You are Invited!

Comhaltas Oregon invites you to take part in an afternoon & evening of Irish music, song, and dance. Play some tunes in the open sessions, or just listen. Get some dance instruction, and join in the Céilí dance. Share in the potluck supper. Perhaps sing, join in an Irish conversation circle, and hear a story.

The Rambling House Tradition

In Ireland, a rambling house or céilí house is a home known for hosting musicians, singers, dancers, and storytellers for entertainment. It’s an opportunity for neighbors and wider community members to have an evening of socializing and fun while offering a platform for promoting Irish cultural practices. Comhaltas Oregon’s Rambling House follows in the vein of this tradition by opening our organizational doors to welcome in our members and immediate music community as well as to the wider Portland community who might not have had the opportunity to explore Irish cultural practices.

What to Expect

Schedule - (check back for updates)

3:00-4:00pm - Welcome Session (come and listen, dance, or play along!)

3:30-5:00pm - Instrument Petting Zoo for Grownups - try out in instrument or two or three (more info below)

4:00-5:00pm - Cultural Block (pick one that sounds interesting or float between them)

• Song Circle - lift up your voice! Share a song, join the chorus. Led by Andrea Wild.

• Open Session - Play some Irish tunes, listen, and connect with other musicians.

• Slow Session - Irish tunes at a slower tempo

• Beagáinín Gaeilge: The Meaning behind Irish Tune Names & Place Names - Come learn beagáinín Gaeilge (a little bit of Irish) while exploring what those Irish-language words and place names mean in some of your favorite tune titles! Presented by Bríd & Éilis.

5:00-6:00pm - Potluck supper - Good food and good company. Bring a favorite dish to share. (See below for potluck details.)

6:00-6:30pm - Dance Primer - New to Irish dancing? Here’s what you need to step into the céilí.

6:30-8:30pm - An Céilí Mór (Irish dance) - Jump in and join the fun! Beginners are welcome - start with the Dance Primer if you can. Leather-soled shoes recommended. Music by Mikey Beglan and Teresa Baker with Maldon Meehan teaching and calling set dances, and Mary Lowes teaching and calling ceili dance.

6:00-8:30pm - Open Session - Trad Irish tune playing, open to all.

8:30-9:00pm - Clean up and Farewell (Slán Abhaile) - Everybody join in to make quick work of the cleanup.(sign up to help)

Instrument Petting Zoo for Grownups

Are you tired of kids having all the fun at the instrument petting zoos?  Here’s your chance to try out a new instrument, whether it’s your first time dipping your toes into playing Irish trad, or you are an experienced player interested in trying for instrument #2 or …

We will have whistles, fiddles, accordions, concertinas, banjos and maybe even a practice chanter for you to try, along with experts standing by to show you how to get started.  And if you fall in love…some of these instruments could be for sale!

If you have any instruments that you wouldn’t mind if people tried out, or if you would like to help people get started on an instrument that you know how to play, please contact the Comhaltas Oregon board at cceoregon@gmail.com

Potluck Details

When you arrive, take your potluck dish downstairs to the kitchen area. Please label your dishes and take home your leftovers! We have to leave the kitchen clean for the church so we often have to throw away leftovers and we would rather if you took it home. We have the use of kitchen space to reheat dishes and do light preparations - but not to fully cook. If you’re bringing a soup/stew/chili, consider bringing a crockpot to keep it warm. We’ll supply the cutlery/napkins/plates/bowls. And if you don’t like to use plastic utensils, feel free to bring your own plate and fork that you can take home afterwards.
(sign up to bring a dish)

Scents

Please limit the use of cologne, body spray, and fabric softeners at this event. Some folks are sensitive to the chemicals in them and can experience respiratory distress.