Song Circles
PFS usually hosts second saturday song circles, where all are invited. They hosted by a different household each month, and are a fun space where folks like you can come, meet people, play, sing, or just listen. They usually start with a pot luck dinner, and then we go around the circle twice, with everyone getting to lead a song. Some people stay for a third rotation, and a fourth, and...
Until we can safely meet again, we will be hosting weekly Saturday virtual song circles. Please join us there!
Upcoming PFS Song Circles
March 28
Next Weekly Virtual Song Circle!
6:00 - Last person is gone!
We will open up the circle at 6 PM and we’ll keep it open until the last person leaves. Feel free to come in anytime, and stay as long as you like. We will run it kind of like a physical song circle. Everyone who wants to can sing once, and then we’ll do another round, and just keep going as long as you like. We’ll provide some curation, but you won’t need a lot. Of course, it is totally fine to just listen, and based on last time, you won’t regret it.
Feel free to spread the word to people who would like to be there. This is not just for PFS folks at all, and nor only for people in the Pacific North West. We’re still experimenting, and thanks for understanding that.
Here are some hints of things that seem to work:
Please try to sit with your face well lit, and a background that isn’t too bright.
Sing close to your mic, and if you are playing an instrument, hold back a little.
Mute yourself if you’re getting feedback, or if the dog is barking. Or, just mute yourself whenever you aren't singing.
We’ll be on a little early if you’d like to test out your connection.
April 11
In person song circles cancelled until further notice. Please join our virtual song circle!
6:30 - 10:00 Potluck and Sing
McMenamin's Kennedy School
Community Room
5736 N.E. 33rd Ave.,
Portland, OR 97211
McMenamin's Kennedy School Front desk
(503) 249-3983
Questions:
hollyh@spiretech.com
If we are no longer living in a health emergency, we would prefer to meet in person! But if April 11 comes around, and we are still precarious, we will hold our song circle virtually! Please watch this site closer to the date for confirmation.
If we meet in person, we will pass the hat to cover the cost of the room, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
EVERYONE WELCOME!
Song Circle Etiquette
- Whether you come to sing or just listen, relax and have fun. There is no need to be stressed, or shy.
- When your turn around the circle comes, you may perform a song, lead a song, request someone else sing a song, or pass.
- Please introduce yourself, even if you think everyone knows you.
- Song circles usually go around two times, so you will have two opportunities to lead a song. But, sometimes more - so prepare as many songs as you like, just in case.
- Singalongs, and songs with choruses, are encouraged, especially on the first round.
- There is never a need to rush through a song but - please keep the circle moving along.
- If the presenter requests that instruments accompany his or her song, join in. Be mindful of drowning out voices with loud instruments.
- People often choose songs out of the "blue book" (Rise Up Singing) or the "red book" (Rise Again) for singalongs. If you use it, let others know what page your selection is on.
- Song circle participants are tolerant about song choices: If you sing music made by folks, then we consider it folk music!
Other Song Circles in the Area
If the Portland FolkMusic song circles are not enough for you, have no fear. People are singing and jamming everywhere! Here are some other song circles in the area, each with a slightly different flavor. Step into some home-made harmony!
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Artichoke Music
4th Saturday of the month
2:00 – 4:00 pm.
Led by John Richter.
$5
2007 SE Powell Blvd, Portland OR
(503) 232-8845
Artichokemusic.org
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Filk Song Circles
1st Saturday
2:00 – 9:00 pm Potluck and sing, may be shorter.
$5
Songs of science and fantasy. Anything you bring is Filk.
Knights of Pythias Lodge at 5400 SE 84th Ct , Portland OR 97266
friendsoffilk.org
Saturday March 21 The Festival of the Living Rooms, virtual song circle
http://filkstreams.org/
1-9 pm
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Friendly House Community Center
3rd Friday Folk/ Eclectic Song Circle
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Led by Ted Kaye.
Free
Uses Rise Up Singing in the odd months
Uses Rise Again in the even months
1737 NW 26th, Portland OR
kandsons@aol.com
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Friendly House Community Center
2nd Friday Harmony Song Circle
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Led by Ted Kaye.
Free
Songs of the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Uses their own book.
1737 NW 26th, Portland OR
kandsons@aol.com
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Sacred Harp Singers
Full calendar and venues on website; here are some of the regular events:
West Side Singing 3rd Sundays
Singing School 4th Sundays
Kennedy School Singing Last Thursdays, 4th Sundays
People’s Co-op Christian Harmony Singing 1st Fridays
People’s Co-op Singing 2nd Sundays
Cooper Book Singing UCC
Singing in the shape-note tradition
Songbook is the Sacred Harp, provided.
Info at portlandsacredharp.org
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Vancouver Folk Singers
2nd Saturday
1 pm potluck, 1:45 – 4 pm sing
Led by Ted Hook.
Donations accepted, no one turned away
Uses songs out of their notebook
St. Lukes’s Episcopal Church
426 E Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver WA
Info at tedhook@comcast.net
Know of another song circle that should be on this list? Contact Holly Hoffnung.