Photo by Doug Plummer
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 10 years 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 summers.
Oregon Public Broadcasting’s art program “Oregon Art Beat” featured the Old Time Music and Dance Scene in Portland Oregon. Old Time Music in Portland Oregon by Oregon Public Broadcasting
When the McMenamin’s carpeted over the old wooden floor of the Kennedy School gym in 2008 – the square dance community lost their centrally located / family friendly dance venue.
Now square dance callers Bill Martin and Caroline Oakley are reviving this monthly community square dance beginning Thursday, January 6th 2011 at the Secret Society Ballroom in Portland Oregon. It will be a twice monthly square dance on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. This dance is for all ages and all abilities.
Here is a great video about square dancing in Portland Oregon:
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
Portions of this post have come from my blog: http://www.portlandmyportland.blogspot.com/
