Pasadena Folk Music Society

Scotland's Old Blind Dogs, from Aberdeenshire, on Scotland’s northeast coast, has been one of the most popular acts (two of the shows sold out!) in our series over the years. Consisting of Jonny Hardie, (fiddle & vocals), Aaron Jones (bouzouki, guitar, bass, and vocals), Ali Hutton (pipes, whistles & guitar), and Donald Hay (percussion). Because … Continue reading Scottish group Old Blind Dogs at Caltech →

The Folk Music Society is very proud to present the extraordinary songwriter and singer, John Gorka. We've been working on getting him here for the last 2-3 years, and finally our schedules match! John performed in our series early in his career, showing his talent with songs like Branching Out and over the years he … Continue reading Singer and songwriter John Gorka at Caltech →

The Kingston Trio had a tremendous influence in bringing folk music into the mainstream of popular music in the late 1950's and 1960's. Since that exciting time when they had many hits, such as Tom Dooley, Where Have all the Flowers Gone?, A Woried Man, and many, many more, this music has inspired many and … Continue reading The (New) Kingston Trio (Josh Reynolds, Mike Marvin, Tim Gorelangton) presented by Caltech Public Events! Receive a $5 discount if you mention the Folk Music Society when ordering tickets! In Beckman Auditorium (Big Beckman) →

Claude is making his first appearance in our series. He is a mesmerizing guitarist with a strong background in classical guitar, along with solid familiarity with blues as well. Claude, who also sings, is French, though he grew up in Switzerland and now lives in the United Kingdom. He has fans on both sides of … Continue reading Claude Bourbon, Classical/blues guitarist and singer →

Though other talented folks have followed in his footsteps, Bryan Bowers continues to be the pinnacle of autoharp playing in the folk music world, and he delivers a fine mix of songs, instrumentals, and stories. Bryan will be in California for his annual visit to the California Autoharp Gathering in the Fresno area in May. … Continue reading Bryan Bowers with Geoff Goodhue →

Join flatpicking pioneer Dan Crary, banjo legend Bill Evans, and Southern California acoustic favorite Wally Barnick as they come together for the first time to perform cutting edge bluegrass, folk, and Americana music. These three have all performed for us at Caltech in different groupings over the years, and we're excited to have them in … Continue reading Crary, Evans & Barnick: Cutting Edge Bluegrass, Folk, and Americana Music →

Mother's Boys is a relatively new ensemble of four extremely talented veteran musicians who have come together to play some of the great songs of the Carter Family, the trio from the Clinch Mountain area of Virginia, who took the world of country music by storm in the late 1920's, 1930's and early 1940's. Songs … Continue reading Mother’s Boys (Peter Feldmann, Rick Cunha, David Jackson & David Dawson) : An evening of the music of the Carter Family at Caltech →

Take four highly skilled and well known multi-instrumentalists and put them together to create an exciting weave of music rooted in the Celtic, Nordic and American folk traditions. Ancient and modern sounds mingle freely on Swedish nyckelharpa, Celtic harp, fiddle, guitar, cittern, bouzouki, and more. Join the New World String Project for a musical ride … Continue reading New World String Project with Stuart Mason, John Weed, Lisa Lynne and Aryeh Frankfurter. →

The Tannahill Weavers first came together in 1968 in Paisley, Scotland. Current member, Roy Gullane, came into the group in 1970 and Phil Smillie, also a current member, joined at age 16 a short time after that. They didn't release their first record until 1976, but by that time, they had established the idea that … Continue reading Tannahill Weavers celebrate 50th anniversary! →

Jeni Hankins has been through a great deal since her two previous appearances at Caltech with Billy Kemp as Jeni and Billy. Jeni's father passed away in 2016 and she and Billy have parted ways. And Jeni has moved to London! But the same endearing directness of this Appalachian woman from Jewell Ridge, Virginia still … Continue reading Jeni Hankins, Appalachian Singer, songwriter and guitarist →

While we have enjoyed Bill Staines' songs for decades, whether on recordings or by such people as Peter, Paul, and Mary, Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers, Nanci Griffith, Priscilla Herdman, Jerry Jeff Walker, and many others, he has seldom performed here in Southern California in recent years. Songs like All God’s Critters, The Roseville … Continue reading Bill Staines, exceptional singer and songwriter makes debut at Caltech →

John McCutcheon is certainly one of the performers most often mentioned when were are asked when one of our previous musicians will be returning to Caltech. The Washington Post once described him as the "Rustic Renaissance Man" of folk music, and with his songwriting talent, his voice, his multi-instrumental talents (guitar, hammer dulcimer, fiddle, autoharp, … Continue reading John McCutcheon: Singer, songwriter, instrumentalist extraordinaire →

We are delighted to welcome back a longtime friend and major figure in Celtic music, fiddler, Kevin Burke. In a 30-plus year career, Kevin has played with the Bothy Band, Patrick Street, Open House, the Celtic Fiddle Festival, and in many other combinations. As fine as he is with these various accompanists, it is sheer … Continue reading Kevin Burke, extraordinary Celtic Fiddler, Saturday, December 15 →

Lauren Sheehan and Susie Glaze share a deep connection to traditional American music with two divergent paths.  They discovered that these paths met beautifully when they joined forces to present a workshop in 2017 at the FAR-West (Regional Folk Alliance) conference on the uses of traditional music for contemporary songwriting.  On these two topics these … Continue reading Lauren Sheehan and Susie Glaze sing contemporary and traditional songs from the great American folk songbook →

Honey Whiskey Trio debuted with us back in 2014 on a split bill. They have continued to get even better and now they will be back to do a full show on their own. Honey Whiskey Trio are three young women who sing mostly a cappella (also with guitar and mandolin), often employing body percussion. … Continue reading Honey Whiskey Trio →

We missed out on our every-two-years show with Steve Gillete and Cindy Mangsen in 2018 because of scheduling complications, but we're happy to welcome them back in 2019! The show will be in Beckman Institute Auditorium (our usual, smaller venue.) We look forward to the great songs they bring us, a mix of originals, gold … Continue reading Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen →

Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day 24 hours early! Caltech's Public Events will present Dublin's Irsh Tenors and The Celtic Ladies in a show all about singing! Two superb Irish groups come together in one magical concert featuring wonderful harmonies and lifting melodies. Listen in amazement as these talented singers take you on a breathtaking musical journey … Continue reading Dublin’s Irish Tenors and The Celtic Ladies Saturday, on March 16, presented by Caltech Public Events! Receive a $5 discount if you mention the Folk Music Society when ordering tickets! In Beckman Auditorium →

The Pasadena Folk Music Society, in partnership with the Pasadena Public Library, presents a free concert for the entire family at the Pasadena Central Library in the Donald Wright Auditorium.  Note that the concert will not be in our usual Caltech venue.  Cambalache plays Son Jarocho music of Vera Cruz, Mexico, birthplace of founding member, Cesar … Continue reading Free concert for the family- especially kids! Cambalache plays the music of Veracruz, Mexico, with a bit of East L.A. and a great deal of joy →

We are very proud to present this fine group of musicians, Jayme Stone and Folklife, who explore the deep roots music of North America and beyond. This is a completely new show, a follow-up to an earlier tour and album called the Lomax Project, which was performed here at Caltech with a slightly different line-up … Continue reading Jayme Stone & Folklife, great band, featuring Moira Smiley and others, updating old songs based on field recordings →