BIG WEEKEND
The South Coast Folk Society welcomes Tashina Clarridge and Simon Chrisman to our area for a weekend of fun events Nov. 9-10. Tashina and Simon are 2/3 of the newgrass band The Bee Eaters (http://beeeaters.com/). Tashina, the 2005 Grand National Fiddle Champion, has toured with Mark O'Connor, Tony Trischka and Laurie Lewis. Hammer dulcimer virtuoso Simon Chrisman has performed with bluegrass icons Darol Anger and Mike Marshall and opened for jazz guitarist Bill Frisell.

Saturday, Nov. 9: Tashina and Simon will play for our contra dance starting at 7 p.m. Caller will be Greg McKenzie, recently transplanted to Coos Bay from California. Beginners' lesson 7 p.m., dancing thereafter. $5 members, $6 seniors/students, $7 everybody else.

Sunday, Nov. 10: Tashina and Simon will lead a workshop for all acoustic musicians, 3:30-5 p.m. at the North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Ave. Participants will learn a new tune and work on rhythm and musicality. $35-45 suggested donation. Contact Jennifer Sordyl to sign up: 541-808-3507

Sunday, Nov. 10: Tashina and Simon in concert, 7 p.m., at the North Bend Public Library. Admission by donation. Bring your instruments: after the concert, we'll hold a jam session at Liberty Pub, 2047 Sherman Ave., North Bend.

OTHER EVENTS THIS MONTH
Monday, Nov. 4: Coos Bay Celtic session 7-9 p.m. first and third Mondays, at Liberty Pub, 2047 Sherman Ave., North Bend. Bring an acoustic instrument and sit in, or just listen.

Sunday, Nov. 10: Second Sunday Sing-Along, 2-4 p.m., at Ocean Ridge Assisted Living, 1855 Ocean Blvd. SE, in Coos Bay. Sing songs out of our Rise Up Singing songbooks, or teach us a new one. Bring an instrument and play along! Leave early and go to that workshop!

Monday, Nov. 18: Coos Bay Celtic session 7-9 p.m. first and third Mondays, at Liberty Pub, 2047 Sherman Ave., North Bend. Bring an acoustic instrument and sit in, or just listen.

Friday, Nov. 22: International folk dance, 7 p.m., Greenacres Grange. Teaching, followed by requests. Admission is $4, or $3 for members of SCFS. Is there a specific dance you’d like to learn? It’s great fun having a variety of people share in the teaching – is there a specific dance you’d like to teach? To sign up to teach your favorite dance, call Scott Knowles at 541-217-9027

SAVE THE DATE
The 2014 Celtic Cultural Festival will be Saturday, May 3 at SWOCC. To perform music or present a workshop, or even to suggest a performer or a workshop topic, email Stacy Rose at rosecontra@gmail.com. To be a vendor, email Gail Elber at gailelber@gmail.com. Check out information from last year's festival at www.southcoastfolksociety.wordpress.com. The festival is a collaboration of SCFS, the Coastal Celtic Society, and Soroptimist International of the Coos Bay Area.

FOLKY THINGS OTHER PEOPLE ORGANIZED
- All acoustic musicians and listeners are welcome to the monthly First Friday Jam at 7 p.m. at the Farwest Hall on Hwy 42S in Bandon. It typically features a mix of old-time, bluegrass, and Celtic tunes.
- Irish session at Lloyd's at 219 2nd St. SE in Bandon, 5 p.m. first and third Fridays. Find "The Local Session" on Facebook.
- Rhythm Village African Drum and Dance Ensemble welcomes all comers at 5:30 p.m. Mondays in the basement of the First United Methodist Church in Coos Bay, 123 Ocean Blvd SE. Find them on Facebook.
- Oregon Old-Time Fiddlers, District 5 — Third Saturday of month: 1-3 p.m. with jam afterward, Winchester Bay Community Center. 541-759-3419
As always, visit southcoastfolksociety.wordpress.com for more information about our organization and our events.
Gail Elber
Secretary