Caffe Lena

Caffe Lena Welcome to Caffe Lena, the longest continuously operating folk music venue in the country!
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Caffè Lena presents extraordinary music in an intimate setting steeped in history. It is widely recognized as the longest continuously operating folk music venue in the United States. The Library of Congress calls Caffè Lena “An American treasure,” and we have been recognized by The GRAMMY Foundation for our important contributions to the development of American music. Yet we are proud to stay tru

e to Lena Spencer's founding vision of simplicity, kindness to strangers and art above profit. Every night we treat our audience, online or in person, to an unparalleled listening experience in a community gathering space that is inspiring and inclusive. In keeping with Lena’s devotion to presenting deserving talent regardless of fame, our diverse programming sets the stage for musical discovery year ’round. First opened in 1960, our roots are entwined with the social movements of that era. Emerging artists such as Bob Dylan, The Freedom Singers, Arlo Guthrie, Emmylou Harris and Don McLean played our stage, along with esteemed veterans such as Clarence Ashley, Mississippi John Hurt, Skip James and Pete Seeger. Now the leading small venue in the Capital Region and beyond, we hold numerous "Best Of" awards including “Best Small Venue” in North America by Folk Alliance International. The Caffe's programming now extends beyond live music performance as we offer online music classes for children and adults, community programs and more. Check out our online schedule here: https://www.caffelena.org/

Caffe Lena's programs are made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

08/28/2026

8/28/2026 Peak Jazz Series: Bria Skonberg Live Stream

WEXT knows what’s what! These guys are the real deal. Thank you WEXT!
08/28/2026

WEXT knows what’s what! These guys are the real deal. Thank you WEXT!

Five seasoned musicians who love to sing, pick bluegrass, old country tunes, and “bluegrass-ify" tunes from other genres.

08/27/2026

8/27/2026 Glen David Andrews Live Stream

08/27/2026

Come join us! Doors open at 6:30 PM and show starts at 7!

We can't wait! Who wants to have some fun tonight regardless of the weather! We have this New Orleans gentleman playing...
08/27/2026

We can't wait! Who wants to have some fun tonight regardless of the weather! We have this New Orleans gentleman playing tonight!

Good morning woke up in one of my favorite cities where would you recommend we go for breakfast ??? Glen David Andrews Band also performs tonight at Caffe Lena 8pm showtime

08/26/2026

We're honored to be named an awardee of New Music USA's 2026 New Music Organization Fund! New Music USA supports the creation, performance and appreciation of new music.

They're a perfect match for Caffe Lena because nearly all the music performed on Caffe Lena's stage is original work. We are a place to discover new music, and our reputation for excellent curation has been recognized with the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards and Hall of Fame for Best Presenter for the past three years.

Beyond ticketed concerts, we cultivate new artistry through alcohol-free listening room open mics that provide a supportive environment for emerging performers, group music classes for ages 7 through senior, and a popular Songwriting Club that offers creative challenges and peer feedback.

Thank you, New Music USA, for investing in Caffè Lena, the community we serve, and the future of American roots music.

08/26/2026

08/26/2026 Folk Club Kids

08/25/2026

8/25/2026 Poetry Open Mic featuring John Hoppenthaler

Sometimes an album begins with a song. Sometimes it begins with a red horse.Much of Tim Easton’s latest album was writte...
08/25/2026

Sometimes an album begins with a song. Sometimes it begins with a red horse.
Much of Tim Easton’s latest album was written beneath a painting of a red horse created by his sister, Susan Easton Burn.

It’s a wonderfully personal detail for a record steeped in roots, travel and the many sounds Tim has picked up over a lifetime of making music. There’s folk and blues, country and rock & roll in there. It's a little history of American music filtered through the experiences of a songwriter who has spent a whole lot of years and miles collecting stories.
And Tim has the live show to back them up.

Come hear where all those roads have taken him when Tim Easton returns to Caffè Lena.
Sunday August 30th at 7PM

While August is getting ready to say “goodbye,” we’re saying “hello” to another jam-packed week at Lena’s!And WHAT a lin...
08/25/2026

While August is getting ready to say “goodbye,” we’re saying “hello” to another jam-packed week at Lena’s!

And WHAT a lineup.
Open Mic, Poetry Open Mic, Rochmon Record Club Glen David Andrews Band more special events with our Artist in Residence Janis Ian , Bria Skonberg , Rock Hearts and Tim Easton!

New Orleans soul and brass. Jazz. Bluegrass. Singer-songwriters. Poetry. Music history. And plenty of opportunities to get up on the Caffè Lena stage yourself.
How are we fitting all of this into ONE WEEK?!

But that’s not all!
We’ve also just announced 16 NEW SHOWS!

They’re all waiting for you in this week’s This Week at Caffè Lena newsletter, complete with links to learn more and get your tickets.
https://ow.ly/yRIM50ZEKBG

So take a look, find your show (or shows!) for this week AND start making plans for the months ahead. There is so much great music coming to Lena’s, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

Address

47 Phila Street
Saratoga Springs, NY
12866

Telephone

+15185830022

Website

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