Events

This Week at Caffe Lena

Written by Staff on October 14, 2024

Greetings – Tom Paxton’s first weekend at Caffe Lena was in September, 1960. The Caffe was only four months old. Eisenhower was soon to turn over the Oval Office to Kennedy. It was a long time ago. Generations of music lovers know Tom Paxton’s lyric, “Are you going away with no word of farewell / Will there be not a trace left behind.” After six decades as one of the music world’s most influential and prolific songwriters–a clear voice for sanity and compassion–Paxton is bidding farewell to life on the road. He will be coming to Caffe Lena one last time this Friday, and he’ll be at the Eighth Step in Schenectady on Saturday. The in-person show at Lena’s is currently full, but you can stream it live from home HERE.

Please enjoy sampling the rest of the weekend’s music below. Take special note of our 3rd Annual Health Clinic for inadequately insured artists of all sorts. This is a completely free opportunity to get new glasses, get some basic screenings, and sit down with an insurance navigator. If the screenings turn up a problem, Saratoga Hospital, via their Community Health Center, will provide free follow-up treatment and medications and help you get insured. Readers, please share this info on your Facebook page, with your email list, or print and hang this flyer where an artist might see it (your local Stewarts or library, for example). We want to be sure everyone who needs these services knows about this great opportunity.

Known for art rock and piano balladry, this Fort Worth songwriter has turned in the direction of Texas legends such as Townes Van Zandt. NPR hails his “musical daring and impeccable songcraft,” while Rolling Stone praises his “sharp eye for storytelling,” and The New York Times calls his writing an emotional “gut punch.”
Paxton is a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, folk icon, and Caffè Lena performer since 1960. He’ll be backed by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter duo, The DonJuans – Don Henry and Jon Vezner. On the cusp of his 88th birthday, Paxton is churning out new songs and making magic every time he takes the stage.
Hest’s warm, raspy voice draws listeners into his original folk-pop songs. After years of touring with Martin Sexton, Suzanne Vega, and Ani Difranco, Hest became none of other than Judy Collins’ first ever duo partner. Introducing his songs with witty stories, Hest is a natural charmer with songs that are easy to love.

More Information and Registration

PLEASE PASS THIS INFO ALONG! Doctors and nurses from Saratoga Hospital convene at Caffe Lena to provide free services to workers in the creative economy who lack adequate insurance. If you haven’t been to a doctor for a while, this is a chance to get some basic screenings done while surrounded by your fellow artists in a familiar setting. You can meet with an insurance navigator, and have medical professionals check out your blood pressure, do a cancer screening, evaluate your hearing, and test your eyesight. Free glasses are available! You can get some great advice from a nutritionist on how to eat healthy on the road. Or pick up some Narcan and learn how to save a life.

This completely free clinic is made possible by Saratoga Hospital, The Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs, Sight & Sound Vision Care, and Caffe Lena.

Singer/songwriter/fiddler Milonovich supplies Daisycutter with original songs that spring from the soil and hardscrabble towns of upstate NY. With atmospheric melodies and poignant lyrics, the band’s “indie roots-rock with an edge” earned them Americana Artist of the Year at the Capital District Thomas Edison Music Awards.

Caffe Lena recommends this extraordinary performance by the Australian Chamber Orchestra at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on October 22. As one of our newsletter readers, you can use code VIVALDI to get an extra 20% off at checkout.
Click photo for sample. / DIRECT LINK TO TICKETS
– JUST ANNOUNCED –
Little Folks Series: Jenna Nicholls
Saturday, November 2, 3 PM

Frank Solivan & Jillian Lea
Friday, November 29, 8 PM

Bright Series: Jenna Nicholls (adult concert)
Saturday, January 18, 8 PM

YOUTH CLASSES | ADULT CLASSES & ACTIVITIES

Miss a show from last weekend? Watch HERE.
Explore regular and discounted SUBSCRIPTION options.

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER (New!)

CONTACT OUR STAFF
Administrative Office:
Leave a message anytime
518-583-0022

Executive Director, Programming & Development
SARAH CRAIG
sarah@caffelena.org

Director of Operations
MATEO VOSGANIAN
mateo@caffelena.org

School of Music Director
VIVIAN NESBITT
musicschool@caffelena.org

House Manager & Production Coordinator
HANNAH STIRZAKER
hannah@caffelena.org

Marketing & Communications Manager
JOANNE BROWN
joanne@caffelena.org

Caffe Lena TV Program Manager
REESE FULMER
reese@caffelena.org