Be Here Now: Ladies Sing the Blues @ Caffe Lena, 2/6/10

At 8pm on Saturday (February 6), some of Nippertown’s finest female vocalists will band together to present a one-time-only tribute to some of the all-time great blueswomen at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs.

Sponsored by the Saratoga Acoustic Blues Society, “Ladies Sing the Blues” will feature performances by Mikki Bakken, the Dwyer Sisters, MotherJudge, Sarah Pedinotti (of Railbird), Thomasina Winslow, Annie Rosen (of Annie & the Hedonists), Gail Sparlin and Becky Walton (of Big Medicine).

MotherJudge, for example, will be paying homage to Memphis Minnie and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, two women whose brand of the blues owes a debt to the gospel music tradition. She’ll be accompanied by guitarist Mark Tolstrup of Street Corner Holler.

Blues greats such as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Sippie Wallace, Billie Holiday and more will also be honored throughout the evening.

“Ladies Sing the Blues” is a special benefit for Caffe Lena, which is celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. Tickets are $20.