By Rudy J. Miera

“We hope to bring back the feel of a local community-centered event” for the revived Fathers’ Day Concert, said Friends of Corrales Library (FOCL) President Jo Anne Roake. “We are trying to keep the advertising local and hope to appeal to local people, hoping they will bring their children and family members and bring a picnic.” 

She explained that the idea to revive the event is primarily for fun and celebration. Although the main objective of the Friends is to support and raise funds for programs, the purpose for the free Father’s Day Concert in La Entrada Park this year is social. 

FOCL just finished its spring book sale. Money raised goes to support the numerous programs offered to children, teens and adults. The fundraising also ensures that the library can add to the excellent DVD and musical CD collection and the subscription to The New York Times.

“We hope that people will come for the Art in the Park event earlier in the day and stay for the music,” Roake said. “We have two great bands, The Buckarettes, a female country and western group, and Le Chat Lunatique,  which plays a diverse offering of jazz and other popular musical numbers.” “Both have been very kind to us and are good for dancing.”

Looking back on the previous history of the Fathers’ Day Concerts in Corrales, Roake noted, “It was important that local musicians like Lewie Wickham, Frank Larrabee, and the Watermelon Mountain Jug Band played and it meant something to the locals.” 

Eventually, the popularity of the annual event grew and grew and by the time that nationally-recognized musicians like Jerry Jeff Walker and Buffy St.Marie played, the turnout was extraordinary; the event almost became like a victim of its own success. 

The concert this year will be an all-ages, family event from 5 to 8 p.m.  Visitors can bring their own food, umbrellas and frisbees. Water will be provided. Raffle drawings will take place for prizes ranging from a hand-stitched quilt to a family photograph by Corrales photographer Mary Hobbs. 

Based on the turnout at the upcoming June 17 event, future concerts may be planned, maybe larger or more comprehensive, possibly including vendors.  Concertgoers are strongly encouraged to park their vehicles at the Recreation Center (south of La Entrada Park) and to make the short walk to where the festivities will be centered. Pet owners are asked to courteously keep their animals at home for this event. Alcohol is not permitted in the park.

Head Librarian Carla Spencer describes the upcoming event as “a way to come together and celebrate dads in a beautiful place. It is a chance to revive memories for some fathers and a time to make new memories for younger dads.” 

Ever summer FOCL funds pay for special programs for children. Special events in June and July include: art activities for tweens and teens; live performances by Los Primos, playing Mexican folk music, the Wise Fool Puppet show, world stories and dance by John Stokes, Nancy Latuja and family; and the annual Summer Reading Program and adult craft programs like the upcoming jewelry-making session.

Sandra Baldonado, the primary organizer of the adult activities, would like to invite any and all adults to attend the upcoming cumbia and ranchera dance lessons that will take place in the park bandshell on Wednesday, May 30 at 2:30 p.m. No prior experience is required and although she encourages people to sign up in advance at the Library, participants can just show up and learn from Israela Garcia and her assistants. 

Activities are determined by surveys, she added.) An introduction to New Mexican jewelry-making, will be taught by Marcella Tapia on July 25. 

Roake points out the fact that life-long Corrales resident Edwina Tafoya has worked with generations of children and young adults. FOCL funds have allowed her to purchase the paper, paint, cardboard and wood for projects that have included mosaic tile for stained glass works. 

For the past several years the FOCL has provided a budget of from $5,000 to $6,000 for the programs that pay for a wide range of materials for programs. That financial support covers the cost of keeping the website domain current and stipends for visiting performance artists, as well as paying for maintenance for the pond and buying furniture for the library.

Cynthia Maurizio has taken the lead in developing a DVD library of quality classic and contemporary films. She is constantly acquiring new movies with the budget made available by the FOCL fundraising. 

“Our DVD collection rivals that of any big city collection,” Maurizio pointed out. “In fact, we currently have eight out of the 10 films nominated for this year’s Academy Award for “Best Picture.” Over 1,200 titles circulate on a monthly basis.” Recent acquisitions include Hugo, The Adventures of TinTin, Warhorse, The Tree of Life and The Descendants. 

Patrons wishing to reserve a movie can do so by calling 897-0733 or by going to the website at www.corraleslibrary.org. The website also has a link to the FOCL for those wishing to start a membership or get caught up with current news.

The DVD library has a wide variety of films, including: classic, silent, documentary, film noir, foreign, current popular, global and some not found in other libraries, especially “Shot in New Mexico” films. Included are Blue Alchemy and Agnes Martin by Corrales documentary filmmaker Mary Lance. 

 Roake said parking for the concert can be accommodated at the rec center but she is also asking visitors to consider walking or bicycling to La Entrada Park.