Contra dance is returning to a regular schedule in Corvallis this fall! The dance will start at 7:00 PM with a newcomer’s lesson and community meetup, helpful for all dancers. Following the lesson will be dancing from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. No partner necessary. Dance calling and role terms will be Larks & Robins. The cost is $12 – $20 sliding scale.

Because of the Covid-19 situation:

All attendees must provide an email address for COVID exposure notifications and sign waivers for the Corvallis Folklore Society and the First Congregational UCC (our dance hall) before their first dance of the 2023-24 season. Please read the waivers here before you arrive in order to speed up the check-in process at the door.

Thank you for helping to keep our dance community safely dancing! For more information on attendance requirements and other precautions, please see our current COVID-19 policy here, to be further updated soon.

The Overtones

The Overtones is a Corvallis band featuring Shari Ame on fiddle, Bo Leyden on mandolin and Irish flute, Evelyn Idzerda on keyboard, Marjorie Sandor on guitar, and Tracy Daugherty on percussion.

Ric Goldman

Ric Goldman calls and teaches Contra, English Country, Irish set, Morris, and international folk dances. He’s performed or taught throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K. coast to coast and overseas, and given many workshops for adults and children. Ric delights in all the wonderful dance communities he encounters and loves combining simple and sophisticated dances into programs that challenge and entertain both newcomers and experienced dancers alike. His clear, concise, yet warm and approachable teaching style brings a feeling of form, flow, and fun for dancers of all levels, with a repertoire that extends from the usual favorites into many hidden gems of lesser-called and experimental dances. He’s a patient teacher with a quirky sense of humor, and has been known to succumb to writing new dances, usually named after friends who ply him with Coca Cola.

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 The Songtenders

Meet the Songtenders! These collaborators and longtime friends are on a mission to serve up great music. Don’t we all get crushes on songs? Great songs never die but they sure could get played more! The Songtenders do just that–they echo songs from the past with sweet harmony and hearty respect. Singer Melanie Reid and piano player Evelyn Idzerda started The Songtenders after an epic late-night jam. The music that resulted made them realize their chemistry is perfectly aligned for giving service to songs they love. Later, to even better serve those songs, they were joined by Luke Painter on electric guitar, Barbara Barry-Doyle on stand up bass, and George Beekman on percussion. It’s always a treat when the Songtenders serve up their fun musical nostalgia!

8:30 River Rocks

Laurie Childers, Joe Casprowiak,
Michael Everett, Tracy Daugherty,
Bill Veley

RiverRocks plays some of Laurie’s originals and a broad range of sweet covers.  We like lyrics that matter, that uplift, that tell a good story, that make us laugh or cry, that prompt us to get up and dance.  You might even sing along!

 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 encouraged but not required.
This month we will be in the sanctuary through the main entrance on Monroe.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com

Contra dance is returning to a regular schedule in Corvallis this fall! The dance will start at 7:00 PM with a newcomer’s lesson and community meetup, helpful for all dancers. Following the lesson will be dancing from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. No partner necessary. Dance calling and role terms will be Larks & Robins. The cost is $12 – $20 sliding scale.

Because of the Covid-19 situation:

All attendees must provide an email address for COVID exposure notifications and sign waivers for the Corvallis Folklore Society and the First Congregational UCC (our dance hall) before their first dance of the 2023-24 season. Please read the waivers here before you arrive in order to speed up the check-in process at the door.

Thank you for helping to keep our dance community safely dancing! For more information on attendance requirements and other precautions, please see our current COVID-19 policy here, to be further updated soon.

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 experience.

Laurel Thomas

Laurel Thomas started calling contra dances in 2008. Since then, she has called at dances all over the Pacific Northwest, and has made several appearances on the East Coast. Dancers appreciate her clear teaching, articulate calling and her ability to choose fun, lively dances that have good flow. Her carefully crafted programs build skill level throughout the evening and aim to satisfy a mixed level crowd of beginning and experienced dancers.

Contra dance is returning to a regular schedule in Corvallis this fall! The dance will start at 7:00 PM with a newcomer’s lesson and community meetup, helpful for all dancers. Following the lesson will be dancing from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. No partner necessary. Dance calling and role terms will be Larks & Robins. The cost is $12 – $20 sliding scale.

Because of the Covid-19 situation:

All attendees must provide an email address for COVID exposure notifications and sign waivers for the Corvallis Folklore Society and the First Congregational UCC (our dance hall) before their first dance of the 2023-24 season. Please read the waivers here before you arrive in order to speed up the check-in process at the door.

Thank you for helping to keep our dance community safely dancing! For more information on attendance requirements and other precautions, please see our current COVID-19 policy here, to be further updated soon.

The Stage Crew

The Stage Crew consists of veteran contra dance musicians Lori Shaffer, fiddle; Sue Songer, fiddle and piano; and Lanny Martin, accordion and piano. They have hosted the First Saturday dance in Portland since 2015.

TBA

TBA is listed as caller on many contra calendars but is generally replaced by a different caller by the time the dance occurs.

Countercurrent

Countercurrent is an acoustic folk music duo based in Olympia, Washington, composed of Alex Sturbaum and Brian Lindsay. They have achieved nationwide acclaim for their high-energy style, which draws on deep traditional roots from Ireland and North America while incorporating new influences to create a sound that is at once unique and timeless. Alex’s driving guitar and gifted songwriting, Brian’s lyrical fiddle and rock-solid foot percussion, and the duo’s lively interplay, tight vocal harmonies, and unstoppable groove make a Countercurrent performance an event unlike any other. Wherever they go, the question remains the same: “How does that much sound come out of just two people?”

For this special fundraiser concert, they will be joined by renowned New England fiddler Cedar Stanistreet for twin fiddle harmonies and driving dance tunes that can’t be beat! Countercurrent has a huge following among Corvallis contra dancers. This house concert provides a rare opportunity to hear the full breadth of their musicianship in an intimate, acoustic setting. 

Tickets will go on sale April 14 at https://www.corvalliscelticfestival.org/upcoming-events/

The location has a capacity of only 40 people, so order early

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 Jim Lynch

Jim Lynch is a singer/guitarist whose music reflects his passion for blues, country, old standards, and folk-inspired Americana. His set will include an eclectic variety of both well-known songs and hidden gems in these genres.

8:30 Choro na Cozinha

The name is Brazilian and means “choro in the kitchen.” And they, in fact, practice in the kitchen.  CnC plays a Brazilian music style known as Choro, whose character ranges from fun to sweet. The quartet has clarinet (Bill Pfender), mandolin (John Bliss), 7-string guitar (Spencer Doidge), pandeiro (hand drum) and vocals (Kimberly Cullen). Choro has a long history as an urban popular music in Brazil, and has become better known around the world in the last few decades.

 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 encouraged but not required.
Most often in “the cellar” of the church, with an entrance around the back side of the church.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com

Contra dance is returning to a regular schedule in Corvallis this fall! The dance will start at 7:00 PM with a newcomer’s lesson and community meetup, helpful for all dancers. Following the lesson will be dancing from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. No partner necessary. Dance calling and role terms will be Larks & Robins. The cost is $12 – $20 sliding scale.

Because of the Covid-19 situation:

All attendees must provide an email address for COVID exposure notifications and sign waivers for the Corvallis Folklore Society and the First Congregational UCC (our dance hall) before their first dance of the 2023-24 season. Please read the waivers here before you arrive in order to speed up the check-in process at the door.

Thank you for helping to keep our dance community safely dancing! For more information on attendance requirements and other precautions, please see our current COVID-19 policy here, to be further updated soon.

Pringle Creek Band

The members of the Pringle Creek Bank have ben involved in various styles of folk music for a long time.

Jeff Graham (fiddle, string bass) started out flat picking on the guitar, played fiddle for contra dances in Alaska and currently plays string bass in the Salem Philharmonic Orchestra.

Louise Rothrock (string bass, mandolin) was a clog dancer in Portland, played electric bass in the Cajun band Blackfish, and at present is concentrating on mandolin and string bass.

Shawn Morford (piano, fiddle, penny whistle) has impressed people for many years with her singing and finesse on the acoustic guitar. She has now added fiddle and back up piano to her long list of instruments.

Dennis Rothrock (accordions, banjo) has played piano accordion for contra dancing and Zydeco music, as well as button accordion for Cajun, Irish, and French Canadian. As a diversion, he has lots of fun playing the clawhammer banjo.

Koren Wake

Koren Wake has only been calling contra dances since 2022, but she has been dancing, loving, and obsessing about contra since she was a child. Originally from New England, she spent decades analyzing the art and flow of contra and developing a deep understanding of the dance before she finally picked up a microphone in Seattle, where she is now based. She has already shared stages with some of the hottest bands in the Pacific Northwest, and has quickly proven that’s exactly where she belongs. She loves nothing more than to help dancers discover the patterns and connections of well-crafted choreography. Koren’s primary goal as a caller is to combine exquisite dance selection with clear and accessible teaching in order to bring dancers of all skill levels together on the floor.

Contra dance is returning to a regular schedule in Corvallis this fall! The dance will start at 7:00 PM with a newcomer’s lesson and community meetup, helpful for all dancers. Following the lesson will be dancing from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. No partner necessary. Dance calling and role terms will be Larks & Robins. The cost is $12 – $20 sliding scale.

Because of the Covid-19 situation:

All attendees must provide an email address for COVID exposure notifications and sign waivers for the Corvallis Folklore Society and the First Congregational UCC (our dance hall) before their first dance of the 2023-24 season. Please read the waivers here before you arrive in order to speed up the check-in process at the door.

Thank you for helping to keep our dance community safely dancing! For more information on attendance requirements and other precautions, please see our current COVID-19 policy here, to be further updated soon.

Cucunandy

Cucunandy is a Corvallis band with Katie Maxey on fiddle, Beth Brown on cello and pennywhistle, Riley Neil on guitar and Laureen Urey on Bodhran. They play an eclectic mix of traditional and modern Celtic and Celtic inspired tunes.

Isaac Banner

A long-time contra dancer and Seattle transplant, I’ve worked for several years to become known in the Pacific Northwest for my particular blend of humor and dance instruction. With contagious excitement, a warm cadence, and a cheerful personality, I strive to bring moments of magic into the lives of newcomers and veteran dancers alike. Contra has always held a special place in my heart and I try to share that love with every dance I visit.

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 Flat Stanley Incident

The Flat Stanley Incident is an Oregon band based in the Willamette Valley.  They deliver their own eclectic mix of Americana music built on original material, ranging from traditional folk to contemporary genres. Rob Pugliese and Steve Martin (formally of The Kindreds) are joined by Texas bass player Ron Green

8:30 Can’tNeverCould

Can’tNeverCould is a new 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 encouraged but not required.
Most often in “the cellar” of the church, with an entrance around the back side of the church.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 Tom and Ellen Demarest

Fifty-one years, one month, and five days after Tom played the very first night of The Best Cellar, he’s back with his wife Ellen. They have great vocal harmonies to go with terrific song selection. Although they’ve played The Cellar many times in the past, it’s a treat to have them back.

8:30 Mike and Carleen McCornack
with Dale Bradley

These three absolutely delighted The Cellar audience last summer and for decades before. Here’s what some other artists have said about them:

“Beautiful melodies, great musicians, pure, heartfelt vocals all blended together into music that will leave you smiling in your heart.” -Bill Staines, singer, songwriter

“Their songs are wonderful. exquisite. I love their voices and sweet harmonies. Very expressive. -Steve Gillette, songwriter

 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 encouraged but not required.
Most often in “the cellar” of the church, with an entrance around the back side of the church.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com

Rakish

In a performance that toes the line between concert music and session music, Boston-based Rakish explores tunes and songs from Irish and American folk traditions in a way that reflects their shared interest in and love for old traditional tunes and chamber music. Maura Shawn Scanlin, a two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and a winner of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition, wields the technical range of a classical violinist and the deep sensitivity of a traditional musician. Guitarist Conor Hearn, a native to the Irish music communities of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, performs with several traditional music bands. Rakish has taken the Celtic music scene by storm with performances at festivals across North America. This concert, co-presented by the Corvallis Folklore Society and PRAx, is a benefit for the Corvallis Celtic Festival, July 25-28.

“Naturally nimble and stylistically well-matched, with a genuinely infectious sense of delight, heart, and jubilation.”             —STRINGS MAGAZINE

Pre-concert happy hour with Celtic harp music by Laura Zaerr, 6:30 p.m.

CFS discount code: cfsceltic24

San Miguel Fraser

Celtic + Castilian fiddle duo, María San Miguel and Galen Fraser, are multi-instrumentalists and educators who celebrate the values of community and traditional music in their unique chamber music style.

San Miguel Fraser is a project that will always stand for connection, celebrating the joy of music and shared inspiration. The dynamic duo was born as a result of the 2020 quarantine with the “Stay At Home Festival”. Thanks to the beautiful and universal folk community, they raised over $60,000 with the aim of bringing light to the world, maintaining morale and financially helping musicians around the globe. The “Stay At Home Festival” family lives on today with San Miguel Fraser.

As a lifelong fiddler and the son of Alasdair Fraser (Scottish fiddle champion), Galen Fraser continues the tradition of bringing us the traditional music of Scotland while adding contemporary tunes, some of which he has written himself. Maria San Miguel adds the voice of traditional Spanish music to the mix.

Contra dance is returning to a regular schedule in Corvallis this fall! The dance will start at 7:00 PM with a newcomer’s lesson and community meetup, helpful for all dancers. Following the lesson will be dancing from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. No partner necessary. Dance calling and role terms will be Larks & Robins. The cost is $12 – $20 sliding scale.

Masks are required at this dance

Because of the Covid-19 situation:

All attendees must sign a waiver for the First Congregational UCC (our dance hall) before their first dance of the 2024-25 season. Please read the waiver here before you arrive in order to speed up the check-in process at the door.

Thank you for helping to keep our dance community safely dancing! For more information on attendance requirements and other precautions, please see our current COVID-19 policy here, to be further updated soon.

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.”

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.
dance I visit.