Miner's Delight Inn B&B hosts songwriting workshop May 20-22 with Miss "V" The Gypsy Cowbelle

Miss "V" The Gypsy Cowbelle called today to tell us about her upcoming events. One of the most intriguing is a songwriting workshop she will teach May 20-22 at the Miner's Delight Bed & Breakfast in Atlantic City. The Miner's Delight Inn B&B is owned by two fine entrepreneurs and writers, Barb and Bob Townsend, who have also helped put together a writing group in tiny Atlantic City. This workshop looks like a fine collaboration between Wyoming's most unique B&B and one of the Wyoming Arts Council's talented roster artists. Here are the details:

THE ESSENTIALS OF SONGWRITING: An Interactive Weekend Workshop with Miss "V" The Gypsy Cowbelle

Let the artist inside you emerge as you take a memorable and enriching creative journey with Miss “V” The Gypsy Cowbelle. Hailed as "the quintessential Wyoming singer/songwriter" (Virginia Moore, Wyoming PBS), “V” has designed a workshop to help students engage the creative process and develop the art of conveying ideas and emotions. The workshop is an excellent forum for beginners interested in introductory songwriting, as well as those who wish to hone lyricism and polish their current repertoire.

The weekend event will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, May 20, at Miner’s Delight Inn Bed & Breakfast in Atlantic City, Wyo., with a light-refreshment reception and private concert. On Saturday students will participate in a day-long "Essentials of Songwriting" workshop focusing on: selecting a topic; developing song structure; writing by ear; using artistic language to paint a picture, and adapting music to lyrics. Light refreshments will be available throughout the day.

Saturday evening, “V” will lead a song circle, where students will have the opportunity to perform their own songs and receive feedback from the instructor and fellow participants. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available.

The weekend concludes Sunday morning with an "Introduction to Homemade Instruments" workshop. “V” will discuss the creation of her original Plank Banjo and other assorted homespun instruments and encourage students to participate in a farewell hoedown.

“Nothing fancy but guaranteed authentic," The Gypsy Cowbelle has been recording and performing her original songs throughout the western states for more than a decade. She has been accepted onto the Wyoming Arts Council Artist Roster and was included in the Wind River Music Showcase, a concert series to be aired on Wyoming PBS in March 2011. She has performed on such stages as the 10-Year Celebration for the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, the Nowoodstock Music Festival in Ten Sleep, Wyo., Gold Rush Days in South Pass City, Wyo., and at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev. She was a semi-finalist in a national talent contest and has produced three original CDs.

V’s engaging perspective on life and inspiration for many of her folk songs and ballads stems from two decades spent roving America and living on a remote Wyoming homestead ranch.

Original hotel in Atlantic City that's now a B&B

Registration is limited to 16 students. Workshop-only fee: $150. Workshop and lodging fee: one person: $315 in a room or $285 in a cabin. For two attendees who desire to share a room or cabin, call us for rates. The lodging fee includes breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday's lunch and dinner are not included, but are available within walking distance. For more information, contact Barbara and Bob Townsend at 307-332-0248 or bandb@minersdelightinn.com, or “V” at 307-231-9252 or gypsycowbelle@gmail.com. Listen to The Gypsy Cowbelle at www.myspace.com/gypsycowbelle.

Photo caption: Miss “V” The Gypsy Cowbelle with her handmade plank banjo and a few of the other instruments she plays.