Calendar, Current Event, Events, Last Saturday Ceili

10/18/2024 | 3rd Friday Céilí | Preston Howard Wilde

Get Ready for the 3rd Friday Costume Ceili Dance This October in Portland

The much-anticipated October ceili is here, inviting everyone to wear their Halloween costumes for a special 3rd Friday Costume Céilí. Join us for an evening filled with music, dance, and celebration of the Celtic holiday Samhain, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.

The event will take place on Friday, October 18 at 3300 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR. The evening kicks off at 7 PM with a Beginners Workshop, followed by live music and called dances starting at 7:30 PM. Admission is $15.

Local Irish piper Preston Howard Wilde will lead the music, while caller Maldon Meehan will guide participants through a series of traditional Irish folk dances. This monthly event aims to create an inclusive space for individuals of all ages and skill levels—no partner or dance experience is required.

The 3rd Friday Ceili Dance is a celebration of traditional Irish music and dance, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to enjoy the rich traditions of Irish culture. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or new to the céilí scene, this event promises a night of fun, community, and cultural immersion.

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate Samhain in style with fellow dance enthusiasts. Come dressed in your best Halloween costume and be ready to engage in an unforgettable cultural experience.

About 3rd Friday Ceili Dance

The 3rd Friday Ceili Dance is a monthly event dedicated to promoting and preserving traditional Irish music and dance. It provides an inclusive environment where people from all walks of life can gather to enjoy the vibrant and enriching traditions of Irish culture.

When: Friday October 18
Where: 3300 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR
Time: 7pm: Beginners Workshop, 7:30pm: Live Music & Called Dances
Admission: $15
Music: Preston Howard Wilde
Calling: Maldon Meehan

Join us for a night of tradition, music, and community at the October ceili. We look forward to dancing with you!

Calendar, Current Event, Events, Last Saturday Ceili

09/20/2024 3rd Friday Céilí Dance | Two River’s Céilí Band

3rd Friday Ceili Dance Season Kicks Off with All-Women’s Band in Portland

Portland, OR – September 20, 2024 – Portland’s vibrant Irish dance scene is set to ignite as the 3rd Friday Ceili season kicks off with a spectacular event featuring the city’s only all-women’s ceili band, the Two Rivers Ceili Band. This powerhouse group of talented musicians, fast becoming Portland’s most sought-after Irish dance band, will deliver an evening of driving tunes with fiddles, flutes, Uilleann pipes, piano, and guitar.

The event will take place on September 20, 2024, at 3300 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR. The evening will begin with a dance workshop at 7pm, making it an inclusive occasion for everyone, regardless of experience or dance partner. The Two Rivers Ceili Band will take the stage at 7:30pm, accompanied by Portland’s own renowned Irish dance caller, Maldon Meehan, who will lead the dances throughout the night.

Event Details:

  • Date: September 20, 2024
  • Location: 3300 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR
  • 7pm: Beginners Workshop
  • 7:30pm: Live Music & Called Dances
  • Admission: $15
  • Music: Two Rivers Ceili Band
  • Calling: Maldon Meehan

This event promises to be a memorable night of music, dance, and community. Attendees are encouraged to come ready to enjoy an evening of lively Irish dance, learn new steps, and immerse themselves in Portland’s rich cultural landscape.

The 3rd Friday Ceili Dance is a monthly event celebrating traditional Irish music and dance. It aims to create an inclusive space where people from all walks of life can come together to enjoy the rich traditions of Irish culture.

Links

Downloads

Calendar, Current Event, Events, Last Saturday Ceili

01/19/24 – Set dancing and craic? Count me in!

Introducing the 3rd Friday Ceili, the ultimate monthly dance extravaganza that will transport you straight to the enchanting world of Irish dancing! This is not just any ordinary dance event, my friends, but a night filled with toe-tapping rhythms, infectious energy, and a whole lot of craic! 

January 19, 2023, 3rd Friday Ceili Dance

6:30pm-9:30pm

Waverly United Church of Christ, 3300 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR  

$15 

Music: Geraldine Murray | Calling: Maldon Meehan

Calling all dance enthusiasts and novices alike – our Ceili is the place to be! No partner? No problem! Experience? Not necessary! All you need is a thirst for fun and a readiness to let your inner dancer shine. Come join us on the third Friday of every month, as we embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart and soul of Ireland’s largest social dance.

Indulge yourself in an evening of Set dancing, a traditional Irish dance style that brings people together in a symphony of synchronized movements. Picture this: dancers forming vibrant squares, gracefully weaving their way through intricate patterns, as laughter and cheers fill the air. Prepare to be amazed as those seasoned old-timers showcase their mind-boggling footwork, leaving you in awe and inspiration.

But this is not just about watching – this is about joining in on the action! Get ready to work up a sweat and feel the joy coursing through your veins as you step, twirl, and stomp your way through each exuberant dance. With each whirl and twinkle of your feet, you’ll feel a surge of adrenaline, a fire within you that ignites your soul and makes you come alive.

The 3rd Friday Ceili is not just a dance event; it’s a carnival of emotion, a celebration of culture, and a gathering of kindred spirits. With every beat of the bodhrán and every fiddle’s sweet melody, you’ll find yourself immersed in a rich tapestry of Irish heritage. The Ceili is where friendships are born, memories are made, and a community of dance enthusiasts come together under one roof to spread the joy of Irish dancing.

So, whether you’re a seasoned dancer looking to master new steps or a curious soul eager to dive into uncharted dance territory, come join us at the 3rd Friday Ceili. Experience the pulse-pounding rhythms, the infectious energy, and a sense of belonging that will leave you longing for more. Let your feet find their rhythm, your heart find its joy, and your spirit find its home. The dance floor awaits you, eager to witness the magic that happens when passion meets dance – don’t miss out on this extraordinary journey into the heart of Irish culture!

Remember, the 3rd Friday Ceili is where the music calls, the floor invites, and the memories are forever etched in your soul. Come one, come all, and let’s dance the night away!

3rd Friday Ceili

Jan. 19, 2024

6:30pm-9:30pm

Waverly, 3300 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR

Music: Gerlidne Murrary

Calling: Maldon Meehan

  • Lesson
  • Merchant
  • Lancers
  • Antrim Square
  • Claddagh
  • Plain Set
  • Ballyvourney
  • Connemara
Events, Last Saturday Ceili

2023 Sat. Sept. 30th | Kickoff Céilí

Saturday, September 30th

6-9pm, Fall Kick off Ceili

Waverly United Church of Christ, 3300 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR, $15

Music: Laura Feddersen, Nathan Gourley, & Brian Miller, Calling: Maldon Meehan

This month’s An Céilí Beag is a special kickoff event after our summer hiatus to get us all excited about dancing again. We are doubly excited to welcome special musical guests Laura Feddersen and Nathan Gourley – superb fiddlers from Boston MA – along with DADGAD guitarist extraordinaire Brian Miller. Maldon Meehan will be calling all of our favorite sets and will likely teach a new set if time and energy allow! All are welcome to dance or listen or both! Fáilte ar ais – WELCOME BACK!

Dance List

  • Plain Set | Reels 112, Reels 128, Reels, 176, Reels 265, Jigs 160, Reels 192
  • Ballyvourney Jig | Slides
  • Clare Lancers | Reels 160, Reels 192, Reels 144, Reels 192, Reels 192
  • Claddagh | Reels 192, Reels 184, Reels 154, Jigs 192
  • Cashel | Slides 200 | Polkas 136 | Polkas 200 | Hornpipe 152 | Slides 256 | Polka 120
  • Antrim Square | Reels 144, Jigs 136, Slides 152
  • Caledonian | Reels 128, Reels 96, Reels 192, Jigs 244, Reels 192, Hornpipes 160
  • Connemara | Reels 160, Reels 192, Reels 184, Maggie in the Woods 96

Music Playlist

Video Playlist

Classes, Past Classes

St. Practice to St. Patrick’s Challenge

Your challenge is to decided how often you will practice and what you will practice. As part of the St. Practice to St. Patrick’s challenge I will be offering an open studio starting next week. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:30am PST. Bring what you plan on practicing and your music and join us for some accountability. Zoom Link Here.

Can’t make to open studio’s. Design your own practice routine at home. Share your ideas, progress, struggles in the Facebook group

There are several recesses to help you get inspired on the website. The Your Ultimate Practice Guide is one place to start. 

Blog, Last Saturday Ceili

2023 Feb 25th | Last Saturday Céilí | Betsy Branch

set list

Dance List

  1. Merchant | Reels 128, Reels 192, Reels 128, Hornpipes 144
  2. Seit Doire Cholmcille (Derry Set) | Reels 128, Reels 160, Reels 144, Jigs 104, Hornpipes 152
  3. Antrim Square | Reels 144, Jigs 136, Slides 152
  4. Cashel | Slides 200 | Polkas 136 | Polkas 200 | Hornpipe 152 | Slides 256 | Polka 120
  5. Connemara | Reels 160, Reels 192, Reels 184, Maggie in the Woods 96
  6. Claddagh | Reels 192, Reels 184, Reels 154, Jigs 192
  7. Waltz

video playlist

music playlist

In this playlist they didn’t have a recording for the Merchant Set on Spotify so I used the Mabula site to find another recording of the same length. A great tool for teachers and callers. Here is a link to their site. It’s a database of set dancing recording. All you have to do is enter in the number of bars and tune type and all the recording of that length will come up. I love this site as often I can find a recoding that is the right length even if I don’t have the recording in my library for that particular set. In the olden days we used to call these “scrap sets”.

PLAY LIST

Blog

3-10-23 | 7pm | CVS Ceili

set list

CVS Ceili

  1. Merchant | Reels 128, Reels 192, Reels 128, Hornpipes 144
  2. Haymakers Jig | Jigs 400
  3. Claddagh | Reels 192, Reels 184, Reels 154, Jigs 192
  4. Siege of Carrick | Jigs (haste to the wedding)
  5. Antrim Square | Reels 144, Jigs 136, Slides 152
  6. Waltz

BREAK

  1. Seit Doire Cholmcille (Derry Set) | Reels 128, Reels 160, Reels 144, Jigs 104, Hornpipes 152
  2. Siege of Ennis | Jigs
  3. Cashel | Slides 200 | Polkas 136 | Polkas 200 | Hornpipe 152 | Slides 256 | Polka 120
  4. Fairy Reel | Reels
  5. Connemara | Reels 160, Reels 192, Reels 184, Maggie in the Woods 96
  6. Waltz

video playlist

Coming soon

music playlist

Coming soon

In this playlist they didn’t have a recording for the Merchant Set on Spotify so I used the Mabula site to find another recording of the same length. A great tool for teachers and callers. Here is a link to their site. It’s a database of set dancing recording. All you have to do is enter in the number of bars and tune type and all the recording of that length will come up. I love this site as often I can find a recoding that is the right length even if I don’t have the recording in my library for that particular set. In the olden days we used to call these “scrap sets”.