Calendar
Submit calendar info to:
calendar@corvallisfolklore.org
Band: Wild Asparagus!
Caller: George Marshall
This special dance is a rare opportunity to dance with one of the premier contra dance bands in existence. Don’t miss it!
Potluck: There is no pre-dance potluck for this dance, which starts and ends a half hour early to accommodate folks who need to be at work Tuesday morning.
We hold contra dances the first and third Saturdays of the month except July, August. Occasional special dances.
Band: Red Crow: Susan Burke — fiddle; Chuck Pliske — piano, concertina; Joe Michaels — bass, guitar; Wayne Clark — fiddle, banjo, guitar, percussion
Caller: Christa Torrens
Potluck: There is usually a pre-dance potluck
First and Third Saturdays of the month except July, August. Occasional special dances.
Brothers Andrew and Noah Van Norstrand have played for contra dances for more than a decade. Yes, they started touring before graduating high school. They’re both “married old men” in their 20s now, but still enjoy touring with their mom, Kim Yerton, playing for dances from coast to coast. This trio visits us all the way from New York. Dancing to their music will definitely be worth your while!
Caller George Marshall returns to Eugene, bringing these fine musicians.
Brothers Andrew and Noah Van Norstrand have played for contra dances for more than a decade. Yes, they started touring before graduating high school. They’re both “married old men” in their 20s now, but still enjoy touring with their mom, Kim Yerton, playing for dances from coast to coast. This trio visits us all the way from New York. Dancing to their music will definitely be worth your while!
Caller George Marshall returns to Portland with these fine musicians.
Band: Laura Light, Dave Bartley and Jeff Spero (all from Seattle).
Caller: Eric Black.
~Potluck at 6 pm. Hosts: Josiah & Xan, 1615 SE Bethel St, Corvallis. Phone: 541-231-1895. Directions from downtown Corvallis: Drive south on SW 4th St, which continues as SW 3rd ST (Hwy 99). Turn left onto Crystal Lake Drive. Drive less than 1/2 a mile then turn right onto SE Bethel St; (fifth house on left).
First and Third Saturdays of the month except July, August. Occasional special dances.
Band: Full Moon: Gordy Euler — fiddle; Dave Hamlin — fiddle, mandolin; Janet Ghoulston — concertina, banjo; Fran Slefer — fiddle, button accordion, piano
Caller: Kat diFoxfire Wilson
~ No Potluck tonight.
First and Third Saturdays of the month except July, August. Occasional special dances.
Treehouse playing
Becky Dorsey (fiddle), Benjamin Young (banjo, whistle), and Rachael Young (piano) bring a mix of Irish, Quebecois, and New England style, and put it together with Pacific Northwest flair. Becky has played for dances throughout Vermont, New Jersey, Arizona, and California, and previously played with Amazon Creek in Eugene. Ben and Rachael come from the Irish traditional session background, having played with many groups across Canada and throughout Washington, Oregon, and California.
William Watson calling
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.
Beginners lesson starts at 7:30pm (experienced dancers welcome) dance starts at 8:00pm
Each dance is taught. No partner necessary (it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner)
~Potluck: 6 p.m. Host: Diane Arney, 770 SW Lookout Drive; 541-753-0762.
First and Third Saturdays of the month except July, August. Occasional special dances.

Zephyr playing
Zephyr is a quartet of seasoned contradance musicians, with Ellen Hansen on fiddle, Todd Silverstein on whistle/sax/bouzouki, Bo Leyden on banjo/mandolin, and Dave Goldman on keyboard. Their music has strong roots in the Celtic, Appalachian, Scandinavian, and Klezmer traditions. But what draws them together is the infectious energy they put out on the dance floor, just like the West Wind they’re named after. In various configurations, these musicians have played from Oregon to Massachusetts, from Alaska to Virginia, and from China to Ireland and Sweden.
Woody Lane calling
A caller for more than 25 years, Woody Lane from Roseburg is known for his smooth contras, fast squares, and superb programming. His teaching style is clear and concise. Also an accomplished clogger, he often accompanies the band as a foot percussionist, raising the energy level on the dance floor to wonderful heights. Woody has brought his exciting brand of calling to dances from Alaska to Boston to Florida, and he has a growing reputation throughout the country.
Beginners lesson starts at 7:30pm (experienced dancers welcome) dance starts at 8:00pm
Each dance is taught. No partner necessary (it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner)
~ Potluck at 6 p.m. Host: Dan McKenzie, 2920 NW Mulkey Ave; 541-501-6184. Directions: From Harrison Blvd, west bound: Turn right (north) onto NW 29th St. After crossing Grant (passing First Alternative Co-op North store), take the second left at NW Mulkey. Second house on the left.
First and Third Saturdays of the month except July, August. Occasional special dances.
Wild Hair
Popular foursome Wild Hair stirs up contra dance floors with addictively propulsive fiddle tunes from several traditions, including home-grown. Swingy fiddler Betsy Branch, multi-instrumentalist Todd Silverstein (pennywhistle, bouzouki, sax), percussive guitarist Jeff Kerssen-Griep and syncopacious pianist Mark Douglass sync up a harmonious, giddy-hot ensemble sound that’s feisty and grooved, creatively graceful, ferocious, and funfunfun, with contagious good humor tailored to your feet. You can sample tracks from their CD “Buzz Cuts” at CDBaby.com.
Susan Downs calling
Beginners lesson starts at 7:30pm (experienced dancers welcome) dance starts at 8:00pm
Each dance is taught. No partner necessary (it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner)
No potluck tonight
First and Third Saturdays of the month except July, August. Occasional special dances.
CFS annual Corvallis Contra Weekend
is sold-out
The closing dance Sunday evening is open to the public
Latter Day Lizards
Joyride
Susan Michaels
Steve Zakon-Anderson
A special public dance capping the CFS Contra Weekend. Teaching starts at 7:00, with the dance proper at 7:30 (that’s a bit early)
Latter Day Lizards
Joyride
Susan Michaels
Steve Zakon-Anderson
Beginners lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers welcome) dance starts at 7:30pm
Each dance is taught. No partner necessary (it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner)
Hands4
Since 2004, Hands4 has delivered its high-energy music to dance halls throughout the Pacific Northwest, and in Texas during a February, 2006, tour. Combining seldom-heard traditional tunes with originals by band members and other musicians, Hands4 has created a unique blend of music that is definitely not your usual contra tunes.
With their carefully-constructed tune sets featuring mostly original music, their diverse instrumentation, and their well-crafted harmonies and arrangements, Hands4 brings a fresh flavor and excitement to the dance hall wherever they play.
Laurel Thomas calling
Laurel Thomas started calling contra dances at Portland’s open mike night in 2008. Since then, she has called for the regular dances in Portland, Eugene, Corvallis, Bend, Vancouver, Olympia and Tacoma. She has also called at Salem’s Camp Westwind. Dancers appreciate her clear teaching, articulate calling and her ability to choose fun, lively dances that have good flow. “In a mixed crowd my goal for the evening is not only to call dances that are accessible to beginners yet still fun for more experienced dancers, but also to make sure that there is an element of challenge built into the program that allows newcomers to increase their skills.”
Beginners lesson starts at 7:30pm (experienced dancers welcome) dance starts at 8:00pm
Each dance is taught. No partner necessary (it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner)
Potluck: There is usually a pre-dance potluck
First and Third Saturdays of the month except July, August. Occasional special dances.
Corvallis Guitar Society
The goal of the Corvallis Guitar Society is to act as a catalyst to bring local guitarists out of the woodwork and provide an opportunity to perform and enjoy guitar music in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. The accent here is on participation and we hope people will want to participate in the open stage section also – no piece of music is too short or simple (though there is a five minute limit if we have a full sign-up sheet) and you are guaranteed a warm round of applause for showing us what you can do! We do have a limited number of open stage slots so be sure to sign up early at the front desk on the way in.
Our Mission
To promote classical and related guitar styles by providing a supportive performance environment for people of all ages and ability.
We seek to achieve this through a monthly meeting that provides an opportunity to discuss, listen to, and play solo guitar music including classical, flamenco, finger-style, jazz, as well as classical guitar ensemble styles.