Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Mike Dawson is hoping next week's festival at Eastern New Mexico University will become an annual event.
Eastern New Mexico University and the ENMU Foundation will host an inaugural music, arts, film, and masterclass festival on the Portales campus, Tuesday through Sept. 12.
According to an ENMU news release the festival is called "Return of the Hounds: Alumni Masterclass+Festival."
The event "will bring back some of the university's most notable alumni for a three-day event to inspire a new generation of artists, musicians, and journalists."
The festival is the creation of ENMU alum Mike Dawson, who serves as its chief executive producer.
"I grew up in Farmington and arrived at ENMU in 1980," Dawson said Monday.
The ENMU news release describes Dawson as a filmmaker, composer, and music producer with a decades-long industry success record. He is also the founder of Assignment Universe, which produces "big tent" events and partners with educators to promote imaginative thinking and scientific literacy.
Dawson said one of his works was on a project with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, which was a tribute to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
"The film was called 'A Song for Ruth,'" Dawson said.
Dawson said he started a film company in Albuquerque called, "Dreamers2Makers."
"We are filming the festival, making a documentary from this, chronicling," Dawson said.
Dawson sees the festival as a significant event.
"So many of my friends from my college days wanted to do this. ... I believe supporting New Mexican university students and graduates is vital," Dawson said.
Dawson first began discussions with ENMU regarding the festival in 2017. Last year he approached Chancellor James Johnston, "who was immediately supportive and enthusiastic," Dawson said.
Johnston called it a "not to be missed" event that will bring outstanding artists and experts to ENMU.
ENMU alumni expected to participate include Diné jazz musician Delbert Anderson, Native American Veterans Affairs advocate Thomas Bandzul, and pianist Valerie M. Trujillo. Radio/television historian Donna Halper, LA Philharmonic President Kim Noltemy, and award-winning Mexican magical realism artist Jade Leyva are expected to attend as special guests.
As the festival finale, a free community concert on Sept. 12 will feature two-time Grammy-winning artist Robert Mirabal of Taos Pueblo.
The "Return of the Hounds: Alumni Masterclass+Festival" will take place at various spaces on the ENMU campus and will feature live and webinar presentations. Full details and a schedule of events can be found online at: enmu.edu/MasterClass .
Dawson believes the festival will be a landmark event.
"I think it's so important for people to come see the university in a real, new light. Post pandemic," Dawson told The News.
"It's a world class lineup."
