'Fess Up - You Really Do Want to Be a Part of SocorroFest!
Fest this, fest that - how to choose among all the fall festivities that New Mexico has to offer?
Answer: the 9th Annual SocorroFest, a sample of all things festive, from harmonic bands and a harmonica contest to micro-brewed beer and wine and foods of all flavors, at the City of Socorro's finest fest of the year starting Friday night, October 7, and all day Saturday, October 8.
Festivities get under way with a street dance Friday night featuring Austin's Mingo Fishtrap at 6 p.m., and Red Wine at 8 p.m. Mingo Fishtrap plays again on Saturday at 8:30pm.
Mingo Fishtrap, a soul and funk band formed in the mid-1990s in Denton, Texas, plays original funky New Orleans beats with four horns "guaranteed to make you shake it," according to a review of their CD, "Succotash."
You may have caught Red Wine's recent performances in Albuquerque with Paul Revere and the Raiders and Herman's Hermits. The dance band has earned stylin' reviews throughout the southwest.
After ending the night on a high note, wake up early to sample the bounty of Socorro's Farmer's Market starting at 7:30 a.m., and plan to spend the day.
Feast on this: Musical entertainment on three stages (Plaza, City Hall, Capitol Bar), games for kids and vendors with a variety of wares from eats and treats to arts and crafts.
The three-part entertainment package begins at noon and spotlights a spectacular musical lineup including Albuquerque's Soul Kitchen with Chris Dracup and Hillary Smith; Felix y los Gatos; and Ryan McGarvey.
Guitar hero Dracup and vibrant vocalist Smith are the driving force for Soul Kitchen, named Albuquerque's "Best Blues Group" in 2010. One reviewer described their music as "a dynamic blues-drenched sound that musically wanders somewhere between Saturday night revelry and Sunday morning redemption."
Felix y los Gatos have a reputation as the ultimate New Mexico party band with highly talented musicians playing an original style of music called "zydejano," influenced by the rich culture of the state.
Albuquerque rock guitarist Ryan McGarvey, at only 24, already has made a name for himself as the winner of last year's "Ernie Ball 'Play Crossroads' contest," which earned him a berth at the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival in June of 2011. His band is heading for a European tour this fall and a new CD is on the way. What a chance to watch him perform for free in Socorro!
Speaking of which - Socorro's hometown musicians are among the finest bands of their genre, from Doug Figgs and the Cowboy Way, Last Minute Bluegrass, 'Roon, the Rob Lopez Experience, Tom Hunt and a half-dozen others.
Don't forget - the Harmonica Contest begins at 1:00 p.m. on the City Hall stage.
The entry fee for harmonica players is $25 (free for spectators). Contestants have 5 minutes to impress the judges.
If you're thinking about entering the 2011 Harmonica Contest, check out our videos of last year's winners!
Coming from the north? Socorro Transit shuttles passengers to and from Belen to catch the Rail Runner! See the City website's transportation page for more info.