Joyride is a contra dance band
of
friends from Portland, Oregon, playing for contra dances, dance camps,
weekends and festivals. Known for
tight ensemble work, skilled play, fun
energy, and inventively arranged tune sets, Joyride
plays old and new dance tunes from New England, the British Isles,
Appalachia, French Canada and right here at home. George
Penk's richly-danceable fiddle
is joined by Erik Weberg's
flute, harmonica, & bombarde, Sue
Songer's lilting piano and Jeff
Kerssen-Griep's ebullient
guitar and percussion. Sue also joins George to drive twin
fiddles. Joyride hosts excellent regional and
national callers at their own "First Wednesdays" contra dance each
month at Portland's historic Polish Library Association Dance
Hall.
Dancers have given
Joyride kind and generous support through the years
by their attendance at our dances and by the happy comments they've
made about our playing. One dancer describes our music as
"...life-changing; pure ethereal beauty!!!" Another proclaims
that "Joyride is the perfect name! Thanks for bringing so much
joy to all of us!" We work hard at finding new ways to
earn such comments and continue keeping our dancers and callers happy!
Check out our calendar below and join your friends in a fun ride-along
soon!
2012-2013 Season
Joyride First Wednesday Contra Dances!
Where?The
Polish Hall, 3832 N. Interstate Ave. (use side door, on Failing
Street)
1-1/2 blocks north of
Kaiser Medical Center
Across Interstate Ave. from the Palms motel
(bright neon sign)
MAX (yellow): exit at the Overlook Park station, walk 1
block North
When?
First Wednesdays (September - June), 7:30 - 10:00pm Admission:
$7 / $6 students
This is a fragrance-free
event. Please avoid using perfumes,
colognes, etc. Thank you.
Joyride artwork by Hector J. Garponius