John Gorka at the Night Eagle Cafe
John Gorka at the Night Eagle Cafe
John Gorka is perhaps the quintessential iconic singer-songwriter of the '80s and '90s folk scene. Hailing from New Jersey but forged in the Greenwich Village Fast Folk scene, Gorka honed his craft and persona into an unmistakable image. The shy, wry, insightful, and sensitive singer-songwriter has been copied and parodied, but the old coat he wove still fits and suits him well. The old songs ring as true as they ever did, and the new ones are just as good.
Concerning his new album project, unentitled, Gorka commented: "Writing songs is my way of trying to make some sense of the world. In terms of the songs on the record, we need to work for hope and we need others to realize that hope. Justice does seem to hesitate, but even kings are laid low, bison can return to prairies, and aging cowboys can fall in love. I think there is hope for us all, but these are not easy times. It is my desire that some of these songs will make you feel that you aren't the only one going through a rough patch, and if you fight for them, that there are better days ahead!"
Many well-known artists have recorded or performed Gorka's songs, including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nanci Griffith, Mary Black, and Maura O'Connell. He has graced the stage of "Austin City Limits," "Mountain Stage," and "etown," and has appeared on CNN. His song "Where No Monuments Stand" was featured in the documentary "Every War Has Two Losers," about activist and Oregon Poet Laureate William Stafford (1914–1993).
John Gorka has performed at the Night Eagle Cafe many times over the years, and the venue looks forward to welcoming him to its new location.
Critical Acclaim
- "Gorka is widely heralded for the sophisticated intelligence and provocative originality of his songs." — The Boston Globe
- "He weaves wry, slice-of-life observations..." — Associated Press
- "Listening to John Gorka sing, one can get goose bumps all over. There are many reasons: fresh lyrics, a stunning emotional baritone, and his twisted humor." — The New York Times
Event Details
- Date & Time: Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. Doors open at 7 p.m.; music begins at 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Night Eagle Cafe at the Savage Club and Lansing Area Performance Hall, 1004 Auburn Rd., North Lansing, NY 13073
- Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 at the door on the day of the show. Purchase tickets online through the John Gorka Eventbrite Ticket Page.
Listen to New Songs
- Watch the "Welcome Home" Video on YouTube
- Watch the "Hold On" Video on YouTube
Additional Resources
About the Night Eagle Cafe The Night Eagle Cafe flies again! It’s been 16 years since doors opened to this venue’s storied history in Central New York, where over 125 shows per year were presented from 1996 to 2008. The Night Eagle is back, presented by Ken Millett alongside Co-Director Susan Murphy, with a growing 2026–2027 season in its new home at the Savage Club and the Lansing Area Performance Hall, as well as other area venues.