Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards live in Berkeley

Experience Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards live on August 27th

Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards will perform at Freight Fiddle Summit - Feat. Laura in Berkeley, California on August 27, 2026. The band is known for a contemporary take on folk music, blending elements of indie-pop, chamber pop, and traditional fiddle tunes. Their sound features Cortese’s virtuosic violin playing alongside nuanced arrangements incorporating piano, bass, and drums, often characterized by intricate harmonies and thoughtful songwriting.

The Freight Fiddle Summit – Feat. Laura is an annual event held at the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley, celebrating fiddle music in its diverse forms. Initiated by Laura Cortese herself in 2018, the summit began as a workshop series intended to foster community amongst fiddle players and has evolved into a multi-day festival showcasing established and emerging artists. It typically includes workshops during the day followed by evening concerts.

The event emphasizes collaborative performance and cross-genre exploration within the fiddle tradition; past summits have included musicians specializing in styles ranging from Irish traditional music to bluegrass and jazz influenced fiddling. Cortese curates the artist lineup each year, aiming to highlight both technical skill and innovative approaches to the instrument.