Eighteen-year-old singer/songwriter Alexa Grey will perform outside the Generations at Five Points restaurant, where she is employed.

"I started off as the busser, and then they (Generations) found out I could sing and asked if I wanted to start playing Thursday nights. I said ‘yes’ right away," said Grey, a Waukesha resident. "Recently, I was promoted to food runner - and I love it. So, I guess, I’m their official singing food runner."

Grey’s musical menu includes both cover and original songs. On Friday, she will be accompanied by local guitarist Jamie Ellinger.

"I am inspired by any artist who sings and writes with their heart and with emotion, like Tracy Chapman, Colbie Caillat, Tyler Hilton and The Band Perry," said Grey, who lists one of her song list favorites as "Kiss the Girl" from Disney’s "The Little Mermaid." "I write from my experiences and things that happen to me or my close friends. By sharing myself with others through music, people can relate and they can feel like they’re not the only ones to feel a certain way."

Grey got her taste for music from her grandmother when she was 5. Through the years, she honed her singing voice in choirs, at weddings and for friends. Five years ago, she began playing the guitar.

To date, Grey has finished 13 original songs and "10 more are works in progress," she said. Grey is hoping to record her first single by the end of September.

"On the outside, I’m just a silly girl who has a passion greater than herself and whose dreams may seem far out of reach," Grey said. "By having fans, and people who come back to see me or just stop and listen for a short time, tells me that little bits of my dream are getting closer and closer."

The next little bit starts Friday night at 6:30 p.m.

Elsewhere, Ian & The Dream make their only Freeman Friday Night Live appearance this year at the Rockin’ on Broadway stage.

"When the neighborhood kids were playing outside, I sat inside dissecting Beatles songs," said Ian Abrahamson, the band’s front man. "The Beatles have been the greatest influence on the band’s sound. As others have noticed, Ian & The Dream has an arresting, immediately recognizable sound as the Fab Four did. Also, like the Beatles, we can play a piano ballad or a hard rocker and still sound like the same band."

Ian & The Dream band members include Chivo on bass and Dan Budziszewski on drums.

Also scheduled to perform are The Lonely Hearts on South Street & Clinton, Mike & Kathy Gallenberger at the Martha Merrell’s/Cuddles stage on Main Street and Gaspar, Waukesha’s Richard Holly brings his rhythm and blues sound to The Steaming Cup on Main and Clinton, while Chad Witte and Buffalo Al are at Sprizzo’s Gallery on E. Main and Hot Damn headlines the Waukesha Antique Mall stage on Bank Street.

Freeman Friday Night Live is sponsored by the Waukesha Downtown Business Association.

For details, call 544-8030 or visit www.gmtoday.com/freemanfridaynightlive.