Discovering Folk Music in Portland, Oregon

Discovering Folk Music in Portland, Oregon is a great way to get introduced to the local music scene. There are many local venues that offer live music on a regular basis, and there are also a number of festivals and events that take place throughout the year.

Introduction to Folk Music

Folk music can be defined as music by and of the people. It is usually passed down orally and is specific to a certain culture or region. Folk music often has a strong connection to history and can be used to tell stories about a certain time period or culture. Portland, Oregon is home to a variety of folk music. In this article, we will explore some of the folk music scene in Portland and learn about the history and culture behind it.

What is Folk Music?

Folk music is a genre of music that typically uses acoustic instruments and focuses on traditional songs with simple, repetitive structures. Folk music is often passed down orally from generation to generation, and it usually has regional or cultural origins. In the United States, folk music is often associated with the music of rural communities and with the music of immigrants.

Folk music in the United States often includes elements of other genres, such as blues, country, and rock. As American folk music has evolved over time, it has been influenced by a variety of cultures. For example, songs from the British Isles were brought to the New World by Irish and Scottish immigrants in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. African American slaves created their own form of folk music, which was influenced by the music of their homeland as well as by white American culture.

Today, folk music is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to the success of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and other artists who have popularized the genre. If you’re interested in discovering more about folk music, there are several great ways to do so in Portland, Oregon.

The History of Folk Music in Portland

Folk music has been around for centuries, and it’s no surprise that it has found a home in Portland, Oregon. With its rich history and culture, Portland is the perfect place for folk music to thrive. Here’s a look at the history of folk music in Portland.

Early Influences

The history of Folk music in Portland, Oregon is rich and complex. It begins with the early pioneers who settled the Pacific Northwest in the 1800s. These early settlers brought with them a wide variety of musical traditions from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. These traditions were further enriched by the music of Native Americans, Mexicans and African Americans.

In the early 1900s, Portland became a center for Folk music due to the popularity of the city’s many waterfront clubs. These clubs featured performances by some of the most popular Folk musicians of the day, including Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly. Many of these artists went on to influence later generations of Folk musicians.

Portland’s folk scene continued to grow in the postwar years, thanks in part to the city’s large population of college students. This growth was mirrored in other parts of the country as the Folk music revival spread across America. Portland became home to a number of influential Folk clubs and venues, such as The Low Bird Cafe and The Pig ‘n’ Whistle. These clubs provided opportunities for local and visiting Folk musicians to perform and connect with one another.

The Portland Folk scene reached its peak in the 1960s and 1970s, when a number of nationally-known artists, such as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, performed in the city. This era also saw the rise of a new generation of Portland-based Folk musicians, including The Amazing Rhythm Aces, Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

Today, Portland is home to a vibrant and active Folk music community. The city hosts a number of folk festivals each year, including the Waterfront Blues Festival and Pickathon. Local venues such as The Alberta Rose Theatre and The Doug Fir Lounge continue to provide performances for both emerging and established Folk artists.

The Folk Revival of the 1950s and 1960s

In the United States, the folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s led to the rediscovery of many traditional songs and tunes. This was in part due to the popularity of artists such as The Weavers, Woody Guthrie, and Pete Seeger, who were bringing folk music to a wider audience. The folk revival also coincided with the rise of the Civil Rights Movement and the counterculture of the 1960s, which led to a renewed interest in American roots music.

In Portland, Oregon, the folk revival had a strong influence on the local music scene. Many clubs and venues began featuring folk music, and there was a surge in popularity for local folk musicians. One of the most important figures in Portland’s folk scene was Jerry Miller, who ran the city’s first all-folk radio show on KPFM from 1955 to 1960. Miller later opened The Folklore Center, a store specializing in folk music recordings, books, and instruments. The Folklore Center was an important gathering place for Portland’s folk community, and it helped to promote local artists such as Hazel Dylan and Odetta Hartman.

The Portland Folk Music Society was founded in 1961, and it began hosting weekly concerts featuring both local and touring musicians. Some of the most famous performers to play at PFMS concerts included Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Peter Paul & Mary. The Society also helped to organize several major music festivals in Portland, including Folklife ’65 and The Great Northwest Folk Festival (later renamed The Festival of Friends). These festivals brought together some of the biggest names in folk music and helped to put Portland on the map as a major center for American roots music.

The Contemporary Folk Scene

In the late 1990s, the contemporary folk scene in Portland was invigorated by the weekly showcases at the now-defunct Café Lena. These showcases provided a venue for both up-and-coming and established artists to perform in an intimate setting. The popularity of the showcases led to the creation of the Portland Folk Festival, which is still held annually.

The contemporary folk scene in Portland is now centered around two main venues: The first is The seed folk music & garden festival, a monthly event that features local and touring folk musicians. The second is thepdxfolkfest! a three-day festival that takes place every summer. In addition to these two main events, there are numerous smaller folk music events scattered throughout the year.

The Portland Folk Music Scene Today

The Pacific Northwest has always had a strong folk music scene, and Portland is no different. There are many different venues that host folk music, from coffeehouses to music festivals. The Portland folk music scene is thriving, and there are many different ways to get involved.

Venues

There are many different places to enjoy folk music in Portland, Oregon. Here are some of the most popular venues:

The Doug Fir Lounge is a intimate setting that is perfect for enjoying live music. This venue is 21+ and has a full bar. It is located at 830 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214.

Mississippi Studios is another great option for live music in Portland. This venue is all ages and has a full bar. It is located at 3939 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227.

The Alberta Rose Theatre is a great option for those looking for a more intimate setting. This all ages venue does not have a bar, but does offer concessions. It is located at 3000 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211.

Festivals

There are quite a few folk music festivals that take place in Portland throughout the year. These festivals are a great way to discover new music and to support the local scene. Here are some of the most popular festivals:

-The Rose City Fair: This annual festival takes place in early summer and features a wide range of folk and acoustic music. There is also a dance tent, food vendors, and craft stalls.
-The Waterfront Blues Festival: This is one of the biggest blues festivals in the country and takes place every year in July. The festival features multiple stages with world-renowned blues musicians.
-The Pickathon Music Festival: This is an eclectic festival that takes place over two weekends in August. It features a wide range of genres, including folk, bluegrass, country, rock, and more.

Promoters and Presenters

Folk music has a long and storied history in Portland, Oregon. The city has been home to a vibrant folk music scene for decades, and today there are many promoters and presenters who work to keep the tradition alive.

Some of the most well-known promoters and presenters of folk music in Portland include the City of Portland’s own Office of Arts & Culture, which presents the annual Waterfront Blues Festival; Cascade Acoustic Society, which presents an array of traditional and contemporary acoustic concerts at The Old Church; and Folkadelic, which hosts a monthly old-time music social at Mississippi Pizza Pub. In addition to these longer-running organizations, there are also many smaller promoters and presenters who work hard to bring folk music to the people of Portland.

If you’re interested in discovering folk music in Portland, Oregon, there are many ways to do so. You can attend one of the many concerts or festivals that take place throughout the year, or you can simply go out and explore the city’s many eclectic venues and listen for yourself. No matter how you choose to experience it, Portland’s folk music scene is sure to delight and inspire.

Conclusion

Folk music can be found in many different genres and settings, but it is often acoustic music with simple instrumentation. It is often based on traditional music from a particular region or culture, and it usually tells a story.

In Portland, Oregon, there are many places to find folk music. The Portland Folk Music Society meets regularly to discuss and share folk music, and there are several folk music festivals held in the city each year. There are also many venues that host folk music concerts and events.

If you’re interested in discovering folk music in Portland, Oregon, there are many opportunities to do so. Whether you attend a concert or festival, join a society or simply explore the city’s many venues, you’re sure to find some great folk music to enjoy.