Local Bands and Callers

Joyride is a Portland Oregon contra dance band known for fun, skilled play, tunes fit to dance figures, and ringing, rocking, gorgeous melodies that make you want to move. George Penk’s fiddle, Erik Weberg’s flute, harmonica and bombarde, Sue Songer’s piano and fiddle, and Jeff Kerssen-Griep’s guitar and percussion breathe big life into modern and traditional tunes for dances, weekends, and festivals. Joyride’s web site is: https://joyride.erikweberg.com/

The Euphemists are not your ordinary contra dance band. Yes, they have fiddle, piano, and whistle (Alan Snyder, Dave Goldman, and Greg Martin). But they also have HORNS! (Greg Martin and Stephanie Shea on tenor and alto saxophones, and Kaye Blesener on trombone.) In addition to familiar Celtic, Québécois, and old-time tunes, the band plays lively jazz standards that feature the horn section. Throw in some ragtime era tunes, a little klezmer, and even a Sousa march, and it all adds up to a highly entertaining dance experience.  

Coriolis joins the musical forces of Victor Fiore (fiddle), Dave Hamlin (mandolin), and Jon Neff (guitar) to spin lively tunes and drive contra dance delight.  Jon and Dave played together in The Steeltones, and both are long time members of the Portland Megaband.  Victor played with Eugene’s Mad Robin before moving to Portland, where he has also played with the Portland Megaband.

Bandwidth brings together three of Portland's contra dance music veterans, Gordy Euler (fiddle, whistle, piano), Keith Moe (fiddle), and Carl Thor (piano, mandolin). Their list of band affiliations reads like a “Who's Who” of the Portland folk music scene, including: Hands4, Full Moon, The Steeltones, Shanghaied on the Willamette, Stepwise, Cascade Crossing, Celtinalia, Tunestruck, and, of course, the bodacious Portland Megaband. Be ready for an exciting, full spectrum of contra dance music when these gents take to the stage. They're having fun up there, and it shows!

The Hat Band is a contradance band from Portland that includes Jon Neff, guitar; Syd Newell, fiddle; and Meg Tapley, flute. Their use of three-part harmonies, along with creative arrangements of traditional, rags, blues, swing, klezmer, and waltz tunes, create a unique sound. Jon Neff is an IT specialist with a Bachelor’s degree in music; Syd Newell is a retired technical writer and former chemistry professor; and Meg Tapley is a phlebotomist with a Master’s degree in music.  All three are members of The Portland Megaband and various other local bands. Contact information: sydnewell@mac.com

Fine Companions starts with four great talents, mixes in some magic and gets a musical feast better than the sum of its ingredients. This Portland favorite just keeps growing their reputation and it's all good! The band features Betsy Branch on fiddle, Lisa Scott on piano, Bill Tomczak on clarinet & saxophone, and Erik Weberg on flute. If you like lots of dreamy textures and rich harmonies, this is the band for you!

The Portland Megaband performs in Portland, Oregon with the annual PCDC Portland Megaband Benefit Dance, as well as at many Northwest Folklife Festivals. The all-volunteer musicians of the Megaband come from all levels of skill - from near beginner to professional. The Megaband welcomes applications from anyone playing an acoustic instrument who is willing to attend all the rehearsals and play with enthusiasm.

Kelly Tabor is a contra & community dance caller and organizer that has been dancing in Portland, Oregon since 2015. Kelly uses both roles to promote safe and inclusive dance practices and build a broader conversation among dancers in our communities. Kelly is currently relearning clarinet and learning banjo. She enjoys dances that play with momentum and works to incorporate them at an accessible level.