The Anvil Blasters are hosting an evening of Borderland Noir at Paulina Springs Books in Sisters on Wednesday, March 9, to commemorate the centennial of Pancho Villa’s raid on Columbus, New Mexico. Here’s The Nugget Newspaper story on the event.
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One hundred years ago, on March 9, 1916, Mexican revolutionary leader General Francisco “Pancho” Villa led an incursion across the border and attacked the sleeping hamlet of Columbus, New Mexico. It was, prior to September 11, 2001, the most significant terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
Local historian, writer, and musician Jim Cornelius and The Anvil Blasters will mark that historic centennial with an evening of borderland history and border ballads at Paulina Springs Books in Sisters on Wednesday, March 9, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Cornelius will read from his essay, “Pancho Villa: Fourth Horseman of the Mexican Apocalypse,” published in the crime anthology “Borderland Noir,” edited by Craig McDonald and published by Betimes Books. Then the band will dig into some border-themed music – originals, traditional songs and songs from writers such as Tom Russell and Bob Dylan.
“I’ve been obsessed with the Mexican Revolution for years,” Cornelius said. “It was an earth-shaking event. Most folks north of the border don’t know much about it; we recognize Pancho Villa and that’s about it. The Revolution was going on at the same time as World War I, and the impact is still being felt today. About a million Mexicans died and millions more were displaced. It caused the first big wave of Mexican migration into the United States.
“It’s just a wildly fascinating chunk of history. Talk about your game of thrones – every single major leader of the Revolution died violently. In this case, it wasn’t just you win or you die, it was you win AND you die.”
The Anvil Blasters’ music has always been scorched by the hot desert wind of the borderlands, and Jim, along with Lynn Woodward, Mike Biggers and Jeff Wester will focus on that part of their repertoire – tales of outlaws, watchful black crows, good tequila and bad women, and compadres in the Sierra Madre – all flavored with some hot chili peppers in the blistering sun.
“We’re going to have a good time,” said Cornelius, “but it’s important to remember that the occasion we’re marking was a terrible one. The attack on Columbus was an act of terrorism that killed 18 American civilians and soldiers and sparked an invasion of Mexico. We’ll explore what that was all about – and who Pancho Villa really was, the good, the bad and the ugly. Then we’ll turn the book store into a cantina and sing about it.”
“Borderland Noir” will be available at the event, and Jim will sign copies on request.
Paulina Springs Books is located at 252 W. Hood Ave. in Sisters. For more information call 541-549-0866 or contact Jim Cornelius at 541-390-6973.
Keith West says
Wish I could be there.
This will be filmed and posted to YouTube, yes?
JimC says
Maybe some bits.
Saddle Tramp says
Hey Jim…
Not often do you get a two for your money opportunity as described here…
Essay reading and music!!
By the way how do I buy a copy of BORDERLAND NOIR (signed copy of course) if possible?
JimC says
Contact Paulina Springs at 541-549-0866 and order one up — tell ’em you want it signed and I’ll get it done. Thanks for the interest and support.
Norman Andrews says
Only some bits ?.
Norm.
Craig Rullman says
The Figure 8 Ranch will be sending a detachment of two.
JimC says
Outstanding.
Saddle Tramp says
Jim…
Just got back from the road and had the chance to swing by the Post Office and BORDERLAND NOIR has hit town. I perused through it quickly at the counter and will venture deeply into it tonight. Armed and ready…
Travels down El Camino del Diablo…
Muchas gracias amigo,
— ST
JimC says
Bueno — look forward to your thoughts.
Saddle Tramp says
Will do Jim…
Ranch & Reata just arrived as well.
Tom’s feature on Gram is on the cover.
Revelation of the bone chard and it’s return to the rightful owner…
First page shows a photo of Edward Abbey in his Tucson studio. This along with other great photography of the west was recently featured in LENSWORK MAGAZINE which I did purchase.
Definitely a keeper.
Arghhhh!!!!
As if there is not enough on my reading list…
Not complaining though!
Giddyup!
—ST
Saddle Tramp says
Jim…
As one who has traveled the southern “Borderland” territory frequently in the last 12 years and heavily in the last 6 years, BORDERLAND NOIR rides right beside me on an almost daily basis. BORDERLAND NOIR offers up some very powerful insights into those desiccant landscapes where it’s own brand of characters inhabit it and at so many times are desperately up against it [ The Border ]. I recommend everyone head that way along with Jim and company and as Tom Russell always admonishes us:
TAKE WATER!
CENTAUR OF THE NORTH
PANCHO VILLA:
FOURTH HORSEMAN OF THE APOCALYPSE
BY JIM CORNELIUS
” Jim Cornelius serves up a most compelling compendium of myth, legend and facts on Mexico’s perhaps most enduring hero / villain /revolutionary / bandido and shows us why he remains as such in the soul, heart and psyche of Mexico. A challenging task to distill this into a brief essay, but Jim delivers the goods in flavorful fashion while neither clearly condemning or condoning Villa and leaves it up to the reader to choose their own side. Jim brings it all back to life here. ” I recommend riding along with Jim on both sides of the border with this one.
VIVA VILLA!! ”
— Saddle Tramp
Well Jim, there you have it.
You ride in good company here!
Thanks again for sending your side of the border down my way…
Cover to cover and border to border it’s a fine read!
Adiós amigó,
— ST
Your borderland road embedded Groucho Marxist Zen Anarchist
JimC says
Damn! That’s great. Thank you.
And yes, I’m still just as proud as I could be to be in the company that is represented in that anthology. Heavy hitters.