At The Hive, 1118 Mission Street in South Pasadena. 6pm doors, 7pm music. $23 advance/$26 door ($25 cash). Light snacks and beverages available. Limited seating.

Kate McDonnell plays her guitar upside down and backward and sings with her whole being. She has performed at the Newport Folk Festival and the Kennedy Center. Her award-winning songwriting has been singled out for praise by the Village Voice and the Boston Globe. She took a 15-year break from music to earn a master’s degree in child therapy. On her latest album Ballad of a Bad Girl she is joined by the great Jerry Marotta on drums and equally deft Tony Levin on bass.

Chris Baron describes his music as “funky folk Americana with flashes of rock blended orchestral textures.” That about sums up his eclectic approach to songwriting and his upbeat performances. He began producing original albums and EPs at age 17. He has twenty-seven of them at last count. He won first place in the performance competition at the Tucson Folk Festival. Songwriter Dan Weber put it this way “…his live show exudes the wonderment and enthusiasm of an artist drawing an authentic connection with his audience.” He’ll be joined by cellist Debbie Stewart.