|
|
|
December 15, 2017
ABQ FOLK FEST Newsletter
What's in this issue:
|
|
|
An important message from the President of the Albuquerque Folk Festival, Kyle Malone
Well, it’s that time of year again...2017 is finishing up and we get to start fresh with a new year. I’ve been reflecting on what a wonderful 2017 the Folk Festival had: a wonderful festival, epic jams, dancing, singing, and making memories with our friends and family. Over the years I keep meeting more and more amazing folks, whether at a concert or at the festival, who remind me of how great our musical community is and how much support we give each other (even if that means we let our friend buy their first banjo!).
Since I started working with the Albuquerque Folk Festival six years ago, I have come to realize how important it is for us to have community support. Without your support, we would be unable to put on the festival year after year. Everyone involved with creating and working on the festival is unpaid. We do it because we love the community that our festival represents. We do it because the Albuquerque Folk Festival is a unique festival that embodies tradition and growth. We do it because, like you, we love folk music, dance, and art.
We are starting a new year soon and we would love to start this year with your support. Please donate; come to an AFF house concert; tell your friends about our community; donate an instrument; but most importantly, stay involved and keep the Albuquerque Folk Festival going for years to come.
Thank you all for your continued support. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and have a Happy New Year.
Kyle Malone
President of the Albuquerque Folk Festival
|
|
|
End of Tax Year Donations! 
You can donate online here through Just Give or mail a donation to P.O. Box 4837, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87196.
To those who already gave us donations this year, thank you so much for your generosity! You give us energy and motivation for the long volunteer hours to bring this event to New Mexico again in 2017. Mark your calendars for June 2, and hold the whole weekend if you want to camp and jam in the free dry camping area.
ABQ FOLK FEST is an important part of the fabric of this City, but it takes your support. A few folk/bluegrass festivals have already come to their end and many are holding on by a thread. We are trying to avoid the same fate. City/State funding is getting smaller each year as expenses grow. Though it would be wonderful to find folks in a position to give large end-of-year donations to make this festival thrive, we are grateful for all donations no matter how large or small. Short on cash? We offer volunteer and other alternate ways to contribute (see the end of the newsletter).
|
|
|
House Concert by Bébé La La with Ladyfingers opening!
Friday, December 22, 2017 at Apple Mountain Music!
7:00-9:30pm, doors open at 6:30pm for snacks and socializing
Join us for two performances, a fabulous night of music and fun in support of the 2018 Albuquerque Folk Festival!
The Albuquerque Folk Festival presents… Bébé La La, Winners of two 2016 New Mexico Music Awards. Albuquerque's indie Folk Americana Français duo, Bébé La La, who performed to a full crowd at the Albuquerque Folk Festival for the first time this past summer, features singer-songwriter, guitarist, violist Alicia Ultan and vocalist-accordionist, Maryse Lapierre, originally from Quebec, Canada. Combining Lapierre's French influences with Ultan's original "art" songs, the duo boasts a unique and lovely repertoire that highlights their signature "stunning" harmonies. Formed in 2010, the duo has performed throughout Albuquerque and surrounding areas, including at the Outpost Performance Space, Albuquerque Old Town, the Hillsboro Music Series in Hillsboro, NM, the Lavender Festival, Route 66 Summerfest, and many other venues. Bébé La La's debut album, High Wire, was nominated for three 2016 New Mexico Music Awards and they took home two, including in the Singer-Songwriter and Native American Music categories. Bébé La La has received high praise for their warm, friendly, refined and joyful performances time and again. David Steinberg of the Albuquerque Journal called them "a breath of fresh air" and of High Wire, one reviewer wrote, "The luscious vocal harmonies on this CD will have you panting for more!"
We’ll kick off the night with a short warm up set from the Ladyfingers & Friends (some thumbs)
Ladyfingers will deliver lively, acoustic, songs in harmony that span from 30’s – 60’s, a little country or country swing, some old-time American, a couple old spirituals. We love styles from Dan Hicks, to 30’s swing, to old traditional music. Ladyfingers features Pat Aruffo’s sultry fiddle, Erika Gerety’s belt-out double bass, and Gretchen Newman’s solid rhythm guitar. Ladyfingers will be joined by special guests.
This is a house-concert style concert, so you are welcome partake in some snacks or beverages and to bring a favorite to share. Chairs will be provided. The suggested donation is $15.
We look forward to spending a delightful evening with you!
The concert will be held at Apple Mountain Music, 10301 Comanche Rd NE in Albuquerque.
It is best to call 505-237-2048 to reserve your seat as space is limited.
A huge thank you to Apple Mountain Music for support of the 2018 Albuquerque Folk Festival!
Stay tuned for more great house concerts coming up!
|
|
|
Performer application priority deadline Jan 15.
We encourage performers to apply by the priority consideration deadline of January 15, at this link: http://www.abqfolkfest.org/selectioncriteria.shtml, for the 2018 Albuquerque Folk Festival
Help us get the word out! Please send this link to performers you want to see at our festival or fill out the application at this link if you are a performer. Note: we do try to change up the bands from year to year, so if you performed last year, there may be a lower chance this year, but still apply!
|
|
|
“Tunes in June” Half-Price Holiday Gift
We are offering a December special for a gift of joy for someone you love: Half Price 2018 ABQ FOLK FEST Tickets.
The 2018 ABQ Folk Fest will be June 2, 2018 at the Albuquerque Anderson Balloon Museum. We are in the process of scheduling some great performers. Plus we’ll have lots of wonderful workshops, jams, performances, storytelling, and more! Adult half-price tickets are $10 – that’s for the entire day and night of over 80 events!
To purchase these special tickets, go to Brown Paper Tickets at abqfolkfest2018.brownpapertickets.com.
If you have questions or would like more information, email sponsors@abqfolkfest.org or call us at 505-294-6909. If you are not ready to think that far ahead, that’s ok, but remember to mark your calendar for June 2, 2018!
|
|
|
Alternate Ways to Contribute
If you can’t give cash right now, we are also looking for donations of folk-related items that can be raffled or sold at the ABQ FOLK FEST consignment. In addition, we value the donation of your time, your musical talent, and your organizational skills.
Gifts of Folk-related items! Here's a sample of what we're looking for:
- instruments (new or nice quality used)
- folk arts (quilts, wood carving, pottery, etc)
- performances (performers, donate a free performance for a house concert or auction)
- tickets to folk concerts
- instrument cases
- sound studio time
- dance lessons
- music lessons
- balloon rides that we can auction
- space where we can store signs and stuff (10x10)
- a flatbed truck/trailer that can be used as a stage
- and anything else that Folk Festival fans would enjoy using
For more information about gift donations, contact Erika.
Gifts of Specific Time/Organization Skills! We are looking for people who can help with fundraising by doing the following (training and guidance available in all areas):
- Treasurer – Preferably we would like to have someone with experience in some bookkeeping and/or accounting and the ability to use or learn to use Quickbooks. The outgoing treasurer can train all through the year.
- House Concert Coordinator - We have offers from several people to host house concerts, but we need someone to a) contact bands willing to work with us on fundraising concerts b) coordinate concert dates, and c) communicate concert information to the ABQ FOLK FEST board so it can be publicized.
- Fundraising Concert Coordinator - This involves watching for folk artists coming through town who are looking for places to play to pick up some extra funds but don’t require full price “destination funding.” This position involves finding an available rental facility, setting up the concert, and checking schedules of other concert organizers to avoid conflicts.
- Grant Writer - This involves understanding grant requirements, writing proposals that meet those requirements, and collecting supporting documentation (such as budget information and non-profit status proof). The board is able to supply the necessary information for grant writing.
- Sponsorship Finder – We need people who can talk to potential sponsors, either directly or via emails. We have perks to offer to cash sponsors such as advertising, tickets, banners at a stage, etc. and we have a brochure for sponsors.
- ABQ FOLK FEST CD Compilation Coordinator - We need someone to help us develop an annual compilation CD of ABQ FOLK FEST performers that we can offer for sale to the public. This would involve gathering recordings at the festival of various artists (possibly through the sound operators) or getting prerecorded tracks, obtaining permission to use those recordings, finding a recording company to get the CD mastered, and creating the cover for the finished CD. For the person with the right skills, this could be satisfying and enjoyable.
Gifts by Shopping! You can donate by naming Albuquerque Folk Festival as your designated non-profit organization when you make purchases from Amazon Smile, which will not cost you an extra dime! smile.amazon.com.
|
|
|
Thanks!
At this time of giving we are reminded that we are so grateful for all the gifts from our supporters, the gifts of service from our volunteers and presenters, and for the amazing attendees at our festival. This town truly has great community. Thank you so much!
Please be safe out there. We look forward to seeing you next year at the 2018 ABQ FOLK FEST June 2, 2018 (free camping starts June 1).
|
|
You probably feel better when you’re singing, so, let’s sing more! Join Dan Matthews and friends for a sing-along. Invite your friends for an afternoon of singing well-loved folk songs and maybe learning a few to love well in the future.
