Portland Grunge Band Calamity Jane Reunites 35 Years After Disastrous Nirvana Opening Gig
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By Nathan CarsonJune 23, 2026 4:10PM PDT
Summary
After 35 years, the Portland grunge-era proto–riot grrrl band Calamity Jane is reuniting for the Menopunkapalooza benefit concert. The band originally dissolved after a disastrous gig opening for Nirvana in Buenos Aires, where a hostile macho crowd drove them off stage with mud, coins, and spit. The reunion is headlining a two-day festival across Portland's Mission Theater and Crystal Ballroom, organized by filmmaker Gilly Ann Hanner.
Source
bskyPortland Grunge Band Calamity Jane Reunites 35 Years After Disastrous Nirvana Opening Gigwweek.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledThe macho '90s festival crowd didn't want to see Calamity Jane.
They didn't want to see women playing punk music.
Mud, coins, spit and profanities sent the proto–riot grrrl trio fleeing from the stage and effectively ended the band.
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