If you'd like to receive our occasional newsletter, please sign up! We'll let you know what's happening during the year, and what we have planned for the next Albuquerque Folk Festival. We won't use your email address for anything else, we won't sell it, and we won't deluge you with email...just an occasional newsletter that we may send a little more frequently when we get close to the first weekend in October.
ABQ FOLK FEST wishes you a festive holiday season!
Big Changes for the Albuquerque Folk Festival 2019!
New Date: June 15, 2019 New Place: Bosque School (On the west side of the Rio Grande River near Montano and Coors). Mark your calendar!
This is an exciting move for us. The Albuquerque Folk Festival has decided to move the festival down by the riverside. We loved the Balloon Museum, but the continual threat of wind made us realize it was time to change venues.
The beautiful Bosque School is located—as the name implies—amid the shady cottonwoods that line the river, creating a parklike atmosphere. Some events will take place outdoors, while others, including dances and workshops, will be held in air-conditioned indoor spaces.
Next year we return to what had been the festival’s traditional date for years—the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend.
We will have the same great festival. We have begun to schedule some great performers. Plus, as always, we will have lots of wonderful workshops, jams, performances, storytelling etc!
“Tunes in June” early bird tickets will be available soon. Stay tuned (no pun intended).
End of Tax Year Donations!
It’s not too late to make your end-of-year tax-deductible contribution to AFF. A great big thank-you to those who have already contributed—or are about to do so. Your generosity give us energy and motivation to bring you this festival year after year.
ABQ FOLK FEST is an important part of the fabric of this City, but it takes your support. In the past few years, several folk/bluegrass festivals have had to close down. With your help, we can avoid that fate. Year by year, City and State funding has continued to shrink, while expenses have continued to grow. Even if you’re not in a position to take advantage of the tax donation, we are grateful for any and all contributions, no matter how large or small.
If you are not in a position to contribute money, you can support the festival by becoming a volunteer. We actually estimate the monetary value of in-kind contributions (the dollar equivalent of volunteer hours). So all contributions from you—both money and time—make a difference. (See the end of the newsletter for various ways to contribute to AFF.)
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!
Come sing along with us!
Sing-along with Dan Matthews: Invite your friends for an afternoon of singing well-loved folk songs. You can leave behind the difficulties of 2018, and finish the year out a smile.
Dan Matthews led small sing-alongs at a jam tent at ABQ FOLK FEST for many years and then was invited to lead on a main stage. He assembled a group and led a tribute to Pete Seeger in 2010 on a main stage. His formula is to pick familiar and very singable songs, put them in good keys, give people the lyrics (key ingredient) and sing and play loud so people will be less self-conscious and have permission to sing loud themselves. Think of any three folk songs you like from the folk revival of the '50s and '60s—at least one of them will be on the list. Dan’s joy is singing with people, not singing for people, whether it's a song circle or at the ABQ FOLK FEST.
This sing-along will be held at Nahalat Shalom 3606 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107 in Albuquerque.
Saturday afternoon December 29, 2019; 2:00 - 4:00pm, doors open at 1:30pm
Suggested donation: $15
Proceeds benefit the Albuquerque Folk Festival
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 at sponsors@abqfolkfest.org
Gifts of Specific Time/Organization Skills! We are looking for people who can help by doing the following (training and guidance available in all areas): Fundraising director, Graphics help, Social Media advertising help, Admissions Manager, Logistics assistant manager, Set-up manager, recycling manager, T-shirt manager to name a few.
Gifts by Shopping! You can donate by naming ABQ FOLK FEST as your designated non-profit organization when you make purchases from Amazon Smile, which will not cost you an extra dime! smile.amazon.com.
More Changes
In the interest of transparency and appreciation, meet our new and old board of directors…
Outgoing Board Members: A huge thank you to outgoing directors: Kyle Malone (president), Rachel Zubach (secretary), and Athena Kelly (treasurer). They were amazing! They each continue to contribute.
Incoming Board Members: Also, a huge thank you to those folks who agreed to step up this year: This year’s board consists of William Miller (president), Doug Casteel (vice president), Emily Anslover (secretary), Dan Matthews (treasurer), Cleve Sharp, Jacob Chavez, Rose Day, Debra Fortess, Noah Martinez, Bruce Thomson, and Bruce Washburn. Ours is a working board, so everyone takes on additional roles to oversee various parts of the festival. We are so grateful.
Advisory Board: Peter Esherick, Erika Gerety, Kyle Malone, Bill Balassi, Michael Coy, Jimmy Abraham, Donna Bauer, Richard Eager, and Neal Copperman.
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 ABQ FOLK FEST June 15, 2019.
August 16, 2018
August 16, 2018
ABQ FOLK FEST Newsletter
Hi Folkies!
We have so much news to share about things coming up very quick, but first we want to say that we had such a great time with you at our Festival in June and it was a great success. Thank you! We love you and can’t wait to see you next year. We are already excited about some possible talent for next year.
Here's what's coming up in the next month or so:
Albuquerque Folk Festival Events
September 20 (actually, September 19), Celtic House Concert followed by a Celtic Jam at the Gary Libman Memorial Amphitheatre in the NE Heights. For more info, see the article later in the newsletter. Look for future house concerts too!
September 29, Sing-Along! Our delightful Dan Matthews continues the 5th Saturday Sing-along at Nahalat Shalom, 2pm
December 2, Sing-Along! Our delightful Dan Matthews continues the 5th Saturday Sing-along at Nahalat Shalom, 2pm.
Want to get involved?
It is that time of year where we elect new board members and start planning the direction of the next festival(s). We are interested in hearing from you. Better yet, think about joining our team!
Needed! A board treasurer. Are you willing to try/learn?
Email director@abqfolkfest.org to find out more. Or call 505-294-6909.
Summer festivals and activities of interest from our friends in the New Mexico Folk Community
August 24-26, Our friends at the Santa Fe Traditional Music Festival are putting on a fabulous festival with camping!
September 21-22, ¡Globalquerque! 2018. Join our friends at the Hispanic Cultural Center for this wonderful annual event. As always, AMP Concerts has wonderful ongoing entertainment. Check them out at http://www.ampconcerts.org/
October 19-20, New Mexico Dulcimer Festival. If you love dulcimer music or acoustic folk, you can join our buddies for these concerts and workshops.
Ongoing stuff to do from some of our friends and partners
Please join us for a wonderful evening of Celtic tunes and sea shanties, September 19, 2018 at 7:00-8:30pm for an exciting performance by Duke City Ceili Band! Suggested fee of $15. The concert will be followed by a jam. Fun!!
You might want to come early(6ish) for chitchat and snacks; As is customary for house concerts, feel free to bring a beverage and/or snack you enjoy, and if you like, extra to share to share. We'll provide a couple snacks and beverages too. We’ll have a cooler of ice for beverages and seats available.
The concert is being held outdoors at a private Amphitheatre in the NE heights near Supper Rock (E of Tramway, N of Central). Seating is on bleachers, so please consider bringing a pad or bleacher seat. To get directions and reserve your seat(s), contact Erika (505-294-6909 or erika@unm.edu) or Cleve (505-507-9915 or clevelans@comcast.net).
Many of us have played in the local Irish session scene and various local bands for years. But when our award winning young fiddler, Grace Broadhead joined the local session, she started picking up the pace of the tunes. Our long time friend, Norita Callahan, soon was dancing on the sidelines. Not long after that, at her urging, we formed a band to play for ceilis – Irish dances. We had so much fun that we started looking for more chances to play. Our Irishman, Jim Crowley, got us to add sea shanties to add to the craic! A string of dates at festivals and a local brew house followed. Now we hope you’ll enjoy an evening of music with us to benefit Albuquerque Folk Festival.
Buy your tickets to the Festival in advance until 10 pm tonight here and skip the purchase lines the day of the festival. You can also buy tickets in advance at various music stores around town.
Tell all your friends about how great the Festival is
Plan to camp (or jam with us at the campgrounds) from Friday night through Sunday morning
Do a little advance planning - check the schedule to figure out what you want to do. We know it's hard to select from so many great options. You can pick up a program at the Festival, but if you'd like to read it in advance, you'll find a PDF file here.
Try to get to the Festival early...the Jemez Stage performances start at 10 am.
Stuff to bring to the Festival:
Your bike! Ride your bike to the Festival and use our free bike valet located behind the Balloon Museum, on the south side of the Balloon Fiesta Park.
Kids! There are so many things for them to experience: they can try out analog instruments at Planet Music and the Music Guild's instrument petting zoo, try out Bandojo, a digital instrument, inside the Museum, visit with giant puppets in the morning, hang out at the Children's Tent all day (music, games, and a magician will be there), listen to stories, watch other kids perform at the Kids Showcase...and kids 11 and under get in free.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat (although there are shade tents and chairs)
Empty non-glass water bottles to fill at the water fountains
Spare instruments to sell at our consignment table (under $600 is best)
Cash to buy stuff from the food trucks, crafts vendors, and instrument consignment table
Cash to buy raffle tickets
Your ATM card in case you forget to bring cash (or didn't bring enough given all the fun ways to spend it)
Your ID if you're over 21 and would like to purchase beer from Bosque Brewing Company or Rio Bravo Brewery in the afternoon (yet another reason to bring cash)
Instrument and/or dancing shoes: you can always leave your items safely at Instrument Check if you are going to performances etc (open till 9 pm)
Things to do at the Festival that aren't on the grid schedule:
Sign up for the Band Scramble at the information table by 3:45 pm if you are a musician or dancer
Recycle your trash at the recycling stations around the grounds
Fill out a feedback card and let us know what you think
Don't bring this stuff:
Glass bottles
Alcohol
Dogs or other pets (except uniformed service dogs)
The wind (we've had enough of that in previous years)
ABQ FOLK FEST Tickets Still Available In Advance
For your convenience, you can buy tickets online until 10pm tonight. Save yourself a little hassle and buy your tickets in advance! Check our website for ticket information.
You can also save a few bucks and some hassle at the gate and buy adult tickets for $15 from our advanced ticket outlets, listed on our website.
Last year the lines to purchase tickets got really long. Save yourself some time and join the MUCH SHORTER will call line by buying your tickets in advance.
Join us for a fabulous House Concert by this renowned duo of musical storytellers and instrumentalists.
For reservations and directions and/or additional information, contact Dianne Rossbach at rossbachd@msn.com or Erika Gerety-Libman at sponsors@abqfolkfest.org or call 505-294-6909.
The amazing musical duo of Scott and Johanna Hongell-Darsee are presenting a Medieval and Traditional Ballad Evening. Their stories and music have been described as "magical," "inspiring," "haunting," and "mesmerizing." More information can be found on their website.
In traditional house-concert style, you are welcome to bring beverages or snacks to share. Chairs will be provided. The suggested donation is $15.
A portion of the proceeds go to support the Albuquerque Folk Festival, a non-profit organization, and its celebration of traditional acoustic music, stories, and dance on June 2, 2018 at the Balloon Museum. A huge thank you to Scott & Johanna Hongell-Darsee and Dianne Rossbach for their in-kind support!
2018 ABQ FOLK FEST Schedule!
Take a look at our exciting 2018 Schedule! We may still tweak a few changes, so be sure to check the website again as we get closer to the event. To learn more about our performers, go to this link and scroll through the performers’ bios.
(Note: We will continue to add performer descriptions as we get them, as well as a list of food vendors and arts-and-craft vendors. Keep checking back.) Can’t wait for June 2!
Last Call for Vendors!
Calling all vendors! All Arts-and-Craft Vendor applications must be mailed to the Abq Folk Fest by May 1.
For Arts-and-Crafts Vendor applications and information, check our website.
ABQ FOLK FEST out on the Town!
Look for ABQ FOLK FEST volunteers and performers around town at upcoming events! We’ll be out handing out flyers (with the schedule on the back) at other acoustic festivals in NM, and handing out $5 off coupons at the following events:
EarthFest Celebration at La Montañita in Nob Hill, Sunday, April 22, 10:00 am-4:00 pm.
Herbfest, May 12 & 13 from 10:0-4:00 at the Rio Grande Nature Center. There will be herbs, plants, eight bands, lectures, massages and more. Proceeds go to support the Rio Grande Nature Center.
Herbfest is at the Nature Center on Mother's Day Weekend (May 12-13) featuring eight bands in support of the Nature Center and AFF. Each day there will be four bands, two in the morning, then two lectures, then two more bands in the afternoon. Except for $3 parking fee, Herbfest is free. Here's the lineup:
Saturday, May 12
10:00 80 Jackson Street
11:00 Dog Star
12:00 Tom Heller, UNM: "Groundwater/Surface Water Interactions in the Middle Rio Grande: Implications for Native Ecosystems"
1:00 Mike Halverson, Santa Ana Native Plants Nursery: "A Walking Tour: Surveying Plants for Your Landscape"
2:00 LIttlefoot
3:00 Far from Home
Sunday, May 13
10:00 Music for All Seasons
11:00 SyZyGy
12:00 Wes Brittenham, Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm: "Barn Storming on the Future of the Candelaria Farm Preserve"
1:00 Technical Advisory Groups (TAG) for the Candelaria Farm Preserve (CFP): "Public Presentation and Discussion of Plans to Change the CFP"
2:00 Friends Forever
3:00 Virginia Creepers
Volunteers Still Needed!
Do you want to have a positive impact on Albuquerque and New Mexico and have fun doing it?
Think about volunteering at the Albuquerque Folk Festival on the day of the festival, in advance of the festival, or at the end of the festival. Or, consider an organizing role.
Here are some current volunteer needs:
Set-up on Saturday morning pre-festival: Hanging signs, moving chairs, etc
Break-down Saturday night post-festival: Taking down signs etc
Admissions: Volunteer, presale, etc. No handling money. Just check people in.
Tabling, pre-festival: Hand out discount cards and flyers at our table at events like Celtic Fest, Herb Fest, etc
We are also looking for people with organization skills and/or other specialized skills. People are needed in to support the following areas: (Note: we will provide training and guidance.)
Managers – Examples: Performer wrangling manager, Advance Tickets manager, Hand-held Radio manager, AFF Emergency Response manager. If you are someone who can coordinate a group of volunteers (emailing, tracking, etc.), we can always use your help!
Board Treasurer in training – We are looking for someone with Quickbook experience (or willing to learn) to be our board treasurer for 2019 and of course be on the board. Plenty of time to learn!
Grant Writer - This involves reading through the grant requirements, writing proposals according to those requirements, and assembling the components of the grant application (such as budget and proof of nonprofit status). The board is able to supply the necessary information for grant writing.
Sponsorship finder – We need people who can talk and/or email potential sponsors. Perks for sponsors include advertising, free tickets, banners posted at one of the stages, and inclusion in the sponsor list in the Abq Folk Fest brochure.
Graphic Design talents and spreadsheet or database talents needed!
March 27, 2018
Hi, Folk Festival friends!
New Sing-Along location!
Congregation Nahalat Shalom
Saturday, March 31, 2-3:30pm.
People love to sing together. Same joy. Different place.
For going on two years, Apple Mountain Music has hosted the AFF Fifth
Saturday Sing-along as a fund-raiser for the Albuquerque Folk
Festival. Thank you so much, Debra, for opening your shop and your
heart for our singing.
Now, we're moving. And still singing. You'll have lyrics of
familiar songs, strong voices in the lead, and guitars (etc) strummed
with gusto or serenity. Dan Matthews, who organizes a small jam-tent
sing-along and the main stage sing-along at AFF, will continue to
lead these song circles. They have occurred on the fifth Saturday of
any month that has five. In 2018, that's March 31, June 30,
September 29 and December 29. The time is always 2:00 - 3:30.
Location:
Congregation Nahalat Shalom
3606 Rio Grande Blvd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Plenty of parking; look for the signs when you get there
We have some fabulous performers, workshops, sing-alongs, dances, and kids’ stuff this year. Check out the group of 2018 performers listed on line now! We are very excited!
To start with we have Grammy winner Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore. Mollie has been celebrated as a “singer’s singer” since 1988, when she and her well-known brother, Tim O’Brien released the first of three critically-acclaimed albums for Sugar Hill Records. Subsequently, she recorded five equally well-received solo albums and was a regular on the nationally-syndicated radio show, “A Prairie Home Companion,” from 2001 through 2005.
Then there’s the dynamic duo Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons who are reminiscent of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. By pulling together the many threads of black American roots music and demonstrating the underlying meanings behind the black experience in folk music, Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons are showing another side to Americana that can help expand the genre’s boundaries.
There’s so much more! Take a look on line! Our full schedule is not up yet but we are working on it.
Your Name in Lights! (or at least on a sign!)
We are looking for businesses and individuals to sponsor a tent, a venue, or a performer. Sponsorship costs for each venue are related to the cost of the tent/venue, ranging from $200 for most workshop tents to $2000 for a large stage venue. We will provide a banner or sign placement for the sponsor at their selected venue. If you are a business (or you know a business) that would like to be sponsor, please contact Rachel at sponsors@abqfolkfest.org to work out a good sponsorship rate.
Other sponsorship information is available on line for individuals and businesses at various levels.
Thanks for your support!
Mark Your Calendars! House Concert This Week.
Virginia Creepers House Concert March 9 at 7 pm
Join us for an intimate evening of old-time music with the Virginia Creepers,
in support of the Albuquerque Folk Festival!
The Virginia Creepers love tunes and songs from Appalachia and beyond and have been playing old-time music in New Mexico for more than 25 years. Their repertoire includes weird, old, crooked tunes from exotic places like West Virginia and Kentucky, lively dance tunes that they play for squares and contras, and songs about hard times, trains, and whiskey, all ranging in age from the Civil War era and earlier to newer pieces in the old-time style. The band features Rick Olcott on guitar, Scott Mathis on mandolin, Jane Phillips on fiddle, Laurie Phillips on mandola, and Marc Robert on bass and banjo. All of them sing now and then.
We invite you to bring a beverage, and if you like, a snack to share. We'll provide a few snacks, and a cooler of ice for your beverages. We have about 30 seats for the early birds; extra folding chairs are welcomed. Come early for chitchat and snacks; the concert starts at approximately 7:00 pm. Space is limited, so it is a good idea reserve your spot!
Because this is a private residence, we are not publishing an address, so….
To get directions and reserve your seat(s), please e-mail Barbara and Hugh Witemeyer barbwit12@hotmail.com or Erika Gerety erika@unm.edu or call 505-294-6906.
The suggested donation is $15.
A huge thank you to Barbara and Hugh Witemeyer
and the Virginia Creepers for their support of
the Albuquerque Folk Festival.
Early Bird Tickets Available Now!
We are keeping the same great, inexpensive, accessible prices but somethings are even more affordable this year!
Early bird rates are available on line now through May 4th, so get your tickets early. Early bird Family rates: $30 online buys you a ticket for a whole family. A family is defined here as 2 adults and any number of kids. Family tickets are $35 at the gate.
$5 discount on gate prices! There are several ways you can get a $5 discount on Gate prices.
Early-bird tickets, best price available, on-line now through May 4, 2018
Bring one or more instruments and we will give you $5 off the price at the gate! We hope you will play the instrument too! Or if you like, bring one to sell at the consignment table – and maybe buy a different one.
Note: The $5 discount is good for any gate price (ie Adult, Student, Senior), but it may not be applied to advanced tickets or combined with other discounts.
Pick up a $5 off discount card at any of our outreach events. Look for the Albuquerque Folk Festival at any of these coming events
Don’t wait in line to pay, get your advanced tickets online!
Go to Brown Paper Tickets
Do you want to have a positive impact on Albuquerque and New Mexico and have fun doing it?
Think about volunteering at the Albuquerque Folk Festival on the day of the festival, in advance of the festival, or at the end of the festival. Or, consider an organizing role.
Here are some current volunteer needs:
Set-up on Saturday morning pre-festival: Hanging signs, moving chairs, etc
Break-down Saturday night post-festival: Taking down signs etc
Admissions: Volunteer, presale, etc. No handling money. Just check people in.
Tabling, pre-festival: Hand out discount cards and flyers at our table at events like Celtic Fest, Herb Fest, etc
We would also love your gifts of specialized time/organization skills! We are looking for people who have organizational skills and/or other specialized skills in the following areas (training and guidance available in all areas):
Grant-writer - This involves reading through the grant requirements and writing proposals according to those requirements and compiling the pieces of a grant application (such as budget and Nonprofit status proof). The board is able to supply the necessary information for grant writing.
Sponsorship finder – We need people who can take some time to talk to potential sponsors, or email them. We have perks to offer cash sponsors such as advertising, tickets, banners at a stage etc and we have a brochure for sponsors.
Treasurer in training – We are looking for someone with quickbook experience or willing to learn and start training to be our board treasurer for 2019. Plenty of time to learn!
Managers – If you are someone who can coordinate a group of volunteers (emailing, tracking, etc), we can always use your help!
Graphic Design talents and spreadsheet or database talents needed!
Sing-along and Sad News about Apple Mountain Music
Saturday, March 31, 2-4pm. Location to be announced!
We intend to keep the Fifth-Saturday Sing-Alongs going but we are currently looking for a home for them. You probably heard the very sad news that Apple Mountain Music had to close their doors, so we need to find a new place to hold the Sing-Along. We will let you know soon! In the meantime, if you have ideas, let us know.
The formula for the Fifth-Saturday AFF Sing-alongs is a list of familiar and very singable songs, good keys, a lyrics sheet (key ingredient); we sing and play loud so people may be less self-conscious and have permission to sing out. You pick the next song from a lyric sheet with 80-some songs. Suggested donation: $15 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Albuquerque Folk Festival.
Sing-along leader Dan Matthews has led small sing-alongs at a jam tent at ABQ FOLK FEST for many years. In 2010, he was invited to put together a main stage sing-along tribute to Pete Seeger. A posse of friends with strong voices has led scores of people in rousing, meaningful and joyous song each year since. Dan’s joy is singing with people, not singing for people, whether it's a song circle, the Fifth Saturday Sing-alongs or at the ABQ FOLK FEST.
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. If you can’t make this one, join us for others! They are every fifth Saturday in the month: Save the dates.
Donations of Folk Love!
We put the happy in the world! The ABQ FOLK FEST is an important part of the fabric of this City, but it takes your support, and so we come to you this the time of year, hat in hand, asking for your tax-deductible donation. We are trying to avoid the fate of so many folk institutions that are dying off. You can donate online here through Just Give or mail a donation to P.O. Box 4837, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87196.
Short on Cash?
If you can’t give cash right now, we are also looking for generous gifts of folk items and time/organizational skills……
Gifts of Folk! We can use donations that can be auctioned such as
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
and anything else that Folk Festival fans would enjoy using
Also, we are looking for someone who may be willing to donate a couple balloon rides that we can auction or raffle. Things that don’t work well for auction may be raffled or sold by consignment booth managers. For more information about gift donations, contact Rachel at sponsors@abqfolkfest.org or Erika at 505-294-9609.