Pasadena Folk Music Society

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 →

UPDATE: The new date for this show is October 26, 2019. Learn more. We apologize for the last minute postponement, but Linda Williams had to have an unanticipated ankle surgery on Thursday, April 18 and she won’t be able to put any weight on it for at least 3 weeks. The Folk Music Society, as … Continue reading POSTPONED: Robin & Linda Williams →

Celtic trio, Miller||MacDonald | Cormier will perform on Saturday, May 18 at 8:00 PM. The show will be in Beckman Institute Auditorium, our usual, intimate venue, Beckman Institute Auditorium, just west of the better known, but similarly named, Beckman Auditorium (the big white and round building at the end of Michigan Avenue). They will be … Continue reading Miller | MacDonald | Cormier →

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. They seem to have licked their visa difficulties and this will be their sixth show with us. The group consists of Jonny Hardie, (fiddle & … Continue reading Scotland’s Old Blind Dogs return to Pasadena Saturday, June 22 in Ramo Auditorium →

Here's a show like no other that the Folk Music Society has offered. Nevenka is a Los Angeles-based women's folk chorus performing songs from Eastern Europe, including Russian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Greek and others. The group formed in 1976 as an off-shoot of the Aman Folk Ensemble. These women are primarily singers, and there may be … Continue reading Nevenka, Eastern European folk ensemble in Ramo Auditorium on Saturday, Sept. 21 →

Along with her solo musical career, Southern California songstress, Perla Batalla was also a back-up singer for the great singer and songwriter, Leonard Cohen, before his unfortunate death in 2016. Perla has recorded 7 albums and will be performing in the big hall, Beckman Auditorium on Saturday, October 19. Perla has a big, powerful voice … Continue reading Perla Batalla: A tribute to Leonard Cohen, Saturday, October 19, presented by Caltech Campus Programs! Receive a $5 discount if you mention the Folk Music Society when ordering tickets! In Beckman Auditorium →

Robin and Linda Williams are coming this fall! Linda's ankle is on the mend and they have rescheduled their tour, so we will be presenting them on Saturday, October 26! They haven't been out here to the West Coast in quite some time, but they will be leaving their home in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.  … Continue reading New Date! Robin and Linda Williams return to Pasadena Saturday, October 26 →

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. They will perform an evening of traditional Celtic music, … Continue reading Dick Hensold and Patsy O’Brien in Beckman Institute Auditorium Saturday, November 9 →

Molly's Revenge has played for us a number of times and this "California Celtic" band has picked up a good many local fans in Southern California and throughout the West Coast. Their energy and musical excellence is quite memorable, and they haven't played in Pasadena since 2011, so it is way past time that we … Continue reading Winterdance Celtic Christmas Celebration with Molly’s Revenge FRIDAY, December 20 in Ramo Auditorium →