Caffè Lena

School of Music Slow Jam
2026-07-09 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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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. ﻿

Price

General
$195.00

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Summer Camp: Youth Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-07-10 09:30 - 12:30
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

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Youth Folk Ensemble Summer Camp with Oona and James

and special guest Deb Cavanaugh.

Music is a gift best shared with friends! Here is an exciting opportunity for youth 7-14 to learn music by playing together. Building on the format of the weekly After School Youth Folk Ensembles offered during the school year at Caffe Lena, this summer camp is a Monday through Friday day camp meeting July 6 – 10, 2025. 9:30am – 3:30pm (Friday 9:30am – 12:30pm)

Three hours each morning and midday will be focused on making music, including singing, exploring various string instruments, music theory basics, rhythm exercises, how to learn songs/tunes from scratch, confidence in performance practice, and more. Each day will finish with extracurricular activities including lunch in congress park! At the end of the final day there will be a recital/sharing session for family and friends.

Youth Folk Ensemble is–

Mixed ages and abilities:

-Open to any level of experience with music

-Learn through listening and participation

Focus on repertoire:

-Learn classic tunes and songs from the American folk tradition as well as some favorite contemporary songs

Explore string instruments and singing, learning basic skills:

-Opportunities to focus on guitar, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, bass, and violin/fiddle*

(*for students interested in violin/fiddle it is recommended that they also be enrolled in private or school lessons)

Learn music fundamentals:

-Develop strong and steady sense of rhythm

-Learn how to listen and hear musically

-Explore singing finding one's own unique voice

Learning valuable life skills:

-Working in a group setting

-Creative contribution and compromise

-Being part of a team and playing your part

-Building friendships

Scholarships are available as well as instrument loans.

Price

General
$195.00

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School of Music Slow Jam
2026-07-16 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-07-30 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-20 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-03 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-17 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-01 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-15 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-29 13:00 - 15:00 and 3 more dates
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

Share:

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.

﻿

Similar Events

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Caffè Lena

Folk Club Kids

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class

Apr 8 • 10:30 AM

Caffè Lena

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class

Apr 8 • 7 PM

Caffè Lena

Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

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Apr 9 • 9 AM

School of Music Slow Jam
2026-07-23 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-06 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-13 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-27 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-10 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-24 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-08 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-22 13:00 - 15:00 and 3 more dates
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

Share:

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.

﻿

Price

General
$195.00

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Folk Club Kids

American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

class

Apr 8 • 10:30 AM

Caffè Lena

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American Roots Bluegrass Workshop

class

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Caffè Lena

School of Music Slow Jam

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Summer Camp: Troubadour in Training with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-08-03 09:30 - 15:30, 2026-08-05 09:30 - 15:30
Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

Share:

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

In Troubadours in Training camp we will explore:

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

-Expanding vocabulary on one's instrument

-Group and harmony singing

-Vocal technique

-Developing a sense of rhythm and groove

-Playing on stage and performance practice

-Songwriting and arranging

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

Scholarships are available as well as instrument loans.

Price

General
$195.00

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Folk Club Kids

American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

class

Apr 8 • 10:30 AM

Caffè Lena

Music Theory for Jammers with Bruce Thompson

American Roots Bluegrass Workshop

class

Apr 8 • 7 PM

Caffè Lena

School of Music Slow Jam

American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

class

Apr 9 • 1 PM

Summer Camp: Troubadour in Training with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-08-04 09:30 - 15:30, 2026-08-06 09:30 - 15:30, 2026-08-07 09:30 - 15:30
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

Share:

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

In Troubadours in Training camp we will explore:

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

-Expanding vocabulary on one's instrument

-Group and harmony singing

-Vocal technique

-Developing a sense of rhythm and groove

-Playing on stage and performance practice

-Songwriting and arranging

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

Scholarships are available as well as instrument loans.

Similar Events

View All

Caffè Lena

Folk Club Kids

American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

class

Apr 8 • 10:30 AM

Caffè Lena

Music Theory for Jammers with Bruce Thompson

American Roots Bluegrass Workshop

class

Apr 8 • 7 PM

Caffè Lena

Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Bluegrass Instructional Workshop

class

Apr 9 • 9 AM
