songs and set pieces up to this very day. This 3 finger technique includes leading bass, bass runs, rhythm, arpeggios, etc. Starting here will also serve as a great introduction to fingerpicking for strummers wanting to add right hand technique to their "tool box". Handouts provided.

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Roomful of Blues
2026-04-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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Horn-Powered. House-Rocking. Pure Joy.

“Brawny shuffles, swinging horns, searing guitar, passionate vocals and balls-to-the-wall enthusiasm.” – Living Blues

“High-voltage swingin’ jump blues and R&B.” – USA Today

For more than 55 years, Roomful of Blues has been one of the most electrifying forces in American blues and R&B. Hailed by DownBeat as “in a class by themselves” and dubbed “the best little big band in the blues” by Blues Music Magazine, this world-renowned, horn-powered ensemble delivers jubilant, foot-stomping performances that leave audiences smiling, dancing, and wanting more.

Led for the past 25 years by master guitarist Chris Vachon, Roomful of Blues brings together swinging horns, searing guitar, soulful vocals, and impeccable musicianship in a bone-shaking mix of original songs and choice covers—ranging from jump, swing, and proto rock ’n’ roll to funky, contemporary blues. Their larger-than-life sound has earned them five GRAMMY® nominations, seven Blues Music Awards, and two DownBeat International Critics’ Poll awards for Best Blues Band.

The band’s signature horn section—anchored by longtime saxophonist Rich Lataille, a member since 1970—remains a cornerstone of their sound, evoking both the honking sax of early rock ’n’ roll and the cool elegance of big-band swing. Today’s lineup sounds as fresh and powerful as ever, with dynamic new vocalist D.D. Bastos adding a soulful, joyful dimension to Roomful’s timeless style.

From their beginnings in 1967 as a group of Rhode Island teenagers obsessed with Chicago blues, to international touring across 22 countries, to acclaimed recordings on Alligator Records, Roomful of Blues has built a legacy rooted in passion, evolution, and pure fun. Legends from B.B. King and Otis Rush to Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana have shared stages with them, and fans around the globe continue to line up for their thunderous live shows.

SAMPLE SONG

As guitarist Chris Vachon puts it:

“Playing this music is an immense amount of fun for us. And it’s just as much fun for our audience.”

If you caught their last sold-out appearances at Caffè Lena, you already know:

Roomful of Blues doesn’t just play the blues—they bring the party.

And if this is your first time, get ready for a night of hand-clapping, seat-swaying, joy-filled blues in our listening room.

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.

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Roomful of Blues
2026-04-18 20:00 - 22:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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Share:

Horn-Powered. House-Rocking. Pure Joy.

“Brawny shuffles, swinging horns, searing guitar, passionate vocals and balls-to-the-wall enthusiasm.” – Living Blues

“High-voltage swingin’ jump blues and R&B.” – USA Today

For more than 55 years, Roomful of Blues has been one of the most electrifying forces in American blues and R&B. Hailed by DownBeat as “in a class by themselves” and dubbed “the best little big band in the blues” by Blues Music Magazine, this world-renowned, horn-powered ensemble delivers jubilant, foot-stomping performances that leave audiences smiling, dancing, and wanting more.

Led for the past 25 years by master guitarist Chris Vachon, Roomful of Blues brings together swinging horns, searing guitar, soulful vocals, and impeccable musicianship in a bone-shaking mix of original songs and choice covers—ranging from jump, swing, and proto rock ’n’ roll to funky, contemporary blues. Their larger-than-life sound has earned them five GRAMMY® nominations, seven Blues Music Awards, and two DownBeat International Critics’ Poll awards for Best Blues Band.

The band’s signature horn section—anchored by longtime saxophonist Rich Lataille, a member since 1970—remains a cornerstone of their sound, evoking both the honking sax of early rock ’n’ roll and the cool elegance of big-band swing. Today’s lineup sounds as fresh and powerful as ever, with dynamic new vocalist D.D. Bastos adding a soulful, joyful dimension to Roomful’s timeless style.

From their beginnings in 1967 as a group of Rhode Island teenagers obsessed with Chicago blues, to international touring across 22 countries, to acclaimed recordings on Alligator Records, Roomful of Blues has built a legacy rooted in passion, evolution, and pure fun. Legends from B.B. King and Otis Rush to Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana have shared stages with them, and fans around the globe continue to line up for their thunderous live shows.

As guitarist Chris Vachon puts it:

“Playing this music is an immense amount of fun for us. And it’s just as much fun for our audience.”

If you caught their sold-out last appearance at Caffè Lena, you already know:

Roomful of Blues doesn’t just play the blues—they bring the party.

And if this is your first time, get ready for a night of hand-clapping, seat-swaying, joy-filled blues in our listening room.

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.

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Dan Berggren & Jeannine Laverty
2026-04-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Jeannine Laverty and Dan Berggren

More than thirty years their story and song collaborations have been strong reminders of the power of wilderness and the passion of its people. Join them as they take you into the woods, down on the farm and up the high peaks, giving you a good view of your hard-working neighbors.

Jeannine Laverty has been telling international folk tales since 1979 when her work teaching English as a second language to immigrants in New York City showed her firsthand how the U.S. is made up of cultures from all the countries of the world. Her school residencies and museum performances for children have been awarded funding from the NYS Council on the Arts, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and the National Institute for the Humanities.

Laverty has taught weekend workshops in storytelling for adults at Sagamore and other Adirondack sites since 1980. This work has led to her love of telling stories from Adirondack writers. She has mentored and encouraged other storytellers regionally and co-produces storytelling programs at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs.

In 1999, she received the Leadership Award for the Northeast Region from the National Storytelling Network.

A tradition-based songsmith, Dan Berggren writes with honesty, humor and a strong sense of place. His songs explore the many dimensions of home, hard-working folks, taking care of our planet and each other.

SAMPLE SONG

While his roots are firmly in the Adirondacks where he was raised, Dan's music has branched out across many borders. The award-winning educator and musician has entertained audiences from Kentucky to Michigan, Belgium to Bulgaria, and Zimbabwe to Transylvania.

​​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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Open Mic
2026-04-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
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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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Apr 16 • 9 AM

Rochmon Record Club Listening Party: The Who's “Quadrophenia”
2026-04-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Join us for an evening of deep listening and musical storytelling with Rochmon Record Club, held every third Tuesday of the month at Caffè Lena.

On Tuesday, April 21st, Rochmon Record Club will converge at Caffe’ Lena 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, to listen to, and learn about The Who’s 1973 album, “Quadrophenia”.

The Who’s second full-length “Rock Opera” is set in London and follows a Mod, Jimmy, while he searches for self-worth in a world that shows him no respect. The Who, one of the loudest and most successful touring bands of the early 70’s, was hot off the success of 1969’s “Tommy” and 1971’s “Who’s Next”. The Who brings the Rock! The 17 songs on “Quadrophenia” include “The Real Me”, “I’m The One”, “5.15”, “Bell Boy” and, “Love, Reign o’er Me”.

Doors open at 6:30, and the show begins at 7 pm with a live audio & video presentation by Chuck Vosganian aka “Rochmon”. As always, Rochmon will have some surprises in store! These listening parties are designed to inform, engage, and help us hear familiar music in brand-new ways.

As always Rochmon will have some surprises in store! For Rochmaniacs at a distance, Rochmon Record Club will also be streaming live on Caffe’ Lena TV.

By listening together, we experience the album not just as fans, but as curious explorers—rediscovering the art and intention behind every note. Whether you're a lifelong collector or simply love great music, you'll leave with a deeper connection to the record—and maybe a few surprises along the way.

Come curious. Leave inspired.

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

﻿

Price

General
$195.00

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Folk Club Kids
2026-04-22 10:30 - 11:00 | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass

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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.

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