Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR

Subject: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: GUEST,blt
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 09:20 PM

I have recently moved from NH to OR and I miss the density of the NE open mike and folk scene--any Portlandians who can give me leads on open mikes and cafes in this area? I'm also interested in songwriting groups/circles. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 09:21 PM

there are nice groups in Portland area...you'll get replies soon...(I know people out there, though I'm in MD)

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Amergin
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 10:07 PM

Well, there are several places in the area that do open mike poetry sessions....Cafe Lena on Hawthorne is one of them...

Across the river in Vancouver, Washington there is a jam session at the Salmon Creek Brewery pub every Thursday (I think), for more information on that you should ask Margo or Mary Garvey.

Also there is (or used to be) an open mike session on Monday nights at The Green Room on NW Thurman.

And here's a link that might help you out a little....

click here

Good luck to you.

Amergin

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 10:16 PM

'Portlandian' is prettier, Guest blt, but when I lived there, I think we called ourselves 'Portlanders'. And don't forget, it's Orygun.

:)

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Gypsy
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 10:36 PM

Check out Victory Music in WA. It is a nonprofit organization devoted to furthering folk musicians. Found out about them off of the Victory Sings at Sea CD. Have a great newsletter too.

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: kimmers
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 09:35 PM

When I lived there (I'm now down in Salem), the Buffalo Gap on Macadam had some folkie nights. I don't remember any open-mike, though. My brother hangs out at the Cafe Lena and loves it. You might also check out the McMenamin's family of pubs; several of their venues feature live music of many kinds, the more eccentric the better.

And get a subscription to Willamette Week. It's a required survival manual, and the cartoons are great.

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: mg
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 11:45 PM

first I heard of the Thursday night thing...is it bluegrass perhaps? And on Friday there is an open Mike downtown at the Hucklebe3rry bookstore..

mg

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: winniemih
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 11:25 AM

Welcome to the Portland area, blt! I live in the mountains west of the city, but frequently come in for events. You should explore Artichoke music on Hawthorne St., they frequently have an open mic night. Website is artichokemusic.com, I think. It's run by some great folks who are doing their utmost to promote acoustic music. For songwriting, try the Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer songwriters roundup held monthly(or maybe less often) at the White Eagle tavern. I'm not a songwriter so haven't been myself, but I'm a fan of this duo.Incidentally, they will be performing soon in the Portland area, and I guarantee their show is worth the $. There are also a number of bluegrass, celtic, old time and other jams going on regularly. Hope to run into you at some point, I'm originally from Mass. but have been out here for many years. Don't let the winters scare you away; this is a wonderful place to live.

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Amergin
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 11:56 AM

What winters, Minnie? Are you talking about when it rains for nine straight months?

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Margo
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 01:34 PM

Log on to www.portlandfolklore.org. They have a calendar of events, a list of song circles, and PFS (Portland Folklore Society) sponsored events, like the Third Friday Coffeehouse.

Also of great help is portland.citysearch.com. Just type "open mike" in the search box and you'll get quite a list. And as mentioned above, Artichoke music is a good place to make connections. I live in Vancouver Washington just across the Columbia river, so we're neighbors! Margo

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: harpmolly
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 03:58 PM

I stumbled upon an open mike on a Thursday Night at the Mad Hatter Lounge. It was pretty cool. ;)

If you're into the Irish scene, you should visit Biddy McGraw's. It's an experience. That's all I'm going to say. (Word to the wise: Don't mess with Biddy. She only allows one bitch in her bar and she's it. My friends and I have learned this the hard way. ;))

Molly

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: blt
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 12:04 AM

I really appreciate all the replies to my virgin mudcat posting--I'm very new to cyberspace and still feel as if my computer will explode before my eyes if I push the wrong button. I still get nervous when I use a digital tuner after happily using a tuning fork for many years. Hope to run into some of you in a more corporeal fashion. As for Portlandia vs Portlander, isn't there some large, buxom statue named Portlandia somewhere? Thus, are we not Portlandians?

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Margo
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 12:21 AM

Go to this web page and you'll see a photo of Portlandia and the address. Which I found, by the way, on the handy dandy portlandcitysearch.com! Margo

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: blt
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 12:56 AM

Thanks Margo, that certainly is a handy dandy site alright.

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: kimmers
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 01:07 AM

If you look hard at the Portlandia statue, you'll realize what she's really doing.

She's shooting craps. Honest.

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: kimmers
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 01:14 AM

You can't really tell from the pic on the website, though. You have to be walking by her in person. I swear you can almost see the dice and hear her say, "C'mon, seven!"

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Merripan
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 04:23 PM

Hi! I just posted myself as someone looking for a circle to sing with. :-) I live in north Portland area. Please contact me through my private email.

[e-mail]

Thanks!

~M

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 10:13 PM

Amazon.com Portlandia is a big gal—36 feet tall crouched, and 50 feet tall standing (53 feet in heels).

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's... Our lady of the Rose City floated into Portland in 1985, by barge. She was then transported through town on a large truck. Portlanders, never ones to miss a parade, lined the streets to watch her arrive. Onlookers were briefly able to touch her until, lifted onto her perch, she became untouchable. —Chelsea Cain

Notice "Portlanders" in the text? I've spent most of my life (so far) in the Willamette Valley and other points on the west (wet) side, but I'm only joshin'. If you can get the Portland/Oregon people to change to calling themselves Portlandians, more power to you!

I like Oregon- it's just that everything I like about Oregon is intensified here. Including rain!

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: kimmers
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 11:03 PM

Now Ebbie... we've had a beeyootiful summer and fall this year, full of hot summer days and crisp cold fall/early winter weather. I can't complain! Excellent fall colors, and a high-quality grape crop. Gonna be some good wine made from this year's harvest.

Of course, our (sometimes mythical)continous rain is a source of obscure pride, I suppose.

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: rangeroger
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 11:31 PM

Is it true that people in Oregon don't tan in the summer? They rust?

rr

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Dec 00 - 12:28 AM

kimmers, like I said, here in Juneau we have more rain than you do in Portland. Here we don't rust- we moult.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Dec 00 - 12:31 AM

The algae, you know. :)

I just remembered where my brother took me to jam a couple of times in the Vancouver/Portland area: Fruit Valley and then there was a grange hall closer by somewhere too. Open Mike upstairs and jamming in every foot of the basement.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Jim Krause
Date: 06 Dec 00 - 04:15 PM

Nah. I grew up in Western Oregon. Folks don't rust, or molt, but they do get some pretty awsome raintans. Nicest thing you can say to an Oregonian is "My, you're looking like such a prune today."
Jim

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Barbara
Date: 06 Dec 00 - 06:48 PM

Y'know gang, look out the window and tell me what it is yer bitchin'(or braggin') about. I don't remember the last time I saw it rain. Here it is DECEMBER, the depth of the rainy season, and is it raining, even a little? No, it is not. Is it predicted?? No, it is not. I think we've swapped weather with somebody.
I live west of Portland out here in the swamp between the Willamette and the Coast range, and it is sunny and cold and dry. I come in to Portland to sing, someone care to organize a welcome?
Or yawl can come this way if you want to do the drive ;o)
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: kimmers
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 02:21 PM

And they say we might even get snow this weekend! When's the last time we saw that?

I see that they are more 'Catters in the greater Portland area than I dreamed possible. One of these days I'm going to have to get off my butt and actually do some music instead of just talking about it.

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: blt
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 03:05 PM

Well if mudcattoisie in the Seattle area can get together, I don't know why Portlandesquers can't. Since I'm very new to the area, can anyone suggest a place/possible dates? I have an intense day job, so as much advance planning as possible would be good. I'm also very willing to go toward the coast. And east isn't such a bad direction either. Or south.

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: mg
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 10:09 PM

well here is my suggestion..This Sunday at Ft. Vancouver they have Christmas at the fort...I think all afternoon there are things to observe...I know at 5 p.m. thre is a Hawaian celebration...there were many Hawaiian workers here at the fort....so why don't people meet at 5 at the fort...say at the entrance by the visitors' center...I am not absolutely sure I'll be there..see the celebrations...and then head out to the Blind onion a mile or so away. Say 6;30 or 7 p.m. It is on Mill Plain (there is an exit from I-5) and Grand...just a little pizza/salad place in a little strip mall. I doubt we could sing but kids would be welcome and the pizza is pretty good...I'll plan to be there for sure by 7 p.m.. mg THIS IS VANCOUVER. mg

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: blt
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 10:44 PM

I'm working at that time, so I won't be able to go. I'm also not sure where Ft. Vancouver is (beside being in Vancouver)--I've heard that there are open mikes in a couple of clubs/cafes in Vancouver--is this true, and does nayone know where they are?

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: winniemih
Date: 08 Dec 00 - 10:47 AM

Sorry, can't make it that day. But sometime after the holidays?

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Barbara
Date: 09 Dec 00 - 12:37 AM

Oh, Mary, don't you weep, don't you mourn, but I can't make it either. If you'd like to sing a weeknight, say at the pub or the blind onion or where ever, I'll drive up, this sunday is booked, booked, booked. Dang! Did you gather the pubsing is "cancelled" until January because too many people are in the Revels? I'm not. I'd be glad to sing, but I can't do Sunday, boo hoo.
Give me a call and let's set up something.
blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Mumbles
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 12:07 AM

We had our last concert of the year last night: Paul Geremia, and without a doubt, one of the finest blues musicians I've heard both instrumentally and vocally. I'm coming to Portland this week, and would like to know which night there is an open mike or song circle. Let me know which night you can make it Barbara and I'll try to meet you up there. Frank of the Toledo Folk Music Club....

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: blt
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 10:14 PM

I'm bringing this back because I'm still interested in folk music around Portland; I tracked down one club that has apparently closed (Rexall Rose on NE Alberta), but the Laurelthirst sounds promising (on NE Glisan). Was the Vancouver note about Vancouver, WA or Vancouver, Canada? Hard to tell sometimes where people are at. There are also past threads which ask about Portland info--I haven't read all of them yet.

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Louie Roy
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 11:33 PM

Guest blt If you play an instrument or just like to sing and have fun several time a month check out this web site http://members.aol.com/LewHolt/and then join.The fee is $15.00 a year for an entire family and you will get all the jamming you want with the OOTFA and they are mostly retired Louie Roy

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: mg
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 11:38 PM

anyone interested in coming to Vancouver, WA this Sunday p.m.....I could have a little potluck or something at my place which is a really tiny studio and not really set up for entertaining and we couldn't make much noise...say 5 p.m. or so????? Or we could meet just to meet at the nearby Denny's or Pizza place...I won't have time to find a place we could do music before Christmas but let me know if people would liek to come to Vancouver WA this Sunday..mg

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: blt
Date: 14 Dec 00 - 01:59 AM

Well, as usual my day job is a problem as far as this Sunday goes. I sometimes work an early shift, but not this week. Please keep in touch about future dates, eventually I will have a free Sunday evening.

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: blt
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 12:21 AM

I'm recycling this thread because I've been doing a bit of digging around for info on folk music and open mikes in Portland and wanted to share: there's the Laurelthirst(on NE Glisan), the Cornelius Pass Roadhouse (off rt. 26 in Hillsboro--bluegrass jam on Monday nights), somebody called Chick Rose who organizes a group guitar/song thing on Wednesday nights (I think it's like a lesson though--it's not really clear)and there's an open mike on Thursday nights at the Touchstone Coffeehouse (which is a women's cafe--men also play at the open mike, but it's predominantly a women's place, and teeny-tiny). I also was given the advice to check out KBOO's Sat. am folk listings at 9:00am.

Other than that, the Willamette Week is helpful--I'm also still interested in meeting folks for a song circle or to just play music, if we can find a suitable day/time/location.

blt

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 01:20 PM

You must have come cross the PFS open mikes at Artichoke Music by now -- if it was up on the thread, I missed it --

Subject: RE: Help: Aging folkie exploring Portland, OR
From: Margo
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 11:25 PM

The Wednesday night you refered to is both a class and jam. There is a class to begin with and a jam that follows. The class is good because they introduce a lot of songs. The info is;

Every Wednesday
Vancouver, WA Steeplegrass Bluegrass Classes
at Steeple Center.
7pm
Instructor Chick Rose [phone]; or Nadine Swanson (360) 695-l830

Margo