May 20 - 26 - Caffe Lena

Perfect weather and a great lineup brought the crowds out for Sing In the Streets. We thank our sponsors, musicians, volunteers and neighbors for a day to remember.
Sing In the Streets #4 will be May 18, 2025, celebrating Lena’s 65th Anniversary.

Greetings – A good time was had by all on Sunday afternoon! We’re feeling so good about the quality of music, the turn-out, the support we received from area businesses–and the glorious weather! We’re bubbling with ideas for how to make next year’s Sing In the Streets even better. If you have an idea to share, just reply to this message. Let’s make this festival a celebration of what we love about Saratoga: a community that honors its history, loves its downtown, and knows how to have a good time.

This coming week really does feel like the start of a fun summer. Willi Carlisle reminds us of one of Lena’s most famous discoveries, Utah Phillips. Like Utah, Willi is a big-hearted rabble-rouser who isn’t afraid to call out the bad guys and stand up for the good guys. If that’s the kind of folk music that puts wind in your sails, do not miss Wednesday’s show. Saratoga’s own Cassandra Kubinski completely blew us away when she brought her full band for the first time last year. We can’t wait for another dose of her smart songs and brilliant pop arrangements. The Slambovians will be raising the spirits of the lucky ones who got tickets in time (7 left!). And, as is our tradition on Memorial Day weekend, Sawyer Fredericks will be gathering his fans from near and far for “Sawyertoga,” a weekend of friendship, music and relaxation. Join us!

See you at the show,
Sarah

The more members we have, the more music, connection and learning we can deliver. Please join our community of members. All participants in our May Membership Drive are entered into a drawing for an upgrade to Impressario Membership, giving you two free tickets for any and all shows for the next 12 months! Click that photo to sign up today!

– WEEK AT A GLANCE –

Monday
7 PM Open Mic Night
Tuesday
7 PM Rochmon Record Club Listening Party: The Rolling Stones “Beggars Banquet”
LOW TICKET ALERT
8 PM “Live From Caffe Lena” on WEXT 97.7 or 106.1 FM
Wednesday
10 AM Folk Club Kids! Free Preschool Music Program
7:30 PM Willi Carlisle w/special guest Justin Golden LOW TICKET ALERT
7 PM & 12 AM “Live From Caffè Lena” on Folk Music Notebook
Thursday
1-3 PM Weekly Slow Jam: Folk, Bluegrass and More!
7 PM Cassandra Kubinski
Friday
8 PM The Slambovian Circus of Dreams Trio LOW TICKET ALERT
Saturday
8 PM Sawyer Fredericks
Sunday
9 AM Dharma Meditation with Pierre Zimmerman
7 PM Sawyer Fredericks

– HIGHLIGHTS –

Sample Song | In-Person Tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TVBeggars Banquet was The Rolling Stones’ 9th U.S. release, the last full album with band co-founder Brian Jones, and the first of 5 albums produced by Jimmy Miller. The Stones were up against it and had lost their way. Money, drugs, alcohol, and women (not always in that order) had taken their toll, and The Rolling Stones needed to get back to where they once belonged. “Beggars Banquet,” if not a comeback album, certainly was a return to form. Packed with great Rolling Stones songs, “Sympathy For The Devil,” “Street Fighting Man,” “Stray Cat Blues,” “Factory Girl” and 6 more. “Beggars Banquet” does not disappoint! A Rochmon Record Club Listening Party deepens our understanding of the history of the individual performers, songs and the stories that went into the making of a classic album. By listening together, we hear the music again for the first time.

Sample Song | In-Person Tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TV

“One of the Top 10 ‘Best Things We Saw at Newport Folk Festival 2023’ ”
– Rolling Stone

The world is fast catching on to the big-hearted, bold, healing talent of folksinger Willi Carlisle. Old-school folkies will be reminded of Utah Phillips. His 3rd album, Critterland, visits obscure oddballs, dark secrets and complicated truths about the beauty and pain of life and love.

Sample Song | In-Person Tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TV

“Very similar to the singer/songwriters of the late 70s; she proves that the genre can still be transcendent.”
– Billy Joel

Kubinski relocated to Saratoga from NYC in 2020. She has opened for or shared stages with the Goo Goo Dolls, 10,000 Maniacs, Lana Del Rey and many more. Lifetime TV’s “Dance Moms” has used 13 of her songs. With the success of 2023’s The Saratoga Sessions, her piano-driven pop beckons new fans with irresistible lyrics and melodies.

Sample Song | In-Person Tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TV

Charismatic frontman Joziah presides center-ring with vocals that are as soothing and bewitching as a snake oil tonic, joined onstage by founding bandmates Tink (accordion, cello, mandolin, flute) and the guitar-slinger Sharkey McEwen for a (slightly) geared down trio version of the full band. Hear rarely performed songs with elements of Dylan, Bowie, Incredible String Band, Syd Barrett and The Waterboys, from their deep catalog.

Sample Song | In-Person Tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TV Saturday / Sunday

His honest, stripped down “free range folk” style incorporates elements of blues, roots, rock and jazz. He was scouted from local farmers markets, open mics, and our stage by casting directors for The Voice at age 15, and he won season 8. He has stayed true to his roots through two acclaimed albums and numerous national tours. Caffe Lena is Sawyer’s homestage and his annual return brings fans to town from around the globe.