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.
-
A steamboat pilot becomes a musician, and a vow of silence leads to singing beautiful songs.This is episode 30 of Caffe Lena: 60 Years of Song. Thanks to… -
A self-described anarchist who slept on the Caffe floor while recording an album, and a songwriter whose stories have been used for protest, weddings and… -
After 30 years a folk trio ends their live performances, and Saratoga gains a nationally renowned singer to call its own. This is episode 28 of Caffe Lena… -
A pioneer of open tunings, and an artist who raised over $100,000 in three hours.This is episode 27 of Caffe Lena: 60 Years of Song. Thank you to Sarah… -
He was almost a papa in San Francisco’s The Mamas and the Papas, and they were a rock band that evolved into a folk trio.This is episode 26 of Caffe Lena:… -
Today, we hear about two artists who both wanted to play guitar so badly, one started on an instrument from K-Mart and the other made one herself.This is… -
As a married couple, these touring musicians established a 3-day music festival with their friends that was an annual occurrence for eight years.This is… -
Who can say they were friends with the Rev. Gary Davis, Pink Anderson and Robert Lockwood? Stay tuned for the original, the bare-knuckle, the low-down...… -
He listed Lightnin' Hopkins, Bob Dylan and Hank Williams, and such varied artists as Muddy Waters, The Rolling Stones, Blind Willie McTell, Tchaikovsky,… -
Known for their tight vocal harmonies, often a cappella, plus their inventive arrangements and lively humor-filled performances, they were favorites with…
