Supporting Those Who Make the Soundtracks of Our Lives
The Jeremy Wilson Foundation provides support to musicians and music industry workers in Oregon and Clark County, Washington as they navigate health-related challenges.
FXFO
October 8 - 11th
Starday Tavern
The cheekily named FXFO is both a call back to its late-90s origins as a response to Portland’s briefly lived SXSW off-shoot, North by North West, and a statement against the mega-marketing overload, corporate hostile takeover, and general band and fan exploitation that characterizes most music festivals, today. FXFO was revived in 2025, and refounded as a four-day fundraising festival, which is 100% volunteer-powered. The Starday Tavern’s tiny stage is packed with talent and SE Foster hums with exuberant community spirit.
This year, FXFO will again be a four-way fundraiser, benefitting Operation Nightwatch, Array Crisis Fostering, Avalon Microsanctuary, and the Monica Nelson Artist Relief Fund, via the Jeremy Wilson Foundation.
The Monica Nelson Artist Relief Fund was selected because we greatly admire both the fundamental contributions of Monica Nelson to the Portland music scene, and the broader mission of The Jeremy Wilson Foundation, to bring relief to local artists in health crisis in the Oregon music community.
Donate to Monica Nelson’s Artist Relief Campaign here.
Small Circle Series: Wonderly
October 18th, 6-8pm
Coming to a backyard near you
Wonderly is a collaboration between Portland, Oregon musicians Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk. Together they are the soulful, playful and ever-adventurous duo best-known for their bevy of indie film soundtracks and podcast theme songs (like the New York Times’ The Daily and Cheryl Strayed’s Dear Sugar Radio), but their original songs and albums are most often defined by harmony and storytelling.
They sound equally at home making epic symphonic soundscapes, twangy americana and bubbly pop, producing and playing just about every instrument along the way. In their nearly three decades of collaboration, they’ve backed up their idols onstage (Smokey Robinson, Van Dyke Parks, Kristin Hersh), and made music with Northwest luminaries like Liz Vice, Laura Gibson, Laura Veirs and Ural Thomas.
Hosted in a backyard in NE Portland
This is a rare opportunity — only 20 tickets available. Thanks to our generous sponsors who are covering all event costs, 100% of your ticket goes directly to the JWF Musician Health & Services Program. Additional donations are gladly accepted, and all donations are tax deductible.
Enjoy beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and appetizers in a small, welcoming setting that gives you real time to visit with the musicians — a listening experience you won't find anywhere else.
PEOPLE BEHIND THE MUSIC: Selections from the JWF Artist Portrait Project
October 18 - November 30
The Old Church
Reception October 21st, 6:00 - 8:00pm
This fall, The Old Church Concert Hall and the Jeremy Wilson Foundation will present PEOPLE BEHIND THE MUSIC: Selections from the JWF Artist Portrait Project, the first public exhibition of photographs from an ongoing visual record celebrating the musicians and music community workers who shape the cultural life of Oregon and Southwest Washington.
See more from photographer Norm Eder and the Artist Portrait Project on our webpage.
Gram Jam:
A Tribute to Gram Parsons
November 7th, 8:00pm
The Showdown
Gram Jam is a celebration of the music of Gram Parsons. A seminal figure at the roots of what is now referred to as Americana. A mix of traditional country, rock n roll, blues and soul. Gram called that mix Cosmic American Music. Gram Parson’s efforts with The International Submarine Band, The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers and his two solo albums, GP and Grievous Angel were not commercial successes but his songs and style influenced all that came after. The Eagles, Little Feat, Workingman’s Dead by the Grateful Dead, The New Riders of The Purple Sage, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris are just a short list. Cosmic American Music is still alive and well in Portland and many other places around the world.
Shorty and The Mustangs have organized five Gram Jam benefit concerts for the Jeremy Wilson Foundation since 2016. So why do a sixth now?
In November, Gram Parsons would be turning 80 within two days of Gram Jam VI and will also be inducted into The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame within a few weeks of the show. In addition, Shorty and The Mustangs are celebrating their 30th Anniversary in 2026. Too many dates have aligned. It’s meant to happen.
A stellar list of local musicians are donating their time and talent to this benefit show. Get your tickets, you don’t want to miss this!
Sundown:
A Salute to Gordon Lightfoot
November 17th, 7:00pm
Alberta Rose Theatre
Sundown: A Salute to Gordon Lightfoot
“In honor of what would have been his 88th birthday!”
Hosted & Produced by Tom May and the Alberta Rose Theatre
Featured Performers:
Tom May w/ Donny Wright and Grammy winner Doug Smith, Don Lange, Brad Price, Kate Power, Gary Furlow, Terry Prohaska, Adam East, Kristen Grainger/Dan Wetzel, Dylan May, Michael Henchman, and Meridian Green.
With kind support from Music Millennium, Redhare, and River City Folk.
Net proceeds go to The Jeremy Wilson Foundation.
The Next Waltz:
50th Anniversary
November 20, 21, 28, & 29th
Alberta Rose Theatre
A stellar lineup of Portland all-stars sing and play the music from The Band's farewell concert, which happened 50 years ago this month, and was made into the best ever rock and roll concert film and classic album, The Last Waltz.
For this year's 50th anniversary, we are doing four shows across two weekends - November 20, 21, 28 and 29. Some different performers will be featured on different nights, so plan to attend multiple nights if you just can't get enough.
We are also adding Reserved Seating this year - choose your own seats at checkout - for a smooth and stress-free seating experience. Every year The Next Waltz sells out in advance, so be sure to get your tickets early!
A portion of the proceeds benefit the Jeremy Wilson Foundation Musician Health & Services Program, an amazing organization that awards emergency grants to Northwest musicians in times of need, helps them navigate the health care system and so much more.
When buying your tickets, choose "Reserved + JWF Donation" if you wish to make a $25 donation that goes directly to the JWF Musician Health & Services Program. Thank You!
SHOW TIMES:
Friday, November 20th 7:30pm
Saturday, November 21st 7:30pm
Saturday, November 28th 7:30pm
Sunday, November 29th 5:00pm
Featured performers TBA