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Caffe Lena: 60 Years of Song
Caffe Lena: 60 Years of Song

In May of 1960, Lena and Bill Spencer opened a little coffee shop folk music space in an upstairs loft on Phila Street in Saratoga Springs.  Ever since, the venue known as Caffe Lena has become synonymous with music discovery and folk music.

As we celebrate the 60 years of vibrant history, we enlisted the help of current executive director, Sarah Craig. She pulled together a list of significant artists who have played in every year of the Caffe's existence, and then added a list of 60 "new" discoveries that made some of their initial in-roads at the Caffe.

Listen Thursday nights at 6pm as we showcase a song from one of the years (starting with 1960 and stepping through until we get to 2020). The we play a song by one of the new discovery artists of recent years, including some who have only recently come on the scene.

Latest Episodes
  • Caffe Lena 60 years of song podcast.
  • A wedding band turns into a touring band known for bluegrass Beatles covers, and a musical act from an island town of 900 with roots in Radiohead and Tom…
  • A unique sound from two groups that sound like they are from opposing ends of the roots music spectrum.This is episode 58 of Caffe Lena: 60 Years of Song.…
  • A husband and wife form a duo and hit the road touring, have a baby and get back out on tour again. And a songwriter creates an aspirational alternative…
  • Scrawling a name on the wall creates a new indie-folk band, and an artist discovers music in the midst of a meditation center.This is episode 56 of Caffe…
  • One of our favorite bands is no more, and two guys drive nearly 1000 miles from Muscle Shoals, AL to NJ.This is episode 55 of Caffe Lena: 60 Years of…
  • First Night Burlington creates a bluegrass gospel project, and a seven piece group creates a TEDx showcasing their irresistible philosophy on jazz.This is…
  • A 60’s teenager goes on to start a performance venu, music school and music shop, and a musician makes music for yoga class events.This is episode 53 of…
  • An artist uses his music to narrate the American experience, and a 14 year old gets hooked on the Blues.This is episode 52 of Caffe Lena: 60 years of…
  • Mike Gordon of Phish’s banjo teacher, and masters of Tuvan throat song with a modern twist.This is episode 51 of Caffe Lena: 60 Years of Song. Thank you…