Pat Wolk began her association with the Fresno music scene in the mid 1970s when she arrived here as an unwilling transplant from the Bay Area. Searching for something positive to make of her reloation, she discovered the Fresno Folklore Society and was soon attending concerts at Café Midi II and The Wild Blue Yonder while attending classes and concerts offered by Gene Bluestein at Fresno State. About the same time, Ellie Bluestein introduced her to the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). These associations allowed her to nurture her two great interests: music – she grew up in a musical family and recalls sitting on the edge of the stage at a Pete Seger concert as a child, and politics. Her father, a WWI veteran, was very active in the labor movements of the 1930s, eventually inspiring Pat to become an enthusiastic member of The Raging Grannies. To put it in her words, “she found her tribe.”
Fast forward to the 1990s and after 20 years of active membership, Pat was elected President and Concert Master of Fresno Folklore Society, setting off another 20 years of service to the folk music community. In her role as Concert Master, she presented shows at venues large and small around the area, from coffee houses to auditoriums. And to grace these stages she brought in folk music luminaries like Laurie Lewis, John McCutcheon, U. Utah Philips, Holly Near and many, many others.
Along the way she enlisted the aid of Folklore Society members to build The Indonesian Teak House and Stage in her garden so she could present concerts there. And not just for the big names, her idyllic garden also hosts events for local folk musicians, including fund raisers, CD release parties, birthdays, and numerous other occasions.
Naturally, to produce this body of work over this period of time requires some special abilities, which Pat has in abundance. Her skill as a producer is “off the charts” as she handles all the details, from initial contact to final payout with ease, honesty, and humor. Internationally known musicians have stated how much they enjoy coming to Fresno because they know they’ll be treated so well. As in testament Laurie Lewis recently wrote, “We want to shower Pat Wolk with love and appreciation for her tireless work at building community in Fresno through music. Please join us! Wherever you are, it’ll be worth the drive.”
Pat recently celebrated her 91st birthday.