Since 1983, the PFMS has brought well-known performers of acoustic music to Caltech in Pasadena. We average one show each month. Email us to find out more.
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The Caltech Folk Music Society—now the Pasadena Folk Music Society—was started in 1983 by graduate students Brian Toby and Simon Davies. The intent was to bring well-known performers of acoustic music from around the country, and around the world, to play at Caltech for a reasonable price. Long before playing "unplugged" became fashionable, the PFMS began to seek out a wide range of singer-songwri
ters, bluegrass bands, British Isles music, blues, Nueva Cancion, guitarists, and a whole array of other musicians that did not fit well into mainstream musical categories. While some of these performers emphasize elements of "folk tradition," others are boldly innovative and truly unique. Social activism, humor, and compassion are commonly present as well. Most concerts are held in Beckman Institute Auditorium on the Caltech campus. The PFMS is an informal group of students and volunteers from the local community who arrange and publicize these concerts. Money taken in for ticket sales goes toward booking future shows. Volunteers are most welcome, especially students. By the way, all of our concerts are held after Caltech business hours, so parking in the school lots is free!
Delighted to announce that we'll be hosting the Syncopaths at Caltech's Beckman Institute Auditorium on July 6. This talented quartet brings a fresh, spirited spin to Celtic and American folk traditions. In the words of the Irish Herald: "Make no mistake, the Syncopaths are nothing short of a Celtic supergroup." Tix and more info for the 8 pm concert can be found here: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36761/production/1202789?performanceId=11476374
Looking for some Celtic-themed fun, with everything from pipers to groups like Stepwise, Stage Cru and Celtish? The annual Scottish Fest kicks off this weekend in Costa Mesa. Here are a few photos from last year... 🏴🎶🎻
Three members of the Pasadena Folk Music Society Board (Nick Smith, Alison Johnson and Rex Mayreis) spent this past Sunday in the Santa Monica Mountains at the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival at the beautiful King Gillette Ranch. We met lots of musicians and listeners and added some 70 new names to our PFMS email list, plus we got new ideas for performers to book in our own music series. It's a great festival, and we look forward to being back in 2025!
The Long Beach Bluegrass Festival is happening this Saturday, May 4, and will feature Honey Buckets, The Salty Suites and special guests The Honey Whiskey Trio. More info at the link below:
Sharing Jody Gunn's wonderful interview with fiddler Alasdair Fraser, published today on FolkWorks. Get your tickets now for our April 13 concert in Hermosa Beach with the Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles, featuring special guests Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas!
In the rich tapestry of traditional music, few figures stand as prominently as Alasdair Fraser, the acclaimed Scottish fiddler, composer, and recording artist. With anticipation building for his return to […]
As we prepare to co-host the April 13 show of the Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles at the Hermosa Beach Community Theatre, here's a clip of featured performers Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas. Reserved seats are sold out, but general admission tickets are still available. See link to buy tickets in comment.
Alasdair Fraser & Natalie HaasRob Fraser's Welcome to San Francisco (Alasdair Fraser)/Braes of Mar/Jenny Dang the Weaver/Crossing the Minch (PM Donald MacLeo...
Another local option for celebrating St. Patrick's Day this Sunday is at Griffins of Kinsale in South Pasadena. The pub will open bright and early at 8 with an Irish breakfast, and the party continues from noon on with musical guests Stepwise, Crimson Crowbar, and Howling Wake 🎶☘️🇮🇪 Sláinte! https://griffinsofkinsale.com
If you're looking for music on St. Patrick's Day, our friends at Pasadena Pro Musica will present their spring concert at Pasadena's Neighborhood Church. For tickets and more info, visit their website, at: https://pasadenapromusica.org/
A few photos from a fantastic evening at Caltech with Liz Simmons, Flynn Cohen and Natalie Padilla, who make up Low Lily... thrilled to welcome you back!
The Vermont-based trio Low Lily will perform roots-steeped music with a distinctive pop sparkle on March 2, in Pasadena. By News Desk Low Lily’s concerts and
We're busily preparing for an appearance by Vermont-based American Roots band Low Lily this Saturday, March 2, at 8 pm, in Caltech's Beckman Institute Auditorium. You can buy tickets at the link here as well as at the door 🎶🎻🎶 https://ci.ovationtix.com/36761/performance/11396511?performanceId=11396511
A tribute from one folk music great to another
On this cool and rainy Southern California evening, we're listening to songs from Low Lily's 2023 album "Angels in the Wreckage," like the toe-tapping "Keep the Pachysandra Flying" (link below). Get your tickets for their March 2 show at Caltech's Beckman Institute Auditorium!
Provided to YouTube by CDBabyKeep the Pachysandra Flying · Low LilyAngels in the Wreckage℗ 2023 Low LilyReleased on: 2023-04-21Auto-generated by YouTube.
We had a full house last night for the ever-delightful and talented Scots Jim and Susie Malcolm... such a pleasure to have them back in Pasadena! Stay tuned for our upcoming shows with Low Lily, on March 2, and the Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles, featuring special guests Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, on April 13.
It's Burns night, and in honor of the great Robert "Rabbie" Burns, here's a link to Jim and Susie Malcolm performing "A Man's A Man For A' That" at the Seattle Folklore Society in 2020. Slàinte mhath! 🏴🥃
Jim and Susie Malcolm from Scotland performing a Robert Burns classic live in concert at Seattle Folklore Society in February 2020, just before the world clo...
Tickets are going fast for Jim and Susie Malcolm's show this Saturday at Caltech's Beckman Institute Auditorium. Click on the link below to buy advance tickets ($25 for adults and $10 for Caltech students and those under 16). Our concert with Mari Black sold out, so don't delay!
If you're a fan of traditional Celtic music, you won't want to miss our very special evening with Jim and Susie Malcolm, who'll perform Saturday, Jan. 27, at Caltech's Beckman Institute Auditorium. It'll be the ninth appearance in Pasadena for Jim, who has been called "one of the finest singers in Scotland." He'll be joined by his wife, Susie, herself an award-winning singer. More info and tickets here: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36761/performance/11396495?performanceId=11396495
Don't miss Mary Katherine Aldin's interview with Pasadena Folk Music Society president Nick Smith tomorrow on KPFK's "Roots Music & Beyond" show! Nick's segment will air from 7:40 - 8 am. Listen live at 90.7 FM or online (see link below); the show will also be available for two weeks on the KPFK audio archives (select "Roots Music & Beyond" in the "All Shows" dropdown menu). Nick will talk about PFMS's upcoming shows and share music by some of our scheduled performers, such as Scottish troubadours Jim and Susie Malcolm.
KPFK Pacifica Radio for Los Angeles, Southern California and the World
We're wishing all of our music-loving friends a very happy holiday and are excited to announce two upcoming concerts at Caltech. On Saturday, Jan. 27, acclaimed folk duo Jim and Susie Malcolm will perform at the Beckman Institute Auditorium (see details at link below). And stay tuned for more info about our March 2 concert featuring Vermont-based American Roots band Low Lily.
Traveling the world with his guitar, harmonicas, and engaging wit, he sings the traditional songs of Scotland and his own masterfully crafted songs in a style which is modern and accessible, yet utterly authentic. He is highly regarded as an interpreter of the songs of Robert Burns, and has been des...
Don't miss fiddler Mari Black at Caltech this Saturday at 8 pm! You can purchase tickets by phone, at 626-395-4652, or online at this link: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36761/performance/11354870?performanceId=11354870
Looking forward to seeing Mari Black in a few weeks
Save the date for the Pasadena Folk Music Society's first concert in three years! The very talented fiddler Mari Black will perform her "Fiddling Around the World" Sep. 16 at Caltech's Beckman Institute Auditorium, at 8 pm. Tickets will be $25 at the door ($10 for those 16 and under as well as Caltech students).
Presenting the best in folk music from around the country and around the world...since 1983.
The Scottish Fest returns this weekend to Costa Mesa, with piping and drumming and groups like the Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles, Craic in the Stone, the Wicked Tinkers and Celtish. For more info and tickets, go to:
Join us each Memorial Day Weekend in May for the annual Scottish Fest, Southern California's largest Scottish, Celtic, American Festival. Experience two days of world class Celtic music, piping and drumming competitions, Highland dancing contests, Scottish heavy athletics, Scottish gifts and foods,....
You have two chances this weekend to see veteran folk singers Cara Luft and JD Edwards who make up the Roots duo The Small Glories: Friday, May 12, at UCLA's Royce Hall Grand Terrace and Saturday at the Grand Annex in San Pedro. (Photo by Marc J Chalifoux) Links to both shows are in comments below.
This weekend the stage at a popular local music venue was hauntingly vacant, the echoes of laughter and strains of music just a memory to anyone who might sit in the silence enveloping the rows of empty chairs below. Altadena music venue Coffee Gallery Backstage was closed permanently after over 20....
Good bews about Bob! Sorry about the CGB, but a HUGE thank you to Bob for all the years of music.
The Ballad of Bob Stane
Pasadena, CA
91106
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Crary, Evans & Barnick
Some teasers from last night’s Crary, evans and Barnick show
Jim Kewskin
Chris Proctor
Sound check with Chris Proctor, one of the Pantheon of Guitar Gods
Caltech Performing and Visual Arts
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Events - Lyd & Mo Studio & Gallery
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Pasadena International Film Festival
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