On Saturday, October 4, Caffe Lena will partner with Saratoga Performing Arts Center to host “Caffe Lena @ SPAC”. This day-long festival will feature five bands that explore genres of bluegrass, pop, and indie-folk, taking place on the Charles R. Wood Stage.
Elizabeth Sobol, Chief Executive Officer of Saratoga Performing Arts Center stated “Each year this festival reaffirms how powerful collaboration can be. By joining forces with Caffè Lena, we’re able to present world-class artists across genres in a way that is welcoming and free to all — reflecting our shared commitment to art, nature, and community.” Sarah Craig, Executive Director of Caffe Lena spoke on the event and stated, “This festival embodies what makes our partnership with SPAC so meaningful: we share a belief that music should be accessible, joyful, and woven into the fabric of community life. Every year, people show up ready to celebrate that spirit, and it’s a gift for all of us.”
This collaboration between the two Saratoga Springs venues first began in 2017: SPAC hosts dozens of summer concerts, the NYC Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra every year, and Caffe Lena is an intimate folk venue with a long history of notable performances. These two iconic institutions of the Spa City uniting together is a hallmark moment for the two to unite forces, if even for a day.
Artist performing at Caffe Lena @ SPAC include Misty Blues, a traditional blues band based in Berkshire County Massachusetts; they have been making music for 26 years and have collaborated with legends like Eric Gales. The band consists of Gina Coleman, Seth Fleischmann, Rob Tatten, Aaron Dean, and Diego Mongue; Tom Chapin “One of the great personalities in contemporary folk music.” (New York Times.) He began performing in the early 1960’s and has 27 albums and three Grammy awards. In addition to being an amazing musician Chapin has become an advocate for environmental causes, issues of hunger and social justice, and is a supporter of music and arts in public education.
Aleksi Campagne a Montréal based singer-songwriter and violinist who creates a sound that blends heartfelt folk songwriting, beautiful vocals, and layered textures. Her 2023 bilingual album For the Giving/Pour donner was critically acclaimed for its ambition and artistry at it features ten songs recorded both in French and English; Chatham County Line has been an Americana and roots band for over two decades, their sound perfectly meshes timeless bluegrass traditions and modern songwriting. They formed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1999 with Dave Wilson, John Teer, Greg Readling, and Chandler Holt; Farah Siraj Quartet “The Norah Jones of the Middle East” from Time Out New York. Farah has received international recognition with performances across the words most prestigious stages. Every year she represents Jordan at the United Nations’ World Peace Day as she uses music as a vehicle for peace, women’s rights, refugee advocacy, and animal rights. Her music is a blend of flamenco, jazz, Bossa nova, and pop.
CAFFE LENA @ SPAC CONCERT SCHEDULE – OCTOBER 4
11:30 AM | Gates Open
12:00-12:50 PM| Aleksi Campagne
1:10-2:00 PM| Farah Siraj
2:20-3:10 PM | Chatham County Line
3:30-4:20 PM | Tom Chapin
4:40- 5:20 PM | Misty Blues
Information can be found on either venues website; Food, drinks, blankets and lawn chairs are allowed into the festival, and it will take place rain or shine.
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