Joyride

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!

2011-2012
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:
December 7, 2011	The Polish Hall, Portland, OR	David Kaynor
January 4, 2012	The Polish Hall, Portland, OR	Susie Kendig
February 1, 2012	The Polish Hall, Portland, OR	Nils Fredland
March 7, 2012	The Polish Hall, Portland, OR	William Watson
April 4, 2012	The Polish Hall, Portland, OR	Andrea Nettleton
April 13-15, 2012	Cascade Contras Dance Weekend Sky Camp, Eugene, OR	Lisa Greenleaf and William Watson with The Latter Day Lizards
May 2, 2012	The Polish Hall, Portland, OR	TBD
June 6, 2012	The Polish Hall, Portland, OR	TBD
August 10-12, 2012	Balance the Bay Dance Weekend San Francisco,CA	George Marshall and Bev Bernbaum with The Great Bear Trio

Click Here for Gig History

Band Contact:
Sue Songer - Songer

Joyride artwork by Hector J. Garponius