The Freight's favorite musician for all seasons, Laurie Lewis, hosts our exuberant family holiday celebration, setting alight the longest night of the year with great music and food, an exchange of gifts, and a visit by Santa—not to mention some of the Bay Area's hottest performers donating their services in support of the Freight. Tom Rozum, The Coverlettes, The George Cole Quintet, Claudia Russell & the Folk Unlimited Orchestra, and Patrick Landeza all join us for an evening of fabulous music guaranteed to get your holiday glow on!

A key figure in bluegrass, traditional, and folk music circles, Laurie's songwriting, fiddling, and crystal-clear singing have brought her national recognition, a Grammy, and two International Bluegrass Music Association Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year. Her Grammy-nominated duet partner, mandolinist/singer, Tom Rozum, will join Laurie on stage for some of the pair's signature red-hot playing and beautiful vocals.

Heriberto "Tito" Gonzales enjoyed a rapid ascendance from cabbie to star of the Cuban music scene, playing son (a style of music popular in the 1920s and '30s that combines Spanish-influenced song and guitar with African rhythms and percussion instruments) with the famed group Conjunto Estrellas de Chocolate. Now residing in San Francisco, this consummate master heads a hot band dedicated to playing rumba, guaracha, and son: traditional, high-energy Cuban dance music. Tito performs tonight with with his world renowned trio.

The George Cole Quintet always sets the Freight stage swinging! With the fiery guitar of George Cole as its centerpiece, this virtuoso Bay Area band invites you to close your eyes and be transported by their infectious Gypsy jazz groove. Says Art Thompson of Guitar Player magazine: "Cole's excellent Django-style guitar work and his band's enticing instrumental and vocal harmonies make them a must-see for any fan of vintage jazz."

Fictitious 1960s girl group The Coverlettes—Bella, Ella, and Stella Duvet—regale us with versions of their favorite Christmas songs, mixed in with lots of ‘60s era hits by the likes of The Shangri-Las, The Ronettes, The Shirelles, and The Crystals, served up with a dollop of their own history, angst, and joy. With the able backing of the Fellas—pianist Rusty McTurk, bassist Rudy Tuesday, and drummer Ray Wray—the sisters set our stage aglow with holiday spirits and nostalgic good cheer.

Claudia Russell always delivers a warm-you-up-right-down-to-your-toes performance. Her 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 following her through the musical landscape like treasure hunters in search of thrills.

Musician, composer, producer, Patrick Landeza is considered a leading exponent of Hawaiian slack key guitar. Born and raised in Berkeley to Hawaii-born parents, Patrick carries on the unique fingerpicking method developed in the 19th century by Hawaiian cowboys who loosened their guitar strings for a beautifully mellow, resonant sound.

Tonight, the Freight is also honored to present international holiday favorite Santa Claus as he graces our stage in a dazzling performance brimming with laughter and good cheer. Celebrated in song and story for his twinkling eyes, rosy cheeks, and general joviality, Santa takes a break from his busy pre-Christmas schedule to oversee the distribution of gifts to young and old from under the Freight Christmas tree.

Need we say more? Come on down!

Visit Laurie's website

Visit Tom's website

Visit Tito's website

Visit George's website

Visit Claudia's website

Visit Patrick's website