Hi, folks. I've been playing hooky a bit and didn't see this thread till tonight.

Yes, the "twisted celtic/shanty group called Spinnaker" (with Jonathan Lay) still performs on Friday nights at Elephant and the Castle (and the audience gets very involved). Occasionally they have a chantey sing on Tuesday nights there in the back room, too.

There is a Sunday afternoon song circle/jam session at Yola's Foster Road Coffee House, SE 65th and Foster Road. It starts about 1-1:30 PM and goes till 3 or 4P, or even 5P, when Yola's closes. Sometimes just a handful of people, sometimes 10 or 12. (New venue; the word's just getting out.) Format depends on who shows up. Recently we've had a couple guitars, mandos, banjos, bass player, auto harp, singers, and sometimes fiddlers.

There's also a new bluegrass jam (sort of "not for prime time" group" at one of the pubs in NW PDX on Saturday afternoons, same time, roughly, as Kate's jam at Artichoke. Artichoke has the blurb on their wall.

Also there's a 3rd Sat. song circle that emphasizes '60s-'70s "folk music." They use a book they've put together, with at least 200 songs, IIRC. Potluck, group singing, etc.

A few other things going on. If you want more info, PM me your e-dress, and I'll get in touch with you re details.

Genie