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Kitty the Cat 1988-2007

Kitty

Today, July 3, 2007, Ms. Kitty the Cat was euthanized at 10:47 a.m. She was approximately 19 years old, or about 93 in people years. She mostly died of old age and failing kidneys, perhaps “failure to thrive” if a death certificate had been issued (one was not).

We adopted Kitty from the Albuquerque Humane Society shelter on April 13, 1990. She came into the shelter pregnant, but the powers-that-be felt she was ‘adoptable.’ The shelter vet aborted her kittens and fixed her at the same time. Her bobcat-belly fur spots took a long time to grow in. I wanted to adopt a black and white cat similar to our one that had died of feline leukemia. It was down to the black and white and Kitty. We were in the visiting room with Kitty, and at the last second she put her paw up to Mark’s face and gently patted his beard. That was that. They both sneezed all the way home.

Kitty had been failing the past few months, down to 4 pounds and very frail. Yesterday she lay on our chests for hours, too weak to pat Mark’s face. This morning as we observed her head hanging in her water bowl, unable to drink, we both knew it was time. The euthanization took less than 3 seconds. She died peacefully, with both of us stroking her head and gently holding her tiny front paws. In her eyes, I saw her life light fade to death’s dullness. There was little discernible difference between her living and dying presence.

Those of you who knew Kitty over the past 17 years have your own stories to tell–both good and funny ones of her galloping through the house like a wild-west pony, man-handling the 60-pound dog, curling around one’s neck like a living stole. One summer she captured the fancy of a small male box turtle who lived in the backyard. They would play hide and seek in the tall grass. Others will tell of her uncanny ability to adhere to those who most disliked cats, including climbing onto the back of one such person and refusing to vacate. Most will remember that she loved to snuggle on one’s lap, especially if one held a brush in one’s hand. She purred and purred with satisfaction, and when one lap was used, she’d move to another.

We know that we gave Kitty 17 years of care and love and life. We know that life evolves into death. Yet we will miss Kitty’s antics, presence and energy much more than we realize. May we all live as long and loved a life as Kitty did. May we continue to adopt adult animals from shelters and rescue groups and give them many years of hope and life. MR

Albuquerque

Save A Snake for Humanity

I grew up in Memphis, during its dark years, when racism and hatred and prejudice were ways of everyday life. Schools and community centers were segregated. Poverty permeated the black neighborhoods. Even as a child, I didn’t ‘get’ it, didn’t understand why you should fear people because of the color of their skin. I tutored reading in the ghetto schools and taught swimming in the low-income community centers during the summer, trying to level the playing field in my own small way.

I hated Memphis, which makes me prejudiced, I suppose. I hated Memphis for its utter disregard of human and civil rights. I lived there when Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, race riots abounded, and segregation was rampant. I left as soon as I could.

Prejudice lies against people of different colors, sexual orientation, ethnicities. Prejudice invades the non-human kingdom, too. How much killing has been done in the name of ‘erasing predators’ like a dirty chalkboard or ‘harvesting wildlife’ like a corn crop? Snakes and wolves, both of which enchant me, bear the bitter bulk of human prejudice. Perhaps examining our prejudices toward snakes could shed light on our human prejudices.

A vivid memory from childhood involves my mom, a party, some smart-aleck kids, and a snake in east Tennessee. We were at a friend’s house, it was dark, and a kid brought a snake up to my mom. Expecting her to scream or show fear, the kid was suitably impressed when she touched the snake and admired it. Trick tripped up! I remember being stunned that my mother could so surprise me.

After college I lived in a group house in Nashville with three other women. One of them had a friend with a young son Chris, who loved snakes (Chris is now a 40-something herpetologist somewhere). Our newly found ‘independent women pride’ did not allow us to decline the many offers of holding Chris’s latest acquisition. He taught us a lot about snakes, and I grew to like them.

When I was in law school in Albuquerque, we used to housesit for a professor. He and his wife had chickens, dogs, cats and a 6′ python. The chickens would attack your knees with spirited pecking; the cat threw up under the sofa; the dogs jumped and shed on you. But the snake Venom curled around your arm for a long time and watched TV with you.

We have encountered several snakes while hiking, but they’ve never harmed us, even the couple of rattlesnakes we scared up in the desert.

Last week our neighbors across the street called in a frantic panic. “There’s a SNAKE on our front porch! We’ve lived here 54 years and NEVER seen a SNAKE in the neighborhood. We don’t know what to do; we want to kill it.”

“Don’t kill the snake,” I said. “We like snakes.”

Mark and I went over and observed our neighbor sweeping a 3′ bull snake with a large broom. It slithered and zigzagged madly, trying to slide out of harm’s way. On impulse, Mark reached down and picked the snake up quickly, holding him behind the head and down the body. The snake curled around his arm and hung out while we discussed what to do with him. Our neighbors will probably never look at us quite the same again. We handled the slimy, scaly serpent of satan.

But snakes aren’t slimy; they’re sleek and cool. They’re sinuous and powerful. They crave warmth, not affection. This bull snake didn’t hiss or strike, although we’ve heard some of them pack a mighty bite. Also known as gopher snakes, bull snakes are harmless. They eat rodents and smaller snakes. Think of them as cannibalistic cats. Some of them are docile, some mean, kind of like humans. All are protective of their young. When they’re scared, they pretend to be a rattlesnake and shake their silent tail.

Because dark was coming, we took the bull snake inside. The dog didn’t seem to be able to smell the snake. He showed no interest. We called around the neighborhood to see if anyone had lost a pet snake. No missing snakes reported. We put him in a pillowcase, researched the web to confirm identity, and decided to release him to the wilds the next morn.

We hiked up the Embudo Trail a ways with our pillowcase package, picked a sunny, rocky, wild spot. I opened the pillowcase, removed the snake, and off he slid. We were standing right beside him and couldn’t see him. We wished him a long and safe life and returned to our urban world.

The universe rewarded us that afternoon with an unexpected email about a used popup camper for sale. We had been looking for two years. We bought it. If someone asks me about the day of the snake, I will simply say, “it was charmed.”

Monthly Folk eNews

June 2007 Folk Enews

Happy Solstice, Folkies,

This month’s cool news is that Las Cruces fiddler/coach Rus Bradburd has written a book of international interest. UNM Press has published “Paddy on the Hardwood: A Journey in Irish Hoops.” paddy-cover.jpg The book chronicles Rus’s time struggling to learn the Irish fiddle as his national Irish basketball team nose-dived into last place. Every chapter is the name of an Irish fiddle tune. The Chicago Tribune called it “the best book of 2006.” Check out amazon.com or your local bookstore to order the book. I read it when I was in Silver City recently; it was fun!

The FOLKMADS calendar deadline with Nancy Ford, nancford@nmia.com, is tight this month because the bulk mailing party has to be earlier than usual. So get Nancy info for the July/August calendar/newsletter no later than June 15 or it won’t get in!

If you eat at Il Vicino’s in Albuquerque on Monday, June 11, a portion of the restaurant’s proceeds will be donated to the Albuquerque Folk Festival (more on that below). You must bring this flyer with you to Il Vicino on June 11 to activate the donation.

Corrales Sing, Friday, June 1
FOLK SONG CIRCLE. Newcomers welcome! They’re meeting in June to sing of UNIONS, LABOR, MINING, AND LOGGING.
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, June 2
Kris Jensen calling and the Virginia Creepers (Peter White and Bruce Thomson on fiddle, Laurie Phillips on mandolin, Rick Olcott on guitar, Scott Mathis on guitaron and Steve Huestis on banjo) playing hot old-time 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, June 2
Caller is Chad Filipski from Buena Vista, CO with live music by Durango’s Kitchen Jam Band. VFW Hall, 1550 Main Avenue, Durango. Beginner instruction is at 7:00 p.m. Dancing is from 7:30 to 10:30. For further information, call 970-259-6820. Special “Bakers Dance”: Regular admission is $10, but bring baked goods to share and get $2.00 off! First-timers also get a pass to come back free.

Old Time Music Circle, Albuquerque, Sunday, June 4
Old Time Music Circle Jam! Come play your old-time hearts out from 2 PM to 4PM, Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria NE, Albuquerque.
Info: Judy Muldawer, inquiry@siliconheights.com.

Albuq. Concert, Thursday, June 7
This is really exciting! Folk singer and fiddler Tracy Grammer will perform at the ABQ Biopark. She was half of the Dave Carter/Tracy Grammer duo before Dave’s untimely death a few years ago, and Dave wrote GREAT songs! Even my non-folk-music-loving hubby loved Dave and Tracy. We have all 3 of their CDs and drove to Portland, Oregon for one of the CD release concerts. Tracy is now singing with Jim Henry. Gates open at 6 p.m., bring a picnic supper, and enjoy the concert at 7 p.m. Visit the Biopark web site at http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/common/juneevents.html#sum for details. Also visit tracygrammer.com and jimhenry.net.

Santa Fe Concert, Friday, June 8
Tracy Grammer (see above), eclectic folk singer, plays again in Santa Fe at the Gig Performance Space, 1808 2nd St., Santa Fe, NM. 7:30 p.m., Alex Maryol of Santa Fe fame sings at 9 p.m. See www.gigsantafe.com.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, June 9
Open Mic for callers, String Banditos playing (Ted Seeley on bass and guitar, Will McDonald on fiddle, Jamie Hascall, & Betsy Brown). 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:30 p.m. $6 members, $7 others.

Second Sunday Dance, Albuquerque, June 10
Get ready for the English ball on June 30 by dancing tonight with William DeRagon calling elegant English country and zesty contra dances; music by the “Name Pending” band (??). 7:00 – 9:30 p.m., Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Members $6; nonmembers $7. Bring clean dance shoes. No shoes with nails or that leave black scuff marks, please. Clean dance shoes and tennis shoes OK.

Zoukfest, Santa Fe, June 10-16
It’s finally here: the June 10-16th event at the College of Santa Fe. Log onto zoukfest.com for information. Class Descriptions for ZoukFest 2007 are also up on the website at zoukfest.com/classes/.

Albuquerque Megaband Practice, June 12
Join the Megaband in a jam at the Blue Dragon, 1517 Girard NE, Albuquerque, 7:30-10:30 p.m. More info: Bruce Thomson, 277-4729.

No Las Cruces Contra Dance in June!!!

Albuquerque Contra Dance at ABQ Folk Festival, Saturday, June 16
The festival web site, www.abqfolkfest.org, has the schedule of 12 hours of music and dance workshops, concerts, jams, and dances. Richard Wilson calls the evening Folk Festival contra dance to the riveting old-time tunes of the award-winning Albuquerque Megaband. 8:00-11:00 p.m., Expo New Mexico (formerly the State Fairgrounds at San Pedro/Copper NE). Instruction at 7:30 p.m. Members $6; nonmembers $10. If you’ve already paid to be at the Folk Festival, this dance is free! Also, contra dance workshop is at 3 p.m. at the Festival. If you want to be a dance angel for that, let me know, merri@merridancing.com.

Taos Contra Dance, Saturday, June 16
Dance at the San Geronimo Lodge, Witt Road. Starting time 7:00 p.m. Jim Buechler calling, Taos Megaband playing. Five dollars per dancer. Call 776-1580 with any questions about the dance.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, June 23
Linda Starr 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.

Wildlife West Weekend Concert, June 22-24
Bluegrass music galore! Alan Munde & Gazette, Long Road Home, Bill Hearne Trio, Lost Highway, Foxfire, Wing & a Prayer. Wildlife West Music Festival. Country barn dance with Syd Masters and the Swing Riders, Friday. Concerts begin at 11 a.m. Saturday and continues on Sunday with gospel at 11 a.m. Camp all weekend. www.wildlifewest.org has specifics.

Special English Workshop/Dance, ABQ, June 30
Saturday, June 30 is the Enchanted Assembly English country dance workshop from 1-4 p.m. and fancy dress English ball starting at 7 p.m. Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Details are at http://folkmads.org/EnchantedAssembly.html.

Blue moon tonight and longest day of the year coming up. Howl delightfully!

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com

Monthly Folk eNews

May 2007 Folk Enews

Well, Folkies,

If you missed Perla Batalla in concert, you should kick yourself gently in the shins. She was fabulous, sexy, jazzy, melodic, diverse. Those of us who were there know something else: she said she was considering making Albuquerque her home!

The Albuquerque Folk Festival on Saturday, June 16, needs volunteers. Be sure and read the info near the end of this blog entry.

I hesitate to mention this, but at the April 15th English/Contra dance and April 21 contra dance, there were about a dozen extra guys. They were even dancing with each other. (Ladies, don’t faint upon reading this!) So, if I advise the ladies to show up at dances, I hope that creates gender balance instead of extra ladies. I didn’t have to dance as a guy once at either dance–yippee!

Corrales Sing, Friday, May 4
FOLK SONG CIRCLE. Newcomers welcome! They’re meeting in May to sing of Greetings & Farewells, Immigration & Emigration.
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, May 5
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style with Donna Howell calling and Hey! (Linda Vik, Jane Phillips, Chris Carlson on fiddle, Tim Shaffer on guitar) playing driving 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, May 5
Caller is Katherine Bueler from Sante Fe with live music by Durango’s Kitchen Jam Band. VFW Hall, 1550 Main Avenue, Beginner instruction is at 7:00 p.m. Dancing is from 7:30 to 10:30. Admission is $10. For further information, call 970-259-6820.

Old Time Music Circle, Albuquerque, Sunday, May 6
Come play your old-time hearts out from 2 PM to 4PM
Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria NE
Info: Judy Muldawer, inquiry@siliconheights.com

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, May 12
Donna Howell calling this Mother’s Day weekend, Five-Dog String Band playing (David Margolin on fiddles, Rick Olcott on guitar, and Steve Huestis on banjo). 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:30 p.m. $6 members, $7 others.

Second Sunday Dance, Albuquerque, May 13
Celebrate Mother’s Day by dancing with your loved ones. Richard Wilson and Kit French will call elegant English country and zesty contra dances; music by the McPapenhagens with Liz Holm. 7:00 – 9:30 p.m., Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Members $6; nonmembers $7. Bring clean dance shoes. No shoes with nails or that leave black scuff marks, please. Clean dance shoes and tennis shoes OK.

Albuquerque Megaband Practice, May 15
Join the Megaband in a jam at the Blue Dragon, 1517 Girard NE, Albuquerque, 7:30-10:30 p.m. More info: Bruce Thomson, 277-4729.

Las Cruces Contra Dance, Friday, May 18
Katherine Bueler from Santa Fe 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 505-522-2421 or 915-755-7371.

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, May 19
Katherine Bueler (driving north from Las Cruces, but normally from Santa Fe) calls this dance to the hot old-time tunes of the award-winning Albuquerque Megaband. 7:30-10:30 p.m., Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Acoustic jam at 6:30 p.m. and newcomers’ instruction at 7 p.m. Members $6; nonmembers $7.

Taos Contra Dance, Saturday, May 19
Back to the regular location, dance at the San Geronimo Lodge, Witt Road. Starting time 7:00 p.m. Jim Buechler calling, Taos Megaband playing. Five dollars per dancer. Call 776-1580 with any questions about the dance.

Albuquerque Concert, Sunday, May 20
Baroque violinist Stephen Redfield leads the Albuquerque Baroque Orchestra playing music of Handel, Telemann, Zelenka, and Geminiani. 3 p.m., Central United Methodist Church, 1615 Copper NE. FREE admission! More info is at www.unm.edu/~sbpatric.

15th Annual Folkmadness Music & Dance Camp, May 25-28
There is NO Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, May 26 because many will be at the 15th annual Folkmadness Music and Dance Camp in Socorro! The deadline for signing up for camp is approaching. Info is on the FOLKMADS web site, www.folkmads.org.

Albuquerque Folk Festival, Sat., June 16
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the all-day and evening music and workshop festivities. The schedule is now up on the web site. Visit www.abqfolkfest.org for details. The Albuquerque Folk Festival needs Volunteers, so if you do a little work, you can get free parking and admission! Festival is at EXPO New Mexico (aka, state fairgrounds). Volunteers are requested to offer a 3-hour stint, that can be divided to work in your festival favorites. There are jobs to do from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. – admissions at the Main Gate and for evening dances, T-shirt sales, Info table, Setup and/or Tear Down, Gate attendants, sound, CD sales, stage assistants, transportation, and more. They also need a few volunteers for Friday afternoon/eve set-up. Please contact Trylla Esherick, trylla@comcast.net. (home) or volunteers@abqfolkfest.org. What you get: Free admission, parking pass, T-shirt (specify size). Give Trylla your available times, assignment preferences, contact info (name, address, phone, e-mail).

Zoukfest, Santa Fe, June 10-16
Don’t miss this June 10-16th event at the College of Santa Fe. Log onto http://zoukfest.com for information. Class Descriptions for ZoukFest 2007 are also up on the website at http://zoukfest.com/classes/.

Special English Workshop/Dance, ABQ, June 30
Remember that Saturday, June 30 is the fancy dress English ball preceded by an afternoon workshop at Heights Community Center. We just mailed out a flyer with the FOLKMADS newsletter/calendar, and details are also at www.folkmads.org.

Globalquerque World Music Festival, September 2007
The web site for the Globalquerque! 2007 festival on September 21 and 22 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center is up and will be including new information regularly. Early bird tickets are on sale now; visit www.globalquerque.com for details.

Enjoy the rain, flowers, and impending heat.

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com

Monthly Folk eNews

April 2007 Folk Enews

Well, Folkies,

I took my own advice and attended the Bills concert last month at South Broadway Cultural Center. Actually, I ushered at the “will call” window, so I got to greet a bunch of you personally. WOW! The Bills were awesome musicians, and I saw at least twenty folkies in the audience too. Here is my folk enews for April. I update this entry as I receive new information, so check back occasionally if you want.

Corrales Sing CANCELLED, Friday, April 6
FOLK SONG CIRCLE CANCELLED FOR April 6, due to hosts’ contagious illness. They’ll meet in May and sing April’s theme of Greetings & Farewells, Immigration & Emigration.
Contact: Laurie McPherson 898-6978
Email: lauriemcpherson@hotmail.com or lmcpherson@salud.unm.edu

Albuq. Concert & Dance Party, Friday, April 6
GANGBE BRASS BAND with free pre-show dance party featuring
AGALU
National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 4th St SW
Concert: 8 PM; Dance Party: 6:30 PM
Tickets: $20, $25, $30
Tickets are available at the NHCC Box Office, the Outpost and Ticketmaster outlets (505-883-7800, including all Smith’s stores).
The evening starts on the NHCC’s Plaza Mayor with a free dance party featuring AGALU, a Nigerian drum and dance group based out of Santa Fe. Decked out in beautiful handmade outfits and featuring exhilarating drummers and dancers, Agalu promises to be a superb way to start your weekend. The concert features the Gangbé Brass Band from Benin, West Africa. They look like a party even when they are just sitting around. There are 4 percussionists, 3 trumpets, saxophone, bugle, trombone and tuba, and everyone sings and dances. The music is an exciting hybrid that will swing from New Orleans brass to Fela-inspired Afrobeat to traditional Benin chants and rhythms. You can also hear echoes of King Sunny Ade’s juju and straight-up jazz. The band is known or their engaging and playful live shows that literally puts them in the laps of the audience. A few sound samples are at abqmusic.com.

Albuq. Dance Committee Meeting, Sat., April 7
Reminder: The Albuquerque Dance Committee will be meeting on Saturday, April 7 at 2:30 at Bob Cornish & Linda Starr’s house, 509 Aliso Dr. NE, 255-6037. Please come and help contribute your ideas for our dances, activities and music. The success of our dances depends upon the generosity of our dancer and musician volunteers!!!

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, April 7
Marj Mullany will call with Hands Five (Bruce Thomson on fiddle, Peter Esherick on hammer dulcimer, John Brinduse on guitar, Erika Gerety on bass and mandolin, Gary Blank on percussion) playing rollicking 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, April 7
If you happen to be travelling this weekend, check out the contra dance in Durango, CO . Dance is 7:30-10:30. $10, VFW Hall. Info: 970-903-9402.

Albuq. Concert, April 12
Thursday evening, April 12, 2007 at 7PM
Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria, NE
Tickets available at the door
$ 10.00 SW Pickers Members, $ 12.00 General Admission
Jimmy Abraham will perform on April 12 as the lead act for the Stairwell Sisters. What a combo! Jimmy is an amazing songwriter and has a delightful sense of humor in his songs as well as his delivery. Plus he is a great story teller. You probably know this all woman old-time band the Stairwell Sisters. Learn more about these musicians, and listen to sample audio files by clicking on the URL’s below: http://www.jimmyabraham.com and http://www.stairwellsisters.com/ For additional information, contact Judy Muldawer at inquiry@siliconheights.com.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, April 14
Richard Wilson calling, Bayou Seco playing (Ken Keppeler and Jeanie McLerie on fiddles, maybe Scott and Linda joining them on guitar and guitaron). 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:30 p.m. $6 members, $7 others.

Albuquerque Concert, Sat., April 14
Boulder Acoustic Society in Concert at 7:30 p.m. (All-levels ukulele workshop from 12 to 2 p.m. the same day at Apple Mountain Music, 10301 Comanche NE. Information is on www.applemtnmusic.com)
Church of the Good Shepherd, 7834 Tennyson NE, Albuquerque
Boulder Acoustic Society is an acoustic string quartet playing a wide range of music with sparkling vocals and humor that will keep you laughing. Band members play accordian, violin, mandolin, ukulele and washboard. All 4 play ukulele! Suggested door donation: $15, $10/seniors/teens, $5 over 6. All donations will go to the musicians. Doors to the Lower Church Hall will open at 6:45. No reservations are needed, there is plenty of seating. Refreshments will be available at no charge. Feel free to bring a favorite dessert to share. For more information, contact Linda Bolton, 856-7100 or nlightsmgt@aol.com.

Second (Almost) Sunday Dance, April 15, Albuquerque
Since Easter falls on the 2nd Sunday, this dance in April only is on the 3rd Sunday (there are 5 Sundays in April, so what does it matter?!) Noralyn Parsons and Kit French will call elegant English country and zesty contra dances; music by Della and Friends. Della will have just gotten back from a gig in Texas, so she’ll be rarin’ to go! 7:00 – 9:30 p.m., Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Members $6; nonmembers $7. Bring clean dance shoes. No shoes with nails or that leave black scuff marks, please. Clean dance shoes and tennis shoes OK.

Albuquerque Megaband Practice, April 17
Join the Megaband in a jam at the Blue Dragon, 1517 Girard NE, Albuquerque, 7:30-10:30 p.m. More info: Bruce Thomson, 277-4729.

Albuq. Concert, Thursday, April 19
PERLA BATALLA with special guests THE HANDSOME FAMILY
Lobo Theater, 3013 Central Avenue NE
7:30 PM
$20 advance, $25 door
Available at www.abqmusic.com, Bookworks and Natural Sound.
The last few years have generated a number of Leonard Cohen tribute projects. Perla Batalla has been at the center of most of them, stealing
the show from folks like U2, Rufus Wainwright and Nick Cave. Perla, a one-time Cohen back-up singer, has a show stopping duet with Julie Christensen (another Cohen back-up singer) on the song “Anthem”. “Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Fan” played at the Guild earlier this year and has just been released on DVD. Perla is all over the DVD and accompanying soundtrack recording. It also features Albuquerque’s The Handsome Family, who will make a special guest appearance at the show. Perla recently staged her own Cohen tribute in Los Angeles. The LA Times heaped praises upon it and Perla’s performance, as well as the unique Hispanic twist that was given to many Cohen classics. While Cohen songs will probably make more of an appearance at this year’s concert, it’s Perla’s heartfelt take on traditional Mexican songs that won her mid-show standing ovations last year in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe. She has written her own material, in both English and Spanish, about growing up with mixed eritage in the United States. And, in recent years, she connected with her mother’s Argentinian family, which led to “What I Did on my Summer Vacation by Perla Batalla” which features fresh versions of popular Argentinian folk songs from the 20’s and 30’s.

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, April 21
Merri Rudd calls this Camp Benefit dance to the hot old-time tunes of the award-winning Albuquerque Megaband. 7:30-10:30 p.m., Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Acoustic jam at 6:30 p.m. and newcomers’ instruction at 7 p.m. Tonight only: Members $7; nonmembers $8. Extra monies collected go toward camp scholarships at 15th annual Folkmadness camp over Memorial Day. Wear green and flowers and other “earth day” finery as you wish.

Taos Contra Dance, Saturday, April 21
Back to the regular location, dance at the San Geronimo Lodge, Witt Road. Starting time 7:30 as usual. Beginners and refresher course at 7. Richard Wilson calling, Taos Megaband playing. Five dollars per dancer. Call 776-1580 with any questions about the dance.

Dance Weekend in ABQ to Benefit MS
A WEEKEND FULL OF FUN TO BENEFIT THE NATIONAL MS SOCIETY
WORKSHOPS DANCES ENTERTAINMENT
April 20-22, Albuquerque, NM
CHAMPION WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS:
Yvonne Benavidez, Jason Wayne, Nick Jay, Damon & Lisa D’Amico, Maryann Harvey, $142 per person
Pre-Dance on Friday at Graham Central Station
Post-dance on Sunday evening (Pizza party & WCS lesson w/Yvonne & Jason included)
The special rate includes 10 workshops, 2 lunches, dinner show and dance. Click on: www.becauseyoucan.us to print a registration form and for more details. For additional information for DBYC and/or Friday or Sunday evening dances, Albuquerque Swing & Country Dance Club activities/workshops, New Mexico Dance Fiesta Sept27-30, please contact Susan Kellogg at glkello@nmia.com or call 505-299-3737.

Las Cruces Contra Dance, Friday, April 27
Lewis Land calling this 4th Friday instead of the usual 3rd Friday dance. 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 505-522-2421 or 915-755-7371.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, April 28
Will McDonald calling this Camp Benefit dance and Santa Fe Megaband playing. 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:30 p.m. Tonight only: Members $7; nonmembers $8. Extra monies collected go toward camp scholarships at 15th annual Folkmadness camp over Memorial Day.

Fun on the Web
Well, you experience the power of the internet when you get an email from New Hampshire telling you that a Chicago Tribune column has linked to a youtube video featuring you calling in Arizona. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it:
http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2007/03/coming_out_of_t.html

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_514yYNEZS8 (Watch 2006 Maymadness folks dancing William Watson’s “The Devil’s Backbone.” Privy Tippers playing, Merri Rudd set it into motion. You should recognize some NM dancers.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOw1-g_la_I (A high-spirited rendition of Cis Hinkle’s “Rollin’ and a Tumblin’.” Privy Tippers playing “Music for a Found Harmonium” at end, Merri Rudd on stage.)

Albuquerquean on the Web
Visit sdfne.org, Square Dance Foundation of New England – and click ‘Library’. Albuquerque’s own Bob Sharp interviews folk icons Larry Edelman and Dudley Laufman. Plus Bob is also interviewed.

New Contra DVD Featuring Dudly Laufman & Rodney Miller
Last year’s Folkmadness guest caller David Millstone has produced a documentary about Dudley Laufman. Grants from CDSS, NEFFA, and the NH State Council on the Arts helped make possible the inclusion of archival footage of Dudley and the Canterbury Orchestra performing at the1965 Newport Folk Festival. History, humor, music and dance combine to make a 99-minute DVD packaged with a second disk containing two hours of additional material– is now available for sale. Contact David at millstone@valley.net for ordering info and costs.

Albuq. Folk Festival, Sat., June 16
It’s not too early to mark your calendars for the all-day and evening music and workshop festivities. Visit www.abqfolkfest.org for details.

Zoukfest, Santa Fe, June 10-16
Nor is it too early to mark your calendar for this June 10-16th event at the College of Santa Fe. Log onto http://zoukfest.com for information. Class Descriptions for ZoukFest 2007 are also up on the website at http://zoukfest.com/classes/.

Special English Workshop/Dance, ABQ, June 30
And while you’re marking your calendar, save Saturday, June 30 for a fancy dress English ball preceded by an afternoon workshop at Heights Community Center. Watch Folkmads newsletter and www.folkmads.org for details.

Hope some of these events interest you. Have a fun summer!

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com

Monthly Folk eNews

March 2007 Folk Enews

Well, Folkies,

Here is my folk enews for March. Thanks for all of your gentle prodding to continue! I update this entry as I receive new information, so check back occasionally if you want.

Corrales Sing, Friday, March 2
FOLK SONG CIRCLE. Newcomers welcome! They’re meeting to sing as usual on Friday. March’s apt theme is WEATHER, WIND, RAIN, and STORMS.
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, March 3
Artie Walsh will call with the Fast Pesos (Gary Ashkin & Jim Hughes on fiddle, Tom Adler on banjo, Bo Olcott on guitar) playing rollicking dance tunes. 7:30 – 10:30 p.m., acoustic jam 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.

Bills in Concert, Albuquerque, March 3
If you have a hurt foot like I do and can’t dance, then don’t miss the Bills in concert at the South Broadway Cultural Center in Albuquerque. From the beautiful West Coast of Canada comes this extraordinary quintet, renowned among folk music fans of all ages for their instrumental virtuosity, lush vocal arrangements, exuberant live performances, evocative songwriting, and refreshingly innovative interpretations of traditional tunes from around the globe. Drawing musical inspiration from a broad range of North American traditions, a mélange of European stylings, rhythms of Latin America, and melodies of the wandering Romany peoples, The Bills have forged a musical style all their own that transcends musical boundaries and defies simple categorization. Tickets are available in person and over the phone from the South Broadway Cultural Center Box Office. The ticket office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Call 505-848-1320 to charge with Mastercard or Visa over the phone. I don’t think the box office is open on Saturdays, so Friday is the big day to buy. After that, people will have to wait and get tickets at the door and hope they’re not sold out after VENUE comes out.

Durango Contra Dance, Saturday, March 3
Peg Hesley from Phoenix, AZ and Albuquerque’s own Sandia Hots rev it up in Durango, CO if you happen to be travelling there this weekend. Dance is 7:30-10:30. Concert and waltz workshop too. Info: 970-903-9402.

Old Time Music Circle, Sunday, March 4, ABQ
Everyone with an interest in playing old-time music is welcome. This is for old-time Appalachian music, so bring your instruments and jam to your heart’s (and fingers’) content.
2PM to 4PM, FREE!
Covenant Presbyterian Church
9315 Candelaria, NE (near Moon)
For additional information, email inquiry@siliconheights.com

Singing Class with Robyn Avalon, Santa Fe, March 5
SINGING WITH EASE –Transform excessive effort into useful energy
Monday March 5, 6-9 p.m.
$35
Robyn Avalon, 505-670-2596
office@alexandersw.com
www.alexandersw.com
All Singers welcome- – from country to opera to jazz to shower!
For singers, your instrument is your body; how you use it determines the quality of your sound. The Alexander Technique teaches you how to use your body with ease and efficiency. We are designed for movement. Unconsciously, we often interfere with this design. Energy, delight, and grace give way to effort, tension and fatigue. Through study, we can recognize and change habitual limiting patterns in order to regain deep structural support and realize our full potential. Singing can be as easy as it sounds!

Taught by Robyn Avalon, 30 years experience teaching Alexander principles, Director of Alexander Southwest Teacher Training Program, faculty for three international Alexander Alliance programs. Robyn travels worldwide to work with singers, performing artists, Olympic athletes, equestrians, scientists and health professionals. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to work with Robyn in Santa Fe.

LOCATION is still being worked out. Folks should call to register and will be told where class is held.

Ruth Alpert is in the full Alexander teacher training program with Robyn, and accompanied her to Anchorage Alaska in Jan 2006, observed her work 10 hours per day with various singers. Ruth says Robyn is TRULY BRILLIANT in how much improvement she was able to effect in just a one hour lesson. Ruth highly recommends Robyn’s class!

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, March 10
Katherine Bueler calling, Sandia Hots playing (Liz Stevens on fiddle, Michael Gallagher on banjo, Linda Askew on guitar, Scott Mathis on guitaron and mandolin). 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:30 p.m. $6 members, $7 others.

Phoenix, AZ Dance-Wich Delirium, March 10-11
A regular PFOTM Saturday night contradance sandwiched in between two challenging, zesty contradances!
March 10-11, 2007
Callers: International Caller, Kathy Anderson & Arizona Caller, Peg Hesley
Bands: ClusterFolk of Phoenix & Updraft of Flagstaff
Saturday, March 10th: at Kenilworth School
map: http://pfotm.org/kenilworthmap.html, 3:00-5:30 pm, $7.00 All Dancers
Saturday, March 10th: at Kenilworth School, 7:30-10:30 pm, $7.00 PFOTM Members/Affiliates/Students & $9.00 Public
Sunday, March 11th: at The Backyard Dance Floor (7437 W. Acoma, Peoria, AZ 85381), 10:30 am-1:00 pm, All Dancers $5.00
Information: http://pfotm.org/dancewich.pdf or call Irene Lundquist at 480.897.7275 or ilundquist@cox.net
Home Hospitality Coordinator: Tom Tang, margoapt@aztecfreenet.org

Second Sunday Dance, March 11, Albuquerque
Noralyn Parsons and Kris Jensen will call elegant English country and zesty contra dances; music by McPapenhagens (Gary Papenhagen on fiddle, Scott Mathis on mandolin, Linda Askew on guitar). 7:00 – 9:30 p.m., Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Members $6; nonmembers $7. Bring clean dance shoes. No shoes with nails or that leave black scuff marks, please. Clean dance shoes and tennis shoes OK.

Albuquerque Megaband Practice, March 13
Join the Megaband in a jam at the Blue Dragon, 1517 Girard NE, Albuquerque, 7:30-10:30 p.m. More info: Bruce Thomson, 277-4729.

Las Cruces Contra Dance, Friday, March 16
Albuquerque’s Kris Jensen calling! SNMMDS House Band playing. 7:30-10:30 p.m. $4 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. Julie says to wear green for St. Patrick’s Day. For more info, call 522-1691.

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, March 17
Richard Wilson calls this St. Patrick’s Day dance to the hot old-time tunes of the award-winning Albuquerque Megaband. 7:30-10:30 p.m., Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Acoustic jam and instruction at 7 p.m. Members $6; nonmembers $7. The wearin’ o’ the green encouraged. Snack donations welcome too!

Taos Contra Dance, Saturday, March 17
Note: Different Location for March Only! Taos Jewish Center, 1335 Gusdorf Road. Turn into the shopping plaza at the sign “1335 Gusdorf Road”, bear to the right. The TJH is next door to the UNM Family Resource Center. Starting time 7:30 as usual. Beginners and refresher course at 7. Jim Buechler calling, Taos Megaband playing. Five dollars per dancer. Call 776-1580 with any questions about the dance.

Albuquerque Concert, Tuesday, March 20
The Southwest Pickers are hosting a concert this coming Tuesday, March 20th at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria NE in Albuquerque by Byron Berline (fiddler) and his fabulous band. Also featured will be John Moore,the legendary guitar and mandolin player. This is an amazing lineup that got a great write-up in today’s newspaper, and you should tell your friends not to miss this one. The concert begins at 7 PM, and tickets are the usual rock bottom price of $12 for non-members and $10 for members.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, March 24
Open Mic dance and Hey! playing (Linda Vik, Chris Carlson, Jane Phillips on fiddle, Tim Shaffer on guitar). 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:30 p.m. $6 members, $7 others.

Community Dance, Albuquerque, March 31
Chris Kermiet from Denver calling, McPapenhagens playing. 7:30-10:30 p.m., Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Instruction at 7 p.m. Members $6; nonmembers $7. See flyer for more info.

Fun on the web
Our own videographer Jim Boros has posted two youtube videos from our annual camps at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS5fsFuR7_s (the late Dean Brodkey teaching a Bouree dance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQrcJp3EAHM (1996 Folkmadness camp, Schottische dance)

Bird lovers should check out this astounding shot (don’t know if it’s been doctored) of two eagles fighting in mid-air over a fish: http://www.pbase.com/soonipi1957/image/74794115/original

Finally, here’s a tidbit I heard. A new movie “Seraphim Falls” starring Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan is soon coming out. It is a Civil War era movie, and many of you may recognize the banjo and fiddle players in the movie–Tom Adler (of Santa Fe and Fast Pesos claim) and Rob Pine (of Sandia Park and Nabobs fame)!

Finally, my hubby Mark just wrote a national computer book called “PC Magazine’s Windows Vista Solutions.” If you’re considering an upgrade or already have, check it out! Wiley Publishing Company delivered it to bookstores nationwide 2 weeks ago. And it’s available at amazon.com too:

Dance on and play on,

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com

Monthly Folk eNews

Southwestern Music & Dance Links

I’ve collected some links for you to find information about music, dance and concert events around the southwest.

New Mexico Music and Dance Info: www.folkmads.org, a fantastic up-to-date web site for the New Mexico Folk Music and Dance Society.

Info on Las Cruces, NM dances is at http://www.zianet.com/lcludeman/contra/snmmds.html.

The New Mexico Dance Coaltion http://www.swcp.com/~nmdc/links.html has more info on dances, not just contra dances, around New Mexico.

www.nmdance.com is Albuquerque Swing and Country Dance Club.

http://www.folkdancing.org/new_mexico.html and http://www.tifd.org/SWDir.htm contain much info about all kinds of dance around the southwest.

To subscribe to a New Mexico local dance e-newsletter, please contact Susan Kellogg at glkello@nmia.com or call 505-299-3737.

Monthly Singing: FOLK SONG CIRCLE the 1st Friday of each month in Corrales, New Mexico. 8:00 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT; Contact: Laurie McPherson 898-6978, lauriemcpherson@hotmail.com or lmcpherson@salud.unm.edu

New Mexico Music Links: www.abqmusic.com is neal copperman’s awesome music venue with lots of concert information for music-lovers.

www.southwestpickers.org has info on bluegrass concerts around Albuquerque.

The Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque, mostly jazz and folk, has a web site, www.outpostspace.org/.

Santa Fe Concerts: GiG is Santa Fe’s non-profit performance space. GiG is located at 1808 Second St. The suggested donation is $7 to $10. All shows are at 8 PM. Check out www.gigsantafe.com for more details about each week’s artists and listen to their music samples at the Listen link!

http://rogerlandes.com/ is the web site of Roger Landes, Taos musician extraordinaire and organizer of Zoukfest, www.zoukfest.com.

To sign up for the e-mail list for Parkland Circle House Concerts (Albuquerque), write gcnewma@sandia.gov.

Arizona Music and Dance Info: http://www.tftm.org/contradancing/cdancing.htm (Scroll down the page to find links to various Arizona dance communities.

Colorado Music and Dance Info: http://www.dancingtheweb.com/coloradocontra/ccovenue.htm

Email me other links and I will add them to this page. Thanks and happy dancing and playing,

Merri Rudd
merri@merridancing.com
www.merridancing.com

Albuquerque

Snow Day

From our house to yours…wishing you the happiest of holidays!


Taken moments ago, December 19, 2006, 3:15 p.m., Albuquerque

Speaking of snow, check out the oh-so-clever “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” at http://badaboo.free.fr/merryxmas.swf If that link won’t work for you, try www.thecompassgroup.biz/merryxmas.swf

Albuquerque, Monthly Folk eNews

A Splendid Celebration!

5 Comments

The 100 or so musicans and dancers who attended last night’s music and dance party at the Heights know what a fine, festive, food-filled and fun-filled evening it was. Merri called her favorite dances over the past 15 years, including Karen & Greg Tie the Knot, Trip to Phan Reel, M.A.D. About Dancing, and Chuck the Budgie. Ken Cooper called two dances, which allowed Merri to dance with her hubby Mark. The Megaband added the old-time versions of Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas (did you know it was a waltz?!) to their repertoire. We still had two lines of dancers at the end of the night, and many of them were seen smiling all evening in their holiday finery. A smorgasbord of food and drinks lined the entire wall of the other room.

We would love for you to share your music and dance memories (recent or distant), thoughts, good wishes, stories, and/or reflections about last night, etc. by posting a comment on this blog entry (scroll to bottom of this post to comment). To you who shared food and drinks, played rowdy dance tunes, danced beautifully, cheered enthusiastically at each announcement, and recorded the event, THANK YOU! from all your hosts and hostesses: Merri, Melissa, Lew, Bob, Nancy, Ken, Michele, Kelly and Gina.

For those who were unable to attend, here are the anniversaries and occasions we celebrated:

Merri Rudd, 15th anniversary as a caller (called her first whole dance on December 7, 1991 at Lloyd Shaw with Megaband playing).
Melissa Wilson & Lew Suber, 15th anniversary as a couple. (Their 2nd date was at that 1st dance Merri called. Melissa, who was the caller scheduler at that time, hired Merri.)


Here’s Melissa & Lew dancing on December 16th

Bob & Nancy Ford, 15th wedding anniversary is Dec. 31, 2006, and Merri forgot to mention this last night, so sorry! Bob’s been our ace sound guy for years.
Michele Von Boeck & Ken Cooper eloped during our thrift store prom at the 14th annual FolkMADness Camp in Socorro on May 28, 2006. Merri officiated.
Kelly Kellstedt & Gina Jenner eloped the next evening, May 29, 2006, in Anita Shenkman’s backyard, Eva Ceskava officiating.


Karen & Greg, the 1st folk couple to be married by Merri; Michele & Ken; Merri; Gina & Kelly

Honoring the Award-Winning Megaband, who has played for our dances for free for 30 years. We gave them “awards,” which we hope they can wear for years to come. Fiddler Jane Phillips helped Merri figure out all their names.


Megaband members making merry music!


Honorees’ hand-crafted “awards”

It was also Dennis Vik’s birthday on December 17. He is only slightly older than 15.

That’s my brief report on the evening. Look forward to reading folkies’ comments on this blog!

Merri Rudd
www.merridancing.com

Monthly Folk eNews

December 2006 Folk Enews

Well, Folkies,

Happy Holidays to All!

It appears that I’m being lured back into the folk enews biz. Those of you who were at the Saturday dance in Albuquerque with Jamie Gans and David Margolin playing know what a fine fiddler Jamie is. (David is too, for that matter!) But the rowdiness of dance sometimes overshadows the beauty of the music. You get another few chances to sit and listen or to dance and listen to Jamie’s fiddle.

Albuquerque House Concert, Thursday, Dec. 7
House Concert: Jamie Gans & Tamara Loewenthal (she’ll provide the ‘foot percussion’)
Date & Time: Thursday, December 7, 2006, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Phyllis Taylor/Bruce Thomson residence, 1018 Idlewilde SE, Albuquerque, NM (take their phone number in case you can’t find it!)
Cost: $10/person
Contact: Bruce Thomson (268-6003) or LibTNov1@aol.com

Santa Fe Jamie & Tamara Fest Too, Dec. 9!
This coming Saturday, December 9, Fiddle’n’Feet, composed of fiddler Jamie Gans and caller and dancer Tamara Loewenthal, are again visiting Santa Fe. They’ll host two workshops:

— Dance workshop from 3 to 4:30: In the dance workshop, Tamara will focus on flatfooting/clogging and waltz clog. Flatfooting will be done to Old Time music and waltz clog to a waltz tempo.

— Music workshop from 4:30 to 5:30: Jamie will focus on Irish and French Canadian fiddle music, taking into account the preferences of those present. Other instruments are presumably welcome.

Each workshop will cost $15, and both will be held at the Odd Fellows Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Road, across from the Highway Department building. For more information, contact Jamie at jagans@wfhb.org, or Tamara at tamara@bluemarble.net, or call them on their cell phone at 812-219-1890. And visit their website at www.fiddlenfeet.com.

Then you can dance that evening (teaching/orientation at 7:30, dance from 8 to 11 p.m.) with calling by Tamara and music by Jamie and Santa Fe’s own locally energetic Mark Sardella.

Tamara Loewenthal has been performing and teaching various styles of American and Celtic step dance for over 20 years. A founding member of the nationally acclaimed dance company Rhythm in Shoes, she has toured across the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Japan. She regularly calls square and contra dances for groups around the country and teaches step dance classes in Bloomington, and workshops wherever she goes.

Jamie Gans came to Indiana from St. Paul, Minnesota, where he had established himself as one of the foremost fiddlers in the Northern Midwest. Adept at a variety of fiddle styles, Jamie has performed with some of the great players in Irish, Canadian, and Old Time music. In 1993, he was named a Master Artist by the Minnesota State Arts Board and Historical Society for the Folk Arts Apprenticeship program. In 1994 he and Sam Bartlett played at Merri’s 40th b-day party in Albuquerque! In 1995, Jamie joined forces with Tamara, exploring traditional music, song, and dance in depth. His love of history, combined with his soulful playing, bring the music alive in every setting.

While I’m at it, I may as well mention….

Second Sunday Dance, Dec. 10, Albuquerque
Richard Wilson will call elegant English country and zesty contra dances; music by Gemma on fiddle and Della on piano. 7:00 – 9:30 p.m., Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Members $6; nonmembers $7. Bring clean dance shoes. No shoes with nails or that leave black scuff marks, please. Clean dance shoes and tennis shoes OK.

Albuquerque Megaband Practice, Dec. 12
Join the Megaband in a jam at the Blue Dragon, 1517 Girard NE, Albuquerque, 7:30-10:30 p.m. More info: Bruce Thomson, 277-4729.

Big Celebration Dance, Dec. 16, Albuquerque
Merri Rudd calling her 15th anniversary dance with guest Ken Cooper to the hot old-time tunes of the award-winning Albuquerque Megaband. 7:30-10:30 p.m., Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Acoustic jam and instruction at 7 p.m. Members $6; nonmembers $7. Megafood provided too!! But feel free to bring a snack to share. And dress up all sparkly and fun if you wish.

Taos Contra Dance, Saturday, Dec. 16
Dance at the San Geronimo Lodge, Witt Road. Dance starts at 7:00 p.m. and goes until 10. Want more info? Call 758-7362 (Ellen) or 776-1580 (Jim and Hope). Richard Wilson calling, Taos ContraBand playing.

Santa Fe Contra, Sat., Dec. 23
Start working off those holiday calories! Open Mic dance calling and TBA band playing. 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:30 p.m. $6 members, $7 others.

English Dance, Santa Fe, Dec. 30
Richard Wilson calling, Santa Fe Community Band playing English tunes. 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:30 p.m. $6 members, $7 others.

Fun on the web
Someone posted a video from Arizona’s MayMadness 2006 dance weekend. You can see/hear the Privy Tippers playing and watch Joli Sharp, Linda Starr, Bob Cornish and a bunch of Arizonans and Californians dance the DEVIL’S BACKBONE at

Condolences to John and Erika on the loss of their beloved dog Pinto, who loved lying at the musicians’ feet during band practice and was sweeter than pie.

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com

Albuquerque, Huzzah!, Santa Fe

Thank You, Musicians!

2 Comments

Musician Appreciation by Dancers (MAD)
This article first appeared in the New Mexico Folk Music and Dance Society (FOLKMADS) newsletter, Vol. 9, Issue 6, November/December 2006. It was then picked up by the Country Dance and Song Society News, Issue 194, January/February 2007, page 12. It has been reprinted in various folk music and dance newsletters around the country.

Ideas for Dancers’ Consideration
By Merri Rudd, merri@merridancing.com

A very long time ago, a musician told me, “You are one of the few who think the musicians are important. You appreciate us.”

“Important?!” I exclaimed, “It is because of you that dance is possible.”

As a caller, I have spent a lot of time attending band practices and on stage, thinking about the role musicians have in driving the dance. The music energizes, inspires, and wallops the dancers’ senses, inciting movement, excitement and, with a little luck, magic.

In the early days of New Mexico’s FolkMADs dances, the Megaband always provided the music. In 1990 the organization began to pay bands, but those fees don?t amount to much. The reason you see band members on the stage is because they love the music and playing for lively dancers. The best reward for a dance musician is seeing, hearing, and feeling the dancers’ excitement, so don’t hold back.

Albuquerque and Santa Fe Megaband musicians have played for dances for more than 20 years free of charge. Their donation of services has allowed FolkMADS to save thousands of dollars to buy complete sound systems for both communities, host special events, and cover losses when some dances have low attendance.

So, as dancers, how can we express our appreciation for the rowdy dance music so willingly provided by the bands? How about:

1. Clap enthusiastically after each tune. Seasoned bands deserve your praise; newer bands need your encouragement.

2. LOOK at the musicians on stage. When you progress to the top of the dance line and stand out for 32 seconds until you become active, take this opportunity to admire the musicians on stage. Note which instruments they?re playing. Without distracting them too much, smile or tap your foot or clog or do whatever else will show you appreciate their rhythms and tunes.

3. If a particular tune revs you up, whoop and shout from the dance floor. Bands love the synergy that comes from knowing their tune fit a particular dance so well that the dancers couldn’t help but holler.

4. Bring the musicians homemade treats to help fuel them throughout the evening (no sticky buns or other items that will mess up their strings or fingers). You try maintaining a consistent energy and strong dance tempo for 3 hours without refreshment; they need fuel just like other fine machines.

5. If refreshments are served at a dance, let the musicians have first dibs. They’ve earned the right to “eat first.” Plus, they must be back on stage in just a few minutes.

6. If you see musicians milling about during the break, don’t be timid. Go up to them and thank them for their time and music. If you have especially enjoyed their tunes, let them know! Most musicians don’t bite and are flattered to hear from you.

7. Sometimes less-experienced or shy or quiet Megabanders find themselves in uncomfortable lead musician roles due to competing commitments of other musicians. They may be the only fiddler or guitarist for the first time in their lives with the great responsibility of leading the melody or rhythm for the entire dance. These musicians especially need you. If you observe a new musician face, a fearful face, or a face with visual cues that signal a need for help, give them extra support, encouragement, and appreciation at the end of each tune. (Do this for new dancers too!)

8. Whatever you do to express appreciation, do NOT rush onto the stage. We old-timers will always remember when a caller suggested someone might kiss the fiddler in the middle of a square dance and broke the fiddler’s bow in the process. Respect the musicians’ instruments and space.

9. Some bands have CDs; shell out the $15 to support these artists. Yes, they almost all have day jobs. But their music is a labor of love; they deserve your support.

10. At the end of the night, gather at the edge of the stage and clap prolongedly and fervently. Our dances are homemade fun and we should always remember how special that is. You’d surely thank your grandma for that great homemade pie; don’t forget to thank your local musicians for those great homemade tunes! Remember, it is because of these musicians that dancing is possible.

Email me with other ideas about how to express appreciation for our musicians, and I’ll post them on this blog. Thanks to Albuquerque musician Jane Phillips and Santa Fe musician Will McDonald for helping me with this post.

(c) 2006 Merri Rudd, All Rights Reserved, www.merridancing.com

Albuquerque

Joyce Briscoe

2 Comments


Joyce, Dec. 2005, after receiving ACLU Volunteer of Year Award
Photo by Merri Rudd, (c) 2006, All Rights Reserved

A reunion for Joyce is planned for Friday, November 3, 2006, 3-7 p.m., Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque. Click here for details.

Joyce Briscoe, 56, and her long-time friend and colleague Allys (Alice) Brice, 63, died when their car collided with a semi-truck on September 13, 2006. You can read the words, imagine the gruesome, and feel the kick in the heart pretty easily by viewing the news articles about their deaths.

What you can’t know are the numbers of lives that Joyce and Alice touched and changed and inspired over the span of 30 years. I did not know Alice; I knew Joyce. And I cannot let the untimely death of Joyce Briscoe go by without comment.

Joyce was a tireless advocate on behalf of human and civil rights, well-known within and outside of the legal community. She volunteered thousands of hours to help protect the ideals she held so dear. Peace, justice and equality were not just abstract concepts to Joyce; she worked nonstop to enact positive change within our community. She volunteered nearly full-time at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) office in Albuquerque, for free, for fun, for conviction when she didn’t have to do a darn thing. She was “retired,” after all. She chose to volunteer, she chose to contribute, she chose to stay vigilant in today’s troubled times.

Joyce revered the U.S. Constitution, the legal and judicial systems, and the basic rights that formed our nation’s foundation. She was informed and engaging. She was never complacent, always hopeful. Even those who disagreed with Joyce probably liked her. Joyce packed more life and action into her 56 years than most of us could accomplish in several lifetimes.

Joyce also taught school for 25 years. I imagine she taught countless students to think independently and to analyze all sides of an issue before taking a position. She supported unpopular positions, based on principle. She lived with integrity. She did right for right’s sake. One of Joyce’s former students posted an eloquent and insightful tribute to Joyce at:
http://www.tinkertownblog.blogspot.com/ (Remembering Joyce Briscoe, September 17, 2006). Still other students posted rememberances on the Albuquerque Tribune blog site.

Those of us who knew Joyce personally can attest that she radiated goodness and genuine care for others. She was feisty and fun; she had a compassionate heart and a resolve of steel. Whether Joyce was teaching, taking a yoga class, blogging about civil liberties, or organizing major community events, she did so with fervor and flair. May we all live our finite lives with the grace and joy and passion with which Joyce Briscoe lived hers. She deserved at least 30 more years of rabble-rousing, conscience-raising, and spirited discourse.

The glowing (and sometimes hyperbolic) adjectives that people use when describing those who have died will not be exaggerations in Joyce’s case. She was a remarkable and classy lady. We who count ourselves among her family, friends, students, and colleagues are utterly heartbroken by her absence. The best we can do to honor Joyce and Alice is to keep trying, to keep working, to keep hoping for better times.

Other tributes:
Former Albuquerque Mayor Jim Baca has posted a blog entry at: http://onlyinnewmexico.blogspot.com/2006/09/loss.html

Portions of this blog entry first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal, Business Outlook Section, “Ask the Probate Judge” column on Thursday, September 21, 2006. Reprinted with permission.

Judge Merri Rudd
Bernalillo County Probate Judge
merri@merridancing.com

Monthly Folk eNews

September 2006 Folk Enews

Howdy, Folkies,

Dancers, for September, note four things–Sept. 2 (Labor Day weekend) dance is at Albuquerque Square Dance Center. The 2nd Sunday dance returns on Sept. 10 at the Heights Community Center. Richard Wilson calls two dances in September, one in Santa Fe and one in Albuquerque. AND there is a FREE Community Dance at the Heights Community Center on September 30.

Corrales Sing, Friday, September 1
FOLK SONG CIRCLE. Newcomers welcome! They’re meeting to sing as usual on Friday. September’s theme is SCHOOLING/LESSONS & CLOTHING/GARMENTS.
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, September 2
Katherine Bueler will call with Chiletones (David Margolin on fiddle, Jim Hughes on banjo, Bruce Thomson on guitar). playing rollicking dance tunes. Remember new starting and ending times: 7:30 – 10:30 p.m., acoustic jam and newcomers class at 7 p.m. Tonight Only! At Albuquerque Square Dance Center 4909-15 Hawkins NE, one full block west of I-25 and 1/2 block north of Ellison. Visit www.asdc.org for map. Bring clean dance shoes. No shoes with nails or that leave black scuff marks, please. $6 members, $7 others.

Thirsty Ear Music Festival All Weekend!
Sept. 1-3, 2006 at the Eaves Movie Ranch outside Santa Fe!
Details at http://www.thirstyearfestival.com
Fine and varied music featuring PATTY GRIFFIN * GREG BROWN * THE BE GOOD TANYAS * HONEYBOY EDWARDS * DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY MEN * LOUISIANA RED & BOB CORRITORE * PO’ GIRL * HAZEL MILLER BAND * CHIPPER THOMPSON & THE FEAST * EDDIE TURNER BAND * T. BROUSSARD & THE ZYDECO STARS * ALEX MARYOL BAND * LA FAMILIA VIGIL * VALDEZ * JOSH MARTIN & THE SANTA FE SUPERGROUP * BAYOU SECO * RYAN McGARVEY BAND * TRILOBITE * BONE ORCHARD * JENNY GAMBLE TRIO * SEAN HELEAN BAND * ROGER LANDES * TOAST * FROGVILLE RECORDS ARTIST JAM* and more blues, folk, bluegrass, alt-country and roots rock artists on 3 stages all weekend long. Features camping. kids activities, educational demonstrations, local microbrews & fine wine, healthy food, local crafts and more. Tickets available at the Lensic Box Office, 505-988-1234.
BUY TICKETS ONLINE Or tickets in Santa Fe at the Lensic Box Office (211 W. San Francisco). In Albuquerque at Natural Sound (3422 Central, SE) and Bookworks (4022 Rio Grande Blvd., NW).

Concert in Santa Fe, Friday, September 8
Michael Combs at Upper Crust Pizza, De Vargas @ Old Santa Fe Trail
Friday, Sep. 8, 2006, 6:00-9:00pm
traditional music of many lands on the fiddle, button accordion and guitar. 438-6636.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, September 9
Welcoming back Richard Wilson, caller! Gary Blank and Friends playing. 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:30 p.m. $6 members, $7 others for evening dance.

Durango Contra Dance, Saturday, September 9
Saturday Sept 9, is the monthly Contra Dance, to be held at the VFW Hall (1550 Main Ave.) 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 abilities are welcome. Live music will be provided by the Adobe Brothers of New Mexico. Wendy Graham and Paul Bendt will call the dance. The dance will be preceded by an afternoon waltz workshop from 1:30 to 3:30. A Contra Dance Band Workshop and Jam Session, led by the Adobe Brothers of New Mexico, will be from 3:30-5:30 pm. All events are at the VFW. Cost is $10 for any one event, $18 for any two; $25 for all 3. For further information, call KAY ZILLICH 970-259-6820.

Albuquerque Baroque Concert, Sat. & Sun., Sept. 9 and 10
Albuquerque Baroque Players present “A Musical Banquet,” featuring pieces by Leclair, Merula, Marais and Goldberg. Saturday, Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m., Los Altos Christian Church, 11900 Haines NE, Albuquerque. Sunday, Sept. 10, 3 p.m., Historic San Ysidro Church, Corrales. Tickets $12 general admission, $10 seniors 62+, and $5 students. Call 255-7089 for reservations or visit website at www.unm.edu/~sbpatric.

Second Sunday Dance Returns! Sunday, Sept. 10
Richard Wilson will call elegant English country and zesty contra dances; music by One Good Turn Megband (Gary Papenhagen on fiddle, Linda Vik on fiddle, Chance Levelands on flute, Bo Olcott on guitar, Peter Wegman on guitar, Graham Daily on fiddle, and Lou Blackwell on bass). 7:00 – 9:30 p.m., Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Members $6; nonmembers $7. Bring clean dance shoes. No shoes with nails or that leave black scuff marks, please. Clean dance shoes and tennis shoes OK.

Albuquerque Megaband Practice, Tuesday, September 12
Join the Megaband in a jam at the Blue Dragon, 1517 Girard NE, Albuquerque, 7:30-10:30 p.m. More info: Bruce Thomson, 277-4729.

Las Cruces Contra Dance, Friday, September 15
They’re finally back to their old fabulously remodeled hall at the Mesilla Community Center! It has a new roof, refrigerated air, cozy atmosphere of an old-time community dance hall, and the next 14 dances are already booked! 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. Sept. 15 dance features Chole and Lewis Land calling. SNMMDS House Band playing.

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, September 16
Richard Wilson (yippee!!!!) calling to the hot old-time tunes of the Albuquerque Megaband. 7:30-10:30 p.m., Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Acoustic jam and instruction at 7 p.m. Members $6; nonmembers $7. Bring clean dance shoes. No shoes with nails or that leave black scuff marks, please.

Taos Contra Dance, Saturday, September 16
Dance at the San Geronimo Lodge, Witt Road. Dance starts at 7:00 p.m. and goes until 10. Want more info? Call 758-7362 (Ellen) or 776-1580 (Jim and Hope). Taos ContraBand playing.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, September 23
Marj Mullany calling and Fast Pesos playing (Jim Hughes and Gary Ashkin on fiddle, Tom Adler on banjo, Bo Olcott on guitar). 8 p.m. -11 p.m., IOOF Hall, 1125 Cerrillos Rd. Instruction at 7:30 p.m. $6 members, $7 others.

Concert in Santa Fe, Friday, September 23
Michael Combs at Upper Crust Pizza, De Vargas @ Old Santa Fe Trail
Friday, Sep. 23, 2006, 6:00-9:00pm
traditional music of many lands on the fiddle, button accordion and guitar. 438-6636.

Free "MAD" Community Dance, Saturday, September 30
A “Member Appreciation Dance” will be held at the Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). 7:30-10:30 p.m. Doc Litchman and Merri Rudd calling all kinds of dances for young and old. For all who love to dance. A special treat–the Soda Rock Ramblers will play, featuring Larry Edelman on fiddle, visiting from Denver, Scott Mathis on mandolin and guitaron, and Linda Askew on guitar. Free Free Free! Take advantage of this special “thank you” from FOLKMADS to all musicians and dancers, as well as the community at large. The evening will include contras, squares, mixers, couples dances, kids’ dances and more. A great flyer with details is at http://www.folkmads.org/Communitydance9-30-06.pdf. (You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it.)

This and That
Mark your calendars for Globalquerque! Saturday and Sunday, September 23 & 24: ?Globalquerque! – at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Early Bird tickets at http://www.globalquerque.com/ticketspecial.html

Fun Folk Videos Jim Boros has posted some videos of jams, dances and and concerts on the web. Just let each one load first before playing to avoid them pausing every 5-10 seconds as they load. Pausing the play button during the loading, or reloading, or refreshing may help. Plus make sure the mute is not on and the volume is up. If you have trouble, ask Jim how to proceed at jboros3@comcast.net. Once they load, these are fine music and dance clips!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4_pr8tsL7I (2003 Rodney Miller and Airdance playing “Flying Home to Shelley,” one of my favorite dance tunes.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auNaBsUvQ8Q (2006 Goldcrest playing one of my favorite modern English tunes, “Jacques Latin.”)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxndB35WDXA (2005 Outdoor Celtic Jam playing “Whiskey Before Breakfast.”)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZVu6CWHYZo (Singing Round from 2006 Folkmadness Talent Show)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK1JkDy_eW8 (2006 Folkmadness Contra Dance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBhL9ISqbkk (2006 Midnight Music Jam playing “Wizard’s Walk”)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozXIYgukGl0 (2006 Waltzes at Folkmadness Camp)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmyjGc3rTKU (2005 Folkmadness Contra Dance)

Hurray for some of FOLKMADS bands that won prizes at the Santa Fe Fiddle and Banjo (Old-Time and Bluegrass Festival) Contest last weekend. Some of the winners are posted at: http://www.southwestpickers.org/festivals.html#old

Don’t forget to visit FOLKMADS terrific web site at www.folkmads.org. If you enjoy and use this site, let the web mistress know: webwrangler@NOSPAMfolkmads.org (remove NOSPAM before sending email). Her name is Jane and we really ought to express our appreciation for her talented and tireless volunteer work whenever we can.

Merri Rudd, email: merri@merridancing.com
Albuquerque NM
www.merridancing.com

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