Judge Rudd Bids Farewell
By Merri Rudd, for May 11, 2009, Albuquerque Journal, Business Outlook

The front page of the newspaper is filled with stories about political scandals, alleged financial chicanery, and dishonest people in positions of trust. I have heard numerous people complain that “every elected official is a crook” and politicians should all lose their jobs.

Hearing this offends me.

There are many dedicated public servants, both nationally and within New Mexico. The problem is you don’t often read about them on the front page of the newspaper. The same holds true for doctors, lawyers, judges, teachers, and religious leaders. You usually hear only about the ones who are in trouble.

Doing one’s job well and ethically is not front page news. Yet I look around New Mexico, where I have lived for 26 years, and I see fine elected officials, at the federal, state, county, and city levels.

I wanted to be a probate judge because I had worked with senior citizens and practiced elder law for years. The probate court serves many pro se customers, i.e., those who do not have attorneys. Being a probate judge with limited jurisdiction (if you are going to fight over someone’s estate, it will happen in the district court) has given me an opportunity to serve the public without the adversarial nature of contested cases.

During my stint as probate judge, the court’s caseload has increased from 217 cases in 2000 to 478 cases last year. We are the only probate court in the state with an online court docket system, searchable from the comfort of one’s home via the Internet. I have publicized the court through my former “Judge is In” show on Gov-TV, my column in the Albuquerque Journal, and various speaking engagements. I have not appeared on the front page of the newspaper.

I’m just doing my job.

During the past thirty years I have learned much from my mentors: from Bill Meadows, my first boss, that it was okay to be an intelligent woman and to challenge your boss, but, even more important, to have a social conscience; from John Beasley, a former Vanderbilt University dean, who told me my ability to think unconventionally was my greatest gift; from the late Virginia Sears, New Mexican senior advocate and activist, that I should strive to be generous, community-minded, humble, and hopeful; from the late Justice Pamela Minzner that integrity and a generous heart are paramount.

Long ago I accepted that most of us will not achieve greatness or fame or historical note. The small contributions we each make are what count in our lives. When we wake up each day, we choose whether to have a good or bad attitude, whether to act ethically or unethically, whether to hold a grudge or not, whether to find balance or not, whether to pay attention to the world, our family, our job, or anything else.

There are also things we do not choose. My aunt, whom I have assisted for more than 15 years, has breast cancer that has metastasized to her liver and bones. I have been travelling back and forth to Florida to help her and have learned far too much about the caregiver side of elder care issues, bio-ethics debates, and end-of-life planning. My twenty-plus years of elder law experience have not prepared me for this difficult journey. Now I choose to focus more on my aunt’s needs and, to that end, not to renew my contract with the Albuquerque Journal.

My first column appeared on July 12, 2001, and I have written 188 columns since then. As Bernalillo County’s part-time probate judge during the past eight years, I have presided over more than 3,000 cases and 350 weddings. I will handle hundreds more cases before my term ends.

Because county officers, such as probate judges, are term-limited, my ten-year stint ends on December 31, 2010. I will continue to update my book Life Planning in New Mexico, which I hope will be a helpful resource for years to come.

What I do after that remains to be seen.

* * *

To those who have stopped me in the YMCA shower, the grocery, and the street to let me know you enjoy reading my column, thanks for egging me on. To the scores of readers who sent letters and emails asking questions, I couldn’t have done it without you. To the readers who corrected my grammar, my Vanderbilt English major salutes you. And to my Journal editor Mike Murphy and the copy and headline editors, deep thanks for this opportunity to serve the community.

As poet T.S. Eliot wrote long ago in the Four Quartets:

“Not fare well,
But fare forward, voyagers.”

© 2009 Merri Rudd, All Rights Reserved

(Previous columns are available for free at the court’s website, www.bernco.gov/probate.)

I’ve collected some links to help you find information about music, dance and concert events around the southwest this summer. I hope that the links below work and that you all have a fun summer.

New Mexico Folk Music and Dance Society (FOLKMADS) events, such as contra dances, special events, and festivals, are now posted electronically at www.folkmads.org

This summer the most important events to remember are the Albuquerque Folk Festival on June 19 and 20, 2009, and the Wildlife West Music Festival on August 7-9, 2009. I went to both last year, and they were awesome. The Wildlife West Music Festival will feature internationally known folk singer and musician John McCutheon and Tucson’s Round the House, in addition to other regionally known bands. AND you can walk around and observe bears, mountain lions, and other rescued wild critters–utterly amazing.

Info on Las Cruces, NM dances is at www.zianet.com/lcludeman/contra/snmmds.html. Their dances have been so popular this year, they may even have them in June and July.

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

There is also outdoor “Salsa Under the Stars” dancing event most Fridays during the summer at the ABQ Museum. It is put on by the NM jazz society. They also have jazz & blues events too. The link is: www.nmjazz.org/page1/page12/page12.html

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.ampconcerts.org/ is neal copperman’s awesome music venue with lots of concert information for music-lovers. Neal also organizes ¡Globalquerque!, which will be September 25 & 26, 2009 at the Hispanic Cultural Center, ABQ, NM.

ABQ Biopark & Zoo Concerts: www.cabq.gov/biopark Concerts on Fridays at the zoo and Thursdays at the Biopark.

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!

rogerlandes.com/ is the web site of Roger Landes, Taos musician extraordinaire and organizer of Zoukfest, www.zoukfest.com It’s June 12-14, 2009 at the UNM Campus in Albuquerque.

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

Durango Contra Dance Info: For information, call 970-385-9292, or see the website groups.google.com/group/Durango-Contra-Dances

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

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

Oklahoma Dance Weekend: Flamingo Fling
When: June 12-14, 2009
Where: Epworth United Methodist Church, 1901 N. Douglas Oklahoma City, OK
Nils Fredland calling, with music by The Great Bear Trio. These young energetic talents will rev you up bigtime! Hospitality is available, if needed. Registration details available at:
www.scissortail.org/FlamingoFling/tabid/59/Default.aspx

Jerome, AZ Ghost Town Chill Down
Who: The Rhythm Rollers (Cathie Whitesides, Laurie Andres and Bob McQuillen) with caller Bob Isaacs; also featuring Arizona talent Updraft, Peg Hesley and Laila Lewis
What: GHOST TOWN CHILL DOWN: A COOL dance weekend for HOT dancers
Where: At Spook Hall in Jerome AZ
When: July 17- 19, 2009
More info and registration form: azwedance.googlepages.com/ghosttownchilldown

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

Dervish was great last weekend, and I look forward to the sold-out Carolina Chocolate Drops concert tonight. Neal Copperman reports that Joan Baez concert (also sold out) last Sunday ended with two standing ovations and the whole audience singing “Amazing Grace” along with Joan.

A lot is happening this month: Fiddle Workshop in ABQ with Ken and Jeanie on March 7, Caller’s Workshop with Richard Wilson in Santa Fe on March 28, and more. But this month’s headline is that folk wedding #12.5 occurred yesterday, February 28, 2009, in Tijeras, NM. Yes, musician/dancer Beth Corwin and dancer Fred Lamont tied the matrimonial knot! They and their 40 or so guests ate great food, kicked up their heels dancing, and jammed with other musicians. Great merriment ensued.

Photo by Laurie Phillips

Corrales Sing, Friday, March 6
FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH, 8:00 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT
This month’s theme is Weather. 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.)

Fiddle Workshop for the New Mexico Musical Heritage Project at UNM, March 7, Albuquerque
NEW MEXICO MUSICAL HERITAGE PROJECT at UNM
Sat. March 7, 1:00-3:30 PM
Ken Keppeler and Jeanie McLerie of Silver City N.M. are offering a fiddle workshop on Sat. March 7, from 1:00-3:30 PM in Room 144 in the Communications and Journalism Building at UNM - They will teach the New Mexican Spanish Colonial Fiddle tunes as learned from Cleofes Ortiz and other great N.M. fiddlers, some Cowboy tunes from the Lewis Family of Crow Flats, in southern Otero County and a few Cajun/Creole tunes as learned from Dennis McGee, Canray Fontenot and other great players of the SW Louisiana area. The workshop will be 2 and 1/2 hours long and will include a packet of some tune transcriptions and a CD of the music as played by Ken and Jeanie and some of their mentors. Cost $25.00. Limit 15 persons. For reservations call 575-534-0298 or write us them at bayouseco@aol.com

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, March 7
Called by Chris Kelly of Santa Fe with Bayou Seco playing. 7:30 - 10:30 p.m., 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, Saturday, March 7
CONTRA DANCE
Location: American Legion 878 E. 2nd Ave (enter from 9th Street)
6:00 - community potluck that is open to all. Bring a dish to share.
7:00 - beginner dance instruction
7:30 - Contra Dance with caller Wendy Graham and the Sandia Hots from Albuquerque, NM playing. 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 groups.google.com/group/Durango-Contra-Dances

Second Sunday Dance, Albuquerque, March 8
Richard Wilson calling elegant English and zesty contras; Second Nature (Karina Wilson and Della O’Keefe) 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.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, March 14
Will McDonald calling with Contratones playing. 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. (You can ride the train to and from Albuquerque to Santa Fe now; www.nmrailrunner.com/schedule.asp has details and schedules.)

Albuquerque Megaband Practice, THURSDAY, March 19
THURSDAY this month only!!! 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.

Las Cruces Contra Dance, Friday, March 20
Lonnie Ludeman and Lewis Land calling with special musicians Dan Levenson & the Boiled Buzzards playing. This month’s theme is Irish for St. Patrick’s Day. Location: San Andres HS Auditorium, Hwy. 28, 2355 Avenida De Mesilla, Las Cruces, NM. For info, contact 575-522-1691 or email juliedance@yahoo.com. 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., beginner lessons & dance to follow to 10:30 p.m., Cost: $5

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, March 21
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. $7 members, $8 others, students 1/2 price with ID.

Taos Contra Dance, Saturday, March 21
Katherine Bueler calling, dance at the San Geronimo Lodge, 1101 Witt Road, Taos, at 7:30 and wind down at 10:00. Call 505-776-1580 with questions about the dance.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, March 28
CALLING ALL CALLERS and CONTRA-DANCE BAND MEMBERS
A Workshop in Santa Fe by Longtime Caller Extraordinaire, Richard Wilson
Saturday, March 28, 2009
10:00 a..m. - 4:30 p.m.
• No charge to participants, but donations accepted.
• Richard will share out of his 30+ years of dance calling, with his strong emphasis on community-building and accessibility to dancers of all levels with callers and dance-band musicians.
• Live Music will be provided by Karina Wilson, Scott Mathis, and Linda Askew. Callers of all levels of experience are encouraged to come with any areas you would like encouragement or enlightenment of.
• The Contra Dance at the Odd Fellows Hall that evening will be open-mike for callers, with an Open Band hosted by the same three excellent musicians.
• Pot luck lunch will be shared. Please let us know if you plan to come. Ask also for directions to workshop. Suggestions, questions, please direct to : betsybrown@lobo.net.

Then the dance will be open microphone for callers with Santa Fe’s new concept of an open band playing. This means anyone can join in and play with the designated leader. The leader for this open band is Santa Fean Karina Wilson. It is not necessary to have gone to practice or read music- they’ll play by ear. 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.

Looking Ahead
Sign up now! 17th Annual Folkmadness Music and Dance Camp, Socorro, NM, May 22-25, 2009. Kathy Anderson and Scott Higgs calling English, contras, and squares. Bag O’Tricks from Seattle and Privy Tippers from Tucson playing. Nils Fredland leading singing. We keep thinking our camps can’t get any better, but then they do!

April 3-5, 2009, English Country Dance Weekend, Austin, TX, Thanks to the 70 dancers who have already registered for the Set for Spring English Country Dance weekend to be held at the “Fed” ballroom in Austin, TX April 3-5, 2009. Joseph Pimentel calling to the the music of Goldcrest. For more information, including a schedule of events and registration form, go to www.setforspring.org . You can register online and pay via PayPal or print out a form and mail it in. The Saturday morning session at Set for Spring will include five “for those who know” dances, and instructions for these are posted at www.setforspring.org/Dances.pdf

SW Picker’s Concert: April 16, Time: 7pm – 9:30 pm
Event Title: Chance McCoy and The Appalachian String Band
Location: Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria NE, Albuqueque
Email inquiry@siliconheights.com, Phone 505-298-5589; Tickets $ 10 members $ 15 non-members. Tickets available at the door. No advance ticket sales. Be prepared to kick up your heels and stomp your feet at this show. You can hear samples from this band at www.myspace.com/chancemccoy

Also, two of the band members will lead music workshops on April 15:
Two Hour Intermediate/Advanced Clawhammer Banjo Workshop
With Adam Hurt
April 15 7-9 PM, $ 30.00 per person
Contact Judy at (505) 298-5589, Email inquiry@siliconheights.com

Two Hour Intermediate/Advanced Old-Time Fiddle Workshop
With Chance McCoy
April 15 7-9 PM, $ 30.00 per person
Contact Judy at (505) 298-5589, Email inquiry@siliconheights.com

ZoukFest Irish Traditional Music Weekend, June 12-14th, 2009
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Due to the impending acquisition of the College of Santa Fe by New Mexico Highlands University, ZoukFest World Music Camp will not be held at the CSF campus this summer (the weeklong world music camp will return in 2010). This year, ZoukFest presents an Irish Traditional Music Weekend on June 12-14th on the campus of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. This special event kicks off on Friday evening June 12th with a Reception, Dinner, Introductory Staff Performance, and Seisiún*. The fun continues throughout the day on Saturday, June 13th with over a dozen different Irish music workshops in Fiddle, Flute, Tin Whistle, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo, Bouzouki, Guitar, Song and Bodhran (Irish frame drum). Each workshop is two hours in length. Saturday evening will feature a Staff Concert with master fiddler/guitarist Randal Bays, uilleann pipes/flute/tin whistle phenom Eliot Grasso, stunning singer Moira Smiley and bouzouki/mandolin/tenor banjo master Roger Landes. The weekend concludes with more workshops on Sunday morning, June 14th. Admission to the weekend event, including all events: Friday evening, Saturday workshops, Saturday night’s concert, and Sunday workshops, is $95. Out-of-town attendees may opt to stay in campus dorms or at a nearby hotel (with a special ZoukFest rate). Admission to individual workshops and tickets to Saturday’s evening concert will be available. Workshop descriptions and schedule as well as the registration page coming soon! Check the website for more info: zoukfest.com

Cool music videos from the Really Big Banjo show last week are now on youtube. Go to www.youtube.com and search for BANJOJUDY (one word). They’re great quality, great music, AND a great history lesson!

Dance Video Online: The Prescott Daily Courier did a nice video story about contra dancing in Prescott interviewing Warren Miller and featuring shots of dancing and the great local band Iona at their last dance. (Thanks to Art and Jenn for letting me know about this.) You can see the 2 1/2 minute video at this link:
www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=100&subsectionID=159&articleID=64738

Musicians wanted: The Southwest Traditional and Bluegrass Music Association is seeking bands for the Showcase Stage at the 35th Santa Fe Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival on August 29, 2009. This will be the fourth year for this part of the festival, often drawing more people than other ongoing shows. It also helps promote our vendors in that area. Applicant band’s genre should be either Old Time or Bluegrass. All band members get in free on that Saturday of the festival. All band members will be placed in a pool from which judges for the Saturday contests will be chosen. Those interested please contact Roger Schense at rschense@comcast.net or call 505-298-4544.

AMP concerts host many fantastic musicians. Upcoming artists include Boulder Acoustic Society, the Bills (a personal favorite of mine), and more that don’t start with the letter B. Here is a partial list of concerts in 2009:
Mar 3: Asylum Street Spankers - Santa Fe Brewing Company
Mar 5: California Guitar Trio - The Cooperage
Mar 7: Corinne West - The Source
Mar 20: Boulder Acoustic Society - The Cooperage
Mar 29: Willy Porter and Natalia Zukerman - The Source
Apr 2: Hawaiian Treasures Celebration Tour - South Broadway Cultural Center
Apr 11: Bruce Cockburn - KiMo Theatre
Apr 13: Amanda Palmer - Santa Fe Brewing Company
Apr 23: Po’Girl with JT and the Clouds - The Cooperage
May 1: Todd Snider - The Cooperage
May 5: Vienna Teng - Outpost Performance Space
May 15: Susan Gibson, Jana Pochop - The Source
June 10: Laurie Anderson - KiMo Theatre
June 11: Laurie Anderson - Planetarium
June 13: Zoukfest Celebration - Outpost Performance Space
Sept 3: The Bills/Marc Atkinson Trio - South Broadway Cultural Center
Sept 25/26: ¡Globalquerque! - New Mexico’s 5th Annual Celebration of World Music and Culture - NHCC
Full details at www.ampconcerts.org

The New Mexico Folk Music and Dance Society (FOLKMADS) has gone to an all-electronic newsletter and calendar to save paper and postage. You can ask to continue to receive the paper version though, if you prefer it. But folks who are nostalgic for paper newsletters have the option of printing the “mailed version,” as well. There’s a link to a PDF file in the online newsletter. The calendar can be printed in old-school style, too, from a link at the bottom of the online calendar. Visit www.folkmads.org/ for details.

Happy St. Patty’s Day! Garish, gaudy, glaring green is fashionable, so I hear (not that _I_ would ever wear anything garish).

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com

This month’s headline is an upcoming Irish fiddle workshop taught by former Albuquerque fiddler Eileen Sullivan (or Eileen O’Sullivan, if you prefer).

Irish Fiddle Workshop for the New Mexico Musical Heritage Project at UNM
Eileen Sullivan is offering an Irish Fiddle Workshop on Saturday, February 7th, from 2:00-4:00 pm at the New Mexico Musical Heritage Workshop on the campus of UNM in Room 144 of the Communications and Journalism Building (NW corner of Yale and Central). The workshop is for advanced beginner and intermediate fiddlers. No previous experience with Irish music is required. The cost of the workshop is $20.00 and proceeds will go to benefit the New Mexico Musical Heritage Project. For additional information about the workshop, please contact Eileen Sullivan at: estreetfiddle@yahoo.com or call Peter White at: 280-7601.

Corrales Sing, Friday, February 6
FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH, 8:00 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT
Simple and sweet: songs of love, careless or otherwise! 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.)

Free Albuquerque Concert, Saturday, February 7
Or, in the alternative to the fiddler workshop, you could check out Roger Landes (bouzouki, tenor banjo), Will Duty (fiddle), and Dain Forsythe (bodhran, flute), who will be playing Irish traditional music at Two Fools Tavern, 3211 Central Ave SE in Albuquerque,this Saturday from 2-5pm. It will be informal, almost like a session, and there is no admission charge. Two Fools Tavern is a great Irish-style public house. Roger says, “their pour is righteous and food outstanding.” And Eileen says she’s sorry she can’t be in two places at one time!

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, February 7
Called by Noralyn Parsons with Sandia Hots playing. 7:30 - 10:30 p.m., 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, Saturday, February 7
CONTRA DANCE
Location: American Legion 878 E. 2nd Ave (enter from 9th Street)
6:00 - community potluck that is open to all. Bring a dish to share.
7:00 - beginner dance instruction
7:30 - Contra Dance with caller Wendy Graham and the Ice Cold NuGrapes from Albuquerque, NM playing. 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. Season passes will be on sale for $99, which covers 11 dances and one free guest admission. Pay for a year of dances at once, support the Contra Dance, and get free stuff!! For further information, call 970-385-9292, or see the website groups.google.com/group/Durango-Contra-Dances

Albuquerque Concert, Sunday, February 8
Please help the Adobe Brothers celebrate (or commiserate depending on your perspective) the end of football season by joining us at O’Niell’s Pub (Central SE & Washington) on Sunday, February 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. They’ve got new tunes & songs, and O’Niell’s has got great beverages and food. Then you can go dance it off…

Second Sunday Dance, Albuquerque, February 8
Dance two nights in a row. Kit French & Kris Jensen calling elegant English and zesty contras; The McPapenhagens 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.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, February 14
Bring your sweetheart (or not) to this Valentine’s Day, Donna Howell calling with Hands Five playing. 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. (You can ride the train to and from Albuquerque to Santa Fe now; www.nmrailrunner.com/schedule.asp has details and schedules.)

Albuquerque Old Time Jam, Sunday, Feb. 15
Due to the Super Bowl, the old-time jam is postponed until February 15th, and it will be at Judy Muldawer’s house, not at Covenant Church. Mark your calendar for February 15 from 2-? If you need directions to Judy’s house, email her at inquiry@siliconheights.com

Albuquerque Megaband Practice, Tuesday, February 17
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 last night and it was YUMMY!)

Las Cruces Contra Dance, Friday, February 20
Lonnie Ludeman and Lewis Land calling with special musicians Ken Keppeler, Jeanie McLerie, Rus Bradburd and Marc Robert playing. This dance has a Mardi Gras theme with some Cajun music played. There will be cajun waltzes and 2 steps as well as contras. Julie reports they had 100 people at their last dance, so this dance will be in a larger hall!! Location: San Andres Learning Center (Gymnasium), 2355 Avenida De Mesilla, Las Cruces, NM. For info, contact 575-522-1691 or email juliedance@yahoo.com. 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., beginner lessons & dance to follow to 10:30 p.m., Cost: $5

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, February 21
Richard Wilson 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.

Taos Contra Dance, Saturday, February 21
Dance at the San Geronimo Lodge, 1101 Witt Road, Taos, at 7:30 and wind down at 10:00. Call 776-1580 with questions about the dance.

Banjo Show, Albuquerque, Saturday, Feb. 21
Wayne Shrubsall is putting on a “Really Big Banjo Show” on February 21. It’s called a “Really Big Banjo Show” because Wayne’s a really big guy. We think the banjos are just normal size. Wayne will be joined by our other good friends Jimmy Abraham and Bruce Thomson. The show will be at the Covenant Presbyterian Church (9315 Candelaria NE) from 7-9 p.m.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, February 28
Open Microphone with Santa Fe Megaband playing. 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.

This & That

Save the dates: 17th Annual Folkmadness Music and Dance Camp, Socorro, NM, May 22-25, 2009. Kathy Anderson and Scott Higgs calling English, contras, and squares. Bag O’Tricks from Seattle and Privy Tippers from Tucson playing. Nils Fredland leading singing. We keep thinking our camps can’t get any better, but then they do!

AMP concerts host many fantastic musicians. Upcoming artists include Sam Bush, Joan Baez, Boulder Acoustic Society, the Bills (a personal favorite of mine), and more that don’t start with the letter B. Here is a partial list of concerts in 2009:
Feb 13: John McCutcheon - South Broadway Cultural Center
Feb 14: John McCutcheon Family Show - South Broadway Cultural Center
Feb 22: Joan Baez - National Hispanic Cultural Center
Mar 5: California Guitar Trio - The Cooperage
Mar 20: Boulder Acoustic Society - The Cooperage
Apr 11: Bruce Cockburn - KiMo Theatre
Sept 3: The Bills/Marc Atkinson Trio - South Broadway Cultural Center
Full details at www.ampconcerts.org

Looking Ahead
BAYOU SECO FIDDLE WORKSHOP for the NEW MEXICO MUSICAL HERITAGE PROJECT at UNM Sat. March 7, 1:00-3:30 PM, Albuquerque, NM.
Ken Keppeler and Jeanie McLerie of Silver City N.M. are offering a fiddle workshop on Sat. March 7, from 1:00-3:30 PM in Room 144 in the Communications and Journalism Building at the University of New Mexico (Corner of Yale and Central) They will teach the New Mexican Spanish Colonial Fiddle tunes as learned from Cleofes Ortiz and other great N.M. fiddlers, some Cowboy tunes from the Lewis Family of Crow Flats, in southern Otero County and a few Cajun/Creole tunes as learned from Dennis McGee, Canray Fontenot and other great players of the SW Louisiana area. Email Ken or Jeanie at bayouseco@aol.com for reservations.

The New Mexico Folk Music and Dance Society (FOLKMADS) has gone to an all-electronic newsletter and calendar to save paper and postage. You can ask to continue to receive the paper version though, if you prefer it. But folks who are nostalgic for paper newsletters have the option of printing the “mailed version,” as well. There’s a link to a PDF file in the online newsletter. The calendar can be printed in old-school style, too, from a link at the bottom of the online calendar. Visit www.folkmads.org/ for details.

Happy Music & Dancing,

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com

OK, OK, I hear all of you who have weighed in, asking me to resume occasional folk blog entries. I will do so as my hectic life permits. Please make special note of the Santa Fe event on Jan. 31, details below.

Well, Folk Wedding #12 happened on November 15, 2008. More on that later. First, I want to highly recommend two folk music CDs that were released in 2008. One is Notorious’s new CD Elkins that I have listened to repeatedly. It is, quite frankly, phenomenal. Notorious played at Folkmadness a few years ago and features Eden MacAdam-Somer on fiddle and Larry Unger, tunemeister, on guitar and banjo. Sam Bartlett and Mark Hellenberg join them on their new CD. Info about ordering is at www.larryunger.net/store/elkins.shtml (you can either order off cdbaby.com or from Larry directly; they probably make more money if you order directly from them).

The other CD is the Privy Tippers’ Straddling the Muffin-Biscuit Line. The CD even features an original tune by Rob Pine, who lives in Sandia Park, NM, and includes southern and Quebecois tunes. Very fun! The Tippers will play at Folkmadness 2009, but if you can’t wait that long, you can order CDs by contacting Dave Firestine at: dave@privytippers.com. CDs are $15.00 plus $2 shipping & handling.

Corrales Sing, Friday, January 2
FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH, 8:00 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT
January’s theme is Food & Drink (postponed from last fall), wassailing allowed too. Each participant in the circle may lead a song, do a solo, request a song, or pass. Bring enthusiasm, songbooks, instruments, beverages/snacks, kids, and friends.
Contact: Laurie McPherson 898-6978
Email: lauriemcpherson@hotmail.com or lmcpherson@salud.unm.edu
114 Coronado Road, Corrales, 87048
(Directions: From the intersection of Alameda and Coors, go 1.8 miles north on Corrales Road. Pass the Chevron station, go several blocks. Just past the Horseman’s Supply store, turn left on Coronado Road. Post office is too far. They’re the second house on the right, come in past the barns to park.)

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, January 3
Called by Artie Walsh with Dan Levenson, special guest musician, and friends playing. 7:30 - 10:30 p.m., newcomers class at 7 p.m. Dance Studio, 4217 San Mateo Boulevard NE Albuquerque, NM. 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, Saturday, January 3
CONTRA DANCE
Location: American Legion 878 E. 2nd Ave (enter from 9th Street)
6:00 - community potluck that is open to all. Bring a dish to share.
7:00 - beginner dance instruction
7:30 - Contra Dance with caller Paul Bendt and the Kitchen Jam Band, both of Durango
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. Season passes will be on sale for $99, which covers 11 dances and one free guest admission. Pay for a year of dances at once, support the Contra Dance, and get free stuff!! For further information, call 970-385-9292, or see the website groups.google.com/group/Durango-Contra-Dances

Albuquerque Concert, Sunday, January 4
Southwest Pickers PRESENTS DAN LEVENSON in concert
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4TH—7PM
COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
9315 CANDELARIA, NE (ALBUQUERQUE)
$ 15 NON MEMBERS; $10 MEMBERS
Dan plays a variety of old-time fiddle and banjo tunes and is a founding member of the Boiled Buzzards. For more information, visit: www.oldtimemusic.us Or contact Judy at inquiry@siliconheights.com. Dan’s last concert in Albuquerque drew a packed house, so come on down and pack the house again!

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Sat., January 10
Richard Wilson calling with Karina and Della playing. This dance will ROCK! 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. (You can ride the train to and from Albuquerque to Santa Fe now; www.nmrailrunner.com/schedule.asp has details and schedules.)

Second Sunday Dance, January 11
Kit French calling elegant English and zesty contras; One Good Turn 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, January 13
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 last night and it was YUMMY!)

Las Cruces Contra Dance, Friday, January 16
Lonnie Ludeman and Lewis Land calling with SNMMDS Band playing. January ONLY: San Andres High School gym, located on main Highway 28 in Mesilla, next to the new Mesilla Town Hall and Visitors Center, and a short 5 blocks east of where we normally dance all the rest of the year (newly renovated stage, lights, floor — cool look). Park in back or at the Visitors Center. For info, contact 575-522-1691. 7:30 p.m. beginner lessons & dance to follow to 10:30 p.m., Cost: $5

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, January 17
Donna Howell calling and the Albuquerque Megaband playing. 7:30 - 10:30 p.m., acoustic jam at 6:30 p.m. and newcomers class at 7 p.m. Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE (1 block east of University, south of Lead/Coal). Bring clean dance shoes. No shoes with nails or that leave black scuff marks, please. $7 members, $8 others, students 1/2 price with ID.

Taos Contra Dance, Saturday, January 17
Dance at the San Geronimo Lodge, at 7: 00 and wind down at 10:00. Call 776-1580 with questions about the dance.

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, January 24
Katherine Bueler calling with Bo y Yo (I’m guessing this is Gary Papenhagen on fiddle and Bo Olcott on guitar) playing. 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.

5th Saturday Concert and Dance, Jan. 31, Santa Fe
featuring Round Mountain
Concert with Round Mountain – Char and Robby Rothschild — followed by a dance, where they will join forces with Della O’Keefe and Karina Wilson. Will McDonald calling. Don’t miss this special event!
7:30-10-30 p.m.
Odd Fellows Hall, Santa Fe
$8, $7 for Members

Robert Burns Dinner, Sat., January 31, ABQ
Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North, (5151 San Francisco Road, N.E.)
Cocktails 5:00 pm, Dinner 6:30 pm
The St. Andrew Scottish Society of New Mexico invites everyone to
attend the annual Robert Burns Dinner! There will be a nice dinner,
silent auction, and lots of Scottish entertainment — piping, singing,
dancing, poetry, and of course, the Haggis!
Tickets: $55 adults; $30 children
Contact Don Baker at 301-8990 or Wizardofsaaz@yahoo.com for ticket information.

This & That

Save the dates: 17th Annual Folkmadness Music and Dance Camp, Socorro, NM, May 22-25, 2009. Kathy Anderson and Scott Higgs calling English, contras, and squares. Bag O’Tricks from Seattle and Privy Tippers from Tucson playing. Nils Fredland leading singing. We keep thinking our camps can’t get any better, but then they do!

Local folkies make youtube: Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, or otherwise, I hope you enjoy this youtube video as much as I did. It features Ken Keppeler and Jeanie McLerie of Bayou Seco fame playing an original tune in Santa Fe (plus Tesuque’s own Barbara Blankenship on triangle and possibly Miguel Combs on accordion). The Railrunner train cooperates perfectly (and totally coincidentally) at the end. www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1IOcrgx2Jc

More Folkmads videos on youtube: Jim Boros, Folkmads’ own videographer, has posted myriad music and dance videos at uk.youtube.com/user/Contra87

AMP Concerts Form Non-Profit Organization
Neal Copperman founded AMP concerts that began with a series of house concerts and has expanded to host the ¡Globalquerque! World Music Festival and concerts all over town. This year he obtained 501(c)(3) status to help with fundraising and other projects. Some of us are charter members.

AMP concerts host many fantastic musicians. Upcoming artists include Sam Bush, Joan Baez, Boulder Acoustic Society, the Bills (a personal favorite of mine), and more that don’t start with the letter B. Here is a partial list of concerts in 2009:
Jan 18: Sam Bush Band, The Band of Heathens - KiMo Theatre
Jan 19: The Band of Heathens - The Cooperage
Jan 29: Adrian Legg - The Cooperage
Feb 13: John McCutcheon - South Broadway Cultural Center
Feb 14: John McCutcheon Family Show - South Broadway Cultural Center
Feb 22: Joan Baez - National Hispanic Cultural Center
Mar 5: California Guitar Trio - The Cooperage
Mar 20: Boulder Acoustic Society - The Cooperage
Apr 11: Bruce Cockburn - KiMo Theatre
Sept 3: The Bills/Marc Atkinson Trio - South Broadway Cultural Center
Full details at www.ampconcerts.org

Oh yeah, I forgot to say who Folk Couple #12 was. Here they are…….

Dancers Kit French and Mary Beath wed, officiated by Judge Merri November 15, 2008 [Photo by Will Ruggles]

The New Mexico Folk Music and Dance Society (FOLKMADS) has gone to an all-electronic newsletter and calendar to save paper and postage. You can ask to continue to receive the paper version though, if you prefer it. But folks who are nostalgic for paper newsletters have the option of printing the “mailed version,” as well. There’s a link to a PDF file in the online newsletter. The calendar can be printed in old-school style, too, from a link at the bottom of the online calendar. Visit www.folkmads.org/ for details.

Happy New Year to All,

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com

My folk enews is going on hiatus for awhile. I’ve collected some links to help you find information about music, dance and concert events around the southwest. I hope that the links below work and that you all have a fun summer.

New Mexico Folk Music and Dance Society (FOLKMADS) events, such as contra dances, special events, and festivals, are now posted electronically at www.folkmads.org

This summer the most important events to remember are the Albuquerque Folk Festival on June 21, 2008, and the Wildlife West Music Festival on August 1-3, 2008. I went to both last year, and they were awesome. The Wildlife West Music Festival will feature the Byron Berline Band, April Verch, and the Boulder Acoustic Society, in addition to other regionally known bands. AND you can walk around and observe bears, mountain lions, and other rescued wild critters–utterly amazing.

Banjo and mountain dulcimer workshops will occur Friday, June 20 and Sunday, June 22 with Mary Z. Cox. Contact inquiry@siliconheights.com for details.

Info on Las Cruces, NM dances is at www.zianet.com/lcludeman/contra/snmmds.html (no dances in June or July; dances resume in August).

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

www.folkdancing.org/new_mexico.html and 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. Neal also organizes ¡Globalquerque!, which will be Sept. 19-20, 2008 at the Hispanic Cultural Center, ABQ, NM.

ABQ Biopark & Zoo Concerts: www.cabq.gov/biopark Concerts on Fridays at the zoo and Thursdays at the Biopark.

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!

rogerlandes.com/ is the web site of Roger Landes, Taos musician extraordinaire and organizer of Zoukfest, www.zoukfest.com It’s June 8-14, 2008 at the College of Santa Fe.

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

Durango Contra Dance Info: For information, call 970-385-9292, or see the website groups.google.com/group/Durango-Contra-Dances

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

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

Oklahoma Dance Weekend: Flamingo Fling
When: June 20-22, 2008
Where: Epworth UMC 1901 N. Douglas Oklahoma City, OK
Joseph Pimental calling, with music by Goldcrest
Joseph Pimental is a nationally known caller formerly from Ohio, but now from Houston. Goldcrest also features musicians with a national reputation. Hospitality is available, if needed. Registration details available at:
www.scissortail.org/FlamingoFling/tabid/59/Default.aspx

And last, but certainly not least…MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Oct. 10-12, 2008: Pete Sutherland will play a concert in Albuquerque on October 10, a dance in Santa on October 11, and then the annual Fall Ball English Workshop and Dance will be on Sunday, October 12. A music and dance extravaganza not to be missed!

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

FOLKMADS is going to an all-electronic newsletter and calendar to save paper and postage. You can ask to continue to receive the paper version though, if you prefer it. Visit www.folkmads.org/ for details.

Well, Folk Wedding #9 (to the tune of “Love Potion #9) happened May 10, 2007. That’s right, 2007. I was sworn to secrecy until their 1st anniversay, and now I’m cleared to divulge. There was one particularly hilarious bulk mail party before I relinquished my crown where some of the mailing crew were speculating about the identity of Folk Couple #9, who were sitting right there. It was hilarious to me at least, as I watched #9 maintain their anonymity without even a grin or wink.

Many local Albuquerque bands will be playing free concerts in the Old Town plaza various nights in May to help promote the Albuquerque Folk Festival on June 21 at the NM Expo (former state fairgrounds). See the schedule at abqfolkfest.org/oldtown.shtml

And might I just say that the Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas concert was AWESOME! Just ask any of the 25 or so FOLKMADS folks who attended!

Corrales Sing, Friday, May 2
FOLK SONG CIRCLE. Newcomers welcome! They’ll sing songs about Unions, Labor, Mining, Logging.
FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH, 8:00 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT
Tonight only–different location!! The First Friday Singaround will be at Art and Jenn Brooks’ place, 8109 Sprenger Dr. NE in Albuquerque, near Paseo del Norte and Wyoming NE. Call 797-0916 for a map. 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.

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, May 3
Open mike for callers hosted by Richard Wilson with Five-Dog String Band (David Margolin on fiddle, Steve Huestis on banjo, Rick Olcott on guitar) playing 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. $7 members, $8 others, students 1/2 price with ID.

Durango Contra Dance, Saturday, May 3
POTLUCK & CONTRA DANCE
The location this month only is the American Legion Hall, 878 E. 2nd Ave, Durango (enter from 9th Street).
6:00 is a community potluck that is open to all. Bring a dish to share.
7:00 is beginner dance instruction
7:30, the Contra Dance starts, with Flagstaff caller Deb Comly and music by Durango’s own Kitchen Jam Band.
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 groups.google.com/group/Durango-Contra-Dances

Old Time Music Circle, Albuquerque, Sun., May 4
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.

Albuquerque Concert, Sunday, May 4
BOB MALONE at
Windchime Champagne Gallery
518 Central Ave SW
Show: 7:30 PM, Doors: 6:30 PM
Tickets are $15 advance, $20 door
Available at www.abqmusic.com, Bookworks and Natural Sound
Bob tore up the Bosque House Concert several years ago. His blend of Randy Newman-esque clever songwriting (”I Know The Stripper Likes Me”, “Sometimes I Wish I Were Me”, “In Love With The Woman (The Other Woman Love To Hate)” runs headlong into Dr. John’s boogie woogie rootsiness. Bob’s a flashy piano player (check out the video of “Home To Me” on his web site), a hilarious storyteller, and an all around top notch performer. He’s coming off of an amazing 2007, where he opened for Rickie Lee Jones, Leon Russell, The Subdudes and The Bobs, toured Australia and New Zealand, and was named Songwriter of the Year in the South Bay Music Awards. Get plenty of musical previews at www.bobmalone.com

Michael Combs in Concert in Santa Fe 3 Times in May
MICHAEL COMBS plays hard-boiled, rough-sawn, whole-grained ACOUSTIC FOLK from many lands on the Button Accordion, Fiddle & Guitar at Upper Crust Pizza, Old Santa Fe Trail & De Vargas St. 6-9 p.m., no cover, Sun. 5/4; Mon. 5/26; Sat. 5/31

Three ABQ Concerts in a Row, May 7-9
Leo Kottke at the Kimo on Wednesday, May 7
Asylum Street Spankers at Cooperage on Thursday, May 8 (these talented musicians sing some sizzling political satire)
Wilco, a rock band, at UNM’s Popejoy Hall on Friday, May 9
Details at www.abqmusic.com

Santa Fe Contra Dance, Sat., May 10
Wendy Graham from Durango calling with Albuquerque’s Hands Five playing. This dance will ROCK! 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, May 11
Merri Rudd calling elegant English and zesty contras; One Good Turn playing this Mother’s Day dance. 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, May 13
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!)

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, May 17
Artie Walsh 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.

Taos Contra Dance, Saturday, May 17
Dance at the San Geronimo Lodge, at 7: 00 and wind down at 10:00. Call 776-1580 with questions about the dance.

No Las Cruces Contra Dance in May, June or July
It’s summer holiday for those folks down south as they travel to various other dances and camps around the southwest. Las Cruces dances will resume on August 15. You can also find the current dance schedule on the web at: www.zianet.com/lcludeman/contra/cdsched02.htm (don’t believe the schedule totally because the May 16 dance is cancelled!)

ABQ Baroque Concert, Sunday, May 18
Albuquerque Baroque Players present a concert of Cantatas by J.S. Bach with soloists Janeene Williams, soprano, and David Farwig, baritone. Central United Methodist Church, 201 University Blvd. NE. 3 p.m. FREE admission. For more info call 255-7089 or visit the website at www.unm.edu/~sbpatric

NO Santa Fe Contra Dance, Saturday, May 24
That’s because you should all be at Folkmadness 2008! Music & dance camp will be May 23-26, 2008 at NM Tech campus in Socorro, NM . Lisa Greenleaf and Bill “Doc” Litchman calling, Groovemongers and Alice/Al White playing. Details at: www.folkmads.org/2008Folkmadness.html

Two Special Dance Events on May 31
Cotillion Ball & Ramble in honor of Lily Wilson’s 21st birthday!
IOOF Hall, Santa Fe - 7 pm, Music by Second Nature
Fancy Dress encourages. Details here

Special 5th Saturday Square Dance
7:30-10:30 p.m., Heights Community Center
Caller: Kris Jensen, Band: The Fabulous Waynerds
Details here

This & That

San Antonio Dance Weekend: Weekend Dance Workshops by Bob Dalsemer from North Carolina. San Antonio May 9-11, 2008. Info on the website, www.sacontradancers.org The San Antonio Contra Dancers invite you to dance with us during this exceptional weekend! Some home hospitality is still available. For questions, please contact Lissa at lissa@ifcchouseconcerts.com

ZoukFest World Music Camp (June 8-14 in Santa Fe) will be here soon. Guest Artist this year is Andy Irvine! Check out new and returning staff and new classes. Details at www.zoukfest.com

Albuquerque Folk Festival : Saturday, June 21 at the State Fairgrounds, aka NM EXPO. From 10 a.m. to 11. p.m. Contra (Wendy Graham and Kris Jensen calling), swing and African dance in the evening. Band Scramble. Linda Vik is leading Lit’l Folks Fiddle Contest. They need volunteers–contact them by May 31 - big benefits: free admission, parking, T-shirt. volunteers@abqfolkfest.org

Save the dates: Banjo and Mountain Dulcimer Workshops, June 20 and 22, in Albuquerque with Mary Z. Cox. Email inquiry@siliconheights.com for more information or for a registration form.

Oklahoma’s Flamingo Fling in June: The Flamingo Fling is the annual contra dance weekend in Oklahoma City, this June 20-22nd, with Joseph Pimentel calling to the rhythms of Goldcrest. It will be a stunning combo of contra and English to thrill your dancing feet. Registration form online at www.scissortail.org/FlamingoFling/tabid/59/Default.aspx

Portland, Oregon’s Northwest Passage Camp Bruce Hamilton, Sue Rosen & Merri Rudd calling English and contra dances. Notorious (Larry Unger, Eden MacAdam-Somer, Ralph Gordon) and Phantom Power (Lissa Schneckenburger, Bruce Rosen, Mark Roberts, Stefan Amidon) playing. Annie Johnston cooking gourmet meals! Alan Roberts on sound. August 29 - September 1, 2008. www.NWPassageDanceCamp.org contains full details about camp, including registration form, information about scholarships, work-trade positions, and student discounts.

!GLOBALQUERQUE! Sept. 19-20, 2008
Hispanic Cultural Center. They just launched the new festival web site with some previews of this year’s lineup. Confirmed so far are:
- GENTICORUM (Quebec, Canada)
- HAPA (Hawaii)
- MOR KARBASI (Israel)
- ORCHID ENSEMBLE (China/Canada)
- SAVINA YANNATOU (Greece)
¡Globalquerque! tickets are available from the NHCC box office and
Ticketmaster.

And last, but certainly not least...MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Oct. 10-12, 2008: Pete Sutherland will play a concert in Albuquerque on October 10, a dance in Santa on October 11, and then the annual Fall Ball English Workshop and Dance will be on Sunday, October 12. A music and dance extravaganza not to be missed!

Oh yeah, I forgot to say who Folk Couple #9 was. Here they are…….

Judge Merri, Gale (daughter of bride), Carol Langer (fiddler), Tim Shaffer (fiddler & guitarist), May 10, 2007 [Photo by Tony Garcia]

Happy Spring to All,

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com

A special English ball will take place in Taos on Friday, April 25, details below. AND Santa Fe has a special guest from California, Ray Bierl from Hillbillies from Mars (I once drove 18 hours to Wyoming to dance to them, and they played at our Folkmadness Camp last century too). That concert, workshop and dance will be April 11 and 12. Lots of things for dance gypsies too, as well as multiple concerts in April.

Corrales Sing, Friday, April 4
FOLK SONG CIRCLE. Newcomers welcome! They’ll sing songs about KINGS, QUEENS, and JACKS. This might evoke any number of historical ballads about royalty real or imagined, as well as the plentiful appearances of poor Jack the fool. Card games and gambling songs should also be in plentiful evidence!
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, April 5
Doc Litchman calling and special guest band Bayou Seco (former Albuquerqueans Ken and Jeanie now from Silver City, NM) playing New Mexican and Cajun 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, April 5
POTLUCK & CONTRA DANCE
Saturday April 5
VFW, 1550 Main St, in Durango
6:00 is a community potluck that is open to all. Bring a dish to share.
7:00 is beginner dance instruction
7:30, the Contra Dance starts, with Durango caller Wendy Graham and more music by The Usual Suspects from Laramie, Wyoming.
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 groups.google.com/group/Durango-Contra-Dances

Old Time Music Circle, Albuquerque, Sun., April 6
Come jam from 2-4 PM at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria NE, Albuquerque, NM. There will be 2 groups playing in 2 separate rooms. Bluegrass music will be in the front room (entry room) and Old Time music will be in the west room (where concerts are held). Email Judy Muldawer at inquiry@siliconheights.com for more details.

Santa Fe House Concert, Friday, April 11
Ray Bierl is one of the famous/infamous Hillbillies from Mars from California. Check this one out! Details at Bierl Events (scroll down that page).
7:30 p.m., 400 Cortez Place, Santa Fe
$10 FolkMADS members, $12 non-members

Santa Fe Music Workshop & Contra Dance, Sat., April 12
Workshop 2-4 p.m., IOOF Hall. $15 FolkMADS members, $25 non-members. Details at Bierl Events. Note new dance time of 7:30 -10:30 p.m. (same as ABQ dances now) Kris Jensen calling with special guest Ray Bierl & Friends 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, April 13
Noralyn Parsons & Kit French calling elegant English and zesty contras; The McPapenhagens 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, April 15
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!)

Albuquerque Concert, Wednesday, April 16
ABI TAPIA & BETH WOOD
Windchime Champagne Gallery, 518 Central Ave SW
7:30 PM, Tickets are $15 advance, $20 door
Available at abqmusic.com, Bookworks and Natural Sound
Two Austin-based singer songwriters drop by for the monthly acoustic music showcase at a downtown art gallery. Bring snacks to share! Sponsored by AMP concerts, www.abqmusic.com

Albuq. Megaband in Concert, Thursday, April 17
The Albuquerque Megaband will be playing for community dancing on Thursday, April 17 in the Old Town Plaza at 7 p.m. Bill “Doc” Litchman will call some community dances. This is part of the “Folk Festival Presents” series of concerts by Albuquerque Folk Festival participants and supporters. You can hear a different band or two every Thursday evening in Old Town for the next several months. Visit abqfolkfest.org/oldtown.shtml for the full schedule.

Albuquerque Concert, Friday, April 18
ALASDAIR FRASER & NATALIE HAAS
South Broadway Cultural Center, 1025 Broadway SE
8:00 PM, Tickets are $20 reserved seating
Available at abqmusic.com and the SBCC Box Office (505-848-1320)
We have our tickets; do you have yours?! I hope it’s not sold out yet. Enjoy Alasdair’s fiery Scottish fiddle with cello accompaniment. This is a high energy show with some of the best instrumental interplay you are likely to see all year. (They’ll also play in Corrales on Sat., April 19). The SBCC show is sponsored by AMP concerts, www.abqmusic.com. And visit Alasdair’s web page at www.alasdairfraser.com

Albuquerque Contra Dance, Saturday, April 19
Wendy Graham from Durango 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.

Corrales Concert, Saturday, April 19
ALASDAIR FRASER & NATALIE HAAS
Not sure about the time, Tickets are $22/$25 at door.
Concert at Old San Isidro Church.

Santa Fe Concert, Saturday, April 19
Michael Combs playing crunchy, whole-grain, rough-hewn traditional fiddle and button accordion.
Upper Crust Pizza, Santa Fe
6-9 p.m. no cover
For more info, call 946-0338

Taos Contra Dance, Saturday, April 19
Dance at the San Geronimo Lodge, at 7: 00 and wind down at 10:00. Call 776-1580 with questions about the dance.

Santa Fe Concert, Tuesday, April 22
Michael Combs playing crunchy, whole-grain, rough-hewn traditional fiddle and button accordion to celebrate Earth Day.
Upper Crust Pizza, Santa Fe
6-9 p.m. no cover
For more info, call 946-0338

Taos English Dance, Friday, April 25
They’re having a “Mostly English Country Dance” here in Taos on April
25th. Albuquerque’s Kit French is one of the instructors, the other is from Vermont–Joan Shimer (she wrote the book I often use for teaching English). The dance will be in a barn and it’s free. Starts at 7:30. Local musicians will play. Call 575-770-5259 for directions to the barn.

Las Cruces Contra Dance, Friday, April 25
Lewis Land 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, April 26
Merri Rudd calling and Soda Rock Ramblers (Larry Edelman from Denver on fiddle, Scott Mathis on mandolin and guitaron, Linda Askew on guitar) 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.

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: www.folkmads.org/2008Folkmadness.html

Folk Wedding Without Me: Susie Tomlinson of Tucson, AZ reports, “Doug Acuff and I got married while we were on a Wild Asparagus dance vacation in Hawaii. We got married on the beach at Holoholokai which is north of Kona. We stayed on the Hilo side of the Big Island and at Kalani Retreat Center near Pahoa. We always thought you’d be the one to marry us, Merri, but there we were in Hawaii and….”

Merri says, Doug used to live in Albuquerque and dance with us. They often attend Folkmadness. Susie continues, “We met contradancing. Doug was new to Tucson (from Albq) to work at IBM….I had just returned to dancing from having a hip replacement. I was bent over putting on my shoes a bit late (dancing had already started) and noticed a “new pair of legs dance by in shorts”…that was Doug. Our first dance that night had us back to back doing a sashay with our opposites which caused Doug and I to constantly bump butts! So we always say our first dance was the Butt Contra! That was in the fall of 2000…and the rest is history!”

Congrats to both of you, even though I didn’t get to officiate!

ZoukFest World Music Camp (June 8-14 in Santa Fe) will be here soon. Guest Artist this year is Andy Irvine! Check out new and returning staff and new classes. Details at www.zoukfest.com

San Antonio,TX Contra Dance Weekend: North Carolina’s Bob Dalsemer calling, May 9-11, 2008. They are celebrating their 24th Anniversary as a group, and have priced all events very reasonably so that everybody can attend. Info at: sacontradancers.org/Upcoming_Dances.htm

Prescott, AZ’s MayMadness: May 16-18, 2008, Robert Cromartie and Deb Comly calling. JAX and Privy Tippers playing.

ABQ Bluegrass concerts: Details about various concert are at www.southwestpickers.com

Happy Spring to All,

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com

Dave, Noralyn, Hamish and I hit the road the morning of February 21, and despite a little detour in Española through the San Ildefonso Pueblo (”Dave, the shadows are wrong if we’re supposed to be heading north.” “Does this look right?” “Well, I don’t remember ever driving through the Pueblo before.”), we made it to Stellar by 4 p.m. We oohed and aahed at the herd of 15 elk of all sizes framed against the snowy piñons along the highway, saw multiple hawks and eagles perched on posts watching for lunch, and drove into the occasional vortex of whirling snow as we travelled farther north.

The Stellar weekend is located at the Adventure Unlimited Ranches, an 1,100 acre facility nestled in the foothills of the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. “Bring snowshoes,” the organizers advised. We did and were glad. The Ranch sits outside Buena Vista, Colorado, about a 300-mile drive straight north of Albuquerque on Highway 285. It’s in a rural spot with the last several miles on a dirt, ice-splotched road. A frozen snow-covered lake is just below Valerie Lodge, where the eating and dancing and hanging out occur. The log lodge has a great wooden dance floor, giant windows with views of the Arkansas River Valley and surrounding mountains, and a large fireplace, which was lit all weekend long.

Valerie Lodge, Photo by Merri Rudd

A distant 14,000′ peak peeked over the mountains beyond the lake and caught the last light of the setting sun. I have attended many camps before, but none in as beautiful a setting as Stellar. Did I mention there were about 4′ of snow already there? And we were at 8,600′ elevation surrounded by fragrant evergreens? I saw snowshoe hare tracks and scat, and one dancer actually saw the hare, blending in with the snow. Although it was well below freezing at night, I never wore all of the layers that I brought.

Over 100 participants, including 20 New Mexicans, stayed in heated log cabins with bathrooms. People skiied, snowshoed and tromped back and forth between the cabins and dance hall. I especially enjoyed snowshoeing to the lodge in my queen’s costume and long velvet skirt.

The staff consisted of Eden MacAdam-Somer & Larry Unger (who comprise a band called Notorious), Erika Gerety, Bruce Thomson, John Brinduse, Peter Esherick, and Gary Blank (Albuquerque’s own Hands Five), Jim Borzym teaching waltzing, Ron Sommers, the ace sound engineer, and me, teaching and calling contra and English country dance all weekend. That I still had my voice after this calling marathon is a testament to Ron’s skill.

Stellar Staff, Photo courtesy of Peter Esherick

Eleanor Fahrney, the main organizer of Stellar, presented our mission at the staff meeting before Thursday’s dinner. Her six “Points” (like a star/snowflake has) of Stellar were Inclusivity, Quality, Keeping the Traditions Alive, Rejuvenating, Individualized, and Fun. Eleanor had help–other organizers and volunteers to whom she delegated tasks nicely (”I’m getting into this delegating thing,” she announced toward the end of the weekend). The best thing about the weekend for me was discovering that contra and English and square dancing really do have a next generation of energetic and talented leaders like Eleanor, Wendy Graham, Chad Filipski, and Andrea Earley-Coen (formerly with the midwest band Pig’s Eye Landing)–in the middle of rural Colorado, no less. They’re young (some aren’t even 30 yet), they’re energetic, they’re creative, and they love the traditions of folk music and dance.

We started dancing at 7:30 Thursday night and hardly stopped until 11:30 Sunday morning. Eden on fiddle and Larry on guitar and banjo are supremely skilled musicians; together they are musical synergy, feeding off each other and driving each other. They go places musically that most musicians can only imagine. Larry and Eden go there every set. At times they sound like a band of 5 or 6 musicians; their energy and skill take the crowd to dance nirvana. Toward the end of the weekend, Gary and Peter sat in with them on percussion and bass. During my ‘thank you’s’ on Sunday morn, I said that working with Eden and Larry was like skiing down a really steep, wild and wooly hill. But I knew I’d arrive at the bottom safely every time. And so I did. I wrote them when I got home and said I hope they wake up every morning grateful for the gifts they’ve been given.

Notorious, aka Eden & Larry, Photo by Merri Rudd

During a couples’ dancing workshop, Larry realized he’d left his Zweifacher music at home. So he sat at the back of the stage, lined music stave sheets in his lap, and created a new tune, “The Merri Zweifacher.” Brilliant.

English country dance requires one to move in totally different ways from contra dancing. In English dance one floats above the floor, leaning slightly forward, feet following. I like to say that you are “leading with your heart.” One challenge of introducing English country dance to contra dancers is to hold their interest. The uninitiated think that English country dance is “slow, boring contra dance.” How wrong they are! Mary Devlin of Portland, Oregon helped me create the two workshops that I taught. Plus I had done lots of “research” at Oklahoma City’s recent English weekend. For the first English workshop on Friday morning, Elegant English: A Proper Primer, I presented:

About half of the weekend’s dancers attended the English workshops, some dancing English for the first time (the rest were off sleeping, snowshoeing, skiing, singing, jamming, or soaking in the hot springs). Many were surprised at the exuberance of the dances. Others enjoyed the intense moments of eye contact and discovery of the various story lines of the dances. I reminded them that these great moments could also be found in other dance forms. Several reluctant contra dancers recognized the error of their ways and reported to me (with some surprise) that they “now love English country dance.”

On Saturday morn, in my resplendent maroon and pink queen’s gown, I presented the second English workshop, Digging Deeper into English: By George, I think I’ve got it!, with these dances:

A retired schoolteacher approached me at the end of the second workshop. She said she really enjoyed how I captured the dancers’ attention with my enthusiasm and love for English dance, which she felt was strongly evident. I stood silently for a moment, then with tears filling my eyes, I said, “For twenty years, I set a bad example on the dance floor with my disdain for English country dance. And then one day about five years ago, I ‘got’ it. I LOVE English now, and I’m trying to make up for all the harm I did before.” “Well,” she said, “don’t worry. You’re more than making up for it now.” Readers can judge for themselves the joy on these English dancers’ faces.

Morning English Workshop, Photo by Merri Rudd

Hands Five, who debuted in Albuquerque on January 1, 2005, have quickly risen to notoriety in the contra dance world. Their original fiddler was 17-year-old Ryan, who headed off to the northwest for college a year later. Bruce Thomson, one of New Mexico’s finest and most diverse fiddlers (only slightly older than 17 and with whom I’ve been calling for more than 15 years), took over. Joined by Peter Esherick on hammer dulcimer, Erika Gerety on bass, John Brinduse on guitar (and this weekend keyboard!), and Gary Blank on percussion and a haunting, full-sized didgeridoo, Hands Five know how to rev up the dance energy. Their repertoire is eclectic and entertaining. They love to play for both concerts and dances and most of them love to dance. They understand how music and dance fit together. They study tempos, matching tunes to dances, and ‘zinging’ the dancers with the tunes. I recommended Hands Five to Eleanor when she hired me last year, and I wondered how they’d fare alongside a band as seasoned as Notorious. I wonder no more. Hands Five shined; they rose to the occasion; pick your metaphor–they were stars.

The dancers were stars too. They handled everything that Jim and I threw at them with good nature and enthusiasm. They forgave my mistakes, such as “sing on the side,” shouting “la la la la” in unison. They laughed and twirled and spun and appeared to have a grand time. We didn’t stick to my Plan A (we never do), but we did dances such as Peter Stix’s What are Hands Four?, Ted Sanella’s Love and Kisses, Cary Ravitz’s Snake in the Hey, Maliza’s Magical Mystery Motion, and Gypsy Star, Carol Ormand’s Stars of Alberta and Coray’s Silver Jubilee, Kathy Anderson’s Weave the Line, Danish Dessert, and Tropical Gentleman, William Watson’s The Devil’s Backbone, Martin Sirk’s Venus & Mars, Tom Hinds’ Batja’s Breakdown and The Tease, Robert Cromartie’s M.A.D. About Dancing, Mary Devlin’s Triplet to Eugene, Gene Hubert’s Halliehurst, Becky Hill’s The Eyes Have It and Smooth Sailing, Devin Nordberg’s Devin’s Settlement, Bob Isaacs’ Cure for the Clap, Joseph Pimentel’s Ramsay Chase, Susan Kevra’s Trip to Phan Reel, and my own Convolution. Of course, no Stellar weekend would be complete without Al Olson’s Eleanor’s Reel, named for Stellar’s Eleanor (I arranged ahead for her husband Andrew to dance this one with her). And The Dreaded Swing….

These are only some of the dances that I called. All in all, I taught about 60 dances throughout the weekend, except for the last half hour of Friday night, when Eleanor leaped onto stage and called so I could go to sleep. Calling the weekend was fun, but it would have been more fun if I’d been able to dance more. I’m encouraging the organizers to hire two callers next year to share the work and the fun! I am looking forward to being one of three callers at Oregon’s Northwest Passage Camp, along with Bruce Hamilton and Sue Rosen. Notorious and Phantom Power will play.

We couldn’t have maintained our energy all weekend without the gourmet meals provided by nationally known chef Annie Johnston from Bend, Oregon. She has been feeding dancers for twenty years–homemade frittatas, blueberry cobbler, foccacio, soups, Moroccan coconut chicken, rosemary bread, fudge caramel upside down cake, apricot almond poppy seed coffeecake, and other spectacular treats. Despite Annie’s decadent dishes, I didn’t gain any weight. Apparently, hurling my energy from the stage to the dancers burns off calories! Annie will be cooking for the Northwest Passage weekend too.

Late Saturday night after hanging out in front of the big fireplace with wired dancers, I snowshoed back to my cabin. The bright light of stars pierced the pitch dark sky. Snow fell gently. I could barely breathe for fear of disturbing the beauty of the night. It was still snowing the next morning, and the Durango folks reported that they were leaving after breakfast, before the farewell dance, to make it over the pass before the snow made the roads difficult. But I looked out at the dancers (still three lines of dancers those last two hours), and I saw a few Durangoans dancing. “I thought you were heading home,” I said. “Yep, we are, any minute.” They stayed until the end, until Eden led us in a farewell song. Then people sledded their luggage to the road, packed their cars, said their good-byes, and headed out into the swirling snow, with tunes and songs and dances just a memory in their minds. And we four did the same, recounting stories and images and the joy of music and dance all the way home.

Merri, Noralyn, Dave & Hamish in Farewell Snowstorm

The staff did not have a debriefing meeting to evaluate whether we accomplished Eleanor’s six Points. But I’m pretty sure if you polled those present, most would agree, “It was an amazing weekend, filled with awesome food, camaraderie, music and dance.” Perhaps some of them will post comments to this entry and share their own stories.

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com

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 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: 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: 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: 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, 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
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: 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 zoukfest.com

Happy St. Paddy’s Green to everyone and enjoy your extra Leap Day,

Merri Rudd
Albuquerque, NM
www.merridancing.com