Join us for the return of Caffè Lena @ SPAC, a free day-long concert day of live music on the Charles R. Wood Stage.
This year’s lineup features five bands that explore roots, rock, funk, bluegrass, jazz, pop, and indie-folk music including Nation Beat with Melanie Sholtz, Wild Adriatic, Alice Howe & Freebo, Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light, and Kat & Brad.
This is a free event, please register to receive event update emails and helpful ‘Know Before You Go’ information.
The Charles R. Wood Stage is sponsored by Plug PV Powered by Sunnova. Additional support for this festival has been provided by Deborah and Dexter Senft, and The Nordlys Foundation.
Artist Lineup / Day at a Glance:
11:30 AM | Gates Open
Noon-12:50 PM| Kat & Brad
1:10-2:00 PM| Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light
2:20-3:10 PM | Alice Howe & Freebo
3:30-4:20 PM | Wild Adriatic
4:40- 5:20 PM | Nation Beat with Melanie Sholtz
Nation Beat with Melanie Scholtz
Nation Beat is a dynamic ensemble blending the thunderous rhythms of northeastern Brazil with the swagger of New Orleans jazz. Led by drummer and percussionist Scott Kettner, they create an energetic fusion of brass band funk and Brazilian maracatu, with an infectious groove that gets audiences moving. With four full-length albums and a global touring presence, Nation Beat’s music is a vibrant celebration of cross-cultural rhythms, from Carnival to Mardi Gras. Joining them is South African-born, award-winning jazz singer and composer Melanie Scholtz, adding her soulful voice to their rich musical tapestry.
Wild Adriatic
Wild Adriatic seamlessly blends a rock ‘n’ roll core with influences from 60s and 70s blues and soul, creating a timeless and captivating sound. A decade spent on the road, playing 250 shows a year, has honed the band into sharp form and cultivated an international audience with their signature mix of groove, grit, and guitar-heavy swagger. No strangers to Caffè Lena, Wild Adriatic has toured extensively across the U.S. and Europe, with festival appearances at Bonnaroo and Mountain Jam, earning praise from The Rolling Stone, USA Today, and the Huffington Post.
Alice Howe & Freebo
Alice Howe and Freebo blend the fresh voice of Americana with the seasoned experience of rock, folk, and blues. Alice’s soulful, heartfelt vocals pair perfectly with Freebo’s signature fretless bass, creating a harmonious and captivating sound rooted in Americana’s diverse traditions. Together, they offer a unique musical experience
Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light
Rachel Sumner, fresh off a first-place win at the 2023 Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival with her band Traveling Light, merges her bluegrass and classical roots into a distinctive folk sound. Known for her lyrical depth and inventive chord progressions, her music pairs sweetness with sharpness, showcasing the talents of bandmates Kat Wallace (fiddle) and Mike Siegel (upright bass). With a new album Heartless Things on the horizon, Sumner continues to push folk’s boundaries, blending chamber-folk and indie-pop while staying true to her Appalachian influences.
Kat & Brad
Kat & Brad, a vibrant duo from Connecticut, blend 50s and 60s pop with American Songbook standards to create original songs that evoke the feel of vintage Stax records. Featuring Kathleen Parks on vocals and fiddle and Brad Bensko on vocals and guitar, their performances are filled with chemistry and charm, drawing praise from audiences across New England. Their music, recorded using analog equipment, channels the warmth and nostalgia of classic eras while adding their own modern twist.