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gospel blues
Misty Blues: MLK Weekend Live Tribute To Odetta
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesOdetta (1930–2008) was a groundbreaking American folksinger and civil rights activist whose music blended gospel, blues, and traditional folk. Her commanding contralto and emotional style provided musical inspiration for the civil rights movement. It was Dr. King himself who named her The Queen of American Folk Music. As a musician and activist, she was a major influence on Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Odetta played Caffe Lena's stage nine times between 1992 and 2002.
This two-album passion project has been brewing since the mid-1990s for the lead singer of Misty Blues, Gina Coleman, whose encounter with Odetta became a seminal moment in Coleman's career. The band's first tribute to Odetta spent 24 consecutive weeks at number 1 on the Roots Music Report Traditional Folk Album Chart. This success inspired them follow up with a live tribute album in March of 2024.
On stage, Coleman channels Odetta's majesty and vocal power, backed by a refined, mature band that is fully committed to the project. The songs include Civil Rights era classics This Little Light of Mine, Oh Freedom, Take This Hammer, Jim Crow Blues, Alabama Bound and Hold On.
“A Joyful Noise!” Gospel Dinner led by Soulist Garland Nelson
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesSaratoga will be thrilled to learn that A Joyful Noise is back! This is a soul-cleansing dinner hour of music directed by Soulist Garland Nelson. Nelson leads Lena's Inspirational Voices gospel choir for a late afternoon of joyful noise. Songs range from traditional gospel and contemporary church music to soulful pop classics. Audience participation is downright thunderous. It's impossible to stay quiet or in your seat as Garland Nelson stirs up the Spirit!
Dinner served to your table is an integral part of this cultural event and is included in your ticket price. Your plate will be heaped with traditional food from the Carribbean. Coffee and tea is included. Caffe Lena's drink and dessert menu will be available a la carte.
This event is made possible by the generous support of Dottie Pepper and David Normoyle.
Jennifer Knapp with opener Flamy Grant
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesWe were already booked, but there was no way we could pass up the chance to bring these two trailblazers to our audience so we made room for a matinee. Knapp is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, author, speaker, and advocate. Her career includes the remarkable achievement of selling over one million albums with her first three releases: the Gold-certified “Kansas” (1998), “Lay It Down” (2000), and “The Way I Am” (2001). Alongside this commercial success, Knapp has been honored with four Dove Awards and garnered two Grammy nominations. She is the first major artist in the Christian music realm to openly discuss LGBTQ+ identity. Her courageous stance sparked national dialogue and led to appearances on Larry King Live and the TEDx stage. She founded the non-profit organization Inside Out Faith, dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights within faith communities.
We're thrilled to welcome opener Flamy Grant back to our stage. She's a powerhouse vocalist, intrepid songwriter, and acclaimed drag queen from western North Carolina who blends folk, gospel, and roots, transporting audiences with therapeutic, theatrical storytelling and song. Her 2022 debut record, Bible Belt Baby, garnered international attention when it reached the #1 spot on the iTunes Christian Charts.