It wasn’t the best of years, and it wasn’t the worst of years, but it’s over, and we got some great music along the way. Join me for a look back at beloved folk musicians we lost in 2025 plus some great music from 2025 by well-known and lesser known artists, including local and regional performers, ending with songs about big issues from 2025.
A tribute to artists we lost in 2025 include songs by Peter Yarrow, Tom Lehrer, Michael Hurley- who spent years here in Portland keeping it weird, Flaco Jimenez, Archie Fisher, Joe Ely, Joe Hickerson, and Beaverton native Todd Snider.
You’ll hear great songs from 2025 by Eliza Gilkyson, Dar Williams, Tajmo (Taj Mahal and Keb Mo), I’m With Her, John Gorka, The Onlies, Appalachia Rising, Seattleite Wes Weddell, The Horsenecks from Astoria, OR, and great local Celtic fiddle music from the Katie Jane Band.
Be sure to listen to the end to hear the Ballad of the Portland Frog Brigade!
- KBOO
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January and February 2026 KBOO Folk Music Concert Calendar
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026 FOLK CALENDAR
Before heading out to any event, be sure to check the venue or musician’s website for show status.
Friday, Jan. 9th
Nora Brown & Stephanie Coleman
The Showdown, SE Portland; 8pm
Friday, Jan. 9th
House Concert with David Jacobs-Strain & Bob Beach
Marxhouse Concerts SE Portland, 730 pm
Friday, Jan. 9th
Celtic Music Battle of Bands: Seattle Celtic Rock band Stout Pounders vs Portland’s Katie Jane Band
McMenamin’s Edgefield Blackberry Hall, Troutdale, 730 pm
Saturday, Jan. 10th
Joe Hickerson Memorial Gathering
In-person & Online
Lucky Lab Beer Hall on NW Quimby at 1:00 pm
Saturday, Jan. 10th
Afternoon concert with Portland artists Tom May and Doug Smith
Artichoke Music in SE Portland, 2 to 4 PM
Saturday, Jan. 10th
The Portland Folk Music Society presents Irish singer-songwriter Pat Byrne
Southminster Presbyterian Church in Beaverton, 730 pm
https://portlandfolkmusic.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=748368&mod...
Saturday, Jan. 10th
Tony Furtado w/ fiddler Luke Price & friends
The Liberty Theatre, Ridgefield, WA 7:30pm
Wednesday, Jan. 14th
Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
The Alberta Rose Theatre, NE Portland; 8pm
January 14th-18th
Portland Old Time Music Gathering
Alberta Abbey, Moon & Sixpence Pub, NW Portland Hostel Café, and Spare Room Restaurant and Lounge
A volunteer powered community event since 2000: bring your instrument- there's always opportunities to jam!
Saturday, Jan. 24th
The Portland Folk Music Society presents Tim O’Brien & Jan Fabricius
Reedwood Friends Church, SE Portland; 7:30pm
https://portlandfolkmusic.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=748368&mod...
Saturday, Jan. 24th
Katie Jane’s Celtic Light Orchestra Celebrates Robert Burns with Clan Macleay Pipe Band and Scottish food
McMenamin’s Mission Theater , NW Portland,
Tuesday, Jan. 27th
Caitlin Canty
Mississippi Studios, NE Portland; 8pm
Thursday, Jan. 29th
Canadian S/S Ruth Moody (from the Canadian group Wailin’ Jennys)
The Reser, Beaverton; 7:30pm
Patricia Reser Center for the Arts
Friday & Saturday Jan 30 & 31
Portland’s Folk Festival
Crystal Ballroom downtown, featuring artists I’m not familiar with
Sunday Feb 8th
Portland’s Virtuoso Piedmont blues guitarist and singer Mary Flower and clarinetist Leon Cotter duo
Abbie Weisenbloom Presents House Concert, 730 pm, potluck dinner at 630 pm
Friday, Feb. 13th
Scottish singer Julie Fowlis
The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, Beaverton; 7:30pm
Saturday, Feb. 21st
The 37th annual Winterfolk concert – a benefit for local non-profit Transition Projects
Tracy Grammer, Kristen Grainger & Dan Wetzel, Kate Power & Steve Einhorn, Tom May & friends, Doug & Judy Smith + more
The Alberta Rose Theatre, NE Portland; 7pm