Calendar

John McCutcheon

Multiple Grammy-nominee John McCutcheon charms audiences with “story telling that has the richness of fine literature” (Washington Post) and his mastery of a stage full of folk instruments is simply amazing. He plays guitar, fiddle, autoharp, banjo, jaw harp, (hambone if we are lucky) and is best known for his hammered dulcimer playing. A John McCutcheon concert is always energizing, fun, uplifting, community building, and his audiences leave with a renewed sense of hope for humanity. “This notion of telling stories of ordinary people who have done great things, and carrying those stories from one place to another, of telling people ‘this is where I’ve been, these are the stories I can bring you,’ is the heart of what I do,” McCutcheon sums up. “That’s my goal. If you can recognize yourself in my songs, then I’ve done my job.” He lives in Georgia but keeps moving, toward wherever he senses there’s still a story yet to be told.

His 30 recordings have gathered many honors including 7 Grammy nominations, but it is in live performance that John feels most at home. It is what has brought his music into the lives and homes of one of the broadest audiences any folk musician has ever enjoyed. People of every generation and background seem to feel at home

in a concert hall when John McCutcheon takes the stage, with what critics describe as breathtaking in their ease and grace…, like a conversation with an illuminating old friend.
So if you want to laugh, cry, be inspired, and feel like you are a part of a big community, then don’t miss this concert.

Whether in print, on record, or on stage, few people communicate with the versatility, charm, wit or pure talent of John McCutcheon.

Member discount code for tickettomato.com is FOLKLORE

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.

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.

Alex and Tatiana Hargreaves

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.

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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Lúnasa

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:

Gnoss

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: