Howdy, Folkies,
August is especially filled with music events, including two fantastic house concerts and two weekend festivals. Read on for details. But, first, congratulations are in order to the organizers and attendees of FOLKMADS’ first Enchanted Assembly English Country Ball.
Photo by Meg Adams
Gemma and Della finally got the audience they deserved with about 70 dancers in attendance from around the southwest. Read the full report at: http://merridancing.com/wp/2007/07/enchanted-assembly-english-ball-report/. When you’re done reading, close that window to return to this blog entry.
Corrales Sing, Friday, August 3
FOLK SONG CIRCLE. Newcomers welcome. They’re meeting in August to sing of Weddings, Engagements, and Marriage. Show up to learn why!!!
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, August 4
Richard Wilson calling and the Adobe Brothers (Bruce Thomson on fiddle, Elliott Rogers on guitar, Janice Ryals-Rogers on bass, Tim DeYoung on mandolin, Wayne Shrubsall on banjo) playing sizzling dance tunes. 7:30 – 10:30 p.m., acoustic jam at 6:30 p.m. and newcomers class at 7 p.m. Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Bring clean dance shoes. No shoes with nails or that leave black scuff marks, please. $6 members, $7 others.
Wildlife West Music Festival, August 3–5, Edgewood, NM
Friday begins with a Country Barn Dance with Syd Masters & the Swing Riders. Saturday, August 4 features 2 covered stages with music by:
The Claire Lynch Band with Missy Raines & Jim Hurst
Cedar Hill, 2004 IBMA “Emerging Artist of theYear”
Sweet Sunny South, old time bluegrass
Mystic Lizard, New Mexico’s new hot bluegrass band.
The Nob Hillbillies
The Duke City Swampcoolers
Daybreak Express
Coyote Crossing
The Squash Blossom Boys
Fiddle and Guitar Contests start at 4pm with an instrument awarded the winner. Sunday begins at 11am with Gospel featuring:
Chris Jones & the Night Drivers
Cedar Hill and more.
Held at an Enhanced Zoo and Wildlife Refuge just 25 minutes east of Albuquerque on I-40. An event for all ages!! There are two covered stages, you don’t need to bring a chair, and it’s cooler temperatures out at Wildlife West. Camping and children under 12 are free. Call 281-7655 or go to www.wildlifewest.org/bluegrass.html
Special Durango Contra Dance, Fri. & Sat., Aug. 3 & 4
This month the Durango Contra Dancers will host three events with the Albuquerque band “One Good Turn” (Gary Papenhagen & Graham Daily on fiddle, Lou Blackwell on bass, Cleve Sharp on flute, Peter Wegner on guitar, Lou Blackwell on double bass). Friday August 3rd is a concert and open jam at the Rocky Mountain Retreat, 848 E. 3rd Ave, Durango, starting at 7:30 pm. Saturday afternoon August 4th is a special English Country Dance workshop with live music and three instructors at the Senior Center, 2424 Main Avenue, Durango, starting at 3:00 pm. Saturday evening August 4th, the Contra Dance will also be at the Senior Center, 2424 Main Avenue, with the band “One Good Turn”. Beginner instruction is at 7:00 p.m. Dancing is from 7:30 to 10:30. Wendy Graham is the caller. Admission is $10 for 1 event, $15 for 2 events, or $20 for all 3. All dances are taught and called. No partner is necessary, and dancers of all abilities are welcome. First-timers get a free pass to the next Contra Dance. For further information, call 970-259-6820 or 970-903-9402.
NO Old Time Music Circle, Albuquerque
The Sunday Old Time Circle will not meet in August. But there will be a circle in September, time, date and location to be announced in September enews. If you wish to receive an email reminder about this and other Old Time jams, please email Judy Muldawer at inquiry@siliconheights.com.
Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, August 11
Kris Jensen calling, Hands Five playing (Bruce Thomson on fiddle, Peter Esherick on hammer dulcimer, Erika Gerety on bass and mandolin, John Brinduse on guitar, Gary Blank on percussion). 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:30 p.m. $6 members, $7 others.
NO Second Sunday Dance in Albuquerque in August!!! But instead….
Albuq. Concert, The Band of Heathens, August 12
Final (100th) Bosque House Concert
Band of Heathens, Sunday, August 12
6:30 pm, $15 suggested donation
Reservations required. Contact Jeff at abqmusic@att.net or use the on-line reservation system at www.abqmusic.com/houseconcerts.html.
You probably haven’t heard of The Band of Heathens, which in some ways makes them a perfect way to conclude the series, much of which has featured amazing and unknown bands. The Band of Heathens were just named best new band in the Austin Music Awards, and took 2nd place for Band, Album and Song of the Year. Their debut album is a live recording, but they have been working on their first studio album with Ray Wylie Hubbard, which will feature Patty Griffin on backup vocals on a few tracks. The group is fronted by 3 stellar Austin singer-songwriters. That’s a 3 guitar frontal assault (plus bass and drums), leading to 3 unique voices and fantastic harmonies. The best comparison for this blend of Americana, blues, gospel and R&B is The Band (you know, the one with Robbie Robertson and friends). You can stream several songs at www.bandofheathens.com.
Albuquerque Megaband Practice, August 14--New Location!
Change of Venue! In a major loss for the coffeehouse and music scene, the Blue Dragon closed its doors in July 2007. The Albuquerque Megaband will “practice” on Tuesday evening, 8/14, in the community room of the Wild Oats store at 11015 Menaul NE. This is near the intersection of Menaul and Juan Tabo. They’ll play from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. The Megaband will also play for the FolkMADS dance on Saturday, 8/18, at the Heights Community Center. More info: Bruce Thomson, 277-4729 or email him at LibTNov1@aol.com.
Albuq. House Concert, August 16
If you loved the Boulder Acoustic Society as much as the rest of the crowd at the Albuquerque Folk Festival, plan to attend their house concert:
PARKLAND CIRCLE HOUSE CONCERT, August 16, Thursday 7:30
1000 Parkland Circle SE, Albuquerque
Contact: 266-6928 or 858-3463 or email gcnewma@sandia.gov.
Photo by MRudd
They’re young, energetic, immensely talented and gonna make it “Brave Combo” or “Bills” big one day, I predict. With their fun, lively tunes, lyrics, old-time harmonies, and ensemble of instruments including guitars, marimba, violin, double bass and ukuleles, you’ll be thoroughly entertained. Bring your own small chair, alcohol, and a snack to share and $10 donation for the artists. Hosts will provide some snacks, tea, water and a cooler of ice for beers/wine etc. For live recordings: http://www.boulderacousticsociety.net/ or watch them in action at the Albuq. Folk Festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCvG6uXXHnU.
And speaking of Albuquerque Folk Festival...
Here are a couple more youtube videos from June 16, 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksb-8Ho5yVo (Hands Five on stage in concert)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtiF-olIFac (potpourri of workshops and demos, such as belly dancing, Irish step dancing, square dancing, and singing)
Las Cruces Contra Dance, Friday, August 17
Lewis Land and Lonnie Ludeman calling this dance with SNMMDS House Band playing. 7:30-10:30 p.m. $5 all. Mesilla Community Center, 2251 Calle de Santiago, Las Cruces. It’s actually the adjacent town of Mesilla, and hall is 2 blocks west of the plaza. For info, contact 505-522-1691.
Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, August 18
Katherine Bueler from Santa Fe calling and the Albuquerque Megaband playing. 7:30 – 10:30 p.m., acoustic jam at 6:30 p.m. and newcomers class at 7 p.m. Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Bring clean dance shoes. No shoes with nails or that leave black scuff marks, please. $6 members, $7 others.
No Taos Contra Dance in August!!!
Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, August 25
Katherine Bueler calling, SF Megaband playing. Dance 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:30 p.m. $6 members, $7 others.
Santa Fe Bluegrass & Old Time Festival, August 24-26
The 33rd Annual Santa Fe Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival is about to happen. This year’s festival includes another outstanding lineup of bands, workshops, contests and parking lot picking — fun for anyone involved. Some of our favorite local bands, including Adobe Brothers, Elliott’s Ramblers, Bayou Seco, and Fast Pesos, will play as well as out-of-state bands such as David Peterson & 1946, Badly Bent, Higher Ground, and Uncle Henry’s Favorites. As always, the festival will be held at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds. Visit http://www.southwestpickers.org/festivals.html for details on artists, price, etc. WARNING: Driving up to Santa Fe on Saturday or Sunday, I-25 will be down to one lane each way due to construction. NM 14 on the east side of the mountain is a possibility.
THIRSTY EAR MUSIC FESTIVAL, Santa Fe
August 31 – September 2, 2007, Eaves Movie Ranch, Santa Fe
Saturday Only or Sunday Only advance $39. Two-day advance $60.
Friday night food drive. Admission is $1 and 2 cans of food Friday only.
Kids under 12 get in free.
Tickets at the Lensic Box Office 505-988-1234 or online at ThirstyEarFestival.com
Folk, blues, Cajun, zydeco, roots rock, bluegrass & alt-country artists on multiple stages. Camping, kids’ activities, arts & crafts, educational demonstrations, zydeco & Cajun dance lessons, solar & sustainable energy exhibits. Local food, microbrews & wine.
THE FLATLANDERS featuring Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely & Butch Hancock * BEAUSOLEIL avec Michael Doucet * ROBERT EARL KEEN * THE BE GOOD TANYAS * ROSIE LEDET & THE ZYDECO PLAYBOYS * ELIZA GILKYSON * COREY HARRIS & THE 5X5 * TODD SNIDER * GUY DAVIS * JOE LOUIS WALKER & THE BOSSTALKERS * RICHARD JOHNSTON * SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST * TRIO JALAPENO * RYAN McGARVEY * JERRY FAIRES * HIGHER GROUND * BOUZOUKI EXPLOSION * LAST TO KNOW * JENNY GAMBLE & more
¡Globalquerque! September 21-22, 2007
National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque
1701 4th St SW
New Mexico’s Annual Celebration of World Music and Culture will return to the NHCC in September! The third annual show will feature Planet Drumz, Koko Taylor, Baka Beyond, Yungchen Lhamo and many more great artists from all over the world! Details at www.abqmusic.com.
Harvest Moon Dance Camp, Santa Barbara, CA, Sept. 28-30
This weekend is filling fast! The entire dance weekend will be at the legendary sprung floor located at the Carrillo Ballroom. $120.00 registration fee does NOT include accommodations. There is a gender-balance waiting list for single women at this point. There is still room for single men and couples.
Presenting: Notorious with Larry Unger, guitar and banjo player extraordinaire; Eden MacAdam-Somer, an exciting and versatile fiddler; Sam Bartlett, a mandolin master; Mark Hellenburg, an incredible percussionist; and Ralph Gordon, driving on cello and bass. Special Guest, Bill Tomczak on clarinet and saxophone! Virginia caller: Shawn Brenneman calling clear, concise, smooth dances. Plus an afternoon of Swing Dancing with Rockin’ Rob Rio! A bonus: Sunday evening dance with Notorious and Shawn, 7-10pm, $10 for HM participants, $15 for all others. Applications can be obtained on line by going to www.sbcds.org/hm Questions? Email Kelli Butler at harvestmoon@sbcds.org or call Kelli (805) 649-5189.
Hope that’s enough music and dance news for you. Enjoy this last summer month.
Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com