Local Bands and Callers

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.

Joyride is a Portland Oregon contra dance band long known for fun, skilled play, tunes fit to dance figures, good spirits, and ringing, rocking, gorgeous melodies that make you want to move. George Penk’s rich and lively fiddle, Erik Weberg’s nimble flute, harmonica and bombarde, Sue Songer’s pulsing piano, and Jeff Kerssen-Griep’s percussive guitar energy breathe big life into modern and traditional tunes for dances, weekends, and festivals. Here’s a video playlist of the band on the road and at home! Since 2006, Joyride hosts great callers and happy dancers at their monthly First Wednesdays Contra Dance party, held at the Portland Polish Library Association’s dance hall each September through June. This band loves creating a great experience for everyone, every time. Catch a lift with Joyride at home or on the road!  

Erik Weberg has been calling contra dances since 1990. He summarizes his philosophy this way: "I choose dances based on simple criteria. They have to feel good and they have to be fun. Complexity does not necessarily translate into dancing pleasure. Flow, interesting figures, and connection with the music are what make dancing sublime. Whether it's smooth like butter or driving like a freight train, it's got to make sense and feel good. Those are the dances I choose to call. I work to teach efficiently and clearly, and often I succeed."