Calendar
Submit calendar info to:
calendar@corvallisfolklore.org
The Hillbenders present: WhoGrass
Formed in April of 2008, and still touring with the original lineup The HillBenders took Performing Arts venues, festivals and clubs all over the US by storm in 2015 with their critically-acclaimed “Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry”. They followed up the Tommy tour with a year of successful dates joining Keller Williams for “PettyGrass”. (Tom Petty hits)
2020 will find The HillBenders continuing their firmly established presence as one of the most energetic and engaging progressive acoustic bands with their hit laden “WhoGrass” show, as well as outstanding original music from their fourth studio album, appropriately and eponymously titled “The HillBenders”.
Regardless of which show The HillBenders present, or a mash up of all of them, they deliver a perfect mix of virtuoso musicianship and rock star vocals. They are one of the few bluegrass groups that recognize their ability to bridge the gap between the common music consumer and the bluegrass genre, selecting material that defies any hillbilly stigmas.
Windborne
Known for the innovation of their arrangements, their harmonies are bold and anything but predictable.
They are adherents to folk music’s longtime alliance with social activism, labor and civil rights, and other movements that champion the oppressed, the poor, and the disenfranchised.
“The most exciting vocal group in a generation,” Windborne’s captivating show draws on the singers’ deep roots in traditions of vocal harmony, while the absolute uniqueness of their artistic approach brings old songs into the present. Known for the innovation of their arrangements, their harmonies are bold and anything but predictable.
With a 20-year background studying polyphonic music around the world, Lauren Breunig, Jeremy Carter-Gordon, Lynn Rowan, and Will Rowan share a vibrant energy onstage with a blending of voices that can only come from decades of friendship alongside dedicated practice. The ensemble shifts effortlessly between drastically different styles of music, drawing their audience along on a journey that spans continents and centuries, illuminating and expanding on the profound power and variation of the human voice.
BBC Traveling Folk describes Windborne as “subverting expectations and redefining the genre [of vocal music]… just absolutely phenomenal!” Audiences and critics lavish praise upon the singers not only for their technical mastery, but for the passion, engagement, and connection with each other and the audience that imbues each performance with a rare power.
But there’s another, crucial dimension to Windborne that guides and roots their artistry. They are adherents to folk music’s longtime alliance with social activism, labor and civil rights, and other movements that champion the oppressed, the poor, and the disenfranchised. Their songs burst with lyrics that, while penned decades or centuries ago, still ring true in modern times, and Windborne’s dynamic harmonies breathe new life into these songs.
Corvallis Drum Circle
1st Saturdays, 6-7 pm
Outdoors @ 1st & Madison May-October
Indoors @ 101 NW 23rd St November-April
Free. All ages & skills. BYO drums & percussion
Info: Michelle drumcircleconnection@gmail.com
American Strings Celebrates Women’s History Month
featuring Shannon McNally
with Marilyn Jordan and Fiona Daley
GRAMMY® Nominated Americana Musician Shannon McNally has been called a Zen-like, post-Beat song poet. Those who have followed her nearly 20-year career, know the thing that stands out about McNally is the timelessness and effortlessness of her work. With a long catalog and longer list of peers with whom she has written, recorded, and toured, McNally continues to turn out great music that crosses many genres. McNally’s music career began on the jam band circuit of the 1990’s with bands like Robert Randolph and Derek Trucks. She writes original music as well as she interprets the songs of others. With a top tier musicality to her craft, a soul stirring voice that immediately grabs one by the heart strings, and a troubadour’s wanderlust, not to mention that she is also an excellent electric guitar player, McNally knows she can serve up a song much like her anti-hero heroes J.J. Cale, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan. Dr. John, and Jim Dickinson.
Our host Bob Santelli will will talk to Shannon about her quiet but steady plodding through the many layers of music business. And while she hasn’t yet been rewarded with massive fame and fortune, that slow burn has become the treasure in and of itself. Perhaps the music industry is finally catching up with her independent spirit. We’ll explore that and more and hear Shannon perform at this special installment of American Strings. Joining Bob and Shannon in this special evening will be two special guests, from right here at OSU:
Marilyn Jordan is a jamband-inspired singer-songwriter who creates songs like impressionist paintings, from her native rural Oregon. Drawing on themes of home, hiding out, and running like hell, Jordan tells stories of badass adventures through this bittersweet life, with intriguing stories, and a soul-saving sense of humor. An OSU graduate student studying Nanci Griffith’s songwriting, Marilyn is releasing her debut album titled “Both Things Are True,” on March 3.
Fiona Daley is a freshman in the College of Liberal Arts. She was born and raised in a small town in Montana just outside of Yellowstone. Daley has been playing guitar for four years and writing songs for two, but grew up always listening to and playing music. Fiona loves and writes music because of the ability it has to connect people, no matter how different. In sharing pieces of her life through music, she hopes to do just that.
Regarding tickets to this event: A ticket vendor with which Oregon State University contracts is experiencing an outage. This outage could last as long as five to seven days. Our ability to sell tickets online, as well as to take credit card payments in-person, are both impacted.
If you have not yet purchased tickets: Tickets will be available for purchase at the event by cash or check only. Ticket sales will begin one hour prior to the performance. Please note that we anticipate that this performance may sell out. Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
If you have already purchased tickets: We will have your name on a will call list at the event. We recommend you arrive early for general admission seating.
Nyla Mora
Nyla Mora is an eclectic original trio that incorporates elements of soul and funk in a unique blend of sound. Drums and percussion draw on world influences from West Africa to Haiti to South India. Nyla has a virtuosic bass player and a classically trained singer/songwriter on guitar/vocals.
Sample the music at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eq1x-5JWWqo
Brazilian choro music by
Choro na Cozinha (CnC)
Choro is a Brazilian music style whose parents were Portuguese harmonies and African rhythms. In turn and in time, choro gave birth to other Brazilian forms like samba and bossa. Choro tunes are lively and lovely, traditionally played in a small ensemble. In that tradition, CnC is a quartet of 7-string guitar, 10-string bandolim, clarinet, and a hand drum called the pandeiro. We supplement the choro repertoire with songs from related Brazilian styles, sung in Portuguese. The Arts Center is a delightful small venue, the perfect setting for an intimate concert of this very fun music.
Find a sampling of their music at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrcogGWpf6gK3KkqqAGEONQ/videos
Maria Muldaur
Maria Muldaur is best known world-wide for her 1974 mega-hit “Midnight at the Oasis,” which received several Grammy nominations, and enshrined her forever in the hearts of Baby Boomers everywhere; but despite her considerable pop music success, her 55-plus year career could best be described as a long and adventurous odyssey through the various forms of American Roots Music. During the Folk Revival of the early ’60s, she began exploring and singing early Blues, Bluegrass and Appalachian “Old Timey” Music, beginning her recording career in 1963 with the Even Dozen Jug Band and shortly thereafter, joining the very popular Jim Kweskin Jug Band, touring and recording with them throughout the ’60s.
Attendance is limited to 300 so get tickets early!
See COVID requirements: https://www.whitesidetheatre.org
Corvallis Drum Circle
1st Saturdays, 6-7 pm
Outdoors @ 1st & Madison May-October
Indoors @ 101 NW 23rd St November-April
Free. All ages & skills. BYO drums & percussion
Info: Michelle drumcircleconnection@gmail.com
Mama’s Broke
Mama’s Broke is a powerful duo that deliver a compelling performance with heart and raw energy. Although highly influenced by their Canadian roots, Lisa and Amy are based out of nowhere and everywhere.
Their two strong voices blend to create haunting harmonies, while they artfully juggle fiddle, banjo, guitar and mandolin, and incorporate traditional dance and foot percussion into their performance. Their original -and often dark- compositions push the boundaries of tradition and the constraints of genre. Drawing from old-time, Quebecois, blues, punk, celtic, balkan and doom metal, they create a soundscape that is both familiar and new.
Watch Mama’s Broke Tiny Desk Concert at NPR here
Attendance is limited to 300 so get tickets early!
See COVID requirements: https://www.whitesidetheatre.org
The Lowest Pair
Kendl Winter and Palmer T. Lee are two kindred spirits who first met on the banks of the Mississippi while touring the Midwest festival circuit. Born and raised in Arkansas, Winter found herself drawn to the evergreens and damp air of the Pacific Northwest, as well as the boundless music scene of Olympia, Washington. She released three solo records on Olympia-based indie label, K Records, and performed in ramblin’ folk bands and anarchic punk bands before serendipitously meeting Palmer T. Lee in 2013. Lee had built his first banjo when he was 19 from pieces he inherited and began cutting his teeth fronting Minneapolis string bands before convincing Winter that they should form a banjo duo. Now, as The Lowest Pair, they have recorded and released five albums together, relentlessly toured North America, and ventured to the UK twice, playing over 500 live shows over the past five years.
Attendance is limited to 300 so get tickets early!
See COVID requirements: https://www.whitesidetheatre.org
American Strings
An Evening with
the Kingston Trio
Join University Director of Popular Music Bob Santelli in a conversation with the legendary folk group: The Kingston Trio. Current members Mike Marvin, Tim Gorelangton and Buddy Woodward, have intrinsic links and experience with the iconic trio’s original members. Mike is the adopted son of founding member Nick Reynolds, who was also his musical mentor; Tim, a close friend since boyhood, is one of the few musicians outside the trio who has recorded with Nick Reynolds; and Buddy has performed with longtime Kingston Trio member George Grove. Together, they recall and will talk with Bob about the original members’ journey as folk music made its extraordinary ascent to the pinnacle of popular culture and the top of the music charts.
Following the interview, the trio will perform such timeless classics as “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” and “Tom Dooley”.
Only 200 seats! Take advantage of the presale now at the link above to secure your seats.
Old Blind Dogs
The musical evolution of Old Blind Dogs began in Aberdeen in 1992 with roots that grew from the eclectic music scene that flourished in the Granite City during the early 90’s. Four musicians from very different musical backgrounds came together to create a full-time professional touring band with the aim of showcasing the rich tradition of songs and tunes of the North East of Scotland on an international stage.
Like many of the early flag bearing Scottish folk bands, the Old Blind Dogs line up has faced inevitable changes over the years but the core values at the band’s musical heart continue to beat strong. The current band line up has been settled for several years now and consists of four of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians at the top of their game. Original member Jonny Hardie (fiddle/vocals) is joined by Aaron Jones (cittern/guitar/vocals), Ali Hutton (pipes/whistles) and Donald Hay (percussion/vocals) and collectively they comprise one of the hottest live tickets on the traditional Scottish music scene today.
Attendance is limited to 300 so get tickets early!
See COVID requirements: https://www.whitesidetheatre.org
Salem Folklore Community’s
34th Annual
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.
Registration opens February 23.
Corvallis Drum Circle
1st Saturdays, 6-7 pm
Outdoors @ 1st & Madison May-October
Indoors @ 101 NW 23rd St November-April
Free. All ages & skills. BYO drums & percussion
Info: Michelle drumcircleconnection@gmail.com
Bend the Arc — Spring Concert by Jubilate!
The Women’s Choir of Corvallis
With our choice of songs and combined voices, we strive to bend the arc of social justice, promote human rights, and encourage reflections about the future of our communities. We invite you to join us as we celebrate the spring and honor our commitment to bend the arc until all belong.
We are joined by several members of the McMinnville Women’s Choir.
Tickets are available online for a basic price of $15 plus a small processing fee. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase at the door the night of the event. Children under 10 are free. Additional donations to the choir are welcome and can be made when tickets are purchased.