A beautifully expressive singer who's equally at home on a whispery ballad and a full-tilt Buddy Holly-styled romp, Claudia Russell returns to our stage for another warm-you-up-right-down-to-your-toes evening. Claudia's originals put a unique spin on the classic themes of songwriting—love, longing, and loss, with the occasional foray into silliness—in an eclectic folk style that mingles blues, western swing, country, pop, and rock influences, with the Folk Unlimited Orchestra (guitarist and mandolinist Bruce Kaplan, bassist Mark Petrella, and Carl Byron on piano and accordion) following her through the musical landscape like treasure hunters in search of thrills.

Named Best New Artist of 2000 by Boston's renowned folk radio station, WUMB, Claudia is a two-time finalist in the prestigious Kerrville New Folk songwriting competition. Last year, she released her third CD, the fabulous Live Band Tonight, but Claudia's live shows are not to be missed! You will feel like you've stepped into her living room, sharing music, banter, and the occasional shaggy dog story, while Bruce chimes in for comic relief. Come on down and fill up your plate with a down-home, good-time evening of music as welcoming and flavorful as a slice of cherry pie.

Longtime Freight favorite singer-songwriter Dan Navarro is on hand as a special guest performer. Dan is one-half of the singer-songwriter duo Lowen & Novarro, and Claudia and Dan are donating a portion of the proceeds from the show to the ALS Association in honor of Eric Lowen, who is suffering from ALS (commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease).