Ailey II at the WYO Theater in Sheridan Nov. 4

At the WYO Theater in Sheridan on Sunday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m.:

Ailey II is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country's best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today's most outstanding emerging choreographers.

Founded in 1974, the company embodies Mr. Ailey's pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people.

After touring North America and abroad, Ailey II brings its critically acclaimed performances home each spring for an annual New York season at The Ailey Citigroup Theater. Past engagements have taken place at the world-famous Apollo Theater and The Joyce Theater. The company's repertory has included works by dance masters Alvin Ailey, Talley Beatty, Donald Byrd, Ulysses Dove, George W. Faison, Lar Lubovitch, Judith Jamison and Ailey's Artistic Director Robert Battle as well as works by rising choreographers such as Sidra Bell, Thang Dao, Carlos dos Santos, and Christopher L. Huggins.

Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular dance companies in the county under the leadership of Sylvia Waters (1974-2012), combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs. With new Artistic Director Troy Powell at the helm, Ailey II will continue to thrive as he brings a fresh dimension to this beloved company.

FMI: www.alvinailey.org 

Cheyenne NAACP dinner features dramatic presentation of "Manservant York" of the Lewis & Clark expedition

Juneteenth celebration set for June 16 in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Park in Cheyenne

The annual Juneteenth celebration will take place on Saturday, June 16, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Park in Cheyenne. Speakers include Mayor Rick Kaysen, Wyoming State Rep. Jim Byrd and Cheyenne NAACP President Elder Rodney McDowell. Performances throughout the day by DJ Riley Jeleneic, singer/songwriter Brandon Mucklow, Flores De Colores, singers/dancers Rashinda Calloway and Maricruz, and poet Stephen Stinger with Dr. James Peebles on the bongos. The Excel Perry 3on3 Basketball Tournament goes all day. Food vendors and informational booths will be located throughout the park. FMI: http://www.naacpcheyenne.org/meetings-and-events

ESPN's Howard Bryant to sign copies of "The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron" April 26 at UW

ESPN sports writer Howard Bryant will be the guest speaker at the University of Wyoming Libraries Book and Author Luncheon at noon Thursday, April 26, at the UW Conference Center at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Admission is $50, and raffle tickets cost $20 each. To reserve a seat or to purchase a raffle ticket, call UW Libraries at (307) 766-3279. Reservation deadline is Tuesday, April 17.

Copies of Bryant's recent book, "The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron," will be available for purchase at the luncheon. Two drawings -- one for four tickets to a Colorado Rockies game, and another for four tickets to UW vs. CSU basketball and football games -- will take place at the event.

The author of several sports books, Bryant is a senior writer for ESPN.com and ESPN the Magazine. Before joining ESPN, he spent two years at The Washington Post.

He appears regularly on ESPN's "The Sports Reporters," "First Take" and "Outside the Lines," and serves as sports correspondent for National Public Radio's "Weekend Edition Saturday."

Photo: Howard Bryant

"Make It Plain" exhibit in Gallery 234 focuses on African-American views of history and religion

From a UW press release:

An African-American view of history and religion will be featured in Felicia Follum's exhibition "Make it Plain," March 19-April 2 in Gallery 234, room 004 in the lower level of the University of Wyoming Union.

A reception for the exhibition is scheduled Wednesday, March 28, from 6-8 p.m. Admission to both events is free and open to the public.

The exhibition promotes looking at American history through the lens of all different cultural groups involved, as well as investigating the ways we persecute members of society today.

This exhibition will be shown in conjunction with the Shepard Symposium for Social Justice , March 28-31.

Mystery novelist Robert Greer of Wheatland hits the road April 14 with new novel

North Atlantic Books, publisher of Robert Greer's new novel, "Astride a Pink Horse," sends this info on the Wheatland's author's tour schedule: 

Publication date: March 27, 2012; North Atlantic Books, distributed by Random House; Hardcover; ISBN: 978-1-58394-369-4 (1-58394-369-2); $23.95/$26.95 CAN; 6 x 9; 376 pages).

Group author signing

Saturday, April 14th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Whistle-Stop Mercantile ~ Books, Espresso & Deli
200 S. 3rd Street
Douglas, WY 82633
(307) 358-3663

Author talk and signing
Friday, April 20th from 4-6 p.m.
The Thistle
1243 Rumsey Ave.
Cody, WY 82414
(307) 587-6635

Reading and/or signing (TBD)
Saturday, April 21st from 1-3 p.m.
Sheridan Stationery, Books, & Gallery
206 North Main St.
Sheridan, WY 82801
(307) 674-8080

Signing
Saturday, April 28th from 1-4 p.m.
The Storyteller
528 Broadway
Thermopolis, WY 82443
(307) 864-3272

Take 6 a cappella group performs at UW Feb. 24

From a UW press release:

Grammy Award-winning Take 6, an a cappella group, takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, in the University of Wyoming Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Admission is free to UW students with a valid ID, $23 for senior citizens and $27 for others. For tickets, call (307) 766-6666 or visit www.uwyo.edu/finearts .

Take 6 was founded at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Ala. The group began as a gospel sextet, but evolved by integrating traditional gospel with R&B, jazz and pop music. The group's latest CD, "The Standard," is straight jazz.

The group has won10 Grammy awards and one Soul Train award, and holds the honor of being the most Grammy-nominated vocal group in history. Take 6 has collaborated with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, the late Whitney Houston, Ray Charles, Queen Latifah, Quincy Jones and k.d. lang. The group provided the sound track for "Dick Tracy" as well as Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" and John Singleton's "Boyz n the Hood."

For more information, visit http://www.take6.com.

Photo: Grammy Award-winning Take 6 performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, in the University of Wyoming Arts and Sciences auditorium. (Anthony Scarlatti Photo)

NEA podcast: Rita Dove, new National Medal of Arts recipient

Rita Dove with President Barack Obama at the National Medal of Arts ceremony Feb. 13

Listen to podcast by internationally-acclaimed poet Rita Dove at http://www.arts.gov/artworks/?p=12146

UW hosts night of blues dancing Feb. 15

From a UW press release:

Bring that special someone, or come alone to a night of blues dancing Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 8 p.m. in the University of Wyoming Union Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public.

Blues dancing originated from African rhythms and movements. It became popular in the United States primarily in smoky juke joints and blues house parties and is growing in popularity.

"Blues dancing is different from other forms of partner dancing," says Anna Rader, Student Activities Council lead student programmer. "The music leads the dance, not the dancer, and it has a subtle physical communication between partners. Students will love watching and learning this particular style of dance."

During the event's first hour, dance instructor Rachael DeMers, from Colorado Blues Dance, and her partner will instruct a course on blues dancing for those interested in learning the art. Then DeMers and the UW Blues Dancing Club will lead an evening of dancing.

This event is sponsored by the Student Activities Council. Individuals needing assistance to attend may call (307) 766-6340. For more information, visit www.uwyo.edu/sac . 

Photo: The Student Activities Council will host a night of blues dancing Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 8 p.m. in the Wyoming Union Ballroom. (Colorado Blues Dance)

Artists named for 37th Annual Juried UW Student Exhibition

Felicia Follum is one of the student artists accepted into the annual juried show at University of Wyoming. This poster of Malcolm X is entitled "Who Taught You to Hate Yourself?"

From the UW Art Museum blog: 

Congratulations to those students whose work has been accepted into the 37th Annual Juried UW Student Exhibition! The list of students and the title of the work that has been accepted is listed on the blog (go to link above). FMI: Rachel Miller at 307.766.6621 or rmiller@uwyo.edu.

UW's African-American and Diaspora Studies launches new speaker series named for Liz Byrd

Wyoming State Sen. Harriet Elizabeth "Liz" Byrd (left) looks on as Gov. Mike Sullivan signs the legislation establishing the Martin Luther King, Jr./Equality Day holiday in 1990. Sen. Byrd worked for almost a decade to get the legislation enacted. 

From a University of Wyoming press release:

To recognize her many contributions to Wyoming, both as an educator and legislator, UW African American and Diaspora Studies (AADS) recently created the Harriet Elizabeth "Liz" Byrd Speaker Series. AADS is working to raise $25,000 to endow the series, which will bring minority educators and speakers to UW and serve to honor the woman who sponsored legislation that, in 1990, established Martin Luther King, Jr./Wyoming Equality Day as a state holiday.

Liz Byrd in the classroom

"I can't think of a better person to represent the University of Wyoming," says AADS Director Tracey O. Patton. "She's emblematic of what we all hope to accomplish in life. I think every person on this planet would like to affect positive change for the world. Very few of us get to do that but she did. She has made lives better in the state of Wyoming."

http://www.uwyo.edu/profiles/extras/liz-byrd.html

P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club steppers step up Jan. 18 at UW to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy

From a UW press release:

In celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. Days of Dialogue, the P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club steppers will perform a free show at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, in the University of Wyoming College of Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Meaning "Participating in the Lives Among Youth to Educate and Restore Society," the P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club Steppers (PCS) perform shows using dance as inspiration. Having begun in 1996 in the Bronx, the P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club steppers perform to entertain but also to educate. Much of their dancing originates from slavery; when slaves were unable to speak while working they would use stepping to communicate with each other.

"We discussed quite a few different options for this year's SAC event during MLK Days of Dialogue, and wanted to have some sort of performance, whether that would mean music, dance, or some other more artistically focused presentation," says Stephanie Long, SAC graduate assistant. "We wanted to offer a performance that still kept with the theme of the week, but offered a chance for the university community to take a breath from the heavy and important subject matter and just have some fun."

Not only have the P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club steppers performed in the White House, they have also gone on tour with popular musicians such as Alicia Keys, Usher and Ja Rule and have even been cast in the movie "Stomp the Yard." They also perform at colleges and universities.

For more information about the P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club steppers, visithttp://www.gernyc.com/theplayersclubsteppers.html .

The show is sponsored by the Student Activities Council and Friday Night Fever. Individuals needing assistance to attend this event should call (307) 766-6340. For more information, visit www.uwyo.edu/sac .

Photo: The P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club steppers will perform a free show at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, in the Arts and Sciences auditorium.

"CSI: NY" star Hill Harper is keynote speaker for Martin Luther King Jr./Days of Dialogue at UW Jan. 19

Film, television and stage actor Hill Harper is the keynote speaker for the 2012 Martin Luther King Jr./Days of Dialogue at the University of Wyoming.

Best known for his current role as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes in the hit CBS drama series, "CSI: NY," Hill will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, in the Arts and Sciences auditorium. His presentation is free and open to the public.

The theme for the 11th MLK/DOD, Jan. 16-20, is "Building Unity Through Community: Local to Global."

UW community members honor the continuing impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his life and ideals through this celebration. The week of activities renews UW's commitment to making the campus and Wyoming a more welcoming and empowering place for people from different backgrounds, heritages, orientations or abilities, say co-chairs Kate Steiner, UW interim assistant dean of students, and Aimee Glocke, African-American Diaspora Studies visiting assistant professor.

An honors graduate from Brown University and recipient of graduate degrees in both law and public administration from Harvard, Harper has appeared in many independent and international films and television programs.

In February 2005, Harper starred in the HBO movie "Lackawanna Blues," which was based on the critically acclaimed stage play by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The film, fueled by rhythm and blues, won the Image Award in 2006 for "Outstanding TV Movie" and the Emmy Award in 2005 for "Outstanding Casting in a Movie."

As a television actor, Harper has had numerous guest-starring roles. He recently appeared on recurring episodes of Showtime's "Soul Food" and appeared on HBO's "The Sopranos." He also starred in the CBS mini-series "Mama Flora's Family" and the UPN Network comedy/drama "Live Shot." Among other guest appearances were "ER," "NYPD Blue," "Murder One," and "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air."

Harper's stage credits include appearances in off-Broadway productions of "Your Handsome Captain," "Freeman," and David Mamet's "American Buffalo." He completed a starring run of Jessica Hagedorn's "Dogeaters" at New York's Joseph Papp Public Theatre. Harper is a full-time member of Boston Black Folk's Theater Company, one of the nation's oldest and most respected African-American traveling theater troupes.

He also has appeared in two Spike Lee movies "Get on the Bus" and "He Got Game," and more recently "For Colored Girls." Harper volunteers for organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters in Los Angeles and speaks to youth in public schools about the values of a good education. He was selected as one of People magazine's "Sexiest Men Alive" (2004).

One of the main events of the annual MLD/DOD is the MLK march. Beginning at the Albany County Courthouse at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, participants will march to the Wyoming Union where the Willena Stanford Supper begins at 4:45 p.m. in the ballroom.

Most events are free and open to the public. Panel discussions, a photo exhibition, speakers and workshops are scheduled throughout the week. MLK/DOD concludes Friday, Jan. 20, with the Lupe Fiasco concert at 8:30 p.m. in the Arts and Sciences auditorium. Tickets can be purchased at the Wyoming Union information desk, the Fine Arts box office and online at www.uwyo.edu/finearts .

For a complete list of events, visit the MLK/DOD website at http://mlkdod.wordpress.com/ or follow updates on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/317648238255013/ .

Photo: Film, television and stage actor Hill Harper is the keynote speaker for the 2012 Martin Luther King Jr./Days of Dialogue at the University of Wyoming.

Poetry slam champ Slam Nuba and hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco headline MLK Days of Dialogue at UW

Sponsored by the University of Wyoming in Laramie:

The week's schedule:

Monday, Jan. 16
10 am – 4 pm • National Service Day
4:00 pm • MLK March – Albany County Courthouse
4:45 pm • Willena Stanford Supper – Wyoming Union Ballroom
Entertainment provided by WASA and the ARK

Tuesday, Jan. 17
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm • ECTL Book Discussion On That Day, Everybody Ate:
One Woman’s Story of Hope and Possibility in Haiti by Margaret Trost.
Registration required at www.uwyo.edu/ctl.
- Coe Library, Rm 506. Lunch provided.
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm • The Face of Discrimination Panel Discussion
- Union Family Room
4 pm – 6 pm • ‘Build 2020 w/ Molina Speaks’: Hip-Hop Workshop and Performance with Adrian Molina
- Union Family Room

Wednesday, Jan. 18
11 am – 1 pm • Local to Global Photo Exhibit Opening
- Union Art Gallery 234
3 pm • Opening the Tunnel of Oppression
- Union East Ballroom
8 pm • The Players Club – Step Performance
SAC Event - A & S Auditorium

Thursday, Jan. 19
12:15 pm – 1:30pm • Art Imitates Life Panel Discussion
- Union West Ballroom
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm • Chad Hymas, Motivational Speaker
- Union West Ballroom
7 pm • Hill Harper, Keynote Address
- A & S Auditorium

Friday, Jan. 20
12:00 pm – 1 pm • Poetry Slam Workshop with Slam Nuba
- Union West Ballroom
Sponsored by Residence Life & Dining Services
1:15 pm – 2:30 pm • Poetry Slam Open Mic with Slam Nuba
- Union Skylight Lounge
Sponsored by Residence Life & Dining Services
6:30 pm • Shadow Ball movie with Talk Back Session
- Union Family Room
Sponsored by Wyoming PBS
9:00 pm & 11:30 pm • FNF Movie: Circumstance
- Union Family Room
8:30 pm • Lupe Fiasco, Hip-Hop Artist
C&C Event – A & S Auditorium • Doors open at 8:00 pm
UW Student Tickets: $20 • Non-UW Student Tickets: $30

More info at http://mlkdod.wordpress.com/

Maceo Parker performs Jan. 7 at Center for the Arts in Jackson

Maceo Parker performs on Saturday, Jan. 7, 7:30-9 pm in the Center Theater at the Center for the Arts in Jackson. Reserved seats are $25 and $35.

Info: “Quite simply, there is no better living showman than Maceo Parker. Catching one of the alto sax maestro's marathon three-hour shows is a truly transcendent experience for any fan of funk, jazz, hip-hop, R&B and soul: His performances are never disappointing, always worth the money, and a funky, funky good time.”

Tickets: https://boxoffice.jhcenterforthearts.org/2000/maxshop.exe?STORE=CFA&PG=99&LINKTO=EVENT_969

Felicia Follum's November exhibit in Laramie focuses on African-American culture

You read it first on Felicia Follum's blog. You read it here second:

Dear Blog Reader:

Who. You are one of the first few people to be cordially invited to my next art show.

What: This show is still in progress but will be addressing topics in the realm of African American history and African American religious culture. The current goal is to look at the American history that is often left out of our education and use it to help people understand the historical context that various American heroes such as Malcolm X and James Cone were responding to.

When: The show will be up from November 8-17 (possibly a bit longer).  The opening will be Thursday, Nov. 10, 6-8 p.m.

Where: The University of Wyoming UpGallery.  In the Fine Arts building.

Here is the Facebook event page and my art page for those of you who use FB (you don't need a FB account to view the pages).  Feel free to RSVP.

Hope to see you there!

World-renowned Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company begins UW residency

The widely acclaimed Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company (BTJ/AZ) and company founder Bill T. Jones are the University of Wyoming's Department of Theatre and Dance's 2011-2012 Eminent Artists-in-Residence.

The Eminent Artist-in-Residence endowed professorship, established by the Wyoming State Legislature and funded by the Excellence in Higher Education Endowment, rotates among the departments of Art, Music and Theatre and Dance annually.

"When we were thinking about who our next eminent artist should be, we sat down as a dance faculty and tossed out names. I said I would give anything to bring in Bill T. Jones and the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company," says UW dance faculty member Margaret Wilson, who has been working to bring the company to Wyoming.

"We really thought it was a long shot when we asked, but within four hours of us contacting the company, Bob Bursey, the producing director, had responded to us and was excited to come to work in Wyoming," says Wilson.

Widely recognized as one of the nation's most influential dance artists, Jones is a ground-breaking, multi-talented artist, choreographer, dancer, theater director, writer and tireless arts advocate. Named "An Irreplaceable Dance Treasure" by the Dance Heritage Coalition in 2000, Jones has received major honors for his vast body of work, ranging from a 1994 Macarthur "Genius" Award to 2010 Kennedy Center Honors to Tony Awards for his choreography on Broadway.

Now in its 29th year, BTJ/AZ was born out of 11-year collaboration between Jones and Zane (1948-1988). They redefined the duet form and foreshadowed issues of identity, form and social commentary that changed the face of American dance. The company emerged onto the international scene in 1983 with the world premiere of "Intuitive Momentum," which featured legendary drummer Max Roach, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Since then, the 10-member company has performed worldwide in more than 200 cities in 30 countries.

"This is really the most important dance company in the world right now, and Bill T. Jones is arguably the most important choreographer of our time," Wilson says. "His body of work ranges from historical reflection to political statement and exemplifies beautiful development of an artistic idea. His work is provocative and satisfying."

BTJ/AZ begins its program at UW in this month with a 12-week residency of two BTJ/AZ teaching artists, Catherine Cabeen and Nicole Smith. They will teach classes, lead workshops and help to set several BTJ/AZ repertory pieces for a concert later in the semester.

The BTJ/AZ Company will present the acclaimed dance work "Serenade/The Proposition" at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct.5, in the UW Arts & Sciences auditorium.

"The work is a reflection on Abraham Lincoln's legacy and the nature of history that draws from the Civil War era to examine how we talk to each other and to ourselves about the past," Wilson says.

A special screening of the new PBS American Masters documentary, "A Good Man," will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, on the UW Fine Arts main stage. "A Good Man" follows Jones and his company for two tumultuous years as they create their most ambitious work to date, "Fondly Do We Hope ... Fervently Do We Pray," an original dance-theater piece honoring Lincoln's bicentennial.

Jones will be in residency at UW Oct. 26-29, to work with students and to teach master classes. He will give the Eminent-Artist-in-Residence keynote speech at 4:10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, in the UW Fine Arts concert hall.

The company's residency will culminate Nov. 15-20 with "Continuous Momentum: The Works of Bill T. Jones." Performed by UW students, the concert will feature four pieces from the BTJ/AZ repertory: "D-man in the Waters," "Continuous Replay," "Duet," and "Power/ful." A tour of the repertory concert is scheduled for Dec. 9-13, with performances tentatively scheduled in Torrington, Gillette, Sheridan, Lander, Riverton, Powell and Rock Springs.

"To do something this intense and long-ranging with our students, was very intriguing to the company and is a tremendous opportunity for us. It really is a dream residency and everything we could have hoped for," says Wilson.

Photo:  Widely recognized as one of the nation's most influential dance artists, Bill T. Jones will be in residency this fall at the University of Wyoming. (Theatre and Dance)

UW Eminent Writer in Residence Ed Roberson reads from his work Sept. 19 at UW Art Museum

Poet Ed Roberson is the second 2011-2012 Eminent Writer in Residence in the University of Wyoming MFA Program in Creative Writing. He comes to campus Sept. 10.

A reception for Roberson, the Distinguished Artist in Residence at Northwestern University, is at 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, in the UW Art Museum. He will read from his works at 5:30 p.m. and sign books afterward. The event is free and open to the public. Roberson also will give a reading in Jackson, sponsored by the Teton County Public Library, Friday, Sept. 16.

During his two-week UW residency, Roberson will visit university classes, consult on manuscripts with graduate creative writing students and discuss writing careers with a wide range of campus members. Roberson's residency will be followed in February by nonfiction writer John D'Agata. Previous Eminent Writers in Residence include Edward P. Jones, Claudia Rankine, Joy Williams and others.

Roberson received the Lila Wallace Writers' Award and the 2008 Shelley Memorial Award from the Poetry Society of America. He also is the acclaimed author of eight books of poetry, including "Voices Cast Out to Talk Us In" (1995), winner of the Iowa Poetry Prize, and "To See the Earth Before the End of the World," Roberson's most recent collection that was published last fall. His poetry also has been anthologized in "The Best American Poetry 2004" and "Primary Trouble: an Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry" (1996).

Roberson has worked throughout the world, including Alaska, Afognak Island, Bermuda, the Peruvian and Ecuadorian Andes, Mexico, Nigeria, West Africa, the Caribbean and the Amazon jungle. Such travels inspire poems that, according to Reginald Gibbons, encompass "startling and just metaphors" and "acrobatic leaps and counter-leaps of thought."

"Ed Roberson is in a school of precisely one. His work is utterly unique, challenging, deeply serious and richly musical," says UW Associate Professor Kate Northrop. "As is the case when one encounters excellent work, I find myself unsure how to respond, how to go about my daily life, after reading his poems. I'm stunned by them."

For more information about the Eminent Writer in Residence program, visit the MFA website atwww.uwyo.edu/creativewriting or email Gwynn Lemler at cw@uwyo.edu .

Robert Greer addresses NAACP banquet -- and signs books -- June 4 in Cheyenne

The multi-talented Robert Greer will come to the Cheyenne Holiday Inn on Saturday, June 4, to speak at the annual banquet of the Wyoming NAACP. His theme will be the contributions that African-Americans made to the history of the West. He will sign copies of his books from 6-7 p.m.. Dinner will follow, with Dr. Greer's speech at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person, $50 per couple. You can purchase tickets for the event by calling Abe Stevenson at 307-634-8304 or Bennie McLaughlin, 307-634-5527.

When he's not writing, Dr. Greer is a professor of pathology, medicine, surgery and dentistry at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. He also holds a master's degree in creative writing from Boston University and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Miami University of Ohio, his alma mater.


Greer has lived in Denver for thirty years. In 1986 he founded The High Plains Literary Review and continues to serve as its editor-in-chief. He is the author or co-author of three medical textbooks and over 125 scientific articles. His short stories have appeared in dozens of national literary magazines and his short story collection, Isolation and Other Stories, published in 2000 by the Davies Group Publishers, is also wonderfully illustrated. 

Greer has been involved in cancer research at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center for more than thirty years. In 1983 his research group was the first in the world to report a synergistic link between smokeless tobacco use and human papillomaviruses in certain cancers of the mouth. That research foundation is the basis for the plot of his novel, The Devil's Hatband, the author's first novel featuring Denver bail bondsman and detective CJ Floyd. Several of his novels are set in Wyoming.


Spoon, Greer’s 2009 novel of the contemporary American West, won the Colorado Book Award for literary fiction. It also was a finalist for the Western Writers of America Spur Award and received the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union 2010 Media of the Year Award. Wyoming’s Craig Johnson, author of Another Man's Moccasins and The Dark Horse , had this to say about the novel: "With Spoon, Robert Greer tells the story of a modern-day range war in wildfire prose both taut and lyrical."

Greer also reviews books for a Denver National Public Radio affiliate, KUVO, and raises cattle on a ranch in Platte County, Wyoming. 

Wyoming PBS and UW hold free screenings April 20 of new film about the Civil Rights struggle