Calendar

Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged)
Dance starts at 7:30pm.
Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

Starshine

From Portland, Starshine brings the lively spirit of traditional country music to the forefront, inviting everyone to join in the fun! With an infectious energy, they guide audiences through vibrant dances, blending classic tunes with modern flair. Their concerts are not just performances; they’re community celebrations where music and movement intertwine.

Gordy Euler

Half of Shanghaied on the Willamette and co-director of the Portland Megaband, he has been calling dances all over the west coast for 15 years and he’s good.

7:30 Karen Sikich

After playing and singing in various bands and choruses for years in the Corvallis area, Karen Sikich is embarking on a new solo career. Karen plays and sings beautifully! While focusing on 60s pop tunes, her covers range from old time swing and blues to more recent Americana songs and pretty much everything in between. She especially enjoys songs you likely will recognize but haven’t heard in ages, shaping them to her own unique style to make them “new again”

8:30 Can’t Never Could

Can’t Never Could is a Corvallis band made up of long-time local musicians Rita Brown, Bill Smyth and Leigh Ann Starcevich. Featuring rich vocal harmonies, expressive guitar, they do originals as well as intriguing songs from the 60s to the present (The Band, Joni Mitchell, Pure Prairie League, Guy Clark, Brandi Carlile, Tracy Chapman, Natalie Hemby, and more). A fun and friendly band.

Best Cellar is held on the last Friday of each month of the school year.
Admission is pay-what-you-will, with a minimum of 2 dollars.
Kids are free and welcome.
Coffee, tea, and gluten free cookies are fifty cents each.
Masks are welcomed but not required.
We will be in the cellar for this show. Enter from the back of the church parking lot.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at [email protected]

Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged)
Dance starts at 7:30pm.
Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

This dance is at the Willamette Grange
about 7 miles south of Corvallis
on Hwy 99W at Greenberry Road

Errant Twizzlers

The Errant Twizzlers are a Northwest duo featuring Corvallis fiddler Shari Ame and Vancouver guitarist and cellist Jesse Schafer, who join forces to create a textured and playful soundscape, ranging from soaring and euphoric to dark and grumbly. Shari’s sweet, swinging drive, featuring influences spanning from Klezmer to French Canadian, Irish to Old-Time, join with Jesse’s lifelong interest in grooves, counterpoint, harmony and a mutual love of The Beatles, and you get one foot-stomping adventure.

William Watson

William Watson, a resident of Eugene, OR, danced his first contra in 1989 and began calling in Texas in 1992. Having called numerous contra events in cities coast-to-coast, William’s extensive experience and soothing voice project a calm confidence. His vigilant and thoughtful dance programming ensures a variety of figures, transitions, and sequences to entertain and support new dancers while offering the occasional challenge for the more advanced. His calling proficiency and sensitivities ensure everyone has a good time.

Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged)
Dance starts at 7:30pm.
Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

Bandwidth

Bandwidth brings together three of Portland’s contra dance music veterans, Gordy Euler (fiddle, piano), Keith Moe (fiddle), and Carl Thor (piano, mandolin) in a new configuration.

Their list of band affiliations reads like a “Who’s Who” of the Portland folk music scene, including: Hands4, Full Moon, The Steeltones, Shanghaied on the Willamette, Stepwise, Cascade Crossing, Celtinalia, Tunestruck, and, of course, the bodacious Portland Megaband. Be ready for a satisfying spectrum of contra dance music when these gents take to the stage.

Meadow Poujade

Formerly Lorie Bunyard from Coos Bay, teaches, calls and leads dances in SW Oregon.

The December Best Cellar has been canceled
because of too many conflicts

The scheduled performers will appear at the Best Cellar in 2027

Best Cellar is held on the last Friday of each month of the school year.
Admission is pay-what-you-will, with a minimum of 2 dollars.
Kids are free and welcome.
Coffee, tea, and gluten free cookies are fifty cents each.
Masks are welcomed but not required.
We will be in the cellar for this show. Enter from the back of the church parking lot.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at [email protected]

Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged)
Dance starts at 7:30pm.
Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

Cucanandy

Based in Corvallis, Oregon, Cucanandy brings heart and passion to Celtic music, playing and singing tunes and songs from Scotland, Ireland and beyond. Katie Maxey sings in Gaelic as well as English, and is joined in harmony by Laureen Urey. Fiddle, cello, Irish flute, penny whistle and guitar fill our this eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary Celtic music. Other band members are Beth Brown and Van Fister.

Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged)
Dance starts at 7:30pm.
Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

Coriolis

Coriolis joins the musical forces of Victor Fiore (fiddle), Dave Hamlin (mandolin), and Jon Neff (guitar) to spin lively tunes and drive contra dance delight.  Jon and Dave played together in The Steeltones, and both are long time members of the Portland Megaband.  Victor played with Eugene’s Mad Robin before moving to Portland, where he has also played with the Portland Megaband.

Rich Goss

Most weekends, and sometimes on weekdays, I can be found in a dance hall somewhere calling, playing, doing sound, or contra dancing. I also play percussion once or twice a year with The Portland Megaband, a 75-80 member contra orchestra!!

The Pacific NW is such a terrific place to live! It’s great for calling and playing opportunities. In addition to established contra dances, I also enjoy calling for parties, weddings and community dances.

Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged)
Dance starts at 7:30pm.
Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

Golden Twine Stringband

Old Time Stringband brings effervescent fiddle tunes & folk dance to Squares, Contras, Weddings & private events up and down the Willamette Valley!

Kelly Tabor

Kelly Tabor is a caller and organizer from Portland, Oregon. She enjoys dances that play with elasticity of momentum and works to incorporate them at an accessible level..

Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged)
Dance starts at 7:30pm.
Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

The Nettles

The Nettles play improvisational music based on traditional tunes. Playing hard, they’re a Celtic jam band that makes audiences move and groove. Playing soft, they’re a lyrical folk-jazz group.

The Nettles blend traditional Irish and American music with modern spices. Laura Brophy’s fiddle forms strong melodies punctuated by soaring improvisation and intertwined with Kevin Nettle’s muscular guitar. The Nettles are propelled by the purring but powerful rhythm engine of Michael Proctor on bass and Tracy Daugherty on drums.

The Nettles play for festivals, dances, bars, and weddings on the West Coast. Their music retains the vital energy of its roots, but The Nettles’ unique interpretations add to The Tradition with every performance. The Nettles joke that “We never play the same tune once.”

Meadow Poujade

Formerly Lorie Bunyard from Coos Bay, teaches, calls and leads dances in SW Oregon.

Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged)
Dance starts at 7:30pm.
Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

The Underdogs

The Underdogs brings together experienced dance musicians from Corvallis, Portland and Vancouver. With

• Bo Leyden on Irish flute and octave mandolin
• Gordy Euler on piano
• Shari Ame on fiddle
• Jesse Schafer on cello

the Underdogs fill the dance hall with a playful and adventuresome variety of tunes, deep grooves and rich harmonies.

Victoria Fox

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Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged)
Dance starts at 7:30pm.
Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

The Euphemists

The Euphemists are not your ordinary contra dance band. Yes, they have fiddle, piano, and whistle (Alan Snyder, Dave Goldman, and Greg Martin). But they also have HORNS! (Greg Martin and Stephanie Shea on various saxophones, and Kaye Blesener on trombone.) In addition to familiar Celtic, Québécois, and old-time tunes, the band plays lively jazz standards that feature the horn section. Throw in some ragtime era tunes, a little klezmer, and even a Sousa march, and it all adds up to a highly entertaining dance

William Watson

William Watson, a resident of Eugene, OR, danced his first contra in 1989 and began calling in Texas in 1992. Having called numerous contra events in cities coast-to-coast, William’s extensive experience and soothing voice project a calm confidence. His vigilant and thoughtful dance programming ensures a variety of figures, transitions, and sequences to entertain and support new dancers while offering the occasional challenge for the more advanced. His calling proficiency and sensitivities ensure everyone has a good time.

We are still seeking new volunteers to help with dances in the fall! If you are interested in volunteering this fall, please see role descriptions and tell us how you would like to help by taking our volunteer survey at:

Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged)
Dance starts at 7:30pm.
Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

La Famille Léger

La Famille Leger is an old school family band playing the music of our heritage: the traditional music of Quebec and New Brunswick. Following in the footsteps of the great French-Canadian family bands like La Famille Soucy, La Famille Leger plays the instrumental dance music of French Eastern Canada on fiddle, accordion, guitar, piano and pieds (clogging).

TBD

TBD is a rarely-seen caller who is generally replaced before the actual dance.

We are still seeking new volunteers to help with dances in the fall! If you are interested in volunteering this fall, please see role descriptions and tell us how you would like to help by taking our volunteer survey at:

Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged)
Dance starts at 7:30pm.
Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

Starshine

From Portland, Starshine brings the lively spirit of traditional country music to the forefront, inviting everyone to join in the fun! With an infectious energy, they guide audiences through vibrant dances, blending classic tunes with modern flair. Their concerts are not just performances; they’re community celebrations where music and movement intertwine.

TBD

TBD is a rarely-seen caller who is generally replaced before the actual dance.

We are still seeking new volunteers to help with dances in the fall! If you are interested in volunteering this fall, please see role descriptions and tell us how you would like to help by taking our volunteer survey at:

Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged)
Dance starts at 7:30pm.
Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

Cucanandy

Cucanandy is a Corvallis band with Katie Maxey on fiddle, Beth Brown on cello and pennywhistle, Van Fister on Guitar and Laureen Urey on Bodhran. They play an eclectic mix of traditional and modern Celtic and Celtic inspired tunes.

Kelsey Hartman

Since I am a “contraholic,” I can often be found any given weekend dancing or calling a contra dance. My inspiration for calling comes from Nils Fredland, whose callers’ workshop at American Week (BACDS) in 2012 spurred me down the caller’s path.

When calling, I consider myself a conduit between the dancers and the band, helping to channel the joy of the musicians’ music through flowing, interesting dances.

We are still seeking new volunteers to help with dances in the fall! If you are interested in volunteering this fall, please see role descriptions and tell us how you would like to help by taking our volunteer survey at:

Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged)
Dance starts at 7:30pm.
Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

The Overtones

The Overtones is a Corvallis-based band whose sound was born in the rivers and woods of the lush Willamette Valley. Its musical versatility ranges from Irish to Quebecois, Old Time to funky modern tunes, and features Shari Ame kicking a serious backbeat on fiddle, Evelyn Idzerda wading deeply into rhythm and rhyme on piano, Bo Leydon rocking octave mando and wooden flute, Marjorie Sandor coaxing luscious new chords from DADGAD guitar and harmonium, and Tracy Daugherty keeping it steady on bodhran and cajon. Together, the Overtones whip up a danceable storm!

Qwill Duvall

Qwill discovered contra dancing when they moved to Chicago in 2015, drawn by its welcoming, intergenerational community, culture of dancing both roles, and the joy of connecting with everyone in the room. They were inspired to start calling in 2019. Qwill has been touring nationally since 2023 — primarily along the East Coast, but also bringing their dynamic calling to the Midwest and the West Coast. Along the way, they’ve shared the stage with beloved bands such as Eloise & Co, Countercurrent, Northwoods, Cojiro and Daybreak Trio.

Qwill brings an upbeat, playful energy to every dance, making the experience both welcoming and exciting. With clear, relaxed teaching and an eye for the skill level in the room, they keep dancers engaged — whether with creative choreography, unusual figures, or simply a well-chosen, satisfying dance. Expect a fun, inclusive atmosphere where beginners feel supported, experienced dancers stay intrigued, and everyone leaves smiling.

We are still seeking new volunteers to help with dances in the fall! If you are interested in volunteering this fall, please see role descriptions and tell us how you would like to help by taking our volunteer survey at: