Howdy, Folkies,
Well, we’re into the dark side of the year as winter nears. To stave off cold, dark, shorter days, and winter in general, you get to go to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, http://www.balloonfiesta.com/. Or get out there to some of the upcoming music and dance events in October. If you can’t dance for some reason, check out some fun New Mexico dance videos on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/user/Contra87 You will see many people you know!
Corrales Sing, Friday, October 5
FOLK SONG CIRCLE. Newcomers welcome! They’re meeting in October to sing of ROBBERS, THIEVES, AND OUTLAWS.
FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH, 8:00 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT
Note that the Balloon Fiesta is kicking off this night, and the Alameda route out to Corrales is highly inadvisable. North 4th and 2nd are problematic also. Even Rio Grande or Paseo del Norte get backed up with balloonistas. Hosts recommend coming via Coors Rd, starting way down at Montano.
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, October 6
A special treat with Flagstaff’s Deb Comly calling and Hands Five (Bruce Thomson on fiddle, Peter Esherick on hammer dulcimer, John Brinduse on guitar, Erika Gerety on bass, and Gary Blank on percussion) 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.
Durango Contra Dance, Saturday, October 6
Different location this month: at the Senior Center, 2424 Main Ave, Durango Co. Caller Ron Young and the 5th Reel Band from Grand Junction will provide live music and call the dance. 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 ages and abilities are welcome. Admission is $10. First-time get a pass to come back for free. For further information, call 970-259-6820.
Old Time Music Circle, Albuquerque, Sunday, October 7
Jams are 2-4 PM at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria NE, Near Moon and Candelaria (North Side), Albuquerque, NM. There will be 2 groups playing in 2 separate rooms. Bluegrass music will be in the front room (entry room) and Old Time music will be in the west room (where concerts are held, behind the folding doors). Your music friends are welcome. Email Judy Muldawer at inquiry@siliconheights.com for more details.
Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, October 13
Durango’s Wendy Graham calling, Santa Fe Megaband playing. 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:30 p.m. $6 members, $7 others.
Albuquerque Concert, Saturday, October 13
If you’d rather listen than dance, the Irish Heritage Center Board along with the Irish-American Society of New Mexico invite all folk music lovers to come out and hear Karl Jones, Dublin songwriter and recording artist, at the Irish Heritage Center Benefit on October 13th at the First Unitarian Church (Comanche and Carlisle). Along with Karl Jones will be Albuquerque’s own “Celtic eclectic” band, Saoirse. Doors for the concert will open at 6:30 PM and tickets are $20. The proceeds will go to the Irish Heritage Center Building Fund. More about Karl Jones at his website http://www.karljones1916.com/
Second Sunday Dance, October 14
This is the 15th anniversary of the Second Sunday English/Contra Series, founded by William and Gemma DeRagon. Merri Rudd calling elegant English and zesty contras; Second Nature (Karina Wilson on fiddle, Della O’Keefe on piano) playing. 7:00 – 9:30 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. Refreshments and a few surprises await! Please join us in celebrating these beautiful dance forms.
Albuquerque Megaband Practice, Tuesday, October 16
Join the Megaband in a jam in its current location at Wild Oats, 11015 Menaul NE, Albuquerque, 7:30-10:30 p.m. More info: Bruce Thomson, 277-4729.
Albuquerque Concert, Thursday, October 18
7:00 pm
The James King Band
Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria Road NE
Tickets: $10 for SW Pickers Members, $12 for Non-Members, available at the door.
James King’s voice is drenched with that Blue Ridge drawl, that peculiar mix of morbid fatalism and stoic dignity. King blends the fear of death and the contentment of home so effectively that he assumes his place in the line of great Blue Ridge singers. King’s first recorded song was “Teardrop on a Rose”, which he says he realized he did something he didn’t know he could do. King graduated from the Lundy School of Bluegrass in 1982, and then relocated to Maryland and formed the band the Chesapeake Bay Bluegrass Boys. The James King Band captures the sound of Blue Ridge and you can hear stories of love and life in each heartfelt song. For more info, visit www.southwestpickers.org
Las Cruces Contra Dance, Friday, October 19
Lewis Land and Lonnie Ludeman calling this dance with music by Highway 27, a delightful band organized by Amy Muise. Amy and husband Brian live north of Hatch, both fiddle and she plays cello; band will also include Bobby Jones, and 2 others. 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, October 20
Try something new with a gender-free contra dance. Kris Jensen 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.
Taos Contra Dance, Saturday, October 20
Contra dance at the San Geronimo Lodge, Witt Road, at 7:30 with instruction and warm-up at 7 p.m. Jim Buechler (?) calling, Taos Megaband playing. Five dollars per dancer. Call 776-1580 with any questions about the dance.
No Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, October 27
It’s Boo Camp in the beautiful Jemez Mountains. Go to that instead with Richard Wilson calling and Three Bean Salad playing.
Boo Camp, Oct. 26-28, Hummingbird Music Camp
Boo Camp, for the 1st time ever, will be two nights and three days of dancing! Richard Wilson calling, Three Bean Salad playing. Hummingbird Music Camp, Jemez Springs, NM. Pumpkins, costumes, fun, food, dancing, jams, singing, river, radiant gold cottonwood trees and more. Details on the web site: www.folkmads.org.
Albuquerque Concert, Wednesday, October 31
Wanna avoid those treat-or-treating kids? Head on out for some fine tunes
by David Parmley and Continental Divide
7:00 pm
Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria Road NE
Tickets: $10 for SW Pickers Members, $12 for Non-Members, available at the door
Don Parmley was recently honored on two separate occasions in Monticello, Ky. The first, “A Day with Don Parmley,” was held at the Aspire Center, April 19. A native of southern California, David Parmley is a founding member of the internationally acclaimed, Bluegrass Cardinals. In 18 years, the Cardinals recorded fifteen separate projects, made appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, the Ralph Emory Show and performed at the White House for former President, Jimmy Carter. For more info, visit www.southwestpickers.org
Sad News
Albuquerque dancer Mike O’Meara died unexpectedly in Jemez Springs, NM in his sleep around midnight of September 13th-14th. His good friend Karen Goodpasture reports, “Michael left on a high note and we are thankful that his passing was an easy one. The memorial [already past] promises to be a grand event, complete with a piper.”
Karen has moved to West Virginia. She has danced with the Albuquerque group for six years, and said her good-byes at the Sept. 15 dance. She says, “I have had a great time dancing with you all, Greg and Karen who taught at my first dance at the Folk Festival back in 2001, Jay who taught me to waltz, and all my fine partners and dance friends. I will miss you all and look forward to meeting my new dance family in West Virginia.”
Looking Ahead...
Red Gorilla Music Fest, Austin, TX, March 12-15, 2008, www.redgorillamusic.com
Ken Cooper, formerly of Tuscon/Phoenix area, and his lovely bride Michele von Boeck-Cooper have moved to western North Carolina. His new email address is ken.cooper@mchsi.com and he says you all should contact them if you are in the area.
Enjoy the colors and sounds of fall.
Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com