Folk Dancing and More

 Here we have ongoing classes and groups for dance and music from different cultures. Some of these sites include info on workshops and performing groups as well. If you are new to the area and you are already dancing and playing at an advanced level, talk to the group leaders. Many of these recreational groups also have a performing ensemble or party/workshop band.

Here is one big fat folk dance link. www.folkdancing.org/new_mexico.html has links to folk groups all over the state--FOLKMADS, international groups, tango, contras, etc. etc. in the area and then the site has links all over the rest of the USA and Cananda. They even have a weather report for each place if you're going there. FOLKMADS is a group that does English country dancing in NM, they are at www.folkmads.org  for schedule updates. They feature live dance music.

 The Rio Grande Celtic Festival and Highland Games takes place at Albuquerque's beautiful Balloon Fiesta Park. This festival also features Irish, Welsh, Manx and other related cultures. You can find out more at www.celtfestabq.org. I missed this year's festival but the various music groups and the Highland athletes are busy all year, especially on St. Patrick's Day. 

The New Mexico Folk Fest is where you want to be for country swing, Americana, Mexicana, bluegrass, Irish, and just about any kind of acoustic music/dance. It just happened in Oct. but there are benefit house concerts and related events all year. Go to nmfolkfest.com and get on the email list for updates and to get involved.

Saturday Night International Folk Dancing is at the Lloyd Shaw Center, they have teaching at 7:15 pm and request dancing (mixed level) at 8:15. That's www.abqfolkdance.org or contact Jane at jmortman@comcast.net These groups usually have recorded music and  (good) volunteer teachers, super cheap--two bucks. Bring the kids. Sat. night has kid's play group, knitting and other activities. There's a lobby with carpet for the kids. No music or dance experience is necessary. You don't need to bring a partner. There are couple dances, line dances, and solo dances. Their newsletter, Ajde, has the latest updates on folk dance workshops, camps and activities in the area. The newsletter also has info on the following groups: Santa Fe and Los Alamos international folk dance, Scandinavian, Hungarian, Cross-step waltz, English country, and contra dancing. You can go to their website for details.

The Unitarian Church international folk dance group has been on Thursdays forever at the church located at the corner of Carlisle and Commanche. This is the same deal--affordable, kid-friendly, great teachers and you don't need to bring a partner.  These folk dance groups feature couple dances, line dances and solo dances. The programming mixes up these different styles and there are easy dances and mixers done thoughout the evening so don't go away after the teaching if you're new.  You can also learn new dances by getting behind the line and following people who know the dance. Be careful of sudden direction changes so you don't get run over.

The Southwest International Folk Dance Institute hosts an NM August Folk Dance Camp every August at the campus of NM Tech in beautiful Socorro, NM.  Info is at www.swifdi.org

The photo below shows Amara making compost at the drum house in Albuquerque, NM USA