February 2008 Folk Enews

Howdy, Folkies,

Go, Russ! I never thought I’d be saying THIS, but a musician friend has been nominated for a Grammy award. He’s played with Ruthie Dornfield, Rodney Miller, and other folk musicians, as well as some of Nashville’s finest country stars. I’ve hung out with him at Pinewoods, danced to his driving guitar rhythms, and listened to him tell stories at his house. Russ Barenberg finally quit his day job to pursue music full-time, and what happens? Grammy nomination!

Russ, his sweetheart Susan Kevra, and their two dogs hail from Nashville, TN. Russ’s CD “When at Last,” a set of original tunes, has been noticed. One tune, “Little Monk” is nominated for a Grammy for “Best Country Instrumental Performance, Category 40.” So when you gather around the TV on February 10 at 8 p.m., know that sometimes good things happen to excellent musicians. If you don’t believe me, visit http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/ or http://www.russbarenberg.com/CurrRel.cfm (Even though we’ve never met her, my hubby and I are also rooting for Feist for “Best New Artist, Category 4.”)

Corrales Sing, Friday, February 1
FOLK SONG CIRCLE. Newcomers welcome! They’ll sing songs about Temptation and Salvation.
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, February 2
Artie Walsh calling and Sandia Hots playing sizzling dance tunes (Liz Stevens on fiddle, Michael Gallagher on banjo, Linda Askew on guitar, and Scott Mathis on guitarron and mandolin). 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.

Albuquerque Baroque Players, February 2 & 3
with guest Marilyn McDonald, violin, playing
Sonata in Four Movements, Concert III: Grave
Saturday, Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m., Los Altos Chrisitan Church, 11900 Haines NE, Albuquerque. Sunday, Feb. 3, 4 p.m., Historic Old San Ysidro Church, Corrales. $12 General, $10 Seniors, $5 Students. Call 255-7089 for reservations or visit the web site at www.unm.edu/~sbpatric

Durango Contra Dance, February 2
The Contra Dance is having three events in conjunction with Snowdown at the VFW, 1550 Main St, in Durango.
5:00 is a Medieval Madness Potluck open to all. Bring a dish to share.
6:00, the Albuquerque band Virginia Creepers will present a concert.
7:00 is beginner dance instruction, and followed by Ye Olde Contra Dance with “Dance King” Richard Wilson from Santa Fe as caller. Come dressed in your finest Faire wear for a chance to win a king’s ransom in prizes. All ages and skill levels are encouraged to attend this folk dance. 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., February 3
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.

Las Cruces Concert, Sunday, February 3
Emma’s Revolution
Rio Grande Theatre, 7.00 pm.
Advance ticket sales $12 general admission; $10 for students/seniors.
$15 for everyone on the day of the show.
Emma’s Revolution is Pat Humphries and Sandy Apatow, a Maryland duo who have recorded and toured internationally to great reviews. Called the “true spirit-child of Woody Guthrie,” activist musician and award-winning songwriter Pat Humphries has written and performed anthems at peace and justice events around the world. Performing with them will be local artists Chris Sanders and Bob Hull. Tickets are available at Hubbard’s Music ‘N More, Mountain Music and Enchanted Gardens Nursery, all in Las Cruces. Call Marc at (575) 571-7435 for more information about the event, and check www.emmasrevolution.com for more information about the music.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, February 9
Note new dance time of 7:30 -10:30 p.m. (same as ABQ dances now) Janine Sammeth calling with Chiletones playing dance tunes (David Margolin on fiddle, Jim Hughes on banjo, Bruce Thomson on guitar). 7:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:00 p.m. $6 members, $7 others.

Second Sunday Dance, February 10
Kris Jensen and Kit French (just back from an English dance weekend in Oklahoma City) calling elegant English and zesty contras; The McPapenhagens (Gary Papenhagen on fiddle and friends) 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, February 12
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.

Santa Fe Concert, Valentine's Day
MICHAEL COMBS @ UPPER CRUST PIZZA IN SANTA FE
THURSDAY, FEB. 14 (El Dia de San Valentin)
De Vargas & Old Sta. Fe Trail, 6-9p no cover
Fiddle, Button Accordion, Trad’l Tunes & Song from many lands and times.

Las Cruces Contra Dance, Friday, February 15
Lewis Land and Lonnie Ludeman calling with Dan Levenson & the Boiled Buzzards 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, February 16
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, February 16
Dance at the San Geronimo Lodge, at 7: 00 and wind down at 10:30. Call 776-1580 with questions about the dance.

KLEZMERQUERQUE 2008, Albuquerque, February 15-17
The Southwest’s annual celebration of Klezmer music and dance, KLEZMERQUERQUE 2008, will present a weekend of concerts, dance parties, classes, and a lunch with music featuring world-renowned klezmer artists as well as many local artists. Klezmer is the secular instrumental music and dance of the East European Jewish people. The annual event will take place from February 15-17 (Friday evening through Sunday afternoon) at Albuquerque’s Congregation Nahalat Shalom, which is located on 3606 Rio Grande Blvd. NW (between Candelaria & Griegos). Prices and times vary for different events. Admission for the entire weekend of events (2 concerts/dance parties, 3 classes, klezmer potpourri presentation and a lunch with music program) is $90-general, $75-seniors/fixed income/under 18. Individual classes (one-and-a-half hour long each) are $20-general / $16-fixed income. For more information about concerts, class times/prices, Saturday lunch with music and any other questions please contact: Festival Coordinator Beth Cohen (505)243-6276 cohenedmunds@netzero.net and/or Congregation Nahalat Shalom www.nahalatshalom.org (505)343-8227.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, February 23
Lewis Land calling, Santa Fe Megaband 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.

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

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.

Happy Hearts to Everyone,

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com

Enchanted Error?

Mark and I just got home from seeing the movie ENCHANTED. Amy Adams’ earnest princessness was delightful, despite the overly swelling score and rather abundant product placement of New York icons such as McDonald’s (I haven’t eaten there since I saw SUPERSIZE ME) and Coca-Cola.

However, I noticed a glaring error in the movie. The plot builds to a climax at the King and Queen’s Ball in New York City. People dress in medieval costumes and dance what appears to be a spastic version of an English country dance (think Jane Austen meets a robot). The Ball’s announcer says, “And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for…the King and Queen’s Waltz.” Partners are gathered, the music begins, and a rather long “waltz” ensues.

Now I’m no musician, although I have spent 100’s of hours on stage with them. And I am 99.9% sure that the King and Queen’s Waltz is not a waltz. Instead it’s something in 4/4 time. The fantastical pyrotechnics that follow, Godzilla-style, may have banished this observation from many viewers’ heads, but surely some musician took note?

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