MY TRIP TO PORTLAND
by JIM-AUGUST 2011
Each year in August I go to Portland, Oregon to attend a week long concertina school. This year I made an extra effort to attend a session at a local pub known as Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub http://www.kellsirish.com/portland/. It did require an extra bit of research on the internet and a phone call, but I was able to create a fool-proof plan that actually worked. I took a train from the airport to downtown Portland and then used my iPhone GPS unit to locate Kells which was only 2 blocks away from the train station. On the way to Kells, I walked through an arts and crafts fair that is held every Saturday in downtown Portland.
At Kells I introduced myself to the manager and had fish and chips for lunch (with of course the usual glass of Guinness). Once I had verified that they would indeed have a Traditional Irish session that evening I was free to roam about downtown Portland and enjoy the sunshine and 65 degree weather (in August) for the afternoon. I asked about all the dollar bills on the ceiling (see picture) and was told that patrons would roll two quarters in a dollar bill and throw them at the ceiling where they would stick (magic?). Once a year the staff removes all the money and donates it to a local charity.
As I walked about the streets of Portland I came upon a small gathering of people who were listening to a young man telling stories about how Portland got its name, and of the Shanghai trade that was a huge industry in the early days of Portland. I decided to join this 2 hour walking tour and find out a little about Portland’s history. Turns out there were two main industries in Portland in the old days: bars and shipping. The young men would often go to the bars to get drunk and then after they passed out, were hauled away in covered wagons to the ships at dock a few blocks away. There they were thrown in the hold of the ship only to wake up the next day out at sea. It is said that most of these ships were on their way to Shanghai, China and so that is where the term shanghaied was invented.
After the tour, it was time to eat dinner and go to the session. We had about 6 musicians show for the session (less than usual due to a huge music event taking place in a nearby community). We played many familiar tunes at a moderate speed which was great fun. Turned out 3 of the 6 musicians were whistle players so I ended up playing concertina as often as possible since 3 whistles (no matter how well played) can be a bit shrill at times. Later, two fiddle players showed up and took over the session and played tunes that only the two of them knew at amazing speed. It was a great concert. My ride to the concertina camp arrived exactly on time and thanks to his GPS unit we were able to get to the camp without a hitch. All-in all a perfect day that came from my unstoppable desire to experience Traditional Irish Sessions wherever I find them.
My hope is that you will create your own adventure and attend a session wherever you travel. Most towns large enough to have an Irish Pub will have a session and with a little planning you will have a story to tell. My invitation is for you to post your story of your session travels and pictures on this page.
Jim