John McEuen & The Circle Band
John McEuen brings us a special night of songs and stories, AND laughs, sharing his incredible 50-year career with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and of the landmark Will the Circle Be Unbroken record. When John initiated the Will the Circle Be Unbroken album with his group, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, he brought together the icons of Bluegrass, Country, and their West coast country rock: Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Jimmy Martin, Roy Acuff, Bashful Brother Oswald, Norman Blake, Junior Huskey, Vassar Clements, and Maybelle Carter. Six hot August Nashville recording days produced this 36-song benchmark album. John’s multi-media show, with archival photographs, (8mm footage from 1967!), “…Circle…” session photos, and NGDB music takes us on his 60-year journey – interwoven with Dirt Band favorites, hot bluegrass, and his new music. Les Thompson, fellow Nitty Gritty co-founder, on bass, joins in the music and stories of ‘band life’ and more. Danny Knicely’s hot guitar and mando notes are complemented by his great vocal. All join host John McEuen, with his banjo, guitar, fiddle and mandolin (in front of the screen) for the hits and stories behind the NGDB music, leading up to that magic time when three generations came together. The Library of Congress inducted ‘…Circle…’ as one of “…the most important American recordings” (also, it’s in the Grammy Hall of Fame). His new album – The Newsman, a man of record – a spoken word album (on Compass Records) features John’s new music behind stories from America’s past.John was inducted in the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame, 2018. He received the 2024 Josie Musician’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grand Ole Opry. Tickets:$35 Advance$42 At the Door Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardianReview our venue FAQ here
John McCutcheon
John McCutcheon is folk music’s renaissance man — master instrumentalist, powerful singer-songwriter, storyteller, activist, and author. “The most impressive instrumentalist I have ever heard.” – Johnny Cash Tickets:$30 Advance$35 At the Door Minors ok with parent/guardian Review our venue FAQ here
36th Annual WINTERFOLK – A Benefit for Transition Projects
Oregon’s largest annual folk music concert event, a benefit for Transition Projects, will celebrate its 36th Anniversary tonight. Winterfolk is one of those rare expressions of giving and brings our community together in the common celebration of music and caring – with the knowledge that every dollar raised at the door goes to the people it is intended to help. For over 55 years, Transition Projects has delivered life-saving and life changing support to some of Portland’s most vulnerable residents. Winterfolk is proud to partner with this longtime organization, working towards one of the most basic of human rights, because everyone deserves a roof over their head. Performers include: Laurie Lewis www.laurielewis.com Mary Flower and The BBQ Boys Steve Einhorn and Kate Power Terry Robb Kristen Grainger and Dan Wetzel Tom May and Friends Kim Stafford, Oregon Poet Laureate emeritus TICKETS: When you buy a ticket consider making an additional donation to Transition Projects at the same time! Your donation is tax-deductible. Thank you! Choose your price. All seating is General Admission (GA). $35 General Admission Advance IN-PERSON TICKETS ARE NOW SOLD OUT $45 GA At the Door $55 General Admission + $20 donation to Transition Projects $100 General Admission + $65 donation to Transition Projects $35 Live Stream (Enjoy the show from the comfort of your own device) Graphic design by Scott Docherty and Redhare Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Jonatha Brooke
Jonatha Brooke is a singer/songwriter/guitarist extraordinaire who brings a rich musical history of evocative folk, melodic pop, and an edgier roots rock sensibility. Starting in the early ’90s as part of the duo The Story and later flourishing as a solo artist, Jonatha has released an impressive collection of music. She’s not only a gifted artist but has co-written and produced songs with the likes of Katy Perry, The Courtyard Hounds, and Jessica Simpson. Beyond her solo career, Jonatha is a powerhouse in songwriting and recording, offering Master Classes both online and in person. Her extensive resume includes writing for Disney films, TV shows, and composing the theme song for Joss Whedon’s, “Dollhouse,” to name a few. In 2014, she wrote, produced, and starred in her own one-woman show, “My Mother Has 4 Noses,” which ran off-Broadway to rave reviews and was critics’ pick in all the New York and Theater press, including NY Times and Time Out. She was also the recipient of a McKnight Artist Fellowship Grant in 2018, won the 2019 International Acoustic Music Award for Best Female Artist for “Put the Gun Down,” and was the competition’s overall grand prize winner. In 2020, she was awarded an Independent Music Award (IMA) for her EP, “Imposter.” Brooke is currently writing songs for her own next album, as well as gearing up for live concert dates with her band. Tickets $30 GA Advance$40 GA At the Door$45 VIP with Preferred Seating (first 7 rows of the center section – available in advance only) —— Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardianReview our venue FAQ here
Tom Paxton and the DonJuans – Tom’s Retiring from the Road Final Portland Show
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and folk icon, Tom Paxton, teams up with the Grammy winning singer/songwriter duo The Don Juans – Don Henry & Jon Vezner – for his final show in Portland, as he is retiring after 60 years on the road.Collectively, their songs have been covered by: Harry Belafonte, John Mellencamp, Miranda Lambert, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Nancy Griffith, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Janis Ian, Kathy Mattea, John Denver, Faith Hill, B.J. Thomas, Blake Shelton, Peter, Paul & Mary and Bob Dylan… just to name a few! Within days of writing and playing together, they knew they were onto something. Now they’re taking it on the road for one last time! Tickets$30 General Admission$40 At the Door$50 Preferred Seating (seating in the first 7 rows of the center section) Minors ok with Parent or Guardian Review our venue FAQ here
On A Winter’s Night – featuring Patty Larkin, John Gorka, and Cliff Eberhardt
Presenting the Reunion Tour of “On A Winter’s Night” from veteran singer-songwriters that remain among the brightest stars of the singer/songwriter movement for the past three decades. In 1994 Christine Lavin gathered them together, along with folk and Americana artists to showcase music of the Winter Season on the now-classic On A Winter’s Night CD, followed by several years of touring collaborations. These artists have released dozens of recordings and toured steadily through the decades, with fond memories of their touring days together. The winter season is again celebrated by these unique and popular performers, back together by popular demand.FEATURING:PATTY LARKINShe redefines the boundaries of folk-urban pop music with her inventive guitar wizardry and uncompromising lyrics and vocals. Acoustic Guitar Magazine hails her, “soundscape experiments” while Rolling Stone praises her, “evocative and sonic shading.” She has been described as, “riveting” (Chicago Tribune), “hypnotic” (Entertainment Weekly), and a “drop-dead brilliant” performer (Performing Songwriter). CLIFF EBERHARDTOne of the most original songsmiths currently on tour, Eberhardt is a highly intelligent, articulate artist whose penetrating and profound lyrics are sometimes overshadowed by his extraordinary guitar playing. Upon close listening, the Philadelphia-born singer’s gift for the English language is abundantly clear. Whether he’s out on tour solo or with a small band, Eberhardt’s guitar playing, singing, and original folk songs and blues make for a compelling, thought-filled, emotional roller coaster of a concert.JOHN GORKAHailed by Rolling Stone as “the leading singer/songwriter of the New Folk movement,” John Gorka is perhaps the quintessential singer-songwriter of the 90’s folk scene. Boston Globe penned Gorka “for the sophisticated intelligence and the provocative originality of his songs.”LUCY KAPLANSKYUnfortunately, Lucy is not able to perform tonight, due to covid. She is sitting this one out, but sends her best wishes to all.Tickets:General Admission $38At the Door $45Preferred Seating $57 (seating in the first 7 rows of the center section) Minors ok with parent/guardianReview our Health & Safety Policies HERE
SUNDOWN – A Salute to Gordon Lightfoot on His 85th Birthday – A Benefit for Columbia Riverkeeper
Gord’s gone but his songs live on.Tonight they will shine for a celebration of his music on what would have been his 85th birthday.Featuring:Tom MayKristen Grainger & Dan WetzelThe Donny Wright BandDon Lange & David Jacobs-StrainThe Slipshod Bluegrass bandKate Power and Steve EinhornTerry Prohaska & Rich GilletteThe Dylan May BandDoug SmithMeridian GreenWayne HoffmanGary FurlowScott DochertyTickets$25 Advance – SOLD OUT OF IN-PERSON TICKETS – Please buy a Live Stream ticket instead. $25 Live Stream (Enjoy the show from the comfort of your own device)With kind support from Music Millennium, Redhare, and River City Folk.Net proceeds go to Columbia Riverkeeper, in keeping with Gordon’s philosphy. Minors ok with parent/guardianReview our Health & Safety Policies HERE
SUNDOWN – A Salute to Gordon Lightfoot – A Benefit for The Jeremy Wilson Foundation
Gord’s gone but his songs live on.Tonight they will shine for a celebration of his music and a fundraiser for The Jeremy Wilson Foundation for musicians healthcare.Featuring:Tom May Doug Smith Donny Wright with Brad Price Dave Ross Terry Prohaska & Rich Gillette Don LangeKristen Grainger & Dan WetzelKate PowerMatt Snook & Steve BlanchardRidge & Ann GilmourChance WooleyTickets$25 Advance $30 At the Door$25 Live Stream (Enjoy the show from the comfort of your own device)With kind support from Music Millennium, Redhare, and River City Folk.Net proceeds go to The Jeremy Wilson Foundation. Minors ok with parent/guardianReview our venue FAQ here
Kruger Brothers with special guests Kristen Grainger and True North
Born and raised in Europe, brothers Jens and Uwe Kruger started singing and playing instruments at a very young age. Growing up in a family where music was an important part of life, they were exposed to a wide diversity of musical influences. The brothers were performing regularly by the time they were eleven and twelve years old, and they began their professional career in 1979. Jens’ and Uwe’s first public performances were as a duo, and in just a few years they were busking on the streets of cities throughout eastern and western Europe. CBS Records contracted with Jens and Uwe when Jens was just seventeen years old, and shortly thereafter, the Krugers hosted a radio show on SRG SSR, the Swiss Public broadcast group. Several years later, the brothers teamed up with bass player Joel Landsberg, a native of New York City who also had a very extensive musical upbringing in classical and jazz music (studying with jazz great Milt Hinton), thus forming a trio that has been playing professionally together since 1995. Together, they established the incomparable sound that The Kruger Brothers are known for today. The trio moved to the United States in 2002 and is based in Wilkesboro, NC.Since their formal introduction to American audiences in 1997, The Kruger Brothers’ remarkable discipline, creativity and their ability to infuse classical music into folk music has resulted in a unique sound that has made them a fixture within the world of acoustic music. The honesty of their writing hassince become a hallmark of the trio’s work.In their ever-expanding body of work – Jens Kruger (banjo and vocals), Uwe Kruger (guitar and lead vocals), and Joel Landsberg , (bass and vocals) – The Kruger Brothers personify the spirit of exploration and innovation that forms the core of the American musical tradition. Their original music is crafted around their discerning taste, and the result is unpretentious, cultivated, and delightfully fresh.Local bluegrass favorites Kristen Grainger & True North open the show. Tickets$29 Advance$36 At the Door minors OK if accompanied by a parent/guardianReview our Health & Safety Policies HERE
Ramblin’ Jack Elliott with special guest Lewi Longmire
One of the last authentic links to the great folk traditions of this country, with over 40 albums under his belt, two-time GRAMMY-winner Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is considered one of the country’s legendary foundations of folk music. In the tradition of roving troubadours, Jack has carried the seeds and pollens of story and song for decades from one place to another, from one generation to the next. They are timeless songs that outlast whatever current musical fashion strikes today’s fancy. His tone of voice is sharp, focused, and piercing; he plays the guitar effortlessly in a fluid, flat-picking, perfected style. A brilliant entertainer among fellow folk musicians waiting for you to come to them, Jack came out and grabbed you. Bob Dylan called him, “The King of the Folksingers”. There are no degrees of separation between Jack and the real thing. He is the guy who ran away from his Brooklyn home at age 14 to join the rodeo and learned his guitar from a cowboy. In 1950, he met Woody Guthrie, moved in with the Guthrie family, traveling with Woody to California and Florida. Jack became so enthralled with the life and composer of This Land Is Your Land, The Dust Bowl Ballads, and the wealth of children’s songs that he completely absorbed the inflections and mannerisms, leading Guthrie to remark, “Jack sounds more like me than I do.” Along his journey, Jack learned the blues first-hand from Leadbelly, Mississippi John Hurt, the Reverend Gary Davis, Big Bill Broonzy, Brownie Mcghee and Sonny Terry, Jesse Fuller, and Champion Jack Dupree. He has recorded forty albums, wrote one of the first trucking songs, Cup of Coffee-recorded by Johnny Cash-and championed the works of singer-songwriters Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, Tim Hardin, and more. Jack became a founding member of Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue and continued the life of the traveling troubadour, influencing Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy Clark, Tom Russell, The Grateful Dead, and countless others. Though widely esteemed and recognized by many as a great American celebrity figure of Folk music, Jack resists becoming a commercial commodity. Ramblin’ Jack’s life of travels, performances, and recordings is a testament to the America of lore, a giant land of struggle, hard luck, and sometimes even of good fortune. The man Bob Weir calls a “hand-built, self-architectured American icon” takes us to places that spur the romance and passion of life in the tunes and voices of real people. Tickets: $30 Advance$35 At the Door Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Review our Health & Safety Policies HERE
