Join the Open Band!
Portland Intown Contra Dance loves 🥔 Rage Potatoes 🥔 (FKA the Pic’d Up Orchestra)! The band plays for Thursday night contra dances every few months and you are invited to join. It’s the warmest, fuzziest thing.
Inaugural open band night with the Pic'd Up Orchestra December 14, 2017.
PICD’s second anniversary celebration dance on 6/14/18 with music by the Pic'd Up Orchestra.
Winter Ball on 12/20/18 with music by the Pic'd Up Orchestra.
The Pic'd Up Orchestra on 10/10/19
What is an open band?
An open band is everyone’s opportunity to play music on stage for live contra dancers. Musicians of all instruments and levels of ability are welcome to play.
Really.
In fact, an open band is at its best when a wide array of instruments are represented. And there is room for the least experienced of musicians.
The Pic’d Up Orchestra at the PICD Winter Ball 2018. Photo by Dylan Ladds.
Fearless Leader, Emily Troll at the PICD Winter Ball 2018. Photo by Dylan Ladds.
How does it work?
Rage Potatoes is conducted by Fearless Leader, Emily Troll! She coordinates the practice parties, picks the tunes, and tells all the musicians what to do while they’re playing. She also recruits an experienced fiddler to lead the melody players and an experienced guitarist or pianist to lead the rhythm players during the practice party and at the dance gig. You do not need to attend the practice party to play for the dance, but it is recommended.
Check out Emily’s Open Band page on her website for more details, including tune choices and an FAQ!
WANNA JOIN?
Contact Emily through her website!