Mandolin players from several corners of the globe converge on the Freight stage tonight for a high energy border- and genre-hopping extravaganza that no fan of strings should miss!

Bay Area mandolin virtuoso Mike Marshall is the leading proponent of an ebullient hybrid of folk-jazz-classical music that explores territory stretching from Brazil through Appalachia to Europe and Africa, by way of Manhattan and the Florida swamps. He first gained acclaim for his groundbreaking "newgrass" work with David Grisman, and more recently founded the Modern Mandolin Quartet and the Brazilian ensemble, Choro Famoso.

Considered to be one of Brazil's top players of the bandolim (mandolin in Portuguese), Dudu Maia is distinguished for his soulful style. He brings to his work deep knowledge of Brazil's greatest musical traditions as well as influences from diverse styles such as progressive rock.

Youthful São Paulo native Danilo Brito has become known for his inspired songwriting and the emotional depth and respect in his interpretations of other songwriters, as well as for his incredible command of the mandolin. In 2004, Danilo won Brazil's prestigious VISA Award for best instrumentalist.

The winner of numerous national and international music competitions, Bulgarian mandolin artist Caterina Lichtenberg has performed around the globe, as a soloist and in numerous other musical settings, from her work with the duo Duetto Giocondo to performances with the Dresden Symphony Orchestra.

As if all that wasn't enough to make you leap from your seat and race straight over to the Freight, Mike, Dudu, Danilo, and Caterina are joined for the evening by two youthful Fresno-based musicians, choro mandolinist Eva Scow and guitarist Dusty Brough.