It has taken a lot of horse trading and patience to make it work, but we will finally present Robin and Linda Williams as they come to Southern California from their home in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. After postponing their tour last spring because of Linda’s ankle problems, she is doing much better and they are once again doing shows, even in the process of recording a new album! They will perform Saturday, October 26 in Beckman Institute Auditorium at 8:00 PM. Robin and Linda are best known for being semi-regulars on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion for many years. But those who know Robin and Linda from their tours, performances, and recordings have heard the scores of outstanding original songs, covers of some of their great songwriting contemporaries, and a few traditional songs, as well.
Their songs have been performed and recorded by Chris Thile, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tom T. Hall, George Hamilton IV, Tim & Mollie O’Brien, Kathy Mattea, the Seldom Scene, and many others. Sample their trademark harmonies on a couple of their fine originals, Don’t Let Me Come Home a Stranger, and Rolling and Rambling, their song about the death of Hank Williams. The former features Linda’s mournful lead vocal and Robin’s trademark lonesome harmony, a sad song indeed. The latter performance comes from the waning years of Prairie Home Companion, featuring fine harmonies, too, and, ironically for the title, it is very upbeat. Their music includes bluegrass, folk, old-time, and they lean a little bit country, having made appearances on The Grand Old Opry, Austin City Limits, Music City Tonight, and Mountain Stage. They do a great job on the traditional song, Across the Blue Mountains, which has become a kind of a signature piece for them.
They both play guitar, and Linda plays the banjo quite a bit as well. They engage audiences with their powerful singing, their gift for capturing moments of universal life in their songs, and a strong, personal appeal. But it is their superb songwriting that has earned an even rarer honor: the devotion and deep respect of their musical peers.
Tickets are $25 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 such situations ahead of time.
More Info: www.robinandlinda.com
Tickets: $25 / $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