Greetings, Folkies,
March is sneaking up on all of us, even though we get an extra day this year. Please note that a fabulous band, Groovemama, is doing a southwest tour, starting with a house concert in Corrales on Thursday, February 28, an Albuquerque contra dance on Saturday, March 1, and fiddle and guitar workshops at very reasonable prices in Albuquerque and Corrales on March 2, followed by a potluck dinner and jam. Details here. Don’t miss out on these exciting events!
I’m guessing most of you would never expect me to attend a whole weekend of English country dance, but here I am, ready for the ball.
Mary, Kit, Merri, Meg (photo by Richard Letts of Austin, TX)
My road trip report has details if you’re curious.
Corrales House Concert, Thursday, February 28
Groovemama playing at 7:30 p.m.
$10 suggested donation (all proceeds go to the musicians)
RSVP to reserve your spot and get directions — email Jane Phillips at heyjane@yahoo.com or call 505-898-2565.
Melding minds and rhythms, Groovemama performances blend music of Ireland, Scotland, French Canada and the Appalachian South with new compositions of their own. Old-Time fiddler Jane Rothfield and Franco-American fiddler Donna Hébert (hey, this is the Donna Hébert who founded the famous New England band Yankee Ingenuity that plays every Monday night at the Scout House dance in Concord, MA) have played together for many decades. Their style is one of musical exploration as they morph into new rhythms and harmonies in tunes from the British Isles and North America. Max Cohen’s great groove guitar is the perfect rhythm instrument; his original songs are well-crafted stories with a twist. Groovemama has a great time onstage and invites the audience to do the same! Come hear the band in an intimate setting!
Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, March 1
Merri Rudd calling and special guest band Groovemama playing New England style 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. $7 members, $8 others, students 1/2 price with ID.
Durango Contra Dance, March 1
CONTRA DANCE , POTLUCK AND CONCERT MARCH 1
Saturday March 1
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 Hey! 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 Hey!
All dances are taught and called. No partner is necessary, and dancers of all ages and abilities are welcome. Admission is $10. First-timers 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
Fiddle & Guitar Workshops, Sunday, March 2
The Groovemama musicians will hold workshops from 3-6 p.m., followed by potluck dinner and jam. Fiddle workshops will begin at 3:00 & 4:30.
Guitar workshop will run from 4:00 to 5:30, to allow participants time to join us for potluck and jam in Corrales. (See full schedule on FolkMADS website: )
Location: Fiddle workshops in Corrales; Guitar workshop in NE Heights
90-minute Fiddle Workshops: FolkMADS members: $15 for each workshop
Non-members: $25 for each workshop or $40 for both.
90-minute Guitar Workshop: FolkMADS members: $15, Non-members: $25
Old Time Music Circle, Albuquerque, Sun., March 2
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 Irish Concerts, Sat., March 1 & Sun., March 2
Saturday, March 1, 7:00pm and Sunday, March 2nd, 2:30pm Matinee
Belisama Irish Dance Company
“Rhythm of Fire” Concerts
James A. Little Theater
NM School for the Deaf
website: http://www.belisamairishdance.com/2.html
Albuquerque Irish Concert, Tuesday, March 4
THE DAVID MUNNELLY BAND! From County Mayo, Ireland
Tuesday, March 4th, 7:30 p.m.
Windchime Champagne Gallery
518 Central SW (between 4th & 5th, south side)
$15 Advance/$20 Door
Tickets at Natural Sound, The Bookstop, and Windchime Champagne Gallery
Or through AMP Concerts: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/25865
The David Munnelly Band took Walnut Valley Festival (aka WINFIELD!) by storm three years ago, and has returned to the Festival ever since (including the upcoming 2008 event). The David Munnelly Band is Button Accordion/Fiddle/ Guitar/ Flute/ Rhythm (& sometimes piano), and in addition to playing traditional and modern tunes & songs, play music from the 1920’s & 30’s Irish American Dance Hall era. This is mostly Ragtime style. When Ireland became its own country, many immigrants returned from America, & brought the popular music with them. David is keeping this tradition alive, and with GREAT VIGOR! This is one of the most exciting Celtic Bands around. They also boast an All Ireland Champion singer, Shauna Mullins, and they even have a Tap (not Step) Dancer!!! It will be an unforgettable show! Here they are on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NJSU4KidSE
Corrales Sing, Friday, March 7
FOLK SONG CIRCLE. Newcomers welcome! They’ll sing songs about Tall Tales and Miracles.
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.)
Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, March 8
Note new dance time of 7:30 -10:30 p.m. (same as ABQ dances now) Donna Howell calling with Beat La Feet playing dance tunes. 7:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:00 p.m. $7 members, $8 others, students 1/2 price with ID.
Second Sunday Dance, March 9
Richard Wilson calling elegant English and zesty contras; Second Nature (Karina Wilson on fiddle and 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. $7 members, $8 others, students 1/2 price with ID.
Albuquerque Megaband Practice, Tuesday, March 11
Join the Megaband in a jam in its current location at O’Niell’s Pub, Banquet Room, 4310 Central Ave SE (Central at Washington in East Nob Hill), 7:00-10:00 p.m. More info: Bruce Thomson, 277-4729. (We just ate there today and it was YUMMY!)
ABQ Dance Committee Meeting, Saturday, March 15
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Bob & Linda’s – 509 Aliso NE
Come give input and volunteer to help keep the dances invigorated and organized. Then you can go dancing after the meeting. For more details, call 255-6037
Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, March 15
Marj Mullany 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. $7 members, $8 others, students 1/2 price with ID. I’m guessing green attire would be festively encouraged.
Taos Contra Dance, Saturday, March 15
Dance at the San Geronimo Lodge, at 7: 00 and wind down at 10:00. Call 776-1580 with questions about the dance.
Taos Irish Concert, Sunday, March 16
6:30-9:30 pm, Irish Traditional Music
Roger Landes & Friends
Taos Inn, 125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos
575-758-5776, http://rogerlandes.com
Taos Concert, Thursday, March 20th
6:30-9:30 pm, Roger Landes Solo
Taos Inn, 125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos
575-758-5776
http://rogerlandes.com
Las Cruces Contra Dance, Friday, March 21
Lewis Land and Lonnie Ludeman calling with SNMMDS 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
Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, March 22
Richard Wilson calling and Second Nature (Karina Wilson on fiddle and Della O’Keefe on piano) playing. Dance 7:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:00 p.m. $7 members, $8 others, students 1/2 price with ID.
Special Swing Dance Event, Saturday, March 29
Come to a special sizzling swing dance with Le Chat Lunatique playing. This dynamic, young quartet will blow your dancing shoes off with their energy, creativity and vive!
7:30 – 10:30 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. $8 members, $10 others, students 1/2 price with ID. FOLKMADS will set up chairs, and some tables with chairs in the other part of the hall, for more of a social club feel. But most of the crowd, including Le Chat Lunatique groupies (translate: young folk), will be up and dancing all night long!
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. AND Priscilla Zimmermann from Santa Fe has been hired to lead singing. 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
ZoukFest World Music Camp (June 8-14 in Santa Fe) is now open for early registration! Check out our new and returning staff and new classes! All those who register before April 1st are automatically entered into the drawing for free tuition. That’s right, one lucky ZoukFest attendee will get free full tuition for the week. Be sure to look at the two amazing instruments in the current raffle! Details at http://zoukfest.com
Happy St. Paddy’s Green to everyone and enjoy your extra Leap Day,
Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com