Calendar
Submit calendar info to:
calendar@corvallisfolklore.org
Contra dance is back to the regular schedule in Corvallis! 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 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.
Northwest Stomp
Katie Jane Lubiens is a dynamic fiddler from Portland, OR, best known for her high-energy fiddling, infectious smile, and unstoppable dancing feet. Katie Jane fiddles her way up and down the West Coast with her popular traditional Irish band, Katie Jane Band. She has recorded several albums, and she directs the dazzling Celtic Light Orchestra. As a teacher Katie Jane shares the joy of fiddle music with students of all ages in every step of their musical journey.
Thom Dudley, singer/guitarist/songwriter, is one of the founding members of the Portland area Celtic group Raven. He has been composing and playing music for many years, with his song “If I were the West Wind” winning a JPF Songwriter award in 2004. He has recorded two “solo” albums of well received original contemporary folk music featuring musicians from the Pacific NW, British Columbia, and Alberta.
Rob Ripley is a multi-instrumentalist originally from New England, and currently located in Portland, Oregon. He has been playing Irish Traditional Music for 8 years, primarily on the flute and whistle. In addition to playing traditional music, Rob is also an audio engineer and a long time producer of electronic music.
Eddie Butler and Nila Garner both reside and enjoy playing Irish music in Portland. They have been playing Irish music professionally since 2014 at Contra Dances, Ceili Dance, wineries, breweries, St Patrick’s Day Celebrations and for special occasions. Eddy is an excellent musician demonstrating great skill and authentic Irish style while also using the freedom afforded by the genre to create his own unique Celtic voice on the fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. Nila who plays Bodhran, the Irish frame drum, is also an excellent musician with a terrific sense of rhythm and highly ornamented authentic Irish style.
Noah Grunzweig
Noah Grunzweig is a master of stories and dance! It’s been a while since he’s called in Corvallis but he’s called here many times. Noah brings enthusiasm and encouragement to new and experienced dancers alike. He promotes safe dancing and a culture of consent that welcomes children and adults to contra dancing. Noah is fluent in traditional and techno contra.
Dance starts at 7:30pm.
Each dance is taught. No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).
We are still seeking new volunteers to help with dances in the fall! If you are interested in volunteering this fall, please see role descriptions and tell us how you would like to help by taking our volunteer survey at:
https://bit.ly/CorvallisContraVolunteering2022
For questions regarding contra dance volunteering, please contact Shell Stowell at corvalliscontra@gmail.com
Online Song Circle
Share a song, lead a song, request a song, or listen as we go round the circle. Song Circle is free and open to all who wish to participate. Bring your own instrument, borrow one, or just sing.
The song circle is conducted on Zoom (you can download the app to your laptop, tablet or smart phone at https://zoom.us/ ). You can play or sing along with your microphone muted. If you plan to sing, please set your audio settings to
- Original Sound: on (if this is available on your Zoom version)
- Automatically adjust microphone volume: unchecked
- Suppress background noise: low
You can access the audio settings when you are in a Zoom meeting by pressing the ^ next to the microphone icon and clicking audio settings.
You can get the Zoom link by emailing Kurt at song-circle-2@CorvallisFolklore.org .
As part of
2025 Corvallis Open Streets Festival
CFS is presenting a
Free Contra Dance
with The Nettles playing
and Noah Grunzweig calling.
The Nettles have been a premiere Corvallis contra dance band for years, having played here most recently at the March 1 dance.
Noah Grunzweig will have called here most recently at the June 21 dance.
Open Streets this year will be in Southtown
Lilly Park in the north to- Willamette Park in the south
via - SE Bethel St.
- SE Alexander Ave.
- SE Thompson St.
- SE Park Ave.
- SE Heron View St.
There will be dancing at Lilly Park and music at Willamette Park. At Lilly Park:
- 11am Swing Dance
- noon Cuban Salsa
- 1pm CFS Contra Dance
- 2pm traditional dance performance by Corazón Oaxaqueño
For more information on the event, which runs from 11am to 3pm, go to
https://openstreetscorvallis.org/
Online Song Circle
Share a song, lead a song, request a song, or listen as we go round the circle. Song Circle is free and open to all who wish to participate. Bring your own instrument, borrow one, or just sing.
The song circle is conducted on Zoom (you can download the app to your laptop, tablet or smart phone at https://zoom.us/ ). You can play or sing along with your microphone muted. If you plan to sing, please set your audio settings to
- Original Sound: on (if this is available on your Zoom version)
- Automatically adjust microphone volume: unchecked
- Suppress background noise: low
You can access the audio settings when you are in a Zoom meeting by pressing the ^ next to the microphone icon and clicking audio settings.
You can get the Zoom link by emailing Kurt at song-circle-2@CorvallisFolklore.org .
Corvallis Celtic Festival
2025
The third annual Corvallis Celtic Festival will be held in several locations downtown. All Events are free except the Open the Door for Three concert on Friday at PRAx and Saturday performances at Tyee Winery.
Activities will take place::
| Thursday 7/24 | 6:00pm-9:00pm | Common Fields | |
| Friday 7/25 | 6:00pm-9:30pm | PRAx | Tickets |
| Saturday 7/26 | 9:00am-noon 10:00am-noon 9:30pm-11:30pm |
Public Library Dragon’s Whistle Brass Monkey |
|
| 12:30pm-8:30pm | Tyee Wine Cellars | Tickets | |
| Sunday 7/27 | 9:30am-4:00pm 12:15pm-6:00pm |
Old World Deli Common Fields |
This will be the third year for the festival, now becoming a favorite summertime tradition in Corvallis. While the general theme of the festival remains the same, bringing the finest local and regional Celtic musicians and dancers together and encouraging participatory sessions open to all, there are also a few new and exciting changes!
The festival kicks o@ Thursday evening, July 24 with a free event at Common Fields including dancers from the Blackthorn Academy of Dance and performances by The Nettles and The Ballybogs. Friday night, July 25 features a concert at PRAx with the Boston-based Irish music trio Open the Door for Three. Legendary fiddle player Liz Knowles, uilleann pipes player Kieran O’Hare, and bouzouki-player and singer Pat Broaders will spark plenty of musical joy! Come early to hear local favorites Sharon and Dave Thormahlen on harp, guitar, mandolin, and tenor banjo and enjoy refreshments for purchase in the PRAx lobby. Tickets are available through prax.oregonstate.edu/events. If you’re a member of CFS, you may apply the code cfs2025 to receive a $2 discount on tickets.
Saturday, July 26 is the biggest day of the festival. Events begin with bagpipers at the riverfront and morning workshops on Celtic instruments and singing at the Corvallis library and the Dragon’s Whistle in downtown Corvallis. Workshops are free to all on a first-come, first-served basis. Check the schedule and workshop descriptions on the Corvallis Celtic Festival website for more information. Saturday’s music performances will be held this year at Tyee Wine Cellars, located on a scenic farm and vineyard 10 miles south of Corvallis. Come and enjoy a variety of Celtic performers (Fionnghal, Willamette Valley Pipes and Drums, James Wilson, Amhranaithe, Schmid & Guest, and Steeplechase) in this gorgeous outdoor setting from 12:30-8:30 pm. In addition to fine music, there will be food and craft vendors and beer and wine for purchase. There is plenty of shade, but you may want to bring a blanket or camp chair. Children’s craft activities will be o@ered from 1-5 pm, and the nature trail is open all day! Please, no outside alcohol or dogs. Tickets for this event are $20/person in advance or $25 day of show. Children 12 years old and under are free, so bring the whole family! Tickets are available online from the Corvallis Celtic Festival website or in person at Grass Roots Books and Troubadour Music Center (cash or check only). After the festivities at Tyee, all Celtic musicians are invited to a free late-night jam session at the Brass Monkey from 9:30-11:30 pm.
Sunday morning, July 27, begins with performances by Whitehorn Crossing and Loose Flagstone at the Old World Deli, followed by afternoon instrumental and singing sessions at the Old World Deli and Common Fields. A special treat will be a Ceili Dance led by Ceili of the Valley, with Triple File, a youth trio from Portland, providing live music. Close out the festival at the no host slow-tune session. Come and play, or just listen!
The festival needs volunteers. Go to https://www.corvalliscelticfestival.org/volunteer/
Open the Door for Three
Open the Door for Three is a road-tested, audience-approved, laughing-out-loud trio of Irish musicians, including fiddle player Liz Knowles, uilleann piper Kieran O’Hare, and Dublin-born singer and bouzouki player Pat Broaders. Their music is a rare combination of unearthed tunes from centuries-old collections, newly composed melodies, fresh arrangements of songs old and new, homages to the musicians and bands they grew up listening to, and the unmatched energy of a trio of good friends playing great Irish music together.
Join us at 6 p.m. for a PRAxPRELUDE with local musicians Sharon and Dave Thormahlen on harp and mandolin, alongside a Lightbox Happy Hour. Corvallis Folklore Society members also receive a $2 discount on tickets.
CFS discount code: cfs2025
Online Song Circle
Share a song, lead a song, request a song, or listen as we go round the circle. Song Circle is free and open to all who wish to participate. Bring your own instrument, borrow one, or just sing.
The song circle is conducted on Zoom (you can download the app to your laptop, tablet or smart phone at https://zoom.us/ ). You can play or sing along with your microphone muted. If you plan to sing, please set your audio settings to
- Original Sound: on (if this is available on your Zoom version)
- Automatically adjust microphone volume: unchecked
- Suppress background noise: low
You can access the audio settings when you are in a Zoom meeting by pressing the ^ next to the microphone icon and clicking audio settings.
You can get the Zoom link by emailing Kurt at song-circle-2@CorvallisFolklore.org .
Online Song Circle
Share a song, lead a song, request a song, or listen as we go round the circle. Song Circle is free and open to all who wish to participate. Bring your own instrument, borrow one, or just sing.
The song circle is conducted on Zoom (you can download the app to your laptop, tablet or smart phone at https://zoom.us/ ). You can play or sing along with your microphone muted. If you plan to sing, please set your audio settings to
- Original Sound: on (if this is available on your Zoom version)
- Automatically adjust microphone volume: unchecked
- Suppress background noise: low
You can access the audio settings when you are in a Zoom meeting by pressing the ^ next to the microphone icon and clicking audio settings.
You can get the Zoom link by emailing Kurt at song-circle-2@CorvallisFolklore.org .
Online Song Circle
Share a song, lead a song, request a song, or listen as we go round the circle. Song Circle is free and open to all who wish to participate. Bring your own instrument, borrow one, or just sing.
The song circle is conducted on Zoom (you can download the app to your laptop, tablet or smart phone at https://zoom.us/ ). You can play or sing along with your microphone muted. If you plan to sing, please set your audio settings to
- Original Sound: on (if this is available on your Zoom version)
- Automatically adjust microphone volume: unchecked
- Suppress background noise: low
You can access the audio settings when you are in a Zoom meeting by pressing the ^ next to the microphone icon and clicking audio settings.
You can get the Zoom link by emailing Kurt at song-circle-2@CorvallisFolklore.org .
Online Song Circle
Share a song, lead a song, request a song, or listen as we go round the circle. Song Circle is free and open to all who wish to participate. Bring your own instrument, borrow one, or just sing.
The song circle is conducted on Zoom (you can download the app to your laptop, tablet or smart phone at https://zoom.us/ ). You can play or sing along with your microphone muted. If you plan to sing, please set your audio settings to
- Original Sound: on (if this is available on your Zoom version)
- Automatically adjust microphone volume: unchecked
- Suppress background noise: low
You can access the audio settings when you are in a Zoom meeting by pressing the ^ next to the microphone icon and clicking audio settings.
You can get the Zoom link by emailing Kurt at song-circle-2@CorvallisFolklore.org .
Kalos
Kalos is made up of three innovative interpreters and composers of Celtic roots music: Eric McDonald, Ryan McKasson and Jeremiah McLane. They are masters of tradition who purposefully explore the dark corners floating on its edges, delivering an alluring musical complexity full of spontaneity and joyful exuberance. They set the standard for traditional repertoire with an underlying drive and pulse charged with rhythmic electricity and integrity, forging a new musical path that draws on Celtic, Breton, American and other musical traditions on accordion, guitar, fiddle, and vocals. The title of their new album, Headland, which refers to a point where land meets sea, is a fitting analogy for the exploratory space Kalos inhabits — one that calls forth driving, heartfelt music journeying through unknown territory to seek and find its essence – the enduring, resilient experience of the human heart.
Rated: G
Online Song Circle
Share a song, lead a song, request a song, or listen as we go round the circle. Song Circle is free and open to all who wish to participate. Bring your own instrument, borrow one, or just sing.
The song circle is conducted on Zoom (you can download the app to your laptop, tablet or smart phone at https://zoom.us/ ). You can play or sing along with your microphone muted. If you plan to sing, please set your audio settings to
- Original Sound: on (if this is available on your Zoom version)
- Automatically adjust microphone volume: unchecked
- Suppress background noise: low
You can access the audio settings when you are in a Zoom meeting by pressing the ^ next to the microphone icon and clicking audio settings.
You can get the Zoom link by emailing Kurt at song-circle-2@CorvallisFolklore.org .
Online Song Circle
Share a song, lead a song, request a song, or listen as we go round the circle. Song Circle is free and open to all who wish to participate. Bring your own instrument, borrow one, or just sing.
The song circle is conducted on Zoom (you can download the app to your laptop, tablet or smart phone at https://zoom.us/ ). You can play or sing along with your microphone muted. If you plan to sing, please set your audio settings to
- Original Sound: on (if this is available on your Zoom version)
- Automatically adjust microphone volume: unchecked
- Suppress background noise: low
You can access the audio settings when you are in a Zoom meeting by pressing the ^ next to the microphone icon and clicking audio settings.
You can get the Zoom link by emailing Kurt at song-circle-2@CorvallisFolklore.org .
Online Song Circle
Share a song, lead a song, request a song, or listen as we go round the circle. Song Circle is free and open to all who wish to participate. Bring your own instrument, borrow one, or just sing.
The song circle is conducted on Zoom (you can download the app to your laptop, tablet or smart phone at https://zoom.us/ ). You can play or sing along with your microphone muted. If you plan to sing, please set your audio settings to
- Original Sound: on (if this is available on your Zoom version)
- Automatically adjust microphone volume: unchecked
- Suppress background noise: low
You can access the audio settings when you are in a Zoom meeting by pressing the ^ next to the microphone icon and clicking audio settings.
You can get the Zoom link by emailing Kurt at song-circle-2@CorvallisFolklore.org .
Breabach
Twenty years on from winning the Danny Kyle Open Stage Award at Celtic Connections, Breabach remain securely ranked amongst Scotland’s most skilled & imaginative contemporary-folk acts and at the forefront of the burgeoning traditional music scene. The band unite deep roots in Highland and Island Gaelic tradition alongside progressive musical influences and have cultivated a unique sound, anchoring double bagpipes, fiddle, whistle, step-dance and song with energetic double bass and guitar accompaniment.
Versatility, love of experimentation and a willingness to push the boundaries of Scottish roots music have endured as the core values of the band over the past two decades. They have embraced and pioneered many cross-genre collaborations, linking up with artists including Quebec’s Le Vent du Nord, BAFTA award-winning animator Cat Bruce, indigenous Australasian artist Moana & the Tribe, video game composer Big Giant Circles, Cape Breton powerhouse Beòlach and most recently the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.
With 8 critically acclaimed studio releases to date, an extensive global touring schedule and having received recognition with 6 BBC ALBA Traditional Music Awards, a 2023 German Record Critic’s Award and as European Folk Group of the year finalists in the prestigious Songlines Awards, Breabach’s journey shows no sign of slowing. They continue their adventures throughout this special anniversary year with performances and festivals across the UK, USA and Europe.
Breabach are:
- Megan Henderson (Fiddle/Vocals/Step Dance)
- James Lindsay (Double Bass/Vocals)
- Calum MacCrimmon (Highland Bagpipe/Whistle/Bouzouki/Vocals)
- Conal McDonagh (Highland Bagpipe/Uilleann pipes/Whistle/Vocals
- Ewan Robertson (Guitar/Cajon/Vocals)