Hello, Folkies,
Those of you who read my full blog may already know about the birdwatching excitement in Albuquerque (“THE Bird Find of a Lifetime, posted 2/22/2006). If you’re reading the full blog right now, just scroll down past this post to the one on 2/22/06. If not and you’re interested in birding history, you can visit the full blog at www.merridancing.com/wp and scroll down past this post to the one on 2/22/06.
Photo by Mark Justice Hinton, (c) 2006
But here is something you probably don’t know and will want to know: Lunasa, a fantastic Irish band, will play at the Kimo in Albuquerque on October 4, 2006. On March 15, tickets go on sale to the general public. Visit www.abqmusic.com for more info.
Santa Fe Concert, March 2
Thursday, March 2nd, 8PM
Radio Free Bassanda! Music from the Mediterranean, Near East and Balkans
GiG Performance Space – 1808 2nd Street, Santa Fe
Suggested donation $10-$15
Radio Free Bassanda! was founded by Roger Landes, Mason Brown and Chipper Thompson out of a shared interest in the various modal musics from around the Mediterranean, the Middle & Near East, and the Balkans. Modal music is one of the oldest types of music, while remaining the dominant musical language in many parts of the world. Modal musics emphasize melody and rhythm rather than harmony and they invariably contain a great deal of improvisation and spontaneous invention. Radio Free Bassanda! brings a wide range of repertoire and instrumentation to their performances. Their use of both eastern and western instruments affords them a broad timbral palette with which to weave their sound pictures. Energetic and complex rhythms challenge the ear and the feet! http://gigsantafe.com
Santa Fe Concert, Friday, March 3
Miguel Combs is playing at Upper Crust Pizza (yummy whole-wheat crust!) Fri, March 3, 6-9 p.m. He’ll probably have mystery guests too. It’s at the corner of De Vargas & Old Santa Fe Trail, (OSFT), info: 438-6636. Also, Miguel reports that Gary Schiffmiller, Michael Combs, Michael’s son Hickory, and others have formed the Santa Fe Buskers Alliance- santafebuskers@yahoo.com . At their 2nd meeting, the ACLU sent two fabulous lawyers from Albuquerque, who’ve decided to take their case. Street musicians ( buskers) have been on the receiving end of illegal yet effective harrasment by police for ove 20 years in Santa Fe, and that may be about to change. The Journal is supposed to run a story on this soon, watch for it. On Sundays, the merry buskers meet at 2 p.m. at San Francisco St. & Burro Alley and raise a joyous noise, eliciting smiles and coinage from passers-by. If you’d like their newsletters, e-mail them.
Corrales Sing, Friday, March 3
FOLK SONG CIRCLE. Sea Songs and Fish are the March 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.)
Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, March 4
A special treat with Lausanne Allen calling the contra dance to Bayou Seco’s tunes (Ken Keppeler on fiddle and accordian, Jeanie McLerie on fiddle and accordion, Scott Mathis on mandolin and bass, Linda Askew on guitar!!!). 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. Should be a rollickin’ good time!
Dance Twice in Albuquerque on March 4
Square dancing for fun on Saturday before the contra dance! You don’t need to know anything about square dancing to have a great time. Jerry Jestin, known all over the square dancing world for his fresh and creative choreography, will call be calling from 1:30 – 3:30 at the Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4909 Hawkins NE. All ages are welcome. $5/adults, $2/kids.
Durango, Colorado Contra Dance, March 4
Saturday evening March 4th, the monthly Contra Dance will be held at the VFW Hall, 1515 Main Avenue. Beginner instruction is at 7:00 p.m. Dancing is from 7:30 to 10:30. All dances are taught and called. No partner is necessary, and dancers of all abilities are welcome. Admission is $7. Accomplished local caller Paul Bendt will call the dance, with live music provided by the extensive Kitchen Jam Band. These smoke-and alcohol-free dances are a project of the Durango Arts Center. For further information, call 259-6820.
Bayou Seco in Concert, Taos, Sunday, March 5
Cross-cultural Music of the Southwest, Sunday, March 5th, 2006, 6:30-9:30pm
In the Adobe Bar of the Taos Inn
125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte
Ken Keppeler and Jeanie McLerie play cross-cultural music of the southwest that they have learned first hand from elder musicians in the communities where they have lived. Cajun, early Chicken Scratch (waila) from the Tohono O?odham, northern New Mexican, Norte?o and Zydeco styles are artfully blended into a uniquely exotic sound that entwines the roots of these musics. Ken (diatonic 1 and 3 row accordions, fiddle, harmonica, fretless banjo and vocals) and Jeanie (5 string violin, guitar and gutsy lead vocals in French, Spanish and English) met in Eunice, Louisiana 28 years ago, and currently live in Silver City, New Mexico. Their special brand of Southwestern ?Chilegumbo? ? Cajun two-steps, waltzes, polkas and ranchers, chotis?s, meringues and huapangos, and, perhaps a broom dance, is cross-cultural, multi-lingual, extremely participatory, and transcends labels and pigeonholes. It is true COMMUNITY music.
Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, March 11
Check out the Contra Dance in Santa Fe, Saturday, March 11. Chris Kelly of Santa Fe is calling, Music in the Glen (Will McDonald on fiddle and others I don’t know about) 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, March 12
Merri Rudd will call elegant English country and zesty contra dances; music by One Good Turn (Gary Papenhagen on fiddle, Lou Blackwell on bass, Peter Wegman on guitar, young Graham on fiddle); 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.
ABQ Concert, Sunday, March 12
The Karan Casey Band, Lobo Theater, 3013 Central Ave., NE, 7 PM
Karan Casey is one of the most instantly recognizable, alluring and original voices in all of world music. The former longtime lead vocalist with the Irish supergroup Solas exhibits the grace, pacing and richness of an old soul. The Wall Street Journal says Karan Casey is “one of the true glories in Irish music today,” while the Associated Press says Casey has “…a voice so beautiful, it’s almost impossible to avoid falling under her spell.” Her album The Winds Begin to Sing (Shanachie Records) won Irish Music Magazine’s “Best Folk Album” award in 2001. Her latest CD, Chasing the Sun, represents a new level of maturity for Karan and is presented with an immediacy and vibrancy that will delight her fans as well as attracting a whole new audience. Visit www.abqmusic.com for more info and to purchase tickets.
Albuquerque Megaband Practice, Tuesday, March 14
Join the Megaband on Tuesday, March 14, 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.
This & That
Folkmadness Camp: You should have received a FOLKMADness camp flyer and registration form in the mail if you’re a FOLKMADS member, or find them at dance tables, or on the web at www.folkmads.org. Now all you have to do is send the registration form in! This 14th annual camp’s lineup of guest callers, singer, and musicians is sterling. Mark your calendars for May 26-29, 2006, Socorro, NM. The waffle machine and ice cream scoops await you!
Outpost Performance Space Concerts: There are a bunch of good concerts coming up at the Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque. Count Basie Orchestra, Cesaria Evora,
Cape Verde?s queen of morna music, and Susan McKeown Celtic Trio are just a few. Check out http://www.outpostspace.org/ for more info.
Santa Fe Concerts: GiG is Santa Fe’s non-profit performance space. GiG is located at 1808 Second St. The suggested donation is $7 to $10. All shows are at 8 PM. Check out www.gigsantafe.com for more details about each week’s artists and listen to their music samples at the Listen link! This music is updated weekly, so please check back often.
New Scottish Country Dancing class in Taos: Dancers are meeting on Thursday evenings, 7-9, at the Chrysalis School (except not March 30 and April 13, due to the school being closed on those days). Head out of town on Kit Carson. Turn LEFT on Evergreen Lane, just across from Anglada’s. Chrysalis School is about half a block down that dirt road on the left. Scottish Country Dancing is what evolved into American square dancing when the Scots settled in America. It is still a popular form of social dancing in Scotland, and internationally. Great exercise–stimulating music! The teacher, Rob, has taught SCD in San Diego for many years, but now that he is finally able to move full time to Taos, he is starting a class there. Kilts are not required, and you don’t need to bring a partner. Thin, soft-soled shoes are suggested. Rob Sanders, 751-0191, RobTaosSCD@aol.com They also have classes in Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and Albuquerque. Visit the website: http://www.losalamos.com/nmrscds/ for more info.
If you have folk music and/or dance events for me to list for the 2nd half of March, let me know by March 15th. I’m waiting to hear from Las Cruces, Taos and AMP concerts re: March events.
Merri Rudd
www.merridancing.com