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Caffè Lena Oral History Questionnaire
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It would be of great value to us if you could take a few moments and fill out this oral history questionnaire. In addition, we would be very grateful for your assistance in identifying others who may have Caffè Lena stories to share. Submissions are for inclusion in our historical archives collection and possibly this website.

 
 Your information 
 

Name
Email
 
 

City

St
Zip
 
 
 
 I am or have been a Caffè Lena…
(Please check all that apply)
 
 Performer: (Musician)      Performer: (Actor/Actress)  
 Patron:      Staff Member:      Volunteer:  
 
 
 Year(s) you visited, performed at, and/or worked at Caffè Lena
(please check all that apply):		 
 1960s:     1970s:     1980s:     1990s:     2000s:     2010s:  
  
 1.  Lena’s helpers / Oral histories, memories and meaning 
 a) How did you first come to hear about Caffè Lena? Word of mouth? Advertising i.e. posters around town? If you are not a member, have you considered becoming
one? If you are a member, why did you decide to become a member?		 
  
   
 b) Do you think that attending concerts and events at Caffè Lena has affected our life in any way or influenced your Saratoga Springs experience? If so, how? 
  
   
 2.47 Phila St. --The Building 
 a) Please describe your first memories of the Caffè Lena folk club, and the Caffè Lena Gallery theater. Do you remember how it: looked, smelled, sounded? Do you recall the food, the seating situation? What was your reaction the first time you walked through the doors? Do you think it's physical appearance has changed since then and if so, how? 
  
   
 b) Please describe any Caffè Lena fundraising benefit concerts/events that you remember. Were they successful as far as you know? 
  
   
3.Community impact 
 a) During all the time you’ve been involved with Caffè Lena, how has Lena compared to other music venues /coffeehouse establishments you might have also visited? In comparison, was there usually a big crowd at Caffè Lena? Were the majority of the people “townies" or was there a good representation of college students (Skidmore). Do you think Lena's 'flavor' has stayed the same over the years or has it changed? If so, how?  
  
   
 b) Were you aware of, and can you describe a relationship between Caffè Lena and other local establishments in Saratoga Springs:( (i.e. Hattie’s Restaurant, Mother Goldsmith’s, Skidmore College, Yaddo, SPAC, The Saratoga Arts Council, Homemade Theater) 
  
   
4.Global impact 
 Are you aware of Caffè Lena's reputation nationally and internationally? If so, what is it? 
  
   
5.Caffè Lena’s music family 
 a) What song(s) and/or theatrical productions define your memory of Caffè Lena during the: a) ‘60s  b) ‘70s  c) ‘80s  d) ‘90s  e) ‘00s and why? Were many of these songs/plays political in nature and do you see this as a trend? If so, has this changed over the years?  
  
   
 b) Do you remember a performer or performance that pushed the boundaries, made people uncomfortable or expanded your sense of what a "folk" café could be? If so, who were they and what was the nature of this performance. What was your favorite/least favorite Caffè Lena performance and why does it stand out in your memory? 
  
   
6.Theater retrospective 
 a) How did Caffè Lena’s Gallery Theater compare to other theater venues during the time you were a performer/patron in terms of stage size, acoustics, kind of audience, etc? Did you know of a relationship between Lena and other venues, booking heads or establishment owners in the local area? (Homemade Theater? Skidmore?) Nationally? 
  
   
 b) Do you remember any notable professional actors who performed (i.e. John Wynne Evans, Spaulding Gray) or mostly amateurs? 
  
   
7.Lena herself 
  If you knew Lena Spencer, please describe her in 3 words. How was Lena’s reputation with other Caffè Lena patrons, performers, volunteers, etc? Do you remember Lena’s appearance, dress, idiosyncrasies, and style? What was Lena’s stage presence like? What was your impression of Lena as an actress? Can you share any memories of Bill Spencer? How was Lena’s demeanor when interacting with i.) performers ii.) patrons iii.) volunteers iv.) staff members. Do you know of any nicknames Lena had for performers, patrons, staff, volunteers? Who were Lena’s closest friends? What was Lena’s living situation like during the time you knew her?  
  
   
    
To send information
To clear form and start over 		 
   
 
  
This project is made possible by the generous support of The Sparkplug Foundation, Skidmore College’s President’s Discretionary Fund, and the BMI Foundation

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