This Oregon chalk art festival provides a window into the creative process wherein festival goers can engage with nationally-recognized and emerging visual artists as they carefully manipulate bold, colorful pigments to produce huge, temporary drawings down the center of the street(s); most averaging 10’x10’.
Portland Taiko blends the tradition of Japanese taiko drumming with a sense of Asian American identity, creativity, and empowerment. Formed in 1994 by Ann Ishimaru, Zachary Semke, and Japanese American community activists, Portland Taiko started with one homemade taiko and practice drums made from car tires. With community support, the group built and purchased new drums, presented its first full-length concert in 1997, and became a non-profit organization and toured North America in the early 2000s.
Photo Credit: Rich Iwasaki
The group has headlined at arts festivals and concert halls, released three CDs, and has performed at hundreds of community events and school assemblies. Portland Taiko has commissioned and collaborated with numerous artists, including Hanayui, Shohei Kikuchi, Seiichi Tanaka, Kenny Endo, Tiffany Tamaribuchi, Subashini Ganesan, Obo Addy, Sivagami Vanka, Carla Mann, Mike Barber, and Minh Tran.
Photo Credit: Rich Iwasaki
Portland Taiko performs throughout the Pacific Northwest, offers classes and workshops, and conducts team-building workshops for businesses and community groups. Portland Taiko is eager to share its artistry and educational programs throughout the greater Portland community and the country. To date, Portland Taiko has reached over 1 million audience members at over 1500 performances at theaters, schools, community events, and festivals.
I am a local modern pop/folk artist inspired by the people and places around our community. My instrumentals are written in amazing places like Mosier Plateau or our own Coast Range rain forest and my song lyrics express feelings towards people or topics that inspire me everyday. Since I play most of the Farmers Markets around the area I feel very connected to the Local Grown movement and believe that music is very much a part of that, I even dedicate a portion of my resources to have local instruments built as well. I love the connection and communication I have with the listeners as a solo acoustic performer, it is a very fulfilling path and my new 9 song album is doing well and has become another great source of communication with my fans, followers and friends.
Online links:
https://unexpected-ukulele.weebly.com/
https://www.facebook.com/unexpectedukulele/
https://www.instagram.com/unexpectedukulelesongs/
Written/Provided by Derek Reynolds
Mike Doucet is a singer'/songwriter from Hillsboro, Oregon. His love of music began early when he saw The Beatles perform on television. He started playing clubs in the beach cities of Southern California at age 20, and continues to play today.
Mike has had the privilege of singing with Kenny Loggins Band, as well as part of the duo Mike and Cyndi for 13 years. Cyndi Grecco is the voice is the voice behind the theme song of the popular TV show Laverne and Shirley.
Mike is an accomplished singer/guitarist, mixing harmonica and vocal harmonies using today’s technology. You’ll hear covers from James Taylor, Billy Joel, The Beatles, Neil Young, and many more. Mike also has written several songs and performs them as well.
In his spare time you can find Mike recording music in his home studio, or playing at some of Hillsboro’s Finest local venues.
Malderine is a multi-talented singer/songwriter whose haunting and poetic melodies blend several generations of music, from the quirky harmonies of the 1920s to the rich sounds and textures of the current day. Her exceptional voice takes the listener on a journey from the sultry and haunting to the bright and lyrical. Her original music is often described as Creative Indie, featuring a strong foundation of Americana sprinkled with her signature Dream Pop.
Malderine has recorded and produced six full albums, each with a different theme and feel. She has also created, edited and produced several music videos. Each video takes the viewer on a different musical adventure full of whimsical characters and places. Her videos are fantastically creative and give her songs a whole new layer of visual sound.
Malderine has been playing the Hillsboro farmer’s markets for several years and it is one of her favorite places to play. To sing and be able to play a part in the community when it comes together each weekend to support our local farmers and merchants is inspiring and meaningful to her.
Written/Provided by Malderine
Born from the ashes of an open bluegrass jam session. The same fellows kept showing up and sounding better and better each week, and folks started asking them what their "band name" was, and whether or not they were available for parties and such... so these old salty, grey-haired manipulators of strings and purveyors of ancient tunes banded together, picked a name out of the air, and called themselves Half-Grass'd! Our music is unique…imagine a combination of Merle Haggard and the Rolling Stones, with a banjo thrown in for good measure! Some folks call it “Hillbilly Rock & Roll”…and that kind of fits our style. Our music includes 4 part harmonies, is family friendly, and is enjoyed by young and old.
John Stocks – Guitar and vocals
David Chalupsky – Banjo and vocals
John Keys - Dobro
Scott Cronin – Bass, Guitar, and vocals
David Hopkins – Bass and vocals
Rose Darke – Fiddle and vocals
Stevan Rogers – Mandolin and vocals
Check out one of their videos here!
Written/Provided by Half Grass’d
Kirk Larson and Don Patch, aka The Coin Club, are two Pacific Northwest performers covering an eclectic mix of Americana and roots music. They offer pleasing harmonies and familiar rhythms played on acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, harmonica and banjo.
Click here for more information on Coin Club!
Trent Toney is a local singer-songwriter from Hillsboro, Oregon. Playing a combination of covers and originals, he uses the piano, guitar, and a loop station to create a fun, musical experience for everyone involved. He draws from many artists for inspiration including Ed Sheeran, Damien Rice, and classic artists like Van Morrison, Bob Marley, and Elton John. His performance is upbeat, but also a personal experience. He plays at a variety of local venues, and it's not unusual to bump into him on the music scene in Hillsboro!
Written/Provided by Trent Toney
The Dusty Boys love playing those classic old country tunes! Our trio of good buddies brings Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and even 1950s rock hits back to life for your listening and toe-tapping pleasure. Dusty Walt, Cousin Terry and Neighbor Price have been pleasing music lovers of all ages since 2016.
You may have already seen us at Hillsboro-area coffee houses, art openings, markets, restaurants and pubs, but most people say we play our best outdoors rocking the radishes!
You'll find us on Facebook and don't forget to give us a listen at www.tinyurl.com/dustyboys.
Written/Provided by The Dusty Boys
Over the decades—singing, performing, songwriting, collaborating and recording, Gayle Ritt continues to reach listeners with her music and live performances throughout the US and abroad . "The promise of an ongoing love affair with her music will begin the moment you hear the first note." said one friend—and her live performances are as varied as her styles—from live acoustic at the House of Blues Foundation Room to small club rock shows, hotel residencies, elegant corporate events and picnics. Solo, duo, trio, full rocking band, sweet jazz duo or combo, country, pop, folk, acoustic metal, show tunes, improvisation and freestyles—Ritt sings it all. After 30 years performing, and musical adventures in Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami—she's settled in the NW.
Ritt's National Anthem has been heard over the airwaves and throughout the world for local and National sports teams—including the Hillsboro Hops—and Chicago Cubs. Highlights: Wrigley Field, PGE Park, Dodgers Stadium, The Staples Center, US Cellular Field and the Thomas & Mack Center for the Lakers, Dodgers, White Sox, Timbers and Gladiators. The impact has resulted in millions hearing her voice, news features and national commercials on TV and Radio and her five independent releases have crossed many genres—Acoustic folk, rock, pop, metal, jazz, and improvisation.
Singing throughout the Oregon Countryside with her love and partner, Mike Soto—and their band 23window—is what she loves best. Having recently released, IN THE RAW, an improvisation project—13 tracks made up on the spot—she continues to put forward new music. Sweet harmonies on several tracks of the recent Lindsie Feathers release, Neon Renaissance are hers—and the two perform together in Portland. Releasing from the archives—live piano and vocals recorded in NYC with Martin Bejerano—100% freestyle—a single, "unconditional" Vaut Records 2019. Most importantly—hearts touched—souls united and many great times created in the moment.
Written/Provided by Gayle Ritt
“ AMERICANA + “ is led by Joel Parker. He is joined by his wife Sharon, and friends Dan Haley (guitar & vocals), Tim Acott (bass), and Price Luber (percussion). They perform an eclectic mix of some of the best Folk, Country, Blues, and Jazz tunes ever written along with several original songs written by Sharon.
Joel started playing folk guitar at age nine. When in High School, he led a folk trio that on 1st place in a city-wide talent competition in New York City. Since then, he has played in a variety of Folk, Rock and Jazz bands. During his travels, he has drummed with traditional drummers in Kenya and South Africa, played percussion with traditional musicians in India, and played guitar and flute with musicians in Java, Fiji, Hawaii, and Samoa. His love of all styles of music is shared by the members of “ AMERICANA + “ and they all look forward to playing for you on August 24th.
Future appearances of his “ AMERICANA + “ and “SynerJazz” groups can be found on his Facebook page.
Written/Provided by Americana +
Gabe is a singer and acoustic guitarist whose sound and influences range from James Taylor to Ray LaMontagne to Radiohead. His voice brings a genuine sound paying tribute to the tone and authenticity of each artist. Gabe’s been involved with music and performing since he was in grade school. Both his father and grandfather were drummers and Gabe performed as a drummer and collaborated with artists in the Eugene area while finishing school at the University of Oregon. As time went on, Gabe got up from the behind drums and started singing and playing guitar for local live audiences. For the past year, he has been performing in the downtown Hillsboro music scene and has enjoyed playing and collaborating with musicians in the area.
Crimson & Clover is composed of Malderine Birmingham, Katherine Rhee and Price Luber. Formed in late 2016, their love of Celtic music and ability to play several types of instruments has brought them local success in their hometown of Hillsboro, Oregon.
They play a variety of styles from traditional Irish jigs, reels, ballads, and, of course, drinking songs. Katherine plays the hammer dulcimer, fiddle, guitar and bodhran. Malderine sings, plays guitar and penny whistle. Price Luber plays the bodhran and percussion. Together they are Crimson & Clover.
https://www.facebook.com/crimsonandclovercelticmusic/
Written/Provided by Crimson & Clover
Join us at the Kaiser Wednesday Market to enjoy a fun night of market shopping and music, provided by Elizabeth Hartman.
Orenco Station Band classifies itself as an "Americana" band. We play a wide variety of songs out of the great American song book, classic country, bluegrass, popular music and blues. Music popularized by the likes of Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Ricky Scaggs, Doc Watson, Johnny Cash... We expect you will be familiar with most of our selections.
Written/provided by Orenco Station Band
Join us at the Kaiser Wednesday Market to enjoy a fun night of market shopping and music, provided by Dale Fortune.
