Wednesday, August 13 2008

Please join Passim staff and some amazing artists in Kendall Square for a FREE outdoor summer concert series!

featuring rising young artists from a variety of styles – including Gypsy, swing, Latin, and contemporary jazz – with Executive Chef Peter Davis flipping burgers on the grill.

River City Slim & the Zydeco Hogs bring the exuberant sounds of the steamy bayous of south western Louisiana cooking up a spicy musical gumbo that combines the traditional sounds of the button accordion and washboard with a driving syncopated beat. "When the ZH play the air is filled with the spirit of Louisiana French music. You feel the ragged joy of Cajun two-steps and Zydeco blues. You can almost smell the garlic and the stewing oysters …" -Ed McKeon, New Britain Herald

Picnickers are welcome on the museum grounds starting at 5:00 pm. This is a smoke-free site. For further information please call (413) 584‑4699 or visit the Website below

Anyone not familiar with the music of Bill Staines is in for a special treat when he performs stageside at Burnside Court! For over thirty five years, Bill has traveled back and forth across North America, singing his songs and delighting audiences at festivals, folksong societies, colleges, concerts, clubs and coffeehouses.

The Boston Globe calls singer-violinist Jake Armerding "the most gifted and promising songwriter to emerge from the Boston folk scene in years."

Steve Howard is a singer songwriter who, although based in New England, has performed his music all over the country. He has worked and shared the stage with many noted performers from Tom Rush and Jamie Brockett to Jerry Garcia, Peter Rowan, Dave Bromburg, Juice Newton and Lacy J. Daltron. His songs are stories, sometimes serious, at times humorous but each with Steve's unique style and craftsmanship.

Come on down and share a song, a poem or play something for the always attentive and willing audience. Come and sign up beginning at 6:30pm. Bring your friends.

Bruce Marshall, a celebrated singer songwriter from Concord, will host acoustic open mike every Wednesday night. Musicians are invited to perform with Bruce or solo. Bruce has recently released a solo CD entitled Restless Soul. The 15 song disc contains solo acoustic versions of some of Bruce's most requested original songs some of which that have not been previously released. This is Bruce's first solo CD and is being released in conjunction with his receiving the "Outstanding Acoustic Musician" award in the Blues Audience Magazine Readers Poll for '07.

"Wisps of Beatle-esque melodies, Elvis Costello-ish vocals, and doo-wop rhythm bass and wailing flitted by, each contributing a little musical nostalgia to the overall effect, but never getting in the way. Taylor's floaty ukulele threaded the varied elements together like flowers on a lei. Though the band created a smooth, pleasant wave-on-the-beach wash of sound, listeners were rewarded by staying focused on listening to the wit and heart of Taylor's well-crafted lyrics. The blend of grit and gorgeousness, put over the top by Taylor's straightforward delivery and the band's polished, relaxed musicianship, was one-of-a-kind.

featuring Duke Levine, Chris Cote, Kevin Barry, Marty Ballou, Andy Plaisted, Paul Alstrand and Mark Early

Doors 9pm