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live music venues in Saratoga Springs
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Los Sugar Kings : Free with Saratoga New Year Badge : Hot Sounds of the Caribbean
Los Sugar Kings : Free with Saratoga New Year Badge : Hot Sounds of the Caribbean
With a unique roots-rock-reggae repertoire, Los Sugar Kings draw from Afro-Cuban styles, Salsa, and Rumba-Flamenca music. Their dynamic live shows pull the audience in close, with both sides entering a space that's passionate, thoughtful, and joyful.
Frontman Patino Vazquez (vocals, guitar, tres), is a charismatic showman who is at once approachable and mesmerizing. Add in the African-influenced undulations of Mikael Mersha (vocals, bass/contrabass), the soaring, take-you-for-a-ride solos and harmonic accompaniment by Daniel Abreu (saxophone, piano, vocals), and the soulful voice and talents of Tony Curtis Hall (drums, percussion, vocals) and you've got a party breaking out wherever Los Sugar Kings perform. What a great way to heat up your New Year's Eve!
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Super 400
Super 400
We're not going to pretend that this original power trio counts as folk music, but we are thrilled to bring them to the Caffe Lena stage because their deep-hearted songs are fabulous, they love the room, and wow do they know how to connect with an audience!
Joe Daley (drums) and Kenny Hohman (guitar) have been playing together since middle school. Lori Friday (bass) joined them in 2002 to form Super 400, a band that has now been honored by their hometown of Troy with a "Super 400 Day," and induction into the Capital Region Eddies Hall of Fame.
Musically, they’re exploring new dynamics of light, shade and nuance these days. The shuffling, slinky fan favorite “Honey and Coffee” might be the most infectious and soulful number in their repertoire, while the atmospheric stomper “Thank the Moonlight,” with Lori on lead vocals, proves they’ve still got fresh, thumping grooves. Life changes have also shaped the direction of the trio’s songwriting: two of their more recent tunes, the buoyant and melodic rockers “Dream of You” and “Only Child,” are intensely personal.
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Allison Lupton, Shane Cook and Kyle Waymouth
Allison Lupton, Shane Cook and Kyle Waymouth
Canadian singer-songwriter, flutist, and nationally acclaimed traditional singer Allison Lupton enchants listeners with ballads and tunes reminiscent of an earlier time. Allison is now touring her album “Words of Love,” along with heavy hitters-- Canadian and US Grand National fiddle champion Shane Cook and CFMA Solo Instrumental Artist of the Year and Canadian Grand Master Step Dance champion Kyle Waymouth. Together their live show is a glorious mix of beautiful story songs, electrifying fiddle tunes and dazzling step dance united by the trio’s warm and frequently humourous stage presence. Lupton merges contemporary folk lyrics with crystal clear, elegant Celtic and bluegrass melody and instrumentation. "Allison possesses a voice which is as crystal clear as mountain spring water. There is also a delightful innocence to it which when combined with her perfect diction delivers every word crisply and clearly to the listener's ear." -Fatea
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65th Anniversary Folk Heritage Series: Ellis Paul
65th Anniversary Folk Heritage Series: Ellis Paul
He doesn’t just write songs; he’s a guitar-carrying reporter who covers the human condition and details the hopes, loves, and losses of those he observes, turning their stories into luminous folk-pop music that will keep playing in your head long after the show ends. Much like the artists who influenced him--everyone from Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon to The Beatles--Paul weaves deeply personal experiences with social issues and turns them into provocative songs that are as timely as they are timeless.
His latest album, 55, is reflective, adult, and joyous. Written and produced during the pandemic shutdown, it addresses themes of romantic love, dreams of favorite faraway places, friendship, art, and bittersweet nostalgia.
His songs have appeared in several blockbuster films (Me, Myself, and Irene; Shallow Hal, Hall Pass) and have been covered by award winning country artists (Sugarland, Kristian Bush, Jack Ingram). He's the winner of the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Award, 15 Boston Music Awards, An Honorary Doctorate from the University of Maine, and the 2019 International Acoustic Music Awards Artist of the Year.
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Nordlys Global Voices: FRÄNDER
Nordlys Global Voices: FRÄNDER
This is going to be a truly exciting evening of world music with one of the Nordic countries' top roots music bands. Influenced by first-gen Nordic folk rock acts like Hedningarna, Garmarna and Hoven Droven, but just as much by Led Zeppelin, Fairport Convention, Jethro Tull, and Steeleye Span, FRÄNDER is focused on making music their way. “This is not about tradition, this is about us, about today,” says band member Gabbi Dluzewski. “Even though the band plays exclusively on acoustic instruments, it rocks.”
With seductive harmonies, heavy grooves and mesmerizing energy FRÄNDER draws on the musical traditions of Sweden and Estonia to create unforgettable shows. Infusing the music of their ancestors with modern excitement, the five-piece folk rock band comprises family members Gabbi and Daniel Dluzewski (on Swedish låtmandola and bass, respectively), their fiddling sister Natasja Dluzewska (all of whom grew up in the old Viking stronghold of Håga near Uppsala), and Estonian flutist Säde Tatar, who is Gabbi’s wife.
"Fränder delivers a fantastic, stellar set of masterfully songs with engaging vocals, scorching fiddles, evocative flutes, and a powerful rhythm section." - World Music Central
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Misty Blues: MLK Weekend Live Tribute To Odetta
Misty Blues: MLK Weekend Live Tribute To Odetta
Odetta (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.
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Nate Sabat & Rakish
Nate Sabat & Rakish
Nate Sabat: Nate Sabat is well known to Caffe Lena audiences as the bassist for house favorite Mile Twelve. With upright bass as his sole instrument, Nate crafts wildly intricate arrangements. With original songs rooted in American folk music, he takes full advantage of the never-ending variety of sounds and textures the bass has to offer. GRAMMY-winning cellist Eugene Friesen says, “Nate has so much going for him: The ability to propel any groove with chops and subtlety, a sweet bow sound that can vocalize any melody, fiercely great intonation, and, most importantly, a musical intelligence and intuition that operates with a constant smile.”
Rakish: Violinist Maura Shawn Scanlin and guitarist Conor Hearn share a background in traditional Irish and Scottish music, which is why they named themselves after the Irish tune Rakish Paddy. “Rakish” also describes their jaunty approach to old traditional tunes and chamber music. Maura Shawn, a two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and a winner of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition, wields the technical skill of a classical violinist and the soul of a folk musician. Guitarist Conor was raised in the Irish music communities of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD. As a duo they have performed at venues and festivals across North America, and can be found teaching at fiddle camps across the country.
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Eastbound Jesus – Benefit for Comfort Food Community
Eastbound Jesus – Benefit for Comfort Food Community
Hailing from Washington County, Eastbound Jesus has grown into one of upstate's most popular roots bands, packing venues for over ten years. The sextet blends country, bluegrass, and straight up rock & roll. Gritty lead vocals backed by an abundance of harmonies, lapsteel, and banjo tell songs of the rural working class soul. Over the years they've developed a major following with their infectious energy that gets people cheering, smiling, and relishing a sound that is both traditional and refreshing.
This concert will be a fundraiser for Comfort Food Community, a Greenwich-based food access organization that uses the power of good food to end hunger, support local farms, and build strong, healthy communities. To learn more about their work and how you can get involved, visit https://www.comfortfoodcommunity.org/
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Lena Go Round – Songwriter Showcase with Erin Harkes
Lena Go Round – Songwriter Showcase with Erin Harkes
Musician/comedian Erin Harkes continues her monthly songwriters' series at Caffè Lena. This monthly showcase, curated and hosted by Harkes, spotlights rising talent, who take turns playing their songs and telling stories “in the round,” for an audience and for each other. Lena Go Round is inspired by the original music that has been the cornerstone of Caffè Lena’s 65 years (this year!) in operation, and is quickly becoming a must-see event in the Capital District.
The line up for January is Amélie, John Glenn, Drew Jacobs, and of course, Erin!
Amélie
Local singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Amélie takes inspiration from ‘60s and ‘70s folk rock to create acoustically driven narrative songs with lilting melodies and vocals somewhat reminiscent of Linda Perhacs. She released her debut single, “Ridgewood Sun,” in 2021, and in 2022, she released “Antietam,” the first in an ongoing series of songs, in a variety of styles, produced by one of her music heroes, Dave Nachmanoff. Her most recent release is 2024’s “Dreams of Marmalade,” an experiment in ‘60s sunshine pop, which showcases her love of elaborate harmonies and rhyming lyrics with a lot of syllables. Amélie is half of folk duo Question of the Century, who performed at Caffè Lena's “Beatle Caffè” in November 2024 and have done live sessions for WEXT and WSPN.
John Glenn
John Glenn is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for his deeply personal and introspective music. Born in Austin, TX, and currently based in Albany, NY, Glenn is the creative force behind both the indie-rock band Stellar Young and the electronic project LiketheAstronaut. His work seamlessly blends intimate, heartfelt lyricism with diverse musical influences, reflecting both the complexities of his personal journey and his evolving creative vision.
Drew Jacobs
Drew Jacobs is an award-winning Songwriter and singer from Latham. He's performed in shows and festivals across the country including the South by Southwest Festival in Austin Texas. He's received local and national airplay including Sirius Satellite Radio. His latest CD "Get Your Ha-Ha's Out" was recorded live by WAMC Radio.
Erin Harkes
Local favorite Erin Harkes has been called the busiest woman in show biz (NYS Music). She is regularly voted Best Singer/Songwriter, Solo Musician and Comedian in the Capital Region by the Times Union Reader’s Poll and The Alt. She took home the 2020 Thomas Edison Award for Best Solo/Duo Artist of the Year.
Adding to her entertainment portfolio in 2012, Harkes decided to try her hand at standup comedy. Since then she’s performed in nearly every major club in NYC, Toronto and Montreal, as well as being a regular at Funny Bone Comedy Clubs across the country. She likes to say that music is her spouse and comedy is her mistress. She tries to give them equal amounts of love and attention. Whether singing songs or telling jokes, Harkes commands attention every time she steps foot on stage.
Erin began writing her own songs at age 19 and has released four albums of original material since then. Her first CD was aptly titled “Bar Napkins and Magic Markers” due to the crude way the lyrics were jotted down during her college years.
Her music comes from triumphs over tragedy. Though sometimes somber there’s always a resounding theme of resilience. The power of her voice and the emotion that comes through her lyrics make you want to sit and listen to every word. Erin’s lyrics tell stories of her life, sung through a big voice that’s often compared to Janis Joplin. Hearing Erin sing is a powerful experience that grabs anyone within earshot.
Erin’s spontaneity and willingness to perform won her a spot on “Battle of the Instant Bands” on the Jimmy Fallon show in April of 2010. Having only 20 minutes to prepare with an impromptu band made up of complete strangers, Erin won over both Jimmy Fallon and the studio audience by naming the band (“Fallon Angels”) and the song (“Free Jimmy”) – the band performed the song with Erin on vocals to an explosive audience response and easily won the contest.
Erin is regularly voted Best Singer/Songwriter, Solo Musician and Comedian in the Capital Region by the Times Union Reader’s Poll, The Alt and the Metroland. She has been the subject of several cover stories by all of those newspapers. She is definitely a local favorite. Erin has had the privilege to have shared the stage with national acts such as 10,000 Maniacs, Spin Doctors, Pat Benatar and one of her musical idols, Beth Hart. In comedy she has worked with Jeff Dye, Judy Gold, Demetri Martin, Craig Robinson and Mark Normand.
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Lee DeWyze
Lee DeWyze
Following his win on American Idol's Season 9, DeWyze set out to demonstrate his songwriting skills in addition to his stellar vocal chops. Over the past 15 years his emotional, authentic ballads have been heard in more than 100 TV shows, movies, trailers, and commercials, and on stages around the world.
DeWyze’s most recent studio album, Gone For Days, is a soul-searching homage to small town life, lush nature, nostalgia and yearning. With shades of his idols Cat Stevens and Paul Simon, the profound yet frank songs are his most honorable and vulnerable to date. It's hitting the sweet spot of fans, rapidly rising to #1 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter Charts following its release in September, 2024
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Ryan Montbleau (Solo)
Ryan Montbleau (Solo)
Usually seen fronting his powerhouse band, Ryan Montbleau’s intimate, honest lyrics and spirited, dynamic delivery create a whole different impact when stripped-down for a solo show. “It’s still me just pouring my heart out,” he says, as he’s been doing since the early 2000s. NPR’s Mountain Stage compared his “eloquent, soulful songwriting” to Bill Withers and James Taylor, while Relix hailed his “poetic Americana.” With a passionate fanbase, Montbleau’s live shows are nothing if not communal events.
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