Caffè Lena @ SPAC – A Free Day of Music on the Charles R. Wood Stage

Caffè Lena @ SPAC returns with an unforgettable day-long celebration of live music on the Charles R. Wood Stage! This year’s lineup brings together five acclaimed artists & bands who each bring a unique voice to today’s folk and roots scene:

Vanessa Collier – A powerhouse singer and saxophonist, Vanessa Collier fires up blues, Memphis soul, R&B and funk with award-winning musicianship and irresistible energy.
Addison Agen – With a breathtaking voice and an intimate songwriting style, The Voice runner-up Addison Agen brings warmth, honesty and hope to beautifully crafted indie-folk and Americana.
Alla Boara – Alla Boara transforms nearly forgotten Italian folk songs into vibrant new music, weaving passionate vocals, jazz improvisation and centuries-old traditions into something wonderfully unexpected.
The Cody Sisters – The Cody Sisters pair gorgeous sibling harmonies and thoughtful songwriting with bluegrass roots and sparkling instrumental musicianship for a fresh take on contemporary folk.
Bad Penny Pleasuremakers – New Orleans’ Bad Penny Pleasuremakers bring the good-time sounds of pre-war America to life with ragtime, acoustic and country blues, traditional jazz and plenty of Louisiana spirit, featuring Saratoga native Jonathan Green.

From blues and bluegrass to indie-folk and global sounds, this eclectic bill showcases the depth and diversity of the folk tradition.

✨ Admission is free – please register to receive event updates and “Know Before You Go” details. By registering, your email will be added to SPAC and Caffè Lena’s mailing lists.

🌦 Rain or shine! Bring your friends, your family, your kids, your curiosity, and enjoy a day of extraordinary music in a beautiful setting.

ARTIST INFORMATION:

Vanessa Collier

Powerhouse singer, songwriter, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist blending blues, soul, R&B and funk. A twelve-time Blues Music Award nominee and four-time winner, including B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, Collier brings fierce musicianship and an independent spirit to her latest album, Do It My Own Way, a Memphis soul-inspired celebration of individuality, resilience and forging your own path.

Addison Agen

Indie-folk and Americana singer-songwriter known for her powerful, heartfelt voice and reflective songs exploring hope, acceptance and joy. First introduced to a national audience as runner-up on Season 13 of The Voice, she has since shared stages with artists including Bob Seger, Gordon Lightfoot and Brandy Clark.

Alla Boara

Alla Boara brings the ancient folk songs of Italy to life with a fresh blend of jazz, improvisation and contemporary sounds. Led by drummer and composer Anthony Taddeo with the expressive vocals of Amanda Powell, the ensemble reimagines songs and stories from Italy’s pre-industrial past with adventurous arrangements and exceptional musicianship, celebrating ancestral roots while finding something wonderfully universal in these nearly forgotten traditions.

The Cody Sisters

Maddie Cody, Megan Cody and Will Pavilonis, blend bluegrass roots with thoughtful songwriting, resonant harmonies and impressive instrumental musicianship. Raised in Colorado’s folk and bluegrass scene, Maddie and Megan have been making music together since childhood, with Pavilonis joining in 2020.

Bad Penny Pleasuremakers

New Orleans-based Bad Penny Pleasuremakers, Matt Bell & Joy Patterson, met on a blind date shortly after Hurricane Katrina, in 2005, and have been playing music as a duo and with full bands ever since. The band features Saratoga native Jonathan Green. They play ragtime, acoustic blues, country blues & traditional jazz from pre-WW2 America, with a focus on Louisiana history and roots.