Mardi Gras is February 17, so the program gets off to a rollicking start with some Cajun and Zydeco music to get you in the mood. I’d like to dedicate this opening set to Diane Karl, our beloved former host of KBOO’s Early Morning Gumbo program, who gave us so many memorable Mardi Gras programs.
The 37th annual Winterfolk benefit concert is coming up here in Portland at the Alberta Rose Theater on February 21, so the next set presents music by some of the stellar performers schedule to perform this year.
The shocking events of the past few weeks in Minneapolis and around the U.S. has spurred a proliferation of protest songs not seen since the 1960s and 1970s. The last hour of the program features classic protest songs from the 1960s and a sampling of some of many songs written and released in response to the incredible drama that has been unfolding in Minneapolis.
Artists include Queen Idaa and Her Zydeco Band, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Beausoleil, Professor Longhair; Portland favorites Doug and Judy Smith, Kate Power & Steve Einhorn, Kristen Grainger and Dan Wetzel, and Tom May; classic protest songs from Phil Ochs, Judy Collins and Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan & Joan Baez, Tom Lehrer, and Woody Guthrie; and protest songs from the last month or so from Bruce Springsteen, Billy Bragg, Jesse Welles and Joan Baez,
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Links to Cool Videos
Jesse Welles videos: https://www.youtube.com/@hellswelles
Genuine American Hero by Joseph Terrell video: https://youtu.be/UIEsOV7bucU?si=lGgbxFofPuQ3EeL_
Minnesota Anthem video- music created by Artificial Intelligence (Be sure to read the details below the video): https://youtu.be/uozLlmUhzZY?si=Se98R7ap6-PVAI2V
February 2026 KBOO Folk Music Concert Calendar
FEBRUARY 2026 FOLK CALENDAR
Before heading out to any event, be sure to check the venue or musician’s website for show status.
EVERY MONDAY AT 8PM IS BLUE MONDAY WITH LLOYD JONES AT THE MUDDY RUDDER PUB IN SE PORTLAND
Friday Feb 6th
Lloyd Jones with Paul Brainard
Artichoke Community Music SE Portland 7:00 PM
Friday Feb 6th
International Guitar Night featuring Vietnamese classical guitarist Thu Le, rock/flamenco/classical powerhouse Lucas Imbiriba (Brazil), innovative fingerstyle guitarist Alexandr Misko (Russia), and ukulele master Taimane (Hawaii).
Patrica Reser Center for the arts in Beaverton 730 pm
Saturday Feb 7th
Portland Folkmusic Society presents local bluegrass band Sunny South
Southminster Presbyterian Church Beaverton Doors 7 pm show 730 pm
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
Tuesday Feb 17th
Vasen duo, Swedish Folk music
The Old Church Downtown Portland Doors 630 pm
Thursday, Feb. 19th
The Paperboys, high energy Celtic sextet from the other Vancouver (BC) since 1992
The Showdown, SE Portland Doors 7 pm show 8 pm
Thursday, Feb. 19th
Jordan Tice Trio Nashville progressive bluegrass guitarist
Abbie Weisenbloom’s concert series, SE Portland; 7:30pm
www.froggie.com
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
Sunday, Feb. 22nd
Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms
The Showdown, SE Portland; 7pm
Saturday Feb 28th
Portland Folkmusic Society presents Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light
Reedwood Friends Church SE Portland Doors 7 pm show 730 pm
Saturday Feb 28th
Lauren Sheehan, with guests Hal Cannon and Zoë Carpenter
Artichoke Community Music SE Portland 7:00 PM