Presenters & Exhibitors
All-Ireland Cultural Society of Oregon (AICS)
The All-Ireland Cultural Society (AICS) is an all-volunteer, non-political, non-sectarian organization that actively promotes social opportunities, Irish entertainment, and Irish cultural events in Oregon and SW Washington, and has done so for over 80 years.
Learn more at www.oregonirishsociety.org and www.facebook.com/AICSOregon/
Amica L. Grimberg
As a face paint artist, I’m enthusiastically returning to this year’s Celtic New Year celebration. Using various inspirations, these designs are selected specifically to reflect Celtic art for the New Year’s Festival and a jovial atmosphere. I have provided face art for Salem Art Fair, Girl Scouts, and various church events.
Description:
As a face paint artist, I’m enthusiastically returning to this year’s Celtic New Year celebration. Using various inspirations, these designs are selected specifically to reflect Celtic art for the New Year’s Festival and a jovial atmosphere. I have provided face art for Salem Art Fair, Girl Scouts, and various church events. My booth is for patrons to visit without a set schedule – if there’s a wait, they can look over the design collection or watch as others get their wrists, or hands painted. Paints used are non-toxic, fragrance and paraben-free; they are suitable for sensitive skin.
Bobby Stroup
I have been a martial artist for 34 years, having instructor ranks in multiple arts. It has been a huge pleasure of mine to become a coach and representative of the art of Doyle Irish Stick. Not only is it a truly phenomenal martial art but also dear to me as a part of my cultural heritage.
Description:
I am a coach in the Doyle Family System of Irish Stick Fighting. A system saved from extinction by being passed down from father to son until Glen Doyle was allowed to take it public from his father on his deathbed.There will be a demonstration outside and folks will be invited to participate.
Brian Ó hAirt
The Irish Cultural Society of the Pacific Northwest is a regional nonprofit focused on promoting the Irish language and its inherent cultural practices, such as sean-nós singing & dancing, currach rowing, poetry and storytelling, and more. ICSPNW sponsors two annual festivals – Sean-nós Northwest and Féile Portland, as well as supports two communities in Portland, OR – Gaeilge Northwest and the Currach Community of the Confluences. We welcome all interested in fostering a deeper connection to the language and its traditions. Fáilte romhat! Learn more at www.seannos.org and www.facebook.com/icspnw
Descriptions:
Irish Cultural Society of the Pacific Northwest: indoor table to exhibiting ICSPNW programming including Sean-nós Northwest Festival, Féile Portland, Gaeilge Northwest, and Cumann Curaí na gCumar.
Cumann Curaí na gCumar | Currach Community of the Confluences: outdoor exhibition of our newly constructed Irish wood-framed boat (currach). Currach will be on display outside. Presented by The Irish Cultural Society of the Pacific Northwest.
Gaeilge Northwest: language workshop taught by Brian Ó hAirt comparing Irish, Scottish, and Manx Gaelic.
Capital Calligraphers
Capital Calligraphers is a guild based in Salem, Oregon. Capital Calligraphers was established in 1977 and we continue to educate, demonstrate, exhibit, and share our love for lettering art. Our guild meets monthly and we offer programs, information, and community.
Learn more at www.capitalcalligraphers.org and www.facebook.com/groups/www.capitalcalligraphers.org
Description:
We will be lettering names in a modified Celtic Uncial calligraphy hand. Please stop by and visit our Calligraphers.
Carl Beilstein
Carl enjoys the history of rope and knots. He has studied and used many types. He has been teaching this knot class at the Samhain Festival for several years. He is a member of Ceílí of the Valley Society.
Description:
Celtic Knots with Rope. Celtic knots are an important part of the culture. Knowing the correct knots kept your ship afloat and sailing. Many had secret knots only shown to trusted friends. Try your hand at tying a Celtic knot using a loom at the Celtic Pop-Up.
Corrib Theatre
Corrib Theatre is the only Irish Theatre on America’s West Coast! Located in Portland, we produce 3 Mainstage plays per year, host touring productions from Ireland, and collaborate with local Irish organizations to support culture events all year round.
We present a variety of Irish plays from classic to contemporary to original work.
Subscribe to our 2025-2026 season for only $80!
Emily Bonneau
Emily is a “retired” award-winning Highland Dancer. After taking a break for school, work, and family, she is enjoying dusting off her shoes and getting back into the “fling” of things! She will be demonstrating the Highland Fling, along with fellow Highland Dancer, Hannah Zelmer. Emily will also dance the Seann Triubhas. Both of these dances have great stories behind them…come to the Festival to find out more!
Presentation Description:
Emily will be demonstrating two traditional Highland dances, the Fling and the Seann Triubhas.
Eric Chandler
Eric will be presenting how to fold the Great Kilt, which is a very unique article of clothing. It has many uses, which he will highlight as he does his demonstration. He will also demonstrate one of our favorite Highland Dances, the Sword Dance. He became interested in learning more about his Scottish Heritage when he was a competitive Highland dancer and a performer at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. When not in the Spinning Room doing his demonstration, you will find him outside helping with the Mini-Highland Games.
Presentation Description:
Eric will perform the Sword Dance, a very intricate Highland Dance, and demonstrate the folding and wearing of the great kilt.
Hannah Zelmer
Hannah is a multi-talented member of the Ceili of the Valley demonstration team. She has a background as a Highland Dancer and is excited to share two of her favorite dances at the Festival.
Presentation Description:
Hannah will be presenting two Highland dance demos. She will be dancing the Highland Fling alongside fellow dancer Emily Bonneau and then solo dancing one of her favorite dances. Join us at the festival to see which one she will do!
Maldon Meehan
Maldon Meehan is a distinguished figure in the world of Irish dance, renowned for her dedication and expertise. Her passion ignited while dancing with her father and blossomed into a lifelong commitment to the art of set and sean-nós dance. With a degree from Evergreen State College and a Master’s in Ethnochoreology from the University of Limerick, she has over 30 years of teaching experience.
Maldon Meehan brings decades of experience in traditional dance, with a Master’s in Ethnochoreology from the University of Limerick. Her deep grounding in Irish set and sean-nós dance is complemented by her studies in Cape Breton, Appalachian, Scottish, Welsh, and Breton forms. Her work emphasizes both tradition and innovation, inviting audiences into a living dance legacy.
FAMILY CÉILÍ: The Family Céilí is a joyful gathering for families and children to experience the fun of Irish dance together. She will be joined by Dylan Wilde and Betsy Branch. Together, they will guide you through easy group dances that everyone can join in, no matter your age or experience. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to create your own dances, learn a few words in Irish, and enjoy songs and stories that bring the tradition to life. Come ready to move, laugh, and share in the spirit of community—this céilí is for everyone!
IRISH SEAN-NÓS DANCE: Sean-nós literally meaning old-style is a highly improvisational, low to the ground, rhythmic dance form. Unlike Irish step dancers, Sean-nós dancers swing their hips and use their arms as forms of expressing the music. Traditionally a dancer danced solo on the hardwood of a half door or the round top of a barrel; as a result the steps are conned to a small space. In Sean-nós dance, the dancer is tied closely with the musician and the music. The dancer interprets the music.
CELEBRATION OF CELTIC MUSIC & DANCE: Betsy Branch & Maldon Meehan A celebration of Celtic music and dance. Join fiddler Betsy Branch and dancer Maldon Meehan for an exhilarating performance of Celtic music and dance. The performance draws from the rich traditions of Ireland, Scotland, Cape Breton, Quebec, Wales, and more, blending percussive step styles and social dance forms with vibrant live music. Featuring the Maldon Meehan Dancers, this show offers a dynamic tour through the Celtic diaspora, highlighting the rhythms, stories, and communal spirit of each tradition.
Dylan Wilde grew up in a musical family in Northern California, spending her summers immersed in the Appalachian folk singing and dancing of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Dylan has spent the past three years studying Sean-nós and old-style Irish step dancing under the direction of Maldon Meehan, and can often be found practicing her steps in the grocery store checkout line. When she’s not dancing, Dylan spends her days teaching and caring for young children. Formerly an assistant teacher at Cedarwood Waldorf School and Montessori of Alameda, Dylan is currently an infant and toddler teacher at Songbird Playschool in SE Portland.
Betsy Branch joins Maldon for both Irish Sean-nós Dance and Celebration of Celtic Music & Dance. Betsy is a fixture in Portland’s folk music scene and a sought-after performer for contra, English country, and Celtic dance events. With roots in classical violin and a passion for fiddle traditions from around the world, Betsy’s music is both playful and profound. Her extensive experience as a performer, arranger, and teacher brings depth and joy to every collaboration.
Na Rósai Trio
Description:
Playing tunes for dancers: Join the Na Rósaí Trio as they explore different dance tune types, such as reels, jigs, hopjigs, slip jigs, hornpipes, slides, polkas, mazurkas, waltzes, and the Scottish strathspey….just to name a few. What makes a tune danceable? How do you put together sets? There will be some dancers on hand to demonstrate the different steps that fit these tune types.
Oregon Manx Society
The Oregon Manx Society is a group that enjoys sharing and learning about all things Manx from the Isle of Man.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/oregonmanxsociety/
Description:
We will be sharing information about Hop tu Naa. Hop tu Naa is celebrated during Samhain on the Isle of Man. Some highlights our group will be focusing on this year will be turnip lanterns, Soddag Valloo, Jenny the Witch, and information about the changes in how Hop tu Naa has been celebrated over the years.
Rob Gándara
Description:
Rob Gándara of Carbony™ Celtic Winds will be presenting a beginner whistle class. Bring your favorite D whistle or use one of ours. Great for people of all ages, no prior musical experience needed.
ViVoce Women’s Chorus & Welsh Dragon Choir of Oregon
ViVoce celebrates global stories and diverse voices through song—reaching across time, cultures, and geography to connect communities both near and far. Our music focuses on the rich traditions of the seven Celtic regions.
https://www.facebook.com/ViVocePortland/
The Welsh Dragon Choir has celebrated Welsh and pan-Celtic culture through song for over a decade. Choral singing is deeply woven into the fabric of Welsh identity—much as bagpipes and dance define Irish and Scottish traditions, harmony and voice define ours.
https://www.facebook.com/WelshDragonChoir/
Presentation Description:
ViVoce Women’s Chorus and Welsh Dragon Choir will perform an integrated choral set celebrating the shared musical heritage of Celtic nations resonating across Wales, Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, and Brittany.
Welsh Society of Oregon
The Welsh Society of Oregon (WSOR) develops and perpetuates Welsh heritage, culture, and music in Oregon. We strive to sustain: pride in being Welsh, support for learning about Wales and the Welsh language, and exploration of Welsh-American issues by our members and for others in the community.
https://www.facebook.com/OregonWelsh
Willamette Valley Pipes & Drums
The Willamette Valley Pipes and Drums is a non-competitive performance band with a three-fold mission:
- to serve our community by providing entertainment through Scottish music,
- to develop the musical abilities of our members, and
- to enjoy the friendship that we share because of our love of pipe and drum music.
https://sites.google.com/view/wvpnd/home/
https://www.facebook.com/wvpnd
Description:
The Willamette Pipes and Drums will open the festival with a march through the hall and then play a selection of tunes to kick the day off to a great start!
Yeates Academy of Irish Dance
The Yeates Academy of Irish Dance is Oregon’s longest running Irish dance school! Founded in 1985 by Dublin native Breda Yeates, we offer classes for recreation, competition and performance in Portland, Redmond and Salem, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. Our team of instructors works diligently to continue the cultural legacy that comes before us with these dances and to pass on our love for them to the next generations.
https://www.facebook.com/YeatesAcademySalem
Description:
A wide ranging and high energy tour through the dance forms of the Emerald Isle! Our dance troupe will perform high intensity Reels, graceful Slip Jigs, intricate group choreography, rhythmic Hornpipes and thundering Treble Reels while teaching you about the background of these dances and the music that accompanies them.
More Activities —
Ceili Dancing:
An opportunity to try your hand and feet at Ceili (Kay-lee) social dancing in a fun and relaxed setting to live music by Na Rósai Trio! Elisa Chandler and Maldon Meehan will teach and call the dances.
Celtic Pop-Up:
Ever wonder how to fold a Scottish Great Kilt or create a Celtic Knot using a knot board. Come on over to the Celtic Pop-Up and find out how!
CVS Store:
Festival t-shirts and bags, Granny Fi’s shortbread cookies, and quilt raffle tickets.
Family Crafts:
From creating your own craft art to wearing art by having your hand painted, the kids’ area has an activity for every age and skill. Craft stations include: pumpkin decorating, crafting with fall leaves, creating unique art using stencils and watercolors, and coloring. Adults, too, will be drawn to the area, and are invited to enjoy activities alongside their children.
Food:
Sample soups from Ireland, Welsh, and Scotland, served with salad and Irish soda bread. A vegetarian option is available. Scones are also available from Manna Bakery. If you are yearning for dessert, you can wander over to the Céilí of the Valley General Store and purchase shortbread cookies from Granny Fi’s (made in Oregon).
Mini-Highland Games:
Safe, fun, and kid-friendly Highland Games outside. You and your kids can try their hand at Welly Throw, Sheaf Toss, and Caber Toss.
Quilt to Raffle:
Custom-designed Celtic quilt with beautiful, intricate hand-quilted knotwork. Lesli Ficker has created this one-of-a-kind quilt to be raffled at the Samhain Celtic New Year Festival to be held at the Willamette Heritage Center on Saturday, October 25th. Tickets will be $5.00 each, 5 for $20.00. The quilt is 72″ square. Click here to learn more.