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free music festival at SPAC

Saturday, October 5

12:00pm – 5:30 p.m. | Gate opens at 11:30 A.M.

The Charles R. Wood Stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center.   RAIN OR SHINE

Registration suggested. No tickets required.

Join Caffè Lena at Saratoga Performing Arts Center for a day of music on the main stage at the Charles R. Wood Stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. We have an amazing line-up this year starting at noon and going until 5:30 PM. From singer-songwriters to American roots, New Orleans jazz, bluegrass, rock’n’roll core, 50s, 60s and 70s blues, funk, and soul music, indie-folk and folk-pop – dancing is encouraged – kids are welcome! There will be food for sale, lawn games, info booths and plenty of room for your picnic blankets and folding chairs. Spread the word and make a day of it with friends! Gates open at 11:30.

 

Kat & Brad

Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light

 Alice Howe & Freebo

Wild Adriatic

Nation Beat with Melanie Scholtz

 
 

Made Possible By

Schedule

11:30 a.m.

12-12:50 p.m.

1:10-2:00 p.m.

 

2:20-3:10 p.m.

3:30-4:20 p.m.

4:40-5:20 p.m.

 
 
 

Gates open

Kat & Brad

Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light


Alice Howe & Freebo

Wild Adriatic

Nation Beat with Melanie Scholtz

 
 
 

What to bring:

Permitted

  • Food, beverages, and disposable utensils.
  • Picnic blankets and breathable ground coverings.
  • Umbrellas and chairs are permitted, but will be restricted by sizing for use on the main amphitheater lawn, as follows:
    • Lawn chairs must not exceed 43” when collapsed.
    • Lawn chairs on the center amphitheater lawn must not exceed 26″ in height when opened.
    • Only personal-sized umbrellas will be permitted on the lawn.

Items Not Permitted:

  • Weapons of any kind
  • Glass containers
  • Plastic tarps
  • Lawn chairs over 43” when collapsed.
  • Tents are prohibited from the Amphitheater lawn as well as the area immediately in front of the Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage.
  • Grills, cooking equipment, or any flame that uses a liquid, gas, or gel accelerant.
  • Laser pointers
  • Drones
  • Professional audio or video recording equipment
  • Cameras with detachable lenses
  • Bikes, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, etc.
  • Pets (except ADA approved service animals)

*Items listed are subject to change or vary on show day*

Grounds 

  • To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all SPAC visitors and staff, all containers and packages will be inspected. This includes coolers, baskets, tote bags, purses, diaper bags, strollers, and all other containers. Any item that is not permitted to come onto the SPAC grounds should be disposed of or returned to your vehicle.
  • Smoking is permitted on the SPAC grounds in designated areas only. Please ensure that all cigarette butts are disposed of properly.
  • Guests are welcome to bring blankets and umbrellas but please consider others around you- if your items are disruptive to others, you may be asked to remove them.
  • Reentry is permitted for this event.Guests must obtain a reentry wristband from staff at the gates prior to exiting the venue.

House

  • Bags and coolers are permitted in the Amphitheater so long as they can remain on your lap for the duration of the performance or fit underneath your seat. Items must be smaller than 11”x16”x11” to fit underneath your seat.  Any item larger than these dimensions will need to be left, at your own risk, on the concrete apron at the entrance to the amphitheater. Please note that SPAC is not responsible for items that are left unsupervised.
  • Food and Beverages are permitted in the Amphitheater. Please ensure that all waste is disposed of in the appropriate receptacle.
  • Please avoid blocking the view of others.
  • Video, photography, audio, or cell phone recording during performances is prohibited.
  • Guests that hold a General Admission/Lawn ticket are permitted to dance on the concrete apron at the rear of the amphitheater, while guests with a seated ticket are permitted to dance in the areas beside sections 4 and 5.
  • SPAC has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind, including but not limited to race, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, and citizenship. Harassment includes but is not limited to stalking, verbal or physical intimidation, offensive verbal comments, physical assault and/or battery, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome physical attention. If you are made to feel uncomfortable or unsafe, please immediately report any concerns to SPAC staff or security personnel so appropriate action can be taken.

Concessions will be open for food & beverages during the festival

 

About the bands

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.

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.

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

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 Rolling Stone, USA Today, and the Huffington Post.

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.