Dick Hensold is the leading Northumbrian smallpiper in North America. He returns to Caltech following his debut here a few years ago with Andrea Beaton in a show that was very well received. This time, he is performing with Patsy O’Brien, premier guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Dick and Patsy have been performing together for a relatively short period of time, but they are currently working on a new recording to be released this spring, and we have heard a few samples from this upcoming album, and we are extremely impressed! We heard a studio version of Braes of Balquhidder, a beautiful poem by Robert Tannahill, with a new modified melody by Dick, which you can hear in a live version in the sample below. They will perform an evening of traditional Celtic music, but with unique and innovative arrangements, including a variety of songs and tunes from Britain and Ireland, accompanied by guitar and Northumbrian smallpipes (a quiet bagpipe from Northeast England), and various whistles. The show will also feature traditional and historical tunes from Cape Breton Island, Scotland, Ireland and Northumberland, with a good measure of original music in the traditional style. As well as a broad range of styles of Celtic music, this program includes an impressive range of expression, from the jaunty and humorous to soulful, led by Patsy’s warm and multi-colored baritone voice, Dick’s variety of pipes and whistles, and the nimble instrumental virtuosity of both musicians. For the past 20 years, Dick has performed and taught in England, Scotland, Japan, Canada, and across the United States. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, he is a full-time musician, passionately presenting the traditional music of Scotland, Cape Breton Island, and Northumberland, as well as Nordic folk music, early music, and traditional Cambodian music. He is also an active composer, studio musician and theater musician, and his solo CD, Big Music for Northumbrian Smallpipes was released in 2007. He performs and records in various combinations with artists from around the world.
Patsy O’Brien hails from Cork, Ireland. As well as supplying the driving guitar rhythms of Celtic/World Music diva Eileen Ivers’ last European tour, and collaborating with many giants of the Celtic/World music scene (Paddy Keenan, Cathie Ryan among them), he hosts guitar workshops all over the country, and NPR saw fit to feature one of his song arrangements on the prestigious All Songs Considered. With 4 critically-acclaimed solo albums under his belt, along with numerous live and studio collaborations, Patsy’s songwriting reflects his penchant for seamless genre-hopping, and a strong interest in roots Americana as well as jazz. Dick and Patsy together are a very strong pairing and this promises to be a great show!
Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for Caltech students and children. They can be purchased on the phone (626-395-4652) with a credit card (a service charge will be added per order), purchased at the Caltech Public Events Ticket Office in the Spalding Building (California Blvd. and Wilson Avenue) for face value (open Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 pm.), or purchased at the door for cash or check (no credit cards.) Online tickets can be purchased here (service charge will be added per ticket). Join our mailing list and you’ll be informed about all of our shows with plenty of time to plan ahead!
More Info: here
Tickets: $20 / $5 for Caltech students and children
A bit more about parking if you haven’t been to one of our shows for awhile: There will be the usual limited parking right behind the large Beckman Auditorium- It is OK to park in slots with names on weekends and evenings, but the lot may fill up, depending on what other events may be taking place on the Caltech campus. This is the best place to park for the handicapped (try to come a little early- email us at [email protected] if you need help planning your visit). The parking lots between Michigan and Wilson have been closed- a new building is rapidly rising at the southeast corner of Wilson and Del Mar. The most reliable parking will be on Wilson Avenue, either on the street or in the two parking structures just south of Del Mar Avenue, across the street from Beckman Institute. One structure is just north of the Institute at 341 S. Wilson Avenue, and the other, 405 S. Wilson, is just a bit south of the Institute. Rest assured that after 5PM on weekdays, and all day on weekends, you can park for free in these structures, despite signs that allude to the more restricted parking rules during the day on weekdays. You are permitted to park in slots that have names on them here as well. From the structures, walk around the big lawn (much of which is currently fenced in for the building projet to the north) in front of Beckman Institute and you will recognize where to go. On this map, we are suggesting that you park in structures #123 and #124 in the upper left. Beckman Institute is building #74, just to the east (right). If you need help figuring this out, try calling (626) 616-4559