Don Armstrong and the Whiskeypalians
2026-10-09 20:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
American Roots Bluegrass

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Caffè Lena favorite Don Armstrong first attended a show at the legendary venue 63 years ago at age 15. Under the watchful eye of Lena Spencer, he learned through the graces of the performers passing through: Paul Clayton, Dave Van Ronk, Rev. Gary Davis, Bob Dylan, Hedy West, John Herald, Gil Robbins, Ian & Sylvia, Utah Phillips. Since then, it’s become a home away from home. This will be Don’s 54rd appearance at Caffe Lena, and he is bringing his band, Don Armstrong & The Whiskeypalians! Playing guitar & 5-string banjo, Armstrong has been hailed as “a folk treasure” (Daily Times) and “a consummate songwriter” (Arizona Daily Star). His songs have been recorded by artists from coast-to-coast and have been sung around the world. For 42 years he was part of the duo Don & Victoria Armstrong, until Victoria’s passing in 2014. They had 10 records to their credit, all receiving worldwide acclaim. Joining Don will be Liz Cerepanya, vocals; Peter Dalton Ronstadt, guitar & Pennsylvania Stomp Box; and Michael Gilbert Ronstadt, vocals and cello. Don recently recorded a record for the Ronstadt Record Company, produced by Peter, featuring Liz & Michael as well. A review of their appearance at last year’s Tucson Folk Festival cited a “wonderful and robust performance.” 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. ﻿

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Songwriting Club
2026-10-10 10:00 - 12:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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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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Peak Jazz Series: Stacey Kent
2026-10-10 17:00 - 19:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Stacey Kent's voice is soft, warm, and very quiet. She sounds like she is telling a private secret or singing a sweet lullaby just for you.

She has built an international career by doing something that looks deceptively simple: getting completely inside a song.

The Grammy-nominated jazz singer is known for an understated, intimate style that puts lyrics and storytelling at the center. As The New Yorker wrote, Kent “transforms songs into short stories that brim with passion, romance, and wonder.” Her repertoire travels freely through the Great American Songbook, French chanson, Brazilian music and original compositions, sung in several languages and shaped by a lifelong curiosity about words, places and people.

That love of language has led to one of the more unusual collaborations in contemporary jazz. Since 2006, Kent’s husband and longtime musical partner, saxophonist and composer Jim Tomlinson, has written songs for her with Nobel Prize-winning novelist Kazuo Ishiguro. Their work explores many of the same subjects that run through Ishiguro’s fiction: memory, travel, longing and the complicated ways we understand our own lives.

Kent’s career has taken her to nearly 60 countries, with more than two million albums sold and over one billion streams. Her 2007 album Breakfast on the Morning Tram earned a Grammy nomination, and her recordings have received Gold and Platinum certifications and numerous international honors. Along the way, she has collaborated with Brazilian masters including Marcos Valle, Roberto Menescal and Danilo Caymmi.

Her latest album, A Time For Love, returns to the spare setting of voice and piano with longtime collaborator Art Hirahara, joined on several tracks by Tomlinson. Songs by Johnny Mandel, Serge Gainsbourg, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Brian Wilson and Stevie Wonder sit alongside new work by Tomlinson and lyricist Cliff Goldmacher.

For all the scope of her career, Kent’s music works through small details: the turn of a phrase, a subtle shift in melody, the meaning hidden inside a lyric. In the close quarters of Caffè Lena, there’s nowhere for those details to get lost.

SAMPLE SONG

No photography and please silence all cell phones.

The Peak Jazz Series is made possible by the generous support of Joseph & Luann Conlon in memory of Joel Moss.

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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Peak Jazz Series: Stacey Kent
2026-10-10 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

Share:

Stacey Kent's voice is soft, warm, and very quiet. She sounds like she is telling a private secret or singing a sweet lullaby just for you.

She has built an international career by doing something that looks deceptively simple: getting completely inside a song.

The Grammy-nominated jazz singer is known for an understated, intimate style that puts lyrics and storytelling at the center. As The New Yorker wrote, Kent “transforms songs into short stories that brim with passion, romance, and wonder.” Her repertoire travels freely through the Great American Songbook, French chanson, Brazilian music and original compositions, sung in several languages and shaped by a lifelong curiosity about words, places and people.

That love of language has led to one of the more unusual collaborations in contemporary jazz. Since 2006, Kent’s husband and longtime musical partner, saxophonist and composer Jim Tomlinson, has written songs for her with Nobel Prize-winning novelist Kazuo Ishiguro. Their work explores many of the same subjects that run through Ishiguro’s fiction: memory, travel, longing and the complicated ways we understand our own lives.

Kent’s career has taken her to nearly 60 countries, with more than two million albums sold and over one billion streams. Her 2007 album Breakfast on the Morning Tramearned a Grammy nomination, and her recordings have received Gold and Platinum certifications and numerous international honors. Along the way, she has collaborated with Brazilian masters including Marcos Valle, Roberto Menescal and Danilo Caymmi.

Her latest album, A Time For Love, returns to the spare setting of voice and piano with longtime collaborator Art Hirahara, joined on several tracks by Tomlinson. Songs by Johnny Mandel, Serge Gainsbourg, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Brian Wilson and Stevie Wonder sit alongside new work by Tomlinson and lyricist Cliff Goldmacher.

For all the scope of her career, Kent’s music works through small details: the turn of a phrase, a subtle shift in melody, the meaning hidden inside a lyric. In the close quarters of Caffè Lena, there’s nowhere for those details to get lost.

SAMPLE SONG

No photography and please silence all cell phones.

The Peak Jazz Series is made possible by the generous support of Joseph & Luann Conlon in memory of Joel Moss.

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 Heritage Series: Richard Shindell
2026-10-11 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Richard Shindell has a rare gift for stepping inside a life that isn’t his own and making you believe every word.

For decades, the acclaimed singer-songwriter has built songs around vividly drawn characters: a cab driver on his last fare of the day, a war widow, an immigration officer, a soldier, an Argentine grandmother, even Mary Magdalene. In Shindell’s hands, these aren’t simply characters in songs. They become fully realized people whose stories open onto bigger questions of love, loss, faith, politics, war, prejudice and the complicated business of being human.

His songwriting caught the attention of Joan Baez, who recorded three of his songs—“Fishing,” “Reunion Hill” and “Money for Floods”, for her 1997 album Gone from Danger and invited Shindell to join her on tour. He later joined Dar Williams and Lucy Kaplansky to form the celebrated folk trio Cry Cry Cry, whose 1998 album and subsequent tours became a touchstone for contemporary folk audiences.

Shindell’s own path has been just as interesting as the people who populate his songs. He has lived in a Zen Buddhist monastery, busked on the streets of Paris, collaborated with musicians including Larry Campbell, and eventually made his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Across a career spanning decades, his thoughtful, literate songwriting and quietly commanding performances have earned him a devoted following.

Richard Shindell is the kind of songwriter who rewards close listening. A single song can unfold like a short story, revealing something new with each verse—and sometimes leaving you thinking about its characters and taking them home with you.

At Caffè Lena, where songs and stories have always mattered, he is very much at home.

SAMPLE SONG

The Folk Heritage Series ​is Made possible by the ​generosity of the Charlie Pickett & Kathleen Rehl Endowment Fund​.

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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Mandolin Vitamins - Tunes, Techniques and Ensemble Music
2026-10-12 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-19 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-26 10:00 - 11:30
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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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 11:30.

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
2026-10-12 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk 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

﻿

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JAZZ at Caffe Lena : Chuck Lamb Trio with Special Guest Peter Bernstein
2026-10-13 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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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 October, the Chuck Lamb Trio welcomes acclaimed guitarist Peter Bernstein as his special guest for October’s JAZZ at Caffè Lena. One of the most respected jazz guitarists of his generation, Bernstein has spent more than three decades performing and recording with an extraordinary roster that includes Sonny Rollins, Diana Krall, Joshua Redman, Jimmy Cobb, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Brad Mehldau and Lou Donaldson. He has appeared on more than 300 recordings and released 14 albums as a leader, including What Comes Next, recorded with Sullivan Fortner, Peter Washington and Joe Farnsworth, and Better Angels, featuring Brad Mehldau, Vicente Archer and Al Foster. Known for his warm tone, effortless swing and deeply expressive improvisation, Bernstein brings a lifetime of jazz experience to the show.

SAMPLE SONG

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. Chuck just released his album After Hours on Phila Street, featuring his original acoustic jazz fusion compositions, inspired by some of his most personal relationships and joyful moments.

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.

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
2026-10-14 10:30 - 11:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk 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 Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-10-14 14:30 - 17:30
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne

11 weeks starting September 30th

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.

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!

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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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson
2026-10-15 09:00 - 12:30
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Guitar Workshops with Bruce Thompson

Level 1 9:15 am – 10:10 am

Level 2 10:15 am – 11:10 am

Level 3 11:15 am – 12:10 pm

If you are unsure of which level to sign up for email: bt@kilakwa.com or matt@caffelena.org

Cost $195 for 9 sessions. Drop ins $25/per session if space allows

This class will focus on learning basic skills in order to play songs alone or with other players. Each week we will focus on learning specific skills that players can build on to gain confidence while playing. We will also work on playing different styles of music and transposing pieces into various keys. The goal is to provide players information and skills so they are comfortable in various musical environments.

Topics Include:

Open position chords and how they are related to each other

Moving from chord to chord smoothly and in time

Rhythm and strumming techniques

Single note play: Pentatonic scale, lead-ins and fills

Movable chord shapes

Learning new songs

Playing and performing with other musicians

﻿

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School of Music Slow Jam
2026-10-15 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-22 13:00 - 15:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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

This weekly program is made possible by the generous support of PHLY Foundation!

THERE ARE NO PRE-SHOW RESERVATIONS FOR THE JAMS!

SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR. $5.00 per person

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

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

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

What is a Slow Jam?

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

﻿

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FREE

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Howley
2026-10-15 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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For more than a decade, brothers David and Martin Howley helped introduce audiences around the world to a fresh take on Irish traditional music as founding members of We Banjo 3. Blending the sounds of Ireland with bluegrass, Americana, and contemporary folk, they built an international following through remarkable musicianship, rich harmonies, and the unmistakable chemistry that only siblings can share.

Now, they begin a new chapter with Howley.

Joined by acclaimed fiddler and vocalist Kiana June (Gaelic Storm, Come From Away) and multi-instrumentalist Caitlin Leahy, the quartet brings together Irish tradition, American roots music, and original songwriting in a sound shaped by tradition but never confined by it.

Martin's award-winning banjo and mandolin playing, David's expressive vocals and guitar, Kiana's soaring fiddle, and Caitlin's inventive percussion and harmonies create performances filled with energy, warmth, and joyful collaboration.

A seven-time All-Ireland champion, Martin Howley became the first Irish banjo player to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. David has earned a reputation as both a compelling songwriter and captivating performer, while Kiana and Caitlin bring years of experience performing with some of the most respected artists in Celtic and folk music.

SAMPLE SONG

Whether you've followed the brothers since their We Banjo 3 days or are hearing them for the first time, Howley offers an evening of spirited musicianship, heartfelt songs, and the infectious fun of four exceptional musicians making music together.

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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Music with Miss Deb
2026-10-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-23 10:00 - 11:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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Experience this interactive and fun exploration of music with Miss Deb!

9 sessions

10:15 am – 11 am

$120

Scholarships available just email matt@caffelena.org

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!

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Marty Wendell & Laura Leigh Band
2026-10-16 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Marty Wendell grew up listening to an old Philco radio, absorbing everything from rockabilly, country and folk to blues, gospel and pop. The music coming out of Sun Records particularly caught his ear, setting him on a path that would eventually take him from Greenwich Village coffeehouses to the stage with some of the artists he'd first heard on the radio.

One of those artists was Johnny Cash. Marty first met Cash backstage in the early 1960s, when Cash handed him a 12-string guitar and asked him to play one of his songs. A few years later, after Marty's first record, "Hey Hey Mama," sold more than 10,000 copies, he was booked to open for Cash on dates following the release of At Folsom Prison, alongside a touring company that included the Carter Family, Carl Perkins and the Statler Brothers.

More than six decades later, Marty is still writing, recording and performing. A Rockabilly Hall of Famer with 18 albums to his name, his music carries the rockabilly, country, blues, gospel and folk sounds that have surrounded him throughout his life.

Sample Song

Laura Leigh draws from some of those same traditions while taking them in her own direction. A multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, she moves between old-time country, folk and rock & roll with songs that pair driving rhythms and strong melodies with lyrics that can be thoughtful, funny and wonderfully direct. Laura won the 2026 Eddie for Americana Artist of The Year.

Sample Song

For this Caffè Lena performance, Marty and Laura will each perform individually before joining one another onstage. It is a chance to hear where their musical paths differ, where they cross, and what happens when they play together.

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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Jake Blount Band
2026-10-17 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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Jake Blount is one of the most original and thought-provoking voices in contemporary folk music. An award-winning musician, scholar, and educator, Blount explores the deep roots of Black American folk traditions while creating music that feels entirely new. Armed with banjo, fiddle, guitar, and electronics, he brings together centuries-old songs, original compositions, and modern influences into performances that are both deeply rooted and boldly imaginative.

Blount first gained national recognition as an exceptional string band musician, but his artistic vision has continued to expand. His acclaimed albums The New Faith and symbiont reimagine traditional music through an Afrofuturist lens, connecting the past, present, and future in ways that are at once powerful, haunting, and joyful. His newest release, arriving in 2026, returns to the traditional string band music that first inspired him while continuing to explore the living legacy of Black folk culture.

His work has earned widespread acclaim from Rolling Stone, NPR, The New Yorker, The Guardian, and Bandcamp, while appearances at Carnegie Hall, the Newport Folk Festival, NPR's Tiny Desk, and the Library of Congress have established him as one of the leading artists of his generation. Along the way, he has collaborated with Kronos Quartet, Adia Victoria, and Rhiannon Giddens, served as a music consultant for Ryan Coogler's Academy Award-winning film Sinners, and contributed music to Ken Burns' The American Revolution.

Whether performing solo or with a full ensemble, as he will at Caffè Lena, Jake Blount creates concerts that are as intellectually engaging as they are emotionally moving. His performances blur the boundaries between history and innovation, inviting audiences to hear familiar traditions with fresh ears while discovering stories that have too often gone unheard.

This is folk music that honors the past, embraces the future, and reminds us that tradition is a living, evolving art.

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.

﻿

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Momentum Series: Bandits On the Run
2026-10-18 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Bandits On the Run aren't just a band. They're storytellers, collaborators, buskers, theater-makers, and musical adventurers who have built a devoted following by turning unexpected places into unforgettable performances.

The trio of Adrian Blake Enscoe, Sydney Shepherd, and Regina Strayhorn first came together through a chance encounter busking in the New York City subway system. Since then, they've developed a sound all their own, blending indie folk, harmony-driven Americana, theatrical storytelling, and inventive arrangements featuring acoustic and electric guitars, cello, accordion, suitcase percussion, bass, and whatever other instruments help bring a song to life.

Their three-part harmonies have filled concert halls, festival stages, and sold-out clubs across North America and beyond. They've opened for The Wood Brothers, appeared at major festivals including Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, Blissfest, Americanafest, Cambridge Folk Festival, and Summerfest, and have been featured by NPR Tiny Desk, The Moth Story Slam, Netflix's Ask the StoryBots, and the feature film The Same Storm.

Yet despite all their success, Bandits On the Run still carry the spirit of street performers who know how to capture a crowd with nothing more than a great song and genuine connection.

Their latest album, Rough Magic, celebrates friendship, creativity, and the beautiful unpredictability of making art together. Recorded between Brooklyn studios and a converted church in the Catskill Mountains, the album blends lush arrangements, intimate performances, field recordings, and rich vocal harmonies into a collection of songs that feels both timeless and fresh. The band describes Rough Magic as "the goal and the method". It is an embrace of imperfection, community, and the belief that something extraordinary can emerge from a simple human connection.

That spirit extends beyond their music. Bandits On the Run are also accomplished theater creators currently developing new musicals, including a stage adaptation of What's Eating Gilbert Grape in collaboration with Academy Award-nominated writer Peter Hedges. Their work has been supported by leading theater development programs including Berkeley Rep Ground Floor, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, and Goodspeed Musicals.

SAMPLE SONG

Whether performing on a festival stage, in a theater, or in an intimate listening room, Bandits on the Run create shows that feel spontaneous, joyful, and deeply human. Expect dazzling harmonies, inventive instrumentation, compelling stories, and the rare feeling that anything might happen next.

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

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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Bluegrass Duet Class with Alan Epstein
2026-10-19 12:00 - 14:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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No partner needed to sign up! 8 students max.

The purpose of this class is to allow acoustic musicians to work on Bluegrass Duet repertoire with a musical partner. Early groups such as the Blue Sky Boys, the Monroe Brothers, the Stanley Brothers, and the Delmore Brothers helped develop the roots of the sound that we know as bluegrass. Each week we will listen to recorded examples of these and other duet and bluegrass artists and will work on singing and playing some of their best known songs.

This class is NOT intended for beginning musicians looking to learn the basics of their instruments. Rather, it is aimed at those who can play their acoustic instrument, (guitar, banjo, bass, fiddle, mandolin, dobro) and are interested in exploring the music's roots to help them fine tune their sound with a duet partner.

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Open Mic
2026-10-19 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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OPEN MIC NIGHT

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

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

OUR HOSTS

First Monday – Rick Bolton

Second Monday – Carolyn Shapiro

Third Monday – Ray Pashoukos

Fourth Monday – Kate Blain

HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT:

Every Monday. All ages, all styles. Originals encouraged but not required.

Please leave a $3-$5 donation for our non-profit organization if you’re able to.

Doors open at 6:00 PM. Sign-up is 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM / Show at 7:00 / 2 songs or 10 minutes /

Sign up is first come first serve

You are welcome to use our Yamaha studio upright acoustic piano or acoustic Martin guitar. We can play your MP3 backing track through our sound system. You are welcome to bring amps and drums BUT set up and break down is part of your 10 minutes.

Coffee & Cookies are available for purchase in the Lobby. No alcohol! We like to keep our Monday nights family friendly.

Play Nice! We foster a diverse community that has a great time making art and helping one another get better. Excessive profanity, explicit sexual themes, and “humor” that unkindly targets a specific group undermines this goal. It is up to the discretion of the host to enforce the house standards.

CONTACT US

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

﻿

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Rochmon Record Club Listening Party:The Beatles "Past Masters:Non-Album Singles"
2026-10-20 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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On Tuesday, October 20th, Rochmon Record Club will converge at Caffe’ Lena 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, to listen to, and learn about The Beatles “Past Masters – Non-Album Singles Part 1”.

EMI, The Beatles' master label, had a policy of not releasing songs they released as singles on albums. Therefore, many of The Beatle’s biggest hits were not available at 331/3 until Apple Records started releasing greatest hits packages. In total this came to 33 songs! The Beatles “Past Masters – Non-Album Singles” features what amounts to a greatest hits playlist of 23 songs all released from October 5, 1962 through July 7, 1967. Songs include “Love Me Do”, “She Loves You”, “Long Tall Sally”, “I Feel Fine”, “We Can Work It Out”, Day Tripper”, “Penny Lane”, “Strawberry Fields” and 15 more! As always, Rochmon will have some surprises in store!

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.

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.

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Folk Club Kids
2026-10-21 10:30 - 11:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

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

Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

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

Join Dan Berggren, Arielle Woodul and Connor Armbruster for Folk Club Kids: a free weekly interactive concert series for preschoolers and their caregivers. Children are treated to 30 minutes of live music in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Inspire a love of music, community, and togetherness each week, learn, play, make friends and have fun!

This program is made possible by Andy and Bill Spence.

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After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne
2026-10-21 14:30 - 17:30
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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After School Folk Ensemble with Oona Grady and James Gascoyne

11 weeks starting September 30th

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.

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!

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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Bob & Sarah Amos
2026-10-22 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Father and daughter Bob & Sarah Amos bring together two extraordinary voices, decades of songwriting, and the kind of musical connection that can’t be manufactured.

An award-winning songwriter, guitarist and producer based in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Bob Amos has spent more than 30 years writing and recording music that moves easily through bluegrass, folk, Americana, blues and Celtic traditions. His songs have been recorded by some of bluegrass music’s most respected artists, including Hot Rize, Junior Sisk, Special Consensus, Danny Paisley and Audie Blaylock.

Bob first became widely known as the lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter for acclaimed Sugar Hill recording artists Front Range. During the band’s 15-year run, they toured throughout the United States and Europe and released seven albums. Their One Beautiful Day, featuring primarily Bob’s original songs, earned the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Gospel Recorded Event of the Year award.

For the past 12 years, Bob has been making music with his daughter Sarah, a vocalist whose powerful, expressive singing brings a new dimension to his songs. Together, their voices meet in beautifully matched harmonies, backed by Bob’s formidable acoustic guitar playing.

Their duo concerts also give Bob and Sarah room to wander beyond their usual bluegrass setting. Drawing from Bob’s extensive catalog of more than 100 original songs, they move through folk, bluegrass, blues, Celtic and Americana, adding a few favorite traditional songs along the way.

And audiences are listening. Their song “Hills That I Call Home” reached #1 on the Folk Alliance International chart, while their album Ever Onward climbed to #1 on the national Folk DJ chart.

At the heart of it all, though, is something much simpler: a father and daughter, two voices, a guitar and a lifetime of music shared between them.

SAMPLE SONG

Come hear Bob & Sarah Amos in the intimate setting of Caffè Lena.

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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Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band
2026-10-23 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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Cutting his teeth as house manager and co-hosting our monthly songwriting club right here at Caffè Lena, Reese Fulmer has emerged as one of the Capital Region's most compelling songwriters and bandleaders. Described as writing "with a poet's sensibility rich with great storytelling and a healthy dose of irony" (Viv Nesbitt, Art of the Song), Fulmer has built a devoted following through fearless songwriting, memorable performances, and an unwavering commitment to musical exploration.

Named Americana Artist of the Year at the Thomas Edison Music Awards in 2023, 2024, and again in 2026, Reese and The Carriage House Band have quickly become one of the fastest-rising roots music groups in Upstate New York. They have been performing all over the East Coast and their following is growing with every performance. Their expansive albums capture what audiences already know: no two shows are ever quite the same.

In that spirit, for their 5th annual appearance on Caffe Lena’s stage (and their second year headlining two consecutive shows), night one will feature the “full band” lineup, with drums, keyboard, and saxophone, and will lean into the uptempo and gritty side of the Carriage House Band catalog, with free flowing solos and irresistible grooves. Night two will highlight the more introspective side of Reese’s songwriting, favoring smooth textures, bowed bass, and rich harmonies.

With a rotating cast of talented musicians and a sound that freely draws from folk, Americana, jazz, rock, and bluegrass, the band embraces spontaneity and discovery. One moment tender and reflective, the next exuberant and unpredictable, their performances thrive in the space between genres. As NYSMusic wrote, their sound features "smart, emotionally tuned arrangements and a stage presence that balances earnestness with unpredictability." They are truly in the moment.

SAMPLE SONG

For longtime Caffè Lena audiences, Reese's yearly return to the stage feels a bit like welcoming family home. For first-time listeners, it's an invitation to experience a band that's redefining what modern Americana can be: joyful, adventurous, genre-fluid, and unmistakably their own.

Come see why local fans return again and again. With Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band, every show is a new journey.

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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Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band
2026-10-24 20:00 - 22:00
American Roots Bluegrass Celtic Family Folk

Share:

Cutting his teeth as house manager and co-hosting our monthly songwriting club right here at Caffè Lena, Reese Fulmer has emerged as one of the Capital Region's most compelling songwriters and bandleaders. Described as writing "with a poet's sensibility rich with great storytelling and a healthy dose of irony" (Viv Nesbitt, Art of the Song), Fulmer has built a devoted following through fearless songwriting, memorable performances, and an unwavering commitment to musical exploration.

Named Americana Artist of the Year at the Thomas Edison Music Awards in 2023, 2024, and again in 2026, Reese and The Carriage House Band have quickly become one of the fastest-rising roots music groups in Upstate New York. They have been performing all over the East Coast and their following is growing with every performance. Their expansive albums capture what audiences already know: no two shows are ever quite the same.

In that spirit, for their 5th annual appearance on Caffe Lena’s stage (and their second year headlining two consecutive shows), night one will feature the “full band” lineup, with drums, keyboard, and saxophone, and will lean into the uptempo and gritty side of the Carriage House Band catalog, with free flowing solos and irresistible grooves. Night two will highlight the more introspective side of Reese’s songwriting, favoring smooth textures, bowed bass, and rich harmonies.

With a rotating cast of talented musicians and a sound that freely draws from folk, Americana, jazz, rock, and bluegrass, the band embraces spontaneity and discovery. One moment tender and reflective, the next exuberant and unpredictable, their performances thrive in the space between genres. As NYSMusic wrote, their sound features "smart, emotionally tuned arrangements and a stage presence that balances earnestness with unpredictability." They are truly in the moment.

SAMPLE SONG

For longtime Caffè Lena audiences, Reese's yearly return to the stage feels a bit like welcoming family home. For first-time listeners, it's an invitation to experience a band that's redefining what modern Americana can be: joyful, adventurous, genre-fluid, and unmistakably their own.

Come see why local fans return again and again. With Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band, every show is a new journey.

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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Aleksi Campagne
2026-10-25 19:00 - 21:00
American Roots Bluegrass Country Family Folk Workshop

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If you caught Aleksi Campagne at our Caffè Lena @ SPAC series in 2025, you already know there’s nothing quite like watching him sing while bowing his violin..

If you missed him, here’s your chance.

The Montréal singer-songwriter and fiddler takes the centuries-old tradition of singing while playing the violin and sends it somewhere entirely new. With voice, fiddle and looping pedals, Aleksi can build layer upon layer of sound right before an audience, combining the storytelling heart of folk music with the adventurous textures and energy of contemporary indie music.

And the fiddle has been part of his life almost from the beginning. Aleksi started performing at age five alongside his mother, beloved Canadian folk artist Connie Kaldor. At 19, he moved to Paris to study with legendary jazz violinist Didier Lockwood. Two years later, he became the only student ever accepted into McGill University’s classical violin, jazz violin AND jazz voice performance programs.

That unusual musical education comes through in songs that don't fit neatly into any one category.

Aleksi’s ambitious bilingual debut album features the same 10 original songs twice, once in English and once in French. Roots Music Canada called it “one of the most musically ambitious accomplishments of the year,” while Montréal’s Le Devoir compared his debut to the work of Patrick Watson and Half Moon Run.

The album helped earn Aleksi the Canadian Folk Music Award for Francophone Artist of the Year and recognition from Penguin Eggs and Roots Music Canada as New Discovery of the Year. He has also been a finalist in the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Competition and appeared at major festivals across Canada and beyond.

But the best way to understand what makes Aleksi Campagne different isn't by reading the list of accolades.

It's watching one musician, one voice and one fiddle gradually become something much bigger.

If you discovered him with us at SPAC, come hear what he can do in the intimacy of Caffè Lena. And if this will be your first time, we think you're in for quite an introduction.

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.

﻿

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