Calendar
Submit calendar info to:
calendar@corvallisfolklore.org
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED
Treehouse
Local band Treehouse brings a mix of Irish, Quebecois, and New England style, and put it together with Pacific Northwest flair. Ben and Rachael come from the Irish traditional session background, having played with many groups across Canada and throughout Washington, Oregon, and California. Kevin Craven is recently arrived from Hawaii. He is a Corvallis violin teacher and also plays with the OSU Symphony. Shari teaches fiddle and has played with several Corvallis area bands including Three Finger Jack.
Karen Olsen
Karen has an encyclopedic knowledge of contra dances and is a good teacher and caller. Very patient and clear. She likes to keep the dancers moving, starting out with simpler dances in the beginners lesson, and progressing to more complex dances. She is also a musician and plays her concertina for dances in Coos Bay. She strives to infuse both her calling and the dancers with her own joyful enthusiasm for contra dance and music.
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)
First and Third Saturdays of the month except July, August. Occasional special dances.
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED
7:30 Dave Plaehn and Jeff Hino
Dave Plaehn and Jeff Hino are the Corvallis Blues Brothers.
Dave and Jeff 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.
8:30 The Lucky In Love String Band
Pete Kozak, Jeff Hino, Ron Green, and Mark Weiss
Bluegrass with a twist. Well, maybe a few twists. Hot instrumental work and three part harmony.
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee are available. Located in the cellar of the Methodist Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com
The Nettles
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.
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.
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)
First and Third Saturdays of the month except July, August. Occasional special dances.
Penk, Pinney & Lindsay
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
I danced my first contra dance in Moscow Idaho in the Fall of 1986. Several excursions to the dance hall were necessary for me to find the courage to actually dance, but once I, tried it caught hold quickly and I became a regular dancer. Christian Petrich encouraged me to try calling for the first time in 1990 and soon after that I started regularly attending the first Wednesday open mic in Spokane Washington. I called dances around Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho for a few years before moving west of the Cascades in 1993. I was soon asked to call dances in Portland and up the Willamette Valley. Since then I’ve been calling dances, festivals and weekends around the country from Seattle to Boston, from Fairbanks to Tuscon and most places between. I am able to enjoy this craft because of the good folks who encouraged and taught me to call dances years ago, the booking agents and local dance committees who have given me wonderful opportunities to practice in their communities, and the thousands of dancers and musicians who forgive me my mistakes and make it all worthwhile. If you’re reading this you’re probably one of them; so, thank you!
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)
First and Third Saturdays of the month except July, August. Occasional special dances.
This annual folk festival will be conducted online over 2 consecutive Sundays, Sept. 13 and Sept 20. Takoma Park, Maryland, is adjacent to Washington DC and has been presenting its festival since 1978. It is now available to people all over the world, including Corvallis. Click here or on the logo for more information and to access the festival.
This annual folk festival will be conducted online over 2 consecutive Sundays, Sept. 13 and Sept 20. Takoma Park, Maryland, is adjacent to Washington DC and has been presenting its festival since 1978. It is now available to people all over the world, including Corvallis. Click here or on the logo for more information and to access the festival.
Portland FolkMusic Society presents
Singtime Frolics Online
a spring weekend of singing, jamming, learning, sharing and good food (you provide) at Portland FolkMusic Society’s annual retreat.
To register click here
Guest artists
Gordon and Carol need no introduction to lovers of traditional music. Gordon says “I’m drawn to songs that show me how others have lived their lives and sorted through their problems… They’ve shown me how to live, and if others learn something from my passing them on, that’s another pleasure.” Carol plays Celtic harp and has a special love for Paraguayan music . Washington Post said “The shimmering weave of harp tones and supple guitar rhythms cast a spell unlike anything else the duo performed.”
Stephanie Anne learned to sing and started to teach herself guitar in grade school, soaking up folk, blues and gospel singers. Building on that base, she went on to study music in college, and has sung opera and musical comedy. She is equally at home with her band, the Hidogs, or accompanying herself on acoustic guitar. Her music is “rooted in all that’s American,” and reflects her daily practice of cultivating joy. Her concert and workshop will leave you joyful!
Beth has been writing and performing full-time for twenty-three years — delighting and inspiring audiences with her exceptional musicianship and her songs that pull you into her world, all presented in the warmest most inviting way. She is well known to the Portland folk community, and if you have never spent time with Beth, you are in for a treat!
Lauren launched her recording and performing career in 2002 and has been sailing on to critical acclaim, national and international radio charts and lots of encores at venues across the US and Canada ever since. This vivacious singer delights audiences with the breadth of her material, evocative artistry and musicianship.
Jermaine writes songs that tell stories from his life, moving easily among genres from R&B to hip hop. He draws his energy from interacting with the people who come to be with him when he is performing. Jermaine says his main joy is “to bring a smile to your face, and a shake to your hips”!
Best Cellar – Canceled
Now that things are opening up we have scheduled Best Cellars for this year. We will add details of performers as they are confirmed. Unfortunately, the Beta variant has postponed the restart of the Best Cellar for the foreseeable future. Get Vaccinated!
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee are available. Located in the cellar of the Methodist Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com
Best Cellar
Now that things are opening up we have scheduled Best Cellars for this year. We will add details of performers as they are confirmed.
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee are available. Located in the cellar of the Methodist Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com
Best Cellar
Now that things are opening up we have scheduled Best Cellars for this year. We will add details of performers as they are confirmed.
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee are available. Located in the cellar of the Methodist Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com
Best Cellar
Now that things are opening up we have scheduled Best Cellars for this year. We will add details of performers as they are confirmed.
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee are available. Located in the cellar of the Methodist Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com
CFS annual Corvallis Contra Weekend 2022 CANCELED
This event is yet another casualty of Covid
Elixir
Elixir blends driving fiddle and guitar with the rich texture and rhythmic excitement of a full horn section, deftly weaving brassy riffs and daring solos in and out of traditional Irish, French Canadian and New England tunes. Elegant melodies evolve into raucous dixieland horn riffs; transcendent harmonies, playful improvisations, and rock, swing and reggae-inspired rhythms weave in and out of traditional and original Irish, French Canadian and New England tunes.
Second band TBA
Nils Fredland
Nils Fredland has been calling dances with admirable skill and infectious energy since 2000. Respected for his expertise as a teacher and caller, sensitive leadership, and generosity, Nils is one of the busiest and most sought-after callers in the business. He draws on a large and varied repertoire of dances, presenting material from centuries-old “chestnuts” to cutting-edge contemporary choreography.
Nils is also known for breathing new life into traditional singing squares, and he has co-authored two books on the topic with master callers. Nils studied classical trombone at Indiana University, and has played his horn in ensembles ranging from symphony orchestras to ska bands. In Elixir Nils brings together his myriad talents in one thrilling package. Nils also works as the American Dance Publications Coordinator at the Country Dance and Song Society.
Jacquie Grennan
Jacqui Grennan is a contra dance caller, choreographer, and dance organizer in the Los Angeles contra dance scene.
A fixture in the Los Angeles contra dance community since 2010, Jacqui currently calls at contra dances around the nation and in her home community of Los Angeles, CA. Jacqui produced and organized the 3rd Saturday contra dance series held at the Woman’s Club of South Pasadena, CA, from 2014 to 2016.
Best Cellar
Now that things are opening up we have scheduled Best Cellars for this year. We will add details of performers as they are confirmed.
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee are available. Located in the cellar of the Methodist Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com
Contra dance is returning to Corvallis on Saturday, March 19, 2022! The dance will start at 7:00 PM with a reorientation to dancing in the era of COVID, helpful for all dancers. No partner necessary. Dance calling and role terms will be Larks & Robins. The cost is $12.
Online registration for the March 19 Corvallis Contra Dance is open NOW! Register at the link below: https://bit.ly/CFSContra2022Mar19
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, pre-registration will be required, and there will be an attendance cap of 108 dancers. To keep our community as safe as possible, we will also be requiring all attendees to provide proof of full vaccination (including a booster if eligible) and to wear a well-fitted face mask (K/N95/KF94 is strongly preferred, or double masking with a medical & cloth mask). This mask requirement is independent of the Oregon mask mandate and will remain in place even though the Oregon mandate is ending. Please bring your own mask.
For more information on attendance requirements and other precautions, please see our COVID-19 policy here:
https://corvallisfolklore.org/home/corvallis-contra-dance-covid-19-policy
All attendees must sign a CFS contra dance waiver at the door. Please read the waiver here before registering:
https://corvallisfolklore.org/home/contra-dance-waiver-of-liability-draft-2022-03-03
Joyride is a Portland Oregon contra dance band known for fun, skilled play, tune sets carefully tailored to dances, and well-phrased melodies and harmonies set in a danceable groove. George Penk’s rich, compelling fiddle, Erik Weberg’s deft flute, harmonica and bombarde, Sue Songer’s heartbeat piano and Jeff Kerssen-Griep’s vital guitar and percussion provide modern and traditional tunes for dances, weekends and festivals throughout the year. This band loves creating a great experience for everyone, every time. Come catch a lift with Joyride at home or on the road!
Susan Petrick has been calling all over the country for more than a decade. Her gracious manner along with her clarity and confidence on stage have made her one of the most sought after callers in the Pacific Northwest. As a dancer herself, she knows what makes dancers happy and as a caller, she is always conscious of what is happening on the dance floor. Susan brings with her a diverse collection of dances featuring many flowing and flirty contras that will please your feet and satisfy your soul!
Best Cellar
Now that things are opening up we have scheduled Best Cellars for this year. We will add details of performers as they are confirmed.
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee are available. Located in the cellar of the Methodist Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com