CIMARRON, NEW MEXICO

                         Heart of the Historic West

                                         Est. 1857

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Cimarron Chamber of

Commerce

P.O. Box 604

Cimarron, NM 87714

cimarronnm@gmail.com

575-376-2417

1-888-376-2417

 

Above mural of wild mustangs

by local artist

Melinda Marlowe

 

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the Cimarron Chamber of

Commerce.

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including photos and artwork,

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PO Box 121, Cimarron, NM 87714

SHORTGRASS MUSIC FESTIVAL 2009

Celebrating the fifth season

think globally     listen locally

AUGUST 6 and SEPTEMBER 17, 18, 19 2009 

CIMARRON, NEW MEXICO

August 6

Download Brochure.pdf

MIAMI, NM—American tenor Charles Workman, who debuts with the Santa Fe Opera this summer, will give a performance Thursday, August 6, at the home of Landon Young in Miami, NM. An event two and a half years in the making, the recital will combine the talents of Mr. Workman and legendary pianist Landon Young for an evening of voice and piano to benefit the ShortGrass Music Festival, now celebrating its fifth season of concert weekends in Cimarron, NM. Heavy hors d'oeuvres following the program will be served by the Miami Opera Guild.

Pianist LANDON YOUNG retired to Miami, NM, after a career that took him all over the US, Europe and South America. He has taught at Denison University, the University of California, St. John's College and United World College in Las Vegas, NM, and is founder/director of the ShortGrass Music Festival. His knowledge of the business, the music and the musicians themselves have helped the ShortGrass Music Festival bring music of all kinds to the schools, theatres and parish halls of northeastern New Mexico. This is the second benefit held at his orchard home in Miami. The first, two seasons ago, was a solo performance by Mr. Young in his music room-an open, light, acoustically fine space big enough for a modest crowd but small enough to close the gap between the audience and the marvelous sound of his piano.

CHARLES WORKMAN has performed with most of the world's leading opera houses and orchestras. In 1995, after three seasons with the Metropolitan Opera, Mr. Workman moved to London and began to work primarily in Europe where he was quickly established as a highly regarded interpreter of Mozart, Rossini and French opera.

He is also the younger brother of Miami resident and endurance rider Susie Jones, who takes some credit for getting him started. "I had to baby sit him a lot and taught him nursery rhymes and rounds." She freely admits that Charles was the one with the talent. He sang in elementary school, became interested in children's theatre and musicals and performed in them through high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. With an eye on Broadway, he went on to college as an actor interested in musicals until his voice teacher encouraged him to concentrate on opera, where he found the outlet for both singing and acting.  His dramatic background gave him an advantage over performers who had the voice and the range but needed coaching to make a role come to life.

When Mr. Workman's dialogue with the Santa Fe Opera began about three years ago, his sister told him about the ShortGrass Music Festival.  He was impressed that the organization strives to bring such a variety of music to this rural area and offered to give a benefit performance if/when he came to Santa Fe.  Plans for the benefit began in earnest in late 2008.

The Miami Opera Guild was started after Susie's friends and neighbors learned that the tenor would be coming to Santa Fe.  As she explains it, "It was at my Christmas party and started almost as a joke - 'got an opera star coming, need a guild!'"  She partnered with artist Anne Wu and educator Ellen Butler, both Miami residents who share an appreciation for opera, to form the Miami Opera Guild.  Although it is a very informal organization, Guild members are serious about the promotion and enjoyment of great music.  The Guild is looking forward to providing hors d'oeuvres for the benefit.

The ShortGrass Music Festival depends entirely on ticket sales, donations and benefits to pay for performers and concert production costs, piano tuners, lodging and venues. This particular program presents a marvelous opportunity to enjoy truly world-class music performed live within the adobe walls of a private home right here in the short grass country. Seating will be limited; it is recommended that tickets be purchased as early as possible. Tickets are $35.00, include wine and hors d'oeuvres, and are on sale now at Blue Moon Eclectics in Cimarron, or can be reserved by telephone: 575.376.9040 or 888.222.4174 toll free.

 An Evening of Voice & Piano • 7 p.m. Thursday evening, 6 August 2009 • Miami, NM

 Directions: Follow highway 21 from Springer or Cimarron to Miami; turn south, toward the mesas, at Miami's single perfect crossroads in the center of town; Landon's house is about halfway up the road on the right, among the apple trees.

 

Sept. 17

Zuill Bailey (Cello) and Nayah Perlman (Piano)

Zuill Bailey's rare combination of artistr, technical finesse and engaging personality has secured his place as one of the most sought-after cellists today.  Performing with him this evening will be Navah Perlman, a lyrical, poetic pianist who partners with Bailey on many occasions.

7pm, United Methodist Church, Cimarron, New Mexico

$20 General admission, $15 Seniors, $5 Students, $50 reserved

 

Sept. 1

Chuy Martinez and Oti Ruiz

Chuy Martinez is a guitarist, singer, song writer, folklorist with more than 30 years of experience playing music, writing songs and doing theatre.  He records with harpist, singer and violinist Oti Ruiz who has played music since the age of 13.  His love for Latino folklore has taken him throughout Central and Latin America.

7pm, Sister Hildegarde Smith Parish Hall, Cimarron, New Mexico

$20 General admission, $15 Seniors, $5 Students, $50 reserved

 

Sept. 19

The Buckarettes

Katie Gill and D.J. Parker, harmonies; Susan Clark accordion; Amy Blackburn, fiddle; and Jared Putnam, stand-up base--have been together since 1997, enjoying regional success ever since.  Their musicianship, harmonies, and magnetic stage presence have stolen the hearts of delighted fans everywhere.

7pm, Colfax Tavern, Colfax, New Mexico (near Cimarron along Route 64)

$10 Cover charge, Must be 21 to attend

 

Season Tickets $40 for all three performances.  ($3.50 handling charge applies.)

 

Tickets are available now at Blue Moon Eclectic as well as other businesses in Cimarron.

Please call 575-376-9040 or toll free at 888-222-4174 for further information on tickets, reservations and festival updates.

 

 

 

About the Short Grass Festival:

Cimarron's ShortGrass Music Festival grew out of a wish to enjoy live music without leaving town.  It is now a nonprofit organization with a commitment to bringing fine music to local venues for audiences of all backgrounds and ages.  Free community concerts and support for area schools through interactive performance workshops and scholarships are part of this vision.

The generosity of our contributors allows the ShortGrass Music Festival to offer outstanding music performances in scenic Cimarron, New Mexico.  It also makes possible the performance workshop and scholarship program begun in 2007 for Colfax County students.  Sponsors will be recognized in our concert programs.  All donations are tax deductable to the extent provided by law.