News

September 15, 2023

“Caffe Lena @ SPAC” Returns OCT 7

Saratoga Springs, NY (September 14, 2023) – In partnership with Caffè Lena, Saratoga Performing Arts Center announces that the popular “Caffè Lena @ SPAC” festival will return for a free day-long concert on Saturday, October 7 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, bluegrass, jazz, reggae, and indie-folk music including Upstate, Los Sugar Kings, Soggy Po’ Boys, Amythyst Kiah, and The Clements Brothers. The “Caffe Lena @ SPAC” festival highlights a unique, ongoing collaboration between the arts center and the folk music venue.

“Collaborating with Caffè Lena and its executive director, Sarah Craig, is always a joy. And it’s wonderful to see how one of our earliest collaborations – Caffè Lena @ SPAC – has become a ‘can’t miss’ festival of the fall with an amazing ‘only at Caffè Lena’ line-up of artists,” says Elizabeth Sobol, president & CEO of SPAC.

“This event combines the intimacy and style of Caffè Lena with the expansive outdoor setting of SPAC. Our organizations have had a great time collaborating on this project and the crowd has gotten bigger every year. This year’s line-up is really exciting featuring five inspiring artists, including our first GRAMMY nominee,” 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 7

Upstate

Indie-folk band Upstate thrives on weaving a tapestry of harmonious melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Formed in Woodstock, NY, this collective of musicians brings together a diverse range of influences from folk, bluegrass, jazz, and soul. Their honest and passionate songwriting resonates with listeners, evoking a sense of nostalgia and vulnerability. Each band member contributes their unique voice and musical prowess, resulting in rich harmonies and stellar instrumentation that blend together effortlessly.

Los Sugar Kings

Boston-based quartet, Los Sugar Kings, are known for their dynamic live performances, rich harmonies, intense musicianship and ability to transcend genres with an authenticity rarely heard. In their world, respect is paid to the forefathers and traditions of Afro-Cuban Son, Salsa and Rumba-Flamenca but Sugar Kings (named after a Cuban baseball team) also actively draw on influences from nearly every continent in their unique roots-rock-reggae repertoire. All are highly accomplished on their instruments; however, the true magic of Sugar Kings is how these four individuals come together to put on a performance worthy of any festival, party, club or concert hall. It’s impossible for a party to stop from breaking out, wherever Sugar Kings perform.

Soggy Po’ Boys

“Devoted to the culture of The Big Easy, the Soggy Po’ Boys seem genuine in their ambition to spread the word about jazz New Orleans style, and they’re creating an accessible and fun way into this world.”(London Jazz News) You’ll hear the heavy influence of the NOLA sound across the band and in the stories told by their original tunes, in addition to traditional Caribbean tunes, Meters funk, soul, and brass band/street beat music. “It all adds up to a party you can bring with you when you want to treat your friends to a real good time”(Ben Schenck, musician).

Amythyst Kiah

Before earning a GRAMMY nomination for her work with the all-female folk super-group, Our Native Daughters, Amythyst Kiah had already built a substantial career as a solo artist in the Americana and roots music arena. Called “one of Americana’s great up-and-coming secrets” by The Rolling Stone, Kiah is a versatile songwriter and deeply soulful singer. Her music drifts easily between old-time folk, blues, country, and more contemporary strains of R&B and alt-rock.

The Clements Brothers

The Clements Brothers are George and Charles Clements, identical twins from New England. They’ve been playing and writing music together for as long as they can remember. With roots, rock, bluegrass, jazz, and classical influences, George and Charles aim to capture their singer-songwriter sensibilities in a unique blended voice, at once enthralling and intimate, groovy and serene, filled with vocal harmonies, instrumental virtuosity, and a genuine love of song.

CAFFE LENA @ SPAC CONCERT LINEUP

OCTOBER 7

11:30 AM | Gates Open

Noon-12:45 PM| The Clements Brothers

1:10-1:55 PM| Amythyst Kiah

2:20-3:05 PM | Soggy Po’ Boys

3:30-4:15 PM | Los Sugar Kings

4:40- 5:25 PM | Upstate