If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution.
--Emma Goldman
Live Music
Talisman Music is your contact point for music performances of several types. Here is a summary; follow the links for more information.
Carl Thor
Carl Thor performs magic with the hammered dulcimer whether playing in a band or as a soloist. He also provides driving yet lyrical piano for contra dance and English Country dance, as well as original songs and instrumental pieces, electronica, ragtime, and even a little jazz.
Bandwidth
In what started as a pick-up band for a hard-to-fill holiday weekend contra dance date in Portland, Bandwidth brings together three of the area's contra dance music veterans in a lively new combination. Bandwidth offers full-spectrum dance music fueled by twin fiddles and strong piano underpinnings, with penny whistle and mandolin added to spice things up.
Celtinalia
Celtinalia brings together two seasoned performers in a duo combining Celtic harp and hammered dulcimer in transcendent music that lightens the spirit and feeds the soul. Woodwinds, mandolin, piano and vocals are also part of the mix. The Celtinalia duo is available to play at wineries, cafes, art galleries, weddings, festivals, farmers markets, and private parties.
Cascade Crossing
Cascade Crossing developed a reputation on the Pacific Northwest contra dance circuit for their stylistic range, dynamic arrangements, and driving energy. They played as a quartet — Lori Prime (fiddle), Sarah Goss (whistle, oboe, bass), Rich Goss (guitar, percussion), and Carl Thor (piano, hammered dulcimer) — with Lori Shaffer (fiddle) making it a quintet in the early days. From 2006 to 2019, Cascade Crossing was heard at dances up and down the west coast from San Diego to Juneau. They also played for many local wedding and party events, often as a trio with built-in caller Rich Goss leading the dances.
Hands4
Hands4 has enlivened dance halls throughout the Pacific Northwest since 2004 with their high-energy music. Playing mostly original tunes penned by band members and others in a wide variety of styles, Hands4 can truly say that what they deliver is “not your usual contra tunes.” Their subset trio, Stepwise, provides a more traditional repertoire in a more flexible configuration, ideal for smaller dances, wedding dances, or parties.
Talisman
Talisman produced its percolating blend of Celtic, American and original folk music for 20 years, starting in the mid-nineties, but has been inactive the past several years. The most recent four-piece band featured fiddle, flutes, hammered dulcimer, guitar, and vocals. Talisman released two cassettes in the early days, and later two CDs that are still available in our web store. They played regularly for concerts, festivals, farmers markets, pubs, cafes, weddings, private parties, and the occasional contra dance.
