Calendar

Sterling Abernathy and Wilhelmina

Our mission: to preserve and promote the cultural and ethnic traditions of the people in the Mid-Willamette Valley through folk music, dance, exhibits, arts, crafts and food.

– Live Music

– Performing Arts

-Ethnic Foods

– Kids Area

– Quality Arts & Crafts

– Acoustic Music Jamming Area

– Rogue Farms Beer & Airlie Winery Garden

The Nettles

Laura Brophy — fiddle
Kevin Johnsrude — guitars
Michael Proctor — bass
Brian Bucolo — percussion

The Nettles are well-known on the West Coast for their original approach to contra dance music. Playing traditional music from all over the world, The Nettles create a strong rhythmic groove under soaring improvisations. Rhythmic drive and melodic fluidity allow The Nettles to propel contra dances into the stratosphere.wherever they play.

Lynn Ackerson calling

Lynn’s huge collection of dances (including over 800 contras) keeps growing as she tries to keep the dancing fresh and interesting even for long-time dancers. This Spring, she’ll be calling at two weekend camps in the Bay Area (Monte Toyon and Balance the Bay), a festival (NEFFA) and various dances in New England, along with various west coast dances. In the summer, she’s on staff at two weeklong camps for the very first time: Folklore week at Mendocino, and American Dance and Music Week at Pinewoods. Even while all of these events are going on, she finds time to attend other dance weekends as “just a dancer” to keep remembering the joy that is found in the dancing and the music.

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)

Pre-Dance Potluck at 6:00 p.m.

Hosts: April & Craig Hall Cutting, 1975 SE Crystal Lake Dr #192, Corvallis (in CoHo Ecovillage); 541-754-7040.

Directions: Drive south on SW 4th St, which turns into SW 3rd ST/Hwy 99 W; turn left onto Crystal Lake Dr. Drive less than ½ a mile then turn left into the CoHo Ecovillage parking lot, just past the Crystal Lake Cemetery. Park in the lot, walk back to Crystal Lake Dr. and then to the second building, Unit 192. Look for the twinkle lights!

First and Third Saturdays of the month except July, August. Occasional special dances.

Ralph Penunuri
Folksinger

Played in Marin County bands Fairfax Street Choir (Gospel Rock), Happy Valley (Progressive Folk); and in Corvallis, Oregon, played in Two Hits & a Ms. (Orig. Roots & Swing), Bon Ton Roulet (Cajun-Zydeco) and Inner Strength Gospel Quartet (Black Congregational style covers — Blind Boys of Alabama, Dixie Hummingbirds, etc…).

Played in front of thousands at UC Berkeley Amphitheater, San Francisco Cow Palace & Golden Gate Park Festivals. Played for just a handful too. Most memorable was SF Cow Palace with Fairfax Street Choir, opening for Crosby-Stills-Nash & Young.

Currently write, play, sit in with friends and host a monthly vocal jam in Corvallis, OR.

Karen Savoca pours her heart into a song the way a great actor throws herself into a role. Her songs draw you into a world of humor and compassion, shared with grace and ease, as though you’ve been invited to her table for supper. Born in northern NJ, the daughter of a big band singer, Karen’s baby diary reads “20 months, knows 6 songs.” At the age of eight she asked for piano lessons, and at thirteen began composing on a guitar she bought with saved birthday money. She attended Syracuse University, where she studied music and elementary education.

Pete Heitzman, a Syracuse native, was playing in clubs at the age of fifteen. He carved out a reputation as an ace guitarist capable of playing many styles, touring across the country with a variety of bands. He met Savoca during a return trip to his home town, invited out by friends to hear a new singer. They jammed the night away, and he joined her group the next day.

In that band they forged their unique style, performing original songs to a packed house every Monday just off campus. Those Monday nights became a seven year long tradition where K & P reveled in patrons’ enthusiastic dancing and improvised call and response routines. Years later, that chemistry would spark an enchanted scene at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival when 10,000 people spontaneously removed their shoes and waved them over their heads.

Acoustic Guitar magazine calls Heitzman “A true virtuoso of groove, with a sly touch that, combined with Savoca’s in-the-pocket drumming and spectacularly soulful vocals, gives the duo the impact of a four-piece band.”

Shari Ulrich is a two time Juno Award winner, and member the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame.  Shari was first known for her multi-instrumentalist skills with the Pied Pumkin and on as the voice of the Hometown Band.  Her latest release “Everywhere I Go” (Borealis Records) – engineered and produced by her daughter Julia Graff, is Shari’s 8th solo album.

Karen and Pete toured extensively with Greg Brown, who said of her, “If she were a Native American, her name would be Sings Like Two Birds.”

The duo have released eight CDs on their own Alcove Records label, the latest of which is “Promise”, recorded in their 19th century church studio nestled deep in the hills of upstate NY. The Edmonton Journal says, “There’s soul in the delicious grooves and phrasing, and soul in the broader sense that floats out of her lyrical vision.” “Promise” reached #25 on the Euro/Americana chart.

“Embracingly beautiful songs that have a beguiling way of changing and reconfiguring themselves like an aural kaleidoscope.” – Duluth News Tribune

Winners of seven SAMMY Awards. Notable appearances include The Today Show, A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, Big Top Chautauqua, The Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa, Falcon Ridge, Kate Wolf, Stan Rogers & Winnipeg Folk Festivals, and many more.They are also independent record producers who have scored several feature films and documentaries.

The Euphemists

Dave Goldman — piano
Alan Snyder — fiddle
Paula Hamlin — winds
Kaye Blesener — trombone
Jerry Nelson — guitarpercussion

Enjoy contradancing but miss that Big Band sound? Then you’ll love the Euphemists, a band whose motto is “All fiddle tunes get better with horn riffs!” Over the past few years, various pairings of these Portland musicians have said, “We should form a band!” Finally, inspired by the recent immigration of fiddler Alan Snyder from warmer climes, The Euphemists congealed in 2011. The band features a brass front line of Paula Hamlin, Kaye Blesener, and Jerry Nelson, while Jerry’s several guitars share backup rhythmic duties with the keyboard of Dave Goldman.

Eric Curl calling

Eric started calling in 1996 and called in California and Colorado before moving Seattle in 2006. A mechanical engineer working for Boeing, he now enjoys calling in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia on a semi-regular basis. In his spare time, he likes to hike, snowshoe, camp, visit friends and family, play music, and of course, dance and call.

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.

7:30 James Wilson

I’m very happy to say that I am a member of SACtown’s Whiskey and Stitches and that we have been awarded a 2012 SAMMIES Award to go along with our 2011 SAMMIES Award! That and a weekend playing at the KVMR Celtic Festival in Grass Valley, rubbing elbows with the likes of the Young Dubliners, Old Blind Dogs, Molly’s Revenge, Bricktop Blaggards, Wake the Dead, and others have made this one of my best musical years ever. play mandolin, whistle, tenor banjo, melodeon in Whiskey and Stitches and mostly mandolin with Stout Rebellion – two of Sacramento’s finer Irish bands. Both regularly gig around the SACtown area and beyond. I came to Sacramento from Corvallis, Oregon where I played in folk-punk group Poitin and Stout – great experience and a fine group of lads. I occasionally get to return there and play some solo instrumentals for folks who appreciate it. Other than that, I spent a lot of years driving and working, driving and working in Southern California. My parents came to the United States from Ireland via England and Canada. Mom had a pretty good voice and Dad played melodeon and harmonica. Music was always around the house. I’m one of those Irish-Americans who was lucky enough to venture overseas when I was younger to meet the aunts, uncles, and cousins. Those are irreplaceable memories. I LOVE instrumental music and feel lucky to have connected with some many fine musical folks in my middle age. Get out and support live music!

8:30 Tom and Ellen Demarest

Tom Demarest was one of the founders of the Best Cellar and played at the first one, more than 40 years ago.  He and Ellen have been playing together in Corvallis for decades, and are perennial favorites with their original songs and great covers.

Dana and Susan Robinson

Songs and Tales of the American Landscape Rockin’ Southern Oldtime Music
From Asheville, North Carolina

From performing at Carnegie Hall to being featured in Ken Burn’s PBS documentaries, such as “The National Parks,” and “The Dust Bowl,” Dana and Susan have been playing their trademark brand of “new-time, old-time music” for nearly twenty years.

From Asheville, North Carolina, in the heart of the southern Appalachian Mountains, Dana and Susan Robinson bring to the stage an exciting blend of original songs of the American landscape. With Dana on guitar and fiddle, Susan’s clawhammer banjo playing and harmony singing, their music is the sound and feel of bedrock America.

The genius of a Dana and Susan Robinson performance lies in their ability to capture the imagination of their audience, evoking a transformative experience that touches on the deepest humanity. They can make the audience howl with laughter or hush with poignant reflection as they take them on a journey across America and convey the mystery and wonder of the places they visit.

Dana and Susan Robinson’s newest CD American Hornpipe has been described as, “…a melting pot of Appalachian, British, and African influences, full of earthy grooves, elegant melodies, stories of heroes, ne’er do-well’s, and cautionary tales.”

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Dana relocated to New England where he discovered both a thriving songwriters scene and the deep well of traditional mountain music. In the early 1980’s, Dana settled in northern Vermont and built a house “off the grid” (no electricity and phone) on 30 acres near the Canadian border. There he founded a popular bakery, café and folk music venue. Dana launched into full-time touring after the release of his 1994 debut CD, Elemental Lullabye, and after receiving a request to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City for Putumayo’s Shelter benefit project.

Warning: Different venue: The Chintimini Senior Center

Band:

George Penk — fiddle
Heather Pinney — piano
Deborah Lindsay — percussion

George Penk is a well-known fiddle player across the USA, especially in the Pacific Northwest. He lives in Portland where he currently plays with the bands Joyride and Jigsaw. George collaborates with many musicians in various musical adventures, including being part of the Portland Collection project through his playing on the Portland Selection CD’s. His spirited and rich fiddle style is a delight to listen to. George is widely appreciated as a consummate dance fiddler working with callers to make sure the music is in-tune with the spirit of the dances. The Penk, Pinney, Lindsay trio, which includes Heather Pinney on piano and fiddle (also a member of Jigsaw) and Deborah Lindsay (from Corvallis) on percussion, works most often with the caller Erik Weberg, who also lends his expertise on wind instruments to the tune medleys.

Erik Weberg

Erik has been calling contra dances and English Country dances for over twenty years. He has called local dances, festivals and weekends in many parts of the USA and Canada and has developed a style and repertoire that dancers enjoy very much. Erik lives in Portland, Oregon where he is active in the music and dance scene and is co-organizer of the annual Portland Megaband contra dance.

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: No pre-dance potluck this week

First and Third Saturdays of the month except July, August. Occasional special dances.

MUSIC by Nor’Easter and KGB.
CALLERS: Jeremy Korr and Susan Petrick.
THEME: Alice In Wonderland; Through the Looking Glass.

Costumes welcome for Saturday night dance.

Sharon and Dave perform new and traditional music on harp and guitar, both made by Dave.

Tunestruck

Gordy Euler – fiddle & whistle;
Karen Iglitzin – fiddle;
Lori Shaffer – fiddle;
Sue Songer – Piano;
A great combination of some of our favorite Portland musicians, Tunestruck lives up to its name.

Rich Goss

Rich was introduced to contra dancing in 1990 in Austin, Texas and was immediately hooked. He began calling dances in 1992. He has a feel for what makes a dance fun, and a concise teaching style that makes contra dancing seem easy. Now transplanted to the west coast, Rich is living in Portland, Oregon, calling and dancing in the Pacific Northwest. A dance gypsy his whole dancing life, he has collected many interesting and fun dances in addition to composing a few dances of his own.

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 pm: Ginnie & Paul, 3138 SE Hathaway Drive; Phone: 541-913-5538

First and Third Saturdays of the month except July, August. Occasional special dances.

Ralph Penunuri
Folksinger

Played in Marin County bands Fairfax Street Choir (Gospel Rock), Happy Valley (Progressive Folk); and in Corvallis, Oregon, played in Two Hits & a Ms. (Orig. Roots & Swing), Bon Ton Roulet (Cajun-Zydeco) and Inner Strength Gospel Quartet (Black Congregational style covers — Blind Boys of Alabama, Dixie Hummingbirds, etc…).

Played in front of thousands at UC Berkeley Amphitheater, San Francisco Cow Palace & Golden Gate Park Festivals. Played for just a handful too. Most memorable was SF Cow Palace with Fairfax Street Choir, opening for Crosby-Stills-Nash & Young.

Currently write, play, sit in with friends and host a monthly vocal jam in Corvallis, OR.

7:30 Jeff Hino
8:30 Dave Plaehn 

Dave Plaehn and Jeff Hino are the Corvallis Blues Brothers, and tonight they each get independent billing for their solo acts, though I’ll bet there will be some duets involved.  Guests will include Deborah and Creighton Lindsay, Pete Kozak, and DeLynn Anderson.

Dave Plaehn & Jeff Hino have been performing their own distinct blend of acoustic blues, folk, and original material since 1990. Plaehn and Hino explore the uncluttered powerful interplay of blues harmonica, National steel guitar, and vocals in the tradition of the great country bluesmen like Robert Johnson, Elmore James, and Bukka White.

“It’s a nice reminder that not all the talented musicians in this state are based in the city at the terminus of the Willamette River. This is roots music at its finest played by craftsmen in the deepest sense. This is a duo that has a lot to say and the skills to back those voices, too.”

 Greg Johnson, President,
Cascades Blues Association

“Two talented blues musicians who offer a fresh and diverse array of original and traditional acoustic based compositions. Treat you ears to a real pleasing performance.”

 Rod Downing, President,
Washington Blues Society

Westwind Weekend

of music and dance

A beautiful setting on the Oregon Coast.  A pristine, sheltered beach, tidepools galore, wildlife in the water, woods, and air, hikes that lead to superb vistas up and down the coast.  It’s a weekend at the beach, with music and friends old and new.  It’s always sunny at Westwind, AND it almost always rains.  Which is to say, any weather can happen.

A growing, family friendly community.  More than a fourth of those who attend the Westwind Weekend are young people.  Kids bring their friends.  They dig in the sand, play Frisbee, hike, play cards, dance, play music, drink hot cocoa, help out, hang out, and build lasting memories.

Non-stop music jams.  At any moment you’ll find swing favorites on the front porch, old-time in the shed, and Irish/contra tunes in the kitchen.  Some of the finest musicians in the Willamette Valley come to Westwind and are joined by folks just learning to play and everyone in between.

Contra dancing and more.  Friday and Saturday evenings feature the Westwind All Star Orchestra playing tunes, and dance programming that’s aimed at all ages and abilities. Expect family dances, contras and squares, and a set of Scandinavian favorites. Also find musicians jamming and swing or zydeco dancing underway outside the main hall.

Camper-led workshops.  Gumboot dancing, daisy chain squares, swing chords, beach talk, favorite folk songs: come with your special talent to share or learn something you’ve never heard of before. Sunday morning expect time for singing the gospel of our non-denominational love of community.

A Saturday camper concert. Enjoy listening to the crazy, creative, and sublime as your fellow campers perform, or put together your own high or low art performance and step up onto the whale bone stage.

Happy, hearty vegetarian food.  Beth Littlewolf has been our cook for 25+ years. She makes wonderful fare that brings us all together in the historic Wilson Lodge for family-style meals.  Meals at Westwind include snack Friday evening, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday, and early-wake up breakfast fare plus brunch on Sunday.