The mission of the Eugene Folklore Society is to promote a variety of folk dancing, folk music and folk traditions and to create opportunities for community participation. We are a ‘folk gateway’ for people new to our area and for long-term residents just discovering traditional music and dance. We love sharing our passion for all kinds of folk traditions! The Eugene Folklore Society is a volunteer-based 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organization, established in 1978.

The Eugene Folklore Society values equality and mutual respect. We value the diversity of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, range of abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. We actively cultivate a climate of purposeful inclusion of all.

It’s all about the community of music and dancing in the folk traditions.  Come join us!

Find out more about EFS and how you can participate

We are all about the community of music and dance in the folk traditions. Come join us!

Everyone is welcome at EFS music and dance events!
Our events are family friendly!

Since 1978 the Eugene Folklore Society has offered traditional music and folk dancing opportunities in Eugene. Our events include frequent contra dances, always with live bands and callers! In October our annual Cascade Contras Dance Camp gathers nearly 200 dancers from far and near. Our terrific Morris dancing team, Two Rivers Morris, performs in town and around the region. 

EFS is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization run entirely by volunteers. Memberships provide important support for our activities. As a member you’ll get a discount to regular EFS contra dances, a personal member badge to wear at dances, and you can vote for and serve on our board of directors.

Annual membership begins in September and extends to September of the following year. We’ve changed how households of two or more people sign up. Households will still get a discount but each household member is asked to join separately with a unique email.

Memberships are $20 per individual or for the first person in a household, and $10 for each additional person in a household.

Membership Form (#3)

Eugene Folklore Society Membership Form

Please use this form to join or renew your membership or to update your contact membership information.

All EFS memberships are annual,  running from September 1 until August 31 of the following year.

Select the payment type you want

When you change your mailing address, email or phone please let us know by submitting your updated contact info here.

Contact Info Update Form (#21)

Keep Your Contact Information Updated

Both EFS members and non-members can use this form to keep us updated on changes to mail address, email and phone number.

Keep in touch with EFS through notices of upcoming contra dances including any weather alerts, Cascade Contras Announcements, Morris Dancing Updates or general EFS News articles.

EFS News Signup (#15)

Be Informed!

Let us know if you would like to stay informed about Contra Dances, Cascade Contras Dance Weekend, Morris dancing or general Eugene Folklore News.

How You Can Get Involved

The Eugene Folklore Society is operated entirely by volunteers. We could not function without them. A big thanks to our members who have stepped up to the plate to keep EFS active and successful. Please consider contributing your time and talents as an EFS volunteer!

There are lots of ways you can participate and have fun doing it. Look over the opportunities below, check those that interest you and we’ll be in touch.

Volunteer Form (#16)

Volunteer Sign Up

You can support the future of the Eugene Folklore Society with a bequest in your will or living trust. You have the power to name EFS as the sole beneficiary of your estate, as the beneficiary for a percentage of your estate, or to specify a certain dollar amount to give.  You can choose how you want funds to be used, and you retain full control over your assets during your lifetime. The EFS Board of Directors carefully manages this endowment fund to provide secure, long-term earnings to provide a financial foundation for EFS dance and music programs and keep EFS events affordable.

While bequests are the most common form of planned giving, you can also name EFS as a beneficiary to your IRA, 401(k), pension plan, or life insurance. These options can provide tax savings when you name a charity as your beneficiary. (Please consult your financial advisor for up-to-date tax code.) Some people opt to name their family as beneficiaries to one asset (say, a pension plan) and a charity for another (e.g. life insurance).

We’ve made it easy for you to let us know of your plans with this simple form:

Legacy Giving Form (#18)

Make a Legacy Gift

Thank you for including the Eugene Folklore Society in your planned giving! We have a few questions for our records to ensure we receive your gift as you intend. This form is completely optional and confidential. You do not have to complete it to include the Eugene Folklore Society in your giving plans. Please note this is not a legal document or binding pledge. 

The Kathy Blago Scholarship

EFS members may apply for scholarships to help cover the costs of participation in classes, training, performances, festivals, etc. A maximum of $100 will normally be given, though larger amounts may be awarded.  The amount awarded cannot exceed the cost of the event. A maximum of 15 scholarships will be awarded each year.

Please apply at least 2 months before the event. Recipients of the award will be expected to reciprocate by participating in various volunteer opportunities for the EFS community, as suggested on the application form. Awards are at the discretion of the EFS Board of Directors. An EFS member may receive only one scholarship a year.

The basis for awarding scholarship includes the following:

  • You are a current, participating member of EFS
  • You intend to be an active, contributing EFS member in future
  • Your participation will likely provide knowledge, skills or experience that you could share with EFS
  • Amount awarded will not exceed cost of participation
Scholarship Form (#13)

Apply for a Blago Scholarship

To be eligible to receive a scholarship you must be a current member of the Eugene Folklore Society. Scholarship applications are reviewed and subject to approval by the EFS Board of Directors.