Dia De Los Muertos and Marigold Parade, Albuquerque

My daughter made these corsages from silk flowers and prairie dog skulls that Colin found when hiking.  They will wear them at the Dia De Los Muertos and Marigold Parade in Albuquerque.  

Theme: El agua es la vida, no se vende se defiende means (loosely translated by my high school Spanish) "Water is life, it is not to be sold, but defended."

I walked along side of Brittany last year to provide a shoulder to hang onto when she tired.  She had been ill but was determined to walk on stilts with Colin.

Here are some photos from last year...

You could purchase a hat or silk flowers from one of many vendors at the culmination of the parade.

  A float at rest after the parade.

 Along the parade route.

 Brittany and her friend, Rhonda (don't come with a bare face, you might feel a little naked!)

 But if you don't have any face make-up, you can buy a face...

Or paint a little face...

Brittany and Colin on their stilts...

Dancing!

 Resting.

I will be having fun at the parade with my grown (well somewhat grownup) children.

Ofrendas are a part of the Dia De Los Muertos tradition.

Notice the photographs?  These are family members or friends who have died.  The altar is created to remember them.  My church, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, creates an Ofrenda every year for parishioners to remember their loved ones on All Saints Day.  This year it is also showcasing many of the icons of saints painted in the ongoing icon classes.  New classes will be forming soon if you would like to learn "icon writing."  Sign up to receive our newsletter for more information.

Or if parades and calaveras are not your thing, come to the Fairgrounds this weekend to view the Encantadas Opening Reception.  My friend and fellow artist, Allen Lowery will have some of his artwork hanging.

So much fun, so little time!

All Jazzed Up, Creative Lives Series, Justin Ray

Humans may be the only species that are able to reflect on the wonder of participating in creation as we bring our own offspring into the world. 

This post is for all my friends who watched Justin grow up and cheered on his career as a professional musician.  Justin and Natalie Grinnell Ray are parents of a brand new baby boy, Wyatt Grinnell Ray.

  This creative endeavor is just the latest in Justin's accomplishments.  

Natalie and Wyatt

Growing up in Albuquerque, Justin was a favorite guest musician at his home parish, St. Mark's Episcopal Church. No Christmas Eve was complete without his triumphant trumpet announcing the arrival of the baby Jesus.  I am wondering if the birth of this newest member of his family will warrant a trumpet serenade as well?  Welcome to world, baby Wyatt.  You can be proud of your Daddy.  Have your grandmother, Marianna, read this to you when you are older.

About Justin Ray

Designed by Studio 41 Creative | Copyright 2014 Justin-Ray.com

 

Justin Ray has been a professional musician for almost 20 years. While attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, he began to earn a reputation as a fiery and compelling trumpet soloist, comfortable in a wide variety of styles.  After finishing his degree, Ray relocated to Los Angeles and quickly became one of the most in demand musicians in the region.  He performed regularly with jazz legends like drummers Dave Weckl and Peter Erskine, vocalist Kurt Elling, pianists Bill Cunliffe and Alan Pasqua, and a host of others.  

In 2003, Ray accepted an offer from Warner Bros. recording artist Michael Buble to join his group.  

Photo by Frank Zipperer  Image via

"Justin has worked with Michael Buble as an instrumentalist, composer, arranger, etc.  Michael Buble said about Justin, "My fondest memory of Justin was at the Las Vegas Hilton in 2006.  During Justin's astounding solo on "Smile" one night, a lady in the audience rose to her feet to applaud his performance.  She turned out to be Justin's Mum and looked so proud of her immensely talented son up on stage. It was a truly remarkable reaction to an overwhelming performance.  As much as Justin plays his heart out every performance, you couldn't help but feel he had found a little something extra that evening to give his mum."  From an article by by Eddie LeShure found here

“My fondest memory of Justin was at the Las Vegas Hilton in 2006. During Justin’s astounding high-energy solo on “Smile” one night, a lady in the audience rose to her feet to applaud his performance. She turned out to be Justin’s mum and looked so proud of her immensely talented son up on stage. It was a truly remarkable reaction to an overwhelming performance. As much as Justin plays his heart out every night, you couldn’t help but feel that he’d found a little something extra that evening, just to give his mum!” ~ Singer Michael Buble - See more at: http://www.rapidrivermagazine.com/2012/jazz-profile-justin-ray/#sthash.MPLazjuZ.dpuf

“My fondest memory of Justin was at the Las Vegas Hilton in 2006. During Justin’s astounding high-energy solo on “Smile” one night, a lady in the audience rose to her feet to applaud his performance. She turned out to be Justin’s mum and looked so proud of her immensely talented son up on stage. It was a truly remarkable reaction to an overwhelming performance. As much as Justin plays his heart out every night, you couldn’t help but feel that he’d found a little something extra that evening, just to give his mum!” ~ Singer Michael Buble - See more at: http://www.rapidrivermagazine.com/2012/jazz-profile-justin-ray/#sthash.2J4fJkPX.dpuf

 He has toured 45 countries, appeared on Grammy-winning recordings, and has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, such as Madison Square Garden, the Sydney Opera House, Radio City Music Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl.  Justin has also made a number of TV appearances, including multiple performances on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Saturday Night Live.  

Justin has recorded three records under his own name.  The first is a self-titled collection of his hard-bop tinged originals.  His next, “Love Songs”, is a combination of jazz and beatnik-style poetry featuring works from artists as diverse as Allen Ginsberg and Star Trek’s Commander Data.  The third, “Evil Man Blues” (which is set to be released in summer 2014) features Ray  both as trumpeter and vocalist on a collection of jazz standards.

 
When he is not touring, Ray makes his home in Asheville NC, and is an active member of its vibrant musical community.

Buy Justin Ray's new album "Love Songs" here

For more information about Justin visit the following sites.

http://mountainx.com/arts/art-news/120512songs_in_the_key_of_love/
http://www.wncwoman.com/2012/06/04/men-making-music-and-making-music-happen/

If you would like to hear Justin play with Michael Buble, you can purchase tickets here
	http://justin-ray.com/about-justin-ray/
	Fair warning, however.  You will have to to travel to Budapest, Cracow, Vienna, Ljubljana (Slovenia), Italy, Germany, or the United Kingdom until after Christmas as Michael Buble's band will be on tour in Europe in November & December. The small painting (for a larger image, click here)  I made as a gift for the new baby is hanging in Wyatt's room.  Perhaps, I should have painted a portrait of Wyatt's father instead?
	I am guessing Marianna will be helping Natalie with Wyatt for those two months.

Short Santa Fe Sojourn

Our guest room has been feeling uncharacteristically useful recently.  It sits empty too much of the time.   A friend from high school (and NO we will not share how long ago that was!) visited this week.  She traveled from the wet and cool northwest to our sunny, crisp fall.  When asked what she most wanted to do, she replied, "Eat New Mexican Food!"  By which she did not mean "Tex-Mex" or "California Fusion."  Rather she was longing for that unique food that we grew up eating.  Chile spelled with an "e" at the end.  "Red, Green, or Christmas."  Chile Rellenos made with Big Jim's not poblanos.  Sopapillas dripping with honey.

We had made reservations at the El Rey in Santa Fe, so that we could spend a night and have plenty of time for galleries, shopping, and eating.  Okay, mostly eating!

My sister Rosalind always loved staying at the El Rey when she traveled for work, but I had never been there.  Below (I took all the photos unless they are attributed) is what we found...
 

Here is what you see from the street....but surprise, behind this building you will find five acres of a little oasis sheltered from traffic on the busy Cerrillos Road.  Above photo Via

 

 

No two rooms are decorated alike, but they are all spacious and very comfortable.  Take a look at El Rey's website to see images. (I don't receive any money for recommending either restaurants or lodgings...just like to share my personal preferences.)

We arrived in Santa Fe at 1:00 p.m., so the first order of business was lunch.  Mary wanted to return to the Blue Corn Cafe, which she and her husband had enjoyed on a previous visit.  We ran into another of my friend's, Betsy, who had brought her brother, visiting from San Francisco, to Santa Fe.  

My Southwestern Cobb Salad was wonderful, containing enough real bacon to make several BLT's and much too large to finish, but Mary's choice of Corn Chowder had me asking for more than one taste.  Next time I will order an entire bowl for myself.

Photo Via

 After lunch, we charged off to visit the shops and galleries, stopping, of course, at my childhood favorite, Doodlets.  After 50 years, it continues to delight me.  I purchased a few things for my grandchildren and a miniature witch for Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  Mary loved this little jack-o-lantern sculpture..

The small black crow is by a Navajo carver, Ray Lansing his wife Alondra.

 

Ray and Alondra Lansing Photo Via

and she insisted on coming home with me from Sun Country Traders.  My owl is viewing her with suspicion.  Wise owl. Crows are notorious thieves, but I love her little frown!

Mary managed to find earrings to match several pieces of jewelry that she had purchased over the years.  Altogether a successful afternoon.  

Photo via

A little indulgent soak in the outdoor Jacuzzi at the El Rey revived us and we dressed (not "dressed up" because putting on a turquoise jewelry with your jeans are considered dressing for dinner in Santa Fe) and made it in time to have a Margarita in the bar at the Shed before our dinner reservations.  You can see photos of the Shed in a previous post here. They now take reservations for dinner, but you had better call the day before!

Which means I will soon be phoning The Shed for another reservation as we are expecting more guests this coming weekend.  Also from the Seattle area.  Could they be escaping the rains?  My guest room is ecstatic. 

Breakfast the next morning was Chile Rellenos at Pasqual's. 

 

With really great coffee and both red and green chile on board we headed out for a last look at galleries.

Then met my daughter out on Old Pecos Trail at a relatively new establishment (for Santa Fe) called Harry's Roadhouse.  My stomach called "uncle" and I ordered a Po' Boy Catfish sandwich, then stared longingly at Mary's enchiladas.

Utterly surfeited both visually and gastronomically we headed back to Albuquerque.