Joyride car graphicJoyride

JoyrideJoyride is a contra dance band of friends from Portland, Oregon.  We're well-known for our tight ensemble work, skilled play, fun energy, and inventively arranged tune combos fit to dances and played spot-on, close to the floor.  Kathleen Towers' dynamic fiddle joins Erik Weberg's mighty flute, harmonica, & bombarde atop the agile rhythms of Sue Songer's lilting piano and Jeff Kerssen-Griep's exuberant guitar and djembe; Sue also joins Kathleen to drive twin fiddles on occasion.  We play new and old fiddle tunes from New England, the British Isles, Appalachia, French Canada and points beyond, including right here at home.  Joyride has played for contras, dance camps, concerts and festivals from B.C. to the Bay Area since 1999.  Closer to home, we host excellent regional and national callers at our own "First Wednesdays" contra dance each month at Portland's gorgeous old Polish Hall.  Check out our calendar below and join your friends in a fun ride-along soon!
Joyride_Folklife


Continuing in 2007-2008
Joyride First Wednesday Contra Dances!

Where?  The Polish hall, 3832 N. Interstate Ave. (use side door)
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 (October - June), 7:30 - 10:00pm
Admission: $7 / $6 students
This is a fragrance-free event.  Please avoid using perfumes, colognes, etc.  Thank you.

Upcoming Gigs:
Date Location Caller Link
May 7, 2008 The Polish Hall, Portland, OR Lynn Ackerson
June 4, 2008 The Polish Hall, Portland, OR Susie Kendig
July 11-13, 2008 Camp Damp, Juneau, Alaska Laura Mé Smith Camp Damp

Gig History

Band Contact:
Sue Songer - Songer            Joyride plate    Joyride artwork by Hector J. Garponius