1995 in Portland Oregon saw the beginning of an old time music revival. Young bands like Pig Iron, The Foghorn Stringband and The Dickel Brothers took up playing old time music seriously and began to perform in clubs and tour around the country.Out of their love of old-time music and dancing - callers Bill Martin and Michael Ismerio rounded up these bands and started a monthly square dance 2001. This dance grew for a decade into a community square dance that drew hundreds of folks of all ages each month to the McMenamin’s Kennedy School and to festivals like the Pickathon in the summer.
When the McMenamin’s carpeted over the old wooden floor of the Kennedy School gym the old time square dance community lost their centrally located and family friendly dance venue.
Now square dance callers Bill Martin and Caroline Oakley are reviving this monthly community square dance at Peoples Co-op in Portland Oregon. It will be on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm. This dance is for all ages and all abilities.
For more information on all kinds of dances in Portland go to the Portland Dancing website.
Here is a great video about square dancing in Portland Oregon: Not Your Grandparent's Square Dance from Doug Plummer on Vimeo.
Not Your Grandparent's Square Dance from Doug Plummer on Vimeo.
For more info on old time music in Portland, Oregon go to www.bubbaville.com
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