Pasadena Folk Music Society Keeps the Tradition Alive

For over fifty years, the Pasadena Folk Music Society has kept the tradition of folk music alive in Southern California.

The Pasadena Folk Music Society

The Pasadena Folk Music Society (PFMS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and preserving folk music and its associated traditions in Southern California. They do this by presenting quality concerts and dances featuring a wide variety of traditional music, by encouraging and supporting performers and audiences, and by providing educational opportunities for both adults and children.

What they do

The Pasadena Folk Music Society has been keeping the folk music tradition alive for over 50 years. They host a weekly folk music jam session, open to the public, every Wednesday night. They also offer a variety of folk music workshops taught by professional musicians. They have an extensive lending library of folk music instruments available for use by members. In addition, they sponsor a monthly concert series featuring some of the best folk musicians from around the world.

How they got started

The Pasadena Folk Music Society was started in 1964 by a group of music lovers who wanted to share their love of folk music with others. They began by holding coffeehouses in private homes, and eventually started holding concerts at public venues. The society has been bringing folk musicians from all over the world to perform in Pasadena ever since.

The society is a non-profit organization that is run entirely by volunteers. They rely on the generosity of music lovers to keep the concerts and coffeehouses going. If you would like to support the society, you can become a member or make a donation.

The music scene in Pasadena

The Pasadena Folk Music Society has been active in the Pasadena music scene for over 50 years. They are a non-profit organization that promotes folk music and the culture surrounding it. The Pasadena Folk Music Society hosts monthly concerts featuring local and touring folk musicians. They also have an annual festival called the Folk Fest which takes place in the spring.

The clubs

Pasadena has long been a hotbed for live music, with a number of iconic venues having played host to some of the biggest names in the business. The Rose Bowl, for example, has seen everyone from the Grateful Dead to Metallica grace its stage, while the historic Pasadena Civic Auditorium has hosted everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana.

In recent years, however, it’s the smaller clubs and bars that have become the focus for live music in Pasadena. Venues like The Independent, Cafe Boogaloo, and Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace have become known for their intimate shows and diverse range of genres on offer.

For those who prefer their music a little more low-key, there are also a number of excellent acoustic cafes and coffeehouses dotted around town, such as L&E Oyster Bar, Upstairs at Vitello’s, and literary-themed cafe The Last Bookstore.

The coffeehouses

In the early days of the Pasadena music scene, coffeehouses were the primary venues for live music. These intimate gathering places were often associated with universities and colleges, and they provided a format for poets, political activists, and musicians to share their work with like-minded individuals. While the coffeehouse scene is not as vibrant as it once was, there are still a few places in Pasadena where you can enjoy live music in this historic setting.

The people of Pasadena

The Pasadena Folk Music Society has been a staple in the community for over 50 years. The Society was created to preserve and promote the traditional music of the region, and they continue to do so today. Pasadena is home to a rich musical history, and the Folk Music Society is dedicated to keeping that tradition alive.

The musicians

The Pasadena Folk Music Society is a community of musicians who keep the folk music tradition alive. The society hosts monthly concerts featuring local and regional talent, as well as workshops and jam sessions.

The musicians who participate in the Pasadena Folk Music Society range in age and experience, but all share a love of folk music. Some members have been playing folk music for decades, while others are just starting out. No matter their level of experience, all of the musicians come together to create a supportive and welcoming environment.

The music lovers

Pasadena Folk Music Society is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the presentation and preservation of folk music and related dance forms. Our all-volunteer group has been bringing world-renowned musicians to the stage at First United Methodist Church of Pasadena since our founding in 1958.

Folk music has always been a part of the tapestry of American culture, from the early songs of immigrants and settlers to the music of social movements like the labor movement and the civil rights movement. Today, folk music encompasses a wide range of styles, from traditional ballads and blues to contemporary singer-songwriters and world music.

The Pasadena Folk Music Society is committed to keeping this rich tradition alive. We present concerts featuring both local and touring artists, hold workshops and dance parties, sponsor an annual old-time music festival, and provide resources for folk musicians in our community. We also offer educational programs for school groups, scout troops, and other youth organizations.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of folk music or just getting started, we invite you to join us in celebrating this timeless art form.

The future of the Pasadena Folk Music Society

Founded in 1958, the Pasadena Folk Music Society (PFMS) has been bringing folk music to the area for over fifty years. The all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is one of the largest and most active folk music societies in the country. With a rich history of presenting folk music concerts, dances, and workshops, PFMS has something for everyone.

The new generation

Pasadena Folk Music Society is run by a passionate group of music-lovers who keep the tradition of live folk music alive in Pasadena.

The organization was founded in the early 1970s by a group of friends who loved folk music and wanted to share their passion with others. Pasadena Folk Music Society has been hosting concerts and events ever since, and today, the group is made up of music-lovers of all ages.

Pasadena Folk Music Society is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom are part of the new generation of folk music fans. The new generation is keeping the tradition alive by passing on their love of folk music to others. Pasadena Folk Music Society is changing with the times, but its mission remains the same: to provide a venue for live folk music in Pasadena and to promote an appreciation for the genre.

The new generation of Pasadena Folk Music Society members is committed to keeping the tradition alive for years to come. Thanks to their passion and dedication, Pasadena will always have a place for live folk music.

The challenges

Although the Pasadena Folk Music Society has been around for over 50 years, the future of the organization is uncertain. Recently, the Board of Directors has been grappling with how to best serve the Pasadena community and keep the folk music tradition alive.

One of the challenges the Board is facing is that folk music is no longer as popular as it once was. In addition, many of the Society’s members are aging, and younger people are not as interested in joining. as a result, membership has been declining in recent years.

The Board is exploring various options for how to move forward. One idea is to focus on teaching children about folk music and its importance. Another option is to partner with other organizations that have similar goals. Whatever decision is made, it is clear that the Pasadena Folk Music Society will need to adapt if it wants to remain relevant and continue serving its community.