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 T Sisters, the David Thom Band, Linda Tillery and  Barbara Higbie 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, 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.

Erika, Rachel, and Chloe Tietjen comprise Oakland-based singing trio the T Sisters. Their father Ramsey accompanies on guitar as the sisters perform original music influenced by blues, folk, bluegrass, gospel, country, rock and more, all drenched in their enchanting sibling vocal harmonies.

The David Thom Band plays hard-driving bluegrass, steeped in tradition and tempered by contemporary sensibilities. Featuring David on guitar and vocals, Andy Shaw (banjo), Mary Shaw (bass), Paul Shelasky (fiddle), and Brian Judd (mandolin), the band's delight in their brand of bluegrass is infectious, and their performances always provide a rollicking good time.

Linda’s powerful, shimmering voice has been the centerpiece in many of the Bay Area’s most popular bands over the past four decades. A central figure in the emerging women’s music movement in the 1970s and ‘80s, Linda was also a founding member of Bobby McFerrin’s vocal ensemble Voicestra. She currently leads the Cultural Heritage Choir, performing African American roots music.

An exuberant virtuoso on numerous instruments in many musical styles, as well as the possessor of a lovely singing voice and a stage presence like a ray of sunshine, Barbara Higbie combines technical brilliance and pure joie de vivre in her music.  Barbara's rich background includes classical piano and violin studies, immersion in the musical culture of Ghana, ground-breaking work with the jazz-folk-bluegrass band Montreux and with Terry Riley, and acclaimed collaborations with singer Teresa Trull.

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 Lewis's website

Visit Tom Rozum's website

Visit the T Sisters' website

Visit the David Thom Band's website

Visit Linda Tillery's website

Visit Barbara Higbie's website

Listen to a track from Laurie Lewis: