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Friday, January 17, 2025

Portland's Folk Festival Present

Portland's Folk Festival

Rainbow Girls

Handmade Moments

Christopher Worth

Presidio

Jacob Westfall

Dustin Dale Gaspard

Blair Borax

5 pm doors, 6 pm show

$40 Presale, $70 Two Day Early Bird Passes

All ages welcome

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Portland's Folk Festival

Portland's Folk Festival

An annual celebration of folk, Americana and roots music hosted by the historic Crystal Ballroom. See 35 artists on 2 stages with all proceeds donated to Sunstone Way and Music Portland.

Rainbow Girls

Rainbow Girls

"band. enigma. wet meat. song witches. sandwiches. We highly recommend us for you."

Handmade Moments

Hip-hop folk-roots

Handmade Moments

Life’s trials and tribulations are a preparatory course of sorts, a journey of peaks and valleys on a long and winding road, and through the flames of adversity rises a phoenix. On May 21, 2016, Anna Moss and Joel Ludford, the duo of multi-instrumentalists that comprise Handmade Moments, were riding along a different road of sorts. On that fateful afternoon in Northern California, their beloved bio-diesel bus - that they spent six months laboring to build, and lived, toured and gigged in for nearly a year - was struck by two vehicles in a harrowing head-on collision. The resulting wreck required a Medivac for Ludford, who was severely injured from the waist down. He spent a month in the hospital, three more in a wheelchair. Moss herself had a concussion, two other passengers were injured as well, and all four called themselves lucky to be alive.

Up until that point, Handmade Moments was patiently making their way in the music world, products of a fertile art scene in Fayetteville, Ark., where they’d amassed a fervent and enthusiastic following. Born from the ashes of the rock band Don’t Stop Please, in 2014 the quirky, jazzy crew released a self-titled debut Handmade Moments. A series of tours followed, and the prolific pair won hearts beyond the Ozarks, with that came 2015’s critically acclaimed Eye in the Sky. The hip-hop folk-roots group was gigging their way from coast to coast, and soon went international, venturing to South America, where they planted firm roots in Argentina. Their story seemed to be going along swimmingly, until one day, it wasn’t. Their home, vehicle, instruments, just about everything Moss and Ludford had worked so hard for, was destroyed, in merely an instant. But apparent from the moment Moss returned home from the hospital and began writing a song, the calamity had not extinguished their spirits. The ultimate reality check had arrived in death-defying fashion, and they’d live to sing the tale.

Ludford and Moss retreated into the nurturing bosom of Nevada City, Calif., area to recover and begin the healing process the only way they knew how, through music. Over the next three months, these meditations and ruminations fueled the writing, recording and realization of Paw Paw Tree, their third full-length LP and Jumpsuit Records debut. That reclamation came on May 21, 2018, as Moss and Ludford return weathered, stronger and wiser for the time; two years to the day from the accident, emerging a bolstered and emboldened Handmade Moments. The diverse collection of songs is riveting from start to finish, an amalgam of their rock and jazz past, juxtaposed with Southern roots and folk DNA, scrambled together and evolved into the current continuum that reveals Paw Paw Tree.

Ornate instrumentation details the bedrock of their simple yet sophisticated songcraft, and endearing, intoxicating personality. Handmade Moments’ piercing lyricism and carousing croon both tell their own inspirational tale and encompass larger themes that resonate within us all. This musical document unveils a myriad of tones, from walking upright bass to silky saxophone; it embodies an intelligent, progressive culture and celebrates a simple way of life. “Fighting a Mountain” imagines a friend stranded in raging waters, but you are unable to help, restrained by physical barriers. The title track envisions a post-apocalyptic world with desert farms, a pointed statement against input-reliant agriculture and rallying cry to restore the ecosystem. “Junkie” is not your typical lover’s lament, and uses muse and real life metaphor to emphasize emotions that know no bounds, until they are no more. Paw Paw Tree is filled with lyrical life lessons, statements on the state the union and examinations of those fragile, human elements that define each and every one of us.

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/handmademomentsmusic/

Website:
http://www.handmademomentsmusic.net/

Christopher Worth

Bohemian Blues Hop

Christopher Worth

From the downbeat of the title track on WORTH's Pardon Me, the listener is in for a magical ride. This 3rd album fuses the depth and dynamic impact of modern sound with the soulful rawness of the old school. The music is both haunting and familiar, and touches the addictive vitality of that new thing you can't stop playing in your stereo. Pardon Me is WORTH in full stride.

The first thing you notice when listening to Christopher Worth is the undeniable quality of his voice: it is thick, sensual, raw, and honest. At times he expresses with the buttery richness of John Legend ("I Need You," "Tides"); at others with the feral range and force of Paul McCartney ("Care", "Bayou"). There are delicate moments, too, in which his singing is reminiscent of Amos Lee ("Glory") and even D'Angelo ("Lo and Behold"). At it's core, however, his voice is steeped in the spirit of the blues.

Christopher Worth grew up in the hip hop and r&b of the 90's and you can feel these always in the backbeat of Pardon Me. The performances are also laced with the freedom and expressiveness of rock and roll: drums hit aggressively and are consistently placed hot in the mix. Rhythmic pockets stay deep, vital, and at times delve into a more roots or folk vibe. The instrumental tones themselves are luscious and expansive. Through the course of the record the band explores mellow acoustic valleys, groovy backroads, and electrifying peaks culminating in the anthemic "Fallen Leaves." It is the sweet spot between these genres and dynamics that defines Worth's sound.

The quality of the performances is second only to the seasoned songwriting. "This record is the culmination of almost 10 years of work," says Worth, and this is readily apparent even on a first listen. The songs are tight and timeless while provocative and philosophical. From the lilting rise of "Stay Here With Me," to the smooth invitation of "Tides," to the jazzy hook of "I Need You," Worth's melodic construction entices and never feels imposed. The voices find their wings in soaring melodies and lyrics that resonate as organic and real. These compositions have come from a vast well of emotion and experience.

Led by an accomplished musician and songwriter, Pardon Me exemplifies the living journey. It is a fresh, undeniable work from a consummate artist.

 

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/weareworth

Website:
http://www.worth-music.com/

Presidio

Presidio

Presidio is a Portland-based duo featuring Gabriella De La Cruz on drums/vocals and Will Zesiger on guitar/vocals – the two build their sound around their ethereal vocal harmonies and intimate songwriting style. Their first EP, Telepathy, debuted in April 2020 and garnered over 150,000 streams. They are currently recording their first full-length album.

Website:
https://www.presidioband.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/presidioband/about/

Jacob Westfall

Indie singer-songwriter

Jacob Westfall

Jacob Westfall is a young veteran of the Portland music scene and has gained recognition as one of the fastest growing singer-songwriters in the Pacific Northwest; often seen onstage with a family of collaborators and musicians of his adoptive hometown community. After appearances on shows like NBC’s The Voice (S12) and ABC’s American Idol (S1) he has released two projects: A full length record "Where We Are" (2018) an EP,  "Wonderful (2021), and his latest single, "To Be Loved" (2022)

 When performing he shares his story through genuine songwriting, powerhouse vocals, and pristine arrangements – regaling his tales of love, goodbyes, new friendships, and serial optimism through a tradition of alternative soundscapes and folk authenticity in a pop-style package with a rock & roll attitude.

Website:
http://www.jacobwestfall.com

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/jacobwestfallmusic

YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIwhR13Sk4w

Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/westfalljacob

Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/westfalljacob

Blair Borax

Singer-Songwriter

Blair Borax

Blair Borax is a singer-songwriter who writes tender folk-pop songs to make you feel less alone. "With rich lyrics and a voice like molasses," poet Juniper Klatt says, "Blair Borax makes music that moves you to the heart of being human, offers you a warm cup of tea, and invites you to stay a while."

With vocal stylings reminiscent of 1920s jazz, songwriting that is unafraid to tackle the taboo, and pop melodies that stay with you for days, Blair Borax has something special to offer. She conjures a vocal charm somewhere in between Regina Spektor and First Aid Kit, wordsmithing inspired by the songwriting greats like John Prine, and moody vulnerability like Haley Heynderickx and Big Thief's Adrienne Lenker.

After releasing her first EP ‘everything is light work' in May of 2021, Blair released her debut full-length album "Keep Walking" in June 2022. "Keep Walking" will take you on an emotional journey about moving forward with your head held high, beyond trauma and heartache. It is the perfect companion to help you keep walking too. She is working on her sophomore record, "Tender Lately" this year.

 

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/blairboraxyogamusic/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/blairartthou/

Events

The Crystal Ballroom

1332 W. Burnside
Portland OR 97209

(503) 225-0047
Contact us

Where On Any Night, Anything Can Happen!!

In these walls...

The historic Crystal Ballroom -- now over a century old -- is one of those rare concert halls that can point to a proud, diverse history while also laying claim to an ongoing musical legacy. Every time you enter this majestic ballroom, let your imagination sense the tremors resonating from a century's worth of gatherings, and realize that you are joining a thriving, generations-long procession of show-goers. Welcome!

 

Tech Specs

Floor and stage plan
PDF download

Lighting diagram 
PDF download

Sound manifest
Crystal:
PDF download
Lola's Room: 
PDF download

Technical and logistical packet
For Crystal Ballroom & Lola's Room
PDF download

Ballroom height and beam-to-beam dimensions
16' 11" from beam to floor
19' 11" from floor to ceiling
14' 6" in between beams

Promoter Info

Rental Expenses To Outside Promoters

RENT VARIES, PLEASE CONTACT A BOOKING COORDINATOR
$900  SOUND & LIGHTS
$365  PRODUCTION MANAGER ($54.75/hr OT)
$255  STAGE MANAGER ($38.32/hr OT)
$255  FOH TECHNICIAN ($38.32/hr OT)
$255  MONITOR ENGINEER ($38.32/hr OT)
$255  LIGHTING DIRECTOR ($38.32/hr OT)
$150  HOSPITALITY ($20/hr OT) [mileage is 33 cents per mile]
$1,000*  SECURITY ($100/hr OT)
$100  BOX OFFICE STAFF ($20/hr OT)
$200  ADMINISTRATION FEE
$ ----  PARKING HOODS
$ ----  CHAIR RENTAL ($2 per chair)
$ ----  ADVERTISING
$500  PIPE AND DRAPE/BARRICADE
$175  STAGEHANDS
$ ----  BOX OFFICE CREDIT CARD FEE (3% of Box Credit Card Sales)

* Security cost is an estimate. Additional security may be required depending on the nature of the event. 

Overtime: All expenses incurred by the Crystal Ballroom for Catering, Advertising, requested stagehands, overtime (anything over 10 hours), backline, barricade, risers, etc. will be added to total rental rate.

Deposits: A non-refundable 50% room deposit and a $2,500 'untenured promoter fee' (UPF) is due immediately in order to secure the room. If ticket sales exceed 500 the 'UPF' will be refunded; if ticket sales are below 500 the room keeps the entire $2,500 to make up for less than 1/3 capacity and corresponding lack of sales. The 'UPF' will not be refunded if the event cancels within 60 days of the event.

Settlement: Venue will pay renter with a company check at the immediate conclusion of door sales. Venue will not provide any cash at settlement.

Late Night Fee: There is a $1,000/hour additional fee for any events after 3 a.m. We may also require additional security for events of that nature.

Merchandise: Merch rate is 20% they sell. We can provide a seller with advance notice and will keep 30% of sales. The outside promoter will receive no revenue from the merchandise as that is the prerogative of the house. House keeps a percentage of all transactions.

Tickets: All tickets must be placed through the venue onto the Cascade Tickets system. All comps, label buys, and holds must be approved by the venue. There is a $2/ticket venue fee at the Box Office.

Refunds: All refunds will be directed to the outside promoter. In the absence of an outside promoter representative, the venue shall use its own discretion regarding refunds and all refunds shall be deducted from settlement.

Insurance and Licenses: Renter must provide liability insurance not less than $1,000,000 for any single occurrence naming McMenamins Inc. d.b.a. Crystal Ballroom as additionally insured. Tickets will not be placed on sale until binder is received. Promoter is responsible for all ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC fees.

Production Advance: Performers or their representative must contact venue's production manager 5 days prior to the event in order to advance production needs, otherwise runner will arrive at 6 p.m. and all rider items/requests will be greatly limited if provided at all.

Layout: The Crystal Ballroom is located on the 3rd floor. The first floor is Ringlers Restaurant and the 2nd floor is Lola's Room, both of which may have a public or private event simultaneously with the Crystal.

Cancellation/Postponement: The contract covers the specified event for the specified date. No substitution will be accepted for a cancellation. If the event is postponed the room deposit will be transferred to the date of the new event but the $2,500 'UPF' will be applied toward the date of the originally scheduled show and an additional $2,500 will be required in order to reschedule.

Capacity: The venue's capacity is 1500*. All artist and promoter guests and comps will be deducted from sellable. Comp and guest space must be reserved in advance. House is entitled to 20 guests. House guests will not effect sellable. Promoter must have guest list to house no later than 2 hours prior to doors. VIP cap is 25.

* Seated capacity is 850. Seated shows must be 21 and over. There is a $2/chair rental fee.

Venue and corporate sponsor banners may be present during event.

Marketing your event at the Crystal Ballroom

Please contact Mike Walker for information about marketing your event through McMenamins resources.

Box Office

Please note! Both the Crystal Ballroom and Lola's Room specialize in open-floor shows with a very limited amount of seats. The rare seated events will be clearly denoted as such, within the event description on our schedule page.

Box Office Information

Tickets for all McMenamins shows are ticketed by Cascade Tickets, and may be purchased at the Crystal box office (located under the Crystal's awning) and McMenamins Edgefield, by phone at 1-855-CAS-TIXX, or by clicking the "Buy Tickets" link located at the event listing on our schedules.

Tickets bought directly at the Crystal box office or any of our four ticket outlets will only incur a $1 facility charge. (Please note! Tickets to Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn will incur additional service fees.)

Crystal Ballroom Box Office Hours 
Daily, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The box office is open later on nights when there is a performance.

The box office accepts cash, VISA, MasterCard, American Express and DiscoverCard.

Will Call

Will call is located at the box office.

Refunds

All ticket purchases are non-refundable.

Parking

There are three pay lots nearby, and street parking is available.

Accessibility

Those with disabilities may call (503 225 0047) or email in advance to arrange early admittance.

There is an elevator located in the lobby.

Hold your Private Event at Crystal Ballroom

Weddings  Meetings  Social Events

The Crystal Ballroom is a truly awe-inspiring venue with its vaulted ceilings, grand chandeliers, giant wallscapes and famous "floating" dance floor. Accommodating groups from 100 to 1000 people, this 7,500-square-foot space includes access to the Ballroom's classic corner stage, floor-to-ceiling windows, swooping balcony, and full bar service.

Tucked in the Crystal’s second story is Lola’s Room accommodating events of up to 200 guests.  Lola’s comes with a handsome fully stocked bar, original artwork, and a floating dance floor all it’s own.

For overnight accommodations, our Crystal Hotel is just a block away!

Contact our sales team to inquire or book your event.
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Art

Artwork plays an important role in the character of McMenamins locations throughout Oregon and Washington. We believe art makes life richer and more enjoyable. So, you'll often find paintings covering our walls, ceilings doors, overhead pipes, and equipment -- works as diverse and entertaining as our places for family and friends. Many artists have contributed to this vast variety of delightful eye candy. Jump in and enjoy some now!

History

 

 

Explore the Crystal Blocks

Our Crystal Hotel and legendary Crystal Ballroom are just across the street from each other, each offering their own unique spaces for live music, Northwest style fare and McMenamins hand crafted beverages.  Explore these properties and all they have to offer. 

Crystal Ballroom Property

Crystal Ballroom  Lola's Room  Ringlers Pub  Crystal Brewery

Crystal Hotel Property

Crystal Hotel  Al's Den  Ringlers Annex  Zeus Cafe

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