Howdy, Folkies,

Well, no one was more surprised than I to conduct my 10th folk wedding at the break during the Albuquerque dance on December 15. Longtime dancer Margie Colberg’s daughter Jennifer Potrykus married Levi Hatter. Levi’s dad Edward was best man, and Jennifer’s sister Jessamyn was maid of honor. The event vied for ‘world’s most easily planned wedding,’ although I think Ken and Michele may have set that record at Folkmadness Camp in 2006. The wedding party stayed and danced the whole second half, and Katherine Bueler did a great job adapting to the wedding cheer lighting up the dance hall. Dancers and the Megaband enjoyed the cakes and coffee provided by the wedding folks, and I think the crowd revelled at being insta-wedding guests with a few moment’s notice. I can also report that the groom did not quit grinning the whole night. I’m not sure how much I LIKE marrying off the kids of my friends, but I had fun anyway.

Photo by Jim Boros

AND no one was more delighted than I to pass the reign of “bulk mail queen” on to the next benevolent monarch: Deb Campbell. After 11 years as BMQ, I was thrilled to be dethroned. The passing of the crown occurred at 8:20 p.m. on December 20, 2007. Loyal bulk mail crew, Melissa Wilson, Lew Suber, Tim Shaffer and Carol Langer immediately pledged loyalty to the new queen, as Merri embraced her newfound moniker of “has-been.”

Photo by Mark Justice Hinton

Corrales Sing, Friday, January 4
FOLK SONG CIRCLE. Newcomers welcome! They’ll sing songs about FRIENDS, BUDDIES & PALS.
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, January 5
Richard Wilson calling and Hey! playing dance tunes (Linda Vik on fiddle, Tim Shaffer on guitar, Jane Phillips on fiddle and bass, Chris Carlson on fiddle and banjo). 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, January 5
The Contra Dance is having three events at the VFW, 1550 Main St, in Durango.
5:00 is a community potluck that is open to all. Bring a dish to share.
6:00, the Albuquerque band Hands Five will present a concert.
7:00 is beginner dance instruction
7:30, the Contra Dance starts, with Durango caller Wendy Graham and more music from Hands Five. 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 970-385-9292, or see the website http://groups.google.com/group/Durango-Contra-Dances

Old Time Music Circle, Albuquerque, Sun., January 6
Come jam from 2-4 PM at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria NE, 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). Email Judy Muldawer at inquiry@siliconheights.com for more details.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, January 12
Note new dance time of 7:30 -10:30 p.m. (same as ABQ dances now) Donna Howell calling with Hey! playing dance tunes (Linda Vik on fiddle, Tim Shaffer on guitar, Jane Phillips on fiddle and bass, Chris Carlson on fiddle and banjo. 7:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:00 p.m. $6 members, $7 others. There will be a potluck beforehand starting at 5:00 at the Oddfellows Hall so dancers and musicians can get to know each other better and discuss ways to help out the dances. Bring a dish to share.

Albuq. Concert, Saturday, January 12
Band of Heathens
Puccini’s Golden West Saloon, 620 Central Ave SW
$15 advance, $20 day of show.
Buy tickets on-line through Brown Paper Tickets
or by phone: 1-800-838-3006
8:00 PM, 21 and over (or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian)
Originally conceived as a loosely-knit collective showcasing four of Austin’s best up-and-coming artists, The Band Of Heathens quickly discovered that something special happened when they played together. Each artist has a unique voice, but there is also an amazing group voice of the whole band. Known for their dramatic live show that easily switch gears from Classic Country to Progressive Folk to Americana and R&B, they immediately became an Austin favorite, winning the Best New Band award in 2006/2007. I saw this band at Neal’s 100th house concert and they were highly entertaining. Visit www.abqmusic.com for more info.

Second Sunday Dance, January 13
Noralyn Parsons and Kit French calling elegant English and zesty contras; Bo y Yo (Gary Papenhagen on fiddle, Bo Olcott on guitar) 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.

Albuquerque Megaband Practice, Tuesday, January 15
Join the Megaband in a jam in its new location at O’Niell’s Pub, 4310 Central Ave SE (Central at Washington in East Nob Hill), 7:00-10:00 p.m. More info: Bruce Thomson, 277-4729.

Las Cruces Contra Dance, Friday, January 18
Lewis Land and Lonnie Ludeman calling with SNMMDS House Band playing.
Location: La Mesilla Community Center, 2251 Calle de Santiago, Mesilla NM. It’s actually the adjacent town of Mesilla, and hall is 2 blocks west of the plaza. For info, contact 505-522-1691. 7:30 p.m. beginner lessons & dance to follow to 10:30 p.m., Cost: $5

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, January 19
Donna Howell 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, January 19
Dance at the San Geronimo Lodge, at 7: 00 and wind down at 10:30. Call 776-1580 with questions about the dance.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, January 26
Katherine Bueler calling, The Hot Tops (I don’t know who is in this band, but they sound fun) playing dance tunes. Dance 7:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:00 p.m. $6 members, $7 others.

Santa Fe Concert, Sunday, January 27
College of Santa Fe Contemporary Music presents
KITKA Women’s Vocal Ensemble
Sunday, January 27, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Greer Garson Theater, College of Santa Fe
Tickets: $15 advanced / $20 @ the door
For tickets and information call the Contemporary Music office at (505) 473-6196. KITKA specializes in pure, unaccompanied vocal techniques from Eastern Europe that have been distilled over centuries. Their material ranges from ancient village duets to complex choral works, from early music to contemporary theater. The sound of their voices is exotic, both elegant and eerie. The many languages in which they sing are largely unfamiliar to American ears — Albanian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Serbo-Croatian, Georgian, Hungarian, Ladino, Latvian, Macedonian, Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian, Yiddish, with the occasional Latin, medieval Gallician, or ancient Greek. KITKA’s sensitive precision lifts their work out of the merely musical into a universe beyond words.

Six Weeks of Harmonizing Workshops with Katie Gill in ABQ
With Katie Gill’s Harmony Workshops, designed for 6 to 10 people. 6 week commitment. Learn what the different harmony parts sound like around the melody and how to find them. Train your ear to listen and learn how to improvise or “scat”. Sing together as a group first, doubling up on the harmony parts. Later you will be placed into duos, trios and/or quartets for more intensive and individual practice.
When/WHERE: Mondays from 7:00 – 9:00 p m, Jan 28. – Mar 5 at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church on 5301 Ponderosa NE, near San Mateo and Montgomery.
OR: Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:30 p m, Jan 30 – Mar 7 at First Presbyterian Church on 215 Locust NE near I-25 and University.
PRICE: $75.00
REGISTRATION: Call Katie at 505-228-6250 or email her at: katiesongs@cybermesa.com
Katie Gill graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with a bachelor of music degree with a vocal emphasis. She has performed in New Mexico, New York, Arizona, Texas and Colorado as well as in Europe. She has been in many various professional vocal groups and is currently in the Buckarettes, who feature great harmonies in their performances. Her musical styles include pop, folk, blues, western swing and country. For more info on Katie go to www.katiecaingill.com

This & That
Folkmadness 2008 is fast approaching with fantastic talent. Send in your registration for camp in Socorro, NM May 23-26, 2008. Lisa Greenleaf and Bill “Doc” Litchman calling, Groovemongers and Alice/Al White playing. Details at: http://www.folkmads.org/2008Folkmadness.html

Arizona’s Peg Hesley Goes to Texas: 2nd Annual Contra Dance Weekend in Post, Texas (about 5 hours from ABQ). March 7-9, 2008, 8 p.m. Friday until noon Sunday. Caller will be Peg Hesley of Phoenix, AZ with two bands playing, Flagstaff’s Traditional Blend and Texas’s Mimi & Allison. Cost is $70, which includes three meals. Lodging additional, $50-$80 per person, includes 2 nights. Cost: $65 for the weekend of dancing. For information, visit www.thegreatdanceescape.org

Colorado’s Stellar Days and Nights Camp, Feb. 21-24, 2008 in beautiful Buena Vista, CO is still accepting dancers. You can join the bunch of NM dancers who have already signed up to cheer on New Mexico’s Merri Rudd and Hands Five, as well as nationally known Notorious (Eden MacAdam-Somer and Larry Unger) AND to eat gourmet meals prepared by Annie Johnston. Visit http://www.stellardaysandnights.org/ for details.

Czech Republic in October, Anyone? Caller David Millstone is leading a trip to Prague and Bohemia next October, specially organized for dancers. In addition to seeing beautiful sights and learning more about Czech music and dance and related traditions, the main focus of the dancing is American contras and squares; this year they’ve added a little more traditional Czech dancing into the mix. At the big festival that marks the end of the tour, there’ll also be English country, vintage, Irish, Mexican, and more. One of the hallmarks of the dancing on this trip is that people will be dancing with Czech dancers both as they travel and at the culminating festival. In some cases, these are dancers who do traditional Czech dances, and they’ll teach each other some dances from our respective cultures. In other cases, they are Czech dancers who share a love for Anglo-American country dances. The 2008 tour also gives dancer/travellers an opportunity to visit Cesky Krumlov, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Bohemia. Here’s the website address with all the details: http://dvorana.cz/dance/2008/country/index.php

Happy 2008 to Everyone,

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com