I came across Club Passim many times while searching for live music around the Boston Area, so I knew it was a music venue. What I didn’t know was that Passim is more than just another club where your an catch live music. Passim is a nonprofit art organization which helps develops new artists as they hone their craft through memberships and donations.Their donor-funded Iguana Music Fund provides $30,000 a year in grants to musicians who will make a difference. The donations also fund The Passim School of Music, which enrolled over 600 adults of all musical levels in 2010, teaches a variety of music classes ranging from beginning guitar, fiddle,ukelele to more advanced classes such as Celtic Ensemble or Jug Band Ensemble. Scholarships are offered to help those in need because as Passim sees it “income should not be a barrier to education.”
Greg Hawkes from The Cars teaching a ukelele class (courtesy passim)
Recital of a Guitar Class in the Club (courtesy Passim)
Another thing that I just found out about Club Passim is that they offer family shows! We are always looking for fun ways to introduce our 4 year old to music. Music which we ,the parents, can enjoy as well! Not always always the easiest thing to find! After looking at the upcoming schedule for Club Passim’s family shows I am super excited to attend some of these shows!
Club Passim is located at 47 Palmer St. Cambridge, MA 02138. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling (617) 492-7679, or online at: www.passim.org
Here is some information of some upcoming family shows.
Saturday, January 21, 10:30AM: The Mickey Spain Musical Jamboree
Non-members: $10/ Passim members: $5/ Kids: $5
Our American Children’s folk music tradition is alive and well and has no signs of slowing down thanks to The Mickey Spain Musical Jamboree. Have you ever wondered what the animals do on the farm once the farmer has gone to bed, wished you were a fish or thanked the big old yellow moon for guiding you safely through the night? Well you can through the imaginative lyrics and infectious melodies of these original songs by Mickey Spain.
Saturday, February 11, 3:30PM: – Laura Veirs & the Tumble Bees
Non-members: $15/ Passim members: $10
Tumble Bee, the first children’s record from the prolific Laura Veirs (whose last release, July Flame, was dubbed “a perfect Sunday afternoon record” by The Oxford American and “sweet and irresistible” by Rolling Stone) inspires listeners to lean in close and hit replay. The youthful innocence in Veirs’ voice lends itself well to the jaunty spirit of the album. The recording covers a wide range of folk songs, from early 20th century work songs to the ballads of Jimmie Rodgers, Woody Guthrie, Peggy Seeger and Harry Belafonte. A joyous testament to this collective history, Tumble Bee embodies both the uplifting and fearful moments of childhood. Much more than simply a record for children, Tumble Bee defies category to stand on its own as a vibrant, sonically beautiful recording; listeners of all ages will revel in Veirs at her prime. “I love this record,” says acclaimed songwriter Sufjan Stevens. “Laura’s folk songs for children prove that the best children’s music never gets old.”
Saturday, February 18, 10:30AM: The Cat’s Pajamas
Non-members: $10/ Passim members: $5/ Children: $5
The Cat’s Pajamas makes very cool music for kids, bringing a musical comedy twist to high-octane kid-rock. The Cats put on more than a concert—they invite the audience from the very first note to enter a wild, wonderful world of stories, dance, puppets and props, all backed by a band making great music that just happens to be for kids. Up and down the East Coast, The Cat’s Pajamas captures the imagination of children while thoroughly engaging their families. “The Cat’s Pajamas are dynamos!
* WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY COMPENSATION FOR THIS REVIEW. WE WANTED TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH OUR READERS.
