Howdy, Folkies,
We made it through high heating bills, and the daffodils, forsythia and hyacinths are abloom in most parts of Albuqueque. If you read (past tense) the 2nd March Enews early, scroll down and check out the very fine new photo of the yellow grosbeak taken by a birder who visited NM from CA. I added it after I had let everyone know I’d posted the Enews. Last sighting of him was March 9, so maybe he’s in one of your yards now.
Susannah, a recent dancer transplant to Albuquerque, needs rides to dances. Can you help her? Susannah is working as an intern at Los Poblanos Organics. She is living on Griegos Rd, near Rio Grande NW in Albuquerque. If anyone who would be coming to the dances from that neighborhood and would be willing to give her a ride, please let her know. She only has a cell phone 240-418-4134, which is long distance. E-mail is hard for her to check – she has to go to the library, so the cell phone is better.
Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, April 1
Kris Jensen is calling and Hey! (Linda Vik and Jane Phillips on fiddle, Chris Carlson on fiddle and banjo, Tim Shaffer on fiddle and guitar) is playing. 8-11 p.m., acoustic jam at 7 p.m.; newcomers class at 7:30. Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4909 Hawkins NE, one full block west of I-25 and 1/2 block north of Ellison. See www.asdc.org for directions. $5 members, $6 others.
Silver City Dance, Saturday, April 1
The Silver Heels Community Dance Band will be hosting quarterly dances at the THE U.U.FELLOWSHIP HALL 3845 N. SWAN, SILVER CITY, N.M. The first one will take place on Saturday, April 1, 7:30-10:30. Celebrating Dancing Together, Music by the Silver Heels Community Dance Band (coached by Ken and Jeanie of Bayou Seco fame), the Fiddling Friends and Fiddle Club Children Welcome! VIRGINIA REEL, LA BASTRANGE, WALTZES and 2 STEPS, POLKAS AND RANCHERAS, THE BROOM DANCE, THE HANDKERCHIEF DANCE, THE CHOTIS, AND LOTS MORE … ADMISSION BY DONATIONS. For more info call 505-534-0298 or send email to WENTZSIMMONS@ZIANET.COM or BAYOUSECO@AOL.COM.
Solas Concert in Santa Fe, Wed., April 5
Southwest Roots Music & AMP Concerts are proud to present Celtic sensations *SOLAS*
Wednesday, April 5, 2006 at 7:30 pm
St. Francis Auditorium at the Museum of Fine Arts
107 W. Palace Ave., Santa Fe
$25 advance. $29 door. $20 for Members. General Admission.
*Tickets at Lensic Box Office **505-988-1234 * www.lensic.com
Since its birth in 1996, Solas has been loudly proclaimed the most popular, influential, and exciting Celtic band ever to emerge from the United States–the first truly great Irish-American band. The Philadelphia Inquirer said they make mind-blowing Irish folk music, maybe the world’s best. The New York Times praised their unbridled vitality. And the Austin American-Statesman called them the standard by which contemporary Celtic groups are judged. The band interprets a wide range of original, traditional and contemporary material in surprising ways. Songs by contemporary artists–Dylan, Waits, Drake–are given a Celtic tinge, making explicit their connections with the deep, ultimately Celtic roots of American music. The Solas sound today is anchored by founders fiddler Winifred Horan and Seamus Egan, who plays flute, tenor banjo, mandolin, whistle, guitar and bodhran. They are two of the most respected?and imitated?musicians anywhere in acoustic music. Mick McAuley from Kilkenny plays accordion and concertina; Eamon McElholm from Tyrone plays guitar and keyboards. Deirdre Scanlan is the band’s latest vocal discovery, gorgeously filling the role carved out by founding vocalist Karan Casey.
Solas in Albuquerque, Thursday, April 6
AMP Concerts presents Solas at the Lobo Theater, 3013 Central Ave., NE (Albuquerque)
7:30 PM
Visit www.abqmusic.com for details.
Solas has been acclaimed as “the most exciting Irish traditional group in the world” by the Boston Herald. They interpret a wide range of material in surprising ways; songs by contemporary artists are given a Celtic tinge, making explicit their connections with the deep, ultimately Celtic roots of American music. Solas weaves together a fascinating body of material including songs by Bob Dylan (the obscure gem “Dignity”), Tom Waits, Nick Drake and Jesse Colin Young of The Youngbloods, as well as traditionally-rooted original compositions.
Corrales Sing, Friday, April 7
FOLK SONG CIRCLE. Spring/Flowers/Plants/Trees are the April theme.
FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH, 8:00 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT
Each participant in the circle may lead a song, do a solo, request a song, or pass. Bring enthusiasm, songbooks, instruments, beverages/snacks, kids, and friends.
Contact: Laurie McPherson 898-6978
Email: lauriemcpherson@hotmail.com or lmcpherson@salud.unm.edu
114 Coronado Road, Corrales, 87048
(Directions: From the intersection of Alameda and Coors, go 1.8 miles north on Corrales Road. Pass the Chevron station, go several blocks. Just past the Horseman?s Supply store, turn left on Coronado Road. Post office is too far. They?re the second house on the right, come in past the barns to park.)
Solas in Socorro, Friday, April 7
As part of their Spring 2006 tour, Solas will appear in concert at New Mexico Tech?s Macey Center at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 7, in a Performing Arts Series (PAS) event. Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and $12 for youth and may be bought at the door or in advance at the New Mexico Tech Bookstore, New Mexico Tech Cashier’s Window (Brown Hall), Brownbilt Western Wear, Burrito Tyme Walk-In, and Video Shack. Tickets also may be purchased from Performing Arts Series Office at pas@admin.nmt.edu or 505-835-5688. New Mexico Tech students should pick up their free ticket by showing their ID at the New Mexico Tech Bookstore.
Durango, Colorado Contra Dance, April 7
A special Contra Dance, in conjunction with the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, will be held Friday April 7th. The Denver band Skean Dubh will be playing for the dance, and Peg Hesley from Phoenix will be the caller. The dance will be at the VFW Hall, 1550 Main Avenue, with beginner instruction at 7:00 and dancing from 7:30 to 10:30. All dances are taught and called. No partner is necessary, and dancers of all abilities are welcome. Admission for this special dance is $10. For further information, call 970-259-6820.
Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, April 8
One hot dance is planned in Santa Fe, Saturday, April 8. Merri Rudd is calling, Hands Five (Bruce Thomson on fiddle, Erika Gerety on bass, Peter Esherick on hammer dulcimer, John Brinduse on guitar, Gary Blank on percussion) are playing. 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. $5 members, $6 others. Instruction at 7:30 p.m.
Second Sunday Dance, April 9
William DeRagon will call elegant English country and zesty contra dances; music by Gemma DeRagon and friends; 7:00 – 9:30 p.m., Dance Studio in Albuquerque at 4217 San Mateo NE, 1 block south of Montgomery on the west side of the San Mateo between Auto Zone and Bank of the West (across from Grandy’s). Park directly behind the studio on west side in gated area or along San Mateo to avoid vehicle break-ins. Do not park behind Auto Zone. Bring clean dance shoes. No shoes with nails or that leave black scuff marks, please. Clean dance shoes and tennis shoes OK. $6 admission. In honor of daffodil season, we may “spring” a few surprises on you all.
Albuquerque Dance Weekend, April 7-9
A WEEKEND FULL OF FUN TO BENEFIT THE NATIONAL MS SOCIETY
WORKSHOPS **DANCES ** ENTERTAINMENT
April 7-9, Albuquerque, NM
OUT-of-STATE GUEST INSTRUCTORS INCLUDE MICHAEL & DAWNE KIEHM & JEFF & MARY HILL
Patti Miller is hosting her 7th Annual Workshop Weekend with the stars in Albuquerque, NM, April 7-9. Dancers from all across the country attend this annual event. Dances and workshops Friday through Sunday at various locations. Click on: www.becauseyoucan.us to print a tegistration form and for all the details. If you cannot attend the DBYC workshop weekend but would like to contribute to the MS Fundraiser, please write a check to Patti Miller (write MS Fundraiser on the memo line) and send it to: Dance! Because You Can, P.O. Box 90155 ABQ, NM 87199. FOR MORE INFORMATION on DBYC or the following or to subscribe to NM Local Dance e-newsletter, please contact Susan Kellogg at glkello@nmia.com or call 505-299-3737.
Albuquerque Megaband Practice, Tuesday, April 11
Join the Megaband on Tuesday, April 11, at the Blue Dragon, 1517 Girard NE, Albuquerque, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Bring your sweeties, and maybe they’ll play some rowdy but romantic old-time tunes. More info: Bruce Thomson, 277-4729.
Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, April 15
Wendy Graham, the energetic cutie from Durango, is calling and Megaband is playing this CAMP BENEFIT DANCE to raise money for scholarships. 8-11 p.m., acoustic jam at 7 p.m.; newcomers class at 7:30. Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4909 Hawkins NE, one full block west of I-25 and 1/2 block north of Ellison. See www.asdc.org for directions. $6 members, $7 others ($1 higher fee tonight only).
Fun Folk Festival Fundraiser, Tuesday, April 18
The Albuquerque Folk Festival and Il Vicino have teamed up to bring families together for an all day event of great food and fun. Tuesday April 18th; order take-out, come in for lunch or dinner or both at Il Vicino and a portion of the proceeds will be donated directly to the AFF organization. This is a great opportunity for AFF to get some much needed funds and enjoy good food with good friends. 3403 Central NE in Nob Hill 505-266-7855. Il Vicino has great, wood-fired pizza, so plan to eat there that night. And mark your calendars for June 17, 2006 for the Folk Festival. Visit http://www.abqfolkfest.org/ for details.
This & That
New Mexico’s FolkMadness Camp needs more men to sign up for this camp, May 26-29, 2006. Early registration deadline for NM Folkmadness is April 15, www.folkmad.org has info!
And Prescott, AZ’s MayMadness Weekend, May 19-21, 2006 needs more men to sign up, too. Callers Seth Tepfer and Merri Rudd. Bands Hotpoint String Band and the Privy Tippers. More info is at http://www.sharlot.org/madness/
For you guys who don’t know the secret to women’s hearts, we only want one thing: a guy who can dance!
If you have folk music and/or dance events for me to list for the 2nd half of April, let me know by April 15th. And don’t forget to file your income taxes by April 17.
Merri Rudd
www.merridancing.com