Claudia Russell, Bruce Kaplan, Eric Lewis and Jimmy Kaplan at Cafe Carpe · October 9, 2026
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CLAUDIA RUSSELL returns to the Midwest with a special expanded version of her longtime Americana ensemble, the Folk Unlimited Orchestra, featuring Wisconsin favorites Eric Lewis and Jimmy Kaplan.
Longtime Door County audiences may remember Claudia from her years performing with Northern Sky Theater, in shows includingGoodnight Irene, Old Friends and Fish and Whistle. Eric shared the stage on several of those productions, while James Kaplan served as musical director and became known throughout Wisconsin as the composer of Guys on Ice, Lumberjacks in Love and other beloved regional shows.
Since then, Claudia has built a national career around her remarkable voice and distinctive songwriting. She’s a two-time Kerrville New Folk finalist, was named WUMB’s Artist of the Year, and has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote: “Russell has a voice that is made for folk music. She breaks hearts.”
Since those early AFT days, Eric Lewis has become a beloved regional artist in his own right — a first-rate guitarist and multi-instrumentalist whose musicianship stands easily alongside the best players in folk, roots and country music.
With Bruce Kaplan on electric guitar and mandolin, plus Eric and Jimmy, this is a rare reunion built around Claudia’s original songs, rich arrangements, and several decades of shared musical history.
Check out Claudia in her various ensembles at http://bit.ly/C-B-YOUTUBE
Longtime Door County audiences may remember Claudia from her years performing with Northern Sky Theater, in shows includingGoodnight Irene, Old Friends and Fish and Whistle. Eric shared the stage on several of those productions, while James Kaplan served as musical director and became known throughout Wisconsin as the composer of Guys on Ice, Lumberjacks in Love and other beloved regional shows.
Since then, Claudia has built a national career around her remarkable voice and distinctive songwriting. She’s a two-time Kerrville New Folk finalist, was named WUMB’s Artist of the Year, and has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote: “Russell has a voice that is made for folk music. She breaks hearts.”
Since those early AFT days, Eric Lewis has become a beloved regional artist in his own right — a first-rate guitarist and multi-instrumentalist whose musicianship stands easily alongside the best players in folk, roots and country music.
With Bruce Kaplan on electric guitar and mandolin, plus Eric and Jimmy, this is a rare reunion built around Claudia’s original songs, rich arrangements, and several decades of shared musical history.
Check out Claudia in her various ensembles at http://bit.ly/C-B-YOUTUBE
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Where is it happening?
Cafe Carpe, 20 S Water St W, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-2027, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherClaudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan
