30th Annual FolkMADness!
Music, Song & Dance Weekend
Socorro, New Mexico
May 23-26, 2025
About FolkMADness
FolkMADness is an all-inclusive 4-day camp in Socorro, New Mexico held Memorial Day Weekend at New Mexico Tech. The weekend kicks off with dinner, followed by a concert and contra dance on Friday evening and the final dances ends at noon on Monday. FolkMADness features all-day dancing, plus concerts, jamming, and day-time singing and instrumental workshops by featured musicians and callers.
Walk-ins welcome! Come for an evening, a full day, or the entire weekend! Online registration is now closed. View ticket prices.
Questions? Contact Lindsay Taylor.
Schedule
30th Annual FolkMADness ScheduleUse the arrows to scroll through the days.
Artists
Bands and Music Workshops:
- Jeffrey Spero and Ryan McKasson (Syncopaths) and Ness Smith-Savedoff (The Dam Beavers)
- Larry Unger (Notorious) and Eric Boodman (Calico) and Emily Troll (Pine Tree Flyers and Anadama)
- Lindsay Taylor and Brian Nelson (Glorieta Pines)
- Turquoise Tuners, local intergenerational contra band
Calling and Dance workshops:
Singing Workshops:
- Deirdre Murtha
Callers
Gaye Fifer
Gaye Fifer is an accomplished caller from Pittsburgh, PA. An active dancer herself, Gaye understands the subtleties of making dances particularly satisfying for dancers. Her instructions are clear and concise, as she was a teacher by profession. An easy smile and delightful sense of humor are part of Gaye’s relaxed, pleasant style at the microphone. Gaye calls contra and English dances throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is also an enthusiastic advocate and instructor of contra-style waltz.
Alex Deis-Lauby
A NYC-based folk dancer, caller, teacher, and organizer, Alexandra calls weekends and festivals all over the country. She tours, calling local dances for both contra and English Country Dance. Her clear teaching, smooth voice, and fun dance selection delight dancers coast-to-coast. Alex is excellent with all levels of dancers whether they just walked in the door or have been dancing since before she was born. She has dances for all the folks!
Singing Lead – Deirdre Murtha
Deirdre Murtha is an early childhood music teacher in Fairfield County, CT. Her music, dance, and theater programs bring her to preschools, libraries, camps, and home-based groups. She is a member of the dance education group Pourparler, is certified in Level One Orff, Kodaly, and Dalcroize music education, and holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Hunter College in NYC.
Deirdre grew up steeped in the Irish music tradition and was a step dancer from an early age. She continues to sing and play bodhran and keyboard in Irish sessions. She got hooked on maritime music after attending chantey sings at South Street Seaport in NYC in the 1990’s. She has been a mem- ber of the Seaport’s resident chantey group, The New York Packet, since then and also a member of the maritime and sea chantey group, The John- son Girls (www.thejohnsongirls.com). She also performs with her husband, Sean (Irish traditional, old-time, Rev. and Civil War, maritime) and together they run a monthly Chantey Sing in Rowayton, CT.
Band and Music Workshops
Jeff Spero, Ryan McKasson, and Ness Smith-Savedoff
Larry Unger, Eric Boodman, and Emily Troll
Glorieta Pines
“They sang with joy together; harmonizing to make the sounds of their voices become emotionally complete.” – Daniel Donnelly, Mumble Music
The songs of Glorieta Pines are inspired by the happenings of the world as seen through the lens of the American Southwest. The duo, comprised of Brian Nelson (guitars, percussion) and Lindsay Taylor (mandolin, tenor guitar, flutes, fiddle), combines insightful songwriting, layered arrangements and tight vocal harmonies, achieving a unique blend of indie-acoustic music.
Turquoise Tuners
The Turquoise Tuners are a multigenerational stringband from Santa Fe, NM. We play traditional fiddle music and sing songs from throughout America and beyond. The Turquoise Tuners have performed for years on the streets of Santa Fe, at the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market, in pubs, and at contradances. The band consists three adults and three teenagers: Nick Kunz (guitar and banjo), Nick’s daughter Sofia Kunz (fiddle), Liliana Reid (fiddle), Eric Carlson (banjo, fiddle, and guitar), Eric’s son Sam Carlson (fiddle), and Elliot Ryan (bass).
Sunny Sampson
Master Percussionist and teacher, with somewhere in the vicinity of 50 years experience in various folk traditions and rhythmic realms, gifts what he’s learned to anyone who cares to listen, for the betterment of individuals and the world at large. Anyone wishing to begin their percussive journey, create more spirit in their music, or find the next golden nugget in their rhythmic quest should definitely not miss his workshop.
Registration Information for 2025
If you have any questions regarding registration options please contact our registrar, Lindsay Taylor.
| 2025 Prices | ||
| Registration type | Adults | Dancing Children (17 & under) |
| Full Weekend Pass (Friday-Monday) | $185 | $90 |
| Evening Passes (6pm-11pm) | $45 | $15 |
| Day Passes (9am-11pm) | $110 | $30 |
| Non-Dancing Children: Free for Events Only! | ||
Registration for weekend passes, day/evening passes remain open through Memorial Day weekend at the door. Prices do not include housing or meals.
Meals: Meals are available in the campus cafeteria for all attendees, beginning with dinner on Friday and ending with lunch on Monday. For those who purchase an on-campus housing package, all meals are included. For those not staying on campus, meals are available for purchase in the cafeteria during designated meal times. Cost for meals are: Breakfast $9; Lunch $10; Dinner $11 (plus tax). Vegetarian, non-dairy and gluten-free choices are available. If you have special dietary restrictions or severe food allergies, please bring what you need, including a cooler. If you need access to refrigeration, we highly recommend staying off-campus at a nearby hotel or Airbnb.
Off-Campus Housing Options – Book Your Own
Hotels: The following hotels are within walking distance to NM Tech’s campus, and have rates from $84-$126/night, depending on how early you book.
Best Western, 1100 N California St, Socorro, NM
Econo Lodge, 713 California St W, Socorro, NM
Holiday Inn Express, 1040 N California St, Socorro, NM
RV Parks:
Casey’s Socorro RV Park, 1101 NM-1, Socorro, NM, 575-835-2234
Socorro RV Spaces, 1207 Frontage Rd NW, Socorro, NM, 505-702-6820
On-Campus Housing Packages – Available for purchase until April 27, 2025
| Full Weekend Dorm Stay + Meals | ||
| Full Camp Registration Type | Double Room (per person) | Single Room (per person) |
| Adults (age 18 and over) | $255 | $285 |
| Children (age 17 and under) | $255 | $285 |
| Children (no bed – age 17 and under) | $90 | N/A |
On-Campus Housing Packages are for Friday afternoon-Monday morning and includes all meals. Prorated rates are not available. Housing is held in three college dorms: Driscoll Hall, Presidents Hall and South Hall. All rooms have two twin beds, a closet, and air conditioning. Bathrooms are shared and are gendered male/female. If you register for a double room and do not request a roommate, one will be assigned to you based on age and gender. NM Tech offers optional linen rentals (sheets, blanket, pillow, and towels) for $24 per person. Please note that this option is only available for purchase until April 27th. After April 27th, you’ll need to book your own housing off campus.
South Hall is ADA accessible and ground floor access is available in South and Driscoll Hall. Presidents Hall is not ADA accessible, as each floor is accessed via steps.
Meals are hosted in the NM Tech campus cafeteria. Vegetarian, non-dairy and gluten-free choices are available. If you have special dietary restrictions or severe food allergies, please bring what you need, including a cooler. If you need access to refrigeration, we highly recommend staying off-campus at a nearby hotel or Airbnb.
Cancellations
Your registration, less $35, will be refunded if you cancel by May 8. After May 8, your full fee will be retained if we cannot find a replacement attendee. However, if you are canceling due to being positive for COVID-19, a full refund will be issued, as long as you can provide proof of a positive test. Email a dated photo to our registrar, Lindsay Taylor to receive a refund.
Volunteering/Snacks
Each camper is asked to volunteer for one shift during the weekend and bring a snack. Check your confirmation email for more information!
Work/Trade Positions
We offer $75-$125 discounts for Work/Trade Positions. To apply for a Work/Trade position contact Tristan Fin and wait for confirmation prior to registering. We request that anyone interested in Work/Trade register prior to April 1st.
Some of the needed jobs are:
- Friday Setup
- Big Gym Setup
- Concert Set Up
- Water Station Setup
- Workshop Setup
- Floor Cleaning Coordinator
- Gym Upkeep
- Snacks Assistant
- Admissions Assistant