Albuquerque Folk Festival Logo

The next ABQ FOLK FEST will be September 28 and 29, 2024 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. We've left up 2023 information, so you can see what our festival is like. Check this space around June or July to see what's happening at our 2024 festival. Plus, sign up for our newsletter. In the meantime, please look at our Community Resource page to see folk related events happening during the year.

2023 Dance Workshops

We have many of your favorite workshops back live this year. Thanks to Sara Charlton for organizing these workshops.

Dance 1 (Salon Ortega)

TimeSessionNameDescription
10:30 AMCajun DancesDonna Howell with music by Bayou Seco

The roots of Cajun dancing are from the French-speaking Acadian people who settled in Louisiana. Louisiana Cajuns became a people characterized by good food, good music, a love of life and good dancing. House dances were the start of the tradition. Host families would clear the front porch or would move the furniture aside in the family room or kitchen. The fiddle and accordion would be the siren call to start dancing. These dances were family affairs. Any small children brought along would be put in a designated area of the house where a few pallets or beds would be set up so they could sleep as the parents danced. One explanation of these dances becoming known as Fais Do-Dos is that the gentle baby-talk form of the command Faire Dormir (Go to sleep!) was Fais do-do, sort of comparable to “go nighty night” although another explanation involves a relation to the French-derived “do-si-do”.

Cajun dancing moved into dance halls by the mid-late 1800s. The dances being done by Cajuns then were the contemporary quadrilles, mazurkas, contradanses, polkas and waltzes. But as many of these dance forms faded from national popularity in the 1920s and 30's, Cajuns kept their beloved waltzes and added two-steps and later swing, all with their own unique twists.

In this workshop, we’ll sample Cajun waltz, two-step and swing and hope to get you moving on the dance floor to songs with French lyrics, laughing and hooting. Even if you don’t understand the words, you’ll find the music speaks to something deep inside of you. “Et laissez les bons temps rouler!”.

Instructor Donna Howell has taught historic and modern couple dances for over 25 years. Before the COVID epidemic hit, she taught at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe and produced a show of dance music on KSFR Santa Fe Public Radio.

Live music by Bayou Seco. Ken Keppeler and Jeanie McLerie, who form the heart of Bayou Seco, have been researching and playing the music of the Southwest - from the Mississippi River to the deserts of Arizona - for forty-one years. They have researched the Spanish Colonial dances of New Mexico from elders in this State for 41 years, and taught them in many parts of the US, Western Europe and China. In 2017 they were awarded the NM Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, for all the work they did with traditional musicians. In 2010-2011 Ken and Jeanie were chosen as the State Scholars for the Smithsonian Institution’s Music on Main Street- New Harmonies - celebrating American Roots Music. They helped curate concerts and exhibits in six New Mexican small towns.

Since 1997, they have lived in Silver City, New Mexico in an energy efficient home they built themselves, and are very active in their local community with a volunteer operated radio station, KURU/GMCR.org and with teaching many people of all ages to play the fiddle.

Bayou Seco Music
Traditional Music from the Southwest and Music Lessons
Fine violin family instruments by Ken Keppeler
Violin family supplies and repairs
Hosts of Roots & Branches on gmcr.org or KURU 89.1FM Silver City, NM, every Saturday from 8:00 to 10:00 AM
Ken Keppeler & Jeanie McLerie
PO Box 1393
Silver City, NM 88062
575-534-0298
www.bayouseco.com

11:30 AMCeili DanceColleen Wolfe with music by Duke City Ceili Band

A lively Irish hoedown, led by Colleen Wolfe, with round, line and square figures danced to reels 'n jigs 'n hornpipe music. Ceili (K-lee) dances are simple, mildly aerobic and no partner is needed. We dance 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 16 hand dances in round, square and line formations. The lively music - which makes your feet want to dance - are reels, jigs, polkas and hornpipes.

Traditional Irish Ceili folk dance classes for beginners - teen to adult - are held on Wednesday evenings 6:30 - 8pm at the Edelweiss German-American Club, 4821 Menaul NE. These classes have been on going in Albuquerque since 1985. IT'S FUN - Join us...

Duke City Ceili Band is a group of friends from the local Irish session scene: Harlow Pinson, Jim Crowley, Phil Gaudette, Grace Broadhead, Chris Carilli, Jessy Stone, Lucy Wang, Elsa Goosen, and Cleve Sharp. We formed to play dance music for ceilis and added singing shanties for our concert events. Find out more at our Facebook page

12:30 PMInternational Folk DanceBill Croft, Carol Toffaleti & Patsy Gregory

Teaching line and circle dances from Europe, especially the Balkans and the Near East.

Bill Croft and Carol Toffaleti have enjoyed international folkdancing recreationally for over 40 years. They started in Northern California and have continued dancing with, and/or leading, local groups ever since--in Michigan, Manchester (England), and Albuquerque. Workshops, festivals and, during Covid-19, parties and classes on Zoom have enriched Bill and Carol's repertoire and expanded their circle of folkdance friends.

Many of you already know Patsy Gregory. She was the Albuquerque Folk Festival Dance Manager for many years before she "retired.” She started doing international folk dance in about 1957. Patsy discovered Balkan dances at that time and has been dancing them ever since. She specializes in dances that are done by folk at parties, rather than ones choreographed for a particular piece of music or the stage.

1:30 PMWestern SwingSusan and Gary Kellogg

You'll be dancing NM's most popular country dance, Country Western Swing, by the end of class! No partners/experience needed. Presenters Gary & Susan have been teaching dance in ABQ for over 20 years. Susan is editor of the free E-newsletter called "Local DanceNews" which posts LOTS of fun dance activities in New Mexico, as well as where to learn just about any form of dance. To subscribe to LDN or for info regarding Gary & Susan's popular dance classes offered through UNM Continuing Education, or info about the ABQ Social Dance Club (over 600 members), please e-mail glkello@nmia.com or call 505-299-3737. "We look forward to dancing with you soon!"

Presenters Gary & Susan have been teaching dance in ABQ for over 25 years. Susan is the co-founder of the ABQ Dance club (ADC), now in its 28th year! She sends out a free E-newsletter called "Local DanceNews (LDN)" which posts LOTS of fun dance activities in New Mexico, as well as where to learn just about any form of dance. To subscribe to LDN, get a schedule of Gary & Susan's dance classes, or info about the ABQ Dance Club (a non-profit social dance club with over 560 members!), please e-mail glkello@nmia.com or call 505-299-3737. "We look forward to dancing with you soon!"

2:30 PMZwiefacheDonna Howell with music by Boxwood Consort

Zwiefache have been around since Columbus was in diapers. Two forms of documentation have been preserved from the 1400's: musical notation and arrest records. Arrest records? Dancing in a closed hold, even with your spouse, was equivalent to ‘doing it’ in public. Basically, the dance is a fast turning waltz sprinkled with pivots. A couple's rate of rotation will continuously speed and slow, centrifugal forces changing at the same time. If you never dance it again, you’ll still come away with improved social waltz skills. The workshop will be blessed with live music from Boxwood Consort. The tunes are melodic to the point of being ‘ear-worms’ and each tune has its set pattern of waltzes and pivots. .... you may consider it wise to wear shoes that protect your toes. A video of folks dancing zwiefache is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWp8lz0fJ3k&feature=related.

Instructor Donna Howell has taught historic and modern couple dances for over 25 years. She currently teaches at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe, produces a show of dance music on Santa Fe Public Radio KSFR 101.1 FM and can be reached at donna_jhowell@hotmail.com.

Boxwood Consort plays music for English Country and contra dancing as well as a variety of other forms. The group is composed of Scott Mathis, mandolin and bass; Linda Askew, guitar; Gary Mayhew, guitar; Katie Harlow, cello and mandolin; Juli Palladino, violin and viola; Jack Klintworth, concertina; and Doc Litchman, clarinet.

3:30 PMScottish Country DancesLucy Frey, Enchantment Scottish Country Dancers with music by The Parson Sisters

The Enchantment Scottish Country Dancers love dancing. We meet on Friday nights in Albuquerque and new people are very welcome to join us. Scottish Country Dancing is usually done in a four couple set. The dances are Reels, Jigs and Strathspeys and are great fun and good exercise. Further information from Kenneth Armstrong at 505-294-0042 or karmstrong00@comcast.net.

The Parson Sisters is a duo based in Albuquerque, NM, specializing in global folk dance music, including Balkan, Irish, contra, and English Country. Comprised of Mirinisa Stewart-Tengco (strings, vocals, percussion) and Clara Byom (keys, clarinets, vocals, electronics), The Parson Sisters have quickly become sought-after dance musicians throughout the Southwest. In a few busy years, they have performed at over 60 events, including FolkMADness, Southwest Pickers Bluegrass and Traditional Music Festival, Albuquerque Folk Festival, Phoenix English Country Tea Dance, Tarab Retreat, dance parties, private events, and four out-of-state tours. From tight vocal harmonies in traditional Macedonian lesnotos to Clara’s charming original tunes to Mirinisa’s exquisite Scandinavian fiddling to psychedelic techno contra, The Parson Sisters provide the most eclectic collection of dance music in the Southwest.

4:30 PMNorthern NM & Tohono O'odham DancesBayou Seco

Learn some Spanish Colonial Dances as danced in New Mexico for 200 or more years: La Cuna (Cradle Dance), La Valse Cadena (Chain Waltz), The O'odham Chotis, La Valse de los Panos (handkerchief dance), and La Valse de Escoba (Broom Dance) wiil be taught. All ages welcome!

Bayou Seco, featuring Ken Keppeler and Jeanie McLerie, has been entertaining New Mexico and many parts of the world since 1980. Recipients of the 2017 NM Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, Keppeler and McLerie have learned from a number of revered traditional musicians in New Mexico, Louisiana and Arizona (thus, Bayou Seco).

Bayou Seco's brand of Southwestern Chilegumbo - Cajun two-steps, waltzes, polkas and rancheras, chotis's, meringues and huapangos, and, perhaps a broom dance, is cross- cultural, multi-lingual and transcends labels and pigeon holes. Bayou Seco's roots are in the south and southwest, but their branches reach far across the world.

5:30 PMKlezmer DanceRikud Yiddish Dancers and Nahalat Shalom Community Klezmer Band

Rikud Yiddish dancers will lead you in traditional Eastern European Jewish dances to Klezmer music performed by the Nahalat Shalom Community Klezmer Band.

Both groups rehearse regularly and are open for the public to join. The groups also co-produce, along with the non-profit Nahalat Shalom, "Klezmerquerque" - a festival of workshops and performances featuring world-renowned klezmer dancers, musicians & scholars held annually over Presidents' Day Weekend.

For more information regarding klezmer/Yiddish music and dance events in the area, Rikud, the Nahalat Shalom Community Klezmer Band, and Klezmerquerque visit: nahalatshalom.org (click on "klezmer music/dance") and/or contact Beth Cohen at (505) 243-6276, E-mail: cohenedmunds@netzero.net

6:30 PMFolkMADS Contra DanceAlbuquerque Megaband

Music by the Albuquerque MegaBand and calling by Ben Werner and David Hadwiger. The Albuquerque Megaband is an open acoustic band that plays for each 3rd Saturday contra dance in ABQ. Since its beginnings in the early 1980s it has provided a place for experienced musicians and those just starting out to play together at FolkMADS dances, workshops, and occasionally other events. http://folkmads.org

Ben Werner started calling in 2013 after moving to Albuquerque. He grew up contra dancing in upstate New York and has flourished as a caller in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

David Hadwiger found contra dancing after performing with the Onion Creek Cloggers from Ames, Iowa, and has contra danced in Ames, Dallas, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and New Mexico. He likes to call dances that have interesting flows and a quirky move or two.




Dance 2 (Albuquerque Journal Theatre)

TimeSessionNameDescription
11:00 AMEast Indian Dance WorkshopTrupthi Panickor

Indian classical dancing started around 200 BCE in India. Traditionally performed as an expressive drama-dance form Indian classical dance also has intricate footwork that accompanies the stories. All styles of Indian classical dance are vibrant and expressive. The workshop will explore hand gestures used to communicate the stories, main characters in the dance forms, rhythmic patterns used and simple footwork.

12:00 PMHula: The Art & Soul of Hawai'i Dance WorkshopCindi Heffner, Ha`aheo O Hawai`i

Come and learn the basic hand, foot, and body movements that gracefully entwine to tell stories of Hawaii’s history, places, people and traditions… all infused with the spirit of Aloha. Hawaii’s beautiful, joyous cultural dance is suitable for everyone and every age. Native Hawaiian teacher.

The grace and beauty of the hula - Hawaii's art and soul, is alive and well in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Under the direction of Hawaiian native Cindi Kealaulaulaulaokawaoone Heffner, Haaheo O Hawai`i (which means Proud to Be Hawaiian) provides a wonderful taste of aloha through the hula (dance), oli (chant), and mele (song) of Hawaii. Come and experience the happiness and joy of hula.

1:00 PMFolklorico Ballet Fiesta Mexicana WorkshopAlma Arango

Ballet Folklórico Fiesta Mexicana, Inc. (Fiesta Mexicana) organized following the loss of founder and longtime Director, Maestro Miguel Caro Zaragoza, to provide continuity of his legacy and many decades of teaching Mexican Folk Dance in the community. Since 2014, Fiesta Mexicana has partnered with the South Broadway Cultural Center, City of Albuquerque, Cultural Services Department, to provide access to cultural awareness and dance education to the community by participating in many of the City sponsored cultural events and providing low cost Youth Folklórico Fiesta Mexicana classes for six weeks during the summer. Fiesta Mexicana’s dance presentations and costumes are unique, creative and incomparable. The costumes are noted for their beautiful and intricate designs. All costumes are Miguel’s creations and were handmade and hand embroidered by Miguel and his sister Beatriz Caro Zaragoza. Fiesta Mexicana’s dance repertoire consists of dances from almost all the states of Mexico and a set of Aztec dances. The dancing consists of intricate footwork and has been described as poetry in motion.

This workshop will enable attendees to perform basic Mexican Folk dance moves. Participants will be taught footwork for dances originating from the northern region of Mexico and discover a brief history about them.