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 bands who each bring a unique voice to today’s folk and roots scene:
- Misty Blues – powerhouse blues with soul, jazz, and gospel flair
- Tom Chapin – beloved folk legend and three-time Grammy winner
- Chatham County Line – North Carolina Americana favorites with tight harmonies
- Farah Siraj – Jordan’s “Musical Ambassadress,” fusing Arabic music, flamenco, and jazz
- Aleksi Campagne – bilingual indie-folk innovator blending fiddle, voice, and looping
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 curiosity, and enjoy a day of extraordinary music in a beautiful setting.
ARTIST INFORMATION:
MISTY BLUES
Misty Blues, 2019 International Blues Challenge finalist, has been delivering powerhouse blues since 1999. Led by Gina Coleman’s commanding vocals, the Berkshire-based band blends jazz, soul, funk, and gospel into a rich, original sound. They’ve collaborated with legends like Eric Gales, Charles Neville, and Joe Louis Walker, and shared stages with Tab Benoit, Albert Castiglia, James Montgomery, John Primer, and Roomful of Blues. With 17 albums, tours across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., and worldwide airplay—including a song featured in a 2024 U.S. presidential campaign—Misty Blues has secured their place in today’s blues landscape.
TOM CHAPIN
“One of the great personalities in contemporary folk music.” – New York Times
With six decades, 27 albums, and three Grammys to his name, Hudson Valley troubadour Tom Chapin has done it all. From his early days in Greenwich Village with The Chapin Brothers to Broadway, TV’s National Geographic Explorer, and a remarkable body of songs for both adults and children, his career is as wide-ranging as it is impactful. Beyond the music, Chapin has been a tireless advocate for the environment, social justice, hunger relief, and arts education.
CHATHAM COUNTY LINE
For over 20 years, Chatham County Line (CCL) has bridged timeless bluegrass traditions with modern Americana songwriting. Formed in Raleigh in 1999, the harmony-driven band has released 11 albums, including their latest, Hiyo, and earned four #1 spots on the Billboard Bluegrass chart. Known for dynamic live shows across the U.S. and Europe, as well as appearances on Showtime’s George & Tammy, they continue to balance innovation and tradition with grace.
FARAH SIRAJ
“The Norah Jones of the Middle East” from Time Out New York.
Hailed as Jordan’s Musical Ambassadress, Farah Siraj is an internationally acclaimed virtuoso whose career spans the Middle East, Europe, and the U.S. She has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to the Nobel Prize Hall and United Nations, where she represents Jordan annually on World Peace Day. A composer and bandleader, Farah fuses Arabic music, flamenco, jazz, bossa nova, and pop, reflecting her mission to use music as a force for peace, advocacy, and cultural connection. Leading a diverse quintet of global musicians, she continues to captivate audiences worldwide with her cross-cultural sound.
ALEKSI CAMPAGNE
Montreal-born singer-songwriter and violinist Aleksi Campagne brings a bold, contemporary edge to the fiddle-singing tradition. Blending heartfelt folk songwriting, soaring vocals, and layered textures with violin and looping pedals, he’s quickly become one of Canada’s most exciting emerging artists. His bilingual debut album, For the Giving / Pour donner(2023), drew acclaim from Le Devoir and Roots Music Canada as “one of the most musically ambitious accomplishments of the year.” Touring internationally, Aleksi delivers an unforgettable fusion of indie-folk authenticity and instrumental virtuosity.
