Albuquerque, NM

I heard him take a call and discovered that he is “loaning” the local Obama for America campaign a lot of computers, printers, cables, and basically whatever they need to operate more efficiently. He works with several non-profits as well. I am proud how he and many smaller businesses do their best to really support local projects. When I asked if I could have permission to blog about this he said, “Sure. However I have something else that really important to me. EWASTE.”
What followed was a long story of countries and companies complicit in a nightmarish tale. The drama is enough to make one sick.

I’ll try to keep this short. Awhile back, Steve took a consulting job with the US Post Office. They wanted to recycle their old scanners. As a good detective would do, he researched the normal story about EWASTE. What he learned was rather disappointing. Most of our waste is sold to companies in China. Many companies that claim to be earth friendly make more money and incur less expenses by selling to the Chinese. “Duh”, you may say, “so what else is new Mary? It’s a global economy right?”
When I go to recycle or do good for the earth, I seek a truely earth friendly venue.

Go visit a Chinese processing plant, and according to Steve, you’ll find children smashing monitors with sledge hammers. Children. Inside you monitor is a lead coating to reduce the radiation from the monitior to protect us. When the kids crash that monitor the lead is airborn. These children work long days, everyday, with thousands of monitors. They work in the dust. They breathe the dust. Look up the effects of lead poisioning. This is only one part of the story.

Steve did further research, and discovered that there are a few businesses in the United States that have safer technologies to reclaim the parts that can be recycable without posioning their workers. It costs more. They are monitiored and have earned the highest DOD and EPA clearances and licenses. The US Post Office went for the American companies. Encourage your community to learn about this.

In the meantime, Steve had to consider his own business. He also is concerned about educating others about these issues. First, he has created a local, at his business, recycling project. Remember this costs money. TO recycle a computer is $15, a monitor $6. Please verify the prices to make sure I am accurate. His customers often complain about the prices. I would have at first thought twice about it. However, he said he explained it to one guy this way,” You have your trash picked up, don’t you?” “Yes”, “The city charges you for trash pick-up don’t they?” “Yeah”. “Your electronics are your trash aren’t they?” “Yes.” So-o-o. It is better to become responsible citizens. It is necessary that we support our earth. Don’t forget those children.

Then I asked Steve, “What about the City of Santa Fe, the State of New Mexico?” He told me about research he has done and guess what? Some entities feel that they can pass on their guilt, responsibility, etc. to the next guy, and somehow become innocent. Sounds familiar, give our toxic waste to a management company and don’t pay attention to where they dispose of it. Hmmm, they dump it in landfills,rivers, on the side of the road….ever heard this song before. Guess what most of our EWASTE still goes to China. Picture those children again. They are just like the poor kids in our cities who are exposed to lots of toxic waste daily. They are like the Native Americans exposed to waste from uranium mining.

If anyone has time and energy, and perhaps a little political savvy to take on our local issues, join in. I’ll ask Steve for notes and names and addresses. Please contact me here. Work locally and change the world. These matters are our responsibility. If you are in Santa Fe, bring your stuff to Santa Fe Computer Works. If you have truckloads, bring friends to help sort parts safely. Call first for lots of stuff. You could also create a fund to help pay for workers, or pay fees to those who don’t have much $$$. Tell him I sent you. Reuse when possible. My computers may last me another 2-3 years!

In the meantime: organize.

Blogsville: about-washingtondc.com , 451Press.com

Samantha Giron Dance Project in Town for One Night Only

Samantha Giron Dance Project will be presenting work from two distinct shows: a premiere entitled “Quickly Going Somewhere and Back,” and two excerpts from “Women and War,” called “Fire Diary” and “Interrogations.”

“Women and War” seeks to explore the human experience of war from different perspectives than those typically presented to us. The representation of war in our culture is usually focused on men; men play the centrally-depicted, heroic roles of killing, being killed, being captured and tortured. Physical bravery is shown as a male trait.

“Quickly Going Somewhere and Back” is a new kind of project for Samantha Giron Dance Project. Usually Giron approaches Christianson once she has a clear idea for a dance piece, and he composes new work that best fits her ideas for the project. However, when Christianson and Giron were invited to perform at San Francisco’s COLLABORATION Festival, they set out to truly co-create a dance and music performance. This time, Christianson wrote the score first and provided Giron with some imagery and narrative context. Giron then set to work responding to the score. Since then, the two have continued to adapt their own contributions to the performance. Christianson performs his original violin score on stage in “Quickly Going Somewhere and Back,” and even performs some of the choreography alongside dancer LeTania Kirkland!

For more information, visit the Santa Fe Complex web site. Samantha GIron Dance Project’s web site is here.

Santa Fe Complex is a nonprofit, community studio creating connections in science, technology and art. Our studio stands on three core activities:

Collaboration to address real-world problems, encourage cooperation and create economic opportunities in applied complexity, urban planning and simulation, and computational arts.

Communication with local, national and international communities about our work in Santa Fe and elsewhere. Whether it’s a live feed or published reports, we broadcast our work - and the role Santa Fe plays in this important effort - to all interested parties.

Education through the principle of learning-by-doing in active projects that lets students be part of, and contribute to, their project team. We offer formal classes, scientific and technology lectures, and internships.

Quick Links
our blog
events calendar

Support the Complex

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Click here for info

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About Samantha Giron Dance Project
Samantha Giron Dance Project, a contemporary dance company, was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2001. Artistic director Samantha Giron earned an MFA in Choreography from California Institute of the Arts in 2006 and a BA in Dance from Mills College in 2001. She has performed the choreography of Mark Morris, Tere O’Connor, and Scott Wells, and her choreography has been staged at over a dozen venues throughout California. She co-choreographed the dance film Hotel Scopeli, which won a Kodak Grant award; music video credits include “The Kids” by People.

“. . .Giron shined in a solo that accumulated force through an expanding web of delicately folding and unfolding limbs.”
–L.A. Times, re: “Fire Diary,” choreographed & danced by Samantha Giron
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On tap at the complex . . .

blogsville: scroll down as far as you can and see lots of 451Press.com sites. Please leave comments.

These Albuquerque hot-shots could be the deviant love child of Kurt Cobain and Emmy Lou Harris…..Voted best New Emerging Band in the annual Best of Burque-2008! www.myspace.com/theoldmain
OR, THE WHALE

Weaving indie rock epics, sweet folk lullabies, boot stompin’ country rockers, and the grtitty blues porch anthems into a seamless and powerful live show that never disappoints. San Francisco’s most energetic family band, Or, the Whale comes to Santa Fe at last! With a strong DIY ethic, and a Carter Family chemistry, they’ve continued to warm hearts and move feet throughout the country!
“Brandishing four Grand Ole Opry-worthy vocalists-frequently harmonizing to thrilling effect-as well as three other accomplished musicians, Or, the Whale throw one hell of a barn dance.”-San Francisco Bay Guardian www.orthewhale.com
B E L L E M A H

Bellemah features beautiful melodic rock fronted by the sweetest voice in all of Albuquerque! www.bellemah.com

FRIDAY AUGUST 8 8 PM $8
THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF A SANTA FE LEGEND

THE GLUEY BROTHERS

WITH VERY SPECIAL GUESTS DJ ROCQUE RINALDI & DJ COCQUI

The fusion of funk, rap, and metal is hardly a new trick, but what make California’s Gluey Brothers one of the smarter novelty acts to come along recently is their deftly delivered performance art shtick: wild, prop-driven theatrics that are both offbeat hilarious and well-rehearsed. Best of all, dual frontmen MC Tahina and King Hummus seem virtually telepathic, never missing out on a shared punchline. Join the fun! This will be the release party for the GLUEY BROTHERS first ever DVD, RIO VISTA VISUALS-VOL. 1! www.myspace.com/glueybros

SUNDAY AUGUST 10 7 PM $10
MICHAEL HEARNE
& SXSW

Southwest Americana with New Mexico’s favorite country-western dance band! www.michaelhearne.com

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FOR THESE GREAT SHOWS AT THE PUB & GRILL!
The TAJ MAJAL TRIO WED AUG 13
TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS SUN AUG 17
RECKLESS KELLY with Jason Boland & the Stragglers SUN AUG 21
JJ GREY & MOFRO with the Hill Country Revue TUES SEPT 9
JOHN HIATT & the AGELESS BEAUTIES with the Sean Healen Duo WED SEPT 10
The SKATALITES TUES OCT 14
PICK UP YOUR TICKETS TODAY AT THE PUB & GRILL AT THE SFBC,
THE LENSIC BOX OFFICE 505.988.1234, OR ORDER ONLINE AT www.ticketssantafe.com

UPCOMING AT THE PUB AND GRILL
TUESDAY AUGUST 12 7:30 PM $10
T H E L A W S
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13 7:30 $32 ADVANCE / $36 DOOR
TAJ MAHAL
TRIO
FRIDAY AUGUST 15 8 PM $10
GREEN MOUNTAIN GRASS
SUNDAY AUGUST 17 6 PM $30 ADVANCE / $35 DOOR
TOOTS & the MAYTALS
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20 7:30 PM $10
The BELLEVILLE OUTFIT
THURSDAY AUGUST 21 6:30 PM $17 ADVANCE / $20 DOOR
R E C K L E S S K E L L Y
WITH SPECIAL GUEST
JASON BOLAND & the STRAGGLERS
FRIDAY AUGUST 22 7 PM $15 ADVANCE / $20 DOOR
THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
THE YELLOW DUB SQUAD
SATURDAY AUGUST 23 4 PM to MIDNIGHT JUST $10! KID U-12 FREE!
FROGFEST III
CELEBRATING 5 FROGTASTIC YEARS!
8 HOURS OF LOVE & MUSIC!
F E A T U R I N G
HUNDRED YEAR FLOOD GOSHEN NATHAN MOORE TAARKA BORIS &the SALTLICKS
JOE WEST XOE FITZGERALD TIMETRAVELING TRANSVESTITE THE BILL HEARNE TRIO
SUNDAY AUGUST 24 7 PM $10
BILL HEARNE’S
ROADHOUSE REVUE
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 27 7 PM No Cover
OPEN MIC NIGHT
HOSTED BY JASON REED
FRIDAY AUGUST 29 8 PM $10
THE SOUTH AUSTIN JUG BAND
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 3 7:30 PM $5
T H E G O U G E R S
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5 9 PM $10 ADVANCE / $15 DOOR
THE STRING CHEESE INCIDENT
HI-DEF RED ROCKS VIRTUAL MOVIE EXPERIENCE
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6 7 PM $10
THE MOTHER TRUCKERS
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7 7 PM $5
SYD MASTERS & the SWING RIDERS
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 9 6:30 PM $18 ADVANCE / $25 DOOR
JJ GREY & MOFRO
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
THE HILL COUNTRY REVUE
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 10 7:30 $37 ADVANCE / $40 DOOR
J O H N H I A T T
and the

Concerts Selling Out in First Week of 2008 Season

If you haven’t already ordered your tickets, act now!

The 36th season of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival is off to a strong start – great music, great artists and capacity audiences! Several of Week One’s concerts were completely sold out, attesting to the popularity of this season’s programming and guest artists. Some tickets are still available for next week, so don’t hesitate – order your tickets now!

A sample of the phenomenal music offerings next week include:

The renowned Orion String Quartet performs their long- awaited for second installment of the Beethoven String Quartet Cycle on August 6th, 7th, 10th, and 11th. Last year’s concerts were completely sold out, so don’t miss this great quartet playing some of the sublime music ever written.

On Saturday, August 9th pianist Benjamin Hochman performs Bach’s Goldberg Variations.

In addition to Bach and Beethoven, you can also participate in three world premieres. The premiere of Musical America’s 2008 Composer of the Year, Kaija Saariaho’s Festival Co-Commission, Serenatas, will be played by the celebrated ensemble Real Quiet on August 3rd, 4th and 6th. Don’t miss this – the composer allows the musicians to choose the performance order of the movements – each of the three performances could be completely different!

The premiere of Huang Ruo’s Festival Commission, Real Loud, also performed by Real Quiet is on August 6th.

August 5th features the world premiere of Festival artistic director and composer/pianist Marc Neikrug’s Piece for Pro Piano Hamburg Steinway Model D & Marimba One, performed by Mr. Neikrug and Drew Lang playing a huge, five-octave marimba.

Of course, there’s much more – call, go online or stop by the box office for more details. See you next week!

To order your tickets, please call 505.982.1890 or visit www.santafechambermusic.com.

Don’t miss out, this is an incredible season. Both concerts I have attended were packed and really exciting! Plus being downtown on the plaza in the early evening is really romantically marvelous. It’s Santa Fe Charm that has a way of catching you off guard even after years of living here. Last night, after the concert, we listened to another concert on the plaza by Po Girl. We then went to Ortega’s for appetizer and two musicians from the Hoo Doo’s were playing. We went to LA Fonda for a biger bite to eat and presto Bill Hearne a famous fellow from here was playing. AS we left the restaurant to go home, a latin band was playing music on the sidewalk. Bravo!

A cool breeze, the starry night, surrounded by beauty. Ahhh! Get some chamber music tickets and go deep into the profound soul of mystical music. It’s your chance now to catch these amazing shows!

Visual Arts
Art Exhibits, Studio Tours, and more…

Maria Moya’s solo show at Mariposa Gallery
Maria Consuelo Moya has a solo show upstairs at Mariposa, opening First Friday as part of the First Friday Artscrawl events across the city. Moya is a prolific artist displaying collage, vessels, shrines, nests, bundled offerings and dolls for this beautiful installation. Her work can be intricate and delicate but always amazing. Downstairs will be the work of Kenyon Thomas and daughters Mary Thomas and Sarah Siltala, one of New Mexico’s most talented families.
Reception Friday, August 1, 5-8pm
Mariposa Gallery
3500 Central Ave. SE
(505) 268-6828
mariposa- gallery.com

Take Back at THE LAND/gallery
Take Back is the second manifestation of a proposal, submitted in the form of a poem, sent to THE LAND/an art site, by three women in Maine: Constant Albertson, Susan Camp and Andy Mauery. The work focuses on the translation from the work completed on-site at THE LAND to the gallery’s white walls and ceiling. THE LAND maintains both an in-town gallery space and a 40-acre outdoor site devoted exclusively to site- specific, environmentally low-impact, land-based art. Artists include installation artists, sculptors, painters, video and sound artists, musicians, dancers, architects and engineers, and writers.
Reception Friday, July 25, 5-8pm
THE LAND/gallery
419 Granite Ave. NW
(505) 242-1501
landartsite.org

Pottery Demonstration at Petroglyph Monument
Josephine Fragua makes pottery based on old traditions. She collects natural clay and white sand from the Jemez Mountains just as her mother and grandmother showed her years ago. She will talk about her pottery and demonstrate how it is made this Saturday and Sunday.
Demonstrations Sat-Sun, July 26-27, 10-4
Petroglyph National Monument
6001 Unser Blvd. NW
(505) 899-0205
nps.gov/petr

Remembering Barbara Pfaff
Exhibit 208 will host a show of work by Albuquerque artist Barbara Pfaff who passed away in 2006. Her friends and family have put together a collection of her work from 1980-2006.
Reception Friday, August 1, 5-8pm
Exhibit 208
208 Dartmouth Drive NE
(505) 266-4292
exhibit208.com

Hall-Strauss, Lohan and Redman at Coleman Gallery
Christina Hall-Strauss, Erica Lohan and Don Redman open at Coleman Gallery with acrylic paintings (Christina), acrylic and graphite works (Erica) and steel sculpture (Don). Coleman Gallery Contemporary Art is an Albuquerque favorite for art by New Mexico’s (mostly) abstract artists.
Reception Saturday, August 2, 3-5pm
Coleman Gallery Contemporary Art
4115 Silver SE
(505) 232-0224
colema ncontemporary.com

Performing Arts
Theater, Dance, Lectures, Poetry and more …

Document This! a workshop
In conjunction with the Trappings exhibition, 516 Arts is hosting a two-part workshop series in documentary filmmaking and oral histories led by Sarah Wentzel- Fisher and Basement Films. Students will generate and synthesize oral histories into a finished collaborative video art piece, learning basic concepts of documentary filmmaking and digital editing. A culminating FREE public screening of the finished work will take place Saturday, August 2 at 9pm. The workshop is open to teens and adults (high school and up). Space is limited - advance registration required. $20 fee covers both sessions.
Video Art Workshop Sat. July 26 and Aug. 2, 10am- noon
516 Arts
516 Central SW Downtown
(505) 242-1445, Bryan Kaiser
516arts.org

The Madness of King Georgie Bush at N4th
An exploration of current events and a parody of the current administration set in the Elizabethan era and written in iambic pentameter. This play by Richard B. Edwards takes a unique look at contemporary politics. Directed by Lou Ann Graham. Runs through July 27. All tickets $10.
Performance Fri-Sat July 18-19 8pm, Sun July 20 2pm N4th Theater and Gallery
4901 Fourth St. NW
(505) 702-7692 or 344-4542 vsartsnm.org

The Ballet Pro Musica Festival at NHCC
Dancers from the Mexico-City based National Ballet of Mexico along with the Felbert Chamber Virtuosi led by violinist David Felbert will perform at National Hispanic Cultural Center next weekend. The performance will include Apollo (Mendelssohn/Balanchine), Miroirs (Ravel/Godden) and Concerto Grosso (Bach/Ossadnik). There is a special FREE children’s program Friday July 31. Check web site for other festival events.
Performances Fri-Sat, Aug.1-2 8pm, Sun, Aug.3 2pm
National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 Fourth St. SW
(505) 352-1281
balletpromusic a.org

Music
musical performances, workshops and festivals

Salsa Nuevo Mexicano Nosotros at the El Rey
Join the folks at the historic El Rey Theater for an evening of Salsa with local favorites Nosotros. A special treat will be dance lessons from Arthur Murray Studios. This is a 21+ event.
Performance Friday, July 25, 8pm
Historic El Rey Theater
624 Central Ave. SW Downtown
(505) 242-2353
elreytheater.com

Summer Fun and Music in Placitas
Join the folks at Rockin’R and enjoy The Bill Hearne Trio plus Auge Hays on steel guitar under cool Placitas skies on Sunday. Bring your own chairs, food and drinks.
Performance Sunday, July 27, 7pm
Rockin’ R Gallery in Placitas
north on I-25, right at exit 242 (Highway 165) go 2 miles. Just past Homestead Village on the left.
(505) 867-9595 for reservations and information

Third Annual New Mexico Jazz Festival
Performances at the Outpost Performance Space as well as other Albuquerque and Santa Fe venues continue through July 28 with the one and only Preservation Hall Jazz Band wrapping things up Monday at the Lensic in Santa Fe. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band gets its name from Preservaton Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter since 1961. The band has been referred to as a bridge across the ages, a link between the present day and the heyday of traditional New Orleans music. On this tour the band is Mark Braud (trumper and vocal), Clint Maegden (vocal), Elliott Stackman Callier (reeds), Frederick Lonzo (trombone), Rickie Monie (piano), Walter Payton (bass and vocal) and Joseph Lastie Jr. (drums). Check out dates, times, ticket information and details at the Outpost’s website.
Performances July 25-27
Santa Fe and Albuquerque locations
(505) 268-0044
outpostspace.org

2008 Women’s Voices Festival
An annual tribute to the outstanding women vocalists in New Mexico which began in 1993. On Friday enjoy Charmed, Dianna Hughe, Patti Littlefield, Kari Simmons and Hillary Smith. Saturday - The Buckarettes, Jenny Marlow, Busy McCarroll, Madi Sato and Susan Clark. Doors open at 6:30 and all concerts occur rain or shine. The Cooperage offers a fine selection of grilled entrees, salads, desserts and a full-service bar. A portion of the proceeds from their sales benefits the NM Jazz Workshop Institute of Music.
Performances Fri-Sat, July 25-26, 7-10pm
The Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater
2000 Mountain Road NW
(505) 255-9798
nmjazz.org

Fishtank Ensemble
A unique and truly wordly musical experience, this band evokes the spirit of a past age and the sounds of tomorrow. This lively and unusual group consists of extremely talented musicians mastering their respective instruments: violin, saw, accordion, shamisen, flamenco guitar, contrabass, percussion and voice. Romanian folk music forms the bulk of the material with a healthy helping of flamenco, Swedish folk music, klezmer, Gypsy jazz, other folk sources as well as original songs. An AMP production.
Performance Wednesday, July 30, 7:30pm
The Cooperage
7220 Lomas Blvd. NE
(505) 232-9868
Buy tickets on-line through Brown Paper Tickets or by phone: 1-800-838-3006
abqmusic.com

Film Arts
art films, films about art, and news from the Film Industry

NM Short Film wins Best of Show in Utah
Things We Do For Love won the Best of Show Grand Jury prize as well as Audience Favorite awards at the 2008 Fear No Film Festival in Salt Lake City. The short film was written and directed by NM filmmaker Don Gray and was shot in conjunction with the NM Film Technician Training Program at Northern New Mexico Community College in El Rito. It is about how far one family is willing to go to show their love for one another. Set in a small town in Northern New Mexico - coffins, fresh graves and a parade of odd funerals provide the backdrop for the story. The film was shot over five days in El Rito, Ojo Caliente and Abiquiu.

Civic Cinema on Civic Plaza
Watch a classic film under the stars. Popcorn, beverages and more will be available. Some seating is available but blankets and chairs may be brought for your comfort. No alcoholic beverages or glass containers are allowed. Pets must be on leash. So bring the kids and Rover and have a great time sharing in the magic of movie classics. The season ends August 1 with the movie voted #1 by Albuquerque residents.
Friday, July 25 - Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) with Audrey Hepburn.
Friday, August 1 - Young Frankenstein (1974) with Gene Wilder and Madeline Kahn.

The Art in Film Series will return August 2-3 with The Treasures of Long Gone John. This is a documentary about the eccentric art and musical obsessions of indie record producer Long Gone John. He compulsively amassed a vast collection of art and pop ephemera. Using interviews with artists, collectors, gallery owners and musicians, this is an exciting trip through the fascinating world of art, music and popular culture.
The Guild Cinema
3405 Central NE
(505) 255-1848
guildcinema.com

Workshops, calls for entry, workshops and more opportunities
A complete listing of auditions and other calls as well as every type of arts event can be referenced at the Arts Alliance website where you can also subscribe to their all new Something to Do Online Newsletter.
www.abqarts.org

Read on…