FolkWorks

Ken O'Malley solo show
2025-06-19 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Auld Dubliner, 71 South Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA, 90802, United States
His passionate and compelling voice is what they notice first. As a solo artist, Ken O’Malley easily commands the room; with his band he also rocks the house. Quickly drawing the audience in, it is no wonder that the Irish News describes him “without question, as the single most enduring, influential and proficient of all Irish musicians in Southern California” and the University of St. Thomas at Houston acknowledges him to be “widely regarded as the finest Irish folk singer/songwriter in the United States today.”
Arriving in Los Angeles from Ireland over 30 years ago, Ken O’Malley was immediately offered a spot at Molly Malone’s, the legendary Irish venue in the city’s Fairfax district, and he hasn’t stopped playing since. Through the years, O’Malley has performed solo and as part of The Mulligans, Blended Spirits and, currently, The Twilight Lords. He’s shared bills with such artists as Mary Black, The Chieftains, The Saw Doctors, Michael Flatley and Pierce Brosnan and continues to be an ever-popular and near legendary constant on Southern California’s Celtic music circuit. In addition to his musical performances, he can also be found on stage and screen in productions ranging from Ray Bradbury’s “Falling Upward” to the Paramount Pictures feature “Patriot Games”.
Indeed, Ken O’Malley was born to perform. In Dublin at the age of 15, he opened for legendary balladeer Paddy Reilly at the equally legendary Old Sheiling Pub. By the time he turned 18, he was gathering professional credits, among them a stint with Trudy’s People, a group he formed that played Gaelic shows on RTÉ, Ireland’s national radio and television network. His fluency in the Gaelic language was earned from his education by the Christian Brothers and his summers in the West of Ireland.
A true ambassador of Irish culture, he infuses every performance with the rich history of his native land and audiences quickly become engaged with his compelling stories. One show producer put it this way: “He holds nothing back. Whether singing a passionate ballad, playing a solo on the mandolin, or explaining the gloriously sad history of Erin his homeland, Ken O’Malley is all-in, wide open to the world, and as true as an arrow’s flight.” Another simply stated that “Ken O’Malley connected with our audience in a way none of our other artists have.”
His first CD, “The White Seahorse,” stands as a masterful homage to traditional Irish music enhanced with solid rhythms, acoustic and electric instruments matched by the powerful vocal energy that is the hallmark of a Ken O’Malley performance. The follow up release, “Women of Ireland,” continues to showcase O’Malley’s irresistible blend of Celtic traditional, American roots rock and eclectic world beat, this time before an enthusiastic live audience at the Celtic Arts Center in Hollywood.
O’Malley’s most recent release, is appropriately titled ÓMáille, his name in Gaelic and demonstrates O’Malley’s considerable strength as a solo artist. These traditional arrangements, though spartan, brilliantly bring the music of his heritage to life. Dave Soyars of the Irish Herald writes: “His powerful and emotive voice shines through on everything he does, but here he’s the instrumental star as well, with precise but driven acoustic rhythm guitar and solid rhythm and tunes-playing on mandolin.”
“If I’ve made people happy with my performances,” says O’Malley, “that’s success to me.”

Weekly Irish Ceili dance classes
2025-06-19 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-26 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-07-03 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Winona Grange, 8340 SW Seneca St, Tualatin, OR, 97062, United States
Weekly drop-in classes Irish Ceili, folk dances of Ulster. Longest continuous ceili class in Oregon and second longest west of the Mississippi (Berkley has the #1 longest).
$10 at the door. No classes on Thanksgiving, Ice storms or if the temperature is 94+ at 5pm

Ronstadt Revival
2025-06-20 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-20 20:00 - 22:00, 2025-06-21 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Grand Annex, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro, CA, 90713, United States
Back by popular demand! Premier tribute to Linda Ronstadt featuring Shannon Rae brings you the songs you love from this legendary artist.

Shannon Rae and her band brought the house down with their fall 2021 concert at the Grand Annex. On stage, their show does justice to the music and the intensity of Ronstadt’s songs. Hear “You’re No Good,” “Blue Bayou,” “When Will I Be Loved,” “Tracks of My Tears” and more.

Ken O'Malley solo show
2025-06-22 16:00 - 19:00, 2025-06-29 16:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-06 16:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Three Stags Irish Pub and Restaurant, 328 Orange Street, Redlands, 92374, United States

Music They Don't Want You to Hear
2025-06-22 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-29 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-07-06 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Ciudad_Juarez) | CA
A weekly 2 hour radio show of folk music with a focus on singer songwriters. We range from vintage to the latest releases giving preference to songs focused on social and political issues.

Ron Cooke (aka A Still Small Voice) shares Folk music with an emphasis on songs related to political and social issues.

A folkie from back when it was fashionable with an abiding interest in music of social and political significance. Co-founder and director of A Still Small Voice 4U a not for profit that presents folk concerts, sponsors artists, festivals and community groups and uses folk music to raise funds for charities. Member of Folk Alliance International and of the People’s Music Network. Avid cyclist, racer, blogger, sculptor and ne’er-do-well

Team Taiko
2025-06-23 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-06-30 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-07-07 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Grand Annex, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro, CA, 90713, United States
We believe in creating unique opportunities for people to meet their neighbors and engage in their community in a new way. Come play with us!
Taiko is a Japanese drumming style that, over the last several decades, has become a global phenomenon. Since 2013, Grand Vision has partnered with leading taiko instructors to bring the art form to the South Bay.
Taiko Artist ManMan Mui guides participants toward a repertoire of drumming techniques and patterns. Sessions include developing rhythmic sensibility, body awareness, breath and strength training as students make music together as a team.
Team Taiko is open to all skill levels and abilities, from beginners to seasoned musicians, and fees are on a sliding scale. Recommended for ages 12 and up, children must participate with a guardian or have a signed participation waiver.
Classes are offered in person and streamed live via Zoom to allow for all to participate.

Orange County Celtic Jam
2025-06-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-30 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-07-07 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1221 Wass Street, Tustin, 92780, United States
We meet every Monday evening to play Celtic music.
Venue: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
1221 Wass St., Tustin, CA
Doors open at 6:30 pm. Music at 7:00 pm.
$3 donation for use of the room.
Tunes are chosen from the books in our Dropbox.
OCCJ – Dropbox

Tuesday night Online jam session and mini-concert with Pam Weeks and Bill Olson
2025-06-24 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-07-01 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-07-08 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | https://www.facebook.com/pamweeks.73
Pam Weeks and Bill Olson have been hosting an online jam session and mini-concert every Tuesday night for almost three years. This is a free, guided jam session for all instruments geared toward the intermediate player, from 7-8PM EST. Tempos will be moderate and chords will be called out the first time through. What makes this session unique is that tunes are almost always chosen by the “jammers” through the FB chat page. This often creates sort of a “stump the band” situation but Pam and Bill are rarely stumped. A lot of lively banter occurs on the chat page as well.. The session will be proceeded by a short mini-concert at 6:45. Come join the fun or check out past sessions which are all archived on Pam’s FB page. The jam will be streamed on Facebook Live, accessed through Pam’s FB page: https://www.facebook.com/pamweeks.73. For more info email Pam at fiddlerpam@gmail.com

The Wildwood Flower Radio Hour
2025-06-24 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-07-01 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-07-08 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
The Wildwood Flower Radio Hour plays music comprised of these basic ingredients: 3 chords and the truth. We program real American music, primarily bluegrass, country, and Americana. Most of what we broadcast is performed on acoustic instruments; guitar, violin, mandolin, banjo, dobro and standup bass.
The Wildwood Flower Radio Hour is the only radio show in Los Angeles that consistently programs artists who perform live in studio from the vibrant bluegrass/Americana/folk scene.
In keeping with Southern tradition, the Wildwood Flower Radio Hour features a weekly story telling segment called Talk Story. Some of these stories MIGHT involve a slight exaggeration of the truth.
Additionally, there is a weekly appearance by resident fiddler, “DJ Meeks” spotlighting new artists on scene, with “New Twang.” Social Media Maven, Jessica Babin Produces our “Local Twang” segment with upcoming must see live shows in the SoCal area.
Host Mike Bone, “Uncle Mike”, is a veteran of the record industry.
This is a live radio show.
Support live music and the gifted souls who bring this to us.
KXLU 88.9 FM KXLU.com Tuesdays 7pm to 9pm PST

Acoustic Roots Session with Rebecca Lynn
2025-06-25 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | COLLAGE, 731 South Pacific Avenue, San Pedro, CA, 90731, United States
Looking for a place to break out that guitar, fiddle, mandolin, or banjo and celebrate American music? Join the circle at Collage for an evening of music and song that celebrates traditions including Appalachian, old-time, country blues, and acoustic folk. Rebecca Lynn will lead the session, which will finish with a jam on a classic. Sign up to get a list of some tunes that will be played during the evening, or drop in!

Richard Smith
2025-06-27 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Alvas Showroom, 1417 W 8th St, San Pedro, CA, 90731, United States
Inspired by iconic guitarists like Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Jerry Reed, Django Reinhardt and Joe Pass, Smith’s unique style blends country, jazz, classical and ragtime influences.
Richard’s repertoire includes:
•⁠ ⁠Old standards from the Great American Songbook
•⁠ ⁠Scott Joplin rags, expertly arranged for solo guitar
•⁠ ⁠Classical guitar repertoire (Bach, Tarrega, Barrios)
•⁠ ⁠Original compositions
•⁠ ⁠Jazz and swing classics (Django Reinhardt and Joe Pass-inspired)
•⁠ ⁠Traditional fiddle tunes
•⁠ ⁠Pop and Beatles tunes
Genres:
Fingerstyle Guitar, Pop, jazz, classical, Country

Andy & Renee & Hard Rain: Jackson Brown/Lucinda Williams Tribute
2025-06-27 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Grand Annex, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro, CA, 90713, United States
One of SoCal’s most versatile folk-rock bands pays tribute to the music of Jackson Browne and Lucinda Williams.
Andy Hill and Renee Safier with their band Hard Rain have been referred to as “America’s best kept secret.” Performing over 200 shows a year, the band delivers a style of Americana folk-rock that’s thoughtful, musical, danceable and full of memorable hooks.

The duo is also behind Dylanfest, the day-long music festival, now in its 33rd year, celebrating the music of Bob Dylan and featuring over 70 of L.A.’s best musicians.
With 17 CDs and 3 DVDs in their pocket, Andy & Renee have won countless awards, including Americana Group of the Year by the LA Music Awards, Best Duo/Group at the International Acoustic Music Awards and a Regional Emmy for their PBS concert special “Black Box Opens – Andy & Renee.” Their relatable lyrics, unforgettable melodic content and tightly crafted arrangements have brought together fiercely loyal audiences up and down the West Coast in the US and Canada.

Susie Glaze New Folk Ensemble in Concert on June 28th
2025-06-28 19:30 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Knox Presbyterian Church, Pasadena, CA, 225 S. Hill Ave, Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
The Susie Glaze New Folk Ensemble – the newest version of the acclaimed Los Angeles-based Americana group The Hilonesome Band – is a lush new folk Americana fusion ensemble, presenting gorgeous eclectic blends of mountain folk and exciting new grassy and Celtic-inspired originals, all with the remarkable voice of Susie Glaze.
The ensemble consists of award-winning vocalist Susie Glaze, mandolinist Steve Rankin, fiddler Mark Indictor and bassist Fred Sanders.
The group has been likened to the classic British bands Pentangle and Fairport Convention in that they blend classic folk music with rough-edged stories of tragedy and fate, all with orchestral arrangements sounding like chamber music gone folk! The band has appeared at many premier venues and festivals on the West Coast, including Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage, McCabe’s Guitar Shop, The Broad Stage, the Hollywood Bowl, Palms Playhouse, Don Quixote’s Music Hall, and Kuumbwa Jazz Center among others.
Join us June 28 at 7:30 pm at the Knox Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, CA. Follow these links for concert details, parking, and tickets.
To quickly see all events for the Pasadena Folk Music Society, follow us on Eventbrite and Linktr.ee

Clive Carroll
2025-06-29 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Alvas Showroom, 1417 W 8th St, San Pedro, CA, 90731, United States
Virtuoso acoustic guitar music from one of the best guitarists in the world right now.
Clive Carroll’s unique tone, versatility, and unmistakeable voice as a composer, have seen him become one of the world’s premier acoustic guitar players and “…arguably the most accomplished fingerstylist in the world today…” (Total Guitar Magazine).
​Clive made his musical debut at age two as a banjo-strumming cowboy singing nursery rhymes. His parents had a passion for Irish, American country, and old-time music, and it wasn’t long before he was playing in the family band on a homemade banjo. By his early teens, guitar in hand, Clive was traversing the worlds of soul, pop, funk and traditional Irish music, balancing his affinity for Slayer with the etudes of Tárrega. This breadth of musical curiosity was to become one of his strengths; even as a child Clive was as comfortable accompanying a group of folk singers as he was jamming along to Nirvana or performing on banjo and guitar in the orchestral pits for musicals.
