Arizona Folklore Preserve Newsletter

September 2007

Starting an Exciting 12^th Season

Items in this Newsletter:

Administrative Announcements

Welcome Message:  Gerald “Skip” Jubb, Dean, University of Arizona South

The Balladeer’s Corner

AFP Schedule

ADMINISTRATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. We are reinstating the Arizona Folklore Preserve newsletter with this issue. You are on the list because you 1) once subscribed to the Arizona Folklore Preserve newsletter or 2) currently subscribe to Dolan Ellis’ Balladeer Bulletin Board.

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2. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone else you know who may be interested. Many of the email addresses we have are quite old, so if you hear from a friend who didn’t get a copy, it’s possibly because we don’t have their current information. We hope they will subscribe again. Sending an email from their address using this link will do it: subscribe

3. The AFP is owned and operated by the University of Arizona South. Dolan Ellis, Arizona’s Official State Balladeer, is the Founder and Artist-in-Residence of the Preserve.

4. AFP shows are held almost all Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2 PM, at the AFP facilities in Ramsey Canyon, just south of Sierra Vista. Please visit our Web site, www.arizonafolklore.com, for complete schedule information, map and directions, entry fees, etc.

5. To make your reservations for a show, you may call 520-378-6165. Sharon or one of her assistants will return your call within a few hours. You may also send an email to folklore@email.arizona.edu. Please include your phone number in the email so Sharon can complete your reservation process.

WELCOME MESSAGE: GERALD “SKIP” JUBB, DEAN, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA SOUTH

Thanks to each and every one of you for supporting the Arizona Folklore Preserve, Dolan Ellis and UAS over the years. As many of you know, I became the UAS Dean last August and joined the AFP, Inc. Board of Directors earlier this year.  The University owns and operates the Arizona Folklore Preserve, and we partner with the Board in bringing programs to the public.  Critical to this effort is the marvelous work of our dedicated volunteers.  Please thank them for working so hard for the AFP.

A very special thanks to Jan Groth, who faithfully served the AFP almost since its inception. Jan was there to participate in and often to lead special projects. She emceed countless shows, and for the past three and a half years, she served the AFP as program coordinator. Her dedication to the AFP was impressive, and her many talents lent to the success of the facility.  We are currently searching for a new program coordinator and hope to have that person on-board by mid-late November.  My administrative assistant, Carolyn Eaton, has been filling-in admirably with many of the program coordinator duties during this interim period.

I’m thrilled to be a part of a cultural center into which Dolan Ellis, his family, friends, and fans (including most of you) have put so much heart and soul.  We have a beautiful property and a first-rate entertainment venue. I want to help with its growth, and to ensure the University does its part in achieving the mission: “Where Arizona’s songs, legends, poetry, and myths are collected and presented, and preserved for the enrichment of future generations”

My wife, Carole, and I plan to be volunteering at many of the weekend concerts, and I hope we’ll see you there.

THE BALLADEER’S CORNER (MESSAGE FROM DOLAN ELLIS, Arizona’s Official State Balladeer)

I wrote in my last Balladeer Bulletin Board (my own newsletter) about my enthusiasm as we begin our 12^th season at the AFP. After a hugely successful opening weekend, I am even more excited. We filled both shows, and had to turn away 40 people we simply could not accommodate. It’s tough to do that, but I have to tell you it’s heartening to know that the demand exceeded our capabilities. The lesson learned is clear: make your reservations earlier the next time.

It was an absolute pleasure to work with the new volunteers. Although he is the Dean, Skip Jubb did a great job greeting the fans and helping his wife, Carole, to seat them.

Vicki Sutera has been working behind the scenes at the AFP for a long time now, housing our guest artists (and occasionally this Artist-in-Residence) at the nearby Ramsey Canyon Inn which she runs with her husband, Bill. When there is “no room at the inn,” Vicki finds other accommodations for the artists. She has saved us thousands of dollars, while providing first-rate lodging to help show the artists how much they are appreciated. On the opening weekend, Vicki introduced the shows and did a wonderful job. I look forward to working more with Vicki in the future.

We cannot forget Carolyn Eaton, the Dean’s Executive Assistant, who has been pulling double duty (her regular job plus the AFP) for weeks to make sure that everything runs smoothly. This woman really knows what she’s doing, and she makes it look effortless.

We welcomed another new volunteer as well. Mark Conley is fairly new to Sierra Vista, and has his own sound equipment and works special concerts all around the area. He has graciously offered to help us with our sound system when he’s available. Sound engineering is a part-time job for Mark, but it’s clear that he is a professional.

Several of our “seasoned” volunteers returned as well, and it was great to see them again: Vern & Linda Appelt and Sharon & Jerry Heikkinen. Vern ran the lights and introduced Mark to our sound system; Linda served as Cashier; Jerry greeted guests as they arrived and helped them with parking; and Sharon served snacks. Sharon deserves an extra credit because she also took reservations, a job she does better than anyone. Bonnie Brock has also stepped in once again to help with the publicity. If you read the blurb that appeared in the Sierra Vista Herald both a week before and a few days before the shows, that is an example of Bonnie’s press releases.

I’m not only looking forward to the 12^th season. I believe that with Skip Jubb, Carolyn Eaton, and our volunteer staff, we have many bright years ahead.

AFP SCHEDULE:

(Be sure to check our Web site, www.arizonafolklore.com, for the latest information)

This schedule is filled for most weekends over the next five months. Please click the links for the artists to learn a little more about them. If there’s a show you particularly want to see, we recommend you make your reservations as early as possible.

DAY	DATE	ARTIST(S)	ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Sat	Sep 29	Dolan Ellis, Arizona's Official State Balladeer	Theme: “Cowboys & Indians” a Also check out Dolan’s page on the AFP site.
Sun	Sep 30	Dolan Ellis, Arizona's Official State Balladeer	See above
Sat	Oct 6	Santa Cruz River Band	Incomparable Southwestern Folk music by band members Ted Ramirez, Michael Ronstadt, and Gilbert Brown, just back from their latest European tour
Sun	Oct 7	Santa Cruz River Band	See above
Sat	Oct 13	Jim Jones and Jim Wilson	Western music at its best by a pair of native Texans who are fine singer/songwriters (Jones is now a New Mexican).
Sun	Oct 14	Jim Jones and Jim Wilson	See above
Sat	Oct 20	Juni Fisher	NOTE: Show time is 3:00 PM; Western Music Association Rising Star Award (2005), Academy of Western Artists Western Female Performer of the Year (2005); Female Vocalist of the Year (2006)
Sun	Oct 21	Juni Fisher	Show time is back to the normal 2:00 PM. Still the same great artist with all those impressive awards
Sat	Oct 27	Dolan Ellis, Arizona's Official State Balladeer	Theme: “Arizona Ghosts and Spooky Things”  Also check out Dolan’s page on the AFP site.
Sun	Oct 28	Dolan Ellis, Arizona's Official State Balladeer	See above

Sat	Nov 3	Call of the West with Jon Messenger	The wonderful acoustic Western music sounds of Jeanne Cahill and Jerome Campbell, with Jon Messenger—3 great songwriters, instrumentalists, and vocalists make up a winning team.
Sun	Nov 4	Call of the West with Jon Messenger	See above
Sat	Nov 11	Sue Harris	Extraordinary folksinger from Phoenix.  So popular at the AFP that there are a few songs she knows she has to include (such as The Minstrel’s Song, Quail Sisters, and Kokopelli). Also check out Sue’s Web site
Sun	Nov 12	Sue Harris	See above
Sat	Nov 17	Michael Grande	You’ll be hooked from the time he plays the first flamenco-inspired guitar note, and you’ll love his original songs.
Sun	Nov 18	Michael Grande	See above
Sat	Nov 24	Dolan Ellis, Arizona's Official State Balladeer with Ian Macpherson	Ian Macpherson is a very good friend of Dolan’s from the Phoenix coffee house days of the 1960s, a fine singer/guitarist/banjo player who now makes his living as an attorney (and who has done significant pro bono work for the AFP). Still playing music too. This show is sure to be a lot of fun!
Sun	Nov 25	Dolan Ellis, Arizona's Official State Balladeer with Ian Macpherson	See above
Sat	Dec 1	Jon Messenger	Jon is a favorite singer/songwriter at cowboy gatherings throughout the West. And he lives right here in Sierra Vista! 4 years President of the Western Music Association, currently Executive Director. The man has a very special way with words as well as music.
Sun	Dec 2	Jon Messenger	See above
Sat	Dec 8	Dolan Ellis, Arizona's Official State Balladeer	Theme: “Christmas in the Air”  Also check out Dolan’s page on the AFP site.
Sun	Dec 9	Dolan Ellis, Arizona's Official State Balladeer	See above
Sat	Dec 15	Trails & Rails	Walt Richards & Paula Strong of San Diego, always favorites at Western music gatherings, in their first AFP appearance
Sun	Dec 16	Trails & Rails	See above
Sat	Dec 22	Tim Weed	You know him as the banjo, guitar, and mandolin virtuoso Tim Wiedenkeller of Tucson; he’s shortened his name so it’s easier to say and spell. He’s also a great singer & songwriter, and his original classical banjo CD, Milagros, is played on NPR. He presents a wonderful Christmas show.
Sun	Dec 23	Tim Weed	See above

Sat	Dec 29	Dolan Ellis, Arizona's Official State Balladeer	Theme: “Old Arizona 2008”  Also check out Dolan’s page on the AFP site.
Sun	Dec 30	Dolan Ellis, Arizona's Official State Balladeer	See above
Sat	Jan 5	Way Out West	Emmy Creign, Slim Rost, and Tom Poley play and sing Western music in their own style (including many original songs)—it’s a style they refer to as “Bordergrass.” Also check out their MySpace page where you can listen to four of their songs.
Sun	Jan 6	Way Out West	See above
Sat	Jan 12	The Desert Sons	Buck Ryberg, Benny Young, Slim Tighe and Skelly Boyd reunite to play and sing the great Western music in 3-and 4-part harmony. They offer traditional songs with a sprinkling of their originals. Also visit the Web site for the current Desert Sons (Ryberg, Young, Bill Ronstadt, Bill Ganz), which includes the group’s history.
Sun	Jan 13	The Desert Sons	See above
Sat	Jan 19	.Wyatt Earp	Wyatt Earp portrays his famous great-uncle in a dramatic play, "Wyatt Earp: A Life on the Frontier" You’ll quickly forget he’s an actor and believe you are watching and listening to the historic figure.
Sun	Jan 20	.Wyatt Earp	Wyatt Earp portrays another famous/infamous character from Tombstone, "The Gentleman Doc Holliday"
Sat	Jan 26	To be announced
Sun	Jan 27	To be announced
Fri	Feb 1	“Gathering Day”	Kickoff for the Cochise Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering Shows all day.  Specific artists to be announced.
Sat	Feb 2	Closed	The AFP is closed so all can attend the workshops at the Cochise Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering
Sun	Feb 3	Closed	The AFP is closed so all can attend the matinee performance at the Cochise Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering
Sat	Feb 9	Madison Walker	Madison returns to celebrate “Black History Month” with his dramatic portrayal of turn-of-the (20^th) century cowboy, Nat Love.
Sun	Feb 10	Madison Walker	See above
Sat	Feb 16	Dolan Ellis, Arizona's Official State Balladeer	Theme: “Arizona, the Valentine’s State” Dolan takes advantage of the fact that Arizona’s birthday is February 14^th, to present a show that covers both the romantic holiday and the pride of Arizona statehood.  Also check out Dolan’s page on the AFP site.
Sun	Feb 17	Dolan Ellis, Arizona's Official State Balladeer	See above