Duo to share evening of harmonies

Paulina Springs Books will host an intimate "house concert" featuring songs, stories, and harmonies of Bay-area folk duo Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan on Tuesday, June 11, at 7 p.m. Listeners can expect to enjoy an evening of warmth, community, fun, connection and, of course, entertaining and engaging music.

The evening will start with a special musical tribute to retiring bookseller Sue Tank.

"The staff here at the bookstore and I wrote a song for Sue as a gift for her retirement," said her colleague Beth Wood. "I would like to sing it to open the concert on June 11. Thought it might be fun for our customers who love Sue so much to hear it!"

The title is apt: "If you ask her, she knows."

If you ask her, she knows

who's feeling joy, who's feeling sorrow

if you ask her, she knows

the weather forecast for tomorrow

ask her where the quail and the eagle pair go

she's got an answer if you ask her, she knows

After the tribute, Russell and Kaplan take over.

Claudia Russell is a California troubadour with a guitar case full of highly engaging songs, the voice of an angel, and a suitable partner in husband Bruce Kaplan, who supplies the perfect counterpoint to Russell's inventive guitar work with accompaniment on electric guitar and mandolin. Whether soothing or stirring, Russell and Kaplan always hit the spot.

The Bay Area-based duo traverse a wide Americana landscape, stopping at wondrous musical landmarks along the way, tipping their hat to the great Laurel Canyon troubadours, legendary Village folkies, soulful blues divas, jazz cats, and Bakersfield cowboys. Driven by Claudia's expressive voice, nimble guitar and distinctive songwriting, it all comes together beautifully.

Since their debut in 2000, Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan have amassed an impressive resume of over 1000 performances. Their distinctive music has graced the stages of clubs, festivals, barns, and concert series across North America wowing audiences with their engaging songs wherever they perform. Claudia has also achieved recognition as a Kerrville New Folk Finalist on two occasions, while her talent has garnered praise in notable publications such as American Songwriter, UK Country People, and Sing Out, as well as NPR's All Things Considered.

Russell is a third-generation singer. Her father, Val Rosing, was the vocalist of the Henry Hall BBC Dance Orchestra 1931 original hit recording of "Teddy Bears Picnic." Her grandfather, Vladimir Rosing, was an opera singer who performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl.

You can learn more about Claudia and Bruce's music at http://www.claudiarussell.com.

A house concert is an intimate listening event where music is the focus, a community gathering in support of artists and their work. Seating is limited. $20 suggested donation per person attending. All donations go to the artists. RSVP to reserve your seats at [email protected].

Paulina Springs Books is located at 252 W. Hood Ave.