Caffe Lena’s Update for the Week of February 1st

How’s everyone’s winter going? It’s encouraging to see the Covid spike abating in NY, and to know that more and more of the most vulnerable among us are receiving their vaccination.

With that said, we’re all aware that the winter doldrums have set in for many. Pass along this newsletter if you know someone who might enjoy watching a show with you. If you know teenagers who love to read, or who want to work on their public speaking skills, tell them about our new teen book discussion group (see below). If you want to get in shape, try our Appalachian Flatfooting dance lessons. If you have a guitar or banjo sitting in the back of your closet, our friendly, group classes will give you your chops back. There are even classes you can take with your grandkids! The list goes on and on.

The #1 statement on Caffe Lena’s list of eight values is this:

We cultivate authentic human connection by treating our volunteers, staff, artists, students, customers and online participants as friends and community members.Thanks for being part of this community. 

-Sarah

All shows feature three cameras & premium audio.
Until it’s safe, there will be no live audience at the venue.

1. Click a photo below to go directly to that broadcast, OR
2. Go to www.CaffeLena.org and click the red box for “Watch Live on YouTube”

THESE ARE FREE EVENTS.
YOUR TIPS ARE THE ONLY INCOME FOR OUR ARTISTS AND VENUE.

Tuesday, Feb 2 / 8 PM
“Live From Caffe Lena” Radio Show
Listen on WEXT 97.7 & 106.1 FM
Featuring:  MARK ERELLI

Singer-songwriter Mark Erelli picked up a lot of new fans when he and his sideman, multi-instrumentalist Jake Armerding, drove out from Boston to stream from Lena’s stage. The music highlighted cuts from Mark’s new album. Passionate, insightful, full of rock and roll energy & kind hearts.

Wednesday, Feb 3 / 7 PM
POETRY NIGHT
Lucyna Prostko, Kathleen McCoy & David Graham 
HOSTED BY CAROL GRASER

For the sake of safety, our poets will be performing from home this month. Tune in on YouTube or Facebook, as usual, and enjoy three wonderful voices. “When I am lucky,” writes Lucyna, a PhD candidate at UAlbany, “the first line of a poem is an invitation, a whisper from the unconscious self:  You have something to say.” Enjoy seeing the world through the sharp eyes and wise minds of tonight’s poets.

Thursday, Feb 4 / 6 PM
JOHN PIZZARELLI
“It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere”

Every Thursday the charming jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli goes live on Facebook for an hour to put a little joy into the world. One of John’s favorite venues co-presents the show and fans text their song requests. This week it’s our turn! John’s father, the late, great Bucky Pizzarelli, began playing Lena’s stage back in 1972, and John began joining him in 1985.

Friday, Feb 5 / 8 PM
Söndörgő

This phenomenal five-piece band from Hungary brought ancient music of the Balkans to our stage back in April 2019 as part of our Nordlys Global Voices Series. Tonight they’ll be joining us in the chat from their home on the other side of the world! Together we’ll relive a great night of music and the band will have the chance to reconnect with their much-missed worldwide audience. Their light, springy musical style features the mandolin-like tambura. Three brothers and two cousins make up this fiery, virtuosic band.

Saturday, Feb 6 / 8 PM 
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio
WATCH PARTY

We caught this West Coast band on tour back in May 2019. What a great night we had! The Caffe was packed to hear Delvon’s funky, soulful Hammond B3 accompanied by amazing bass and drums. The energy sizzled that night, and now we get to enjoy it again! We’re pulling this great show out of Lena’s private archive, and Delvon will be joining us to host the chat. 

Monday, Feb 8 / 7 PM
Melanie
WATCH PARTY

Melanie Schekeryk and her son Beau Jarred played two sold-out shows on a hot July night in 2019. Profoundly authentic, unguarded, and colorful, Melanie plays audience favorites, like Brand New Key and Candles In the Rain, along with the great new songs she keeps writing decade after decade. Melanie will be hosting the chat tonight!