Footnotes

By Kathy Story, PCDC Board President Many thanks to our community for stepping up and contributing to our Making Magic Again end-of-year campaign. Like many nonprofit organizations, PCDC had continuing expenses during the COVID pandemic shutdown, but no revenue. Generous folks donated over $2,100, which will help ensure the continuation of our dance events and …

From Versailles to Victoria: A Calling Career by Kathy Story, PCDC Board President I enjoy English Country Dancing and at a recent PCDC ECD dance, I learned that David Macemon will be the caller at the Seattle English ball in February. I’ve never been to a ball and I wanted to learn more, so I …

By David Macemon, ECD caller and committee member We can all admit it, we LOVE to dance. It could be contra, English, or both—and lots of other styles. And what is more fun than sharing our love of dancing with others? This can be a challenge when our enthusiasm for dancing meets new dancers who …

by Kathy Story I love to swing during a contra dance! My favorite dances have both a partner and a neighbor swing. I love to swing fast. And when I’m dancing the Robin role, I love to spin out of it with a big flourish. But I know not everyone enjoys all that, so I …

By Sue Songer The 2024 Portland Megaband is back to pre-pandemic strength, powered by 75 musicians who are already working on the music. Fiddles (30 or so), whistles, flutes and winds, plectra, percussion, and, of course, the horn section will be working as a tight unit to provide tons of energy–energy that will go through …

By Kelly Tabor, Contra Committee Chair I am your Contra Committee Chair, and I have a confession: The first PCDC board meeting I ever attended was this past summer. I was driving down I-84 with a board member attending via Zoom in my passenger seat. PCDC’s fiscal year had just ended and our treasurer was …

By Augie O’Riordan Calling all dancers, musicians, choreographers, tunesmiths, and budding callers! Introducing “The Woodshed,” a concept based on the place out of sight and earshot where we used to practice and try out new ideas. When you’re out in the woodshed, you know that an unexpected note or innovative combination of moves will not …

By Dave Hamlin First, a big thank you to all the folks who offered to help keep the Portland Roadhouse going!  We would not be here without your support. We still have some details to work out, but we’re happy to announce that the Portland Roadhouse will happen this year on March 10, 2024, at …

by David Macemon, ECD Ball Chair The Portland English Country Ball Committee and a group of committed volunteers delivered a wonderful English ball weekend November 3rd and 4th at the Oaks Park Dance Pavilion.   The Friday night dance was well-attended by out-of-town guests, as well as quite a few local dancers. David Macemon called to …

By Betsy Branch Greetings, dance musicians! Here is our schedule for upcoming 2nd Thursday dance tune sessions. George and Betsy, the session leaders, will be leading an open band on June 29, so tunes we learn this winter and spring will show up at the June dance.  To sign up for these free dance tune …