Hi, Folkies,

This will be my only June folk enews. HOWEVER, I may post updates during the month without notice, so you die-hard blog-lovers can check back on occasion throughout the month. What an amazing assortment of news and events June brings. There is no Las Cruces Contra Dance in June!!!

Mark your calendars for the 12-hour+ Albuquerque Folk Festival on June 17 (more below). Those who want to be “dance angels” at the noon contra dance workshop should email me immediately at abogada@aol.com to reserve a wrist band and possible parking pass. I have 12 wristbands and 5 parking passes.

Corrales Sing, Friday, June 2
FOLK SONG CIRCLE. They’re meeting to sing as usual this Friday June 2nd, and the theme is HORSES, WAGONS, CARRIAGES, AND BLACKSMITHS.
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, June 3

Photo of Peg Hesley by Merri Rudd (c) 2006

Phoenix caller Peg Hesley graces the mike with the Virginia Creepers playing hot, old-time music. (Bruce Thomson and Peter White on fiddle, Steve Huestis on banjo, Rick Olcott on guitar, Laurie Phillips on mandolin, Scott Mathis on bass) 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. Bring clean dance shoes. No shoes with nails or that leave black scuff marks, please. $5 members, $6 others.

Durango, Colorado Contra Dance, June 3
Saturday evening June 3rd, 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. Special Guest caller Adina Gordon from Radford, Virginia, will call the dance. Live Music will be provided by members of the Kitchen Jam Band featuring Elizabeth Shaffer, formerly of Beltaine, on fiddle. All dances are taught and called. No partner is necessary, and dancers of all abilities are welcome. Admission is $10. These smoke-and alcohol-free dances are a project of the Durango Arts Center. For further information, call 259-6820.

Bosque House Concert, Sunday June 4, Albuquerque
THE BOULDER ACOUSTIC SOCIETY , 6:30 pm — Note the early start time
(near Old Town Albuquerque, directions provided with reservations)
$12 Suggested minimum donation
Reservations required. Contact Jeff at abqmusic.com or make them on-line at www.abqmusic.com/houseconcerts.html
With a marimba and several ukuleles, you’ll be impressed with the funky blend of instruments and the variety of their music. The band mixes up jazz, swing, bluegrass, surf music and more, with a great set of originals and covers arranged to fit their unique instrumental make-up.Listen to some samples at www.boulderacousticsociety.net

Albuquerque Concert, Wednesday, June 7
SLAID CLEAVES, 7:30 pm
N4th Theater, (4904 4th St NW, at Griegos) with special guest Rod Picott
Tickets: $15 advance
Tickets are currently only available on-line at www.abqmusic.com, at Bookworks
and Natural Sound.
This wonderful 150-seat theater attached to the North Fourth Art Center promises to be a new focal point for theater, dance and music in Albuquerque. Slaid was named a Kerrville New Folk winner in 1992 and went on to release a handful of well regarded albums since then. His music is firmly Americana, that country-tinged darker cousin of folk. Geoffrey Himes of the Washington Post says: “”… darkness and weight can be found on Cleaves’s new album, “Wishbones,” a breakthrough project that fulfills his early promise and ushers him into the company of such Texans as Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Guy Clark, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Lucinda Williams.” Slaid throws a bit of a curve ball with his new CD “Unsung”. It’s all cover songs, though they are all obscure enough that most people won’t recognize them. Slaid will be performing as as a trio with folky Rod Picott opening the show. www.slaidcleaves.com or www.rodpicott.com

Albuquerque Bluegrass Concert, Thursday, June 8
The Hickory Project
Thursday June 8th at 7:00 pm
Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria NE.
$10.00 Members, $12.00 Non-Members
What started as a routine experiment has turned into a revolutionary project, henceforth known as The Hickory Project. The band features hard?driving traditional and original bluegrass and acoustic music with the expert licks of 1999 Walnut Valley Mandolin Champion Anthony Hannigan and Florida Fiddle Champion Sue Cunningham providing the foundation for an outstanding performance. The Hickory Project has produced six CDs and a DVD under their own label, Hickory Productions. The group is known for precision playing, instrumental acrobatics, diverse and prolific songwriting, and a wide range of musical influences that is reflected in their original music and innovative arrangements of cover tunes. Whether it is straight-forward traditional or a new realm in acoustic music, the Hickory Project is gaining ground ?Linking Old and New in Acoustic Music.? More info: www.southwestpickers.org

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, June 10
Will McDonald of Santa Fe is calling with the Virginia Creepers (see above) playing again! 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. $5 members, $6 others. Instruction at 7:30 p.m.

Second Sunday Dance, June 11
This will be the last 2nd Sunday dance until fall. If you want this series to continue, please come on June 11 and voice your support with your feet!! We did some great English dances at Folkmadness camp last weekend. Let’s keep the momentum going! Noralyn Parsons, Linda Starr & Merri Rudd will call elegant English country and zesty contra dances; music by One Good Turn (Gary Papenhagen on fiddle, Peter Wegman on guitar, Graham Daily on fiddle, and Lou Blackwell on bass). 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.

Albuquerque Megaband Practice, Tuesday, June 13
Join the Megaband on Tuesday, June 13, at the Blue Dragon, 1517 Girard NE, Albuquerque, 7:30-10:30 p.m. More info: Bruce Thomson, 277-4729.

Albuquerque House Concert, Tuesday, June 13
Richard Smith and Aaron Till, 7:30
1000 Parkland Circle SE, Albuquerque (not sure if it’s full)
266-6928 or 858-3463
http://www.richardsmithmusic.com/richard.html
“He can play anything I know, only better.” – Chet Atkins
?If you like my playing, you should hear Richard Smith.? – Tommy Emmanuel
Sample Recordings:

Albuquerque Folk Festival, Saturday, June 17!!
Finally, it’s time for the all-day folk blow-out on Saturday, June 17, at the Fairgrounds in Albuquerque. The Folk Festival schedule is now out and about. A copy was included in the latest FOLKMADS newsletter (look on the back side for DOZENS of workshops), plus schedule info is posted at the web site: www.abqfolkfest.org/schedule.htm Performers include Round Mountain; Syd Masters & the Swing Riders; Sandia Hots; Black Eagle; Steve Smith and Hard Road; Ronstadt, Ramirez Santa Cruz River Band; Jenny Vincent Trio. Contra dance at the Fairgrounds that night from 7:30-11 p.m., Kris Jensen calling, Megaband playing, at the Dance Building. Full info at www.abqfolkfest.org

Taos Contra Dance, Saturday, June 17
7:30 p.m., Caller Jim Buechler and the Taos ContraBand. Call 505-776-1580 for location and more info.

FERINTOSH, a Celtic All-Star Trio in Concert in Santa Fe, Thursday, June 22
8:00 PM at The GiG (1808 Second Street-next to the Second Street Brewery)
for info: judykahn@earthlink.net or abby@abbynewton.com
Suggested contribution $15.
Ferintosh, featuring David Greenberg on fiddle, Abby Newton on cello, and Kim Robertson on Celtic harp, presents the vibrant folk music of Scotland and of Cape Breton where Scottish Highland music has continued in a living tradition since the 18th century. From poignant airs to high spirited strathspeys and reels, their dynamic arrangements unleash both the subtle beauty and rhythmic energy of this timeless music. www.ferintosh.com (They’ll be in Albuquerque too; see below.)

4th Saturday, Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, June 24
Open mike for callers, SF Community Band playing, 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. $5 members, $6 others. Instruction at 7:30 p.m.

FERINTOSH, a Celtic All-Star Trio in Concert in Albuquerque, Saturday, June 24
ALBUQUERQUE NM 7:30 PM (read about the band above at June 22 entry)
HOUSE CONCERT (At home of JoMargaret & John Farris), $15 suggested donation. For reservations and directions: Linda 505-255-7089 dvik@comcast.net

Los Alamos Contra Dance, Saturday, June 24
There will be a contra dance in Los Alamos on Saturday, June 24th at the Unitarian Church. Roaring Jelly will be playing, Alan Wadlinger calling. The dance will begin at 7:00 p.m. (instruction), with full-scale dancing at 7:30. The Unitarian Church is at 1738 N. Sage St. (near the corner of 15th and Canyon). Contact Gordon Keating, 505-662-5972, keating@cybermesa.com for more info.

Albuquerque House Concert, Sunday, June 25
Albuquerque Baroque Players (ABP). Period instrument quartet ABP features Linda Vik on baroque violin, Mary Bruesch on Viola da Gamba, Susan Patrick on Harpsichord and Mary Ann Shore on Baroque winds. FREE CONCERT, Sunday June 25 at Albuquerque, NM 3:00 PM, Unitarian Church (Corner of Carlisle and Montgomery), for info: Linda 505-255-7089 or email dvik@comcast.net

Wildlife West Music Festival, Sunday, June 25
Sunday, June 25, 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. Concerts and workshops with Shawn Camp, Cadillac Sky, Elliott’s Ramblers and Jerusalem Ridge. Get down and boogey while playing hot tunes in Edgewood, New Mexico. This one includes a mandolin contest with a mandolin awarded courtesy of Encore Music. $15 at the gate, children under 12 free. More info at: www.wildlifewest.org

Albuquerque Bluegrass Concert, Wednesday, June 28
LOST HIGHWAY IN CONCERT JUNE 28TH, 7 PM AT COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 9315 Candelaria NE. Albuquerque, NM
Lost Highway is built around the smooth lead singing and rhythm guitar of Ken Orrick. His warm, soulful voice and his fine original songs, written in the best traditional style, define the Lost Highway sound. Eric Uglum, Dick Brown, Mike Tatar, Joe Ash and Ken Orrick, the members of Lost Highway, are united in their love and respect for traditional bluegrass. With their unforgettable trio harmonies, amazing instrumental prowess and relaxed, friendly stage manner, they are sure to be a hit at any festival or concert stage. Cost – $10 for SWP Members, $12 for non-members, http://www.losthighwaybluegrass.com/

This and That
Folkmadness Photos on Web: Shockingly, there were extra men at camp, so the girls certainly had a good time. Plus we were in a brand new dining hall. I posted a few photos from Folkmadness Music and Dance Camp over Memorial Day at http://www.flickr.com/photos/merridancing/tags/folkmadness2006/ Apologies if I misidentified anyone; let me know corrections. Also, if you do NOT want your photo on the web, let me know, and I’ll take it down.

I haven’t had a chance to blog about it yet, but hope to soon… Those of you who were there know that I got to perform FOLK WEDDING #8! And I heard a rumor that FOLK WEDDING #9 has already happened (I won’t say who; I’ll let them tell their own news).

Sample photo from camp:

Folkmadness Thrift Store Prom, 5/28/06 Photo by Merri Rudd (c) 2006

Merri’s MayMadness 2006 Report: I survived my weekend gig with Seth Tepfer, Hotpoint String Band and the Privy Tippers in Prescott, AZ May 19-21, 2006. I posted a blog entry at: http://merridancing.com/wp/category/report-from-the-road/ and photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/merridancing/sets/72057594143467958/

Looking Ahead: YES! There is a dance in Albuquerque on July 1, despite the holiday. Merri Rudd will call with the Five-Dog String Band, Albuq. Square Dance Center, 8-11 p.m.

Mark your calendars for Globalquerque! Saturday and Sunday, September 23 & 24: ?Globalquerque! – at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Early Bird tickets at http://www.globalquerque.com/ticketspecial.html

That’s all for now. Enjoy the many June music and dance activities!

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque NM
www.merridancing.com