Events - Week View

Seisiún na nÓg is our monthly youth session lead by our Youth Officer Niamh Branigan. Youth are welcome to sit in to listen and chat with young musicians about learning Irish music; or bring their instrument and strike up an Irish tune they might be learning currently.

On Sunday afternoons, the Hostel Café in Portland, Oregon provides a friendly setting for this TrailJams Irish traditional tune session. TrailJams is a music community focused on making acoustic music together outside for the enjoyment of the musicians and of people passing by. The cozy café makes a great place to keep the music going in the winter. In better weather, the tune playing moves out to the café’s courtyard. Guests of the Hostel Café and the adjoining Northwest Portland Hostel are likely to settle at one of the nearby tables to enjoy the music.

COVID Policy:
Please be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 if you are joining this session — that is a request, not a requirement.

Food: Bringing snacks is nice Beverage: Bring what you‘d like to drink/share. We‘re good on beer, including non-alcoholic, flavored sparkling waters, but I appear to be out of wine. I‘ll try to pick some up today, but if you want to be sure there‘s some.... If you haven‘t been here before: The house is blue-green and sits endwise to the street. Walk between it and the dumpsters, and through the red gate with the "Cameron‘s Comfort" sign. The front steps will be on your right as you come through.

Pickathon Presents Sunday Night Bluegrass, ($10 unless otherwise noted), 21+ (doors open at 7 pm).

Feb 23 (Sun): The Langan Band with Tuesday String Band ($15)
Mar 2 (Sun): Fog Holler
Mar 9 (Sun): Thunder Ridge
Mar 16 (Sun): Broken Compass Bluegrass with Josh Cole Band ($15)
Apr 6 (Sun): Fog Holler
Apr 13 (Sun): Josh Cole Band
Apr 20 (Sun): Thunder Ridge
Apr 27 (Sun): Dadweed
May 11 (Sun): Josh Cole Band
May 18 (Sun): Thunder Ridge
May 25 (Sun): Dadweed
Jun 1 (Sun): Fog Holler
Jun 15 (Sun): Thunder Ridge
Jun 22 (Sun): Josh Cole Band
Jun 29 (Sun): Dadweed
Jul 6 (Sun): Fog Holler

Led by Joe Offer, new Zoom link posted every week, just before doors open: https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=168014&messages=37.

Sessions are led by Marina Dodgson (fiddle) and Maurice Condie (guitar). These are open access sessions, so there’s no need to book in advance, you’re welcome to just turn up and join in!

We believe great things happen when we play tunes together! People connect with each other and make friends, and we keep our music traditions alive by sharing tunes and passing them on. What’s more, playing tunes can make you feel happy, and if you do it often enough, you’ll notice that you are getting better at playing your instrument too!

It turns out that you don’t even have to be in the same place…great things still happen when we play music together, online from the comfort of your own home.

Phoenix Folk Ltd exists to promote participation and performance in folk and acoustic music, song and dance across the North East of England. We aim to be a friendly face of folk music, to help keep alive the great traditions of folk music and to encourage talent and personal musical development.

Everyone is muted, which means that you hear your own instrument, completing a trio with our fiddle and guitar. You can play the tune, or try some harmony!

Singing & Playing the Blues (harmonica) is an Artichoke Community Music School class led by Steve Cheseborough, $80 for three classes. It is held at an off-site location - NOT at Artichoke Music

All levels. Bring a good-quality diatonic harmonica in the key of A. We‘ll learn great songs with great harp parts, and put it all together. Will be held at an outdoor location, probably Laurelhurst Park. Instructor will contact students with specific location prior to the start date.

Singing & Playing the Blues (guitar) is an Artichoke Community Music School class led by Steve Cheseborough, $80 for three classes. It is held at an off-site location - NOT at Artichoke Music.

Singing and playing the blues (guitar) -- Intermediate to advanced. Bring an acoustic guitar, preferably with metal strings. Sing 1920s-30s-style blues songs and fingerpick sweet accompaniments. Will be held at an outdoor location, probably Laurelhurst Park. Instructor will contact students with specific location prior to the start date.

LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE
Sun/Mon 7-9 pm, Wed/Thu/Sat 8-10 pm

No cover charge, tips for musicians welcome!

Apr 2 (Wed): Terry Robb - blues guitar, voice
Apr 3 (Thu): Paul Mazzio - jazz trumpet
Apr 6 (Sun): Rivka Ross Trio - original jazz
Apr 7 (Mon): Smut City Jellyroll Society - 20s, 30s blues/jazz
Apr 9 (Wed): Richard Brashear - moody jazz, blues
Apr 10 (Thu): Cheryl Alex and Dan Balmer - jazz flute and guitar
Apr 13 (Sun): Piano bar with Courtney Freed
Apr 14 (Mon): Cowboy Jazz - jazz with triads
Apr 16 (Wed): Mike Winkle and Craig Snazelle - bass and face
Apr 17 (Thu): Bryant Allard Quartet featuring John Gilmore
Apr 19 (Sat): Adlai Alexander, Mike Horsfall, and Patrick Harry
Apr 20 (Sun): Mark Shark - Easter blues
Apr 21 (Mon): Front Porch Swingers - banjo, guitar bluegrass
Apr 23 (Wed): Wyatt Button - jazz piano and voice
Apr 28 (Mon): Jet Black Pearl - accordion, voice, beatbox, loops, etc.
Apr 30 (Wed): Adlai Alexander and Phil Baker
May 1 (Thu): Catarina New - jazz, Brazilian
May 5 (Mon): PDX Saxophone Quartet

Led by Anne Weiss, this fun class will help you improve your harmony skills, $160 for seven weeks or $30 drop-in, all ages, experienced and inexperienced (and in between) singers welcome. Register at the Artichoke Music website using the link below.

Ooooh, you KNOW you love to sing harmony! Or want to! Come enjoy group singing and improve your harmony skills in this fun class, using songs and styles from around the world. If you can hold a melody- or a harmony–or both– this class is for you!

Sight reading ability welcome but not required. We will learn many songs by ear and some with the help of sheet music.

LOCATION: Courtyard at Mount Tabor in the Hood Wing - 6211 SE Division, Portland Oregon
- Free parking on site - Bus stop one block away! - Wheelchair accessible!

Questions: anneweissmusic(*at*)gmail.com or 914-924-2574.

Irish music every Monday played by an array of the most stellar Irish musicians around. Hosted by an alternating schedule of Brongaene Griffin, Cary Novotny and Seamus Egan, free.

To see more about Irish performances and sessions in the Northwest go to cceoregon.org/sessions. There are so many more!

The Westside Open Irish Music Session in Tigard meets every Tuesday . It is an open intermediate level Irish session, under 21 OK all hours, free.

Many tunes are listed at https://trailjams.org Lots of space, good food, free soft drinks, discount on beer. This is a craft brewery, so there are LOTS of beers to choose from.

Portland Revels Community Chorus is led by Choral Director Jesse Cromer. It is a non-auditioned group of singers who meet every Tuesday, February 18th through May 20th simply for the joy of singing, $60 for adults/$30 for minors (minors must be 9 or older to participate, and must be 13 or older to participate without a guardian.)

Scholarships are available for anyone for whom the fee is a barrier to access. Please email Executive Director Lauren Bloom Hanover at lauren(*at*)portlandrevels.org to discuss.

There is no planned performance element to the Community Chorus - the goal is community, exploration of musical styles, and a non-competitive way to experience a choral environment.

The program will be held at Grant Park Church in Northeast Portland.

Bluesing Around w/ Folk, an Artichoke Community Music class led by Anne Weiss, improve your group and individual playing and singing skills (and develop new repertoire!) in this fun, interactive class, $160 for seven classes, $30 drop-in.

Any instrument and/or vocals, advanced beginner, intermediate and up. We’ll learn how to approach blues and folk from a fresh perspective, gain listening, instrumental, rhythmic and vocal skills, and you’ll have the opportunity to share what you’ve worked on each week (if you like)!

Questions: anneweissmusic(*at*)gmail.com or 914-924-2574.

Tony Becker of San Jose, California and Mark Wallis of Gloucester, England host this Transatlantic session for all interested parties on Wednesdays at 8:00 PM UK time. For American visitors, please note we are now all on standard ‘winter‘ time, so that is 12:00 PM Pacific in the USA.

Open to all who play traditional Irish music and It has the obvious limitations of Zoom in that only one musician can play at a time. But we go round the ‘room’ and take it in turns - no pressure though and the baton can be passed if you just want to listen. We just play for a couple of hours.

On a good day we have a variety of instruments from pipes to Melodeon, banjo to fiddle and it can be a good way to pick up tunes. It is very friendly and we welcome everyone. The only criterion is we try to stick to Irish traditional.

Master button accordion player John Whelan hosts a free tune learning slow session on Zoom. The session starts at 2:30 pm Pacific time, lasts for about one hour, with a 30 minute break, and starting the Taking Time Slow Session at 4 pm Pacific.

Players and listeners of all levels are very welcome to enjoy playing or hearing favorite tunes at a moderate tempo, along with the all-important warmth of connection that shared music brings into our lives, even — or rather, especially — now.

This is also a great opportunity for learning new tunes, as everybody but the session leader (John) will be muted while they play. Unlike an in-person session you can noodle along to your heart’s content, and nobody will ever know unless you tell them.

John sends out the Zoom link and tune list to his newsletter subscribers every week, usually on Tuesday evening (Pacific time). Please make sure to sign up for his email newsletter, on his website, using the link below. That is all you need to do — no separate sign-up process required!

Join Portland’s all age + all level weekly uke social featuring rotating hosts & lots of friendly faces at our new location. Follow us on Facebook for weekly information.

Due to weekly online play list changes, an electronic tablet, laptop, or smart phone is highly recommended.

A donation of $5 is requested weekly, to cover rental costs & future workshops.

Music Theory Made Fun and Easy is an Artichoke Community Music School class led by Tracy Kim, $225 for seven classes. Drop-ins are allowed for $40 per session, please email Tracy at tracykimmusic(*at*)gmail.com.

This class is in-person at Artichoke Music (in SE Portland). Limited to 15 students. Classroom is located upstairs (front classroom).

Tracy makes learning and UNDERSTANDING music theory fun and EASY! By using popular music songs and examples from many genres, students get a chance to learn new music, while learning all aspects of music theory.

If you have been wondering: what key a song is in, how to transpose a song, how to use a capo, how (and why) to use the circle of fifths, the difference between 3/4 time and 6/8, what is a mode (Dorian, Mixolydian,etc,), what is I vi ii V, or what a borrowed chord or secondary dominant is...look no further, you found the class that will explain all this and more!

The topics include: chromatic scales, major scales, triads, key signature, 6th and 7th chords, understanding formulas, common chord progressions, how to know when a song is in a minor key, modulations, transposition, circle of fifths, extended and altered chords, secondary dominants, diminshed chord theory, borrowed chords, and slash chords.

Learner-friendly jam session focused on old-time, folk, and acoustic blues, held in members‘ homes, all instruments and ability levels welcome. For more info, contact Steve Bleiler at bleilers{at}pdx.edu.

Special sessions:
Feb 19 (Wed): Sad song happy hour
Dec 17 (Wed): Holiday music jam

COVID Policy:
Full vaccination required.

LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE
Sun/Mon 7-9 pm, Wed/Thu/Sat 8-10 pm

No cover charge, tips for musicians welcome!

Apr 2 (Wed): Terry Robb - blues guitar, voice
Apr 3 (Thu): Paul Mazzio - jazz trumpet
Apr 6 (Sun): Rivka Ross Trio - original jazz
Apr 7 (Mon): Smut City Jellyroll Society - 20s, 30s blues/jazz
Apr 9 (Wed): Richard Brashear - moody jazz, blues
Apr 10 (Thu): Cheryl Alex and Dan Balmer - jazz flute and guitar
Apr 13 (Sun): Piano bar with Courtney Freed
Apr 14 (Mon): Cowboy Jazz - jazz with triads
Apr 16 (Wed): Mike Winkle and Craig Snazelle - bass and face
Apr 17 (Thu): Bryant Allard Quartet featuring John Gilmore
Apr 19 (Sat): Adlai Alexander, Mike Horsfall, and Patrick Harry
Apr 20 (Sun): Mark Shark - Easter blues
Apr 21 (Mon): Front Porch Swingers - banjo, guitar bluegrass
Apr 23 (Wed): Wyatt Button - jazz piano and voice
Apr 28 (Mon): Jet Black Pearl - accordion, voice, beatbox, loops, etc.
Apr 30 (Wed): Adlai Alexander and Phil Baker
May 1 (Thu): Catarina New - jazz, Brazilian
May 5 (Mon): PDX Saxophone Quartet

A ballad is a song that tells a story. Bring us your ballads from renowned collections, local history, family tradition, or just ripping good yarns.

Watch live on Facebook using the link provided. For the Zoom participant link, join the mailing list or email info(at)lynnoel.com on the day of the event.

Mar 2 (Sun): Irish Sing for St. Pat‘s
Jun 15 (Sun): Ballad Sing

TIP JAR
http://www.mermaidstavern.com

May 1, 2025-May 4, 2025

Spring Retreat will run from Thursday, May 1 after lunch to Sunday May 4 after brunch.

Costs for Spring Retreat: $400 Thursday, 5/1 after-lunch arrival, deposit $150.

For information please email Janet & Elian at psgw.info(*at*)gmail.com.

Refunds of half the deposit will be given for cancellations before April 15th. No deposit refunds will be issued after April 15th.

Spring Retreat usually has around 70 participants. This retreat is very relaxed, like an old fashioned weekend-long house party with lots of folks to play with and plenty of space to play with them. Because of the intimate feel of this retreat, there is often time to sit and make music with folks you may have not had a chance to hang out and jam with before.

COVID Policy:
COVID rules require vaccination and a negative test. Please consult the detailed rules on the registration form at https://www.pugetsoundguitarworkshop.org/spring-retreat-registration

Beginning Banjo is an Artichoke Community Music School class led by Norman Hamilton, $140 for six classes.

If you are an absolute beginning banjo player this class is for you. You‘ll get step by step instructions on how to play in an easy to follow format. You‘ll learn a two finger style technique that‘s easy to learn and fun to play. By the end of the class you’ll be more comfortable with the banjo and be able to play a few tunes.

A celebration of the ‘Old-Style‘ singing and dancing traditions of Ireland.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
May 1 (Thu) night, 6:30-9 pm: Community Concert featuring our festival’s guests at the Historic Alberta House, $20. If you can’t participate during the weekend, please consider attending the community concert. It is a wonderful opportunity to see and hear some of the best traditional dancing, music, singing, and storytelling around!

May 2 (Fri) night 6:30-9 pm: All- Community Céilí at the Historic Alberta House, $20.
Live calling and music will make this a memorable evening to get your warmed up for the workshops over the weekend.

May 3 (Sat) & May 4 (Sun): Workshops (from 10 am-3:15 pm) & Community Events at 3:45 pm at various venues.

AM/PM Workshops at the Alberta Abbey 126 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211.

See the schedule and list of festival guests at seannos.org to determine which workshops might work for you.

Come join us after the workshops are through on Saturday for barrel-dancing and half-door dancing exhibitions (with sessions to follow) at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub, 112 SW 2nd Ave., Portland, OR 97204.

Likewise, after Sunday’s workshops, join us for an intimate close to the festival at a singing circle to be held at T. C. O’Leary’s 2926 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211. These events are free and open to the public.

Health Note:
Singing, dancing, and playing wind instruments are all high-transmission activities related to COVID-19. To avoid a superspreading event, we ask all attendees to acknowledge their personal responsibility regarding public health and best practices utilized to keep everyone safe. These practices include vaccination against COVID-19, not attending the event if feeling unwell, testing before the event to assure a non-positive COVID-19 result, and wearing a mask to protect oneself against transmission of disease - especially if you are particularly vulnerable to disease. Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na d

Just $10/week for the Winds of Donegal classes. Every Thursday we teach you the basics of the three‘s, seven‘s and jig steps so that you can enjoy the live music ceilis around Portland and Ireland. Classes are geared toward 13 and older. Bring a water bottle and wear comfortable shoes not heels.

Artichoke Community Music class led by Arlo Leach, $120 for six weeks.

Everybody loves seeing a jug band, but there’s often more to this fun music than meets the eye. In this class we’ll dig into original jug band recordings from the 1920s-30s, learn about the artists who created them and practice building arrangements that reflect their unique style.

Players of all skill levels will have a role in our arrangements. If you already play a standard instrument like guitar, mandolin or harmonica, or a homemade instrument like jug, washboard or washtub bass, please bring it. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn a homemade instrument if you like. Depending on how the class goes, we might conclude with a performance of some kind.

LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE
Sun/Mon 7-9 pm, Wed/Thu/Sat 8-10 pm

No cover charge, tips for musicians welcome!

Apr 2 (Wed): Terry Robb - blues guitar, voice
Apr 3 (Thu): Paul Mazzio - jazz trumpet
Apr 6 (Sun): Rivka Ross Trio - original jazz
Apr 7 (Mon): Smut City Jellyroll Society - 20s, 30s blues/jazz
Apr 9 (Wed): Richard Brashear - moody jazz, blues
Apr 10 (Thu): Cheryl Alex and Dan Balmer - jazz flute and guitar
Apr 13 (Sun): Piano bar with Courtney Freed
Apr 14 (Mon): Cowboy Jazz - jazz with triads
Apr 16 (Wed): Mike Winkle and Craig Snazelle - bass and face
Apr 17 (Thu): Bryant Allard Quartet featuring John Gilmore
Apr 19 (Sat): Adlai Alexander, Mike Horsfall, and Patrick Harry
Apr 20 (Sun): Mark Shark - Easter blues
Apr 21 (Mon): Front Porch Swingers - banjo, guitar bluegrass
Apr 23 (Wed): Wyatt Button - jazz piano and voice
Apr 28 (Mon): Jet Black Pearl - accordion, voice, beatbox, loops, etc.
Apr 30 (Wed): Adlai Alexander and Phil Baker
May 1 (Thu): Catarina New - jazz, Brazilian
May 5 (Mon): PDX Saxophone Quartet

May 1, 2025-May 4, 2025

Spring Retreat will run from Thursday, May 1 after lunch to Sunday May 4 after brunch.

Costs for Spring Retreat: $400 Thursday, 5/1 after-lunch arrival, deposit $150.

For information please email Janet & Elian at psgw.info(*at*)gmail.com.

Refunds of half the deposit will be given for cancellations before April 15th. No deposit refunds will be issued after April 15th.

Spring Retreat usually has around 70 participants. This retreat is very relaxed, like an old fashioned weekend-long house party with lots of folks to play with and plenty of space to play with them. Because of the intimate feel of this retreat, there is often time to sit and make music with folks you may have not had a chance to hang out and jam with before.

COVID Policy:
COVID rules require vaccination and a negative test. Please consult the detailed rules on the registration form at https://www.pugetsoundguitarworkshop.org/spring-retreat-registration

A celebration of the ‘Old-Style‘ singing and dancing traditions of Ireland.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
May 1 (Thu) night, 6:30-9 pm: Community Concert featuring our festival’s guests at the Historic Alberta House, $20. If you can’t participate during the weekend, please consider attending the community concert. It is a wonderful opportunity to see and hear some of the best traditional dancing, music, singing, and storytelling around!

May 2 (Fri) night 6:30-9 pm: All- Community Céilí at the Historic Alberta House, $20.
Live calling and music will make this a memorable evening to get your warmed up for the workshops over the weekend.

May 3 (Sat) & May 4 (Sun): Workshops (from 10 am-3:15 pm) & Community Events at 3:45 pm at various venues.

AM/PM Workshops at the Alberta Abbey 126 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211.

See the schedule and list of festival guests at seannos.org to determine which workshops might work for you.

Come join us after the workshops are through on Saturday for barrel-dancing and half-door dancing exhibitions (with sessions to follow) at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub, 112 SW 2nd Ave., Portland, OR 97204.

Likewise, after Sunday’s workshops, join us for an intimate close to the festival at a singing circle to be held at T. C. O’Leary’s 2926 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211. These events are free and open to the public.

Health Note:
Singing, dancing, and playing wind instruments are all high-transmission activities related to COVID-19. To avoid a superspreading event, we ask all attendees to acknowledge their personal responsibility regarding public health and best practices utilized to keep everyone safe. These practices include vaccination against COVID-19, not attending the event if feeling unwell, testing before the event to assure a non-positive COVID-19 result, and wearing a mask to protect oneself against transmission of disease - especially if you are particularly vulnerable to disease. Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na d

Live music, dances are taught and cued as we enjoy the evening, 8-11 pm (doors open at 7:30, wee lesson at 7:45), First Friday Ceili, $10 advance/$15 door, no experience or partner necessary, 13 years or older.

Apr 4 (Fri): Mikey Beglan Trio (Mikey Beglan, Randal Bays, and Theresa Baker)
May 2 (Fri): DREOS

May 1, 2025-May 4, 2025

Spring Retreat will run from Thursday, May 1 after lunch to Sunday May 4 after brunch.

Costs for Spring Retreat: $400 Thursday, 5/1 after-lunch arrival, deposit $150.

For information please email Janet & Elian at psgw.info(*at*)gmail.com.

Refunds of half the deposit will be given for cancellations before April 15th. No deposit refunds will be issued after April 15th.

Spring Retreat usually has around 70 participants. This retreat is very relaxed, like an old fashioned weekend-long house party with lots of folks to play with and plenty of space to play with them. Because of the intimate feel of this retreat, there is often time to sit and make music with folks you may have not had a chance to hang out and jam with before.

COVID Policy:
COVID rules require vaccination and a negative test. Please consult the detailed rules on the registration form at https://www.pugetsoundguitarworkshop.org/spring-retreat-registration

A celebration of the ‘Old-Style‘ singing and dancing traditions of Ireland.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
May 1 (Thu) night, 6:30-9 pm: Community Concert featuring our festival’s guests at the Historic Alberta House, $20. If you can’t participate during the weekend, please consider attending the community concert. It is a wonderful opportunity to see and hear some of the best traditional dancing, music, singing, and storytelling around!

May 2 (Fri) night 6:30-9 pm: All- Community Céilí at the Historic Alberta House, $20.
Live calling and music will make this a memorable evening to get your warmed up for the workshops over the weekend.

May 3 (Sat) & May 4 (Sun): Workshops (from 10 am-3:15 pm) & Community Events at 3:45 pm at various venues.

AM/PM Workshops at the Alberta Abbey 126 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211.

See the schedule and list of festival guests at seannos.org to determine which workshops might work for you.

Come join us after the workshops are through on Saturday for barrel-dancing and half-door dancing exhibitions (with sessions to follow) at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub, 112 SW 2nd Ave., Portland, OR 97204.

Likewise, after Sunday’s workshops, join us for an intimate close to the festival at a singing circle to be held at T. C. O’Leary’s 2926 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211. These events are free and open to the public.

Health Note:
Singing, dancing, and playing wind instruments are all high-transmission activities related to COVID-19. To avoid a superspreading event, we ask all attendees to acknowledge their personal responsibility regarding public health and best practices utilized to keep everyone safe. These practices include vaccination against COVID-19, not attending the event if feeling unwell, testing before the event to assure a non-positive COVID-19 result, and wearing a mask to protect oneself against transmission of disease - especially if you are particularly vulnerable to disease. Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na d

Tune Explorer Sessions are a collaborative effort between MÓD and the TrailJams Community and consist of weekly slow & learning sessions for musician s who are just starting to build repertoire and skill, or are building proficiency on an instrument.

NOTE: Effective March 1, the suggested donation has been dropped to $5, cash or Venmo.

This session is focused on playing traditional Irish tunes on melody instruments (not rhythm instruments or percussion). For more information visit TrailJams. (For Winter 2025, the teaching & learning sessions are on the first and third Saturdays of the month. There are slow sessions - without teaching - on the second, fourth, and fifth Saturdays of the month. The slow sessions are at different locations.)

We open up a "room" on Zoom at 6 pm Pacific Time every Saturday evening. We start singing at 6:30 pm and we keep it going until the last person leaves. Feel free to come in anytime, and stay as long as you like. We run it kind of like a physical song circle. Everyone who wants to can sing once, and then we’ll do another round, and just keep going around as long as you like. Of course, it is totally fine to just listen and some people do. For more information, go to the heading ‘Song Circles‘ on this drop down menu.

May 1, 2025-May 4, 2025

Spring Retreat will run from Thursday, May 1 after lunch to Sunday May 4 after brunch.

Costs for Spring Retreat: $400 Thursday, 5/1 after-lunch arrival, deposit $150.

For information please email Janet & Elian at psgw.info(*at*)gmail.com.

Refunds of half the deposit will be given for cancellations before April 15th. No deposit refunds will be issued after April 15th.

Spring Retreat usually has around 70 participants. This retreat is very relaxed, like an old fashioned weekend-long house party with lots of folks to play with and plenty of space to play with them. Because of the intimate feel of this retreat, there is often time to sit and make music with folks you may have not had a chance to hang out and jam with before.

COVID Policy:
COVID rules require vaccination and a negative test. Please consult the detailed rules on the registration form at https://www.pugetsoundguitarworkshop.org/spring-retreat-registration

A celebration of the ‘Old-Style‘ singing and dancing traditions of Ireland.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
May 1 (Thu) night, 6:30-9 pm: Community Concert featuring our festival’s guests at the Historic Alberta House, $20. If you can’t participate during the weekend, please consider attending the community concert. It is a wonderful opportunity to see and hear some of the best traditional dancing, music, singing, and storytelling around!

May 2 (Fri) night 6:30-9 pm: All- Community Céilí at the Historic Alberta House, $20.
Live calling and music will make this a memorable evening to get your warmed up for the workshops over the weekend.

May 3 (Sat) & May 4 (Sun): Workshops (from 10 am-3:15 pm) & Community Events at 3:45 pm at various venues.

AM/PM Workshops at the Alberta Abbey 126 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211.

See the schedule and list of festival guests at seannos.org to determine which workshops might work for you.

Come join us after the workshops are through on Saturday for barrel-dancing and half-door dancing exhibitions (with sessions to follow) at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub, 112 SW 2nd Ave., Portland, OR 97204.

Likewise, after Sunday’s workshops, join us for an intimate close to the festival at a singing circle to be held at T. C. O’Leary’s 2926 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211. These events are free and open to the public.

Health Note:
Singing, dancing, and playing wind instruments are all high-transmission activities related to COVID-19. To avoid a superspreading event, we ask all attendees to acknowledge their personal responsibility regarding public health and best practices utilized to keep everyone safe. These practices include vaccination against COVID-19, not attending the event if feeling unwell, testing before the event to assure a non-positive COVID-19 result, and wearing a mask to protect oneself against transmission of disease - especially if you are particularly vulnerable to disease. Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na d

On Sunday afternoons, the Hostel Café in Portland, Oregon provides a friendly setting for this TrailJams Irish traditional tune session. TrailJams is a music community focused on making acoustic music together outside for the enjoyment of the musicians and of people passing by. The cozy café makes a great place to keep the music going in the winter. In better weather, the tune playing moves out to the café’s courtyard. Guests of the Hostel Café and the adjoining Northwest Portland Hostel are likely to settle at one of the nearby tables to enjoy the music.

COVID Policy:
Please be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 if you are joining this session — that is a request, not a requirement.

The First Sunday monthly song circle led by Cecilia Eng will begin Sunday April 6, 2025 from 3 pm to 6 pm at the Reedwood Friends Church, 2901 SE Steele St, Portland 97202.

Bring your songbooks, voices, and/or instruments for an afternoon of singing. A hat will be passed to defray the cost of the room. A small donation of $5 per person helps us pay for the location (a small open chapel down a short hallway to the right of the main narthex).

Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome. You are welcome to share songs from any genre.