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 together1963
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 Linardos1964
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 Rooney1968
Joni Mitchell, Richie Havens play Club 47.1968
Club 47 closes.1969
Club Passim opens.
1970’s
1974
Tom Waits, Buckingham Nicks play Club Passim1972
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 University1985
Shawn Colvin plays Club Passim1989
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 Festival2002
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 Festival2004
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 Wooster2017
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.
