Rolling Still and Taos Ski Valley get behind the Shared Table
ACRAFT DISTILLERY AND LOUNGE in Downtown Taos, Rolling Still, is all about infusing their locallydistilled spirits with the high desert vibe. The four partners (owners) Nicole Barady and Lisa Barret, and their husbands, (distillers) Dan Irion and Scott Barady, are also all about giving back to the community that sustains them. So when Tempo heard that Rolling Still were involved in the Shared Table benefit at Taos Ski Valley this weekend, we reached out to Dan Irion to find out more.
Hi Dan, please tell us about this benefit for Shared Table.
“I like the Shared Table, because you might not think you need anything, but you just might.” This is a quote that Steve Wiard (former pastor at Shared Table) once shared with me. It rings true on so many levels. I have always admired the mission at the Shared Table, free of judgment, free of charge, truly living in the spirit of community to help each other.
The Shared Table has been a shining light in our community since 1994. I am mostly agnostic, and yet the power of the mission of the Shared Table and the pastors (first Steve Wiard and now Cheri Lyon) has me frequenting El Pueblito on occasion. Hell, I even had my eldest son Cyrus baptized there.
Even though I personally am revolted by the global commercialization and threateningly-forced participation of the holiday season, I do love the idea (whether cynically propagandized) of a spirited season of giving and togetherness as a means of becoming our best version of ourself.
What better way to attempt participation in this spirit than partnering with an organization that lives it 365 days a year. Does the Shared Table need us hosting a benefit for them? Probably not, but maybe we need to host this benefit to connect with the spirit of the season.
Why did you decide to hold it in TSV?
Prior to the pandemic, Last to Know had an 11-year consecutive run of playing a holiday benefit show with the great organization Taos Feeds Taos.
Still trying to catch our balance in the lingering aftermath of the pandemic, this year, we tried to revive the benefit, but could not find the time and venue space to pull it off (the gears are turning but still having a hard time catching). Disappointed but not dejected, band member Scott Barady was attending a TSV, Inc. meeting with local business owners (Scott is the husband to Nicole Barady, one of the lady bosses at Rolling Still) when the TSV CEO, David Norden, asked for help from the Taos community to inject life/ spirit into TSV.
Assuming sincerity in Norden’s request, Scott asked for access to the event tent in the Ski Valley’s lower plaza for hosting shows (Taos, once awash in live music, has suffered a dearth of entertainment since the pandemic).
Access was granted and the idea for the show was born. Unfortunately, by the time we had begun working on this event, Taos Feeds Taos had already concluded their annual drive. Luckily, Shared Table was happy to step into the role.
What kind of turnout do you expect and what should we expect once we make it up there?
Expectations are the harbingers of disappointment, so I refrain from declaring an expectation of a turnout. Hopefully, the concert with DJ Ram (great world music beats), Last to Know and Kanizzle, provides compelling entertainment to draw a crowd.
The local music scene has been recovering since the shutdown, but is still a shadow of its former reach. In the ski valley alone, I remember how vibrant the music scene once was with music regularly occurring simultaneously at three venues.
Perhaps with enough energy, the scene can be revived. TSV has publicly acknowledged wanting to work with the local community to make the valley a place for locals. I know there has been an intention to work on music for this show from Last to Know (rehearsing new songs, new jams, etc).
As previously stated, Shared Table is a wonderful organization to get involved with and find meaning and purpose in this life. Hopefully, all these ingredients lead to a great event.