Today’s program opens with my favorite songs about my favorite month, October.
I love train songs, which are usually the purview of male singers. So today I’ll feature train songs sung by women.
The Edmund Fitgerald sunk in a November Gale on November 10, 1975, which inspired Gordon Lightfoot’s classic song Wreck of the Edmund Fitgerald. Inspired by that Gordon Lightfoot classic, fellow KBOO folk strip DJs Jonathan and Gordy and I have done an annual Gales of November program featuring songs about shipwrecks, the great Lakes, and nautical lore in November for the past 20 years. Our Gales of November show will air on November 10 this year, the 50th anniversary of the demise of the Ed Fitz, so we’ll get a preview of songs you’ll hear during our special Gales of November program then.
Featured artists include James Taylor, Bill Staines, Robin &Linda Williams, Siobhan O’Brien, Sandy Denny, Ralph Stanley & Iris Dement, Kerri Powers, Rory Block, Elizabeth Cotton, Rosalie Sorrels, Eliza Gilkyson, Eva Cassidy, Karan Casey, Capercaillie, Leo Kottke, and Portland artists Tom May, Dave Carter and Eagle McCall.
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October Folk Concert Calendar
Folk Calendar
October 2025
Before heading out to any event, be sure to check the venue or musician’s website for show status and for any current policies that might be in place.
BIG OCTOBER EVENT:
October 9-12
FAR WEST FOLK ALLIANCE CONFERENCE AT THE HILTON HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER,WA
Annual conference that include Showcase Concerts and private late night performances in hotel rooms every night
Tickets to Evening Showcases and late night concerts are available here:
https://whova.com/portal/registration/q3EUecQKnxdPMO-Jf0jD/8i7j15pg
Saturday October 4th
The Portland Folk Music Society presents Jenner Fox & Jeremy Elliott from Bellingham at Southminster Presbyterian Church
12250 SW Denney Road, Beaverton, OR 97008
Doors 7 Concert 730
https://portlandfolkmusic.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=748368&mod...
Sunday, Oct. 5th
An afternoon house concert with Mary Flower & friends
Featuring the Blues in the Gorge faculty, including Mary, Candace Ivory, Nick Pence, and Cory Seznic
Hart House Concerts, Beaverton; 4pm
www.harthouseconcerts.net
House concert with Irish guitarist John Doyle
Abbie Weisenbloom’s house concert series, SE Portland; 7:30pm
https://froggie.com/calendar-2025/
Thursday, Oct. 9th
Banjo player Noam Pikelny & friends
The Reser, Beaverton; 7:30pm
https://thereser.org/event/noam-pikelny-friends/
Saturday Oct 11th
The Soulard Boys – Johnny B Connolly, Kevin Buckley, Dan Lowery, Cary Novotny
When: Saturday, October 11, 2025 - 6:45 doors, 7:30 show
Where: Winona Grange #271 8340 SW Seneca St, Tualatin, OR 97062
https://oregonirishsociety.org/eventdetail/2nd-saturday-community-concert/
Sunday, Oct. 12th
Charlie Parr
The Showdown, SE Portland; 8pm
https://www.showdownpdx.com/tm-event/charlie-parr/
Sunday, Oct. 19th
Sam Bush & his band
The Aladdin Theatre, SE Portland; 8pm
Tuesday, Oct. 21st
Fiddler Ken Waldman & the Wild Ones feat. Mick Doherty & Evan Coombs
The White Eagle, NE Portland; 7pm
https://www.mcmenamins.com/events/270651-ken-waldman-the-wild-ones
Saturday, Oct. 25th
The Portland Folk Music Society presents Maya DeVitry (formerly lead singer of The Stray Birds)
Reedwood Friends Church, SE Portland; 7:30pm
Doors 7 Concert 730
https://portlandfolkmusic.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=748368&mod...
Wichita (Lauren Sheehan & Pete Krebs)
Artichoke Music, SE Portland; 7pm
https://www.laurensheehanmusic.com/calendar.php
Sunday, Oct. 26th
Jeffrey Foucault
Mississippi Studios, NE Portland; 8pm
Wednesday, Oct. 29th
Canadian S/S Abigail Lapell
The White Eagle, NE Portland; 8pm
https://www.mcmenamins.com/events/269973-abigail-lapell
Friday, Oct. 31st
The Scottish group called Breabach
The Alberta Rose Theatre, NE Portland; 8pm
https://albertarosetheatre.com/event/breabach-2/alberta-rose-theatre/por...