We’re just over a week away from presenting John Flynn on Saturday, September 26 at 8:00 p.m. in Beckman Institute Auditorium (Little Beckman) on the Caltech campus. John writes songs, sings with a strong, expressive voice, plays guitar and harmonica, and he is very interested in the world we live in today. He’s quite personable and he engages with the audience, singing and talking about personal experiences and news stories, some well known, some obscure. He is an eloquent observer of our society who focuses on a range of compelling subjects, such as his song Prodigal Father, a tribute to stepparents, and his song, Malala (video below), which celebrates Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl who suffered an attack by religious extremists for pressing for education for young women in her country.
He can also be cleverly satirical, as he is in Binders Full of Women, a song about a line that Mitt Romney spoke in political debate in the last presidential election. You may not agree with everything he says, but he knows how to get you thinking and sometimes smiling. John has been around for awhile (Poor Man’s Diamonds, from last year is his 11th recording) but he lives in Delaware and he just doesn’t get out our way very often. In April of 2013, he and Kris Kristofferson did a benefit at Pepperdine University for Homeboy Industries, the company that Father Timothy Boyle started in Los Angeles to provide a pathway out of the gang lifestyle. He’s that kind of guy, very involved in our society. Don’t miss him!
Tickets for the show are $15 for adults and $5 for Caltech students and children. Order them at the Caltech Ticket Office from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling (626) 395-4652 or in person (no service charge that way) at Winnett Student Center on campus. You can also buy tickets online until two days before the show. And you can buy them at the door on the night of the show.
This is our last chance to tell you about the bluegrass birthday tribute/fundraiser for folkie organizer and muscian, Pitt Kinsolving, featuring Witcher, Recupido, Levitt, and Witcher this coming Tuesday, September 22 at 8:00 PM at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. Hear some fine new songs penned by Dennis Witcher and Tony Recupido (along with some older ones and a few bluegrass covers), the great banjo playing of Dan Levitt, and the fine bass and vocals of Loren Witcher. We apologize for the event being on Yom Kippur, but this day is Pitt’s 83rd birthday. We’ve heard from a good many of Pitt’s friends as well as fans of the Witcher Brothers, eager to see this new line-up but there are still tickets still available. Those who have enjoyed Folk Music Society shows are bound to enjoy this one, both musically, and in seeing the folk music community come together to support one of its own. Our series owes a lot to Pitt for getting us through a couple of transitional years in the early days. Bob Stane has donated his fine venue in Altadena (2029 North Lake Avenue), along with his sound and lighting, and 100% of the ticket money will go to Pitt to help him through some health issues. Pitt is planning to be there and may even do a song! But it will mainly be a night of bluegrass. Reservations are a must, as the venue is small, but we want to fill the hall! There are not many seats left, so get in touch soon. Do not call the Coffee Gallery, but place your reservation by calling (626) 791-4583 or (626) 616-4559. Or you can send an email to [email protected]. See the story about the show at folkworks.org for more information.