Press Release: “Caffè Lena @ SPAC” Returns for a Free One Day Festival on the Charles R. Wood Stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center

“Caffè Lena @ SPAC” Returns for a Free One Day Festival on

the Charles R. Wood Stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center

With performances by Nation Beat with Melanie Scholtz, Wild Adriatic, Alice Howe & Freebo, Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light, Kat & Brad

Saturday, October 5 from NOON – 5:30 PM

Saratoga Springs, NY (September 17, 2024) – In partnership with Caffè Lena, Saratoga Performing Arts Centerannounces that its popular “Caffè Lena @ SPAC” festival will return for a free day-long concert on Saturday, October 5 from noon to 5:30 p.m. Slated to take place on SPAC’s Charles R. Wood Stage, the festival will feature five bands that explore roots, rock, funk, bluegrass, jazz, pop, and indie-folk music including Nation Beat with Melanie Scholtz, Wild Adriatic, Alice Howe & Freebo, Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light, and Kat & Brad. The “Caffe Lena @ SPAC” festival highlights a unique, ongoing collaboration between the arts center and the folk music venue.

“It’s always a joy to partner with Sarah Craig and Caffè Lena to bring amazing music, free to the public, to a community that is so generous to both of our organizations,” says Elizabeth Sobol, president & CEO of SPAC.

“Everyone in the crowd treats this event as a gift, and it really is. SPAC is a huge organization compared to Caffè Lena, but we both have our hearts in serving the community where we live. We want to be accessible and have the art that happens on our stages be here for everyone. This festival puts those values into action,” says Sarah Craig, executive director of Caffè Lena.

The collaboration between SPAC and Caffè Lena first launched in 2017, encompassing jointly curated and presented programs at both venues. Guests are welcome to bring in food, drink, blankets and lawn chairs for the concerts. Food concessions will also be available. The concerts will take place rain or shine. Visit spac.org and caffelena.org for details.

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.

Saturday, October 5

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 & 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, rich in emotion and chemistry, reflecting years of collaboration both on stage and in the studio.

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.

CAFFE LENA @ SPAC CONCERT LINEUP

OCTOBER 5

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- 5:30 PM | Nation Beat with Melanie Scholtz

Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), located in the historic resort town of Saratoga Springs in upstate New York, is one of America’s most prestigious outdoor amphitheaters. Its tranquil setting in a 2,400-acre park preserve surrounded by hiking trails, geysers, and natural mineral springs draws lovers of arts, culture and nature for performances by resident companies New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, and concerts by Live Nation. SPAC also hosts imaginative programming such as Caffè Lena @ SPAC and initiatives in culinary, literary, healing and visual arts.

SPAC is a 501c3 charitable organization. Donations and proceeds from fundraising events benefit the Center’s thriving education program, community outreach efforts, and the vibrancy of its programming. For more information visit spac.org.

Caffè Lena

Caffè Lena presents extraordinary music in an intimate setting steeped in history. It is widely recognized as the longest continuously operating folk music venue in the United States, having opened its doors in 1960. The Library of Congress calls Caffè Lena “An American treasure,” and it’s been recognized by The GRAMMY Foundation for its important contributions to the development of American music