fbpx

Passim History

As a nonprofit since 1994, Passim carries on the heritage of our predecessors—the historic Club 47 (1958-1968) and for-profit Passim (1969-1994). We cultivate a diverse mix of musical traditions, where the emphasis is on the relationship between performers and audience and teachers and students. Located in Harvard Square, Passim serves Cambridge and the broader region by featuring local, national, and international artists.

1950’s

  • 1958

    Club 47 opens at 47 Mt Auburn St.
  • 1959

    Joan Baez performs for the first time at Club 47.
  • 1959

    Flier for Joan Baez's first appearance at Club 47

1960’s

  • 1960

    Joan Baez at Club 47 in 1960.
  • 1961

    Bob Dylan applies and is turned down for a job at Club 57.
  • 1962

    The Charles River Valley Boys cut a record for the newly established club label, MTA 47.
  • 1963

    Doc Watson plays Club 47. A live album of the show was released in 2018.
  • 1963

    Jim Kweskin and Maria Muldaur perform for the first time together
  • 1963

    Bob Dylan plays the Sunday Hootenanny at Club 47.
  • 1963

    Club 47 moves to its new home at 47 Palmer St.
  • 1964

    July 1964 Club Calendar, designed by Byron Lord Linardos
  • 1964

    Taj Majal, The Loving Spoonful play Club 47.
  • 1966

    Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys, The Muddy Waters Blues Band, Maybelle Carter play Club 47.
  • 1967

    August 1967 Club Calendar, designed by Jim Rooney
  • 1968

    Joni Mitchell, Richie Havens play Club 47.
  • 1968

    Club 47 closes.
  • 1969

    Club Passim opens.

1970’s

  • 1974

    Tom Waits, Buckingham Nicks play Club Passim
  • 1972

    Duis mi scelerisque mollis dolor a consectetur amet nibh varius litora ut consequat scelerisque.
  • 1973

    Duis mi scelerisque mollis dolor a consectetur amet nibh varius litora ut consequat scelerisque.
  • 1979

    Duis mi scelerisque mollis dolor a consectetur amet nibh varius litora ut consequat scelerisque.

1980’s

  • 1980s

    Tracy Chapman performed at Club Passim while attending Tufts University
  • 1985

    Shawn Colvin plays Club Passim
  • 1989

    Ellis Paul plays Club Passim for the first time.

1990’s

  • 1992

    Dar Williams plays Club Passim for the first time.
  • 1995

    Passim reopens as a nonprofit. Stephen Baird is the first Executive Director.
  • 1996

    Lori McKenna plays Club Passim for the first time.
  • 1997

    Stephen Baird steps down as Executive Director and is replaced by Betsy Siggins.
  • 1998

    the Campfire. Festival is founded, Mary Gauthier performs.
  • 1999

    Melissa Ferrick performs at Campfire.

2000’s

  • 2000

    Passim School of Music opens.
  • 2000

    Josh Ritter plays Campfire.
  • 2001

    Club Passim hosts a stage at Newport Folk Festival
  • 2002

    Regina Spektor, Langhorne Slim, The Weepies play Campfire.
  • 2003

    Rose Cousins plays Club Passim for the first time.
  • 2003

    Club Passim is a host venue for the first annual Boston Celtic Music Festival
  • 2004

    Ana Egge, Anais Mitchell play Campfire.
  • 2004

    Old Crow Medicine Show plays Club Passim.
  • 2005

    Session Americana plays Campfire.
  • 2007

    The Low Anthem, Lake Street Dive, Joy Kills Sorrow play Campfire.
  • 2008

    Margaret Glaspy plays Campfire.
  • 2008

    Betsy Siggins steps down as Executive Director and is replaced by Dan Hogan.
  • 2008

    The Iguana Music Fund is established.

2010’s

  • 2010

    Lady Lamb plays Campfire.
  • 2010

    April 10th, 2010 - Anais Mitchell & The Hadestown Orchestra premiere her new album with a local cast of musicians at Club Passim.
  • 2011

    Della Mae, Tall Heights play Campfire.
  • 2011

    Peter Mulvey premieres his Lamplighter Series.
  • 2012

    Adrianne Lenker plays Campfire.
  • 2013

    Anjimile, Eleanor Buckland & Isa Burke play Campfire.
  • 2013

    The first annual Down Home Up Here Bluegrass Festival premieres.
  • 2014

    Ghost of Paul Revere plays Campfire.
  • 2015

    Dan Hogan steps down as Executive Director and is replaced by Jim Wooster
  • 2017

    Zachariah Hickman premieres his Power Outage series.
  • 2019

    Alisa Amador plays Campfire.

2020’s

  • 2020

    KT Tunstall, Jake Blount play Campfire.
  • 2022

    The Folk Collective is established.

Site by ICS